I enjoyed listening to the Podcasts found on WGBH. They are a great way to give children information on topics that they are studying. Podcasts are an alternative to paper resources. Kids stay focused when the are offered different learning styles. They are a fun way to enhance listening skills.
The K-5 Podcasts offer a variety of topics for teachers to use in their classrooms. Some of the Podcasts I listened to were "Solar Eclipses", "Why Doesn't the Moon Fall Down", "What is a Planet", "Energy Flow in the Coral Reef", and "Observe Clouds". This is a good tool to use when searching for creative ways to teach children. The Podcasts are not too long and when there is video, they can see pictures. Another great reason for using Podcasts is that they are free and all teachers need as many "freebies" as they can get.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Edutopia
The Edible Schoolyard and A Night in the Global Village Podcasts offered by Edutopia are good examples of Hands on Education. This type of education gets kids involved and interested in learning. Schools like Rocky Mountain School in Denver, Colorado and Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School in Burkley, California have taken Education to a higher step by offering Hands on Education to their students.
A Night in the Global Village shows Rocky Mountain School students visiting Heifer Ranch in Perryville, Arkansas. They learned how life is in other countries like Guatemala, Thailand, and Zambia. The students were given some supplies, but they had to decide how to get other supplies from the countries who had what they needed. They spent the night in the same kind of housing that each country actually lives in. The students gained an understanding of how children live in other countries.
The Edible Schoolyard shows Martin Luther King Jr Middle School students learning Math, Science, Social Studies and life skills while working in a garden. They actually grow food and eat it. At the same time, they are using math skills, learning about topics such as condensation and growing processes, and learning how to work with others.
These podcasts are excellent tools for teachers to use in their classrooms. They can show students how other students are learning. This type of learning is a good way to motivate students who struggle in the classroom. Students also get to see how other students learn to work together and include each other in projects. This is a great resource and I enjoyed watching the programs.
A Night in the Global Village shows Rocky Mountain School students visiting Heifer Ranch in Perryville, Arkansas. They learned how life is in other countries like Guatemala, Thailand, and Zambia. The students were given some supplies, but they had to decide how to get other supplies from the countries who had what they needed. They spent the night in the same kind of housing that each country actually lives in. The students gained an understanding of how children live in other countries.
The Edible Schoolyard shows Martin Luther King Jr Middle School students learning Math, Science, Social Studies and life skills while working in a garden. They actually grow food and eat it. At the same time, they are using math skills, learning about topics such as condensation and growing processes, and learning how to work with others.
These podcasts are excellent tools for teachers to use in their classrooms. They can show students how other students are learning. This type of learning is a good way to motivate students who struggle in the classroom. Students also get to see how other students learn to work together and include each other in projects. This is a great resource and I enjoyed watching the programs.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Podcasting
Podcasts are becoming more and more popular. Teachers are forming podcasts to share information with other teachers as well as students. Students are producing podcasts for discussions pertaining to educational learning.
Podcasts are being recorded in the business world to provide listeners with information when buying new products. The podcast, This Week In Photography, is a good podcast for photographers to subscribe to in order to find out about new cameras and printers as well as other supplies. Many podcasts discuss the pros and cons of buying certain brands.
The topics found on podcasts are unlimited. There are numerous educational topics. Some of the topics include Creative Writing, Science discussions, Math, Foreign Languages and so on. The podcasts are great resources for teachers and students to use when they are researching information. Teachers can use podcasts, such as the KidCast, to explore ideas on how to effectively present materials. Students can use podcasts to get ideas for projects and experiments in certain subjects like Science. They can also use podcasts for tutoring and reinforcement.
For podcasts to be effective, the speakers must be clear with a steady flow of conversation. Many podcasts have more than one speaker. After listening to several podcasts, I feel that multiple speakers keep the conversation flowing and are able to hold the attention of the audience longer. Podcasts such as SmartBoard Lessons, Ed TechTalk and MacBreak Weekly provided clear and professional discussions about many topics.
Podcasts are being recorded in the business world to provide listeners with information when buying new products. The podcast, This Week In Photography, is a good podcast for photographers to subscribe to in order to find out about new cameras and printers as well as other supplies. Many podcasts discuss the pros and cons of buying certain brands.
The topics found on podcasts are unlimited. There are numerous educational topics. Some of the topics include Creative Writing, Science discussions, Math, Foreign Languages and so on. The podcasts are great resources for teachers and students to use when they are researching information. Teachers can use podcasts, such as the KidCast, to explore ideas on how to effectively present materials. Students can use podcasts to get ideas for projects and experiments in certain subjects like Science. They can also use podcasts for tutoring and reinforcement.
For podcasts to be effective, the speakers must be clear with a steady flow of conversation. Many podcasts have more than one speaker. After listening to several podcasts, I feel that multiple speakers keep the conversation flowing and are able to hold the attention of the audience longer. Podcasts such as SmartBoard Lessons, Ed TechTalk and MacBreak Weekly provided clear and professional discussions about many topics.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Randy Pausch
WOW! This lecture was a bit lengthy, but the message was awesome. Professor Pausch revealed his passion for teaching and he proposed techniques for reaching students. He felt that there are some key attributes in enabling students to learn.
Many techniques to successful learning were mentioned in his lecture. He explained that "Brick walls are there for a reason". We all run into brick walls, but instead of giving up, we should look for ways to climb over, knock them down, or go around. Pausch expressed that the brick walls simply "help to show dedication".
Another technique that was mentioned was "Always find the best in everyone". His instructions were to keep looking within students and adults until you find something good in them. I try to use this technique when I substitute. There is always a student that I get warned about, but instead of going into the classroom expecting the worst from that student, I go in with a good attitude, expecting the same from them. I do manage to find good qualities in every student. There are a lot of students who do not get blessed with loving/caring parents like he did. Parents do make a difference!
I really enjoyed watching his web cast. I look forward to using his techniques/ideas in my classroom. His ways of thinking are a great asset to teachers. I almost cried when he had the audience sing "Happy Birthday" to his wife.
Many techniques to successful learning were mentioned in his lecture. He explained that "Brick walls are there for a reason". We all run into brick walls, but instead of giving up, we should look for ways to climb over, knock them down, or go around. Pausch expressed that the brick walls simply "help to show dedication".
Another technique that was mentioned was "Always find the best in everyone". His instructions were to keep looking within students and adults until you find something good in them. I try to use this technique when I substitute. There is always a student that I get warned about, but instead of going into the classroom expecting the worst from that student, I go in with a good attitude, expecting the same from them. I do manage to find good qualities in every student. There are a lot of students who do not get blessed with loving/caring parents like he did. Parents do make a difference!
I really enjoyed watching his web cast. I look forward to using his techniques/ideas in my classroom. His ways of thinking are a great asset to teachers. I almost cried when he had the audience sing "Happy Birthday" to his wife.
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