REFLECTION # 10 - WHAT I HAVE LEARNED IN THIS CLASS
Every year I face several challenges in college. The assignments are quite diverse and I have to seek different ways in order to accomplish my “missions.” This year was not different.
I was not used to working in computer, especially using it to make research and create programs to explain some assignments and fulfill the class requirements.
New things showed up and I had to learn them to improve my work quality, i.e., I had to create a blog where I put aside my information related to the class. Another thing that was new and worked out was the LIVETEXT.
Every week I had reflection-assignment papers, where I had to analyze some topics given by the teacher, making sure that they didn’t have any plagiarism, and to do this, I had to submit them into TURNITIN.COM, a web site that was used in order to check for plagiarism. It’s interesting for many students are refrained to make things on an “illegal” way.
In spite of being so hard, for I had too much things to do every week, I had learned many things especially in terms of technology, for I was always required to use the computer and make several research, that have contributed to open my mind and to improve my knowledge, furthermore, by doing my reflection papers, I learned to think, to work on a constructivist way, which promotes more interaction between students, teachers and the topics discussed in class.
Another thing that was new for me, was the power point presentation. I was required to create power point presentations to explain in class a result of the fulfillment of the class requirements. Very interesting, very useful. But the “boom” of my experience in this class, was the digital story I had to tell. Amazing! I use this method to show the importance of the technology in schools and in life in general. Besides this method makes it easy, I was surprised at myself, for the special effects and the music behind the images, gave the work a “touch of class,” making the work good and brilliant on the way of learning.
Yes, my experience in this class was full of good things, and I hope I can put them in practice in my future as a teacher.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Reflection 9
REFLECTION # 9 – THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY IN THE INSTRUCTIONAL PROCESS
I remember when I was a student in the elementary school. We had to search the issues given by the teacher in libraries, encyclopedias, and a infinite number of book and magazines. Even the teacher had to make a research in order to minister the class and be prepared to assist the students and answer the questions that arrived.
But the things, the times have been changed. Nowadays, the technology just showed up to make the things work out on an easy way. There is nothing that the teachers cannot explore in seconds. In a spur of moment, images, information, animated images and a lot of stuff just show up to help the teacher and the students in the development of the process of education. It’s impossible to imagine ourselves living without things like cable TV, and the fast data from the internet. And people always seek for more alternatives in life, to improve the quality of life. And the peacock tail feathers, the possibilities are growing up before our eyes, everyday.
And for the sake of the educational process, the access of some data is limited for students. It means, some information is available only for the teachers and educational organizations, and it has a good reason. Many students, happily not all of them, try to cut and paste the information they have access, without putting them under quotation. It is called plagiarism, and it is a wrong and dishonest way to “learn” something. By using the resources of the technology, teachers easily find the work of plagiarism with almost no margin of error.
Every school should equip itself with technology. It is time to take some advantage of this resource and to equip our schools in order to improve and enlarge the ways of better education and instruction.
And it should be quickly, for there are teacher that don’t accept students work if they don’t do it and present it electronically, and through the way where they can verify if the research was plagiarized or not.
Well, technology is arrived and works strongly around. Let’s make it work out in our lives.
I remember when I was a student in the elementary school. We had to search the issues given by the teacher in libraries, encyclopedias, and a infinite number of book and magazines. Even the teacher had to make a research in order to minister the class and be prepared to assist the students and answer the questions that arrived.
But the things, the times have been changed. Nowadays, the technology just showed up to make the things work out on an easy way. There is nothing that the teachers cannot explore in seconds. In a spur of moment, images, information, animated images and a lot of stuff just show up to help the teacher and the students in the development of the process of education. It’s impossible to imagine ourselves living without things like cable TV, and the fast data from the internet. And people always seek for more alternatives in life, to improve the quality of life. And the peacock tail feathers, the possibilities are growing up before our eyes, everyday.
And for the sake of the educational process, the access of some data is limited for students. It means, some information is available only for the teachers and educational organizations, and it has a good reason. Many students, happily not all of them, try to cut and paste the information they have access, without putting them under quotation. It is called plagiarism, and it is a wrong and dishonest way to “learn” something. By using the resources of the technology, teachers easily find the work of plagiarism with almost no margin of error.
Every school should equip itself with technology. It is time to take some advantage of this resource and to equip our schools in order to improve and enlarge the ways of better education and instruction.
And it should be quickly, for there are teacher that don’t accept students work if they don’t do it and present it electronically, and through the way where they can verify if the research was plagiarized or not.
Well, technology is arrived and works strongly around. Let’s make it work out in our lives.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Reflection 8
REFLECTION # 8 - WHAT IS YOUR PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION?
