HI Colleagues,
My name is Roxanne Alfred and I have been a school teacher for the past 17 years.I am the mother of a beautiful 16 year old daughter, Reneece.My career as a teacher began began in Tobago where I was born and grew up.I started living in Trinidad in 1997, when I attended Valsayn Teachers' College.
I stayed in Trinidad to attend the university after graduating from training college.I believe that I have made the right decision because I have developed myself in many areas and I enjoy living on my own rather than home, with my mummy and her strick rules. I spent most of my year with my grandmothmother and father.Both were my life line.They both passed away and this has been a great set back in my life because they were my inspiration, my pipeline . My dad died in 1999 and granny aI called her passed away in January of this year.
Further, I love being a teacher .It is my dream career.Being in the classroom is a great joy for me even when I am not in a good mood. I love being a teacher. However, self elevation is important and as such,I intend to move on a bit to achieve my Phd in literacy ,all in an effort to develop the level of literacy in my country.My aim is to make a difference in the lives of the individuals who struggle academically. This is my dream.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Some negative implications of wikis
There are many negative implications of using wikis in the class room. Firstly, because wikis can be edited by anyone.In some cases, people can edit with ugly grafiti thereby resulting in the loss of many artistic efforts. This can be prevented by only allowing persons on the contact list to edit and not the public.
Secondly, vandalism, whereby persons can destroy wikis especially those of large Companies. As such, the use of buts and java script enhancement can be used to prevent vandalism. In addition, unregistered users need to identify their IP addresses to edit content. Permission to edit should be given to registered users. Thirdly, malware is another negative implication which involves users adding links to sites with malicious codes. Software can be used to prevent saving and editing to sites listed on the malware blacklist. Finally, edit war, where users repeatedly revert to a page or a version they favour. This can be prevented by locking a page from further editing.
Secondly, vandalism, whereby persons can destroy wikis especially those of large Companies. As such, the use of buts and java script enhancement can be used to prevent vandalism. In addition, unregistered users need to identify their IP addresses to edit content. Permission to edit should be given to registered users. Thirdly, malware is another negative implication which involves users adding links to sites with malicious codes. Software can be used to prevent saving and editing to sites listed on the malware blacklist. Finally, edit war, where users repeatedly revert to a page or a version they favour. This can be prevented by locking a page from further editing.
Why Reading ? ? ?
Reaing is a complex process that involves the encoding and decoding of words. The reader negotiates with text to bring about meaning. This has always been my interest for one main reason. My cousins were unable to read and frustated my aunt to the point where she would throw away their reading books and beat them unjustly. I was so terrfied with this situation that I always seek an answer to help these individuals.
I have attended many reading courses and workshops searching for the answer. Now that I have found the answer in this M.ED Reading progrann, I intend to use it to help many boys and girls with reading problems. In addition, I will use it as an avenue for creating awareness among adults who were unable to read and would hope that an interest can be created whereby they will return to learn to read.
I have attended many reading courses and workshops searching for the answer. Now that I have found the answer in this M.ED Reading progrann, I intend to use it to help many boys and girls with reading problems. In addition, I will use it as an avenue for creating awareness among adults who were unable to read and would hope that an interest can be created whereby they will return to learn to read.
Technology in the Classroom
Hi Colleagues,
Have you ever imagined- what will happen when technology really makes it way into our classrooms.I believe that teachers and student will be launched into a path of discovery and learning like they have never experienced before. Therefore,we need to be ready to face this reality. As such,I wish to out a few things.
Teachers need to:
Learn how to use these technological tools before we introduce students to them. We understand how these tool can be used to facilitate global connections and help create powerful learning communities and network in an effort to our curriculum and teaching.
Tap into the potential of these tools for teaching and learning.(This does not mean that every teacher should start a wiki or blog in their classroom). It is about learning how thes shift vand tools change the nature of lteaching / learning and what it implies for education.
Be aware that using the Web carries some risks.There is an overwhelming amount of inappropriate content on the Internet-- pornography,bad language etc.This calls for monitoring of students' online activities and teaching them about safety on the internet.
Block some of the large websites. For example, myspace.com.
Create their own websurf and limit the amount freedom students have to surf.
Model the effective and appropriate use of the surfing the net.
