1.Identify and briefly discuss at least 5 pros and 5 cons of having virtual schools.
There are several advantages of virtual schools, the most prominent being that students can receive an education in their own homes. Students do not have to travel to a certain location or even another town, making virtual school more convenient. Virtual schools also allow for the opportunity to integrate technology into the students’ learning process. Another advantage of virtual schools is the reduction of many financial burdens, such as cost of materials or school uniforms. Virtual schools provide students with the chance to complete courses that may not be offered in a traditional school. By enrolling in a virtual school, student exposure to illnesses is also reduced. Virtual schools provided equal opportunities to students who have access to a computer.
However, there are several disadvantages of virtual schools. For example, in order to succeed in a virtual school the student must be self motivated and able to complete work with little supervision. Parents may also play a large role in the success of the students’ virtual education. Students enrolled in virtual schools are often thought to lack social skills due to little or no social interaction. Students do not receive teacher-student interactions or student-student interactions. Virtual schools rely on computer systems as the main method of learning, which brings up the issue of computer failure and system crashes. Most virtual schools do not provide students with the opportunity to enhance their kinesthetic learning, such as physical education or playing an instrument.
2. Discuss some of the key skills teachers need to have to be successful when teaching a virtual school.
In order to teach in a virtual school, educators must be a state certified teacher. Teaching in a virtual school requires additional technological knowledge, such as understanding how to design an effective online course and preparing and administering lesson plans to students you have never met. Teachers must be able to clearly communicate directions and expectations through written language instead of spoken.
3. Think 2-3 years from now and discuss how virtual schools and online courses might impact your teaching.
In two or three years, I think that online courses will become extremely popular as more technological advances are made in society. Due to the convenience and independence of virtual schools, I think student enrollment will increase across the country. Online courses are administered in many universities and I think this trend will continue in the next few years. Overall, I feel that because of the huge advances in technology virtual schools will become a more common occurrence and a main method of student as well as adult education.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
Teacher Web Reflection
1. Describe how you see the use of a class web site could support your future teaching. Describe at least 3 ways how you see the use of a class web site could be used to support your future teaching. Provide specific details for each example.
The incorporation of a class web site can support and enhance student learning and participation in the classroom. A specific way in which teachers and students can utilize a class web site is to find daily assignments and due dates. For example, if a student is sick or on a family vacation, they can search the class web site to determine what assignments or projects they need to make up in order to stay on track with the rest of the class. Another way class web sites can support teaching is by posting class handouts, instructions, or rubrics on the web site. By posting this information students can easily access it and refer to it when needed. Class web site also present teachers with a way of conducting assessments, such as selected response quizzes and essay responses. This provides teachers with a quick way of collecting student information and efficiently assessing the students. Teachers can selected what content to be assessed and create the questions.
2.Identify what you see as the top 2 ways students could use a class web site to enhance their learning and provide some justifications for your selections.
I feel that the two most prominent ways students can utilize a class web site to enhance learning are by referring to the specific class handouts and rubrics as well as exploring the interactive web site links provided by the teacher. By posting class handouts related to the material being studied in class, students can access the information whenever needed and can refer to the web site if they loose the hard copy. Students can refer to the rubrics on the web site so they are aware of the expectations and objectives of an assignment of particular project. Providing links to educational web sites can promote student learning in a variety of ways. For example, students who are struggling with math can explore fun and interactive math sites that aid the student in learning math facts. This is a fun way to engage students in math in a relaxed setting and can be done at home on their own time to promote learning in struggling areas.
3. Think about the page types and features of the Teacher Web system. What do you feel where the 2 strongest features or page types within the Teacher Web system? Why do you see these as the strongest?
I feel the two strongest features of the Teacher Web are the web resources page and class handouts. By incorporating a multitude of web resources that students can access, teachers are allowing students to develop their researching skills and technology abilities. These sites contain fun and interactive games, videos, and other information appropriate for students. The web resources are selected by the teacher and may pertain directly to the lessons being taught in class. If the teacher sees a student struggling in a certain area they may ask the student to explore a related web resource that can assist them in a casual and fun manner. The class handouts page allows the teacher to share documents, such as graphs, rubrics, and project instructions, with the students. This page clearly displays information and material that can be useful to the students when completing assignments and projects.
