Teaching Technology to Kindergarteners
"Brad Flickinger has been an elementary, middle, and high school teacher, as well as the director of technology which gives him a perspective of teaching all ages of students and what it is like at both the classroom and district levels. He focuses his experiences on designing technology curriculum for students from kindergarten to 5th grade." (Brad's website)
In this podcast, Brad discussed what he teaches his kindergartners in technology class. He feels that although some schools do not allow younger elementary students in the computer lab, the younger the better to get the students learning 21st century skills. Brad begins the school year by teaching the rules of the computer - turning it on and off, naming parts of the computer (mouse, monitor, etc). Once that is taken care of, students practice keyboarding (Typing Tots) . One struggle Brad finds is gtting the students used to the idea of using the computer as a tool and not as a game to play on. Another application he uses in the lab is a drawing application called Pixie.
Finally, at the end of class, the one and only website the students are allowed to visit is PBS Kids . This is a great educational site for kids.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Challenge Based Learning Reflection
Challenge Based Learning
CBL in a video
As a class we did Challenge Based Learning project but I do not feel it represented what would happen in a real classroom. Our groups were fellow students that we did not know previously and we only had one week to prepare. In the end, I think our presentation was mediocre. I think if I could have presented a project to the class from those I created during this semester, this would have been my last choice.
That being said, Challenge Based Learning can integrate several learning goals in one ongoing lesson by solving a real life problem involving students of all learning levels. This strategy is beneficial for teachers struggling to meet the multitude of standards while keeping her class meaningful.
CBL in a video
As a class we did Challenge Based Learning project but I do not feel it represented what would happen in a real classroom. Our groups were fellow students that we did not know previously and we only had one week to prepare. In the end, I think our presentation was mediocre. I think if I could have presented a project to the class from those I created during this semester, this would have been my last choice.
That being said, Challenge Based Learning can integrate several learning goals in one ongoing lesson by solving a real life problem involving students of all learning levels. This strategy is beneficial for teachers struggling to meet the multitude of standards while keeping her class meaningful.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Podcast Reflection #11 Classroom 2.0 Moodle Mayhem
Moodle Mayhem
Show Hosts: Kim Caise and Peggy George with Lorna Costantini
Special Guests: Miguel Guhlin and Diana Benner
Participants around the world in this Live discussion were polled if they they had ever participated in a Moodle course. 51% had. 50% had created a Moodle course before. 45% of the participant's schools used Moodle as their Learning Management System.
Diana Benner is a co-founder for the Moodle Mayhem website. Miguel Guhlin defines "What is Moodle and 'Moodle Mayhem" as a way for people to connect during campus meetings online so people would not have to drive across town. It is a way to create a virtual classroom online that can facilitate professional learning online in an engaging way. Moodle Mayhem is a sharing community for all things Moodle.
Some extras thoughts on Moodle -
If you want to do a Moodle get district support and work closely with technical support or have a Moodle Partner
Can be used for a variety of settings - businesses (staff development)
Can be small with one teacher and a few students or much bigger than that
This Podcast is pretty long and detailed. Miguel and Diana share Planning Stages and Guidelines for creating a Moodle. If you don't have the time to listen to the podcast, there are several links suggested on the Classroom 2.0 site about Moodle.
Show Hosts: Kim Caise and Peggy George with Lorna Costantini
Special Guests: Miguel Guhlin and Diana Benner
Participants around the world in this Live discussion were polled if they they had ever participated in a Moodle course. 51% had. 50% had created a Moodle course before. 45% of the participant's schools used Moodle as their Learning Management System.
Diana Benner is a co-founder for the Moodle Mayhem website. Miguel Guhlin defines "What is Moodle and 'Moodle Mayhem" as a way for people to connect during campus meetings online so people would not have to drive across town. It is a way to create a virtual classroom online that can facilitate professional learning online in an engaging way. Moodle Mayhem is a sharing community for all things Moodle.
Some extras thoughts on Moodle -
If you want to do a Moodle get district support and work closely with technical support or have a Moodle Partner
Can be used for a variety of settings - businesses (staff development)
Can be small with one teacher and a few students or much bigger than that
This Podcast is pretty long and detailed. Miguel and Diana share Planning Stages and Guidelines for creating a Moodle. If you don't have the time to listen to the podcast, there are several links suggested on the Classroom 2.0 site about Moodle.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Podcast Reflection # 10 ETT21 #148: 1:1 iPads with Peter Smith
Peter Smith, Middle School Head at St. Andrews School in Savannah, Georgia discusses his schools 1:1 iPad program.
St. Andrews School
Technology at St. Andrews
The school uses the iPads as textbooks, as an organizer, for individualized curriculum, apps, tech shares for teachers, emailing assignments to teachers with quick turn around, and creates lighter backpacks. iPads are owned by the schools with classroom sets in the classroom but middle school and up are allowed to take them out very similar to a library book. Still have laptop carts for things iPad can not do.
Some of the few things that Peter Smith has learned through this process are:
1 - The discovery model is very important - not sure where it will lead but we will find our way together.
2 - There is a challenge with the distribution to students
3 - Teacher professional development. There are benefits to giving iPads to teachers to take home and explore and find problems to share with one another.
I am curious as to whether Apple gives schools a discount for this technology?
St. Andrews School
Technology at St. Andrews
The school uses the iPads as textbooks, as an organizer, for individualized curriculum, apps, tech shares for teachers, emailing assignments to teachers with quick turn around, and creates lighter backpacks. iPads are owned by the schools with classroom sets in the classroom but middle school and up are allowed to take them out very similar to a library book. Still have laptop carts for things iPad can not do.
Some of the few things that Peter Smith has learned through this process are:
1 - The discovery model is very important - not sure where it will lead but we will find our way together.
2 - There is a challenge with the distribution to students
3 - Teacher professional development. There are benefits to giving iPads to teachers to take home and explore and find problems to share with one another.
I am curious as to whether Apple gives schools a discount for this technology?
Podcast Reflection #9 Ed Tech Talk Conversations Episode 95 March 21, 2011
Maria, Lisa and Sheila discussed the topic the UDL (universal design learning) approach to learning and how it can help us accept differences among behavior, both social and academic. UDL gives the students the tools, comfort, conversation, and help they need to meet with success without dumbing down the curriculum. It gives students alternative ways to demonstrate their knowledge and learn through use of video, audio, reading alone or with others.
Lisa discussed the merits of rules. Why do we have arbitrary rules? What are these rules in place for? It is important to explain why a rule was in place to begin with so that the issue doesn't become a problem. A good classroom rule would be -
"Anything goes as long as it is not disruptive to yourself or others."
Hats
Gum/candy - sucking on candy stimulates the brain
Music
Snacks - allowed to eat all day but not share or with crunchy bag
These rule breakers may need permission from the principal and parents and may only be broken in class.
Lisa discussed the merits of rules. Why do we have arbitrary rules? What are these rules in place for? It is important to explain why a rule was in place to begin with so that the issue doesn't become a problem. A good classroom rule would be -
"Anything goes as long as it is not disruptive to yourself or others."
Hats
Gum/candy - sucking on candy stimulates the brain
Music
Snacks - allowed to eat all day but not share or with crunchy bag
These rule breakers may need permission from the principal and parents and may only be broken in class.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)