After reading Sara's Blog about Wikis, I found the (same ?!) article she was talking about (and which I am going to read through and write about tonight or tomorrow).
While exploring this topic, which I too, have a limited knowledge about, I followed one of the links in it and found this one - http://community.saugususd.org/dlindsay/page/
I have explored it for a while - and found it VERY COOL! It is supposed to be a Wiki which is created by an Elementary teacher and includes his students' Blogs, his own Blog, information about himself, homework for the students, news and events, curriculum, and "other stuff". I really liked the use he made of his students' Blog (I recommend going there and see for yourselves) - where he let them draw Idioms and explain them. I do not know what software they used to draw - but here he is engaging so many types of technologies in one activity. I liked it and thought to share with you all :-) What do you think?
Monday, December 8, 2008
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Factors contributing to teachers’ successful implementation of IT / Journal Of Computer Assisted Learning (2002) 18, 480 – 488. C.A. Granger, M.L. Mor
This article deals with 4 different schools and their educators’ perspectives about teaching technology in their classrooms.
Although this article has been published a few years ago, and deals with Canadian schools, it seems that not much has been changes over time regarding teachers’ feelings and thoughts about this subject, and that those feelings and thoughts are universal. By providing some examples I will clarify what I mean.
In the following lines I will relate to teachers’ experiences and attitudes towards teaching technology in their classrooms as indicated in this article.
First interesting point is related to one of the schools’ principals who found she was learning from her own students when it relates to technology. This is something we talked about in class in the beginning of the semester – that since technology is constantly changing and being innovated, young students are many times much more informed and involved than their “old” teachers. Hence, they can contribute from their personal knowledge. This is something I am “taking” home with me from studying technology and reading this article – let my students help me if needed and be comfortable with that.
A second interesting matter in this article is concerning teachers’ ICT experiences and skills. The interviewees were very heterogenic with regard to their teaching experience (in years) and fields of teaching. Also, they all had at least Bachelor degrees. However, almost all were lack in ICT specialization. I think it is very beneficial for a teacher (and eventually to her/his students) to have an ICT professional experience, especially nowadays where so much is going on the www. I think today computers and the internet are becoming an integral part of our lives and it is important to educate students about how to use it right. It reminds me of what we studied regarding a proper use of the keyboard as well as social networking. If we, the teachers, will be educated about it, we will be able to teach our students to do a positive and constructive use and to benefit from technology.
Third, the teachers that were interviewed in this research ranged in their views regarding the goals of using technology in their classrooms. On one end were those who saw it merely in the playing level while others acknowledged its importance for students with learning difficulties. One of the teachers said it can be isolating and even detrimental “because it is missing the human component of relationship”. I am happy I have learned it is possible to incorporate technology to benefit students with some learning disabilities; I have also learned that even by something that seems like “merely playing”, a student can learn! I do believe, however, that we should not entirely rely on computers while teaching in the sense that a human interaction is very important.
Another excerpt: “teachers wanted to justify or to be assured that the time they were injecting into technology was not taking away from the language arts…or the math they had to cover”. Sounds familiar? :-) Right now I am not teaching, but when I will, I will do my best to incorporate technology in my classroom as a tool to achieve curriculum objectives and not only as an end. From what I heard in our Tech course this semester, it is very much possible.
A further point that was raised is regarding technical problems in schools where many of the computers do not work properly. What does a teacher supposed to do when suddenly some of the computers do not work? It is very frustrating. Teachers showed concerns of shortage of technical support when those problems occurred.
Last interesting point for me was that many teachers found that “just in time” and informal learning is the most useful for them to learn technology skills they need. Is it really so? I wonder about it. Is it possible to learn so much this way? I think that if you need to solve a problem it might indeed help, but to get more comprehensive knowledge about teaching technology may require a more thorough training.
Although this article has been published a few years ago, and deals with Canadian schools, it seems that not much has been changes over time regarding teachers’ feelings and thoughts about this subject, and that those feelings and thoughts are universal. By providing some examples I will clarify what I mean.
In the following lines I will relate to teachers’ experiences and attitudes towards teaching technology in their classrooms as indicated in this article.
