Technology Tools to Enhance Inquiry?

I was brought back to this idea of using Web 2.0 tools to encourage and support inquiry within the classroom.  In a previous posting, I referenced this blogging site, where educators reflect on the use of technology in teaching.  Here is a new discussion thread they began on how technology can be used to enhance inquiry:

http://www.classroom20.com/group/inquirybasedlearning/forum/topics/technology-tools-to-support?xg_source=activity

It is very interesting to see how the educators analyze different approaches to inquiry learning, and the tools they have found to be successful. Some tools mentioned are Webspiration, wordle, blogs, social networking sites, etc.  Although I do not see these tools in use in the schools I attend, we need to see that they are not lost!  They are being used, and they are successful when used in an effective way.  The most common themes I see across the use of these tools in the idea that they offer an environment for communication among students, as well as a place for them to display original products of understanding and learning.  One educator on the blog offers many resources where students can create these authentic assessments such as:

• SumoPaint - http://www.sumopaint.com/home/
• Comiclife - http://comiclife.com/
• Toondoo - http://www.toondoo.com/
• Webspiration - http://www.mywebspiration.com/
• Google Sketch-Up (3-D drawing) - http://sketchup.google.com/

Another teacher discusses the implantation of a Technology Integration Matrix into her school's curriculum.  I'd like to look into this a little more.  It associates 5 levels of technology into a curriculum to offer students collaborative and authentic learning experiences.  I guess each cell of the program provides sample lessons and tutorials.  Very informative, huh?  Here is the main site for the program: 

http://fcit.usf.edu/matrix/

Problem-Based Learning in the Classroom

Problem-based learning is a new pedagogical technique that allows students to study real-life scenarios and form critical thinking skills through collaboration, inquiry, and research.  I wish I saw this more in the classrooms today.  Isn't it important to give our students choices, encourage them discover problems, and collaborate to solve them?  We are so bound by standard-based curriculums that I feel we are losing sight of what is really important in education.  I'm not saying that basal curriculums cannot be used as a resource, and certainly, as a guide to the standards.  However, authentic practices, such as problem-based learning, can give students the opportunities to personally connect to the material, and feel that they have purpose for learning.

 As I've been reading, I've discovered that problem-based learning can be expanded not only to the real world, but to the digital world as well.  Digital worlds, such as SecondLife and Alien Attack!, allow students to explore virtual worlds, and discover challenges they may not find in their own community.  Through the use of technology, these worlds encourage students to collaborate and critically think about the material.  In the end, the students may create an authentic project displaying their results and learning from the experience.  Authentic assessments allow students to use their strengths to display their knowledge.  What better way to inspire growth and success in our students?!

As I think more about how technology can be used in the classroom, I am wondering if interactive KWLs can be created through video programs?  My initial thoughts are having students podcast their thoughts (what they know and want to know), and posting this on a site such as http://voicethread.com/.  With this in place, peers can comment on each others thought ON the actual video.  They can doodle or express thoughts for others to see on their peers podcasts.  Students could "blog" back and forth on these videos to truly discuss their prior knowledge and goals.  To complete the KWL, students would return to the site and record their final thoughts of what they learned.  Once again, the tool would be used to facilitate discussion about the topic that all of the students are participating in...Thoughts?

Use It or Lose It?

In regards to our brains, is it true that we can lose it if we don't use it?  Research has shown that both instruction and learning are critical factors in brain development.  I was very interested in the study done from our article about brain development in rats.  The rats who were given free reign over an exercise area, or given a mandatory exercise routine were found to have more blood vessels in their brains.  However, the rats who were given a maze to go through gained more synapses than the other participants.  This shows us that from learning, more synapses (connections) are made throughout our brains.  On the other hand, more blood flow is sent to the brain during exercise procedures.  Therefore, we must realize that different kinds of experiences condition our brains in different ways.

