Dear all,
You all did a great job in Assignment 2. Congrats. For those who did not comment, they lost the grades.
For this one, I would like to start a discussion by asking you to POST TWO COMMENTS in Assignment 2 (not here):
1) Pick one original comment: read the scenario from the ISTE Wiki, and read the comment of your classmate, and REFLECT constructively on it.
2) Wait until somebody reflects on yours, and then RESPOND to him/her reflection by approving, disapproving, adding more ideas, etc.
Be creative and have fun!
Zeina
Welcome to EDUC 560 students in Beirut! This Blog will be used to share ideas and findings in this course. Please feel free to comment on any post. This blog will be our "social arena" to connect in and out of class. Keep your discussion flowing!
*will reflect on Houssam Salemeh's comment, which was: Standard: FLUENCY(Scenario A: Submitted by Kendra Grant)
ReplyDeleteThis scenario describe the usage of visual thinking methodology, Kidspiration provides a cross-curricular visual workspace for K-5 learners. Kidspiration works the way students think and learn and the way teachers teach. As students make visual connections, they build fundamental skills in reading, writing, math, science and social studies. And it is obvious from the scenario that Kidspiration offers activities in all curriculum areas, so students use visual learning naturally and confidently.
Now shift to what Houssam did. It was a great analysis for the scenario starting by defining the tool used to make the lesson easier and encourage students to discover and know better about the animals’ world. By defining the kidspiration I had a clear idea about what’s going on so he attracted me to keep on reading his reflection and explanation since had no idea about this tool.
After defining the tool Houssam continue explaining how did the teacher introduces it to her students and encourage them to apply it. He describes the teacher’s planning to prevent waste of time and achieve the objectives of using this tool in a lesson related to animals. By using books, videos and the internet, students succeeded in locating information about their animals, and expressed their creativity and develop critical thinking skills as they were working on different activities assigned by the teacher. Also Houssam describe step by step what was each student responsible of and related that to the definition and the purpose of the kidspiration tool. Also it was obvious that the class was about student-centered with a little help and guidance from the teacher to some of the students. I liked the most when he described the students achievement by those words” Their efforts finally paid off, and the student's work was printed and a class book was created”, and felt how proud he was as if he was the teacher.
I agree with Houssam that this program is a great tool to utilize in the classroom. In my opinion Houssam did a great work analyzing the scenario in a very simple way that really encourages the reader to try applying the kidspiration tool. I liked the most the smooth description of the scene and I believe that Houssam is a professional teacher who enjoys teaching.
Thank you.
Samiha Charifeh commented on my scenario after reading it thoroughly. Now i can say that the scenario i chose was paraphrased and put in clearer sentences, something that I couldn't have done it better myself. The way Samiha explained kidspiration left no confusion or misconception to anyone who reads it. If we notice her scenario , we can easily say that her ideas are organized and put in order; she smoothly shifted from one idea to another without losing track of coherence. She covered all the details found in my scenario, and she didn't forget to add her touch in paraphrasing. As i read this scenario i had a feeling that it is the first time i come across these ideas.As a reader who is really interested in new and modern technology tools, i feel really excited and interested to know about kidspiration and the positive effect it leaves on the students.This scenario showcases ways in which educators have personally used Kidspiration in their classrooms effectively.I believe that Samiha forged a new way to convey the message clearly and fully to the readers. We as teachers, have received lots of requests from our students to cover more in-depth ways to implement visual thinking and learning strategies and tools in the classroom. So, to help address this need we tried to introduce a couple of new techniques or tools to the students, and they found the idea new and appealing to their interest.We hope that we can inspire other teachers to integrate reading, writing and thinking tools such as Kispiration into lessons.But to do that we really need the assistance of the administration to fund such projects. Finally I would like to thank Samiha who really did a superb and astounding job not only in agreeing to what i have posted on Kidspiration, but for sharing with us her expertise and rich experience in this wide and unstable field called education.she showed professionalism at all levels, and i hope that her spirit for inspiring and motivating students to learn new techniques be contagious.
ReplyDeleteThank you samiha for your appreciated efforts.
