Meaningful Learning

The use of rubrics is more helpful to the students but causes more work for the teacher. I think they are helpful because then there is no confusion of what the teacher is asking for in the assignment. I have found them very helpful in my college classes, it gives me a base to work off of and a guideline to follow when doing my assignments.

I believe that Clicker Assessment Tools can be used for certain types of assessments but there would need to be guidlelines set for the students, in some studies they showed that students being able to cheat had increased. Using Clicker tools instead of paper tests keeps the use of paper to a limit which can be environmentally helpful. The use of technology is growing this is just another way to use technology for assessment purposes.

Kidspiration is a great educational software that K-5 students would love to use to learn. There are many different types of software that Kidspiration offers, math, reading, writing, vocabulary, maps, etc. This would be a great option for students to use when they have free time to choose an educational activity to play with. Students like to use things to learn with that don't seem like they are learning, this type of software is just that, they make it fun to learn.

Rubrics are very helpful for students so they can know exactly what the teacher expects in an assignment, it is more work for the teacher but it is worth it so there is no confusion on assignments. I think rubrics are great for older ages but might not work as well for the younger ages. Clicker Assessment Tools would be a great way to test for learning and comprehension, it is more fun than the normal paper and pencil tests. I also like Kidspiration and would like to use it in my classroom.

Reference:
Jonassen, D., Howland, J., Marra, R., & Crismond, D. (2008). Meaningful learning With Technology (3rd Edition). Columbus, OH: Pearson/Prentice Hall

Kidspiration http://www.inspiration.com/Kidspiration

Digital Storytelling

Digital storytelling by Kate Kemker in our text states that digital storytelling does not focus on the activity but rather the tool to create a story. Students first create a story board on paper then record their story with a camera then use the computer to edit their story. When students can create their own story, they feel more involved in the work, it brings out the students creativity. Students also like to use cameras and computers so for them to put their story onto a camera and a computer will definitely strike their interest and make them want to do the work more.

Students seem to understand mathematics better with visualization. In the class that I have been observing in the teacher gives each student base 10 blocks and then uses the smart board and creates base 10 blocks on the smart board, the students have their own blocks to work with but the teacher also models the problem on the smart board, this is a great visual for students when working on math problems. The text states that graphing calculators make math seem more real to them.

The TV has a lot of information both good and bad, I do believe that you can learn a lot from TV, my son is proof of that. He was a TVaholic when he was little, he would know things and when I watch, now in the 6th grade he is GT and in advanced courses. The TV is a great visual it is not just hearing the instructions but you can see the instructions.