Power Point n' Bloom

I definitely think that a power point presentation can completely enhance a lesson in the classroom. This is a great tool, it can be very interactive and can grab a student's attention at any age. One thing that I found out to be the greatest thing was the creative aspect of using power point. This was demonstrated last class when I saw how you can use power point to play a creative interactive game of jeopardy. This keeps the children more organized as well as the teacher. I think that the children would respond much better to this because you could project the game up on the screen and it looks huge like a real game show, this is something that couldn't be created as well on paper and with the same feel. Not only is this great for the use by teachers, but this is a great tool for children to learn how to use. Students can definitely benefit from using this program as well. This is a great way to teach your class how to give a presentation and make it look professional.

On another note I thought that the Bloom's Taxonomy was a bit interesting and perhaps true. Most tests are set up so that the student must memorize a bunch of facts and material and then they are asked to repeat it back in some form. Learning this way I really don't think that students are really learning the material. Chances are that if you ask them a question on the material weeks later they might not even be able to answer the question because they have already forgotten it. I like Bloom's approach because he proposes that there are different levels in which we learn when most tests only address on aspect of it. I like how it is broken up into different competencies with different skills that should be demonstrated by it. This is a neat theory and every teacher should at least take this into consideration. There is a whole entire hierarchy of learning and we should take advantage of it so that we know that our students are really getting to know the information.

Pretty Nifty...

This to me is a great example of how technology can be used or should I say integrated in the classroom. What a neat teacher. How much fun would it be to put science into action like that. I find it amazing that a sixth grade class would get to partake in something that neat. The students must also feel really special in being involved in collecting data and putting it in such a big data base.
Something that was also nice to see was how the students weren't the only ones learning but the teacher was learning as well. I also liked how the teacher noted how she is willing to do the same thing that she asks of her class on a daily basis. This is also being a great model for the class as well. It shows the students that we as human beings never stop learning and that is important. It also shows how as technology evolves we must evolve with it, and how although the teacher is the teacher, the teacher does not know everything. I often think that sometimes students look at their teachers as if they know everything, as if they are some sort of God. This is a great example of how to show kids that we are constantly learning new things. No matter how much education you have had or how old you are, there are always new things to know and learn! Those students are definitely lucky to have a teacher that is so interactive.

We've Come a Long way!!

This article was really interesting to me to see really how far we have come in technology advances in the classroom. Since most people in my generation started using computers in elementary school it is amazing to see what they are doing today in the classroom! One of the things that I didn't know was that the computer had first been used in the classroom back in 1974, in Oregon. Also at this time the only thing that computers were used for was for the teachers to make automated flash cards and multiple choice exercises. We as a society have come so far in regards to that... now students are researching, learning, communicating around the globe. I read a statement where a student was even starting to write their own program on the computer. Technology has made leaps and bounds since good ol' 1974. It was stated that computers give students 'ease and speed" instead of always using pencil and paper. One student said that he loved it because his papers always looked neat and clean. I find this OK as long as their penmanship stays legible because they may not always have a computer at their side, so we must be able to read the students handwriting. One other thing that the article had said was that"Teachers must only use technology only if it's useful and appropriate," I liked this statement, and in most cases isn't it true? 9 times out of ten we are using technology for the mere fact that it is. Also in the supplemental reading that came along with this article I thought that this line was great..."picture computers becoming tools in a learning environment..." This is great because that is what we overall want. We want the children to use these computers not to just get answers, but to learn things along the way of their research. Whether it be learning things about the computer or about the content they are researching, it should be used as a wonderful tool!! And yes, we will look back on all of this technology let's say ten years from now and most likely have another epiphany.


****At last one thing that I learned last week was to always check web ct. I went to class and sat in there for about 10 minutes and logged in to web ct finally and found out that we did not have class that day. Since I had been in class all day I would have never of guessed, so that was in my most honest words what I did learn last week. Always check it, that's some good advice.******

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Ok I am extremely upset at the moment.This blog program has got me all confused. I went to add to my blog and it will not let me so I am starting all over again. i know wah wah!!!
Any way, about the article I thought that it was great and very informative on how and why technology is so important in the classroom and in the learning process. I loved the reference to the world being flat and using that as a reference because that is all that we would know. Very similar to what children would think without being exposed to technology. Although the article seemed to be a little on the shallow side when it came down to the details.
I could not believe all of the tools out there that are designed to help us teachers and future teachers. This will make our lives so much easier. There are tools to help not only the learning process but also to help teachers. I think that the assessment tools are awesome!!! This was a great informative article. Great reference.