First interesting point is related to one of the schools’ principals who found she was learning from her own students when it relates to technology. This is something we talked about in class in the beginning of the semester – that since technology is constantly changing and being innovated, young students are many times much more informed and involved than their “old” teachers. Hence, they can contribute from their personal knowledge. This is something I am “taking” home with me from studying technology and reading this article – let my students help me if needed and be comfortable with that.
A second interesting matter in this article is concerning teachers’ ICT experiences and skills. The interviewees were very heterogenic with regard to their teaching experience (in years) and fields of teaching. Also, they all had at least Bachelor degrees. However, almost all were lack in ICT specialization. I think it is very beneficial for a teacher (and eventually to her/his students) to have an ICT professional experience, especially nowadays where so much is going on the www. I think today computers and the internet are becoming an integral part of our lives and it is important to educate students about how to use it right. It reminds me of what we studied regarding a proper use of the keyboard as well as social networking. If we, the teachers, will be educated about it, we will be able to teach our students to do a positive and constructive use and to benefit from technology.
Third, the teachers that were interviewed in this research ranged in their views regarding the goals of using technology in their classrooms. On one end were those who saw it merely in the playing level while others acknowledged its importance for students with learning difficulties. One of the teachers said it can be isolating and even detrimental “because it is missing the human component of relationship”. I am happy I have learned it is possible to incorporate technology to benefit students with some learning disabilities; I have also learned that even by something that seems like “merely playing”, a student can learn! I do believe, however, that we should not entirely rely on computers while teaching in the sense that a human interaction is very important.
Another excerpt: “teachers wanted to justify or to be assured that the time they were injecting into technology was not taking away from the language arts…or the math they had to cover”. Sounds familiar? :-) Right now I am not teaching, but when I will, I will do my best to incorporate technology in my classroom as a tool to achieve curriculum objectives and not only as an end. From what I heard in our Tech course this semester, it is very much possible.
A further point that was raised is regarding technical problems in schools where many of the computers do not work properly. What does a teacher supposed to do when suddenly some of the computers do not work? It is very frustrating. Teachers showed concerns of shortage of technical support when those problems occurred.
Last interesting point for me was that many teachers found that “just in time” and informal learning is the most useful for them to learn technology skills they need. Is it really so? I wonder about it. Is it possible to learn so much this way? I think that if you need to solve a problem it might indeed help, but to get more comprehensive knowledge about teaching technology may require a more thorough training.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
How to use Blog in my classroom
The idea of using a blog for my (former) Sunday School classroom sounds to me like a great way to motivate the students to show interest in what is going on in class and maybe even to like it... I wish I have thought about this when I had this class a couple of years ago. It could have been a great experience. It is something that I am definitely going to try in the future, especially since the Sunday School classrooms consist on a small number of students, and I think this may not only serve as a learning tool but also something that will bring them closer together as a group, a way of interaction during the weekdays (since they do not meet every day).
OK, so after this long introduction, my idea is to create a Sunday school level ____ blog (usually there are 5 levels in school). This blog will be managed by the students and will include their reflections about different topics learned in the classroom. They will be able to share their thoughts about the last lesson, to ask questions if something was unclear and to raise questions or write reflections about different topics.
The teacher will give them a specific topic for a discussion for the week to come. When they are back the next time, they will report shortly what was going on in the blog during the past week and lead a short discussion about it. This will be done in turns (each student in his turn will have the responsibility to report about the past week's blog). This discussion will serve as the opening for the lesson, a sort of the start part of the lesson and preparation for the next topic.
The topics will consist of stories we read in class, which will be leading to philosophical questions and discussion-like correspondence. I will try first to let students participate on their own will, without urging them to make entries. If it doesn't work, I will instruct them to make one entry per week and a minimum of one comment to their friends. I was thinking of making one communal blog for all students. In other words, instead of one blog for each student there is going to be one blog for each class level. If they will like the idea, we will later expand it to personal blogs.
