Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Fianl Blog

First let me start off by saying that I enjoyed you Professor Luongo, the material & the rest of my classmates. I have been teaching awhile, and many things we discussed in class were not knew to me. That doesn't mean it wasn't beneficial. Now in my new role as administrator, I need to know what is out there, & how what can I do to help my teachers.
That brings me to the Blog. Yes it has a positive side, but to be honest I found it diffcult to keep up with it. Summer classes require a great deal of work, & if you are taking more than 1 class, it is tough to Blog. I did like learning about it & how to do it. The jury is still out whether or not I would use it in my school. Have a great summer.
Rosalind

Monday, June 23, 2008

Role of Technology in the Classroom

There is an article in the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics News Bulletin entitled, "The Position State on the Role of Technology in the Teaching and Learning of Mathematics."the statement reads, "Technology is an essential toolfor learning mathematics in the 21st century, and all schools must ensure that all their students have access to technology. Effective teachers maximize the potential of technology to develop students' understanding, stimulate their interest, and increase their proficiency in mathematics. When technology is used strategically, it can provide access to mathematics for all students."

The Council also recognizes the fact that technology can't replace conceptual understanding, computional fluency, or proble-solving skills. Again there has to be a balance.

Rosalind

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Literacy for PreSchoolers

In class we have discussed when literacy skills should begin & we have come to the concses earlier the better. Therefore it should begin prior to when we get the children in school, but what do we do when they do begin in PreK programs. Some of these programs begin as early as 2 years old. In my school we have a 3 & 4 year old program. The children are not mixed in the same class.

One of my school goals is to build up the PreK Program. I have been researching how the program can be improved academically. I found a Website called Preschool Literacy. It offers many valuable tools for the teachers of these grades. It has links to other wesites. There are sites to assist teachers on how to intergrate technology into their daily routines. One site called Literacy Center.net has interactive early literacy activities. Another called Preschool Coloring Book introduces the children to journal writing. All of the acitivities offered on these sites offer great way to help develop literacy skills in an age appropriate & fun way.

Rosalind

Friday, June 20, 2008

Teacher Interviews

I have teaching positions that I have to fill, and I have been interviewing candidates for these positions. I have been asking them to discuss strategies on technology intergration in the classroom. It has been interesting to hear how some of them use it, and how some feel uncomfortable using it. The ones who were uncomfortable attributed it to lack of professional develoment. All of them felt that technology should be used as a tool along with other strategies. Basically the same things we have discussed in class.

Rosalind

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

My Access

I found MA to be a very beneficial program. If I was still teaching in the classroom I would make use of this program. I liked it because it was easy to navigate through, directions were clear & specific, & the feedback for both students & teachers was valuable.

From a teacher's point of view, it provides all the information needed to teach and remediate a student's writing skills. Again the information is presented in a clear & concise way. The benefits for the student are many. It intantly shows them where their weaknesses are, but gives them the tools to improve their writing skills. I think this is a more positive approach. It motivates students to do better each time.

It is also a great tool to use to practice for standardized writing samples. In my school the fourth & seventh graders take the writing portion of the Terra Novas. I could see the teachers of these grades using this tool to help improve reading scores. I enjoyed using the program last night.
Rosalind

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Article entitled,'No Limits"

This article can be found at www.techlearning.com or in the magazine Technology & Learning, February 2008. The author discusses the rapid evolution of technologu over the past 3o years.
She points out that most of us just tried to keep up with it, but didn't realy incorporate it into our classrooms.According to her, "the time is ripe to begin instutite true change."

Educators are now dealing with a new kind of student. Only 1/4 of senoirs intervied felt school was meaningful. Many believe school has nothing to do with their succes in life. There is evidence that supports the fact that when students participate in media acitivities, they become engaged and more porductive. Therefore, anew kind of teacher has to emerge. A math high school teacher argues,"that while 21st century teachers may no longer serve as dispensers of informatin and ideas, they will continue to provide the most essential service of professional educators; creating learning opportunities that help students develop the skills and motivation that result in success throughout life."

The article goes on to say that a digital classroom has to use strategies as well as materials that will transform the classroom into a 21st century one. This type of classroom need to beable to to do global networking. They need to be able to act collaborativel, and risk taking allowed. I know our world is based on technology in this day & age. I think there are pros and cons concerning when intergrating technology into the classroom. It has a time and place, but I don't think it applies for every situation, nor all of the time.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Beginning the new school year

I know this school year has already ended for some of us while some of us arestill awaiting the end. As an administrator I am already thinking about next year. Presently I am interviewing for some positions I will have open for next year. Many of the applicants have not had any classroom experience at all. So of course that got me thinking how will I help new teachers with getting their year off to the right start.

Of course I thought of Harry K. Wong. He has written many books on classroom management.
His website is HarryKRose@aol.com. The article I found is very useful. It is a summary of major concepts covered by Harry K. Wong. It comes from his book, The First Days of School.
I found this on The Busy Educator Newsletter http://www.glavac.com/harrywong.htm.

The articles lists about 60 very helpful tips. I know some of you in class will be going on interviews & this will be of help for those & hopefully when you do have your own class. I can't help it. I found myself thinking like an administrator more and more, but I will always try to remember what it is like in the classroom.

Rosalind