Since the beginning of the semester I have learned that there are a great deal of tools and resources on the internet which can be used to help when teaching. When I first entered the course, I had no idea on how to create or use wikis, and didn't even know things such as Google Docs, Voki, Glogster, etc. even existed. Since this time, I have not only become familiar with the tools but also have become comfortable with using them in my future classroom. I also have learned about how a Mac operates and many of the applications that are available. For instance, I now understand how to use iMovie, Garageband, and run most of the Microsoft applications. I feel that all these resources can be used to plan lessons that are more interactive and lively for my students. I can incorporate new learning experiences using this technology which bring many sources of videos, documents, web resources, and any other instructional technology together to create a lesson which is fun, exciting, but most importantly investigates a topic much more in-depth and builds a deeper understanding for students.
The quality and appropriateness of what you have learned/created this semester.
I feel that the quality of what I have learned was good and the tools we learned about are definitely relevant. While there is not much time in these short semesters to really investigate a topic in-depth and pull all the information out of a program, we did explore many of the key aspects that we can then use to explore the programs on our own in the future. All of the resources that we have learned about can really help to teach our students and provide them with the optimal learning experience. I will be able to incorporate most of the tools that we learned about directly into my curriculum. I would have liked more time to understand some of the projects before we began using them, but as I worked on the assignment I started to understand them better and grew more confident.
Evaluation of your comfort moving forward with technology.
After this course, I feel much more confident moving forward with technology. I began thinking I was proficient with the computer but realize I didn't understand most of the applications. I am now about 80% confident in using my Mac, but realize there are many more programs to explore. Within the programs that I have learned I feel about 85% confident in using them, but 100% confident in that I can learn to use them at their full potential if I just keep practicing.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
EDCI 5825 Week 6 Reading Response
After reviewing the blogs via Google Reader, I was able to observe how student’s responses changed throughout the semester. Google Reader makes it easy to follow student’s blog posts as they are updated through the semester. It is also a great tool to quickly compare and contrast blogs or find how another student responded to a question.
One observation that stood out to me was how organization can make a huge difference when reading through the blogs. I particularly like how Anna organizes her pages. For instance, when looking at the week 5 assignment for our technology class, I think it is great how she not only organizes the actual writing, but how she has integrated the links to her web pages directly into her paragraphs. The material is easy to read and aesthetically pleasing so it looks very professional. Everything you need to explore her ideas is right on the post. If I was reading through I could simply click on a link to go to the page she is talking about and follow along with her explanation.
One comment that stuck out to me was by Lori where she was reflecting on our technology class and says,” I am left feeling like I have a lot of morsels but no solid food.” I can certainly understand her frustration when it comes to learning this new technology because it is difficult and complex and we don’t have much time to learn it all in a semester. But I would also like to respond and say that even if we have not been able to master these programs as much as we would have liked, the good thing is that we can take the basics that we had time to cover and now explore them for ourselves. As I look at my computer I can see half a dozen applications that I haven’t even touched because I don’t know how to use them. This class has at least allowed me to feel that I can explore the applications on my own and over time I hope I will begin to gain more and more confidence. In short, maybe it would be better to just think that we have been given the seeds and overtime that plant will grow which will provide the solid food.
In summary, I think Google Reader is a very useful tool that allows you to navigate through a large set of data and responses in a fairly quick and effective manner. Instead of going from blog to blog, I can quickly view all the blog posts by just scrolling up and down.
One observation that stood out to me was how organization can make a huge difference when reading through the blogs. I particularly like how Anna organizes her pages. For instance, when looking at the week 5 assignment for our technology class, I think it is great how she not only organizes the actual writing, but how she has integrated the links to her web pages directly into her paragraphs. The material is easy to read and aesthetically pleasing so it looks very professional. Everything you need to explore her ideas is right on the post. If I was reading through I could simply click on a link to go to the page she is talking about and follow along with her explanation.
One comment that stuck out to me was by Lori where she was reflecting on our technology class and says,” I am left feeling like I have a lot of morsels but no solid food.” I can certainly understand her frustration when it comes to learning this new technology because it is difficult and complex and we don’t have much time to learn it all in a semester. But I would also like to respond and say that even if we have not been able to master these programs as much as we would have liked, the good thing is that we can take the basics that we had time to cover and now explore them for ourselves. As I look at my computer I can see half a dozen applications that I haven’t even touched because I don’t know how to use them. This class has at least allowed me to feel that I can explore the applications on my own and over time I hope I will begin to gain more and more confidence. In short, maybe it would be better to just think that we have been given the seeds and overtime that plant will grow which will provide the solid food.
In summary, I think Google Reader is a very useful tool that allows you to navigate through a large set of data and responses in a fairly quick and effective manner. Instead of going from blog to blog, I can quickly view all the blog posts by just scrolling up and down.
Monday, June 27, 2011
EDCI 5825 Week 5 Reading Response
While all of these websites were very interesting and provide students with great learning opportunities, two stuck out in my mind as being extremely useful as tools to help teach students. The first is real-time conditions in Long Island Sound data run by researchers at UConn. These scientists place buoys in the water which measure the salinity, temperature, wave heights, and dissolve oxygen. These measures provide the researchers with information about the water quality in real-time so that they can constantly monitor changes as they happen. This information is then used to understand how the water quality can impact the marine life living in the Sound, as well as any implications it may hold for us (University of Connecticut, Marine Sciences,1999). I would use this website in my classroom to get students focused on the biology topics that are happening in our neighborhoods. They would realize that there is more to just water than just having a physical presence. Students would also learn about the concepts of salinity and temperature, and what factors effect these conditions and what impact they can potentially have. I would then have students perform their own research by taking a field trip to a local pong or stream and obtaining water from the sound. By measuring the salt content and pH of the different waters, students can identify the differences in water sources and how they impact the life that thrives in them.
A second website which I found really fascinating was the live operating room table website. I have always enjoyed anatomy and am hoping to teach an anatomy and physiology class in the future. This website, while graphic, is an opportunity which most people would never get to experience if it wasn’t for the internet. The site takes you directly to the operating room where you can watch as they first describe the procedures that will be taking place as well as the reasons the person needs the surgery. Next, they begin the operation as you get a front row seat to some of the most innovate procedures around. They currently have a hip replacement scheduled for June 28th at 7:00pm (ORLive, 2010). In an anatomy class, I would use this website as a chance for students to do assignments or earn extra credit as they watch a surgery take place and write a response about not only what they have seen, but what some of the reasoning’s the doctors explained for doing it that way. This site gives students an in-depth view at what the human body looks like, which often diagrams can’t begin to explain. From these assignments students will learn about the role of the skin, the connective tissues, the bones or muscles being operated on, but they will also gain a visual as to how it all comes together to form a human being. I would also like to use clips from these videos while exploring concepts. For instance, as I review the muscles and nerves that make up the eye, I could show a brief clip from the video so they can see the structures I am referring to. This would help supplement my lecture by providing another way of learning the information.
References
ORLive. (2010). Online surgical and healthcare video and webcasts. Retrieved from http://www.orlive.com/
University of Connecticut, Marine Sciences (1999, April). Mysound. Retrieved from http://www.mysound.uconn.edu/
A second website which I found really fascinating was the live operating room table website. I have always enjoyed anatomy and am hoping to teach an anatomy and physiology class in the future. This website, while graphic, is an opportunity which most people would never get to experience if it wasn’t for the internet. The site takes you directly to the operating room where you can watch as they first describe the procedures that will be taking place as well as the reasons the person needs the surgery. Next, they begin the operation as you get a front row seat to some of the most innovate procedures around. They currently have a hip replacement scheduled for June 28th at 7:00pm (ORLive, 2010). In an anatomy class, I would use this website as a chance for students to do assignments or earn extra credit as they watch a surgery take place and write a response about not only what they have seen, but what some of the reasoning’s the doctors explained for doing it that way. This site gives students an in-depth view at what the human body looks like, which often diagrams can’t begin to explain. From these assignments students will learn about the role of the skin, the connective tissues, the bones or muscles being operated on, but they will also gain a visual as to how it all comes together to form a human being. I would also like to use clips from these videos while exploring concepts. For instance, as I review the muscles and nerves that make up the eye, I could show a brief clip from the video so they can see the structures I am referring to. This would help supplement my lecture by providing another way of learning the information.
