AIDS in Africa
http://www.servicelearning.org/slice/index.php?l=1&ep_action=view&ep_id=594&375b6efd5223c8129986f958f2cf659e
AIDS in Africa is a lesson plan designed for a 7-8th grade classroom including Health, Public Health, Social Studies/History content area.
"The crisis of AIDS/HIV has reached epidemic proportions. It affects the political, social and economic structures of governments in Africa are already overburdened with poverty, war and famine. This multi-disciplinary service-learning project will engage students in activities to examine the AIDS pandemic in Africa and brainstorm activities they can do to help educate their communities and alleviate some of the effects of this crisis in our local communities."
I was attracted to this lesson plan because the other day I was watching the news and discovered that there was a new possible vaccine for AIDS. I thought it was extremely interesting because they didn’t quite know why it worked, and obviously, because it was a huge medical breakthrough.
http://news.aol.com/health/article/new-aids-vaccine/684837
Anyway, I found this lesson plan and was excited to see a classroom activity that encouraged students to partake in world issues and crisis.
After comparing the lesson plan to our concept map I noticed that it includes numerous of the “benefit” and “best practice” factors. First, it does a good job in connecting the lesson to daily life while also promoting motivation and critical thinking. Students research the epidemic themselves and then create questionnaires to use to discover current awareness in their own neighborhoods and etc. It is a prime example of incorporating controversial issues and stimulating awareness as well. I really like how the lesson plan requires students to be in contact with BEHIV (Better Existence with HIV.) It really makes the students think critically about the AIDS epidemic and its awareness while also personalizing it.
I tried analyzing what some of the limitations could be, or what challenges the lesson might face. Depending on the diversity of the classroom, the only possible concern I can see would be a possible personal and emotional connection some students could have with the disease itself. For example: a student having a personal relationship with someone with AIDS or etc. But even with this, I think the lesson plan is unbiased enough and is targeted in an appropriate way of reaching its content goals.
Overall I think this is an awesome lesson plan geared towards an important subject area that might not ever be used in a traditional learning environment. It really puts a world issue in the minds of a young generation and encourages the transformation of students into active and informed citizens motivated to “do their part.” I think it is an eye-opening lesson; one that would be embraced by students with open minds and inspiring enthusiasm.
http://servicelearning.org/filemanager/download/slice/AIDSINAFRICA.pdf
Monday, September 28, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Geography Website
I tried to post the link in URL form but it didn't show up for some reason.
Here it is: http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/Geography.htm
Here it is: http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/Geography.htm
Blog #3
I read Patricia's article called Changing How and What Children Learn in School with Computer-Based Technologies. Its main focus was integrating the successful use of computers in the classroom and provided examples of how it could benefit education. One of the fundamental benefits of technology use in education is active engagement amongst students. This covers a broad area, so how I could use such resources varies. Anyway, recently I found out that my teaching practicum placement was in a 7th grade World Geography class. I started researching some lesson plans, and I stumbled across a cool website I can use. Its a geography online game website where kids can play games to practice common geography skills such as country location and capitals. Each game has options to choose either beginner, intermediate, or expert …so students can work their way up. Say I was teaching a lesson plan on South America. I could have the kids play the interactive game online and encourage that they pass at least the intermediate level. This would actively engage the students as well as promote progress. Motivation can increase by means of competition and personal accomplishment. For example, see which student could pass it first with the highest percentage. Its a really cool website, I tagged it on my delicious account if anyone is interested.
The article does also mention that there needs to be equal access for all students or there might be a decrease in academic achievement. To combat this, I would schedule computer lab time for this activity so kids can all use the games and etc. for practice. Although, certain students with access at home have the option to play the games at home while others may not. How could I overcome that issue? I would try and make the competition a one-day event, but as for the website being a good practice/learning tool, it still wouldn’t be able to benefit all students the same.
The article does also mention that there needs to be equal access for all students or there might be a decrease in academic achievement. To combat this, I would schedule computer lab time for this activity so kids can all use the games and etc. for practice. Although, certain students with access at home have the option to play the games at home while others may not. How could I overcome that issue? I would try and make the competition a one-day event, but as for the website being a good practice/learning tool, it still wouldn’t be able to benefit all students the same.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Blog #2
First off, disclaimer: I am happy to announce that I do not have the flu! I guess I ate something bad and had food poisoning, which by the way, is the absolute worst thing I've ever felt.
I was pretty surprised about how many wikis and blogs popped up on Google when I searched for social studies blogs by students. After scanning through some I realized how cool this whole blogging thing really could be. Anyway, I picked these two sites because I enjoyed their pages the most, and found them to be the most interesting.
