tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8267407386698031160.comments2013-03-31T21:25:26.409-07:00Spanish and TechnologyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03498730895173164635noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8267407386698031160.post-3011650797942015832013-03-31T21:25:26.409-07:002013-03-31T21:25:26.409-07:00Jaime,
Classroom participation can be detrimental...Jaime,<br /><br />Classroom participation can be detrimental to your classroom learning. I teach middle school connections or exploratory classrooms and the student participation level isn't quite were it needs to be in order to take students to a whole new level of learning. You did mention that with it being a certain part of the year, this does have a factor in increasing class participation. If students were not engaged on day 1 of class, then it will be hard trying to get them to come into class with a new concept.<br /><br />Flip your classroom sounds like a wonderful too to use for digital instruction. I'm not sure what grade level you teach, but how has your student involvement outside of the classroom been. I can't always rely on my students to bee able to complete work using technology outside of the classroom and proves it authenticity. At my school, it would be a challenge for all of the students to watch the videos at home. Has this been a challenge for you?<br /><br />NakeiaAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10130645376461857595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8267407386698031160.post-9613917561062549922013-03-31T14:47:28.672-07:002013-03-31T14:47:28.672-07:00Digital instructional setting is an environment th...Digital instructional setting is an environment that I feel most students would feel comfortable working in within the classroom. Benefits will be felt when each students learning is personalized. Your strategy to try and keep students engaged by Flipping Your Classroom seems to be the best approach. It involved technology in the classroom setting which impacts differentiated instruction.<br /><br />Verna<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8267407386698031160.post-26497185134472668092013-03-31T14:36:08.793-07:002013-03-31T14:36:08.793-07:00Digital instructional setting is an environment th...Digital instructional setting is an environment that I feel most students would feel comfortable working in within the classroom. Benefits will be felt when each students learning is personalized. Your strategy to try and keep students engaged by Flipping Your Classroom seems to be the best approach. It involved technology in the classroom setting which impacts differentiated instruction.<br /><br />Verna<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8267407386698031160.post-15829666675958358752013-03-30T17:37:46.216-07:002013-03-30T17:37:46.216-07:00Jaime,
I have heard so much about flip your clas...Jaime, <br /><br />I have heard so much about flip your classroom but I have never heard from any teacher directly who has tried it. I am so happy that you took the risk to try something different. I have wondered how flip your classroom would work. I think it sounds great because you can get so much more in depth during class. However, I think I would have the same difficulties as you. I do not think my students would be as interested as I am. I also have a handful of students who do not have internet access at home so would be unable to take part in some of the lessons. In addition, I have a hard time getting my students to actually do work at home. They do not find it important. How do you deal with these situations? <br /><br />Thanks for sharing!<br /><br />Tanya Tanyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11158557958339214228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8267407386698031160.post-91946587639725115082013-03-30T09:29:44.688-07:002013-03-30T09:29:44.688-07:00Melissa:
I completely agree. It is devastating w...Melissa:<br /><br />I completely agree. It is devastating when have spent all this time carefully planning and developing activities and then students tell you it was lame or stupid. I equate it with my kids telling me we never do anything fun after spending all day at the zoo. What I have come to realize though is that in general when students make these type of comments it is do to an underlying issue rather than my lesson. I think this is why I like flip your classroom. It allows me the freedom to investigate where the student is struggling and determine how I can intervene. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03498730895173164635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8267407386698031160.post-83020322492640902672013-03-26T12:43:51.236-07:002013-03-26T12:43:51.236-07:00Hi Jaime,
I have often gotten very excited about t...Hi Jaime,<br />I have often gotten very excited about trying a new project and the students reaction is less than impressive. Usually once they get started they get into it but it is a real let down. Hopefully they will reflect back on your lesson and remember the effort and skills that they learned. <br /><br />Good luck! <br /><br />Melissa A.techteacher914https://www.blogger.com/profile/12037782373366839038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8267407386698031160.post-64029210247993270472013-03-24T17:19:05.950-07:002013-03-24T17:19:05.950-07:00Hi Jaime,
I am going to look into School Fusion. ...Hi Jaime,<br />I am going to look into School Fusion. Do you think that it is as user friendly and diverse as a weebly? I have never used either but would like to start my own web page and not sure which direction to go in. They both sound like they do similar things and have similar features. Thoughts?<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Melissa A.techteacher914https://www.blogger.com/profile/12037782373366839038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8267407386698031160.post-60372578292563997852013-03-24T14:40:40.797-07:002013-03-24T14:40:40.797-07:00Hello Leonie,
