Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
The Future of Education
A great piece of work by NMC Horizon Report 2013 regarding some emerging technologies which will have impact on education in 12 moths time, or in 2 years time or in 5 years time. Some of the technologies mentioned in the report sounds familiar to me especially those technologies like cloud computing and mobile learning thanks to our I4Ed class. There are schools now who start using these two technologies as part of their teaching tools.
Technologies like Learning Analytics and Open Content expected our Education system in a positive way. Using Learning Analytics we will be able to identify areas a student might lack understanding from the lesson and that will help educators to work that student without affecting other students. Open Content movement expected to reduce the ever increasing cost of education.
Emerging technologies like virtual and remote laboratories and 3-D printing are start influencing our education system sooner than expected. Thanks to growing investments and new mobile apps, 3-D printing becomes accessible in some schools that enable their students to learn the design process, build rapid prototype and creates models consistent with the curriculum. Virtual laboratories are already more accessible to schools that didn't have a well established labs. Virtual labs give students the chance to do as many experiments as they want without fear of material being run out.
As a person who used 1960s text books in my country until 2006, as a person who touched computer keyboards a few times until 2006, the changes I have now witnessing regarding education and technology is unreal. As an educator what I have to do with fast changing education system is the make myself familiar with some of the technologies affecting our education system as much as possible.
Finally, as this report pointed out they are not predicting that these technologies will affect our education system in the given order. They understood that how technology is an unpredictable phenomenon affecting our life hugely.
Have a good day!!!!
Technologies like Learning Analytics and Open Content expected our Education system in a positive way. Using Learning Analytics we will be able to identify areas a student might lack understanding from the lesson and that will help educators to work that student without affecting other students. Open Content movement expected to reduce the ever increasing cost of education.
Emerging technologies like virtual and remote laboratories and 3-D printing are start influencing our education system sooner than expected. Thanks to growing investments and new mobile apps, 3-D printing becomes accessible in some schools that enable their students to learn the design process, build rapid prototype and creates models consistent with the curriculum. Virtual laboratories are already more accessible to schools that didn't have a well established labs. Virtual labs give students the chance to do as many experiments as they want without fear of material being run out.
As a person who used 1960s text books in my country until 2006, as a person who touched computer keyboards a few times until 2006, the changes I have now witnessing regarding education and technology is unreal. As an educator what I have to do with fast changing education system is the make myself familiar with some of the technologies affecting our education system as much as possible.
Finally, as this report pointed out they are not predicting that these technologies will affect our education system in the given order. They understood that how technology is an unpredictable phenomenon affecting our life hugely.
Have a good day!!!!
Monday, April 7, 2014
Educational Videos For My Classroom.
Math related videos are an integrated part of my teachings. Since I didn't do my high school in Canada, I always check some math videos on some specific topics to see how they approach the lesson in this part of the world. At times I have advantage particularly in some math lesson learning in a slightly different way in my country than here because I will have a different way to approach the lesson if my students didn't understand the lesson.
When I need an inspiration and up to date Math teaching I will always go to the TED talk videos.
TED Talk
Khan Academy
-it is not the coolest video around but I usually check the Khan Academy videos a day or two before I teach a particular lesson I usually to see how they approach the lesson.
There are some interesting videos for classroom in the teaching channel. I watched a video by a teacher called Leah Alcala called "learning by mistake."
Finally, for me videos are a great resources for my teachings. Some videos can be long and unnecessary but as long as they are math videos I always watch them because I get at least one usual thing out it.
Regarding sharing with my students, I didn't do it in all of my student teachings but in the future when I come across reliable videos like TedTalk I don't hesitate using in my classroom, but usually I have to watch the videos at least two times before I show my students.
Have a good day!!!
When I need an inspiration and up to date Math teaching I will always go to the TED talk videos.
TED Talk
Khan Academy
-it is not the coolest video around but I usually check the Khan Academy videos a day or two before I teach a particular lesson I usually to see how they approach the lesson.
There are some interesting videos for classroom in the teaching channel. I watched a video by a teacher called Leah Alcala called "learning by mistake."
Finally, for me videos are a great resources for my teachings. Some videos can be long and unnecessary but as long as they are math videos I always watch them because I get at least one usual thing out it.
Regarding sharing with my students, I didn't do it in all of my student teachings but in the future when I come across reliable videos like TedTalk I don't hesitate using in my classroom, but usually I have to watch the videos at least two times before I show my students.
Have a good day!!!
Show and Tell-Educational Apps
In my I4Ed class I come to know many helpful educational apps from my instructor and from my classmates that my immediate is to buy an iPad as soon as I can afford. I have a list of high school math apps lined up when I have my iPad.
KineMath
-is a powerfully dynamic tool for teaching and learning mathematics. This app provide us with a fun way to interactively explore, in real time, the graphs, plots and functions found in algebra, pre-calculus and calculus courses.
This app is great for classroom use. If we are looking to show kids how changing the variables in a function changes the graph of the function, this app let us do it easily. KineMath app help students manipulate twelve different functions, interact with graphs and plots, copy and export their work, and view examples for deeper understanding.
Math Formulas - Reference Guide
-Over 100 math formulas at high school level. The covered areas include algebra, geometry, calculus, trigonometry, probability and statistics. Most of the formulas come with examples for better understanding. Use the powerful search function to find what you are looking for and mark your favorites for easier access.
Math Quizzer
-Math Quizzer is an interactive and fun way to, not only learn, but also to boost your skills in; Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and Division. It offers an easy to understand chalkboard visual, which keeps track of your "score" as you progress.
Have a good day!!
Podcasts
Web-Based Courses in Manitoba are available to schools wishing to teach high school courses through the internet. These courses thought by teachers who may be off site. According to Sophia Palahicky, WBC-Manitoba has 42 web based courses, around 1000 teachers and 9000 students.
I found some of the notes and the examples on WBC tired to relate Math lessons to the real world experience which I found great comparing the old text book I'm currently using for my class.
Grade 11 Applied and Pre-Calculus courses are still on the process of changing them. They can be used as an additional resources in the classroom.
My overall concern on the WBC courses are the usual ones, lack of contact between students and teachers. For me, in my past student teaching I have noticed one of the main problems we have in our school regarding teaching math is teachers spend less time to asses and help students on areas they struggle because of the size of classes, size of the courses the teacher has to cover in the school year. For me, you can have the best lecture on the internet or the best notes on line, but the key for our students to succeed is they need teachers we can spend enough time working with them to help them well equipped for the next classes.
Have a good Day!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)