11-15-10 blog Chapter 4.
Blake Stanger
EDCI 320 & 321
Dr. Nick Lux
I was well aware of the uses of word processing software, but I wasn’t cognizant of the fact that it is the most widely used and influential software used in teaching. I understood the ideas about teaching styles and the benefits of word processing software, but the chapter served to crystalize my ideas and put them into a easy to understand sources. I also learned that student decline in handwriting is not proven to be linked to keyboarding, but its my experience that this is true.
I use spreadsheets all the time in my accounting classes ( I’m studying for an accounting minor) but I had no idea that they were used in teaching. Now that I had that idea dropped on me I spent a half hour looking at my spreadsheet program trying to think of ways that I could use it in the class room. I liked how the book put it “it is a system for organizing numbers, just like a word processor is a system for organizing words.”
Data bases are the combination of word processors and spreadsheets. I think my favorite use of databases is the comparison of information in the database. This combination of learning and comparing leads to higher order thinking. Databases have a negative quality though in my opinion. There is no replacement for primary source material. Thought more time consuming it is great for students to understand the process of research and how to acquire knowledge. If there is no database, and students don’t know how to find primary sources, where will they go for understanding and information?
I have advocated the use of word processing since I was in the seventh grade. I have always been a much better typist than a hand writer. I will do everything I can to make sure students have the time, tools and proficiency to use a word processor. A student comfortable with a word processor is much better armed for many professions in life.
Having spread sheet software at my disposal will be so much more convenient for making sign up sheets, grade books, attendance logs, parent teacher conference sheets, pot luck sign ups and a million other things. I will use spreadsheet extensively for the logistical side of my class.
What is the percentage of mac to windows computers in most schools?
Best-
Blake
Monday, November 15, 2010
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Blog for Classroom Assessment: Minute by Minute, Day by Day 11-4-10 Blake Stanger
Blog for Classroom Assessment: Minute by Minute, Day by Day
11-4-10 Blake Stanger
This article was a great change of speed from the text. I enjoyed reading an article that came from an educational journal; it made me feel like a real teacher in the field. The first thing I gathered from the article was a feeling of changing methods in the teaching field. I felt like a focus of the article was the more effective use of assessment in the classroom. One of the major changes was to use assessments to evaluate student progress through out a lesson or unit. In this way teachers can make sure that learners are progressing well during the lesson and not be blindsided by poor student lesson comprehension. This use of assessment better serves learners and teachers.
Another subject of the article was using assessment effectively as feedback. One of the big problems with assessment today is the fact that it shows where learners progress after it is possible to help them move forward. Progress is impossible after an assessment, there is no more time to teach; but, with a feedback method that was discussed in the text learning can continue. Teachers can give feedback that encourages students to work back through the problems and ideas that students didn’t understand.
I really liked the example that was used in the article about using “traffic lights” as a formative assessment. This type of quick immediate feedback would be so useful and extremely easy to accomplish in a classroom. It would also take away the “stupid question” stigma that some students feel when they need a more detailed explanation or to cover material again in order to understand it.
I wasn’t to implement some method of quick formative assessment like the traffic lights in my classroom. I might have something more suited to a literature class, or more customized to make it mine. Something along the line of a little figure the students can place on their desks and if they are understanding then the figure can face me, but if they aren’t then the figure will have its back to me. I would have to make sure that this assessment also had a more detailed component so I was certain that students were understanding to the level I need them to; furthermore, that I knew what the students who weren’t understanding needed to cover.
I want to use the interpretive listening method discussed in the article in my class. Rather than just focusing on the right answer in the student’s discussion I will try to listen for the students thought process and learning ideas. In this way I will connect with students and understand better how to teach them.
How fast will the assessment structure in today’s schools change?
Best-
Blake
11-4-10 Blake Stanger
This article was a great change of speed from the text. I enjoyed reading an article that came from an educational journal; it made me feel like a real teacher in the field. The first thing I gathered from the article was a feeling of changing methods in the teaching field. I felt like a focus of the article was the more effective use of assessment in the classroom. One of the major changes was to use assessments to evaluate student progress through out a lesson or unit. In this way teachers can make sure that learners are progressing well during the lesson and not be blindsided by poor student lesson comprehension. This use of assessment better serves learners and teachers.
