Thursday, November 18, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Jigsaw
The jigsaw method of teaching that allows the students to get information without having to sit and listen to a boring lecture for an hour. Also, it lets students interact with each other, and to utilize technology in their learning. If you have a limited number of computers, say five, each group of 'experts' can use a single computer to do their research, then take back the information to their group.
Advantages of using the jigsaw method is that students are less likely to get bored and zone out in class, and they are forced to pay attention to the information presented by their peers because of the ending test.
Disadvantages are that students are more likely to simply goof off rather than do their assigned research. Also, some students may be more likely to sit back and let the others do the work for them, them take credit for the research that is done.
Advantages of using the jigsaw method is that students are less likely to get bored and zone out in class, and they are forced to pay attention to the information presented by their peers because of the ending test.
Disadvantages are that students are more likely to simply goof off rather than do their assigned research. Also, some students may be more likely to sit back and let the others do the work for them, them take credit for the research that is done.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Reflections of Assistive Technologies
Assistive technologies that exist today have changed the way that students with special needs are taught. In the first video, various devices are shown that help students participate in their classes. Susanne uses voice recognition to write her college essays, and she uses her wheelchair to get around campus on her own. Also, the voice recognition on her cell phone provides her with a way to get help if she needs it. Vishal is not able to use his fingers to type out things on a computer, so he uses an on screen keyboard to type.
There are a lot of other ways that technology has helped students communicate and learn. Some technology is used as a device that allows the student to get across basic words and communication, while other students can communicate fine, but need the help of technology to do individual work without the help of others. Also, some use technology to pursue their passions in non-academic things, such as creating music with the use of a joystick.
For some students, technology is what takes them from the isolation to interaction, such as in the case of Josh. He was unable to communicate what he wanted to say to others, which caused frustration. With the use of the super talker and bookworm, he was able to start communicating with everyone. He learned more words and gained the confidence so that he would be able to communicate more easily and more often with others.
There are a lot of other ways that technology has helped students communicate and learn. Some technology is used as a device that allows the student to get across basic words and communication, while other students can communicate fine, but need the help of technology to do individual work without the help of others. Also, some use technology to pursue their passions in non-academic things, such as creating music with the use of a joystick.
For some students, technology is what takes them from the isolation to interaction, such as in the case of Josh. He was unable to communicate what he wanted to say to others, which caused frustration. With the use of the super talker and bookworm, he was able to start communicating with everyone. He learned more words and gained the confidence so that he would be able to communicate more easily and more often with others.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Back to the Future
In the three videos, there was a lot of technology usage; some of which we do have today, and some of which is not accurate.
Similarities: The boy video chats with his classmate to discuss their assignment. There are many different programs today that can be used to video chat just like that. Also, the teacher in the classroom was using what looked kind of like a Powerpoint presentation to teach the class, only on three different screens.
Differences: The boy used voice recognition to control his computer. It worked sort of like the computer on Star Trek where you simply voice a command and the computer carries it out. This technology probably does somewhat exist today, but not many people have it, and it's probably really expensive. Also, I noticed that he didn't use a mouse. For those operations that he couldn't use voice control, he typed a series of keys on the keyboard. The mouse is an integral part of operating a computer with ease.
The Future: I hope that someday we will all be able to pretend we're on star trek and say "Computer, what is the nature of this universe?" and get an answer. Also, it would be very helpful if children who have to stay home from school could easily have access to all classroom discussions and such from their home computer. Of course, this would also eliminate the fun of staying home sick, but it's for the sake of education.
Similarities: The boy video chats with his classmate to discuss their assignment. There are many different programs today that can be used to video chat just like that. Also, the teacher in the classroom was using what looked kind of like a Powerpoint presentation to teach the class, only on three different screens.
Differences: The boy used voice recognition to control his computer. It worked sort of like the computer on Star Trek where you simply voice a command and the computer carries it out. This technology probably does somewhat exist today, but not many people have it, and it's probably really expensive. Also, I noticed that he didn't use a mouse. For those operations that he couldn't use voice control, he typed a series of keys on the keyboard. The mouse is an integral part of operating a computer with ease.
The Future: I hope that someday we will all be able to pretend we're on star trek and say "Computer, what is the nature of this universe?" and get an answer. Also, it would be very helpful if children who have to stay home from school could easily have access to all classroom discussions and such from their home computer. Of course, this would also eliminate the fun of staying home sick, but it's for the sake of education.
Monday, August 30, 2010
About Me
Hey! It's pretty obvious the first thing about me. My name is Meredith. I'm a sophomore, but a young one. I'm only 18 years old, but in my defense, I'll be 19 in October. My major is Secondary Ed Math. Yes, I want to be a high school math teacher. It started with my high school math teacher, who instilled in me a love of math (especially trig). When I got to college and started looking at majors, I knew I wanted to do something with math, but not be a plain math major. Then I came up with the idea of being at teacher. I think being a teacher would be an awesome career for me. My ultimate life goal is to have a family and live comfortably. Being a teacher fits my plan because I could be there for my kids at school, and I would have summers off. But fitting my family life isn't the only reason that I want to be a teacher. As I said before, my high school math teacher was awesome. He was able to explain math to me in a way that made me get it, and he made me love it. I hope that I can help my future students also love math the way that I do.
So where was this awesome math teacher? At Liberty Charter School in Nampa, ID. It's not one of the three major high schools in the city, but a tiny charter school just south of the city limits. I'm proud to say that we were one of the first charter schools in Idaho, and certainly the first in our area. Also, the Harbour Method (you may have heard of it before) was created at my school by the principal that I've had since 1st grade. I've been with about half of my classmates at least since third grade, with some going and some coming. We ended up graduating a class of 18.
In such a small class, we all had our identifying quirks. One of my most quirky was my obsession with Harry Potter. It's not so much of an obsession anymore, but I am still an avid fan. I actually cried a little when I first saw the trailer for the last movie(s) in theaters. Between my Harry Potter obsession, my Sims 2 playing, and my love of bright colors and polka dots, I was definitely one of the weirder classmates. But I swear, I'm not that much weirder than anyone else. You'll just have to get to know me to see how awesome I am; and humble too :).
So where was this awesome math teacher? At Liberty Charter School in Nampa, ID. It's not one of the three major high schools in the city, but a tiny charter school just south of the city limits. I'm proud to say that we were one of the first charter schools in Idaho, and certainly the first in our area. Also, the Harbour Method (you may have heard of it before) was created at my school by the principal that I've had since 1st grade. I've been with about half of my classmates at least since third grade, with some going and some coming. We ended up graduating a class of 18.
In such a small class, we all had our identifying quirks. One of my most quirky was my obsession with Harry Potter. It's not so much of an obsession anymore, but I am still an avid fan. I actually cried a little when I first saw the trailer for the last movie(s) in theaters. Between my Harry Potter obsession, my Sims 2 playing, and my love of bright colors and polka dots, I was definitely one of the weirder classmates. But I swear, I'm not that much weirder than anyone else. You'll just have to get to know me to see how awesome I am; and humble too :).
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