This assignment was foreign to me, insofar, I have never been to MySpace, You Tube, or Flickr site before now! What I can tell you is the more I learn in this class, I realize the less I knew before! This assignment was new, informative, and interesting. I'm experiencing this for the first time and really enjoying what I am learning! I selected Hillary Rodham Clinton! I visited quite a few different sites, each with its own perspective(s) on Hillary. Obviously, her official website portrays a positive view of her promise in presidential office. There are many video clips, newspaper articles, pictures of on her political campaign. While on MySpace and You Tube there were a vast amount of both positive and negative video clips, articles, and blogs! During one speech, Hillary announces, "I'm in and I'm in to win" vowing to help struggling middle class and addressing our role to the damage to the environment and what must be done. It was interesting to read/view the different perspectives and insights to be heard.
From a secondary social studies teacher perspective, I can see the benefits of using these Internet sites to bring new perspectives and ways of teaching social studies to a class. It is important to have students think critically for themselves. As educators don't we want our students to be able to distinguish between relevant and non relevant information. Be able to come to an informed decision on their own?! However, one technical difficulty, most of these mentioned websites our school blocks. Our school district does not allow students nor teachers to access these sites, therefore, making it momentarily impossible. Just like politics, who knows what future changes lay ahead for my district! I might be pleasantly surprised!
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Campaign Ads
While working on this assignment, I became caught up on going through pictures, playing video clips and being transported back in time. It truly is amazing looking back now while compare and contrasting the politics of that time. There are many benefits to using EASE History site! Personally, history would have become more meaningful if such references had existed when I was in school. Imagine how many more students would be able to consider political different points of views(not just aligning themselves with their parents affiliation), while reading text, comparing and contrasting pictures, or watching video clips of an era gone by.
I watched video clips from the 1992 Presidential Campaign. It wasn't that long ago, but watching the campaign ads was interesting. Unfortunately, the negative ads always seem to receive the most publicity. I remember the infamous "Read Lips" promise. President Bush had promised not to raise taxes, then the clip shows how that had been promptly broken with beer tax and gas tax but providing a tax break to millionaires. Trying to instill doubt and question every Americans faith in their present leader. However, on the flip side I watched "Trust" when Clinton was the governor of Arkansas. This campaign questioned how could Americans vote for him considering his dishonesty when addressing his avoidance on the Vietnam War draft. Of course, the positive campaigns address our candidates in a vastly different light. President Bush "Gulf War" highlighted his accomplishments and strength during a dark and crucial time for America. He was portrayed as a source of strength who would continue to be in leading us into the future. Additionally, "Twelve" shed a new light on Clinton. He was depicted as a man who had the experience to economically make things happen. A man for the people and the changes that needed to be made.
What I really liked about this assignment, it forces me to really consider the time, messages and look at history differently. Having dual perspectives is healthy and makes you reexamine.and think of your stance. Analyzing one's beliefs and being able to stand by your decision while considering various sources and perspectives. What I like about this site, it sheds a new light on an old topic.
I watched video clips from the 1992 Presidential Campaign. It wasn't that long ago, but watching the campaign ads was interesting. Unfortunately, the negative ads always seem to receive the most publicity. I remember the infamous "Read Lips" promise. President Bush had promised not to raise taxes, then the clip shows how that had been promptly broken with beer tax and gas tax but providing a tax break to millionaires. Trying to instill doubt and question every Americans faith in their present leader. However, on the flip side I watched "Trust" when Clinton was the governor of Arkansas. This campaign questioned how could Americans vote for him considering his dishonesty when addressing his avoidance on the Vietnam War draft. Of course, the positive campaigns address our candidates in a vastly different light. President Bush "Gulf War" highlighted his accomplishments and strength during a dark and crucial time for America. He was portrayed as a source of strength who would continue to be in leading us into the future. Additionally, "Twelve" shed a new light on Clinton. He was depicted as a man who had the experience to economically make things happen. A man for the people and the changes that needed to be made.
