Hi Tom! Class was interesting tonight! It really makes you think about our current classrooms and how we get information "into" our students, and how they choose to "receive" it! On the compare/contrast chart...Passive Learning to Active Learning...I would hope that most of us are already choosing teaching methods that engage active learning. Cooperative groups, partners, research projects (laptops), literacy circles, science experiments, United Streaming clips,etc. More technology would certainly enhance student learning on the Active learning path. Nancy :)
There is a vast difference between "old school" teaching and teaching now. Even though I'm in the middle of my career, I've had to make a lot of changes to keep up and current with my students. I can always use new ideas for using technology in the classroom. I believe I am engaging my students' interests but more technology would certainly enhance my classroom atmosphere. I enjoyed class last week-I wasn't bored. Thanks!
I also enjoyed class last week! Technology is always changing and it is so important to keep up with all the new trends in education. I have only been teaching for six years at Hilfiker, but I feel that our teachers work hard to create student-centered lessons that promote active listening. Students in 3rd grade have created Power Point presentations to display their state reports, 1st graders have used www.enchantedlearning.com along with laptop computers to create nonfiction reports, and several teachers use www.unitedstreaming.com to do research, share video clips, give assessments, etc. Years ago, I did all my reports and research at the library without technology and the good old encyclopedia books! My 1st and 3rd graders have never even heard of encyclopedias! I think it’s important for us to have high expectations for our children, but it is even more important to have a curriculum that connects to students’ schema, interests, talents, and the real world.
Thanks, Tom, for the informative class. It makes me think what I can add to my content to reach these 'instant gratification' learners. Every year, the students seem to be harder to reach. I would like to learn more about how to use this in my classroom.
I agree with the posts so far. Education is constantly changing, and as teachers we must be able to "keep up with the times" in so many different ways. It is sometimes difficult to think about all the things we must do in our classrooms. We must be able to handle the curriculum well enough to pass a test, be parental figures for the students, incorporate the newest "craze" in education, manipulate technology, and remain sane somehow.... haha. Seriously, though, I think reading through the 21st century learner made me realize that we have changed. I think many of those things are already present in many classrooms (at least I would hope!).
Things are definitely changing. My son asks practically every night to use the laptop so he can go to Noggin. The things he is able to do on the computer at his age, I didn't start doing until I was around 30. The days of searching periodicals at the library to do a research paper for college which was typed on a typewriter several times until it was finished are far behind us. Even the art of memorizing things is practically gone. Teaching methods are going to have to continue to evolve to keep up with the kids.
Hi, all!! The comments are fabulous!! Can I just say "Ditto" and be done!? :-) I am amazed at technology today. When I think back to my elementary school career and what we were doing with computers....oh my gosh! Does anyone remember the Apple II where the picture was green and you could just create a simple picture after several commands that always ended with the word RUN!? Too funny to think about!! As Chrissy mentioned, our third graders create powerpoints, use laptops, and know more already than I ever will!! I agree with Glenn that teaching methods have to change! However, I feel the students are far more advanced than I am. It scares me a little to learn something so new! Watching the videos last week, however, showed me the importance of this change! If this is what I am teaching in just ten years, what will I be teaching my students at the end of my career?!?! :-) Almost hard to imagine, isn't it?!
Thanks Tom for the information! It definitely makes you think about what is happening and will happen in the education world. Just seeing my children ages 4 and 7 know so much on the computer, playing the PSP or other video games, and everything else just amazes me! Teaching methods have to change to engage these visual learners. It is how they learn and is the generation they are growing up in. We need to adapt to that and make the changes needed. Thanks again and see you tomorrow! Do I get a prize for being the last one to post, because I have been waiting to post just in case:)
I think I beat you to the last post, Fergie! Students are definitely advanced in technology and I think I need to catch up, but more classes like this will hopefully help. You can see the excitement in the eyes of the students when there are more lessons that involve active learning and when technology is brought into the classroom.
