Thursday, July 29, 2010
PowerPoint
PowerPoint is a program that allows users to create presentations with ease. In schools I have been to I have witnessed some teachers incorporating PowerPoint into their lessons. PowerPoint I find quite similar to the 'talk and chalk' style of teaching except instead of information being displayed on the board it is displayed on a screen. I have also witnessed that some educational professionals label certain slides which students need to copy down. I find this method encourages students to become off-task and that students don't really have an understanding of what they are learning. Students sort of just do the motions without really 'being there'. For me personally I can see the feasability of using such a resource now and again but using this resource in most lessons I believe wouldn't be in the students best interests especially those students who are kinaesthetic learners. But for me, I prefer trying to have many hands on activities during lessons that teach/explain to the students the various concepts and information they need to understand and retain. For me PowerPoint is nothing more than a modernised 'Chalk and Talk'.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Website
I have made my 2nd ever website and it is at this domain:
http://www.BPsDomain.weebly.com
In regards to teaching students new content or even old content I believe I could use a website quite effectively. Imagine for example this scenario. A quarter of your students are going to be away for a period of time (say three days) on an excursion or are ill. Provided these students have internet access at home or where they are going students would be able to access class material without having to be in the classroom (Think Moodle). This would stop students from falling behind and also allow other students who lose handouts, revision sheets etc to simply download them off the internet using the school system, library or home network without asking the teacher. From the days I have been at MNSHS (North) and MSHS (Milton Street) I have seen that students asking for handout they have lost causes alot of hassles for teachers who only print out a certain amount. A website I believe would eliminate this hassle. Secondly (like moodle) if possible I would film the lessons I take in the classroom and upload them onto the website thus facilitating to Audio students needs. I still haven't worked out how this technology will be able to be used in regards to kinaesthetic students. Perhaps this could be facilitated by having a link to a forum/chat room (Mibbit for example) so that students are able to chat and collaborate on things they have learn't and also ask the teacher questions outside of school hours (i.e Weekends or holidays).
In the future I can definently see myself utilising this type of technology to facilitate learning in my classroom by having an external place where students can access information pertaining to the terms work etc.
http://www.BPsDomain.weebly.com
In regards to teaching students new content or even old content I believe I could use a website quite effectively. Imagine for example this scenario. A quarter of your students are going to be away for a period of time (say three days) on an excursion or are ill. Provided these students have internet access at home or where they are going students would be able to access class material without having to be in the classroom (Think Moodle). This would stop students from falling behind and also allow other students who lose handouts, revision sheets etc to simply download them off the internet using the school system, library or home network without asking the teacher. From the days I have been at MNSHS (North) and MSHS (Milton Street) I have seen that students asking for handout they have lost causes alot of hassles for teachers who only print out a certain amount. A website I believe would eliminate this hassle. Secondly (like moodle) if possible I would film the lessons I take in the classroom and upload them onto the website thus facilitating to Audio students needs. I still haven't worked out how this technology will be able to be used in regards to kinaesthetic students. Perhaps this could be facilitated by having a link to a forum/chat room (Mibbit for example) so that students are able to chat and collaborate on things they have learn't and also ask the teacher questions outside of school hours (i.e Weekends or holidays).
In the future I can definently see myself utilising this type of technology to facilitate learning in my classroom by having an external place where students can access information pertaining to the terms work etc.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Blog Reflection
A little about myself. I am currently a second year education university student attending Central Queensland Univeristy. This blogs creation is primarily due to some of my weekly learning/reflecting requirments.
My Reflection about Blogs:
Blogs can be useful in a secondary schooling range as it allows students and classmates to collaboratively discuss a topic without the ridicule and slander some students experience in classrooms when expressing their particular views. Since many students today are much more internet/technologically literate than many older adults this enables teachers to facilitate discussion instead of recieving simple one word answers etc.
Moreover blogs can be censored and comments can be removed either by the original poster or by the Blog owner. This makes the environment much more controlled and students can be guided to make this a valuable learning experience. I have participated in many blogs/chat rooms/forums et cetra over the past three years (first time ever making one) and I always find an intellectually gripping discussion on a particular topic of interest.
The key I think for a great blog is finding a topic that will keep student interest and also allow students to express ideas amongst peers when some 'shy' students would normally sit back and say nothing whilst in the classroom. This I feel will be the greatest challenge for teachers in the future and for myself in particular.
Thanks for Reading my first post. May the gods in the world have mercy on us all.
My Reflection about Blogs:
Blogs can be useful in a secondary schooling range as it allows students and classmates to collaboratively discuss a topic without the ridicule and slander some students experience in classrooms when expressing their particular views. Since many students today are much more internet/technologically literate than many older adults this enables teachers to facilitate discussion instead of recieving simple one word answers etc.
Moreover blogs can be censored and comments can be removed either by the original poster or by the Blog owner. This makes the environment much more controlled and students can be guided to make this a valuable learning experience. I have participated in many blogs/chat rooms/forums et cetra over the past three years (first time ever making one) and I always find an intellectually gripping discussion on a particular topic of interest.
The key I think for a great blog is finding a topic that will keep student interest and also allow students to express ideas amongst peers when some 'shy' students would normally sit back and say nothing whilst in the classroom. This I feel will be the greatest challenge for teachers in the future and for myself in particular.
Thanks for Reading my first post. May the gods in the world have mercy on us all.
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