Learner.org is a wonderful resource for teachers. I took a world geography course a number of years ago, and the teacher used this site for us to view videos for research on given topics that we needed to write about. I also took an educational class where the teacher also used this site to inform us an educational issues of importance.
The videos range from 4 min to approximately 15 minutes in length. I found that every video I viewed was of high quality and extrememly interesting. Each video is packed with information with pertinent information and very interesting. Videos both capture the interest of adults and school age children alike.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Hot Chalk website
http://www.lessonplanspage.com/#
Hot Chalk Lesson Plan
This site is free and has many ideas per grade level and subject. You simply select the grade, choose the topic and lesson plans pull up. Some seem ready to go, others may need a little meat added to the lesson plan. However, over all a tremendous resource for teachers. I downloaded a lesson plan on clouds. It was a very fun lesson, easy to read, understandable, and completely doable.
There are also some subcategories such as Teacher Inspiration from the lesson plans and Articles and blogs.
Hot Chalk Lesson Plan
This site is free and has many ideas per grade level and subject. You simply select the grade, choose the topic and lesson plans pull up. Some seem ready to go, others may need a little meat added to the lesson plan. However, over all a tremendous resource for teachers. I downloaded a lesson plan on clouds. It was a very fun lesson, easy to read, understandable, and completely doable.
There are also some subcategories such as Teacher Inspiration from the lesson plans and Articles and blogs.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Digital Storytelling week 5 B
I am still quite sure as to the method of a digital story, exactly how it is protrayed. The points made in the article are very important, however, in that stories have key elements that need to have addressed to make them catch the attention of the reading.
The articles point out six elements for digital storytelling. The first one is, Living in your story, which is told in the first person. I am reading a book currently, and I have to say I really like it. I have read other books told in the first person, and I find them almost more interesting than books told as an unfolding story narrative. The second element is an unfolding lesson learned type of storytelling. This type of writing reveals lessons learned from a personal point of view, a situation or life lesson someone has experienced. The article states that this type of storytelling should be revealed either implicitly with media or explicitly using words. Another type of storytelling is developing creative tension. In this type of digital storytelling some type of situation has to be addressed, solved or some conclusion needs to come to end. Its a type of storytelling that should keep readings on their edge of their seats. The next one is economizing the story told, which true to the name is a type of storytelling that is told in about 3 to 5 minutes. Its quick and to the point. It does not take out the true essence of the storying however, just uses fewer key words and images to tell the story and point. Showing not telling storytelling does not tell in a traditional way, instead it uses visual images, sound and music to tell the story, in addition to giving the reading all the visual cues needed to see the story unfold. The last element is developing craftsmanship. Now this method from what I can understand uses all types of media, especially sound effects with an emphasis on design and animation.
I am still a little unclear as to how this all works, but one thing is clear, the avenues for telling stories is broadening, and with our creative up and coming generation, they will surely make excellent use of all these methods in telling and retelling stories.
The articles point out six elements for digital storytelling. The first one is, Living in your story, which is told in the first person. I am reading a book currently, and I have to say I really like it. I have read other books told in the first person, and I find them almost more interesting than books told as an unfolding story narrative. The second element is an unfolding lesson learned type of storytelling. This type of writing reveals lessons learned from a personal point of view, a situation or life lesson someone has experienced. The article states that this type of storytelling should be revealed either implicitly with media or explicitly using words. Another type of storytelling is developing creative tension. In this type of digital storytelling some type of situation has to be addressed, solved or some conclusion needs to come to end. Its a type of storytelling that should keep readings on their edge of their seats. The next one is economizing the story told, which true to the name is a type of storytelling that is told in about 3 to 5 minutes. Its quick and to the point. It does not take out the true essence of the storying however, just uses fewer key words and images to tell the story and point. Showing not telling storytelling does not tell in a traditional way, instead it uses visual images, sound and music to tell the story, in addition to giving the reading all the visual cues needed to see the story unfold. The last element is developing craftsmanship. Now this method from what I can understand uses all types of media, especially sound effects with an emphasis on design and animation.
I am still a little unclear as to how this all works, but one thing is clear, the avenues for telling stories is broadening, and with our creative up and coming generation, they will surely make excellent use of all these methods in telling and retelling stories.
National Education Tech Standards wk 5 A
Teacher's today that are not familiar with the ever changing technology face challenges that teachers of the past did not even imagine. I am not comfortable currently with technology. It takes sometimes for me to grasp the in's and out's of how to navigate a site and how to use the gadgets within it. I remember when we first got Internet many years ago now, that my son was showing me how to use the email and upload pictures or document by attaching them to the email. I had to write the steps down to remember what to do. Now of course its as simple as breathing, I don't even think about it. But I wonder how quickly I can pick the necessary skills needed to show confidence in the classroom.
I have watched teachers use the Smart Board, they quickly, and I do emphasize quickly navigate what they want to do on it. Touch this and that to the screen they want, add this and delete that. I watch and think, alright with a little practice I am sure I will be able to master it. But it really is intimating. I like most people get nervous we are going to some irreversible damage.
The articles both talk about teachers being well equipped to teach today's student the standards associated with technology. Teachers need to show confidence and skill as they teach their students, applying current research to a classroom of very diverse students. The lessons should support student learner-centered strategies that incorporate higher-order thinking skills.
Students also need to have modeled for them ethnics in the new world of technology. It is easy and also sometimes confusing to know what can be copied and used in research. As the teacher teaches and models what is appropriate is vitally important. The internet is an amazing tool, if used propery. In the classroom the methods for using the internet should be taught often.
