Alice is a software that enables students and teachers (and anyone else) to make games. In theory, this is a great concept. Teachers could use this to assess whether students are learning by requiring them to make games.
However, Alice, was extremely difficult to use. Even after consulting tutorials and instructions online, there were many functions we could not perform (such as making characters walk). I got very frustrated and, in the end, I was not able to make the game I wanted to. I would feel uncomfortable making my students use this tool to reflect and reinforce the material we learned in class. The software is too complicated and too time-consuming for my elementary students to use effectively. And as a teacher I do not feel that I could use this tool well because of the time it would take to make a simple, thirty second story. It would be easier to find another method to teach material, in my opinion.
Monday, November 11, 2013
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Education Societies- NAEYC
If I were to join an education society, I would most likely join the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Since I want to be an elementary school teacher, this would probably be the best society for me to belong to. Their mission is to improve the education of young children and improving the educational system for these young students.
Members of the NAEYC receive discounts on education material to improve their pedagogy. They also can receive discounted insurance for their cars and for "professional liability." Most important though, membership allows teachers to build networks and meet other teachers and administrators. This enables teachers to improve their teaching and have influence in their local education systems.
To learn more about the NAEYC, visit their website at: http://www.naeyc.org/
Members of the NAEYC receive discounts on education material to improve their pedagogy. They also can receive discounted insurance for their cars and for "professional liability." Most important though, membership allows teachers to build networks and meet other teachers and administrators. This enables teachers to improve their teaching and have influence in their local education systems.
To learn more about the NAEYC, visit their website at: http://www.naeyc.org/
Monday, October 21, 2013
Written vs. Verbal Feedback
Feedback is essential in education, but how should feedback be given? It is now becoming more common for feedback to be less about grades and more about giving comments and suggestions on completed work. There are two ways these comments/suggestions can be given: written and verbally.
Written feedback is feedback given in the written form. A student can receive it and look at it over and over again as needed. While it is beneficial to be able to go back and review feedback at a later date, written feedback may be unclear at times. The student cannot ask questions or request clarification. They get what the teacher gives and, if they want more information, they will have to seek it later.
Verbal feedback gives the opportunity for conversation between teacher and student. Questions can be asked and clarification can be given immediately. However, the student cannot return to the comments at a later date, and the feedback given may not be as thought out as written feedback because of the fast-paced nature of conversations.
Personally, I like written feedback more. I enjoy being able to return to comments later so I can know what to improve on before starting a new assignment. And if I need clarification or have a question, I can always approach the teacher and ask. This can help students learn to take charge of their own learning by making sure they take the initiative and seek clarification if needed.
Written feedback is feedback given in the written form. A student can receive it and look at it over and over again as needed. While it is beneficial to be able to go back and review feedback at a later date, written feedback may be unclear at times. The student cannot ask questions or request clarification. They get what the teacher gives and, if they want more information, they will have to seek it later.
Verbal feedback gives the opportunity for conversation between teacher and student. Questions can be asked and clarification can be given immediately. However, the student cannot return to the comments at a later date, and the feedback given may not be as thought out as written feedback because of the fast-paced nature of conversations.
Personally, I like written feedback more. I enjoy being able to return to comments later so I can know what to improve on before starting a new assignment. And if I need clarification or have a question, I can always approach the teacher and ask. This can help students learn to take charge of their own learning by making sure they take the initiative and seek clarification if needed.
Monday, September 30, 2013
Multiple Intelligences
My top three multiple intelligences were: linguistic, musical, and intrapersonal. I felt that these intelligences fit well with how I learn and what I enjoy doing. If everyone who takes the test feels that their intelligences fit them appropriately, then this could be a great tool for educators when forming lesson plans.
Multiple intelligences is an interesting concept because it is based on the idea that we are all individuals- and we all learn differently. And it seems this theory can be supported by the data taken from our class. Some think more logically while some think more visually, etc., and no one "scored" the same as anyone else. As long as the data is correct, it can be seen that everyone has different strengths (and weaknesses).
With this in mind, I think it is important for teachers to consider teaching in different ways. This way, educators can appeal to everyone's strengths- helping their students understand the material better. Because everyone can learn through each of these intelligences, there is no need to worry about only teaching to one intelligence- all can (and should) be used in the classroom.
