Class Meeting 03/30/09

Our meeting this week we discussed the difference between Cooperative Learning and Collabartive Learning. In my opinion Cooperative Learning is more based on what students knew previously and working together to reach a desired outcome. How they get there is completely up to them, yet everyone is to be accountable for some part of the project. In Collaborative learning, the groups are more structured. The way the group reaches the desired outcome is outline for them and they may divide up different parts. One common threat amongst them is accountability and social interaction. Student's are accountable to the group for their work and they must work together in socially acceptable ways, respecting each other and others opinions.

I really like the voice thread tool we learned about tonight. It is an interesting way to learn about a subject and to give immediate feedback about a subject while it is fresh in your head. Our group had to come up with a accornym for collaberative learning. we came up with:
s - Sturctured Socilization
H - Honor System
A - Accountability
R - Respect
E - Everyone
We felt that this was appropriate because the socilization will be more structured here. Everyone is on the honor system to do their work and fullfill their responsibilities. Also, students must hold each other accountable for learning and getting the required work done. And finally we must respect each other and everyone is to be involved.

The group presentation tonight was great. Their power point was well done and looked good. I enjoyed the video it gave some great ideas on why students should blog. My only opinion was that it was a little bit of the death by power point side. However, still I thought it was well done. I personally think that blogging is important for students. It allows students to reflect on their work and to interact with each in a new and unique way. Students need to become more familiar with different types of technology and what technology has to offer. They need to learn what is socially acceptable on the internet as well, as in person. Technology is slowly overtaking pen and paper. Sometime in the future students will be doing all their reflections on line.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE IN EXCEL

I think that infusing teaching how to use software into your curriculum is the best way to truly learn how to use it. Using it in a computer lab is one thing, but when you show the students that it has an actual application in the classroom or in the real world, they are more likely to take it serious and truly learn how to use the application. Also, using in your curriculum, in a project like this, will help you to make the material more relevant to today’s student. They will be more likely to learn the important material when it is infused with technology. Today’s students do not respond to lecturing, then need to be involved in the learning, they need to be engaged.

I think that a project like this would definitely help students to learn how to use excel. I learned a lot of things about excel that I did not know before. It is easier to learn a new skill by doing it rather then watching it be done. I would liken it to when you are in a car going to a new place. You are more likely to remember how to get there if you actually drive then if you watch someone else do it. Also, something like this would definitely help students learn the vocabulary. They would need to learn how to spell the words to set up the crossword itself. Also, they need to know definitions to write the clues.

Personally for myself I would not do anything differently next time. I followed the directions exactly, tried everything out, and plotted the crossword puzzle as directed. I cannot think of anything that I would do differently. The only thing I would do if I was in classroom with a group of students is to make sure that I am circulating to help them out, should they get confused by anything.

First Meeting after Spring Break

This week I must say that I learned a lot about Constructivism. I think that constructivism is a valuable tool for teachers to have in their arsenal. I truly believe that students learn more and rember more information when they learn it by experiencing it. Students need to see that the things they are learning have real world applications.

As far as the webquest, I thought it was fun to do. I learned about something new and got to apply some of the things that I have learned from the class so far. It was exactly what constructivism is all about. It is good to learn about something while actually applying it.

The power points for the most part I thought were very well done. I felt that all the groups for most part had a good handle on what constructivism is and how to implement it in the classroom. It was interesting that we all seem to notice that the major problem regarding constructivism is classroom management skills. Without those skills this practice is doomed to fail.

As far as the class went, unfortunately we got a taste of some of the problems with technology. It is great while it works and a pain in the you know what when it doesn't!!!!! However, I feel that we did the best we could given the situation. I think that as we move on as a society and technology improves these problems will discipate. I think that we are still bound to eventually have school completely online!

Sunday Meeting 03/08/09

This week we finished up our webquest project on Constructivism. It was fun creating the 5 E lesson plan. Not being a science teacher it was interesting to get to do a science lesson. I learned some names of house plants that I never knew even existed. Also, it was good to practice writing a lesson plan using the Constructivist method. It is definitely something that I want to do more of in my classroom. I think that students learn more and retain more information when they learn through their own experiences then from a teacher standing in front of the class and simply lecturing.

Our group did a wonderful job on the project. I feel that we all contributed in our own way. I think that we put in a lot of time and effort. I think that it really shows in the finished product. I hope to incorporate a webquest like this into my class as soon as possible!!!!!

Week of March 2nd

When reviewing the factors that can affect student learning, I believe that it is important to keep in mind that not all student's share the same experiences. A student's experiences outside of school can affect their interpretation of your message. One student could take a personal statement as an attack, while another student may not think anything of it. Also, in a learning enviornment some students will be distracted by things that do not distract others. For instance a light out above a student's head could cause them to lose focus, however another student may not be. Another factor is psychological. Again some students will take a statement one way and another studend could take the statement completely differently. We must keep in mind that students have different experiences at home that could affect them. There could be outside factors at home that affect the student's focus. Some student's parents may be going through a divorce or maybe a family member is sick. These things can affect focus.

The 5 E lesson plan alligns with the inquiry model in that it allows for student's to engage in the lesson and explore on their own. This allows them to discover new things and build on their own prior knowledge. When student's discover things on their own they are more likely to remeber them then if you simply tell them. It is similar to being in a car and going to a new place. If you drive and actually make all the turns you are more likely to remeber, then if you are simply a passenger. The 5 E lesson plan encourages teachers to no longer be the sage on the stage and rather be the guide on the side.