Hi friends!
Simple English Wikipedia:
Avraham mentioned this earlier but I must have missed it. This site can truly be used as a great tool in our classrooms. Even though teachers tend to discourage the use of wikipedia...students more often than not turn to it as a source of first reference. Therefore, I think that teachers can use the simple english wikipedia to their advantage - helping students to research themselves and actually understand what they are reading!
Suggestion: why not get students to make their own wikipedia entry on something learned in class?!
NoodleTools:
Awesome! Not only is this a great tool for teacher to introduce to their students, but its a great website in general to use. It's almost ingenious. How many time have you simple done a google search which has resulted in thousands of results that are not relevant or in the direction that you are researching?! NoodleTools allows you to, from the beginning, refine your search - this in essence is a huge time saver.
On another note, this week I was exposed to a great website called edpuzzle. Basically, what it does is allows you to take a video and input questions that will appear at different intervals automatically. Using it in the classroom would require the teacher to complete the preparation before hand; once in the classroom, all that is require is the press play. Pretty cool! It can also be used as a great homework tool. Teachers can send students a link to a video they have made and students can answer the questions on the website. The teacher is able to access results at the end also.
Here is the link...check it out! http://www.edpuzzle.com/home
Thats all for this week, until next time...have a good one! :)
Friday, May 23, 2014
Saturday, May 3, 2014
Week7
Heya!
This week while prowling my blogs I found an interesting entry on paper blogging. This immediately caught my eye since many classrooms in Israel are yet to have internet access and many teachers are still apprehensive to use / integrate the internet into their classroom.
Paper blogging is exactly what it sounds like, blogging on paper. Blogging gives students a platform is express themselves and share their voice in writing. Even though not online, paper blogging still enables students to read and comment on their peers blogs.
An idea for a high school classroom: Ask the students to create their own paper blog, getting them to respond to a hot topic discussed in class. One written, the students will hang their blogs on the display boards around the room. Then the first 10 minutes of the next class, students will have the opportunity to read their peers work and then respond. They respond by writing a response on post-it note and physically sticking it to the blog. This is an idea that can continue through the year, the first few minutes of every class, giving a real opportunity for conversations to happen on paper.
Blogging is a great way to hear the students thoughts, especially those that they are afraid to say out loud in class. The paper blogging alternative is a unique way to practice and encourage writing, whilst introducing students to the blogging world.
Thats all for now, so until next time...have a good one!
This week while prowling my blogs I found an interesting entry on paper blogging. This immediately caught my eye since many classrooms in Israel are yet to have internet access and many teachers are still apprehensive to use / integrate the internet into their classroom.
Paper blogging is exactly what it sounds like, blogging on paper. Blogging gives students a platform is express themselves and share their voice in writing. Even though not online, paper blogging still enables students to read and comment on their peers blogs.
An idea for a high school classroom: Ask the students to create their own paper blog, getting them to respond to a hot topic discussed in class. One written, the students will hang their blogs on the display boards around the room. Then the first 10 minutes of the next class, students will have the opportunity to read their peers work and then respond. They respond by writing a response on post-it note and physically sticking it to the blog. This is an idea that can continue through the year, the first few minutes of every class, giving a real opportunity for conversations to happen on paper.
Blogging is a great way to hear the students thoughts, especially those that they are afraid to say out loud in class. The paper blogging alternative is a unique way to practice and encourage writing, whilst introducing students to the blogging world.
Thats all for now, so until next time...have a good one!
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Week6
Shavua Tov Friends!
Opening this weeks tasks, I was intrigued to see how we can practically integrate technology when teaching speaking and writing. In my (limited) experience in the classroom, teaching speaking seems to be a constant challenge for many teachers and thus I was excited to see what new ideas I could get!
Debating
As a high school student I can remember debating a lot in class. The most difficult challenge however was always to come up with arguments that were valid and worthy. The website idebate (international debate education association) is a great tool to aid students in creating great arguments and discussions within the classroom. Especially when attempting to argue in a second language, this website will surely come in great use. In a high school classroom, I would choose a topic from the vast list provided and print out the arguments for and against. These will provide a great springboard for the students to expand the ideas and not be a too overwhelming task to debate in their second language. I would allow class time to work on the speeches, creating even more chances for the students to communicate orally in English.
