Useful Resources
by Brandon T. 1
I am constantly trying to keep with the sheer amount of technology that is being used in the classroom as well as keeping up to date with various methods of instruction when teaching content to my social studies students. The first website that I have come across that I believe is very useful is SAS Curriculum Pathways. The website offers interactive digital lesson plans, maps, tests, quizzes, and art galleries in every core subject area. These include English, Social Studies, Math, Science, and even Spanish taught from grades six through twelve. The teacher can set up an account and then have their students set up accounts as well that are linked to the teachers account. The teacher can then monitor the students progress through the interactive lesson plans with comes complete with an assessment at the end to see if learning has actually occurred.
The next website that I have come across is edomodo.com. Edomodo.com is a "Edmodo is a free and secure social learning network for teachers, students and schools. Edmodo provides classrooms a safe and easy way to connect and collaborate, offering a real-time platform to exchange ideas, share content, and access homework, grades and school notices" (Emodo, 2011). This technology can be accessed from any mobile (i.e. smart phone application, I Pad). Edmodo offers anytime and anyplace learning allowing teachers to collaborate with other teachers and their students across the world in real time. I can post discussion topics, grade and post assignments, share ideas with colleagues, store information in the library, and create and award student badges for targeted behaviors. It is a great tool to use. I use this with all of my classes. The parents love it because they can see the exact time and date that child has turned in their homework assignment, as well as keep abreast of classroom discussions and materials presented at any given time.
Lastly, I came across a blog on blogspot.com that I had to absolutely subscribe to once I read the first post. The website is teachpaperless.blogspot.com "TeachPaperless began in February 2009 as a blog detailing the experiences of one teacher in a paperless classroom. It has grown to be something much more than that. In January 2011, TeachPaperless became a collaboratively written blog dedicated to conversation and commentary about the intertwined worlds of digital technology, new media, and education" (TeachPaperless . 2011). Teachpaperless has won numerous awards from Edublog in 2009. This particular blog has 21st Century classroom idea links section, bookmarks to favorite posts, Teach Paperless Wikis section, a education podcast section, Education Blogs section, upcoming events and webinars section as well as host of other features. Teachpaperless currently has twelve contributing editors to the blog itself. As an educator, this site is useful in that the blogs and information that are posted are credible and useful. The information can be used in my classroom immediately. Whether is a technology based blog, or a blog that covered the SOS rally in Washington D.D. my students and I can make meaningful discussion on the many numerous blogs that are posted to this site.
http://teachpaperless.blogspot.com
Brandon...I think SAS Curriculum Pathways is a site an instructional designer should definitely take a look at. I was impressed with the variety of subjects it covers and I hope that SAS will continue to expand. As stated in our readings, "visual imagery is a highly effective way of remembering things."(Dr. Jeanne Ormrod, PhD, 2011) As a student uses this application he will definitely get a visual and auditory reinforcement of the information he is learning. The teacher has direct access and connection with each student's progress.
ReplyDeleteI was particularly interested in this sight because of its application to me as an instructor in English as a Second Language. We use a communicative approach which "represents a shift away from more structural methods that emphasize drills and repetition, and towards a new emphasis on creating conditions conductive to learning." (Oxford Seminars, 2009) The communicative approach is an amalgamation of popular practices but it primarily focuses on the full immersion and interaction of the student while learning. SAS Curriculum Pathways has a product that immerses the student through more than one behavioral skill and definitely uses technology to accomplish a great learning environment for the student and the teacher. It's a great site!
Dr. Jeanne Ormrod, PhD. (2011). Information Processing and the Brain. Retrieved 2011, from www.waldenu.edu: https://www.waldenu.edu
Oxford Seminars. (2009). TESOL/TEFL Certification Course Training Manual. Ontario, Canada: Oxford University Press.Edit | Delete 11:57 AM