In this day and age I think web-based educational resources are pretty much essential in classrooms.
Our world is becoming so technology dependent that it is important to incorporate web-based tools into lessons. Whether it’s online videos, interesting websites, or images (you name it it’s somewhere in the internet!).
And then !!! - there are websites that offer lesson plan help (fantastic!) and making worksheets for your classes. I bet teachers who began their career when you had to buy different workbooks and pick and choose which ones would or would not work in your classroom then run off x amount of copies are jumping for joy now that you can go to these sites, search for appropriate material and print them out all while sitting in your sweats having a cup of coffee or ice cream!
Using the web also expands knowledge; you don’t have to just go by what you can afford to spend or what the school provides in their library. You now can take kids to different parts of the world all while sitting in your classroom in New Jersey. It gives students who otherwise would not be able to experience these amazing faraway places a true sense of what the jungle or desert is like.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Class Web Pages!
Last night in class we started to build our web pages which at first I didn’t totally understand how to use the Scholastic web page builder but after using it for a bit I started getting the hang of it. I’m not going to lie, I’m wishing I didn’t know about Teacher Web because the websites you can create are beyond adorable (I’m looking at this from an aspiring elementary school teacher), so much fun to work with and I really want to use that site in the future!
But whichever web page builder is used I think having a class web page is a great addition, not only for students but also for parents. Since you can post most anything ranging from pictures of the class, calendar of events, assignments and announcements it can really help get the parents more involved with their children’s school life and almost give them a sense of being there and experiencing it with them.
I loved the features that help you build book and software lists, maybe it’s because I am not yet teaching but I personally would have had no idea what books or software to recommend for 3rd grade age students (at least off the top of my head).
I think this is going to be a fun project and I hope that when I do become a teacher I am able to create a webpage for my classes - hopefully using Teacher Web ;o)
But whichever web page builder is used I think having a class web page is a great addition, not only for students but also for parents. Since you can post most anything ranging from pictures of the class, calendar of events, assignments and announcements it can really help get the parents more involved with their children’s school life and almost give them a sense of being there and experiencing it with them.
I loved the features that help you build book and software lists, maybe it’s because I am not yet teaching but I personally would have had no idea what books or software to recommend for 3rd grade age students (at least off the top of my head).
I think this is going to be a fun project and I hope that when I do become a teacher I am able to create a webpage for my classes - hopefully using Teacher Web ;o)
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Kidspiration
So I know I’ve mentioned this on my blog, in papers and when commenting on classmates blogs but I am totally a visual person therefore I’m sure you can already guess that I LOVE Inspiration and Kidsperation. How much fun is this for the classroom! Not your typical writing on the blackboard in white chalk and having teachers try and make it as cool as possible for the kids with something that might be a star (but we’re not really sure). With these sites you can have a bunch of ideas all in an understandable and organized manner with different colors for different topics or themes and also different shapes to organize even more. Fantastic!
I have a question for any current teachers, have you or do you know of any colleagues who this in their classrooms?
I have a question for any current teachers, have you or do you know of any colleagues who this in their classrooms?
Blogging
I have definitely heard of blogging before but really had no idea what it was about, so I didn’t have any feelings on the subject. After getting to know what it is all about and blogging for this class, I like it. I think it’s a great form of expression in this day and age being that people are becoming so technology savvy.
It’s also great because when you are in the classroom or even with friends you may not always get all of your thoughts out or may not think of certain things at that particular time, but you can go home, write down these thoughts and share them with friends, classmates and colleagues.
Blogging for teachers can be helpful in networking with other professionals in the industry and bouncing ideas back and forth. Whether it’s different ways of communicating better with students, new lessons or even problems that might occur in the classroom.
One a little bit of a different note, it is very important for teachers to become just as knowledgeable about technology as their students are because that can be a bonding tool in the classroom.
Facebook and twitter (which was all Good Morning America was talking about this morning) are becoming insanely popular. Students spend hour’s online networking with people in their community and even in other communities across the state, country or even world.