Another subject of the article was using assessment effectively as feedback. One of the big problems with assessment today is the fact that it shows where learners progress after it is possible to help them move forward. Progress is impossible after an assessment, there is no more time to teach; but, with a feedback method that was discussed in the text learning can continue. Teachers can give feedback that encourages students to work back through the problems and ideas that students didn’t understand.
I really liked the example that was used in the article about using “traffic lights” as a formative assessment. This type of quick immediate feedback would be so useful and extremely easy to accomplish in a classroom. It would also take away the “stupid question” stigma that some students feel when they need a more detailed explanation or to cover material again in order to understand it.
I wasn’t to implement some method of quick formative assessment like the traffic lights in my classroom. I might have something more suited to a literature class, or more customized to make it mine. Something along the line of a little figure the students can place on their desks and if they are understanding then the figure can face me, but if they aren’t then the figure will have its back to me. I would have to make sure that this assessment also had a more detailed component so I was certain that students were understanding to the level I need them to; furthermore, that I knew what the students who weren’t understanding needed to cover.
I want to use the interpretive listening method discussed in the article in my class. Rather than just focusing on the right answer in the student’s discussion I will try to listen for the students thought process and learning ideas. In this way I will connect with students and understand better how to teach them.
How fast will the assessment structure in today’s schools change?
Best-
Blake
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Blog Chapter 12 Blake Stanger
Chapter 12 Blog
Social Studies teachers have to be even more weary about the five A’s in using the internet, and also teaching their students to have an analytical mindset. There is a wealth of false information available on the internet. Because of this social studies are especially susceptible to false or biased views on important subjects. To counter act this social studies teachers are teaming up with tech coordinators to make sure that validity of the resources students use is a strong point in social studies not a weakness.
The class has already discussed the uses of Google Earth in previous lessons; but, the book discussed a gap in the research that shows using these tools has a positive effect on students. I believe that it will, but I am excited to see research that will support my opinion.
Because of the information that social studies is based on: current events, politics, economics, and other important aspects of society it is necessary for students to have quick access to accurate up to date information. Internet accessibility through tools like ipads, laptops, and mobile phones fills this need very well.
As a teacher I will make sure to help my students to think critically and to use they analytical thinking skills. This will help them to build a tool box to detect baloney in websites, print, photos, and audio. This will make them more likely to make informed, good decisions. It will also make them aware of how media is used to manipulate and change their opinion, so in the future they we be aware of the motivation behind different sources.
In english I will provide students with many critical reading skills. While similar to the critical skills needed to find good sources in the above implementation, critical reading skills will help students decide for themselves what they believe to be the historical interpretation that is most grounded in fact.
Why aren’t economics covered more in social studies?
Social Studies teachers have to be even more weary about the five A’s in using the internet, and also teaching their students to have an analytical mindset. There is a wealth of false information available on the internet. Because of this social studies are especially susceptible to false or biased views on important subjects. To counter act this social studies teachers are teaming up with tech coordinators to make sure that validity of the resources students use is a strong point in social studies not a weakness.
The class has already discussed the uses of Google Earth in previous lessons; but, the book discussed a gap in the research that shows using these tools has a positive effect on students. I believe that it will, but I am excited to see research that will support my opinion.
Because of the information that social studies is based on: current events, politics, economics, and other important aspects of society it is necessary for students to have quick access to accurate up to date information. Internet accessibility through tools like ipads, laptops, and mobile phones fills this need very well.
As a teacher I will make sure to help my students to think critically and to use they analytical thinking skills. This will help them to build a tool box to detect baloney in websites, print, photos, and audio. This will make them more likely to make informed, good decisions. It will also make them aware of how media is used to manipulate and change their opinion, so in the future they we be aware of the motivation behind different sources.
In english I will provide students with many critical reading skills. While similar to the critical skills needed to find good sources in the above implementation, critical reading skills will help students decide for themselves what they believe to be the historical interpretation that is most grounded in fact.
