Overall, everyone should admit that the class was a great success!. I am pretty sure that everyone of us has learned new things about technology that we didn't even hear about before this course. What made this class a success was that it was very well designed, very organized. Also, the articles, the videos and the assignments were well into the core of the course content. In addition, thanks to the professor's continuous help, support and PATIENCE that this course was easier than I have thought at the beginning.
I was not expecting that I am going to be able to do the work I have been doing. It was kind of challenge for me especially that I come from a develpoing country where technology is still not well introduced in the school curriculum. Now, I am really proud of myself and I am thinking to introduce what I have learned here to the people who are in charge of the school curriculum back home. I am sure I will be a good asset for them:-).
Compared to all the other courses that I have taken at Saint Peter's, I want to admit that this is my favorite class ever! (no kidding). This is what I said to all my friends here and back home all along this course!. I really enjoyed it and hopefully technology will be introduced in all the other courses as we are living in an information age, and we cannot do much without technology!.
Finally, I want to thank Dr.Luongo for this great success that made my accomplishment even more valuable. Also, I wanted to thank all my colleagues and all the team who were participating to the success of this course (helpdesks, operators, etc).
Have great Holidays!
Najet Gharsallaoui
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
CLRN
The California Learning Resource Network was really amazing!
It is a great help to find the standards aligned-software, video and internet learning resources we need.
It is very useful in the fact that it distributes news, resource reviews, and web information links.
CLRN is really exciting as they now have enabled a user feedback system where teachers can rate and comment about the enormous number of web link reviews.
In this respect, I advise you to check out the free resources that CLRN' team has identified about the Web Information Links (WIL): http://clrn.org/weblinks/
It's really enjoyable searching WILs' that had been reviewed by users!
It is a great help to find the standards aligned-software, video and internet learning resources we need.
It is very useful in the fact that it distributes news, resource reviews, and web information links.
CLRN is really exciting as they now have enabled a user feedback system where teachers can rate and comment about the enormous number of web link reviews.
In this respect, I advise you to check out the free resources that CLRN' team has identified about the Web Information Links (WIL): http://clrn.org/weblinks/
It's really enjoyable searching WILs' that had been reviewed by users!
Lesson plans
Planning is a pschycological process of considering goals and ways of achieving them.
Planning a lesson is arranging materials and activities as well as testing and evaluating teaching and learning. It is a pre-active decision-making that takes place before instruction.
Planning a lesson is about developing a coherent system of activities that facilitates students cooperation and understanding of the subject matter. In this respect, teachers should be creative in planning their lesson plans as planning is a guide to teachers' decision-making in planning strategy.
I do believe that planning a lesson is very helpful for teachers to conduct their class. In other words, I don't think a teacher will accomplish as much as it should be if he/she walks without a lesson plan before tackling any lesson.
Planning is helpful not only for the teacher, but for students as well as they will learn as much as they can because planning is about time management too.
Planning a lesson is arranging materials and activities as well as testing and evaluating teaching and learning. It is a pre-active decision-making that takes place before instruction.
Planning a lesson is about developing a coherent system of activities that facilitates students cooperation and understanding of the subject matter. In this respect, teachers should be creative in planning their lesson plans as planning is a guide to teachers' decision-making in planning strategy.
I do believe that planning a lesson is very helpful for teachers to conduct their class. In other words, I don't think a teacher will accomplish as much as it should be if he/she walks without a lesson plan before tackling any lesson.
Planning is helpful not only for the teacher, but for students as well as they will learn as much as they can because planning is about time management too.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Social Networking!
Social networking has its advantages and disadvantages as well!