Another way to use it with the Sunday school children is to have the students share their blog with other students overseas! I have always wanted to have my students here correspond via e-mails with students from Israel about things they learn and experience in class in particular and life in general. However, I think a blog could be a good place to have this connection. It is always there, available, and maybe less personal, and in this way, less intimidating as a space to express thoughts. The blog could be a “place” to "meet" and "talk" about things we learn and experience, and it will contribute to students’ literacy since they will be engaged in writing and reading, as well as discussing literature and other written scripts.
Needless to say, the teacher will be always supervising the blogs, and prior to initiating the experience a discussion will take place dealing with proper blog behavior.
OK, so after this long introduction, my idea is to create a Sunday school level ____ blog (usually there are 5 levels in school). This blog will be managed by the students and will include their reflections about different topics learned in the classroom. They will be able to share their thoughts about the last lesson, to ask questions if something was unclear and to raise questions or write reflections about different topics.
The teacher will give them a specific topic for a discussion for the week to come. When they are back the next time, they will report shortly what was going on in the blog during the past week and lead a short discussion about it. This will be done in turns (each student in his turn will have the responsibility to report about the past week's blog). This discussion will serve as the opening for the lesson, a sort of the start part of the lesson and preparation for the next topic.
The topics will consist of stories we read in class, which will be leading to philosophical questions and discussion-like correspondence. I will try first to let students participate on their own will, without urging them to make entries. If it doesn't work, I will instruct them to make one entry per week and a minimum of one comment to their friends. I was thinking of making one communal blog for all students. In other words, instead of one blog for each student there is going to be one blog for each class level. If they will like the idea, we will later expand it to personal blogs.
Another way to use it with the Sunday school children is to have the students share their blog with other students overseas! I have always wanted to have my students here correspond via e-mails with students from Israel about things they learn and experience in class in particular and life in general. However, I think a blog could be a good place to have this connection. It is always there, available, and maybe less personal, and in this way, less intimidating as a space to express thoughts. The blog could be a “place” to "meet" and "talk" about things we learn and experience, and it will contribute to students’ literacy since they will be engaged in writing and reading, as well as discussing literature and other written scripts.
Needless to say, the teacher will be always supervising the blogs, and prior to initiating the experience a discussion will take place dealing with proper blog behavior.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
ABC election glossary
Look what I found - in case you are still looking for the ABC assignment ideas.
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/election/glossary.shtml
Anat
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/election/glossary.shtml
Anat
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Digital Storytellong 2
After finishing my project, I feel great. I am happy to be able to find a story in my life to share. After finishing my project, suddenly I realized that I have many stories to tell and that they do not have to be big! Even small pieces of my life can be a basis for a Digital Storytelling!
Creating the story was time consuming. I was surprised how every time I was sure it is going to end, I had more things to edit or more additions to put in it (music, effects, etc.).
I am happy we had this experience and I am happy I have done the whole thing by myself - from finding and downloading the Movie Maker to the final product!
When corpora ting it in my classroom in the future, I think it is very important to have a strict plan and very clear steps. Otherwise, it will take forever! Especially for very young students, I think there should be a frame to which the story is to be inserted. I mean, some type of pattern that have certain structure or specific wording where the children can insert their personal narratives into.
I am curious to hear stories of teachers from our classroom who tried it with their children, or are going to try it!
Creating the story was time consuming. I was surprised how every time I was sure it is going to end, I had more things to edit or more additions to put in it (music, effects, etc.).
I am happy we had this experience and I am happy I have done the whole thing by myself - from finding and downloading the Movie Maker to the final product!
When corpora ting it in my classroom in the future, I think it is very important to have a strict plan and very clear steps. Otherwise, it will take forever! Especially for very young students, I think there should be a frame to which the story is to be inserted. I mean, some type of pattern that have certain structure or specific wording where the children can insert their personal narratives into.
I am curious to hear stories of teachers from our classroom who tried it with their children, or are going to try it!
Last week reflection
Last week, as always, we had some interesting resources and ideas of how to use technology in our classroom. The "Living Books" were fun. I liked the simplicity of applying it in class, having children creating a poem of their own!