The incorporation of a class web site can support and enhance student learning and participation in the classroom. A specific way in which teachers and students can utilize a class web site is to find daily assignments and due dates. For example, if a student is sick or on a family vacation, they can search the class web site to determine what assignments or projects they need to make up in order to stay on track with the rest of the class. Another way class web sites can support teaching is by posting class handouts, instructions, or rubrics on the web site. By posting this information students can easily access it and refer to it when needed. Class web site also present teachers with a way of conducting assessments, such as selected response quizzes and essay responses. This provides teachers with a quick way of collecting student information and efficiently assessing the students. Teachers can selected what content to be assessed and create the questions.
2.Identify what you see as the top 2 ways students could use a class web site to enhance their learning and provide some justifications for your selections.
I feel that the two most prominent ways students can utilize a class web site to enhance learning are by referring to the specific class handouts and rubrics as well as exploring the interactive web site links provided by the teacher. By posting class handouts related to the material being studied in class, students can access the information whenever needed and can refer to the web site if they loose the hard copy. Students can refer to the rubrics on the web site so they are aware of the expectations and objectives of an assignment of particular project. Providing links to educational web sites can promote student learning in a variety of ways. For example, students who are struggling with math can explore fun and interactive math sites that aid the student in learning math facts. This is a fun way to engage students in math in a relaxed setting and can be done at home on their own time to promote learning in struggling areas.
3. Think about the page types and features of the Teacher Web system. What do you feel where the 2 strongest features or page types within the Teacher Web system? Why do you see these as the strongest?
I feel the two strongest features of the Teacher Web are the web resources page and class handouts. By incorporating a multitude of web resources that students can access, teachers are allowing students to develop their researching skills and technology abilities. These sites contain fun and interactive games, videos, and other information appropriate for students. The web resources are selected by the teacher and may pertain directly to the lessons being taught in class. If the teacher sees a student struggling in a certain area they may ask the student to explore a related web resource that can assist them in a casual and fun manner. The class handouts page allows the teacher to share documents, such as graphs, rubrics, and project instructions, with the students. This page clearly displays information and material that can be useful to the students when completing assignments and projects.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Engaging Students with Concept Mapping Activities
Concept maps are a useful resource for teachers and students to engage in visual thinking and use students’ creativity to display ideas, concept understanding, and overall knowledge of a particular subject or area. Teachers can incorporate concept mapping into the classroom in various fun and interesting ways. Concept mapping activities can increase student organization, researching skills, and writing abilities.
An innovative idea for using concept mapping is when studying habitats, have the students create a concept map depicting the main habitats. Students can insert the various animals and plants that live in each particular habitat. The students can then write a description of the habitat, addressing the animals that are able to survive there and the climate of each habitat. Another interactive to way to engage students by making a concept map is during a government lesson have the students create a concept map of the three branches of government, executive, legislative, and judicial. Students can then move the terms and powers to the correct branch of government. The students can add additional symbols or pictures that represent each branch. After creating the concept map, students can write a brief description of the responsibilities of the three branches of government, also explaining the check and balances system. Teachers can use concept mapping in math lessons as well. For example, students can match various pictures with the correct fraction or other appropriate equations. A fun way to promote and improve writing skills is by having students create a weekly journal entry using a concept map. Students can use pictures and symbols to represent how they are feeling that week or any exciting events that have occurred. Then students can write an explanation of each picture and express themselves and any thoughts or feelings they may have each week. This is a great way for teachers to check up on students on a personal level. An additional use of concept maps is creating book reports. After completing a book and participating in a class discussion, students can make a concept map, depicting the main characters, setting, plot, and theme of the story, using symbols to help express each category. Then students can write about each of the areas.
1.) Concept mapping can greatly effect and promote student learning in various ways, such as improving writing skills and displaying understanding of concepts. When studying government, students can create a concept map of three branches of government and place symbols and pictures representing the powers of each particular branch. Then students can write a description of each branch, describing its roles and responsibilities. Another way to incorporate concept knowledge and writing is by having students make a concept map of habitats and the animals which live there. Students can write about each habitats climate, vegetation, and the animals found there.