Thank you for the advice and words ...Hello Leonie,<br /><br />Thank you for the advice and words of encouragement. As educators, we often think that we need to have mastered technology before implementing the different types of tools to support instruction and learning. <br /><br />School Fusion allows educators to upload lectures, lesson plans, and resources for students to access and utilize. In addition, schools fusion allows educators to set up discussion forums, and assignment drop boxes. School fusion is also a place where students can communicate with their instructor and save assignments and presentations. <br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03498730895173164635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8267407386698031160.post-90339959168862588702013-03-23T20:53:08.400-07:002013-03-23T20:53:08.400-07:00Hi Jaime,
You have developed some great ways to i...Hi Jaime,<br /><br />You have developed some great ways to implement your GAME plan. I am not familiar with School Fusion, but it seems to be a great technology to integrate in the education system. I recently begun using Google docs in my classroom and found that my students and I have quite easily adapted to its use in and out of the classroom. I have encouraged my students to use Google docs for writing their Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) school based assessment report as it makes it quite easy for me to check and offer suggestions for improving their reports. Earlier in the academic year it was bought to my knowledge that one of our special needs student was allowed to use a laptop for taking notes and completing classwork for all his classes. No one thought about how the student would access his work while at home since he would not have access to the school’s network. In light of this, I stepped in and had discussion with the principal, special needs coordinator, the student parent and some of his teachers and told them about Google docs and the benefit the student would be able to get from using it. I am happy to stay to this day the student is using the application. As you continue to explore and use it, it will get easier. Jaime, do not worry about mastering the use of all the technology – just begin to use them as our students quickly adapt to their use and often assist with their use and implementation.<br /><br />~LeonieAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00903810278920355692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8267407386698031160.post-75637199777106495492012-09-30T22:52:42.254-07:002012-09-30T22:52:42.254-07:00Jeremy,
I think that direct instruction is also s...Jeremy,<br /><br />I think that direct instruction is also still the primary source of teaching. Although many schools want to see teachers moving on to 21st century skills, they also want to see teachers that have students performing above standards even more. Once we break that barrier with teachers, schools will see teachers effectively allowing their students to create student centered projects that do more than just use Microsoft Word to type out their findings. They will be able to explore other applications that will teach them much more.<br /><br />NakeiaAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10130645376461857595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8267407386698031160.post-75644688269476043202012-09-29T16:45:35.765-07:002012-09-29T16:45:35.765-07:00Jeremy:
Thank you so much for your response. In ...Jeremy:<br /><br />Thank you so much for your response. In all honesty I think I am in the same boat as you in terms of constructivism/constructionism. I have not studied either extensively to determine which is better. What I have found is that when I use PBL with in my classroom my students are more engaged and put forth a greater amount of effort. As a Spanish teacher giving student opportunities to engage in various scenarios cements understanding and proficiency. As an educator, I find PBL to be more fulfilling than paper and pencil exams simply because I get to engage with my students in inquiry dialogs and determine errors in thinking. <br /><br />Jaime Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03498730895173164635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8267407386698031160.post-84287020942227620652012-09-28T18:41:22.038-07:002012-09-28T18:41:22.038-07:00Hi Jaime,
I enjoyed your post and your thoughts o...Hi Jaime,<br /><br />I enjoyed your post and your thoughts on Constructivism. Have you thought much about which of the various types of constructivism/constructionism is the most appealing to you? I have not studied each type enough to say that one is better - in fact, maybe it's best to use them in combination. I was just curious what your opinion is.<br /><br />JeremyJeremy Conninhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17912490368420922445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8267407386698031160.post-3281503600017823922012-09-23T18:31:13.832-07:002012-09-23T18:31:13.832-07:00Jamie,