Thanks to all the class members for your thoughts, and I hope you were able to get something valuable from the classes. Feel free to contact me if I can assist you in any way with your new "Tech Adventures!" Thom
Hi Tom! Class was interesting tonight! It really makes you think about our current classrooms and how we get information "into" our students, and how they choose to "receive" it! On the compare/contrast chart...Passive Learning to Active Learning...I would hope that most of us are already choosing teaching methods that engage active learning. Cooperative groups, partners, research projects (laptops), literacy circles, science experiments, United Streaming clips,etc. More technology would certainly enhance student learning on the Active learning path. Nancy :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post! You get bonus points for being the first to "blog."
ReplyDeleteThere is a vast difference between "old school" teaching and teaching now. Even though I'm in the middle of my career, I've had to make a lot of changes to keep up and current with my students. I can always use new ideas for using technology in the classroom. I believe I am engaging my students' interests but more technology would certainly enhance my classroom atmosphere. I enjoyed class last week-I wasn't bored. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI also enjoyed class last week! Technology is always changing and it is so important to keep up with all the new trends in education. I have only been teaching for six years at Hilfiker, but I feel that our teachers work hard to create student-centered lessons that promote active listening. Students in 3rd grade have created Power Point presentations to display their state reports, 1st graders have used www.enchantedlearning.com along with laptop computers to create nonfiction reports, and several teachers use www.unitedstreaming.com to do research, share video clips, give assessments, etc. Years ago, I did all my reports and research at the library without technology and the good old encyclopedia books! My 1st and 3rd graders have never even heard of encyclopedias! I think it’s important for us to have high expectations for our children, but it is even more important to have a curriculum that connects to students’ schema, interests, talents, and the real world.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tom, for the informative class. It makes me think what I can add to my content to reach these 'instant gratification' learners. Every year, the students seem to be harder to reach. I would like to learn more about how to use this in my classroom.
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed reading the coments! Thanks for your participation!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing everyone in class tomorrow evening!
ReplyDeleteI agree with the posts so far. Education is constantly changing, and as teachers we must be able to "keep up with the times" in so many different ways. It is sometimes difficult to think about all the things we must do in our classrooms. We must be able to handle the curriculum well enough to pass a test, be parental figures for the students, incorporate the newest "craze" in education, manipulate technology, and remain sane somehow.... haha. Seriously, though, I think reading through the 21st century learner made me realize that we have changed. I think many of those things are already present in many classrooms (at least I would hope!).
ReplyDeleteThings are definitely changing. My son asks practically every night to use the laptop so he can go to Noggin. The things he is able to do on the computer at his age, I didn't start doing until I was around 30. The days of searching periodicals at the library to do a research paper for college which was typed on a typewriter several times until it was finished are far behind us. Even the art of memorizing things is practically gone. Teaching methods are going to have to continue to evolve to keep up with the kids.
ReplyDeleteHi, all!! The comments are fabulous!! Can I just say "Ditto" and be done!? :-) I am amazed at technology today. When I think back to my elementary school career and what we were doing with computers....oh my gosh! Does anyone remember the Apple II where the picture was green and you could just create a simple picture after several commands that always ended with the word RUN!? Too funny to think about!! As Chrissy mentioned, our third graders create powerpoints, use laptops, and know more already than I ever will!! I agree with Glenn that teaching methods have to change! However, I feel the students are far more advanced than I am. It scares me a little to learn something so new! Watching the videos last week, however, showed me the importance of this change! If this is what I am teaching in just ten years, what will I be teaching my students at the end of my career?!?! :-) Almost hard to imagine, isn't it?!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tom for the information! It definitely makes you think about what is happening and will happen in the education world. Just seeing my children ages 4 and 7 know so much on the computer, playing the PSP or other video games, and everything else just amazes me! Teaching methods have to change to engage these visual learners. It is how they learn and is the generation they are growing up in. We need to adapt to that and make the changes needed. Thanks again and see you tomorrow! Do I get a prize for being the last one to post, because I have been waiting to post just in case:)
ReplyDeleteI think I beat you to the last post, Fergie! Students are definitely advanced in technology and I think I need to catch up, but more classes like this will hopefully help. You can see the excitement in the eyes of the students when there are more lessons that involve active learning and when technology is brought into the classroom.
ReplyDeleteThanks to all the class members for your thoughts, and I hope you were able to get something valuable from the classes. Feel free to contact me if I can assist you in any way with your new "Tech Adventures!"
ReplyDeleteThom