What I really liked about this assignment, it forces me to really consider the time, messages and look at history differently. Having dual perspectives is healthy and makes you reexamine.and think of your stance. Analyzing one's beliefs and being able to stand by your decision while considering various sources and perspectives. What I like about this site, it sheds a new light on an old topic.
Kids Web Japan
Kids Web Japan
The website I chose for the evaluation assignment is http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/.com. The URL for this site is http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/.com. Kids Web Japan is sponsored by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and operated by a Japanese nongovernmental organization. This site is appropriate for elementary age students. This site it is visually appealing with beautiful photographs and cute and colorful pictures which definitely appeal to my students. Most importantly, this website is age appropriate and informative for my third graders.
Part 1: How does it look?
Does the page take a long time to load? No, because I have DSL .
Are there big pictures on the page? Yes.
Is the spelling correct on the page? Yes.
Is the author's name and e-mail address on the page? The company name and email address are available.
Is there a picture on the page that you can use to choose links? Yes, a very important features when it comes to elementary students.
Is there information in columns on the page? Yes, there are boxes that link to various activities and/or further information.
If you go to another page, is there a way to get back to the first page? Yes.
Is there a date that tells you when the page was made? No.
If there are photographs, do they look real? There are both pictures and drawings.
If there are sounds, do they sound real? Absolutely, you can even learn to speak Japanese!
Part 2:
What did you learn? Does the title of the page tell you what it is about? Yes.
Is there an introduction on the page telling you what is included? Yes.
Are the facts on the page what you were looking for? Yes.
Would you have gotten more information from an encyclopedia? This website provides information which is much easier for third graders to comprehend.
Would the information have been better in the encyclopedia? Not necessarily, as I mentioned, the website uses appropriate language, therefore, making it easier to understand for my students.
Does the author of the page say some things you disagree with? No.
Does the page lead you to some other good information (links)? It provides links to other appropriate sources of information.
Does the page include information you know is wrong? Not that I observed!
Do the pictures and photographs on the page help you learn? Yes, twenty-two third graders definitely range in vocabulary and comprehension. From a teaching perspective, having pictures makes it much easier for those struggling readers to identify and understand.
Part 3: Summary Looking at all of the questions and answers above, write a paragraph telling why this Web site is helpful (or not helpful).
Kids Web Japan makes teaching and learning about Japan exciting and informative. Most importantly, it is teacher friendly. The content is age appropriate and has varying degrees in abilities. Japan is a sophisticated unit to teach third graders. Having Kids Web Japan enables learning to be enriched and enhanced to all learning abilities and styles. The website is divided into three main categories: Play (What’s Cool; Virtual Culture; Folk Legends; Games and Quiz), Learn (Explore Japan; Manga; Hi-tech and Language), and Try (Travel; Meet the Kids and Cookbook). I learn with my students. When we explore the Japanese language the site provides a question and answer. Then students have the opportunity to learn the language. Simply by clicking on the Katakana chart they can learn how to say the words. They click on a character to hear the sound and can replay it as often as wanted or needed. I utilize this site when teaching Japan and strongly recommend using it to my colleagues.
The website I chose for the evaluation assignment is http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/.com. The URL for this site is http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/.com. Kids Web Japan is sponsored by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and operated by a Japanese nongovernmental organization. This site is appropriate for elementary age students. This site it is visually appealing with beautiful photographs and cute and colorful pictures which definitely appeal to my students. Most importantly, this website is age appropriate and informative for my third graders.
Part 1: How does it look?
Does the page take a long time to load? No, because I have DSL .
Are there big pictures on the page? Yes.
Is the spelling correct on the page? Yes.
Is the author's name and e-mail address on the page? The company name and email address are available.
Is there a picture on the page that you can use to choose links? Yes, a very important features when it comes to elementary students.
