Technology and the Math Classroom
The first podcast I listened to was “Mathematics with Technology” from the Maine University and recorded by Judy Chandler. In this podcast Chandler is discussing how many teachers, especially math, are reluctant to include technology in the classroom. Some of their reasons being it is too time consuming, it is additional work to use, not necessary, and students are successful enough. However, technology is essential even in the math classroom. These technology tools for enhancing math skills are tools that engage the students. The tools demonstrate learning and give them authentic experiences. All of this together promotes greater understanding which is what every teacher should be striving for in their classroom.
The second podcast was “Thinking Mathematically.” This podcast was also recorded by Judy Chandler. Again Chandler is discussing how teachers of math should use technology in the classroom because it is effective learning. Students are more engaged when using technology instead of going from page to page in a math book. Technology helps the subject come “alive.” Students use “hands on” techniques to learning new concepts. Teachers should always be looking for new and better way to teach their content. Technology is one of these ways.
I feel that technology is extremely important today. It should be used in very subject area taught. Today’s world is surrounded by technology so for us as teachers to give our students the best education possible we must implement technology tools where ever we can. I feel that using technology in the classroom does help a student focus more on the task at hand. “Hands On” learning has been proven over and over again to be the most effective learning and technology provides this in some many ways. Chandler also discusses how technology can motivate students who may not be interested in the subject otherwise.
When teaching I remember hearing teachers say how they did not have enough time to learn a new computer program or some new technology tool. However, I feel that as teachers it is our job to stay current with any new ideas that promote better understanding. I know that is class has helped me tremendously understand what is available in technology. I feel I will be better equipped to go back into the classroom and make use of some of these tools.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
“Growth vs. “Fixed” Minds – Stanford University Challenge
This video podcast “Growth” vs. “Fixed” Minds is a part of a Stanford University series. In this video podcast two different mindsets regarding learning were discussed. One was the “fixed” mindset and the other “growth” mindset. One group of students believed that their intelligence was based on a fixed trait and that no growth was involved in learning. These students worried about how smart they were and were they smart enough to complete a particular task. The other group of students believed that learning has to do with growth. They believed that learning is a process and were given the example of a baby. Babies must learn but in order to do that, they must grow also.
In the group of “fixed” mindset, students were given a set of study skills in order to complete certain learning tasks. However, the students’ grades ended up declining instead of improving because of the lack of motivation. The students that were in the “growth” mindset group excelled in their learning and their grades increased. They applied the concepts of learning comes through growth. When combined in class, teachers could actually tell which students came from which group. These learning concepts have not only been applied to students but also to race car drivers and people in the business world. People who have the mindset of learning comes through growth make better managers and race car drivers because they are not afraid to make mistakes and know how to overcome them.
I think that it is very important that teachers impress on their students that learning is a process. Students should not be afraid to make mistakes and teachers need to teach students how to overcome their mistakes when they are made. I want my students to be curious and motivated to learn new things. This comes through the “growth” mindset. I want them to always be yearning for more. This is also a good reminder for teachers also. Teachers need to realize that they also need to have a “growth” mindset. Learning never stops for anyone.
This video podcast “Growth” vs. “Fixed” Minds is a part of a Stanford University series. In this video podcast two different mindsets regarding learning were discussed. One was the “fixed” mindset and the other “growth” mindset. One group of students believed that their intelligence was based on a fixed trait and that no growth was involved in learning. These students worried about how smart they were and were they smart enough to complete a particular task. The other group of students believed that learning has to do with growth. They believed that learning is a process and were given the example of a baby. Babies must learn but in order to do that, they must grow also.
In the group of “fixed” mindset, students were given a set of study skills in order to complete certain learning tasks. However, the students’ grades ended up declining instead of improving because of the lack of motivation. The students that were in the “growth” mindset group excelled in their learning and their grades increased. They applied the concepts of learning comes through growth. When combined in class, teachers could actually tell which students came from which group. These learning concepts have not only been applied to students but also to race car drivers and people in the business world. People who have the mindset of learning comes through growth make better managers and race car drivers because they are not afraid to make mistakes and know how to overcome them.
I think that it is very important that teachers impress on their students that learning is a process. Students should not be afraid to make mistakes and teachers need to teach students how to overcome their mistakes when they are made. I want my students to be curious and motivated to learn new things. This comes through the “growth” mindset. I want them to always be yearning for more. This is also a good reminder for teachers also. Teachers need to realize that they also need to have a “growth” mindset. Learning never stops for anyone.
Monday, March 23, 2009
iTunes Video Podcast
I watched and listened to the video podcast Top 50 Things about SMARTboard with David Sladkey and Scott Miller. I really liked this video podcast because I am fascinated with SMARTboard. I cannot believe all the things this can do and how much it enhances teaching. In this podcast, there are slides with the list of the top 50 reasons SMARTboard is awesome. As the speakers are going through the list they are able to demonstrate all the capabilities of the SMARTboard. I loved being able to see what they were talking about rather than just hearing it.
