Technology in the Classroom

1.)  Not only did I find Dr. Roberts’s presentation extremely entertaining, I also found it very relevant to my classroom.  From the data that he presented, it is clear that our students are growing up in a world where technology is ever-present and they need to be “stimulated” sometimes by more than one median in order to be engaged.  I think that this is relevant to my classroom because as an educator, I think that I need to effectively integrate the technology that my students use/ are exposed to on a daily basis in order to stay current and relevant.  In order to engage students so they are able to learn, you need to first gain their attention.  It is clear through the data that Dr. Roberts presented that student’s attention is gained through technology and media.  If we expect students to learn in our classroom, teachers should integrate these systems into their teaching.

2.)  After reading the NY times article about online learning, I did a little reflecting and thought about how online education could influence not only my school but also my teaching.  First off I do not agree with the trend of online education being the only way students who failed a class are able to make it up.  I believe that teaching and learning are done best when a TEACHER is in the classroom.  Additionally if the students who are taking online education are the ones who failed a course previously, I think that it is imperative that there be a teacher present in the classroom.  Furthermore, it is somewhat frightening that districts are using online education as a way to save money.  As a teacher in a low-income district, it forces me to question my own job security.  What would happen if my district started to offer online courses for students?  Would my job be at risk?

3.)  http://www.glogster.com/ This would be an amazing resource to use in my classroom. I often to group projects which involve posters and presentations.  If my students were able to make “virtual’ posters that included both text, music, and images, I think that they not only be engaged but create some amazing projects.

4.)  http://rubistar.4teachers.org/ As a teacher that makes her own rubrics for every project, this will be an amazing tool to help me save time and some sanity.

5.)  http://puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com I believe that this could be an amazing resource because crossword puzzles are a great way to introduce/ test vocabulary and definitions.  Additionally my students love puzzles so I think that my students would greatly benefit from these activities.

6.)  http://www.easybib.com/ Starting in the 6^th grade students start to write research papers, and they begin learning how to site sources.  This website would be a great resource for students who are struggling to format their bibliographies. 

Interdisciplinary Resources in the Classroom

As a 6^th grade social studies teacher I have the opportunity to teach one of my favorite era’s in World History; Ancient Rome.  I love to teach students about Ancient Rome not only because I get to expose them to the building blocks of the system of government in the United States, but I also get to bring in a multitude of resources outside my subject area to help engage students and broaden students’ understanding about one of the most fascinating and advanced periods in history.  One “resource” that I utilize with students has to do with Ancient Roman games.  Although I am not a P.E. teacher, I love to get students active in my classroom.  Romans were famous for their gladiator fights, foot races, and chariot races, so I try to bring these games alive within my own classroom. 

http://rome.mrdonn.org/circus.html

http://www.romanmysteries.com/charioteer-facts

Above are two websites that have amazing descriptions and visuals about the Roman circuses and charioteers.  After students learn about Roman games, I give them the opportunity to “practice” what they learn by having their own races.   Each class spends a period out on the track where we partake in both foot races and “chariot” races through the use of jump ropes and “wagon rollers” provided by the P.E. department.  Because students are able to experience the games for themselves, they gain a deeper understanding of the content.

Another outside I resource I bring into the classroom when studying about Ancient Rome has to do with architecture.  Romans are famous for building structures that are still around today, and students LOVE to look at images of the coliseum, roman aqueducts, The Pantheon, the Via Apia etc. 

http://rome.mrdonn.org/art.html

Above is a great Internet site that has tons of readings, games, and worksheets all concerning Roman architecture.  In my classroom, after students have learned the “basics” of the Roman style of architecture, I allow them to make their own structures in that same style.  Students are allowed to use whatever medium they would like, and it is truly amazing to see some of the products that they are able to come up with.

