Technology CAN Enhance Student Learning!

I really enjoyed the model of learning that Yen-Ling described to us in class on Tuesday. The model is right-students learn best when they have an opportunity to be creative, play around with the materials, and then produce something to show their new learned knowledge. Thus, I think technology is a great avenue to use to help students become creative and to produce materials.
In literacy, students can use the internet to research the author of their text, they can research the setting (as suggested by Kat and Tara) on Google Earth, they can write a letter or email to the author. Students can also practice their writing skills while eliminating the extra thinking process of handwriting. If students become proficient in typing, they can use computers more and more for writing which will only help them become more fluent writers. Students with learning disabilities in writing can use the computer to record their thoughts; they can use certain programs that help students organize their ideas before writing. Students with reading disabilities or visual impairments can scan the text into the program and have it read to them. They can also use the computer to enlarge the text. Finally, they can change the color of the text to ease their reading.
In mathematics, students can use computer programs to visualize fractions, money, etc. Students can participate in many computer games that make fractions fun! Second graders in my classroom were delighted to make pizzas on the computer, following recipes for ¼ mushrooms, ¼ cheese, and ½ pepperoni. They were so proud to have been working with fractions.
In science and social studies, students can research on the internet, look at images, and develop models. The students in my classroom were looking at an atlas the other day and traveling east and west, north and south to different states. I wanted to jump in and show them real images over Google Earth. This would have been an excellent opportunity for students to see images of real places right in front of them. Students can also conduct inquiry lessons through the internet and research databases. They can also organize their data in spreadsheets and other programs.
I have limited technology in this piece to computer technology, but it can be extended to voice recorders, speaking dictionaries, translators, scanners, cameras, camcorders, etc. Students love technology and they love to be hands on. Technology is just one more way for students to grab a hold of their learning and become active in constructing their knowledge.

Learning with Technology

Our students love to work on the computers! Whether it is for academic games, art games, or fun games, when they get free time on the computers they couldn't be happier! They have several games that are connected with their various science units (dinosaurs, space, etc). They also take Accelerated Reader quizzes on the computer every day.
In Renton, they have Document Cameras, the students all know how to turn it on and off and it used every day in every subject.
I can tell that these students are technology savvy! :)

Learning in Renton

Our dear second graders spend the majority of their day in literacy instruction. Students read out of the textbook, leveled readers, and accelerated reading books they choose on their own. Students read independtly, aloud, and along with peers in buddy reads. They also discuss the main idea and details in small groups with the classroom teacher. They then work on worksheet packets from the reading curriculum-addressing the content of the reading unit, as well as reading and writing strategies.

Literacy is also integrated during their their science unit on dinosaurs and fossils.

Second Quarter Field Placement has Begun!

Phuong and I were thrown right into a second grade classroom in the Renton School District. The school building is brand new and beautiful! One would not expect such a wonderful facility for this district-maybe more for Bellevue or Mercer Island! Nonetheless, the school has a lot of diversity-income, ability, and ethnic.

We have already corrected lots of literacy and math worksheets, attended their evening science fair, and played them in tetherball and H-O-R-S-E.

The students are very polite and well behaved, but with a few talk outs, a couple small fights, and some interesting inappropriate sayings once in a while...but very put together for these demographics and geographic area!

I'm excited to get even more involved with the students and develop more relationships with each of them!

Exciting Lesson Plan

http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/content/2304/

Cinderella Trilogy: Comparing three different version of Cinderella

Students will compare and contrast three, culturally distinct variations of the Cinderella folktale: Rhodopis, the Egyptian version; Yeh-Shen, the Chinese version; and The Hidden One, the Native American story. Through class discussion and various activities, students will explore storytelling traditions, categories of folktales, and the basic components of fairy tales. Students will learn about the cultures represented by each Cinderella tale through small group projects.

I would extend the lesson and have groups of students write their own modern version of Cinderella and perform it for the class.


Title of site: Arts Edge, Cinderella Trilogy lesson
Who created the site: Arts Edge and Diane Messina, Drama Teacher, Thomas G. Pullen Arts Magnet School, Landover, MD
When it was created: unknown
Purpose and target audience of the site: 3rd and 4th grade
How it could be used for teaching or learning: This is an excellent language arts lesson that looks at the structure of fairy tales. It also exposes students to several different versions that will enable students to see that other countries and cultures have fairy tales and that they may differ from ours. Students in the classroom will have the opportunity to share a version of Cinderella that their culture knows. This lesson also allows students to be creative and active in creating their own modern version and performing it in front of the class.
Things that need to be considered when using the site (is it a controversial topic? is it a lesson plan with logistical issues?, is it old? etc.) There is nothing that needs to be considered here.
How you found the site : DLC Search

Video Traces

I find that recording video traces can be fun and I'm very impressed by this use of technology. I'm curious as to how often I would use this in my classroom. It seems like a good idea to be able to take pictures of students work and add a voice commentary to their work, but wouldn't it be easier to write them or type them? I would like to learn more about how and why teachers would use this program.
It has a lot to offer so I want to learn how to take advantage of this technology!

My first posting!

This is my first blog, so welcome!