The first principle that I think is important in education is the Active, Critical Learning Principle. It states that every aspect of the learning environment should encourage active learning and not just sitting and passively taking in information.(Jonassen, Howland & Crismond pg.54) Another important principle is the Discovery Principle. It basically says that students should learn from discovering stuff for themselves by experimentation. Some of the most beneficial learning that I have experienced was when I had to do research on a topic and "discover" it myself. The third principle that I would pick is the Practice Principle. I think that it goes hand in hand with the Active, critical Learning Principle. Practice is so important because when students apply what they are learning they increase their ability to retain the information.
If I were to create a simulation for my ag class to participate in I think I would make it based on a farm setting. The students would have to create a farm and manage it by feeding the animals and taking care of the budget that they are alloted. I would give each student a scenario such as, taking these 75 goats and 100 acres of land and see how you could make a profit, or take these 100 head of cattle and 200 acres of land and figure out how your money could be best spent to maximize the profit. The decisions I would make for them would be which animals and how much land they have to work with and how much money they have for a budget. How they set up their farm and what they do to with their livestock to make a profit would be solely up to them. They would need to do research so that they could make the best decisions possible with their farm. The purpose of the simulation would be for students to learn about how to manage livestock that they may not be familiar with and to make them realize what goes into having a successful farm.
In conclusion, I think it's important to make learning real and fun for students. I believe that our job as educators is to not only teach students about the subject we are teaching in the classroom, but to help them to learn how to be successful citizens in the real world. Good simulations make this possible.
Reference:
Meaningful Learning With Technology-Jonassen, D., Howland, J., Marra, R.M. & Crismond, D.(2008). Pearson, Merrill/Prentice Hall, 3rd edition.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Rubrics, Clickers, Inspiration/Kidspiration
Technology based rubrics can be useful ways to assess student learning. Rubric banks already have several rubrics that are ready to use to evaluate different tasks. You simply find the one that you want and use it. The downside to rubric banks is that it may be hard to find one that specifically meets your intended learning outcomes. In other words you shouldn’t find the first rubric and use it because it may not align with the purpose that you had for the assignment. The positive side of using rubric banks is that it saves teachers lots of time. Rubric generators help the teacher to create their own rubrics. They can be very helpful tools because, they walk you through a series of steps that helps you to create the best possible rubric, one that includes all elements that you want to assess. Using a good rubric to assess a project is very important. I think that a teacher should take advantage of the rubric tools that are out there but should be willing to create their own if it is necessary to get the best results. I can use rubric banks and generators in my class when I am grading shop projects or when I give them a paper to write over an agricultural issue.
I think that using clickers in the classroom is a good way to assess what students are learning. Students answer a question by clicking a button on a remote and the teacher gets a summary of all of the student’s responses immediately. It helps the teacher to know what they may need to modify in their teaching because they will see if the students are learning. It gets the students actively engaged in the class and, therefore, allows students to retain the information. I can use clickers in my classroom when I need to know if my teaching methods are working. I can ask them questions about what we have learned in class and see if students are learning from the class. I can imagine how frustrating it would be to get to the end of a section and find out that nobody gets it. That should make the teacher ask themselves if they need to change something. I believe that using clickers can help with that.
Inspiration and Kidspiration are both visual aides that help students to comprehend and learn by organizing their thoughts. I could have my ag class to do a semester long project that involves them researching a topic, have them to put their findings in an outline format, and then present it to the class by using Inspiration. I think that it would be a very beneficial learning experience for those that create the presentation, but it will give others an opportunity to learn from it as well.
Reference:
Meaningful Learning With Technology—Jonassen, D., Howland, J., Marra, R.M. & Crismond, D. (2008). Pearson, Merrill/Prentice Hall, 3rd edition.
Inspiration/Kidspiration: Inspiration Software, Inc Retrieved November 24, 2010 from http://www.inspiration.com/
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Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Digital Storytelling
Digital Storytelling
Digital storytelling is a way that students can use their creativity to develop a story. “With digital storytelling, students use their creative skills to create a storyboard on paper, use a camera to shoot a video, and finally to edit their video on a computer by using some type of software.”(Jonassen, Howland, Marra, Crismond pg. 211) They get the opportunity to work with visual images, text and sound effects. In the first part of the production process students research, make notes, and organize the information they are gathering in order to develop the structure for their story. This part includes storyboarding so that they can start the filming process. They should also make a checklist that they can refer to so that they include all of the important elements in the story. Then students will start to shoot their video. Digital storytelling is a fun way to let students experiment and try out different roles such as director, actor, or editor. During all of this the students will be learning. I don’t know how it would work in an ag classroom. I could give my students a digital storytelling assignment where they have to create a story that takes place in a barn with different species of livestock. They could use what they are learning in class and at the ag farm in the creation of the story. It would be fun to experiment with.
