Auditory Learning...

http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.parentssource.com/1.02.ear.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.parentssource.com/1.02.article.asp&h=90&w=70&sz=2&hl=en&start=17&tbnid=Pl3bg254GkmQ7M:&tbnh=78&tbnw=61&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dauditory%2Blearner%26gbv%3D2%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den

When doing research on auditory learners, I came across this article "Parents' Source: Family Resource Center" as a way to help parents understand how their children learn. The article goes through the three different types of learners (visual, auditory, kinesthetic) and describes the characteristics of each one. The most interesting point the author makes about auditory learners is the fact that they might hum or sing to themselves while they work. This is one of my pet peeves in the classroom - when I'm trying to teach or speak to the class and there is a constant hum in the room. I think by now my students know that this is something that drives me nuts, so some may do this on purpose, but I guess I never realized that it may be actual auditory learners doing this to help them. This article made me realize that I should probably be more patient with this humming in the room, as it may be a special way for students to learn.

The article also discusses how auditory learners benefit from poems, rhymes, and silly songs for memorization. As much as I'm a visual learner, I also use poems, rhymes and silly songs for memorization. Using that actually helped me a lot in university!

I'm just thankful that there are articles out there that are written by experienced people in the field, that are targetted toward parents. I think it's easy as a parent to get misconstrued information and automatically assume that your child should be learning a certain way. In this case, parents should be encouraged to research and learn about the different ways children learn - sot hey can better understand their children

Characteristics of the Auditory Learner

The first thing I think of when I hear the phrase 'characteristics of the audio learner' is Gardner's Multiple Intelligences. His theory shows a true understanding that everyone learns in different ways. In my opinion, the audio learner remembers what he/she hears, may be a good speaker, responds well to phonics, and maybe even talks while he/she writes.

There are many different advantages to being an auditory learner - such as remembering names, being an eloquent speaker, and maybe even being musically inclined. However, there are also some disadvantages of being an auditory learner. These might include being easily distracted by noise, the written word may not have much meaning or importance, and the idea that these learners are listening to something inside of them instead of the person who is speaking. (http://www.trcc.commnet.edu/Ed_Resources/TASC/Training/Auditory_Learning.htm)

I think people who learn auditorily are fascinating, and I wish I could be more like them. Instead, I need to see things in a visual way - I can't do a thing without a list in front of me. Audio learners would benefit from extra time at the listening centre in primary grades, and some hands-on auditory technological work in the junior and intermediate grades. Once these students hit highschool, there's no telling what they'll do - the sky's the limit.

I think the main idea here is to accept that everyone learns differently and to remember that there may be some auditory learners in our classrooms. For this reason, we should be ensuring that we teach to accommodate all students. This may include non-traditional teaching methods such as class podcasts, etc. I can't wait to learn more about this topic so I can apply the knowledge to my classroom. I will definitely think twice next time I ask a student to put down the iPod...that's for sure!

SMART Ideas OESS Assessment

The SMART Ideas Software program is a program that introduces and uses
concept-mapping for students. It is an application that my board required me to teach to my grade four students during the first term of school. This is a program that was new to me, before having taught it last term. In utilizing and assessing this software, I found going to the manufacturer’s website made things a little easier. The Smart Technologies website describes SMART Ideas as a tool to help students “better analyze and understand complex ideas by building multilevel interactive maps (http://www2.smarttech.com/st/en-US/Products/SMART+Ideas/). The following is my assessment of the SMART Ideas program using the rubric created for OESS software programs.

In terms of content, the SMART Ideas software program is educationally-sound and always presents intelligent, thought-provoking, higher-order information. Since it is a tool to make graphic organizers and concept maps, it is clearly more of an educational tool than a game. It encourages users to plug in educational information in order to create higher-level concept maps.

