|
How
May We Help You?
So
Little Time! So Much to Do!
Do you feel like you are running out of school year and there is still
so much to do? It makes sense to maximize instructional time to
offer students the greatest amount of learning in the least amount of
time. However, now that Spring has sprung, how do you capture student
attention? Brain research provides us with many insights into
learning and how students learn best. We would be delighted to
model lessons and collaborate with you on lessons to maximize your
teaching while capturing student attention.
Melanie
& Gail
Brain Based Learning and Technology
Today's society is rich in data. Instant
information is available to us with the invention of the
internet. Laptops and tablet pcs, cell phones, and pdas give us
connectivity 24/7. This is so amazing! As educators, have
we really, truly given this thought as how it applies to students in
our classrooms?
One of the most definitive works on brain
based learning is How People
Learn: Brain, Mind, Experience, and School, edited by John
Bransford, Ann Brown, and Rodney Cocking. The book is important
because it questions the beliefs and practices in schools based on
emergent brain research, cognitive learning theory, and the integration
of technology. The findings of these authors are:
1. Learning changes the physical structure of the brain.
2. Structural changes alter the functional organization of the
brain (i.e. learning organizes and reorganizes the brain).
3. Different parts of the brain may be ready to learn at
different times.
They then went on to examine how technology
and its relationship to learning. Schools that put a great emphasis on
daily classroom use of technology were found to have higher scores on
standardized tests (SOLs). The question was why. The authors
found that because many new technologies are interactive, it is now
easier to create environments in which students can learn by doing,
receive feedback, and continually refine their understanding and build
new knowledge. Technologies can help people visualize
difficult-to-understand concepts, such as differentiating heat from
temperature. Students are able to work with visualization and modeling
software similar to the tools used in real world environments to
increase their conceptual understanding and the likelihood of transfer
from school to future employment settings. New technologies provide
access to a vast array of information, including digital libraries,
real-world data for analysis, and connections to other people who
provide information, feedback, and inspiration, all of which can
enhance the learning of teachers and administrators as well as students.
By actively thinking about the integration of
technology, eeducators will be assured of providing their students with
the best possible means to grow and develop, not only with the
knowledge needed to pass a standardized test that no one will care
about with the student is an adult, but with the skills necessary for
successful lives in the Digital Age.
Downloadable Goodies
 Machines
Use this template to provide students with practice figuring out
input/output patterns
Help
needed/I'm okay cards These help/ok cards are small enough to put
on students' desks. Print out on cardstock, enough for each
student to have one. There are six on the sheet. Laminate
if possible. Fold on dotted line. If the student is working
and doesn't need help, the ok side is facing forward. If the
child needs assistance, they turn the card around. In the
computer lab, use velcro to velcro the cards to the monitor.
These would be great to use during testing situations.
|
|
Wonderful Websites
As
the school year winds down, you may be on the lookout for resources to
teach internet safety. These
sites have tips and advice on how children and young adults can use the
Internet safely. Includes tips on surfing, chat rooms, and about not
giving out personal information on the web. There are online games and
activities that teach lessons about Internet safety. There are also
pledges and certificates that children can sign.
CyberNetiquette
Comix Here are three interactive comics about safe use
of the Internet. Be sure to check out "Top Ten Netiquette Tips." NOTE:
Site has banner ads.
Disney's
Bank of Cyber Safety Lesson Plans This is a list of lesson
plans from Disney that you can use in your classroom. NOTE:
Site has banner ads.
Child
Safety on the Information Superhighway Learn about the
benefits and risks of using the Internet. Also contains tips on how to
reduce these risks
America
Links Up This site has a list of tips for parents that
children should follow when using the computer and surfing the
internet.
The
Parents' Guide to the Information Superhighway Learn how to teach
your child to use the Internet and more with this downloadable
book. Awesome Resource!
Internet Safety Game This online game has children answer
questions on using the Internet safely. The game can be played for
points or not. Scroll down for tips on Internet safety.
How to Keep Safe in Chat Rooms Suggestions on how to be safe when
using chat rooms. Read stories about the dangers, parent tips, kid
tips, and school tips.
Surf
Swell Island Help Mickey Mouse and his friends collect all
the jewels by answering Internet safe questions in this online game.
Keeping Kids Safe Online Scroll down for information on the
benefits and risks of using the Internet.
Surftificate
from 4kids.org This printable certificate can be signed by children
as an agreement to use the Internet safely.
SBC Internet
Safety Game For Kids
learn about Internet safety by helping the
Internet superhero find the bad guy and becoming a hero yourself. You
can even print out a hero certificate
 
Tech Tip
Some ideas of how this
could be used:
1. Students could write a newspaper article
from a historical perspective. "Pretend you are a reporter during the
civil war..."
2. Language arts students could write articles
about novel characters, plot events, etc. It's a great way to review a
novel.
3. You could also have students complete
propaganda projects or book reviews.
4. The teacher could generate a prompt
such as "Board Changes Lunch Policy" with an article that tells that
hamburgers and pizza will no longer be allowed on the menu for school
lunches. Students could write letters to the editor or write persuasive
letters to the school board to defend their position...
5. Writing a news article is a great
way to practice summarizing skills
|
|
