Technology has truly revamped education, and as teachers it is our responsibility to get students excited aobut using technology for things other than entertainment. There are few strategies to help do this:
1.Do your homeowork
Incorporating technology takes alot of planning, from finding websites, to making sure the computers are equipped with the proper soft ware, and having back up plans incase of technology problems.
2. Identify Learning Goals
It is important to have specific objectives when using technology so that students do not become so distracted they miss the point of the lesson.
3. Step away from the computer
It is importnat to be wary of how much time students spend on computers, as it can stifle their creativity.
4. Capitalize on their desire to explore
School has evolved too, and now lessons should be more hands on and multi-modal learning. Free time on the computer is necessary as students explore their creativity.
I definitely agree with this article and its argument that technology is quickly taking over our classrooms, and that it is teachers' responsibility to make sure that it is being used to its full potential. I think using technology requires a lot more planning than traditional approaches, but the outcome is worth it. I also agree with the observation that while technology can enhance students' creativity, it can also stifle it. Technology is a good thing, but it cannot replace everything, and too much of a good thing is never good.
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Monday, November 10, 2014
Blog Response: Why so many kids can't sit still in school today
Changes in diagnostic criteria and increased awareness of Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), has led to an increased diagnosis of the condition among young students. However, some people say that another reason for the growth of the condition is the amount of time students have to spend seated in school. When students cannot sit still in school it effects more than thier learning. It effects their self-esteem and health. Children require hours of movement a day to function well, and in today's classrooms they are simply not allowed enough time for play.
This lack of play and movement in classrooms is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. In my classroom I will do my part to help remedy this issue by informing and incorporating. Firstly, I think it is important to inform parents and care givers about the great need for thier children to be involved in hours of physcial activity per day, rather than the commonly suggested 30 minutes. I will also implement physical activity the best I can into my classroom. Things as simple as taking a break to do some jumping jacks or dance can be very beneficial for a student's learning. I will also try to have many hands on activities in my classroom, push for longer recess times and incorporate movement into learning.
This lack of play and movement in classrooms is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. In my classroom I will do my part to help remedy this issue by informing and incorporating. Firstly, I think it is important to inform parents and care givers about the great need for thier children to be involved in hours of physcial activity per day, rather than the commonly suggested 30 minutes. I will also implement physical activity the best I can into my classroom. Things as simple as taking a break to do some jumping jacks or dance can be very beneficial for a student's learning. I will also try to have many hands on activities in my classroom, push for longer recess times and incorporate movement into learning.
Blog: Response to "6 Must Watch Videos on 21st Century Education"
Classroom of tomorrow: I think that this video is fairly accurate in the fact that sooner, rather than later, our classrooms will be entirely centered around technology, though maybe not to the extreme it is depicted in the video. I do not however think that I agree with this future of the classroom. The technology, while it is amazing, is taking alot of the communication and collaboration out of the classroom, and does not require students to learn things on their own.
The voice of the active learner: Education from a digital native's perspective: I think this video is very relevant to how today's learner uses technology. I like how it says that the school has to keep up with the student rather than the student keeping up with the school. We live in an instant world, and the teacher has to accomodate.
The future starts now - 2012 edition: Why can't students use the tools they are most comfortable with at school? I agree that students can learn better with proper ICT, and have seen evidence during my time in school of impoper ICT. I think that making schools more relevant is very important in creating a knowledge based society, and one way we can make them relevant is by using technology. I agree that increased use of ICT training is the only way for schools to properly use ICT, because I have seen too many teachers who have been provided with technology, but do not know how to use it. Their students are missing out on opportunities.
Designing Schools for 21st Century Learning: Creativity is caused by stimulating of the senses. The environment provides us with ways to improve learning. Stimulus rich environments and safe environments improve learning, and I agree that schools ignore this. I think his ideas are true, that even simple things such as adding more sunlight to a room can improve students learning. I agree that we learn the most by doing. I like his ideas of an open floor plans that encourage comfort and collaboration. I also really like the ways he incorporates real world examples into schooling, and think it is so important. Equally important, I think is how he pushed comfort and relationships with students, which is something that I never thought could be enhanced simply by a building.
Tools and Resources for the 21st Century Educator: I think that this video is very informative and a great asset to education. I had never heard of many of these resources, but I do agreee that we are lucky to have so many tools that truly can enhance students' learning when used properly. I have seen things like TED Talks, Poll Everywhere, and Twitter make a world of difference.