SMART Ideas is a program that caters greatly, and is very relevant to the Ontario Curriculum. It is a program that can help in many different areas, including literacy, numeracy, social studies, science, and more. I was able to incorporate many subject areas in the tasks that I assigned using the SMART Ideas program. For example, my students were studying Canada at the time in social studies, the assignment required each of them to choose a province, and they had to come up with a concept map showing at least six different interesting facts about that province. They set this up using a brainstorm or concept map layout, and they had to incorporate text, graphics, colour, font, and connectors. This is a great program to relate to any Ontario Curriculum requirements.

The attractiveness and appeal of this program is great. It incorporates different colours and graphics, and definitely had my students wanting to explore further. They could not get enough of all the creative things they could use to make their concept maps unique. This program offers many options to cater to every student’s needs.

SMART Ideas does have a help button that is similar to the one in Microsoft Word. If you click the help button, a textbox pops up and asks you what you are needing help with. It will then walk you through the steps to solve the problem. My students were able to utilize the help button and get themselves out of any issue they had. The help button is very user-friendly, and you do not have to be a rocket scientist to solve problems in this program. It is great for experimenting, and if you do something ‘wrong’ or something that you do not like anymore, you can always ‘undo’. Great tool!

In terms of the modernity of this program, the one my board uses is quite up-to-date. There are no references to older ideas or concepts, and the information presented is very current. The people who designed the program were clearly thinking in terms of what teachers need in today’s classroom – and created this! On the topic of upgrades, the website states, “minor upgrades are available free of charge. Major upgrades are released annually and are available to SMART Ideas software customers for a nominal charge”. This is excellent!

Gender and culture neutrality are not even an issue with the SMART Ideas program simply because it is a concept mapping tool that allows the students to plug in the information they want. Therefore, there are no references to places or names. They do, however, provide sample maps (and on the website as well) that incorporate every subject from poetry in language arts, to the human anatomy in life sciences. These are real examples of information students at any age and from any race, will relate to and find very useful. Also, as stated on the website, this program is available in English, French, and Spanish – so it caters to many different groups of people.

The mechanics of this program are very easy to follow. Any buttons or links provided will take you to wherever you need to be quickly and efficiently. As previously stated, it has an ‘undo’ button that my students found extremely helpful, especially when they were initially experimenting with the program to get to know it better. The Windows version of this program includes the standard menu bar that we would normally see in Microsoft Words. The menu bar included ‘file’, ‘font’, etc. – which are things my students found easy to use because of their familiarity with other programs using similar buttons. The SMART Ideas program is completely non labour-intensive, and once you get to know the program, it has a very low frustration level. It is user-friendly and you are able to experiment and explore with ease.

On our school computers this program is very easily accessible. It takes only three to four easy steps to get to this program once you are logged on. Also, the Smart Technologies website states that this program is available for Windows, Macintosh, and Tablet PCs, so no one is left out! SMART Ideas is also available in both Canada and the United States.

The fact that the manufacturer of SMART Ideas has a website is also very helpful because of the services and information it provides. For example, there is an “Already a Customer?” section that offers free upgrades, technical support, downloadable software, training, and product registration. The website also includes live trials, sample concept maps, purchasing information, and testimonials.

Using the rubric I created, I would grade SMART Ideas software program at a Level 4. It is a great program to use as it is user-friendly, easy to follow and understand, it is great for exploring, and fun to use. I would recommend all boards in Ontario purchase the SMART Ideas software program for their schools.

Epals...cool!

This post is in response to a schoolmate's posting on epals...

Keethai - looks like you found a couple gems!

I really like your idea about giving your kids e-pals and I would like to know more about it. How do your students have access to email? It triggered a thought of mine - I have a friend who teaches grade four (same grade as me) in the Niagara region, and she is always telling me how she tells her class about "her friend who teaches up in the great white north" (that's me!). Well, we decided that we should have each of our classes write letters to each other and start a pen-pal type thing. Well, that idea fell by the wayside for the time being, however now that I think about it - I think e-pals would be so much easier than snail mail! I just wonder how I would do it, because our board blocks anything like hotmail. I wonder if Google's gmail would work. What do you use?

