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.
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/
That would be a fun way to involve students in choice and virtual field trips - they are a great opportunity to 'travel' elsewhere and beneficial for understanding various perspectives. You also provided some other resources to support your digital writing which is great practice - keep that up. :)
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