When we talk about education, we have to have in mind the process of human development that means the purpose, goals and ideals to be reached. In other words, how a person can improve his/her quality of life, applying what he/she assimilated through the educational process and this constitutes the philosophy of education. Where, one wants to arrive after all.
Some teachers have as their educational philosophy, what they can gain on their own experiences, or what they can improve themselves, or even how much money they can earn as “educators.” This is such of poor goal in life. By acting like that, they become not educators or teachers, but liars.
Education is more than information storms, it is a social relationship, an interaction, where we can learn and share our experiences with the others, as a result, there will be a social growth, a production of citizens with skills to build up a world more organized with solid families and communities.
There are some approaches in educational philosophy, which are seen in classrooms, according to the teachers’ convenience. Let’s talk a little bit about them.
The first one of them is that where the teachers just give information, principles that cannot be changed. Simply they present “truths” that are premises, according to them, and that is it. The students don’t have the opportunity to think, to analyze and to build something. They call it, Perennialism.
The second one is very close to the first one. Although, those who advocate this type of approach say that the principles might be changed, the students are trained to read, to write and to speak, but according to the information they received. This perspective is called Essentialism.
The third one is more open. This approach guides the students to be more progressive, so, the name is Progressivism. On this way, students are trained to think, to explore, to formulate questions, to solve problems, to share experiences and learn through them. The goal is how they can learn by their own way and what kind of the individuals they can become.
The last one, and this is my philosophy of education, is the Critical Theory. This approach leads to social development, exploring the potential that each human being has inside and how they might improve their own and other’s life. The teacher is not a gun that “vomits” information, but one that leads the students to create, to grow, to invent a new life. They are prepared to deal with any difficult situations and to solve problems by different ways.
When we talk about education, we have to have in mind the process of human development that means the purpose, goals and ideals to be reached. In other words, how a person can improve his/her quality of life, applying what he/she assimilated through the educational process and this constitutes the philosophy of education. Where, one wants to arrive after all.
Some teachers have as their educational philosophy, what they can gain on their own experiences, or what they can improve themselves, or even how much money they can earn as “educators.” This is such of poor goal in life. By acting like that, they become not educators or teachers, but liars.
Education is more than information storms, it is a social relationship, an interaction, where we can learn and share our experiences with the others, as a result, there will be a social growth, a production of citizens with skills to build up a world more organized with solid families and communities.
There are some approaches in educational philosophy, which are seen in classrooms, according to the teachers’ convenience. Let’s talk a little bit about them.
The first one of them is that where the teachers just give information, principles that cannot be changed. Simply they present “truths” that are premises, according to them, and that is it. The students don’t have the opportunity to think, to analyze and to build something. They call it, Perennialism.
The second one is very close to the first one. Although, those who advocate this type of approach say that the principles might be changed, the students are trained to read, to write and to speak, but according to the information they received. This perspective is called Essentialism.
The third one is more open. This approach guides the students to be more progressive, so, the name is Progressivism. On this way, students are trained to think, to explore, to formulate questions, to solve problems, to share experiences and learn through them. The goal is how they can learn by their own way and what kind of the individuals they can become.
The last one, and this is my philosophy of education, is the Critical Theory. This approach leads to social development, exploring the potential that each human being has inside and how they might improve their own and other’s life. The teacher is not a gun that “vomits” information, but one that leads the students to create, to grow, to invent a new life. They are prepared to deal with any difficult situations and to solve problems by different ways.
Reflection 7
REFLECTION # 7 - DIGITAL STORY; WHAT IS THIS?
Telling a story is an art. Telling a story that may illustrate some message, some lesson is an art too, but telling a story by using digital resources is a very useful art to communicate.
This is a way where music, voice, characters, experiences, situations, images are put together, getting the attention from the people to whom it will be showed.
Usually a digital story is presented in first person, using the storyteller own voice, combining images with music and special effects. It is a chance of using the Twenty First Century resources of technology and skills on communication. It is interesting, it is inspiring, and amazing. Furthermore, it contributes in the process of learning.
It is not easy to construct a digital story. The storyteller needs to know, to set what kind of story he/she will tell, the purpose and its goals. The images, the sound track, the video edition should be chose carefully, not to be presented a kind of poor work. When we use audio visual effects, we have to create things that call and keep the attention of people.
There are some elements that should be observed when we create a digital story, and these elements are related to the content of the digital story and to the technical skills to make its construction.
Stories must start from a point of view that will be presented. They are not a simple presentation of facts and ideas. It’s something like to cast a vision, or a point and then it goes forth.
A question is important too. If we want to get the attention of people, a question must be in the beginning, and it must be answered in the end.