2.) The amount of time spent learning this application would range anywhere from 5 hours to two days, depending on the teachers prior experience with computers and the amount of time spent exploring it in one setting. However, I feel that it is worth all the time and effort. I think that concept mapping is an extremely beneficial tool for teachers to incorporate in their classroom. Concept mapping allows students to display their thoughts and knowledge in a visual and interactive manner.
Here is an exapmle of a concept map:
An innovative idea for using concept mapping is when studying habitats, have the students create a concept map depicting the main habitats. Students can insert the various animals and plants that live in each particular habitat. The students can then write a description of the habitat, addressing the animals that are able to survive there and the climate of each habitat. Another interactive to way to engage students by making a concept map is during a government lesson have the students create a concept map of the three branches of government, executive, legislative, and judicial. Students can then move the terms and powers to the correct branch of government. The students can add additional symbols or pictures that represent each branch. After creating the concept map, students can write a brief description of the responsibilities of the three branches of government, also explaining the check and balances system. Teachers can use concept mapping in math lessons as well. For example, students can match various pictures with the correct fraction or other appropriate equations. A fun way to promote and improve writing skills is by having students create a weekly journal entry using a concept map. Students can use pictures and symbols to represent how they are feeling that week or any exciting events that have occurred. Then students can write an explanation of each picture and express themselves and any thoughts or feelings they may have each week. This is a great way for teachers to check up on students on a personal level. An additional use of concept maps is creating book reports. After completing a book and participating in a class discussion, students can make a concept map, depicting the main characters, setting, plot, and theme of the story, using symbols to help express each category. Then students can write about each of the areas.
1.) Concept mapping can greatly effect and promote student learning in various ways, such as improving writing skills and displaying understanding of concepts. When studying government, students can create a concept map of three branches of government and place symbols and pictures representing the powers of each particular branch. Then students can write a description of each branch, describing its roles and responsibilities. Another way to incorporate concept knowledge and writing is by having students make a concept map of habitats and the animals which live there. Students can write about each habitats climate, vegetation, and the animals found there.
2.) The amount of time spent learning this application would range anywhere from 5 hours to two days, depending on the teachers prior experience with computers and the amount of time spent exploring it in one setting. However, I feel that it is worth all the time and effort. I think that concept mapping is an extremely beneficial tool for teachers to incorporate in their classroom. Concept mapping allows students to display their thoughts and knowledge in a visual and interactive manner.
Here is an exapmle of a concept map:
Monday, September 29, 2008
Blogs and Wikis in Education
1.) Blogs and wikis are fun and useful tools to engage students in thier own learing process. There are several ways in which blogs and wikis can be incorporated in K-12 classrooms, such as posting presentations instead of using the common powerpoint presentation or poster boards. Studnets can present thier information in a new and innovative manner. Blogs and wikis can also be used in the classroom for peer review and editing activities. Students can post papers on thier blog or wiki sites, allowing other students and/or the teacher to comment on the studnet's work by providing feedback on various aspects of the paper. Another interseting way that blogs and wikis can be incorporated into the classroom is by having mock debates on the sites. Students can work in groups or individually to debate with other classmates regarding certian issues. This is a fun and interactive way for stuednts to voice thier opinions without actaully speaking duirng class.
2.) Aggregators, whoch are used to organize a variety of web feeds, can be incorporated into the classroom in a variety of differnet ways. A useful way is by downloading media files which can present information to students in a nontradtional manner that may help visual and auditory learners. Aggregators provide fast access to RSS content and serve as an electronic way to obtain information on the web.
3.) There are numerous pros and cons of using blogs and wikis in an educational setting. Some of the pros include, allowing students to openly communicate with one another in a manner that can improve typing and writing skills. Blogs and wikis allow quit and shy stuednts to have an active role in class discussions. Another benefit of using blogs and wikis is that its an electronic tool that is free to use and can improve stuednts computer and technology abilities in a fun manner. Cons of incorporating blogs and wikis in the classroom include several challenges teachers may face such as keeping the material updated and organized in a way that is easy for the studnets to access. Students may begin to explore other social networking sites that are inappropriate. Some students may have poor computer skills and using blogs or wikis may make them feel inadequate, however using blogs and wikis provide students a way to improve thier computing skills.