Prepare students not only to be writers but also editors, collaborators and publishers
Take advantage of the opportunities that these tools present, so that they may understand more clearly the pedagogies used in the classroom.
Have you ever imagined- what will happen when technology really makes it way into our classrooms.I believe that teachers and student will be launched into a path of discovery and learning like they have never experienced before. Therefore,we need to be ready to face this reality. As such,I wish to out a few things.
Teachers need to:
Learn how to use these technological tools before we introduce students to them. We understand how these tool can be used to facilitate global connections and help create powerful learning communities and network in an effort to our curriculum and teaching.
Tap into the potential of these tools for teaching and learning.(This does not mean that every teacher should start a wiki or blog in their classroom). It is about learning how thes shift vand tools change the nature of lteaching / learning and what it implies for education.
Be aware that using the Web carries some risks.There is an overwhelming amount of inappropriate content on the Internet-- pornography,bad language etc.This calls for monitoring of students' online activities and teaching them about safety on the internet.
Block some of the large websites. For example, myspace.com.
Create their own websurf and limit the amount freedom students have to surf.
Model the effective and appropriate use of the surfing the net.
Prepare students not only to be writers but also editors, collaborators and publishers
Take advantage of the opportunities that these tools present, so that they may understand more clearly the pedagogies used in the classroom.
EDRL 6004
Now that we have come to the end of this course,,Imust admit that this was truly aninspiration and beautiful experience for me.It has an eye opener for me.I am more aware and less ignorant of the use of technology in education.
However, I must emphasize that the time span for this course was too short.I believe that a course of this nature should span over a whole semester long.We needed more time to fully explore and grasp the various Web 2.0 tools.
In addition,too much assignment were involved.Imagine 12 blog posts and 12 responses---- outrageous( I hope this does not affect my grades). 12 +12 =24. May 6+6=12 would have been enough. Further, these lesson plans are foreign to what we know.The lessons could have been done in groups of five persons with one person doing a lesson.
Nevertheless,the course was definetely necessary and very important to us , Reading Specialist in the concept of new literacies and the 21st century and also personal development.The content was excellent and the teaching methods and delivery were carefully planned and executed.
Ajob well done.Thank You.
However, I must emphasize that the time span for this course was too short.I believe that a course of this nature should span over a whole semester long.We needed more time to fully explore and grasp the various Web 2.0 tools.
In addition,too much assignment were involved.Imagine 12 blog posts and 12 responses---- outrageous( I hope this does not affect my grades). 12 +12 =24. May 6+6=12 would have been enough. Further, these lesson plans are foreign to what we know.The lessons could have been done in groups of five persons with one person doing a lesson.
Nevertheless,the course was definetely necessary and very important to us , Reading Specialist in the concept of new literacies and the 21st century and also personal development.The content was excellent and the teaching methods and delivery were carefully planned and executed.
Ajob well done.Thank You.
Technology to Help Strugling Students
Teachers can sucessfully integrate technolgogy into instructions for students who struggle with academic taks.Based on my interest in special needs and technology I want to share some appraoches that can be used to support learning by buliding literacy and languae skills and independance.
1. Close captioning of video programs - allow students with hearing problems to reaqd the caption of a movie.
2. Text - to - speech - highlights text as it is spoken. It is used to increase the amount of reading that struggling reader do; helps students in word recognition and retention; allows them to focus on comprehension and improve there endurance in completing reading assignments. Reseacrch has shown that this also helps students identify ang correct more errors in their creative writing when it is used for proof reading.
3. Speech recogniton - provodes acess to comprehension for those individuals with constraints relative to fatigue, poor handwriting, spacitial organization or spelling. it provides inmmediate feedback as users there wors transform into written text with correct formatting and grammer.
4. Computer based graphic organizers - taps into student visual and spactial abilities .It facilitates brain storming, concept mapp,ing and more, and can be used with a whole class as well as to demonstrate writing and reading comprehension strategies.
These strategies will not automatically create success out of the box, but can be strategically integrated into pedagogy to help strugling students achieve both academic and technological sucess.
1. Close captioning of video programs - allow students with hearing problems to reaqd the caption of a movie.
2. Text - to - speech - highlights text as it is spoken. It is used to increase the amount of reading that struggling reader do; helps students in word recognition and retention; allows them to focus on comprehension and improve there endurance in completing reading assignments. Reseacrch has shown that this also helps students identify ang correct more errors in their creative writing when it is used for proof reading.
