Game #1: Pattern Memory (http://www.knowledgeadventure.com/games/pattern-memory.aspx)
1. This site was created by the company, Knowledge Adventure.
2. The purpose of this website is to provide entertaining, educational games for elementary level students.
3. Games are easy to find, they are listed in alphabetical order. There are several fun graphics and pictures used for the layout of this website.
4. This game can be fun for students, and a challenge at the same time. It gives them the opportunity to compete with themselves.
5.
6. This site was fairly easy to find. I searched "Educational Online Games." And it was one of Google's first hits.
7. Other than the "start" or "instructions" option, this game would be suitable for students in any language.
8. This is a pretty straight-forward simple game to promote thinking and quick response, such as a timed test. I don't believe this game would be appropriate to differentiate instruction.
Game #2: Math Man http://www.coolmath-games.com/0-math-man/index.html
1. This site is called "Cool Math Games."
2. This site is designed to provide young math students of all ability levels with fun, engaging activities to help them improve in math.
3. Games are easy to find. They are organized very well. Categories include Numbers, Shapes/Colors, Logic, Memory, Jigsaw Puzzles, etc.
4. I believe this game will be very enjoyable for students. It is based on the classic game PacMan. It involves the Pac Man eating a "?" which gives them a math problem. They have to 'eat' the correct answer, while avoiding the ghosts.
5.
6. This site was easy to find. I searched for "Educational Math Games" on Google, and found Cool Math Games very quickly.
7. This website really does not provide much about an ELL component. I searched on the site map, and the "FAQ for Parents" section, and there doesn't seem to be any adaptation for other languages on this site.
8. This is a great site to differentiate instruction. There are many different categories and difficulty levels of these math games. In addition, some games contain an option to choose your difficulty level. So some students at higher levels can challenge themselves, and likewise with students at lower levels.
Game #3: Math Baseball http://www.funbrain.com/math/
1. This site is called "Fun Brain."
2. This site is designed to provide games to elementary students that allow them to think and have fun at the same time.
3. Games are easy to find. They are separated by school subject, such as Math, Science, Reading, etc.
4. I believe this game will be very enjoyable for students, as it allows them to choose which operation (Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, or Division) they will be working with, in a baseball game setting.
5.
6. This site was simple to find. I wanted to find a game that involved sports, so I searched "Math Baseball Game" and this was one of the first choices on Google.
7. Once again, not too much about an ELL component. The site provides information to parents, such as safety and educational value, but there is really no emphasis or anything that stands out about other languages being included.
8. This game is a prime example of a game to differentiate instruction. Before starting, students are given the option of one of the four operations and a difficulty level, which includes "Easy, Medium, Hard, and Super Brain." They are also given the "Yes or No" option of including an Algebra component.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Monday, November 19, 2012
Reviewing Data
I believe the most effective way to review data and use it as a teaching tool, is to analyze areas of struggle for students. If a certain percentage of students are answering a question incorrectly, teachers can possibly revisit that type of question and attempt to find out why students felt that that was the correct answer. Analyzing data can be effective for reviewing for a test, because if 99% of the class answers a question correctly, a teacher can take that as a hint that maybe they don't need to spend quite as much time reviewing that concept. Instead, they can spend time on the concepts that students need more clarification on.
As a teacher, I feel I can use the data to help create appropriate assessments for my students. If a certain percentage of students, either how or low, answers a question correctly, maybe that is a sign that the question was inappropriate. I feel the best use of data for me as a teacher, is to use it as way to reflect on my own teaching and use it to help my students understand the topic and have success with it.
As a teacher, I feel I can use the data to help create appropriate assessments for my students. If a certain percentage of students, either how or low, answers a question correctly, maybe that is a sign that the question was inappropriate. I feel the best use of data for me as a teacher, is to use it as way to reflect on my own teaching and use it to help my students understand the topic and have success with it.
Wallwisher
I feel the Wallwisher program has many strengths, as it is a free program available to any student with internet access. It is great for quick, group discussions, as students can post their feelings and have them appear almost instantly. They not only can see what they post, but what their group members post as well, and therefore gain a better understanding about a topic. Another strength is that it is simple to use and the design is easy to follow and read.
I believe there are some weaknesses to Wallwisher. The biggest issue I see with it is teachers misusing it. For instance, I feel the best use is for quick, group discussion, allowing students to bounce ideas off of one another, and possibly prepare for a large group discussion. I think it can become a weakness when teachers try to use this program for an in-depth discussion with lots of detail. Its best use is for big ideas. Another weakness is that sometimes students need to refresh the page manually to get the latest posts from themselves and classmates. As a result, there may be duplications.
