Podcasting

Last week we learned about podcasting, and how that can be used in the classroom. I love the idea of using podcasts, and was completely unfamiliar with the technology until class! There are many great uses for it. It's a great way to teach kids a new form of technology. If I am unaware they may be as well, and it is a technology that they will most likely have to be familiar with or at least aware of in this technological age. Podcasts are also a great way to break up monotony of every day class, giving the kids a chance to hear a voice other than mine! It is also a great remediation tool. If a child is struggling, they can seperately listen to a podcast explaining the topic, allowing them the extra instruction time they need that I do not have!

I would probably not be comfortable though having the students create their own podcasts. The equipment available is limited, and the examples shown to us proved that kids may not take it seriously or be able to stay on task. For now I will be exploring how I can use podcasts in my instruction, and down the road incorporate the creation of podcasts into the curriculum.

What makes an effective web site??

To me, an effective web site starts with the appearance. Whenever I find a site, if there are a ton of ads, I immediately question the site's credibility. Also, if it does not look well kept, I will also skip over it. The first thing I look at is definitely the site's appearance and if it looks easy to navigate or not.

Next I will look at content. Where is the content coming from? Who is the author of the site? These are important things. When creating my own web site, it will be clear who I am and why I started the site. This helps visitors know how to view the material. A good web site should also have a clear purpose. What information can you get from the site? This should be clear and present as well, with helpful links and navigation bars. If you have to search for the information it is probably not well organized!

Webquests

Last week we learned about Webquests, an online teaching resource where students can use the web to explore math topics and relate math to real life. The benefit for this is that it teaches the students to use the web to find information they need to problem solve, a skill that they will need as they get oloder and enter the work force. These webquests are also very flexible, and can last as long as one period, one week or one month. It is versatile and engaging for students, and will last year after year!

I love the idea and would want to further explore how I can use them and how you make them. Technology limitations in the classroom may be an issue, and would require careful planning!

Instruction and Assessment

Instruction and assessment go hand in hand. One cannot exist without the other. Assessments guide your instruction, and instruction will change based on formal and informal assessments. I have changed my instruction mid-lesson based on informal assessments of my students. Without assessment you cannot properly instruct. It is vital to know what your students understand, so you can challenge them or adjust for lack of understanding.

I assess my students in many ways including:

• Formal assessements such as pre and post tests, unit tests and quizzes.
• Conferencing
• Round Robin questioning
• Exit Slips
• Questioning mid-lesson

These assessments help me plan more effectively, and the data I collect gives me an insight into each individual student's strengths and weaknesses.