1. Having a second grade create models of the planets using Pixie, and turning it into a Quicktime movie. The students would be divided into groups and each group would get a planet, moon, or the sun and they would work together to make physical model, as well as digital model and create a narration on the research they have done read it as a narration in the movie.
2. First graders could choose a food off the food pyramid, make a drawing of it in Pixie, come up with why that foodis on the pyramid, what other kinds of food could go with it, and again make a quicktime movie that they can narrate what they have found on their food.
3. A seond grade could research an invention and develop a way of improving it. They could create images on Pixie and turn it into a slide show on Frames which could then be exported onto a DVD with all of the other students ideas.
4. A first grade class could create a comic strip about inventors using ComicLife. They would research an invention and develop their own ideas how it could be pushed further. They could then create a model of their improved invention using Pixie.
5. (The one I am going to use) A second grade class could keep a daily log of the weather. They could also watch the weather on the Weather Channel or a website, and come up with their own weather forecast for the next week that could be turned into a podcast and put online.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Blog C
Not all children learn the same. This is a statement that all teachers need to take into account when they are teaching and coming up with different assignments. There are going to be children with learning and physical disabilities, as well as other students that just do things differently. There needs to be many different options available for students of all kinds to use for their learning.
One way of helping give students different options for learning is through universal design. Universal design is using multiple approaches to conveying information, synthesizing that info, and maintaining interest so students are able to repeat what they have learned. Each student learns differently, so there needs to be more than one way for students to get a handle on the information that is presented. There may be some type of disability hindering their learning, or there could just be a lack of understanding. Either way, there needs to be variations of assignments and assessments available.
There are also laws put in place to aid people with all types of disabilities with their learning such as Section 508. It is a law passed in order for students of all different kinds of disabilities and handicaps to have access to different technologies that will aid their leaning processes. This is very important for children who may have physical disabilities and cannot use a computer or someone who cannot hear having text or subtitles available to them. Many of the technologies that come under Section 508 may be very expensive, so it is important to note that through this law, there are ways of getting grants and monetary help in order to have access to the different technologies.
In my own classroom, I would like to be able to integrate technologies that allow all of the students to understand that not everyone has the same way of learning and communicating what they find. One piece of technology I would like to have in my own classrooms is the Tango. This device makes it possible for a student who is not able to speak have his or her sentences said allowed by a digital voice. They come up with all of the words and sentences so everything is coming from their own minds. Another technology I would love to have in my classroom is the LOMAC. It is also used for students who cannot speak, but it can also be for students who have a physical disability that prevents them from typing or writing. I feel like there is no way I will end my teaching career without having a student that will need some of this type of technology. Another piece of technology I would like to use in my own classroom is the Tack-Tiles Braille System. Although it is not digital or computer based, it teaches students how to read Braille. This would be especially handy in a kindergarten classroom with a blind student because the rest of the class could be learning to read it along with him. A last technology I would like to have in my own classroom is the SwitchIt Facemaker. This is a program that allows students toupload pictures of people and add outrageous features such as pig noses and huge ears. This is somtheing that could be used my everyone in the class, but it is also good for students who cannot draw their own picture of a character in a story they created due to a physical disability.
There are so many options available that I did not know ever existed. I feel like there is at least one thing for every type of learning hurdle that could possibly show up in the classroom. These technologies would not be around if there was no one to use them. I think that it is important to enter the teaching field with an open mind to what kinds of different students I could possibly have and also recognize that there are many resources out there to help.
One way of helping give students different options for learning is through universal design. Universal design is using multiple approaches to conveying information, synthesizing that info, and maintaining interest so students are able to repeat what they have learned. Each student learns differently, so there needs to be more than one way for students to get a handle on the information that is presented. There may be some type of disability hindering their learning, or there could just be a lack of understanding. Either way, there needs to be variations of assignments and assessments available.
There are also laws put in place to aid people with all types of disabilities with their learning such as Section 508. It is a law passed in order for students of all different kinds of disabilities and handicaps to have access to different technologies that will aid their leaning processes. This is very important for children who may have physical disabilities and cannot use a computer or someone who cannot hear having text or subtitles available to them. Many of the technologies that come under Section 508 may be very expensive, so it is important to note that through this law, there are ways of getting grants and monetary help in order to have access to the different technologies.
In my own classroom, I would like to be able to integrate technologies that allow all of the students to understand that not everyone has the same way of learning and communicating what they find. One piece of technology I would like to have in my own classrooms is the Tango. This device makes it possible for a student who is not able to speak have his or her sentences said allowed by a digital voice. They come up with all of the words and sentences so everything is coming from their own minds. Another technology I would love to have in my classroom is the LOMAC. It is also used for students who cannot speak, but it can also be for students who have a physical disability that prevents them from typing or writing. I feel like there is no way I will end my teaching career without having a student that will need some of this type of technology. Another piece of technology I would like to use in my own classroom is the Tack-Tiles Braille System. Although it is not digital or computer based, it teaches students how to read Braille. This would be especially handy in a kindergarten classroom with a blind student because the rest of the class could be learning to read it along with him. A last technology I would like to have in my own classroom is the SwitchIt Facemaker. This is a program that allows students toupload pictures of people and add outrageous features such as pig noses and huge ears. This is somtheing that could be used my everyone in the class, but it is also good for students who cannot draw their own picture of a character in a story they created due to a physical disability.
