I personally would love to have each student have their own personal computer. They could learn so much. They could research more, find any topic, find any resource, talk with people half way around the world, and talk with people within their class. My one fear though is that they will do something that is not their assignment. They will check e-mail. They will talk with friends. You know... the whole escaping what they are supposed to be doing thing. But what if we incorporate talking with friends online into an assignment in the classroom?
What if instead of cooperating learning in groups around tables, there was cooperating learning from computer to computer. They could brainstorm research topics, continue a discussion about a book, peer edit each others papers, and they could blog about their experience at the end.
It is funny how a fear of so many teachers could possibly turn into an effective learning experience for both the teacher and the student.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Reflection #8: Is old coming back?
I am a small group leader for high school gals at my church. In being so I often learn about all this new hip stuff that is out there in the technology realm. Well it seems like technology is going a bit vintage in the music world.
The girls were talking about how a lot of people are beginning to really like records... yes records... like the big awkward things you put on a record player. I actually love the things, but I thought they were completely outdated. They were, but apparently not anymore. My gals said people want to start buying them again. They like the old sound, the look... really a lot of things.
It got me to thinking if technology ever jumps backwards like that. Do we go back to something "less technological" today just because it is seen as hip or cool. I know we do this for fashion. Does this mean this is more of a fashion statement than a technological statement? I don't know. Something I will ponder though.
The girls were talking about how a lot of people are beginning to really like records... yes records... like the big awkward things you put on a record player. I actually love the things, but I thought they were completely outdated. They were, but apparently not anymore. My gals said people want to start buying them again. They like the old sound, the look... really a lot of things.
It got me to thinking if technology ever jumps backwards like that. Do we go back to something "less technological" today just because it is seen as hip or cool. I know we do this for fashion. Does this mean this is more of a fashion statement than a technological statement? I don't know. Something I will ponder though.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Online Seminar...
http://k12onlineconference.org/?cat=22
The title is 2008 - Prove It!
This was the most interesting one I have found yet. Usually we think of debate and role-play as something that needs to literally be done in front of our eyes. The speaker of this seminar suggested that it has proved to be beneficial for students to have online roleplay. When I first began to listen to this, I thought it sounded rather absurd, but the more I listened, the more I began to picture this actually working.
First off, just to be clear, online roleplay can mean a lot of things. It can mean a debate, discussion, and even a panel discussion. It can cover pretty much any topic as well. It is trying to get away from the typical teacher who says to write down an opinion on if the student feels the death penalty should exist when the student does not really care or know that much about it in the first place.
The online roleplay would allow students to battle opinions back and forth in a way that gets them interested. Let's face it. In high school, if your friends are talking about something, you usually want to get involved. This seminar is suggesting to use that. They want to take this debate and put it online where there is tons of research and opinions to back up opinions of the students. This way, the students can use podcasts, videos, and articles to backup their points of view and prove their point. I thought it was a valuable idea.
The title is 2008 - Prove It!
This was the most interesting one I have found yet. Usually we think of debate and role-play as something that needs to literally be done in front of our eyes. The speaker of this seminar suggested that it has proved to be beneficial for students to have online roleplay. When I first began to listen to this, I thought it sounded rather absurd, but the more I listened, the more I began to picture this actually working.
First off, just to be clear, online roleplay can mean a lot of things. It can mean a debate, discussion, and even a panel discussion. It can cover pretty much any topic as well. It is trying to get away from the typical teacher who says to write down an opinion on if the student feels the death penalty should exist when the student does not really care or know that much about it in the first place.
The online roleplay would allow students to battle opinions back and forth in a way that gets them interested. Let's face it. In high school, if your friends are talking about something, you usually want to get involved. This seminar is suggesting to use that. They want to take this debate and put it online where there is tons of research and opinions to back up opinions of the students. This way, the students can use podcasts, videos, and articles to backup their points of view and prove their point. I thought it was a valuable idea.
Reflection #7: A Way to Find cheap computers...
In a Special Needs conference I was at, I got to talk with some students on a panel. One of the girls in the panel did not have a lot of money, but she needed a computer to help her with her schoolwork. She told me about a place in Seattle that she went to that fix up computers that are five years or older. She did not remember the name of the place, but she is e-mailing me the name.
I guess I am writing this because she got this computer for only $40. That is pretty cheap for a well working, 5 year computer. Granted, this is not the latest technology, but this would certainly help students within an inner city or low budget school. That is pretty cheap technology that could provide help for students that may not have the time for going to the library or an overbooked computer lab. These places do exist! Just a little hope:)
I guess I am writing this because she got this computer for only $40. That is pretty cheap for a well working, 5 year computer. Granted, this is not the latest technology, but this would certainly help students within an inner city or low budget school. That is pretty cheap technology that could provide help for students that may not have the time for going to the library or an overbooked computer lab. These places do exist! Just a little hope:)
Reflection #6: Technology at a Special Needs conference...
