Students Using Technology

Wordle

                                            http://www.wordle.net/create

"Integrating Websites into the Classroom."

     I found a website called Creative Literacy Project which allows students to create their very own book! This project is a great way to have children let their inner creativity out and have them express what THEY want to focus on in learning. This project can for as young as a preschooler to as old as a 6th grader, and  does not have to be limited to just the classroom. Parents can do this as an at home activity with their child.
     This site could be a great way to explore the imagination of a young child. I was thinking about using this project while we are learning about under water life in class. The children would then be able to create their own book to express what they have learned. This project is really great for students because there are very limited restrictions and it allows the students to work on something individually and create the project the way THEY want it. The project could be extended beyond the classroom by making students go home and read their story to a parent, grandparent, sibling, or guardian. This is a good way to have parent/child interaction and also shows what amazing work they are doing in the classroom. You could also set up a time to have older (or younger) peers come and read the child's story with them. This relationship may often go past just reading the story and is a good way for students to interact with each other.

Avatars in Education

     Avatars could be used to help enhance the use of language in communication. You are able to change which type of language the avatar speaks in so this could help children be more exposed to different languages across the world. You are also allowed to type what you want the avatar to say so if early childhood children are struggling with english skills you can use the avatars as a way to have them spell the words and then hear what they sound like.

Assignment: Reading Response: 1

  During previous schooling I have experienced working with computers in the class room mostly while in middle school. I remember going to the computer lab and using word documents, making charts/graphs, and seeing how many words we can type per minute. I also have used computers in the classroom while doing student testing.

     I plan on integrating the use of computers in my 8th grade classroom by allowing them to do in class projects throughout the year. They will be able to use many different programs like Microsoft word (not just for a blank document, but to make brochures, clip art, and learn to make a resume), photoshop, and the internet. By allowing them the access to a computer at school they will be able to create many different types of documents, and will be able to browse the internet to find facts, and other pieces of information.

     I believe that the most challenging aspect of applying computers in the classroom will be the availability of the computers. Many teachers I'm sure would love to have the option of each student having there own computer at the school, but that is just not an option with the budget schools have, so it is going to be very difficult arranging time slots for each teacher to be able to use what little computers are available.

Assignment: Reading Response 2

     Telecollaborative projects develop students critical thinking skills, because they force students to work together as a group to complete an assignment. Most students would rather work individually because they can control what type of a grade they get, by working in a group you do not have control over what one of your team members may or may not do, which can be frustrating to some students. Also by working in a group you have to find a way to put everybody's ideas together as one, which takes critical thinking skills as well.

      Students also develop critical thinking skills from telecollaborative projects by evaluating the work that is given. In order to fully understand the assignment, the student must analyze and comprehend what they are doing, an example of that would be to judge the effectiveness of the telecollaporative project. They also must be able to apply there ideas/evaluations of the project into real life.

Exploring Project Based Learning

     I chose My Healthy Self Project as my favorite out of the six, because it allowed children to understand what goes into their bodies and how to keep it healthy. I don't think we spend enough time with young children on how to take care of ourselves, and I believe that the increase in weight and obesity is a result of this. This project was based at the 1st grade level and gives young kids a head start in allowing to keep their bodies healthy.

    Higher level thinking skills involved in this project are working as a group to calculate and analyze data like how many sit ups you can do, to what your normal body temperature is. The project also allowed students to become doctors for a class period when they opened up a wellness center in their room. This involves higher level thinking because the students have to put what they learned from the project into real problems.

     I really enjoyed how the project was put together and thinks it is very easy for students to understand, the only thing I would do to improve it would be to adjust the project for older students, because I plan on working with older kids. I think the project's main idea is fit for all ages though!