This past summer, I have gone to some great training sessions on SMART Boards and on Scholastic's Read 180 program, which our school will have this year. The SMART Board is an object based technology and can be used to create and/or improve any lesson at any grade level. I was able to create a lesson on the new MLA citation changes and hope to use this lesson in the coming year. I now want to integrate some SMART Board features into my library orientation. The visual and interactive components of the SMART Board technology should make it very attractive to our students.
The Read 180 training impressed me with the ability of the technology to zero in on the real needs and/or deficiencies of students in their reading abilities. There is no way that a teacher can give each student such individual attention. This is especially important now, with class sizes increasing. In addition, the visual and interactive aspects of the program will appeal to struggling students. Their attention will be kept and they can work on their weaknesses in private. This might even improve their behavior, as this reader will no longer have to act out or speak out to compensate for his/her inability to read well. Wouldn't that be great???
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Week 3, #6
Flickr Fun - I have looked at the various Flickr sites, toys, and other possible applications using Flickr and have thought about student projects that could utilize these tools. For example, an entire travel unit could be created using the mappr application in a history, geography, and/or ESL class. Students could map out a trade route, an exploration route, or a vacation route for themselves, and create a travel diary or journal to go along with the visuals.
The Montagr application also has much potential for student projects. Instead of the conventional book report, students could use this tool to create a book cover which could be used for a book talk for their classes. In addition, the Montagr application can be used by the student(s) acting as illustrator in Literature Circles.
The only drawback I see in using the above applications is the amount of time it would take to train myself, the classroom teachers, and the students to use them. However, many students might already be familiar with these tools.
The Montagr application also has much potential for student projects. Instead of the conventional book report, students could use this tool to create a book cover which could be used for a book talk for their classes. In addition, the Montagr application can be used by the student(s) acting as illustrator in Literature Circles.
The only drawback I see in using the above applications is the amount of time it would take to train myself, the classroom teachers, and the students to use them. However, many students might already be familiar with these tools.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