The "Tell Me a Story" idea is also great. Books on tape/cd are always a big hit - so why not make it easier and have them podcast over the internet. The students can listen and even look at digital pictures that go along with the story! Awesome...

Please tell me more about your epals so I can set something up too!!

thanks!

Criteria to Consider for OESS

I originally posted this on WebCT on Monday, January 21st, but for some reason it didn't show up. Therefore, I posted again on WebCT, and here as well - just to be sure :)

I've been reading through all the criteria brought up so far and it's very difficult to find ones that have not already been mentioned. That being said, I realize that these software programs can be evaluated on many different levels. Thus, the following are my ideas for important criteria to include in a rubric.

1. Attractiveness - is it appealing to the eye? Does it make use of excellent font, colour, graphics, effects, etc.?

2. Age-appropriate - is it appropriate for the age group the program is intended for? And can it be adjusted to fit different age groups?

3. Modern/Up-to-Date - we all know how difficult it is to teach with old and out-of-date resources, this one is self-explanatory

4. Mechanics - are links easy to follow, and the program itself is user-friendly (non labour-intense, not frustrating for us non-techies)

5. Help - is there some sort of help hotline or help button that will troubleshoot problems for you should things go awry?

6. Content - is the material and information useful and relevant to the intended audience, leaving nothing to the imagination

7. Sources – are there many sources and references for websites, textbooks, and other helpful information

8. Access – is the program easily accessible or do you have to jump through 5 hoops and three passwords just to get on

Hope these look okay. I can't wait to see the rest!

More Podcasting Gems...

http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/5-17-2006-96434.asp

I came across this article while doing some research of podcasting. It grabbed my attention because something seemed a bit different. The articles and literature I usually find for podcasting usually have the benefits for students. This article however, outlines the benefits of podcasting for educators, students, and parents. It's a win-win no matter who or what you are!

The main point of the article that I think really hits home, is that podcasting is so relevant in today's world for educators because it allows them (us!) to "reach students through a medium that is both "cool" and a part of their daily lives." This to me, is so important because I see this first hand. The idea that the teacher is taking an interest in something that is so relevant in the students' lives, means a lot. In my experience, students are more apt to be engaged and be responsible for their learning if they are being engaged by someone who is "with it"; someone who knows "what's cool". It doesn't matter how young or old you are, if you are "down with" what the kids are "down with", you're in the money! That's probably enough of my 'young and hip' lingo...I digress.

Podcasting is definitely something I see myself using over the next few years. I think it is something that the students will pick up very easily, as many of them are better at operating computers than we are! Incorporating podcasts in my daily teaching could be an effective way of engaging my students - especially those who are easily distracted. I think the article really hits home when it says that teachers need to stop viewing iPods and other such technologies as distractions for learning, and rather view them as tools for learning. That is key!

Thoughts on Podcasting...

When the topics for this week came up as "Podcasting" and "Digital Storytelling", I recalled the computers course I took while in BEd (with Peter!). We actually had to create our own website that boasted the definitions and benefits of digital storytelling and podcasting. At the time I thought it was the neatest thing in the world, and I guess I had it in my head that by the time I was in my own classroom, I would be using these technologies daily. Well, unfortuately my BEd year was two years ago and I have not once used these technologies...but I have not given up! I think this course will get me back on track!

It just so happens that in grade four in Term 2, the application my kids have to learn and be assessed on for the report card is the use of Microsoft Powerpoint. it's funny though, because as I was reading this article (http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/5-17-2006-96434.asp), it talks about how educators are turning powerpoint presentations into podcasts. It just got me thinking 'why am I teaching my kids powerpoint, when a more practical application to learn would be podcasting?'.

Well, I have no real answer to that question aside from the fact that the applications that need to be taught in each term are set out by the powers beyond myself before the school year even begins. However, that's not to say that I can't introduce my kids to powerpoint, have them learn it, and then take it to a new level...

