That is a great question - I'd like to continue to use technology in my classroom better and better. I'd like to improve my use of technology in finding apps for our iPads that promote understanding and not just memorizing - where students can manipulate things to gain understanding. Tone generator was fantastic for that - I'd like to find more like that.
Secondly, I'd like to improve my use of technology in assessment. I'd like to become more comfortable videoing and recording anecdotal records on my ipad. Whether it is pe or literature etc.
Thirdly, I'd like to start a class blog. I've had one made for a while but still have not entered anything into it.
Finally, I'd like to use google docs more and encourage our upper end to use google docs for students.
I'd love to learn more about the IT component of technology, but I'm afraid it would require courses. I've learned some basics, but I'd love to learn more.
When I started this blog I had two ideas in my head of what I'd like to do. Now I've got a list. Somehow that just makes sense.
ARK
Saturday, 16 February 2013
Schools kill creativity - one of my favourite videos
One of my favourite quotes from Calvin and Hobbes is when Calvin brings in a snowflake into class. The punch line of the comic is when Calvin goes to show his class his snowflake and in a sense of irony he says "I'm leaving you drips and going outside". For me, it's a commentary on what Ken addressed when he says that schools kill creativity. Students come in so unique and I wonder if the goal of schools, when they say that they are making functional citizens of Ontario, that is that another way of saying that we are making cogs in a wheel. - Changing the uniqueness of snowflakes into common water.
Although there is an element of technology with this where we can use technology to inspire creativity and create things - it does not necessarily have to do with technology. The idea of having the students exercise their creative muscle often in the class is important.
How do you make sure that creative muscle used in the class? How do make sure they understand the material?
ARK
Although there is an element of technology with this where we can use technology to inspire creativity and create things - it does not necessarily have to do with technology. The idea of having the students exercise their creative muscle often in the class is important.
How do you make sure that creative muscle used in the class? How do make sure they understand the material?
ARK
Saturday, 9 February 2013
Too much
First of all sorry this blog entry is late. Wednesday and Thursday of last week, I have been spending time writing curriculum with other teachers from around the province. This is always an exciting time for me and a great opportunity to exercise the creative muscle in a creative space. As a bonus it was a time for me to introduce other to the power of google docs. It was also used as an attempt to use Twitter during curriculum development - it didn't go well, however, it was an attempt.
During this time, a comment was made that her students commented on the fact that there was too much technology being used. In this school, each student has a chrome book. (mental note: find out more about chrome books - anybody?) As a result, for our culminating activity it is going to be a physical scrapbook for the students to take home. But it made me wonder about the comment that there was too much technology used. In addition to this comment, I was talking to someone who had gone on the High Tech High field trip to San Diego. He noticed that there was a lack of, for example, smartboards.
Both of these things reminds me that there is a place for balance and the need for an awareness of knowledge of your own disposition towards the trends in your class and the habits you have. When writing this unit it is tempting to write the unit with all the "bells and whistles" of technology. 21st century skills doesn't mean technology soaked curriculum. How do I approach the balance in my own class? For the past month my class has created a powerpoint for country projects and typed up poems for a poetry project. Is that too much? I think we'll switch gears for the month to come and try a little more balance.
During this time, a comment was made that her students commented on the fact that there was too much technology being used. In this school, each student has a chrome book. (mental note: find out more about chrome books - anybody?) As a result, for our culminating activity it is going to be a physical scrapbook for the students to take home. But it made me wonder about the comment that there was too much technology used. In addition to this comment, I was talking to someone who had gone on the High Tech High field trip to San Diego. He noticed that there was a lack of, for example, smartboards.
Both of these things reminds me that there is a place for balance and the need for an awareness of knowledge of your own disposition towards the trends in your class and the habits you have. When writing this unit it is tempting to write the unit with all the "bells and whistles" of technology. 21st century skills doesn't mean technology soaked curriculum. How do I approach the balance in my own class? For the past month my class has created a powerpoint for country projects and typed up poems for a poetry project. Is that too much? I think we'll switch gears for the month to come and try a little more balance.
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