Starrs - Information Technology

Problem Solving What can I say about this activity?  I am absolutely sure that this was my very best activity that I have been engaged in.  This activity was difficult but very rewarding in the end and I am glad that I was able to learn from this meaningful exercise. Problem solving skills in my estimation are developed - it is a process that needs to be worked on in order for the benefits to be realized. When conducting your next problem solving exercise remember to consider these four steps: 1. Define the problem 2. Generate alternatives 3. Evaluate and select alternatives 4. Implement solutions It is very vital and important that students have multiple opportunities to assess their own problem solving skills and the solutions they gererate from using those skills.  Somr thought provoking questions that can be asked by the teacher are: How do you feel about your progress so far? Are you satisfied with the results you obtained? and Why do you believe this is an appropr

Contrast Lesson This activity was very interesting; it allowed for some serious introspection.  Most often teachers come into the class with the position of "being in control" and sometimes we forget that the students have a part to play in the lesson.  Allowing our students to ask questions could lead to meaning discussions and it gives us as the educators the opportunity to look into their world.  It also gives our students a chance to learn from each other.  The questioning aspect of the lesson can be of benefit to all persons during the lesson while creating or improving their critical thinking skills

Promoting Discussion Proper questioning techniques is as important or probably even more important than the actual questions asked.  I have struggled in this department because what I thought were questions turned out to be mere statements.  It is a skill that if teachers can grasp will do a power of good to the students in their charge.  I know that I am getting better based on the information that I have perused, the feedbacks from my colleagues and the advise that I have received from my tutor. My students stand to benefit in the future.

What questions I ask and why Questioning Techniques Ideas Questioning in education is critically important to the success of the students. It is one of the most effective weapons that a teacher has to assist in the learning process.  Asking questions that will enable critical thinking and promote higher order thinking skills are areas that we as educators need to focus on and ensure the implementation is sooner rather than later

Each child must be recognized as an individual and the understanding that they learn, respond and retrieve information differently is a major key to managing diversity in the teaching and learning environment.  My knowledge of diversity has influenced my view of teaching, learning and assessment in such a significant way that I do not focus on the difference but rather on the effect that that difference brings to the session. With the knowledge that every student learns in a different way allows me the opportunity to prepare more inclusive lessons for the various types of learners which include those who learn better by seeing, hearing or even by touching.  It is very important to me because I know if they are not properly catered to, can end up becoming very frustrated and may leave. Education is too important to have our students become frustrated enough to leave so as educators we are compelled to guard against that.

Cooperative learning can be a successful teaching strategy by which groups of students with varying abilities come together to share with the sole purpose of better understanding a subject matter.  Observations that were made after concluding my session with my students were: • There were increased social interaction among the students • Knowledge were strengthened by sharing with peers • Cooperative learning allowed me to track the students progress • I was able to see deficiency in a student • I was better able to identify problem areas within the lesson • Better able to gauge homework to offer additional information in weak areas I have concluded that cooperative learning, as any other learning style needs to be monitored and implemented to better develop our students. The structure needs to cater to the students’ tastes and for better results the groups should be kept small. Using cooperative learning consistently and systematically can be very beneficial to our students.

After completing this assignment I am more aware of the need for us as teachers to understand the cognitive theory and stages that our children should go through in the learning process.  Assessing their prior knowledge when beginning a new topic is always the first thing I do. What I think they already know is often different to what they do know. How children learn is an agreed fact that Piaget has helped me to focus on in all of my classes.  I plan my lessons to cater to the needs of each of my student. A personal evaluation of one's self would lead us to consider that if we continue to bring the same planning each year and teach the same topics using the same methods then our children would be the worst for it.  Through exploring and inquiring we can challenge our beliefs and gain new insights into improving the way we practice so that our students will receive MAXIMUM benefits.

Activity 2: There are so many features of our class sessions that we can assess to determine how well our students are learning.  I would like to mention a few that you might be able to relate to as well.      We can assess how learners contribute to group discussion  We can assess as they play and learn, while creating online interactive games    Making a class presentation - Assess on both content and presentation.     We can also assess how well they use pictorial representation to present their findings.  These and many other assessment can be used, the list is long.  When we use a variety of methods to assess our students we are enabling a better learning environment for all persons: both educators and learners.  