It is very good to have social networking, to get to know people, to communicate, to learn from others' experiences, to share ideas, etc. However, one should be very careful especially when using the internet to socialize. It is sometimes very risky to go to some websites like facebook, yahoo messenger, twitter, skype... Sometimes people get deceived by wrong names or pictures or announcement. In this respect, we and especially our kids should be careful before posting anything or communicating with anyone, and here the role of the parents becomes very crucial. In other words, parents should always be behind their kids especially teens to check what kind of websites, programs, peaople are dealing with. It is a serious issue when it comes to chat or communicate with people over the internet, sometimes people get hurt or maltreated just because they are associating with deceitful people. So, it is very important to know what to do and with whom to associate.
It is very good to have social networking, to get to know people, to communicate, to learn from others' experiences, to share ideas, etc. However, one should be very careful especially when using the internet to socialize. It is sometimes very risky to go to some websites like facebook, yahoo messenger, twitter, skype... Sometimes people get deceived by wrong names or pictures or announcement. In this respect, we and especially our kids should be careful before posting anything or communicating with anyone, and here the role of the parents becomes very crucial. In other words, parents should always be behind their kids especially teens to check what kind of websites, programs, peaople are dealing with. It is a serious issue when it comes to chat or communicate with people over the internet, sometimes people get hurt or maltreated just because they are associating with deceitful people. So, it is very important to know what to do and with whom to associate.
Videos!
Personally, I do believe that visuals are more helpful than the print media. For example, when I have a book to read, I find it more attractive to see the movie than to read the book!. In other words, when I start reading a book especially when it is a long book, I sometimes find myself losing track the fact that takes me back to the previous pages to read them again. However, while watching the movie, I am fully concentrating and it is that kind of suspense to see the following events is what cateches my attention and everybody elses's attention I guess.
Movies have a tendency to make people get the message quicker and do not forget the content, that's why sometimes at school, teachers insist to show us the book in a movie, so they make sure we better understand it and not to forget it.
I really liked the movies that were presented in modules 8 and 9 especcially the "Introducing the Book" movie which was very funny:-). It reminds of myself the first time I was trying to use the computer. I was overwhelmed with the fear of accessing a new technology, but later on when I discovered the benefits of that machine that I was doubtful to use at the beginning, I was really excited and happy to learn a new method about how to do things faster and more efficient.
"Special Education and Social Networking" was very intersting in the way that the teacher was devoted to help disabled kid to have access to new technologies so that they could have better jobs just like the other regular students. However, more care should be given to those kids as they might fall in the wrong use of some sites or be victims of deceitful people who may take advantage of the higher risk of being more vulnerable to such kind of practices!
Movies have a tendency to make people get the message quicker and do not forget the content, that's why sometimes at school, teachers insist to show us the book in a movie, so they make sure we better understand it and not to forget it.
I really liked the movies that were presented in modules 8 and 9 especcially the "Introducing the Book" movie which was very funny:-). It reminds of myself the first time I was trying to use the computer. I was overwhelmed with the fear of accessing a new technology, but later on when I discovered the benefits of that machine that I was doubtful to use at the beginning, I was really excited and happy to learn a new method about how to do things faster and more efficient.
"Special Education and Social Networking" was very intersting in the way that the teacher was devoted to help disabled kid to have access to new technologies so that they could have better jobs just like the other regular students. However, more care should be given to those kids as they might fall in the wrong use of some sites or be victims of deceitful people who may take advantage of the higher risk of being more vulnerable to such kind of practices!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Web-Based Educational Resources!
It is very important to use technology in our nowadays classrooms, and the fact of using web page educational resources facilitates the learners' and educators' job of learning and instructing. The choice of resources, however, should be selected carefully in order to ensure the effectiveness of the learning process of our kids. In other words, it is very important to take into considration all the needs of students while designing an educational software. While accessing a web-based educational resource, students should be able to easily find whatever information are looking for and that might be helpful to their studies.
For example, the WebQuest was a very good web-page educational resource which was organized in a certain way that help students have access tot he different activities. Also, the Starfall web page is another example of creativity in helping students to read.
For example, the WebQuest was a very good web-page educational resource which was organized in a certain way that help students have access tot he different activities. Also, the Starfall web page is another example of creativity in helping students to read.
