I just watched the Ontario College of Teachers Professional Advisory video regarding the use of electronic communications and social media in the classroom. Overall, I was impressed with the degree to which the OCT encourages the use of these tools in schools. Still, as reviewed in the video, the use of social media and electronic communications within and outside of the classroom comes with great responsibility. As teachers, we need to ensure that we are maintaining a level of professionalism in both our on-duty and off-duty online postings and interactions. Otherwise, we may be subject to both professional and legal ramifications.
Still, this advisory reminds me that the OCT supports the use of Web 2.0 tools in the classroom, and for this reason, boosts my confidence in using them in my teaching practice. Recognizing that such tools not only promote student engagement but are also an effective means of teaching content, I'm thrilled that their use is encouraged. However, understanding that teaching the appropriate use of electronic communications and social media is an integral part of their use in the classroom, I believe that further responsibility is imparted to the teacher. Overall, this may require additional planning or professional learning for educators. Still, while using Web 2.0 tools may necessitate more teacher effort, I for one feel that the benefits of these tools far exceeds any extra 'work' and look forward to integrating social media and electronic communications into my lessons.
The video can be viewed here.
Monday, 27 February 2012
Sunday, 19 February 2012
Learning Object Reflection
I have officially created my first Prezi! While I was familiar with this Web 2.0 tool prior to starting my tech class at Brock, it seemed far too daunting to actually attempt to make a Prezi. However, having developed greater confidence in my technology abilities and wanting to step outside of my comfort zone, I decided to take the plunge.
On my Edublog Miss Howes' Classroom Blog, you will find my Chemical and Physical Change Prezi. In line with the grade 5 Science and Technology curriculum, this presentation is intended to help students understand what chemical and physical changes are and how they are different. As part of this Prezi, I provide students with examples of chemical and physical changes in their home, and ask students to look for other examples to be shared with the class.
Initially, I found the process of making a Prezi to be quite tedious. However, like all of the Web 2.0 tools I've been introduced to, creating the presentation became easier over time. I particularly liked the ease with which you can search for images that are already approved for Prezi use and therefore you do not have to worry about copyright issues.
In the classroom, Prezi could serve many purposes. It could be used to create 'digital anchor charts' where the importance of concepts and the relationships between them can be demonstrated by the layout and movement of the presentation. Students can use Prezi to create their own presentations and because it's 'in the cloud', groups of students can collaborate in real-time from different locations. Teachers and students alike could create study guides on Prezi that could be viewed at home. Lastly, like most Web 2.0 tools, Prezi has multimedia capabilities; for that reason, this tool can be used across many disciplines.
Now that I've gained more experience with Prezi, I look forward to creating more presentations and introducing my students to this tool.
On my Edublog Miss Howes' Classroom Blog, you will find my Chemical and Physical Change Prezi. In line with the grade 5 Science and Technology curriculum, this presentation is intended to help students understand what chemical and physical changes are and how they are different. As part of this Prezi, I provide students with examples of chemical and physical changes in their home, and ask students to look for other examples to be shared with the class.
Initially, I found the process of making a Prezi to be quite tedious. However, like all of the Web 2.0 tools I've been introduced to, creating the presentation became easier over time. I particularly liked the ease with which you can search for images that are already approved for Prezi use and therefore you do not have to worry about copyright issues.
In the classroom, Prezi could serve many purposes. It could be used to create 'digital anchor charts' where the importance of concepts and the relationships between them can be demonstrated by the layout and movement of the presentation. Students can use Prezi to create their own presentations and because it's 'in the cloud', groups of students can collaborate in real-time from different locations. Teachers and students alike could create study guides on Prezi that could be viewed at home. Lastly, like most Web 2.0 tools, Prezi has multimedia capabilities; for that reason, this tool can be used across many disciplines.
Now that I've gained more experience with Prezi, I look forward to creating more presentations and introducing my students to this tool.
My First Edublog
I recently completed my first Edublog: Miss. Howes' Classroom Blog
Although it wasn't for a real grade 8 class, the process of creating this blog was quite educational. As with SlideRocket, I gained further experience using this digital tool and was able to experiment with different settings and features.
The value of a classroom blog is obvious to me. It is a fantastic way to communicate with parents, whether it be to update them or to garner feedback or involvement. A class blog can also be a learning tool. Students can post assignments or questions, can be reminded of homework or other 'to-dos', and teachers, parents, and students can collaborate their efforts on a number of activities.
Like SlideRocket, given the multimedia nature of blogs, they can be used to fulfill so many curriculum expectations. For example, in the case of my imaginary grade 8 class, students could create and post a commercial for the Hudson's Bay Company, complete with a written component. Language, Social Studies, and the Arts would all be addressed in this assignment.
Overall, I view blogs as a great way to encourage parental involvement and a wonderful platform for students to share their work. I most definitely plan to maintain a classroom blog in my future teaching endeavors.
Although it wasn't for a real grade 8 class, the process of creating this blog was quite educational. As with SlideRocket, I gained further experience using this digital tool and was able to experiment with different settings and features.