So I wonder, how can this be applied to our classrooms and student learning?  First and foremost, I believe that we must give our students a variety of experiences to build on.  Reaching various learning styles such as visual, kinesthetic, creative, audio, etc, encourages students to learn in different ways.  We discussed how experiences are the foundation of functional organization within the brain.  Offering our students variety of experiences will help them form these connections within their brains.  Even more, the use of technology opens worlds and experiences to students that they otherwise may not have had.  If we are able to teach them through various modes and experiences, I would think that they are able to form these connections with learning, and increase brain function.  Using tools such as Skype, podcasting, and blogs can offer students modes of communication and critical thinking in other places besides with their normal peers, in their normal classroom.

As I was searching for different, new ways to incorporate technology into my classroom, I came across Apple's site for using iphones/ipads in the classroom.  It is full of videos, app choices, podcasting help, and so many ideas for implementing technology in the classroom!  I have already downloaded so many apps on my iphone to get started.  Take a look and see how we can keep our students brains working and learning:

http://www.apple.com/education/why-apple/#podcasting?kmed=ppc&gclid=CPKjiM-hwaQCFQo65QodDU0BjA 

Social Networking: How Can it Be Effectively Used in the Classroom?

We have been talking a lot about the idea of social networking.  As of now, this is seen as an extracurricular activity for the young generation to develop friendships and communicate with each other.  But, can it be used to further relationships and learning within the classroom?

I believe that with the right environments and support, a social networking site in the classroom could open up a world of in-depth discussions, collaboration, peer relationships, and expansion on classroom material.  So, how do we control the activities and discussions that go on in these environments?  I want to do some research into controlled social networks that could be utilized safely within the classroom atmosphere.   Utilizing sites such as blogger or wikis could serve as a foundation for these asychronous discussions.  I think it would be amazing to give students an assignment of discussing material at home through wikis or blogs, instead of sending home a worksheet to practice.  Wouldn't that be more useful and beneficial to our students?  They are not only forming trusting relationships with their peers, but analyzing/comparing/contrasting their ideas with them as well.  Students can be encouraged to dive deeper in a topic, instead of just brushing the surface with a one-minded approach.  Don't we always say, "2 heads are better than 1."  How about 25 heads!

Here are some resources I found on social networking in the classroom:

http://www.edutopia.org/how-use-social-networking-technology 

http://www.classroom20.com/

http://123elearning.blogspot.com/2006/09/social-networking-in-classroom.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxrlrbP4UNo&feature=related

Can asynchronous environments benefit the culture gaps in schools?

Our early discussions this week have brought up some wonderful ideas about thee asynchronous environments we've been discussing.  I found that my view has been somewhat one-sided, as I am an elementary teacher.  I often get an idea stuck in my head, and forget to think about other benefits that could come from such an environment.

Ako talked about her experiences with transfer from the Japanese educational environment to those in America.  In Japan, they are expected to stay silent during class unless they are specifically asked a question by the professor.  Speaking out or asking questions is seen as disrespectful and out of place.  Therefore, coming into an American school where participation is expected and encouraged can be very discomforting for a student of Japanese culture.  We must truly remember these ideas when we get to know our students.  Their behavior or lack of participation may be due to cultural barriers we have not looked into.  Even more, we should take the time to help our students see these difference among cultures, and how knowledge and acceptance can make a difference.

Anyways, it's very interesting to think about how online or asynchronous classroom environments can assist this issue. Students who were afraid to speak out in face-to-face experiences may be able to express themselves more thoroughly through these environments.  In addition, the language barrier between students may be broken through the use of such experiences.  Students will be able to recap on what is being said in the conversation, whereas in face-to-face meetings, one is easy to get lost.  Such an interesting thing to think about.

As an elementary teacher, I'd like to learn more about how these environments could be used in the elementary classroom.  How could it be used to communicate with other cultures?  Could it be used to communicate with parents, or extend learning beyond the classroom??  How to we help our young ones to become experienced citizens of the technological community?  Hmmmm....

Is technology taking over? How much is too much?

As we've been discussing technology and its applications in the classroom, I often wonder how much is too much?  I am definitely a believer in technology, and think it can do wonders in the classroom for our students.  Not only can they relate to the material and use relevant skills of their generation, but they can learn new skills that will become a part of our growing society.  However, is there is a point where technology is being used too much in society?  We've mentioned distance learning and eliminating classroom meetings all together.  How can this be the best decision for our students?