There are so many options available that I did not know ever existed. I feel like there is at least one thing for every type of learning hurdle that could possibly show up in the classroom. These technologies would not be around if there was no one to use them. I think that it is important to enter the teaching field with an open mind to what kinds of different students I could possibly have and also recognize that there are many resources out there to help.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Blog B
Teacher Made Podcasts
Goldilocks: A first grade teacher had some of her students create their own version of Goldilocks and act it out. Mother Bear made some porridge, but it was too hot, so the Bear family went for a walk while it cooled down. During that time, Goldilocks wandered over to their house and took a peak inside. She ended up eating Baby Bear's porridge, breaking his chair, and sleeping in his bed. When the Bear family returned to their house, they found someone had eaten the porridge, broken a chair, and they found Goldilocks sleeping. They scared her and she ran away and was never seen again.
Christmas Traditions: Another first grade teacher had her students tell all about their Christmas traditions for their pen pals in Mexico. They talked about decorating their trees, waiting for Santa Clause, making snowmen, drinking hot chocolate, and opening presents and stockings.
Three Billy Goats Gruff: First grade class reenacted Three Billy Goats Gruff. The first billy goat went across a bridge, but a troll stopped him and wanted to eat him, but he convinced him to wait for the second billy goat. The same thing happened with the second billy goat. When the third billy goat came across the bridge, the troll came up from under the bridge and tried to eat him, but the billy goat knocked him over the bridge and he was never seen again.
I think it is a really good idea to integrate the use of podcasts in the classroom. It gets the students excited about creating their own stories and being able to let other people hear them. The kids sounded like they were excited as they read their scripts and I could tell that they were having fun. By using podcasts, teachers can get their students excited about reading. If they think that they will be able to put themselves online for a lot of people to listen, they are more likely to want to make up and write their own sentences, as wellas read and re-read their stories so they are really comfortable with them. In my practicum classroom, I might have my students make a podcast about the inventor or invention they had been researching. Another way might be to have them make an improvement of an invention and explain it on a podcast for their parents to listen to at home. The students might make their own version of a well known nursery rhyme or story, and create a podcast to show the kindergarten or first grade classes. I might also create a podcast specifically for parents so they know my role in the classroom and use it as an introduction. A last way of using podcasts in the classroom may be explainations of assignments for when a teacher or myself is out sick or absent.
I think it is a really good idea to integrate the use of podcasts in the classroom. It gets the students excited about creating their own stories and being able to let other people hear them. The kids sounded like they were excited as they read their scripts and I could tell that they were having fun. By using podcasts, teachers can get their students excited about reading. If they think that they will be able to put themselves online for a lot of people to listen, they are more likely to want to make up and write their own sentences, as wellas read and re-read their stories so they are really comfortable with them. In my practicum classroom, I might have my students make a podcast about the inventor or invention they had been researching. Another way might be to have them make an improvement of an invention and explain it on a podcast for their parents to listen to at home. The students might make their own version of a well known nursery rhyme or story, and create a podcast to show the kindergarten or first grade classes. I might also create a podcast specifically for parents so they know my role in the classroom and use it as an introduction. A last way of using podcasts in the classroom may be explainations of assignments for when a teacher or myself is out sick or absent.
All Podcasts taken from Mallett Elementary School teacher podcasts on 2/25/08
Monday, February 11, 2008
Five Ideas for Unit
Option 1. I am thinking about doing a second grade unit on the solar system. We would look at different astronauts, planets, and the stars. The students would work in small groups and research a certain astronaut or person who made a significant contribution to the exploration of space. They would individually do research on their lives in the computer lab and bring it all together as a group once they have finished the necessary research. The students would then create a short clay-mation video that covers the main points and contributions made by this person to the space industry. The videos could then be put on my teacher website so parents can also watch their children's creations.
Option 2. I am also considering doing a second grade unit on inventors and inventions. Each student would pick from a list of important inventions and research the inventor. They would create a story which tells how the inventor came to create what he or she did, what the invention is used for, and if/how the invention has changed over time. The students would also create five pictures to go along with their stories and create a podcast which narrates their stories.
Option 3. I would like to work with the intereactive smartboards in the kindergaten classroom. I would create a slideshow that shows examples of lower case and upper case letters. They students would have to come up to the smartboard and pick the upper and lower case letters that go together by moving them next to each other. The students will have learned the alphabet already, but this provides some extra practice, especially for students that are having difficulties. Plus this would provide interactive learning that the students can get excited about.
Option 4. Another option is to work with the first grade on their unit on the life cycle of a meal worm. They each have been taking care of a worm and observing the changes it makes. They could record what they see and draw pictures of the transformation from a meal worm to a beetle. All of this could then be made into a podcast that the students can narrate and illustrate their own podcasts that can be put online for their parents.