Creating a Web Page!
I think that creating a Web Page can be a lot easier than creating the WebQuest. Using "Scholastic WebPage Builder" facilitates the work as it offers a Web Page Builder through its teacher site. It also offers a number of Web-based services that guide users through the process of entering text, adding links to other Web sites, and even uploading pictures. 'These tools also help teachers to post homework assignments, publish announcements, post calendars of importand dates, and highlights of classroom activities'. In other words, Scholastic Web Page makes the work even more attractive and easier to proceed. It is really a good guide to do the work step by step!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Inspiration/kidspiration
Inspiration/kidspiration sites were really enjoyable!. On the one hand, Inspiration as a new technique of instruction is useful for both educators and students as well. In this respect, students use inspiration to plan and organize, research and evaluate, comprehend and communicate. It is a means to inspire students to study and learn successfully. It is the leader in visual learning and thinking. It is also used by educators to customize instruction, achieve standards, assess students'work and energize learning. In other words, it makes starting assignments quick and easy.
On the other hand, kidspiration plays te role of the visual way to explore and understand words, numbers and concepts. It is mainly created for elementary school kids (K-5). It develops thinking, literacy and numeracy skills using proven visual learning principles. In reading and writing, kids strengthen word recognition, vocabulary, comprehension and written expression. In addition, kidspiration helps students develop strong thinkig skills, strengthen writing and reading skills, and build conceptual understanding in math.
Personally, I think that this new technology is really a big accomplishment meant to help students and teachers to make it easier.
On the other hand, kidspiration plays te role of the visual way to explore and understand words, numbers and concepts. It is mainly created for elementary school kids (K-5). It develops thinking, literacy and numeracy skills using proven visual learning principles. In reading and writing, kids strengthen word recognition, vocabulary, comprehension and written expression. In addition, kidspiration helps students develop strong thinkig skills, strengthen writing and reading skills, and build conceptual understanding in math.
Personally, I think that this new technology is really a big accomplishment meant to help students and teachers to make it easier.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Blogging/EdBloggers!
Blogging is really highly recommended to be as much knowlegeble as one could for it is a global means to learn. It is kind of face to face meeting that allows people to associate with each other and build friendship, socialize and have conversations, dialogues and have the ability to discuss with a lot of people all over the world. In this respect, the Edublogger Network, for example is the right place for educators and all others to blog and read about others' blogs. Participants from all over the world can meet, share photos, videos, etc. For instance, if one has a workshop or a topic he/she wants to discuss or an enent that is upcoming and wants people to talk about it and motivate participants, he/she just needs to create an Edblogger world calender and add events to the calender and he/she will have global participants . Also, new comers can find their way around one place where one places his/her blog.
Blogging is a technology that can bring all people together in one place, connect students to each other, improve classrooms and make them more effective.
Blogging is a technology that can bring all people together in one place, connect students to each other, improve classrooms and make them more effective.
"Make a difference in someone else's life" Movie!
Did you find that movie the way I found it myself! Did it affect you the way it affected me?Isn't that something?. It was really exciting and it must be more exciting to Mrs Thomson as she has experienced it herself!
What could be more exciting in one's life than making a difference in somebody else's life?. At the beginning when I was watching the movie, I had the same attitude towards Teddy as Mrs Thomson. But, as I discovered the true story of Teddy and what lays behind his indifference at the beginning, I become more sympathetic and I understood his situation very well.
What was more exciting is that the relationship between Teddy and his teacher; Mrs Thomson went beyond the classroom environment, it becomes a mother-son relationship! It was also a kind of an awareness and awakening to Mrs. Thomson as she realized that she doesn't know how to teach until she met Teddy!!. This means that learning doesn't only mean that students can learn from their teachers, but teachers can learn from their students as well.
