Cyber Humanities: Rigor and Relevance Through Video Conferencing
By Lynne Sueoka
Cyber Humanities is an ongoing series of video conferences that focus on addressing academic content standards and engaging students in meaningful experiences. So far, the group has been involved in four projects which ask questions like, "What does artistic expression, spanning time and place, reveal about humanity, conflict, and our future?" Five teachers led groups of students to answer that question through the "particular focus of their curriculum," offering a perspective through poetry, art, literature, and technology. The different groups of students, from Hawaii to Japan, were able to participate in discussion forums, sharing their perspectives. Technology allows our students to experience the diversity that exists in our world. It makes it possible to connect to other people, and forces us to use more than just textbooks to learn. These dedicated teachers have enabled their students to be engaged on a much deeper level.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Journal 8
Virtual Schooling
By Niki Davis and Dale S. Niederhauser
I have heard of online classes being offered in college, but not in K-12 education. Apparently, this trend of virtual schooling has been happening at the high school level for several years, and has grown increasingly popular, even reaching many of the middle grades. Teachers and students use e-mail, videoconferencing, and a learning management system, such as blackboard. Most professors at CSUSM use the WebCT software to facilitate their classes, and to move to more of a paperless system. Teachers can prepare to move into the VS system with help from the Teacher Education Goes Into Virtual Schooling project, which is lead by Niki Davis and supported by the U.S. Department of Education. Virtual Schooling is becoming common, and educators must be up for the challenge because ours students depend on us.
By Niki Davis and Dale S. Niederhauser
I have heard of online classes being offered in college, but not in K-12 education. Apparently, this trend of virtual schooling has been happening at the high school level for several years, and has grown increasingly popular, even reaching many of the middle grades. Teachers and students use e-mail, videoconferencing, and a learning management system, such as blackboard. Most professors at CSUSM use the WebCT software to facilitate their classes, and to move to more of a paperless system. Teachers can prepare to move into the VS system with help from the Teacher Education Goes Into Virtual Schooling project, which is lead by Niki Davis and supported by the U.S. Department of Education. Virtual Schooling is becoming common, and educators must be up for the challenge because ours students depend on us.
Journal 7
Technology in the Early Childhood Classroom
By Elizabeth Ross Hubbell
Technology is for everyone, including our youngest learners. Students can use technology to "engage in critical thinking activities and practice basic skills." Some of the instructional strategies that have been proven to work include identifying similarities and differences, reinforcing effort and providing recognition, homework and practice, nonlinguistic representation, and cooperative learning. We know that technology can be used as a medium, but so it makes sense that we should start familiarizing children with computers at an early age. Websites like starfall.com were created for emergent readers. Kidspiration helps youngsters "gather ideas, assign pictures and sounds to words, and put ideas into outline form." This type of hands-on learning is great for kinesthetic, aural, and visual learners. The earlier we introduce our children to a world of technology, the more opportunities we are giving them to learn and grow.
By Elizabeth Ross Hubbell
Technology is for everyone, including our youngest learners. Students can use technology to "engage in critical thinking activities and practice basic skills." Some of the instructional strategies that have been proven to work include identifying similarities and differences, reinforcing effort and providing recognition, homework and practice, nonlinguistic representation, and cooperative learning. We know that technology can be used as a medium, but so it makes sense that we should start familiarizing children with computers at an early age. Websites like starfall.com were created for emergent readers. Kidspiration helps youngsters "gather ideas, assign pictures and sounds to words, and put ideas into outline form." This type of hands-on learning is great for kinesthetic, aural, and visual learners. The earlier we introduce our children to a world of technology, the more opportunities we are giving them to learn and grow.
Journal 6
Social Justice: Choice or Necessity?
By Colleen Swain and David Edyburn
Technology is everywhere, and if we, as teachers, don't make it part of our daily classroom lives, than we are doing a disservice to our students. The authors urge educators to "infuse the use of technology in classrooms as a component and catalyst for social justice, the educational experience for all students will change." It is so important that teachers give students the opportunity to use a variety of multimedia formats, so that they become knowledgeable and comfortable with technology.
Teachers must commit to continuously learn about new ways to use technology in the classroom. There are plenty of valuable resources out there to choose from. The Digital Equity Portal contains more than 150 strategies and resources, and would definitely boost the use of technology in a classroom. These resources can enable us to help students who have individual needs, and also offer variety for different types of learners. Even more importantly, technology will put our students in touch with the world, and give them the tools that they need to think critically and solve problems. Students who have opportunities in the classroom to explore life through technology will feel confident and capable as they move toward the future.
By Colleen Swain and David Edyburn
Technology is everywhere, and if we, as teachers, don't make it part of our daily classroom lives, than we are doing a disservice to our students. The authors urge educators to "infuse the use of technology in classrooms as a component and catalyst for social justice, the educational experience for all students will change." It is so important that teachers give students the opportunity to use a variety of multimedia formats, so that they become knowledgeable and comfortable with technology.
Teachers must commit to continuously learn about new ways to use technology in the classroom. There are plenty of valuable resources out there to choose from. The Digital Equity Portal contains more than 150 strategies and resources, and would definitely boost the use of technology in a classroom. These resources can enable us to help students who have individual needs, and also offer variety for different types of learners. Even more importantly, technology will put our students in touch with the world, and give them the tools that they need to think critically and solve problems. Students who have opportunities in the classroom to explore life through technology will feel confident and capable as they move toward the future.
Friday, March 9, 2007
Journal 5
How to Fight the New Bullies
By Rosalind Wiseman
Wiseman talks about how easy it has become to bully one another online. Students are able to torment other students secretly, without having to do it face-to-face. When identities are concealed, it becomes hard to deal with the problem because the child being bullied may not know who is doing the bullying. Sometimes students act mean and make threats. Students have taken indecent pictures with camera phones and put them on the Internet for everyone to see. Cyberbullying is so easy, but can be extremely damaging.
