wordle of my blog

take away Apr14.

Today I learned about communication and presentation technologies: e-mail, PowerPoint and Voicethread. I am comfortable using e-mail and PowerPoint. However, today's class enabled me to think more about using new programs in a classroom. It will help students and teachers to have a successful learning and teaching experience. If more teachers learn about how to use these technological tools more accurately, there will be more benefits.There is a new application that seems very useful, which is Voicethread. I will try to use this application in my classroom two years later in my country.

Chapters 8 & 9 Reflection

Chapter 8 focuses on the information communication technologies: email, instant messaging, website, blog and wiki. Chapter 9 focuses on the information presentation technologies: Power Point, video and DVD. I already experienced using both technologies through the 7266 class. I thought it was interesting to read these chapters because I have been learning this topic with practice. I need to check my email to confirm my assignments or class requests. Sometimes I use instant messaging to discuss a group project with my team members. Now I am posting my reflection from a reading assignment. Also, I have seen the use of multimedia like PowerPoint or video clips in the 7266 class. Therefore, I see the usefulness of “technology integrating instruction.”

I am sure teachers should create classroom blogs or websites for their students’ education. It can be used for informing students about assignments, giving them learning materials and providing them room for their own reaction. Until now, when I graded my students I used to ask students to submit their worksheets which were written and drawn by hand. Then I had to turn the page over and over to view every response. I could not help but spend more time and effort evaluating the students learning process. However, I could consider using other methods for students who will submit work through chapter 8 & 9. I will try to suggest new technological methods to my students: take a picture of your handout work and make a video clip. Then post them on the class blog using your own cell phone. Students will show their efforts by making their own video clips.

The contents of “Photo Taking and Movie Making by Students” on chapter 9 enabled me to think diversely about my lesson plan. It can be a more student-centered lesson. I believe that the youth are more intuitive about dealing with the new technologies such as computers, mobile devices and applications. Whenever I saw my students using the computer or devices, I saw potential for the educational success in incorporating technologies.

Q1) What do you think is the most usefulness thing in classroom blog? Can you inform me a good example?

Q2) When using presentation technologies like PowerPoint, video and DVD it can be a passive educational experience for students. What do you think are the other strategies for participating active students?

Take Away Message Apr. 7

As I made my WebQuest, I learned how to use e-portfolio for the first time. I thought it was a truly useful tool. When I viewed another student's e-portfolio, I was impressed by the well-assembled documents. There are useful information such as lesson plans, educational philosophy and personal materials. Not only have I leaned about how to create an e-portfolio but also I could be informed about another student's thought and experience. Today in class I learned about using the e-portfolio more clearly.

Take Away Message Mar 31.

Today, I learned about the importance of feedback. The class discussed the group topics but before discussing the topics, I only had a few thoughts in mind. However, I learned new information and several ideas through the feedback discussion. It is truly important to share ideas in the classroom.

Chapter 7 Reflection

         Chapter 7 focuses on the educational software program and also mentions video games.

There are some different types of educational software programs; one is ‘composing and calculating software’ like word processing and spreadsheet software programs. Another is ‘building, inventing, and creating software’ such as Kid Pix and Google Earth. It can provide exploration environments and give students a chance to solve their own question. The other is visual thinking and concept mapping software. It can allow us to create things like graphs, symbols, charts on a computer. Students use these tools in their learning because it is beneficial for various reasons. Using these tools student can express their thoughts or ideas creatively and electronically create things more easily. I agree with the general idea explained in chapter 7.

            However, as I was reading the contrasting views about computer games in learning, I could not help but go back to the most elemental question: What is learning? I think the learning process is never simple enough so that every student achieves their goal easily. It is complicated and it requires more brain work. Maybe this process is called ‘intelligence’. Jean Piaget said, intelligence is what we use when we don’t already know what to do. If students are trained to respond to their task in a certain way, they will not be learning anymore. I think educational tools need to help students’ brain work more intellectually. One thing I am concerned about is the addictiveness of computer games. I do partially agree that there are positive aspects of video games for a student’s education. However, we shouldn’t miss the consequences. When students play games they sometimes become too acquainted with the stimulation and they become distracted if they have to learn. Maybe for these reasons, chapter 7 continuously highlights how to find educational software and videos through showing the criteria, rubric or strategies for using them properly.  

1. Have you played any video games that you would recommend for educational purposes?

2. How can playing video games negatively affect a students' education?

Take Away Message Mar 24.

These are websites assisting teachers to create successful lessons.

https://www.visualthesaurus.com/

http://lexipedia.com/

http://quizlet.com/

http://www.plimoth.org/learn/MRL/watch

https://minecraft.net/

I will try to use this website for my lessons. There are many attractive online materials. The important thing is choosing what online tools should be selected for a lesson. We know online games can be a good educational tool. I think it is a new and interesting method. 

However, teachers should think about how to use these methods successfully in their lessons first. I think that learning is not always fun and students need struggle when they are learn a concept. Sometimes struggling can be a learning experience for students too.