Here are discussion questions for Week 2, 3 and 4. You can pick any one of these questions to start with and hopefully others will follow (to response, to comment). Please participate actively and post as much as you can. A minimum of 1 post is required by the end of Week 3. For how-tos please check the updated Project 4 Blog at http://edu315.wikispaces.com/Project+4+Blog
Q1. One of the National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) for teachers is to Model Digital-Age Work and Learning. Can you describe an example activity or scenario that shows you are a teacher who can apply your digital knowledge and skills in a school/classroom setting? (From Reading 2.1)
Q2. Prensky (2001) argued about the distinction between digital natives and digital immigrants and about the fundamental causes of the decline of today’s education in the US. What do these arguments mean to you as a teacher candidate? (From Reading 3.5)
Q3. Educators are talking about Web 2.0 and its potentials in education. What do YOU think Web 2.0 is? Try a one-sentence definition in your own words (Reading 3.1, 3.3, 4.2, 4.3). Can you give one example of its potential use in an elementary or a middle school classroom? (From Reading 4.1)
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Q1. One example of a scenario I could my digital skills would be showing pictures to the class via an iMovie, or a Windows Movie Maker. For example:
ReplyDeleteDoing a lesson on Mexico, one way would be to create a slideshow of pictures and click through each picture while talking on each slide. The more digitally advanced way would be to take those pictures and put them into an iMovie. You can create an ongoing movie, and include things such as voiceovers and music in the background. Students could find this much more interesting than sitting through a slideshow while listening to the teacher lecture about that subject.
Question 2: This article posed the question "Should Digital Natives learn the old ways or should the Digital Immigrant Educators learn the new?" I believe that the "Immigrant' Educators should learn the new. As a teacher candidate I think it is extremely important that I have the knowledge and ability to use new technologies to engage students with. I think technology captivates children and they are more willing to learn if they are interested. Hopefully school districts are looking for new teachers who have technological abilities. It seems that we will be learning how to teach constructive and inquiry based lessons, and I think technology correlates well into that teaching style.
ReplyDeleteGood job, ClayClayOhSev and Jessica Lasda! ClayClayOhSev projects a practical and authentic example while Jessica made her point.
ReplyDeleteCome on and say something here, folk! You do not have to surprise the world ;-). You can give examples, or quote from the readings to support or to take an opposing position. Be proactive - you can assume the role of devil's advocate.
Q.2 I agree with the article on Digital Natives and Digital Immigrants because teachers need to be prepared in how to best teach their students. How can we expect children to learn if we are not up to date in the ways that they will learn best? Children are extremely technologically advanced today and that means that their teachers need to do their work in order to best educate them. I agree with Jessica, in that technology is what is engaging children.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Prensky that one of the biggest problems in education is the fact that digital immigrant instuctors speak an outdated language compaired to the digital native. It is a very big problem with the studnets want to learn with techonolgy, and the teachers do not know how to use that technology. As a teacher candidate i find it to be very important to know the digitals natives language. In order to keep my students interested in learning it is important for my computer skills to be just as good if not better then theres. This will allow me to teach my studnts in the way they would like to be taught, and i will be able to engage them.
ReplyDeleteKrisi and Lisa's posts tried to refer back to the article - good try - that's the right direction to go!
ReplyDeleteKristi tried to be interactive by referring to Jessica's. Good job.
Q1. ClayClayOhSev, I like the iMovie idea! I think a neat idea would be to take pictures of a class project each week and create an iMovie with the students explaining the project. Then posting it on a class website so parents could see what their children were working on. This would also be a different way to reinforce the lesson for the students.
ReplyDeleteQ3. The best way that I can describe web 2.0 in one sentence is to say that it develops a new inquiry, navigation, and a new form of literacy and knowledge skills that is controlled by many. This can be seen in the classroom through things such as wikis and blogs. Take for example a middle school classroom setting. A blog can be set up for any subject and focused on any content area that the teacher wants. A Social Studies teacher can easily set up a blog about world history and have the students discuss what they have learned and hold to be true, allowing them to express their knowledge and learn new things from their peers as well. Having the freedom to change web-site content is an extraordinary feature that opens up the world of education to new heights. It’s this feature of web 2.0 that makes it a wonderful learning tool, not only in the classroom but outside as well.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jessica about the digital immigrants and educators learning the new technology. If your students are technologically efficient then I believe you as a teacher candidate and educator should be too. If technology is used appropriately, interactively and with guidance, then it can become tools for the development of higher order thinking. Teachers can use technology to give more colorful and stimulating lectures, stimulate and develop writing skills, allow for all kinds of research, etc.
ReplyDeleteAs a new teacher candidate it is important to have all the necessary tools to teach children in the ways that they learn. Just as I will have to learn new ways to differentiate lesson plans for different level learners using technology to teach will be another way to differentiate to help all of my students. This article really made it hit home that the curriculum I am handed on my first day of teaching most likely will not include ways to bring technology into the classroom and that it will be my responsibility to my students.
