Classroom Newsletter - NETS 1 & 3

newsletterjc

Publish at Scribd or explore others:

In this assignment I created a newsletter for my students and their parents using the program Scribd. Scribd is a great program for creating collaborative and engaging tools for teachers to communicate with their students.

Social Bookmarking

1. After checking out the National Archives website there are several great features that stand out. I chose to visit the Watergate Files archive, which is not only packed with information but also includes primary sources. The site provides the viewer with access to the trial manuscripts, tapes, and even pictures of the various evidences used against President Nixon. Primary resources are so important to use in a classroom because it allows the student to get the true facts about a historical event, and investigate and research it for him or herself.
2. After looking at the ways to become a culturally competent educator several stand out as things I would want to do as a teacher. The first is to assemble staff meetings to discuss cultural diversity, attitudes, and beliefs. It is crucial as a teacher to work in an environment that is supportive of cultural diversity in order to best teach your students. I also like the idea of collecting culturally diverse resources that relate to the students and can be used by the school staff. Often a student and teacher are not relating because of a cultural gap, which can be bridged by materials or activities taught by the teacher to show understanding of the students culture. Finally, I think using “natural helpers” is a great idea in learning about various cultural groups in the school population. A person that lives in the community and understands the beliefs, practices, and attitudes of a particular cultural group can be a valuable resource tool for teachers.
3. I found a Christian based website about Big Idea Productions, which is popular because of Veggie Tales. The site content’s reading level is 3rd-6th grade.
4. In Kathy Schrock’s guide for educators I focused on the critical evaluation surveys. The surveys are a compilation of elementary, middle school, and high school surveys that allow teachers to survey their students in order to see how well they know a subject or technological area. I think this would be very helpful for teachers because it would allow them to find the students who have knowledge in a particular subject area, and use them to help teach the other students.
5. On the multiple intelligences website under the “why” section I thought the “Listening to Teach” information was very interesting and helpful. When I think of listening I always think of the students listening to the teacher in order to learn. However, this section suggests that the teacher listen to the students in order to learn about the class as a whole and the individuals. It’s important for the teacher to listen to get to know each student, to understand the rhythm of the classroom, the cultural and socio conversation of the classroom, and the acts of silencing by the students. These listening tools will help the teacher better serve the students because the instructor will better know their pupils.
6. http://www.tolerance.org/teach/activities/sidebar.jsp?p=0&si=21 My lesson is geared towards the upper level grades and is designed to help students understand the different cultures and commonalities amongst their peers. The lesson includes a worksheet on which students will fill out questions in one sentence or phrase a description about their beliefs, attitudes, and preferences. The students will then break into small groups and discuss the differences they possess and talk about why that person believes the way they do. In doing this students will find differences and commonalities within their groups, and realize there are many cultures within only their classroom. After the small groups get the students to attempt to define “American Culture.” Ask the students if American culture only consists of “American” ideals or are there other cultures mixed in? The purpose of this lesson is to help the students recognize, respect, and appreciate their peer’s beliefs and cultures.
7. Wow! I only got four right out of all fifteen… that’s embarrassing! One question that stood out to me was about the children who were maltreated the most out of the top 23 wealthiest countries in the world. The answer was the U.S. and the U.K., which shocked me! I would like to know why and how this is possible, and what the qualifications are for maltreatment. Another question that interested me was the one about the average U.S. workers annual salary in comparison to a CEO. The average U.S. worker’s annual salary is equivalent to the daily salary of a CEO! Not only was I surprised, but saddened at this fact.
8. Netiquette Quiz Score: 100% Teaching students about netiquette is very IMPORTANT :-@! Students need to understand that just because no one can see them they are still responsible for the person they personify through their writing. There are so many ways a person can offend others online without doing it on purpose. By educating students using netiquette it will help eliminate and appropriate student behavior in virtual environments.

Journal 3 - "Keep Them Chatting"

Cole, Jeanie (2009, February). Keep Them Chatting. Learning and Leading with Technology, 36, Retrieved February, 2009, from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/200902/
The article by Jeanie Cole about online discussions and classroom chats is not rocket science. However, she touches on several great points about holding educational chat rooms. Cole suggests several different methods of conversation, which helps students get excited and respond beyond the minimum requirements. "High level open-ended questions" give students the opportunity to respond using their imagination and historical facts. "The Inquiry Method" allows students to respond to a potential problem by researching the topic and possible effects of something. I personally like this method the best because I believe students love to think extreme, which gives them the ability to research and create worst case scenarios for a particular topic. "The discrepant event inquiry method" allows students to think outside the box with unexplained phenomenons. Students enjoy voicing their opinions, and there are so many great ideas and potential explanations from students for historical phenomenons.