The Web quest - it is great to have ready-made resources, but when I was looking for a language web quest, I only found a few, maybe 4 options to choose from. Most of the quests were in Spanish and one in French. I tried to take a look at the French one and didn't have much success in solving the question I tried... :-( However, I think their idea was pretty exciting: You are chosen to open a famous French restaurant, and have to construct the menu and some of the dishes. I think it is an original way of teaching basic language skills like foods. When I taught Hebrew, foods were one of the first vocabularies. I made a paper menu and the students and I pretended to be in a restaurant and play costumers and waiters. It was fun, but when I saw seeing the Web quest I thought to myself that this type of task can be very engaging and motivating, and at the end - you have your own 5 stars restaurant! It would be nice to learn how to plan such a web quest which will fit specific curriculum needs.
The web 2.0 second life - this is new to me and I have never tried it until we had the Club Penguin experience in class. I think it is amazing that you can create a whole 2nd virtual life...I started thinking how I will be able to incorporate it in the Literacy classroom, and I do not remember if it something I read in the article 2 weeks ago, or my own thoughts (or a mix of both) but it would be neat to create a world based on a book. Just for example - if the students read Harry Potter, it would be great to create a world of Hogwarts where the students become Hogwarts-students. In this world they would learn about different occurrences from the narrative, places and characters while spending time in this world.
Lastly, the Storyline online - I truly enjoyed it. It is so great to have actors read stories to kids. I remember myself sitting fascinated every Friday after school, when we had a TV show with an actor reading stories. With the stories being available for free online, children who do not have the patience to read a book, or have reading disabilities, can "read" a story or be exposed to literature. It is a wonderful website. I love it! I wish I had more time to explore it!
The Web quest - it is great to have ready-made resources, but when I was looking for a language web quest, I only found a few, maybe 4 options to choose from. Most of the quests were in Spanish and one in French. I tried to take a look at the French one and didn't have much success in solving the question I tried... :-( However, I think their idea was pretty exciting: You are chosen to open a famous French restaurant, and have to construct the menu and some of the dishes. I think it is an original way of teaching basic language skills like foods. When I taught Hebrew, foods were one of the first vocabularies. I made a paper menu and the students and I pretended to be in a restaurant and play costumers and waiters. It was fun, but when I saw seeing the Web quest I thought to myself that this type of task can be very engaging and motivating, and at the end - you have your own 5 stars restaurant! It would be nice to learn how to plan such a web quest which will fit specific curriculum needs.
The web 2.0 second life - this is new to me and I have never tried it until we had the Club Penguin experience in class. I think it is amazing that you can create a whole 2nd virtual life...I started thinking how I will be able to incorporate it in the Literacy classroom, and I do not remember if it something I read in the article 2 weeks ago, or my own thoughts (or a mix of both) but it would be neat to create a world based on a book. Just for example - if the students read Harry Potter, it would be great to create a world of Hogwarts where the students become Hogwarts-students. In this world they would learn about different occurrences from the narrative, places and characters while spending time in this world.
Lastly, the Storyline online - I truly enjoyed it. It is so great to have actors read stories to kids. I remember myself sitting fascinated every Friday after school, when we had a TV show with an actor reading stories. With the stories being available for free online, children who do not have the patience to read a book, or have reading disabilities, can "read" a story or be exposed to literature. It is a wonderful website. I love it! I wish I had more time to explore it!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
digital storytellong
I think I finally got something. It was so much more difficult than I thought it would be. I have read the instructions over and over again, starred at the story boards, visited CDS (http://www.storycenter.org/resources.html) and watched many other people's stories there (which finally got me depressed so I stopped. I have to add here that in spite of not seeing any humorous stories there, I recommend visiting this web site and watch some stories since they are performed so beautifully. "In my shoes" was my favorite). I looked at all the picture albums I have at home; thought of pictures I do not have with me here. I thought of events in my life. Nothing seemed to be interesting enough for other people to hear.
I think my story would be about a hot topic at our home those days. I realized that if it interests me - I may be able to make it interesting for my audience.
I think my story would be about a hot topic at our home those days. I realized that if it interests me - I may be able to make it interesting for my audience.
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