Monday, February 23, 2009
Digital Storytelling
Digital storytelling is just another name for Place-based storytelling. It is a way for teachers to link and work technology into their daily lessons smoothly. Teacher and student collaboration allows for greater comprehension and higher order thinking. By beginning with digital storytelling, students soon proceed into areas of more in depth work. This type of storytelling allows students to connect the past and the present. Through the use of digital storytelling combined with digital mapping the student not only reads the story but can become a part of it. As creator of the story, he can show locations in more detail giving the reader a new sense of adventure within the story. The student discovers his abilities and walks away with a new found confidence he previously did not have.
Digital storytelling venues like voicethread, slideshare, and slidecast help give added depth to a teachers lesson, and a greater interest on the students part. As I developed my Unit plan I carefully considered how each of these could enhance my lessons. The three branches of government are a very important unit in life because it has far reaching ramifications and influence for each of us. By using voicethread as a feedback forum my students will be able to make adjustments to the information they are absorbing. Also, voicethread can be used as a wonderful interactive forum on first and secondary resources. Slideshare will give the student a freedom of expression that is not normally available to them.
In her online blog, Karen Smith talks about how even though digital storytelling is used in business and education, this is not the first thought for those who wish to use it. Instead, their ideas run to family memories, extraordinary events, and personal expression. The uses for Slideshare, slidecast, and voicethread are unlimited.
Digital storytelling venues like voicethread, slideshare, and slidecast help give added depth to a teachers lesson, and a greater interest on the students part. As I developed my Unit plan I carefully considered how each of these could enhance my lessons. The three branches of government are a very important unit in life because it has far reaching ramifications and influence for each of us. By using voicethread as a feedback forum my students will be able to make adjustments to the information they are absorbing. Also, voicethread can be used as a wonderful interactive forum on first and secondary resources. Slideshare will give the student a freedom of expression that is not normally available to them.
In her online blog, Karen Smith talks about how even though digital storytelling is used in business and education, this is not the first thought for those who wish to use it. Instead, their ideas run to family memories, extraordinary events, and personal expression. The uses for Slideshare, slidecast, and voicethread are unlimited.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Internet Resources
Hey Everyone!
We were discussing in class the other night about great ways for teachers to get viable and relavent information for their students when studying subjects. Just take for example, the three branches of government. Technology today allows us to go way past the normal worksheet and lecture style. Now we can draw our students in with the use of current online information, website videos, soundclips, webquests, images, scavenger hunts, email projects and so much more. I took some time this weekend to bring a few of my favorite websites up for perusal. This is a list that grows more and more each day. The Three Branches of government is one of my favorite subjects. I think it's because I love to see how people work together and don't work together to accomplish things. One of the things I haven't included in this post is how to set up a chat room for your class. I love this idea for working with students. Now some of you may be saying, Hold on one minute! I don't do chatrooms. Well, I can undertand some of the wariness. However, a chatroom can be a great way of giving online help to students afterschool when you are at home working. A set site allows for them to know they can contact you not only by phone, or email, but in a medium they can get clear explanations.
Think on it!
Remember, teaching is a life long learning process. When it ceases to be that we become stagnant! Have a great day and may your students desire to learn.
Becky
We were discussing in class the other night about great ways for teachers to get viable and relavent information for their students when studying subjects. Just take for example, the three branches of government. Technology today allows us to go way past the normal worksheet and lecture style. Now we can draw our students in with the use of current online information, website videos, soundclips, webquests, images, scavenger hunts, email projects and so much more. I took some time this weekend to bring a few of my favorite websites up for perusal. This is a list that grows more and more each day. The Three Branches of government is one of my favorite subjects. I think it's because I love to see how people work together and don't work together to accomplish things. One of the things I haven't included in this post is how to set up a chat room for your class. I love this idea for working with students. Now some of you may be saying, Hold on one minute! I don't do chatrooms. Well, I can undertand some of the wariness. However, a chatroom can be a great way of giving online help to students afterschool when you are at home working. A set site allows for them to know they can contact you not only by phone, or email, but in a medium they can get clear explanations.
