Shaun Fletcher is a Math and Science teacher in Canada. His blog is about sharing experiences and interesting things that he learned relating to technology. He started off by asking students who could tell him what perimeter was and how to find the perimeter of a shape. Only a couple of students raised their hands. He decided to put technology into practice. Through the use of digital cameras, the students were requested to choose an object, measure the dimensions, photograph it, upload the photo on the laptops (if only we could be so lucky); anyway, you get the picture. The point was, students related to the concept of a shape of a perimeter better through the use of technology than by seeing it in a textbook. It is also noteworthy that parents don’t have to ask their child how their day went, all they have to do is read the blog.
Shaun Fletcher blog
The author of this blog only goes by the name PC. This person is, however, a high school English teacher in Ontario, Canada. The blog is a journal of mostly recommendations about what books should be read at which grade level. The idea is to determine which novels would engage teenagers. Certain books are suggested to assist students who may be find it difficult transitioning from middle to high school. Other books and or novels are suggested to help students transition into adulthood. One of these proved to be controversial. The novel is called “Lolita” and the content is about a teacher having a relationship with a student (that doesn’t happen here, does it?)
At The International School of Brussels, a wireless network, tablet computers for students and teachers, wirelessly networked projectors and digital workstations were installed. This allows the teacher to work with students either individually or in groups. It also gives them a platform to share students work in front of the entire class.
Similarly, at The American International School of Rotterdam, networked throughout the school, students can gain access to their on-line study environment through the use of laptop computers available on mobile carts. Students can check them in and out for use. Usage has increased dramatically as both students and teachers develop their skills.
Both schools function digitally through the use of a "virtual learning environment (VLE)" which enables teachers to post assignments, create links to desired websites or even administer tests on line. Students have access to the VLE regardless of where they are. Specialized educational software can reinforce difficult concepts and graphically present information that may be otherwise difficult to visualize, and they also give teachers a broader set of tools with which to tailor work for individual students who require it. "Online classroom" software provides a virtual meeting place for students and teachers through which teachers and students can collaborate and communicate. Technology coupled with the appropriate instructional practices is the most effective environment in which to produce truly international graduates with the necessary academic knowledge and dispositions that will equip them for further education, the workplace, and the world at large.
International Schools - Europe
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
K12
Mrs. Kennedy is a 7th and 8th grade French teacher at Phillips Middle School in Mobile, Alabama. She uses the blog in several ways. She uses it for students to post homework throughout the year. This creates a running journal that students can continue to review. Students have to learn how to cut and paste their work into the blog. She also makes the students respond to other students blogs. By responding to other student’s blogs, students reinforce their own work and understand the material better.
Mrs. Kennedy’s Blog
Janice Friesen, a teacher from Austin Texas used her blog to document her trip to Greece. This is turn was shared with her students. In her blog, she gives details about places she went to and pictures she had taken. Students learn about other countries in class, but they really get more out of it when someone can share an actual experience of being there. I am attaching a picture that Mrs. Freisen took while in Greece. It really is a beautiful place to visit, not to mention that my father was born there.
Learning in Greece blog
Mrs. Kennedy’s Blog
Janice Friesen, a teacher from Austin Texas used her blog to document her trip to Greece. This is turn was shared with her students. In her blog, she gives details about places she went to and pictures she had taken. Students learn about other countries in class, but they really get more out of it when someone can share an actual experience of being there. I am attaching a picture that Mrs. Freisen took while in Greece. It really is a beautiful place to visit, not to mention that my father was born there.
Learning in Greece blog
Mrs. Kennedy also uses technology in the classroom. She has a webpage that students can go to for everything related to the class. Not only that, parents can also view the website so they can see when projects are due, and test dates. The website contains a monthly calendar of events. There is also a letter to the parents. The site contains a syllabus and homework assignments. There are web links that students can go to for additional help. One of the sites contains the textbook that is used for the class. It also contains a blog location where students not only post their homework, but are also required to respond to other students work. This is a great way to use technology in the classroom.
Ballard High School in Seattle, Washington, conducted a project with handheld devices. Students from one ninth-grade language arts class were used as the control group. The students used the devices for organizing personal information. Examples would include; assignment calendars, contacts, and to-do-lists. They can also access the course curriculum on the school Web site. Students were measured on personal organization, academic improvement, and technological fluency. The project also used “a quasi-control group,” which consisted of a similar class that did not use the devices.
The purpose was to see if such technology would improve students learning abilities. Unfortunately, the site did not give results, probably because it was currently being administered, but what you are seeing is the continued attempt to improve education.Ballard High School
access
ACCESS, which stands for Alabama Connecting Classroom Educators and Students Statewide, will give both students and educators more educational opportunities through the use of technology. In the near future, students will have the opportunity to take courses on-line and or even through a visual link, which connects them to other classes throughout the state. It is easy to see that education as we know it will be completely different in the near future. As students become more knowledgeable with current technology, educators must keep up to effectively communicate. Teaching strictly from textbooks will become a thing of the past.