Why aren’t economics covered more in social studies?
Blake Stanger Chapter 11 Blog
Blog Chapter 11
I was unaware of the decrease in skilled students who want to turn their talents towards teaching science. With the increasing need for science skills in todays world the united states is at a disadvantage with this correlation of less science teachers, and more scientific illiteracy. One problem that I saw directly related to this that the book talked about was science teachers are resistant to implementing new teaching technology because of limited time. I believe this directly effects the decrease in skilled science students.
The new study we discussed in class about how students learn and preform better when taught on whiteboards and he Principles and Standards document stating that “technology is essential in teaching and learning mathematics” synthesize beautifully. The photo in the book about interactive whiteboards and laptops being available for students to use and save their work in class is a great technology integration. I learned that technology is a great mathematical tool and support is needed for technology’s implementation in classrooms.
Fostering mathematical problem solving was one of my favorite sections of the chapter. I was already aware of the problem solving softwares available, but I wasn’t aware of the great tools they are for students to practice logic, data analysis, algebra, and graphing concepts. I played Zoombinis: Logical Journey when I was young. I just thought it was a fun game and I didn’t know all the great skills I was learning. I think this shows the efficacy of the programs.
As a teacher I will do my best to help my colleagues become accepting of implementing teaching technology. This was a big problem that I saw with the problem of science illiteracy. If I need to take on an extra lunch duty or study hall so one of my fellow teachers has the time they need to implement the technology for science teaching then that is something I will do.
Teaching doesn’t end when I leave my job. I have an expertise that I can use in the home. I also have friends and family that will need advice on how to teach their children and other children they are involved with. I will recommend software and games like the problem solving software we saw in this chapter to help prepare students and give them practice in mathematical and other subjects. With a little extra help and practice I could have perhaps been better at math, if I can help another potential student not have to worry about math, awesome.
How many montana districts are using the white boards we discussed in this class?
I was unaware of the decrease in skilled students who want to turn their talents towards teaching science. With the increasing need for science skills in todays world the united states is at a disadvantage with this correlation of less science teachers, and more scientific illiteracy. One problem that I saw directly related to this that the book talked about was science teachers are resistant to implementing new teaching technology because of limited time. I believe this directly effects the decrease in skilled science students.
The new study we discussed in class about how students learn and preform better when taught on whiteboards and he Principles and Standards document stating that “technology is essential in teaching and learning mathematics” synthesize beautifully. The photo in the book about interactive whiteboards and laptops being available for students to use and save their work in class is a great technology integration. I learned that technology is a great mathematical tool and support is needed for technology’s implementation in classrooms.
Fostering mathematical problem solving was one of my favorite sections of the chapter. I was already aware of the problem solving softwares available, but I wasn’t aware of the great tools they are for students to practice logic, data analysis, algebra, and graphing concepts. I played Zoombinis: Logical Journey when I was young. I just thought it was a fun game and I didn’t know all the great skills I was learning. I think this shows the efficacy of the programs.
As a teacher I will do my best to help my colleagues become accepting of implementing teaching technology. This was a big problem that I saw with the problem of science illiteracy. If I need to take on an extra lunch duty or study hall so one of my fellow teachers has the time they need to implement the technology for science teaching then that is something I will do.
Teaching doesn’t end when I leave my job. I have an expertise that I can use in the home. I also have friends and family that will need advice on how to teach their children and other children they are involved with. I will recommend software and games like the problem solving software we saw in this chapter to help prepare students and give them practice in mathematical and other subjects. With a little extra help and practice I could have perhaps been better at math, if I can help another potential student not have to worry about math, awesome.
How many montana districts are using the white boards we discussed in this class?
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Chapter 9&10 Blake Stanger
I know that blogs are going to be a tool that I use for my classes. This class has shown me the value of the blog in a learning setting. I know that students can learn from blogs and use them like a personal journal, but the teacher has great access to them.
Interactive story books are a great resource. I worry about my students doing their readings. I think that an interactive story book would motivate and make my students much more likely to do the reading. This way I can use technology to show my students that reading is a great tool for learning.
