Salha's Weblog

Reflective Week 7

salhaAlzahmi — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 06:38:32 +0000

What I learnt from the science teacher “Bree”?

We talked to a science teacher from America through web conferencing. Miss Maryanne connected with her in the class time. Each of us prepared a question to ask her. I believe that she is an expert teacher in integrating technology in her classroom. She teaches grade (9-10-12) about 87 students. She teaches three subjects which are: Physical, Chemistry and science life.

She looks like a multi task person because she focus in different subjects and grades. Also, she answers the questions that been asked through the web conferencing. I saw that she has a great ideas in teaching and applying technology.

In her classroom, she follows some rules such as: No cell phones allowed. Moreover, there is an Internet access that allows students to use social networks and access different websites. This help the students to be collaborative, motivated and active. She mentioned some software and online applications that she used for creating activities such as: Ms Office, Google, Blog.com, Movie maker, TV program, Nova website, Nobel website and Lab Bench website. Moreover, the school provides for teachers some conferences, guest speaker and technology peer.

During this week, also I learnt about mind map while I’m doing the LMS project. I download a new software which is “Mindjet, Mind Manager 8”. It is an effective software which is easy in use and very interesting. Through this project I learnt different types of learning management system (LMS) and content management system (CMS).

The new LMS and CMS that I learnt:

LMS

Coggno
Edu2.0
Myicourse

CMS

WCM (Web content management system)
ECM (Enterprise content management system)

Reflective Week 6

salhaAlzahmi — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 19:19:31 +0000

During week 6, I learnt different methods about people’s learning. My classmates explained in groups each chapter of the book “How people learn” which written by John D.Bransford, Ann L.Brown and Rodney R.Cocking. Rasha and me presented chapter 5 (Brain and Mind). It is amazing chapter that indicated how the brain works and affected by the environment. Although, it is a difficult chapter to understand, it is very beneficial in our life to know how the brain developing from the early life. In addition, I considered that learning is one of the most important factor that assists the brain to develop effectively. Furthermore, the other chapters which been explained are: – How experts differ from novices. – How children learn – The design of learning environment – Technology to support learning I learnt new things about experts learning style and novices “beginners”. Moreover, I recognized that the differences between children learning and adult learning. Each one has a different way to learn and understand. In design of learning environment chapter, they discuss about how to implicate new knowledge of learning to design the learning environment, especially for the school. I liked the last chapter which is about technology because it shows us the benefit of integrating technology in teaching and the types of technology that suit each type of learning.

Reflective4 (Observation2)

salhaAlzahmi — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 09:50:55 +0000

Accounting lesson

I noticed that the teacher was late, however, Kyriacou stated that one of the more important aspects of the beginning of the lesson is to start punctually to ensure that they enter the classroom orderly and settle down quickly. Therefore, I saw the students took time to setup and made noise while the teacher taking attendance.

The teacher was discussing and checking the homework with the students and let them to answer and participate. According to Kyriacou I believe that it is a mistake to view discipline as something concerned with how you deal with pupil misbehavior because I saw the teacher stopped the lesson to talk to her student and sent her away from the table. (Kyriacou,2001)

I recognized that the teacher made an eye contact with all the students. This keep the students pay attention and listening.

I noticed that the teacher talked too much Arabic with students which will reduce their skills in speaking English. I saw the teacher called students orderly to write the answer on the board with explanation.

I think that it was a traditional way in teaching. I saw the students only use calculators and the worksheet.

I suggest that the teacher can use variety of activities to encourage and make the students interested.

Web quest is a good way to include account solving problems, so the students can answer individually and discuss the answer online with the other students. This will reduce noise and misbehavior in the class because the account solving problem need a lot of concentration and quiet and buy using web Quest the students will not be able to talk and discuss loudly. In addition, Camtesia is another way to record the answer and then show instead of wasting time by writing in the board. Off course, Smart board helps the teacher to view the online application and use pen to highlight and explain.

Reflective 3 (Observation1)

salhaAlzahmi — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 09:49:33 +0000

Organizing your writing

The lesson about organizing your writing and I saw the teacher began the class with direct introduction for the lesson and write the title on the board. I believe that using other methods to introduce the lesson make students more curious and motivated. For example, he can show them two examples of writing using smart board, one example is written in good condition and the other is not. Then he can ask the students to come to find and underline the good and bad points with reasons given using smart board pen.

I recognized that eliciting information from give the teacher idea about the students prior knowledge which help him to identify their levels. Moreover, the seating arrangement was in group which lead to collaborative and communication environment. I realized that group work make students scaffold each other, share ideas and discuss.

In addition, asking questions during the lesson reduce students’ noise and interruption which make them concentrate. As Kyriacou state “Questioning help to gain attention to task, enable teacher to move towards teaching points as a ‘warm up’ activity for pupils” (Kyriacou,2001,34). Furthermore, I believe that brainstorming give students chance to create new ideas and think critically. I saw that the teacher explain the vocabulary with using any attractive method. Therefore, I think that he can use different software such as Study mate, Hot potatoes to create flash card and different activities such as crossword.

In addition he can use web quest with different pages. He can include ways of writing, examples, activities and assessments. This will make the students work independently. Also, he can ask them to print their essays to correct them.

Reflective 2

salhaAlzahmi — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 09:05:05 +0000

During this week I learnt collaborate with my classmates through the Black Board Vista. I believe that these collaboration tools provide communication and discussion between students which develop their skills and thinking. Moreover, I recognize the Gardner’s multiple intelligences which contains 9 intelligences. I considered the difference between these and how the brain work and abilities in each one.

I worked with my group to get enough data about the 9 intelligences. Group work is one of the most useful way to share and build on our knowledge.

I recognize that quizzes is very effective tool to test our understanding and ability to remember.

Reflection 1

salhaAlzahmi — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 09:49:00 +0000

During the weeks before we start learning new things about:

· Applied learning theories

· Basic building blocks of design

· Learning and instructional technology

· Basic characteristic of color

I like more about the design and color characteristic. As Degas said “Art is not what you see, but you make others see”. I absolutely agree with this person because as I learn I found that when you draw something we have to think how others may look at this drawing and which colors that may impact on their emotions and feelings.

Furthermore, I learnt the basic of design that grouped into two categories: Elements and Principles.

It was amazing to know that drawings based on specific elements such as line, shape, space and color. Also, I learnt the principles of design which are balance, proximity, harmony, unity, alignment, dominance, repetition..etc. I recognize how to connect art to our life and our feelings.