Some of the great features that were discussed about SMARTboard were the magic pen that also can spotlight items, the fun pen that adds colors and graphics, a gallery that stores photos, and a virtual calculator. With almost any lesson, the teacher can also magnify things that need to be emphasized, clone items, and even add sound links from an MP3 player. Talk about keeping a students attention! The SMARTboard also includes a camera. This camera allows the teacher to be able to take a picture of anything on the internet and be able to use it in the lesson. Importing and exporting other documents from other places is so simple with SMARTboard. Color and different fonts are also great features to make a lesson eye-catching. My feature that I think is really valuable is being able to record a screencast. This is a great feature for substitute teachers. I would love to be able to record myself teaching the lesson when having to use a substitute teacher.
This video podcast was very informative and helped me understand SMARTboard even better. I feel that podcasts are very useful in the classroom and adding slides or video to these enhance student learning even more. There are so many new forms of technology for the classroom. It makes me very excited to think about all the different ways lessons can be presented to students. Today’s student seems to be so visual and hands on learning because of all the technology they are surrounded with in cell phones, mp3 players and video games. To be able to keep a students attention and focused, teachers have got to use the technology available to them. I know that I will be incorporating many of these ways in my class. I especially hope to be able to use a SMARTboard.
I watched and listened to the video podcast Top 50 Things about SMARTboard with David Sladkey and Scott Miller. I really liked this video podcast because I am fascinated with SMARTboard. I cannot believe all the things this can do and how much it enhances teaching. In this podcast, there are slides with the list of the top 50 reasons SMARTboard is awesome. As the speakers are going through the list they are able to demonstrate all the capabilities of the SMARTboard. I loved being able to see what they were talking about rather than just hearing it.
Some of the great features that were discussed about SMARTboard were the magic pen that also can spotlight items, the fun pen that adds colors and graphics, a gallery that stores photos, and a virtual calculator. With almost any lesson, the teacher can also magnify things that need to be emphasized, clone items, and even add sound links from an MP3 player. Talk about keeping a students attention! The SMARTboard also includes a camera. This camera allows the teacher to be able to take a picture of anything on the internet and be able to use it in the lesson. Importing and exporting other documents from other places is so simple with SMARTboard. Color and different fonts are also great features to make a lesson eye-catching. My feature that I think is really valuable is being able to record a screencast. This is a great feature for substitute teachers. I would love to be able to record myself teaching the lesson when having to use a substitute teacher.
This video podcast was very informative and helped me understand SMARTboard even better. I feel that podcasts are very useful in the classroom and adding slides or video to these enhance student learning even more. There are so many new forms of technology for the classroom. It makes me very excited to think about all the different ways lessons can be presented to students. Today’s student seems to be so visual and hands on learning because of all the technology they are surrounded with in cell phones, mp3 players and video games. To be able to keep a students attention and focused, teachers have got to use the technology available to them. I know that I will be incorporating many of these ways in my class. I especially hope to be able to use a SMARTboard.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Previous Podcasts
The first podcasting I listened to was Useful Internet Websites for Elementary Teachers by Erica Sledge, Ashley Cleveland and Shyane Fant. I chose this one to listen to because my topic is similar only for high schools instead of elementary teachers. I wanted to hear how they had organized their topic. I think that these girls did a great job discussing their research. Each seemed well prepared. I feel that these girls did practice which makes a huge difference when recording. There were a few um’s and places where the speaker needed to speaker at a slower pace, but as a whole I thought it was well done.
The second podcast I listened to was another group whose topic was Useful Internet Websites for Elementary Teachers by Tomeka Washington, Rosilyn Harris, and Marlena Marsh. I feel that these girls also did a good job with their podcast. These girls did seem a little more nervous than some of the other podcast. This could be due to the fact that they did not practice before the actual recording. There seem to be background noise also. This could be the paper they were using for notes and just did not realize the noise was being picked up by the microphone.
I feel listening to the podcasts will help me be more conscience of what I did to be aware of when recording. Speak slowly and clearly. Try to not get in a hurry. Use a conversational tone of voice instead of reading notes. Be aware of background noise that may be picked up. Hopefully, mine and Kim’s podcast will be successful and next semester students will not pick it apart.
The first podcasting I listened to was Useful Internet Websites for Elementary Teachers by Erica Sledge, Ashley Cleveland and Shyane Fant. I chose this one to listen to because my topic is similar only for high schools instead of elementary teachers. I wanted to hear how they had organized their topic. I think that these girls did a great job discussing their research. Each seemed well prepared. I feel that these girls did practice which makes a huge difference when recording. There were a few um’s and places where the speaker needed to speaker at a slower pace, but as a whole I thought it was well done.
