Jessica's EDT 548 Blog

Week 4 Readings

2006-09-12T18:56:00.000-07:00

Standards for Math, Science and Technology

As I read these paragraphs, I was reminded of a term I heard while interviewing someone for another class, transforming technology. This chapter eludes to the same thing., none of our standards should be stand alone, but we should transform education by integrating across the curriculum and embedding technology in all facets.

Helping your child…reach standards

I found this to be a good reference tool of things I am doing, and should be doing in the classroom. It seemed to explain things very well and even had ideas for parents and teachers to foster love for learning. This is a good page to share with parents and colleagues.

2006-08-31T18:30:00.000-07:00

Regarding Constructivism as a Paradigm for Teaching and Learning
I was really upset with the negative beliefs on constructivism that I feel the need to play devils advocate for the list posted in the article. I am appaled at the statement that constructivism only works with priveledged kids who have excellent teachers! We can all be constructivists if we try and it has nothing to do with the income level of the students, it has to do with the interest level. As for the conformists thing, I work with middle schoolers and they are anything but conformists. They are more likely to express their opinion or idea if it is not the popular opinion. So far this year we have had some good discussion and have heard conflicting opinions. I didn’t see any of these kids folding, they all wanted to stick to their ground. When assessing constructivist lessons, I think you get a better idea of where the student lies on the concept. They have many ways to express their knowledge besides just pencil and paper. This is a good way to help students who have test anxiety and bomb a test even if they are an expert on the subject matter. If we work basic skills into everything we do and make real world connections to them, the students will master these skills and be able to apply them in the real world.

The First Blog

2006-08-24T19:28:00.000-07:00

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