I have watched teachers use the Smart Board, they quickly, and I do emphasize quickly navigate what they want to do on it. Touch this and that to the screen they want, add this and delete that. I watch and think, alright with a little practice I am sure I will be able to master it. But it really is intimating. I like most people get nervous we are going to some irreversible damage.
The articles both talk about teachers being well equipped to teach today's student the standards associated with technology. Teachers need to show confidence and skill as they teach their students, applying current research to a classroom of very diverse students. The lessons should support student learner-centered strategies that incorporate higher-order thinking skills.
Students also need to have modeled for them ethnics in the new world of technology. It is easy and also sometimes confusing to know what can be copied and used in research. As the teacher teaches and models what is appropriate is vitally important. The internet is an amazing tool, if used propery. In the classroom the methods for using the internet should be taught often.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
21st Century Learners wk 4B
The processing of learning is ever changing as technology propels us into unknown territory. Each generation hopefully suceeds the prior. Standards that are set for students also need to change to keep challenging them to reach new heights. The article entitled, Standards for the 21st-Century Learner addressess the new standards that todays students should be able to meet.
The first criteria is to Inquire, think critically and gain knowledge. It consists of four sub-categories: skills, responsibilities, dispostiions in action and self-assessment strategies. Students use prior knowledge to reach new learning Use collaborative learning with other students to deepen their understanding of a topic of study and monitor their own information seeking processess to make sure they are effective and sites are reliable. Make sense of information they have gathered from various resources to support ideas to make their points clear.
The second us to draw conclusions, make informed decisions, apply knowledge to new situations, and create new knowledge. The same sub-categories exists. In this sectins students should be able to refine questions to be able to search for greater understanding. Organize knowledge so that it is useful and helpful. Have the ability to use divergent and convergent thinking, which would be using thinking outside the box and the ability to see ideas move together. Students also need to develop the ability to obtain directions for future investigations.
The third standard is to share knowledge and participate ethically and productively as members of our democratic society. The fourth and last standard is to pursue personal and aesthetic growth. This section focuses on personal growth in their reading, viewing and listening skills, as well as reading fluently while making connections. They should be able to respond and be creative in response to literature expressions in every genre. They should also be able to indentify their areas of interest.
Students today definately have higher and more advanced critical thinking skills to attain. Teachers need to stay aware of all changes and keep their students moving forward.
The first criteria is to Inquire, think critically and gain knowledge. It consists of four sub-categories: skills, responsibilities, dispostiions in action and self-assessment strategies. Students use prior knowledge to reach new learning Use collaborative learning with other students to deepen their understanding of a topic of study and monitor their own information seeking processess to make sure they are effective and sites are reliable. Make sense of information they have gathered from various resources to support ideas to make their points clear.
The second us to draw conclusions, make informed decisions, apply knowledge to new situations, and create new knowledge. The same sub-categories exists. In this sectins students should be able to refine questions to be able to search for greater understanding. Organize knowledge so that it is useful and helpful. Have the ability to use divergent and convergent thinking, which would be using thinking outside the box and the ability to see ideas move together. Students also need to develop the ability to obtain directions for future investigations.
The third standard is to share knowledge and participate ethically and productively as members of our democratic society. The fourth and last standard is to pursue personal and aesthetic growth. This section focuses on personal growth in their reading, viewing and listening skills, as well as reading fluently while making connections. They should be able to respond and be creative in response to literature expressions in every genre. They should also be able to indentify their areas of interest.
Students today definately have higher and more advanced critical thinking skills to attain. Teachers need to stay aware of all changes and keep their students moving forward.
Monday, July 11, 2011
week 4 A Copyright
Copyright is an important concept for teachers to understand. If not followed properly a person can get into severe legal issues. The first article called, Copyright 101, discusses Intellectual property, which incorporates copyrights. Intellectual property was created to encourage orginal creative thinking and products. Once a work has been created, it deserves to 1) be protected and compensated and 2) that the owner should be able to control how work is used. These works include the following: literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works such as, novels, poetry and motion pictures to name a few. Must be a tangible product.
Along with the copyright the owner is entitled to exclusive rights. The owner is entitled to having the authority to distribute and reproduce copies, prepare derivate works, transfer ownership, by either lease, rental or lending it, perform the work visually and to have a public display of work.
Another term to know is fair use, which goes on a case by case basis. This entitles users such as teacher to copy portions of the work for in class use, such as a reference for the teacher, or by the teacher distributing copies to his/her students. However, the whole work cannot be used, only a small portion.
The last term is Public domain which allows the user to free use because the copyright has expired or it was written by the U S federal government.
The second article entitled, What is Creative Commons, discussing a legal help that partners with the copyright. This is a free service that is a legal tool that anyone for the average user to the major corporation can and should use. It is stressed that this is not a substitute for a copyright, but used in addition to it. To obtain a licence is easy by simply visit their website and fill out the simple questionaire that only takes a few moments.
Along with the copyright the owner is entitled to exclusive rights. The owner is entitled to having the authority to distribute and reproduce copies, prepare derivate works, transfer ownership, by either lease, rental or lending it, perform the work visually and to have a public display of work.
Another term to know is fair use, which goes on a case by case basis. This entitles users such as teacher to copy portions of the work for in class use, such as a reference for the teacher, or by the teacher distributing copies to his/her students. However, the whole work cannot be used, only a small portion.
The last term is Public domain which allows the user to free use because the copyright has expired or it was written by the U S federal government.
The second article entitled, What is Creative Commons, discussing a legal help that partners with the copyright. This is a free service that is a legal tool that anyone for the average user to the major corporation can and should use. It is stressed that this is not a substitute for a copyright, but used in addition to it. To obtain a licence is easy by simply visit their website and fill out the simple questionaire that only takes a few moments.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)