3. Speech recogniton - provodes acess to comprehension for those individuals with constraints relative to fatigue, poor handwriting, spacitial organization or spelling. it provides inmmediate feedback as users there wors transform into written text with correct formatting and grammer.
4. Computer based graphic organizers - taps into student visual and spactial abilities .It facilitates brain storming, concept mapp,ing and more, and can be used with a whole class as well as to demonstrate writing and reading comprehension strategies.
These strategies will not automatically create success out of the box, but can be strategically integrated into pedagogy to help strugling students achieve both academic and technological sucess.
Technology and Teacher Education
If teachers ( in-service and pre-srevice )are to become effective users of technology, they need practical strategies for dealing with the various types of technology. Many teachers have the ability to use word processing applications, spreadsheets, presentation of software and the Internet brower, but still need help in applying these skills to teaching and learning. However , technology in education is not about teachers who know how to use computers but those who know how to effectively use and apply all the technological tools at there disposal for the learning benefits of all students.
According to Pierson ,2001, technology in the hands of merely adequate or exemplary teachers will not neccesarily result in integraated meaningful use. This can only happen if the teachers veiw technological use as an integral part of the teaching/learning process. As such, the Ministry of Education and educational leaders should look beyond more technological purchases and focus instead on creating a reliable technical enviroinment for technological use and growth. In addition I believe, that if teachers had acess to enough training and education in this area ,then classroom integration would follow.As such, the government need to support and encourage technical in and pre-service continuous teacher training. Then and only then can we say that technology in fully integrated in our education system.
According to Pierson ,2001, technology in the hands of merely adequate or exemplary teachers will not neccesarily result in integraated meaningful use. This can only happen if the teachers veiw technological use as an integral part of the teaching/learning process. As such, the Ministry of Education and educational leaders should look beyond more technological purchases and focus instead on creating a reliable technical enviroinment for technological use and growth. In addition I believe, that if teachers had acess to enough training and education in this area ,then classroom integration would follow.As such, the government need to support and encourage technical in and pre-service continuous teacher training. Then and only then can we say that technology in fully integrated in our education system.
Are We Ready For This?
Everyday we boast and brag about technology integration in the teaching and learning process. We have fully equipped computer labs in almost every school and soon all S.E.A students will be given a free laptop. We also have conducted and are in the process of conducting computer classes for all employees of the Ministry of Education. But ,are we truly ready for this?-This technological age- of techonology integration in schools. Let us examine:
1. The cost of technological tools are still very expensive. Not everyone can afford these and some students/teachers may have to spend long hours at school/Internet cafe to complete tasks.
2. Some Internet providers are ineffective -they break down too often and also cary very costly monthly bills.
3. All schools and classroom are not eqiupped for multimedia and the Internet.
4. ICT is not effectively taught in all schools from pre-school to tertiary institutions and organizations.
5. There is a need for continuous training for pre-service and in -service teachers in technology use and integration.
6. Are all school adminstrators and boards do not fully undersatnd this process. Some principals make it difficult for teachers to use technology in their classrooms.
The list can go on and on. Tell me-Are We Ready?
1. The cost of technological tools are still very expensive. Not everyone can afford these and some students/teachers may have to spend long hours at school/Internet cafe to complete tasks.
2. Some Internet providers are ineffective -they break down too often and also cary very costly monthly bills.
3. All schools and classroom are not eqiupped for multimedia and the Internet.
4. ICT is not effectively taught in all schools from pre-school to tertiary institutions and organizations.
5. There is a need for continuous training for pre-service and in -service teachers in technology use and integration.
6. Are all school adminstrators and boards do not fully undersatnd this process. Some principals make it difficult for teachers to use technology in their classrooms.
The list can go on and on. Tell me-Are We Ready?
Wikis
A wiki can be defined as a software or website. It is one of the easiest Web 2.0 tools on the internet to use because it does not require any downloading of software. The term was first coined and created in 1995 by Cunningham and Bo Leuf. It is a Hawaiian word which means fast or quick and allows users to edit any page or pages within a wiki website.
In addition, a wiki is a collabarative webspace where anyone can add or edit content that has been published. It can also be used for collabarative writing of class newspapers, story telling, poetry and correcting of teachers samples or writing. Also with wikis students are motivated to write and teachers can use it to get a feedback on students use of grammer spelling, vocabulary, comprehension and more.
