This week in class we learned about distance education. We explored the website, GetEducated.com to discover more about distance education. We talked about the pros and cons to distance learning and compared it to getting a real degree in a classroom. We also had readings on gaming and what the values are of gaming, if there are any. I believe that the right games can help promote learning and makes learning fun at the same time.
The value of gaming is so great, I think, in the field of education. There are countless games in the market and on the internet that promote educational learning. For example, StarFall challenges children to complete sentences and increases their vocabulary. I intend on using games in the classroom as a teaching aid. I think that students will think the games are a fun way to learn. In the classroom I volunteered in last semester, the teacher had a certain time everyday for stations during the English instruction and one of the stations was a computer program that had multiple games to play to help with vocabulary, grammar, and spelling.
This YouTube clip shows how a racing game can help teach mechanical engineering topics to students. I chose this clip, because it shows how gaming can help educate people in such a wide range of subject area.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Open Source and Cloud Computing
This week in class we learned about open source and cloud computing. I did not know what cloud computing was until this class period, and now that I know, I realize it is such a useful source. Websites like googledocs can be used to open a document or piece of work to multiple users and editors. These programs are a means of connecting people and ideas, no matter the location. Programs, such as googledocs, are advancing the business world in communication and transctions.
Cloud computing and open source websites can be very helpful in the field of education, however, it seems to be increasingly useful in business. It allows for future teachers to organize his/her thoughts and then share them paperlessly. This allows teachers to share his/her ideas quickly and efficiently through the web. Also, if for example, a lesson plan needs to be edited, these websites can work wonders.
Below is a YouTube clip with a tutorial on how to use Google Docs if you are a teacher.
Cloud computing and open source websites can be very helpful in the field of education, however, it seems to be increasingly useful in business. It allows for future teachers to organize his/her thoughts and then share them paperlessly. This allows teachers to share his/her ideas quickly and efficiently through the web. Also, if for example, a lesson plan needs to be edited, these websites can work wonders.
Below is a YouTube clip with a tutorial on how to use Google Docs if you are a teacher.
Web Presence
This week in class we learned how to create a professional web presence. By using Google sites, we learned to make a website completely devoted to ourselves and our goals to help us enter the working world. Websites such as these are used to shed a positive light on your name while trying to find employment/internships, etc. Important things to include in your professional web presence are the following: a personal page, a page with some sort of resume, and a portfolio to display any work you may have done relating to your field. Employers will have the opportunity to search your name and discover positive feedback, all thanks to your professional web presence.
Like I said previously, creating a professional web presence will be so helpful as I start to look for teaching jobs and internships. I really enjoyed creating one, because I had an opportunity to personalize it so employers have a real sense of who I am. Also, by having a professional web presence, I think that an individual seems more educated and familar with educational technology. Teachers should also teach his/her students how to navigate the google sites and encourage them to create a web presence.
This YouTube clip is a presentation by Lighthouse Marketing System demonstrating what a web presence is, why you should have one, and how to create a powerful presence. Although this clip appeals more to marketing and business, it still shows how a web presence can do so much for a business/person.
Like I said previously, creating a professional web presence will be so helpful as I start to look for teaching jobs and internships. I really enjoyed creating one, because I had an opportunity to personalize it so employers have a real sense of who I am. Also, by having a professional web presence, I think that an individual seems more educated and familar with educational technology. Teachers should also teach his/her students how to navigate the google sites and encourage them to create a web presence.
This YouTube clip is a presentation by Lighthouse Marketing System demonstrating what a web presence is, why you should have one, and how to create a powerful presence. Although this clip appeals more to marketing and business, it still shows how a web presence can do so much for a business/person.
Mind-Mapping
This week in class we learned and explored "mind-mapping" websites, such as Webspiration and Gliffy. These type of website are used as mind-mapping applications, which can be used for teaching, learning, and presentations. These websites allow you to turn ideas into various concept maps to illustrate the idea. We also explored the website Wordle in order to create a text cloud. Wordle takes a group of text and arranges it in different ways, focusing on the most important words each time.
I am so grateful to have learned about these websites, because they seem extremely useful to the field of education. Webspiration can be used to map out lesson plans or to present an idea to the class. For example, I used Webspiration to illustrate the scientific method. The map is easy to read and much more appealing to children than simply reading a text book. I especially enjoyed the Wordle website. I intend on using this website to create text clouds out of famous motivating quotes to hang throughout the classroom. Wordle could also be used to illustrate rules of the classroom.
The following YouTube clip is a demonstration of how to navigate the Wordle website and create a text cloud.
I am so grateful to have learned about these websites, because they seem extremely useful to the field of education. Webspiration can be used to map out lesson plans or to present an idea to the class. For example, I used Webspiration to illustrate the scientific method. The map is easy to read and much more appealing to children than simply reading a text book. I especially enjoyed the Wordle website. I intend on using this website to create text clouds out of famous motivating quotes to hang throughout the classroom. Wordle could also be used to illustrate rules of the classroom.