My team-teacher in grade four is very much into using audio technology within the computer system. In fact he recently showed me a slideshow he created (using Moviemaker I believe?) that included scanned copies of his students' cinquain poems. However, he made this into a podcast (although he's probably unaware of that terminology...) by having each student read their poem into a microphone. With the software program he chose, he was able to view the slideshow (and show his class) which had a 'voice-over' of each child reading his/her own poem. Let me tell you, the kids loved this!!

If only I were that confident in using such audio technologies and podcasting abilities...

The Tragic Effects of Cyber Bullying

The following blog is in response to a posting by Christine, who talks about one girl's tragic story of cyber bullying.

Christine - I saw this story, but I think it was on 60 minutes. It was the exact same story though - and it was so sad. I couldn't get over the fact that it was a mom, someone who should 'know better' than to do such things to today's youth. I can only imagine the level of intelligence this mother had while she was doing these horrid things. I was always taught from a young age that if girls (and children in general) act like spoiled brats or get into trouble, etc., they most likely are learning this from the parents.

Unfortunately in many bullying and cyber-bullying situations, it is the parents who are encouraging and provoking bad behaviour. The reason I say it is unfortunate is because one would expect adults to have more sense than this; to realize the consequences to these actions, and hopefully think twice. I am not saying that it is excusable if the actual teenage daughter was behind the cyber-bullying, but I think adults are held to a higher standard than children. And therefore, this is inexcusable, unbelievable, and disgusting to say the least.

To lose a daughter to such cyber bullying would evoke the worst feelings in a mom or dad. I think I would feel such hatred toward the mom-bully since she was the one who pushed my daughter to the edge.

It's so tragic to think that there are no laws to protect other children from such horrific online behaviour. To say that this would be an infringement of one's right to free speech is ridiculous. There should definitely be laws and harsh punishments for this type of behaviour. What is needed is proactive discipline, and not reactive. It is unfortunate that something like this had to happen, but maybe it will take something so severe to actually get something done about cyber bullying.

Wouldn't It Be Great??

Wouldn't it be great to be able to add animated graphics and music to our blogs? Maybe there's a way - does anybody know? I just think we would get a lot more students (and people in general) interested in blogging if it was more entertaining - maybe a little Sinatra while you peruse the blog? Anyways...just my train of thought at the moment. Let me know if anybody knows how to go about doing this...

Advanced Technologies...

In response to a posting by Michael about Bill Gates and advanced technology...

Michael, your post makes me think of a couple things. First of all, it is so amazing to think of all the wonderful things that will be happening in the near future when it comes to technology. On the one hand, it's great to hear Bill Gates talk about the vast advances in technology, but on the other hand, it made me start to think of all the things we already have and are already utilizing.Many boards are already using voice recognition technology with people with learning disabilities. For example, our board uses Dragon Naturally Speaking, a voice recognition software program that will type for you as you speak. This is very beneficial to those in special eduation who have certain limitations with their hands or typing skills. This is just one example of the advanced technology that we are seeing in the education world. But if you walk into a number of schools, daycares, or therapy settings, you will see numerous different machines and technologies that many of us didn't think existed!

So, it's great to think that there will be so many further technological advances in this world that will help with the education realm, but I also think it's important to recognize what we have already, and we are already using within our schools and school boards. It's important to use what we have, and make the best of it - while we're waiting for more and more technological advances that I'm sure will be coming so soon!In terms of blogging, Michael - I think you're right. These advantages are going to change the world of blogging as we know it. And the sad thing is, the people who have never even heard of blogs, will be so far behind at that point - when people are 'blogging' using touch screens or other out-of-the-ordinary means.I just can't wait for the smell application...cool!

Edu-Blogging...USA??

To think that kids in the US are already using blogs to analyze and evaluate books and other writing. That's true though, that we would have to do this in small steps and make sure that whatever blogging we set up for our students is done in a safe way somehow. I also think that it's important to remember that (I think?) standards and laws in the states are different than those in Canada. Thus, there might have been less red tape for teachers in the US to set up edu-blogging for their students. But that is not a reason to be discouraged!I would love to hear of an example of someone in Canada who set up edu-blogging for their students and it actually worked. I would always be scared that I would end up in OCT's bluepages for setting something up that 'crossed the line' - even when you don't intend for it to. There's always such a risk!...but it would be so worth it!