In addition, a wiki is a collabarative webspace where anyone can add or edit content that has been published. It can also be used for collabarative writing of class newspapers, story telling, poetry and correcting of teachers samples or writing. Also with wikis students are motivated to write and teachers can use it to get a feedback on students use of grammer spelling, vocabulary, comprehension and more.
Blogging Guidelines
Vaca, Vaca, 2010 outlined the following guidelines for blogging.
1. All spaces should be treated as classroom spaces. Inappropriate writing, photos or videos should not be used in classroom blog spaces.
2. Don't share or give out personal information over the internet. Since sites that used are open to the public and as such, the world would know.
3. Post positive and good things about yourself on the internet. Whatever is posted will remain there for a lifetime if possile. Be careful, things can come back to haunt you tens years from now.
4.Respect and appreciate the beliefs and customs of every nation and religon. Since, persons of all nationality and race connect with each other on the internet. Yes, difference do exist but mcuh can be leanrt by appreciating each other and by working together.
Vacca,R. ,Vacca,J. , & Mraz, M. (2011).Content area reading.United States of America: Pearson Education,Inc.
1. All spaces should be treated as classroom spaces. Inappropriate writing, photos or videos should not be used in classroom blog spaces.
2. Don't share or give out personal information over the internet. Since sites that used are open to the public and as such, the world would know.
3. Post positive and good things about yourself on the internet. Whatever is posted will remain there for a lifetime if possile. Be careful, things can come back to haunt you tens years from now.
4.Respect and appreciate the beliefs and customs of every nation and religon. Since, persons of all nationality and race connect with each other on the internet. Yes, difference do exist but mcuh can be leanrt by appreciating each other and by working together.
Vacca,R. ,Vacca,J. , & Mraz, M. (2011).Content area reading.United States of America: Pearson Education,Inc.
Blogs
Blogs or weblog s are online journals or diaries that can be used for personal account of life experiences, teaching and learning and so forth. Teachers can assign students to read pre-selected blogs to make comments and report back to class. The content on the blog cannot be changed or edited by others. This can only be done by posting a new blog entry.
I have started blogging with my daughter and husband. My husband and I have our own blog space and same with my daughter. We talk to each other using blogs. It has been going great and even helped us to improve our home environment. I am able to share things with daughter and she is able to talk to me about my motherhood or parrenting faults.
The point that I am trying to make is that blogs can be used for many things at home, school and society as a whole . For example, classroom management, learning logs, online notebook, personal expressions and more. Please be advised that in setting up blogs guidelines are important. So keep blogging.
I have started blogging with my daughter and husband. My husband and I have our own blog space and same with my daughter. We talk to each other using blogs. It has been going great and even helped us to improve our home environment. I am able to share things with daughter and she is able to talk to me about my motherhood or parrenting faults.
The point that I am trying to make is that blogs can be used for many things at home, school and society as a whole . For example, classroom management, learning logs, online notebook, personal expressions and more. Please be advised that in setting up blogs guidelines are important. So keep blogging.
My Interpretation of ICT in Reading
I first started this course with an open mind. I was aware that technology can be intergrated into teching and learning. However, I was oblivious to the vast amount of technology used in this area. The concept of Web. 2.0 technology was quite new to me. Let me just state that I'm not a technology person. I believe in curling up with a book.
The first session was okay because i fully understood the objective of the course. However, I missed the second the session because of an accident on my way to class. I also missed the third session due my daughter's graduation. When I eventually attended class for the fourth session I was lost. I did not understand blogs and wikis because I missed the sessions. I must say thank you my tutor Cherisse who was very helpful. She coached me into blogging and wikis.
At present I am excited with the course that I can't wait to expose the teachers in my school everything that I have learnt in the course.
The first session was okay because i fully understood the objective of the course. However, I missed the second the session because of an accident on my way to class. I also missed the third session due my daughter's graduation. When I eventually attended class for the fourth session I was lost. I did not understand blogs and wikis because I missed the sessions. I must say thank you my tutor Cherisse who was very helpful. She coached me into blogging and wikis.
At present I am excited with the course that I can't wait to expose the teachers in my school everything that I have learnt in the course.
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