I think computers are hard to live without today. Most days I wish people still talked on the phone instead of texting and using the internet as their only source of news and information. Most days I wish people still read books. In today's world, computer knowledge is a must in the workforce. Students must learn a basic understanding about today's software and how to apply it. It is our jobs as educators to help them learn to use this technology well. I do feel that I will have students who will know far more tham me about comouters and I see why this is an issue discussed in the textbook. Having studenst too far ahead of you, can be a potential problem. I agree with this caution, though I plan on revamping a lot of my material so it will not be useful to the next class. I will also develop ways in which a student will not have access to their grades.
I do not forsee my students on computers in the classroom. I would not have them on them even if the classroom had them. History needs to be experienced, and that cannot be found on the computer. The computer is a very small part of our history an not a subject I would be covering as part of my curriculum. I do see using computers as a way for students to be able to research their topics for papers and projects. The internet is a forest of knowledge and I believe that teaching them how to properly navigate through the snarls of bad information to reach the good is worth teaching.
I would share with this class that knowledge cannot only be found on the computer, but to urge studenst to use actual newspapers and magazines as well as BOOKS to obtain information. Computer technology has allowed us to streamline many things that have often been tedious to teachers, but they are not an excuse to be lazy.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Post 2
I've used MS Word since about my sophomore year of High School. I'm 24, so the computer craze had not made such a huge impact on me until it was necessary for school. To this day, Iprobably spend a good 75% of the time I spend on the computer using MS Word. I don;t really see too many teachers using it anymore. I see teachers using powerpoitn the most above all other tools. Now though, my younger siblings talk about the teachers using those Smart Boards, but I think I am a generation too late to have experienced them as a student.
I see myself using MS Word seldom as a teacher. I know that I still like to write my notes by hand and will not have many reasons to write a paper as a teacher. I had a teacher use MS Word to develop a class itinerary, which was helpful to some degree. I do not think I will be employing that too much in my classroom. I might develop some worksheets and the syllabus using it, but that is it.
Getting more familiar with powerpoint has been the highlight. I'm still not 100 percent on all the bells and whistles that comes with it, but I can develop a basic lesson using it. I also liked learning the Inspiration program which was a lot of fun to play around on. It was easy to use and downloading it on my computer for a trial run was very easy. It was a great way to construct flow charts which are very important in a World History class to map out a timeline of events.
I see myself using MS Word seldom as a teacher. I know that I still like to write my notes by hand and will not have many reasons to write a paper as a teacher. I had a teacher use MS Word to develop a class itinerary, which was helpful to some degree. I do not think I will be employing that too much in my classroom. I might develop some worksheets and the syllabus using it, but that is it.
Getting more familiar with powerpoint has been the highlight. I'm still not 100 percent on all the bells and whistles that comes with it, but I can develop a basic lesson using it. I also liked learning the Inspiration program which was a lot of fun to play around on. It was easy to use and downloading it on my computer for a trial run was very easy. It was a great way to construct flow charts which are very important in a World History class to map out a timeline of events.
Prompt 3
A lesson plan I would have using technology might be a research project. With a 12th grade World History class, I would encourage my students to use their own hands to provide mastery over an idea. But that is how I am. Using computer technology would come to play when it came time for them to use powerpoint to illustrate and organize their research to present to the class. They woudl of course use Microsoft Word or another system to construct their papers to hand in.
I would generally not have my students use the level of technology presented in Chapter six. I would rather them create something with their hands to illustrate a project. For example, for my prehistory unit, I will have my students make their own tools using materials from that time. I would however have them follow the same rules when using a powerpoint presentation. Having only one idea on a slide, no stacking and things like that help keep the students' work organized and easy for the class to follow. I think using powerpoint for a verbal presentation works great, however, I would prefer to actually be able to touch whatever illustration the student provides during their presentation.
My feelings towards copyright laws and fair use are neutral. I believe that putting your knowledge out for people to learn is a risk you take as a publisher. In my classroom, a student must provide citation and links to whatever research materials they use. Give credit where credit is due. I would in many cases ask my students their personal feelings and opinions on a particular subject to make sure it is truly coming from them and not just copied and pasted from a text online.
I would generally not have my students use the level of technology presented in Chapter six. I would rather them create something with their hands to illustrate a project. For example, for my prehistory unit, I will have my students make their own tools using materials from that time. I would however have them follow the same rules when using a powerpoint presentation. Having only one idea on a slide, no stacking and things like that help keep the students' work organized and easy for the class to follow. I think using powerpoint for a verbal presentation works great, however, I would prefer to actually be able to touch whatever illustration the student provides during their presentation.
My feelings towards copyright laws and fair use are neutral. I believe that putting your knowledge out for people to learn is a risk you take as a publisher. In my classroom, a student must provide citation and links to whatever research materials they use. Give credit where credit is due. I would in many cases ask my students their personal feelings and opinions on a particular subject to make sure it is truly coming from them and not just copied and pasted from a text online.