The first website I chose was Mr. Little's 7th Grade Social Studies blog. I really wanted to only use student-created wikis and etc. but I really really like this teacher's blog. He combines fun and entertaining things to connect better to the students. For example, I get to the page and his last blog was a YouTube video of a Nike basketball commercial. This blog was an introduction to his current social studies classes and I think he did an awesome job getting the kids almost excited. He made a personal comment mentioning his own passion for basketball that I think is great and will most likely create a better bond between him and his students. I know if I were in his class, I would think it was the coolest thing ever. The blog also includes links to the entire team of teachers and several links that could be useful for the students. I think the best part about the whole blogging idea, is that it ensures a constant interaction between both the students and their teacher. He assigned a sky scrapper project to his class, and through the blog updated all the information pertaining to the project. It’s a great way to ensure that students are keeping up with things. Also, it’s more efficient. If a student is home and forgot their assignment or needed help or etc. he could easily just go onto the site and solve all of those issues. I feel like his blogs make assignments and etc. more casual and approachable, not so "scary and off-putting." Bottom line, his blog creates a very welcoming and comfortable environment for his students pertaining to his class, which will definitely foster better cooperation and motivation from his students. It’s a very engaging course syllabus, that's for sure.
http://spartansocialstudies7.blogspot.com/
The second website I chose was a wiki created by Jason St. Amand and his 8th grade history class. Although an adult created the wiki, the students edit it. The opening description to the website says it all: "This is a student edited web site that enables you to better understand the course materials that we study. This wiki can be used as a study guide for weekly quizzes and tests as well as exam review information during the course of the year. The more we place on this site the more informative and helpful it will be to us all. Post and/or edit anytime you like. The more we put into this the more useful it will become." I really like how the wiki is a study guide for the students, and I also really like how it encourages active involvement and teamwork. Unfortunately it is a protected site, which is a good thing, but also means I didn't have as much access as I would have liked. However, I got the main ideas. It is organized by chapters that are then broken down by the students who create and edit pages for all of the different topics that each chapter contains. They can add powerpoints, videos, etc. The wiki creates an engaging learning outlet because it allows students to take ownership and collaborate with fellow students. All in all, I really liked how it was student edited and organized and the concept of the wiki is great idea. The wiki become and excellent reference because whatever work students do will continue to grow as new students from his future classes add to it each year.
http://woodward8.wikispaces.com/
I was pretty surprised about how many wikis and blogs popped up on Google when I searched for social studies blogs by students. After scanning through some I realized how cool this whole blogging thing really could be. Anyway, I picked these two sites because I enjoyed their pages the most, and found them to be the most interesting.
The first website I chose was Mr. Little's 7th Grade Social Studies blog. I really wanted to only use student-created wikis and etc. but I really really like this teacher's blog. He combines fun and entertaining things to connect better to the students. For example, I get to the page and his last blog was a YouTube video of a Nike basketball commercial. This blog was an introduction to his current social studies classes and I think he did an awesome job getting the kids almost excited. He made a personal comment mentioning his own passion for basketball that I think is great and will most likely create a better bond between him and his students. I know if I were in his class, I would think it was the coolest thing ever. The blog also includes links to the entire team of teachers and several links that could be useful for the students. I think the best part about the whole blogging idea, is that it ensures a constant interaction between both the students and their teacher. He assigned a sky scrapper project to his class, and through the blog updated all the information pertaining to the project. It’s a great way to ensure that students are keeping up with things. Also, it’s more efficient. If a student is home and forgot their assignment or needed help or etc. he could easily just go onto the site and solve all of those issues. I feel like his blogs make assignments and etc. more casual and approachable, not so "scary and off-putting." Bottom line, his blog creates a very welcoming and comfortable environment for his students pertaining to his class, which will definitely foster better cooperation and motivation from his students. It’s a very engaging course syllabus, that's for sure.
http://spartansocialstudies7.blogspot.com/
The second website I chose was a wiki created by Jason St. Amand and his 8th grade history class. Although an adult created the wiki, the students edit it. The opening description to the website says it all: "This is a student edited web site that enables you to better understand the course materials that we study. This wiki can be used as a study guide for weekly quizzes and tests as well as exam review information during the course of the year. The more we place on this site the more informative and helpful it will be to us all. Post and/or edit anytime you like. The more we put into this the more useful it will become." I really like how the wiki is a study guide for the students, and I also really like how it encourages active involvement and teamwork. Unfortunately it is a protected site, which is a good thing, but also means I didn't have as much access as I would have liked. However, I got the main ideas. It is organized by chapters that are then broken down by the students who create and edit pages for all of the different topics that each chapter contains. They can add powerpoints, videos, etc. The wiki creates an engaging learning outlet because it allows students to take ownership and collaborate with fellow students. All in all, I really liked how it was student edited and organized and the concept of the wiki is great idea. The wiki become and excellent reference because whatever work students do will continue to grow as new students from his future classes add to it each year.
