Virtual field trips have become
very popular within the last few years. Virtual field trips are ways to take
students to another place without having to leave the classroom. It is known as
a great way to go “beyond classroom walls.” Virtual field trips benefit students
because they can see places and things that they would not be able to see
through a traditional field trip such as the Coral Reef, The Galapagos Islands,
rainforest jungles, and other continents. Virtual Field Trips benefit parents
because parents do not have to chaperone or pay money for their children to go.
Virtual Field Trips benefit teachers because they do not have to worry about
checking attendance every few minutes, collecting permission slips, collecting
chaperone forms, and collecting money. I would want to use virtual field trips
in my classroom so that my students can explore the world around them while
also using technology. It would probably also go smoother than a traditional
field trip because all students would be seated in the classroom. However, I do
believe that some students need to physically touch, smell, and hear things to
understand them better, therefore, I would still want to take my students on
traditional field trips as well. The only disadvantage that I can see with a virtual
field trip would be if the students did not know much about operating technology.
This would hinder their learning experience while on the virtual field trip
because that is the whole purpose of the virtual field trip – to use technology.
I can see teachers using virtual field trips when introducing a new topic or a
topic that the students do not know much about. Teachers can use the following
apps for virtual field trips in their classroom: Sphere, National Parks by
National Geographic, The Life of Art, NASA Earth Now, Creatures of Light, and The
Congressional Record.
Saturday, April 28, 2018
Digital Storytelling
Digital storytelling is very
powerful. It is almost like stories being told through a movie. It usually
includes pictures, videos, sounds, music, animations, text, and a narrative
voice. Digital stories are typically two to five minutes long. Digital
storytelling benefits the classroom because it keeps students engaged more than
just looking at a book or textbook and reading words off of a page. It also
puts meaning behind the story while not just including media. It allows
students to have access to technology while also giving them a choice of a
topic. Students may also choose which pictures, videos, sounds, music,
animations and texts that they would like to use. Students seem to be more engaged
when they have a choice in what they are learning about. It also benefits
students by allowing sharing and collaboration with one another. Students can
work together while also sharing with others what they have learned. Digital
storytelling is also an example of project-based learning. It is considered
project-based learning because it incorporates technology and research into the
project. Digital storytelling is beneficial to teachers because it is a great
differentiation tool and can meet the needs of all students. For ELL learners,
it provides pictures and sounds instead of just words. For ADHD students, it
allows them to stay busy with technology. Teachers can use digital storytelling
to get students interested in a topic. This can also help students to link
prior knowledge with new knowledge. Teachers can use the following apps as well
to incorporate digital storytelling in the classroom: MovieMaker, iMovie, Tellegami,
Flipgrid, Storybird, Little Bird Tales, Explain Everything, Puppet Pals, Sock
Puppets, My Story, and Toontastic. I would definitely use digital storytelling
in my classroom when introducing a new topic or a new person (autobiographies
and biographies) to keep students engaged and interested in learning.
Tuesday, April 24, 2018
Project, Problem, and Challenge Based Learning
In problem-based learning, students
work in groups to solve an open-ended question by getting a viewpoint from all
angles. There is also no one right answer in problem based learning because
students come up with their own answers based on their research. As long as
students have a way to back up their answer, then the answer should be
acceptable. Within the group, each student comes up with their own solution.
From the group, they choose which solution seems to be the best. Problem-based
learning is beneficial to the classroom because it provides a way to address
student’s needs. It seems to keep the students engaged. Problem-based learning
benefits teachers because it increases classroom attendance and encourages
students to spend more time studying and learning.
With
project-based learning, there is more in-depth research and it typically takes
longer to complete. Students will be extending their ideas and completing an
entire project instead of just coming up with a solution. Project-based
learning has more complex problems and offers a challenge to students. Project-based
learning is beneficial to the classroom because it allows students to learn
more about a topic through research. Project-based learning benefits teachers
because it offers multiple assessment options.
Challenge-based
learning is similar to problem-based learning and project-based learning.
However, challenge-based learning incorporates technology. The goal for
challenge-based learning is for students to come up with real-world solutions
and not just use critical thinking skills in the process. The more challenging
part of this type of learning is to share the students’ solutions worldwide
through technology. This type of learning will benefit the classroom because it
will keep students engaged and on task. Technology seems to be “fun”, engaging,
and exciting to students. Challenge-based learning benefits the teacher because
it allows teachers to provide feedback through technology. It also allows
teachers to use a variety of assessment strategies.
Sunday, April 22, 2018
Student Response System
The Student Response System is a
way for the teachers to ask questions and get responses from students during daily
lessons. The Student Response System is beneficial to the classroom because it
allows shy students to share their answers without speaking out loud. I did not
realize how many students might be afraid to speak in front of others, so this
method would help them tremendously. Student Response Systems can also help
students that “blurt out” by providing them a way to answer a question right
away, but quietly. The Student Response System is beneficial to teachers
because it provides a way for all students to answer. It also shows teachers
which students participate and which ones do not. It also provides feedback
immediately to the students to let them know if they got the questions right or
wrong. Through this, students can see their strengths and also areas that they
need to work on. It also shows their grades as they go. Students can also see
that other students may get the same question wrong as they did. This might
help the students to not be so hard on themselves realizing that not everyone
got the question right. Students seem to find student response systems engaging
so it is more likely to have a 100% participation rate when using these. Examples
of the Student Response Systems where all students have a voice, would be apps
such as Kahoot, Carousel Brainstorming, Corners, Jigsaw, Popsicle Stick, and
Clickers. Student response systems supposedly raise overall test scores by 30%
or more. Student Response System can be used with just about any kind of online
software program. I did not realize how often student response systems can be
used with so many different programs. Since there are so many ways to use
student response systems in the classroom, this would make it easier on
teachers to access them for lessons.