In order to call the people’s attention, we have to explore their emotions. So, the images, the music, the special effects, the voice, all of these must to be directed to shake the emotions and as a result, the attention will be captivated.
The voice is very important. The way you tell the digital story, the emphasis you apply to the voice makes the difference, as the images are being presented.
We have to remember that the right music is related to the emotions and attention. It contributes tremendously to make the body of the story.
The time the story will be presented is essential too. Be careful with the details not to make people saturated about the topic. After take these points in consideration, let’s make the people enjoy the digital story that we created.
Telling a story is an art. Telling a story that may illustrate some message, some lesson is an art too, but telling a story by using digital resources is a very useful art to communicate.
This is a way where music, voice, characters, experiences, situations, images are put together, getting the attention from the people to whom it will be showed.
Usually a digital story is presented in first person, using the storyteller own voice, combining images with music and special effects. It is a chance of using the Twenty First Century resources of technology and skills on communication. It is interesting, it is inspiring, and amazing. Furthermore, it contributes in the process of learning.
It is not easy to construct a digital story. The storyteller needs to know, to set what kind of story he/she will tell, the purpose and its goals. The images, the sound track, the video edition should be chose carefully, not to be presented a kind of poor work. When we use audio visual effects, we have to create things that call and keep the attention of people.
There are some elements that should be observed when we create a digital story, and these elements are related to the content of the digital story and to the technical skills to make its construction.
Stories must start from a point of view that will be presented. They are not a simple presentation of facts and ideas. It’s something like to cast a vision, or a point and then it goes forth.
A question is important too. If we want to get the attention of people, a question must be in the beginning, and it must be answered in the end.
In order to call the people’s attention, we have to explore their emotions. So, the images, the music, the special effects, the voice, all of these must to be directed to shake the emotions and as a result, the attention will be captivated.
The voice is very important. The way you tell the digital story, the emphasis you apply to the voice makes the difference, as the images are being presented.
We have to remember that the right music is related to the emotions and attention. It contributes tremendously to make the body of the story.
The time the story will be presented is essential too. Be careful with the details not to make people saturated about the topic. After take these points in consideration, let’s make the people enjoy the digital story that we created.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Reflection 6
TELECOLLABORATIVE LEARNING
Let’s make the world a classroom. Telecollaborative learning we can say, it is a cooperative learning on a better way.
Those small groups that work on cooperative way, in a class room, now can expand the discussion with the other groups around the world. By using internet, phone, TV, skype and other electronic means of communication, students can reach other students in different and distant locations.
If in cooperative way they can express their differences and learn through them, in this kind of learning they are challenged to do the best. What an opportunity to exchange ideas and feelings. This modern world offers to us a sort of ways to share, to learn and to improve our lives.
The other day I was talking with a friend, who lives in Japan. We were separated by a long distance and time, but we could see each other in a real time through the web cam. Putting this on learning, on school ways, how many ways the students have to improve their knowledge?! They can organize on line projects, collect information and solve problems electronically. They make the world a big classroom.
Different cultures, different ideas, different ways to reach the solution to any situation. This interaction open frontiers and break barriers. Geography became just a piece of land where we can meet people and share with them our ideas, also receive their opinions. Of course, everything is supported by a teacher or advisor.
Telecollaborative learning creates a perspective on learning about the world we live in. By using technology, the students can see a problem on different angles, knowing that the same problem we face on a certain place is faced in a distant part of the world, but in a different reality.
Of course, in a project like this, there are some challenges, i.e., some students don’t have access to a computer or other electronic device. Language might be another problem, for unfortunately this is still a big challenge in the world.
The advisor must be alert no to keep the focus and the objectives of the topics, avoiding leaving the students alone, for they can lose the reason of why they are trying to interact.
In spite of the appearance of the challenges, the benefits that the students can get from this type of learning are tremendous, more powerful than the benefits they can get from the cooperative learning.
Keep going! This is a new world, and new ways to learn, to improve, to develop knowledge. In learning, the best are only the good. Tomorrow new horizons will show up.
Let’s make the world a classroom. Telecollaborative learning we can say, it is a cooperative learning on a better way.
Those small groups that work on cooperative way, in a class room, now can expand the discussion with the other groups around the world. By using internet, phone, TV, skype and other electronic means of communication, students can reach other students in different and distant locations.
If in cooperative way they can express their differences and learn through them, in this kind of learning they are challenged to do the best. What an opportunity to exchange ideas and feelings. This modern world offers to us a sort of ways to share, to learn and to improve our lives.
The other day I was talking with a friend, who lives in Japan. We were separated by a long distance and time, but we could see each other in a real time through the web cam. Putting this on learning, on school ways, how many ways the students have to improve their knowledge?! They can organize on line projects, collect information and solve problems electronically. They make the world a big classroom.
