For this week's instructional strategy that uses technology, to generate and test a hypothesis is to be connected with the theory of constructivist/ constructionist learning. When students generate and test a hypothesis, they are engaging in complex mental processes, applying context knowledge like facts and vocabulary, and enhancing their overall understanding of the content. (Pitler, H., Hubble, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. 2007).
In our resource section this week, we were asked to explore some of the project-based learning tools available. Some that I found interesting gave a tour of the solar system and how to design a planet. Another site showed students testing wing designs and discussing their findings with engineers. These experiences are so powerful in learning something new.
According to Pitler, Hubble, Kuhn, & Malenoski (2007), "Technology can play a vital role in generating and testing hypothesis because new development in probeware and interactive applets allow students to spend more time interpreting the data rather than gathering the data, a process that can be tedious and error prone." This year in my Science classroom, we received three hand held computing devices that can measure temperature and voltage. These devices quickly collect and display data on a small screen. Hopefully, next year we will be able to purchase additional probeware to measure sound, light and weather. This type of interactive equipment will certainly give the student more time to think on more complex issues and problem solving.
Pitler, H., Hubble, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
Cognitivism in Practice
This week we were asked to explore two more instructional strategies that use technology. The first strategy which is cues, questions and advanced organizers focus on enhancing students' ability to retrieve, use, and organize information about a topic (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, &Malenoski, 2007). Being a visual learner, these strategies really got my attention. There were times in grade school when I had such a tough time understanding my teacher's lesson. The only way to sort out the information was through my own version of a "graphic organizer". Now that I am a elementary school science teacher, I try very hard to organize the information that I am giving to my students. Cueing the student to what they are learning and stating an essential question is so important. Providing great visuals makes it even better. Using an advance organizer helps students see the "big picture" of a particular topic. Incorporating multimedia helps bring it to life.
Another instructional strategy we learned this week was "summarizing and note taking". Here, teachers work on helping students separate important information from extraneous information and state the information in their own words (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007). To help support student learning, word processing software can be used to change large paragraphs of information into small summarized sentences that are easier to understand. To help students with note taking, teacher made notes can be adjusted to graphic or text models. With new communication programs, such as wikis, students can work together on projects separately from their own homes.
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
Another instructional strategy we learned this week was "summarizing and note taking". Here, teachers work on helping students separate important information from extraneous information and state the information in their own words (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007). To help support student learning, word processing software can be used to change large paragraphs of information into small summarized sentences that are easier to understand. To help students with note taking, teacher made notes can be adjusted to graphic or text models. With new communication programs, such as wikis, students can work together on projects separately from their own homes.
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Behaviorism in Practice
This week, I was asked to reflect on two educational topics that can incorporate the use of technology. The topics of "effort" and "homework" are connected with the theory of Behaviorist Learning. Dr. Orey stated, "In education, advocates of behaviorism have effectively adopted this system of rewards and punishments in their classrooms by rewarding desired behaviors and punishing inappropriate ones (Orey, 2001). With this being the final week of school in my county, I have purchased "prize" pencils to award my primary grade students for remembering the classroom rules and procedures.
An important topic related to behaviorism is "effort". Getting students to understand the importance of effort can be a challenge. The instructional strategy of reinforcing effort enhances students' understanding of the relationship between effort and achievement by addressing their attitudes and beliefs about learning (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn & Malenoski, 2007). By using spreadsheet software, teachers can record student effort and show students the connection with achievement. Showing individual students how their classmates have performed is important too. Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn & Malenoski (2007) state that, "When students see that others have faced many of the same difficulties they face and have over come these obstacles and achieved goals with strong effort and good attitude, they too can see the connection between effort and achievement."
Another important topic related to behaviorism is "homework". In my early years as an educator, the subject of homework never seemed to go well. There were always students who were responsible and others who were not. I would begin to question what was too much homework and what was not enough. With technology becoming more available to each student, the way they do their homework is changing. Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn & Malenoski (2007) explain, "Technology facilitates homework and practice by providing a wealth of resources for learning outside of the classroom, making it easy for students to work on collaborative homework assignments and providing "drill and practice" resources that help students refine their skills.