A Vision of 21st Century Teachers: Teachers spend tons of time working to use technology in the classroom so that students can have a greater educational experience, and I agree that it is worth it. It helps different kinds of learners connect to the world around them, grow in their skils, gain knowledge, and realize their potential. I also agree that teachers can do more with technology. The posibilites are endless. I would venture to say that teachers aren't doing enough with technology for the most part.
The voice of the active learner: Education from a digital native's perspective: I think this video is very relevant to how today's learner uses technology. I like how it says that the school has to keep up with the student rather than the student keeping up with the school. We live in an instant world, and the teacher has to accomodate.
The future starts now - 2012 edition: Why can't students use the tools they are most comfortable with at school? I agree that students can learn better with proper ICT, and have seen evidence during my time in school of impoper ICT. I think that making schools more relevant is very important in creating a knowledge based society, and one way we can make them relevant is by using technology. I agree that increased use of ICT training is the only way for schools to properly use ICT, because I have seen too many teachers who have been provided with technology, but do not know how to use it. Their students are missing out on opportunities.
Designing Schools for 21st Century Learning: Creativity is caused by stimulating of the senses. The environment provides us with ways to improve learning. Stimulus rich environments and safe environments improve learning, and I agree that schools ignore this. I think his ideas are true, that even simple things such as adding more sunlight to a room can improve students learning. I agree that we learn the most by doing. I like his ideas of an open floor plans that encourage comfort and collaboration. I also really like the ways he incorporates real world examples into schooling, and think it is so important. Equally important, I think is how he pushed comfort and relationships with students, which is something that I never thought could be enhanced simply by a building.
Tools and Resources for the 21st Century Educator: I think that this video is very informative and a great asset to education. I had never heard of many of these resources, but I do agreee that we are lucky to have so many tools that truly can enhance students' learning when used properly. I have seen things like TED Talks, Poll Everywhere, and Twitter make a world of difference.
A Vision of 21st Century Teachers: Teachers spend tons of time working to use technology in the classroom so that students can have a greater educational experience, and I agree that it is worth it. It helps different kinds of learners connect to the world around them, grow in their skils, gain knowledge, and realize their potential. I also agree that teachers can do more with technology. The posibilites are endless. I would venture to say that teachers aren't doing enough with technology for the most part.
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Classroom Web Page Design
https://sites.google.com/a/eagles.usm.edu/ms-herring-s-5th-grade-science-classroom/course-information
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Cyberbullying
The article, "Cyber-bullying Seems to Ramp Up in Middle School" shows how bullying progresses from from verbal and physical bullying to cyber-bullying when students enter 5th and 6th grades. Researchers questioned 1,180 students about bullying and observed their behavior, and the results were shocking. They classified students into four categories: frequent victims, occasional victims of traditional bullying, occasional victims of cyber-bullying, and infrequent victims of bullies. They found that half of the students were infrequent victims of bullying and eleven percent were frequent victims of bullying.
The article also addressed the different ways to address cyber-bullying because it is different for boys and girls. Girls are more often the targets of cyber-bullying, while boys are more often physically bullied. Teachers need to start prevention and intervention programs in 6th-8th grade, focusing of proper social media use.
The article also addressed the different ways to address cyber-bullying because it is different for boys and girls. Girls are more often the targets of cyber-bullying, while boys are more often physically bullied. Teachers need to start prevention and intervention programs in 6th-8th grade, focusing of proper social media use.
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Common Sense Media Application
The Common Sense Media App could be a great addition to my classroom because it provides a comprehensive list of interesting, stimulating, fun, and educational games for students. The App has a specific section that is designated for educational games, and this section is divided up by ages for ease of use. There is a growing desire to implement more technology into schools, and if this takes off, as it seems to be doing, soon students will have access to an iPad or the like in their classroom. There are many games to choose from, and it is great that you cannot actually play the games on the app. So many choices can easily distract kids. Instead the teacher can look through review on the game and the scores it received in several different fields to find the best games for her students. It might also be a good thing for the teacher to tell parents about. Many parent want to do all they can to see their child succeed in school, and the teacher can help them by finding and informing them of games that correspond with classroom lessons. Not all schools will be able to provide students with iPads or other devices, but most parents have an iPhone, and the next time their child begs to play on it parents will have a good reason to allow them to do so.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)