What is an i-search?
An i-search is a process for carrying out student-centered inquiry.
How would you use it in your classroom? In your teachable? Why would this work? What would you have to do to prepare your students?
An i-search could easily be used in science; actually science fairs follow a lot of the i-search guidelines and characteristics. The student chooses a topic to research and develop a presentation for, they research the topic, record data and information, they then present their project to a panel of judges/peers. The students have the opportunity to choose their own topic of interest and to expand on it. This helps the students stay involved and allows them to relate to the material being studied.
What is i-search?
http://web.archive.org/web/20030219114914/http://stillwater.k12.mn.us/rf/56isear.htm
The i-search here is directed for students to expand on any questions they might have in and around the classroom material, but not on the material itself. They are asked to write a paper and do a project about their topic. The students have to answer some questions in their paper, the questions include; Why did I choose this topic? What questions did I have? Where did I find my answers? What did I learn? All of these questions require some thought by the student. The project is then supposed to express the findings of the quest and expand on the learning of the students.
In order to prepare students for an i-search they need to have reading comprehension, fact finding, organization, not taking, writing, reflection and searching skills as well as basic computer function skills in order to succussfully compleet the task.
Friday, December 11, 2009
The Webquest Model
http://www.ozline.com/writings/theory.php
Tom is talking about the use of the internet in a wide application of computer based learning. He identifies the need for students to “tap” into the web to use it’s vast knowledge, but also outlines the dangers of using the web. He mentions that there are endless ways to use the internet’s bounty to create a learning environment that fosters growth, he also outlines a need for control over the information you want your students to sift through. The need for hotlinks and structure in order to correctly guide students in the right direction, instead of letting them get lost in cyberspace searching for information that is out there but possibly hard to find amongst all the not so good information. Websites like Filamentality are now popping up that allow for selection of a topic that has a network of associated webpages linked to them that allow teachers to efficiently choose and modify a less to fit their classes needs.
Tom is talking about the use of the internet in a wide application of computer based learning. He identifies the need for students to “tap” into the web to use it’s vast knowledge, but also outlines the dangers of using the web. He mentions that there are endless ways to use the internet’s bounty to create a learning environment that fosters growth, he also outlines a need for control over the information you want your students to sift through. The need for hotlinks and structure in order to correctly guide students in the right direction, instead of letting them get lost in cyberspace searching for information that is out there but possibly hard to find amongst all the not so good information. Websites like Filamentality are now popping up that allow for selection of a topic that has a network of associated webpages linked to them that allow teachers to efficiently choose and modify a less to fit their classes needs.
PBL Vids
The videos reinforce the PBL as being the “new” hot educational tool. They really show the different ways in which PBL can and does reinforce and create learning. By using a program like Project Foundry, it makes it easier for students, teachers and parents to become involved in the education process. The videos show many different facets of PBL and give rise for a new wave of teaching ideas.
Project Based Learning
What are your impressions of PBL? How could you use it in your classroom?
According to Bransford & Stein, (1993) project-based learning is a comprehensive instructional approach to engage students in sustained, cooperative investigation.
Project based learning has a widespread application of uses. In my science classroom I would use PBL to develop the student’s ability to rationalise a method of doing an experiment. They would be able to perform different experiments and decide which one was best suited for the task at hand, and better yet, to decide what the task at hand was. Instead of telling them what the best way to figure out a problem, they could figure out first hand why that is the best, or an appropriate way to do the task. There are huge learning gains to be had by using PBL.
According to Bransford & Stein, (1993) project-based learning is a comprehensive instructional approach to engage students in sustained, cooperative investigation.
Project based learning has a widespread application of uses. In my science classroom I would use PBL to develop the student’s ability to rationalise a method of doing an experiment. They would be able to perform different experiments and decide which one was best suited for the task at hand, and better yet, to decide what the task at hand was. Instead of telling them what the best way to figure out a problem, they could figure out first hand why that is the best, or an appropriate way to do the task. There are huge learning gains to be had by using PBL.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Howard Gardner
Howard Gardner Video
1. What are specific ethical issues you see kids struggling when they use digital media?
Privacy, ownership, identity, credibility and trustworthiness. When children don’t see the consequences of their actions, they have a tendency to take the easiest way out possible.
2. How is our sense of identity changing in the digital world? How can adults learn from kids and guide them at the same time?
The digital world creates a paper copy of who we are, and this can be the truth, or it might be an exaggeration of the truth, or just plain o false. A digital identification is who we see ourselves are, not necessarily who we are. When in a classroom a child might not feel right critiquing another child’s work, but online there is this disconnect from the ‘real’ world where a comment is just a comment made by a faceless name, it does not bare any connection to the person actually writing the comment. Adults should be actively learning from the children as they are going through this process. As they are learning from the child, they can also monitor and enrich the child’s learning with their own knowledge on appropriate social behaviours that the children might not be exposed to on a regular basis in the ‘real’ world.
3. Digital tools make it extremely easy to communicate with anyone in the world. What are the opportunities and challenges for kids?
It gives them the opportunity to learn from different cultures around the world. This can be difficult because of the differences in language, culture, customs, beliefs, etc. What is said isn’t always what is intended, and what might be acceptable to say in one country might not be in another.
4. Do you think digital media are having a negative impact on kids' attention span? What are the implications for home and school?