I want to make sure that my students who have alternative language needs are well served and they feel my efforts are genuine. I will make sure to look into the subject material and see that it is a real subject that foreign language learners find interesting and is a part of their culture.
I want to make sure that my presentations are interesting for students and they stay engaged and focused. I will use presentation aids like key note to their full potential and make my presentations interesting and engaging for students.
I will make my academic language and vocabulary accessible to my ESL students. In this way I will help them to engage in the language they are learning, and to use they're learning in the actual field that they are trying to progress in.
I want to know if learning a foreign language like spanish would be a large benefit to me in a teaching position.
Blake
Interactive story books are a great resource. I worry about my students doing their readings. I think that an interactive story book would motivate and make my students much more likely to do the reading. This way I can use technology to show my students that reading is a great tool for learning.
I want to make sure that my students who have alternative language needs are well served and they feel my efforts are genuine. I will make sure to look into the subject material and see that it is a real subject that foreign language learners find interesting and is a part of their culture.
I want to make sure that my presentations are interesting for students and they stay engaged and focused. I will use presentation aids like key note to their full potential and make my presentations interesting and engaging for students.
I will make my academic language and vocabulary accessible to my ESL students. In this way I will help them to engage in the language they are learning, and to use they're learning in the actual field that they are trying to progress in.
I want to know if learning a foreign language like spanish would be a large benefit to me in a teaching position.
Blake
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Blake Stanger Chapter 8 Cogitations
Blog Chapter 8 10-14-10
I like the idea of students synthesizing the information they gather off the internet. I hadn’t thought of how students can abuse the internet or teachers can make assignments nothing more than info gathering sessions. It is another opportunity to ad value to your students education if you give them universal skills like information synthesis. In almost every field they will need that type of asset. Information synthesis also very important when considering the digital divide. Students who do not have the ability to gather information from the internet and make use of it in their own way will simply be left behind.
Humans have more and more access to one another with technology. Teachers should harness that connectivity to allow students to communicate with people outside the country. Imagine the experience and insight a child could glean from corresponding with a Chinese farmer or an African instrument maker.
I really like the information check list for web pages. This was a tool I could make use of in the class room. This information helped me to even further refine what I require when it comes for online resources for my class. I will be sure to use this when I develop a resource base for my students, and I will explain to student the value of the check list.
I will try to make my classroom as technology friendly as possible. As a student I have run into teachers who only accept a certain type of file format, or don’t understand how to open alternate types of files. I was very frustrated when I was using what in my opinion was the best, or the fastest technology and teachers made me travel back in time technologically to meet up with their comfort level. File transfers are going to be a bigger and bigger part of student & teacher interaction. My classroom and policies will be structured with that in mind. I will make it as easy as possible to recieve and give files.
The web page development procedures were a great piece of information that I could use in a class. Could almost turn that little eight step graph into a multi piece assignment straight from the book. Web page publishing would be a challenging and useful skill for my students to have.
What is the legality of “grabbing” or downloading pages to be modified?
Best-
Blake
I like the idea of students synthesizing the information they gather off the internet. I hadn’t thought of how students can abuse the internet or teachers can make assignments nothing more than info gathering sessions. It is another opportunity to ad value to your students education if you give them universal skills like information synthesis. In almost every field they will need that type of asset. Information synthesis also very important when considering the digital divide. Students who do not have the ability to gather information from the internet and make use of it in their own way will simply be left behind.
Humans have more and more access to one another with technology. Teachers should harness that connectivity to allow students to communicate with people outside the country. Imagine the experience and insight a child could glean from corresponding with a Chinese farmer or an African instrument maker.
I really like the information check list for web pages. This was a tool I could make use of in the class room. This information helped me to even further refine what I require when it comes for online resources for my class. I will be sure to use this when I develop a resource base for my students, and I will explain to student the value of the check list.
I will try to make my classroom as technology friendly as possible. As a student I have run into teachers who only accept a certain type of file format, or don’t understand how to open alternate types of files. I was very frustrated when I was using what in my opinion was the best, or the fastest technology and teachers made me travel back in time technologically to meet up with their comfort level. File transfers are going to be a bigger and bigger part of student & teacher interaction. My classroom and policies will be structured with that in mind. I will make it as easy as possible to recieve and give files.