Is there information in columns on the page? Yes, there are boxes that link to various activities and/or further information.
If you go to another page, is there a way to get back to the first page? Yes.
Is there a date that tells you when the page was made? No.
If there are photographs, do they look real? There are both pictures and drawings.
If there are sounds, do they sound real? Absolutely, you can even learn to speak Japanese!
Part 2:
What did you learn? Does the title of the page tell you what it is about? Yes.
Is there an introduction on the page telling you what is included? Yes.
Are the facts on the page what you were looking for? Yes.
Would you have gotten more information from an encyclopedia? This website provides information which is much easier for third graders to comprehend.
Would the information have been better in the encyclopedia? Not necessarily, as I mentioned, the website uses appropriate language, therefore, making it easier to understand for my students.
Does the author of the page say some things you disagree with? No.
Does the page lead you to some other good information (links)? It provides links to other appropriate sources of information.
Does the page include information you know is wrong? Not that I observed!
Do the pictures and photographs on the page help you learn? Yes, twenty-two third graders definitely range in vocabulary and comprehension. From a teaching perspective, having pictures makes it much easier for those struggling readers to identify and understand.
Part 3: Summary Looking at all of the questions and answers above, write a paragraph telling why this Web site is helpful (or not helpful).
Kids Web Japan makes teaching and learning about Japan exciting and informative. Most importantly, it is teacher friendly. The content is age appropriate and has varying degrees in abilities. Japan is a sophisticated unit to teach third graders. Having Kids Web Japan enables learning to be enriched and enhanced to all learning abilities and styles. The website is divided into three main categories: Play (What’s Cool; Virtual Culture; Folk Legends; Games and Quiz), Learn (Explore Japan; Manga; Hi-tech and Language), and Try (Travel; Meet the Kids and Cookbook). I learn with my students. When we explore the Japanese language the site provides a question and answer. Then students have the opportunity to learn the language. Simply by clicking on the Katakana chart they can learn how to say the words. They click on a character to hear the sound and can replay it as often as wanted or needed. I utilize this site when teaching Japan and strongly recommend using it to my colleagues.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Sony Wonder Technology Lab
Normally, I hate field trips. Usually because all I do is a class count making sure all eight year old are safe and accounted for. However, going to the Sony Wonder Technology Lab renewed my faith and inspired me to look at technology in a new light. I still can't believe why I had never heard of the Sony Wonder Technology Lab. It's a great and innovative Lab. It truly raises technology to a new level. Most importantly, the Lab allows what was once incomprehensible to become understandable and exciting. I had a great time learning and interacting with the different stations. Hands-on experiments makes learning exciting and more memorable. Part of what made the day so memorable was being able to talk to my colleagues about our experiences. It really was a great day equally matched by the company kept!
Any technology that enriches and enhances what is being learned in the classroom would be welcomed! Could I mention technologies that particular day? They would all have to be altered in some way to support classroom learning.
Any technology that enriches and enhances what is being learned in the classroom would be welcomed! Could I mention technologies that particular day? They would all have to be altered in some way to support classroom learning.
Delicious sites
http://del.icio.us/amcullagh
This site will truly make my life more organized! I can't wait to start bookmarking!
This site will truly make my life more organized! I can't wait to start bookmarking!
Monday, April 16, 2007
Field Experience
For my field experience I plan on interviewing our district technology coordinator. It will be beneficial to have an understanding and insight on what to expect. Also, I am working closely with my third grade team in every aspect. Our team is made up of five teachers-I am the only one who has taught third grade before. There is a lot to cover-curriculum, technology, insight to teaching third grade in Rye Neck!
