Student Centered Learning Strategies

Blog Post 3: Technology Implementation Strategies

This article is largely about the use of video and vodcasts in education and one application of this is the flipped classroom. A definition of flipped classroom is given at the beginning of the article and then a list of benefits for using it. Links are also given that explain the details better. The success of the Khan Academy has made the flipped classroom model a hot topic right now. Sal Khan has made videos that the students watch on their time and class is used for practice and collaborative work. One big concept is giving the learner control over the lectures. The students watch the lectures/direct teach at home where they can go at their own pace, and review as needed. They bring this knowledge into the classroom where enrichment is done. The classroom becomes more like a lab for experiments and deeper thinking. Another point made by the article is that most teachers dont have the training to know what to do with the time. Since there is really not as much structure, many teachers are not sure how to make the best use of the classroom time. Khan's models do not show this and there is not a large amount of training for this at the present. The author advocated that this should be just part of the equation and gives a detailed model of what it should look like in practice. This model incorporates the video part of the teaching into a cycle of learning. Ill give a brief explanation of the 4 parts of the cycle. Part 1 is experimental engagement. This gives an introduction and something hands on to get the students engaged. Part 2 is concept exploration. This is where the video can come in. It is learner controlled and they can be given many different means to get the material. This is also the part where they can talk about it with others electronically. Part 3 is Meaning making. This is assessment and reflection. Tests, written and video blogs are examples. Part 4 is demonstration and application. This is when they move past the reflexion and create something. I think this could be a very useful strategy. I am certainly much more familiar with the old lecture format and giving up control of that is not a comfortable thing. I hope to try to do at least some of this so that the classroom time can be used for the application. It will give the students an opportunity to not just hear from me all the time but possibly many other sources. A second technology strategy that I hope to implement in the classroom is wiki. Before the class, I really did not understand what a wiki was. I had used Wikipedia but it was just information to me. I think this would be a great way to get group projects done and easily be able to get all in the group involved. http://usergeneratededucation.wordpress.com/2011/06/13/the-flipped-classroom-model-a-full-picture/

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Blog Post 2: Handheld Devices

The majority of the articles I could find were about the iPad or other tablet devices like it.  IPods, especially the touch models are very similar, just not as big.  I think this is why alot of the library initiatives that are becoming popular, the tablets are more versitile for all ages.  Children are beginning to grow up in a society where using these devices are very common and comfortable.  School libraries are going to have to start incorporating these to keep up. 

The article that I focused on listed several ways that iPads are being used or suggestions of ways they could be.  The most obvious, to me, for a library setting is ebooks.  Many students are very comfortable reading in this manner as opposed to regular books.  These can be downloaded fairly easily.  So the library doesn't have to block so much content,  it can preload books.  A great deal of free books are available.  For younger students, interactive books read aloud can generate better interest in reading.  The next use that would seem to be pretty obvious is to have devices to check out.  There is the concern of theft or proper use but if the patrons are aware of the late fees are replacement costs, they are more likely to get it back. 

From there there are many possible ways to incorporated handheld devices.  Librarians can benefit as well since they can carry them around and access the database anywhere.  Apps are more readily available to help patrons find what they are looking for from their device.  Also, the devices can be used to sign up for services and library cards.  They can be used to teach different library classes like learning to read or updating a resume.   They can even be used for checkout purposes. 

Libraries are beginning to try to phase out traditional computer workstations with iPad stations.  This is in response to the fact that youger generations are, again, comfortable with the tool. 

Many of the ideas in this article are geared to public libraries.  I feel like many of them would work very well in the public school library.   If I were starting from scratch, I would go for the simplest of the uses first, such as the ebooks and checkout.  I would really like to have apps available that the students can use to search the catalog from anywhere.  For younger students, I really like the idea of using the devices for interactive books and reading aloud from those. 

Site Administrator.  (2011).  20 Coolest iPad Ideas for Your Library. www.onlinecollege.org

Blog Post 1: Technology Strengths and Weakness

I would have to say that my weaknesses far outweigh my strengths at this point.  This is even more evident after reading the first chapter of the Smaldino book.  I feel like I am still in the very basic stages of integrating technology into my classroom.  I use power points to present.  I occasionally take the students to a computer lab setting to search/research topics that they are required to use to complete certain assignments.  Due to the lack of many student computers in the classroom, I have also allowed use of personal devices (mainly smartphones) to do short research.  Looking at the NETS for teachers, I don't measure up very well on those categories.  I do feel like I can figure things out pretty well (though this blog is making me question that some) and am willing to learn more.  I tend to be very reluctant to try things out of fear of the unknown.  I would very much like to start integrating more web 2.0 into the classroom.  This is the first time I have ever blogged, I have a rudimentary web site that is only updated about once a year (beginning of school).  I would just like to feel more comfortable using technology in ways that can be beneficial in the classroom.