Orey, M. (Ed.). (2001). Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology.
Retrieved from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/.
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M.,& Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom
instruction that works. Denver, CO: Mid- continent Research for Education and
Learning.
An important topic related to behaviorism is "effort". Getting students to understand the importance of effort can be a challenge. The instructional strategy of reinforcing effort enhances students' understanding of the relationship between effort and achievement by addressing their attitudes and beliefs about learning (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn & Malenoski, 2007). By using spreadsheet software, teachers can record student effort and show students the connection with achievement. Showing individual students how their classmates have performed is important too. Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn & Malenoski (2007) state that, "When students see that others have faced many of the same difficulties they face and have over come these obstacles and achieved goals with strong effort and good attitude, they too can see the connection between effort and achievement."
Another important topic related to behaviorism is "homework". In my early years as an educator, the subject of homework never seemed to go well. There were always students who were responsible and others who were not. I would begin to question what was too much homework and what was not enough. With technology becoming more available to each student, the way they do their homework is changing. Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn & Malenoski (2007) explain, "Technology facilitates homework and practice by providing a wealth of resources for learning outside of the classroom, making it easy for students to work on collaborative homework assignments and providing "drill and practice" resources that help students refine their skills.
Orey, M. (Ed.). (2001). Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology.
Retrieved from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/.
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M.,& Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom
instruction that works. Denver, CO: Mid- continent Research for Education and
Learning.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Reflection of Integrating Technology into the Classroom
Prior to taking this course, I had always had a curiosity about high tech things. I have experience with the basics of using the computer and its inner workings. When I found out about this course I was very excited to get started. With the introduction of the blog, wiki and podcast in the course, I began to feel a bit uneasy. This new terminology was very foreign to me, topics that seemed to be a younger generation's fad. I was suddenly out of my comfort zone. I began to learn that these things were 21st century skills that students would be needing in the future. The blog and the podcast took some time to learn but were actually fun to use. The wiki was quite a challenge to navigate through, but the concept of working together as a team was great. After several weeks of learning these new tools, I began to feel more comfortable and confident. Now I am on a quest to explore this new frontier and lead others by example.
In my recent years of teaching, I have been aware of the many different learning styles that students have. My own personal learning style tends to be more visual and hands on. Now a new generation has emerged with perhaps another learning style. The new generation of students has always been exposed to the world of technology. We now need to consider these students and how they have become accustomed to this type of high tech learning. We are also realizing that the world is changing too and has become much smaller in a global sense. We now need to prepare our students for the 21st century by teaching them skills in an Information Age setting.
To have my students ready for the future, I have to start by looking at the way I have been teaching. Throughout my own education and for most of the my instruction, it has been a teacher-centered enviroment. The teacher has the knowlege and teaches it to the students. To get them ready for the jobs of the future, the classroom has to change to a more learner-centered place. This means students working in teams to solve problems. Also, the teacher will become more of a facilitator to steer students in the right direction. I have begun to have my students work in small groups to foster communication and teamwork. The results have been amazing.
To expand my knowlege of these 21st century skills, I will start with an open mind and except that the world is constantly changing and I must be willing to learn new things. I will continue to talk with other teachers who are very tech savy to share ideas. I will also explore ways of having my students develope 21st century skills for the future. If I can prove that this enviroment increases student acheivement, other teachers will follow.
For the future, I am setting two long term goals. My first goal is to lead in the use technolgy at our school. I want to be able use the SMART boards in different ways to teach Science. I also want help other teachers with technology. My second goal is to get my Science students involved in a Science blog for a study guide. This would help them prepare for their state exam at the end of the year. I will need to work with our tech person to find out which blog sites are approved by the county.