1. How can we teach kids not to be cyberbullies?
Some schools and states have created rules and laws that have strict consequences for cyberbullying. As parents, we need to be aware of what our kids are doing. We should teach kids to treat others how we want to be treated, whether it is face-to-face or not.Moniter your child's use of technology. If we suspect cyberbullying, we can take away the tools that they use to be bullies, but I suggest stopping it before it begins.
2. What can we do if we suspect someone is a victim of cyberbullying?
The best thing to do is get involved. Moniter your child's use of technology. Save and print any evidence of bullying and decide what the next step to take is.
By Rosalind Wiseman
Wiseman talks about how easy it has become to bully one another online. Students are able to torment other students secretly, without having to do it face-to-face. When identities are concealed, it becomes hard to deal with the problem because the child being bullied may not know who is doing the bullying. Sometimes students act mean and make threats. Students have taken indecent pictures with camera phones and put them on the Internet for everyone to see. Cyberbullying is so easy, but can be extremely damaging.
1. How can we teach kids not to be cyberbullies?
Some schools and states have created rules and laws that have strict consequences for cyberbullying. As parents, we need to be aware of what our kids are doing. We should teach kids to treat others how we want to be treated, whether it is face-to-face or not.Moniter your child's use of technology. If we suspect cyberbullying, we can take away the tools that they use to be bullies, but I suggest stopping it before it begins.
2. What can we do if we suspect someone is a victim of cyberbullying?
The best thing to do is get involved. Moniter your child's use of technology. Save and print any evidence of bullying and decide what the next step to take is.
Journal 4
From Toy to Tool
By Liz Kolb
Liz Kolb suggests that students should use their cell phones as more than just a social tool. Most cell phones have the capacity to take pictures, record video footage, and even record sound. Students are able to collect and store data, and develop multimedia projects wuth their cell phones. By using Gabcast, students can record sound and immediately post on a blog. Later, they can go into the blog and add to it, but the cell phone enables them to record information on the spot. Kolb believes that the by using toys as tools, kids can "dramatically construct their own knowledge."
1. What types of students would benefit from using cell phones for school work?
All students! Aural learners will benefit from the ability to record and play back sound. Kinesthetic learners will benefit from the hands-on aspect of technology. Visual learners will benefit from viewing images taken with cameras and camcorders, and what they share on their blogs.
2. How can teachers maike sure cell phones are being used appropriately in the classroom?
The best way to make sure that cell phones are being used appropriately is by setting clear guidelines up front. Teachers will let students know when it is or isn't appropriate to have their phones out. Students should be encouraged to communicate with their teacher if they believe that it is a good time to use their phones, and they won't feel the need to be sneaky. If teachers and students have open communication, then there will more meaningful, student-centered learning.
By Liz Kolb
Liz Kolb suggests that students should use their cell phones as more than just a social tool. Most cell phones have the capacity to take pictures, record video footage, and even record sound. Students are able to collect and store data, and develop multimedia projects wuth their cell phones. By using Gabcast, students can record sound and immediately post on a blog. Later, they can go into the blog and add to it, but the cell phone enables them to record information on the spot. Kolb believes that the by using toys as tools, kids can "dramatically construct their own knowledge."
1. What types of students would benefit from using cell phones for school work?
All students! Aural learners will benefit from the ability to record and play back sound. Kinesthetic learners will benefit from the hands-on aspect of technology. Visual learners will benefit from viewing images taken with cameras and camcorders, and what they share on their blogs.
2. How can teachers maike sure cell phones are being used appropriately in the classroom?
The best way to make sure that cell phones are being used appropriately is by setting clear guidelines up front. Teachers will let students know when it is or isn't appropriate to have their phones out. Students should be encouraged to communicate with their teacher if they believe that it is a good time to use their phones, and they won't feel the need to be sneaky. If teachers and students have open communication, then there will more meaningful, student-centered learning.
Journal 2
Breathing Fire into Web 2.0
By Justin Hardman and David Carpenter
The article talks about how one school wanted to create an online filing storage and calendar system, that eventually became a virtual community. Many of our schools do not represent the tech-savvy world that we live in. By not integrating technology into our schools we are missing out on the fact that "the social networking features of today's Internet can be strong tools for making a school Web presence relevant and useful to staff, students, and parents."
1. What can Web 2.0 do for students?
Web 2.0 offers congruence between life inside and outside the classroom. Students benefit from the use of online calendars that schedule events in their school and home life. Social networking represents the real world, and students benefit from being a part of online collaborations like wikis, forums, or blogs.
2. How can Web 2.0 benefit teachers?
Teachers will be able to track an individual student's progress from one grade to the next with a longitudinal portfolio management system. Teachers will benefit from the collaborative and integrated system, allowing them access materials and communicate with other teachers, parents, and students.
By Justin Hardman and David Carpenter
The article talks about how one school wanted to create an online filing storage and calendar system, that eventually became a virtual community. Many of our schools do not represent the tech-savvy world that we live in. By not integrating technology into our schools we are missing out on the fact that "the social networking features of today's Internet can be strong tools for making a school Web presence relevant and useful to staff, students, and parents."
1. What can Web 2.0 do for students?
Web 2.0 offers congruence between life inside and outside the classroom. Students benefit from the use of online calendars that schedule events in their school and home life. Social networking represents the real world, and students benefit from being a part of online collaborations like wikis, forums, or blogs.
2. How can Web 2.0 benefit teachers?
Teachers will be able to track an individual student's progress from one grade to the next with a longitudinal portfolio management system. Teachers will benefit from the collaborative and integrated system, allowing them access materials and communicate with other teachers, parents, and students.
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