Assignment 1 - Group 4 Assessments are used for many reasons not limited to helping students learn; to report on student progress or to help us make decisions about our teaching.   Closely attached to assessment is the vehicle called evaluation.  The most important aspect of evaluations is to improve students learning.     Evaluation refers to the process of judging the quality of student learning on the basis of established performance standards and assigning a value to represent that quality.  Evaluation accurately summarizes and communicates to parents, other teachers, principals, ministry of education, and students themselves what students know and can do with respect to the overall curriculum expectations.     If we successfully analyze, evaluate and implement proper assessment methods our learners and we ourselves as educators will be very pleased with the final results.  Let us strive to make our learning environments our priorities.  

There is a great need to create programs and events that will assist in fostering good communication between the community and the schools, in assisting our students overcome difficulties.  Creating specific guideline that will positively impact all stake holders (parents, children, teachers and principals) is one value of Developmental psychology.  It should be noted that many institutions have already made provisions to address this problem which include the need for guidance counselors in the schools as well as PTA organizations, etc. There is always room for improvement and so I would urge the parents to work closely with the schools in assisting our students with difficulties that they encounter regularly.  Finding creative ways and ideas is an ongoing commitment that all parties need to be cognizant of.  The most important lesson that I learnt from the reading is the need for commitment and the vision to see the benefits that our children will gain. Working collaboratively req

Behaviourism-new_strategy Cooperative learning is one strategy that can be implemented within our classes to bring about an environment of sharing while our students learn.  When students work together as a team to solve problems or common tasks they are assisting in their learning experience.  It has been proven that when students are responsible for their learning, they are more willing to participate in order to see its success.  There must be proper structure in order to see the success of this type of learning.  Specifying the desired behaviours, identifying the consequences whether positive or negative and establishing the rules, consequences and rewards are key factors that will ensure the success of this strategy. If implemented with the guidelines the success will be beneficial to all persons involved.  Give it a try - your students will be happy you did.

The reading has reemphasized the point of never coming to a conclusion without first being informed.  How easy would it have been for the teacher to make her own assumptions and walk away without really understanding that there was a language barrier.  It is very important for us to always get to know our students, their backgrounds and their likes and dislikes.  We need to affirm them and encourage them to do do their best at all times.  We are responsible to ensure that their learning environment is conducive to learning.  We have the responsibility of empowering our students, they look to us for guidance and direction. When they know that we believe in them it can eventually lead to them believing in themselves.  Remember we are mirrors for our students as well as their role models.  Maintaining trust and respect will result in our students becoming satisfied with the learning process.

I think the need to evaluate our students prior to the commencement of classes is a very important aspect in understanding the direction the direction we should go.  Children can become great but they need direction and encouragement.  When we are able to assist our students in identifying what needs to be learnt as well as the part they play in the process then I believe they will be on the part to success. We are obligated to meet the needs of our students.  Let us look at our roles and seriously consider the best way we can make the difference.

There are many lessons that I have learnt with relations to being an educator. Here are a few of the most important lessons that I have learnt. * As an educator you must love what you do. * Ensure the environment is conducive to learning. * Be committed to continuous learning - improve your skills. * Identify the strengths of your students and help them to build on them. * Help your students to become independent thinkers.

I am glad you came.  Stopping by to learn more about the new revolution is a great idea.  Let begin... Certainly not! the Flipped Classroom does not mean placing the classroom on its head.  Simply put the Flipped Classroom is an inverted method of instruction where teaching and learning take place online outside of the class while  homework is done in the classroom. The Flipped Classroom - A New Revolution

I have just completed three days of workshop/training sponsored by LIME and that was totally uplifting and rewarding. I have always known that learning was absolutely empowering but the experience that I had over the past three days under the guidance of Mr. M. Wisdom was truly awesome. I am happy that I will be able to share with others, that is why I love learning. The more you share, the more you know. Teachers I hope that ALL of us who attended the workshop will truly embrace the special gift given to us. Not only to embrace but to go forth willing to share with colleagues and students. Let's work together to inspire and motivate the children of Antigua & Barbuda.

I had a very good day, one in which knowledge was re-enforced.  But tomorrow promises to be NEW and exciting, so oh how I am looking forward to it.   Then the fun comes from SHARING...

Going over some learning experiences... and feeling really good for having been a part of this phenomenal experience.