Here is a link to the website and some tools for teachers that I found interesting too!
http://idebate.org/training/teaching-tools/debate-of-the-masses
Digital Storytelling
So the idea of getting our students to create their own stories on the computers is definitely one I would like to incorporate into my classroom. I looked at the teachlearning website and was sadly not very impressed. Almost every website listed was an app and therefore needed to be used with iTunes. Thinking practically for schools here in Israel, I doubt most schools have computers that are that up-to-date with their systems. I would have like to find regular websites that can be used to create digital stories and or record themselves reading their own stories.
Here is the link the to the website: http://www.techlearning.com/Default.aspx?tabid=67&entryid=5129
Do you have any other suggestions??
Pre Writing - Graphic Organizers
I have used graphic organizers before in class and have found them very helpful. The students benefit greatly from having a clear way to organize their thoughts and it enables for a much quicker and smoothers process when they begin writing. Last time I prepared a handout for my students and it took hours to get all the shapes exactly in the right position and so on. This website it great because it has so many different options and pages to choose from...ready made!
Check it out: http://www.teach-nology.com/platinum/samples/graphicorg/index.html
While Writing - Creating Newspapers, Brochures, Flyers and Posters
I love the idea of ending a unit with a writing project like this. I have fond memories from when I was a child and put an enormous amount of effort into creating an authentic looking 'old' newspaper. Nowadays, things a little different. A website like readwritethink can be easily integrated into classrooms from elementary to high school. I would work on what the students are writing first by hand (using a graphic organizers to get started) and only once the students have produced a final hand written draft would I move them to the website where they can type in their information and create their own template with pictures and so on.
Here the link with the different templates to choose website: http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/Printing_Press/
Post Writing - Publishing
I feel like I have been waiting for this website the whole unit! Love it. Little bird tales is a great way to incorporate so many aspects of teaching. Creativity, writing, speaking, art, just to name a few! I love that the students can even draw their own pictures for their stories. My favorite aspect however, is being able to share the story. How excited would a parent be to receive an email from their child with an original story they created in English?! This is a writing activity I would use in my classroom. Once again I would start by using some type of graphic organizer so the students know what they want to write before sitting in-front of a computer screen.
If you register for the website, it allows you to go in and explore and create your own stories...check it out! https://littlebirdtales.com/home/default/
Wow, there was a lot of information in this unit. I feel like I bookmarked so many pages! Hopefully they won't just stay bookmarks and when I am teaching I will remember to incorporate some of these great tools.
Hope y'all enjoyed, have a good one! :)
Opening this weeks tasks, I was intrigued to see how we can practically integrate technology when teaching speaking and writing. In my (limited) experience in the classroom, teaching speaking seems to be a constant challenge for many teachers and thus I was excited to see what new ideas I could get!
Debating
As a high school student I can remember debating a lot in class. The most difficult challenge however was always to come up with arguments that were valid and worthy. The website idebate (international debate education association) is a great tool to aid students in creating great arguments and discussions within the classroom. Especially when attempting to argue in a second language, this website will surely come in great use. In a high school classroom, I would choose a topic from the vast list provided and print out the arguments for and against. These will provide a great springboard for the students to expand the ideas and not be a too overwhelming task to debate in their second language. I would allow class time to work on the speeches, creating even more chances for the students to communicate orally in English.
Here is a link to the website and some tools for teachers that I found interesting too!
http://idebate.org/training/teaching-tools/debate-of-the-masses
Digital Storytelling
So the idea of getting our students to create their own stories on the computers is definitely one I would like to incorporate into my classroom. I looked at the teachlearning website and was sadly not very impressed. Almost every website listed was an app and therefore needed to be used with iTunes. Thinking practically for schools here in Israel, I doubt most schools have computers that are that up-to-date with their systems. I would have like to find regular websites that can be used to create digital stories and or record themselves reading their own stories.
Here is the link the to the website: http://www.techlearning.com/Default.aspx?tabid=67&entryid=5129
Do you have any other suggestions??
Pre Writing - Graphic Organizers
I have used graphic organizers before in class and have found them very helpful. The students benefit greatly from having a clear way to organize their thoughts and it enables for a much quicker and smoothers process when they begin writing. Last time I prepared a handout for my students and it took hours to get all the shapes exactly in the right position and so on. This website it great because it has so many different options and pages to choose from...ready made!