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Historical Thinking and Other Unnatural Acts
Upon reading "Historical Thinking and Other Unnatural Acts," truly made me think about history in a new light. I thought about past historians who recorded historical events. Sadly, today, historical figures of significance cannot be agreed upon. "Assume that the Egyptians saw as we see, but could not draw as we can." Rather, we must consider the possibility that they drew differently because they saw differently and that there is something about this way of seeing that is irretrievable lost." This sentence resonated with me days to follow. It made me think of my own accounts and experiences. In a time where we believe we have made social advances toward understanding toward humanity and compassion. Have we really? The summer after, 9/11 I traveled to Greece with friends. This was not my first time and I thought I had a good idea of what to except when it came to cultural nuances and differences. Unfortunately, I hadn't a clue. We were harassed, insulted, ignored, and ridiculed simply because we were from America. Upon discovering we were from New York, it escalated to an entirely new level. As much as we tried, we could never fully understand their hate-nor could they understand or accept us. In this day and age, did I think as a society would have come farther? Undoubtedly-yes. Sadly, have we? As evident by my experience, in some respects, no.
As a elementary classroom teacher, I am not supposed to go into depth on religion-you can touch upon it but never an understanding of different religions. In school, I dare not discuss the holidays. Instead I have a Mexican Fiesta to culminate our unit long study, rather than touching the holidays. It causes to much anxiety and grief from everyone-parents, administration-everyone! However, to the best of my ability I encourage my students to not simply regurgitate information, but think and analyze what they are learning. To question information and try to think beyond what they know. My Greek experience truly taught me this invaluable lesson. I feel my third graders can benefit from my lesson learn to see events through others eyes and analyze information before responding immediately to it.
As a elementary classroom teacher, I am not supposed to go into depth on religion-you can touch upon it but never an understanding of different religions. In school, I dare not discuss the holidays. Instead I have a Mexican Fiesta to culminate our unit long study, rather than touching the holidays. It causes to much anxiety and grief from everyone-parents, administration-everyone! However, to the best of my ability I encourage my students to not simply regurgitate information, but think and analyze what they are learning. To question information and try to think beyond what they know. My Greek experience truly taught me this invaluable lesson. I feel my third graders can benefit from my lesson learn to see events through others eyes and analyze information before responding immediately to it.
Cognitive Flexibility Theory
The "Cognitive Flexibility Theory: Hypermedia for Complex Learning, Adaptive Knowledge Application, and Experience Acceleration," speaks to what has been lacking in educational practice. Often we get to hung up on labels and taking a philosophical stance. Rather than. simply embracing what works and taking the best from each theory. The article describes how the"meta-theory that build bridges across theories." Instead of trying to align with a theory, you can embrace and celebrate what works with the most current and innovative technology. Therefore, enabling educators to reach their goals, more importantly, making learning exciting, meaningful, and accessible to all students regardless of learning styles, abilities, and background.
As an elementary school teacher, while teaching you have to begin with the most basic concepts and build from there. Part of teaching third grade is having a variety of learning levels, abilities, and styles. Using technology has become a part of reaching my class. Whether it be utilizing Kidspiration, Alphasmart, or the Whiteboard enables learning to become more meaningful. CFT makes practical sense but more importantly learning becomes individualized and meaningful.
After viewing EaseHistory, I see the benefits of using this website in the classroom. I think it would best be used in middle and high school classrooms. However, there aspects which can be used. I loved the pictures which you can compare and contrast. Plus the videos are fantastic! I wish there was an Elementary EaseHistory! Maybe in the future?.....
As an elementary school teacher, while teaching you have to begin with the most basic concepts and build from there. Part of teaching third grade is having a variety of learning levels, abilities, and styles. Using technology has become a part of reaching my class. Whether it be utilizing Kidspiration, Alphasmart, or the Whiteboard enables learning to become more meaningful. CFT makes practical sense but more importantly learning becomes individualized and meaningful.
After viewing EaseHistory, I see the benefits of using this website in the classroom. I think it would best be used in middle and high school classrooms. However, there aspects which can be used. I loved the pictures which you can compare and contrast. Plus the videos are fantastic! I wish there was an Elementary EaseHistory! Maybe in the future?.....
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