Using WIkis in Classrooms and Online Courses

How might I incorporate a Wiki in my class?

I created a wiki based on the information that I am learning about on Smartboards. I have listed blogs, interactive web sites and media on how to use the Smartboard in your classroom. The interactive web sites that I listed in my wiki will allow my students to have access to many different hands on program that will work with our Smartboard or they will work with a mouse as long as you have the software needed to run the programs. 

What would the purpose be?

            The purpose of my wiki is to educate students about the use of the Smartboard in the classroom and all that it has to offer. The Smartboard can really bring your work to life. You have so many functional hands on tools that you do not have by just using your computer in class. This will give your students the chance to teach the class.

The content that my wiki might have?

Media videos that show how to use the Smartboard, websites that help give ideas on interactive activates or lessons that could be used in the classroom. I also could use blogs or other wikis that could give use new ideas on the software that runs the boards.

What would the expectations be of your students to contribute to the wiki?

I know that after looking at many different types of wiki’s,  I can see how I might be able to share them with my students. We could look at different wiki’s to help us understand a certain topic that might go with our next lesson or create wiki as a whole class based on a theme that we are learning at that time and my students could create it by using the knowledge that they have learned through out the lesson.

Pedagogy-Richardson

When’s Our Egypt Moment?

One of Richardson’s blogs talked about how our education should be changed.  He talks about how we need to grow in our school and we need to make major changes in how our children learn. He wants to change the “system that’s just not working anymore”. 

Richardson also pointed out that education wont change unless enough of the “people feel dissatisfied”.  He also commented on how he felt that parents would not take their child out of the school that they have reservations about unless they had a better alternative that was safe, effective and convenient for them.

I really felt that he had some good points in this blog. Parents do want their children to receive a well-rounded and challenging education.  Parents will put their child is school that are the best if there is one around for them to enroll there child in. Other parents will say that they want a better education at their existing school but they will continue at allow their child to attend that school.  Schools do need to make changes but they need the funding and the qualified teachers to make this happen.

“Online Learning” Isn’t “Learning Online.”

Comments such as I can work ahead, instant response from the teacher, personalized support when I need it. Are some of the points presented in his blog that a school in Utah pointed out of why that like online learning.  Richardson’s blog shares that learning online is not just about finishing a course or answering questions it should be “about finding our own path through the materials”. He also stated that you need to make the most of your.

I feel that online is what you make of it. I know that it is hard for many people these days to go to class and hold down a job so they do need the online courses to further their education. This is where people need to grow and expand their knowledge of what they have learned either by a face-to-face class or an online course. As it was stated it is what you make of it and how you want to look at it.

My Philosophy of Education:

My philosophy has changed since I began teaching.  With NCLB and the development of Core teaching standards teaching styles, I have been redirected.   I used to feel that teaching should be creative and fun for all; that children should learn through creativity that learning had to be enjoyable.  With NCLB it has been very difficult for me to follow my feelings. I spend most of my days trying to make sure I have covered the requirements to be meet by the end of the school year.  The philosophy of education has become to teach to the standards and try to add some creativity in how you present the lesson to your students.  Students still need to have hands- on, minds –on learning activities to be successful in the classroom. Helping a child grow and meeting every need of all students is a key to our success as teachers.

Children today need to be taught how to have manners we instruct them on good character, grooming, cleaning up after themselves, and how to eat right. In addition they still need to be taught Reading, Writing, and Math. I know that for myself this is just the beginning.  I know that we as teachers will have more than just standards to teach each year. For many of these students school is the only constant routine in their lives. We also have to keep our students safe. For some of our students school is their safe environment.

      I believe that education is very important. Our children are our world’s future leaders and we as educators need to make sure that they have all of the knowledge and tools to succeed in life.  My belief in the reality of teaching is to follow the standards for my grade level and to make sure that my children do not fall behind.  

Knowledge can be defined as what you know and what you have learned. Knowledge is what you know and what you are able to pass on to someone else. Learning is what you are going to acquire from someone else that you did not know before.

I also feel very strongly about parent involvement. I feel that parents should be a part of the classroom. I have an open door policy in my classroom. I want my parents to know that they are welcome, and I want to make sure that we have great communication about their child’s growth in my classroom during the school year. My students are everything to me, and my goal is to make sure all of my students are as successful as possible during their schooling years.

My test Blog

I am sitting in class on Saturday.