Check it out: http://www.teach-nology.com/platinum/samples/graphicorg/index.html
While Writing - Creating Newspapers, Brochures, Flyers and Posters
I love the idea of ending a unit with a writing project like this. I have fond memories from when I was a child and put an enormous amount of effort into creating an authentic looking 'old' newspaper. Nowadays, things a little different. A website like readwritethink can be easily integrated into classrooms from elementary to high school. I would work on what the students are writing first by hand (using a graphic organizers to get started) and only once the students have produced a final hand written draft would I move them to the website where they can type in their information and create their own template with pictures and so on.
Here the link with the different templates to choose website: http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/Printing_Press/
Post Writing - Publishing
I feel like I have been waiting for this website the whole unit! Love it. Little bird tales is a great way to incorporate so many aspects of teaching. Creativity, writing, speaking, art, just to name a few! I love that the students can even draw their own pictures for their stories. My favorite aspect however, is being able to share the story. How excited would a parent be to receive an email from their child with an original story they created in English?! This is a writing activity I would use in my classroom. Once again I would start by using some type of graphic organizer so the students know what they want to write before sitting in-front of a computer screen.
If you register for the website, it allows you to go in and explore and create your own stories...check it out! https://littlebirdtales.com/home/default/
Wow, there was a lot of information in this unit. I feel like I bookmarked so many pages! Hopefully they won't just stay bookmarks and when I am teaching I will remember to incorporate some of these great tools.
Hope y'all enjoyed, have a good one! :)
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Week4
Hey Y'all,
I am really excited about what I read on one of my blogs today. The entry is entitled "5 Tips for Classroom Management With Mobile Devices". Classroom management is one of those topics that I am always interested in reading about and seeing what new strategies people have come up with. Most of the suggestions made weren't anything too innovative and didn't excite me that much - except for one.
The write contends that engagement is the key to having strong classroom management. Jennifer Carey says that it is key for teachers to keep their students engaged in lessons by relating to them - and I totally agree - connecting to students by "playing to their passions". She then brings brilliant tool to incorporate the use of cell phones during class. I clicked the link to the website and cannot get over how cool it is!
The website is called Socrative. I am so impressed with the ideas from this website and I think its a perfect way to tackle the problem so many teacher faces of students using their cell phones in class. Have a look at the link and play around on the website: http://www.socrative.com/
My favorite tool on the website is one of the assessments. Each student is able to rate how well they understood what was taught in class. When I was a student in high-school I was always nervous and shy to ask questions in-front of the whole class (surprising I know!). Using a website / app like this is a great way for such students to express honestly whether they understood or need further explaining. Using the vast array of tools on Socrative is a way for teacher to meaningfully gauge student progress and helps keep students focused on tasks.
The other tip I liked from this blog was the idea of having the students put their cell phones on their desks but face down. Most of the time when a teacher says put your phone away, it only encourages the students yearn to keep checking their phones secretly from their pocket. By having it out there on the desk, students are less prone to check their text messages, that is according to Carey - and I tend to agree!
That's it for now...until next time...
Have a good one! :)
I am really excited about what I read on one of my blogs today. The entry is entitled "5 Tips for Classroom Management With Mobile Devices". Classroom management is one of those topics that I am always interested in reading about and seeing what new strategies people have come up with. Most of the suggestions made weren't anything too innovative and didn't excite me that much - except for one.
The write contends that engagement is the key to having strong classroom management. Jennifer Carey says that it is key for teachers to keep their students engaged in lessons by relating to them - and I totally agree - connecting to students by "playing to their passions". She then brings brilliant tool to incorporate the use of cell phones during class. I clicked the link to the website and cannot get over how cool it is!
The website is called Socrative. I am so impressed with the ideas from this website and I think its a perfect way to tackle the problem so many teacher faces of students using their cell phones in class. Have a look at the link and play around on the website: http://www.socrative.com/
My favorite tool on the website is one of the assessments. Each student is able to rate how well they understood what was taught in class. When I was a student in high-school I was always nervous and shy to ask questions in-front of the whole class (surprising I know!). Using a website / app like this is a great way for such students to express honestly whether they understood or need further explaining. Using the vast array of tools on Socrative is a way for teacher to meaningfully gauge student progress and helps keep students focused on tasks.
