LIVELY LANGUAGE ARTS: The Digital Age Invades the English Classroom
Charles Doe
MultiMedia & Internet@Schools; Sep/Oct 2006; 13, 5; ProQuest Education Journals
pg. 30
Although there are many tools to help in the classroom, finding them and understanding how they can be used is sometimes challenging. This article looks at different helpful tools that can be used in the Literature Classroom. This one is based on grades 3-12, and very helpful in understanding how needs can be met using technology. They also include estimate prices, so you know approximately how much each item should cost.
Monday, December 11, 2006
powerpoint presentations as tools in teaching
Found at: Beyond Presentations: Using PowerPoint as an Effective Instructional Tool
Catharina F de Wet
Gifted Child Today; Fall 2006; 29, 4; ProQuest Education Journals
pg. 29
Computers and technology are available in the classroom, but not all teachers feel that they are qualified to use it. Others feel that they can be used in a negative way and not help the learning of the students at all. And still others feel that programs, such as PowerPoint can be used in very positive ways and introduce many different ways of teaching and learning that can help the hands on and visual learners in the classroom. This article looks at how the action buttons in PowerPoint could help turn a simple presentation into an interactive learning environment. I highly recommend this website for anyone wanting to understand and use PowerPoint presentations effectively in the classroom.
Catharina F de Wet
Gifted Child Today; Fall 2006; 29, 4; ProQuest Education Journals
pg. 29
Computers and technology are available in the classroom, but not all teachers feel that they are qualified to use it. Others feel that they can be used in a negative way and not help the learning of the students at all. And still others feel that programs, such as PowerPoint can be used in very positive ways and introduce many different ways of teaching and learning that can help the hands on and visual learners in the classroom. This article looks at how the action buttons in PowerPoint could help turn a simple presentation into an interactive learning environment. I highly recommend this website for anyone wanting to understand and use PowerPoint presentations effectively in the classroom.
using partial graphic organizers
From Increasing Text Comprehension and Graphic Note Taking Using a Partial Graphic...
Daniel H Robinson; Andrew D Katayama; Alicia Beth; Susan Odom; et al
The Journal of Educational Research; Nov/Dec 2006; 100, 2; ProQuest Education Journals
pg. 103
This article looked at note taking, and how the teachers could use graphic organizers to create lifelong skills and help with note taking. They found ways to compare linear and graphic note taking techniques and how the graphic organizer either helped or hurt students that used it. This article is interesting because it takes 114 undergraduate students and shows the different experiments that were used and the outcomes of them.
Daniel H Robinson; Andrew D Katayama; Alicia Beth; Susan Odom; et al
The Journal of Educational Research; Nov/Dec 2006; 100, 2; ProQuest Education Journals
pg. 103
This article looked at note taking, and how the teachers could use graphic organizers to create lifelong skills and help with note taking. They found ways to compare linear and graphic note taking techniques and how the graphic organizer either helped or hurt students that used it. This article is interesting because it takes 114 undergraduate students and shows the different experiments that were used and the outcomes of them.
Friday, November 24, 2006
video games: from home to school
Response to the article at: Video Games Trickle From Rec Rooms to Classrooms
Rhea R Borja
Education Week; Dec 6, 2006; 26, 14; ProQuest Education Journals
pg. 10
Although many educators feel that video games are distracting to "real learning", a few teachers found a way to use games as teaching (without the students really knowing that they were doing work). Some teachers have found various games that help students with exposure to math, technology, history and science. Even though most of the students feel that they are playing more than learning, the exposure that they are getting to certain topics seems more than enough to help them excel and succeed easier than they thought they could before.
The one thing I really enjoyed about this article, was the fact that it had a chart, with age approriate "games" for certain subjects, and even the websites where you could find these "games" for your students. Very helpful resources for teachers!!
Rhea R Borja
Education Week; Dec 6, 2006; 26, 14; ProQuest Education Journals
pg. 10
Although many educators feel that video games are distracting to "real learning", a few teachers found a way to use games as teaching (without the students really knowing that they were doing work). Some teachers have found various games that help students with exposure to math, technology, history and science. Even though most of the students feel that they are playing more than learning, the exposure that they are getting to certain topics seems more than enough to help them excel and succeed easier than they thought they could before.
The one thing I really enjoyed about this article, was the fact that it had a chart, with age approriate "games" for certain subjects, and even the websites where you could find these "games" for your students. Very helpful resources for teachers!!
Monday, November 20, 2006
cell phones in school
This article can be found at: http://www.glencoe.com/sec/teachingtoday/educationupclose.phtml/52
Cell phones used to be something not usually found in a child's possession, but now with the ease and price of cell phones, almost anyone can obtain one. This article focused on why a cell phone would be needed in a school setting and why it wouldn't be. I found it interesting that the article said that after September 11th and the Columbine tragedies, that most schools and parents reconsidered the importance of the cell phone. While it may be important for communication before and after school, this article also focuses what they can be used for during class. Very well rounded and looked at both sides quite well.
Cell phones used to be something not usually found in a child's possession, but now with the ease and price of cell phones, almost anyone can obtain one. This article focused on why a cell phone would be needed in a school setting and why it wouldn't be. I found it interesting that the article said that after September 11th and the Columbine tragedies, that most schools and parents reconsidered the importance of the cell phone. While it may be important for communication before and after school, this article also focuses what they can be used for during class. Very well rounded and looked at both sides quite well.
implementing technology
This post relates to the article: Implementing Computer Technologies: Teachers' Perceptions and Practices
Lori Wozney; Vivek Venkatesh; Philip C Abrami
Journal of Technology and Teacher Education; 2006; 14, 1; ProQuest Education Journals
pg. 173
This article had a big focus on integrating technology into the classroom. The article says that there are many positive outcomes from doing so, and wished that more integration was allowed in classrooms. Another portion of the article focused on motivation. It says that motivation can be found in many ways, but some of the computer software (and games) motivates the student to do well, so they can get a printout of the positive work they did, and even a positive score at the end of a practice test.
