Stephanie Hill
Chapter 8 Reading Reflection
There are several ways to build connections and branch out beyond your classroom. Chapter 8 begins by discussing the use of digital tools in the classroom because they make it easier for students to share their work and exchange ideas with diverse audiences. I agree that having an audience can be a motivator for students because when we did our digital story videos. I felt motivated because I knew that my peers would be watching it. It is also very beneficial for students to practice using their voice and are used to being filmed and watched by others. This is a skill that can be used in real life situations such as job interviews, meeting new friends and many other situations. In addition, your students can communicate with students all around the world-allowing their diversity to be heightened I wish that when I was in elementary, middle school or high school that I was given the opportunity to interact with people form different states or even different countries! Also, having students blog about their personal responses to projects or experiences on a podcast expands their knowledge and experience.
The EAST Initiative Model, which stands for the Environmental and Spatial Technologies, is all about using technology for real use, making it suitable for real life situations and allowing the community to improve. Sophistication of geospatial technologies, gives EAST students the advantage to real life situations in both their communities and in their futures. One project that the EAST students have completed is creating maps of the Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas. The EAST students created this using GIS, GPS, CAD and other applications. EAST includes more than 260 in seven states and has even made its way to elementary schools. This is very impressive to me because these students are really using their time and effort to branch out from assignments given in school and trying to using their knowledge of technology in real-life situations.
Student involvement in their own learning is a very crucial skill for students to acquire. When students are able to be in charge/ "lead" their own learning/teaching, they can figure out with they are passionate about. When given choices, students are more motivated to make the best out of a project because they actually care what they are doing! Also, this chapter gave the example of a student in the class who had dyslexia on how people with dyslexia "hates to write but loves to blog", Sarah was able to make a connection with Jeff Utecht and this allows students to learn about their peers, which allows them to grow as learners.
This chapter gave me confidence that my lesson plan II would in fact allow my students to branch out and make connections. Having other students watch their cooking videos allows them to make connections to each other, practice being in front of a camera and learn how to make a script. All of these benefits gives students the opportunity to teach/"lead" their students, instead of me teach them.
I agree that there are several ways to build connections and branch out beyond the classroom. There are so many digital tools out their to use in the classroom. The students really get the opportunities to expand on their original project, like talking with experts and with other classes, and other educators.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is crucial for students to be involved in their own learning. I think that when a student discovers information on their own it is easier for them to remember because they had to take the time to research. This is a good skill to have throughout their education and when they start a career.
ReplyDeleteI liked your conclusion at the end about how the students should be able to learn from themselves, rather than only being able to learn from you. We are constantly learning and picking up new skills from our peers. I know that not everything I learned in school came directly from a teacher's mouth. I learned by seeing what other classmates were doing and either inquired about it or attempted it myself. We are never ending learners and why should we limit our students to only learning from what we spoon feed them?
ReplyDelete