The second podcast I listened to was another group whose topic was Useful Internet Websites for Elementary Teachers by Tomeka Washington, Rosilyn Harris, and Marlena Marsh. I feel that these girls also did a good job with their podcast. These girls did seem a little more nervous than some of the other podcast. This could be due to the fact that they did not practice before the actual recording. There seem to be background noise also. This could be the paper they were using for notes and just did not realize the noise was being picked up by the microphone.
I feel listening to the podcasts will help me be more conscience of what I did to be aware of when recording. Speak slowly and clearly. Try to not get in a hurry. Use a conversational tone of voice instead of reading notes. Be aware of background noise that may be picked up. Hopefully, mine and Kim’s podcast will be successful and next semester students will not pick it apart.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Podcasting
Listening to these different podcasts was very interesting. This is definitely a useful technology tool to use in the classroom. SmartBoard Lessons #149 focused on different ways to use a SmartBoard in the classroom. First of all it helps focus the class’s attention and gets them thinking about the lesson content. Also, the teacher can put notes about the content by using SmartBoard. SmartBoard is also great for group work too because it is a larger area for students to work around. SmartBoard also allows video conferencing outside the class which is a great resource tool. It also allows any file to be uploaded. SmartBoard is a great tool for the classroom.
KidCast #53 is a podcast about field trips. Here it is being discussed how to take field trips to the next level by using podcasting. It is suggested that the teacher asked the students to think about two things – what they know about what they are going to see and what they think they know about what they are going to see. Also the teacher must think about what she wants to teach the students about what they are going to see. These thoughts are recorded. During the field trip students are to record things they experience at different times of the field trip. This is a great way for students to get more out of a field trip than just getting out of the classroom.
Another podcast that was very interesting was Podcast for Teachers (Techpod). This was a discussion about students being tested on their technology ability. This is will apparently go into effect in 2012. Technology has become a huge part of everyday life and it is time to start accessing student’s skills with technology. It is no longer good enough for a student to just be able to read and write but he/she must know basic technology skills. Distance learning is also discussed in this podcast. Distance learning is being used more and more in higher education so K-12 needs to step up using this tool. Students need to be familiar with how this works before going off to college.
Ed Tech Talk is a podcast discussing the creation of virtual worlds. Here students are being encouraged to work with students from other school and create a virtual world of their own. Two students from two different schools decided to work together to create their own virtual school. What a great learning experience for them. Here it is also discussed about how to create a network of people who are interested in discussing different types of technology and ways to use these in the classroom. This would be a much more effect way to develop teams than using professional development days which most teachers hate.
MacBreak Weekly and This Week in Photography are discussions about how technology has changed photography. Again another example of how technology is changing our everyday world. Podcasting is definitely a use tool in the classroom.
Listening to these different podcasts was very interesting. This is definitely a useful technology tool to use in the classroom. SmartBoard Lessons #149 focused on different ways to use a SmartBoard in the classroom. First of all it helps focus the class’s attention and gets them thinking about the lesson content. Also, the teacher can put notes about the content by using SmartBoard. SmartBoard is also great for group work too because it is a larger area for students to work around. SmartBoard also allows video conferencing outside the class which is a great resource tool. It also allows any file to be uploaded. SmartBoard is a great tool for the classroom.
KidCast #53 is a podcast about field trips. Here it is being discussed how to take field trips to the next level by using podcasting. It is suggested that the teacher asked the students to think about two things – what they know about what they are going to see and what they think they know about what they are going to see. Also the teacher must think about what she wants to teach the students about what they are going to see. These thoughts are recorded. During the field trip students are to record things they experience at different times of the field trip. This is a great way for students to get more out of a field trip than just getting out of the classroom.
Another podcast that was very interesting was Podcast for Teachers (Techpod). This was a discussion about students being tested on their technology ability. This is will apparently go into effect in 2012. Technology has become a huge part of everyday life and it is time to start accessing student’s skills with technology. It is no longer good enough for a student to just be able to read and write but he/she must know basic technology skills. Distance learning is also discussed in this podcast. Distance learning is being used more and more in higher education so K-12 needs to step up using this tool. Students need to be familiar with how this works before going off to college.
Ed Tech Talk is a podcast discussing the creation of virtual worlds. Here students are being encouraged to work with students from other school and create a virtual world of their own. Two students from two different schools decided to work together to create their own virtual school. What a great learning experience for them. Here it is also discussed about how to create a network of people who are interested in discussing different types of technology and ways to use these in the classroom. This would be a much more effect way to develop teams than using professional development days which most teachers hate.
