Kyle Hoffman
10663464
T&L 466
November 14, 2007
Emerging Technologies Project
In the 1990’s, humans made arguably the largest technological leap in history. To most of us, this is where the term technology derives from, since this was the booming start of the computer age. Many believe technology only entails computers and James Bond gadgets, when in reality, technology has been apart of the human race since day one. Take weapons for instance; Humans developed clubs, then swords, and ultimately guns. Technological advances were taking place from day one, when humans went from throwing rocks to beating one another with clubs. Because of human nature, and our infinite drive for knowledge and understanding, technology will never end. We continually want to explore new ideas to grow as a people, and in the education realm it is no different.
Over the years, classrooms have essentially stayed the same in the sense that there is an instructor whom is relaying knowledge to his/her students in the hope that learning is taking place. While teaching styles have changed and policies have been implemented on what is and what is not acceptable, the foundation of American education has stayed the same. However, classroom resources have changed drastically with emerging technologies. I could remember a time when there were no computers in classrooms, and now in some schools, students have their own laptop. Along with the mass implementation of computers in schools, many of the schools and classrooms are being networked for further educational resources and engagement. Finally, my 3rd emerging technology is the incorporation of video games in physical education classes.
With proper funding, many schools would like to make the switch from traditional textbooks to iBooks for example. With iBooks, students don’t have to carry each textbook day to day, from class to class. Instead, students will have all textbooks, information, handouts, and any other classroom resource that would be utilized in school. Not only is it more efficient for the students by having everything readily available in one place, but it makes the teachers job much easier as well for the same and other reasons. The accepted term for projects like these are “digital schools.” More information regarding iBooks and digital schools can be found at www.apple.com/education/k12 and at www.eschoolnews.com.
Along with every student having a laptop, these digital schools are making everything readily available by networking the school, more specific, the classrooms. Students can access resources on the web, library, or other teachers and peers for a much more broad educational experience. Schools are becoming more and more community-based, and it is important that we all learn to communicate and utilize new technologies that will only enhance learning, not inhibit it. Many world-wide projects are taking place where there is student interaction across the globe. This is vital for a sound world, in the sense that nations seem too educationally isolated from the rest of the globe and its current issues/events. Websites such as www.gsn.org are striving to make global awareness, interaction, and education a reality. The goal is to link kids around the world, for a better world, because they are the future.
I will soon be a physical educator and I have been thinking of ways to tackle the child obesity epidemic. While teaching students how to shoot a sound jump-shot is important, we as physical educators must first and foremost teach life skills. If students are obese, they won’t play basketball in the first place, so any plan of attack for this problem should be listened to. A great idea that I ran across was the implementation of video games in a P.E. class. When first hearing that, one might think it is a joke since kids usually sit in front of the television not doing anything active.
These technologies are different though, because they require kids to exercise, while still keeping them engaged via video gaming. Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) is becoming popular in many P.E. classrooms because the kids absolutely love it, but so do the instructors since they break a sweat while on the machine. Another innovative incorporation of gaming into P.E. is a bicycle that powers on a television and Playstation 2 by pedaling. If the students want to play the games, they must pedal the bike, and this is a great way for kids to exercise who aren’t apt to play team sports. More information in video games in the classroom can be found at http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/05/01/news/dance.php, and http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/30/health/30exer.html.While all 3 technologies vary, they all serve the same purpose, which is the betterment of education through technology. These emerging technologies aren’t in every school just yet, but in the near future I see mass implementation of all 3, because they are all effective in the goals they are striving to accomplish. Technology will never quit, it will only continue to grow, so let’s utilize it in education for a positive impact on the classroom.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Distance Education Activity
Kyle Hoffman
10663464
T&L 466
November 7, 2007
Distance Education Activity-Virtual Schools
Virtual schools have not been around for a long time, so they are in their infancy in regard to universal acceptance. There are many positive and negative aspects of virtual schools, which is why it is an interesting topic for debate. The following is a list of 5 pros and 5 cons of virtual schools:
Pros:
Ready available
Easily accessible via internet
Everything in one place (website)
Work at own pace
Easily manage time
May be free or inexpensive
Incorporation of up-to-date technology into education
We have superior communication technology, why not use it
Websites may be very informative, engaging, and up-to-date for adequate educational use
Cons:
Not personable
· No teacher/student interaction
No immediate feedback
Learning occurring?
· How can teachers be certain learning is happening? Do they care?
