Both of the vodcast that I watched were brought to me by Edutopia which is a wonderful resource for all teachers to have. Please click on the above hyperlink and bookmark it as one of your favorites. There are tons of great ideas and it is a great way to be in the know.
The Edible Schoolyard
The first vodcast I watched was "The Edible Schoolyard" and it actually has inspired me. Alice Water is the brain child behind "The Edible Schoolyard" and said that it was initially started to better the food quality in schools. This video was about an outside classroom dealing with gardening and cooking. In this school the first part of the year is spent outside working on their classroom garden. They would plant, harvest as well as eat from their garden. It was a great example of integrating various studies. Following is not the same vodcast that I viewed but it is dealing with the same school and children:
I found this to be a wonderful way to integrate social studies, math, science and general life lessons. These students learned the basics of ecology within this class, as well as teamwork and how to build a community. One of the teachers mentions that she felt this type of education was a sign of the times. In other words, children are not learning these simple values such as how to cook, set the table and work together as a community. I feel that one of the best things about this type of learning is that the students have fun! They do not realize that they are learning so many valuable tools to help better themselves in the future. They have a sense of ownership of their garden and are willing to work it whenever they can.
A Night in the Global Village
The second vodcast I watched was entitled "A Night in the Global Village." This one was about a school in California that focused on expeditionary learning. In other words these students would be assigned numbers and where later split up into "families" along with one adult chaperon. Each family would then live in structures that were built to represent various poverty stricken areas from around the world. There was even one refugee camp that were given no supplies and where not allowed to speak English or any language that would be understandable to any of the other villages.
In addition to that a member from each family was automatically made pregnant and an additional family member had the loss of one arm. Throughout the evening these families were to work together to get supplies needed to survive through the night. Since on one family was given all the supplies needed they would have to barter amongst one another to make this a success. At the end of the 24 hours the students were brought back together to have a reflection of the events from the night prior. During this reflection time students discussed how they felt, what they could do to help the hungry and even acted out some of the events from the night previous night.
Following is a brief video based on this vodcast:
I found this to be a wonderfully beneficial program. I feel that children are must more receptible to new ideas and change. So, what a great way to enable them with new ideas and hope for changing the future. If you are interested in learning more about this school please click on this link: Heifer Ranch and see what other ways you can help.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
iTunes' University
Yet another great resource for students and teachers alike. Through my search on iTunes's University I found a plethora of information. Of course the first website I found was the apple . This is a wonderful place to gather information on its iTune's University product. Following is an informational video of iTune's University:
Make sure to watch this video, for it will give you a great idea as to how beneficial iTune's U can be. Another wonderful video that was created by a college level teacher, Catherine Stukel . She points out in her video that iTune's U is not only Universities here stateside, but also abroad. In addition to universities from all over the world you can also learn from various lectures as well as museums! Please take the time to watch er video too:
I believe that students can benefit from this wonderful resource in multiple ways. Not only is it portable education, but it is free and extremely user friendly. Can you imagine being able to learn whatever you are interested in from anywhere in the world? There are truly no limitations to iTune's University. You do not have to have an iPod to be able to benefit. All you need is access to a computer! Students could listen to and/or watch assignments given by their teachers at home, on vacation, from the local library or at work when there is down time.
Let's not forget about the educators. Educators can too benefit from iTune's University. They can add to their lesson plans or learn needed information from this program too! Teachers could search out needed information on whatever the topic maybe. They could use lectures or videos found to introduce or enhance any lesson plan. Let's keep in mind too that teachers do not know everything either. Teachers can learn information on subject that is to be taught to better have themselves prepared to present to their students.
Overall I feel that once iTune's University gets out there and becomes more widely utilized by both educators and students alike, our access to knowledge will be incomparable to any other resource that has every been out there for us to utilize. It is amazing how much technology has grown in such a short period of time.
Make sure to watch this video, for it will give you a great idea as to how beneficial iTune's U can be. Another wonderful video that was created by a college level teacher, Catherine Stukel . She points out in her video that iTune's U is not only Universities here stateside, but also abroad. In addition to universities from all over the world you can also learn from various lectures as well as museums! Please take the time to watch er video too:
I believe that students can benefit from this wonderful resource in multiple ways. Not only is it portable education, but it is free and extremely user friendly. Can you imagine being able to learn whatever you are interested in from anywhere in the world? There are truly no limitations to iTune's University. You do not have to have an iPod to be able to benefit. All you need is access to a computer! Students could listen to and/or watch assignments given by their teachers at home, on vacation, from the local library or at work when there is down time.
Let's not forget about the educators. Educators can too benefit from iTune's University. They can add to their lesson plans or learn needed information from this program too! Teachers could search out needed information on whatever the topic maybe. They could use lectures or videos found to introduce or enhance any lesson plan. Let's keep in mind too that teachers do not know everything either. Teachers can learn information on subject that is to be taught to better have themselves prepared to present to their students.
