What a Concept!!!!

According to Royer and Royer, concept mapping has proven to be very successful in engaging students in meaningful learning.  Technology has taken concept mapping to a new level.  In this study, desktop computers were loaded with Inspiration software and Palm handheld computers were loaded with PiCoMap software.  These programs help students design concept maps which help students in organizing information.  The ninth grade biology students involved in this study reacted positively to designing concept maps on the handheld computers.  The majority of students shared that the handheld computers were faster and easier to get organized, and it was much more enjoyable to them.  Teachers mentioned positive aspects of the PiCoMap and Inspiration in students’ motivation to complete work.  Teachers also felt as if students were more willing to revise incorrect work.    The only downfall was a more complex designed map could not be fully displayed on the handheld computer.  With more complex map, the desktop computer loaded with Inspiration software was more applicable because the full map can be displayed on one screen.

            This technology is costly. therefore many school districts are unable to afford it in such poor economic times.  Fortunately, our school has purchased Thinking Maps software.  With this software, students can design eight different maps on the computer.  These maps are used to teach students how to organize information, just as the concept maps are intended to do.  The students are taught the eight maps over an eight week period, and students are also taught the appropriate map to use with different types of information.  For example in Social Studies, students may use a multi-flow map when discussing causes and effects of the Civil War.  In Science, students may use a brace map when learning about the parts of a cell.  Hopefully, next year, we can purchase enough computers for each middle school classroom and students can use this software more often.   If all students had access to computers, our “concept mapping” software would be utilized daily in different classes.  Most students prefer computers over pencil and paper because we are dealing with 21^st century learners.  

Blogging-A Useful Classroom Tool for Collaboration

After reading “Educational Blogging”, by S. Downes, I found that blogging could be a very useful educational tool that actively engages students and fully promotes collaboration.   According to Downes, blogging incorporates such skills as reading, reflecting, responding, criticizing, reacting, and questioning not only with classmates but other students or teachers all over the world.  As I have learned in previous graduate classes and from classroom experience, collaboration is an essential component of a successful learning environment.  Students learn from talking and listening to someone other than the teacher. The access to collaboration outside the classroom walls in which blogging provides could be even a more powerful learning opportunity for students. 

  According to Downes, blogs can be used to organize in-class discussions.  Class discussions are pertinent to actual learning and investigating.  Teachers could have students respond to material read or taught in class.  Open-ended questions could be answered on the blog.  This format could prove to be favorable for less talkative students. One advantage of blogging is the access to students who would not normally engage in classroom discussions.  It can really help a quiet timid student to share his/her ideas and responses in a more comfortable atmosphere. 

One problem I see with blogging is the parental concern of children’s responses available to the World Wide Web.   Privacy barriers could possibly be set if parents have concerns about public viewing of their children’s responses.

               Students could collaborate about a common text by reading, responding, questioning, and reacting.  Educators need to fully embrace technology (blogging) and realize it is not diminishing.  Students today were born in a technological world.  This is how they have lived and learned their entire lives.  We must conform to this change to ensure our students are learning in the best way possible.  Teachers who are hesitant about embracing technology could possibly start with blogging and be gradually led to a full mandated implementation of technology to create a 21^st century learning experience for students. 

Hi Girls....This is very new to me.  I hope this class turns me into a tech-savvy teacher.  I definitely see where blogging could be beneficial in the classroom.