The web page development procedures were a great piece of information that I could use in a class. Could almost turn that little eight step graph into a multi piece assignment straight from the book. Web page publishing would be a challenging and useful skill for my students to have.
What is the legality of “grabbing” or downloading pages to be modified?
Best-
Blake
Friday, October 8, 2010
Blake Stanger Chapter 7 Reflections
10-8-10 Blog Chapter 7
The internet is such an awesome resource. I could blabber all day about technology and the internet; but, chapter seven brings up some key points. The internet isn’t 100% perfect or safe. As an educator I have a key responsibility to make sure that my sources are pillars of solid information. In addition, I must make sure my students have the tools and abilities needed to make their own information stand the same scrutiny.
Distance education! As a student I have had great experiences with taking classes online. It allowed me to mountain bike 8 hours a day all summer and still manage to get a 4.0 in 9 credit hours. As a teacher the idea of distance education is exciting and challenging to me. My communication would have to be precise and clear: my instructions and lectures powerful. Students do not have as much access to the instructor in a distance education class, this is one of their downfalls, but they do have the flexibility to do classes at their own pace in the comfort of their own home. Distance education has major possibilities for alternative high schools and colleges.
I pride myself on my ability to maintain and repair all my own equipment. My snowboard, My bike, my longboard, all hand tuned. The computer is a compleet mystery to me. I require an expert for even the most basic of fixes. Chapter seven talks about common problems with internet sites and some solutions to the issues. I will need to become literate in technology repair in order to help my students use all of the great resources that are available. This way I can make sure that all the technology I am excited about works according to plan.
As an educator I have a responsibility to my students to make sure they are protected from the negative aspects of the internet. I plan to use old school methods, like over the shoulder monitoring, as well as cutting edge technology like firewalls and filters. In this way students can make use of the internet with out having the negative pitfalls.
Computers are great tools. They allow access to information and technology that have never before been at the fingertips of students. The problem is that other people want to use this technology, harness it in negative ways. Hackers have an intimate knowledge of what a computer can do and they put this information to bad use. I will do my best to protect my students from people who would do them harm through the computer.
Do the negative aspects of cell phones in classes outweigh the positives?
The internet is such an awesome resource. I could blabber all day about technology and the internet; but, chapter seven brings up some key points. The internet isn’t 100% perfect or safe. As an educator I have a key responsibility to make sure that my sources are pillars of solid information. In addition, I must make sure my students have the tools and abilities needed to make their own information stand the same scrutiny.
Distance education! As a student I have had great experiences with taking classes online. It allowed me to mountain bike 8 hours a day all summer and still manage to get a 4.0 in 9 credit hours. As a teacher the idea of distance education is exciting and challenging to me. My communication would have to be precise and clear: my instructions and lectures powerful. Students do not have as much access to the instructor in a distance education class, this is one of their downfalls, but they do have the flexibility to do classes at their own pace in the comfort of their own home. Distance education has major possibilities for alternative high schools and colleges.
I pride myself on my ability to maintain and repair all my own equipment. My snowboard, My bike, my longboard, all hand tuned. The computer is a compleet mystery to me. I require an expert for even the most basic of fixes. Chapter seven talks about common problems with internet sites and some solutions to the issues. I will need to become literate in technology repair in order to help my students use all of the great resources that are available. This way I can make sure that all the technology I am excited about works according to plan.
As an educator I have a responsibility to my students to make sure they are protected from the negative aspects of the internet. I plan to use old school methods, like over the shoulder monitoring, as well as cutting edge technology like firewalls and filters. In this way students can make use of the internet with out having the negative pitfalls.
Computers are great tools. They allow access to information and technology that have never before been at the fingertips of students. The problem is that other people want to use this technology, harness it in negative ways. Hackers have an intimate knowledge of what a computer can do and they put this information to bad use. I will do my best to protect my students from people who would do them harm through the computer.
Do the negative aspects of cell phones in classes outweigh the positives?
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