The value of a classroom blog is obvious to me. It is a fantastic way to communicate with parents, whether it be to update them or to garner feedback or involvement. A class blog can also be a learning tool. Students can post assignments or questions, can be reminded of homework or other 'to-dos', and teachers, parents, and students can collaborate their efforts on a number of activities.
Like SlideRocket, given the multimedia nature of blogs, they can be used to fulfill so many curriculum expectations. For example, in the case of my imaginary grade 8 class, students could create and post a commercial for the Hudson's Bay Company, complete with a written component. Language, Social Studies, and the Arts would all be addressed in this assignment.
Overall, I view blogs as a great way to encourage parental involvement and a wonderful platform for students to share their work. I most definitely plan to maintain a classroom blog in my future teaching endeavors.
Saturday, 18 February 2012
My First eBook
Creating this eBook was a fantastic learning experience! While I had gained some practice with SlideRocket while completing my TPACK Journey, this assignment allowed me to test my knowledge and enhance my skill-set. I was able to try out new layouts and discovered how to include audio throughout the entire presentation. Gaining experience with the Creative Commons website was also extremely beneficial; I learned how to search for and cite audio, images, and video during the making of this eBook.
Having now created two SlideRocket presentations, I can truly see the benefits of this digital tool in the classroom. A teacher could create a SlideRocket presentation for a lesson that could be viewed in school or at home, or to provide students with assignment instructions. Students could use SlideRocket to create presentations or other assignments, and due to this tool being a cloud-based platform, students and teachers can collaborate!
Due to the fact that you can include text, image, audio and video in your SlideRocket presentations, the classroom applications of this tool are tremendous. Not only can SlideRocket appeal to diverse learners, it allows for the integration of all curriculum subjects. For that reason, I will definitely be adding SlideRocket to my 'technology toolkit' and look forward to testing it out in the classroom!
Wednesday, 8 February 2012
On January 12th I had the pleasure of attending the Building Futures professional development event at Brock. Described as “a day of learning and resources for teacher candidates”, this workshop did not disappoint. In total, I participated in three separate workshops: Safe and Healthy Schools, Teachers Engaging and Communicating with Parents, and Assessment, Evaluation and Reporting in Ontario Schools.
Overall, all of the speakers did a great job presenting relevant and useful information for teacher candidates. Most memorable, however, was the assessment workshop. Speaker Michael O’Gorman, a retired teacher, worked up a sweat (and looked intentionally ridiculous) as he clapped, jumped, and spun around in a “clapping test”. This demonstration drove home the importance of feedback in formative assessment and emphasized the need for clear success criteria to be shared with students early and often. Otherwise, assessment and evaluation are ineffective and will not fulfill their primary purpose: to improve student learning.
Overall, all of the speakers did a great job presenting relevant and useful information for teacher candidates. Most memorable, however, was the assessment workshop. Speaker Michael O’Gorman, a retired teacher, worked up a sweat (and looked intentionally ridiculous) as he clapped, jumped, and spun around in a “clapping test”. This demonstration drove home the importance of feedback in formative assessment and emphasized the need for clear success criteria to be shared with students early and often. Otherwise, assessment and evaluation are ineffective and will not fulfill their primary purpose: to improve student learning.
Me and Rebecca Menzies, the Safe and Healthy Schools Speaker.
Rebecca did a fantastic job of gearing her presentation to her audience; she had each of as write one safe school and one healthy school question on a post-it note so she could tailor the workshop content to our needs!
Monday, 6 February 2012
Sunday, 29 January 2012
Project Based Learning
I just finished watching this Project Based Learning video that was introduced to me in my Teaching and Learning with Technology course.
First of all, I have to say that I really enjoyed the style of the video; the simplicity of the paper cut-outs combined with the stop-motion animation was fantastic. I would love to provide my future students with the opportunity to use these techniques!
In regards to the content of the video, I thought it was great that the creators demonstrated the stages and skills involved in a typical real-world work project. I firmly believe that educators should prepare students for their post-school lives by equipping them with important skills, in addition to teaching them content knowledge. For example, while the structures of a cell are arguably important knowledge that an individual may employ in a science-related career, critical-thinking, problem-solving and interpersonal skills can be applied in a multitude of scenarios! While I don’t feel that PBL is the only path by which students can develop these skills, I do think it has a valuable place in the classroom. So, having said that, I look forward to using Problem Based Learning in my future classes!
In regards to the content of the video, I thought it was great that the creators demonstrated the stages and skills involved in a typical real-world work project. I firmly believe that educators should prepare students for their post-school lives by equipping them with important skills, in addition to teaching them content knowledge. For example, while the structures of a cell are arguably important knowledge that an individual may employ in a science-related career, critical-thinking, problem-solving and interpersonal skills can be applied in a multitude of scenarios! While I don’t feel that PBL is the only path by which students can develop these skills, I do think it has a valuable place in the classroom. So, having said that, I look forward to using Problem Based Learning in my future classes!
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