The other tip I liked from this blog was the idea of having the students put their cell phones on their desks but face down. Most of the time when a teacher says put your phone away, it only encourages the students yearn to keep checking their phones secretly from their pocket. By having it out there on the desk, students are less prone to check their text messages, that is according to Carey - and I tend to agree!
That's it for now...until next time...
Have a good one! :)
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Week3
Hello fellow bloggers,
Today I tried out the website Quizlet. I am obsessed! I wish more classrooms in Israel had hands-on access to computers so this could be used. Flashcards are a great way for students to learn new vocabulary and practice what they already know. However they are a lot of work to create for the teacher! This website is quick and easy to use and the students can even spend time creating their own flashcards. My concern with this type of website though is that there is no way to use it other than being connected to the internet (that I could see) and it is therefore only a tool a teacher could use when in the computer room with all students in front of a computer or as a whole class activity through a smart board or projector. An idea could be to use this website as a homework tool. If the class had a blog forum then each student could create their own flashcards and share it on the forum for their classmates to practice.
While reading my blogs this morning I found it interesting that 2 out of the 3 both had posts about the advantages / disadvantages of online learning and technology. There are many valid points that fall into both categories and I can see the argument from both sides. What I do struggle with though is how to integrate and incorporate the positives into the classroom practically here in Israel. The schools and classrooms that I have been exposed to in my student teaching so far do not really allow the use of technology in the classroom. The teacher is lucky if they have a projector in the classroom, let alone an internet connection!
I feel like the education world is moving and advancing more and more in its use of technology and my fear is that the Israeli education system is not keeping up. There is so much out there and this course is opening my eyes even further to all the ways that technology can be used. I just hope that when I get into the classroom I will have the tools to enable me to share this new world with the students!
I didn't learn any innovative ideas from my blogs this week...hopefully next week!
Have a good one! :)
Today I tried out the website Quizlet. I am obsessed! I wish more classrooms in Israel had hands-on access to computers so this could be used. Flashcards are a great way for students to learn new vocabulary and practice what they already know. However they are a lot of work to create for the teacher! This website is quick and easy to use and the students can even spend time creating their own flashcards. My concern with this type of website though is that there is no way to use it other than being connected to the internet (that I could see) and it is therefore only a tool a teacher could use when in the computer room with all students in front of a computer or as a whole class activity through a smart board or projector. An idea could be to use this website as a homework tool. If the class had a blog forum then each student could create their own flashcards and share it on the forum for their classmates to practice.
While reading my blogs this morning I found it interesting that 2 out of the 3 both had posts about the advantages / disadvantages of online learning and technology. There are many valid points that fall into both categories and I can see the argument from both sides. What I do struggle with though is how to integrate and incorporate the positives into the classroom practically here in Israel. The schools and classrooms that I have been exposed to in my student teaching so far do not really allow the use of technology in the classroom. The teacher is lucky if they have a projector in the classroom, let alone an internet connection!
I feel like the education world is moving and advancing more and more in its use of technology and my fear is that the Israeli education system is not keeping up. There is so much out there and this course is opening my eyes even further to all the ways that technology can be used. I just hope that when I get into the classroom I will have the tools to enable me to share this new world with the students!
I didn't learn any innovative ideas from my blogs this week...hopefully next week!
Have a good one! :)
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Week2
G'day Friends!
I wanted to share with you some interesting and innovative teaching tips (and thoughts) I came across whilst reading some blogs this week.
Firstly, I discovered that there are so many different ways to incorporate blogs into our classrooms and utilize them as more than simply 'digital diaries'. The idea board is bursting with new and exciting ways to get students writing blogs and using this fun and creative technology tool whilst they do so. I 100% agree with the writer that choosing to integrate blogging into the classroom to support our teaching and curriculum is a fundamental aspect of teaching in this century. What I love about blogging is that it can be done anywhere and at anytime. Students don't have to be the most tech savvy and can add as much or as little to their page as they would like. The most important factor is to encourage writing and what better way to do that than to appeal to them through the technology that majority of them will be familiar with (on some level).
For further ideas of integrating blogging into the classroom follow this link: http://gettingsmart.com/2014/02/making-student-blogs-digital-diaries/
In addition I learnt all about blended learning. This involves creating a formal education program whereby a student learns part of the day through some type of online delivery or instruction. In this type of learning the student has the beneficial tool of being able to control the pace, place and path of their learning. The other part of the students days is devoted to a more traditional type of classroom teaching.
