Integrating Websites into the Classroom

The Music Interactive

This website has great apps to be used on a Smartboard to teach music. There are many apps to use ranging from tuning exercises to practicing piano scales. This is definitely for any Music teacher that wants the whole class involved instead of teaching one by one which can be time consuming.

This site is more than just a sit and click for a student. The apps provided bring the whole classroom together to learn about Music. One way the site can be used is to have the class choose which app they want to play and teach it. Then, choose a different game for each day of the week which will provide a vast range of music topics to be studied. For the teacher, there is a forum on the site to ask for help or to check for updates on future apps. This can help build a lesson plan or ask advice.

Beyond the classroom, this website would be difficult for a student to access. Most of the apps require a Smartboard to use which a student most likely doesn't have. This website is definitely for in class activities. A website with music exercises or games should be found so that a student can practice their skills at home.

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Exploring Project-Based Learning

Eco-Mania

http://www.virtualschoolhouse.net/eco_o.htm

The Eco-Mania project really stood out to me as a fun project. There is a lot to be done in this project. Writing and producing a play with a group takes much collaboration. It involves set design, script writing, audio production, lighting, and play practice. But before a play can be made, research on a specific environmental issue must be done. This can test the groups because it needs to be an issue that will produce a full length play. It requires a vast amount research that should be group based to make it easier.

This project will utilize all levels of Bloom's taxonomy. The groups will need to Analyze data to determine an appropriate environmental issue. Next, skills from the Comprehension level will be used, such as illustrating the issue. The groups can then Apply the following skills to the play production. From here, groups will create the play and develop a story line. The Evaluation comes after all is complete.

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Reading Response 2: Student Telecollaboration

Telecollaborative projects are highly fundamental for any student in their educational path. The two highest levels of Bloom's Taxonomy of the Cognitive Domain, Synthesis and Evaluation, can be taught with the use of group projects. There are many types of activities to be explored which breakdown these levels into various skills crucial for a future educational career.

Synthesis is an important level of learning for the classroom. This level develops the abilities to hypothesize and create something with a group (Huit). For example, developing a project website for a certain subject. It is up to the group to hypothesize the main idea behind the website, and from there design and invent their website. In order for this to be successful, it is important to make sure all group members have various abilities that can be combined for a well rounded project (Enerson, Johnson). This project brings out highly developed ideas from the students and the groups will work together to enhance their level of Synthesis.

The Evaluation level focuses on critiquing and analyzation skills. Proofreading other peers essays or various works can enhance these skills. It will provide the student with an outlook on how people may approach their work. Also, the use of blogs is great. It provides a way to critique articles or sites online and form opinions based from Synthesis skills.

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Reading Response 1

1) Tech Past

I can remember using computers in school from Kindergarden to now. My father even taught my first grade computer class. My experience with computers all through my educational carrer has brought me up to speed with any modern computer that I may work with. In college, I began taking notes on my laptop and quickly learned of the benefits. I can just write down any side thought during a lecture very quickly and still be able to pick up on any much needed information.

2) Tech Present

If all is successful, I want to teach a Fourth grade classroom. When I was in Fourth grade, the history of the California gold rush was my favorite subject. Experiencing this history through a textbook is just not the same. I would use Google Maps to show areas of mining and go to street view to show just exactly what the terrain and environment was like for a miner. Also, any kind of demonstration video on how a miner panned for gold would be a nice multimedia to have. Any one of those sources would of been worthwhile to me as a student. Technology has a come a long way since I was in Fourth grade and the resources available today can be very informative.

3) Tech Future

The scary thing about technology in the future is the cost. A new piece of equipment that can be so beneficial for a classroom may not be able to be purchased due to lack of funds. I think having equipment that is up to date with the norm is necessary. Also, trying to find a legitimate and educational technological source can be difficult on such a short schedule. Some form of approved sites or resource list would be a nice thing to have. It is hard to keep the attention of a child. That is why having valid and interesting sources is great for the classroom.

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