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Sunday, August 1, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
Cooperative Learning
Cooperative learning is needed in every classroom. In some shape or form we all do cooperative learning in our classroom maybe not the way we learned this week. Students learn a lot of information when they work with their peers even in the early years of school. When they learn to cooperatively work together in the younger grades the easy it is for them in the upper grades.
Technology plays a major role in cooperative learning. It is amazing how much technology has advance and how things can be easy accessible. With little assistance my preschoolers can work in groups using technology. One way we work in groups using technology is playing educational games that deals with the standards. I will pair the students in groups of twos and they work on the game together on the computer. They enjoy it and they feel they are big boys and girls.
One cooperative learning technique that I would love to try with my students as a whole is keypals. I would love for my students to see other 4 year olds in different places and cultures. It would be a great experience for them to be friends with children their age from across the world.
Cooperative learning is needed in every classroom. In some shape or form we all do cooperative learning in our classroom maybe not the way we learned this week. Students learn a lot of information when they work with their peers even in the early years of school. When they learn to cooperatively work together in the younger grades the easy it is for them in the upper grades.
Technology plays a major role in cooperative learning. It is amazing how much technology has advance and how things can be easy accessible. With little assistance my preschoolers can work in groups using technology. One way we work in groups using technology is playing educational games that deals with the standards. I will pair the students in groups of twos and they work on the game together on the computer. They enjoy it and they feel they are big boys and girls.
One cooperative learning technique that I would love to try with my students as a whole is keypals. I would love for my students to see other 4 year olds in different places and cultures. It would be a great experience for them to be friends with children their age from across the world.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Constructivism Practice
The main force of constructivism is that it is student-centered. The teacher is only the person who see over the project. The six tasks that are for generating and testing hypotheses would work for all students of different ages. With the smaller children, you would just have to do a lot of modeling for them. Technology would play a major role with the constructivism theory.
In the Pre-K classroom, we do a lot of predicting I just need to pair it up with technology to make it more hands on for my students. Constructivism will be good in a Pre-K classroom because the students would learn a lot and they would be exposed to a lot of real life situations. I would just have to do a lot of modeling to prepare them to work on their own but they will gain so much knowledge that they will benefit from in the upper grades.
The main force of constructivism is that it is student-centered. The teacher is only the person who see over the project. The six tasks that are for generating and testing hypotheses would work for all students of different ages. With the smaller children, you would just have to do a lot of modeling for them. Technology would play a major role with the constructivism theory.
In the Pre-K classroom, we do a lot of predicting I just need to pair it up with technology to make it more hands on for my students. Constructivism will be good in a Pre-K classroom because the students would learn a lot and they would be exposed to a lot of real life situations. I would just have to do a lot of modeling to prepare them to work on their own but they will gain so much knowledge that they will benefit from in the upper grades.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Cognitive Learning Theory
The cognitive learning theory consist of a 3 stage model: sensory input, short-term memory, and long-term memory. The 3 stage model helps students apply knowledge and retain information. When you connect prior knowledge to what you want them to learn then they are able to make a connection and grasp the new learning. The strategy that stood out to me was the Inspiration software. The software would be developmentally appropriate for my 4 year olds since they can not take notes at that age. This will assist them with the questioning technique to help promote critical thinking skills.
My school district uses EDI and with EDI you state the objective in kid friendly language. During the lesson, you tell how, why, and what they will use this learning objective for in the future. This is a good way to make connection to the real-world. The use of technology allows me to meet each student learning style.
The cognitive learning theory consist of a 3 stage model: sensory input, short-term memory, and long-term memory. The 3 stage model helps students apply knowledge and retain information. When you connect prior knowledge to what you want them to learn then they are able to make a connection and grasp the new learning. The strategy that stood out to me was the Inspiration software. The software would be developmentally appropriate for my 4 year olds since they can not take notes at that age. This will assist them with the questioning technique to help promote critical thinking skills.
My school district uses EDI and with EDI you state the objective in kid friendly language. During the lesson, you tell how, why, and what they will use this learning objective for in the future. This is a good way to make connection to the real-world. The use of technology allows me to meet each student learning style.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Behavorism in Practice
Behaviorism plays a role in the classroom still today. We may use other theories with it but behaviorism is needed in the classroom so that instruction can take place in a safe enivornment. The website that I tried out was Classroom.JC-Schools.net. I found this website developmentally appropriate for my PreKindergarten students. The website was very entertaining and appealing to me so I know that my students would love it. I like the way it reinforced the questions that you get wrong. It encourages the child to choose the right answer. The website ties into the behaviorism because it focuses on drill and practice. It also has a tutorial assistance.
I enjoyed learning about the different types of achievement spreadsheets. I would have to modify and adjust them so they will work with my students. I would use their symbol that they use to go to centers and where they hang their book bag. I thought about using different color stars to show their progress. I also thought about using it on my classroom blog to show parents how their child is doing. The achievement spreadsheets work with behaviorism because it shows their rewards.
