Compare the features and instructional applications of GIS and GPS tools. How can educators use GIS and GPS tools to enhance student learning?
Because of the GIS is more based on the information that it records and maintains, it is a better tool to use in the classroom. The GIS would be a great asset when presenting lesson plans that call for visual representation of landforms, maps, and information comparing different locations. The GPS would not provide them with a visual view of all the sites, but it could provide them with distances within feet or inches of the location desired. This could be a good resource to use in a math lesson that calls for measurements and locations. These applications would also provide wonderful opportunities to take virtual trips around the world.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Drill and Practice or Drill and Kill?
Some people say drill and practice is really "drill and kill." What can teachers do to make sure this kind of use doesn't happen and drill and practice can serve a useful function?
I think that the success of the drill and practice will depend on the teacher. As teachers we are able to make ordinary thing seem a lot more fun if we take the time and encourage our students. My son teacher uses drill and practice to help them retain their math facts. She does it in a neat way that does not seem boring or ordinary. The students take a deck of cards and race each other to see who can collect the most card pairs. In order for them to get the set, they must multiply the two numbers pulled and answer first. Who ever has the biggest stack wins. They do this in class quite often, I would consider this drill and practice without being drill and kill, because the students enjoy themselves and still have fun. There are many websites out there that also are fun and entertaining (yet educational) for the students. Drill and kill is only for those that do not explore their resources or creativity.
I think that the success of the drill and practice will depend on the teacher. As teachers we are able to make ordinary thing seem a lot more fun if we take the time and encourage our students. My son teacher uses drill and practice to help them retain their math facts. She does it in a neat way that does not seem boring or ordinary. The students take a deck of cards and race each other to see who can collect the most card pairs. In order for them to get the set, they must multiply the two numbers pulled and answer first. Who ever has the biggest stack wins. They do this in class quite often, I would consider this drill and practice without being drill and kill, because the students enjoy themselves and still have fun. There are many websites out there that also are fun and entertaining (yet educational) for the students. Drill and kill is only for those that do not explore their resources or creativity.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Week 11
Some educators feel that distance technologies will greatly improve education; some feel education will suffer if they are overused. What are factors you can cite in support of each of these positions?
I think that distance technologies does improve education. It will only suffer if those involved (the teacher and students) do not meet the proper requirements to make the course/class work. The first course I took was a world geography class on line. It was a horrible experience that I wound up dropping for personal reasons. The communication between the instructor and students did not work. The instructor never got around to setting up the blackboard course because he was having technical difficulties and also personal issues. So, needless to say, that class was a bust for me. Provided that the instructor does his/her part and sets up the course properly. I think that as long as you take the time and discipline yourself to turn in your assignments according to the proper deadlines, taking an online course is great. In my case, I just had my beautiful baby girl, so my mother will not let me walk out the door for a couple of weeks, I can still turn in my work even though I am not able to attend class. I deem myself a visual learner and would rather be in class, but being able to participate online is a good second choice
I think that distance technologies does improve education. It will only suffer if those involved (the teacher and students) do not meet the proper requirements to make the course/class work. The first course I took was a world geography class on line. It was a horrible experience that I wound up dropping for personal reasons. The communication between the instructor and students did not work. The instructor never got around to setting up the blackboard course because he was having technical difficulties and also personal issues. So, needless to say, that class was a bust for me. Provided that the instructor does his/her part and sets up the course properly. I think that as long as you take the time and discipline yourself to turn in your assignments according to the proper deadlines, taking an online course is great. In my case, I just had my beautiful baby girl, so my mother will not let me walk out the door for a couple of weeks, I can still turn in my work even though I am not able to attend class. I deem myself a visual learner and would rather be in class, but being able to participate online is a good second choice
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Special Needs and Technology
Describe issues related to training special education teachers to use technology.
