Before the course began , I was pretty excited in terms of seeing how far we have progressed as it related to incorporating technology into education - we've made enormous advances!
Overall, I think the course was very well designed - the course fostered an environment for independence, self discipline and the utilization of effective time management skills. The vast amount of very useful articles, applications, and sites will continually be referenced for both my future lesson planning and teaching sessions. Additionally, through the use of some very demanding assignments, in terms of keeping one challenged, the "envelope was definitely pushed".
For someone that was not too savvy with technology [prior to the course], I have to say, what I have gained is just immeasurable! I am particularly proud of my Scholastic Web Page, and my ability to blog effectively.
With my renewed perspective on [technology in] education, in order for us to compete globally, utilizing computers, software applications and other educational technologies in the classroom is a definite must!
Showing posts with label CCDE GE555. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CCDE GE555. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
CLRN
My immediate response to the California Learning Resource Network site is wow!
By far, CLRN is the most comprehensive educational site I have explored to date. There is just an enormous wealth of very useful information, and it is only a "mouse click away". In navigating through the site, unfortunately, to my disappointment, some of the links are no longer accessible.
That said however, overall, I was extremely impressed with the site. Special attention should be paid to the ELR subject matter feature and it's virtual tours [great tool] . For quick reference, for each Resource Title in ELR, there is a corresponding "Type", "Media", "Grade Levels", "Publisher" and "Post Date". This is just one example of the useful tools in this site.
In essence, this is just a well constructed site. If you have not already, you definitely have to "bookmark" this site!
By far, CLRN is the most comprehensive educational site I have explored to date. There is just an enormous wealth of very useful information, and it is only a "mouse click away". In navigating through the site, unfortunately, to my disappointment, some of the links are no longer accessible.
That said however, overall, I was extremely impressed with the site. Special attention should be paid to the ELR subject matter feature and it's virtual tours [great tool] . For quick reference, for each Resource Title in ELR, there is a corresponding "Type", "Media", "Grade Levels", "Publisher" and "Post Date". This is just one example of the useful tools in this site.
In essence, this is just a well constructed site. If you have not already, you definitely have to "bookmark" this site!
Monday, April 20, 2009
LESSON PLANS
Lesson plans can be viewed as being synonymous with a corporate "Mission Statement". Even better, I would argue lesson plans are written and binding contracts between educators and students.
Now that I have an appreciation of what lesson plans are all about, it is hard to imagine that any educator would be bold enough in conducting classroom sessions without them. From my perspective, they are indispensable in assuring classroom sessions are administered in an efficient manner.
While lesson plans themselves are vital parts of the learning process, I think it is a given that lesson plans must be well thought out [including stated objectives, clear expectations, projected outcomes], appropriately tailored to the desired grade level, effectively incorporates technology, and have the all important "hooks" to keep learners engaged.
With so many lesson plan resources available [virtually covering every educational topic], there is really no excuse in not being thoroughly prepared once you enter the classroom setting.
In doing some additional research on my lesson plan, I stumbled across an awesome site for lesson plans [daily and archived samples]:
The New York Times Learning Network
http://nytimes.com/learning/index.html
Now that I have an appreciation of what lesson plans are all about, it is hard to imagine that any educator would be bold enough in conducting classroom sessions without them. From my perspective, they are indispensable in assuring classroom sessions are administered in an efficient manner.
While lesson plans themselves are vital parts of the learning process, I think it is a given that lesson plans must be well thought out [including stated objectives, clear expectations, projected outcomes], appropriately tailored to the desired grade level, effectively incorporates technology, and have the all important "hooks" to keep learners engaged.
With so many lesson plan resources available [virtually covering every educational topic], there is really no excuse in not being thoroughly prepared once you enter the classroom setting.
In doing some additional research on my lesson plan, I stumbled across an awesome site for lesson plans [daily and archived samples]:
The New York Times Learning Network
http://nytimes.com/learning/index.html
I urge you to take a look, you may find it useful.
Good luck with your lesson plans!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
VIDEOS
Let me begin by saying, I think visuals in general have a tendency to better capture one's attention, when compared to print media.
Preferentially speaking, visuals definitely work better for me. I find that when reading documents in print [particularly lengthy ones and those that have no real appeal to me], I sometimes find myself losing interest, which leads to missing the message, which leads to going back and re-reading what I just read, which leads to a not efficient use of my time.
Of course with everything, the production quality and content of some videos are better than others, but again overall, videos have a tendency of quickly getting to the point in an often both entertaining and informative manner.
In addressing the videos in modules 8 and 9, I thought they all were very good - they were succinct, the points were clear, some were funny, some were serious, and they all had messages which directly relate to some of today's' educational and social issues.
The videos "Don't Believe Everything You Hear Online" and "Social Networking Tips" were spot on in addressing my on-going concern for my sons' use of: YouTube, MySpace, Facebook, Twitter... I now have them [the two videos] permanently archived for a constant reminder of those all important guidelines to follow.
"Introducing The Book" was just down-right funny. I thought it was just an excellent take of how most of us have an initial fear when new technologies are introduced [in most settings]. Which leads to the rhetorical question, why do people fear new ways of doing things? It's the fear of change itself.
Most of us tend to become very comfortable with normal routines. From my perspective, I think change is good [particularly if it's addressing efficiency]. Making that argument, if we want to minimize/erase fear, perhaps we need to do a better job in introducing change.
There's a good movie/book I suggest you take a look at on the subject of change:
http://www.whomovedmycheese.com/Movie.html
"Special Education and Social Networking" demonstrated a wonderful inclusive program for the learning disabled. However, I could not help but think, if these students were encouraged to explore new technologies or social networking independently [not sure if this is a practice in education?], they may be extremely vulnerable to deceitful people/practices. So, I'm not sure independent learning should be encouraged in this case?
Preferentially speaking, visuals definitely work better for me. I find that when reading documents in print [particularly lengthy ones and those that have no real appeal to me], I sometimes find myself losing interest, which leads to missing the message, which leads to going back and re-reading what I just read, which leads to a not efficient use of my time.
Of course with everything, the production quality and content of some videos are better than others, but again overall, videos have a tendency of quickly getting to the point in an often both entertaining and informative manner.
In addressing the videos in modules 8 and 9, I thought they all were very good - they were succinct, the points were clear, some were funny, some were serious, and they all had messages which directly relate to some of today's' educational and social issues.
The videos "Don't Believe Everything You Hear Online" and "Social Networking Tips" were spot on in addressing my on-going concern for my sons' use of: YouTube, MySpace, Facebook, Twitter... I now have them [the two videos] permanently archived for a constant reminder of those all important guidelines to follow.
"Introducing The Book" was just down-right funny. I thought it was just an excellent take of how most of us have an initial fear when new technologies are introduced [in most settings]. Which leads to the rhetorical question, why do people fear new ways of doing things? It's the fear of change itself.
Most of us tend to become very comfortable with normal routines. From my perspective, I think change is good [particularly if it's addressing efficiency]. Making that argument, if we want to minimize/erase fear, perhaps we need to do a better job in introducing change.
There's a good movie/book I suggest you take a look at on the subject of change:
http://www.whomovedmycheese.com/Movie.html
"Special Education and Social Networking" demonstrated a wonderful inclusive program for the learning disabled. However, I could not help but think, if these students were encouraged to explore new technologies or social networking independently [not sure if this is a practice in education?], they may be extremely vulnerable to deceitful people/practices. So, I'm not sure independent learning should be encouraged in this case?
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