Tuesday, September 27, 2011
New Technical Skills!!! =]
I have been becoming more fluent with the different websites we are asked to explore for this course. I actually feel my confidence level rising, which is new for me! I feel that I have a grasp on what to do for at least the project 1, and the essay. I have been enjoying looking through at the different websites that are available for teachers to use in their classroom. I love the different creative websites that the students can have the option of exploring. The Odosketch was the website that I really loved because I was able to look at my thought process while I designed my picture. I think having the ability to see the student's thought process while they draw would be helpful in giving me a better outlook on their cognitive skills. Many websites can make certain routines in the classroom alot easier. The Google Reader is neat because it keeps track of what books each students reads, and gives the option to let the students share with one another about their reading. The random name picker is also neat because it mixes up names and picks one. This would be great for when the teacher needs someone to run an errand, or be a helper.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Week 5 Reading Reflection
The more I read these articles on technology in the classroom, the more I am enlightened on the serious gap between the teachers and the students in the classroom as a result of technology. The students are not grasping the material being presented to them because it is not being done the right way. We as teachers, need to find the most appropriate route to present our lessons in a way that the students are interested and motivated to continue to learn more about the topic. The traditional way of teaching in which the teacher lectures the entire class is not productive. The students need to continue to be interactive with the lesson.
Marc Prensky does a second article as a follow up to his first article concerning the "Digital Natives" that I found interesting. The students are growing up surrounded by technology, and there is nothing the teachers can do to stop their infatuation with it. The students of today have found something that they really enjoy because of the changing society, and they seem to be pretty stuck on it. The teachers can try to ignore this fact and continue with their usual techniques in the classroom, but it will probably not be the most productive choice.
Prensky brings up the topic of video games and the children's obsession with them. Students will become interested with an attractive learning environment, so why not make the classroom more attractive to them by implementing digital games in the classroom? Students that are raised around technology have a different cognitive process based off of their experiences with technology. The teacher should accommodate this different way of thinking by introducing digital learning games to the lessons. The article discusses that the short attentions spans that children have would not be a problem if lessons incorporated technology because the students would be exposed to something new and interesting that they are not used to. The students will have the chance to have an interactive activity in which they can focus their attention on. The Digital Natives that the students are named, are choosing to not put attention in the classroom because it is not interesting. The students are bored with the traditional tool and need something new to spark their enthusiasm with learning in the classroom again.
Some teachers are scared that introducing digital learning games in the classroom will not be as beneficial as they seem, but they are quite mistaken. Some learning games do have bad reputations, but that is at fault of the game itself, not the learning benefits. Digital games are engaging and get the students yearning to learn. The techniques that the teachers are using now are not too helpful for the students, so it would not hurt to try something new. The students are excited to incorporate this type of learning tool because it is something they are very familiar with, which makes them more comfortable. Digital learning games can bring improvements in math, vocabulary, and ELA skills. Teachers need to be more open with incorporating technology tools like digital learning games in the classroom because the students are in need for something new and interactive to make them more interested in learning.
Marc Prensky does a second article as a follow up to his first article concerning the "Digital Natives" that I found interesting. The students are growing up surrounded by technology, and there is nothing the teachers can do to stop their infatuation with it. The students of today have found something that they really enjoy because of the changing society, and they seem to be pretty stuck on it. The teachers can try to ignore this fact and continue with their usual techniques in the classroom, but it will probably not be the most productive choice.
Prensky brings up the topic of video games and the children's obsession with them. Students will become interested with an attractive learning environment, so why not make the classroom more attractive to them by implementing digital games in the classroom? Students that are raised around technology have a different cognitive process based off of their experiences with technology. The teacher should accommodate this different way of thinking by introducing digital learning games to the lessons. The article discusses that the short attentions spans that children have would not be a problem if lessons incorporated technology because the students would be exposed to something new and interesting that they are not used to. The students will have the chance to have an interactive activity in which they can focus their attention on. The Digital Natives that the students are named, are choosing to not put attention in the classroom because it is not interesting. The students are bored with the traditional tool and need something new to spark their enthusiasm with learning in the classroom again.
Some teachers are scared that introducing digital learning games in the classroom will not be as beneficial as they seem, but they are quite mistaken. Some learning games do have bad reputations, but that is at fault of the game itself, not the learning benefits. Digital games are engaging and get the students yearning to learn. The techniques that the teachers are using now are not too helpful for the students, so it would not hurt to try something new. The students are excited to incorporate this type of learning tool because it is something they are very familiar with, which makes them more comfortable. Digital learning games can bring improvements in math, vocabulary, and ELA skills. Teachers need to be more open with incorporating technology tools like digital learning games in the classroom because the students are in need for something new and interactive to make them more interested in learning.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
How can Blogger help my classroom?
Blogger can be very helpful in the classroom. Some teachers may veer away from it because it it may seem intimidating, but the benefits are great! Blogging can help the students express and reflect in ways that maybe they can not on paper. Blog can be used as a tool to type up reflections on a specific reading. Blog can be useful for an ELA activity in the classroom. The students can relate to certain content and discuss it in their blog website. The students can then share their ideas with the other students. Blog can act as a great communication builder by letting the students explore each others ideas and opinions. The Blog can also be a great tool in a creative writing activity. The students can have the ability to write about whatever topic they choose and just let their imagination run wild.