Math is one of those subjects that seems to come easy for some people and for others it is foreign. They don’t get it. It seems to me that people either enjoy math or they hate it. The main reason for this is because they don’t understand it. Using visual tools helps tremendously when learning math. Software programs such as Tinker Plots, Fathom Dynamic Statistics and Geometry Supposer can all be useful in making math more real for students. Using graphing calculators can be a helpful tool for learning math.
Yes, I do think it is possible to learn something from watching TV instruction, however, I think that for some people it might not be the most beneficial way to learn something. Some college students need to be in a classroom with an instructor while some may be able to benefit from internet classes. I think it’s important to do as many hands on activities during and after the instruction because listening to lectures is simply not enough for some people to grasp a concept. Some learners are able to listen to a teacher and they seem to remember what they have learned while others cannot. I need to do as much hands on as I possibly can because that is how I learn best. Applying what you learn will reinforce what you have been taught and will help the information to sink in. I think it depends on the individual as to how much success they will have from TV instruction.
References:
Meaningful Learning With Technology—Jonassen, D., Howland, J., Marra, R.M. & Crismond, D.(2008). Pearson, Merrill/Prentice Hall, 3rd edition.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Podcasts
As with most of the other web 2.0 technologies that we have learned about so far, I have heard of podcasting, but I have never had any experience with them. Therefore, I have learned from this lesson. Some of my favorite Christian radio programs offer podcasts to listeners and I have always wondered about what a podcast is. Now I have a better understanding. "Just as blogs now make online text publishing possible for anyone, podcasting is enabling all of us to produce the equivalent of online radio programs."(Jonassen, Howland, Marra, Crismond p.159) Podcasts are available for anyone to create an audio file and store it so that someone else can listen to it later unlike streaming audio, which is basically like a live broadcast where someone can listen to it as it is presented. Podcasts can be used in the classroom by allowing students to show their understanding of a topic. They can ask each other questions in an interview format as a way of reviewing the material. Teachers can also make their lessons available to students through podcasts as a tutorial.
Podcasting has both similarities and differences from the other web 2.0 technologies we have learned about so far.They are all easily accessible to anyone with internet access. Anybody can participate and they can all be beneficial in a classroom setting. However, unlike blogs and wikis which use written words, voice threads and podcasts use audio files.
I do not personally own an ipod or mp3 player, but I know people that do. I think if I did own one I would use it to listen to music ,as well as, my favorite Christian talk radio programs. As a youth minister, I see every week the impact that technology has on our youth. Ipods, mp3 players, cell phones, texting, and the internet all affect our students on a daily basis. With that being said, I think it's important to use technology as much as possible in order to reach them. It doesn't matter if it's in a classroom setting or even a Sunday School room, we need to take advantage of these opportunities.
Reference:
Jonassen, D., Howland, J., Marra, R.M. & Crismond, D. (2008). Pearson, Merrill/Prentice Hall, 3rd edition
Podcasting has both similarities and differences from the other web 2.0 technologies we have learned about so far.They are all easily accessible to anyone with internet access. Anybody can participate and they can all be beneficial in a classroom setting. However, unlike blogs and wikis which use written words, voice threads and podcasts use audio files.
I do not personally own an ipod or mp3 player, but I know people that do. I think if I did own one I would use it to listen to music ,as well as, my favorite Christian talk radio programs. As a youth minister, I see every week the impact that technology has on our youth. Ipods, mp3 players, cell phones, texting, and the internet all affect our students on a daily basis. With that being said, I think it's important to use technology as much as possible in order to reach them. It doesn't matter if it's in a classroom setting or even a Sunday School room, we need to take advantage of these opportunities.
Reference:
Jonassen, D., Howland, J., Marra, R.M. & Crismond, D. (2008). Pearson, Merrill/Prentice Hall, 3rd edition
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Wikis, Blogs, Voice Threads, and Tapped In
Until this class I have never had any experiences with blogs or wikis. I have heard of them, but have never made one of them. As an Ag teacher, I can get my students to use blogs or wikis when we our topic or lesson is a hard one. I don't know if I will require my students to participate with blogs or wikis, but i will definitely encourage them to use one. They may be able to answer each others questions and help each other understand something better than I can help them understand it. I will stay in touch with those that use a blog or wiki to make sure that they are getting the right information.
Social bookmarking is a neat concept. It allows you to save websites so that you can refer back to them and allows others to be able to benefit from them. Others can add to them and everybody that wishes to contribute can benefit. Social Bookmarking could be helpful to me and my students by allowing each of us to add our favorite sites that are relevant to Agriculture. I don't know that I would use voice thread in my Ag classroom, but I would like to know how to make one just in case.