Students may not be proficient with technology
· May not even have internet access some of the time
No cooperative learning
· No teams or group discussions
· Only isolated thoughts and ideas
In regard to determining student readiness for participating in distance delivery, I would follow a step by step approach for each student. First, would be the inquiry of proper supplies and background knowledge to make sure students are aware on hardware usage, as well as having an understanding of the lesson and material at hand. This would be followed by the posting of an electronic handout that illustrated the task, teacher expectations, and any other relevant information. In order to teach in a virtual school, I believe it is obviously imperative that the teacher have a high knowledge base in the particular subject, as well as excellent writing skills for error free instruction and communication. The teacher must also push the envelope when it comes to communication with students (i.e. e-mails, reminders, posts, handouts, progress reports, etc.).
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Teacher Web Reviews
Darin Orton (Mr. Orton):
-Darin did an excellent job creating and utilizing his teacher web effectively for class usage. The layout could use some work though, since it is still in the default template, but his color scheme and usage of various icons add a creative element to the teacher web. Darin's teacher web is very user friendly in the sense that everything is clearly labeled and easy to navigate. All requirements for our teacher web projects are present in Darin's, but the highlight of his site would have to be his about me page. After viewing it, I got the inclination that Darin is a very personable and enthusiastic guy, and that will take him far in his teaching career. It really shows Darin's interest in his subject matter and the love for his family, which is a wonderful trait to have.
Bob Stoddard (Mr. Stoddard):
-Like Darin, Bob used the default layout. Which is fine, but it would spice of his teacher web a bit if he took a little more time to be creative. The icons used for the links are very nice though and you can tell he took time on those. Another critique I have of Bob's teacher web is that there are 2 links that lead to absolutely nothing. The web 2.0 interactive links and the news flash link don't have anything in them, so either delete them or put your PB wiki and webquest links in the web 2.0 or web resources link. The highlight of Bob's page, like Darin's, is his about me page. You get a bit of a sense of who Bob is, and what his interests are. This will show Bob's students that he is human just like them!
-Darin did an excellent job creating and utilizing his teacher web effectively for class usage. The layout could use some work though, since it is still in the default template, but his color scheme and usage of various icons add a creative element to the teacher web. Darin's teacher web is very user friendly in the sense that everything is clearly labeled and easy to navigate. All requirements for our teacher web projects are present in Darin's, but the highlight of his site would have to be his about me page. After viewing it, I got the inclination that Darin is a very personable and enthusiastic guy, and that will take him far in his teaching career. It really shows Darin's interest in his subject matter and the love for his family, which is a wonderful trait to have.
Bob Stoddard (Mr. Stoddard):
-Like Darin, Bob used the default layout. Which is fine, but it would spice of his teacher web a bit if he took a little more time to be creative. The icons used for the links are very nice though and you can tell he took time on those. Another critique I have of Bob's teacher web is that there are 2 links that lead to absolutely nothing. The web 2.0 interactive links and the news flash link don't have anything in them, so either delete them or put your PB wiki and webquest links in the web 2.0 or web resources link. The highlight of Bob's page, like Darin's, is his about me page. You get a bit of a sense of who Bob is, and what his interests are. This will show Bob's students that he is human just like them!
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Engaging Students with Concept Mapping Activities
Kyle Hoffman
10663464
October 2, 2007
Concept Mapping
In my P.E. classroom at the high school level, we will not be using concept mapping as a tool for education for obvious reasons. However, in the health classroom one could easily illustrate ideas utilizing concept maps and various methods discussed on the inspiration.com website. For example, if I was working with students on sexually transmitted diseases, we could create a concept map on how easily and rapidly STD’s spread. Along with that, one could make a concept map on the various types of communicable diseases and categorize each one in a creative and effective way for learning.
Utilizing concept maps in classrooms will increase student skills in planning, organization, research, evaluation, comprehension, and ultimately communication. Lots of students are visual learners; therefore concept maps are a great way to visualize ideas, concepts, and relationships. With the Inspiration software, one has many choices to make from the type of concept map, to the pictures and symbols that may be used for representation. The software seems relatively easy to use, based on the trial version. Concept maps are great tools to use for teaching any kind of lesson. If it is a cause and effect type lesson, a concept map is the perfect choice since one may post the cause of something, then branch off with its effects. It can also be used for categorization, since major themes may be posted; each grouping that branches off from the major theme might be its own cluster of ideas.