Different cultures, different ideas, different ways to reach the solution to any situation. This interaction open frontiers and break barriers. Geography became just a piece of land where we can meet people and share with them our ideas, also receive their opinions. Of course, everything is supported by a teacher or advisor.
Telecollaborative learning creates a perspective on learning about the world we live in. By using technology, the students can see a problem on different angles, knowing that the same problem we face on a certain place is faced in a distant part of the world, but in a different reality.
Of course, in a project like this, there are some challenges, i.e., some students don’t have access to a computer or other electronic device. Language might be another problem, for unfortunately this is still a big challenge in the world.
The advisor must be alert no to keep the focus and the objectives of the topics, avoiding leaving the students alone, for they can lose the reason of why they are trying to interact.
In spite of the appearance of the challenges, the benefits that the students can get from this type of learning are tremendous, more powerful than the benefits they can get from the cooperative learning.
Keep going! This is a new world, and new ways to learn, to improve, to develop knowledge. In learning, the best are only the good. Tomorrow new horizons will show up.
Reflection 5
Think about a baseball game… Sometimes the man with the bat in his hand has just to almost touch the ball in order to get not only one score, but also three, maybe. This is sharing, cooperation; work not alone, not by himself, but as a united team.
Cooperative learning is not different. The students learn to work together and find together a solution for an assignment. They are able to discuss, to share abilities, to search for ways, even different ones, to improve their learning, their knowledge. It is related to constructivist way. Teachers, instead of presenting some issue, they make the students work in small groups, where each one has the opportunity to express the own idea or comment about what is being studied. The interesting thing in this kind of learning is that the more they acquire experiences, the most they share them in future groups. The learning is thoroughly useful and effective. Sometimes it is necessary an individual research or work, but it has been showed that work in cooperation is very effective.
This kind of technique has been developed and increased along the years. The benefits are evident. First of all, the diversity. Different kinds of people are present and the integration is very useful, for many answers show up and it is a great opportunity to reflect on someone else knowledge. Besides this difference among several types of people, we can see cultural diversity, and, of course, diverse points of view. It makes the final product comprehensive.
Another benefit is that the students can improve their sociability through accountability. Sharing their opinions, experiences, they also improve their social relationship and skills.
But, what is the teacher’s role in class when students are working? He/she needs to alert to some difficulty that can show up. So, he teacher has to give support, guidance and notice when some student is just being “carried” by the others, that means, he/she doesn’t work and take advantage of the others. So, by creating clear questions and situations, he stimulates the students to seek their goals. It’s important to observe that the teacher gives some guidance, but the students must work and find the solution and answers.
Cooperative , also called collaborative type of learning helps the students believe in themselves, and as a result, they will produce more and more to their own development, their improvement in knowledge and relationship. If it occurs, who needs evaluation?
Cooperative learning is not different. The students learn to work together and find together a solution for an assignment. They are able to discuss, to share abilities, to search for ways, even different ones, to improve their learning, their knowledge. It is related to constructivist way. Teachers, instead of presenting some issue, they make the students work in small groups, where each one has the opportunity to express the own idea or comment about what is being studied. The interesting thing in this kind of learning is that the more they acquire experiences, the most they share them in future groups. The learning is thoroughly useful and effective. Sometimes it is necessary an individual research or work, but it has been showed that work in cooperation is very effective.
This kind of technique has been developed and increased along the years. The benefits are evident. First of all, the diversity. Different kinds of people are present and the integration is very useful, for many answers show up and it is a great opportunity to reflect on someone else knowledge. Besides this difference among several types of people, we can see cultural diversity, and, of course, diverse points of view. It makes the final product comprehensive.
Another benefit is that the students can improve their sociability through accountability. Sharing their opinions, experiences, they also improve their social relationship and skills.
But, what is the teacher’s role in class when students are working? He/she needs to alert to some difficulty that can show up. So, he teacher has to give support, guidance and notice when some student is just being “carried” by the others, that means, he/she doesn’t work and take advantage of the others. So, by creating clear questions and situations, he stimulates the students to seek their goals. It’s important to observe that the teacher gives some guidance, but the students must work and find the solution and answers.
Cooperative , also called collaborative type of learning helps the students believe in themselves, and as a result, they will produce more and more to their own development, their improvement in knowledge and relationship. If it occurs, who needs evaluation?
A different kind of mule
The depravation that the human take an advantage of the human body is the cruelty we are living in this society. Who are going to pay for this atrocity? The government? The own people? The own human being is getting more and more power in other's disgrace. Using the people less fortunate to accomplish their horrible goals.
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