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!!
Friday, November 24, 2006
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.
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