http://www.dannythedragon.com/childrens-book/helpful-tips-to-encourage-learning-in-your-children/
This website not only offers helpful tools and tips for instilling better learning in your kids, but also has plenty of interactive, educational games to keep your little ones busy! According to the site:
"Play board games to stimulate an interest in learning. Not only are they tons of fun, but they help your child develop his reading skills and practice following rules."
Not only are board games fun, with our new technologically dependent generation, there are plenty of computer games as well. I do not insist that your child sits and stairs at the computer screen for hours on end, but introducing them to something fun and different on such devices may promote a better learning environment for them. This could also be a great alternative for younger children. Instead of them watching some of the most common educational videos like "Baby Einstein" which have the intent to be interactive, online games could be another option, and get them excited in learning in a new way.
If anyone has the opportunity to check out this website and search around, let me know what you think.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
New ABC Series: Jamie Olivers Food Revolution
If this doesn't make you want to immediately pack your kids lunch I don't know what does. Jamie Oliver is most well known for being on the Food Network Channel and often times promotes healthy, garden grown food. If anyone has gotten around to watching this show, it does show somethings that one would not expect. There are so many unhealthy, packaged, process foods available for our children in schools. This not only could factor in on their nutritional health, but it may also pay a toll on how certain children learn and perform in school.
We all know that your brain needs the proper nutrition to function throughout the day. This can have an effect on perhaps a children's test taking abilities or maybe their athletic performances after school. The intentions of this show is to not bash every school featured because often times it is far beyond the control of its administrators. It may involve budgetting, school population, etc. This show does like to bring to light how we should promote a healthier lifestyle for our children.
We all know that your brain needs the proper nutrition to function throughout the day. This can have an effect on perhaps a children's test taking abilities or maybe their athletic performances after school. The intentions of this show is to not bash every school featured because often times it is far beyond the control of its administrators. It may involve budgetting, school population, etc. This show does like to bring to light how we should promote a healthier lifestyle for our children.
Cheating Crisis in American Schools
A primetime special on ABC news had claimed that we may have a new crisis in our educational facilities, cheating. Is this really something new, or has technology just made it more assessible? In my opinion not only has computer technology inhibited plagarism, but it has made it easier for faculty, teachers, and administrators pinpoint who is in fact cheating.
According to the above article, a 2002 confidential survey claimed that out of 12,000 high school students, 74 percent admitted cheating on an examination at least once in the past year. When speaking about cheating with papers or short answers one may tend to think about plagarism or using famous internet resources to skim by the actual intensities of real work. In opposition, when cheating on an examination through technology, I personally think cell phones are the main source of this.
Do you think that technology has been more beneficial in the way that teachers and administrators now have easier access to finding students cheating? After all, if student's understand how simple it is for teachers to decipher cheating hopefully it could remind them to steer clear of such actions. In order for this mindset to occur, teachers and administrators need to make more of a point to address this.
Did anyone see this special or read about it, any thoughts?
Monday, April 4, 2011
All Tech No Tradition?
I have always heard of schools trying to integrate more progressive, technological advancements, but I have never heard of an entire school being dedicated to solely technology, at least in the highschool setting. A school in the Napa Valley of California is dedicated to this educational approach. They even names the school New Technology High School, NTHS. I can see the benefits of using technology as a way to enhance and better help students not only learn, but also help them be prepared for the more up in coming technology based market after school. However, I do have several questions about this type of approach as many others may as well.
1.) Does the limiting of standard test taking and other assessments overall help these students, or just get them dependent on one way of learning?- I feel that as a good educator, you need to have an array of assessments and other teaching techniques that enable students to learn properly and effectively. By being so dependent on powerpoints, online testing, or creative website designing, this is presenting a new way for students to creatively express their knowledge, but what if some students are more linguistically, auditory, or verbally more expressive or apt to learn in such ways.
The way I see it is that even with this technology, we can still promote other traditional ways of teaching and assessing. What is great about technology is that we are able to do so much with it. I feel that this school should be more clear about being open to all types of learners, not just those who are savvy with the newest technologies. From reading this article, I do feel that this is a very unique and helpful way to get students comfortable and well prepared for our upcoming technologically dependent world, however it should not simply be seen as a tech school.
