Podcast Assignment
This podcast is an introduction to a research project about Ellis Island. The podcast is a brief time line on the history of Ellis Island and the experiences of the immigrants coming through Ellis Island. ESL students can listen to the podcast to get an idea of what it was like to be an immigrant coming through Ellis Island, and take notes on some of the major events or people in the podcast. The podcast and the notes they take can be used as an outline to begin their research. This software is especially helpful for more auditory learners as well as reinforcing listening comprehension for ESL students.
Here is a link to my podcast assignment: https://sites.google.com/site/podcastmd400/home
Monday, December 6, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
MD400
I came into this course without any previous experience using the software that has been presented so far. The blog exercise and being introduced to some of the education blogs has been interesting. I think that Vicki Davis is someone I will continue to read after this course is finished. The 'Teddy Bear' idea is a great lesson in cultural understanding and I think it would go over well in ESL or World Languages classes. Maintaining the blog itself has been easy enough.
With photo shop, I enjoyed learning the different uses it could have in the classroom and as part of a lesson. I admit to being SO frustrated at times while trying to use the different tools. For my picture, I kept it pretty simple but I would like to be able to get more comfortable with it. Storyboard is a great software. I found it very easy to use, simple to figure out on your own and definitely applicable in the classroom at almost any level. As for the articles and readings, I had not been exposed to the ideas of Inquiry Based Learning etc... so it was interesting to read about different methods or approaches that I didn't have exposure to in my academic experiences.The website is still a work in progress so we'll see how what frustration level that brings me.
Overall, the introductions to the software have been totally new for me and it's been a good learning experience. I definitely feel like I am behind in knowing about some of the other educational software like smart board and PowerPoint, so I am looking forward to learning more about those tools.
With photo shop, I enjoyed learning the different uses it could have in the classroom and as part of a lesson. I admit to being SO frustrated at times while trying to use the different tools. For my picture, I kept it pretty simple but I would like to be able to get more comfortable with it. Storyboard is a great software. I found it very easy to use, simple to figure out on your own and definitely applicable in the classroom at almost any level. As for the articles and readings, I had not been exposed to the ideas of Inquiry Based Learning etc... so it was interesting to read about different methods or approaches that I didn't have exposure to in my academic experiences.The website is still a work in progress so we'll see how what frustration level that brings me.
Overall, the introductions to the software have been totally new for me and it's been a good learning experience. I definitely feel like I am behind in knowing about some of the other educational software like smart board and PowerPoint, so I am looking forward to learning more about those tools.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Cool Cat Teacher Blog
In reference to what we spoke about in class last week regarding Facebook pictures. There was a blog post that talked about how FB keeps 'deleted' pictures for up to 30 months after the user thinks they have been deleted. The post explains that we expect kids to make mistakes as they are growing up and learning to be more socially aware of their actions, it's a part of the educational process. However, the damage that can be done by making these mistakes in an online setting are more far reaching and long lasting than what might be a schoolyard incident that can be dealt with within the school and moved on from. The post talks about how some 'online indescretions' can impact a persons marketability in the work place or even hurt their chances of getting into some schools or universities. It's very easy for kids to find trouble online these days and the consequences of some of these actions should be a topic of discussion in class to help prevent some of these damaging effects.
Cool Cat Teacher Blog
The most recent post on the 'Cool Cat' blog is about an honoree at the ATEM awards banquet (Maine association for computer and technology educators). His name is Bob Asselin. In general it's always good to read about the people who make the most out of any opportunity and go beyond the norm's of just doing an good job. Those people that are so involved in their field that they are at the forefront of new technologies, methods, and constantly updating their ways of thinking to get the most out of the resources they have available to them. The teacher in this posting, Mr. Asselin is described as someone who approaches his work with kid-like enthusiasm. That type of interest can only be a positive influence on his co-workers and students. If a student is being introduced to a new topic without any prior knowledge of it and it is presented in an engaging way by an excited teacher, then I think there is more of a chance for that student to develop a genuine interest in the topic. It doesn't mean that every student will develop the same desire to learn more about a topic, but I do think that type of enthusiasm will influence the students to research the topic further than they would have with a less enthusiastic presentation. It's also refreshing to see how this teacher is an older person but has taken the time to learn and keep learning about new technologies that can help educators. I think that teachers need to keep up with these new technologies for a couple of reasons. Obviously they can be used as an aid in the classroom. I also think that being exposed to what new types of technology the students have at their disposal can help a teacher be more aware of what types of media are keeping their students' attention, which is a huge benefit in the classroom.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Inquiry Based Learning
I have never used Inquiry based learning in a classroom setting and I don't remember using it much in school. Unfortunately, I had teacher that would sit at their desk and recite notes about dates and names from lesson plans they have had since the 60's.