Question 1: Why do students take online classes that require class chat discussions?

Answer: Ok, I know I am being the cynic here, but I was a student who used to take online classes at one time. I believe the majority of students take online classes for one major reason. The first being they think it will be easier and they like the idea of not having to show up and participate in class. Perfect! These students are ideal for the class chat rooms because they are able to express their own voice, ideas, and reason without having the fear of public speaking or harsh looks!

Question 2: Why are open ended questions so important?

Answer: I believe open ended questions intrigue and stimulate a student's thought process. When a student is given an open ended question they are able to think without limits. The student may have requirements that must be met, but their ideas and insight is limitless and encouraged to be original and descriptive.

Jounal 2 - "Museums in the Classroom"

Reissman, Rose (2009, February). Museums in the Classroom. Learning and Leading with Technology, 36, Retrieved February, 2009, from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/200902/
No Bus fees, no sack lunches being stolen by the bus driver, and best of all no bus rides where the teacher has to control 36 crazy children! I think Museums in the Classroom is a brilliant idea, and shows teachers, students, and parents how wonderful technology can be. Reissman's article touches on the availability of primary resources to students without having to take an actual field trip. There are hundreds of sites students can visit online sharing and providing classrooms with pictures, articles, and activities from museums around the world. Not only can students visit the museums without ever leaving the classroom, but they can also create their own museum tours! Museums in the classroom is ideal for teachers because it allows more time to for the students to explore and learn about various topics. It also helps students hone their skills of navigating online.

Question 1: How could I use Museums in the Classroom as a physical education teacher?

Answer: Although PE takes place mostly in a gymnasium or outside on a field it is important students learn about the history of different sports. As a teacher I could take my students on virtual field trip to various sports museums where my students could learn about the history of the Olympics, other sports, and famous athletes. Visiting the museum online would help my students understand and find more appreciation for the sports the play.

Question 2: How important is it to take a field trip to an actual museum?

Answer: This may sound like a funny question, but I think getting out of school for students and taking them somewhere interesting and fun is important. If a teacher is trying to get a lot of work and research done in a short amount of time, then a virtual field trip is the way to go. However, if there is ample time I think the students do enjoy going to museums, and it is good for them to see things up close and experience hands on activities.

Journal 1

Ribble, Mike (2008-2009, December-January). Passport to Digital Citizenship. Learning and Leading with Technology, Retrieved December 2008,

After reading Ribble’s article on “Digital Citizenship” several points stuck out. Ribble touches on the crucial role technology plays in our society and how are children are quickly becoming increasingly more educated than teachers and parents. “Digital Citizenship” promotes the appropriate and necessary education of technology needed to excel and adapt to our digital society. It is important to note that Ribble’s idea of technology education requires the inclusion of parents, teachers, and the community to learn and act as technology role models to children. Ribble’s four stages of Technology Learning for Digital Citizenship is a simplified construction plan of how to teach children and society how to become familiar with technology. According to Ribble, digital citizenship is a necessity for the future of our American and International society.

Question 1: How do we monitor children on the Internet?

Answer: I believe it is essential to monitor and keep children safe while they are using the web. The Internet is such a powerful tool that can be used for both positive and negative purposes. I think the “Digital Citizenship” program could be an incredible tool for people in our education system, but it would need a specific monitoring agent to protect children from viewing explicit material and being taken advantage of online. I would rather see cd-rom programs implemented to teach young children about Internet use in order to keep them safe at a young age.

Question 2: Is it realistic to launch a program like Digital Citizenship in our economic decline?

Answer: Due to our economic crisis I think it would be foolish to attempt a program like Ribble’s. Our education system in California is broke, laying off teachers, and increasing class sizes as the years go on. It would be so difficult not only to teach technology under these current conditions, but also to monitor the students use of technological devices would be next to impossible. At this time we cannot afford the equipment for such a program.