Think on it!
Remember, teaching is a life long learning process. When it ceases to be that we become stagnant! Have a great day and may your students desire to learn.
Becky
Monday, February 2, 2009
Using Blogs Within the Classroom Environment
I believe that classroom blogs are the present and future for students who have trouble with handwritten journaling. In a blog students are able to express themselves whereas using pencil and paper they may be more reticent. The keyboard and ability to post their thoughts quickly allows them a greater sense of accomplishment and freedom. Perhaps one of the more interesting reasons for blogs is because students can get instantaneous feedback from their peers and others.
One of the websites that talks a great deal about how the blog can influence your classroom is David Warlick's . On his 2cents worth website he goes on to explain how educators can interact within blogs and learn new skills technology wise. He also shows how these educators can become very savvy in relation to their students needs and providing information for their parents. Educators can also talk back and forth with each other allowing for an interchange of ideas.
One of the websites that talks a great deal about how the blog can influence your classroom is David Warlick's . On his 2cents worth website he goes on to explain how educators can interact within blogs and learn new skills technology wise. He also shows how these educators can become very savvy in relation to their students needs and providing information for their parents. Educators can also talk back and forth with each other allowing for an interchange of ideas.
Inquiry-based and Project-based Learning
Hello all!
I thought I'd just give you a little information on what Inquiry-based Learning and Project-based Learning is about. Most of our classrooms today could really benefit from this hands on approach.
Inquiry-based Learning is hands on learning. Instead of the child listening to a teacher lecture, the child is working one on one with materials learning how to create or do. It has its historical roots and underpinnings within the teachings of Socrates and John Dewey.
The constructs of inquiry based learning are critical thinking, skill building, and problems solving. By using the relevant information and giving students activities to put the information into practice they allow for faster acquisition and quicker connections on how this information can be integrated with other information.
Therefore, within the classroom students are able to use information in applicable areas quicker and make changes to allow for the continued acquisition of higher information.
One of these hands on activities I can envision is the surveying of a section of the school grounds in an actual archaeology dig by allowing students to use the hands on methods they have learned in math of setting up a grid, calculating depth where they find items and then using science to figure out how it got there, for example erosion, or flood. They can research the time period for the items and there different uses or purposes. They would need to research what was in the area before the school was there. After their findings were completed they would then write them up for presentation to the class. However, this report could also be presented in the form of powerpoint, video presentation or even a website. This allows for all subject areas to be covered and a faster acquisition of the knowledge. It also shows students how all the subjects they study in school correlate together and their importance.
If your curious about inquiry-based learning just check out the highlighted links within this website. The use of Multiple Intelligences is deeply involved within inquiry-baed learning.
Project-based learning or PBL is the use of the use of classroom projects, intended to bring about deep learning, where students use technology and inquiry to engage with issues and questions that are relevant to their lives. These classroom projects are used to assess student's subject matter competence compared to traditional testing. The historical roots of Project-based learning are with educators like John Dewey and the reported benefits of hands on, student directed learning. These are strategies and ideas that have been tested for over a 100 years.
The constructs are recognixing students drive to learn, engage students in central concepts and discipline to learn, highlight provocative issues that lead students to in depth exploration, requires the use of tools and skills, specific products that solve problems or dilemnas, includes multiple products that result in frequent feedback and cconsistant opportunities for student inquiry, use performance based assessments that communicate high expectations, and encourages collaboration through either small groups, student-led presentations or whole class interactions.
The project must take into account what is plannable for your classroom. It has to take in the length of the process, bell schedules, outside work, and standardized testing. The teacher must recognize that the PBL will take time away from the normal content of the regular curriculum. Students learn the same information, however, it is over a lnger term and applied to real life scenarios. This also allows for teacher to give students less busy work. While teachers gain more work due to the depth and length of the project.