References
ORLive. (2010). Online surgical and healthcare video and webcasts. Retrieved from http://www.orlive.com/
University of Connecticut, Marine Sciences (1999, April). Mysound. Retrieved from http://www.mysound.uconn.edu/
Week 5 T2P
If a teacher takes into account students neural maps when developing her curriculum and planning lessons, then she will be able to strengthen multiple neural networks and allow her students to be well rounded learners. By providing stimulus and opportunities to form nerve identities, children will strengthen connections in multiple areas such as visual, auditory, physical, etc., instead of only being able to perform well at only one. As evidenced by research in neurophysiology, children are born with few neural networks, but quickly develop millions after birth. If these networks are not used then they will become lost in a process known as synaptic pruning. This is why it is vital to exercise these networks as children progress through puberty and into adulthood, so that they not only retain these pathways but also strengthen them. Strengthening refers to the process of making connections more efficient and mature, processes which are both vital to children's development. Building upon these neural networks will allow students to be more well-rounded learners and exceed in multiple facets of understanding. This will help to benefit a child both in class an out of class as they are able to understand complex relationships through multiple methods of processing. Students will be able to function better in school as they can take in information through all the senses and methods described by Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences to form a more comprehensive view of the subject. I believe this is the key to learning as students can take one idea or concept and look at it through multiple angles and point of views to reach an interpretation which is unique to themselves.
A Good Teacher
A good teacher is both effective in their ability to promote student learning and brings morals to his or her classroom which provide an atmosphere conducive to learning for the students. Good teachers not only find ways to present information clearly and concisely so that students can interpret and understand concepts, but they also (teach students how to be good citizens within their communities.) In order to be a good teacher, that (teacher must model good behavior) to her students. He should be willing to learn from his students and understand that there is more to teaching than just a curriculum. (Life skills are an important part of a students learning in school and these skills in some ways will be more useful than the material being presented.) These teachers are in the profession because they believe in their students and truly want to seem them succeed, rather than for only their own benefit. (Good teachers believe that only when their students have succeed that they themselves have succeeded at teaching. This promotes students autonomy in the class which allows them to feel they are safe and comfortable to present ideas in the class so that each day they come to class ready and willing to learn.) This in turn leads to more understanding and learning in the classroom forming a cyclical relationship between teaching content and teaching morals.
Revision of T2P
If a teacher builds upon the curriculum as the students develop throughout the semester, then the teacher will provide a better learning opportunity for his students. Teacher's who approach every class the same and have the curriculum laid out in advance are not able to build upon what the (because) students are learning each day and how they change as a result of the interactions and understanding that goes on in the classroom. (Evidence) As Lave's Theory of situated learning states, learning occurs in an environmental context and we create this knowledge as we go along. Everyday students are learning something new, so it is important to understand the goals of the classroom, but also be flexible in changing them from day to day as students reorganize their thinking and expand upon existing views. (Moral) I believe students who only reflect upon a learning experience and never revisit these ideas, or teachers who are so focused on the curriculum that they skip important learning opportunities are focusing too much on content instead of the process of learning. It is important for students to understand the process of learning and focus on metacognition, as this will make them better learners in the future. Moral It is important for a teacher to take the time to develop the curriculum throughout the semester because it models good learning. As students see their teachers working hard to change the curriculum to fit the needs of the students, the students will begin to see that hard work and learning is a concept which doesn't just apply to them. As the teacher is busy working hard to revise lesson plans and promote his students learning, it will present a learning opportunity for the students which cannot be taught in a curriculum. Students will learn that understanding is a process and it cannot be defined by time limits or set out in advance, but is rather a continuous process which is never set in stone. Students will then be motivated to work harder in the class as they realize that there is a mutual unspoken agreement between teacher and learner that each party will work hard to establish an effective learning atmosphere, and strive to achieve the most they can.
Revision of T2P
If a teacher builds upon the curriculum as the students develop throughout the semester, then the teacher will provide a better learning opportunity for his students. Teacher's who approach every class the same and have the curriculum laid out in advance are not able to build upon what the (because) students are learning each day and how they change as a result of the interactions and understanding that goes on in the classroom. (Evidence) As Lave's Theory of situated learning states, learning occurs in an environmental context and we create this knowledge as we go along. Everyday students are learning something new, so it is important to understand the goals of the classroom, but also be flexible in changing them from day to day as students reorganize their thinking and expand upon existing views. (Moral) I believe students who only reflect upon a learning experience and never revisit these ideas, or teachers who are so focused on the curriculum that they skip important learning opportunities are focusing too much on content instead of the process of learning. It is important for students to understand the process of learning and focus on metacognition, as this will make them better learners in the future. Moral It is important for a teacher to take the time to develop the curriculum throughout the semester because it models good learning. As students see their teachers working hard to change the curriculum to fit the needs of the students, the students will begin to see that hard work and learning is a concept which doesn't just apply to them. As the teacher is busy working hard to revise lesson plans and promote his students learning, it will present a learning opportunity for the students which cannot be taught in a curriculum. Students will learn that understanding is a process and it cannot be defined by time limits or set out in advance, but is rather a continuous process which is never set in stone. Students will then be motivated to work harder in the class as they realize that there is a mutual unspoken agreement between teacher and learner that each party will work hard to establish an effective learning atmosphere, and strive to achieve the most they can.
Monday, June 20, 2011
EDCI 5825 Week 4 Reading Response
For students who are experiences specific disabilities, it is important to recognize the uses and implications of technology that can minimize the learning gap by providing useful tools to educate these populations.
In the case of a student who has a hearing impairment, it is important he or she can be matched with technology that will bridge any disadvantages they might be facing. The first example of technology that I would with this type of student is closed captioning. This is no different than what is commonly displayed on televisions in busy places, where the words are written across the bottom of the screen. Second technologies that can assist these students are ear devices such as hearing aids or hearing loops. Hearing aids are good at amplifying noise and can be used in young students. Hearing loops are coils of wire, which not only amplify noise, but also eliminate background noises as well which is particularly useful in a classroom where loud noises may distract a student with a hearing aid (Assistive Technology for Hearing Impaired Students)
For students who are visually impaired, technology such as DAISY talking books could help students to communicate ideas from a book. The benefits are that this technology can play videos, show pictures, and other types of documents. This can be beneficial if the words in print are difficult for a reader to decipher. It allows the visually impaired reader to focus on specific content in the book, either headings or individual words and increase the font size so that they are readable. DAISY has also teamed with Microsoft so that files can be saved into an accessible format through the add-on program (Assistive Technology in Education/DAISY) E-readers are designed to make books accessible and affordable. They also allow the user to retrieve any book at the touch of a screen. Another benefit of these e-readers is that they have a program referred to as text-to speech. This program allows the reader to select a voice and it reads content aloud. While the menu is not considered to be blind friendly, since it does not have speaking capabilities, the e-readers are still useful if someone is able to assist the visually impaired person through the menu (Assistive Technology in Education/eBook).
