Thursday, May 27, 2010

Video Reflections 7

I liked the lesson. I liked how the teacher used the metronome to make sure that the students were all stepping together. It was nice to see forms of technology other than a computer. I think that having the students create their own charts by hand still assesses their ability to graph, understand, and compare data. A computer is not necessary to make a chart or graph, it is just neater. The kids seemed to have enjoyed the lesson. The students liked stepping together and they liked having the ability to move and create data that is personal to them. the meanings behind lessons are always stronger when students can make a personal connection with them.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Video Reflections 6

The video had both aspects that are true for my life and not true for my life. I don't bring my laptop to class unless I have to. I do not want to be tempted to mess around on the computer during class. I prefer to write notes, I learn better that way. I agree with the second video. There is so much technology out there that students should be encouraged to learn. Most students love technology and would be more engaged by learning through technology. I have never really been a fan of technology until college. However, I feel that the old ways of doing things will get lost. For example, Northern no longer offers a film photography class, everything is now digital. We lost that art. Technology should be added on to teaching, but not replace the old ways. I feel like the old ways should be taught so that students can appreciate how far we have come.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Video Reflections 5

I really enjoyed this video. The internet can be a useful tool, but can remove us from the real world. I like the internet for some aspects, but ultimately it is a form of instant gratification. The internet makes us lazy people. Instead of doing the research ourselves, we borrow the works of others. Many people loose their true identity in the realm of the web world. I am a big fan of skype and it's ability to allow us to communicate through video with people across the world. Email is something I check several times a day. I communicate with my professors, co-workers, and family members via email. Unfortunately, I receive about ten times more spam than I do emails. I am guilty of using facebook as well. I talk to my friends over facebook chat and keep up with people I haven't seen since high school. I utilize the internet a lot in college, even if it is for procrastination (facebook). My fear is that we will loose our abilities to think and act creatively by borrowing the works of others.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Video Reflections 4

This software is a bit dated. I prefer to use photoshop. As a future art teacher, I wouldn't consider that particular assignment a photo collage, I would consider it more of a scrapbook page. If we have the resources, I will definitely include photo technology and software within my classroom. I took an electronic imaging class last semester and loved it. I feel that it is important for students to learn about technology and its capabilities to represent one's conceptual ideas. Technology is a great way to engage students' attentions and apply real-world skills within the classroom.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Video Reflections 3

The teacher uses music played through the computer to correspond with the four seasons. I love KWL charts! The teacher also uses video to further explore information about the four seasons. The students are to use the internet to research and collect data on the climate of their region. The teacher seemed to do most of the navigation on the internet. The students could have had more opportunities to use the internet. There weren't a lot of use of spreadsheets. The students could have used spreadsheets to organize their data. I would have liked to have seen the students use technology to collect their own data over a period of time through a weather station. The students could have been taught more about where the data comes from (besides the internet). The students should know how the data is collected and learn of the many different variables of the climate.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Video Reflections 2

By using computers to simulate an economic situation is a very hands-on and practical way of teaching students about several economic aspects. The students must maintain their own website, use spreadsheets, and use the program on the computers to make real-world connections to the economy. The strengths are that the students must use several forms of technology to learn and display their knowledge. There were not many students in the class in the video, I feel that if this project were to be assigned in a class of 30 students, some students would get confused, some computers would be slower than others, and the teacher would have to spend more time with each student on a one-on-one basis. The lesson could have included how to get a business started. Businesses don't just appear out of thin air. The lesson could have addressed wages and bills that a business would have, along with minimum wage and employment rates of the general public. By having long term and short term goals, the students will think about their business in a more serious, real-life, on-going manner.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Video Reflections

I feel that it is necessary for the students to be able to check the weather online. I like the idea of the students broadcasting to the school. The students involved learn a lot through a hands-on process. By creating a broadcast, the students are able to connect their experience to a real-world situation. The students also learn how to work together and learn several different types of technologies. Typing, internet skills, filming, editing, public speaking, responsibility, and presentation skills are a few of the skills the students learn from these broadcasts. The cameras were a little dated but are used in similar ways. The students teach each other. The teacher plays a very small role in the classroom. The students involved with the broadcasts are distributing information for the other students.