Sunday, May 2, 2010
Inspiration - NETS-T 1-5
Graphically organize relationships between work in class and NETS-T using Inspiration
Saturday, May 1, 2010
CSUSM Web 2.0 Tools for Educators Wiki - NETS-T 1,2,3,5
Contribute to Educators Wiki using Cool Tools for Schools
Copyright Issues/Internet Safety - NETS-T 1,3,4,5
Collaborate on copyright/internet safety resources using Google Docs
Classroom Newsletter: Math World Newsletter - NETS-T 1,3
Classroom Information Newsletter for parents and students
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Journal #7: Interactive Whitboards - NETS-T 1,2,3,5
Evaluate and reflect on Classroom 2.0 technology tool
Definition: from U.S. Department of Education
"Interactive whiteboards are used in many schools as replacements for traditional whiteboards or flipcharts. They provide ways to show students anything which can be presented on a computer's desktop (educational software, web sites, and others). In addition, interactivewhiteboards allow teachers to record their instruction and post the material for review by students at a later time. This can be a very effective instructional strategy for students who benefit from repetition, who need to see the material presented again, for students who are absent from school, for struggling learners, and for review for examinations. Brief instructional blocks can be recorded for review by students—they will see the exact presentation that occurred in the classroom with the teacher's audio input. This can help transform learning and instruction."
SmartBoard or Promethean
In this discussion Leigh Newton seeks information about competing whiteboard products SmartBoard or Promethean. I learned from this discussion that there are many things to consider when deciding on which Interactive White Board (IWB) to purchase; like, price, features, ease of learning, ease of use, portability, compatibility, hardware and software, and quality. When it comes to price the SmartBoard is very expensive compared to other brands like Interwrite Pad. The Promethean and SmartBoard have more or less the same features. Most of the comments favor the Promethean when it comes to ease of use and ease of learning. The Promethean is also more portable because only hardware that is needed is the projector and laptop; evidently, the SmartBoard projector should be mounted on the ceiling to cut down on shadowing. The Promethean has issues with their pen, which is not easily replaced if it cracks. One comment alluded that Promethean is compatible with other IWB files, but others suggested that a school should stick with one or the other. Although it does sound like Smarboard and Promethean are the leaders in the IWB market, there are many others that should be considered before purchasing; like, Polyvision (Eno), eBeam, Mimeo,Starboard, Interwrite, and Numonics to name a few. When it comes to buying electronics one must often do much research.
Interactive Whiteboards vs. Wireless Slates
In this discussion Michelle Nebel is weighing the pro and cons between a projector and an interactive whiteboard or just a projector and wireless slate. From what I gathered the interactive whiteboard is more collaborative, and would require students to leave their seats. The wireless tablets could be use for collaborative projects as well but one cursor on the main screen would have to be managed. The price on the wireless tablets is less by about 80%. If you are teaching a class and collaboration is not such an issue, then the wireless tablets can help manage the classroom because the teacher could instruct from different places in the room, like next to the talkative pupil.
Definition: from U.S. Department of Education
"Interactive whiteboards are used in many schools as replacements for traditional whiteboards or flipcharts. They provide ways to show students anything which can be presented on a computer's desktop (educational software, web sites, and others). In addition, interactivewhiteboards allow teachers to record their instruction and post the material for review by students at a later time. This can be a very effective instructional strategy for students who benefit from repetition, who need to see the material presented again, for students who are absent from school, for struggling learners, and for review for examinations. Brief instructional blocks can be recorded for review by students—they will see the exact presentation that occurred in the classroom with the teacher's audio input. This can help transform learning and instruction."
SmartBoard or Promethean
In this discussion Leigh Newton seeks information about competing whiteboard products SmartBoard or Promethean. I learned from this discussion that there are many things to consider when deciding on which Interactive White Board (IWB) to purchase; like, price, features, ease of learning, ease of use, portability, compatibility, hardware and software, and quality. When it comes to price the SmartBoard is very expensive compared to other brands like Interwrite Pad. The Promethean and SmartBoard have more or less the same features. Most of the comments favor the Promethean when it comes to ease of use and ease of learning. The Promethean is also more portable because only hardware that is needed is the projector and laptop; evidently, the SmartBoard projector should be mounted on the ceiling to cut down on shadowing. The Promethean has issues with their pen, which is not easily replaced if it cracks. One comment alluded that Promethean is compatible with other IWB files, but others suggested that a school should stick with one or the other. Although it does sound like Smarboard and Promethean are the leaders in the IWB market, there are many others that should be considered before purchasing; like, Polyvision (Eno), eBeam, Mimeo,Starboard, Interwrite, and Numonics to name a few. When it comes to buying electronics one must often do much research.