Honestly, I have never heard of Tapped In. After reading the textbook, I feel like I understand a little bit about what it is. It is a place where teachers and/or students can come together and collaborate with one another about different issues. They can encourage each other by sharing stories. Many times it feels like we're the only ones struggling in some area of work or school. I believe that we need others in our lives in order to be successful. Tapped In is a way to have that.
References:
Meaningful Learning With Technology--Jonassen, D., Howland J., Marra, R.M. & Crismond, D. (2008). Pearson, Merrill/Prentice Hall, 3rd edition.
http://www.mlearning.wikispaces.com/advantages
http://www.blog.vcu.edu/socialworknewsletter/2009/03/using_wiki_spaces_as_a_teachin.html
Social Bookmarking in Plain English Video:http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2rqw9_social-bookmarking-inplain-english_school
Social bookmarking is a neat concept. It allows you to save websites so that you can refer back to them and allows others to be able to benefit from them. Others can add to them and everybody that wishes to contribute can benefit. Social Bookmarking could be helpful to me and my students by allowing each of us to add our favorite sites that are relevant to Agriculture. I don't know that I would use voice thread in my Ag classroom, but I would like to know how to make one just in case.
Honestly, I have never heard of Tapped In. After reading the textbook, I feel like I understand a little bit about what it is. It is a place where teachers and/or students can come together and collaborate with one another about different issues. They can encourage each other by sharing stories. Many times it feels like we're the only ones struggling in some area of work or school. I believe that we need others in our lives in order to be successful. Tapped In is a way to have that.
References:
Meaningful Learning With Technology--Jonassen, D., Howland J., Marra, R.M. & Crismond, D. (2008). Pearson, Merrill/Prentice Hall, 3rd edition.
http://www.mlearning.wikispaces.com/advantages
http://www.blog.vcu.edu/socialworknewsletter/2009/03/using_wiki_spaces_as_a_teachin.html
Social Bookmarking in Plain English Video:http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2rqw9_social-bookmarking-inplain-english_school
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Chapter 10 Blog
Mike Burkard
Etech 424
October 6, 2010
Teachers can use assessment activities to evaluate their students learning and also to evaluate how well they are doing as teachers. If students are not understanding what is being taught, then teachers can make necessary changes to improve student learning. This chapter deals with several assessment tools that can be helpful. Some of them include, rubrics, computer based testing, e- portfolios, and clickers. I think that using clickers is a neat way to assess students learning. Basically, a teacher can ask a question and a student can give their response to the question by clicking it in on the clicker. The teacher gets an immediate feedback of student responses and can evaluate the situation and do what they need to so students can maximize learning.
Electronic portfolios are ways that students can compile digital artifacts of what they have learned and put it together in an electronic format, therefore, showing some of the work they have completed. It allows them see their progress and to take pride in what they are accomplishing. It also allows the teacher to evaluate their students. In e-portfolios students can use video clips, multimedia presentations, graphics, and sounds to get creative. Computer based tests are tests that students take directly on a computer or on a scantron sheet by filling in bubbles and then scored by a computer. These are also assessment tools that can be used for feedback in order to help teachers improve student learning.
In conclusion, assessment tools, especially technology based tools, can be very beneficial when it comes to improving student learning. It allows students to see their progress on a particular subject and teachers can evaluate whether or not their students are getting it. It also allows teachers to check themselves to see if they can change something so that students are getting the most out of the class.
Meaningful Learning With Technology 3rd edition(pgs. 218-240)David Jonassen, Jane Howland, Rose M. Marra, David Crismond (Pearson , Merrill/Prentice Hall Publishing) Retrieved October 6, 2010
Etech 424
October 6, 2010
Teachers can use assessment activities to evaluate their students learning and also to evaluate how well they are doing as teachers. If students are not understanding what is being taught, then teachers can make necessary changes to improve student learning. This chapter deals with several assessment tools that can be helpful. Some of them include, rubrics, computer based testing, e- portfolios, and clickers. I think that using clickers is a neat way to assess students learning. Basically, a teacher can ask a question and a student can give their response to the question by clicking it in on the clicker. The teacher gets an immediate feedback of student responses and can evaluate the situation and do what they need to so students can maximize learning.
Electronic portfolios are ways that students can compile digital artifacts of what they have learned and put it together in an electronic format, therefore, showing some of the work they have completed. It allows them see their progress and to take pride in what they are accomplishing. It also allows the teacher to evaluate their students. In e-portfolios students can use video clips, multimedia presentations, graphics, and sounds to get creative. Computer based tests are tests that students take directly on a computer or on a scantron sheet by filling in bubbles and then scored by a computer. These are also assessment tools that can be used for feedback in order to help teachers improve student learning.
