I have
always been a proponent of expanding technology in the classroom, and have, by
no means, seen the “glass as half-empty.” I have always tried to keep a
positive attitude, even when learning new technology, and tried to pass this on
to my students. To say this week has exasperated me is no understatement. However, in the class readings about software, it did surprise me that I could already identify most of the file extensions. Little victories. The
frustration that I felt trying to find a school to do my field service
observations culminated five weeks’ worth of chagrin and rejections. It reminds
me of what a lot of teachers give their students: “busy work” just to keep them
busy without really teaching them anything. This, coupled with the plethora of
pages to digest in this week’s assignment, has even caused me to rethink my
position on graduate school. I have always had a love for reading and a love of
learning, but this week, I’ve felt broken, dejected, and my soul is devoid of
joy.
The
Web 2.0 tool that I use mostly in class is Google Docs, however, one that I
have never used is Dropbox, which I have discovered recently when I tried to
send my Wildflower Wonder PowerPoint. (When you click on the Wildflower link, download PPt from Dropbox. It will open in protected view, so click on Enable Editing, then Slide Show, and then From the Beginning. I haven't figured out how to open it at the beginning of the slideshow yet. Turn up the speakers and Enjoy!) Dropbox is great for sending large files
containing graphics and audio that are too large for email, and you don’t have
to separate the audio from the video. Dropbox isn’t specific to teachers, as
students can use it, too, and it’s a very handy tool.
The objectives of Dropbox are to edit documents, add photos and videos, and store these creations
that can be accessed from computers, phones, or tablets. The free version
offers enough space so that students can turn in their homework, several
assignments, to the same drop box to be graded. They can also share larger
projects with their friends. Dropbox has been integrated by Yahoo! Mail and
transcends several languages. One experiment that I want to try in the
classroom with Dropbox is to see how well it works using PicLits. I foresee it
to be awesome.
I don’t
mind reading articles about the brain because the brain is a complex and
interesting organ. However, this assignment went way beyond the pale. I did
enjoy the sites about gaming and I believe that utilizing video games in the
classroom helps auditory, as well as kinesthetic learners. However, I wasn’t
particularly impressed with the Max Fischer interview.
The
Dana site was a little difficult to navigate, but creatively, I found what I
needed to read. I couldn’t sit at my computer to read it all, so I printed it
out so that I could get comfortable and read. Ninety-seven pages. I read all 97
pages and right now I’m practically brain dead. I’m sure the articles contained
a lot of interesting information, however, the quantity of information poured
as water off of a sponge. I couldn’t absorb it, so I guess that makes my brain
defective. The assignment was pretty much a waste for me with the exception
that I found out that I am not Wonder Woman and I cannot learn it all. I tried
to correlate this assignment with the NET-T and Common Core Standards, however,
my brain refused to cooperate and begged me to leave it alone. It reminds me of
what my grandma told me, “If you keep picking it, it won’t get well.” So, I
guess I’m trying to give my poor, tired brain time to heal.
The
webcast that I watched started out to be interesting. It is “What are They Thinking?
Exploring the Adolescent Brain.” Moderated by Alan Leshner, the webcast
featured three speakers at an event sponsored by AAAS and the Dana Foundation
in Washington, DC in June. The speakers included: Dr. Jay Geed, who is a
pioneer in the field of brain imaging; Dr. Elaine Walker, a professor of
Neuroscience at Emory University; and Dr. Elizabeth Albro of NEA, who spoke about
the role of Neuroscience in education. Dr. Geed’s presentation of brain imaging
was very interesting in that he explained the newest technologies and how they
worked in mapping brain cells. By the time Dr. Walker’s discussion of psychoses
was completed, I think I may have identified four or five that I had before the
discussion or acquired during the discussion. I had no idea that, including the
question-and-answer session, the webcast would be two hours, but I stuck with it.
By the time that I reached Dr. Albro’s presentation on the role of Neuroscience
in education, I could barely think, let alone pay attention.
One
thing that stuck out prominently for me is that by the time a child reaches
first grade, their brain is 93% the size of an adult brain, therefore increased
brain size does not dictate the ability to learn. Maturation of the brain is
where real learning takes place. I don’t know why I found this so fascinating;
I guess it’s just another piece of extraneous information to clutter up my
brain.
EDOL 533
Technology
Exploration Assignment Form
Student Name: tparsons Date:
08-07-13
Technology Exploration 19
Keeping Track of your “stuff”-
Delicious—URL: http://www.delicious.com
HistoryPin—URL: http://www.historypin.com
Diigo—URL: http://www.diigo.com
PBS Kids—Calculator—URL: http://pbskids.org/cyberchase/games/calculator/ Softpedia—Another Calculator—URL: http://www.softpedia.com/get/Science-CAD/Big-Simple-Talking-Calculator.shtml
1.
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Describe what you learned from exploring this resource. Be
thorough in your response.
Delicious is a link organizer for busy people. Links can be
categorized by subject or category and are formatted with graphics, as well
as the link. The links can be categorized so that they are easily retrieved.
The site also interfaces with Twitter and Facebook.
