The video was very insightful. It was about how the modern day student uses connectivism to learn instead of having a teacher lecture with a textbook. In "connected learning," the student creates his or her PLN through valid websites, blogs, and online documents. Then, the student shares the information they have gathered and bookmarked with other students who are learning the same topic. Through all of this, students learn through each other using technology. I feel that I am prepared to be a teacher of a networked student. I would love for my class to have a blog or podcast. The video also hit the importance of an iPod. I thought this was great, because the iSchool initiative convinced me iPods are the future for schools. The video showed that with an iPod, the student can watch educational podcasts about the topic they are learning from accredited professors.
I was impressed by the student's "personal learning envrionment." The student organized all of the bookmarks by placing the ones she uses for school at the bottom. This could come in handy for so many students, it's a way to stay organized without having the cluttered mess known as paper. I was also impressed that her science class uses a blog to tell them what they will be learning that day. I think this is a great way for students and parents to stay up to date on material. The blog also has video clips for the student to get a better inside grip on what they are learning. I too plan on doing this in my classroom. The only major differences between her PLE and my PLN is that my links are more advanced. However, I still have links to facebook and music just like she does.
After reading the two critiques of why SMARTboards aren't a great thing to have in the classroom, I found a blog explaining why they are great to have. This blog is a blog about why teachers love SMARTboards: Michael Staton wrote that SMARTboards are dumb, because the teacher still is in front of the classroom, and learning with a SMARTboard doesn't "enable social feedback." However, in the pro-SMARTboard blog, the writer explains why teachers love using SMARTboards. They write that including animations and videos in a SMARTboard presentation does in fact enable a social feedback, and gets students interested in learning. The second critique of the SMARTboard, written by Bill Ferriter, claims that SMARTboards are too expensive, and are useless. However, in the pro-SMARTboard blog, the writer states that SMARTboards are very useful in engaging students to learn, and get into the lesson.
Probably iPads instead of iPods. The iPad 2 looks like a sensational teaching device. I'll have one next week. If you are interested in playing with it, look for a post on the Class Blog that will provide some opportunities.
ReplyDeleteFacebook and music. The tie that binds!
I am looking forward to your comments on smartboards after you give your SMARTboard lesson.