I think that one of the major issues is funding. Most of the equipment, programs, software and resources that are related to special education will be very costly. Many districts have a hard time finding the proper funding to afford expensive equipment and training. Another issue related to training special education teachers is the lack of training. Many teachers have to ‘fly by the seat of their pants’ and learn as they go into teaching because they are unable to attend training sessions because the school does not have the funding for it. Maybe the best way to deal with this issue would be to set up a forum that new and experienced teachers can log into in order to get help from teachers that are more knowledgeable.
Give examples of no-tech, low-tech, and high-tech solutions for special students:
No-tech: one handed typing, hand over hand
Low-tech: highlighters, color overlays, number lines and multiplication charts for math.
High tech- calculators, tape recorders, speech recognition software, computer software, auditory impaired listening devices.
I think that one of the major issues is funding. Most of the equipment, programs, software and resources that are related to special education will be very costly. Many districts have a hard time finding the proper funding to afford expensive equipment and training. Another issue related to training special education teachers is the lack of training. Many teachers have to ‘fly by the seat of their pants’ and learn as they go into teaching because they are unable to attend training sessions because the school does not have the funding for it. Maybe the best way to deal with this issue would be to set up a forum that new and experienced teachers can log into in order to get help from teachers that are more knowledgeable.
Give examples of no-tech, low-tech, and high-tech solutions for special students:
No-tech: one handed typing, hand over hand
Low-tech: highlighters, color overlays, number lines and multiplication charts for math.
High tech- calculators, tape recorders, speech recognition software, computer software, auditory impaired listening devices.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Discussion 6
What are the "history wars," and what are their implications for technology use in history?
The use of technology in the classroom is disputed because it makes it is seen as a threat to the print material that is being taught. Many instructors feel that we should teach the same thing, year after year and never explore new concepts that have surfaced since. If we teach history, we should be able to teach it as it evolves. There are many new concepts that have been discovered through technology that can make history more relevant to our students.
With students' ready access to information on the Internet, what might be the concerns of social studies teachers?
I think that the main thing we should worry about is correct information. Our students must be aware that we should always look for information on history that is accurate. Sites like Wikipedia should be noted as sites that provide false or misleading information. Also, as I always say….monitor the sites that they visit, we should always be watchful that it will not endanger our students and put them in the path of online predators.
The use of technology in the classroom is disputed because it makes it is seen as a threat to the print material that is being taught. Many instructors feel that we should teach the same thing, year after year and never explore new concepts that have surfaced since. If we teach history, we should be able to teach it as it evolves. There are many new concepts that have been discovered through technology that can make history more relevant to our students.
With students' ready access to information on the Internet, what might be the concerns of social studies teachers?
I think that the main thing we should worry about is correct information. Our students must be aware that we should always look for information on history that is accurate. Sites like Wikipedia should be noted as sites that provide false or misleading information. Also, as I always say….monitor the sites that they visit, we should always be watchful that it will not endanger our students and put them in the path of online predators.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
EDED 4310-850 Wk 5 Discussion
Many educators believe that with the growth of media and information technology, media literacy is just as important as – or even more important than – print literacy (that is, learning to read and write).
What is your position on the relative importance of the two “literacies”?
The importance of literacy is tremendous. First of all, if our students are not able to read and write properly, their success in this world will be hindered. Our student’s future success depends on their ability to obtain a higher degree of learning. In order to survive in this education minded world, he or she must be able to handle the requirements that a higher institution of learning will demand from them. This also takes into consideration their ability to be technology literate. Many of the courses in which students will participate throughout their academic career will also demand that they be able to handle technology successfully to support their academic career.
What information from this chapter helps support your position?
The book mentions, “…traditional definitions of literacy are no longer sufficient and we must shift our conception to new literacies (page 279).
What is your position on the relative importance of the two “literacies”?