I have to admit that this course has taught me a lot. I feel more confident using technology, especially for the classroom. I feel that a window of opportunity has opened up and I have taken my first steps through it. It will be exciting to see how the Information Age transforms today's classroom into the classroom of tomorrow.
In my recent years of teaching, I have been aware of the many different learning styles that students have. My own personal learning style tends to be more visual and hands on. Now a new generation has emerged with perhaps another learning style. The new generation of students has always been exposed to the world of technology. We now need to consider these students and how they have become accustomed to this type of high tech learning. We are also realizing that the world is changing too and has become much smaller in a global sense. We now need to prepare our students for the 21st century by teaching them skills in an Information Age setting.
To have my students ready for the future, I have to start by looking at the way I have been teaching. Throughout my own education and for most of the my instruction, it has been a teacher-centered enviroment. The teacher has the knowlege and teaches it to the students. To get them ready for the jobs of the future, the classroom has to change to a more learner-centered place. This means students working in teams to solve problems. Also, the teacher will become more of a facilitator to steer students in the right direction. I have begun to have my students work in small groups to foster communication and teamwork. The results have been amazing.
To expand my knowlege of these 21st century skills, I will start with an open mind and except that the world is constantly changing and I must be willing to learn new things. I will continue to talk with other teachers who are very tech savy to share ideas. I will also explore ways of having my students develope 21st century skills for the future. If I can prove that this enviroment increases student acheivement, other teachers will follow.
For the future, I am setting two long term goals. My first goal is to lead in the use technolgy at our school. I want to be able use the SMART boards in different ways to teach Science. I also want help other teachers with technology. My second goal is to get my Science students involved in a Science blog for a study guide. This would help them prepare for their state exam at the end of the year. I will need to work with our tech person to find out which blog sites are approved by the county.
I have to admit that this course has taught me a lot. I feel more confident using technology, especially for the classroom. I feel that a window of opportunity has opened up and I have taken my first steps through it. It will be exciting to see how the Information Age transforms today's classroom into the classroom of tomorrow.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
First Podcast
For this week's assignment, we were responsible for creating a podcast. I was very excited about this and could not wait to get started. It actually took longer to create than I expected. Through the help of Gabcast, I made a recording of a Technology Survey that was given to a group of 5th graders.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Saturday, January 31, 2009
21st Century Skills
The website for the Partnership for 21st Century Skills is a site dedicated to the role of technology and its importance in 21st century education. I was quite impressed and also a little overwhelmed at how much attention the "Information Age" topic is getting.
I enjoyed the article " Learning Enviroments Must Break Through the Silos that Separate Learning from the Real World". The article talked about a balance between the traditional ways of learning with 21st century skills. It also spoke about connecting with other cultures, and the building of relationships in the real and virtual worlds. It also mentioned about how the actual physical structure of walls and furniture should be more adaptable along with the instuctional time. Instead of following the school designs of the industrial age, it is time to think of a 21st century learning enviroment. After reading this, I really started to imagine what my classroom and school could be like and what changes in achievement might occur.
I have to admit, after reading the articles on this website, I have been thinking a lot about the future of education and what changes need to be made. I was disappointed that my state was not listed as those that are taking the initiative to develop 21st Century skills in the classroom. I will have to integrate these skills on my own over time.
I enjoyed the article " Learning Enviroments Must Break Through the Silos that Separate Learning from the Real World". The article talked about a balance between the traditional ways of learning with 21st century skills. It also spoke about connecting with other cultures, and the building of relationships in the real and virtual worlds. It also mentioned about how the actual physical structure of walls and furniture should be more adaptable along with the instuctional time. Instead of following the school designs of the industrial age, it is time to think of a 21st century learning enviroment. After reading this, I really started to imagine what my classroom and school could be like and what changes in achievement might occur.
I have to admit, after reading the articles on this website, I have been thinking a lot about the future of education and what changes need to be made. I was disappointed that my state was not listed as those that are taking the initiative to develop 21st Century skills in the classroom. I will have to integrate these skills on my own over time.
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