Melissa asks: How did you select the technology you are utilizing? How are your learners responding thus far?
We as a group (Teacher & Students) selected SketchUp for a couple of reasons. First off it was FREE, and next because it has the capability to download into a program that we can utilize with CNC Machinery.
My students have thoroughly enjoyed the experience of learning how to use SketchUp and also being able to actually visualize their project before they start to build it. My students have also developed better relationships with some of their parents from being able to show their parents what they are doing, instead of trying to explain something they are unable to explain very good.
My students are designing two different projects each that differ from each other. They will also be entering their work in a weekly contest that SketchUp offers.
Very exciting adventure, to see the change in myself and my views and how those changes effect my students process of learning.
Brent
Monday, February 25, 2008
665 Question Week 2/25
Melissa asks: How did you select the tech you are utilizing in my ARP, are my learners engaged in their learning? Why or why not?
I am using SketchUp which is a 3D auto drafting program that google offers for free (Basic package). I am also using Blogs (wordlpress) for my students to reflect and keep a journal of their process through this class.
Are my students engaged with their learning? I would say that their are more engaged than they have ever been in the 12 years that I have taught. I have some of their parents wondering a bit why their child is staying up so late at night working on ideas, sketches, planning and researching. I find it exciting and motivating for my self to watch them so excited about what they are doing and the results of their experiences.
I am still having a really hard time not telling them the answers all the time. I have found that I mostly do this because there is always such a shortage of time in class. I am getting better, it is hard though.
Brent
I am using SketchUp which is a 3D auto drafting program that google offers for free (Basic package). I am also using Blogs (wordlpress) for my students to reflect and keep a journal of their process through this class.
Are my students engaged with their learning? I would say that their are more engaged than they have ever been in the 12 years that I have taught. I have some of their parents wondering a bit why their child is staying up so late at night working on ideas, sketches, planning and researching. I find it exciting and motivating for my self to watch them so excited about what they are doing and the results of their experiences.
I am still having a really hard time not telling them the answers all the time. I have found that I mostly do this because there is always such a shortage of time in class. I am getting better, it is hard though.
Brent
Sunday, February 24, 2008
SL Learning Theorist Exhibit Movie 3
This is a video of the Learning Theorists presentations in Secondlife, #3.
SL Learning Theorist Exhibit Movie 2
This is a video of the Learning Theorists presentations in Secondlife, #2.
SL Learning Theorists Exhibit Movie 1
This is a video of the Learning Theorists presentations in Secondlife, movie #1.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Vincent Van Gogh Exhibit
If you would like to look around the exhibit a bit longer then teleport to to the following address: Luctesa 77, 122, 25
If you would like to start the tour directly teleport to the following address: Luctesa 116, 136, 25
Saturday, February 16, 2008
665
How have I selected the technologies I am using with my Action Research Project? How have my students responded so far?
I think I need to have a student evaluation, on how I am doing and what I should be doing better. I think I will do that this week. I am sure there are things I am doing or not doing that I can improve.
Brent
I think I need to have a student evaluation, on how I am doing and what I should be doing better. I think I will do that this week. I am sure there are things I am doing or not doing that I can improve.
Brent
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Assessing Learner Success
Melissa asks: Why are we more concerned with completing assessments successfully, than acquiring the courses goals and objectives?
I think much of it stems back to "TESTING" and how so many people view success on the "A" grade. ACT, SAT, exit exams, scholarships, college entrance it seems as though the grade is the goal, and not the skills/knowledge brought forth from the experiences of their education.
When have I had an experience with this in my life?
My parents always wanted me to do well at school, but I don't remember them pushing me to get straight A's at school. I think the idea of the grade meaning more then the knowledge began at college. The classes I took that I enjoyed I always seemed to do really well in and so I go very good grades. On the other hand the classes that seemed irrelevant to me and my life I struggled through. The problem was by this time in my life, grades had taken a different shape and form. They became the driving force for many students to achieve from the class. My problem was I felt their stress and it transfered to me and I felt the same pressure to get good grades. Interestingly enough, when you search and strive for one you tend to loose the other (grades or knowledge & skills). Can you get both equally, I think it may be possible but we as individuals have practiced one or the other so long it will be hard to change. Being around others who model good skill may be the only real possible way of changing. It seems for me that surrounding my self with good role models is the only way I have been able to develop behaviors that I wish do attain.