2.) In the article it states that there are other clubs, sports, and activities for these students to do, like a "normal school", however these types of things are only available at local community colleges, like Napa Vally CC. If this school enabled certain activities and other activities like most high schools offer, would it be a more well rounded facility, and more realistic? - I do feel that this would enhance the school and its overall student population experience, however I would think that budgeting would be an issue. Most clubs and sporting activities require money from the school and their available budgets. This may be why this school does not offer, but this is just my opinion. I feel that with all of these high-tech technologies and computer applications, it is pricey.
Tell me what you think about this. Would you like your children to attend these types of schools if they become more popular? Do you think the overall benefits outweigh the disadvantages from these types of schools? What are some other disadvantages?
If you would like to view the original article, I have put the link below!
http://www.newtechhigh.org/about-NTHS.html
1.) Does the limiting of standard test taking and other assessments overall help these students, or just get them dependent on one way of learning?- I feel that as a good educator, you need to have an array of assessments and other teaching techniques that enable students to learn properly and effectively. By being so dependent on powerpoints, online testing, or creative website designing, this is presenting a new way for students to creatively express their knowledge, but what if some students are more linguistically, auditory, or verbally more expressive or apt to learn in such ways.
The way I see it is that even with this technology, we can still promote other traditional ways of teaching and assessing. What is great about technology is that we are able to do so much with it. I feel that this school should be more clear about being open to all types of learners, not just those who are savvy with the newest technologies. From reading this article, I do feel that this is a very unique and helpful way to get students comfortable and well prepared for our upcoming technologically dependent world, however it should not simply be seen as a tech school.
2.) In the article it states that there are other clubs, sports, and activities for these students to do, like a "normal school", however these types of things are only available at local community colleges, like Napa Vally CC. If this school enabled certain activities and other activities like most high schools offer, would it be a more well rounded facility, and more realistic? - I do feel that this would enhance the school and its overall student population experience, however I would think that budgeting would be an issue. Most clubs and sporting activities require money from the school and their available budgets. This may be why this school does not offer, but this is just my opinion. I feel that with all of these high-tech technologies and computer applications, it is pricey.
Tell me what you think about this. Would you like your children to attend these types of schools if they become more popular? Do you think the overall benefits outweigh the disadvantages from these types of schools? What are some other disadvantages?
If you would like to view the original article, I have put the link below!
http://www.newtechhigh.org/about-NTHS.html
Easing That Back to School Stress
Did anyone else recognize something about this video? It is all about accessories. I understand the message and tips of trying to ease those typical back-to-school difficulties, but why do you feel the need to have to convince your child and use trickery to get them to do the simplest things like schoolwork. I feel that these accessories do help, but often times you would not want to get your child to become so dependent on these factors that they can no longer do the simplest of school tasks.
Also, what about those that are less fortunate and cannot afford these things for their children. It also may have little to do with money. I come from a family of five children and it would be difficult for my parents to buy the latest and most fabulous school accessories to please all their wining, uniquely different children.
What are some other thoughts about this, do you think in some ways this could promote the wrong message to our children even though it may seem to ease the stress of parents momentarily?
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Cell Phones in the School Setting
We constantly see cell phones as a distraction and a way to void the lecture of the head of the classroom, however can these mobile devices actually protect our children during dangerous or harmful circumstances? The way I saw this was beyond the typical complaints of this mobile phone, but as more of a safety issue. In today's society we put so much emphasis on technology, whether we mean to or not.
I can even remember when my older sister had first received her cell phone at age 17, and that was early at that age. Now-a-days you see 10 year olds running around with the newest and brightest cellular device.
Anyways, in school there are some advantages to having a cell phone, at least from a parenting perspective. If there ever were a case of emergency in the school, one that places those in its facilities in danger, it could lead to faster and more efficient means of contacting help. We are not strangers to such situations, we have seen tragedies like the shootings that occurred in Colorado at Columbine High school.
Even with less severe cases, bullying is where most of these tragedies begin. You can't really find a mobile device without a camera attachment in today's recent models, this could also help protect the student body. Being able to take pictures or have the ability to call for help at any time is a benefit within its self.
With every advantage comes disadvantages. In emergency cases, sometimes cellphone usage can actually worsen a situation. At times, when there are emergencies and most children call home to their parents, parents do worry, after all they are parents. Sometimes the lines to the school will be so held up with worried home-calls that calling the authorities may be difficult and cause chaos.
If anyone wants to vote and take surveys on what they think about cellular devices in school, you can go to http://www.ehow.com/
This site is perfect for all people. It offers anywhere from education blogs to parenting advice.
I can even remember when my older sister had first received her cell phone at age 17, and that was early at that age. Now-a-days you see 10 year olds running around with the newest and brightest cellular device.