Multiple intelligences is an interesting concept because it is based on the idea that we are all individuals- and we all learn differently. And it seems this theory can be supported by the data taken from our class. Some think more logically while some think more visually, etc., and no one "scored" the same as anyone else. As long as the data is correct, it can be seen that everyone has different strengths (and weaknesses).
With this in mind, I think it is important for teachers to consider teaching in different ways. This way, educators can appeal to everyone's strengths- helping their students understand the material better. Because everyone can learn through each of these intelligences, there is no need to worry about only teaching to one intelligence- all can (and should) be used in the classroom.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
There's More to Blogs Than Meets the Eye
Like I said before, blogs can be used in a large variety of ways. But the first thing most people think about when they think of blogs is writing. Blogs can teach about more than just writing, however. In fact, because the writing component is unavoidable, it would probably be beneficial to try to teach other lessons through blogs (especially for elementary teachers who have to teach several subjects to the same set of students).
Through blog/journal reflection, I could pose questions or problems for students to solve. For example, if I was asking students to reflect on math concepts we learned during class for the week, I could present a word problem for students to solve somewhere in their blog post. This would encourage creativity and problem-solving in my students.
Another option is to require students to reflect through podcasts or vodcasts. These tools require planning and, if working in a group, collaboration. It is really difficult to teach students how to work together. Giving students a fun project will encourage them to work together because they WANT to produce something of good quality to share with the class, and possibly the world.
Through blog/journal reflection, I could pose questions or problems for students to solve. For example, if I was asking students to reflect on math concepts we learned during class for the week, I could present a word problem for students to solve somewhere in their blog post. This would encourage creativity and problem-solving in my students.
Another option is to require students to reflect through podcasts or vodcasts. These tools require planning and, if working in a group, collaboration. It is really difficult to teach students how to work together. Giving students a fun project will encourage them to work together because they WANT to produce something of good quality to share with the class, and possibly the world.
Monday, September 9, 2013
Blogs in the Classroom
This will be my first blog- ever. It was pretty easy to set up, but I'll have to keep learning as I go, so don't judge me too hard!
There are many ways blogs can be incorporated into the classroom. This is because blogs can be used in a variety of ways. To me, blogs could work as journal entries or reflections for students, but because the blog can (and will) be read by others, students will take the assignment more seriously.
In my future classroom, I would use blogging to monitor students' understanding of readings or material we covered by having them summarize what they read and answer questions I have provided ahead of time. Then, students could read each other's blogs and comment/ask questions. In fact, I would make sure that students post at some regular interval and comment on at least two or three other students' blogs as well.
My learning goals for the use of blogs would be not only to learn how to use a blog and acquire basic computer skills, but to learn how to reflect on material and have academic discussions with their classmates.
To see whether my students were meeting these goals, I would monitor their improvements over time. I realize that the first couple blogs and comments would probably be rough, but over time I would expect improvements in writing skills, reflection, and discussion. Are my students asking questions? Are they relating personal experiences to information they gained in class? The more personal a student can make their education and their new knowledge, the more I will know that they have been thinking about, and understanding, the material- not just knowing it.
There are many ways blogs can be incorporated into the classroom. This is because blogs can be used in a variety of ways. To me, blogs could work as journal entries or reflections for students, but because the blog can (and will) be read by others, students will take the assignment more seriously.
In my future classroom, I would use blogging to monitor students' understanding of readings or material we covered by having them summarize what they read and answer questions I have provided ahead of time. Then, students could read each other's blogs and comment/ask questions. In fact, I would make sure that students post at some regular interval and comment on at least two or three other students' blogs as well.
My learning goals for the use of blogs would be not only to learn how to use a blog and acquire basic computer skills, but to learn how to reflect on material and have academic discussions with their classmates.
To see whether my students were meeting these goals, I would monitor their improvements over time. I realize that the first couple blogs and comments would probably be rough, but over time I would expect improvements in writing skills, reflection, and discussion. Are my students asking questions? Are they relating personal experiences to information they gained in class? The more personal a student can make their education and their new knowledge, the more I will know that they have been thinking about, and understanding, the material- not just knowing it.
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