Online Safety!!

Wow - there are so many great websites and links for online safety. I think I had an "Ah-Ha" moment when I was reading through your post. I got to thinking how students (and perhaps people in general?) tend to learn better when they themselves are involved hands-on. The whole concept of 'if you can teach it, you have learned it'. Well what if we as teachers assigned a task to our students to create their own internet safety rules? We could have this as an assignment (perhaps for the junior grades and up?) and it would encourage students to come up with their own internet safety rules that they would want their friends to know. They could put pictures with it and even music or any other bells and whistles! Just thinking about my grade 4 curriculum, I could have them do by creating a PowerPoint presentation. Once they are finished, we could put them up on the board website for all to see. I think an activity like this would not only get the kids to understand the severity of the situation, but it would give them first hand experience at creating something that is normally created by adults. It would also give them a sense of ownership and pride - especially when they get posted on the board website. They would want all their friends to see it, which means more students would be learning about internet safety rules! Woo!...just a thought :)...

Online Learning...

http://www.ion.illinois.edu/Resources/tutorials/overview/weaknesses.asp">http://www.ion.illinois.edu/Resources/tutorials/overview/weaknesses.asp

This a very interesting article. It's the idea that no matter what you look like, how you wear your hair, or what clothes you are wearing - anyone can have the opportunity to learn online (given the access to technology, that is). But in terms of feeling safe, it is true that many children do not consider school to be a safe environment for them. Kids these days are far too focused on outter image versus what's on the inside or, gasp, learning! It is evident that online learning would give people a chance to learn at their own pace, but with also a sense of safety. One cannot see over the computer, and like you said - if I have a disability, or if I have blonde hair or brown, no one can judge me.These facts right there tend to bend the argument for me a little. I just keep thinking of all the school shootings that have gone on in the past ten years and I think to myself, 'what was the cause of it?'. And if you think about it, most times it has to do with not fitting in, not wearing the right clothes, or not being in right group. Online learning would provide an environment that not only is safe for people, but kids would even be able to look past all that surface stuff (because there really isn't any) and get some learning done.I'm not saying that all education should be online, because there are obvious disadvantages as well. I'm just saying that perhaps we should start to think about the benefits of online learning and how maybe things will start to change in regards to our "regular" institution....

Grrr...

I'm trying to post the links to the other blogs in our class, and I thought I figured it out...but that looks terrible ---------------------------------------->.
How do I get it to just list the names of the sites instead of the entire URL?....(getting frustrated!)

Just-in-Case vs. Just-in-Time

http://http://headrush.typepad.com/creating_passionate_users/2005/03/motivated_to_le.html

This article really clarified for me what a previous article had discussed in terms of "Just-in-Case" learning vs. "Just-in-Time". It goes over the idea that Just-in-Case learning is the kind of learning we did in highschool - we learn so much over time that is not necessarily relevant to any real life experience. On the other hand, Just-in-Time learning is that which we know we'll need "to survive" in the near future, so we learn it and learn it well in order to apply ourselves to the task. This is the first time I've ever heard these terms, but it really does make sense. The article goes on to talk about how we as teachers need to make Just-in-Case learning sound and feel more like Just-in-Time learning by finding different ways to motivate our students. We should explain to them before we teach a lesson, that this will come in useful one day. Or we could even bring it back to a real life experience in our personal lives, so that they can relate to that. The article also discusses the danger of Just-in-Time learning, as some of us may learn it just well enough to "survive the current problem, and you might not even understand why the thing you're doing works" (see attached URL), and that is definitely a problem.

I think it's important as teachers, and really anyone is trying to get someone to learn something, to make all material seem as relevant to the learner's real and present life, in order to have the most success. I'll have to work on this when I'm teaching my Medieval Times unit in Social Studies...