There are so many ways that students can u...Jamie,<br /><br />There are so many ways that students can use technology in taking notes. Often times, content teachers require their students to take notes, study the notes, and then test over the notes. The typical student just writes the notes going down the page and then you have that one student that draws some type of diagram. With technology enhansements, we can get on the computer and use charts, graphs, smartart, and other features to create notes that will leave a lasting impression. We often here about Word, but in PowerPoint students can use the comparision layout to take notes and even add pictures.<br /><br />NakeiaAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10130645376461857595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8267407386698031160.post-54182499316084891832012-09-22T11:54:14.787-07:002012-09-22T11:54:14.787-07:00Jaime,
I like the combination of resources to enh...Jaime,<br /><br />I like the combination of resources to enhance learning and memory in a second language. The idea of virtual tours is also important. Memory is also impacted through vision and example. Having students visit a place or have a semi first hand visit or experience changes perspective and impacts even more than any lecture or classroom activity.<br />Michele mbdechhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15838663006072735633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8267407386698031160.post-52698391379100610022012-09-21T08:09:04.094-07:002012-09-21T08:09:04.094-07:00Melissa:
Thank you for your questions. I have to...Melissa:<br /><br />Thank you for your questions. I have to admit that up until recently I have been a pretty old school teacher, in the sense that I have not incorporated a great deal of technology into my classroom. Some of this was my own reluctance and lack of familiarity, but some related to my districts technology policies which blocked sites such as teacher tube and other education websites. Regardless though of whether it was virtual or paper pencil I have always incorporated advanced organizers into my lesson. Teaching Spanish and ELL you have to incorporate visual components to ensure that language does not become too much of an obstacle. Some of the organizers I use are as simple as the boot to conjugate verbs, Venn Diagrams to compare and contrast the ways in which Latin cultures celebrate traditions, or a simple flow chart to sequence events or key ideas. My students really have been successful in utilizing these materials and I have found that it allows for easy differentiation and accommodation. The biggest challenge is to not have students lose these resources throughout the lesson. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03498730895173164635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8267407386698031160.post-5430484052595787412012-09-20T09:30:38.345-07:002012-09-20T09:30:38.345-07:00Hi Jaime,
How have you used some of the strategies...Hi Jaime,<br />How have you used some of the strategies that you mentioned in your post in the classroom? What activities have you found to be successful?<br /><br />Melissatechteacher914https://www.blogger.com/profile/12037782373366839038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8267407386698031160.post-92012519492906371672012-09-16T19:25:51.098-07:002012-09-16T19:25:51.098-07:00Sorry about the formatting. It is not liking my li...Sorry about the formatting. It is not liking my links. I tried to fix earlier, but it is not working.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17327838738596039770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8267407386698031160.post-16823645976874961812012-09-16T19:23:17.250-07:002012-09-16T19:23:17.250-07:00Jamie,
I agree homework is changing. Anytime criti...Jamie,<br />I agree homework is changing. Anytime critical thinking and 21st century skills can be used is beneficial for everyone. With the use of Screencasting this has become a perfect fusion that can be used in a variety of ways in all subjects.<br /><br />Camtasia(http://download.cnet.com/Camtasia-Studio/3000-13633_4-10665109.html)and other apps such as Educreations (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/educreations-interactive-whiteboard/id478617061?ls=1&mt=8), ScreenChomp (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/screenchomp/id442415881?mt=8),and Show Me(http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/showme-interactive-whiteboard/id445066279?mt=8)have been useful in providing powerful and effective ways to deliver, teach, and review content. Students can become the teachers as they create videos that can instruct, review, and inform. These can be reviewed as many times as needed. As students teach the skill then we know that they have truly mastered it. <br /><br />Here are some free resources (http://www.1stwebdesigner.com/freebies/free-screencasting-tools-video-tutorials/)to help get your classroom started: This primer (http://screencastingprimer.wikispaces.com/primer)will be an excellent introduction.These Screencasting strategies (http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/network/2005/06/13/primetime.html) will be helpful in creating effective and compelling presentations. These are some resources I hope someone will find useful in their Screencasting journey.<br /><br />KateAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17327838738596039770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8267407386698031160.post-91236850704628269702012-09-16T19:16:59.717-07:002012-09-16T19:16:59.717-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17327838738596039770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8267407386698031160.post-18498134625376383352012-09-16T18:34:26.605-07:002012-09-16T18:34:26.605-07:00Jaime,
