To integrate technology into a history course there is a wide array of suggestions. The idea that seems like the most fun is probably the online treasure hunt. To make one I must construct links online to find the ultimate goal or build a series of websites with tasks to complete. It may be tedious but it will provide entertainment and learning to a classroom of students. Also, it will be something new as most students have not done something like this in class with their teacher. It can provide for a fun time for all involved.
The other choice is obvious; a webquest. Students in history classes need to learn, if nothing else, how to research materials. Webquests introduce tools to research and note taking for researched materials. It can serve as a springboard for a number of assignments; the one I did for class left open discussing other countries later on in a similar fashion. It can also draw the class to look deeper at a subject that they find interesting. Though building one takes a lot of time the outcome is great because students learn not only research skills but the materials you’re asking them to learn about.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Journal 8 (Chapter 9)
For my webquest I have chosen to introduce Italian culture to a group of students. It will provide them with a look at modern events as well as historically important dates such as the unification and the bringing about of a national currency. The simulated device I will use at the end will be a Jeopardy type game quizzing the students on what they have found. It is simple but will hopefully help them remember the new information.
The webquest meets its purposes because it will allow the students to focus on which aspect of history they would like to look at. Fashion and pop culture are subjects to look at in terms of modern events. It truly does offer a wide array of aspects for students to choose and will hopefully be beneficial for that purpose.
The webquest meets its purposes because it will allow the students to focus on which aspect of history they would like to look at. Fashion and pop culture are subjects to look at in terms of modern events. It truly does offer a wide array of aspects for students to choose and will hopefully be beneficial for that purpose.
Journal 8 (Chapter 7)
Internet use has had a significant effect on teaching and learning. In research papers many teachers in high schools require a number of websites to serve as sources cited. Many college professors ask for the same deal; their students provide online sources (excluding Wikipedia). Many teachers also use the internet to find articles relating to the subject matter they will be teaching that day. The internet is a resource to all members of a learning environment and can be used to provide information on any subject.
In recent classes in college I have experienced a professor using online resources often. Many history classes use the web to find illustrations, maps, historical images, and photos/artworks of famous figures which cause an extensive search prior to many classes for the professors. They add information to attempt to bring students in such as notes on different works or opinions placed on visual historical facts; such as Andrew Jackson had a huge nose or the Pieta had been done before. It often is a benefit because it illustrates history and provides further information.
In recent classes in college I have experienced a professor using online resources often. Many history classes use the web to find illustrations, maps, historical images, and photos/artworks of famous figures which cause an extensive search prior to many classes for the professors. They add information to attempt to bring students in such as notes on different works or opinions placed on visual historical facts; such as Andrew Jackson had a huge nose or the Pieta had been done before. It often is a benefit because it illustrates history and provides further information.
Journal 7 (Chapter 6)
PowerPoint can be considered hypermedia because it cooperates with websites. One can insert a link from web pages or connect an hyperlink from the web to a picture, word or word group. PowerPoint presentations can also be posted to the web from one’s own computer. Also, designs, sounds, and transitions could be downloaded from the web to be used in a PowerPoint presentation. Each aspect of PowerPoint can interact with the web.
PowerPoint is also considered multimedia based on the numerous facets that can make up a slideshow. While building a slideshow one can insert sounds, transitions, words, pictures, songs, media files, and links to websites. The fact that a person can comprise a slideshow with numerous forms of materials makes it multimedia because several forms of media can be combined to produce one excellent slideshow. Every aspect can be utilized in a single presentation however PowerPoint’s simplicity causes it to be a simple and useful tool for a wide range of students.
PowerPoint is also considered multimedia based on the numerous facets that can make up a slideshow. While building a slideshow one can insert sounds, transitions, words, pictures, songs, media files, and links to websites. The fact that a person can comprise a slideshow with numerous forms of materials makes it multimedia because several forms of media can be combined to produce one excellent slideshow. Every aspect can be utilized in a single presentation however PowerPoint’s simplicity causes it to be a simple and useful tool for a wide range of students.
Journal 6 (chapter 5)
Concept maps are simple to introduce into a history course because they are an organization of related items. In history they could be use to relate hierarchical families or to draw similarities between countries. They can also be used almost as a timeline for something like the American Revolution; the causes can be listed as branches. It can also be used as a simple version of a day’s notes; if all the notes connect to one theme a concept map could be drawn.
It is not hard to see how they can be used although the question could be asked, “Are they affective?” They will often prove a useful tool but they may be too simplified to bring success to students. The bubbles in the map will be short terms without definitions and so may prove useful for some subjects while becoming problematic for others. New material would be difficult to discuss if introduced on a concept map but reviews for subjects may work more smoothly.
It is not hard to see how they can be used although the question could be asked, “Are they affective?” They will often prove a useful tool but they may be too simplified to bring success to students. The bubbles in the map will be short terms without definitions and so may prove useful for some subjects while becoming problematic for others. New material would be difficult to discuss if introduced on a concept map but reviews for subjects may work more smoothly.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Journal 5 (chapter 4)
FileMaker Pro is an excellent software to become familiar with as a future history teacher. It provides not only an organization tool, perfect to outline historical dates, but also can allow for quick corrections if a project is incorrect. It can serve as a helpful tool in an history class because it can organize different dates inputted into its catalog. It can be used to highlight events as well, if a timeline is not used, to illustrate order of events.
The program is also easily accessible for students. It is not as well known as word or excel but seems very simple to use and easy to navigate. Students can also use the software to build their own timeline of events. The resource could prove to be a highly useful tool in a classroom.
