tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23794490497418491142024-02-20T03:35:03.178-08:00Digital Media in the ClassroomA Bernsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14390452830548056344noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2379449049741849114.post-50620624987474484982012-06-14T12:51:00.001-07:002012-06-19T06:28:40.164-07:00Virtual Field Trip To DC<style>
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</style><span style="font-size: small;">Enjoy my <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/ntcmygx3riq4nbd/EDIM%20508%20VFT%20from%20John%20Beck%20to%20Washington%20DC.kmz" target="_blank">Virtual Fieldtrip</a> to our Nation's
Capitol. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> Our 6th grade Social Studies curriculum focuses
on World Cultures. Here we learn about the 5 Themes of Geography that can be
used to describe any place that we study, and in general, our studies help us
to understand and respect others around the world. To put student learning into
practice we visit our Nation's Capital, Washington D.C., each year. Students
are able to take their knowledge from the classroom and apply it to their own
culture and society. The importance of our Nation's Capital is stressed,
and students can see first-hand the countless opportunities we have to explore
in our own country. Our goal as educators is for students to challenge
themselves to explore areas that they may not typically be interested in, with
an outcome of respect for the discipline. I am going to use my virtual field
trip as an introductory lesson to what our Nation's Capital has to offer,
before we are able to visit Washington D.C.<br />
<br />
Throughout the year in World Cultures, and especially during this trip, students
develop their respectful and ethical minds. Our actual trip occurs at the end
of the year, where students have the knowledge to build and understand what is
offered at the National Mall, such as museums and monuments. Teachers assign
student groups with a maximum of 5 students and 1 chaperone, the Mall boundaries,
and time frame. Students plan their entire trip with their group from day one, using
their respectful minds as well as their synthesizing minds to sift through the
countless things that DC has to offer. The students develop their
respectful and ethical minds by collaborating and comprising on where to go and
when. Students respect and value all group members’ thoughts and
interests throughout the planning process in efforts to to provide a fun
learning experience for all! They are encouraged to challenge and
lengthen their comfort zones, to develop respect for all disciplines.<br />
<br />
An overall life lesson on respect is developed during this experience.
This is mainly the respect for what our country has to offer, the freedom we
share, and the men and women who made it all happen. Students apply their
respect directly to their behavior in public, at monuments, and within the
museums. Their ethical and respectful behavior is developed throughout
our study on world cultures, and our focus on respect for all disciplines in
school. By the end of the trip, students are amazed at what their group
was able to plan and accomplish together, all while leaving them with numerous
life lessons and a new found knowledge of what our great country has to offer.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">God Bless America!</span><br />
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<br /></div>A Bernsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14390452830548056344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2379449049741849114.post-1464193075963203082012-06-13T11:16:00.000-07:002012-06-14T13:51:03.442-07:00Video Blog on the 5 Minds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwE_8z7SIoQw6TlAZ3XO9xIcZ6knVWsY83aF4wPRjwsWxGLEsPthnseAhWb2twj3EvZYhYFlTbFgwnCIh4C7Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
Here is my video on the 5 Minds and how I incorporate them into my classroom on a daily basis...enjoy!A Bernsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14390452830548056344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2379449049741849114.post-26274327827953907072012-06-11T14:37:00.001-07:002012-06-11T14:37:09.644-07:00Respectful and Ethical Minds<style>
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<br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As Julene Reed stated, our students are
engulfed in a global communication world. They are constantly using digital
media and a variety of technology tools to collaborate and share things with
each other. Many of my students use email daily, Skype with family members in
other areas, and blog on their own. In today’s world, collaboration
amongst peers and staff is a must. Professionals no longer work alone, but
instead, with each other in efforts to make the outcome even better. Ideas,
emotions, and actual pieces are shared amongst people who are all striving
towards a common goal. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Our students are the same way. They
thrive by learning in a collaborative fashion and perform better in a digital
project-based way (Reed.) The statement that impacted me the most, and
the one that I applied to teaching, is the fact that we’re preparing students
for jobs that don’t even exist today; therefore, it’s impossible to teach them
everything they will need to know. We can’t answer them if they ask what their job will look like, or
how they will do it. All we can do is help them learn to problem solve,
think on their own, collaborate with others, and use media and technology to
their advantage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Reed’s article reminded me of the video, "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljbI-363A2Q" target="_blank">Did You Know</a>," that
we show each year as part of technology curriculum. We share this video with
our students and then have a class discussion. I share that we as their
