Thursday, September 30, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
S'Cool Tools: 5 Great Tools to Perk Up Your Classroom and Engage Your Students
In her article, "S'Cool Tools," Maureen Brown Yoder shares her research and recommendations on five new learning tools for the classroom. All of the tools she suggests meet the following criteria: they enhance teaching, they are easy to learn and well supported, and they are new or improved.
Of the five tools Yoder recommends, my favorite is the Lego Education's WeDo Robotics Construction Set. I like that it has a broad age appeal. Elementary to middle school students can use this hands on manipulative in different ways as a learning tool for mechanics and movement. It also integrates the physical and virtual worlds by allowing students to create their own on-screen animations and stories with WeDo software. Students can then share their models and stories with children in other countries. The kit was developed by MIT Media Lab and costs about $300.
In an elementary school classroom, I would use the WeDo Robotics Constuction Set to help students learn about problem solving, team work (at $300/set students would work in small groups), and basic principles of physics. Then, I would encourage them to be creative in constucting their own on-screen animations and writing about their animations.
The WeDo Robotics Construction Set fulfills several ISTE NETS Standards, including: NETS Standard 1 creativity and innovation (students create an original work as a means group expression); NETS Standard 2 communication and collaboration (studets interact and collaborate in a digital environment and contribute to a team to produce an original work); and NETS Standard 4 problem solving (students plan activities to develop complete a project).
In addition to the Lego learning tool, Yoder reviews Smart Table, AVer Pen, MUVEs, and Google Apps Education Community. However, my favorite learning tool was the Lego Education's WeDo Robotics Construction Set because legos are a popular hand-on learning tool for kids of all ages. Integrating Lego construction with motion and virtual learning is an outstanding way to introduce kids to mechanics, motion, collaboration and creativity while having fun.
Yoder, M.B. (2009). S'Cool Tools: 5 Great Tools to Perk Up Your Classroom and Engage Your Students. Learning and Leading with Technology (37)3. Advanced Online Publication. Retrieved from: http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm? Section=November_No_3_5&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4436&ContentID=24614&DirectListComboInd=D
Of the five tools Yoder recommends, my favorite is the Lego Education's WeDo Robotics Construction Set. I like that it has a broad age appeal. Elementary to middle school students can use this hands on manipulative in different ways as a learning tool for mechanics and movement. It also integrates the physical and virtual worlds by allowing students to create their own on-screen animations and stories with WeDo software. Students can then share their models and stories with children in other countries. The kit was developed by MIT Media Lab and costs about $300.
In an elementary school classroom, I would use the WeDo Robotics Constuction Set to help students learn about problem solving, team work (at $300/set students would work in small groups), and basic principles of physics. Then, I would encourage them to be creative in constucting their own on-screen animations and writing about their animations.
The WeDo Robotics Construction Set fulfills several ISTE NETS Standards, including: NETS Standard 1 creativity and innovation (students create an original work as a means group expression); NETS Standard 2 communication and collaboration (studets interact and collaborate in a digital environment and contribute to a team to produce an original work); and NETS Standard 4 problem solving (students plan activities to develop complete a project).
In addition to the Lego learning tool, Yoder reviews Smart Table, AVer Pen, MUVEs, and Google Apps Education Community. However, my favorite learning tool was the Lego Education's WeDo Robotics Construction Set because legos are a popular hand-on learning tool for kids of all ages. Integrating Lego construction with motion and virtual learning is an outstanding way to introduce kids to mechanics, motion, collaboration and creativity while having fun.
Yoder, M.B. (2009). S'Cool Tools: 5 Great Tools to Perk Up Your Classroom and Engage Your Students. Learning and Leading with Technology (37)3. Advanced Online Publication. Retrieved from: http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm? Section=November_No_3_5&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4436&ContentID=24614&DirectListComboInd=D
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Computing in the Clouds
In his article, "Computing in the Clouds," Doug Johnson makes a case for schools to adopt cloud computing. Cloud computing relies on applications and file storage that resides on a network. The network could be a local-area network, a district Intranet, or the Internet. According to Johnson, the biggest advantage to cloud computing is cost savings. For schools that are facing budget problems, cloud computing can help cut costs because applications and file storage are free. Also, schools can invest in cheaper computers, such as Netbooks, because computers operating in the cloud do not need have large hard drives or powerful processors. Two other advantages of cloud computing are ease in sharing documents and the ability to work anywhere on any computer.