Teachers can also use blog to view the student's work in a more productive way. If I was the teacher, I could have an easier time overlooking my student's progress with their assigned readings. I could easily get access to their writing without having to scrummage through all my papers to find a certain student's paper. Blogger enables the teacher to keep an organized file of the student's classwork. I know that the students would enjoy working with Blogger because they are familiar with technology and by integrating technology in the classwork, the student may find more interest in their assignments.
Teachers can also use blog to view the student's work in a more productive way. If I was the teacher, I could have an easier time overlooking my student's progress with their assigned readings. I could easily get access to their writing without having to scrummage through all my papers to find a certain student's paper. Blogger enables the teacher to keep an organized file of the student's classwork. I know that the students would enjoy working with Blogger because they are familiar with technology and by integrating technology in the classwork, the student may find more interest in their assignments.
What I have been learning this past week...
I reviewed the discussion of, "Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants," by Marc Prensky that I found interesting. Prensky goes on to discuss the obstacle that teachers now are having with their students. The students of this generation are more exposed to technology than the teachers, which makes them the "Natives" to technology. Teachers are the Immigrants because they are entering the new generation of technology with little knowledge on how to cope with it in the classroom. The difference in knowledge causes many problems in the teacher's methods used in the classroom. Prensky mentions that there the teachers and students speak a different "language" because of the difference in skills. The teachers are more adapt to taking the lesson slow and using step-by-step examples. While on the other hand, the students are used to fast pace instruction as a result of high speed technology.The teachers are not fond of the idea of changing their methods to conform to the changing society. It is a big step to take, but it is one that is necessary. Teachers are scared to learn new methods and replace what they have relied on for so long. I was the same way in the beginning of my EDU 315 class, but I am slowly realizing the benefits that technology can bring to the student's academic accomplishments. I do not want to stand in the way of the student's learning processes by being afraid to incorporate new technology into the classroom. Prensky does an excellent job in displaying the gap between teachers and students, and what needs to happen in the classroom to lessen that gap.
I have finally begun to really feel comfortable with Blogger and the some other websites. Technology can be pretty scary at first, but once I began to familiarize myself with the tools, I felt more at ease. The websites that I have just begun to play with are the Storybird and Little Bird Tales. I think that these two websites are a great way to let the students open up their imagination. The Storybird website I liked the best because I could look at the pictures and make them mean whatever I wanted. The Little Bird Tales has an interesting feature of the option to add narration. I think that this feature would help the students with their reading skills in the classroom. Some students may get nervous talking out loud in class, but with this website they could present their story to the class without feeling anxiety. Students are also able to work on their writing skills with both websites. I think that by implementing these kinds of websites into the classroom, the students can improve their reading and writing skills in a new and interesting way.
I have finally begun to really feel comfortable with Blogger and the some other websites. Technology can be pretty scary at first, but once I began to familiarize myself with the tools, I felt more at ease. The websites that I have just begun to play with are the Storybird and Little Bird Tales. I think that these two websites are a great way to let the students open up their imagination. The Storybird website I liked the best because I could look at the pictures and make them mean whatever I wanted. The Little Bird Tales has an interesting feature of the option to add narration. I think that this feature would help the students with their reading skills in the classroom. Some students may get nervous talking out loud in class, but with this website they could present their story to the class without feeling anxiety. Students are also able to work on their writing skills with both websites. I think that by implementing these kinds of websites into the classroom, the students can improve their reading and writing skills in a new and interesting way.
Friday, September 16, 2011
About ME
• My First name
Casondra
• Four adjectives that describe me
Caring, determined, organized, conservative
• My Siblings
I have one sister, Chelsea, who is 2 years younger than me
• Lover of
Cats, food, thrift stores
• Who feels
stressed (to the max!), thankful for my wonderful friends and family, intimidated about the semester ahead of me
• Who fears
being alone, driving in the snow, being in debt after college
• I would like to see
Eiffel Tower in Paris, Italy (again!), end of a rainbow
• Resident of
State Route 38, Moravia, New York
• My profession
Recreation Day Camp
• My last name
Hagin
Casondra
• Four adjectives that describe me
Caring, determined, organized, conservative
• My Siblings
I have one sister, Chelsea, who is 2 years younger than me
• Lover of
Cats, food, thrift stores
• Who feels
stressed (to the max!), thankful for my wonderful friends and family, intimidated about the semester ahead of me
• Who fears
being alone, driving in the snow, being in debt after college
• I would like to see
Eiffel Tower in Paris, Italy (again!), end of a rainbow
• Resident of
State Route 38, Moravia, New York
• My profession
Recreation Day Camp
• My last name
Hagin
First Post!!!
I have never used Blogger before, so I am pretty nervous about this project. I know that it will be helpful in my teaching career, but I am still worried I will not do it right. There are so many different displays and choices. I hope that I learn how to use all the different parts so I do well. I hope my followers will bear with me while I still adjust to this new website. I hope that soon I will learn how to run it, and make it FANTASTIC! .... enjoy! =]
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