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