Although I think this idea is great and can benefit the students immensely, I do not know how realistic it would be to implement into the Israeli classroom. Not only is it costly but it would involve a level of understanding of the technology which not all facets of our country hold.
Here is the link to find out more info: http://www.edudemic.com/implement-blended-learning/
The last blog I read was entitled "Be a (teacher) Olympian". This blog entry didn't provide me with any particular new or exciting technology tools. In fact it didn't have any. The writer simply used the forum to convey her feelings on teachers being much like Olympians. I did enjoy reading this post albeit that I was expecting it to be something to do more with technology tools and integrating the topic of the Olympics into the classroom. I love the last line "be an Olympian. Take the risk of measuring your accomplishments".
To see the full blog entry click here: http://blog.teachersfirst.com/thinkteach/
I think as teacher we sometimes need to be reminded to step back and look at what we have accomplished in our classrooms and with our students. And with that, I will leave you until next week.
Have a good one! :)
I wanted to share with you some interesting and innovative teaching tips (and thoughts) I came across whilst reading some blogs this week.
Firstly, I discovered that there are so many different ways to incorporate blogs into our classrooms and utilize them as more than simply 'digital diaries'. The idea board is bursting with new and exciting ways to get students writing blogs and using this fun and creative technology tool whilst they do so. I 100% agree with the writer that choosing to integrate blogging into the classroom to support our teaching and curriculum is a fundamental aspect of teaching in this century. What I love about blogging is that it can be done anywhere and at anytime. Students don't have to be the most tech savvy and can add as much or as little to their page as they would like. The most important factor is to encourage writing and what better way to do that than to appeal to them through the technology that majority of them will be familiar with (on some level).
For further ideas of integrating blogging into the classroom follow this link: http://gettingsmart.com/2014/02/making-student-blogs-digital-diaries/
In addition I learnt all about blended learning. This involves creating a formal education program whereby a student learns part of the day through some type of online delivery or instruction. In this type of learning the student has the beneficial tool of being able to control the pace, place and path of their learning. The other part of the students days is devoted to a more traditional type of classroom teaching.
Although I think this idea is great and can benefit the students immensely, I do not know how realistic it would be to implement into the Israeli classroom. Not only is it costly but it would involve a level of understanding of the technology which not all facets of our country hold.
Here is the link to find out more info: http://www.edudemic.com/implement-blended-learning/
The last blog I read was entitled "Be a (teacher) Olympian". This blog entry didn't provide me with any particular new or exciting technology tools. In fact it didn't have any. The writer simply used the forum to convey her feelings on teachers being much like Olympians. I did enjoy reading this post albeit that I was expecting it to be something to do more with technology tools and integrating the topic of the Olympics into the classroom. I love the last line "be an Olympian. Take the risk of measuring your accomplishments".
To see the full blog entry click here: http://blog.teachersfirst.com/thinkteach/
I think as teacher we sometimes need to be reminded to step back and look at what we have accomplished in our classrooms and with our students. And with that, I will leave you until next week.
Have a good one! :)
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Week1
Greetings friends and welcome to Naomi's News!
First off, lets start with a little bit about myself. I made aliyah two and a half years ago and live in the heart of all the happenings in Jerusalem, Katamon. I am in my second year at Herzog studying Special Education and English. When I am not at school or doing my student teaching, I work at The Wall Street Institute teaching English to adults.
I enjoy using technology and am very much looking forward to learning new ways to incorporate everything it has to offer through this course. I hope to learn practical tools and tips to take directly into the classroom with me, whilst also practicing and honing in on my own computer techniques as well.
Watch this space for more updates and other exciting news tid bits...
Have a great one! :)
First off, lets start with a little bit about myself. I made aliyah two and a half years ago and live in the heart of all the happenings in Jerusalem, Katamon. I am in my second year at Herzog studying Special Education and English. When I am not at school or doing my student teaching, I work at The Wall Street Institute teaching English to adults.
I enjoy using technology and am very much looking forward to learning new ways to incorporate everything it has to offer through this course. I hope to learn practical tools and tips to take directly into the classroom with me, whilst also practicing and honing in on my own computer techniques as well.
Watch this space for more updates and other exciting news tid bits...
Have a great one! :)
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