The Mosaic I made has been completed! It was finished two days ago and I think it looks great. I found that it works better if you follow the sites suggestion and use the maximum amount of pictures the system will let you have. Also even though it looks awesome it took a long time to make so maybe it could be incorporated into a final end of the quarter/semester/year project to give students plenty of time for their images to be processed and end product to be produced. Below is another image I did finished at the same time and it as you can see would have looked better with more images, proving in this case less is not more.
Web 2.0 Tools can be used in the classroom to enhance student learning and motivation. These tools can be used to make learning more meaningful and allow for diversity in instruction and assessment. Another Web 2.0 tool besides Voki that can be used in the classroom is Mosaickr.com. This can be used for visuals or for student projects. An example would be they could take a historical figures image and find other images that are associated or apart of that persons life, this could also be done for countries in geography classes. For more ideas on how to use it in the classroom click here. An example of one that I made will be coming soon, it takes time for the images to be completed, so students should plan ahead if this tool is going to be utilized. The last web 2.0 tool this post will be looking at is Prezi. Prezi is an alternative to powerpoint. The account is free and it has a variety of templates to choose from. While powerpoint moves from one slide to the next, prezi is different in that it moves across the screen. For more information on prezi in the classroom click here. More Web 2.0 Tools and information on them are available at Web 2.0 Guru. Update: 12/14
The Mosaic I made has been completed! It was finished two days ago and I think it looks great. I found that it works better if you follow the sites suggestion and use the maximum amount of pictures the system will let you have. Also even though it looks awesome it took a long time to make so maybe it could be incorporated into a final end of the quarter/semester/year project to give students plenty of time for their images to be processed and end product to be produced. Below is another image I did finished at the same time and it as you can see would have looked better with more images, proving in this case less is not more.
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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.
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. Google Docs has become an amazing resource for both students and teachers to utilize. Students can use it for group work and/or projects. Educators can use it to work with other teachers over a long distance or to create forms, power points, spreadsheets etc. which can be incorporated into lessons. More info about using Google Docs in education can be found by clicking here. Additionally below is a power point on how to use several functions of google docs. Video Chats have been connecting people from all over the world and cross country since the being of its creation so why not use it in the classroom. Using programs like Skype students can get access to university professors and field experts on specific content topics. Teachers can have these professionals give lectures, answer students questions, and provide detailed information. Additionally students can also research given topics and interview experts for projects. Another way to use these services to connect with other classrooms around the world, where students can teach each other, or learn about how topics maybe covered differently. Countless articles have been published on blog about using Skype such as the one on teachers for tomorrow, a good article from this blog can be found here. While Skype is often thought of as the go to video chat there are other programs such as google hangouts and meetings.io these sites are free and meetings.io doesn't even require an account. Some ways to get in touch with professionals is through the network created by using twitter or another great resource for connecting classrooms is epals. In epals students get their own email account teachers can oversee and through these they can send emails to students in other countries. In the field of education it is necessary for teachers to continue their education, learn about new innovative instructional strategies and find resources to implement in the classroom. But where does one get this going to conferences, seminars and taking counting education class? While all of these are great tools they are not accessible on a regular basis, there is however one aid that is and its free. This resource not only puts instructors in contact with other teachers and educational researchers but also gives them exposure to experts in their content areas, and the tool that does that is twitter. Twitter is often just thought of as a social network teenagers use to tell their friends where they are at or what they are doing, but when used in a professional way it can open a gate to instant information that can be useful for educators to use to improve their teaching, classrooms, and schools. While twitter can put one in contact with professionals around the world it can also give access to the learning and content area communities. It does this through the #hashtag. When writing a tweet one can add the hashtag and your tweet is instantly sent to a chat on the subject you have hash-tagged and by searching you are able to view what others are saying about the same subject. A list of topics created by for education can be found here. Some of the most useful tags I have found are a general education chat #edchat and #ntchat for new teachers. I also like for social studies looking specifically at #sschat and #twittersorians to learn more about happenings in my content area. These forums can be more effectively viewed by installing applications like TweetDeck. This app is free and can be used by installing google chrome or for macs by going to the App Store and downloading TweetDeck (it is also free). Below is a few images of using TweetDeck. Using search engines has become an integral part of education and daily life. Using a search engine like google seems simple, just type in what you what to learn about, click, and results appear. However the type of findings you get may not be at the caliber the user wants or needs. Googles search works by first finding the words typed into the search bar in the web address, not necessarily the content on the website. Additionally the more links a website has the higher on the search list it will appear. An example of this is Wikipedia, it uses search topics in the web address and is one of the most linked and viewed website on the internet. Unfortunately for secondary students Wikipedia is at a college reading level and the information it contains is not always accurate as it is updated by the general public. By simply teaching students to use google options and settings, they can find more quality information at the appropriate reading levels for them. The slide show below is how to use google more effectively. One of the most useful features is being able to use google advance search to change the reading level of webpages found for students. The advanced search also equips students to search for specific file types, such as specifically just powerpoint or excel files. Additionally having google books also allows for students to have access to books published in other countries, giving them access to information they might not get out of their class textbook. While google is the most popular search engine, it is not the only one. Below are images of five different search engines geared toward providing high quality content and visual representations. The first Wolfram Alpha can be used for computing answers and providing knowledge. The second Spezify is a visual search engine. Next is ipl2, is a resource that has been set up by librarians and is a engine specifically for education. After is Sweet Search is another great tool for instructors and students. The last one, InstaGrok is the most interactive. This was a site created by a teacher and is not only visual, but also has great tools for both students and educators. Instructors can set up a classroom, then students can create a digital journal, where students can store notes, images, and write their own thoughts on topics. Though search engines are valuable there is one more resource that can be helpful in navigating the web. Diigo is a web tool that helps organize, share and save bookmarks. Additionally this tool can allow the user to highlight and add post-it notes to webpages which can be kept private or shared with a group. This can be used in the classroom to make the web interactive; it lets students or teachers post notes, highlight and share what they feel is important on articles, videos, and webpages. Below are some images and a video tutorial on how to use and set up Diigo. Secondary education has always been about preparing students to be college or career ready. In this technologically driven age though it becomes harder to know what jobs and challenges students will face in the future. Due to this it has become increasingly more important for educators to teach students not only subject content but also skills, such as critical thinking, organization, and presentation, ect. These skills are often driven by societal needs and with technology becoming an ever more integral part of the world, it to has become an increasingly more important skill to teach. Students are growing up surrounded by computers, smartphones, tablets, and other electronic gadgets, and as such these tools become elements they can relate too. As an educator using technology in the classroom, will not only help develop students technological skills, but it also becomes a way to make learning more relatable and engaging. This is a blog dedicated to different tools that can be used in the classroom to promote student learning and success. Additionally the video link below shows how the world is changing at a rapid pace, the challenges students will face and how technology is apart of the cultural evolution. |
Tech. Seeker"The real problem is not whether machines think but whether men do." Archives
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