I will reflect on Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making (Scenario D, submitted by: Meg Griffin)commented on by Samiha Charifeh.
ReplyDeleteCritical Thinking is about becoming a better thinker in every aspect of your life.In this scenario Samiha emphasizes on the importance of integrating technology into education, and that old and traditional methods which only rely on text books and workbooks are not sufficient to prepare the students to be critical thinkers and problem solvers. The teacher has to exert effort and do his/her best to prepare the students for a more challenging and demanding future. Critical thinking is viewed as not just an academic exercise, but a productive process enabling people to be more effective and innovative in different key areas of adult life: personal relationships, workplaces, political involvements, and many others. Samiha listed the steps that should be taken to develop these skills in class, first she noted the importance of using technology tools that aid the students to raise the level of interaction, and that the class should be student centered which means the teacher should give some time for the students to discuss and ask challenging questions, or advanced questions which affect the class positively, ameliorate the skills of the students, and create a healthy and challenging environment which plays a good indicator for class development and skill achievement.Samiha in smooth and professional way delivered the message about problem solving clearly. she left no space for confusion to say that Problem-solving is, and should be, a very real part of the curriculum, and added that it presupposes that students can take on some of the responsibility for their own learning and can take personal action to solve problems, resolve conflicts, discuss alternatives, and focus on thinking as a vital element of the curriculum. It provides students with opportunities to use their newly acquired knowledge in meaningful, real-life activities and assists them in working at higher levels of thinking as well as encouraging them to be active in class instead of being passive.
In this scenario,my colleague Samiha never failed at any point to show devotion and success in conveying the message clearly about the importance of integrating digital tools that enhance the quality of the learning process. I believe that in a professional touch she managed to shed the light on the importance of training the students to become problem solvers and critical thinkers. She cunningly stated that educators or teachers should motivate and encourage students to conduct ongoing activity in which students learn to discover what they don't know. It involves overcoming obstacles by generating hypotheses,testing those predictions, and arriving at satisfactory solutions.Finally, I would like to thank Samiha and appreciate all the efforts she exerted to draw our attention to the importance of using digital tools, and to remind us that teachers are and will always be responsible for students who aren't consumers of facts, but rather active creators of knowledge. Schools aren't just brick and mortar structures; they're centers of lifelong learning. And, most important, teaching is recognized as one of the most challenging and respected career choices, absolutely vital to the social, cultural, and economic health of any nation.
I will reflect on Mohamad's post on technology operations and concept, scenario B:
ReplyDeleteThis scenario talks about the fifth grade project where students have to best sell their products. They would track expenses using Excel, make commercials using imovie and finally make their own website to share their business. The project combines all the technology skills the students have learned. After students create their website, they will give a presentation to the class introducing their new website and how to navigate through it. Their peers will then provide ways to improve their presentations.
Mohamad started introducing the project by listing the tools required in it(Microsoft Excel, Print shop). After that, he described its advantage which is that it will develop students’ critical thinking skills in some areas of business.
As a mathematician, Mohamad’s main concern is for students to broaden their horizons in financial Mathematics. That’s why; he modified this scenario by saying that we can put discounts on some items using spreadsheets and implement the math formulas that will help the students to calculate the new price of an item after the discount. He also described how this will help students get prepared for the work-force in the future by applying their Microsoft Excel knowledge effectively.
I think he did an excellent job in describing and modifying the scenario. He also analyzed it in a clear and smooth way. I believe that it's a very interesting and beneficial project that will develop the students’ problem solving and higher level thinking skills.
I agree with Mohamad because I think it’s not enough for students to track their expenses and focus on the design of the website. Calculating the profits and discounts using Excel will gain their attention and increase their motivation and positive attitude towards this project.
Thank you!
Faya Kolo commented on my scenario, and I was happy because she had supported my point of view about using math formulas in the project to develop student's critical thinking on financial math. Actually, Faya made my opinion about this scenario more clear and fruitful.I think she did an excellent reflection on what I have said because she messaged what I want to propose in a better way than mine.
DeleteThank you Faya for making my suggestion possible.