I went to a Special Needs conference several weeks ago where I heard a panel of people discuss how their diabiliies have been aided through the help of technology. Several of the people in the panel are actually students. They shared how technology helps them throughout their schoolwork and even in class.
One student who has a speech disability cannot articulate words clearly. It is difficult for his listeners to understand what he is saying. When he chose to take an elective class, the teacher told him he might want to reconsider. The student asked why. The teacher said that there were several presentations in the class and that he did not think that this student could do it.
Yikes!!! This student, Damien, proved him wrong. He presented over a powerpoint presentation and used all sorts of technological aids in his presentation. He typed out what he was saying in a Word document, and when the students in the class asked Damien questions, he simply responded in writing. Yes, this is accomodation, but he still met all the content qualifications for the presentation. He did it.
Obviously, as teachers, we should not tell a student with disabilities that they cannot do something. But also, we must look to ways that will help the students actual abilities and enhance those abilities. Technology is a great way to do this. I learned a lot from this story.
One student who has a speech disability cannot articulate words clearly. It is difficult for his listeners to understand what he is saying. When he chose to take an elective class, the teacher told him he might want to reconsider. The student asked why. The teacher said that there were several presentations in the class and that he did not think that this student could do it.
Yikes!!! This student, Damien, proved him wrong. He presented over a powerpoint presentation and used all sorts of technological aids in his presentation. He typed out what he was saying in a Word document, and when the students in the class asked Damien questions, he simply responded in writing. Yes, this is accomodation, but he still met all the content qualifications for the presentation. He did it.
Obviously, as teachers, we should not tell a student with disabilities that they cannot do something. But also, we must look to ways that will help the students actual abilities and enhance those abilities. Technology is a great way to do this. I learned a lot from this story.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Classroom in 5 Years...
I want a lot to be different in 5 years. At least I hope so... I know that with working in inner city schools I am limitted as to how much technology I can use in the classroom. However, I would like to take advantage of both grants and the support that my school gives me.
I want my class to be technologicly supportive to my students. I want the students I have to be able to come in and use the computers in my class. Also I went to a "Technology with Special Needs" conference lately, and I found out a lot about how technology helps people with special needs. It gives visual support, hearing aid, a way to communicate to others, and a way to express oneself when it is hard to vocally. I really want to use this within my classroom. I would like to talk with more people with disabilities and find ways to enhance learning in the classroom by using technology.
I would also like to come up with a reference and free reading library within my class and technology wise. I want students to be able to come to my class and use references for reports, presentations, papers, and even free reads. Yet I know this will take a while to create. So I would like to create a Delicious account with a wide variety of subjects and genres so the students can find reads easily and find a place to start with reports, presentations, and papers. I am hoping this could help them.
I would also like to be more organized in five years. I would like to use technology to organize grades and weights for those grades. I believe technology can be a huge assessment asset that many teachers do not take advantage of. Also I would like to begin a Delicious account for beneficial teaching sites that have helped me in my work. Lastly, I would like to get creative with my lesson plans as far as technology goes. I want to use powerpoint, music, videos, SmartBoards, video cameras, document projectors, and even games. I want the lesson plans to be intriguing and something the students can easily participate in.
I know there are many things I will change within 5 years, but I want to grow with technology as well. I do not want to stay with only what I know now, but also use what I will know then. So I guess I will not know fully what will be different in 5 years or 10 or 15, because there will be technology out there that is not here today, but I will make sure to listen to my students and what they are using.
I want my class to be technologicly supportive to my students. I want the students I have to be able to come in and use the computers in my class. Also I went to a "Technology with Special Needs" conference lately, and I found out a lot about how technology helps people with special needs. It gives visual support, hearing aid, a way to communicate to others, and a way to express oneself when it is hard to vocally. I really want to use this within my classroom. I would like to talk with more people with disabilities and find ways to enhance learning in the classroom by using technology.
I would also like to come up with a reference and free reading library within my class and technology wise. I want students to be able to come to my class and use references for reports, presentations, papers, and even free reads. Yet I know this will take a while to create. So I would like to create a Delicious account with a wide variety of subjects and genres so the students can find reads easily and find a place to start with reports, presentations, and papers. I am hoping this could help them.
I would also like to be more organized in five years. I would like to use technology to organize grades and weights for those grades. I believe technology can be a huge assessment asset that many teachers do not take advantage of. Also I would like to begin a Delicious account for beneficial teaching sites that have helped me in my work. Lastly, I would like to get creative with my lesson plans as far as technology goes. I want to use powerpoint, music, videos, SmartBoards, video cameras, document projectors, and even games. I want the lesson plans to be intriguing and something the students can easily participate in.
I know there are many things I will change within 5 years, but I want to grow with technology as well. I do not want to stay with only what I know now, but also use what I will know then. So I guess I will not know fully what will be different in 5 years or 10 or 15, because there will be technology out there that is not here today, but I will make sure to listen to my students and what they are using.
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