Response to Tom March's Article: I'm going to be straight-forward and blunt about his ideas about webquests when there are computer limitations. March suggests that if there is not a computer, then print out the webpages. Okay, that is not a webquest then. Like students want to go through printed papers to find information. Not nearly as exciting or engaging as actually using a computer and exploring the websites.
I do agree, however, with March that webquests do lend themselves to cooperative learning. Within each group students can have different tasks and be responsible for finding certain information, or designing solutions. Then each group can share their solutions and students can learn from one another, see different approaches, and evaluate one another's solutions.
Response to Computers as Mindtools...: The article mentioned Inspiration. While some teachers rave about this program, I believe it is an over glorified graphic organizer maker. And in my opinion, graphic organizers are vastly overrated themselves.
I'd like to learn more about the Experts System. That sounded promising. I wonder what are some examples used in classrooms today, especially in social studies classrooms.
The Systems Modeling Tool example thoroughly confused the hell out of me. All that the demonstrate the theme of The Lord of the Flies? I would never use anything like that.
The best argument the article makes is that computers should not be used to "disseminate" information. The computer should not act as a TV and give out information as students passively absorb it. The computer is a tool for students to demonstrate their skills, understanding, and present their solutions/findings.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Bio & Expectations
Biography:
My name is Mark. I just finished my 4th year of teaching social studies at the high school level. I am currently teaching at White Plains High School, which is a large comprehensive and diverse high school of 2100 students. This past year I taught Global History I and ESOL Global History II. Next September I'll be teaching 4 sections of Global History I and 1 section of US History.
This is the last class I'll be taking here at NYU. I will finally be done with my masters degree. I received my bachelors from NYU as well, so it seems as if I've been here forever.
Expectations:
I'm really looking forward to this class. I hope to learn certain technological skills and computer programs, so that I can incorporate these skills and programs into the classroom. In an age where students are bombarded with technology (i.e. iPods, Playstations, myspace accounts, et.al.), traditional methods of education just don't cut it. Technology is essential in order to stimulate, motivate, and interest students. Technology is a part of the great need to make our students active and engaged learners. I hope this class helps do a better job of creating lessons to actively engage my students in their education.
My name is Mark. I just finished my 4th year of teaching social studies at the high school level. I am currently teaching at White Plains High School, which is a large comprehensive and diverse high school of 2100 students. This past year I taught Global History I and ESOL Global History II. Next September I'll be teaching 4 sections of Global History I and 1 section of US History.
This is the last class I'll be taking here at NYU. I will finally be done with my masters degree. I received my bachelors from NYU as well, so it seems as if I've been here forever.
Expectations:
I'm really looking forward to this class. I hope to learn certain technological skills and computer programs, so that I can incorporate these skills and programs into the classroom. In an age where students are bombarded with technology (i.e. iPods, Playstations, myspace accounts, et.al.), traditional methods of education just don't cut it. Technology is essential in order to stimulate, motivate, and interest students. Technology is a part of the great need to make our students active and engaged learners. I hope this class helps do a better job of creating lessons to actively engage my students in their education.
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