http://woodward8.wikispaces.com/
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Blog #1:
When I first learned that I was going to be required to blog for a class I was very apprehensive. Following a class of confusion, I was really overwhelmed with the idea. I still am, but after reading some interesting points mentioned in Alan November's book, Web Literacy for Educators, I am a little more willing to participate. "Blogging represents one of the many tools that pioneering teachers are using to empower students to take more responsibility of managing their own work and adding value to the world" (November, 81). Personally, I wanted to take a little extra time in my required readings and assignments once learning about my required blog postings.
I believe that technology should be integrated into the classroom because it presents an enormous amount of avenues and resources for both students and teachers. If taught and used appropriately, it can truly offer an enriched education far beyond what traditional teaching mediums can. My own personal experience with blogging is just a simple example of how technology became a motivational factor for me as a student.
Information and references are far more accessible using technology period. I think there is little argument against the use of technology because of this fact. I agree that there are some important measures to ensure student safety, but with proper regulation by teachers, these safety measures can easily be met. I feel that future teachers, even current teachers, should be well educated on web literacy. Being web literate will guarantee safety and bid beneficial educational tools. Also, technology is becoming more and more part of our everyday lives, why wouldn't we want to include it in education? Just like people use text messages to talk, why can't they blog to discuss? November's book, Web Literacy for Educators, also mentions the possibility of parent involvement regarding blogs and wikis. I think that is an excellent idea. Parent and student involvement can really promote further education in the home, outside of the classroom. I also believe that technology promotes student empowerment which is essentially a huge motivation promoter.
Here's a link presented to me in class that really opened my eyes to the world of technology: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL9Wu2kWwSY
Weird and ironic side note: My friend posted a link on my facebook page TODAY to a University of Kentucky sports blog website. Some boy blogged about the rivalry between Florida and Kentucky basketball and used a picture of me in gator gear as the head of the article. I was shocked that some stranger got a hold of my picture. I think this is definitely a good example of how blogging can truly be used to reach the world, and also, that you need to be careful with your personal information and ultimately, your privacy.
Here is the link: http://kentuckysportsradio.com/ weird.
When I first learned that I was going to be required to blog for a class I was very apprehensive. Following a class of confusion, I was really overwhelmed with the idea. I still am, but after reading some interesting points mentioned in Alan November's book, Web Literacy for Educators, I am a little more willing to participate. "Blogging represents one of the many tools that pioneering teachers are using to empower students to take more responsibility of managing their own work and adding value to the world" (November, 81). Personally, I wanted to take a little extra time in my required readings and assignments once learning about my required blog postings.
I believe that technology should be integrated into the classroom because it presents an enormous amount of avenues and resources for both students and teachers. If taught and used appropriately, it can truly offer an enriched education far beyond what traditional teaching mediums can. My own personal experience with blogging is just a simple example of how technology became a motivational factor for me as a student.
Information and references are far more accessible using technology period. I think there is little argument against the use of technology because of this fact. I agree that there are some important measures to ensure student safety, but with proper regulation by teachers, these safety measures can easily be met. I feel that future teachers, even current teachers, should be well educated on web literacy. Being web literate will guarantee safety and bid beneficial educational tools. Also, technology is becoming more and more part of our everyday lives, why wouldn't we want to include it in education? Just like people use text messages to talk, why can't they blog to discuss? November's book, Web Literacy for Educators, also mentions the possibility of parent involvement regarding blogs and wikis. I think that is an excellent idea. Parent and student involvement can really promote further education in the home, outside of the classroom. I also believe that technology promotes student empowerment which is essentially a huge motivation promoter.
Here's a link presented to me in class that really opened my eyes to the world of technology: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL9Wu2kWwSY
Weird and ironic side note: My friend posted a link on my facebook page TODAY to a University of Kentucky sports blog website. Some boy blogged about the rivalry between Florida and Kentucky basketball and used a picture of me in gator gear as the head of the article. I was shocked that some stranger got a hold of my picture. I think this is definitely a good example of how blogging can truly be used to reach the world, and also, that you need to be careful with your personal information and ultimately, your privacy.
Here is the link: http://kentuckysportsradio.com/ weird.
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