I chose chapter 2,"Inquiring with Technologies". This chapter explains how the internet has evolved over the decades. How doing research on the internet "with a purpose" is vital for true learning. It mentions how we need to articulate what we learn and how to use it in new ways. This sounds like Bloom's Taxonomy, which still applies to how we learn. I like the section where the authors go over the different search engines and directories; I particularly find 'Google Scholar' a valuable resource that I am already using for some of my research in another class. With Google Scholar, you can go directly to journals, peer-reviewed papers, and other scholarly material.
Other important topics include the legal aspect of doing and using research done by other scholars. Such as 'Copyright, Fair Use, and Plagiarism" on pages 33-34. The other sections that teach us about safety (for students especially), and Privacy are things that we, as teachers and students, must always keep in mind.
Another section concerns information we gather by using mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, etc. The authors state that mobile devices are a cost effective way for students to gather information.
Reading this chapter has convinced me to upgrade my regular cell phone to a smartphone. Every time I see somebody using theirs makes me realize how convenient these devices can be.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Structured English Immersion
After decades of relying on the bilingual education program in order that spanish-speaking children learn english, and after the increasing number of these students who are perpetual bilingual (in elementary school) then are placed in ESL (English as a Second Language) in middle school, it is time to try something new.
Three states who are moving forward in this direction are Arizona, California, and Massachusettes. California uses the SEI (Structured English Immersion) program. The focus is to teach english by speaking english (similar to an ESL program). http://www.onenation.org/1198/110198c.html
There is still much debate over which program is better: Bilingual Education or SEI (a form of ESL).
I believe that a program that gets results faster and is more effective for our children at least deserves a change in Texas. Many parents I spoke with (when I was a bilingual teacher (for 7 years)), want their children to learn English quickly and effectively. http://janetlwhite.efoliomn.com/structuredenglishimmersion
Three states who are moving forward in this direction are Arizona, California, and Massachusettes. California uses the SEI (Structured English Immersion) program. The focus is to teach english by speaking english (similar to an ESL program). http://www.onenation.org/1198/110198c.html
There is still much debate over which program is better: Bilingual Education or SEI (a form of ESL).
I believe that a program that gets results faster and is more effective for our children at least deserves a change in Texas. Many parents I spoke with (when I was a bilingual teacher (for 7 years)), want their children to learn English quickly and effectively. http://janetlwhite.efoliomn.com/structuredenglishimmersion
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Learning with Technology Blogs
While attending a function on Saturday, a fellow teacher (Spanish) commented that much is being lost today concerning education; specifically the classics and an emphasis on the liberal arts. A comment about a need for ethics in technology was also made. After returning to school this past fall, I disagree that we are losing ground in these areas. What I learned since beginning my masters program (Instructional Specialist in Technology in Education), is that many educators who are knowledgeable in technology and learning theories do teach ethics in technology and the classics. We are just behind and it will take time to catch up (as stated in the conclusion of chapter 1 in their book, 'Meaningful Learning with Techology' by J. L. Howland, D. Jonassen, and R. M. Marra).
The following website (which is really an abstract of a book) addresses the above topics.
http://www.mendeley.com/research/learning-with-technology-a-constructivist-perspective/
The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) has its own blogs. This site is called 'Connect'.
http://www.iste.org/connect/iste-connects/blog-detail/11-06-26/The_Bring_Your_Own_Device_Debate.aspx
While attending a function on Saturday, a fellow teacher (Spanish) commented that much is being lost today concerning education; specifically the classics and an emphasis on the liberal arts. A comment about a need for ethics in technology was also made. After returning to school this past fall, I disagree that we are losing ground in these areas. What I learned since beginning my masters program (Instructional Specialist in Technology in Education), is that many educators who are knowledgeable in technology and learning theories do teach ethics in technology and the classics. We are just behind and it will take time to catch up (as stated in the conclusion of chapter 1 in their book, 'Meaningful Learning with Techology' by J. L. Howland, D. Jonassen, and R. M. Marra).
