Chapter 9 started out with tools that I just did not see myself using in the classroom. It seemed to me like most of the math and science visualization tools given were meant for older grades. I don't think I would be able to/be interested in using those kinds of tools in an elementary classroom.
I did see value in them for the older grades, though. It is great that there are programs out there that can help students visualize what an atom or molecule might look like and how they might interact.
I thought the section on visualizing geography with geographic information systems (GIS) was interesting. I think this would be a great tool to use in 3-5 grades to learn about geography. I know when I did geography I just used a textbook, which was fine and I still learned a lot from it, but I think it would have been even better if I had had the opportunity to use these visualization tools on the computer. I have used Google Earth before, but not for anything educational really, more just for fun. I use google maps to get directions quite often. I can see myself using these tools in a geography lesson learning about the topography of a certain area.
Visualizing with Digitial cameras and mobile phones is an area I am more familiar with. I would like to incorporate these into my classroom if i have access to them. One way I would like to use Digital cameras or camera phones would be during a science lesson, I could have them go outside and take pictures of whatever we are studying (say different kinds of leaves and trees) and they can study those and compare them.
I also like the ideas of digital documentary. I think it would be fun at the beginning fo the year for each student to do a digital documentary (kind of like we did in this class, i guess) and have them displayed or show them in class (if it's video).
Camcorders would also be nice to have in the classroom - I know my brother in 5th grade presented a book report and his teacher recorded him and everyone else in his class and they had to watch and critique themselves. I think that's pretty hard for a 5th grader to do, but also good experience!
Overall, I think there are some tools from this chapter that I would like to incorporate into my classroom.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Sarah, I agree with your comments about using the geography tools in the older grades such as grade 3-5 as well as the camcorders. I am hoping that when we start teaching their is simple technology for younger students to use. I also really liked the idea of a digital documentary. I would love to have made one in high school on a country or trip that really interests me. I think it is a great way for students to learn about another culture!
ReplyDeleteI like the idea that you said about what your brother did in the 5th grade with his book report. I think that critiquing also is a little too challenging for students in that age arena however I feel that having them create projects on tape is more fun and relevant to their lives.
ReplyDeleteI think that learning geography from a text to is good but even better when supplemented with geographic visualization tools. I remember learning geography from text books and I feel as though the pictures that are incorporated are very detailed and helpful. There is nothing like being able to see it "live," though. This is the advantage that Google Earth has over the books. They would work great together...
ReplyDeleteI like your science ideas about using cameras or phones to take pictures of things outdoors. That's very creative, and I'm sure that kids would love to use something hightech while doing a science lesson. Also, it would give you a chance to see everything that they did, instead of simply asking the students if they found all of the bugs/leaves/plants they were supposed to. With pictures, they have proof that they were on task.
ReplyDelete