Overall I feel that once iTune's University gets out there and becomes more widely utilized by both educators and students alike, our access to knowledge will be incomparable to any other resource that has every been out there for us to utilize. It is amazing how much technology has grown in such a short period of time.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
iPods in Instruction
I feel that I have to begin this blog with a WOW and a "Now I feel old" comment! Of course that should be followed up with "What a wonderfully obvious idea!" After doing my research on using iPods in the classroom I am left sitting here wishing that I had the same opportunity and excited because that will most likely be how my children will learn.
The first website I visited was the apple website . That was a great place for me to start my research. I felt Apple did a wonderful job of really laying the information out there for me in a easy format for me to digest. They talk about mobile learning and the necessity of such tools. Apple is informative on how to not only create the educational content but also how to get that content to your students. They are quick to point out how easy and convenient it will be for students to be able to tune into class topics on their own schedule.
Another site I visited was the Duke Center for Instruction and Technology . Here I discovered the DDI, Duke Digital Initiative, which is a multi-year program that will experiment, develop and implement many new and emerging technologies. Duke has created this to tested the effectiveness of these technologies within their school. In 2004 Duke gave the entering freshmen an iPOD to help enhance this experiment! Now, duke is only giving the iPods to students taking classes in which the professor will be specifically using the equipment to further the study. I think this proves that there is great initiative out there in our state side universities. How many other state side universities are there out there that are doing this? Perhaps there should be more?
Here is an impressive school that is doing something similar to Duke University: The Chapin School. This is an all girls school ranging from grades K though 12 and located in New York. Although they are not giving the iPods to the students, they are still using them within the classroom. I was taken back to find out that they are using the iPods in their class as early as the eighth grade. Then, I thought about how well my 4 year old plays the Wii and how well my 6 year old niece can navigate around on her iPhone. This website is worth poking around. Check it out and let me know your thoughts!
The first website I visited was the apple website . That was a great place for me to start my research. I felt Apple did a wonderful job of really laying the information out there for me in a easy format for me to digest. They talk about mobile learning and the necessity of such tools. Apple is informative on how to not only create the educational content but also how to get that content to your students. They are quick to point out how easy and convenient it will be for students to be able to tune into class topics on their own schedule.
Another site I visited was the Duke Center for Instruction and Technology . Here I discovered the DDI, Duke Digital Initiative, which is a multi-year program that will experiment, develop and implement many new and emerging technologies. Duke has created this to tested the effectiveness of these technologies within their school. In 2004 Duke gave the entering freshmen an iPOD to help enhance this experiment! Now, duke is only giving the iPods to students taking classes in which the professor will be specifically using the equipment to further the study. I think this proves that there is great initiative out there in our state side universities. How many other state side universities are there out there that are doing this? Perhaps there should be more?
Here is an impressive school that is doing something similar to Duke University: The Chapin School. This is an all girls school ranging from grades K though 12 and located in New York. Although they are not giving the iPods to the students, they are still using them within the classroom. I was taken back to find out that they are using the iPods in their class as early as the eighth grade. Then, I thought about how well my 4 year old plays the Wii and how well my 6 year old niece can navigate around on her iPhone. This website is worth poking around. Check it out and let me know your thoughts!
The Great American Scavenger Hunt!
After exploring Dr. Christie's website I found out about how to use a GPS and Geocaching in your classroom as a wonderful teaching tool. I found that the majority of her work seems to be geared towards the middle and upper grade levels. However, being a third grade teacher at heart I truly believe that her ideas can be incorporated into the third grade curriculum. It should be noted that she did have some ideas for elementary level but for whatever reason that part of her website was down.
First of all, if you are like me you may have never heard of geocaching. Put simply it is nothing more than a treasure hunt. What child or person for that fact does not like a treasure hunt? I for one am all about making learning fun and what a great way. Here is an example of what a geocache box looks like:
The example lesson that she has on the above website can be uses across the curriculum and that makes it even more appealing to me! She first splits her class into small groups of 3 or 4 students. They then choose from a list of eight predetermined vacation destination to research. After they have complied their data they then get to create a brochure to advertise their vacation to fellow classmate and parents alike.
She then states that the teacher is to place clues to each of these vacation spots in a geocache box. After which each of the boxes are hidden in various locations. The students then get to go on a scavenger hunt, using a GPS tracking system, in search for the geocache boxes to lead them to their final destination!
What a wonderful idea! On this same website she also gives some tips as to which GPS systems to get. Not to forget, she gives you all the tools needed to make you a well informed educator ready to present and persuade any administrator to allow you to purchase this equipment for your school! Way to go Dr. Christie! For more information on Dr. Christie please follow this to learn more!