teachers, strive to teach them things that will help them in their futures
because we want to see them succeed. Most importantly, I remind them that
they all have the ability to make this happen if they put forth the effort, and how this process needs to
begin now, if it hasn't already. They were amazed by the statistics shown
in the video and seemed to be very motivated to continue into their futures. Many of them also seemed a little scared.<br />
<br />
Modeling a variety of digital media tools in the classroom allows students to
be both respectful and ethical. Students need to see the tools being used in
the classroom to help learn the content, and then they need to be willing and
able to “play” with the tool to enhance their learning. This will usually
include some type of collaboration, and he or she will model their
understanding through various projects, blogs, videos, etc. I believe students
need a positive role model in the classroom who not only has a positive view on
technology, but also infuses his or her lessons with various aspects of digital
media. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Overall, technology is not the "cure
all." Yes, it will certainly help students reach their potential<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>respectful and ethical minds, but technology
itself is not the key. Collaborative technology and project-based
group work is what will drive their learning and create well-rounded,
respectful, and ethical students for the future!</span></div>A Bernsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14390452830548056344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2379449049741849114.post-26733822065550931712012-06-07T17:04:00.002-07:002012-06-07T18:00:14.548-07:00Glogster Creation<style>
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<br />
Being introduced to Glogster has made me a very excited teacher! I'm already
planning ways to incorporate this tool into my Language Arts classroom. This
tech tool allows students to develop their creative mind in the way that works
best for them. The organization and creativity of Glogster goes beyond the
realm of hands-on project based assessments and allows students to expand their
digital minds!<br />
<br />
Here is the link to my <a href="http://www.glogster.com/abutler31/-the-last-great-race-on-earth-/g-6lgc2p8o8kfteqc9l67t0a0" target="_blank">Glogster</a>.
I'd love to use this when teaching the Iditarod by having them research using
my Glog as well as following up with the writing prompt. I would also love for
each of my students to create their own Glog on their chosen musher. I usually
have them do a written report on the Iditarod, but I feel that this would be
the perfect replacement project. I have already spoken with my tech coordinator
who is on board and ready to help me organize student accounts for next year.
We have the ability to use our purchase money to buy licenses for our students
using Glogster.edu, but I feel that I could use regular Glogster since it's
free and our district no longer has it blocked. The possibilities and
creativity are endless when using Glogster!<br />
<br />
The use of Glogster totally supports Gardner’s idea of creativity. There are
many parallels between the creative and synthesizing mind, and Glogster helps to
enhance both mindsets. Gardner mentions that the synthesizer’s goal is to place
what has already been established in as useful and illuminating forms as
possible; meanwhile, the creator’s goal is to extend the already acquired
knowledge (Gardner, 2008). It’s always a challenge for teachers to push students
to synthesize the information at hand and then use their creativity to create a
project displaying their knowledge, but Glogster allows students to bridge
these two mindsets and create various connections. The use of Glogster appeals
to various intelligences and learners, especially those that learn best
visually, not to mention the fact that Glogster can incorporate many things
into one. Gardner mentions that those hooked on creative activity will use
computers as intellectual prosthetics by manipulating variables and large
amounts of information that could not be done prior to the computer age
(Gardner, 2008). Based on the learners that we face in our rooms each day, whom
are all growing up in such a digital world, tools like Glogster will appeal to
them. They will be able to find their inner creativity, embrace it, and come up
with a spectacular result that not only shows their understanding of the
content, but in a sense, helps define who they are as a student.<br />
<br />
<span class="s1"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gardner,
Howard. (2008). <i>Five minds for the future.</i> Boston: Harvard Business
School Press.</span></span><br />A Bernsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14390452830548056344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2379449049741849114.post-8275400454764978112012-06-06T12:35:00.001-07:002012-06-06T12:36:50.280-07:00Creativity- What kids really think...I spoke with four of my 6th grade students about their thoughts on creativity. All of them are in my Language Arts class and have experienced working with digital media and a variety of tech programs over the years. All of the students that I spoke to come from supportive families, both parents are educated to some degree, all participate in extra curricular activities, and all of the students are in the high LA and Math groups. <span style="color: magenta;">Katie</span>, <span style="color: blue;">Jason</span>,<span style="background-color: white; color: lime;"> Lexie</span>, and <span style="color: orange;">Lauryn</span> were all very excited to help me for my class and were thrilled about the topic of discussion. <br />
<br />
What is the role of creativity in the classroom?<br />
