Blogen with ED300

Science / Art project

vowelsaeiou — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:17:37 +0000

Melted Crayon Art

This was a science/art project that my students did this week. It is kind of hard to tell but the crayons are melted onto the paper. The melted look gives the paper a shiny affect. You start with a hot plat and then you put tub sock on your student’s hands. Give them a large crayon with the paper taken off and let them color on the paper (press hard). This of course is a one-on-one project but they have so much fun as they watched the crayons melt and mix with other crayon colors. Note about the hot plate (find on old one at a garage sale) also (have the students stand at a table that is lower than they are so that they do not rest their arms or hands on the hot plate) (you can also fold a dry towel and lay it across the front of the hot plate to be extra precautious).

P.S. We cut the images out once they were dry but if the children are old enough to use scissors have them cut it out. They could even glue it on to another piece of paper as a boarder to showcase their work.

A to Z Knowledge Bears

vowelsaeiou — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:05:19 +0000

Here is an interactive site http://www.a2zkb.com/ fore children in the first or second grade. Of course it could be for older children but I thought the content fit those in first or second grade. This site has ebooks, games, rooms, and a few other interactive tabs.

Promoting Technology Use in Schools

vowelsaeiou — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 23:48:17 +0000

I found this site http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/methods/technlgy/te200.htm which focuses on the issues of technology and how they are being implemented into the classrooms. Some of the factors discussed include placement of computers for equitable access, technical support, effective goals for technology use, new roles for teachers, time for ongoing professional development, appropriate coaching of teachers at different skill levels, teacher incentives for use, availability of educational software, and sustained funding for technology. The site also gives a list of goals to use, action options, implementation pitfalls, and illustrative cases.

Technology in the Schools

vowelsaeiou — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 21:26:28 +0000

A recent article in “Education Technology” magazine, explored both sides of the question, “Is recent technology an effective learning tool in the classroom?” Critics of computer and technology inclusion in the classroom argue that it’s too expensive and not effective enough. There is also fear that children’s social development will be hindered by emphasizing computer use. Wallace Hannum, the author of the article, goes on to argue that when used correctly, technology benefits students and teachers. Research shows that in order to effectively use technology with students, educators must be skilled in it themselves, and able to create inquiry-based lessons. These skills require training. Should teachers be responsible for seeking technological training if they are unable to effectively incorporate technology into the curriculum?

COMMENT:
I have also wondered if social development is affected by the use of technology. If you take a look back over the many years that have passed people use to depended on one another and as a result they treated those individuals with value and respect. Over the years we have had many technological advances and as a result people did not need to depend on one another as much. I believe that technology has had altering affects both good and bad but what teaches skills that can not be acquired through technology. I agree that educators must be skilled in the use of technology so that their lessons are enhanced by technology not soured with technology. Basically, what I mean is that technology can not be the only focus of a classroom and teachers should not solely rely on technology to teach the lesson. Social interaction is what teaches us as students and adults to be who we are and how we act. Technology only broadens the forms and sources of interactions that we have.

Smart Boards

vowelsaeiou — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 04:45:57 +0000

This video shows a lot of wonderful ways to use a smart board in a classroom. Although these are kindergarteners, the concepts used could be applied to other classrooms of different ages.

Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood

vowelsaeiou — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 04:02:08 +0000

Who doesn’t remember Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood when they were growing up? Well I found the website http://pbskids.org/rogers/R_house/ that brings back all of those memorable moments as a kid. This interactive website would be great for all ages. I say that because there is information for students, teachers, parents, and caregivers. I liked the http://pbskids.org/rogers/make_believe/feel.htm link because my preschoolers would benefit from learning different facial expression and what they mean.

Why Integrate Technology into the Curriculum?: The Reasons Are Many

vowelsaeiou — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 03:32:58 +0000

This site http://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-introduction?page=7 describes how and why technology is used in the classroom. You should also watch this video about Harrison Central High School, which is part of the article and can be found at the above site. They are committed to using high tech technology in the classroom to benefit both teachers and students. Below is the article, from the above site (Edutopia), which I have also added to my blogroll.