Responses:
1) Concept mapping activities will engage learners by giving them visual cues. Lots of students are visual learners, therefore if we show them using concept mapping, they will have a better grasp on the major theme or idea. If we are on the subject of STD's, students will by far retain more information than if I just lectured in class. If students can see the various STD's, and their rate of onset and passage, then they will be much more engaged than just listening to someone talk. We can also do a concept map on HIV/AIDS. This will give us a more linear, cause and effect type map which will outline causes of HIV, and how the virus manifests itself and becomes AIDS.
2) If I am teaching a topic, and a student can create their own concept map on that topic, then they will have an easier time explaining the information as well as understanding it for themselves. If a student can create and explain a concept map on a certain topic, I would be very confident that they could pass any test on that same topic. In essence, concept maps make great study guides!
10663464
October 2, 2007
Concept Mapping
In my P.E. classroom at the high school level, we will not be using concept mapping as a tool for education for obvious reasons. However, in the health classroom one could easily illustrate ideas utilizing concept maps and various methods discussed on the inspiration.com website. For example, if I was working with students on sexually transmitted diseases, we could create a concept map on how easily and rapidly STD’s spread. Along with that, one could make a concept map on the various types of communicable diseases and categorize each one in a creative and effective way for learning.
Utilizing concept maps in classrooms will increase student skills in planning, organization, research, evaluation, comprehension, and ultimately communication. Lots of students are visual learners; therefore concept maps are a great way to visualize ideas, concepts, and relationships. With the Inspiration software, one has many choices to make from the type of concept map, to the pictures and symbols that may be used for representation. The software seems relatively easy to use, based on the trial version. Concept maps are great tools to use for teaching any kind of lesson. If it is a cause and effect type lesson, a concept map is the perfect choice since one may post the cause of something, then branch off with its effects. It can also be used for categorization, since major themes may be posted; each grouping that branches off from the major theme might be its own cluster of ideas.
Responses:
1) Concept mapping activities will engage learners by giving them visual cues. Lots of students are visual learners, therefore if we show them using concept mapping, they will have a better grasp on the major theme or idea. If we are on the subject of STD's, students will by far retain more information than if I just lectured in class. If students can see the various STD's, and their rate of onset and passage, then they will be much more engaged than just listening to someone talk. We can also do a concept map on HIV/AIDS. This will give us a more linear, cause and effect type map which will outline causes of HIV, and how the virus manifests itself and becomes AIDS.
2) If I am teaching a topic, and a student can create their own concept map on that topic, then they will have an easier time explaining the information as well as understanding it for themselves. If a student can create and explain a concept map on a certain topic, I would be very confident that they could pass any test on that same topic. In essence, concept maps make great study guides!
Monday, September 24, 2007
Blogs in Education
1) In my search using the key words “Educational Blogs” on 3 different engines (Google, MSN, Yahoo), I received very similar results. The same website (educational.blogs.com) appeared as the number 1 hit on all 3 search engines, with various other education blog websites reoccurring as well. These search engines, especially Google and Yahoo, probably use the same database or programming, and this is why similar results occur. It can’t be by chance alone that these search engines deliver similar results.
2) Blogs are currently used in the classroom in very interesting ways. They are very innovative in their own right, since anybody in the class can access them at anytime. One example of an innovative way they are used in classrooms is web journals. Students can either write a journal, or turn in assignments via blogs, and students can access them for response. Teachers can also get them for grading and assessment purposes. Blogs are also being used as collaborative journals as well, where students can create blogs resembling a newspaper and add photos along with various articles or entries.
3) RSS readers are programs called aggregators which take news articles from various websites and consolidate it into one simple form. You can use these on, your computer mainly, but are also used in podcasts, blogs, and other formats. These can be used in many ways, but the most common way is being read as a single new post. These aggregators reduce time by consolidating similar and various news articles into one single post for easy access.
4) Blogging in K-12 classrooms will have a huge impact on education because we are continuing to move into incorporating technology into the classroom. This shift is a continuous move into the technological era that we are currently in, and it is becoming an all around accepted societal education tactic. No matter what discipline one is in, technology and blogs may be used as an interactive learning tool for research and discussion. Blogs are only increasing in popularity, so it is important to get with the times and start thinking of ways to incorporate them into instruction.
5) Pros:
-Blogs are useful in discussion and interaction between students, as well as teachers.
-RSS readers save lots of time by consolidating news articles into one form for an easy update on current issues.
Cons:
-By using blogs, students might write as if they were in a chatroom and not write with proper structure and grammar.
-RSS readers won't be as thorough as a single article which will be focused on a specific issue (if one wished to go further in depth on an issue).