The following YouTube clip is a demonstration of how to navigate the Wordle website and create a text cloud.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Digital Storytelling
In this week's class, we learned all about digital storytelling. Digital storytelling is the act of modern storytelling. We explored websites, such as Animoto, to use in order to create these digital stories. Digital storytelling can be used to create a narrative through pictures, music, and images.
Digital storytelling is a great way to present themes and ideas to a classroom setting. This can especially apply to elementary education, because young students can more easily relate to visual examples then just lectures. Digital storytelling can also be a great tool for students to use to present his/her ideas.
This video is an example of digital storytelling about evolution done by a forth grade students.
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Digital storytelling is a great way to present themes and ideas to a classroom setting. This can especially apply to elementary education, because young students can more easily relate to visual examples then just lectures. Digital storytelling can also be a great tool for students to use to present his/her ideas.
This video is an example of digital storytelling about evolution done by a forth grade students.
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Photoshop practice
I really enjoyed this week's class and the photoshop tutorial. I had never used photoshop before, and it was definately challenging at first, however, the tutorial helped alot. In this tutorial, it taught us how to create layers, rename layers, upload images, use the gradient tool, paint brushes, add text, change the orders of the layers, the lasso and magic eraser tool, how to duplicate layers, etc. I learned that photoshop takes patience and time. It also takes alot of trial and error.
Photoshop, like any other computer program, can be very helpful in the field of education. The teacher should be familiar with this program, because it has the potential to be very useful in the classroom. I'm not too sure as to how much an elementary classroom will use photoshop (which is what I want to teach), however, it is always helpful to know how to use it, just in case. Even if the students are not using the program, photoshop can be used to create presentations in the classroom.
This video shows a means of displaying weight loss through photoshop. Photoshop can do it all!
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Photoshop, like any other computer program, can be very helpful in the field of education. The teacher should be familiar with this program, because it has the potential to be very useful in the classroom. I'm not too sure as to how much an elementary classroom will use photoshop (which is what I want to teach), however, it is always helpful to know how to use it, just in case. Even if the students are not using the program, photoshop can be used to create presentations in the classroom.
This video shows a means of displaying weight loss through photoshop. Photoshop can do it all!
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Web 2.0
This week in class, we discussed copyright issues, as well as Web. 2.0 applications. By watching the YouTube video, "Empire State of Mind," set in New York, as compared to the one set in Toronto, it was hard to establish the line that straddles copyright issues. Copyright laws protect the protect original works and prevent the utilization or reproduction of someone else's work as his/her own. This leads directly to Web 2.0 applications, which are increasing the user involvement in the worldwide web. For example, Web 2.0 applications have made it easier to publish information online, even without proper knowledge of the subject (Wikipedia), and have increased social networking. Due to the increasing interaction of users and the internet, thanks to Web 2.0 applications, copyright issues have been taking even more precedence.
Copyright issues are an extremely important issue in the field of education. Teachers need to make sure to alert students on the responsibilities of using the internet. Many students are probably unaware of the innocent act of copying someone else's work, however, the consequences can be drastic. However, if students are instructed on act of copyrighting and it's laws, they will stray away from this issue. Also, Web 2.0 applications play a huge part in education. To be a teacher, one must be familiar with these upcoming websites, not only for instruction, but also for awareness. For example, the social networking websites, such as facebook, could play a dangerous role for young students. Teachers must know limitations of social networking with his/her students, but at the same time, acknowledge anything harmful, through social networking, to the student. However, many of the Web 2.0 applications can be very helpful in a classroom setting. For example, this blogging website can be used in almost any classroom setting.
This video describes the top ten ways to use education in the classroom. I found it interesting, because they used alot of the Web 2.0 applications that we have discussed in class.
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Copyright issues are an extremely important issue in the field of education. Teachers need to make sure to alert students on the responsibilities of using the internet. Many students are probably unaware of the innocent act of copying someone else's work, however, the consequences can be drastic. However, if students are instructed on act of copyrighting and it's laws, they will stray away from this issue. Also, Web 2.0 applications play a huge part in education. To be a teacher, one must be familiar with these upcoming websites, not only for instruction, but also for awareness. For example, the social networking websites, such as facebook, could play a dangerous role for young students. Teachers must know limitations of social networking with his/her students, but at the same time, acknowledge anything harmful, through social networking, to the student. However, many of the Web 2.0 applications can be very helpful in a classroom setting. For example, this blogging website can be used in almost any classroom setting.
This video describes the top ten ways to use education in the classroom. I found it interesting, because they used alot of the Web 2.0 applications that we have discussed in class.
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