The author is upset because she feels that parents are not included in making decisions about the public education system that their children's are involved in but instead the decision are made by people who do not or are likely not to have the first hand experience of a parent.Her solution is to have the parents getting involved as much as they can in their children's educational system with programs such as the PTA or event he booster programs that some schools have.
I would use technology to enhance the connection between parents, teachers and students in order to allow the parents to feel like they are more apart of their child's daily school life, ranging from academics to extracurricular activities. I would use class wiki's and weblogs to keep parents as informed as possible and also keep their child informed also. The use of a weblog would not only allow the student to remain informed but would also allow the paren to be aware of what their child is doing, what is expected of their child, their child's progress and they would also be able to ask question that could be answered without the need of a cnference for every question they may have.
With personal experience of attending three different types of public schools in one county I have come to realize there are various ways for the school and teacher to keep parents informed. One school I attended would send out mass phone calls and leave messages about the smallest detail that a parent would ( or in some case would not) want to know. Another school would mail out a newsletter every week so that parents could stay tuned with what their child was doing and also what the school was doing as a whole. These things were done before computer were as popular. Within these two school there were PTA's and booster clubs for the parents to join. Once technology became more popular teacher in high school would ask for parents emails so that they could email the parents . The school website would not only have the basic information that every parent would want to know but would also have a newsletter, scholarship bulletin board, all faculties contact infrmation and the various booster/ PTA contact information.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Why do we know less than ever about the world?
Due to the fact the news in the United States does not make it a point to cover the world news and does not have any part of its company outside of the United States causes the average American to know only what the news shows. The news stations are more likely to cover a celebrity than to cover the issues that take place in other countries unless they have to do with the war in Iraq.
I do agree that people do know less than they did before about world news because the only issue that I know about are those that pertain to celebrities,the war in Iraq, gas prices and the campaign. When I do find out about issue that are no directly effecting the U.S. it is due to the fact that my family that lives outside of the country will fill me in.I would rather know about the issues in Africa, South America or Cuba than hearing about how Brittney Spears has slowly been making a come back or how Angelina Jolie adopted yet another baby.
As a teacher I would have students find and subscribe to at least two newspaper that are foreign and cover international news. They would have to have no affiliation with the United States and then from there I would make them do weekly reports on the worlds news.
I do agree that people do know less than they did before about world news because the only issue that I know about are those that pertain to celebrities,the war in Iraq, gas prices and the campaign. When I do find out about issue that are no directly effecting the U.S. it is due to the fact that my family that lives outside of the country will fill me in.I would rather know about the issues in Africa, South America or Cuba than hearing about how Brittney Spears has slowly been making a come back or how Angelina Jolie adopted yet another baby.
As a teacher I would have students find and subscribe to at least two newspaper that are foreign and cover international news. They would have to have no affiliation with the United States and then from there I would make them do weekly reports on the worlds news.
Learning Log 2
Subject Area Anthropology
Grade level 9-12
General description Students will research a particular group of people and then find a microcosm of those people at the school and observe them to be able to write a sample ethnography on that group.
Materials Needed
-Paper
-Pencil
-Internet Access
Time required A week of class
Special characteristics
This project allows for students to work together to gain a better understanding of the people in their community and become less ethnocentric.
Objectives
-Allow students to find out about a different culture.
-Teach students firsthand how to start an ethnography
-Lead students to overcome there ethnocentrism
Technology Performance Objectives
The students will use the class wiki to upload their finds and data as they progress through the project.
They will write a daily blog entry about how they feel.
Their final paper will be uploaded onto the class wiki.
Preparation
Teach student how to use the class wiki and have them create weblogs that will online be used for the class.
Then teach them about ethnographies and how to correctly observe a group.
Procedure
1.Research a cultural group
2.Write a blog about the groups ethnocentric views of that group
3.Find a group on campus or in the local community that is of the same culture
4. Observe that group for two days
5.Then write an brief ethnography on the group
*Through the process take detailed notes and upload them daily onto the wiki and weblogs.
