- Download the template for this interactive whiteboard lesson: Jeopardy Wheel
- Create a lesson to prep for the HSPA (Standardized test that requires a passing grade to graduate high school).
- Creative writing (picture prompt) is part of the English section of the exam
- On the notches of the wheel are creative titles (that can be somewhat misleading). Representing the game show on GSN the $25,000 Pyramid where the titles aren’t exactly what the phrases are related to
- Spin the wheel. Whatever notch it lands on – click on it. When you click on it a picture comes up.
- It is the student’s challenge and lesson to write a short story picture prompt on this photo. They have approximately 20 minutes – keeping in mind – it is a short story!
- About two of these should be able to be completed in a class session
PLN
PLN (Personal Learning Network)
- Find a way to connect with other teachers, exchange ideas, write blogs, etc.
- www.teachingvillage.org
- There is a wordpress blog also for some help
- http://onlinelearninginsights.wordpress.com/2013/01/22/how-to-create-a-robust-and-meaningful-personal-learning-network-pln/
- Within this blog teachers are able to meet teachers from across the world, establish connections, and have meaningful discussions
- Take part in a massive open online course
Obesity & Technology
There have been several devices that come out to aid in the stop of childhood obesity. One of the major ones is the Wii Fit, which combines video games (which all children love) and physical activity. For example, in a race, the person must actually run in place to get the person to move on the screen. The Wii Fit also comes with a scale and monitors your activity. Apps for the iPhone and other smart phones for nutrition, calorie counting, motivational sayings, etc. you name it and the chances of it being available are likely. Parents play a large role in monitoring their children’s activities. None of these technologies that can help the obesity issue will work if the parent’s are not involved.
Music Lessons
I would suggest copying the file onto a CD that can be played on a computer, in the car, or in a stereo (not everyone can afford an iPod). The students need to use some class time to communicate, and maybe even meet up after school with parents providing transportation to another child’s house. To display their final musical outcome, the students can either perform it in front of the class, or if they have access to a studio, record and make their own CD or MP3 copies.
STEM
1. Technological integration strategies in teacher-directed instruction only extend to power-point presentations or using a home or library computer for research. A calculator is one of the main tools in mathematics. I would find it extremely hard to take a math class online with no instruction, its basically a “fend for yourself” type of situation.
2. Scientific labs such as dissection or the mixture of chemicals via test tubes or a bunson burner are impossible to accomplish via virtual instruction. Smells especially cannot be duplicated through a computer.
Using Google in a Lesson
Using Google in a lesson: Google Scholar
- The lesson will be on creative writing, picture prompts, etc. (Things currently on a standardized test)
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Use Google Scholar to research creative writing techniques, its advantages, and why it is important. Here are some examples:
- http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=Sp_wuhe8QTkC&oi=fnd&pg=PA9&dq=creative+writing&ots=Mf1G19UenH&sig=uBsty6Wgy9n6IPpWlOJU35uouVk#v=onepage&q=creative%20writing&f=false
- http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=wNpfs-bLxiwC&oi=fnd&pg=PA8&dq=creative+writing+techniques&ots=ff44fWsBSK&sig=wmAv1WE16_fMv2tbhdBYh67bCwo#v=onepage&q=creative%20writing%20techniques&f=false
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Give this website a try, it’s actually a UK website, it is a generator that can be useful if you are still stuck on starting a paper.
- Taking all this information, give a try at writing the most outrageous (but still has a story line) and creative story that you can draw up.
The History Wars
1. Technology is extremely important in gaining other perspectives regarding history. In World Literature we read “Distant View of a Minaret” by Alifa Rifaat. She grew up, and the story takes place in, Egypt. She definitely comes off as a feminist in her writings and often has negative things to say regarding the men in that culture. To really gain an understanding, I had to research articles by other men and women in Egypt. This opened my eyes, more than any teacher lecture could have accomplished. For that class we did an annotated bibliography, something that could be very helpful to students to do as an assignment. Of course, historians like to believe that they know everything but that just is not possible and it is true that almost anyone can write something on the internet, which causes the need for the use of reliable sources.
3. Google has images, which can play a major role in the teaching of a certain culture’s history, While some students are audible learners some are visual learners. Putting the two together can assist in creating a great lesson. There are some videos, especially on youtube, of culture dances and walks through the villages.