In reviewing the site, I found several ideas that a new or even an experienced teacher can add to their lesson plan. Projects that incorporate the use of the internet should be a common theme. Another suggestion I found was to put the students in teams when assigning some projects. This way they can elaborate and learn from each other. Also, it would be beneficial to have site links available to the student for further research. One of the sites I found in ACCESS was “Ask Dr. Math. This is a wonderful site to not only assign homework, but students have the opportunity to ask another expert about a particular question they may have. To me, using the resources available in ACCESS can only make me a successful educator.
In reviewing the site, I found several ideas that a new or even an experienced teacher can add to their lesson plan. Projects that incorporate the use of the internet should be a common theme. Another suggestion I found was to put the students in teams when assigning some projects. This way they can elaborate and learn from each other. Also, it would be beneficial to have site links available to the student for further research. One of the sites I found in ACCESS was “Ask Dr. Math. This is a wonderful site to not only assign homework, but students have the opportunity to ask another expert about a particular question they may have. To me, using the resources available in ACCESS can only make me a successful educator.
ALEX
ALEX, which stands for “Alabama Learning Exchange,” is a website that has many educational materials and resources for use by educators, students, and even parents. Some of the resources available through the website are: lesson plans, Web links, and interactive activities. There is also a site within ALEX, “Professional Learning,” which enables you to find professional development opportunities, and teaching and learning tools. ALEX has a wide variety of learning tools that can enhance the overall educational process.
Under the Lesson Plan site, educators, especially new ones, can access plans used by other teachers to incorporate into their current plan, or even to build an entirely new one. Parents and students can access any subject covered in K-12 to see what topics will be covered at any grade. The Website link gives you many different sites you can visit. One of the sites allows you to get help from an expert. The interactive site allows you to work through additional problems, like in Math, that can help increase your knowledge base. Parents can use many of the tools available in ALEX to re-educate themselves to better assist their child in any subject. This, in my opinion, can help extend the parent – child bond even through the teen years.
As a new teacher, it is easy to see that ALEX can be extremely helpful in establishing a lesson plan. Even teachers with years of experience can benefit from the information available. ALEX also gives you access to a multitude of “fun activities” that teachers from other schools have incorporated into their plans. Adding the fun activities to your lesson plan helps keep the subject exciting and in turn can help increases the likelihood for success. ALEX also gives you, the teacher, access to other teachers to ask questions that can enhance your teaching skills. ALEX is like having an experienced teacher by your side.
Another way ALEX can be used is to give homework assignments from the website. By assigning homework through the website, students may be more inclined to look at other sites available in ALEX. This also lets them know that they have access to experts who can assist those students who may need additional help. This way, students can come to class with questions and even answers to share will the other students, which again, can only enhance the overall success of all students. This seems to be the main goal anyway, right?
Under the Lesson Plan site, educators, especially new ones, can access plans used by other teachers to incorporate into their current plan, or even to build an entirely new one. Parents and students can access any subject covered in K-12 to see what topics will be covered at any grade. The Website link gives you many different sites you can visit. One of the sites allows you to get help from an expert. The interactive site allows you to work through additional problems, like in Math, that can help increase your knowledge base. Parents can use many of the tools available in ALEX to re-educate themselves to better assist their child in any subject. This, in my opinion, can help extend the parent – child bond even through the teen years.
As a new teacher, it is easy to see that ALEX can be extremely helpful in establishing a lesson plan. Even teachers with years of experience can benefit from the information available. ALEX also gives you access to a multitude of “fun activities” that teachers from other schools have incorporated into their plans. Adding the fun activities to your lesson plan helps keep the subject exciting and in turn can help increases the likelihood for success. ALEX also gives you, the teacher, access to other teachers to ask questions that can enhance your teaching skills. ALEX is like having an experienced teacher by your side.
Another way ALEX can be used is to give homework assignments from the website. By assigning homework through the website, students may be more inclined to look at other sites available in ALEX. This also lets them know that they have access to experts who can assist those students who may need additional help. This way, students can come to class with questions and even answers to share will the other students, which again, can only enhance the overall success of all students. This seems to be the main goal anyway, right?
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
firstpost
This is fun!!
My name is Chris Galanopoulos and I am seeking my teaching certification to teach secondary math. This class (EDM-310) will give me additional tools to enhance my teaching abilities.
Given today's world of computer technology, it is important for teachers to keep up with the changes in technology so students can learn the proper uses of that technology.
I have two children that are learning computer skills in elementary school, which is all the more reason to keep up with current technology that will keep them out of harms way.
I am currently employed by Teledyne Continental Motors, Inc. as a payroll supervisor. In my spare time, I coach different sports through my Church. My wife is currently employed by the University of South Alabama as a research technician. My goals in life are to raise my children to be respectful of others and to be successful, and to retire comfortably.
My name is Chris Galanopoulos and I am seeking my teaching certification to teach secondary math. This class (EDM-310) will give me additional tools to enhance my teaching abilities.
Given today's world of computer technology, it is important for teachers to keep up with the changes in technology so students can learn the proper uses of that technology.
I have two children that are learning computer skills in elementary school, which is all the more reason to keep up with current technology that will keep them out of harms way.
I am currently employed by Teledyne Continental Motors, Inc. as a payroll supervisor. In my spare time, I coach different sports through my Church. My wife is currently employed by the University of South Alabama as a research technician. My goals in life are to raise my children to be respectful of others and to be successful, and to retire comfortably.
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