inquiry_based_learing_podcast_5.m4a |
This weeks post is a podcast created to discuss the theory of constructivism, the application of inquiry based learning and integration of webquests into the classroom. Simply download the file and listen in iTunes.
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65% of the population are visual learners and growing The brain processes visual information 60,000 faster than text. - -- 90% of the information that comes to the brain is visual -- - 40% of all nerve fibers connected to the brain are linked to the retina Visual aids in the classroom improve learning by 400% - The Visual Teaching Alliance Studies show that only 30% of students are auditory learners, yet 80% of what is done in the classroom is auditory based. So how are the rest of the students learning during that 80% of time? The answer is they are most likely not. When students aren't learning or focused on a task they are more likely to cause disruptions, be distractors to students who are trying to learn and are prone to misbehavior. It is not only students that are becoming more visual, the world in which we live in is as well. Students are growing up in a time with 3D movies, television, video games, computers, smart phones, and the internet, etcetera. Recently there have been reports showing that students will spend an average of eight hours a day in front of a screen, be it the television, phone, or computer. The world is becoming a more visual place and the students who are growing up with it are as well. Old instructional methods will not reach the younger generations and it is now more important than ever that educators differentiate their instruction methods to include the 70% of the class they are currently leaving out. This means instructors need to become proficient visual teachers by providing students with visual stimulation accompanied by active learning strategies. By understanding and incorporating visual culture and technology into the classroom students will be better equipped for success in their future learning and more prepared for the society in which they will live and work.
Examples of Instructional Tools to aid Visual Learners: Click on the word to learn more information Above and below are some examples I have created using a couple of the tools above. The first example on top is of a word cloud made using Tagxedo. The image was inspired by an activity I did at a mini workshop put on by the Anti-Defamation League on resistance during WWII/The Holocaust. The second is an infographic that could be used in the classroom to teach about Netiquette. It was made using Infogram. Some of the images at the beginning of this post are by illustrator, Autumn Whitehurst. As technology has become more integrated into schools, there has been a need for the field of education to look at how it is being addressed in the classroom. In education there are content standards, common core standards and now technology standards. When looking at technology standards there are two specific areas that need to be examined the international dictated by organizations like the ISTE (International Society of Technology in Education) and state standards (this blog post will examine the Ohio Department of Education). While standards ensure students are being taught technology properly, it is up to the schools and teachers to teach students about ethics and copyright laws dealing with the web. The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) The ISTE has created 5 main technology standards educators to implement in the classroom to assist them in becoming more effective teachers. These criterion are designed to engage students and enrich not only learning but also the the professional practice for the instructor. For a more in-depth description on each standard and to view the performance indicators click here for the pdf distributed by ISTE. Standards for Educators: 1.Facilitate, Inspire Student Learning, and Creativity 2. Design and Develop digital age learning experiences and assessments 3. Model Digital Age Work and Learning 4. Promote Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility 5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership In addition to having standards for teachers there are also Standards for Administrators and Students. According to the ISTE administrators play and important part implementing technology into the schools. Similar to teachers there are also 5 standards for administrators as: "Transforming schools into digital age places of learning requires leadership from people who can accept new challenges and embrace new opportunities. Now more than ever, the success of technology integration depends on leaders who can implement systemic reform in our schools" -ISTE.org To see standards and performance indicators click here. ISTE's criterion developed for students is to help assess the abilities and knowledge they will need to not only learn effectively, but also thrive in an increasingly global and technological society. According to the ISTE, "Simply being able to use technology is no longer enough. Today's students need to be able to use technology to analyze, learn, and explore." Six Standards have been generated to assist students in advancing their digital aptitude. Standards for Students: 1. Creativity and Innovation 2. Communication and Collaboration 3. Research and Information Fluency 4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making 5. Digital Citizenship 6. Technology Operations and Concepts To view more information on the standards and performance indicators geared toward student learning click here. Side Note On ISTE: It is not only an organization dedicated to just developing standards they also offer a variety of other services. One their website there is are countless resources to assist teachers, from resources such as books, podcasts and journals to educational events for members. Additionally there are a multitude of professional development tools available, from webinars, conferences, online courses, and consulting services. The ISTE is also a great organization for creating contacts and social networking, they are on twitter, Facebook, linked in, they have a wikiplace and a have Young Educators Network. Furthermore the ISTE has created its own version of Facebook called Ning, for its members, affiliated organizations, groups and educational leaders. Ning allows members to network, share and learn from and with other members only. Another website which also provides educators with support in dealing with technology is etech ohio. Their goal is to not only help teachers continue their professional development but assist instructors in obtain and effectively utilize technology in schools. They are a great resource for grants, subsidies and funding for technology. Ohio Department of Education In the state of Ohio there are currently seven standards regarding technology. 