Learning a second language
1. Bilingual teachers are available, but budget constraints make it difficult for schools to hire them primarily to teach a language class. To make it easier for the budget, they need to hire for example a math teacher who is also bilingual and certified to teach a language class, therefore splitting the classes up. This of course however, would have to result in higher pay for that teacher. The Rosetta Stone has been credited the easiest and fastest way to learn a language, however that program costs about $700 and schools cannot afford a program for each individual student. However, buying this program for a single (already employed by the district) teacher, and paying to have them certified could be a better option for the schools. The translators online are not very helpful and can’t identify slang and most prepositions.
2. The best thing a teacher can do to feel helpful to their students who speak another language is to do a homework activity where the parents (who hopefully speak some English) can write down where they come from and their culture so the teacher can do some research to change their teaching style for that student. Many of these students find it hard to make friends, but if there is a student who speaks the same language it may be easier for the teacher to communicate with both of them and the two students can do activities at home together.
Issues
1. In her article, Wohlwend says schools are “clamping down” in regards to being open-minded about bringing new technologies into the classroom. She means that schools are often scared to reinvent their entire learning plan around new literacies that may or may not be helpful to the students. However, if the school never “ramps up” in the use of these new literacies they could face falling behind in new learning styles. This may include using devices or practices that currently the school policy deems as inappropriate. The most legitimate reasoning for this happening is the increased use of cheating, and what is most terrifying, grade inflation. Cell phones and computers during a test time do in fact increase the likelihood of students cheating. To “ramp up” the schools need to take risks in implementing new policies, if they don’t work, they can simply change the rules back to what they were. However some parents will disagree and feel that this is not beneficial for their child. The school has to be ready to explain their intentions and goals. Here are some articles regarding schools “clamping down”.
http://www.sanduskyregister.com/article/445871
http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/june01/2001-06-11-cheaters-sidebar.htm
2. I feel that traditional reading and writing literacy is more important than digital literacy. This goes the same for learning mathematical problems by hand rather than by calculator, when it comes time for a standardized test and those items are not available the student will feel lost. This same thing happened to me, my middle school teachers taught us by calculator claiming that in high school we need to know this stuff, when in reality using that calculator landed me in remedial math classes until I could get the “working out the problem” down. If word is always “spellchecking” your sentences and spellings, what will the student ever learn? When an essay needs to be hand written and turned in the student will do poorly. Law makers should first consider standardized tests and the limited use of technology (the calculator to be exact) to work out the problems. Creative writing shouldn’t be titled “creative” if google is giving the students ideas to write about.
The role of the Internet
1. Learning at a distance
Pros
a) Learning in your preferred environment
b) picking any time to learn the lecture
c) assignments are usually due by midnight
Cons
a) if you don’t understand a topic, you must email the professor, then wait for his response in written format, sometimes the tone an answer is said in can assist in its explanation
b) it is easy to forget about it, as attendance isn’t necessarily taken
c) the depth of remembrance of what you have learned when the class ends
Learning in a physical location
Pros
a) one on one instruction
b) if you do not show up, your attendance and grades suffer – forcing you to attend class
c) it is easier to ask questions and get an immediate answer – from peers or the instructor
d) when taking a test, it is nearly impossible to pass it off as someone else’s answers
Cons
a) time must be made and cut from your schedule to attend class
b) assignments are due as soon as you walk in class
c) many times if a lecture is missed, the only thing you can obtain is a classmates notes
I agree with Bill Gates prediction that place-based activity in college will be five times less important than it is today. I believe that this revolves around the convenience of online classes. Many students, such as myself, do not have the opportunity to live at home and have their parents pay their tuition. This means that the student must juggle a full time job and being a full time student. It is very difficult to work a 40 hour week and find the motivation and time to drive to school and sit in class for two hours. Employers do not know whether these hours were in class or online, therefore the credits hold the same value. I believe that physical instruction is necessary for K-12 students. There is so much to learn in those early years and these children need direct instruction from educated professionals. As much as parents want to believe they know everything to help their child, it is best for them to attend school. This also builds their socialization skills. If attending school in high school was not required, nearly half of the students would not graduate.
2. The only role that I can see Facebook playing in education is the ability to have discussions with classmates on assignments, projects, etc. The last thing that parents, or even teachers, should want is the child to spend more time on Facebook. There are way too many distractions. I can’t begin to count how many times I’ve changed tabs from this blog to my Facebook page, putting me at least 20 minutes behind each time I do it. Facebook is available on phones, tablets, computers, iPods, etc. making it easier to students to cheat.
gabrielleven 