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ReplyDeleteI agree with both kristi and jessica. I liked how kristi said that children today are more technologically advanced. I feel like there are alot of students in elementary schools today that know more about technology than their teachers. I also agree with Jessica said because I feel that as a future teacher, I should be knowledgeable on all new technology so that I can use it to fully captivate my students so that they can learn and retain as much as possible. Children love technology, and I feel that using it in the classroom is a great way to make learning fun. I feel that I will be an effective teacher because I have grown up to become a digital native and I think that our generation will be the first true generation of digital native teachers.
Q1. ClayClayOhSev, I think the movie idea is really great! Margie, I also really liked your idea of posting the video onto a website. In addition to posting movies for the students and parents to reflect on the school day, I think it would be beneficial for students, parents, and the teacher to set up a website which could contain the homework for the night, important information, and the general schedule of activities planned for the month. In addition to the movies, I believe setting up a website would be another way to satisfy the NETS in which “it is important for teachers to communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers.”
ReplyDeleteI think that it is very important for teachers to apply their digital knowlegde and skills in the classroom today because children use technology everyday and that is how they learn. After viewing the YouTube video in class this idea was reinforced and students voiced their opinion about wanting to use technology in the classroom and use things that apply to their life. I think the iMovie idea that was mentioned before is a great idea. There are many ways iMovie can be used in the classroom and it would be much more interesting and educational for students to watch movies that they have created instead of reading in a textbook or listening to a lecture. Incorporating the iMovie technology will also make the lessons more impactful for the students and they will remember them more.
ReplyDeleteI think kaitlyn's idea about creating a class website is a great idea. I know as a child I always forgot homework assignments and notes at home so having them be available online will help those forgetful people like me to be able to do there work on time. This website will also give parents a look to see what they are doing in the classroom. as Kari said children want to use technology, there generation has grown up on computers and more advanced learning activities and we should let them learn and expand their knowledge. Letting them use their digital knowledge by creating their own projects using imovie, youtube, and different microsoft office programs will let them be able to use their creativity and their growing skills
ReplyDeleteGood that we come up with a lot of application ideas. And that we make the discussion more interactive by referring to each other's posts/ideas. Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteWe can try to be more interactive - like assuming the role of devil's advocate - and dig the readings deeper?
Please also remember to put the Q# at the beginning of your post so we know your focus.
Q1 Kaitlyn i agree i think that is a great way to keep the parents involved with what their child is learning as well as away to connect with the teacher and have a way of communication. I think now that the world is becoming more based on technology it is important that teachers allow their students to use it to learn as well as create their own projects using it. Something the children could do at home with their parents could be a power point with voice slides on a topic that they are learning about throughout the year. This way the parents can learn more about technology as well and what the child is learning in school can be reinforced at home.
ReplyDeleteQ1. A way you can demonstrate this is using for example Microsoft Publisher to create class calendars for all the students and their parents/guardian so they understand what upcoming events will be going on within their class, you can also use this to make up brochure for classroom field trips, so the students and their parents/guardian can have a full idea of what will be going on.
ReplyDeleteQ2. While reading Prensky's article I could definitely relate the terms "digital native" and "digital immigrants" to today’s educational world. Much of the youth today can be considered “digital natives”, however when I read about some of the qualities that “digital immigrants” possess I felt I could strongly relate them to how my parents or teachers I have had in the past felt about technology. “Digital immigrants” have a very poor relationship with technology. They always are telling kids to get off the computer or saying things like “why do you need a cell phone anyway.” They fail to realize that technology has become a huge part of today’s youth. As the article stated kids spend a ton of time on the computer or cell phones, etc. So if children are so familiar with these things, why wouldn’t we encourage them to learn through them? I feel teachers and adults may often be intimidated or confused by the internet or computers because they have not been raised with computers and new technology. But in reality technology and computers play a huge role in our lives today. I feel since I am of a new generation, when I become a teacher I will feel more encouraged and comfortable to use all sorts of different technology in my classroom to teach my students. Students can relate better to things they are familiar with and enjoy so, why wouldn’t teachers use technology as a learning tool? I agree with what Kari said about how using technology in the classroom will have a greater impact on students and make things more memorable for them. Textbooks are important, but can become boring when that is all students learn from. When a student is engaged in something they are interested in such as a YouTube clip or an iMovie, they will be more likely to pay attention and actually understand things. This will make it easier for our students to learn.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 2: "Should Digital Natives learn the old ways or should the Digital Immigrant Educators learn the new?". I agree with Jessica in that Digital Immigrants should learn the technology that our Digital Natives have already acquired the knowledge for. As a teacher candidate I think that we must be up to date with the technology that is being used by all the students we are going to be teaching. It is something that the students will appreciate and take much interest in. In the reading they mention that students “have little patience for lectures, step-by-step logic, and “tell-test” instruction. That is why it is so hard for students to pay attention because we were brought up on fast speed with computers, cell phones, TV, everything is instant and fast pace. Yet in the classroom the teaching methods of the Digital Immigrants are not fun or interesting enough to compare to the newest technology that children are used to. So it would only benefit the Digital Immigrant as a teacher, to learn the new ways of technology to further the learning of the Digital Natives.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 3: What do you think web 2.0 is? I think that web 2.0 is a way of interacting using differnt web applications. A way that this could be used in the classroom is if a teacher formed a website for her class like a wiki website, it could allow the studetns to become better with online learnign and could also allow the studetns to communicate with the teacher and students in different ways. It would also allow them to possibly ask the teacher questions if they are at home doing homework and are having trouble with it. I think usng web 2.0 is a great thing to use in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteQ2: Alexandra, I can completely understand what you mean when you talk about how our generation is brought up on technology and parents should encourage their children to use it in their learning. I think it is so difficult for them to encourage their children to use it because they are unfamiliar with it and do not feel that they can be as involved with their child’s learning if they themselves are incapable of using the technology.