To be a teacher like Mrs Thomson makes you a special teacher and unforgettable by your students, so think of making a difference in your students' life:-)
What could be more exciting in one's life than making a difference in somebody else's life?. At the beginning when I was watching the movie, I had the same attitude towards Teddy as Mrs Thomson. But, as I discovered the true story of Teddy and what lays behind his indifference at the beginning, I become more sympathetic and I understood his situation very well.
What was more exciting is that the relationship between Teddy and his teacher; Mrs Thomson went beyond the classroom environment, it becomes a mother-son relationship! It was also a kind of an awareness and awakening to Mrs. Thomson as she realized that she doesn't know how to teach until she met Teddy!!. This means that learning doesn't only mean that students can learn from their teachers, but teachers can learn from their students as well.
To be a teacher like Mrs Thomson makes you a special teacher and unforgettable by your students, so think of making a difference in your students' life:-)
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
WebQuests!
I am really amazed to the idea of using Webquests in teaching and to the choices that they offer!
It is a very innovative way to teach that brings students together by working in groups, discussing, analyzing, taking notes in order to come to a final decision. This for sure helps them a big deal in a deeper understanding of the topic and the main issues that they may encounter.
I really liked the idea of WebQuest, but I am still struggling to create one!
It is a very innovative way to teach that brings students together by working in groups, discussing, analyzing, taking notes in order to come to a final decision. This for sure helps them a big deal in a deeper understanding of the topic and the main issues that they may encounter.
I really liked the idea of WebQuest, but I am still struggling to create one!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Internet Safety
I find that video really amazing! It answers very important questions and gives valuable information on how to use the internet safely. It is really helpful especially for teenagers.
Using the internet can also be risky sometimes, but this video gives advice and guidelins to protect oneself from being victimized by others. This video gives some useful websites where one can find further information on how to report 'bad users' and what kind of people one should associate with or avoid. Also, it gives advice for people who maybe harrassed and what should they do about it in case that happens by listing some pretty interesting websites!
I really enjoyed watching it!
Using the internet can also be risky sometimes, but this video gives advice and guidelins to protect oneself from being victimized by others. This video gives some useful websites where one can find further information on how to report 'bad users' and what kind of people one should associate with or avoid. Also, it gives advice for people who maybe harrassed and what should they do about it in case that happens by listing some pretty interesting websites!
I really enjoyed watching it!
Monday, February 2, 2009
NETS
National Educational Technology Standards is another model of "Digital-Age" that focuses on 'using technology to learn and teach'. Its goal is to help educators to improve teaching and learning. It proved to be very helpful for both teachers and students as well!.
Teachers apply the NETS for students by assessing students and engaging them, designing, implementing new techniques to improve the learning experience. By using the NETS, teachers's goal is to 'provide positive models for students, colleagues, and the community'. In this respect, teachers play the role of a facilitator and inspirors to students so that they can learn and be creative. It is by engaging students, supporting them and guiding them through a positive use of the digital tools and resources that teachers themselves can create a positive learning environment. Also, teachers are supposed to assess students by designing and developing 'Digital-Age' learning experiences. In addition, teachers should demonstrate a certain level of technological fluency in order to facilitate the use of new technology by students. They should collaborate with their students whenever they may need their help. It is also the teachers' responsibility to engage students socially and culturally through the use of digital-age communication and collaborartion tools. Moreover, teachers should be engaged themselves in "Professional Growth and Leadership" i.e they should participate, evaluate and contribute in the effectiveness of the teaching profession not only of their school, but of the community as a whole.
Students, on the other hand should be creative and innovative by applying the acquired technical knowledge so that they can come up with new models to explore, discover more complex works and issues. They should be able to use the digital media to communicate, collaborate, contribute, develop, produce and solve problems. It is also necessary for students to lead research and be fluent in gathering data by applying digital tools. This would for sure stimulate their critical thinking and make them able to solve problems and make decisions. They also become able to understand social, cultural and human issues related to technology. In other words, by applying technological tools in most of the educational fields, students demonstrate a wider understanding of technological and systematic concepts, and this will help them use their current knowledge of technology to learn more effective tools of new technology.