<span style="color: magenta;">*Creativity to me is important because without it, kids would not be able to think outside the box. Some kids only have black and white answers, but life is about creativity.</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="color: blue;">*Creativity in a student's work shows their personality and love for doing something above and beyond the norm.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: lime;">*Creativity helps kids express themselves in the classroom by writing, projects, and doing any word with the freedom and expression that comes to them. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: lime;"><span style="color: orange;">*Creativity is important because it allows people to express themselves in the classroom and in life.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: lime;"><span style="color: orange;"> </span> </span> </span> </span> <br />
How does creativity play a role in your education? What have you done that allows for creativity?<br />
<span style="color: magenta;">*We use creativity for our education to learn things in various ways. It helps us learn better because it's usually hands on and gives us the freedom to choose. We have used TikaTok, book in a bag, book mobiles, and Imovie to name a few.</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="color: blue;">*It plays a role by letting students express what they want. It can be love, happiness, or sadness. We have done many things in the classroom like TikaTok, Imovie, Blabberize, and Podcasts.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: lime;">*Creativity helps me have fun while doing school work or projects. I can think outside the box and be free on what I want to do while still completing the task at hand. We have used various computer tools in class.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: lime;"><span style="color: orange;">*Creativity is huge in the classroom. It gives us the freedom to be us. We have used a lot of fun projects in the classroom like TikaTok, book in a bag, book mobiles, and fractured Fairy Tales.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: lime;"><span style="color: orange;"> </span> </span></span></span> <br />
<br />
What do you value currently in your education?<br />
<span style="color: magenta;">*I really like having Smart Boards and at least some computers. I also value having a freedom of choice when it comes to projects that we complete.</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="color: blue;">*I really value the freedom our teachers give us on projects. I also value the technology they let us use.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: lime;">*I value the use of the Smart Boards during lessons and the lap tops during certain activities. I enjoy using them because they help me learn.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: lime;"><span style="color: orange;">*I value the Smart Boards and technology that is offered to us. I hope it continues to increase!</span> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: lime;"> </span> </span> </span> <br />
<br />
What would you change about your learning environment when it comes to digital media and technology supporting creativity?<br />
<span style="color: magenta;">*I would like to change the amount of computers that we have. I am thankful we have them but when you have 30 kids in a class, 15 computers aren't enough. I would love to have a 1:1 ratio, and instead of having only paper back books, I'd love to be able to have Kindles. I'm glad Warwick is using BYOD though.</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="color: blue;">*I would like to change where we learn. I don't like being in my seat all the time, I wish we could go outdoors. I also think we should have more technology so more kids can work on them at the same time!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: lime;">*I think we should have more computer classes and more lap tops per grade level. We could use them for various tools and we could even type up all our papers in writing.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: lime;"><span style="color: orange;">*I would love for everyone to be able to have their own computer, more time to go outside for some activities, and classes to include more activities like blogging and creating online projects since that is what our life is made of outside of school.</span> </span> </span> </span><br />
<br />
<br />
After talking to my students, not only does creativity help to enhance variety in the classroom, but I feel as though it allows students to show who they really are. In a sense, it gives them ownership for their learning and puts them in a place to expand and challenge themselves. I always try to foster a community of learners in my classroom and encourage them to take chances and rise to the occasion. I always tell them that it's okay to follow the guidelines, but would love them to kick it up a notch and show me who they really are! Technology and digital media do just that! <br />
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<br />A Bernsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14390452830548056344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2379449049741849114.post-68361552799177462852012-05-30T17:00:00.000-07:002012-05-30T17:00:10.784-07:00Creativity in the Classroom: Is it lost?<style>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG9CE55wbtY" target="_blank">Sir Ken Robinson</a> had an incredible impact on me, my views of
the classroom, as well as my views on my students’ habits and actions. I
totally agreed with him that we are teaching towards a group of children who
are afraid to take risks, challenges, and be wrong. It’s not because they want
to be that way, but it’s because our society and educational system has shaped
them to be that way. </div>
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Robinson mentioned that every school in the world has a hierarchy
that includes Math and Language at the top, and the arts at the bottom. Much of
the bottom also includes creativity, and it’s becoming lost within our society.