For a person who has suffered an injury to their hand and may find it difficult to scroll through screens or type, I would recommend speech recognition software. This program converts words, which a person speaks into text. These programs can be trained to recognize persons specific voice tone, known as speaker recognition, and record what they are saying. Specific speech recognition software has been developed for Microsoft in which the computer recognizes voice commands and can open programs and files. All computer files can be assigned a number so that persons can access even the hardest to recognize files. Another such program, Dragon NaturallySpeaking allows users to transcribe their own words or to record an audio document, while at the same time issuing commands (Assistive Technology in Education/Speech Recognition Software)
Technology impacts teaching, thinking, and learning skills and promotes lifelong learning (Schrum, 2009). For a student who suffers from non-communicative autism getting information into their curriculum is an important skill, which needs to be taught and developed across their life. To do this, any of the above programs could be implemented to give them an advantage with learning. For instance, if they are easily distracted by loud noises and become frustrated and confused, using hearing loop can help to drown out loud and distracting noises. The DAISY talking books can help these students to focus, and the ability to present movies and photos might help to attract their interest and understand the material. If there is difficulty in getting the student to type or use the computer, it may be easier to use speech recognition to get their ideas onto paper and expand upon them.
References
Assistive technology for hearing impaired students. (2007, June 23). Retrieved from http://www.axistive.com/assistive-technology-for-hearing-impaired-students.html
Assistive technology in education/daisy. (2009, July 31). Retrieved from http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Assistive_ Technology_in_Education/DAISY
Assistive technology in education/ebook. (2010, November 01). Retrieved from http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Assistive_ Technology_in_Education/eBook
Assistive technology in education/speech recognition software. (2011, March 19). Retrieved from Assistive Technology in Education/Speech Recognition Software
Schrum, L. M., & Levin, B. B. (2009). Leading 21st century schools: Harnessing technology for engagement and achievement. Thousand Oaks, California: Corwin.
In the case of a student who has a hearing impairment, it is important he or she can be matched with technology that will bridge any disadvantages they might be facing. The first example of technology that I would with this type of student is closed captioning. This is no different than what is commonly displayed on televisions in busy places, where the words are written across the bottom of the screen. Second technologies that can assist these students are ear devices such as hearing aids or hearing loops. Hearing aids are good at amplifying noise and can be used in young students. Hearing loops are coils of wire, which not only amplify noise, but also eliminate background noises as well which is particularly useful in a classroom where loud noises may distract a student with a hearing aid (Assistive Technology for Hearing Impaired Students)
For students who are visually impaired, technology such as DAISY talking books could help students to communicate ideas from a book. The benefits are that this technology can play videos, show pictures, and other types of documents. This can be beneficial if the words in print are difficult for a reader to decipher. It allows the visually impaired reader to focus on specific content in the book, either headings or individual words and increase the font size so that they are readable. DAISY has also teamed with Microsoft so that files can be saved into an accessible format through the add-on program (Assistive Technology in Education/DAISY) E-readers are designed to make books accessible and affordable. They also allow the user to retrieve any book at the touch of a screen. Another benefit of these e-readers is that they have a program referred to as text-to speech. This program allows the reader to select a voice and it reads content aloud. While the menu is not considered to be blind friendly, since it does not have speaking capabilities, the e-readers are still useful if someone is able to assist the visually impaired person through the menu (Assistive Technology in Education/eBook).
For a person who has suffered an injury to their hand and may find it difficult to scroll through screens or type, I would recommend speech recognition software. This program converts words, which a person speaks into text. These programs can be trained to recognize persons specific voice tone, known as speaker recognition, and record what they are saying. Specific speech recognition software has been developed for Microsoft in which the computer recognizes voice commands and can open programs and files. All computer files can be assigned a number so that persons can access even the hardest to recognize files. Another such program, Dragon NaturallySpeaking allows users to transcribe their own words or to record an audio document, while at the same time issuing commands (Assistive Technology in Education/Speech Recognition Software)
Technology impacts teaching, thinking, and learning skills and promotes lifelong learning (Schrum, 2009). For a student who suffers from non-communicative autism getting information into their curriculum is an important skill, which needs to be taught and developed across their life. To do this, any of the above programs could be implemented to give them an advantage with learning. For instance, if they are easily distracted by loud noises and become frustrated and confused, using hearing loop can help to drown out loud and distracting noises. The DAISY talking books can help these students to focus, and the ability to present movies and photos might help to attract their interest and understand the material. If there is difficulty in getting the student to type or use the computer, it may be easier to use speech recognition to get their ideas onto paper and expand upon them.
References
Assistive technology for hearing impaired students. (2007, June 23). Retrieved from http://www.axistive.com/assistive-technology-for-hearing-impaired-students.html
Assistive technology in education/daisy. (2009, July 31). Retrieved from http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Assistive_ Technology_in_Education/DAISY
Assistive technology in education/ebook. (2010, November 01). Retrieved from http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Assistive_ Technology_in_Education/eBook
Assistive technology in education/speech recognition software. (2011, March 19). Retrieved from Assistive Technology in Education/Speech Recognition Software
Schrum, L. M., & Levin, B. B. (2009). Leading 21st century schools: Harnessing technology for engagement and achievement. Thousand Oaks, California: Corwin.
Week 4 T2P Simmons et. al Structure
If a teacher approaches her students as individuals with large and robust schema then, (because) the student will be able to incorporate the information the teacher presents with their own unique understanding. This will allow the student to realize that there isn't just one way of interpreting information, but rather that it is the (because) culmination of ideas and how you choose to interpret them that is the goal of learning. This will allow the student to feel that they have something to offer the class and they can share their unique perspectives to build a class discussion.(evidence) Piaget suggests that allowing students to build off existing frameworks will create better understanding because the student will be able to assimilate information into these frameworks. It is important to approach students at the proper cognitive level so that they will be able to understand the concepts which may be too abstract or out of their age group. In this scenario, the (decision) teacher and student both take turns in being the one who teaches and the one who learns, and (moral implication) I believe this reciprocal sharing is the essence of teaching. Where a student feels confident enough to share how they view a topic, and a teacher is confident in her own abilities and the cognitive and developmental abilities of her students to provide strong arguments for why they believe this. In doing so, the teacher has succeeded, as the student has learned that the ideas and implications of the material taught in-class(context) extend far beyond the scope of classroom and help us to understand the many facets of life.
T2P Self-Determination
If a teacher plans a lesson focusing on his students feelings of autonomy, competency, and relatedness, then the teacher will foster results which will support students understanding and appreciation of the material. (Because) Students who feel that they have an active part in the classroom, including control over the content, the ability to research topics which are discussed, and have the ability to share new ideas and understands, will gain the motivation and skills it takes to be a successful learner. (Moral) I believe a teacher who teaches through the ideas of self-determination and who allows students to gain autonomy will discover that their students become more creative and engaged in the material. This creativity will lead to new discoveries and appreciations for the topics which the teacher might feel are necessary to teach. In addition, the teacher should be willing to learn from his or her students as well. (Evidence) Vicky Davis promotes self-determination in her students by allowing the to direct their own learning. She approaches her classes as unique and that every student can succeed. She raises her students autonomy by showing them that have the ability to succeed and allowing them to direct their own learning. Self-determination creates these feelings of autonomy, competence, and relatedness within the classroom, but can branch out to all areas of the world. Students will be able to reach the most distant locations and connect to people of many different cultures and beliefs. The limits of self-determination are unending as students can continue to explore more and more topics which lead to further understanding and greater enrichment of these ideals.