The importance of literacy is tremendous. First of all, if our students are not able to read and write properly, their success in this world will be hindered. Our student’s future success depends on their ability to obtain a higher degree of learning. In order to survive in this education minded world, he or she must be able to handle the requirements that a higher institution of learning will demand from them. This also takes into consideration their ability to be technology literate. Many of the courses in which students will participate throughout their academic career will also demand that they be able to handle technology successfully to support their academic career.
What information from this chapter helps support your position?
The book mentions, “…traditional definitions of literacy are no longer sufficient and we must shift our conception to new literacies (page 279).
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
EDED 4310-850 Wk 3 Discussion
THE SCENARIO & QUESTIONS:
TIP Model Phase 4-Preparing the Instructional Environment
Esmerelda is having her students do a social studies project in which they do "virtual interviews" of experts on various periods in U.S. history. She schedules time in the computer lab and has them locate experts by searching Internet sites. She gives them an initial list of sites, but encourages them to branch out from there, looking for additional sites on their own. There is no lab manager and she has to go back to the classroom for periods of time as they work, but she knows they are competent Internet users and can be trusted not to leave the lab without permission. For their contacts with experts, she has them prepare a standard email with the school name; their names, ages, addresses, and personal email addresses, if they have one; and a description of what they would like to know.
1. Assuming she is correct that students will not leave the lab with permission, is Esmeralda's plan for having students using the Internet a good one? Why or why not?
2. Do you see any problems with the email she is having them send?
3. How would you change her plan to improve it?
MY ANSWERS:
1. I do not think that it is a good idea to leave students unattended. You may call me paranoid, but the idea of the sites that students could get into either by accident or on purpose is terrifying. There are many things that could happen in only a few seconds, websites that they encounter might have inappropriate material or they might take a side trip to a chat room and come across a sexual predator. Last but not least, let’s not forget the Internet tends to be “virusville” for the unprotected.
2. I see many problems with the email that she would have the students send. In this day and age where sexual predators are everywhere, it is very dangerous to send so much personal information. Sending address, age, school they attend and sharing a personal email address makes the students very vulnerable to be contacted by dangerous individuals.
3. I would make arrangements to have a college help supervise the class in the event that I have to return to class. I would make previous contact with reputable sources they could interview and set up the interview process in a controlled environment. This would prevent the students from any unnecessary exposure to strangers.
TIP Model Phase 4-Preparing the Instructional Environment
Esmerelda is having her students do a social studies project in which they do "virtual interviews" of experts on various periods in U.S. history. She schedules time in the computer lab and has them locate experts by searching Internet sites. She gives them an initial list of sites, but encourages them to branch out from there, looking for additional sites on their own. There is no lab manager and she has to go back to the classroom for periods of time as they work, but she knows they are competent Internet users and can be trusted not to leave the lab without permission. For their contacts with experts, she has them prepare a standard email with the school name; their names, ages, addresses, and personal email addresses, if they have one; and a description of what they would like to know.
1. Assuming she is correct that students will not leave the lab with permission, is Esmeralda's plan for having students using the Internet a good one? Why or why not?
2. Do you see any problems with the email she is having them send?
3. How would you change her plan to improve it?
MY ANSWERS:
1. I do not think that it is a good idea to leave students unattended. You may call me paranoid, but the idea of the sites that students could get into either by accident or on purpose is terrifying. There are many things that could happen in only a few seconds, websites that they encounter might have inappropriate material or they might take a side trip to a chat room and come across a sexual predator. Last but not least, let’s not forget the Internet tends to be “virusville” for the unprotected.
2. I see many problems with the email that she would have the students send. In this day and age where sexual predators are everywhere, it is very dangerous to send so much personal information. Sending address, age, school they attend and sharing a personal email address makes the students very vulnerable to be contacted by dangerous individuals.
3. I would make arrangements to have a college help supervise the class in the event that I have to return to class. I would make previous contact with reputable sources they could interview and set up the interview process in a controlled environment. This would prevent the students from any unnecessary exposure to strangers.
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