Critical thinking is highly valued but difficult to teach effectively. I always believed that technology has high potential to enhance the critical thinking of students and facilitate them to adopt more empowered and autonomous learning behaviors. In the scenario I reflected on it was obvious that the teacher used the technology in general as a tool to develop critical thinking and problem solving from the beginning to the session till the end.
ReplyDeleteIt is clear that my colleague Houssam’s comment was complementary and supportive to my reflection about the scenario. Houssam confirmed that, by using technology in classroom students are able to go beyond given facts and are able to test those facts along with their own assumptions (the temperature sensors). By doing this, students are able to apply their findings to a real-world scenario that is something students would be interested in.
I liked that Houssam focused on the importance of technology in developing 2 major skills that are really not easy to teach and need a hard work and encouragement from educators on all levels. Critical thinking and technology, as they pertain to teaching and learning, can be considered an open-minded process of discovery and understanding, analysis and application, synthesis and evaluation, and this was very clear in the application of the experience in the scenario, since that, with the emergence of the technology in the classroom, teachers are finding innovative ways to promote student learning for different skills on all levels.
Also Houssam concluded that the creative student highly developed critical thinking skills and is able to formulate relevant questions. Unfortunately, many high school teachers fail to promote this type of thinking. Students sit quietly in desks, rarely engaged, while the teacher lectures about subjects with high expectation that the students has understand all issues explained in classroom. I was impressed in the way Houssam analysis my reflection on the scenario, by mentioning every point especially the experience done in class and its purpose and the achievement of its objective which is the critical thinking and problem solving skills teaching.
Finally I agree with Houssam and believe that real progress for the development of lifelong learning can be achieved through more flexible forms of educational methods. Using technology to train students empowering their critical thinking and problem solving skills is something very important and beneficial on all levels. I really thank houssam for his comment and appreciate his precious words as a teacher and as a lifelong learner and as a colleague whom will always benefits from his unique experience in teaching English language in a professional way.
I will reflect on faya's post on Technology operations and concepts (scenario D):
ReplyDeleteFaya introduced this project in a very successful and simple way. I liked when she added the power point presentation to the excel one. Moreover, Faya encouraged the way students were drawing charts on microsoft excel. Obviously,students will have more necessary information about very important backgrounds in statistics,and this issue will facilitate the process of going through any statistical project or study. She also added grades to students to motivate them and to emphasize on creativity.
Mohamad reflected on my post constructively. That’s because he showed the importance of creativity and positive reinforcement in the classroom. This is a part of my own teaching strategy because I always motivate my students with rewards such as extra grades.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate your direct and clear words Mohamad.
Thank you!
My reflection would be on Serene Sabagh's assignment. (Standard: Communication and Collaboration( Scenario D submitted by Tamera Terndrup).
ReplyDeleteI chose her scenario because it is related to learning new languages and because i my self come from a foreign country. As a start, i will focus on what Tamera Terndrup explained which is the focus on the Spanish grammar and spelling. She allows the students to create their own membership in a united blog which should be used when there is an assignment in Spanish or something they would like to share by using the target language. The good thing about it is that she does not post any comment until she checks it and accepts it. In this way, students are more motivated in writing because they will be feeling more comfortable when an assignment is mistake-free.
As for Serene's comment, she related Tamera's idea to new ideas. She explained that she would use the target language in a way where all students work together. So, intead of working individually, she would allow them to work group work. However, the group work is not the face-face interaction but the use of a program where students can interact through the use of smart boards. I like this idea because it is a new techniques yet a fun way to allow students accept their own judgments and ideas.
The good thing about Serene's idea is creating her own way of using this concept.
Well done Serene!
Assignment no 3:
ReplyDeletestandard: critical thinking , problem solving and decision making. by : Suha Zeindeen
problem solving and decision making are very important to be included in so many lessons. that example that Suha explained was how students are able to use a technological tool which is the electronic temperature sensor and experiment.
i can say that according to the experiment shown , inserting a technological tool to let students experiment will let them feel so excited and cooperative and also made them discuss, analyse and come up with their own conclusion after cooperating with their peers.
After Suha's explanation, i was able to have an eye how technology affects students positively . Going outside the classroom is also a very important idea were students are able to explore and experience more