End of Class T2P:
If a teacher builds upon the curriculum as the students develop throughout the semester, then the teacher will provide a better learning opportunity for his students. Teacher's who approach every class the same and have the curriculum laid out in advance are not able to build upon what the (because) students are learning each day and how they change as a result of the interactions and understanding that goes on in the classroom. (Evidence) As Lave's Theory of situated learning states, learning occurs in an environmental context and we create this knowledge as we go along. Everyday students are learning something new, so it is important to understand the goals of the classroom, but also be flexible in changing them from day to day as students reorganize their thinking and expand upon existing views. (Moral) I believe students who only reflect upon a learning experience and never revisit these ideas, or teachers who are so focused on the curriculum that they skip important learning opportunities are focusing too much on content instead of the process of learning. It is important for students to understand the process of learning and focus on metacognition, as this will make them better learners in the future. If the curriculum seems so inflexible that students are just going through the motions instead of being competent in any area and they feel constrained by demands of the teacher and it inhibits learning. However, if the teacher is flexible and allows for unplanned learning opportunities, students will learn that understanding is a process and it cannot be defined by time limits
Week 4 Essay Reflection:
In today's class we continued to look at key theories in education and formed theories to practice incorporating these new theories to expand our pedagogical methods. These new theories present new way's of examining the role of teaching, being a student, and the purpose of education in our society. While there are many area's which overlap, each theory provides new insight into the idea's of education which help to shape our own views of how the classroom should function.
The ideas of Deci & Ryan and Self-Determination Theory focus on human motivation and personality. They examine the extrinsic motivational factors which motivate students as well as the intrinsic factors which reflect our own interest and core values. The theory goes on to state that it is the extrinsic forces action on a persons intrinsic motives and needs that are inherent to human nature. In any environment there are many forces acting upon us which affect our ability to learn, and in order to foster learning we need three main conditions. The first is that we need autonomy in the classroom, where students feel free in their own abilities. The second is that we need to develop competency and a high level of understanding and mastery, and last we need to feel relatedness and connections to others. If these 3 conditions are met, then the Self-Determination Theory states that we will develop enhanced performance, persistence, and creativity within our students. We also learned how these same principles can apply to our use of technology in the classroom as displayed by Vicki Davis. Davis promotes self-determination in her students and builds competence in technology while allowing a free range of self-exploration in topics, and relatedness between the classmates and other classes around the world.
After lunch, we came back to class and finished preparing our presentations before we presented them in front of the class. Each group presented the main ideas about learning, the role of the teacher, the student, the content, context, and the relevance to today's classrooms, for each of the theorists. While some theorists ideas were controversial in nature and limited the students abilities to experience a wide array of learning techniques (Gardner), other theorists focused on political issues and the idea of overcoming social boundaries. In general, most theorists believed that the key to a strong education depended upon social interactions and building off of those interactions.
All in all, the class was very insightful and helped to clarify what we are to get out of researching so many theorists. It helped to clarify my picture of what my own theories of education are, and also helps to refine and change my interpretations of how I view education. By incorporating the bits and pieces of each theory that I feel are relevant, I am able to build a stronger picture of how I believe an effective teacher educates his or her students.
Theorist Spreadsheet
T2P Self-Determination
If a teacher plans a lesson focusing on his students feelings of autonomy, competency, and relatedness, then the teacher will foster results which will support students understanding and appreciation of the material. (Because) Students who feel that they have an active part in the classroom, including control over the content, the ability to research topics which are discussed, and have the ability to share new ideas and understands, will gain the motivation and skills it takes to be a successful learner. (Moral) I believe a teacher who teaches through the ideas of self-determination and who allows students to gain autonomy will discover that their students become more creative and engaged in the material. This creativity will lead to new discoveries and appreciations for the topics which the teacher might feel are necessary to teach. In addition, the teacher should be willing to learn from his or her students as well. (Evidence) Vicky Davis promotes self-determination in her students by allowing the to direct their own learning. She approaches her classes as unique and that every student can succeed. She raises her students autonomy by showing them that have the ability to succeed and allowing them to direct their own learning. Self-determination creates these feelings of autonomy, competence, and relatedness within the classroom, but can branch out to all areas of the world. Students will be able to reach the most distant locations and connect to people of many different cultures and beliefs. The limits of self-determination are unending as students can continue to explore more and more topics which lead to further understanding and greater enrichment of these ideals.
End of Class T2P:
If a teacher builds upon the curriculum as the students develop throughout the semester, then the teacher will provide a better learning opportunity for his students. Teacher's who approach every class the same and have the curriculum laid out in advance are not able to build upon what the (because) students are learning each day and how they change as a result of the interactions and understanding that goes on in the classroom. (Evidence) As Lave's Theory of situated learning states, learning occurs in an environmental context and we create this knowledge as we go along. Everyday students are learning something new, so it is important to understand the goals of the classroom, but also be flexible in changing them from day to day as students reorganize their thinking and expand upon existing views. (Moral) I believe students who only reflect upon a learning experience and never revisit these ideas, or teachers who are so focused on the curriculum that they skip important learning opportunities are focusing too much on content instead of the process of learning. It is important for students to understand the process of learning and focus on metacognition, as this will make them better learners in the future. If the curriculum seems so inflexible that students are just going through the motions instead of being competent in any area and they feel constrained by demands of the teacher and it inhibits learning. However, if the teacher is flexible and allows for unplanned learning opportunities, students will learn that understanding is a process and it cannot be defined by time limits
Week 4 Essay Reflection:
In today's class we continued to look at key theories in education and formed theories to practice incorporating these new theories to expand our pedagogical methods. These new theories present new way's of examining the role of teaching, being a student, and the purpose of education in our society. While there are many area's which overlap, each theory provides new insight into the idea's of education which help to shape our own views of how the classroom should function.
The ideas of Deci & Ryan and Self-Determination Theory focus on human motivation and personality. They examine the extrinsic motivational factors which motivate students as well as the intrinsic factors which reflect our own interest and core values. The theory goes on to state that it is the extrinsic forces action on a persons intrinsic motives and needs that are inherent to human nature. In any environment there are many forces acting upon us which affect our ability to learn, and in order to foster learning we need three main conditions. The first is that we need autonomy in the classroom, where students feel free in their own abilities. The second is that we need to develop competency and a high level of understanding and mastery, and last we need to feel relatedness and connections to others. If these 3 conditions are met, then the Self-Determination Theory states that we will develop enhanced performance, persistence, and creativity within our students. We also learned how these same principles can apply to our use of technology in the classroom as displayed by Vicki Davis. Davis promotes self-determination in her students and builds competence in technology while allowing a free range of self-exploration in topics, and relatedness between the classmates and other classes around the world.
After lunch, we came back to class and finished preparing our presentations before we presented them in front of the class. Each group presented the main ideas about learning, the role of the teacher, the student, the content, context, and the relevance to today's classrooms, for each of the theorists. While some theorists ideas were controversial in nature and limited the students abilities to experience a wide array of learning techniques (Gardner), other theorists focused on political issues and the idea of overcoming social boundaries. In general, most theorists believed that the key to a strong education depended upon social interactions and building off of those interactions.
All in all, the class was very insightful and helped to clarify what we are to get out of researching so many theorists. It helped to clarify my picture of what my own theories of education are, and also helps to refine and change my interpretations of how I view education. By incorporating the bits and pieces of each theory that I feel are relevant, I am able to build a stronger picture of how I believe an effective teacher educates his or her students.
