PBL Analysis

Our favorite PBL project was “My Healthy Self Project”.  We chose this PBL because the teacher incorporated a lot of different aspects pertaining to the topic of health and what is healthy is to her students.  The students were able to be a part of the process of the PBL.  They first discussed what healthy means to them and then based on their opinions, the teacher was able to provide out-of-the-classroom learning opportunities by going on various fieldtrips and bringing professionals to the school (showing different health-based professions that children could pursue if they are interested in health).  In addition, the topic at hand was open-ended and very relevant to everyone in the classroom. 

This PBL project uses different levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy.  The project uses comprehension because the students need to understand the topic of health that the professionals are speaking about.  Students also use application by applying what they have learned in the classroom that they can then use outside of school.  Students also use analysis because they understand why health is important in their daily lives.  

To improve the “My Healthy Self Project” PBL, we recommend that they encompass the two upper levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy, synthesis and evaluation, to help the students understand that project even more.

Print Page in IE

Exploring Ask-An-Expert

For a fun activity for my 5th grade class I would have them be in contact with the expert Dr. Math by email or chat room if available. Something I would have them ask him when we start learning about algebra, and equations is when they would use them in real life. I find a lot of students are discouraged from math because they feel it has no real world applications, but the truth is it does. As a teacher they may not always believe you when you say they will use math in everyday life, because they will think "she has to say that, it's her job." But when a real person outside of the classroom can give examples of how they will use math in everyday life they will start to understand how important it really is.  This is just one time Dr. Math could help my students, I am sure he has many other answers for my class. Print Page in IE

Technology: Past. Present, Future

Until I was in 6th grade computers were almost nonexistent in my educational experience. In 3rd, 4th and 5th grade we had one computer in each classroom, and I hardly remember ever using them. The most technology I ever used in elementary school was the spell check, which I thought was pretty cool. In 6th grade I had my first typing class, and it only lasted about 3 weeks. This was hardly enough time to even become acquainted with a computer, let alone learn how to type. In 8th grade my class learned how to use power point, we were the only class in the school who had the luxury of learning how, so I felt pretty advanced. In my freshman year of high school I took a computer class again, this time for 18 weeks. In this class we learned how to type and use various other functions on the computer, it was actually a very helpful class. After this I rarely used computers in class, I mostly just used them to type up my papers out side of school. In a technology-based world, I feel my k-12 education was lacking in that department.

For my future classroom I feel incorporating technology is a necessity. I hope to teach 4th or 5th grade, and to use technology as much as possible with each subject. The first thing I would do would be to start off by getting the kids used to the computer, teaching them the programs available, and most importantly how to type. I would also be sure to keep technology in the classroom, so it becomes a part of their everyday lives. Using the SMART Board regularly will be a goal of mine, the kids love using it and they seem to pay attention to what is being taught to them when they get to interact with it. Something else I would like to focus on with technology is history lessons. A lot of history is taught straight from a textbook, which can be very boring for the students. Doing something like we saw in the video of the kids in Hawaii, with the boat, would be very cool for my students, especially with something like the Oregon Trail. I think they would really be able to get into it and feel like they are apart of something great. Technology should be used to our advantage, it is not something to hide from. 

The readings brought up many good points about what problems with technology might be, but I think the most important one is “adequate and timely professional development.” What this is saying is that teachers need to have time to “play with” and understand the technology that is being brought into the classroom. If a teacher understands all of the technology that is available to them this year, there is absolutely no guarantee that they will understand the technology that is being developed for next year. Teachers need time to explore the technology that is available to them, and figure out how to use it to benefit their students. Without time there is no hope for keeping our schools up to date with the evolving world. 

Print Page in IE

Avatars in Education

I think avatars can be very helpful for students in school. With younger kids it can help you see how the students view themselves. If you assign them to make an avatar that represents them, you can see how they think others see them, and how they perceive themselves.
In my EDST 199 class we talked about a little girl who was denying who she was. She was the only black student in the entire class, one day the class was drawing self portraits and she drew herself as being white, with blonde hair. Because of this the teacher was able to see how self conscious she was about her true identity. Having students make avatars can really benefit the teacher in that they can identify, and help the children who need it the most. And, as a added bonus, making avatars is fun and keeps the children up tp date with technology. Print Page in IE