The program is also easily accessible for students. It is not as well known as word or excel but seems very simple to use and easy to navigate. Students can also use the software to build their own timeline of events. The resource could prove to be a highly useful tool in a classroom.
Journal 4 (Chapter 15)
When I was younger I experienced mainstreaming where special education students would participate in classes like gym, music, and our library class. These classes were nothing different because there was little material being taught. Music was the most difficult class for inclusion because of the scales, but aside from that there was nothing too challenging for those students. The classes were not slowed much by having the students “mainstreamed” to be involved in some general education courses.
The problem with it in a class like physical education is that their physical skills are on display for the rest of a young class. Students of the third grade did not see that the person was born with a problem; they only saw themselves as superior. Ridicule of special education students was something common in my grade up through third grade when the last inclusion classes ran for our grade. If the students can be trusted in an environment with students from special education courses then it is an excellent idea because it likely helps the special education students realize that they are not much different from the students in more advanced courses.
The problem with it in a class like physical education is that their physical skills are on display for the rest of a young class. Students of the third grade did not see that the person was born with a problem; they only saw themselves as superior. Ridicule of special education students was something common in my grade up through third grade when the last inclusion classes ran for our grade. If the students can be trusted in an environment with students from special education courses then it is an excellent idea because it likely helps the special education students realize that they are not much different from the students in more advanced courses.
Journal 3
ILS will not replace teachers in the future but will become a tool used more often by teachers. The problem with it is a further distance from the classroom which causes a more difficult time for a student to build a rapport with the teacher. It is no secret that many teachers do give grades based on the work a student provides; if this tool is put into effect on a wider basis then there may be a wider range of failing students. This technology does not come without a cost.
The upside is that it is easier to use for teachers and offers further details or alternate explanations for students. Students will be able to access materials discussing topics teachers went over in class and may reread or relearn materials presented by their teacher in class. Teachers will not have to build quizzes or tests as they are already provided on the computer. Students can also learn their grades immediately once they have finished their work. Also, the technology could lead to a more difficult time cheating if it is done in front of the instructors because each test could have randomized questions.
The upside is that it is easier to use for teachers and offers further details or alternate explanations for students. Students will be able to access materials discussing topics teachers went over in class and may reread or relearn materials presented by their teacher in class. Teachers will not have to build quizzes or tests as they are already provided on the computer. Students can also learn their grades immediately once they have finished their work. Also, the technology could lead to a more difficult time cheating if it is done in front of the instructors because each test could have randomized questions.
Journal 2
Behaviorist B.F. Skinner is thinking clearly in his objectivist theory. People do learn from seeing and interpreting what they see. They do formulate opinions and think critically as well but that all comes from acting on learned behaviors. The visualization that occurs, however, can occur from written materials as well and does not necessarily need to be observed. For example, if one were to study the works of Shakespeare over and over he may have a larger vocabulary once the study is over. Behavior is not picked up solely from observation but also through one’s environment.
Behavior is able to be manipulated by rewards/punishments for different actions. Environment and social interactions draw students to favor some subjects more than others. The motivation factors become mental eventually because a student determines what subject he likes and may start to disregard other subjects. I.e. if a student is a fan of writing he may become disconnected to a math class or dislike teachers of math courses. All subjects share similar fates from different students based on what environment they came from. The hope while teaching is to make this fact fade so that students will listen in any class they take.
Behavior is able to be manipulated by rewards/punishments for different actions. Environment and social interactions draw students to favor some subjects more than others. The motivation factors become mental eventually because a student determines what subject he likes and may start to disregard other subjects. I.e. if a student is a fan of writing he may become disconnected to a math class or dislike teachers of math courses. All subjects share similar fates from different students based on what environment they came from. The hope while teaching is to make this fact fade so that students will listen in any class they take.
Journal 1
One thing Robyler states that we have learned is that no technology can be used to teach and entire subject or “No technology is a panacea for education.” In many classes technology has been introduced but it is best received by students when it is introduced by an instructor. Technology can be introduced slowly, for students to become aware of it, or in cooperation with a lesson. Teachers need to give guidelines on how to use technologies and place limitations on what they can be used for; for example the internet site youtube is blocked in many schools. Also, technology should not be overused as it may become dull or prevent students from acquiring important social skills.
Another lesson is that older technologies can be useful. In terms of games, this could involve anything from Sim City to Oregon Trail. These games help students learn economics, math, architectural, and even a slight bit of survival skills. The learning is likely to be incidental in these games as the student will most likely not see the games as a learning device but will, however, acquire the intended skills. Old technologies also include things like calculators, projectors, film strips, vhs, etc. Each of these has served a purpose in the past and can still be used effectively. As far as technology goes a teacher should consider using whatever is available and not focus solely on what is the newest.
Another lesson is that older technologies can be useful. In terms of games, this could involve anything from Sim City to Oregon Trail. These games help students learn economics, math, architectural, and even a slight bit of survival skills. The learning is likely to be incidental in these games as the student will most likely not see the games as a learning device but will, however, acquire the intended skills. Old technologies also include things like calculators, projectors, film strips, vhs, etc. Each of these has served a purpose in the past and can still be used effectively. As far as technology goes a teacher should consider using whatever is available and not focus solely on what is the newest.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Peer Evaluation
I think the the work is well, the powerpoint is done well. The webquest is well done. The only thing that I think that the only work that needs to be done is the lesson plan, and the unit plan. But overall, I think that the work is well done. The delicious list is missing though.
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