I can see some possible attention span linked consequences to the vast knowledge of digital media. More bells and whistles means more distractions, math with paper and pencil now becomes 3D and intense with colours, music, sounds and videos. Everything else can then become boring. For home the children become distracted in trying to complete a simple task, they become so use to doing 5 things at once on the computer that simply reading their English novel doesn’t seem fitting enough for them. In school the children are forced to be in an environment that is structured, when online there is not much, if any structure to what is being done. You are simply free to get lost in cyberspace.
5. How does teaching and learning change in a world where information is at your fingertips?
Instead of teaching the knowledge, teachers now take on a new role as coach making sure that the information the students are getting is appropriate and guiding them in the right directions to find appropriate ‘good’ information.
1. What are specific ethical issues you see kids struggling when they use digital media?
Privacy, ownership, identity, credibility and trustworthiness. When children don’t see the consequences of their actions, they have a tendency to take the easiest way out possible.
2. How is our sense of identity changing in the digital world? How can adults learn from kids and guide them at the same time?
The digital world creates a paper copy of who we are, and this can be the truth, or it might be an exaggeration of the truth, or just plain o false. A digital identification is who we see ourselves are, not necessarily who we are. When in a classroom a child might not feel right critiquing another child’s work, but online there is this disconnect from the ‘real’ world where a comment is just a comment made by a faceless name, it does not bare any connection to the person actually writing the comment. Adults should be actively learning from the children as they are going through this process. As they are learning from the child, they can also monitor and enrich the child’s learning with their own knowledge on appropriate social behaviours that the children might not be exposed to on a regular basis in the ‘real’ world.
3. Digital tools make it extremely easy to communicate with anyone in the world. What are the opportunities and challenges for kids?
It gives them the opportunity to learn from different cultures around the world. This can be difficult because of the differences in language, culture, customs, beliefs, etc. What is said isn’t always what is intended, and what might be acceptable to say in one country might not be in another.
4. Do you think digital media are having a negative impact on kids' attention span? What are the implications for home and school?
I can see some possible attention span linked consequences to the vast knowledge of digital media. More bells and whistles means more distractions, math with paper and pencil now becomes 3D and intense with colours, music, sounds and videos. Everything else can then become boring. For home the children become distracted in trying to complete a simple task, they become so use to doing 5 things at once on the computer that simply reading their English novel doesn’t seem fitting enough for them. In school the children are forced to be in an environment that is structured, when online there is not much, if any structure to what is being done. You are simply free to get lost in cyberspace.
5. How does teaching and learning change in a world where information is at your fingertips?
Instead of teaching the knowledge, teachers now take on a new role as coach making sure that the information the students are getting is appropriate and guiding them in the right directions to find appropriate ‘good’ information.
Social Networking Evaluation Chart
The Social Networking Evaluation Chart is very useful to teachers as long as those sites are accessible on the school network. The chart provides educators with the information required to intelligently select an appropriate social network site for their individual classroom needs. The site should be chosen based on the computer proficiency of the students and teacher, functionality, and safety. The site should not be overly complicated or filled with distractions for the students. Do not choose a site that is full of bells and whistles if your class is not required to use them, it will simply be a distraction.
Social Networking Sites as a Teaching Tool
Kids Create -- and Critique on -- Social Networks
The advent of social networking sites has created an easy to use online text, video and picture sharing community that has been widely accepted by today’s youth as an acceptable method of sharing ideas and other media. By using such an interactive form of sharing files and comments, a climate that fosters growth can be created. One person can learn a lot from another person’s experience and expertise and vice versa. By sharing they learn from one another the characteristics that a piece of work should have, and they can also discuss what they like and dislike. Applications of social networks for students can increase their social, critical thinking, artistic, discretionary, and motivation skills as well as providing them with a place to showcase themselves in a positive manor. Furthermore, by using social networks and the internet, students can utilize an expert’s opinion or knowledge in formulation of their project or work. Students sometimes struggle when trying to create a piece of work (writing, photo, video, etc.), but by using a social networking site they have the opportunity to share with each other their ideas before they start to create their piece of work, or during to make sure they are on the right track.
Like most topics, it not all positive. Social networking sites don’t include grammar and spelling checks, nor do they monitor for socially accepted responses to a students. They simply provide an environment where students can converse, share knowledge and media wheatear it is positive or negative. I believe that social networking sites need to be developed that have guidelines and rules that need to be followed, the upkeep of these rules should be done by a governing body who’s job is simply monitoring the sites for inappropriate material.
The advent of social networking sites has created an easy to use online text, video and picture sharing community that has been widely accepted by today’s youth as an acceptable method of sharing ideas and other media. By using such an interactive form of sharing files and comments, a climate that fosters growth can be created. One person can learn a lot from another person’s experience and expertise and vice versa. By sharing they learn from one another the characteristics that a piece of work should have, and they can also discuss what they like and dislike. Applications of social networks for students can increase their social, critical thinking, artistic, discretionary, and motivation skills as well as providing them with a place to showcase themselves in a positive manor. Furthermore, by using social networks and the internet, students can utilize an expert’s opinion or knowledge in formulation of their project or work. Students sometimes struggle when trying to create a piece of work (writing, photo, video, etc.), but by using a social networking site they have the opportunity to share with each other their ideas before they start to create their piece of work, or during to make sure they are on the right track.
Like most topics, it not all positive. Social networking sites don’t include grammar and spelling checks, nor do they monitor for socially accepted responses to a students. They simply provide an environment where students can converse, share knowledge and media wheatear it is positive or negative. I believe that social networking sites need to be developed that have guidelines and rules that need to be followed, the upkeep of these rules should be done by a governing body who’s job is simply monitoring the sites for inappropriate material.
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