Google For Educators is a new resource that allows teachers to access free online tools to use in their classrooms. There are many different programs that you can utilize immediately by downloading them for free.
There are three specific tools on this site that I look forward to using in my physical education classes. The first tool that I plan to utilize is Blogger. I plan to use this website to allow my students to share ideas and thoughts about the way the class is being taught, and to create their own personal goals that they can track throughout the semester. This will also allow me to post course documents, and share photos of students participating in classroom activities. Another tool that I plan to utilize is Google Groups. This will allow me to securely communicate class plans and activities with each individual class that I am teaching. The final tool that I plan to use is the Google Calender. This will probably be the most beneficial to me. I can use this to post class activity schedules for each week. By logging on and viewing the Google Calender, students will be able to come to class prepared for what particular sport or exercise we will be doing that day. This will also allow parents to view what there children are learning and doing each day of the week.
Along with these tools listed above there is also Google Docs. The biggest advantage of using this particular program is that it allows teachers to view student documents and give feedback while they are working on course projects or papers. Overall Google for Educators is a wonderful recourse for any teacher looking for new ways to help in the teaching process.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Jigsaw Blog By Daniel Vint
The jigsaw learning method is a unique way of teaching your classroom utilizing cooperation and teamwork. You start by dividing the class into groups. Once you have decided on a subject you want your students to learn, you divide that subject into separate parts, one part for each member of the group. For example if there are four students in each group you would divide the subject into four main parts. Now each member of each group has a particular part to study and master before eventually teaching it to the rest of their group.
By giving each student in a group a specific part to study, it allows students to work together. Before teaching their part to the rest of the group, the student meets with members in other groups who are studying the same specific part of the assignment. This allows for students to become experts in their areas and then after mastering their part in the assignment they then teach and explain it to the rest of their group. It forces each member to listen and work together and forces everyone to participate equally. You can run into problems with this method if some students are slow learners, or simply don't care or aren't trying. This would impact the rest of the group because they would be missing an important piece to their particular subject because of one persons lack of effort. For the most part this problem can be avoided by carefully supervising and properly utilizing the ten steps to this system.
A good time for teachers to use this technique is in computer labs were there aren't enough computers for each student. For example, lets say there are twenty five students and only five computers in the lab. Divide your students into five groups of five. Assign five different pieces to a particular research project four each group. Now, each group should have five members with five different areas to research. You will then have one student from each group who shares the same area of research. Each of these members who share the same area of study can utilize one computer to research their part in the project. This would give you five students on each computer all studying the same specific piece to their group project. After becoming experts in their areas the students can then go back and teach the rest of the members in their group what they have learned. Now, each student will have the chance to research on a computer and learn a specific subject of event in less time and utilizing the limited resources the classroom has.
Overall, I think this is a very cool approach to teaching whether you are working on a limited classroom budget, or simply trying to promote teamwork and cooperation amongst your class. If used correctly this system will allow for very effective learning in your classroom.
By giving each student in a group a specific part to study, it allows students to work together. Before teaching their part to the rest of the group, the student meets with members in other groups who are studying the same specific part of the assignment. This allows for students to become experts in their areas and then after mastering their part in the assignment they then teach and explain it to the rest of their group. It forces each member to listen and work together and forces everyone to participate equally. You can run into problems with this method if some students are slow learners, or simply don't care or aren't trying. This would impact the rest of the group because they would be missing an important piece to their particular subject because of one persons lack of effort. For the most part this problem can be avoided by carefully supervising and properly utilizing the ten steps to this system.
A good time for teachers to use this technique is in computer labs were there aren't enough computers for each student. For example, lets say there are twenty five students and only five computers in the lab. Divide your students into five groups of five. Assign five different pieces to a particular research project four each group. Now, each group should have five members with five different areas to research. You will then have one student from each group who shares the same area of research. Each of these members who share the same area of study can utilize one computer to research their part in the project. This would give you five students on each computer all studying the same specific piece to their group project. After becoming experts in their areas the students can then go back and teach the rest of the members in their group what they have learned. Now, each student will have the chance to research on a computer and learn a specific subject of event in less time and utilizing the limited resources the classroom has.
