Tweet, tweet!
Hey everyone! For my technology class, I have joined Twitter. Find me at: www.twitter.com/ariannemann
Filed under Uncategorized | Comment (0)Chapters 1 & 7 Reflection
Chapter 1 focused on introducing the subject of Web 2.0- what it means as well as how to take advantage of it. It appears that a lot of technological tools that were once bought by consumers are now free for the taking. This and many other aspects of today’s technological world are opening up doors to technological advancement in many other countries outside of the western world.
This chapter covered a lot of information about the race for technological elitism. Though, I walked away from the chapter with a feeling of empowerment because it is up to teachers to show our students how to keep up with the ever changing world of technology. Technology is such a valuable tool, and is used by so many people, companies, and countries, that each generation needs to really understand the impact of it all.
Chapter 7 covered online safety and security. As a future elementary school teacher, I always find this subject very important because of the increase of cyber-bullying, Internet predators, and all the “trash” that comes up with a simple Google search. As a teacher, it is my job to keep parents, students, colleagues, and my administration aware of how to safety navigate the Internet.
By teaching our students and children the basic facts about the Internet (e.g. do not give out your real name or address, show your parents an IM that uses profane language) that we assume everyone knows. Many children and teenagers do not know how to safely enjoy what the Internet offers unless they are explicitly taught. This is an easy thing that teachers can offer their students.
Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (2)My wikispace
I just created a wiki for fellow teachers. Check it out a little later (when there is something to see): ThoughtsfromArianne.wikispaces.com
Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (2)What does information literacy in the digital age mean to you?
In order to answer this question, I need to break it down a little. To me, information literacy means how well a person understands information. This does not only include information that is given in the form of words, but also pictures, graphs, slang, and any other form of communication that you can think of. We are in a digital age right now, which means that we rely on technology more than before because we have found new and efficient ways to take advantage of it.
So, if we put all of that together, my answer is that information literacy in the digital age has to do with the importance of being able to understand how to effectively use and understand technology since have unique opportunities to enjoy what technology offers. Wow, that was a mouthful! What do you think?
Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (2)Arts and Literacy
Tonight I attended a discussion in TappedIn called, Arts and Literacy, and it was so neat! We discussed how several forms of art (e.g. photographs, paintings, primary sources) can spark a student’s interest in a lesson. Our host showed us several cool sites that offer free art visuals.
My favorite site was: http://www.humanclock.com/index.php
This site shows you a different picture for each minute of the day, and you can see the pictures in digital or analogue time. This would be a cool way to teach time and numbers to kids, or inspire you to make your class time or calendar clock- so much potential lies here.
For my complete list of neato web sites, check out: iKeepBookmark.com
This discussion showed me how close art and literacy is. Also, incorporating art into your curriculum shows your students that other subjects, such as science or social studies, do not have to be boring. With some creativity, we can enjoy any subject.
Filed under Uncategorized | Comment (0)DoppelMe
I tried creating an avatar, and loved it! At DoppleMe.com, you can create a funny, cartoon you, aka your avatar. You can then use your avatar as your picture in blogs or IMs, etc. I thought this would be a cool (and quick) way to give your students a personality for class blogging. Earlier I mentioned using blogs as a way to integrate technology into the classroom. The reason I like this idea so much is because it offers everyone, even your shy kids or those who need more time to think, a chance to participate. If they create an avatar, they may enjoy their blogging experience more.
The only thing to watch out for is that DoppelMe has a section where you can buy pieces of clothing. It lets you use real money (e.g. PayPal) to make your avatar cool. So, when using this in class, be sure to explain to your students that they can only choose free items! If they understand that it is a privilege to create and use avatars, they should (cross your fingers) abide by the rules.
Filed under Uncategorized | Comment (0)Visual Design & Interactivity
I just read about Visual Design and Interactivity in the classroom. An example of Visual Design is Visible Thinking. In Visible Thinking, the teacher and student work together to “show” the thought process of the students. I really like this concept because it’s easy to implement in the class and the products can be added into the students’ portfolios (I am a huge proponent of portfolios!).
I am thinking about adding this to my 5th grade lesson plan on the Civil War. I would incorporate the section of Visible Thinking called Circle of Viewpoints. Here is what it would look like:
Brainstorm a list of different perspectives and then use this script skeleton to explore each one:
Wrap up: What new ideas do you have about the topic that you didn’t have before? What new questions do you have? |
Part of the lesson is for my students to understand both perspectives of slavery by researching primary sources on the internet. As my students research, they need to think about many different questions. Why were slave-owners willing to go to war? Why did slaves want their freedom? What was it like to be a slave-owner versus being a slave? All of these questions can be answered using Circle of Viewpoints because I can see how they came to their conclusions.
Another way to increase active learning and offer better feedback as a teacher is through interactivity. I wasn’t able to find a definite explanation as to what interactivity was, but after reading a few articles, it appears to be the incorporation of technology into your lesson plans. So, teachers should try to incorporate technology in ways that allow students to think through technology’s use, offer creative uses of technology, and receive feedback on their products. I like using blogs in class because it offers students a more private and meaningful way to become engaged in discussions. I think students would feel safer to speak up because they aren’t on a time crunch (4 second rule) to answer a question or offer something to the discussion. Rather, students can think about what they want to say and analyze their opinion to a greater extent because there isn’t anyone there to interrupt their train of thought.
Circle of Viewpoints chart from:
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Online Databases
Online databases are a nice way to spruce up a web-based assignment. I developed a 5th grade web assignment about the Civil War. First the students go to the following link for the Library of Congress to read over the general chronology of the war. As they read and loo at the cool pictures, they need to write down two or three topics they discover on this site that they would like to learn more about. He he, this is getting them ready for another technology adventure.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/ndlpcoop/nhihtml/cwnyhsspec.html
Next they use the two links below to research four soldiers who fought in the war. Two must have fought for a free state, and two for a slave state.
click on: Kids, Families (on the left side, under Resources)
click on: American Memory
click on: War, Military
http://www.militaryindexes.com/civilwar/
The reason why I am willing to spend so much time on this is because I want the students to really understand that history is about real people who we can relate to. Through a personal quest on these soldiers, students can (if not already) respect and understand the men and women who fight in more modern wars.
Filed under Uncategorized | Comment (1)United Streaming
This is a really neat website that has LOTS of videos that you can download. I just spent some time looking it over, and found that it is extremely user friendly. It is easy to navigate, AND they have videos divided into SOL standards! So, for example, my
5th grade practicum class is about to start learning about the Civil War. So I looked up US9a, and found a video that covers the war. How cool is that?
I highly recommend this site. Oh, did I mention that it is free?
Filed under Uncategorized | Comment (0)Podcasting
I just finished making my first podcast..:(
I may not understand how it works (so please correct me) but I think anyone can listen to my podcast. I don’t like that complete strangers can listen to me (I can barely listen to myself…).
As for using this in my classroom with elementary students, I think it would be cool to give them the opportunity to create their own radio shows. For example, I could assign groups to work together and pretend that they are giving the news during the Civil War. So, they would have to research the war to decide what to report, and have fun listening to themselves on the Internet! But as far my podcasting career goes… I think this is it. (Unless Teresa requires us to record ourselves again! Hehe!)
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