            Although I love using interdisciplinary resources within my own teaching, there are some major challenges when using the technique.  I think that them main challenge is time.  Most interdisciplinary resources involve a lot of student creativity and that creativity takes time.  In schools where teachers are forced to follow a strict pacing guide, this can pose quite a problem.  Another challenge when using interdisciplinary resources comes when making sure that the activity is “meaningful” and connects back to the content that the teacher wants the student to be learning.  A lot of times teachers try to throw in an art project to make it fun for the students, however the project does not connect back to the material you want the students to be learning.  However, even though there are challenges that must be over come when using interdisciplinary resources, I think that the rewards out way the risks, and teachers should strive to put these fun and engaging activities in every unit that they teach.

I responded to Andrew Eckloff at http://aeckloff.blogspot.com/2012/07/mait-402-blog-july-17th.html

"Mind The Gap"

Mind the Gap” Session 2

1.”I came to believe that accountability as written into federal law, was not raising standards but dumping down the schools as states and districts strived to meet unrealistic targets.”

~Ravich pg 13

It is no surprise that high stakes testing is a heated and controversial debate within the teaching profession.  Although I do not agree with the concept of high stakes testing, since I began teaching I have struggled to come up with a way to verbalize my objectives to the practice.  I completely agree with the Ravich quote from above because she concisely states my objections and states why testing is detrimental to public education.

“ I do claim however, that we must preserve American public education because it is so intimately connected to our concept of citizenship and democracy and to the promise of the American life.”

~Ravich PG 14

As a history teacher I believe that the main reason Americans youth should be educated in both American and world history is so they are able to make informed decisions and participate in American democracy.  I identify with the above quote by Ravich, because she uses the same argument about why students should be enrolled in American public schools.

2.) I believe that a well-educated person is someone who is able to think freely and make critical and informed decisions.  I also believe that a well-educated person is able to actively participate in democracy and listen/ respond to opinions and ideas that differ from their own.  I believe that a well-educated person should have an understanding of history and all core subjects, and have a basic understanding of current events.  

3.) The main thing that I got from the class discussion was how much of a disservice high stakes testing are doing to both the public schools and the charter schools in our education system.  It was very interesting to hear the different stories from my fellow educators about how high stakes testing effects them personally in their school sites.

4.) Standard: Students analyze the geographic, political, economic, religious, and social structures of the Ancient Hebrews.

The Old Testament-

One of the best resources available to me about the geopgraphic, political, economic, religious, and social structures is the Old Testament.  By becoming more familiar with these srciptures, I will be able to access all of the information I need to fill in the gaps of my content knowledge on this standard.  

http://greek-language.com/bible/palmer/04geohist.html

Ancient Israel in Sinai: The Evidence for the Authenticity of the Wilderness Tradition

5.) In one article I read, the authors assert that students who are engaged in their work are energized by four goals- success, curiosity, originality, and satisfying relationships.  The authors of this article try to figure out teachers can cultivate and create these drives inside the classroom.  The authors of this article also state that in order to convince students that they are able to succeed within the classroom the teacher must:  1.) We must clearly articulate the criteria for success and provide clear, immediate, and constructive feedback. 2.) we must show students that the skills they need to be successful are within their grasp by clearly and systematically modeling these skills. 3.) We must help them see success as a valuable aspect of their personalities.  I believe that this information will help me during my capstone project because it informs me what types of resources I need to find in order to engage students during my project.

            In the other article I read, the authors assert that previous research states that no one teaching strategy will consistently engage all learners.  They believe that the key to student engagement is to help students relate the lesson content to their own backgrounds.  The authors think that motivation is inseparable from culture, and the reason so many students are not engaged within the classroom is because the educational system continues to relate motivation to learn with external rewards and punishments. I would further research articles by both of these authors beucase they write on subjects that directly correlate with my project.


Blogs I responded too:
Courtney Lyon: courtneylyonsmc.blogspot.com
Mike Rose: Mikejas.blogspot.com
Sheridan Arredondo: sheridanarredondo.blogspot.com