Digital blog L

When I was reading the ‘One on one’ laptop section of the textbook, I could not help but to think what a great concept it is. Laptops can be used for so much in class. A lot of kids do not have any technology due to their parent’s financial circumstance. If a child cannot afford a laptop while everyone else can, I would not want that child to feel unequal to the class. Having a laptop will open the door to many fun activities because it will engage each student.
 

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Just like having laptops in the classroom, Ipads can bring a whole new world of learning. With Ipads children can easily work in groups, while being able to use interactive websites. There is an app on the Ipad to look at constellations, so you can make a fun lesson while learning about the stars during the day time.  Ipads also can easily go outside which can expand some lesson plans. I have talked about Google earth a couple times in my blogs and having an Ipad will make Google earth even more amazing than it already is.

Students know so much about technology because they are growing up with such advanced technology already. Talking to students about technology can benefit the teacher. I would ask what everyone knows and even talk to my students about anything that I do not know. Talking to your students about technology gives great insight, you can learn how the students learn concerning technology. For example, which device would be most beneficial for learning? Everyone would put their word in and you can set up lesson plans accordingly. Students will also love knowing that the advice they gave to a teacher was being used. 

 

In conclusion, laptops can be very beneficial for a classroom. There are countless learning programs that can be used on a computer. Then just a smaller form of a laptop would be an Ipad which would be convenient for outdoor activities and engaging the students with a fun learning activity. Students know a lot about technology already so it only makes sense to hear what they have to say.

References:

Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

McBride, M. (n.d.). EME by Melly0207 - ToonDoo - World's fastest way to create cartoons! Retrieved November 29, 2015, from http://www.toondoo.com/View.toon?param=9501609

IPads in the Classroom. (n.d.). Retrieved November 29, 2015, from http://www.bbcactive.com/BBCActiveIdeasandResources/iPadsintheClassroom.aspx

Technology in education: Changing the way students learn. (n.d.). Retrieved November 29, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edo_vynHypc

 

Digital Blog K

I have discussed Google Earth before in another digital blog. I am taking this opportunity to discuss further about virtual field trips discussed now in chapter six. With virtual field trips you can go almost anywhere. An interesting development of virtual field trips is that the teacher can put it on a promethean board so that the class as a whole can take the trip together. By doing that each child will see the trip differently in their eyes, everyone can share how they interpreted going to Lake Michigan or the Smithsonian. These trips will show students a life outside of their own and give them an urge to explore the world.

 

I have experience with online learning and virtual schools . I am taking a couple online classes including this one and a blended course. At first I was nervous about an online class, simply because I have always been taught by a teacher in an actually classroom. I think both in class teaching and online teachings are great ways to further an education. I do believe that there are some people who cannot learn as well online as they do in class. If you are having a child do virtual schooling I would track their progress. If they are having difficulties that they used to not have it could be from not being in a physical classroom.

With technology today it is easier to do things that we couldn’t before. Now there are educational websites, which can be very convenient. For example, a very popular one is a lesson plan website. A lesson plan website gives countless ideas and lesson plans with step by step methods. If a teacher is having trouble that week with her lesson plan she can just use that site and never have to worry again. You can even change a lesson that you like to fit the grade level you are teaching.

In conclusion, virtual field trips can take you anywhere you want to go. A fun idea would be to have your students write down where they want to go and put them all in a hat. Then pick one from the hat and that is the place where the class will be going. Online classes are very convenient; the concept of an online class and virtual schooling is not that old. It makes me wonder what else technology will do in ten years. Educational websites can benefit students and teachers in many ways. One I focused on was a lesson plan website. They are easy to find and can really help in the long run.

 

References:

10 Free Education Websites that Will Expand Your Horizons [LIST] - Goodnet. (2014, April 10). Retrieved November 12, 2015, from http://www.goodnet.org/articles/10-free-education-websites-that-will-expand-your-horizons-list

McBride, M. (n.d.). Prezi. Retrieved November 12, 2015, from https://prezi.com/2injairptsmi/untitled-prezi/#

Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

O'Hanlon, L. (n.d.). Virtual Elementary School: Should You Enroll Your Kids? Retrieved November 11, 2015, from http://www.parents.com/kids/education/elementary-school/virtual-elementary-school/

Virtual Field Trip - Amazon Rainforest. (n.d.). Retrieved November 11, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEsV5rqbVNQ

 

Digital blog J

I was surprised and enlightened when I read about democratic schools and classrooms. I was so surprised because I never heard anything like that before.  Democratic schools and classrooms mean that students have a say in the decisions of the school, along with the teachers. Yes at first people will think they will just agree on everything that has them doing less work. I do not think like that, a lot of the students will give input on how they will learn more efficiently. That will help the teacher when creating lessons. It also gives the students a feel of equality amongst the staff.

Teaching with clickers is a 21^st century technology designed for fast results, active learning, and student involvement. When using clickers in the classroom the students are more engaged than just a lecture. Making it into a game even can engage them even more. Also another beneficial factor would be that the students are not shy to answer because you cannot tell who had what right and who had what wrong; eliminating the scary part of being embarrassed in front of peers. I have taken a test before on a clicker and it gave immediate results, I took it and when I finished I knew what I had gotten.

High stake testing can be scary for any student. How do you properly prepare for such an important test? Participation systems like the clickers. You can have questions from previous tests on the screen and the students will be required to carefully analyze and answer the questions. An important part for the teacher is to teach your students how to properly analyze the question and to eliminate the wrong answers.

In conclusion, there are very few democratic schools. In hind sight though there are more than people think there are. Teachers usually ask every class how they can help further and ideas of how they will learn better. Clickers are a great idea when trying to engage your students in the activity. They are also important when studying for high stake tests. Being prepared will increase your grade tremendously.

References:

Guldbrandsen, M. (n.d.). A Democratic Approach to Classroom Management. Retrieved November 8, 2015, from http://www.ascd.org/publications/classroom-leadership/sept1998/A-Democratic-Approach-to-Classroom-Management.aspx
How to Prepare for SAT, ACT, and High-Stakes Tests. (n.d.). Retrieved November 8, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTsxYXuZjtE
Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.
McBride, M. (n.d.). Clickers in the classroom (2). Retrieved November 8, 2015, from http://linoit.com/users/Melly0207/canvases/Clickers in the classroom (2)