Comments for Process of Becoming...

Comment on 100 Inspiring Ways to Use Social Media in the Classroom by missburghardt

missburghardt — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 19:56:01 +0000

I immediately bookmarked that page. I can’t wait to use some of those ideas in my classroom. i wish my teachers had had these kinds of resources when I was younger. I love the idea of the facebook bulletin board. It is definitely something that will make people stop and look in the hallway. I really like that people are able to actually write and leave messages to the class. The board is very interactive and shows some of what happens in the class through pictures, not just a display of student artwork.

Comment on 100 Inspiring Ways to Use Social Media in the Classroom by awiks

awiks — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 06:01:36 +0000

Thank-you for sharing your thoughts 321split! I agree, the Facebook bulletin is a very neat idea!

Comment on 100 Inspiring Ways to Use Social Media in the Classroom by 321split

321split — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 00:24:27 +0000

Wow, Thank you for sharing this website. So many cool ideas! I would use some of these in my classroom because I think that if these social media tools are so popular why not embrace them in your classroom. Children are using these resources already so I think it is beneficial to incorporate them in the classroom because the children are interested in them!!

I really like the Facebook bulletin board! So neat.

Comment on iPads: Changing the Way Children Learn by mferron18

mferron18 — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 20:59:25 +0000

iPads are a great tool for students and for children that are not yet school aged. I currently babysit for a family as a part time job and they have 2 iPads just for the children to play with. The apps are incredible and so much can be learned from using these tools. I agree with the idea that the iPad will never replace a laptop but they are a very cool tool! In terms of students writing essays and different assignments I don’t think that an iPad is needed. If a teacher plans to do more interactive teaching/learning then an iPad would be a great way to get students engaged.

Comment on Should Teachers Give Homework? by jillianengele

jillianengele — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 17:41:11 +0000

This is definitely a controversial subject and I am a bit on the fence when it comes to this topic. I do think that teachers should allow enough time during school for their student’s to finish their work. It is important that ‘after school time’ be devoted to other ways for students to grow and learn such as extracurricular activities. These activities keep students busy and out of trouble. If teachers are giving hours and hours of homework it is very challenging for students to balance their social life and school life. On the other hand, I think that homework has almost become an unwritten rule in schooling and I think that many people would break their routine if they were not assigned some amount of homework every once in awhile. It is a good way for parents to become engaged in their child’s schooling and be able to assist them. I do not completely disagree with giving homework as long as it is not an overwhelming amount (hours every night seems a little intense) – I think that a bit once a week is a little more acceptable. Thanks for the read, Alison!

Comment on Should Teachers Give Homework? by missburghardt

missburghardt — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 16:59:32 +0000

Obviously this is a hot topic even just by judging how many comments you have received on your post.
I do not agree with giving a lot of homework, however, sometimes I think it is needed. In elementary grades, homework can be helpful if a student is really struggling and their parents are willing to work on it with them. However, homework just causes more stress for a struggling student if they are not going to get help at home and and they will get in trouble for not finishing their homework.
For the most part though, I don’t think there should be homework. All assignments given to students should be able to be finished by the students during class time. If it can’t, the project/assignment is too difficult/long/not enough time was given. As you said, most students have full days because of extra curricular activities and it is impossible to expect them to squeeze in homework during the car ride from point A to point B.
Also, another thing to consider is students with disabilities. Students with disabilities, such as learning disabilities, really struggle to work hard during school hours and are sometimes unable to do so. Asking them to continue doing more work at home is just going to discourage them and eventually may cause them to stop coming to school altogether.

Comment on iPads: Changing the Way Children Learn by teacher2014

teacher2014 — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 18:02:16 +0000

I love my iPad. There are so many apps that could be used when educating students. Even in this class (ECMP 355) my iPad has come in handy especially because I don’t have a Mac laptop and using iMovie or other apps have made assignments easier to do. For my final project I downloaded the Pixstop app and it has made my life easier I couldn’t imagine creating a stop motion video without this app. I do however believe that iPads don’t replace laptops and that you need both.

Comment on Should Teachers Give Homework? by janellemlaw

janellemlaw — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 18:08:42 +0000

What a great topic and awesome replies to read! I believe homework has its pros and cons. I absolutely don’t believe students should be bombarded with homework every night. I think as an educator we need to decide for ourselves what is homework. I believe all learning should be relevant and practical. If homework is watching the news for ten minutes, writing down their expenses for a day, or being aware of personal space I think that is reasonable. With my health major, I always tend to think “Is this something that my students will do in the future?” and “How will this benefit them as healthy engaged citizens?” If it doesn’t facilitate any of that then perhaps the “homework” isn’t a very good use of time. What about our students with special needs? If they focus all day long and work hard at school, isn’t it somewhat of a punishment to go home and do MORE homework!? I think so, but each to their own! As it was said before many students are so busy doing many extra curricular activities already..think of all the learning that happens during that time, whether it may be working with others or focusing on an instrument.

Comment on iPads: Changing the Way Children Learn by Cynthia Schultz

Cynthia Schultz — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 00:50:49 +0000

My thoughts about I-pad’s are changing. I now see it as an amazing tool that will allow students to learn, interact, create, collaborate and share with others. I am even considering buying an I-pad instead of the Macbook – what I really wanted to purchase. Technology really is a good tool for all students and it can definitely impact the lives of students with disabilities in positive ways buy giving them opportunities they would otherwise not have.

Comment on Should Teachers Give Homework? by mwacker

mwacker — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 06:25:03 +0000

@bensackville, I hear what you’re saying, and from a learned perspective I guess it makes sense. Truth is though that there is next to zero evidence supporting any of the claims of redeeming qualities of homework. Develop a good work ethic? Really? How so? Rushing to get something “done” is not a good work ethic and completing a task without supervision, scaffolds, and supports can actually do more harm than good. If you want to foster independence, allow learners to guide independent inquiry. And I would just say that reinforcing poor instructional design(homework) because that’s what they do in post secondary Ed, makes me really uncomfortable. I second Alec’s recommendation of reading some of @joebower’s work and research on this as well as Vatterott’s “rethinking homework,” and Alfie Kohn’s “The Homework Myth”