The following website (which is really an abstract of a book) addresses the above topics.
http://www.mendeley.com/research/learning-with-technology-a-constructivist-perspective/
The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) has its own blogs. This site is called 'Connect'.
http://www.iste.org/connect/iste-connects/blog-detail/11-06-26/The_Bring_Your_Own_Device_Debate.aspx
Meaningful Tasks
The two attributes I chose are 'Authenic (Complex/Contextual) and Cooperative (Collaborative/Conversational). This is a thought-provoking book. I read every word of chapter one, and reflected on my own teaching methods and how I can improve them so that my students better understand the concepts and make them part of their continued learning.
Authentic
When the authors say that teachers 'remove those ideas from their natural contexts in order to be able to cover the curriculum more efficiently', standardized testing comes to mind. As much as teachers desire a genuine interest to learn from students, test scores are what counts at the end of each school year. Each year, more is demanded from teachers so that test scores improve, and at the same time, we are given more objectives to cover. Not to mention all the practice tests students must take in preparation for the actual test. Students need to 'discover' the benefits and excitement of learning in their own lives. This is why I don't lecture, but endeavor to get my students to be actively engaged in the lessons; the 'real-world' knowledge we are studying. I believe that when they realize the realities we study is history and current events, they are on the path to become life-long learners.
Cooperative
This attribute is so true! Learning is enhanced when students (people) work together and help each other. This is how civilization managed to continue and grow. Yet, the 'old school' holds student learning back due to the belief that each student is accountable for his/her own work. It is true that students should be accountable for their own learning, but learning as a community helps them achieve more; learn more. The reason for independent work is that there are those students who rely too much on others when doing group work. Many times, in a group of, let's say, four students, one or two of the students end up doing most of the work. Of course, this is where monitoring by the teacher comes in; but in a class of 35-40 students, it's difficult for one teacher to monitor each and every student. I hope that as we acquire more technology in our classrooms, we are able to see the reality of this attribute come to fruition.
Having read only the first chapter, I am amazed at the amount of information and insight it gives on education, particularly concerning technology. The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), the National Education Technology Standards (NETS), and Elements of the 21st Century Skills Framework. I am impressed and a bit overwhelmend at the challenges we face as educators concerning technology. I also find this very exciting. We need change in our education system. As new, young teachers enter the field, I am confident that we will meet these goals, since the younger generation has grown up with technology.
Authentic
When the authors say that teachers 'remove those ideas from their natural contexts in order to be able to cover the curriculum more efficiently', standardized testing comes to mind. As much as teachers desire a genuine interest to learn from students, test scores are what counts at the end of each school year. Each year, more is demanded from teachers so that test scores improve, and at the same time, we are given more objectives to cover. Not to mention all the practice tests students must take in preparation for the actual test. Students need to 'discover' the benefits and excitement of learning in their own lives. This is why I don't lecture, but endeavor to get my students to be actively engaged in the lessons; the 'real-world' knowledge we are studying. I believe that when they realize the realities we study is history and current events, they are on the path to become life-long learners.
Cooperative
This attribute is so true! Learning is enhanced when students (people) work together and help each other. This is how civilization managed to continue and grow. Yet, the 'old school' holds student learning back due to the belief that each student is accountable for his/her own work. It is true that students should be accountable for their own learning, but learning as a community helps them achieve more; learn more. The reason for independent work is that there are those students who rely too much on others when doing group work. Many times, in a group of, let's say, four students, one or two of the students end up doing most of the work. Of course, this is where monitoring by the teacher comes in; but in a class of 35-40 students, it's difficult for one teacher to monitor each and every student. I hope that as we acquire more technology in our classrooms, we are able to see the reality of this attribute come to fruition.
Having read only the first chapter, I am amazed at the amount of information and insight it gives on education, particularly concerning technology. The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), the National Education Technology Standards (NETS), and Elements of the 21st Century Skills Framework. I am impressed and a bit overwhelmend at the challenges we face as educators concerning technology. I also find this very exciting. We need change in our education system. As new, young teachers enter the field, I am confident that we will meet these goals, since the younger generation has grown up with technology.
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