I would use this in my classroom to review a chapter in a textbook. Regardless of the subject, students would work in groups to tackle the main points of the chapter. In the event that there are several different groups of students, each group could be assigned a major topic of the chapter and discuss it. They could use the material from their discussion to teach the rest of the class about that particular big idea.
I believe there are some weaknesses to Wallwisher. The biggest issue I see with it is teachers misusing it. For instance, I feel the best use is for quick, group discussion, allowing students to bounce ideas off of one another, and possibly prepare for a large group discussion. I think it can become a weakness when teachers try to use this program for an in-depth discussion with lots of detail. Its best use is for big ideas. Another weakness is that sometimes students need to refresh the page manually to get the latest posts from themselves and classmates. As a result, there may be duplications.
I would use this in my classroom to review a chapter in a textbook. Regardless of the subject, students would work in groups to tackle the main points of the chapter. In the event that there are several different groups of students, each group could be assigned a major topic of the chapter and discuss it. They could use the material from their discussion to teach the rest of the class about that particular big idea.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Reflection on PLC Website
I felt I gave a good effort on this assignment, as the topic of clicker use is something I am interested in and could potentially use as a future educator. As for group members, I felt each one of them made a valuable contribution to our PLC website. I am very satisfied with the group work we have done so far in the semester and hope we can continue to work together.
This assignment was very valuable in my opinion, as it allowed groups to choose a topic in technology that they felt was relevant. Our group chose 'clicker use in classrooms' as it can have an effect on each of us, regardless of our different focus areas. By discussing the pros and cons of using clickers in the classroom, and finding credible sources discussing it, we as future teachers can get an idea if we want to implement this type of technology or not. By finding credible sources, we can learn what current teachers think of clicker use and possibly get ideas that we can borrow or adapt for lesson plans.
I feel completing this task impacts me as a future teacher because of the potential use of clickers in the classroom. In my classroom, I feel I can use clickers to enhance student learning. Even if I'm teaching at the lower elementary level, I can use clickers in a way to benefit student learning, and prepare them for their future careers as a student.
This assignment was very valuable in my opinion, as it allowed groups to choose a topic in technology that they felt was relevant. Our group chose 'clicker use in classrooms' as it can have an effect on each of us, regardless of our different focus areas. By discussing the pros and cons of using clickers in the classroom, and finding credible sources discussing it, we as future teachers can get an idea if we want to implement this type of technology or not. By finding credible sources, we can learn what current teachers think of clicker use and possibly get ideas that we can borrow or adapt for lesson plans.
I feel completing this task impacts me as a future teacher because of the potential use of clickers in the classroom. In my classroom, I feel I can use clickers to enhance student learning. Even if I'm teaching at the lower elementary level, I can use clickers in a way to benefit student learning, and prepare them for their future careers as a student.
Reflection on Group Podcast
I felt participating in this group podcast was very effective, and was beneficial for me as a student. I feel podcasting is a powerful way to learn. However, the reason I feel that this particular activity was a success was that it can benefit the entire class. First of all, it's beneficial for each of the table groups because it requires preparation and effective communication, in addition to gaining knowledge. Students within each group can learn from their group members, as well as other groups that can listen to the podcasts. I feel by listening to what their group members have to say, and listening to the ideas of the other groups, students can get a good idea of all sides of the debate about technology in schools.
I believe that I can use podcasting in my future classroom. If appropriate for a particular subject, I would introduce podcasting in a similar fashion as in this class. I would first allow students to conduct their own short podcast to get a feel for the technology and nature of the assignment. Once students show they are comfortable with podcasts, I would assign a group podcast to discuss a major topic, such as a chapter from a textbook or current event. Group podcasting benefits students in several ways. For instance, they must be prepared to discuss the topic using their prior knowledge. Also, it encourages a "natural" discussion, and not simply reading information from a piece of paper. I enjoy discussion among students, and this type of assignment encourages it and can help to improve it.
I believe that I can use podcasting in my future classroom. If appropriate for a particular subject, I would introduce podcasting in a similar fashion as in this class. I would first allow students to conduct their own short podcast to get a feel for the technology and nature of the assignment. Once students show they are comfortable with podcasts, I would assign a group podcast to discuss a major topic, such as a chapter from a textbook or current event. Group podcasting benefits students in several ways. For instance, they must be prepared to discuss the topic using their prior knowledge. Also, it encourages a "natural" discussion, and not simply reading information from a piece of paper. I enjoy discussion among students, and this type of assignment encourages it and can help to improve it.
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