So many take aways, so little time. I appreciate the handouts that show with words AND pictures the steps for things we need to do on our computers. Saving as PDF and using Acrobat Pro were all new to me today! I can see I’ll need to create these kinds of handouts for my students for when I’m teaching them Kid Pix or Power Point programs. Somehow, I think that my 6, 7 & 8 year olds will understand how to use the programs a great deal quicker than me.
I think that many of the students who are getting “left behind” are our brightest. We have geared instruction to the “failing” learner and been happy that our bright students get proficient or advanced on their standardized scores. This is my 7th day with the TTL teaching team and I can say I am so clear about the benefits of using technology to deepen and increase student learning and at the same time engaging learners in challenging and meaningful activities.
Did you really think I could share take aways in 75 words or less?! Hah!
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Thursday, June 7, 2007
day 3 "take aways"
Technology is my friend. Technology is my friend. Technology is my friend. Like Dorothy saying “There’s no place like home, there’s no place like home, there’s no place like home” and ending up in the place she wanted to be, I’m also hoping I'll find my way home with technology use. Three times was a charm for Dorothy and I’m hoping that I can repeat her magic and find myself in a peaceful place with my own technology use!
I found the rubric/assessment presentation to be helpful. Although, with my own strong background knowledge on this particular topic, I’d like to caution folks to remember that assessing student learning and grading are two very different topics. Most research I’ve done has been clear that rubrics should not be used to assign grades to student work. Just food for thought for the “team.”
The afternoon w/ Todd and the “digital camera” was enlightening. I learned so much about my new toy - I mean tool! I can’t thank Todd enough for having a clear agenda and moving down it sequentially and with humor and patience. I practiced last night and reviewed the features and was pleased that I could remember most of what we “un”covered.
The Daily... this is one of those where just when you think you have it... something happens that stops you dead in your tracks. I can’t say much more about this as I think our Peer Partner Daily will speak for itself on Saturday!
I found the rubric/assessment presentation to be helpful. Although, with my own strong background knowledge on this particular topic, I’d like to caution folks to remember that assessing student learning and grading are two very different topics. Most research I’ve done has been clear that rubrics should not be used to assign grades to student work. Just food for thought for the “team.”
The afternoon w/ Todd and the “digital camera” was enlightening. I learned so much about my new toy - I mean tool! I can’t thank Todd enough for having a clear agenda and moving down it sequentially and with humor and patience. I practiced last night and reviewed the features and was pleased that I could remember most of what we “un”covered.
The Daily... this is one of those where just when you think you have it... something happens that stops you dead in your tracks. I can’t say much more about this as I think our Peer Partner Daily will speak for itself on Saturday!
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Using Technology to Dig for Meaning Discussion
Stone Wiske states that students need to have a deep enough understanding of a topic in order to apply their knowledge in "real-world" situations. I think that students living in the 21st century will need to be incredible problem solvers. The "real-world" situations of hunger, poverty, climate change, land use, clean water & air and resource development are BIG issues and our students will need all the tools we can give them to help them make sense and progress and positive change in our world.
I appreciated the thought that Natalie raised this morning, and that Dr. Wiske supported in his writing, that technology is just another tool - and when used in a meaningful way to help students go deeper with their learning it can be powerful. In order for this to happen educators should use the guiding question that asks "how will using this technology help students develop and demonstrate deep understanding of key curriculum goals?"
Using the guiding framework of five, and using a tool box with a variety of technology tools, educators can work to enhance and promote authentic learning. The teacher, as always, is key to whether or not a student's understanding deepens and grows or remains on the surface. Of course the learner also must take responsibility, but I believe that ultimately all students come to the table ready to learn and if given the opportunity to engage in meaningful activities they will rise to the occasion.
As an early childhood educator I feel I must continue to raise the question... When is it developmentally appropriate to move from the concrete to abstract with young children? So much of technology continues to be in the abstract and the constructivist approach to learning - of which I subscribe - says young children must have experiences with concrete objects before they can make sense of a more abstract concept.
I appreciated the thought that Natalie raised this morning, and that Dr. Wiske supported in his writing, that technology is just another tool - and when used in a meaningful way to help students go deeper with their learning it can be powerful. In order for this to happen educators should use the guiding question that asks "how will using this technology help students develop and demonstrate deep understanding of key curriculum goals?"
Using the guiding framework of five, and using a tool box with a variety of technology tools, educators can work to enhance and promote authentic learning. The teacher, as always, is key to whether or not a student's understanding deepens and grows or remains on the surface. Of course the learner also must take responsibility, but I believe that ultimately all students come to the table ready to learn and if given the opportunity to engage in meaningful activities they will rise to the occasion.
As an early childhood educator I feel I must continue to raise the question... When is it developmentally appropriate to move from the concrete to abstract with young children? So much of technology continues to be in the abstract and the constructivist approach to learning - of which I subscribe - says young children must have experiences with concrete objects before they can make sense of a more abstract concept.
"take aways" Day 1 of ASDSA
I so appreciate the energy with which all of the instructors of TTL conduct instruction. It is so much easier to learn something new when the instructors are leading with humor, passion and knowledge. Thank you for kicking off our week w/ a very fun Kagan structure - "Find Someone Who" and for making the first day meaningful.
The practice w/ how to take good pictures was very useful. I appreciated getting the instruction and then immediately turning around and getting to practice what I learned. I've also thought of myself as a good photographer and now I have tools to evaluate my photos with a more critical eye.
The afternoon was spent w/ Lance who could calm even the most worried of souls! The way he took us through i-movie was so easy to follow. Even I felt like I could remember the basics and recreate the steps later when I needed to. I'm so amazed at what our cameras and computers can do. I notice that others are more comfortable just "clicking on buttons" and "messing around." I find I'm always worried I'll mess something up or break something. Yesterday afternoon however, I found myself experimenting and discovering the ways things work and I didn't break anything!Yippee! This was an "A-ha" for me.
The practice w/ how to take good pictures was very useful. I appreciated getting the instruction and then immediately turning around and getting to practice what I learned. I've also thought of myself as a good photographer and now I have tools to evaluate my photos with a more critical eye.
The afternoon was spent w/ Lance who could calm even the most worried of souls! The way he took us through i-movie was so easy to follow. Even I felt like I could remember the basics and recreate the steps later when I needed to. I'm so amazed at what our cameras and computers can do. I notice that others are more comfortable just "clicking on buttons" and "messing around." I find I'm always worried I'll mess something up or break something. Yesterday afternoon however, I found myself experimenting and discovering the ways things work and I didn't break anything!Yippee! This was an "A-ha" for me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)