Assessment
1. Did students do the preparation steps?
2. Did students follow the procedure?
3. Did the students write the ethnography using anthropology terms?
Curriculum Standards
LA.910.3.1.1
The student will prewrite by generating ideas from multiple sources (e.g., brainstorming, notes, journals, discussion, research materials or other reliable sources) based upon teacher-directed topics and personal interests;
LA.910.3.2.1
The student will draft writing by developing ideas from the prewriting plan using primary and secondary sources appropriate to the purpose and audience;
LA.910.3.3.1
The student will revise by evaluating the draft for development of ideas and content, logical organization, voice, point of view, word choice, and sentence variation;
LA.910.3.5.1
The student will prepare writing using technology in a format appropriate to the purpose (e.g., for display, multimedia);
ISTE NETS-T Standards
1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student
learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments. Teachers:
a. promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness
b. engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources
c. promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students’ conceptual understanding and thinking, planning,
and creative processes
d. model collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in learning with students, colleagues, and others in face-to-face and virtual environments
Extensions
Students will ask questions and a discussion about their finds.
Students will have to interview the group that they observed.
Resources
Various websites that the students will use to gather their data.
Rationale
The information that is going to be taught is about ethnocentrism and ethnographies. This will allow for the students to see that they do have some views that are biased against some groups. This will allow for students who learn better using different methods to benefit since it incorporates a variety of learning styles into the less. The idea is to help eliminate prejudice and ethnocentrism in the average high school student.
Grade level 9-12
General description Students will research a particular group of people and then find a microcosm of those people at the school and observe them to be able to write a sample ethnography on that group.
Materials Needed
-Paper
-Pencil
-Internet Access
Time required A week of class
Special characteristics
This project allows for students to work together to gain a better understanding of the people in their community and become less ethnocentric.
Objectives
-Allow students to find out about a different culture.
-Teach students firsthand how to start an ethnography
-Lead students to overcome there ethnocentrism
Technology Performance Objectives
The students will use the class wiki to upload their finds and data as they progress through the project.
They will write a daily blog entry about how they feel.
Their final paper will be uploaded onto the class wiki.
Preparation
Teach student how to use the class wiki and have them create weblogs that will online be used for the class.
Then teach them about ethnographies and how to correctly observe a group.
Procedure
1.Research a cultural group
2.Write a blog about the groups ethnocentric views of that group
3.Find a group on campus or in the local community that is of the same culture
4. Observe that group for two days
5.Then write an brief ethnography on the group
*Through the process take detailed notes and upload them daily onto the wiki and weblogs.
Assessment
1. Did students do the preparation steps?
2. Did students follow the procedure?
3. Did the students write the ethnography using anthropology terms?
Curriculum Standards
LA.910.3.1.1
The student will prewrite by generating ideas from multiple sources (e.g., brainstorming, notes, journals, discussion, research materials or other reliable sources) based upon teacher-directed topics and personal interests;
LA.910.3.2.1
The student will draft writing by developing ideas from the prewriting plan using primary and secondary sources appropriate to the purpose and audience;
LA.910.3.3.1
The student will revise by evaluating the draft for development of ideas and content, logical organization, voice, point of view, word choice, and sentence variation;
LA.910.3.5.1
The student will prepare writing using technology in a format appropriate to the purpose (e.g., for display, multimedia);
ISTE NETS-T Standards
1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student
learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments. Teachers:
a. promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness
b. engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources
c. promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students’ conceptual understanding and thinking, planning,
and creative processes
d. model collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in learning with students, colleagues, and others in face-to-face and virtual environments
Extensions
Students will ask questions and a discussion about their finds.
Students will have to interview the group that they observed.
Resources
Various websites that the students will use to gather their data.