Theorist Spreadsheet
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
EDCI 5825 Week 3 Reading Response
The use of Web 2.0 in the classroom provides the ability for collaboration projects between students in the classroom, the teacher, and even students from other classes (Schrum & Levin, 2009, 48). The benefit of using these new technologies in the classroom are that they allow students to collaborate on projects and work individually on them while at the same time work together with other group members to accomplish a larger task (48). The first way that I would incorporate the use of collaborative technology into my classroom is to create a course wiki, which displays all the information about the class; including the syllabus, course calendars, and any other information relevant to the class. The benefits of this wiki will not only allow for the class to be organized into one coherent document, but it will also allow students to become slightly familiar with the use of wiki pages. Throughout the year, I would also create wiki pages to explore concepts within biology. One example of this is that I would want students to create pages on microorganisms and their many functions within the human body. Assigned groups of students would each choose a subject of interest in which these organisms play an important role in either how we function or something that perhaps causes harm to our bodies. These wiki pages would include information such as links to website, videos, and other useful resources to demonstrate what they’ve learned. The use of the wiki will allow for students to connect the concepts of what I teach them in class about bacteria, to the information they’ve researched and also to connect information within the separate groups to promote greater understanding of the material (50).
A second use of collaborative projects that I would incorporate into my class is the use of individual blogs for each of my students. These blogs would be used to not only give background on each of the students, but also would serve as a portfolio and place to submit homework, research, and in-class questions (53). Each week I would like to post a podcast onto our class wiki, which serves as a guideline for the notes for that week of class. This way, students could periodically check back into the podcast if they forget what was covered in class. Also, I would give class exercises and homework questions through this podcast so that I can provide clear and concise details about what is due for each class and what I expect in terms of quality work, thus expanding the student’s learning to outside of class time as well (54).
Using each of these three methods of collaboration, I would have students come up with their own projects as to why they feel bacteria/viruses are relevant to their lives. For example, perhaps the students are interested in how bacteria and viruses cause them to get sick. I would then have them create a wiki page about how viruses spread, what illnesses can arise from them, etc. so that many diverse topics are covered. I would then want them to predict the spread of viruses using surveys and graphing tools (57). Using tools such as Google Earth, I would want them to pretend a disease had just spread to a town on the other side of the state and predict the flow of the disease from town to town. Also, I would want them to formulate a way that they could track and manage the disease through using survey techniques about the general population. Finally, they would have to answer questions on their blogs such as what other factors may played an important role in the spread of the disease, how it could be contained, and how they could locate the original source (Schrum & Levin, 2009).
Resources
Schrum, L. M., & Levin, B. B. (2009). Leading 21st century schools: Harnessing technology for engagement and achievement. Thousand Oaks, California: Corwin.
A second use of collaborative projects that I would incorporate into my class is the use of individual blogs for each of my students. These blogs would be used to not only give background on each of the students, but also would serve as a portfolio and place to submit homework, research, and in-class questions (53). Each week I would like to post a podcast onto our class wiki, which serves as a guideline for the notes for that week of class. This way, students could periodically check back into the podcast if they forget what was covered in class. Also, I would give class exercises and homework questions through this podcast so that I can provide clear and concise details about what is due for each class and what I expect in terms of quality work, thus expanding the student’s learning to outside of class time as well (54).
Using each of these three methods of collaboration, I would have students come up with their own projects as to why they feel bacteria/viruses are relevant to their lives. For example, perhaps the students are interested in how bacteria and viruses cause them to get sick. I would then have them create a wiki page about how viruses spread, what illnesses can arise from them, etc. so that many diverse topics are covered. I would then want them to predict the spread of viruses using surveys and graphing tools (57). Using tools such as Google Earth, I would want them to pretend a disease had just spread to a town on the other side of the state and predict the flow of the disease from town to town. Also, I would want them to formulate a way that they could track and manage the disease through using survey techniques about the general population. Finally, they would have to answer questions on their blogs such as what other factors may played an important role in the spread of the disease, how it could be contained, and how they could locate the original source (Schrum & Levin, 2009).
Resources
Schrum, L. M., & Levin, B. B. (2009). Leading 21st century schools: Harnessing technology for engagement and achievement. Thousand Oaks, California: Corwin.
Monday, June 13, 2011
EDCI 5065: Week 3 T2P and Essay
T2P:
If a teacher approaches his or her students as blank slates, or a bank which information must be deposited into, then both the student and the teacher will be deprived of valuable learning experiences because the student will feel as if they have nothing to offer to the class and everything that is important to learn and understand is directed by the teacher, and the teacher will never learn from their students. A teacher who believes that they are to fill the minds of a child with valuable information must ask themselves what they can benefit from understanding how a child thinks and how this can make them a better teacher to understand their cognitive and developmental abilities. If a teacher ignores this fact then the student will never learn about the many facets of life that exist outside of the written curriculum and ultimately the teacher has failed and brought the student down with him.
In today’s class we reviewed the work of three main educational theorists; Skinner, Piaget, and Vygotski. Through these developmental psychologists, we were able to construct models of education which best representing their beliefs about the role of teachers and students, how their learning theory is defined, and how it applies to today’s schools. The class went by quickly as we worked in different groups to form large groups to compose information and then formed triads to teach about our assigned theorist to other students. The most important thing I learned from these activities are the use of reinforcement in teaching, and understanding students pre-existing frameworks of cognitive development. Both concepts allow a teacher to be more effective in their practice by allowing students to become more engaged and provide direct feedback through reinforcement, and taking into account student abilities to avoid confusing and frustration in the class.
After class we were assigned another theorist to research and present an 8-10 minute presentation about. My theorist was Paulo Freire who believed that students should learn to be activists and have their voice heard in the community. His theory was fascinating and the idea I enjoyed the most from his is his disregard of the banking theory and instead that he believed students were actively engaged learners who bring a great deal of knowledge and understanding to their classes. We constructed a presentation, which we wanted to film a quick video for, so that we could talk while demonstrating ideas about this theory and who he was as a person. Unfortunately, the task seemed a lot easier than we had expected because none of us were too familiar with the computer programs. Instead we compromised to the best of our abilities, which took us several hours to complete. I learned from this task that sometimes our ideas of what we want to teach are greater than the time we are allotted to do so. In the future, I would hope to better manage my time so that I could finish the assignment in the time frame and put together a more compelling artifact.
If a teacher approaches his or her students as blank slates, or a bank which information must be deposited into, then both the student and the teacher will be deprived of valuable learning experiences because the student will feel as if they have nothing to offer to the class and everything that is important to learn and understand is directed by the teacher, and the teacher will never learn from their students. A teacher who believes that they are to fill the minds of a child with valuable information must ask themselves what they can benefit from understanding how a child thinks and how this can make them a better teacher to understand their cognitive and developmental abilities. If a teacher ignores this fact then the student will never learn about the many facets of life that exist outside of the written curriculum and ultimately the teacher has failed and brought the student down with him.
In today’s class we reviewed the work of three main educational theorists; Skinner, Piaget, and Vygotski. Through these developmental psychologists, we were able to construct models of education which best representing their beliefs about the role of teachers and students, how their learning theory is defined, and how it applies to today’s schools. The class went by quickly as we worked in different groups to form large groups to compose information and then formed triads to teach about our assigned theorist to other students. The most important thing I learned from these activities are the use of reinforcement in teaching, and understanding students pre-existing frameworks of cognitive development. Both concepts allow a teacher to be more effective in their practice by allowing students to become more engaged and provide direct feedback through reinforcement, and taking into account student abilities to avoid confusing and frustration in the class.