2.) Aggregators, whoch are used to organize a variety of web feeds, can be incorporated into the classroom in a variety of differnet ways. A useful way is by downloading media files which can present information to students in a nontradtional manner that may help visual and auditory learners. Aggregators provide fast access to RSS content and serve as an electronic way to obtain information on the web.
3.) There are numerous pros and cons of using blogs and wikis in an educational setting. Some of the pros include, allowing students to openly communicate with one another in a manner that can improve typing and writing skills. Blogs and wikis allow quit and shy stuednts to have an active role in class discussions. Another benefit of using blogs and wikis is that its an electronic tool that is free to use and can improve stuednts computer and technology abilities in a fun manner. Cons of incorporating blogs and wikis in the classroom include several challenges teachers may face such as keeping the material updated and organized in a way that is easy for the studnets to access. Students may begin to explore other social networking sites that are inappropriate. Some students may have poor computer skills and using blogs or wikis may make them feel inadequate, however using blogs and wikis provide students a way to improve thier computing skills.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom
1.) There are several multiple intelligences that I have strength in, the most prominent being Interperosnal and Naturalist. The core characteristics of Interpersonal intelligence are collaborative skills, coopeartive attitude, leadership, social influence, social empathy, and social connection. The core characteristics which best describe my personal learning style are collaborative skills and leadership. I work very well with others and enjoy completing tasks in a group setting. Throughout my high school and college career I have served in various leadership roles and find benefit in leading and heping others.
2.) Students with an interpersonal intelligence seek support from others, thus like working in a group environment. Students also find value in relationships and enjoy working collaboratively. Many students with this particular type of intelligence portray a competative personality and take part in many leadership roles.
3.) There are various ways in which teachers can support this type of intelligence within the classroom, such as promoting student interactions during lessons and activities, to help increase social skills. Teachers can provide students with opportunities to select thier own groups and incorportate some type of competion to promtre higher achievement. Teachers can also work together and create activities with other classrooms to help increase the different types of interactions students encounter.
4.) Technologies that stimulate interpersonal intelligences include class discussions where students can talk together about the subject matter. Collaborative projects are also beneficial because they encourage studnet interaction and social connection. Other technologies that motivate this type of intelligence are message boards, walkie-talkies, and intercoms, all of which relate to social interactions as the mian means of learning.
5.) It is extremely important for teacher to be fully aware and understand the multiple intelligences in order to incorporate each intelligence into the classroom. Teachers need to ensure that each student is in an environment that relates to thier particular learning style and are supported in that area. Students need to feel motivated to learn in a way that works best for thier learning style, teachers can achieve this by making lessons and activiltes applicable to all intelligences.
2.) Students with an interpersonal intelligence seek support from others, thus like working in a group environment. Students also find value in relationships and enjoy working collaboratively. Many students with this particular type of intelligence portray a competative personality and take part in many leadership roles.
3.) There are various ways in which teachers can support this type of intelligence within the classroom, such as promoting student interactions during lessons and activities, to help increase social skills. Teachers can provide students with opportunities to select thier own groups and incorportate some type of competion to promtre higher achievement. Teachers can also work together and create activities with other classrooms to help increase the different types of interactions students encounter.
4.) Technologies that stimulate interpersonal intelligences include class discussions where students can talk together about the subject matter. Collaborative projects are also beneficial because they encourage studnet interaction and social connection. Other technologies that motivate this type of intelligence are message boards, walkie-talkies, and intercoms, all of which relate to social interactions as the mian means of learning.
5.) It is extremely important for teacher to be fully aware and understand the multiple intelligences in order to incorporate each intelligence into the classroom. Teachers need to ensure that each student is in an environment that relates to thier particular learning style and are supported in that area. Students need to feel motivated to learn in a way that works best for thier learning style, teachers can achieve this by making lessons and activiltes applicable to all intelligences.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Welcome!
This is a blog I have created for my Tech 445 class which I will be using this semester. I am looking forward to exploring this technology.
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