2) Blogs are currently used in the classroom in very interesting ways. They are very innovative in their own right, since anybody in the class can access them at anytime. One example of an innovative way they are used in classrooms is web journals. Students can either write a journal, or turn in assignments via blogs, and students can access them for response. Teachers can also get them for grading and assessment purposes. Blogs are also being used as collaborative journals as well, where students can create blogs resembling a newspaper and add photos along with various articles or entries.
3) RSS readers are programs called aggregators which take news articles from various websites and consolidate it into one simple form. You can use these on, your computer mainly, but are also used in podcasts, blogs, and other formats. These can be used in many ways, but the most common way is being read as a single new post. These aggregators reduce time by consolidating similar and various news articles into one single post for easy access.
4) Blogging in K-12 classrooms will have a huge impact on education because we are continuing to move into incorporating technology into the classroom. This shift is a continuous move into the technological era that we are currently in, and it is becoming an all around accepted societal education tactic. No matter what discipline one is in, technology and blogs may be used as an interactive learning tool for research and discussion. Blogs are only increasing in popularity, so it is important to get with the times and start thinking of ways to incorporate them into instruction.
5) Pros:
-Blogs are useful in discussion and interaction between students, as well as teachers.
-RSS readers save lots of time by consolidating news articles into one form for an easy update on current issues.
Cons:
-By using blogs, students might write as if they were in a chatroom and not write with proper structure and grammar.
-RSS readers won't be as thorough as a single article which will be focused on a specific issue (if one wished to go further in depth on an issue).
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Learning Styles Assignment
Kyle Hoffman
T&L 466
September 6, 2007
Learning Styles
Personal Talents
The learning style I chose to cover is Personal Talents, which is essentially Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences theory. In the early 80’s, Gardner first talked about his theory of Multiple Intelligences in his book Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. The Multiple Intelligences essentially are seven styles of learning, in which each person differentiates in which style best fits them. The varied types of Multiple Intelligences include: Linguistic, Logical-Mathematical, Bodily-Kinesthetic, Spatial, Musical, Interpersonal, and Intrapersonal. The URL to access Gardner’s seven intelligences is: http://www.professorlamp.com/ed/TAG/7_Intelligences.html
As opposed to an IQ exam, the Multiple Intelligences theory gives us a more in-depth understanding of why certain youth excel in one subject, and maybe fall a bit behind in another. Children learn at different levels, so it is important to gain an understanding of the isolated learning style that best suits him/her. A child who learns best with the “Linguistic” skill set is more likely to enjoy reading, writing, stories, and puzzles. They enjoy these activities; therefore they are going to excel in the classroom with this aspect of learning. Kids who learn best with the “Logical-Mathematical” skill set are more likely to enjoy math, strategy games, and experiments. These children like organization, categories, patterns, and other types of relationships within a logical realm. Again, since they enjoy these types of activities and aspects of learning, they will find success in them.
The “Bodily-Kinesthetic” learning style is for kids who process information through hands-on activities and repetition. These children are usually athletes, dancers, and they are keen at wood-working and other crafts. Along the same lines as Bodily-Kinesthetic, the “Spatial” learner is aware, but creates pictures or images to create a thought. They take a liking to jigsaw puzzles and building using Lego’s, to name a couple activities. They are very imaginative daydreamers that tend to use art more often than not. The “Musical” learner uses sound as a way to intake information. They are often drumming and singing to themselves or in their head and can distinctly pick out various sounds in a given realm. Rhythm is a great organizational tool to help kids understand structure and piecing things together to create something.
The last two intelligences are “Interpersonal,” and “Intrapersonal.” Interpersonal learners are leaders that take initiative and communicate ideas well among their peers. These children are people person’s; they enjoy the company of others and working with them as well. As opposed to Interpersonal, Intrapersonal learners are often shy and reserved. They are very self-motivated, and aware of their feelings at any particular time. This does not mean that they do not like people per say, it just means that they are especially in-tune with themselves and what they are doing. Each intelligence has its own positive aspect to it, and no intelligence is better than the other. It is important to shy away from the IQ test, and trying to see “how smart” someone is. We instead need to focus on the fact that students learn in different ways, and each way is that child’s strength in itself.
