Blog #5

Bloom's taxonomy is an overview of six different ways students and teachers process questions in an educational setting. Within the six categories there are key words and questions which will help you identify the category or level and initially teach students to learn on multiple levels. Bloom's taxonomy benefits students if they can identify the typical questions used in the classroom. It can benefit teachers because they can identify six different ways they can teach any subject.
The most interesting fact from the article was that students use one level 95% of the time on tests. These children are not getting the level of education they need to develop cognitively. Too many teachers use facts instead of analysis in the classroom. The problem with that is that students are fully grasping the subject or concept. If teachers used analysis, application, evaluation, ect. then they would see better results from their students.That fact lets me and my colleagues know that we are using one category or level too often and that we should make the effort to use multiple levels in the teaching process.
After reading all of the articles pertaining to Bloom's taxonomy I was initially shocked that I was unaware of all the multiple levels of cognitive learning. I will be able to his taxonomy in my classroom so that my students will benefit multiple different ways in the learning process.

Power Point and Multimedia can majorly impact a classroom. The students are impacted on multiple levels. The first level is comprehension. By using powerpoint, students are able to grasp a concept by the visual aide and organization it provides. Another level students will be impacted by is the use of multimedia to create projects and presentations for the classroom. Multimedia gives students a chance to use their creativity and their technological capabilities. The last level they will be impacted by is their future. As technology advances on a daily basis , I believe that the students of today will be required to use technology in their everyday living and their future careers.
Teachers will be impacted by multimedia by the large improvements in student's comprehension of any given subject, the convience powerpoint provides to create a lesson, and the use of creativity in the classroom. First teachers will see or have seen a large improvement in students understanding of a subject because everything is clear cut and organized and is relatable to today's technological generation. Second Powerpoint provides an easy way for teachers to create a lesson which is color coded, neat, and can be fun for the students. Third multimedia is another creativity outlet that teachers can explore with or without their students to create a really fun lesson. As a future teacher I will use powerpoint for lessons and teach students to use powerpoint to create lessons.

Blog 4

After reading the article, there were a few things that I found intriguing. The first was that the teacher took her students on a field trip to the local creek. I thought that it was a great idea to take her students to something that was a source of survival for the town. The students were able to physically see such an important part of our everyday living. Currently it seems as though kids are not outside as often, it is great that this teacher takes them on a field trip in nature and teaches them about science at the same time. I also liked that she was teaching them about the harmful effects of pollution and had them pick up trash on the way.

The second part of this article that I really enjoyed reading was the use of the casual mapping. The students in her article were able to physically see the cause and effect relationship between the water and pollution. Casual mapping is a simple way to get a point across to students.

The third part of this article that I liked was the student involvement in the teaching process. The kids were able to make their own maps and figure things out on their own. They were also able to work together to create their maps. This taught them problem solving skills and personal skills at the same time.
I really liked how the teacher used different teaching methods to make the students learn-- mapping, a physical activity, group work and problem solving. It was avery creative and effective project because it used so many different teaching methods.

Blog # 3

I personally related to this article because I 've seen the advantages being a student myself. In the article on page three it mentions how a student used a computer program that corrected his spelling words and personalized his score. I use a similar program called "Colby" for Spanish. I am able to practice my conjugations and the computer program will correct them for me-letting me know which ones I need to work on. This tool is especially good for practicing because it enables you to identify your weak areas and work on them.
Another part of the artcle that I related to was the collaborative writing section on page four. In this section it discusses peer editing and how students can work together to learn and be more sucessful. Webct has really benefited me because I am able to contact students and the teacher with questions. I have also swapped ideas and input with other students from my classes. The use of technology in this aspect really keeps the learner on track because they are able to get help from each other. The article really let me see the benefits of using technology--that it can create a very active and collaborative learning experience for students.
Another tool I learned this week was how to use Google. By doing that worksheet , I was able to see the benefits of using an advanced search. I always thought that the advanced search didn't really help but I was proved very wrong. Learning how to use the advanced search will not only benefit my research but save me enormous time. I will always use the advanced search now that I am aware of its advantages.

Blog #2

This week I learned a few things that I found were helpful. I have never used the features that yahoo has to offer because I never took the time to find out why they were there. After viewing all the different categories, I was astonished that there were so many that could help me in my every day life--movies, maps,etc. I was especially grateful to find that there were groups of teachers out there willing to help each other and give each other support. Another useful tip I learned about was the advanced search on Google (4Nets assignment). I have been in college for years and never even bothered using it. Wow! What a difference a few choice words make. All these different resources right at my own fingertips and I didn't even know. I didn't grow up with a computer in my home so I guess I never really learned how to use all of it's great features.
After reading the assignment, I learned great new ways and reasons to use technology in the classroom. Using technology gives students the opportunity to really grasp a concept. Not all students learn the same way; technology gives students the individual attention that they need. Visual learners have the opportunity to use graphics and visually conceptualize an idea. They can also visually see where there mistakes are being made and therefore correct them. Students also have the opportunity to research a concept that might not make sense to them from the teacher's perspective, but by using technology they are able to get multiple perspectives. Technology gives students many different ways to learn material that will only better them academically.