Amazing Animation: 3D Graphics in the Classroom
By Scott Schonefeld
This article speaks of the advantages of using 3D animation in the classroom. While most teachers have never used 3D technology, Schonefeld expresses how giving the students animation projects not only lets them be creative but gives the kids concrete materials to better learn math concepts. While the kids will come away with a better understanding of the coordinate system, they do not need to know much to start interacting with the software.
Q1: What are some other interesting features of 3D animation?
A1: While using this program, students can change the perceived textures of the objects they are creating. Not only can they choose textures available from the program, but they can also take pictures of interesting surfaces and create their own textures. Also, they can create different atmospheres for their objects and either leave them stationary or make them move. I like how the program blends mathematics, creativity and technology together in this learning experience.
Q2: How can a teacher best use this technology in the classroom?
A2: As the article mentions, there are many effects and features of the 3D program that students which can easily distract students. In order to insure that students stay on task and get their projects done, teachers should keep the projects short and specific. Students can always come in after class if they really want to add more to their projects. Teachers should make sure that the projects they assign are focused and somewhat simple.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Virtual Success
Virtual Success: Transforming Education Through Online Learning
By Julie Young, Kim Birtolo, and Raven McElman
This article describes the successes of Florida Virtual School (FLVS) and the online schools' approach in general as opposed to traditional schools. FLVS advertises its accessibility to students and improved academic performance for students.
Q1: What does a virtual school offer that other schools do not?
A1: According to the example of FLVS, a virtual school has no beginning and end time, mostly just projects to work on. This allows more accessibility to students as they may "choose" their own schedule. Also, at FLVS they receive more individual attention from their teachers, which is harder to achieve in the traditional classroom. With such an interest in computers and virtual games, by making assignments and teachings online, the teachers are reaching out to their student's interests while learning. I agree that this approach to appeal to the students interests is very important for achieving student involvement.
Q2: What are some perceived difficulties with a virtual school?
A2: It would do well to look into the financial cost to run a virtual school, because it seems a more expensive option. If the cost is not covered by the state it would make these types of schools less accessible for those with lower income. Personally, I prefer face to face interaction with people and though there can be this interaction when the students need help, I think much of the social aspect of learning can be lost if the schools are not careful. The last issue I can perceive is with the parents. With a virtual school it may be harder to involve the parents in the child's learning. It may give the child a more individualized learning, but depending on the parent's knowledge, they may lose that connection with the parents. These "difficulties" are not insurmountable but should be considered along side the benefits.
By Julie Young, Kim Birtolo, and Raven McElman
This article describes the successes of Florida Virtual School (FLVS) and the online schools' approach in general as opposed to traditional schools. FLVS advertises its accessibility to students and improved academic performance for students.
Q1: What does a virtual school offer that other schools do not?
A1: According to the example of FLVS, a virtual school has no beginning and end time, mostly just projects to work on. This allows more accessibility to students as they may "choose" their own schedule. Also, at FLVS they receive more individual attention from their teachers, which is harder to achieve in the traditional classroom. With such an interest in computers and virtual games, by making assignments and teachings online, the teachers are reaching out to their student's interests while learning. I agree that this approach to appeal to the students interests is very important for achieving student involvement.
Q2: What are some perceived difficulties with a virtual school?
A2: It would do well to look into the financial cost to run a virtual school, because it seems a more expensive option. If the cost is not covered by the state it would make these types of schools less accessible for those with lower income. Personally, I prefer face to face interaction with people and though there can be this interaction when the students need help, I think much of the social aspect of learning can be lost if the schools are not careful. The last issue I can perceive is with the parents. With a virtual school it may be harder to involve the parents in the child's learning. It may give the child a more individualized learning, but depending on the parent's knowledge, they may lose that connection with the parents. These "difficulties" are not insurmountable but should be considered along side the benefits.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Making Sense Through the Senses
Diversity and Understanding
Christy Curtis
Growing up I have noticed that I have a variety of skills and interests which led me to decide on a liberal studies major. I understand the importance of diversity and teaching different students. I volunteer at a camp for children who are in the foster care system and they all come from different backgrounds.
I also stress the importance of inclusion within education and daily life. I work with a seven year old girl who underwent a traumatic brain injury. By working with her and her family these past three years, I have broadened my scope of what education means to each child. It has also increased my care and compassion for those considered "different."
This past summer I helped teach preschoolers and tutor elementary school children at a community organization site in Mexico. I had the opportunity to collaborate with the other teachers to create a class schedule and choose teaching materials. During this experience I saw and worked with students and teachers with very little income. We had second hand books and often made our own copies by drawing. All of these experiences have given me a different outlook on what it means to be a teacher and creative ways to use what you have.
Email: c.curtis422@gmail.com
Blog: Christy's Blog
The Arts
Christy Curtis
Though I enjoyed numerous subjects in school including math, literature and writing, I have always preferred the arts. Theater and music especially inspired me. 
