I feel like so much knowledge taught today is just surface knowledge. Rinse and repeat, memorize and regurgitate. At least that is the way things were mostly taught when I was in high school. There were a few professors that would dig for deeper answers. They were usually the English teachers and sometimes the social science ones too. When I got to college I don’t think I was totally prepared for the different types of questions that were awaiting me.
I wish that someone had introduced me blooms taxonomy at some earlier stage. If I could have carried this type of thinking over from high school and been familiar with this type of pyramid content, and the key word cues that come with it.
We talked a bit about this in class and a classmate Sarah made a great point. She said that this kind of learning could take place at any level. It depends on the subject content versus the age group. The example was teaching colors, in regards to a rainbow. As long as the students can evaluate something and apply that information to a different set of circumstances, then a higher level of learning is taking place. This kind of teaching and learning can take place at any level.
Another great example that was talked about was using this information that is already clearly laid out in a grading rubric. Key words and concepts can be targeted allowing for different points for different levels of thinking. All in all this is a great tool to have access to.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
The Power is in the Point
This week we learned and explored PowerPoint. And I have used the program before, but my experience is admittedly limited. I know what the program is capable of doing, and I know how complex and deep this tool can get, but I have never moved far beyond the basic functions. One of the main reasons for this is that every time I sit down and begin a new project with PP, I seem to get lost in the seemingly infinite number of options that are available. I usually turn what should be a two-hour project, into something that takes an entire day.
I already know that this tool is going to be one of my main tools in the classroom. Again, I must be honest, spelling has never been my best subject area, so this will allow me remove some of those kinds of senseless errors before they actually take place. I also love the fact that I will not have to reinvent the wheel every year. I will make changes to the presentations over the years, but the main content can stay the same. One of the great things about teaching the social sciences is that the content changes very slowly. But at the same time I do not want to become one of those teachers that gets stuck doing the same thing year after year.
I think from a teacher’s point of view and a students point of view, there is so much that can be done with this tool. It is something that can hopefully be filled with new media to keep the students interest.
I already know that this tool is going to be one of my main tools in the classroom. Again, I must be honest, spelling has never been my best subject area, so this will allow me remove some of those kinds of senseless errors before they actually take place. I also love the fact that I will not have to reinvent the wheel every year. I will make changes to the presentations over the years, but the main content can stay the same. One of the great things about teaching the social sciences is that the content changes very slowly. But at the same time I do not want to become one of those teachers that gets stuck doing the same thing year after year.
I think from a teacher’s point of view and a students point of view, there is so much that can be done with this tool. It is something that can hopefully be filled with new media to keep the students interest.
Monday, February 16, 2009
MIND MAP
I love this tool. I haven't really thought about mind maps in a long time. I had a 10th grade English teacher that would have us do them for everything. I honestly wish that I had some of those maps today. Just to see where my thought process has come from and what has changed. The different tools that are available to us, in the form of mind maps are incredible, including “inspiration.”
These tools lay things out in such a logical and easy to follow method. The options that are available are so much more visually appealing than anything I ever put together on my piece of notebook paper in pencil. These maps can be so useful when tracking progress on long term projects, in not only the classroom, but also the workplace.
For the subjects that I plan to teach (history, government, economics), these can be used in so many different ways. I could show the relationship between the different branches of government. Use a timeline to show how historical events relate to one and other, and include web links to video and audio. And in terms of economics, it would be an easy way to show the cause and effect of different events within an economy.
The map that is shown here, is one that I received by chance today. I subscribe to a green building blog and this is one they were included in and I thought it was a great example of the use of mind maps.
The part of "Mapping Student Minds" by Ariel Owen that I enjoyed the most was the ability to analyze ones thought process. It is one thing to have students go home and map out a central idea and identify the casual and formal relationships between that idea and others. But it is a very different process to ask them to explain it and debate with one and other on what should be added or removed and the reasons why. This allows for a window into how the students are developing their ideas. It is such an important process that is so often overlooked or not easily accessible. This kind of debate is a win win situation for both students and teachers, as it allows the teachers to see which areas of development may need more attention.