Because there is little time spent on creativity, we are teaching our children
to operate and push towards the next level of simply getting an education or
diploma, instead of pursuing challenges and ideas. Without students’ curiosity
and ability to think on their own, it’s unsure what the future will hold. Education
systems are so fixated on Math, literacy, and test scores that we are
forgetting that everything we have today came from an idea in someone’s mind. Someone
who was using his or her creativity.
I agree with Robinson that creativity is just as important at literacy,
but unfortunately the way society and school systems are run, it doesn’t necessarily allow
teachers to help encourage their students creativity in the classroom. Things
need to change and I feel digital media can, and will, help this problem.</div>
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I believe the use of digital media will help bring creativity back to life in
schools, and will help to keep it alive. To help encourage creativity in
my classroom, I try to create as many connections for the students as possible.
For example, if we are studying a particular concept in Math, I try to have a
conversation about what professions may use that skill. It helps to show
students that even though we’re learning something from the text, it’s
applicable in their lives. To enhance creativity I also use short video clips
from Discovery Education, Teacher Tube, and Brain Pop to activate students’ knowledge
and get them motivated to learn! I try to include as many media based
projects as possible such as IMovie, Kidblog, Blabberize, TikaTok, and Pod
Casts. I am excited to attempt the use of Glogster, Prezi, and Edmodo within my
classroom next year as well. We are fortunate to have mobile carts in
each grade level that allow us to create interesting projects and assignments for
our students that will allow them to share their creativity with others.
Despite all that technology can offer creativity, I believe it’s crucial for
teachers to let students know from day one that it’s okay to be wrong. I know I
personally stress to my students that we are a community of learners who are
going to support, respect, and challenge each other throughout the year. I let
them know what I too am a lifelong learner and I will make mistakes and be
wrong, but I’m okay with that. I want my students to feel safe when exploring
technology and their creativity because I feel that is the only way they will
truly be able to express it.</div>
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<br /></div>A Bernsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14390452830548056344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2379449049741849114.post-46148470321859314772012-05-25T06:08:00.002-07:002012-05-25T06:15:21.376-07:00PreziHere is the link to my <a href="http://prezi.com/g9n6mvbcj0kj/literary-devices/" target="_blank">Prezi</a>...enjoy!<br />
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Prior to this assignment, I had never been exposed to Prezi.
At first I found that Prezi was tough to navigate with all of the movement that
could be done on the screen, but once you created your first few slides, it
became much easier. I’m sure there is still a lot for me to learn, but I look
forward to it!</div>
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Upon seeing examples and attending the webinars, I termed
Prezi “Power Point on Steroids.” I loved the way it interactively lends itself
to various topics and sources of information. A media infused presentation like
Prezi can do many things for the students in your classroom because it not only
includes words, but also videos, audio, and movement between slides. It is a
source of media that will appeal to many students’ learning styles and motivate
them to become actively engaged in their learning. When using Prezi with
various topics in the classroom, students can make sense of the topic in whatever
way they synthesize best, giving them choice in their learning, and allowing
them to take responsibility of their own learning. I’m excited to see the creativity
that this could include when students are creating their own presentations.</div>
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I decided to create my project on the Literary Devices that
I teach because it is definitely a lesson of mine that needed a little spice. I
feel that the students will really enjoy the movement that Prezi includes, as
well as the videos that I included. I feel that it will appeal to many types of
learners and synthesizers in my room because it is bright, includes music, and
is an overall summary (narrative) that is broken down into parts (taxonomy)
throughout. I also included a “Ticket Out the Door” at the end of my presentation
as a way for the students to think about what they learned, make connections,
and ultimately synthesize.</div>
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Digital Media presentations like Prezi allow you to start
from scratch, or create a project from an outline. Students, I feel, would
enjoy the freedom of the fonts, colors, sizes, movement, and ability to imbed
many other files, audio, images, and videos. Synthesis is apparent, due to interdisciplinary work by
various means of digital media. I can’t wait to show this type of media to my
students next year and allow them to try this instead of, or in addition to, Power
Point.</div>A Bernsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14390452830548056344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2379449049741849114.post-28904652184173294002012-05-22T14:18:00.003-07:002012-05-22T14:18:56.805-07:00Synthesizing<style>