The young generation these days are engulfed in the media and technological items of their time.  I've observed my young brother text on his cell phone throughout an entire dinner with my grandparents who we seldom see.  Kids spend their time playing video games and searching on youtube instead of participating in sports or extracurricular activities.  Do we really think we should take away the only social encounters they have left?  I know...being dramatic.  But, this is what I feel will be further taken away if we eliminate these learning situations.  Although SKYPE and online chats can be used effectively to teach and assess our students, it should not be the sole form.  Students need to interact with each other, physically solve problems, and have discussions that are meaningful and in person.

On the other hand, technology opens a world to our students that was never offered to us as children.  Our students can now learn about cultures by actually speaking to students and professionals across the country or the world!  They can create and listen to podcasts about ways of life that they had no idea existed.  It is truly amazing the applications these tools can have in our classroom.  The main idea of this thought is to create a balance between them.  Use these technology tools to enhance our students' education, and open up worlds of opportunities to them.  But, don't take away the social aspect of education, and the part that makes it real and relevant.  Children need those interactions, and thrive on the actions of their peers.  If we are to truly prepare them to be citizens of our country, we must give them the best of both worlds.

Perceptions & Technology Integration

I really enjoyed the articles reference to Leo Lionni's, "Fish is Fish."  As an elementary school teacher, I love finding connections with young literature.  The article alludes that a student's perception must be changed by first hand interactions. The frog in the story expects that the fish will understand everything he tells him about the outside world.  However, the fish's perceptions are based on what he knows, and that's it.  We must give our students 1st hand experiences with new concepts so that they can form new perceptions or alter their existing perceptions to match what they have learned.  I would like to use this metaphor with my introductory education students.  It's a good way to show how our teaching should affect our students.  

In addition, we, as teachers, should use our students' strengths to their advantage.  The generation of students that attend our schools today are tech-savvy and ready for technological challenges.  How can we use our students' strengths in technology to get them involved in their learning at school.  Here are some things I'm thinking, and I'd like to look more into:

• podcasting
• social networking (facilitated solely through a school)
• e-books
• video editing (to create authentic products?)  
• SKYPE, distance learning
• email (pen pals...?)

The world of technology is increasing at a phenomenal rate.  Is there a way where we can find more time for professional development in this field?  I feel that a lot more teachers would use technological advances to benefit their instruction if they had specialized training on how to use it!  I know it's out there.  It's just finding the time and resources to do it.  This should be a goal of our educational system.  We need to connect to our students.  We need to allow them to express themselves in a variety of modes.  Their creativity should be allowed to grow, not hindered by our standards-based reality.  

A Vision of Students Today

     Today, I was introduced to the youtube video, A Vision of Students Today, once again.  I remember seeing this video in one of my education classes.  Created by a cultural college class, the message from the video is strong and haunting.  It really makes you think about where education, and life, is going.  Is technology helping our society, or will is slowly destroy the traditional values our world has worked so hard to uphold?  

     This is what I took from this video.  Technology can be a great benefit to our students, and our own individual lives.  However, it needs to not be taken for granted.  We, as 21st century citizens, know what this means.  Some of the students expressed how much time they spend on the internet, especially during class time.  Honestly, I've done the same thing in some of my classes.  On the other hand, if the classes were effectively using 21st century techniques and technology, maybe these students wouldn't be tempted to stray off course.  I believe that it is our goal as teachers to discover new techniques that will catch our students' interests, and keep them engaged.  I truly believe that students have a desire to learn new things.  So, why do I find kids who hate school at the age of 7?  Education is falling behind the progression of our technological society.  There is a gap between how students are taught and the resources they encounter in their every day lives.  We need to be active learners, and find ways to close this gap.  

     I plan to show this video to my own class of college students, entering the field of teaching.  I believe it is a great topic for discussion, and will allow future educators to think about their teaching practices.  We can have such an effect on the lives of our students.  Our goal: to use the process of inquiry and discovery to find the most effective way of connecting our students to the process of learning.