You gave great responces on ways that teach...Jaime,<br />You gave great responces on ways that teachers can use technology to record and display their progress. I teach in a computer lab and find it helpful for students to be able to track their own progress. I wanted to display the information in my classroom, but because of the amount of students that I teach, find it very helpful for the students to record their own progress and save it. This allows them to be responsible and reinforces skills taught in <br />Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.<br /><br />I like that idea of reward tickets. I was helping out in a reading skills class and the teacher would give tickets out to students as a reward for being a winner of the game, Around the World. The student receive x amount of tickets for being the winner. She had different prizes that the students could spend their tickets on like pencils, notebook, and paper. One of the prizes that caught my attention was being able to use it to get out of silent lunch. By perfoming well in clas, students were able to use their tickets to get out of behavioral consequences.<br /><br />What do you thing about that?<br /><br />NakeiaAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10130645376461857595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8267407386698031160.post-68467974042909185842012-09-16T16:41:34.183-07:002012-09-16T16:41:34.183-07:00Hi Jaime,
While I do not like the idea of naming...Hi Jaime,<br />While I do not like the idea of naming students, I do believe that student achievement should be lauded as experience has taught me that when we make students feel good about themselves, they are likely to perform at a high level. Perhaps when a student advances two grade point levels, he can be given the responsibility to assist a fellow student, with the understanding that he maintains or continues to progress in the subject discipline.<br />Michelembdechhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15838663006072735633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8267407386698031160.post-9582556925944173742012-09-15T23:21:10.974-07:002012-09-15T23:21:10.974-07:00Jeremy:
I think the actual paying students for gr...Jeremy:<br /><br />I think the actual paying students for grades is a terrible idea. It some how takes away the point and value of learning. Students do need motivation, but to instill that the only purpose for achievement or education is the financial gain sends the wrong message. I also worry about the sense of entitlement students have now of days. This somehow seems to play into this mantra of what do I get out of it, I have heard from so many kids. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03498730895173164635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8267407386698031160.post-77221891446243546692012-09-14T19:20:47.969-07:002012-09-14T19:20:47.969-07:00Hi Jaime,
You mentioned that "reinforcement ...Hi Jaime,<br /><br />You mentioned that "reinforcement is a natural motivator within our lives." I totally agree. I remember, when I was an undergraduate student, debating whether students should be paid for grades. The idea was that, for students, school was their job. While I agree with the concept that school is a student's job, something still didn't feel right about paying for grades (whether it was the school, the state, or the parent paying). I can't explain why I don't feel quite right paying for grades, other than my own motivation of doing well just because it's the right thing to do. Here is an article about the subject: http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2008-01-27-grades_N.htm<br /><br />What is your opinion on paying for grades or improved test scores?<br /><br />JeremyJeremy Conninhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00596094871922729140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8267407386698031160.post-32949630319508501492012-09-13T18:21:50.997-07:002012-09-13T18:21:50.997-07:00In my classroom I do not have students in desks, b...In my classroom I do not have students in desks, but in groups of 4-5 at tables. As you may think this creates a number of challenges to instruction and classroom management. This is why I found behavioral approaches have been so meaningful in my classroom. Although I may not have known the formal terms, I incorporate shaping, cueing and modeling on a daily basis. I use proximity as a non verbal cue to redirect behavior, establish clear and specific behavioral targets for group and class work, and ensure that each table has a positive model for behavior. I also use reinforcement and meaningful feedback to ensure my students are aware of their progress and the role their personal effort plays on the success in class. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03498730895173164635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8267407386698031160.post-32579096396317220942012-09-13T07:50:36.080-07:002012-09-13T07:50:36.080-07:00Hi Jaime,
In addition to the point that you made a...Hi Jaime,<br />In addition to the point that you made about behaviorism in the classroom, I also liked the suggestions for modeling, shaping and cueing in the classroom. The students are always watching our behaviors and by that they "acquire many favorable and unfavorable responses by observing those around them" (Orey, 2001, p. 6). So to conduct your self in the classroom by modeling desired behaviors a teacher can then shape or "break down into discrete, concrete units, or positive movements each of which is reinforced as it progresses towards the overall goal" (Orey, 2001, p. 6). Finally, if a student(s) are not responding how you would like you can then cue a child with a "non verbal or verbal cue as to the appropriateness of a behavior" (Orey, 2001, p. 6). <br />Overall, I liked how this article gave a breakdown and practical applications for the classroom teacher.<br /><br />Resources:<br />Orey, M. (Ed.). (2001). Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Main_Page<br />techteacher914https://www.blogger.com/profile/12037782373366839038noreply@blogger.com