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The synthesizing mind is a powerful thing in which we all
need to survive. Gardener states that individuals without synthesizing
capabilities will be overwhelmed by information and unable to make judicious
decisions about professional and personal matters (Gardner, 2008).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Synthesizing is not something that we
can just teach to our students. We must change our methods of teaching to
incorporate the vast amount of information that is available to them. We must
also model it, and allow them to create their own synthesizing mind. By doing
so, they are not only able to use this part of their mind at school, but also
in their personal lives. In a sense it’s taking the information around them,
whatever that may be, understanding it, and making decisions based on what they
know and understand in various circumstances. It is helping them to be creative
thinkers, problem solvers, and worthwhile citizens.</div>
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To show synthesis, we often have some type of evaluation
built into our lesson. With the various learners that we are now encountering
in our classrooms, especially those who are using 21<sup>st</sup> Century
Skills, it is crucial that we include other methods of evaluating synthesis,
such as a web tool or computer program. Synthesizing not only helps the
students learn the concept at hand, but also remember it since they are
actually applying their knowledge. </div>
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Within my classroom, I always try to incorporate as much
technology as possible to demonstrate synthesis in a variety of ways. One of
the activities that I have my students create is a plot chart, and character
webs using <a href="http://www.inspiration.com/" target="_blank">Inspiration</a> (our district has purchased a license therefore each
student has access to it). </div>
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To begin, I show them the rap on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8h4AuIWSq2Q" target="_blank">You Tube</a> about plot using
the lyrics from the song, “Airplanes.” They seem to love this video because it
is a song they are familiar with and they actually begin singing with it during
the video. It really helps my musical learners. We then define and discuss what
each part of plot is, and where we would find it in a story. I then use the
children’s book, <a href="http://www.janbrett.com/bookstores/mitten_book.htm" target="_blank">“The Mitten”</a> because it has a variety of rising action, a
climax, and then a solution. Together, with volunteers coming up to the Smart
Board, we record the plot of “The Mitten.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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I then have my students choose one of the stories from their
anthologies that we have read in class, and fill out a plot chart that I have
provided for them. Usually we are working on various novels within our guided
reading groups at this time, and one of their ongoing assignments is to create some kind of plot chart throughout the book, as well as create character webs for the
characters they encounter. They may do this assignment in any way they want using Inspiration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have them create both of these
diagrams using Inspiration because they can save the document each time and it
can be an ongoing thing. This assignment helps their synthesizing mind using
the narrative category because it allows them to break down and better
comprehend the story itself, it helps to develop their understanding of plot
throughout a story, and it helps them pick out and explain character
development.</div>
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Now that I’m aware of the eight categories that Gardner
refers to, I am more aware of the different synthesizing methods that each of
them may possess. The use of the various digital resources listed above would not
only help the synthesis of plot, but it would also allow the students to
manipulate and create their own diagrams using Inspiration. </div>A Bernsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14390452830548056344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2379449049741849114.post-26097762989576868762012-05-14T18:35:00.001-07:002012-05-14T18:35:28.622-07:00Gandhi- Lesson Using Discovery Ed and other Digital Media<style>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Students will
be able to apply their knowledge of Gandhi from the previous lessons to know
and understand why he was such a strong advocate for nonviolence. By
using digital media, as well as interactive quizzes (Brain Pop), and Google
Docs, all learning styles will present themselves in the lesson, and provide
students with the opportunity to master the content. Engagement
techniques will be used throughout the lesson to make sure students are being
active learners. The final product, and assessment, of the lesson allows
students to apply their knowledge of Gandhi in an active way, all while
providing choice for the students involved.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Essential Question</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;">: Who is Gandhi and what did he do during his lifetime to live
nonviolently.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
<b>Introduction (hook)</b>: Watch a brief
video, and together, create a list on the Smart Board of some of the things
that Gandhi did for the people of India and nonviolent activists around the
world. Students will participate in the interactive quiz at the end of the