A large part of the article dealt with different methods and how to use technology effectively. It had a lot of possible ways to present materials and "test" to see how the students are doing. This was helpful for me, because I got to see different methods and ways to use technology that I wouldn't have even thought of before. I found this article very helpful for educators.
Lori Wozney; Vivek Venkatesh; Philip C Abrami
Journal of Technology and Teacher Education; 2006; 14, 1; ProQuest Education Journals
pg. 173
This article had a big focus on integrating technology into the classroom. The article says that there are many positive outcomes from doing so, and wished that more integration was allowed in classrooms. Another portion of the article focused on motivation. It says that motivation can be found in many ways, but some of the computer software (and games) motivates the student to do well, so they can get a printout of the positive work they did, and even a positive score at the end of a practice test.
A large part of the article dealt with different methods and how to use technology effectively. It had a lot of possible ways to present materials and "test" to see how the students are doing. This was helpful for me, because I got to see different methods and ways to use technology that I wouldn't have even thought of before. I found this article very helpful for educators.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
using gis to improve map skills
From the article "Using Geographic Information System (GIS) to Improve Fourth Graders' Geographic Content Knowledge and Map Skills" by Eui-kyung Shin. This article can be found in The Journal of Geography, May/June 2006; 105, 3 - pages 109-120.
Although traditionally, geometry in the Elementary School days consisted of learning the states and capitals, the names of the continents, and looking at country flags - educators have been trying to shift it into the direction of geographic knowledge, map skills, and other skills that students will take with them in the future. These skills include: analyzing maps to learn about mountains, valleys and other land features, creating a realistic and proportionate map of an area, understanding the use and reasoning of colors and keys used, and also the use of boundaries and what these boundaries mean.
In the back of this article, it had three different rubrics for understanding different maps found on the GIS. Basically the student would look at the map on the GIS and would learn about any types of boundaries (states, countries, cities, etc), and also about roads (what type of roads they are or where they go). The GIS can also teach about elevation, population, transportation and other characteristics of wherever they are looking at. From this, students can get a more in depth look at cities, states or countries, and perhaps understand more about the climate or landscape because of the mountains they may or may not see, or even water ways. The GIS can be a very helpful tool and I hope that I may get a chance to use it in the classroom.
Although traditionally, geometry in the Elementary School days consisted of learning the states and capitals, the names of the continents, and looking at country flags - educators have been trying to shift it into the direction of geographic knowledge, map skills, and other skills that students will take with them in the future. These skills include: analyzing maps to learn about mountains, valleys and other land features, creating a realistic and proportionate map of an area, understanding the use and reasoning of colors and keys used, and also the use of boundaries and what these boundaries mean.
In the back of this article, it had three different rubrics for understanding different maps found on the GIS. Basically the student would look at the map on the GIS and would learn about any types of boundaries (states, countries, cities, etc), and also about roads (what type of roads they are or where they go). The GIS can also teach about elevation, population, transportation and other characteristics of wherever they are looking at. From this, students can get a more in depth look at cities, states or countries, and perhaps understand more about the climate or landscape because of the mountains they may or may not see, or even water ways. The GIS can be a very helpful tool and I hope that I may get a chance to use it in the classroom.
Monday, October 30, 2006
technology in the music classroom
Response to the article "A Learning-Center Solution for Using Technology in Elementary Music" by Amy C. Casey. This article can be found on page 50 in the Teaching Music Educational Journal in the February 2005; 12, 4 edition.
In this article, Amy Casey talks about her use of technology in the music classroom. In her room, there are only a couple of computers, so to help with this situation, she sets up centers one to two times a month. In her computer center, Ms. Casey watches the children work hard ranging from listening to music, to even composing their own music. There are many different programs that she uses, and with all of them she sees good results. One of the programs she uses in her classroom has 24 self-paced music lessons that the students participate in. After they finish, a report is sent to the teacher, so they can monitor the student's progress. These lessons can be done with one student, or two - using a splitter to split the headphone so both can hear the outcome of their hard work.
Although she is limited with computers, Ms. Casey also uses other forms of technology, not just computers. In a tent in one of her centers, she has tape players and headphones where the students can learn about different types of music from different eras. Here they listen and reflect on music. Another center is one where students use keyboards to play and listen to music that they have written in one of the centers. This way the students are learning about composing music, but also given the chance to hear what they have created. I believe that technology is a great idea not only in the computer lab, but as I've read in this article, the music room as well.
In this article, Amy Casey talks about her use of technology in the music classroom. In her room, there are only a couple of computers, so to help with this situation, she sets up centers one to two times a month. In her computer center, Ms. Casey watches the children work hard ranging from listening to music, to even composing their own music. There are many different programs that she uses, and with all of them she sees good results. One of the programs she uses in her classroom has 24 self-paced music lessons that the students participate in. After they finish, a report is sent to the teacher, so they can monitor the student's progress. These lessons can be done with one student, or two - using a splitter to split the headphone so both can hear the outcome of their hard work.
Although she is limited with computers, Ms. Casey also uses other forms of technology, not just computers. In a tent in one of her centers, she has tape players and headphones where the students can learn about different types of music from different eras. Here they listen and reflect on music. Another center is one where students use keyboards to play and listen to music that they have written in one of the centers. This way the students are learning about composing music, but also given the chance to hear what they have created. I believe that technology is a great idea not only in the computer lab, but as I've read in this article, the music room as well.
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