MacBreak Weekly and This Week in Photography are discussions about how technology has changed photography. Again another example of how technology is changing our everyday world. Podcasting is definitely a use tool in the classroom.
Monday, February 23, 2009
The Last Lecture
Randy Pausch’s Last Lecture is filled with great lessons not just for teaching but for living life. He begins by explaining the three different areas, his childhood dreams, the dreams of others and lessons learned, as the topics he will discuss. Pausch had several dreams as a child. Floating in space, playing in the NFL, and being a Disney Imaginer were just a few of these dreams. These are by no means small dreams. But as Pausch explains, dreams are worth pursuing. Pausch states in this lecture, “If a brick wall is in front of you then you must work harder to achieve it because the brick walls only determine how badly you want to achieve this.”
Pausch discusses how important it has become to him to make the dreams of others a reality. This is when he develops the course at MIT for Building Virtual Worlds and the Master’s program for the Dream Fulfillment Factory and ALICE. Pausch’s teaching method is to basically put peers into groups and let their imaginations go wild. He is amazed by what his students come up with for different projects. He strongly believes that students at the Master’s level had all the book learning they needed. Now it was time to make something. Pausch focuses on grouping peers together, left brains with right brains, and watching what ideas would develop from the group. By the end of the project, peers graded each other on cooperation within the group. This is a great life lesson because life is filled with so many different types of people and we must teach students how to work within those many different personalities. However, fun is at the top of this man’s list. He truly believes in the “head fake” which is learning something hard while doing something fun. This was his professional legacy ALICE. Students learning computer programming while playing video games. This is an awesome concept.
Pausch also talks about lessons learned. He discusses how great his parents were while he was growing up. The mentors, students and friends he has had along the way and the important roles each has played in his life. From all these people, he has learned to listen, to work hard, to help others, and to look for the best in everyone. These are incredible life lessons that everyone needs to understand in leading a successful and fulfilling life. Pausch also explains the important of showing gratitude and he is definitely doing this through this lecture.
In the end of the lecture, Pausch explains that this last talk of his is a “head fake.” We believe that he is talking to us about childhood dreams and achieving these. That is not really the case. Pausch is really explaining how to live life. It is not really meant for this audience but for his children. This is an awesome gift he has given by sharing what he feels is so important as an educator of future generations.
Randy Pausch’s Last Lecture is filled with great lessons not just for teaching but for living life. He begins by explaining the three different areas, his childhood dreams, the dreams of others and lessons learned, as the topics he will discuss. Pausch had several dreams as a child. Floating in space, playing in the NFL, and being a Disney Imaginer were just a few of these dreams. These are by no means small dreams. But as Pausch explains, dreams are worth pursuing. Pausch states in this lecture, “If a brick wall is in front of you then you must work harder to achieve it because the brick walls only determine how badly you want to achieve this.”
Pausch discusses how important it has become to him to make the dreams of others a reality. This is when he develops the course at MIT for Building Virtual Worlds and the Master’s program for the Dream Fulfillment Factory and ALICE. Pausch’s teaching method is to basically put peers into groups and let their imaginations go wild. He is amazed by what his students come up with for different projects. He strongly believes that students at the Master’s level had all the book learning they needed. Now it was time to make something. Pausch focuses on grouping peers together, left brains with right brains, and watching what ideas would develop from the group. By the end of the project, peers graded each other on cooperation within the group. This is a great life lesson because life is filled with so many different types of people and we must teach students how to work within those many different personalities. However, fun is at the top of this man’s list. He truly believes in the “head fake” which is learning something hard while doing something fun. This was his professional legacy ALICE. Students learning computer programming while playing video games. This is an awesome concept.
Pausch also talks about lessons learned. He discusses how great his parents were while he was growing up. The mentors, students and friends he has had along the way and the important roles each has played in his life. From all these people, he has learned to listen, to work hard, to help others, and to look for the best in everyone. These are incredible life lessons that everyone needs to understand in leading a successful and fulfilling life. Pausch also explains the important of showing gratitude and he is definitely doing this through this lecture.
In the end of the lecture, Pausch explains that this last talk of his is a “head fake.” We believe that he is talking to us about childhood dreams and achieving these. That is not really the case. Pausch is really explaining how to live life. It is not really meant for this audience but for his children. This is an awesome gift he has given by sharing what he feels is so important as an educator of future generations.
Monday, February 16, 2009
The second school I found using blogs was also in Scotland, Pencaitland Primary School. This blog also includes school events, photos, educational games, and upcoming school projects. It also includes other web links. In this photo are projects created with materials that have been recycled. Students are studying this in their art class. Blogging is such a great way to actually see what is going on in other classrooms. We have the ability to observe classrooms not just in our country but around the world. http://edubuzz.org/blogs/pencaitland/
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Mr. C's fifth grade class