video to ensure they were actively engaged.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/famoushistoricalfigures/mahatmagandhi/" target="_blank">BrainPop-Gandhi</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Vocabulary:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;">
Students will take part in creating a vocabulary map using Kid Pix, focusing on
the Social Studies words used in Chapter 21 (India and Its Neighbors). Students
will later use <a href="http://www.quizlet.com/" target="_blank">Quizlet</a> to create
flashcards of these same vocabulary words to help them study.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
<b>Guided Media Practice</b>: Students will
choose from various means of technology to learn more information about India
and Gandhi</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/KidsInfoBits?vrsn=127&locID=liti45163&sgcmd=MAIN&srchtp=basic&failover=32&c=1&sub=%22Gandhi%2C+Mahatma%22&ste=34&tbst=tbasic&tab=2&txb=Gandhi%2C+Mahatma&bConts=34" target="_blank">Kid'sInfo Bits- Gandhi</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.worldbookonline.com/student/article?id=ar216380&st=gandhi" target="_blank">Gandhi-World Book</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://online.culturegrams.com/kids/kids_country.php?contid=3&wmn=Asia&cid=58&cn=India" target="_blank">CultureGrams- India</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Independent Assessment Project</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;">:<br />
After watching the <a href="http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=4E73C97F-E9E2-4CF5-91EF-A953554A3D56&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US" target="_blank">DiscoveryEducation</a> video on Gandhi, and based on the information that you found,
contribute to the class <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/14kK_91I7Y32roYFh4cul6szjiAprzGdYXITLMb_6q3A/edit" target="_blank">GoogleDoc</a> to display your understanding and application of this noble man,
Gandhi. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Group Project:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> You will also use this <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/14kK_91I7Y32roYFh4cul6szjiAprzGdYXITLMb_6q3A/edit" target="_blank">GoogleDoc</a> to help you create a newscast explaining Gandhi’s legacy. You will
complete this project using various digital images and video, and you will
compile your newscast using IMovie, <a href="http://www.prezi.com/" target="_blank">Prezi</a>, or Garage Band.<br />
<br />
<b>Enrichment</b>:<br />
Create a <a href="http://www.blabberize.com/" target="_blank">Blabberize</a>, acting as if you
were Gandhi, explaining who he was and what he did during his lifetime on
behalf of the people of India and nonviolent activists around the world.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">*By involving
various forms of technology and digital media, almost all of the multiple
intelligences are covered in some way. Based on the activities mentioned above,
the teacher is able to meet the needs and interests of all students within the
classroom, which helps to cater to the “whole child”. Students will be actively
engaged in their learning by completing various projects, but they will also be
using various forms of technology first hand. Hopefully they will see the
purpose in doing the projects as well. This lesson would also allow the
students to choose what technology tool to use, as well deciding what lessons
they want to contribute to on the class Google Doc. By giving the students
choice, and including a variety of technology tools and digital media, students
become in charge of their own learning; Which in turn, will increase their
motivation to learn and succeed.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">*Some of the links used in this lesson are generously provided by our School District and requires students to be logged in to the Student Portal. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>A Bernsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14390452830548056344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2379449049741849114.post-80388595382949684102012-05-08T16:13:00.000-07:002012-05-08T16:16:18.982-07:00728 Challenge<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I’m Allison Butler and this
is my fifth year teaching 6th Grade at John Beck Elementary in Lititz, PA. I’m taking
EDIM classes to find better ways to actively engage my students using
technology.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Teachers should focus on the
whole child by embracing the various intelligences, interests, and experiences
that our students bring to our classrooms. Technology does this by providing a
variety of activities and communication methods in the classroom, and it gives
students the freedom to explore and choose. Challenges with technology include
lack of time, equipment, and troubleshooting. We need to adjust our teaching
methods to meet the new age of learners that we face each day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">In my room students use
computers to research, blog, complete online activities, use Google Docs, create
podcasts, online books, and digital stories, as well as “Write Around the Room.”
Students have more opportunities in the classroom today because of technology.
They have more choices, hands-on experiences, and challenges in this digital
world. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">*This was VERY tough for me. I had to cut back a lot of things that I wanted to say, and I'm not sure I met my goal of 728:( </span></div>A Bernsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14390452830548056344noreply@blogger.com1