In reading these articles I learned that not only are there Multiple Intelligences, but there are differing theories outside of Gardner’s that are along the same lines. Gardner though seemed like the trendsetter in having differing viewpoints on IQ and how smart a person really is. That is a legitimate question; how smart is someone? How do we measure someone’s intelligence? Gardner has come up with a viable solution that will not leave anyone behind. People are different. They live, eat, sleep, run, and think differently from one another. Gardner’s emphasis on his Multiple Intelligences theory is well placed. If people do just about everything different from one another, why would people not learn differently? When I become a P.E. teacher, I plan on utilizing Gardner’s theory and weaving it into my daily plan. Not only will an explanation of the skill or task be presented, but a demonstration and information on reasoning behind the certain skill or task will also be given. While this does not cover all seven for this particular task, the other intelligences not incorporated will be implemented the next day or on the next task. I am very glad I have had a chance to learn about Gardner’s theory of Multiple Intelligences because it not only broadens my teaching and learning perspective, but it reinforces the fact that people are different, and you must cater to all learning styles, not solely focus on one.
T&L 466
September 6, 2007
Learning Styles
Personal Talents
The learning style I chose to cover is Personal Talents, which is essentially Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences theory. In the early 80’s, Gardner first talked about his theory of Multiple Intelligences in his book Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. The Multiple Intelligences essentially are seven styles of learning, in which each person differentiates in which style best fits them. The varied types of Multiple Intelligences include: Linguistic, Logical-Mathematical, Bodily-Kinesthetic, Spatial, Musical, Interpersonal, and Intrapersonal. The URL to access Gardner’s seven intelligences is: http://www.professorlamp.com/ed/TAG/7_Intelligences.html
As opposed to an IQ exam, the Multiple Intelligences theory gives us a more in-depth understanding of why certain youth excel in one subject, and maybe fall a bit behind in another. Children learn at different levels, so it is important to gain an understanding of the isolated learning style that best suits him/her. A child who learns best with the “Linguistic” skill set is more likely to enjoy reading, writing, stories, and puzzles. They enjoy these activities; therefore they are going to excel in the classroom with this aspect of learning. Kids who learn best with the “Logical-Mathematical” skill set are more likely to enjoy math, strategy games, and experiments. These children like organization, categories, patterns, and other types of relationships within a logical realm. Again, since they enjoy these types of activities and aspects of learning, they will find success in them.
The “Bodily-Kinesthetic” learning style is for kids who process information through hands-on activities and repetition. These children are usually athletes, dancers, and they are keen at wood-working and other crafts. Along the same lines as Bodily-Kinesthetic, the “Spatial” learner is aware, but creates pictures or images to create a thought. They take a liking to jigsaw puzzles and building using Lego’s, to name a couple activities. They are very imaginative daydreamers that tend to use art more often than not. The “Musical” learner uses sound as a way to intake information. They are often drumming and singing to themselves or in their head and can distinctly pick out various sounds in a given realm. Rhythm is a great organizational tool to help kids understand structure and piecing things together to create something.
The last two intelligences are “Interpersonal,” and “Intrapersonal.” Interpersonal learners are leaders that take initiative and communicate ideas well among their peers. These children are people person’s; they enjoy the company of others and working with them as well. As opposed to Interpersonal, Intrapersonal learners are often shy and reserved. They are very self-motivated, and aware of their feelings at any particular time. This does not mean that they do not like people per say, it just means that they are especially in-tune with themselves and what they are doing. Each intelligence has its own positive aspect to it, and no intelligence is better than the other. It is important to shy away from the IQ test, and trying to see “how smart” someone is. We instead need to focus on the fact that students learn in different ways, and each way is that child’s strength in itself.
In reading these articles I learned that not only are there Multiple Intelligences, but there are differing theories outside of Gardner’s that are along the same lines. Gardner though seemed like the trendsetter in having differing viewpoints on IQ and how smart a person really is. That is a legitimate question; how smart is someone? How do we measure someone’s intelligence? Gardner has come up with a viable solution that will not leave anyone behind. People are different. They live, eat, sleep, run, and think differently from one another. Gardner’s emphasis on his Multiple Intelligences theory is well placed. If people do just about everything different from one another, why would people not learn differently? When I become a P.E. teacher, I plan on utilizing Gardner’s theory and weaving it into my daily plan. Not only will an explanation of the skill or task be presented, but a demonstration and information on reasoning behind the certain skill or task will also be given. While this does not cover all seven for this particular task, the other intelligences not incorporated will be implemented the next day or on the next task. I am very glad I have had a chance to learn about Gardner’s theory of Multiple Intelligences because it not only broadens my teaching and learning perspective, but it reinforces the fact that people are different, and you must cater to all learning styles, not solely focus on one.
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