The beauty of a program like this is that it allows for constant change. Students can let their imaginations and intellect run wild at first, bringing any and all possible scenarios and connections into the fray. Then with time and focus, students can clarify their thoughts, learning to remove needless or periphery ideas, and really concentrate on developing a strong argument with only the most important factors considered.
The project described in the article is wonderfully thought out and such a great hands on experience for the kids. It seems to be all encompassing, bringing together the scientific data, the field experience, the analyzation of information, and the argument to support their data. Things that I remember most from my time in school were not the facts and dates, but it was the experiences and alternative projects that I did in groups or outside of class. There is no doubt in my mind that a project like this is something these kids would remember for the rest of their lives.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Evolution of Technology in the Classroom
As I sit here and reflect on my experiences in K-12, college, and then in a professional working environment, I am reminded of the moments that stick out in my memory and how they helped prepare me as a working adult. Because of when I went to school and the development of technology during that period, I was not entirely ready for the different applications used in the professional world today. I had limited experience with Excel and knew enough of Word to get by, but it did not comer everything that would be required of me in that office environment. During the time when I was in school, new technology was introduced to us in an instructional type method as opposed to the mentor or guidance type of method.
On pages 16 and 17 of the article “Oh the Changes…” by Yoder, there is a discussion of using new technologies through an evolutionary type process or self taught method. I feel like it is important for teachers to realize that technology moves so quickly and there are so many different applications coming online on a daily basis, that we must adjust to these developments by allowing the students to teach and determine their course of action with guidance as opposed to some sort of authoritarian. I know that from my own personal experience, I respond and learn much better when I am given a direction to head in, and am left to my own devices on the best way to get there.
Students today are so much more comfortable with the basics of computers and technology, than the generation I grew up in. They use things like personal hand held devices that have some of the same computing powers as the computers that I grew up learning on. It is important to remember that a student’s superior knowledge in technology resources is not something to be intimidated by, but is a resource to be utilized.
On pages 16 and 17 of the article “Oh the Changes…” by Yoder, there is a discussion of using new technologies through an evolutionary type process or self taught method. I feel like it is important for teachers to realize that technology moves so quickly and there are so many different applications coming online on a daily basis, that we must adjust to these developments by allowing the students to teach and determine their course of action with guidance as opposed to some sort of authoritarian. I know that from my own personal experience, I respond and learn much better when I am given a direction to head in, and am left to my own devices on the best way to get there.
Students today are so much more comfortable with the basics of computers and technology, than the generation I grew up in. They use things like personal hand held devices that have some of the same computing powers as the computers that I grew up learning on. It is important to remember that a student’s superior knowledge in technology resources is not something to be intimidated by, but is a resource to be utilized.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Be Kind...Rewind...
Remember the Human:
Sooo, important. I don’t know if it is the anonymity and the lack of consequences (or perception of) that leads some people to write and post some of the things that they do. Without having to looks someone square in the eye, or be in a room filled with people, and say some of the things that we (and I’m using the royal ‘we’ here) write, people have become a lot more courageous. Or so it would seem. But the moment you get those very same people eye to eye or in front of that room, they will become very timid and hold their tongue. So we need to remember, unless we are willing to stand up in a room full of people to say something….don’t say it.
Make yourself look good online:
This is pretty much common sense. Use proper punctuation, spelling, grammar. Write complete sentences, unlike these. But when people are communicating with one and other with no prior knowledge of each other, and no physical contact, then all we have to determine if the information someone is providing is valid is the way in which things are written.
Be forgiving of others mistakes:
There is no need to tear someone down for minor mistakes they have made. Be kind. The golden rule does still apply. If you have issue with something a person has written, then make a clear, logical, well thought out argument. Be intelligent about it…and not just mean.
Sooo, important. I don’t know if it is the anonymity and the lack of consequences (or perception of) that leads some people to write and post some of the things that they do. Without having to looks someone square in the eye, or be in a room filled with people, and say some of the things that we (and I’m using the royal ‘we’ here) write, people have become a lot more courageous. Or so it would seem. But the moment you get those very same people eye to eye or in front of that room, they will become very timid and hold their tongue. So we need to remember, unless we are willing to stand up in a room full of people to say something….don’t say it.