Rationale
The information that is going to be taught is about ethnocentrism and ethnographies. This will allow for the students to see that they do have some views that are biased against some groups. This will allow for students who learn better using different methods to benefit since it incorporates a variety of learning styles into the less. The idea is to help eliminate prejudice and ethnocentrism in the average high school student.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Using weblogs and wiki's in the classroom
There are several ways that a weblog or wiki could be used in a classroom setting that would be beneficial to everyone.
Although weblogs would not be viewed as a useful tool for educators to use with there students they are very resourceful for a number of reasons. One of the reasons I would use a weblog as a teacher is to keep track of my students journals as a teacher. This is especially useful for English teachers because it will allow for them to keep track of the way their students write and correct the fact that a great deal of students do not use the correct grammar when they are typing online. Since I want to be an anthropology teacher a weblog would be helpful because I could tell my students that their assignment is to observe a group of students and to record any previous notions or biases they may have had to the group and then after working/ observing the group to write how they feel about the group. Then have them compare the two views and ask why they think the change occurred and to have them write a blog about that also.This would allow internet to be incorporated into the classroom in another way other than the usual research that students will normally use the computer for.Another way to use a weblog is to give assignments and/or notes for the class in order to the students to have access to any information that they may have missed one day but to also allow them to ask questions that relate to the information. This allows for the teacher another method to distribute the information to the students and it will allow the students a chance to ask the teacher questions without being embarrassed of what other students may think.
A way that a wiki could be useful is for a computer class where the teacher assigns for a group of students to create their own wiki. Then each groups wiki layout would be used for a different math class. The math teachers would assign homework and the assignment would have to be uploaded to the wiki with a step by step explanation of their work.These two uses would give one set of students the opportunity to have the work in school have a larger meaning than just receiving a grade. Then the students who have to turn their homework in online are given the opportunity to see how other students work out the problem if they are struggling with their work. The two work as positive reinforcement for the students. Another way to use a wiki is to have one set up for the class the has the daily notes, a place to turn in homework, and a place to submit projects or parts of projects. This would just be a major link outside of the normal classroom setting for the teacher to keep in contact with the students and deliver information that they may have missed. Also if a student misses class they now do not have a valid excuse as to miss any assignment.
Although weblogs would not be viewed as a useful tool for educators to use with there students they are very resourceful for a number of reasons. One of the reasons I would use a weblog as a teacher is to keep track of my students journals as a teacher. This is especially useful for English teachers because it will allow for them to keep track of the way their students write and correct the fact that a great deal of students do not use the correct grammar when they are typing online. Since I want to be an anthropology teacher a weblog would be helpful because I could tell my students that their assignment is to observe a group of students and to record any previous notions or biases they may have had to the group and then after working/ observing the group to write how they feel about the group. Then have them compare the two views and ask why they think the change occurred and to have them write a blog about that also.This would allow internet to be incorporated into the classroom in another way other than the usual research that students will normally use the computer for.Another way to use a weblog is to give assignments and/or notes for the class in order to the students to have access to any information that they may have missed one day but to also allow them to ask questions that relate to the information. This allows for the teacher another method to distribute the information to the students and it will allow the students a chance to ask the teacher questions without being embarrassed of what other students may think.
A way that a wiki could be useful is for a computer class where the teacher assigns for a group of students to create their own wiki. Then each groups wiki layout would be used for a different math class. The math teachers would assign homework and the assignment would have to be uploaded to the wiki with a step by step explanation of their work.These two uses would give one set of students the opportunity to have the work in school have a larger meaning than just receiving a grade. Then the students who have to turn their homework in online are given the opportunity to see how other students work out the problem if they are struggling with their work. The two work as positive reinforcement for the students. Another way to use a wiki is to have one set up for the class the has the daily notes, a place to turn in homework, and a place to submit projects or parts of projects. This would just be a major link outside of the normal classroom setting for the teacher to keep in contact with the students and deliver information that they may have missed. Also if a student misses class they now do not have a valid excuse as to miss any assignment.
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