Brent
I think much of it stems back to "TESTING" and how so many people view success on the "A" grade. ACT, SAT, exit exams, scholarships, college entrance it seems as though the grade is the goal, and not the skills/knowledge brought forth from the experiences of their education.
When have I had an experience with this in my life?
My parents always wanted me to do well at school, but I don't remember them pushing me to get straight A's at school. I think the idea of the grade meaning more then the knowledge began at college. The classes I took that I enjoyed I always seemed to do really well in and so I go very good grades. On the other hand the classes that seemed irrelevant to me and my life I struggled through. The problem was by this time in my life, grades had taken a different shape and form. They became the driving force for many students to achieve from the class. My problem was I felt their stress and it transfered to me and I felt the same pressure to get good grades. Interestingly enough, when you search and strive for one you tend to loose the other (grades or knowledge & skills). Can you get both equally, I think it may be possible but we as individuals have practiced one or the other so long it will be hard to change. Being around others who model good skill may be the only real possible way of changing. It seems for me that surrounding my self with good role models is the only way I have been able to develop behaviors that I wish do attain.
Brent
Monday, February 4, 2008
Standard that impact my practice
A standard that impact's my practice or environment.
One of the standards I see myself impacted by is "for the student to be able to transfer knowledge and understanding from one topic to the next." In Ubd it says that "it (key ideas) should be learned in such a way that it does not fly away from memory once the unit is over or the test is completed".
One of the standards I see myself impacted by is "for the student to be able to transfer knowledge and understanding from one topic to the next." In Ubd it says that "it (key ideas) should be learned in such a way that it does not fly away from memory once the unit is over or the test is completed".
SketchUp
Today was a great day, we talked more about the class and my expectations. Then we reflected on why they do certain things with the wood lathe to be safe. Then we went and sat down and looked over SketchUp and a few drawings that I have done over the past few days. They were so excited to see what I had done and how they could get started. They looked like they could hardly wait to start designing. Wow, what fun to see kids excited about learning.
Great days like today make it worth it, now I have to design my classes so most days will be like today.
Brent
Great days like today make it worth it, now I have to design my classes so most days will be like today.
Brent
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Essential Question
Did my learning experience map out a goal? It was not written down but it was understood between the two of us that we are trying to understand better how people learn and how to get there. I would say it was understood between us where we were wanting to go.
Having a goal, and understanding that goal is what drives me in my learning.
It gives me a topic to focus all other topics around and connect to. It is what is in the back of my mind all the time trying to understand and make connections of the experiences I am having on the outside. With out the goal in mind there is no direction, and no way to connect past experiences with new ones. That is what is wrong with most school systems, students don't have those goals out front most of the time and then, if they do the path that is given to learn is disconnected from the goal. In Ubd it talks about just because the students are engaged doesn't mean they are learning what you want them to. They will be learning but what they are learning may have nothing related to what your goal is. First there must be goals but the path there must also be planned carefully and thoroughly, or the students will get lost .
Brent
Having a goal, and understanding that goal is what drives me in my learning.
It gives me a topic to focus all other topics around and connect to. It is what is in the back of my mind all the time trying to understand and make connections of the experiences I am having on the outside. With out the goal in mind there is no direction, and no way to connect past experiences with new ones. That is what is wrong with most school systems, students don't have those goals out front most of the time and then, if they do the path that is given to learn is disconnected from the goal. In Ubd it talks about just because the students are engaged doesn't mean they are learning what you want them to. They will be learning but what they are learning may have nothing related to what your goal is. First there must be goals but the path there must also be planned carefully and thoroughly, or the students will get lost .
Brent
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