Interactive Whiteboards vs. Wireless Slates
In this discussion Michelle Nebel is weighing the pro and cons between a projector and an interactive whiteboard or just a projector and wireless slate. From what I gathered the interactive whiteboard is more collaborative, and would require students to leave their seats. The wireless tablets could be use for collaborative projects as well but one cursor on the main screen would have to be managed. The price on the wireless tablets is less by about 80%. If you are teaching a class and collaboration is not such an issue, then the wireless tablets can help manage the classroom because the teacher could instruct from different places in the room, like next to the talkative pupil.
Journal #9: Professional Learning to Improve Achievement - NETS-T 3,4,5
Reflect on educational journal using ISTE publication and Citation Machine
McAnear, A. (2009). Professional learning to improve achievement for all students. 36(8), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/LLIssues/Volume3620082009/JuneJulyNo8/L_L_June_July_2009.htm
Anita McAnear discusses in her article the correlation between professional development and student learning. She relays that the research done at Stanford University concludes that professional learning is crucial to improve academic achievement. The article also touches on the availability that teachers have to improve their skills with collaboration, professional learning, involvement in curriculum decision, and mentors. To help show a road map how teachers become professional learners, Southwest Educational Development Laboratory outlined a learning cycle called the Professional Teaching and Learning Cycle (PTLC). Included in the PTLC learning cycle for teachers are discussing learning expectation, instructional strategies, development of lessons for strategies, how to gather evidence if a lesson plan worked, alternate strategy methods. Teachers in the United States are fortunate to have resources and support to improve their job, and many dedicated organizations committed to improving the achievement gap.
How was the data gathered to conclude that improving professional learning results in higher student achievement?
This article does not provide any details to this question, but it seems like a very difficult experiment to measure. First of all, wouldn’t the observed students used in the experiment have to have been taught by same teacher without professional development and then later with professional development? Then it would be hard to tell if the students improved because they had consistency with a teacher, and/or the teacher naturally improved with experience.
How, when, and who meets to collaborate on Professional Teaching and Learning Cycle?
I looks like PTLC sessions are arranged through the SEDL, and are intended for District curriculum developers, principals, vice principals, teacher leaders, technical assistance providers. I would imagine if this program proves successful and gains momentum that more facilities would appear. Perhaps with the technology to collaborate from ones home, sessions could be held via internet.
McAnear, A. (2009). Professional learning to improve achievement for all students. 36(8), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/LLIssues/Volume3620082009/JuneJulyNo8/L_L_June_July_2009.htm
Anita McAnear discusses in her article the correlation between professional development and student learning. She relays that the research done at Stanford University concludes that professional learning is crucial to improve academic achievement. The article also touches on the availability that teachers have to improve their skills with collaboration, professional learning, involvement in curriculum decision, and mentors. To help show a road map how teachers become professional learners, Southwest Educational Development Laboratory outlined a learning cycle called the Professional Teaching and Learning Cycle (PTLC). Included in the PTLC learning cycle for teachers are discussing learning expectation, instructional strategies, development of lessons for strategies, how to gather evidence if a lesson plan worked, alternate strategy methods. Teachers in the United States are fortunate to have resources and support to improve their job, and many dedicated organizations committed to improving the achievement gap.
How was the data gathered to conclude that improving professional learning results in higher student achievement?
This article does not provide any details to this question, but it seems like a very difficult experiment to measure. First of all, wouldn’t the observed students used in the experiment have to have been taught by same teacher without professional development and then later with professional development? Then it would be hard to tell if the students improved because they had consistency with a teacher, and/or the teacher naturally improved with experience.
How, when, and who meets to collaborate on Professional Teaching and Learning Cycle?
I looks like PTLC sessions are arranged through the SEDL, and are intended for District curriculum developers, principals, vice principals, teacher leaders, technical assistance providers. I would imagine if this program proves successful and gains momentum that more facilities would appear. Perhaps with the technology to collaborate from ones home, sessions could be held via internet.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)