Technology is ubiquitous, touching almost every part of our lives, our communities, our homes. Yet most schools lag far behind when it comes to integrating technology into classroom learning. Many are just beginning to explore the true potential tech offers for teaching and learning. Properly used, technology will help students acquire the skills they need to survive in a complex, highly technological knowledge-based economy.

Integrating technology into classroom instruction means more than teaching basic computer skills and software programs in a separate computer class. Effective tech integration must happen across the curriculum in ways that research shows deepen and enhance the learning process. In particular, it must support four key components of learning: active engagement, participation in groups, frequent interaction and feedback, and connection to real-world experts. Effective technology integration is achieved when the use of technology is routine and transparent and when technology supports curricular goals.

Many people believe that technology-enabled project learning is the new plus ultra of classroom instruction. Learning through projects while equipped with technology tools allows students to be intellectually challenged while providing them with a realistic snapshot of what the modern office looks like. Through projects, students acquire and refine their analysis and problem-solving skills as they work individually and in teams to find, process, and synthesize information they’ve found online.

The myriad resources of the online world also provide each classroom with more interesting, diverse, and current learning materials. The Web connects students to experts in the real world and provides numerous opportunities for expressing understanding through images, sound, and text.

New tech tools for visualizing and modeling, especially in the sciences, offer students ways to experiment and observe phenomenon and to view results in graphic ways that aid in understanding. And, as an added benefit, with technology tools and a project-learning approach, students are more likely to stay engaged and on task, reducing behavioral problems in the classroom.

Technology also changes the way teachers teach, offering educators effective ways to reach different types of learners and assess student understanding through multiple means. It also enhances the relationship between teacher and student. When technology is effectively integrated into subject areas, teachers grow into roles of adviser, content expert, and coach. Technology helps make teaching and learning more meaningful and fun. Return to our Technology Integration page to learn more.

This article originally published on 3/16/2008

COMMENT:

I agree that technology, when properly used, helps build skills that the students will use; once they have finished school and started a career in the technology rich workforce. As mentioned in the article, I believe that technology can not just be used here and there within the curriculum. It must be incorporated throughout the curriculum and used on a regular basis. The article talks about four key components of learning: active engagement, participation in groups, frequent interaction and feedback, and connection to real-world experts. All four of these components allow students the hands on experience that drives their ability to learn and be intellectually challenged. With technology in the classroom, we are offering our students and environment that is up to date and current with not only mechanical devices but knowledge and information. No longer do students have to learn from a ten year old textbook and a few supplemental handouts. They have the opportunity to research, learn, and explore the material. I feel that technology is especially beneficial when the student/s put together information and then teach their classmates, based on the material that they have researched, organized, and learned from.

Arcademic Skill Builders

vowelsaeiou — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 03:56:56 +0000

Look out, because this http://www.arcademicskillbuilders.com/ is a great site for teaching basic skills with innovative games. I liked this interactive website because it allows students to play each other from different computers. In the future, the site plans to add features that allow the teacher to tailor the content and save scores. This will be beneficial for the students and the teacher because they can pinpoint certain academic areas that need improvement within each student.

How to use Technology in the Classroom

vowelsaeiou — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 03:43:00 +0000

What a great site http://4teachers.org/ that not only describes why technology should be used in the classroom but tells you how to use it. There is an array of educator resources and resources that help you as the teacher integrate technology into the classroom. Check out some of these links that I found interesting.

http://equity.4teachers.org/index.php

http://pblchecklist.4teachers.org/

http://4teachers.org/intech/lessons/

http://poster.4teachers.org/

http://kidsvid.altec.org/

Pumpkin Craft

vowelsaeiou — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 03:11:20 +0000

Pumpkin Patch Art

My students did this as an art project before Halloween. However, I was thinking that it would be a great activity for Thanksgiving. You could even use the balloon concept to make a turkey, with brown paint, and have the students use Q-Tips, dipped in different colors, to make feathers.

1. Dip and balloon into paint.

(We poured two different shades of orange paint into one tray for the added color affect.)

2. Press the balloon onto the paper.

3. Take a Q-Tip, with green paint on it, and swirl it around to make the vines.

That’s basically it and it’s not that messy to clean up!