Chapter 7
I believe I could use Outlines, Idea mapping, Flow charts, and Storyboards in my classroom. All of thes could be used to present new ideas, especially at the beginning of each unit. For a 12th grade World History class, I could and would use an ouline to present new material while giving a lecture. The student has the responsibility to listen and fill in the outline with the new material such as definitions and explanations. They can use Idea mapping and Flow charts to map out a sequence of events that led up to World War II. This also allows for them to analyze these events and learn them. They can then create a Storyboard to help them illustrate their mastery of a certain event or concept. This is a great tool to help them stay organized and show creativity.
With history, it is very easy to get overwhelmed with information. By showing them new ways to help them stay organized, they can learn the material easier. It would also help them when a test comes around and they have clear sources of material to review from.
I think that with all the skills learned in this class, we can present new material to our students in a much more efficient way. Using powerpoint and other tools allows us to provide oulines and flow charts to our students in a mich more organized fashion. We are also providing the tools necessary for them to achieve organization and creativity when it comes time for them to present their knowledge back to us.
With history, it is very easy to get overwhelmed with information. By showing them new ways to help them stay organized, they can learn the material easier. It would also help them when a test comes around and they have clear sources of material to review from.
I think that with all the skills learned in this class, we can present new material to our students in a much more efficient way. Using powerpoint and other tools allows us to provide oulines and flow charts to our students in a mich more organized fashion. We are also providing the tools necessary for them to achieve organization and creativity when it comes time for them to present their knowledge back to us.
Using the Internet
I believe that the Internet is great for students. The research is right there, and easy to access. I am still a huge book reader, and I still use books for my own personal research, but I think for a lot of students, the Internet helps make things flow a little smoother. It certainly takes less time, esecially if you know what you are looking for, than a book.
I would allow my sudents to use the Internet for rsearch as long as they followed guidelines for accuracy and legitimacy. I know that there are plenty of websites out there that are not suitable for the types of projects I would have my students pursuing. I think that by setting up guidelines about what to look for from a site woudl help weed out the bad information.
My concerns would be that the students be working at their top level but not a level beyond their maturity. The Internet can be a racy place, and with a 12th grade World History class, sex sells. I would want them to use research that was interestng to them but also appropriate for class. It would depend on the class entirely, how mature I would allow their research to be. I would want accuracy to be their main concern. I need then to know what to look for and how to use the material. The Internet is a great place to find quality research, but like I said, it is a great place to find garbage as well.
I would allow my sudents to use the Internet for rsearch as long as they followed guidelines for accuracy and legitimacy. I know that there are plenty of websites out there that are not suitable for the types of projects I would have my students pursuing. I think that by setting up guidelines about what to look for from a site woudl help weed out the bad information.
My concerns would be that the students be working at their top level but not a level beyond their maturity. The Internet can be a racy place, and with a 12th grade World History class, sex sells. I would want them to use research that was interestng to them but also appropriate for class. It would depend on the class entirely, how mature I would allow their research to be. I would want accuracy to be their main concern. I need then to know what to look for and how to use the material. The Internet is a great place to find quality research, but like I said, it is a great place to find garbage as well.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Blog 5
I do not like the idea of letting my students use Wiki sources for class. There is no way to check how accurate the source is that opsting on the site. I would not accept any work that was supported by a wiki site. Not only are they just someone's opinion, but I would rather have MY students opinion about a particular subject, not someone else's.
Instead of using a wiki site, I would have them use actual educational sites either provided by me, or approved by me if necessary. I would want the students viewpoint on a particular subject rather than some unverified source. There would never be an opportunity for my students to use such a site.
I do not doubt that some find the idea of using a wiki site to just get an idea about a particular subject. However, it could just be an opinion, only one side of an issue, or a complete fabrication. This site has no use to a class that pushes for truth in research and original student work.
Instead of using a wiki site, I would have them use actual educational sites either provided by me, or approved by me if necessary. I would want the students viewpoint on a particular subject rather than some unverified source. There would never be an opportunity for my students to use such a site.
I do not doubt that some find the idea of using a wiki site to just get an idea about a particular subject. However, it could just be an opinion, only one side of an issue, or a complete fabrication. This site has no use to a class that pushes for truth in research and original student work.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Blogger 4
The advantages of having powerpoint for a presentation device are obvious. You can easily set up links to websites that may have pertinent information to help illustrate your lesson. It helps keep your though organized and clear when leading a discussion or just lecturing. A disadvantage would be system failure. Having all your eggs in one basket without having a backup plan could be dangerous.
With my presentation, it was important to show the physiological differences between the two peoples. I can also demonstrate how ancient weapons would have been used as well as showing them how you would make one of your own. Using the media available online with the convenience of hyperlinks makes the lesson flow smoothly.
I am not the biggest fan of technology, and honestly, I will not use it beyond what is necessary to keep my class efficient and organized. I prefer a more hands on approach to learning by using outside reading and as many projects I can squeeze into the semester.
With my presentation, it was important to show the physiological differences between the two peoples. I can also demonstrate how ancient weapons would have been used as well as showing them how you would make one of your own. Using the media available online with the convenience of hyperlinks makes the lesson flow smoothly.
I am not the biggest fan of technology, and honestly, I will not use it beyond what is necessary to keep my class efficient and organized. I prefer a more hands on approach to learning by using outside reading and as many projects I can squeeze into the semester.
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