After class we were assigned another theorist to research and present an 8-10 minute presentation about. My theorist was Paulo Freire who believed that students should learn to be activists and have their voice heard in the community. His theory was fascinating and the idea I enjoyed the most from his is his disregard of the banking theory and instead that he believed students were actively engaged learners who bring a great deal of knowledge and understanding to their classes. We constructed a presentation, which we wanted to film a quick video for, so that we could talk while demonstrating ideas about this theory and who he was as a person. Unfortunately, the task seemed a lot easier than we had expected because none of us were too familiar with the computer programs. Instead we compromised to the best of our abilities, which took us several hours to complete. I learned from this task that sometimes our ideas of what we want to teach are greater than the time we are allotted to do so. In the future, I would hope to better manage my time so that I could finish the assignment in the time frame and put together a more compelling artifact.
Week 3-LT 1
If a teacher was going to present information very new to her students, which aspects of the cognitive learning theories could she consider when designing her lesson plan?
This question is labeled as a 4, which is an analysis question. I agree that this question reflects analysis of how the information presented in the Kruse article can be used to help guide a teacher in planning her lesson. If a teacher was to present new information to her students, it would be important for her to understand that students come into her classroom with different pre-existing frameworks (Constructivist Learning Theory) and these will shape how they interpret the information. It would be important for her to assess her students by asking questions to see which students are having trouble understanding the material and whether they are cognitively able to grasp the subject matter (Developmental Learning Theory). Finally, the teacher would want to be sure to include social interactions between students in the class so that they can share the information they've learned, thus allowing for greater development of the zone of proximal development and allowing for more understanding.
Jimmy grew up in the Bronx, where he only saw black squirrels. When he moved to Connecticut at the age of 18, it didn't even draw his attention that there were red and gray squirrels. How might Jimmy's reaction have been different if he were in the concrete stage of cognitive development?
This question was labeled as a 5, a synthesis question. However, I believe it is more of a level 4 analysis question to analyze his interpretations rather than synthesizing an interpretation of why Jimmy formed this thought process. If Jimmy were in his concrete stage of cognitive development, he would have probably realized that different types of squirrels exist and that they don't fit into his current framework. This would spark Jimmy to form a new framework for different colored squirrels through accommodation which is an abstract concept that other types of squirrels exist, instead of assimilating them together.
Conclude why it may be important to understand Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development when working with children?
This question was labeled a 6, I feel that it is more of a level 4 question which doesn't require deep critical thinking but instead asks to analyze the situation. If they had asked to compare and contrast Piaget with another theorist then it would be more of an evaluation question. When working with children it is important to understand their preexisting frameworks so that you can judge where you should begin the lesson plan. It is important to understand whether children can grasp abstract ideas or if they need to begin with more concrete examples of the lesson. This will not only allow for students to understand the material, but will also allow the teacher to be more effective in his/her practice because they are able to accommodate to students different frameworks which they bring to the class.
This question is labeled as a 4, which is an analysis question. I agree that this question reflects analysis of how the information presented in the Kruse article can be used to help guide a teacher in planning her lesson. If a teacher was to present new information to her students, it would be important for her to understand that students come into her classroom with different pre-existing frameworks (Constructivist Learning Theory) and these will shape how they interpret the information. It would be important for her to assess her students by asking questions to see which students are having trouble understanding the material and whether they are cognitively able to grasp the subject matter (Developmental Learning Theory). Finally, the teacher would want to be sure to include social interactions between students in the class so that they can share the information they've learned, thus allowing for greater development of the zone of proximal development and allowing for more understanding.
Jimmy grew up in the Bronx, where he only saw black squirrels. When he moved to Connecticut at the age of 18, it didn't even draw his attention that there were red and gray squirrels. How might Jimmy's reaction have been different if he were in the concrete stage of cognitive development?
This question was labeled as a 5, a synthesis question. However, I believe it is more of a level 4 analysis question to analyze his interpretations rather than synthesizing an interpretation of why Jimmy formed this thought process. If Jimmy were in his concrete stage of cognitive development, he would have probably realized that different types of squirrels exist and that they don't fit into his current framework. This would spark Jimmy to form a new framework for different colored squirrels through accommodation which is an abstract concept that other types of squirrels exist, instead of assimilating them together.
Conclude why it may be important to understand Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development when working with children?
This question was labeled a 6, I feel that it is more of a level 4 question which doesn't require deep critical thinking but instead asks to analyze the situation. If they had asked to compare and contrast Piaget with another theorist then it would be more of an evaluation question. When working with children it is important to understand their preexisting frameworks so that you can judge where you should begin the lesson plan. It is important to understand whether children can grasp abstract ideas or if they need to begin with more concrete examples of the lesson. This will not only allow for students to understand the material, but will also allow the teacher to be more effective in his/her practice because they are able to accommodate to students different frameworks which they bring to the class.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
EDCI 5825 Week 2 Reading Questions
Similarities:
The similarities between these four instructional models are that they all allow students and teachers to pool their resources in order to investigate an essential question or a unit topic more in-depth.
Another similarity is that all of these models allow students to not only develop competency in a subject area, but they are also teaching internet literacy by allowing them to develop skill such as exploring links, citing sources, and becoming familiar with technology
A third similarity is that all four types of instruction allow for greater organization and better practices in the classes. Students know exactly where to find the information their teachers want them to analyze, or teachers know exactly where to find other curriculums on WebQuest, so that the Internet portion of the class is very well structured.
Differences:
A difference between all four instructional models is the teacher’s role in the assignment. In internet workshop, the students are finding the information but the teacher is facilitating the discussion. However, in internet workshop it is more of an effort on the students to research the topic on their own and in internet inquiry the student performs all the tasks from raising the question to researching the answer.
A second difference is what the students are supposed to take away from the instructional method. In Internet design and Internet project the goal is to build on collaborative skills and help students to understand a topic that the teacher has assigned. Internet inquiry is more for self-exploration by the student so they are to learn how to answer their own questions and hypotheses.
A final difference is whether the assignment is confined to students within a team, within a class, or could involve input from students in classes around the world. Workshops typically are just within the class and involve a relatively small number of students. Internet inquiry is even a smaller student group, probably consisting of either one student or a few with the same question. Internet project and WebQuest, however, allow students and teachers from many different schools and many different locations to share information with each other.
Technology in the Classroom:
I talked with my cooperating teacher about the use of technology in the classroom. He stated that mostly the students use the basics of Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer for using WebQuests, and a media projector. He says that at this time there is no smart board in the classroom. He also stated that he is hoping to post assignments, powerpoints, etc. on GoogleDocs by next year yet it is tricky because most students do not have internet access. This is something that I could hopefully be able to help him in doing as well as developing lesson plans which use WebQuest as a means of exploring concepts.
The similarities between these four instructional models are that they all allow students and teachers to pool their resources in order to investigate an essential question or a unit topic more in-depth.
Another similarity is that all of these models allow students to not only develop competency in a subject area, but they are also teaching internet literacy by allowing them to develop skill such as exploring links, citing sources, and becoming familiar with technology
A third similarity is that all four types of instruction allow for greater organization and better practices in the classes. Students know exactly where to find the information their teachers want them to analyze, or teachers know exactly where to find other curriculums on WebQuest, so that the Internet portion of the class is very well structured.
Differences:
A difference between all four instructional models is the teacher’s role in the assignment. In internet workshop, the students are finding the information but the teacher is facilitating the discussion. However, in internet workshop it is more of an effort on the students to research the topic on their own and in internet inquiry the student performs all the tasks from raising the question to researching the answer.
A second difference is what the students are supposed to take away from the instructional method. In Internet design and Internet project the goal is to build on collaborative skills and help students to understand a topic that the teacher has assigned. Internet inquiry is more for self-exploration by the student so they are to learn how to answer their own questions and hypotheses.
A final difference is whether the assignment is confined to students within a team, within a class, or could involve input from students in classes around the world. Workshops typically are just within the class and involve a relatively small number of students. Internet inquiry is even a smaller student group, probably consisting of either one student or a few with the same question. Internet project and WebQuest, however, allow students and teachers from many different schools and many different locations to share information with each other.
