I guess you could say I am interested in media formats in general. The ones that interest me the most are the ones I feel I can effectively use with elementary aged kids-since that is who I work with.
Some of the instructional media devices that I use on a regular basis are computers, internet, and a Smart board. I have 3 student computers and one teacher computer in my classroom. I also have access to a computer lab and a laptop cart with 24 laptops computers. Instructionally, I use the computers for word processing, power point, Internet research, and as a resource-among other things. As part of a recent unit on roller coasters, I had the students use the laptops to research the history of roller coasters and their design. I also had them go to two different websites where they could construct a virtual roller coaster. This lesson was an example of both demonstration and discovery learning. The students could create their own coaster and discover what ideas to would most likely work, and which ones wouldn’t when building their own roller coasters. I have found that having the students do the online exploration makes their actual coaster designing much more successful.
I also have a Smart board that I use regularly for different things. A few of the things I use it for are lecture and demonstration. I often present my notes via the Smart board. I prefer this method of note-taking because the notes are neat, I can use graphics, and if a student is absent, I can quickly print them a copy of the notes with any afterthoughts we added during the lesson. I can also use the Smart board for demonstration since I can navigate through websites freely and show videos from a number of sources.
There are a number of instructional media devices I have not tired yet, but look forward to using. Our school’s IT is currently doing training on Photostory, a program where students can create mini movies. I would love to have students present research in this form rather than just the paper pencil method. I also hope to start using wikis. I think they could be a great way for students to group work and peer teaching by discussing novels they are reading. Another media device I look forward to using for individualized instruction is a form of Ebooks that our school has purchased. These are hand held devices-similar to an iPods-where students can listen to books read aloud. This will be a great resource for my students trying to learn to English language, or students reading below grade level.
I am sure there are many more devices out there, and I look forward to advances in future instructional media devices that will add to my instructional methods.
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4 comments:
You are fortunate to have so many computers in your room. The SmartBoard is one of my favorites. I would suggest you try Google Docs with your kids. It is very similiar to Word and PowerPoint.
It sounds like you school is very technologically advanced. At our school we do have a laptop cart but it only has 16 laptops. I have 20 students so the only time I use the laptops is if students are working in pairs. We do a have computer lab that I can take my students to if they each need a computer. I really like the idea of using ebooks with students. This would definitely helps students become fluent readers.
I think your blog is an excellent perf. tech in action when you explain printing notes for absent students.
It does sound like your school is media central. :-) I would imagine your students come away greatly prepared for modern media in general.
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