Sunday, April 15, 2018
Personalized Learning
Personalized Learning is also known
as “applied learning”. It is instruction that provides ways to meet each
student’s individual needs. This allows small group independent work for the
students. It also refers to differentiation in realizing that all students have
a different ability level. All students also come from different backgrounds.
Therefore when considering personalized learning, all assignments need to
accommodate all students. To keep the differentiated students on task, teachers
should provide engaging activities. This might make the students think that
they are just having fun when really they are learning at the same time. Also,
if the teacher does not provide engaging activities students might fall behind
because they might not want to complete the work. Including the students’
interests in assignments, read-alouds, activities, tests, etc. is important.
This will catch the students’ attention and more than likely keep them engaged.
Students would also rather do an activity/game relating to the topic than read
out of a textbook. Students may feel a sense of power when they get to choose
what they want to learn. Implementing technology in the classroom or “centers”
would also help keep students engaged because it requires them to stay on task
and stay busy. Personalized learning would help me in my future classroom by
providing ways for all students to learn. I have learned that personalized
learning works better when students are engaged. This causes me to look at
personalized learning differently. Now, I try to look for engaging activities
that will accommodate each and every student so that students can stay on task.
Personalized learning would benefit the teacher by providing ways to look at
students’ individual needs. Knowing background knowledge and how a child learns
will help with planning engaging activities for personalized learning. Knowing
students will also help with building relationships.
Saturday, April 14, 2018
Student Led Conferences/Digital Portfolios
Student Led Conferences allow students to take on a
leadership role by presenting their own work. They also help students build on
their communication skills. The student led conferences could help me in my
future classroom because it builds relationships providing more participation
from the parents and students. This would allow the classroom to run more
smoothly. I have learned that student led conferences can help build
relationships with their families. I did not realize this before when thinking
about student led conferences. Because of this different view, I can see how
important student led conferences can be and how important it is to get the
parents or families involved. This also benefits the teacher, students, and parents through connections. As a teacher, I would benefit from this because
of the relationships being built with the families. I would also benefit from
this knowing that my students would understand how to speak and present their
work.
Digital
Portfolios provides students with a way to document their work without having
to keep up with loose papers and other supplies. With a traditional portfolio
students would only be able to share their work with a few people. With a
non-digital portfolio, students can share their work with the world. Digital
portfolios also store and capture other modes of learning that are not possible
with non-digital portfolios. Digital Portfolios would help me in my classroom because
it would open up communication and allow parents to access the student’s work
instantly. Digital Portfolios would be beneficial to the teacher because it
would save time on organization. It would also be easier to access for
formative assessments.
Student
Led Conferences and Digital Portfolios can both provide a way for the students
to self-reflect on the work they have done throughout the year. Also, students
can show ownership (feelings of pride, responsibility, and dedication) through
student led conferences and digital portfolios.
Monday, February 5, 2018
IPads for Teaching and Learning
JORDAN COFFMAN
websites
ipads improve classroom learning, study finds
This is an article from the National Geographic website that includes ways for iPads to enhance how children learn in the classroom.
10 ways ipads teach kids with learning disabilities
This is an article from the "Edudemic" website explaining how teachers can use iPads with students that have learning disabilities.
ipads in the classroom
This article from "BBC Active" describes the importance of using iPads in the classroom by giving several examples of iPad usage.
8 studies show ipads in the classroom improve education
This article from "Securedge Networks" describes all of the different studies that prove that iPads in the classroom improve education.
using ipads to increase productivity in elementary education
This is a blog that includes ways to increase productivity in an elementary classroom. (Improved Collaboration, Increased Control Over Learning, Alternative Education, Differentiated Learning Levels)
the effects of educational apps on student achievement and engagement
This article from "E-spark Learning" explains the effects that educational iPad apps have on student achievement and engagement based on a study.
the 55 best free education apps for ipad
This is a list of education apps for the iPad. Each app that is listed, has a description about how the app can be used in the classroom and how it benefits the students.
math that moves: schools embrace the ipad
This is an article from New York Times that shows how different schools embrace the iPad and the advantages of it.
advantages/disadvantages of the ipad classroom
This article lists advantages and disadvantages of the iPad usage in the classroom. Each advantage and disadvantage is thoroughly described.
how the ipad can transform classroom learning
This article describes how the iPad can transform learning in the classroom and how teachers can get onboard about this decision.
videos
summary
iPads are "cool" because they allow children to work hands on with technology and it is portable so they can take it wherever they go. An iPad could replace a computer with a lot of things such as accessing websites and apps. The only difficult thing about an iPad is that it would take longer to type than it would on a computer. With an iPad, students can play games, read a book, listen to music, take pictures and record videos. Advantages of using iPads in the elementary classroom include: saving students backs (because textbooks and other resources can be downloaded on the iPad), saving paper (can replace textbooks, worksheets, handouts), saving money (textbooks are constantly updated and digital copies are cheaper), keeping their attention (iPads are more engaging than just a piece of paper), customized learning (learning at different paces), and an abundance of education apps (there is an app for everything), immediate feedback (teachers automatically get submitted assignments), all class participation (teachers can see which children participated and which children did not), and shared access to files with students (Students can create documents and immediately upload them to a teacher's electronic folder. Teachers can then view the documents immediately and keep them permanently stored). iPads are extremely beneficial overall.
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