1. Nature of Technology 2. Technology and Society Interactions 3. Technology for Productivity Applications 4. Technology and Communtication Applications 5. Technology and Information Literacy 6. Design 7. Designed World These criterion have been developed to address a wide range of digital skills broken up into three main groups computer and multimedia literacy, information literacy and technological literacy. For more info on the standards click here for a downloadable pdf. To concluded standards both ISTE and State benchmarks are important and hit on similar points, the ISTE however provides criterion for educators and administrators in addition to the students. Furthermore when looking at applying these standards to a social studies class some of these work very well such as Ohio's seventh standard Designed World. This touchstone requires the students to learn of the history, governmental, economic and cultural impact of science and/or technology; how it has been done to improve the human condition, which can easily be incorporated into lessons. As the blog Digital Citizenship:Using Technology Appropriately points out "...we recognize inappropriate behavior when we see it, but before people use technology they do not learn digital etiquette (i.e., appropriate conduct). Many people feel uncomfortable talking to others about their digital etiquette. Often rules and regulations are created or the technology is simply banned to stop inappropriate use. It is not enough to create rules and policy, we must teach everyone to become responsible digital citizens in this new society." Schools often implement AUPs (Appropriate Use Policy) to unsure students are safe and using the internet correctly. These policies are often signed by students/parents and are used to detail what is acceptable when using the internet and what is not. These documents also outline safety rules and restrictions to network access and releasing the school district of responsibility for students who choose to break those restrictions. Most schools make a point of letting students know that they have freedom on the web based on the principle notion, in which they need to take responsibility and accept any limitations pertaining to that liberty. More information on AUPS can be found here. AUPs only go so far and their is no guarantee students are reading what they are signing as such students need to be instructed by the teacher on what is to be expected of them on the internet. There are generally rules net users subscribe to that can be posted and taught in the class. Below are some example of a few of these rules. Clicking on the rules will directed you to more in depth information on each. Rule 1: Remember the Human Rule 2: Adhere to the same standards of behavior online that you follow in real life Rule 3: Know where you are in cyberspace Rule 4: Respect other people's time and bandwidth Rule 5: Make yourself look good online Rule 6: Share expert knowledge Rule 7: Help keep flame wars under control Rule 8: Respect other people's privacy Rule 9: Don't abuse your power Rule 10: Be forgiving of other people's mistakes Additionally beneath is a video that educators could have students could watch before using the computers in the school. The © or Copyright legally grants the originator of a work the exclusive publication, production, sale or distribution of their creation. Meaning there is a protection of the creators right to control how his/her product is used and to be compensated for it when others are give the permission to use their work. Additionally anything that is creative, tangible or an original work does not have to be registered.When examining Copyrights it is also important to look at the Fair Use doctrine. The Fair Use principle limits the copyright law and allows for the use of copyrighted works when it does not divert monetary income from the originator and/or is for the greater good/benefit of others. What does this mean for Education? It means as long as students and educators are using copyrighted material for instruction in the classroom it is okay to use it. Additionally though both students and teachers need to cite sources and give credit for borrowed information as neglecting this can lead to plagiarism. Plagiarism can be avoided by giving proper citations and quotations when using other's work in your own. For more information on © visit: http://www.isafe.org/imgs/pdf/education/Copyright.pdf There maybe times when an educator is absent or when the class is working on the computers at their own pace. This however doesn't have to mean that the instructor will loose a day of teaching or give the same instructions over and over again, because there is a free online source to solve the problem, screencast-o-matic. A teacher can now lecture and record what is on their computer screen for students to view when needed. Additionally students can use this technology to make presentations and projects when applicable. Beneath is a video tutorial on how to use the website to create videos that can be uploaded and made accessible to the intended audience. |
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