First of all, if you are like me you may have never heard of geocaching. Put simply it is nothing more than a treasure hunt. What child or person for that fact does not like a treasure hunt? I for one am all about making learning fun and what a great way. Here is an example of what a geocache box looks like:
The example lesson that she has on the above website can be uses across the curriculum and that makes it even more appealing to me! She first splits her class into small groups of 3 or 4 students. They then choose from a list of eight predetermined vacation destination to research. After they have complied their data they then get to create a brochure to advertise their vacation to fellow classmate and parents alike.
She then states that the teacher is to place clues to each of these vacation spots in a geocache box. After which each of the boxes are hidden in various locations. The students then get to go on a scavenger hunt, using a GPS tracking system, in search for the geocache boxes to lead them to their final destination!
What a wonderful idea! On this same website she also gives some tips as to which GPS systems to get. Not to forget, she gives you all the tools needed to make you a well informed educator ready to present and persuade any administrator to allow you to purchase this equipment for your school! Way to go Dr. Christie! For more information on Dr. Christie please follow this to learn more!
To Wiki or Not to Wiki?
That is a question that many people ask themselves. Prior to this class I have often wondered whether the information I was getting off of Wikipedia was reliable information. I am a safety girl so I always assumed there may be whole in the information given on Wikipedia. However, I never once thought about a large corporation (or small on for that fact) changing their information on Wikipedia to make themselves sound better. Makes sense when you really stop to think about it though. Even though it is dishonest for all the obvious reasons, what would stop a company giving themselves a little extra icing?
With all of that negative slander I must say that it is often the first place I go to find out information. It is fast and easy to use. I believe that it should also be noted that it is not always bad information. Some of the information is good quality information and can be a great resource. I believe that it can be a great place to get started on your research, but it should by no means be the only source. If teachers are using it, then they should always be responsible and verify the information before passing it along to their students. And, parents...the same goes for you.
So, to answer the million dollar question: Yes, Wiki and Wiki away! Just be mindful of the information before passing it along to anyone or you may end up making yourself sound ignorant.
With all of that negative slander I must say that it is often the first place I go to find out information. It is fast and easy to use. I believe that it should also be noted that it is not always bad information. Some of the information is good quality information and can be a great resource. I believe that it can be a great place to get started on your research, but it should by no means be the only source. If teachers are using it, then they should always be responsible and verify the information before passing it along to their students. And, parents...the same goes for you.
So, to answer the million dollar question: Yes, Wiki and Wiki away! Just be mindful of the information before passing it along to anyone or you may end up making yourself sound ignorant.
The Last Lecture
Randy Pausch is a name that I will not soon forget. After watching the infamous video it was as if I could not get enough of Pausch. So, I googled him and youtubed him. Below is an interview he did with Good Morning America:
He started off his lecture stating that he was not going to spend his time talking about the proverbial "elephant in the room", which was his cancer, but rather he would like to give this lecture to inspire. He felt that anyone could achieve their dream not matter what is was so long as they vowed to never give up and as long as they had others that cared.
As a child he dreamed of becoming a Disney imangineer, Captain Kirk, playing in the NFL and experiencing zero gravity. Although he never played for the NFL or became Captain Kirk he never gave up on his bigger dream. He felt he was a success because of the love that he was surrounded with and because of his perseverance. Pausch talked about overcoming obstacles or "brick walls" and about his own personal experiences that help to shape his life.
Throughout the lecture he never once has any self pity. It was quite the opposite. He was full of life and energy. He was in great health, other than the obvious, and even went so far as to do one handed push ups! I found him to not only be inspirational but also funny. You can tell by the way that he carried himself that he always lived his life to the fullest.
He ended the lecture with a slide of his children and "head faked" the audience by informing us that he was not giving the lecture to us. Instead the lecture was for his children in hopes that it would one day give them comfort and inspire them. I found him to be an angel in many ways. Yes, this is definitely a man that I believe lives on in all of the individuals that he inadvertently touched.
He started off his lecture stating that he was not going to spend his time talking about the proverbial "elephant in the room", which was his cancer, but rather he would like to give this lecture to inspire. He felt that anyone could achieve their dream not matter what is was so long as they vowed to never give up and as long as they had others that cared.
As a child he dreamed of becoming a Disney imangineer, Captain Kirk, playing in the NFL and experiencing zero gravity. Although he never played for the NFL or became Captain Kirk he never gave up on his bigger dream. He felt he was a success because of the love that he was surrounded with and because of his perseverance. Pausch talked about overcoming obstacles or "brick walls" and about his own personal experiences that help to shape his life.
Throughout the lecture he never once has any self pity. It was quite the opposite. He was full of life and energy. He was in great health, other than the obvious, and even went so far as to do one handed push ups! I found him to not only be inspirational but also funny. You can tell by the way that he carried himself that he always lived his life to the fullest.
He ended the lecture with a slide of his children and "head faked" the audience by informing us that he was not giving the lecture to us. Instead the lecture was for his children in hopes that it would one day give them comfort and inspire them. I found him to be an angel in many ways. Yes, this is definitely a man that I believe lives on in all of the individuals that he inadvertently touched.
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