I found the warnings against cloud computing to be fairly benign. For example, steps have been taken by Google to ensure file security and privacy. There are some funtions that the cloud cannot handle such as big data crunching projects, but it is unlikely that primary school students would undertake projects like these. My biggest concern would be that providers of applications and storage may start charging for these services in the future, which would negate Johnson's main argument in favor of cloud computing.
I found it is also important for schools to consider the following. First, that they have in place a wireless network that is reliable, adequate and secure to support hundreds of users. And second, schools must provide teacher training on cloud computing.
As a teacher, I would advocate for cloud computing as a means for students and teachers to have greater flexibility and to encourage collaboration among students and teachers. Cloud computing allows teachers to share ideas, concepts and lesson plans with other teachers in their school and within the district. This kind of sharing and collaboration saves time and makes for better teaching. Students can also work collaboratively on projects using the cloud. They can work in groups at school and continue working with their group at home. These uses of cloud computing support ISTE NETS Standards for Communication and Collaboration (2) and Digital Citizenship (5).
Overall, cloud computing is an excellent choice for schools looking to save money and encourage communication, collaboration and digital citzenship. Cloud computing helps schools save money by not having to buy expensive software programs or file storage. Computers that use the cloud can be cheaper because they do not need big hard drives or powerful processors. The ability to share files on the Internet encourages teacher and student collaboration and communication. Finally, I believe cloud computer fosters digital citizenship as stated in the NETS Standards, "students exhibit a postive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning and productivity."
I found the warnings against cloud computing to be fairly benign. For example, steps have been taken by Google to ensure file security and privacy. There are some funtions that the cloud cannot handle such as big data crunching projects, but it is unlikely that primary school students would undertake projects like these. My biggest concern would be that providers of applications and storage may start charging for these services in the future, which would negate Johnson's main argument in favor of cloud computing.
I found it is also important for schools to consider the following. First, that they have in place a wireless network that is reliable, adequate and secure to support hundreds of users. And second, schools must provide teacher training on cloud computing.
As a teacher, I would advocate for cloud computing as a means for students and teachers to have greater flexibility and to encourage collaboration among students and teachers. Cloud computing allows teachers to share ideas, concepts and lesson plans with other teachers in their school and within the district. This kind of sharing and collaboration saves time and makes for better teaching. Students can also work collaboratively on projects using the cloud. They can work in groups at school and continue working with their group at home. These uses of cloud computing support ISTE NETS Standards for Communication and Collaboration (2) and Digital Citizenship (5).
Overall, cloud computing is an excellent choice for schools looking to save money and encourage communication, collaboration and digital citzenship. Cloud computing helps schools save money by not having to buy expensive software programs or file storage. Computers that use the cloud can be cheaper because they do not need big hard drives or powerful processors. The ability to share files on the Internet encourages teacher and student collaboration and communication. Finally, I believe cloud computer fosters digital citizenship as stated in the NETS Standards, "students exhibit a postive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning and productivity."
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Project Tomorrow
The "Project Tomorrow" article's main premise is that students want to drive their own learning process or be "free agent learners" with the use of technology. Students are using a variety of technology tools to communicate, create and learn, such as: online learning courses, interactive educational websites, open source software, social networking sites, educational games and online textbooks. The ISTE standards for 3rd-6th grade complement this technology-based, student-centered learning model. According to ISTE standards, students will use technology to create stories, do research, debate technology, conceptualize group learning projects and investigate global issues. I believe technology-based, student-centered learning is an effective means for upper elementary school students to grow into critical thinkers, who can apply information and ideas across the curriculum. As a elementary school teacher, I look forward to using technology to help students develop critical thinking skills and be innovative in their approach to learning.
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