In my own personal experience, Inquiry Based Learning relates to hiring practices that I have used in my career in the restaurant business. I always have tended to hire staff based on work experience and 'in the field' history. I have always thought that a person who has actual 'hands on' experience to draw from, is more prepared than someone who knows formulas that may pertain to success in a certain business field. Sometimes, both of these candidates poses the same basic knowledge such as what food-cost should be or where labor-cost should fall. But I have always felt that the person who has real time experience in reaching those goals with the pressures of a fully functioning business and an owner's expectations of making a profit hanging over their head, is more prepared than the person who has read about these goals in a textbook. Somewhat like the example in the article of the 'Earth's Crust' lesson, where the students not only learned the 'What' about the layers of the Earth, but in an Inquiry Learning setting they are encouraged to ask questions about 'How' we know this, which results in dialogue and understanding about the facts and how they came to be known.
I think the most important part of the article was in reference to the problem solving and critical thinking skills that are encouraged in an Inquiry Learning setting. The students will eventually enter a fast paced and constantly changing work place and being able to think on your feet is a skill that will lend itself to better performance than regurgitating facts that have been memorized. The article also mentions that since information is so quickly and readily available to the students, the emphasis should switch to developing these problem solving skills rather than being focused on memorization. I think that a lot of the issues in education today are due to the fact that many people in positions to decide on educational policies, are of an older generation and have a more traditional view of education. I think that in time, there will be a changing of the guard and there can be more of a balance between traditional methods that are still useful and some aspects of Inquiry Based Learning methods.
In my classroom, I think that Inquiry Based Learning would be used as a platform to develop the problem solving skills I mentioned above and emphasizing the dialogue one can create by asking questions. Asking questions helps develop interpersonal and collaborative skills and that is another valuable skill set for any work place. I imagine that in an ESL setting, not every student is preparing to apply to the Harvard's and Yale's of the world so being able to work well with you peers is very important. I think that creating a learning environment that encourages dialogue, and requires students to not only ask questions but to also look deeper to find the answers, will only make them more marketable when they do move on to furthering their education or joining the work force. I've always felt that half of education is learning the facts and the other half is learning how they apply in whatever setting you're in, whether it's a work setting or school setting. That would include having to apply what you know while managing the social and interpersonal aspects of a job or school setting.
In my own personal experience, Inquiry Based Learning relates to hiring practices that I have used in my career in the restaurant business. I always have tended to hire staff based on work experience and 'in the field' history. I have always thought that a person who has actual 'hands on' experience to draw from, is more prepared than someone who knows formulas that may pertain to success in a certain business field. Sometimes, both of these candidates poses the same basic knowledge such as what food-cost should be or where labor-cost should fall. But I have always felt that the person who has real time experience in reaching those goals with the pressures of a fully functioning business and an owner's expectations of making a profit hanging over their head, is more prepared than the person who has read about these goals in a textbook. Somewhat like the example in the article of the 'Earth's Crust' lesson, where the students not only learned the 'What' about the layers of the Earth, but in an Inquiry Learning setting they are encouraged to ask questions about 'How' we know this, which results in dialogue and understanding about the facts and how they came to be known.
I think the most important part of the article was in reference to the problem solving and critical thinking skills that are encouraged in an Inquiry Learning setting. The students will eventually enter a fast paced and constantly changing work place and being able to think on your feet is a skill that will lend itself to better performance than regurgitating facts that have been memorized. The article also mentions that since information is so quickly and readily available to the students, the emphasis should switch to developing these problem solving skills rather than being focused on memorization. I think that a lot of the issues in education today are due to the fact that many people in positions to decide on educational policies, are of an older generation and have a more traditional view of education. I think that in time, there will be a changing of the guard and there can be more of a balance between traditional methods that are still useful and some aspects of Inquiry Based Learning methods.