Option 5. Anothe possible option is to work with the first grade on a unit on the Three Billy Goats Gruff. They could read and listen to different versions of the story and come up with their own version. They could create paper puppets of each character and the setting to be used in a shadow show which can be turned into a movie. Students would take turns taking a still photograph using digital cameras and bring all of the pictures together to make a movie. Narration and music can be added to the film using GarageBand, which is a program I would like to learn more about.
Option 2. I am also considering doing a second grade unit on inventors and inventions. Each student would pick from a list of important inventions and research the inventor. They would create a story which tells how the inventor came to create what he or she did, what the invention is used for, and if/how the invention has changed over time. The students would also create five pictures to go along with their stories and create a podcast which narrates their stories.
Option 3. I would like to work with the intereactive smartboards in the kindergaten classroom. I would create a slideshow that shows examples of lower case and upper case letters. They students would have to come up to the smartboard and pick the upper and lower case letters that go together by moving them next to each other. The students will have learned the alphabet already, but this provides some extra practice, especially for students that are having difficulties. Plus this would provide interactive learning that the students can get excited about.
Option 4. Another option is to work with the first grade on their unit on the life cycle of a meal worm. They each have been taking care of a worm and observing the changes it makes. They could record what they see and draw pictures of the transformation from a meal worm to a beetle. All of this could then be made into a podcast that the students can narrate and illustrate their own podcasts that can be put online for their parents.
Option 5. Anothe possible option is to work with the first grade on a unit on the Three Billy Goats Gruff. They could read and listen to different versions of the story and come up with their own version. They could create paper puppets of each character and the setting to be used in a shadow show which can be turned into a movie. Students would take turns taking a still photograph using digital cameras and bring all of the pictures together to make a movie. Narration and music can be added to the film using GarageBand, which is a program I would like to learn more about.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Blog A
I personally really liked the first three videos because they brought some really eye opening information to the table. The first video, A Vision of Students Today, was especially interesting. I likes the format of the video and how it went from one person to another with a tid-bit of information for each person. The info that each student had was something that could have pertained to everyone in the class. It also showed that students can get a lot more out of their classes if they are not allowed to use lap-tops in class and the class sizes are smaller. If each student is allowed to have their lap-top with them during class, they are most likely not paying attention to what is going on in class and they are surfing the web or doing other things. Also, if the teacher is up writing on a chalk/white board, they are moving around and are more likely to keep the students’ attention.
The Machine is Us/ing Us video was also pretty eye opening. I had never thought that the information we put on the internet is “teaching” the computer and it is becoming like another appendage for us. We are also capable of inserting our input and changing a lot of the ideas that are already on the internet. On Wikipedia. for example, people can go in and change the information to say what their opinion of a certain subject and the former person may never no that it happened. The internet is taking away from the personal contact between people as well. There is almost no need to write someone a letter and send it through the post office because people can just hop on the internet and email it. The same goes with making phone calls. Instead of dialing a number, people can instant message each other.
The Pay Attention video took a very different approach, basically saying that technology is here to stay so teachers should use whatever form of it that their students are using most to get them to learn. The part about using cell phones and text messaging for educational purposes was something I had never thought about. Students use computers and other forms of technology a lot while they are outside the classroom, using them in order to learn. Teachers should use these to get the greatest connection with their students. I know that personally I get bored easily when it comes to constant lectures or lack of movement and change of topic. By letting the students use outside forms of technology, they are able to gear the lessons to each persons’ type of learning. Like visually on a demo online, or listening to a podcast while they are working out.
The other video and website did not keep me very interested. The video kind of put MySpace in a better light than the media makes it out to be, but I’m not so sure that a majority of people really utilize it as an educational tool like the video said.
The Machine is Us/ing Us video was also pretty eye opening. I had never thought that the information we put on the internet is “teaching” the computer and it is becoming like another appendage for us. We are also capable of inserting our input and changing a lot of the ideas that are already on the internet. On Wikipedia. for example, people can go in and change the information to say what their opinion of a certain subject and the former person may never no that it happened. The internet is taking away from the personal contact between people as well. There is almost no need to write someone a letter and send it through the post office because people can just hop on the internet and email it. The same goes with making phone calls. Instead of dialing a number, people can instant message each other.
The Pay Attention video took a very different approach, basically saying that technology is here to stay so teachers should use whatever form of it that their students are using most to get them to learn. The part about using cell phones and text messaging for educational purposes was something I had never thought about. Students use computers and other forms of technology a lot while they are outside the classroom, using them in order to learn. Teachers should use these to get the greatest connection with their students. I know that personally I get bored easily when it comes to constant lectures or lack of movement and change of topic. By letting the students use outside forms of technology, they are able to gear the lessons to each persons’ type of learning. Like visually on a demo online, or listening to a podcast while they are working out.
The other video and website did not keep me very interested. The video kind of put MySpace in a better light than the media makes it out to be, but I’m not so sure that a majority of people really utilize it as an educational tool like the video said.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
