I've just started using my Google Reader, but I think I will really enjoy using it. It is so hard to find time to surf the web and this brings the web to me. I thought it might be overwhelming having so much info on hand, but I just read what peaks my interest and I ignore the rest. Easy!
In the TechLearning Blog I found an article called New Teacher Tool Makes Individualized Learning and RTI Easy. Learning Plans on Demand sounds like a real time saver for teachers in getting individualized lessons for their students. I'd be interested to see exactly how it works and if it is just a bunch of leveled worksheets or something a little more creative. Perhaps I'll do a bit more research to find out.
An interesting site I found by accident was TED Talks. This sight features 20 minute videos from respected individuals ranging from Stephen Hawking to Rick Warren to mostly people I've never heard of before. I was linked there to a video called Do Schools Kill Creativity? Ken Robinson has some interesting thoughts on the matter and stories that illustrate those thoughts. Another interesting video was from Richard Baraniuk of Rice University. It talks about getting rid of textbooks and using open-source learning. I'm looking forward to watching more on this sight because of its wide range of topics: education, religion, politics, science, technology, etc.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Thing 4
I enjoyed reading the recommended blogs. One thing I noticed about the blogging style is that it is very personal while still being informative. Often blogs are persuasive in nature, such as in Why I Don't Assign Homework and Spies Like Us.
I loved the student blogs. Patrick's Update was particularly interesting to me. He spoke so well and with such conviction and determination, but what really got my attention were all the words of encouragement that came in the comments. Blogging is a great way to express yourself and get advice from other caring adults and students. I also thought the Extreme Biology blog was great for discussing the environmental issues of the drought, conservation, and environmentalism. Many students were passionate about their views, while some admitted to learning something new from their classmate. Another blog I really enjoyed was How to Prevent Another Leonardo da Vinci. Although I teach Special Ed, my two children are gifted. I often feel that our current education system is a disappointment for gifted children. I don't say this to put down any particular teachers. What I do know is that my kids' favorite school days have been Quest days, and when my son went to middle school and was in all AT classes he felt relieved to be in a class full of other kids like him. He always hated waiting around for the rest of the class to finish to move on. In fact his favorite elementary class was a 5th/6th split because he did his 5th grade work and then listened to the 6th grade lessons as well. Our current education system focuses so much on getting low achieving students to pass TAKS that our gifted students are often left unchallenged and unmotivated.
Why I Don't Assign Homework reminded me of the information I learned at the Ruby Payne conference. For students in poverty and/or lacking parental involvement homework serves very little purpose. I've always felt that nightly reading is important, as well as studying spelling and learning math facts. Homework for homework sake serves little purpose. Being a mom, I know that kids need some down time. Many kids have sports, dance, scouting, church, etc. to do in the evenings and these are important parts of their experience and life knowledge as well.
I think blogging is a valuable tool for educators and students to express themselves, demonstrate their learning, and to persuade others to their points of view. On top of that, they can receive valuable feedback and encouragement from others.
I loved the student blogs. Patrick's Update was particularly interesting to me. He spoke so well and with such conviction and determination, but what really got my attention were all the words of encouragement that came in the comments. Blogging is a great way to express yourself and get advice from other caring adults and students. I also thought the Extreme Biology blog was great for discussing the environmental issues of the drought, conservation, and environmentalism. Many students were passionate about their views, while some admitted to learning something new from their classmate. Another blog I really enjoyed was How to Prevent Another Leonardo da Vinci. Although I teach Special Ed, my two children are gifted. I often feel that our current education system is a disappointment for gifted children. I don't say this to put down any particular teachers. What I do know is that my kids' favorite school days have been Quest days, and when my son went to middle school and was in all AT classes he felt relieved to be in a class full of other kids like him. He always hated waiting around for the rest of the class to finish to move on. In fact his favorite elementary class was a 5th/6th split because he did his 5th grade work and then listened to the 6th grade lessons as well. Our current education system focuses so much on getting low achieving students to pass TAKS that our gifted students are often left unchallenged and unmotivated.
Why I Don't Assign Homework reminded me of the information I learned at the Ruby Payne conference. For students in poverty and/or lacking parental involvement homework serves very little purpose. I've always felt that nightly reading is important, as well as studying spelling and learning math facts. Homework for homework sake serves little purpose. Being a mom, I know that kids need some down time. Many kids have sports, dance, scouting, church, etc. to do in the evenings and these are important parts of their experience and life knowledge as well.
I think blogging is a valuable tool for educators and students to express themselves, demonstrate their learning, and to persuade others to their points of view. On top of that, they can receive valuable feedback and encouragement from others.
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