These types of networking sites get a bad rep in the news because of the harassing that could go on but if used properly (which I feel like majority of people do use it for good) it’s a great tool. I loved the section on the website Weblogg-ed that told some great stories of kids networking and how incredibly smart children are these days, it’s was awesome to read! Things like that make me want to really become a teacher.
It’s also great because when you are in the classroom or even with friends you may not always get all of your thoughts out or may not think of certain things at that particular time, but you can go home, write down these thoughts and share them with friends, classmates and colleagues.
Blogging for teachers can be helpful in networking with other professionals in the industry and bouncing ideas back and forth. Whether it’s different ways of communicating better with students, new lessons or even problems that might occur in the classroom.
One a little bit of a different note, it is very important for teachers to become just as knowledgeable about technology as their students are because that can be a bonding tool in the classroom.
Facebook and twitter (which was all Good Morning America was talking about this morning) are becoming insanely popular. Students spend hour’s online networking with people in their community and even in other communities across the state, country or even world.
These types of networking sites get a bad rep in the news because of the harassing that could go on but if used properly (which I feel like majority of people do use it for good) it’s a great tool. I loved the section on the website Weblogg-ed that told some great stories of kids networking and how incredibly smart children are these days, it’s was awesome to read! Things like that make me want to really become a teacher.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
WebQuests Part III
I just completed the WebQuest assignment and I must say I had some difficulty but I am very happy with the end result and think they can be a good resource in the classroom.
Once I got the hang of what exactly I had to do and figured out how to incorporate the lesson into the WebQuest format I had a lot of fun. I’m a very visual person so I like that you can add graphics and make the font and page different colors and really incorporate a theme into your assignment.
I know some school districts may not be able to accommodate having lessons taught in this format all of the time due to lack in computers but this can be something different to bring into the class every so often to break up the monotony of endless handouts.
Once I got the hang of what exactly I had to do and figured out how to incorporate the lesson into the WebQuest format I had a lot of fun. I’m a very visual person so I like that you can add graphics and make the font and page different colors and really incorporate a theme into your assignment.
I know some school districts may not be able to accommodate having lessons taught in this format all of the time due to lack in computers but this can be something different to bring into the class every so often to break up the monotony of endless handouts.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
WebQuests Part II
I still definitely think WebQuests are a great addition to the classroom but right now I have hit a brick wall.
I know what I want to do, I envision it in my head but am having some problems translating it for the WebQuest.
I know it can be done and will make a fun assignment but right now feel like I'm going in circles.
Dr. Luongo thank you for extending the assignment, it is definitely needed on my end.
I know what I want to do, I envision it in my head but am having some problems translating it for the WebQuest.
I know it can be done and will make a fun assignment but right now feel like I'm going in circles.
Dr. Luongo thank you for extending the assignment, it is definitely needed on my end.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
WebQuest
I think WebQuests are so much fun!
It's a great way to get kids involved in the learning process and have hands on approach. It's not the same old handing out a piece of paper with instructions on it for a project. You get to go to a website, click around, see images and colors and really have fun with the project.
The tooth fairy WebQuests is such a cute idea for teaching kids about hygiene. That is definitely a subject that can be boring and tough to keep students attention. Having such a fun activity will help keep kids interested and really into learning about dental hygiene.
Another WebQuest I thought was great was one I found on teaching kids about different US landforms, I have posted it below for your reference:
Gingerbread Man Run
It's a great way to get kids involved in the learning process and have hands on approach. It's not the same old handing out a piece of paper with instructions on it for a project. You get to go to a website, click around, see images and colors and really have fun with the project.
The tooth fairy WebQuests is such a cute idea for teaching kids about hygiene. That is definitely a subject that can be boring and tough to keep students attention. Having such a fun activity will help keep kids interested and really into learning about dental hygiene.
Another WebQuest I thought was great was one I found on teaching kids about different US landforms, I have posted it below for your reference:
Gingerbread Man Run
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