Anyways, in school there are some advantages to having a cell phone, at least from a parenting perspective. If there ever were a case of emergency in the school, one that places those in its facilities in danger, it could lead to faster and more efficient means of contacting help. We are not strangers to such situations, we have seen tragedies like the shootings that occurred in Colorado at Columbine High school.
Even with less severe cases, bullying is where most of these tragedies begin. You can't really find a mobile device without a camera attachment in today's recent models, this could also help protect the student body. Being able to take pictures or have the ability to call for help at any time is a benefit within its self.
With every advantage comes disadvantages. In emergency cases, sometimes cellphone usage can actually worsen a situation. At times, when there are emergencies and most children call home to their parents, parents do worry, after all they are parents. Sometimes the lines to the school will be so held up with worried home-calls that calling the authorities may be difficult and cause chaos.
If anyone wants to vote and take surveys on what they think about cellular devices in school, you can go to http://www.ehow.com/
This site is perfect for all people. It offers anywhere from education blogs to parenting advice.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Technology: Yay or Nay?
I was searching the web and found an article promoting a new type of multimedia server to be used in classrooms. What caught my eye was not simply the advantages that come with its use, but the fact that it can be effective for K-12 classrooms.It's called the SnapStream Server and what it does is enable teachers to stream in any multimedia clips, videos, radio broadcasts, the list goes on and on.
It's simple, whatever you can find on the internet, television, radio, or any other electronic, you now have the ability to safely and ethically stream it through your schools centralized media centers into your lesson plans. What I find a lot is that there are so many great educational shows or series out there in television but it may either: Take too much time to download via internet, or bringing in a recorded tape of the episode may be shut down by the lack of availability of a school television to view it. We should not shun television viewing in education, especially if used effectively.
With this server you can immediately stream television showings to the classroom in a quick, straight forward manner. I think that this will enable educators to form solid, varied, educational lessons for all ages, while keeping their students entertained. With such ease of technology there do come struggles.Yes, we all had that feeling that when there was news that there would be a video presented in class that day it would be a great day to relax and slack off. To avoid these types of stereotypes involved with technology in the classroom, you can
A.) Instill more of a progressive standpoint and have students relate to what they are viewing/listening to their lives today.
B.) Make sure you have some sort of evaluation or assessment afterwards, like have the students take notes or do group discussions about what was learned.
I know you never want to focus mainly on how you can integrate technology in the classroom, but I feel that if it is used effectively you can not only spice up the typical pen and paper lesson plan but also help with the changing times of our society and integrate something that our youth is becoming in seemingly familiarized with.
If anyone is interested in learning more about this new SnapStream server and possibly get started talking with your administrators about possibly getting involved with it I have attached a link. I think it will make it easier and less intimidating for all those out there who are scared of technology and its often times difficulty of use! Remember, these types of programs and servers are out there to help you out, have fun with it!
SnapStream Server
It's simple, whatever you can find on the internet, television, radio, or any other electronic, you now have the ability to safely and ethically stream it through your schools centralized media centers into your lesson plans. What I find a lot is that there are so many great educational shows or series out there in television but it may either: Take too much time to download via internet, or bringing in a recorded tape of the episode may be shut down by the lack of availability of a school television to view it. We should not shun television viewing in education, especially if used effectively.
With this server you can immediately stream television showings to the classroom in a quick, straight forward manner. I think that this will enable educators to form solid, varied, educational lessons for all ages, while keeping their students entertained. With such ease of technology there do come struggles.Yes, we all had that feeling that when there was news that there would be a video presented in class that day it would be a great day to relax and slack off. To avoid these types of stereotypes involved with technology in the classroom, you can
A.) Instill more of a progressive standpoint and have students relate to what they are viewing/listening to their lives today.
B.) Make sure you have some sort of evaluation or assessment afterwards, like have the students take notes or do group discussions about what was learned.
I know you never want to focus mainly on how you can integrate technology in the classroom, but I feel that if it is used effectively you can not only spice up the typical pen and paper lesson plan but also help with the changing times of our society and integrate something that our youth is becoming in seemingly familiarized with.
If anyone is interested in learning more about this new SnapStream server and possibly get started talking with your administrators about possibly getting involved with it I have attached a link. I think it will make it easier and less intimidating for all those out there who are scared of technology and its often times difficulty of use! Remember, these types of programs and servers are out there to help you out, have fun with it!
SnapStream Server
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