In my classroom, I think that Inquiry Based Learning would be used as a platform to develop the problem solving skills I mentioned above and emphasizing the dialogue one can create by asking questions. Asking questions helps develop interpersonal and collaborative skills and that is another valuable skill set for any work place. I imagine that in an ESL setting, not every student is preparing to apply to the Harvard's and Yale's of the world so being able to work well with you peers is very important. I think that creating a learning environment that encourages dialogue, and requires students to not only ask questions but to also look deeper to find the answers, will only make them more marketable when they do move on to furthering their education or joining the work force. I've always felt that half of education is learning the facts and the other half is learning how they apply in whatever setting you're in, whether it's a work setting or school setting. That would include having to apply what you know while managing the social and interpersonal aspects of a job or school setting.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Photoshop
This picture could be used as an activity for ESL students to begin sharing information about their country. I think using soccer as a shared common interest would be a good introduction to talking about what some countries or cultures have in common. Each student could take a turn locating their country on the map, talk about their native language and share a couple of customs or traditions they practice. I think that encouraging awareness of other cultures, languages, and customs would help to improve some of the tensions that are found between some ethnic groups.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Concept Map Assignment
I made a concept map trying to show the benefits of being bi-lingual with an emphasis on speaking both English and Spanish. When children first come to the United States, there is the obvious need to learn English as soon as possible in order to keep them from falling too far behind academically. Sometimes, depending on the age of the child and the point of view of the parents, learning English comes at the cost of losing their first language. The parents reasoning for emphasising English versus their native language is easily understood since they want their children to avoid some of the struggles they may face by speaking little or no English at all. The concept map I made is an attempt to illustrate that if the students were able to learn English while keeping their native language (in this example Spanish), their opportunities for employment, education, and over all marketability would multiply tremendously. The map shows some of the countries that have English as their native language and then some examples of Spanish speaking countries. The line connecting the 'Spanish' bubble with the 'English' bubble shows that if a student could make that connection and be bi-lingual in Spanish and English, he or she would now have access to all of those other countries for whatever interest they may have.
In this example, I focused on Spanish/English. This activity can be used to demonstrate how other languages can open the doors to other countries as well. I showed a little bit of that with the connections of the French language etc. but this can obviously be changed to show other languages and countries.
The brainstorming/concept map software is a great tool to get students involved by just throwing out ideas and seeing where they fit. The instant visual aids that come from this software would help in keeping some children's attention rather than just asking them to write down what is being said or taking notes.
In other areas of TESOL, I think that concept mapping and showing the connections between some immigrant groups could help highlight some common issues that certain groups share and maybe give examples of what they have in common instead of focusing on their differences.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Cool Cat Teacher Blog
I spent time taking a quick look at most of the blogs on the list. The first thing I noticed was that some blogs were definitely updated on a regular basis and some had irregular posts. But overall, there didn't seem to be a lot of comments regarding the posts.
The blog site that I like the most is 'Cool Cat Teacher'. It seems to be the most frequently updated and touches on a variety of topics. The last three posts on this blog range from Steve Jobs 2005 commencement address to Stanford University, to a double amputee competing in an Iron Man competition, to the issue of how some schools limit what you have access to on the Internet while at school.
All of the posts are interesting in their own way and can be linked to some challenge teachers face in the classroom setting. I was interested in the limitations imposed on Internet access within the schools. The author explains that the Internet should be treated as a library for the modern teacher. She asks why would we put limits on 'library' access when it gives us the ability to get lesson plan ideas, video for lessons, live-event coverage and generally is like a never ending encyclopedia of teaching/learning materials.
As is the case with most institutions in the world, schools face budgetary constraints, and that comes into play as far as paying for bandwidth and how much you can get out of the Internet at school. However, although it seems like the education system is slow in evolving, the next wave of educators or administrators will be more comfortable with technology in general and be aware of how useful an aid it can be in the classroom. While still keeping budgets in mind, I think that embracing technology and making it more available to teachers and students, will prove to be more efficient in the long run.
Overall, I'm looking forward to following the 'Cool Cat' to see what issues are brought up next.
The blog site that I like the most is 'Cool Cat Teacher'. It seems to be the most frequently updated and touches on a variety of topics. The last three posts on this blog range from Steve Jobs 2005 commencement address to Stanford University, to a double amputee competing in an Iron Man competition, to the issue of how some schools limit what you have access to on the Internet while at school.
All of the posts are interesting in their own way and can be linked to some challenge teachers face in the classroom setting. I was interested in the limitations imposed on Internet access within the schools. The author explains that the Internet should be treated as a library for the modern teacher. She asks why would we put limits on 'library' access when it gives us the ability to get lesson plan ideas, video for lessons, live-event coverage and generally is like a never ending encyclopedia of teaching/learning materials.