Teachers apply the NETS for students by assessing students and engaging them, designing, implementing new techniques to improve the learning experience. By using the NETS, teachers's goal is to 'provide positive models for students, colleagues, and the community'. In this respect, teachers play the role of a facilitator and inspirors to students so that they can learn and be creative. It is by engaging students, supporting them and guiding them through a positive use of the digital tools and resources that teachers themselves can create a positive learning environment. Also, teachers are supposed to assess students by designing and developing 'Digital-Age' learning experiences. In addition, teachers should demonstrate a certain level of technological fluency in order to facilitate the use of new technology by students. They should collaborate with their students whenever they may need their help. It is also the teachers' responsibility to engage students socially and culturally through the use of digital-age communication and collaborartion tools. Moreover, teachers should be engaged themselves in "Professional Growth and Leadership" i.e they should participate, evaluate and contribute in the effectiveness of the teaching profession not only of their school, but of the community as a whole.
Students, on the other hand should be creative and innovative by applying the acquired technical knowledge so that they can come up with new models to explore, discover more complex works and issues. They should be able to use the digital media to communicate, collaborate, contribute, develop, produce and solve problems. It is also necessary for students to lead research and be fluent in gathering data by applying digital tools. This would for sure stimulate their critical thinking and make them able to solve problems and make decisions. They also become able to understand social, cultural and human issues related to technology. In other words, by applying technological tools in most of the educational fields, students demonstrate a wider understanding of technological and systematic concepts, and this will help them use their current knowledge of technology to learn more effective tools of new technology.
NJCCCS
NJCCCS for Tecnological Literacy is very intersting as it emphasizes the necessity of the use of technology in education. It is very clearly stated that it is a requirement for students while passing from one grade to the other to acquire a certain level of computer skills and technological literacy. In this respect, technology is very helpful in information gathering and problem solving especially at schools and in the workplace as well where computer skills are required for highly qualified candidates. In other words, students have to be computer literate.
In order to develop positive attitudes about technology, it is essential to introduce computer in the core curriculum standards. This would facilitate the learning activity for both students and instructors. By using computers and technology, students will be able to conduct research easily, solve problems and be very creative.
It is highly stated in the NJCCCS that every student has to have a certain knowledge of technology in each grade sarting from the 4th grade when students are supposed to acquire the basic computer skills and tools to conduct research, solve problems, develop, locate, organize, summarize, etc and then be ready for the following step (the end of 8th grade). By that stage, students should be able to definetly solve problems and make decisions. By the end of the 12th grade, students will be able to "build upon knowledge and skills gained in preceding grades".
In other words, students should follow a certain cycle that can take them from one stage to the other, and each stage/step prepares them for the next, which can only be very promising!
In order to develop positive attitudes about technology, it is essential to introduce computer in the core curriculum standards. This would facilitate the learning activity for both students and instructors. By using computers and technology, students will be able to conduct research easily, solve problems and be very creative.
It is highly stated in the NJCCCS that every student has to have a certain knowledge of technology in each grade sarting from the 4th grade when students are supposed to acquire the basic computer skills and tools to conduct research, solve problems, develop, locate, organize, summarize, etc and then be ready for the following step (the end of 8th grade). By that stage, students should be able to definetly solve problems and make decisions. By the end of the 12th grade, students will be able to "build upon knowledge and skills gained in preceding grades".
In other words, students should follow a certain cycle that can take them from one stage to the other, and each stage/step prepares them for the next, which can only be very promising!
Friday, January 23, 2009
Happy New Year!
Hi Everybody!
It was nice meeting you last wednesday! Look forward to working with you, I think this class is gonna be big fun. Enjoy!
Najet
It was nice meeting you last wednesday! Look forward to working with you, I think this class is gonna be big fun. Enjoy!
Najet
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