In the behaviorist theory, homework places an important role because it reinforces what you did in class that day. It gives the student more practice and to see if they really understand it. When they come back and you go over the homework together it will let you know if you need to practice that skill more with your students or with a particular student. To do that, you could have a drill and practice skill on the computer that will reinforce the skill in a fun way.
This week gave me a lot of information that I could use in my classroom with reinforcement and sites I could use in my classroom with drill and practice on basic skills.
Behaviorism plays a role in the classroom still today. We may use other theories with it but behaviorism is needed in the classroom so that instruction can take place in a safe enivornment. The website that I tried out was Classroom.JC-Schools.net. I found this website developmentally appropriate for my PreKindergarten students. The website was very entertaining and appealing to me so I know that my students would love it. I like the way it reinforced the questions that you get wrong. It encourages the child to choose the right answer. The website ties into the behaviorism because it focuses on drill and practice. It also has a tutorial assistance.
I enjoyed learning about the different types of achievement spreadsheets. I would have to modify and adjust them so they will work with my students. I would use their symbol that they use to go to centers and where they hang their book bag. I thought about using different color stars to show their progress. I also thought about using it on my classroom blog to show parents how their child is doing. The achievement spreadsheets work with behaviorism because it shows their rewards.
In the behaviorist theory, homework places an important role because it reinforces what you did in class that day. It gives the student more practice and to see if they really understand it. When they come back and you go over the homework together it will let you know if you need to practice that skill more with your students or with a particular student. To do that, you could have a drill and practice skill on the computer that will reinforce the skill in a fun way.
This week gave me a lot of information that I could use in my classroom with reinforcement and sites I could use in my classroom with drill and practice on basic skills.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
In this course, I have learned to explore different types of technology that I knew about but have not tried out. This class taught me how I can use technology more effectively in my classroom. I have inquired exciting ways to help my students learn.
- In what ways has this course helped you to develop your own technology skills as a professional teacher?
Throughout this course, I learned technology skills that I can use with my preschoolers. I did not think that I could use the computer to enhance my students' learning in so many ways. I learned how to set up a blog, wiki, and a podcast in this course. This course showed me how to enhance my essons wit technology so that my students will be ready for this technology based world. I have never used a way of technology to communicate with my parents but this school year I am going to try it with my parents to see how it works along with my weekly newsletter. This will be a good way for my parents to communicate with me and each other. It is also a good way to display students' work for parents to see that never come out to the school for conferences.
- In what ways have you deepened your knowledge of the teaching and learning process?
I learned that every student is different and they learn in different ways. It is my job to make sure that I am meeting the needs of all my students. Using technology can make learning fun for them and it gives them a hands-on learning experience. Since they can play those video games at home and win at them, with me using technology in the classroom along with the standards they will also win.
- In what ways have you changed your perspective from being teacher-centered to learner-centered?
I have learned it is all about my students and their learning needs. I need to use technology with my lessons to give them more hands-on learning experiences. We need to talk more and share so that students will know how to socialize with each other respectfully. I work a lot with my students in groups since there are 2 of us in the classroom. It is important that I go on the learner's needs versus what I feel they need to know. They need to lead and I will guide them in the right direction.
- In what ways can you continue to expand your knowledge of learning, teaching, and leading with technology with the aim of increasing student achievement?
I believe the best way to continue and expand my knowledge is to stay up to date on teh most recent technology that is out there. I will need to do research to see what is out there and hwo others are using it in their classrooms. I need to use technology more in my classroom with my preschoolers on a daily basis to help them achieve their goals. Sharing with my co-workers on what they are doing and how it is working is alos a good way to expand my knowledge. Another way is to ask the adminstration to set up staff developments of the lastest technology and how to use it.
- Set two goals (within two years) for transforming your classroom enivornment by which you may have to overcome institutional or systemic obstacles in order to achieve them. How do you plan to accomplish these goals?
My first goal is to set up a blog for my classroom. I want parents to be able to communicate with me and others when they need to. I want things to be more involved in their child's education so whatever I can do to make it easier I want to do. A lot of my parents do not have transportation to come to conferences so I can display what their child is doing in the classroom. My second goal is to implement virtual field trips for my students. It usually cost my students a lot to go on field trips because we have to buy the diesel, pay the bus driver, and their admission to get in. This will be a great way to go on field trips that students can enjoy in a safe and warm environment.
- Refer to your checklist for Week 1 has any of your answers changed after completing this course?
When I looked back at the checklist, I found that my results have changed since I took it during week 1. Most of my answers were rarely because I was not aware of the different things I could do with technology with my preschoolers. I am going to allow my students to share more and I am going to collaborate with my students.
In conclusion, this class has taught me a lot of new information that I am going to incorporate in my classroom. My professor and peers have shared a lot of ideas that has been helpful. My classroom is going to be learner-based so I can better meet the needs of my students.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
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