Overall, I think this is a very cool approach to teaching whether you are working on a limited classroom budget, or simply trying to promote teamwork and cooperation amongst your class. If used correctly this system will allow for very effective learning in your classroom.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Assistive Technology By Daniel Vint
All across America and throughout schools the Spanish language is becoming more and more prominent. The language barrier that can exist between a Spanish speaking student and a teacher who only speaks English could become a potential problem in the classroom. Thanks to new technology we now have the ability to help correct this problem without using a computer or Internet.
The Jibbigo is a speech translator that can help overcome these potential language barriers. This new device can be downloaded onto your iPhone or iPod touch. It allows for quick and effective translation, and can be used to translate Spanish to English, or vice verse. All you have to do is hold down the button and speak. This will allow for better communication when you are having problems with students who primarily speak Spanish, and have not yet developed strong English speaking skills.
Even for those teachers who do know some Spanish, there is always language barriers that can cause miscommunication and misunderstandings between you and your students. When these problems arise you will be able to quickly address them and eliminate any potential issues. I'm excited about this knew device and know that it will help many teachers across the country that face the problems of effectively teaching students that primarily speak the Spanish language.
The Jibbigo is a speech translator that can help overcome these potential language barriers. This new device can be downloaded onto your iPhone or iPod touch. It allows for quick and effective translation, and can be used to translate Spanish to English, or vice verse. All you have to do is hold down the button and speak. This will allow for better communication when you are having problems with students who primarily speak Spanish, and have not yet developed strong English speaking skills.
Even for those teachers who do know some Spanish, there is always language barriers that can cause miscommunication and misunderstandings between you and your students. When these problems arise you will be able to quickly address them and eliminate any potential issues. I'm excited about this knew device and know that it will help many teachers across the country that face the problems of effectively teaching students that primarily speak the Spanish language.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
About Me Blog By Daniel Vint
My name is Daniel Vint, I am 26 years old and I am currently a part time student at Boise State. I work full time doing Stucco work. In my spare time I play in a adult hockey league, and also enjoy playing basketball and golf. I have played all three of the sports for my entire life and plan to eventually coach one if not more of these sports. I have lived in Idaho for the past 15 years. I was born in Torrance California where I spent the first ten years of my life next to the beach. Life was good, until one day, when I was about ten years old, my parents moved our family to a little town in Idaho called Payette, why I'm still not sure. I survived the next eight years and graduated High School.
After graduation I moved to Boise to attend college. I attended Boise State for about two years before dropping out. I had always thought about pursuing a teaching career, but wasn't certain what I wanted to do with my life. Unsure of my passion I worked in the only trade I knew, Stucco. After two years of working for a company I decided to start my own stucco business. All was well for a while. The work was hard, but the money was good. I soon realized that I would never have the kind of impact on the world or other peoples lives that I wanted by running a construction business. This is what has lead my to pursue a career that will allow me to have a positive impact on others.
I have chosen to to become a Physical Education teacher because it will combine my love for sports and athletics along with my desire to motivate and encourage children to live more active and healthier lives. Along with teaching I plan to coach at the High School level. I am very excited to work with kids and help them to become better people and better athletes. Depending on finances, I hope to graduate within the next three years. I am very excited and motivated to begin a new opportunity in life and have the chance to impact the lives of so many. It has taken me 26 years to figure out my passion in life, but now that I have, I cant wait for the opportunities that the future holds.
After graduation I moved to Boise to attend college. I attended Boise State for about two years before dropping out. I had always thought about pursuing a teaching career, but wasn't certain what I wanted to do with my life. Unsure of my passion I worked in the only trade I knew, Stucco. After two years of working for a company I decided to start my own stucco business. All was well for a while. The work was hard, but the money was good. I soon realized that I would never have the kind of impact on the world or other peoples lives that I wanted by running a construction business. This is what has lead my to pursue a career that will allow me to have a positive impact on others.
I have chosen to to become a Physical Education teacher because it will combine my love for sports and athletics along with my desire to motivate and encourage children to live more active and healthier lives. Along with teaching I plan to coach at the High School level. I am very excited to work with kids and help them to become better people and better athletes. Depending on finances, I hope to graduate within the next three years. I am very excited and motivated to begin a new opportunity in life and have the chance to impact the lives of so many. It has taken me 26 years to figure out my passion in life, but now that I have, I cant wait for the opportunities that the future holds.
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