ReplyDeleteI also think that there are always so many negative things associated with technology these days (cyber bullying, inappropriate use of facebook, etc.) that it makes parents nervous about what their children may get into when using technology. I think it is important for parents to be informed of all the benefits of technology, and as you and Kari said, with technology learning can become a more exciting experience for all.
As a teacher canidate we need to engage our students with the technology but make sure the parents are engaged as well so they feel comfortable with their students schooling.
Q2. After reading Prensky's article about digital natives I feel that I as a teacher candidate can greatly benefit from it. Being aware that the students are learning with the use of technology can help in trying to accomdate each students learning style. It is very important for us as teacher candidates get educated and up to date on the technology that our students the "digital natives" are familiar with. I feel that if technology is what is engaging our students learning we should encourage the use of technology rather than refusing the let them use the technology that they are interested in, as long as it is aiding in their education.
ReplyDeleteMeaghan, I agree with you about how technology plays such an important role in the way that students learn. I also thought that it was interesting as a teacher candidate, that student's attention spans for the old way of learning had depleted. It's not that the students can't pay attention, the student CHOSE not to because they want to use technology to learn. Students no longer want to pay attention to the chalk board or do a worksheet at their desk. In order for these digital natives to learn they need to have technology in order to do so. Therefore, I agree with Meaghan again that it is better for students to learn with technology then not letting them use it. This is why it is important for teachers to be up to date with the modern technology so that we teachers can keep up with these digital natives and keep them intrigued in learning. Teachers need to be the ones to step up and learn the new information rather then having the students not use the equipment that they enjoy using.
ReplyDeleteSarah, you are right - students hate anything boring. Boring things don't catch our attention, and when we don't pay attention, we don't remember!
ReplyDeleteHow can we broaden the choices of technology that students have access to? What policies would give them a better chance to choose what they want?
Q1: Kaitlyn I agree with your idea of the class website too! I think a class website could include the notes from class that day, along with any movies, or pictures shown in class. I think there should also be a blog associated with the website so that students could post any questions they have with their homework or classwork, and then they could help eachother out, as well as showing the teacher how they tried to get help. Another idea that could be added to the website is a section for grades so that students and parents are not surprised when it is time for report cards.
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ReplyDeleteI agree with Ashley! Using Publisher is an easy way to make great projects for your classroom. I really like the ideas about making name tags or business cards. I also really thought using the newsletter feature was a great way to organize your thoughts and connect with parents. This allows teachers to communicate relevant information effectively with students and parents. Overall, Publisher has some great features that will help teachers to model digital age work.
Q1. I think Kaitlyn's idea of a class website is a great idea. I remember when i was younger i would forget my homework folder in school and i wouldn't have the worksheets to do the homework. With a class website you would be able to put worksheets up for the students to print out. Another idea could be to post podcasts that include information that may be on an upcoming tests. It would be a good way for students to review before a test. The website is a great way to keep the parents involved in their child's life, and it can make it easier to keep the kids on task.
ReplyDeleteQ2. I was also thinking of how technology will continue to change over our careers and how important it will be for us to remain flexible to new ideas.
ReplyDeleteI agree with a lot of the classmates in the fact that incorporating Microsoft Publisher and classroom website would be a great addition to the classroom. Having the students gain a better understanding of publisher can really help them in the future. There are great templates to use when creating flyers, resumes, calendars, class handouts and other great classroom tools. Having students learn how to use these application can really help them in the future when working on projects as well as applying for jobs!
ReplyDeleteQ. 3 Its a way for people to communicate with each other and use the internet in an interactive way. I think that it would be great for students to be interactive with the internet and each other.
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