Creating a PLN has been a very engaging exercise for me. Knowing that I can communicate and collaborate with like minds across the world while integrating ICT in our teaching/learning environment makes me excited. I have created my PLN by using Classroom2.0 and have linked my Twitter, Facebook, Blog site and website in one location.   I started a discussion and have been very pleased with the interaction that it created and the lessons that I learned have been great.  I have invited friends to follow me on this exciting journey so that we can learn together.  I have also followed friends and persons whose links have interested me.  I encourage you to visit me at                                www.classroom20.com/profile/StarrieGreene   PLN's are great for sharing, learning and growing. 

Social media is used to connect people of similar or different interests, using several different platforms.  Once linkages are established people or organizations can communication and share information with persons near or even in far lands.  Geographical location are not hindered when using social media unless there are blockages created by governments or organizations for specific reasons.  It fosters collaboration among friends as well as complete strangers with commonalities, for example I can share with IT teachers anywhere around the world for the benefit of my students.

Enjoyed to the fullest.....

This activity was new, fresh, puzzling and a good learning tool.  I thought I knew quite a bit about websites and searching for information on the internet but completing this exercise prove quite different.  It was quite time consuming but because there was a desired outcome, I stuck to it and now I am the beneficiary of it.  I learnt about information that I would not have been privy to on my own.  I am now better able to analyze web sites and to check the data on various sites as a result of this exercise.

Being engaged in this activity afforded me the opportunity to put the lessons that I learnt into practice.  I prepared a lesson and shared it with my team, although the responses were few I was still able to glean some important information about the plan.  Later I was able to apply the changes and having looked at it through others eyes, I was better able to develop the functionality of the use of technology into my lessons. Enjoyed the learning process.

ncorporating spreadsheets into a lesson with the desire to use it as a learning tool was the focus of this exercise.  There is a definite need to use spreadsheets in lessons but a different approach must be taken into consideration when it is to be used for many students at the same time.  When using one computer in a large class, the teacher is forced to become very creative.  We were able to produce lessons that were great and reached to the core of reaching each student even when working with limited resources.  Spreadsheets add to the lessons by providing a visual interpretation of information, thus reaching some students who learn better by visuals.  Creativity can be fantastic in learning.

Challenging but very educational!!  What I have learnt will only serve to enhance what I do and how I do it. 

Teachers need to be proactive when implementing teaching methods.  It is not enough to put everything on pause because it is believed that the schools are not ready for ICT integration.  The teachers must try their best to incorporate some measure of technology into their lessons, so that the students will be more ready.  Curriculum changes must be implemented so our students can learn the difference between "just in-time" learning versus "just in-case" learning.  The focus needs to change and the teacher is responsible.  Student-centered lessons is definitely the way to the future.

ICT is changing the face of education in respect to teaching.  Teachers are responsible for the types of classroom spaces that they operate in.  Modern technologies and proper resources need to be put in place in order for the success of ICT integration to be realized.  Also the stake holders will have to seize the vision for the future.  Anytime, anywhere access to ICT will greatly impact and benefit our students.  Teachers are responsible for providing the best environment for learning.  Why wait... It is already on the way!!!

When programs are to be implemented in any organization, careful planning must be done.  The cooperation of individuals is a key factor that can cause the program to be a success or a failure.  Resources and skills cannot be taken lightly as they contribute significantly to the process.  However, I would like to suggest that training of staff is a very vital part of the process.  It lends to a smooth integration of ICT into the curriculum.

I thoroughly enjoyed doing this activity.  In the past teachers were responsible for learning.  However, in our new role teachers are now expected to be responsible for guiding/directing our students into a self-learning process.  The integration of ICT will assist the students in taking more control of their learning.  Look out for assignment 2

Teachers are very important in the learning process and the main point that I latched on in this exercise was the "just in-time" strategy.  It is a useful method thus enabling the students to be able to obtain need skills.  Challenge our students and motivate them into becoming the masters of their own destiny in an intellectual way.  Empower them!!!

Minimal invasion dictates that our students will learn once exposed.  Peer interaction seems almost automatic and stands to benefit all persons involved.  Sharing in the educational process not only benefits the strong but also the weak ones.  It is believed that students are born with the abilities that will foster learning.  They can be responsible for their own learning if the correct plans are put in place

Spontaneous learning lead to exploration in the learning process.  This type of learning becomes more interesting when computers are added to the mix.   It was highlighted that regardless of the formal training received children continued to gravitate to the use of ICT skills because of the values placed on their ability to explore and research.  It was said that children can learn on their own if given a chance.  Teachers will still be needed but not as teachers but as facilitators of learning.  Student-centered learning leads to fun in education.