In conclusion, assessment tools, especially technology based tools, can be very beneficial when it comes to improving student learning. It allows students to see their progress on a particular subject and teachers can evaluate whether or not their students are getting it. It also allows teachers to check themselves to see if they can change something so that students are getting the most out of the class.
Meaningful Learning With Technology 3rd edition(pgs. 218-240)David Jonassen, Jane Howland, Rose M. Marra, David Crismond (Pearson , Merrill/Prentice Hall Publishing) Retrieved October 6, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Copyrights, fair use, and online safety
There are several reasons that we need to respect and abide by copyrights and fair use rules. First of all, we shouldn't get the recognition for something that someone else has created. In turn, we expect that someone else won't take the credit for what e have created. That is common courtesy. I believe that if I take another person's work and make it my own then I am stealing something that belongs to them, especially if it keeps the original author from making money or getting recognized. In order to teach students about copyright and fair use laws we need to talk to them about it. There is a good website that students can use to learn about these laws.( http://www.cyberee.com/cb_copyright.swf )
I believe that online safety and cyberbullying go hand in hand. What I mean is that, since there are bullies out there on the internet,we need to teach online safety to our students. We as teachers and parents should share this responsibility. Everyday, students are taken advantage of or asked to do something that is inappropriate
as they use online communication. Many times it is by someone that is much older than them and that wants to hurt them. Students need to understand about these potential predators.They can protect themselves by never putting personal information on the internet. Some things like full names, adresses, phone numbers, when mom and dad are gone and your home alone, or social security numbers are all innapropriate to put out there for all to see. We should also be careful about who we friend when we are using Facebook or Twitter. Everyone does not need to see everything.We should also teach our kids what the proper way to act when on the internet. This is called netiquette.( http://www.kidsdomain.com/brain/computer/surfing/netiquette_kids.html
They can also use the website http://www.netsmartz.org/ for ways to be safe online.
I have always wondered about when it is appropriate to use materials and when it is not. When I first started on this lesson I took the Copyright Quiz and made a 68%. I realized that I have a lot to learn. I found it interesting that you automatically own the copyright to any work you create as long as soon as it is put in a tangible form. There are other steps that you can take to help secure your copyright. Everything on the internet is actually copyrighted, therefore, we need to be careful about documenting sources and getting permission in many cases to use the work. (http://www.ccsj.edu/blackboard/BB%20copyright_fair_use.pdf )
Fair use gives permission to allow certain portions of a copyrighted work to be utilized without the authors permission for certain uses. I have learned lots through this study,but I realize I have much more to learn about copyright and fair use.
http://www.bullying.co.uk/
http://www.copyright.gov/
Copyright Quiz: http://www.csus.edu/indiv/p/peachj/edte230/copyright/quiz.htm
I believe that online safety and cyberbullying go hand in hand. What I mean is that, since there are bullies out there on the internet,we need to teach online safety to our students. We as teachers and parents should share this responsibility. Everyday, students are taken advantage of or asked to do something that is inappropriate
as they use online communication. Many times it is by someone that is much older than them and that wants to hurt them. Students need to understand about these potential predators.They can protect themselves by never putting personal information on the internet. Some things like full names, adresses, phone numbers, when mom and dad are gone and your home alone, or social security numbers are all innapropriate to put out there for all to see. We should also be careful about who we friend when we are using Facebook or Twitter. Everyone does not need to see everything.We should also teach our kids what the proper way to act when on the internet. This is called netiquette.( http://www.kidsdomain.com/brain/computer/surfing/netiquette_kids.html
They can also use the website http://www.netsmartz.org/ for ways to be safe online.
I have always wondered about when it is appropriate to use materials and when it is not. When I first started on this lesson I took the Copyright Quiz and made a 68%. I realized that I have a lot to learn. I found it interesting that you automatically own the copyright to any work you create as long as soon as it is put in a tangible form. There are other steps that you can take to help secure your copyright. Everything on the internet is actually copyrighted, therefore, we need to be careful about documenting sources and getting permission in many cases to use the work. (http://www.ccsj.edu/blackboard/BB%20copyright_fair_use.pdf )
Fair use gives permission to allow certain portions of a copyrighted work to be utilized without the authors permission for certain uses. I have learned lots through this study,but I realize I have much more to learn about copyright and fair use.
http://www.bullying.co.uk/
http://www.copyright.gov/
Copyright Quiz: http://www.csus.edu/indiv/p/peachj/edte230/copyright/quiz.htm
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