Diigo is a site similar to Delicious. Links can be categorized
and the site allows tagging, public and private bookmarks, importation and
exportation of bookmarks, and automatic posting of bookmarks to your blog. Some
of the things that you can do with Diigo that you cannot do with Delicious
include; saving bookmarks as private by default; organize bookmarks as a list
and show on a slide; automatically bookmark Twitter favorites, or keep a full-text
copy of bookmarks with notes and images.
Historypin was created to help people to come together from
across different generations, cultures and places, around the history of
their families and neighbourhoods, and share their family histories. The site
contains photographs, videos, audio clips and descriptive and narrative text
that people can share with one another.
I really like both of the talking calculators; however, if I
had to pick one, it would be the one at PBSKids.org. There are real
calculator functions, with the exception that the calculators tell you each
number you press and the function.
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2.
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How could you use this resource in a school setting? It does not matter if it is in your field
or level, you need to understand how the resource might be used in
educational settings.
Delicious and Diigo might be
used in the classroom by students researching projects. These sites are
aligned with the NETS-S Standard #2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning
Experiences and Assessments. To implement this standard, teachers design or
adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and
resources to promote student learning and creativity. A link organizer can do
this. When students are able to find links quickly and efficiently, teachers
can develop a technology-enriched learning environment that enables students
to become active participants in their own educational goals so they can
manage their own learning, as mandated by the standard.
HistoryPin is a good resource
for students who are doing genealogical research. They can even input their
own families’ histories. This site also has Street View, which allows student
to explore places around the world through 360-degree street-level imaging. HistoryPin
is aligned with Common Core Standard for Reading and Writing, in that
students integrate and evaluate content in diverse media and formats.
The talking calculators have
great uses in the classroom. Numbers are universal and all kids recognize
numerals. However, the written number is more difficult. This calculator
would be especially useful to ELLs or students who are below band levels as
specified by Common Core. Hearing the pronunciations of the numbers can aid
ELLs in speaking.
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3.
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Would you recommend this resource to other educators?
Like/Dislike; Ease of use, fee or not, and so forth. Why
or Why not?
I think that I would recommend Delicious or Diigo, one or the
other, to other educators at this time. Students can find it helpful to
manage their web links by category, subject, or project. The account is free.
The links can be categorized any way that you like them and they are easily
retrieved.
I would probably recommend this site to other educators. HistoryPin
is funded by donations from supporters, grants, and corporate sponsorship. It
is free to join. There is a Schools Section containing downloadable resources
and activities.
I would recommend both talking calculators to other educators.
I like the PBS.org calculator better than the softpedia calculator, mainly
because of the graphics. Both calculators are free, but the softpedia
calculator has to be downloaded and would work better with upper grade
students. The PBS.org calculator doesn’t have to be downloaded and the
graphics are great. Very colorful. Clearly audible voiceover. ELLs and lower
grade students would benefit from this calculator.
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EDOL 533
Technology
Exploration Assignment Form
Student Name: tparsons Date:
008-07-13
Technology Exploration 20
Math Wiki Example—URL: http://2write4math.pbwiki.com/
PicLits—URL: http://www.piclits.com
1.
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Describe what you learned from exploring this resource. Be
thorough in your response.
The Math Wiki example is a great resource for cross-curriculum
instruction. The educational reform movement of teaching across curricula began
in the 1970s and is coming fully to fruition now. This site’s objectives are
aligned with NETS-S and Common Core Standards. It also lists the objectives
and methods of assessment.
PicLits is an education site that uses words and pictures to
inspire writing. Much as YouTube uses “edutainment” as a teaching method,
this site combines the same method of using education and entertainment to
keep students interested in creativity. I have used the PicLit method before,
of placing words on pictures to create a story, however, I didn’t know that
it was called a PicLit.
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2.
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How could you use this resource in a school setting? It does not matter if it is in your field
or level, you need to understand how the resource might be used in
educational settings.
The Math Wiki site is not
particularly colorful or outstanding in graphics, however, utilizing poetry
to teach math is a great concept. Students can benefit from this site because
Common Core Standards of Writing are addressed. Students should learn the
five types of writing: Journals and logs; solving math problems; explaining mathematical
ideas; general math writing; and creative math writing.
PicLits works well in a classroom.
The drag-n-drop feature allows students to choose words from lists of
adjectives, adverbs, nouns, and verbs, and even punctuation, and drag and
drop them onto an image of their choosing to tell a story. The activities
generated by this site inspire picture writing. |
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3.
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Would you recommend this resource to other educators?
Like/Dislike; Ease of use, fee or not, and so forth. Why
or Why not?
I would recommend this free Math
Wiki site to other educators at this time. The site has teacher resources,
such as lesson plans, assessments and reflections, Cornell and Frayer models,
and anticipation guide examples. I was particularly impressed with one of the
lesson plans: Bio-graph: Graphing Life Events, an interdisciplinary plab
which uses graphing, interviewing, and resource writing for writing ideas
throughout the school year, the source being Read, Write, Think, grades 9-12.
I would definitely recommend the
free PicLits site to other educators. The free version of this site would be
sufficient to encourage creativity in students in the classroom. A premium
service is also available, but I don’t know if the students would get that
much more out of PicLits apart from the free version. |
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