As is the case with most institutions in the world, schools face budgetary constraints, and that comes into play as far as paying for bandwidth and how much you can get out of the Internet at school. However, although it seems like the education system is slow in evolving, the next wave of educators or administrators will be more comfortable with technology in general and be aware of how useful an aid it can be in the classroom. While still keeping budgets in mind, I think that embracing technology and making it more available to teachers and students, will prove to be more efficient in the long run.
Overall, I'm looking forward to following the 'Cool Cat' to see what issues are brought up next.
Target of Focus
My target of focus for this semester will be 'World Languages grades 9-12' with an emphasis on Culture. The content standard of culture requires students to identify and gain an understanding of perspectives common within that culture, traditions, patterns of behavior and products associated with the culture being studied.
I think culture is a topic of study that lends itself to various styles of learning. Traditions for example, can take the form of food, music, styles of dress or dance. Using music as a more specific example, and world language lessons focusing on traditions, it would be easy to incorporate activities using music as a way to expand vocabulary outside of the traditional lists of words to memorize. Depending on the music being used, folk, current top 40 etc... we can then use the ideas brought up by the lyrics in those songs to expand the discussion. While some folk songs give an insight to older perspectives or beliefs shared by a particular group, incorporating some modern music might also bring to light a more current representation of what the sentiment of the younger generation is.
I feel like introducing a topic that might be a little dry to the average student in a new and vibrant way, might result in the student taking a genuine interest in the topic. As an auditory learner, I think activities using music to learn vocabulary and even touch on beliefs or social issues would be a welcomed change versus being sent home with pages to read. Even if their initial point of interest was due to the method being used and not necessarily the subject matter, they might retain more because of their personal interest in the new approach.
I think culture is a topic of study that lends itself to various styles of learning. Traditions for example, can take the form of food, music, styles of dress or dance. Using music as a more specific example, and world language lessons focusing on traditions, it would be easy to incorporate activities using music as a way to expand vocabulary outside of the traditional lists of words to memorize. Depending on the music being used, folk, current top 40 etc... we can then use the ideas brought up by the lyrics in those songs to expand the discussion. While some folk songs give an insight to older perspectives or beliefs shared by a particular group, incorporating some modern music might also bring to light a more current representation of what the sentiment of the younger generation is.
I feel like introducing a topic that might be a little dry to the average student in a new and vibrant way, might result in the student taking a genuine interest in the topic. As an auditory learner, I think activities using music to learn vocabulary and even touch on beliefs or social issues would be a welcomed change versus being sent home with pages to read. Even if their initial point of interest was due to the method being used and not necessarily the subject matter, they might retain more because of their personal interest in the new approach.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Teddy Bears Go Blogging
The article 'Teddy Bears Go Blogging' highlighted a great use of technology in the classroom. Using the Internet and more specifically, blogging, is a way to introduce technology to young students. Technology changes so frequently and rapidly, it is important for young learners to become comfortable with that type of learning environment from the beginning, since it will become a main point of focus in their education as well as in most of their professional careers. The 'Teddy Bear' example was a highly interactive way to teach some aspects of technology while making it fun for the students. Along with the initial steps of setting up the blog, signing-in, passwords, posting etc... the issue of Internet safety ties in easily to those lessons as well, and since this article referenced 2nd graders, the safety issue was very important. The ability to use text, pictures, and audio recorded messages as posts, opens this activity to a wide range of students with different abilities, which makes this activity even more useful. I liked the fact that the students were so engaged in this activity that they kept it going after the school year was finished, how often does that happen? I also was impressed on how the parents and relatives became involved with the blog, not only giving the students more practice at the lesson, but also providing some extra interaction at home.
The other point I really found useful in this activity was that it was an exchange with a different country. Just being able to communicate with peers from other countries can help increase children's awareness that there is more out there than what they see everyday at home. Along these lines, I feel like this blog activity can be changed and structured to be used in various classroom scenarios or lessons: language learning, cultural lessons, geographical lessons, ESL, etc...
Technology plays a major role in our everyday lives. The children beginning school today should be exposed to educational technology as soon as possible so they can make it work for them and not feel the need to throw their laptop out of a 3rd floor window...like I feel quite often...
The other point I really found useful in this activity was that it was an exchange with a different country. Just being able to communicate with peers from other countries can help increase children's awareness that there is more out there than what they see everyday at home. Along these lines, I feel like this blog activity can be changed and structured to be used in various classroom scenarios or lessons: language learning, cultural lessons, geographical lessons, ESL, etc...
Technology plays a major role in our everyday lives. The children beginning school today should be exposed to educational technology as soon as possible so they can make it work for them and not feel the need to throw their laptop out of a 3rd floor window...like I feel quite often...
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