Make yourself look good online:
This is pretty much common sense. Use proper punctuation, spelling, grammar. Write complete sentences, unlike these. But when people are communicating with one and other with no prior knowledge of each other, and no physical contact, then all we have to determine if the information someone is providing is valid is the way in which things are written.
Be forgiving of others mistakes:
There is no need to tear someone down for minor mistakes they have made. Be kind. The golden rule does still apply. If you have issue with something a person has written, then make a clear, logical, well thought out argument. Be intelligent about it…and not just mean.
Learning to Learn
The reading this week was especially fitting for me. I have been doing a lot of thinking lately about the way in which I learn and store information. I have decided that some of the things that I do have not worked all that well in the past. Although there have been no major revelations as of yet, I can admit that I have started to do some things differently.
Throughout my bachelor’s program, I went to a school that was much larger and didn’t have the personal contact with the professors that CSUSM has. And even though there were sections, with smaller group sizes, I was still very resigned to being quite, keeping my head down, not asking a lot of questions, and studying on my own. In the four years that I have been out of that program, I learned that method of learning did not work very well for me. I do much better when I am engaging and engaged. Because of this, I have made it a point to be much more outgoing this time around.
So far so good, as I feel I am already getting much more out of my classes. This article talks a bit about learning strategies and using technology to help alter preexisting conceptions. And although I cannot directly use technology to be more outgoing, it has helped me in other ways. Mainly to do with organization skills. Learning how to learn is one of the most important skills a person can posses, and if technology can assist in that, then it is very important to use it regularly.
Throughout my bachelor’s program, I went to a school that was much larger and didn’t have the personal contact with the professors that CSUSM has. And even though there were sections, with smaller group sizes, I was still very resigned to being quite, keeping my head down, not asking a lot of questions, and studying on my own. In the four years that I have been out of that program, I learned that method of learning did not work very well for me. I do much better when I am engaging and engaged. Because of this, I have made it a point to be much more outgoing this time around.
So far so good, as I feel I am already getting much more out of my classes. This article talks a bit about learning strategies and using technology to help alter preexisting conceptions. And although I cannot directly use technology to be more outgoing, it has helped me in other ways. Mainly to do with organization skills. Learning how to learn is one of the most important skills a person can posses, and if technology can assist in that, then it is very important to use it regularly.
Search and ye shall find...
Internet search tools are some of the most important skills that I have learned. In order to efficiently search for certain subject areas, facts, tools, and just about anything else on the web, it is absolutely imperative to learn how to narrow down the options.
I have spent hours before looking up information, in the end to come away with nothing. It can be one of the most frustrating and time consuming exercises to search for information that you know is out there, but because you are not entering the key words properly, the info will not show up.
What we tend to forget is that the computer is not a human being. These machines are not the ones in control. We are. They do what we say, and when we say it. Maybe that is what is so frustrating. The fact that as humans we need to learn how to speak this new language that is so eerily similar to the language we speak to one an other, but has so many different meanings and can produce such varied results is why we want to throw these things out the second floor window of the library sometimes. Not that I advocate that, or have ever experienced that….I’m just saying.
It’s ironic that in order to utilize the tools that are available, one must search for those very same tools to become proficient. That’s why this class has become such a valuable resource, it is there for us, and all we have to do are the assignments.
I have spent hours before looking up information, in the end to come away with nothing. It can be one of the most frustrating and time consuming exercises to search for information that you know is out there, but because you are not entering the key words properly, the info will not show up.
What we tend to forget is that the computer is not a human being. These machines are not the ones in control. We are. They do what we say, and when we say it. Maybe that is what is so frustrating. The fact that as humans we need to learn how to speak this new language that is so eerily similar to the language we speak to one an other, but has so many different meanings and can produce such varied results is why we want to throw these things out the second floor window of the library sometimes. Not that I advocate that, or have ever experienced that….I’m just saying.
It’s ironic that in order to utilize the tools that are available, one must search for those very same tools to become proficient. That’s why this class has become such a valuable resource, it is there for us, and all we have to do are the assignments.
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