Assignment #4

I’ll make this one due by Wed. 7/16/08 which will give all a chance to get caught up.In the interim, be sure to participate in Discussion #1 (blog and or Blackboard).Also, here’s an extra article you may want to read:CORRECTED: Technology Reshapes America's Classrooms http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/technology/tech-usa-education-technology.html?_r=1&oref=sloginYou may want to listen to this week’s episode of The Teachers Podcast (if you listen be sure to check out the links given in the website) http://www.teacherspodcast.org/Also, you may want to review our class blog. As you build out your blog you may find the “technology tips” I’ve put in to be useful. Our class blog is an organic, ongoing item and may offer you a model of approaches you would use in a similar blog in your own teaching.Assignment #4Part 1Read chapter 5 of Meaningful Learning with Technology.Write a response (approx. 250) on your reflections on the how this fits into your understanding of education and how it might be used in your own teaching practice.Part 2Building out your blog a little, let’s try a ‘post’ that you might create for your students. Find an item on the web that you feel is appropriate and worthwhile to present to your students. In your text (a paragraph or 2) put a hyperlink into your blog that will take the reader to the item you’ve selected. Give directions on what to do with the content you are sending him to (i.e. print this out, read in entirety, read the first 3 paragraphs, etc.). Also, give directions to the student on processing the content (i.e. summarize, list new vocabulary, write a short reflection, etc.).The above is required, but the following are suggestions for how you might enhance the blog experience for your student:Upload a still photo or a scanUpload (or embed) a videoPut a link in to a podcast or sound fileUpload or embed a slide showHow would you use the item you include instructionally?

STUDENT RESPONSE:

1. Concept maps are very popular with teachers of students of all ages. I myself have many different types of formal maps I have come across and regularly use. We brainstorm topics we will cover in themes in our stories we read. For example, when I read the Hungry Caterpillar, we brainstormed caterpillar then wrote everything we could think of relating to that topic. Another mapped approach I use to expand on a topic is the "spider" concept map, organized by placing the central theme in the center of the map surrounded by outwardly radiating subthemes. Flow charts provide a linear view of information and I normally use it for sequencing events. Mapping is a very useful tool for managing information. It is a contributor to the educational success of students. According to The Teaching for Student Achievement Guidebook, which we were all given from our Fellows department, using mapping tools are considered “HITS”, or High Impact Teaching Strategies which when employed result in a remarkable increase in student achievement. Specifically categorizing and organizing information into charts is a very effective teaching strategy. I already employ this method of teaching and transferring that usage online is worth trying. Recently we learned about the website readwritethink.org where these types of mapping tools are pre-arranged. By selecting a map the computer prompts you to enter in information which is automatically mapped. This is, once again, a more appealing and attractive way to use this high impact strategy than simply presented on paper.

2. Instructions for Student Assignment:

A. Please go to this link: http://www.etseverywhere.com/category/grammar-songs
B. Read and listen to the story: Extremely True Facts About Cats
C. Please print out the section to be filled in.
D. Please complete the sentences with adjectives about cats.
E. Draw a picture of a cat using paint.
F. Watch the cat video above and write a few sentences to describe its contents. Did you hear any adjectives in the song? Please list.
G. Listen to the link, 32 Adjectives Song and pick 10 words to write sentences for.