Online Learning

Wow - I just finished reading this online learning article (see: online learning.pdf on WebCT) and there are so many interesting facts in there that I didn't already know! I really enjoyed how it went over advantages and disadvantages, as well as gave statistics and even predictions into the future. Some of them were creepy - but probably so true! Something I noticed early on was the fact that 76% of online courses were computer courses. Kudos to us!

One thing I took note of was the mention of teleconferencing and videoconferencing. I can't imagine where my board would be if these 'luxuries' didn't exist. Since my school board is so remote, we rely heavily on tele- and videoconferencing. I can't remember one PD Day that didn't involve videoconferencing. We videoconference all the time to our Director of Education since she lives 4 hours away! I can't even begin to think of what my school did to communicate before any of that existed!Another thing I found interesting was the mention of I-Appliances. To me, these are things like IPods and Blackberrys. This is going to sound strange but it reminded me of my doctor's appointment yesterday. The doctor and I were talking and she was about to perscribe me something, when she decided that she wanted to double check the dosage on the perscription. Low and behold, out pops a blackberry and her tiny little 'touch pen', and she looked up the dosage for the perscription. I don't know if I was more concerned that the amount of medicine that would enter my body would depend on this tiny little I-Appliance - or shocked, that she actually relied on this tool in her day-to-day life. I just thought that was an interesting story to show how much of an impact these I-Appliances will have on our future.

A couple things I was confused about included the mention of the phrase "Just-In-Time learning". What does that mean? Just in time for what?I was also confused by the statement in the Predictions section that stated "No Tombstones for Teleconferencing". Does that just mean that it's here to stay?Overall, I found the article very informative and straightforward. It was extremely interesting to read about the future of all these technologies, and the effect it could have on learning and education as an institution. Something to ponder...will education become completely online in the future? Now, I'm not saying 10 or even 20 years, but what about 50+ years down the road - will there only be IClassrooms?

Check This Out!

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/01/07/blogging_from_beyond_the_grave.html

This article about blogging really makes you think. To some, blogging might be a recent interest, or perhaps not even a familiar word. But to others - it is much more than anyone could imagine. This article is about a soldier in Iraq who had been an avid blogger for many years. Unfortunately he made the news not because of his love for blogging or talent in writing, but because he blogged from the dead. Yes, you heard (read?) me correctly. If you read the article - you'll see that this man actually wrote a blog before he died, and (hoping he would never have to use it) it was posted after his death on Jan. 3 of this year. It was a way of getting one last good-bye to his family, one last chance of explaining things, and one last chance at getting his true feelings out. He stated that like many bloggers, he always wanted the last word. What a way to go, eh? Would you believe that there are many people out there who place such significance on blogging?

It really puts things into perspective for me. A concept such as blogging which has played a very minimal role in my life thus far, is something so highly-esteemed for this man, and for many people alike. Can you imagine what he was feeling when he was actually alive and writing this 'last' blog? Can you imagine what his family thought when they read it? How did they feel? This conjures up so many thoughts and emotions for me...I'm stunned.

It really makes you think...

Hi All - My Intro Blog

I hope everyone had a very restful holiday and all the best in the New Year!

My name is Julia and I graduated from Brock in 2006 from the BA/BEd Con-Ed program. I am originally from Sault Ste. Marie, but am currently in my second year of teaching in the tiny northern community of Sioux Lookout, ON. It is about a 5 hour drive north of Thunder Bay - in a different Time Zone! Last year I taught JK but thankfully this year I have grade four (which is much more my speed!) in the Catholic school.

I have taken a few online courses from Brock before so I am pretty familiar with the WebCT program. I usually consider myself somewhat okay with computers (perhaps only when compared to most 90 year-olds), however computers are something that frustrate me easily, which is one of the reasons I am taking this course. I am also interested in learning about the different programs I can be using to upgrade my technology portion of my teaching (which has a dismal existence at present).

I am very excited to meet everyone and if this is similar to the other online courses that I have taken, I am sure we will all network, and discuss and share best practices and great ideas! Good luck and let's chat soon!