What great ideas I have been reading about this week! I am a huge fan of group work and interactive lessons that promote teamwork. That is how we most likely will have to work for the rest of our lives. There are not too many professional opportunities to work totally independent of others, rather most careers include teams even networks of colleagues that people must work with. Many sales careers even require internet networking to help build their market.
This makes the need for integrating technology in school lessons even more valuable. As our business world builds its reliance on these technologies and networking sites, our students need to be building their experience on these. Although I find that constructionism lends itself to using technology and social learning opportunities, it must be used in moderation just like all the other theories and styles we have been discussing. One specific modality can not be single handedly promoted in a classroom. A positive, interactive, engaging learning environment needs to use a variety of approaches and activities including independent learning opportunities as well as social learning groups.
It was encouraging to hear Orey specifically discuss mathematics in the video (Laureate Education Inc., 2008)as he explained constructionism and cooperative learning within the classroom. Many times math is left out of the explanations and it becomes difficult to apply what is being said to math. His statement, "teach problem solving and provide support when needed" (Laureate Education Inc., 2008), really struck a nerve for me. All too often teachers worry about scores and requirements and they forget about the learning to learn aspect of teaching. Students will really listen and think when they need an answer and cooperative learning problems based activities would provide a great opportunity for this. Students become actively engaged and have interesting discussions and questions arise throughout the process.
I will be looking forward to trying to use technology to create an interactive learning opportunity that students will have to work with partners to create a project. My initial attempt of using a VoiceThread will provide students with a new and unique presentation to increase interest and promote active engagement in a mathematics lesson.
Resources:
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2008). Program eight. Social Learning Theories [Motion picture]. Bridging learning theory, instruction and technology. Baltimore: Author.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
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Lori,
ReplyDeleteFirst I have to say I loved your Brownie voice thread! What a tremendous math lessons for understanding the importance of multiplication and those dreaded fractions. My elementary students struggle with improper fractions, perhaps the brownie experience would allow them to relate to why fractions are important in their world. Many times teachers “teach” the subject but forget to link it to the students “reality”, without this link is the information remembered for the test and then lost? I am currently tutoring students in fourth grade math after school; perhaps I will use your voice thread during one of our sessions and make brownies! I bet I would be the favorite teacher that day.
I do agree with your statement that anyone theory needs to be used with moderation as with anyone teaching strategy. I also believe a good mix of educational theories and strategies should be employed in the classroom to excite and reach all learners in the classroom. I feel the most important part of a student’s education is having a teacher who cares and exhibits this caring attitude to their students. I know I try harder for people who believe and care about me, is that human nature?
Thank you for the fun brownie idea!
Jennifer Hardy
Thanks Jennifer! I love that you love it! I have been a fan of all your ideas so it means a lot to have you appreciate and plan to use this idea.
ReplyDeleteI am a firm believer on bringing all the math into as many real world situations and the fact that we still teach children young enough to like imaginary play, I have a ball. We pretend shop, bank, buy houses, get jobs and more. The children will do well on their standardized test and believe the formal lessons dod it but I truly believe it is these fun, interactive activities that do it. NOt my whole group lecture style lessons is front of the room!
Hope you enjoy. I also have a fudge activity that requires less cook time and only a range top. I will send it to you via email. That is actually what the kids are making in that group shot in the visual thread!
Enjoy! and Thanks --LORI :)
Lori,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the compliment about my ideas, my co-workers sometimes think I am out in left field, I honestly believe they are there to collect a paycheck and do not do what is best for the students.
I wanted to respond to the voice thread response you left for me (http://voicethread.com/share/654778/
). I have noted with the relaxed rules in student dress code, teacher dress code has also been relaxed. Teachers do not wear jeans but some days that would be an improvement. Many teachers wear spaghetti strapped “tops”, a few halter top style sun dresses have been spotted, shorts with high heals, T-shirts with “fishing shorts”….the list goes on. I do believe when the staff dresses like this professionalism goes out the door. My former principal had strict expectations for students and staff, which I did not always like, but now that expectations are gone, I really wish they were back. I have discovered this casualness has affected our effectiveness, teacher s and students do not realize they have a job to do. Like you I have discovered how you dress affects the respect you give and get, it also effects your professionalism. Thank you for your comments on my voice thread.