Is time spent on the internet most effective for learning? Could the material be taught in another way? These are two things to consider each and every time a lesson is planned. I feel like there are definitely times when using the internet just proves to be a waste of valuable learning/teaching time. I have experienced this of my own accord in a lesson that I created for a grade 8 social studies class in PSII. I had decided to let the kids do their own research on a particular topic, and it was my first time using the internet with this particular class. I had allotted on 40 min class for research, and then one 40 minute class for group collaboration on their findings. It ended up taking 3 40 minute classes for them to do the research as they were unsure of search terms, search engines, and they were distracted by irrelevant information and sites...needless to say, this put me behind in the unit, and I then had to compensate in other areas that I had hoped to spend more time on. It would have been useful for me to inquire at their skill at using the internet, and then adapt the lesson in a different way, maybe assigning one question per student or not using the internet at all, but just their textbook. I feel like the internet can be useful, but thought needs to be given to whether or not it enhances the actual outcome that is to be learned, or if it's use is merely one way to do the lesson that may have been adequately and more quickly taught in a different manner.
I am interested to find out what the policy on cellphones in the classroom is in my PSIII placement school. In a way I am hoping that they are banned, but in another I would like to have them in the classroom as a sort of 'practice' for when I have my own classroom. If I am forced to allow them, it will force me to find appropriate ways to deal with them, and possibly incorporate them into my lessons now and then. Hopefully, I am able to refrain from smashing to many in the process! When I do have my own classroom, my choice to include cell phone use in lessons will depend on so many things; how many students have MIDs, how distracted are they by these MIDs, how old are the students, what is the material we are studying, do MIDs enhance the lesson outcomes...I have no experience in this area, and can't make these decisions until I do.
I had just recently heard of augmented reality, and it it ever neat! This is the video that I had recently watched on TedTalks. I have yet to try it, but what an amazing development! Such a great way to get extra info at the touch of a button.
I am interested to find out what the policy on cellphones in the classroom is in my PSIII placement school. In a way I am hoping that they are banned, but in another I would like to have them in the classroom as a sort of 'practice' for when I have my own classroom. If I am forced to allow them, it will force me to find appropriate ways to deal with them, and possibly incorporate them into my lessons now and then. Hopefully, I am able to refrain from smashing to many in the process! When I do have my own classroom, my choice to include cell phone use in lessons will depend on so many things; how many students have MIDs, how distracted are they by these MIDs, how old are the students, what is the material we are studying, do MIDs enhance the lesson outcomes...I have no experience in this area, and can't make these decisions until I do.
I had just recently heard of augmented reality, and it it ever neat! This is the video that I had recently watched on TedTalks. I have yet to try it, but what an amazing development! Such a great way to get extra info at the touch of a button.
SIGNIFICANT COMMENTS:
http://elykremlapfitness.weebly.com/teaching-blog/convergence-and-mobility
http://fornwald-internetandeducation.weebly.com/blog/10-cell-phones-classroom-awesome
http://elykremlapfitness.weebly.com/teaching-blog/convergence-and-mobility
http://fornwald-internetandeducation.weebly.com/blog/10-cell-phones-classroom-awesome