The main purpose behind these first two chapters is that leanring is a process and that we need to prepare our students by teaching them how to learn (Wiske, Franz and Breit, 2005). It is one thing just to know a fact and recite it for a random assessment. However, it is much more important that our students learn for understanding which means that they participate in a more formative assessment of thier abilities (Wiske, et al., 2006).
The authors discuss the use of generative topics to get students to delve deeper into the curriculum through open ended questions which can be used in any subject (Wiske, et al., 2006). As a civics teacher, I use this technique in the form of case studies and other methods just to get the students to think beyond the SOL. I agree with the authors that there needs to be goal setting and collaboration among students and teachers throughout the learning process.
Also, technology can play an integral role in the learning process (Wiske, et al., 2006). One way that my students utilize technology to fit the understanding by design model is through the use of a Wiki. This is basically a community blog that they set up and the civics teachers post open ended type questions. Usually they tend to revolve around what is happening in the news or just political opinions over big issues. So far it has been very successful for those that volunteered to participate. I highly recommmend it for your upper lever studetns as an alternative assignment to some of the more boring memorization for the SOL.
References
Wiske, M.S., Franz, K.R., & Breit, L. (2005) Teaching for understanding with technology. San
Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Monday, January 22, 2007
Abilock- Week 2
1/22/07
Abilock Article
In Debbie Abilock’s article, "Using Technology to Enhance Student Inquiry", three key points stand out. First, there is a clear need for collaboration on the part of teachers, administrators, librarians and technology resource specialists. Second, we as teachers need to make sure that our students are information literate through the use of technology. Finally, through technology we should teach our students the research and design process of finding, sorting and synthesizing information (Abilock, 2001).
Collaboration is important in all aspects of education. However, in terms of technology integration, it is essential. All teachers need to embrace change in instructional methods and the main way to keep up with the times is to keep on learning how to use new hardware and software to help students. Librarians, administrators and specialists need to work with teachers as well as model uses of technology for learning (Abilock, 2001). Also, it is important to have support available should a problem or question arise.
Information literacy is critical for our students in this day and age due to the ever changing world of communication technology. Students need to learn how to learn through the use of various technological tools as well as become lifelong learners in the process (Abilock, 2001). The only way to do this is if they are exposed to relevant and valid forms and uses of technology that are appropriate to their curriculum. “The challenge for students is to understand complex issues, develop an informed and defensible position, locate data supporting their point of view, recognize information that is relevant, and evaluate the authority of sources” (Abilock, 2001, p. 4).
Finally, students need to learn to use information and technology in an appropriate manner. As teachers we need to model acceptable behavior. Research and synthesizing information are skills that need to be practiced. Thankfully, we have a world wide web that offers access to billions of pieces of information. We must make our students aware of how to discriminate credible from false information.
We need to work as one in education in order to benefit our students. If we continue to ignore the ever changing technologies that surround us, then our students will not be competitive in a global market and workplace. Knowledge of how and when to use technology is critical. If we do not change our educational system to accommodate technological advances, then we will simply be left in the dust.
References
Abilock, D. (2001).Using technology to enhance student inquiry. In LeBaron,
J.F. & Collier C. (eds.). Technology in its place: Successful technology
infusion in schools. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Abilock Article
In Debbie Abilock’s article, "Using Technology to Enhance Student Inquiry", three key points stand out. First, there is a clear need for collaboration on the part of teachers, administrators, librarians and technology resource specialists. Second, we as teachers need to make sure that our students are information literate through the use of technology. Finally, through technology we should teach our students the research and design process of finding, sorting and synthesizing information (Abilock, 2001).
Collaboration is important in all aspects of education. However, in terms of technology integration, it is essential. All teachers need to embrace change in instructional methods and the main way to keep up with the times is to keep on learning how to use new hardware and software to help students. Librarians, administrators and specialists need to work with teachers as well as model uses of technology for learning (Abilock, 2001). Also, it is important to have support available should a problem or question arise.
Information literacy is critical for our students in this day and age due to the ever changing world of communication technology. Students need to learn how to learn through the use of various technological tools as well as become lifelong learners in the process (Abilock, 2001). The only way to do this is if they are exposed to relevant and valid forms and uses of technology that are appropriate to their curriculum. “The challenge for students is to understand complex issues, develop an informed and defensible position, locate data supporting their point of view, recognize information that is relevant, and evaluate the authority of sources” (Abilock, 2001, p. 4).
Finally, students need to learn to use information and technology in an appropriate manner. As teachers we need to model acceptable behavior. Research and synthesizing information are skills that need to be practiced. Thankfully, we have a world wide web that offers access to billions of pieces of information. We must make our students aware of how to discriminate credible from false information.
We need to work as one in education in order to benefit our students. If we continue to ignore the ever changing technologies that surround us, then our students will not be competitive in a global market and workplace. Knowledge of how and when to use technology is critical. If we do not change our educational system to accommodate technological advances, then we will simply be left in the dust.
References
Abilock, D. (2001).Using technology to enhance student inquiry. In LeBaron,
J.F. & Collier C. (eds.). Technology in its place: Successful technology
infusion in schools. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Monday, January 15, 2007
ITEC 545 Kevin
Hello everyone!
Welcome to my first posting. Currently, I am still setting up all of the features for this online course and I am looking forward to working with others that are interested in the integration of technology in our schools.
Welcome to my first posting. Currently, I am still setting up all of the features for this online course and I am looking forward to working with others that are interested in the integration of technology in our schools.
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