Technology in the Classroom:
I talked with my cooperating teacher about the use of technology in the classroom. He stated that mostly the students use the basics of Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer for using WebQuests, and a media projector. He says that at this time there is no smart board in the classroom. He also stated that he is hoping to post assignments, powerpoints, etc. on GoogleDocs by next year yet it is tricky because most students do not have internet access. This is something that I could hopefully be able to help him in doing as well as developing lesson plans which use WebQuest as a means of exploring concepts.
Monday, June 6, 2011
EDCI 5065 Week 2 Essay and T2P
T2P: If a teachers beliefs, about how students learn and how to teach, don’t directly translate to progress in the students competency of that field, then the teacher may have a class which at first glance comes off as very well structured and having an environment inductive to learning, but actually overlooks the understanding the students are coming away with because teaching requires more than just a subjective interpretation of how a class should function.
Week 2 Essay:
During week 2, we analyzed two articles, one by Yero and another by Hansen which both discuss the idea of morals in the classroom. Using these two articles we learned that a great deal of what a teacher brings to the mix in a classroom isn’t just what they know form their content area, but also the subconscious actions they go through in the class. These subconscious actions direct the class without necessarily being spoken but rather are reflected by how the teacher presents themselves in the classroom.
Yero believed that teachers should educate their students through ideas of critical reflection and discourse. She states that metaphors that are commonly used in classrooms may actually hinder learning by creating preconceived notions about how either a student or an entire class may act. Hansen felt tat students should direct their own learning and that the goal for educating students is to have respect between teachers and students, and have clear expectations, which the students could meet. After the readings we watched clips, which illustrated how other teachers modeled their classroom, and derived how they best felt that learning and teaching occurs. We also examined how well these ideas about how to teach and structure a classroom lead to competency in their fields. Meaning whether it really helped students to better understand or increased their appreciation for the subject. These models helped to define my T2P by allowing me to understand that what may initially come off as a good way of teaching (Whole Brain Teaching 6th Grade Math Class), may actually lack the ability to help students with competency. Also, what may be an unconventional way of teaching and seem absurd (Dead Poet’s Society), although exaggerated, may be a good way to approach a topic. The real indicator of how good or bad a way of teaching or a lesson plan is cannot be judged by merely looking at the class, but rather investigating what the students can get out of a lesson such as this.
We also discussed some of the key concepts in human development, which a person might by experiencing (i.e. social, physical, ethnic) and how a teacher guides their students to explore these dimensions. A good teacher does not only allow a student to explore one path all of the time. Instead, there are many different contexts to learning and the teacher must allow students, and encourage students, to explore the different avenues in life. By touching upon the many facets of development and allowing a safe context to do so, the teacher is providing an education, which extends beyond the curriculum and educates students about the realities of life outside the classroom.
The class flowed smoothly; we transitioned from one topic to the next without dragging out any concepts. Everyone was on the same page and we were able to share out own ideas about what learning was. It was really interesting to see how one of the Intel groups had reinvented the concept map and it worked out really well.
Week 2 Essay:
During week 2, we analyzed two articles, one by Yero and another by Hansen which both discuss the idea of morals in the classroom. Using these two articles we learned that a great deal of what a teacher brings to the mix in a classroom isn’t just what they know form their content area, but also the subconscious actions they go through in the class. These subconscious actions direct the class without necessarily being spoken but rather are reflected by how the teacher presents themselves in the classroom.
Yero believed that teachers should educate their students through ideas of critical reflection and discourse. She states that metaphors that are commonly used in classrooms may actually hinder learning by creating preconceived notions about how either a student or an entire class may act. Hansen felt tat students should direct their own learning and that the goal for educating students is to have respect between teachers and students, and have clear expectations, which the students could meet. After the readings we watched clips, which illustrated how other teachers modeled their classroom, and derived how they best felt that learning and teaching occurs. We also examined how well these ideas about how to teach and structure a classroom lead to competency in their fields. Meaning whether it really helped students to better understand or increased their appreciation for the subject. These models helped to define my T2P by allowing me to understand that what may initially come off as a good way of teaching (Whole Brain Teaching 6th Grade Math Class), may actually lack the ability to help students with competency. Also, what may be an unconventional way of teaching and seem absurd (Dead Poet’s Society), although exaggerated, may be a good way to approach a topic. The real indicator of how good or bad a way of teaching or a lesson plan is cannot be judged by merely looking at the class, but rather investigating what the students can get out of a lesson such as this.
We also discussed some of the key concepts in human development, which a person might by experiencing (i.e. social, physical, ethnic) and how a teacher guides their students to explore these dimensions. A good teacher does not only allow a student to explore one path all of the time. Instead, there are many different contexts to learning and the teacher must allow students, and encourage students, to explore the different avenues in life. By touching upon the many facets of development and allowing a safe context to do so, the teacher is providing an education, which extends beyond the curriculum and educates students about the realities of life outside the classroom.
The class flowed smoothly; we transitioned from one topic to the next without dragging out any concepts. Everyone was on the same page and we were able to share out own ideas about what learning was. It was really interesting to see how one of the Intel groups had reinvented the concept map and it worked out really well.
EDCI 5065 Week 1 Essay and T2P
Today we performed several activities and assessments. First, we wrote down formal and informal experiences we have learned in the past. This helped to understand the differences between “loosely” constructed learning versus concrete learning scenarios. The objective was to show how learning occurs in a variety of circumstances outside the classroom as well as within it. We then worked with partners to identify which of these experiences were affected by demographic variables, which were environmental variables, and those that were experiential. This activity demonstrated how learning is based on many individual variables and often what is learned is a result of either personal characteristics, the context of the situation, or how that learning opportunity was presented.
Another activity was to complete the Likert scale, which pertained to learning styles. I learned that I prefer to be more of a physical learner and less of an aural learner. The results that I received from this task varied greatly from the other students in my group, which illustrated the importance of teaching to a multitude of learning styles. What necessarily works for one student may not work to educate another so we must take students traits and differences into consideration.
After lunch we had the task of creating concept maps in which we broke down the idea/concept of learning. This was a difficult task because our group had so many different opinions about what learning meant and it was hard to decide general ideas in which they could be categorized. From this activity we learned that often we use the word “learning” without realizing how difficult it is to define. Learning consists of so many smaller concepts, which also could branch out into thousands more. What was important was grasping that the idea of learning is best understood through openness to many different interpretations and definitions.
Lastly, we focused on the article about educational psychology. The class was able to discuss many issues that cannot be easily answered such as whether standardized tests should be administered and if students should be tracked. These lessons also showed the many concepts pertaining to education and teach us that there are essential questions that must be addressed.
T2p: If a teacher accompanies students as an expert learner and “guide on the side” through their learning experiences, then it will allow students to seek answers and solutions for themselves and become actively engaged in their own learning because they will not rely on having the answer lectured to them or given to them but instead, they will understand that the only way to find an answer is to direct their own education through questioning and problem solving and use the teacher as a resource to find those answers.
Another activity was to complete the Likert scale, which pertained to learning styles. I learned that I prefer to be more of a physical learner and less of an aural learner. The results that I received from this task varied greatly from the other students in my group, which illustrated the importance of teaching to a multitude of learning styles. What necessarily works for one student may not work to educate another so we must take students traits and differences into consideration.
After lunch we had the task of creating concept maps in which we broke down the idea/concept of learning. This was a difficult task because our group had so many different opinions about what learning meant and it was hard to decide general ideas in which they could be categorized. From this activity we learned that often we use the word “learning” without realizing how difficult it is to define. Learning consists of so many smaller concepts, which also could branch out into thousands more. What was important was grasping that the idea of learning is best understood through openness to many different interpretations and definitions.
