Saturday, September 5, 2009
Social Studies technology in practice
So the fruits of some intensive internet searching are as follows: Social Studies Wiki = http://blog.woodward.edu/widener/?page_id=76, Podcast = http://www.podnova.com/channel/233670/, and Blog = http://ljhs.wordpress.com/. All three of these sources are used in schools and the wiki and podcast were created by students. These really are some inspiring finds though because they are the practical outcomes of all this emphasis on increasing technology in the classroom. I chose these three because they really gave me a good idea of the techniques you can employ to put technology in the classroom. Having the students discuss their notes within a podcast so that other students can have a review whenever they need it seems like an amazing tool that couldn't exist without technology in the classroom. The blog I chose contains tons of pictures of a variety of subjects and makes it easy to see how a blogging tool can really add an interesting dinamic to your classroom, and beyond. The wiki page is definitly my favorite because I don't think you can ever overestimate the benefit a tool like this could be to students. Having them construct a page that contains everything they learn in class not only helps them to remembe it all, but it gives them a chance to connect all the interesting things they've covered and adds a new dimension to the subject matter that could never have previously existed. The wiki page is full of really interesting class project ideas that connect learning and technology in interactive and fun ways (the movie trailer project looks like something I might end up trying in my classroom). All in all I think these are great resources for students to have and they leave me wondering how different my middle an high school experience could have been if I had had access to the same oppurtunities students have now.
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you're right, the wiki really allows the whole class to put together a collection of knowledge. it seems closer to a learning community than a traditional classroom, where everyone seems unwilling to share in the hope they will get beat out with grades. being able to share pictures related to different topics is a good tool and probably spurs memory on topics better. and i also reaaaaally wish i had these technologies available in high school, i would probably remember more from those times.
ReplyDeleteI really like what you found for the blog this week. I definitely agree that the tools that students have access to is great. It is amazing that these tools can connect students and teachers to their work. I am jealous that these students are able to use devices to share their work and to help them stay on top of what needs to get done. I cannot wait to implement what we have learned in our classrooms.
ReplyDeleteI agree with both you and Elizabeth. Its amazing how many advantages technology offers students. I would love it if even today I was able to look back at my class notes through a podcast! I think all of these advancements are extremely encouraging to inquiry learning in students.
ReplyDeleteDuring this assignment I also questioned what my learning experience in high school would have been like if my teachers had required the class to use a wiki or blog. I agree that there is a benefit to the group cooperation that these sources seem to promote. It does make the class less individualistic because the students must work together towards a common goal.
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