In high school, it was drama class that forced my out of my shell and where I really gained confidence in expressing myself. I understand that with budget cuts and funding issues often the arts or physical education are the first to go. However, it is often the arts that open children to creativity and channel energy. They are also opportunities for students to learn how to engage in social interaction and use "life skills" and gain confidence which will affect their learning in other areas.
Christy Curtis
I am most interested in teaching fourth grade students. I enjoy the ages where learning is still relatively new and exciting. Also, it is an age group where kids have developed their personalities but are still not too self-conscious to perform and act "silly" in front of other people. In fourth grade they are developing how to express emotions and start improvising.
Link to some teacher resources for creative drama: Creative Drama
Link to Art Content Standards: Fourth Grade Arts CA Content StandardsBalancing Act
Karen Morizi
In my own schooling, I was always good at math and language arts. It seems humorous that the two would encompass my best subjects, as one is so logical and based on reasoning while the other allows my imagination to run wild and explore different realms of creativity. However, I believe the fact that I can adjust to either way of thinking will help make me a better teacher. I will have the luxury of understanding students who are more dominantly right-brained or left-brained. This will also help me to reach more of my students in the sense that I can use a variety of teaching styles to ensure that all of my students understand the material. 
Language Arts Activity
My personal experience in the elementary grades led me to believe that school was easy. I was an exceptional speller, I was proficient in math, and reading and didn't find the need to study for any sort of testing we were asked to endure. Then in junior high school I found myself slipping a little. I was placed in honors courses for math and English, but I started losing interest in school. From my prior school experience, I had never learned how to study. I had never needed to study. This proved to be a real challenge to me. On top of never learning to study, my time management skills were seemingly non existent. This added to the challenge.
As an aspiring teacher, I will use my experience in school to reach all of my students, regardless of their level of intelligence. If I find a student is bored because the material is too easy, I will make sure I find a way to challenge them. However, at the same time, I will make sure to get lower level students caught up without babying them. Another strategy I'd like to employ would be an inclusion-based teaching in which the students balance each other's strengths and weaknesses. For example, it would benefit a lower-level student to work with a gifted student academically, but it would also benefit the gifted student in terms of other skills; in my case, time management.
Email: moriz001@cougars.csusm.edu
Blog: http://karenmorizi.blogspot.com/
Right & Left Brain Unite Email: moriz001@cougars.csusm.edu
Blog: http://karenmorizi.blogspot.com/
Karen Morizi
When I first decided I wanted to be a teacher, I envisioned myself teaching kindergarten, and perhaps first or second grade if need be. However, the more I am learning in my education courses, the more open I have become to teaching the later elementary grades (third through sixth). At present, I have decided to be open minded to the idea of teaching any of the elementary grades, as I believe each would offer a different yet exciting new experience.
Language Arts Activity
Friday, February 6, 2009
Learning Connections
Writing tools for Differentiating Instruction
By Kylie Stewart, Diana Greer, and Sean Smith
While in the classroom, you notice that your kids learn differently. Some are kinesthetic learners, others are visual, others are auditory and many are a combination of all of these learning styles. In this article, the authors describe different technological programs that can assist students to fit their learning style while in the writing process. For example, one program is called "Inspiration" allows students to integrate their visual learning style into the writing process. It allows students to brainstorm and map out ideas by using graphics. Once students are finished with creating their visual representation, they are able to switch to the outline format and start writing.
Q1:What are some of the programs that seem most useful for students and why?
A1: Speech Synthesis can be used on both Mac and Windows operating system, which makes it available to a variety of users who may already have computer systems. Also, Speech Synthesis converts text into sound and connects the visual and auditory representations of the word. Another program, Draft-Builder, helps students by breaking down writing into sections such as planning, organizing and drafting. It also allows students to match their learning style to their writing.
Q2:How can you use this technology in a low income school?
A2: The article mentioned that Speech Synthesizer was cost effective, which is helpful. Also, if the schools were to get the programs on even a few machines, it could be helpful to students and teachers could use the technology to revise their own in class lessons.
By Kylie Stewart, Diana Greer, and Sean Smith
While in the classroom, you notice that your kids learn differently. Some are kinesthetic learners, others are visual, others are auditory and many are a combination of all of these learning styles. In this article, the authors describe different technological programs that can assist students to fit their learning style while in the writing process. For example, one program is called "Inspiration" allows students to integrate their visual learning style into the writing process. It allows students to brainstorm and map out ideas by using graphics. Once students are finished with creating their visual representation, they are able to switch to the outline format and start writing.
Q1:What are some of the programs that seem most useful for students and why?
A1: Speech Synthesis can be used on both Mac and Windows operating system, which makes it available to a variety of users who may already have computer systems. Also, Speech Synthesis converts text into sound and connects the visual and auditory representations of the word. Another program, Draft-Builder, helps students by breaking down writing into sections such as planning, organizing and drafting. It also allows students to match their learning style to their writing.
Q2:How can you use this technology in a low income school?
A2: The article mentioned that Speech Synthesizer was cost effective, which is helpful. Also, if the schools were to get the programs on even a few machines, it could be helpful to students and teachers could use the technology to revise their own in class lessons.
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