Lastly, we focused on the article about educational psychology. The class was able to discuss many issues that cannot be easily answered such as whether standardized tests should be administered and if students should be tracked. These lessons also showed the many concepts pertaining to education and teach us that there are essential questions that must be addressed.
T2p: If a teacher accompanies students as an expert learner and “guide on the side” through their learning experiences, then it will allow students to seek answers and solutions for themselves and become actively engaged in their own learning because they will not rely on having the answer lectured to them or given to them but instead, they will understand that the only way to find an answer is to direct their own education through questioning and problem solving and use the teacher as a resource to find those answers.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
EDCI 5065 Week 2 Resources (Biology)
1.) Source 1
I choose this online website because it provides a framework for how high school biology classes should be structured. I feel that as a beginning biology teacher it is especially important to understand what students should get out of their class and equally as important for teachers to understand how to meet these needs. The website does not provide a curriculum to follow, but rather touches upon the important tasks and goals every teacher should strive to meet in his or her classes. In addition, the article also talks about assessment to evaluate the progress of students in the sciences and standards to determine if teachers are encouraging learning and growth in their classrooms. I feel that this website is a useful resource which good teachers would use to teach because it outlines the important principles, standards, and goals of science education. While its messages cannot be directly translated into a specific classroom standard, they serve as guidelines that then enable a teacher to work towards accomplishing these standards. The information would allow students to gain competency in biology by allowing me to design classrooms that meet these goals. For instance, the article states that it is important for students to engage intelligently in public discourse and debate of important science issues. I can then shape a curriculum to meet these standards by providing students with activities which require them to debate the importance of global climate changes and how it affects their lives, in order to meet this objective.
2.) Source 2
This online website provides a multitude of hands-on teaching techniques. I believe that these activities would be a key resource for teaching biology because they provide many opportunities for students to become actively engaged in their learning. These activities provide different methods of learning, such as explaining difficult concepts through common activities, which can be directly observed, also by bringing the material to life instead of only teaching from a book. Students can visualize what is going on during complex processes in biology and learn how to demonstrate these principles. A good teacher emphasizes multiple methods of learning in the classroom. I feel that these activities indicate how good teachers teach by getting students active in their learning, allowing them to visualize the procedures, and allowing for physical learning to occur. Students would develop competency in biology by applying large concepts, which may not make sense to them at first, to everyday phenomena that occur. This would allow for more understanding of how biology plays in integral role in our everyday life.
3.) Source 3
The third resource is another online website which links to several different research articles, news articles, and videos which talk about the future of biology. Most of these links talk about what has recently been done in the field of biology or what the future of biology will be. I feel that they are extremely useful educational tools by exposing students to the future problems of the world, as well as keeping them in touch with the development in the field. I feel that good teachers would use this tool to show students how to discover problems or research in biology that would never be covered in a standard classroom. Textbooks do not have time to cover the most recent discoveries in the field of biology. It allows students to see more biology in their everyday world and allows them to ask questions about how to solve problems that are the most crucial to biology. Also, it allows for students to develop competency about how biologist and other scientists perform research, including how to design research questions, how to test these hypotheses, and how to interpret the data and communicate findings.
I choose this online website because it provides a framework for how high school biology classes should be structured. I feel that as a beginning biology teacher it is especially important to understand what students should get out of their class and equally as important for teachers to understand how to meet these needs. The website does not provide a curriculum to follow, but rather touches upon the important tasks and goals every teacher should strive to meet in his or her classes. In addition, the article also talks about assessment to evaluate the progress of students in the sciences and standards to determine if teachers are encouraging learning and growth in their classrooms. I feel that this website is a useful resource which good teachers would use to teach because it outlines the important principles, standards, and goals of science education. While its messages cannot be directly translated into a specific classroom standard, they serve as guidelines that then enable a teacher to work towards accomplishing these standards. The information would allow students to gain competency in biology by allowing me to design classrooms that meet these goals. For instance, the article states that it is important for students to engage intelligently in public discourse and debate of important science issues. I can then shape a curriculum to meet these standards by providing students with activities which require them to debate the importance of global climate changes and how it affects their lives, in order to meet this objective.
2.) Source 2
This online website provides a multitude of hands-on teaching techniques. I believe that these activities would be a key resource for teaching biology because they provide many opportunities for students to become actively engaged in their learning. These activities provide different methods of learning, such as explaining difficult concepts through common activities, which can be directly observed, also by bringing the material to life instead of only teaching from a book. Students can visualize what is going on during complex processes in biology and learn how to demonstrate these principles. A good teacher emphasizes multiple methods of learning in the classroom. I feel that these activities indicate how good teachers teach by getting students active in their learning, allowing them to visualize the procedures, and allowing for physical learning to occur. Students would develop competency in biology by applying large concepts, which may not make sense to them at first, to everyday phenomena that occur. This would allow for more understanding of how biology plays in integral role in our everyday life.
3.) Source 3
The third resource is another online website which links to several different research articles, news articles, and videos which talk about the future of biology. Most of these links talk about what has recently been done in the field of biology or what the future of biology will be. I feel that they are extremely useful educational tools by exposing students to the future problems of the world, as well as keeping them in touch with the development in the field. I feel that good teachers would use this tool to show students how to discover problems or research in biology that would never be covered in a standard classroom. Textbooks do not have time to cover the most recent discoveries in the field of biology. It allows students to see more biology in their everyday world and allows them to ask questions about how to solve problems that are the most crucial to biology. Also, it allows for students to develop competency about how biologist and other scientists perform research, including how to design research questions, how to test these hypotheses, and how to interpret the data and communicate findings.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Welcome!
My name is Matt.
I am seeking certification in biology.
While I don't have much in-class teaching experience, some general professional experiences I've had are working with young children at the New Britain YMCA in after school programs. These programs focused on helping students with their homework and after school activities while providing a supportive environment. I've also had the opportunity to work with daycare centers in the New Britain community which focused on helping young students to read and write before and after school. Other non-related work experiences are working at a water-park for four years. While this may seem unrelated, there is a great deal of instruction and learning that goes into a job such as this. I spent most days teaching people how to climb up 60' rock walls which, as you could imagine, is extremely challenging. However, it was an equally rewarding job to teach a person how to climb and watch them achieve something they never thought possible.
My experience with technology is limited, as indicated by my lack of having a Facebook account. I have general knowledge about most programs in Microsoft, including word, excel, and powerpoint. While I don't have a broad knowledge of technology, I am able to teach myself how to use most programs in order to get by.
My hobbies include playing sports, going to new places, fishing, hiking, or anything that involves being active.
I am seeking certification in biology.
While I don't have much in-class teaching experience, some general professional experiences I've had are working with young children at the New Britain YMCA in after school programs. These programs focused on helping students with their homework and after school activities while providing a supportive environment. I've also had the opportunity to work with daycare centers in the New Britain community which focused on helping young students to read and write before and after school. Other non-related work experiences are working at a water-park for four years. While this may seem unrelated, there is a great deal of instruction and learning that goes into a job such as this. I spent most days teaching people how to climb up 60' rock walls which, as you could imagine, is extremely challenging. However, it was an equally rewarding job to teach a person how to climb and watch them achieve something they never thought possible.
My experience with technology is limited, as indicated by my lack of having a Facebook account. I have general knowledge about most programs in Microsoft, including word, excel, and powerpoint. While I don't have a broad knowledge of technology, I am able to teach myself how to use most programs in order to get by.
My hobbies include playing sports, going to new places, fishing, hiking, or anything that involves being active.
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