One of the ideas I have for a project-based learning activity is for students to do an Oral History of the Portland, Texas area. I also would like for them to help reconstruct the history of San Patricio. This would involve a great deal of research with the end result to be able to present this to the Texas Historical board.
If your interested on more information on project-based learning, then click on any of the highlighted links within this webpage. This website gives excellent guidance at the middle school level.
So for an Essential Question like:
What are the three branches of government and How do they operate?
We can ask Unit Questions like:
What are the responsibilities and powers of the Executive Branch?
What are the responsibilities and powers of the Legislative Branch?
What are the responsibilities and powers of the Judicial Branch?
As a teacher we then can move into hands on reasearch and production of a product to show these answers.
I thought I'd just give you a little information on what Inquiry-based Learning and Project-based Learning is about. Most of our classrooms today could really benefit from this hands on approach.
Inquiry-based Learning is hands on learning. Instead of the child listening to a teacher lecture, the child is working one on one with materials learning how to create or do. It has its historical roots and underpinnings within the teachings of Socrates and John Dewey.
The constructs of inquiry based learning are critical thinking, skill building, and problems solving. By using the relevant information and giving students activities to put the information into practice they allow for faster acquisition and quicker connections on how this information can be integrated with other information.
Therefore, within the classroom students are able to use information in applicable areas quicker and make changes to allow for the continued acquisition of higher information.
One of these hands on activities I can envision is the surveying of a section of the school grounds in an actual archaeology dig by allowing students to use the hands on methods they have learned in math of setting up a grid, calculating depth where they find items and then using science to figure out how it got there, for example erosion, or flood. They can research the time period for the items and there different uses or purposes. They would need to research what was in the area before the school was there. After their findings were completed they would then write them up for presentation to the class. However, this report could also be presented in the form of powerpoint, video presentation or even a website. This allows for all subject areas to be covered and a faster acquisition of the knowledge. It also shows students how all the subjects they study in school correlate together and their importance.
If your curious about inquiry-based learning just check out the highlighted links within this website. The use of Multiple Intelligences is deeply involved within inquiry-baed learning.
Project-based learning or PBL is the use of the use of classroom projects, intended to bring about deep learning, where students use technology and inquiry to engage with issues and questions that are relevant to their lives. These classroom projects are used to assess student's subject matter competence compared to traditional testing. The historical roots of Project-based learning are with educators like John Dewey and the reported benefits of hands on, student directed learning. These are strategies and ideas that have been tested for over a 100 years.
The constructs are recognixing students drive to learn, engage students in central concepts and discipline to learn, highlight provocative issues that lead students to in depth exploration, requires the use of tools and skills, specific products that solve problems or dilemnas, includes multiple products that result in frequent feedback and cconsistant opportunities for student inquiry, use performance based assessments that communicate high expectations, and encourages collaboration through either small groups, student-led presentations or whole class interactions.
The project must take into account what is plannable for your classroom. It has to take in the length of the process, bell schedules, outside work, and standardized testing. The teacher must recognize that the PBL will take time away from the normal content of the regular curriculum. Students learn the same information, however, it is over a lnger term and applied to real life scenarios. This also allows for teacher to give students less busy work. While teachers gain more work due to the depth and length of the project.
One of the ideas I have for a project-based learning activity is for students to do an Oral History of the Portland, Texas area. I also would like for them to help reconstruct the history of San Patricio. This would involve a great deal of research with the end result to be able to present this to the Texas Historical board.
If your interested on more information on project-based learning, then click on any of the highlighted links within this webpage. This website gives excellent guidance at the middle school level.
So for an Essential Question like:
What are the three branches of government and How do they operate?
We can ask Unit Questions like:
What are the responsibilities and powers of the Executive Branch?
What are the responsibilities and powers of the Legislative Branch?
What are the responsibilities and powers of the Judicial Branch?
As a teacher we then can move into hands on reasearch and production of a product to show these answers.
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