Digital Blog #G

 Learning is universal and everyone deserves an education. English was my second language, so to make teaching multicultural is dear to my heart. I found the resource NLVM (National Library of Virtual Manipulatives) that teaches math with games and activities in English, Spanish, French, and Chinese. As an educator, I find it important to reach every student’s potential. The students can learn the same math lessons, but in different languages. A resource like this can also give a student a sense of confidence and inclusion. The student could be very smart and just has a language barrier. This student deserves the same opportunity like any other student.

 Interactive whiteboards are highly effective ways to teach individuals, pairs, or students in small groups, and youngsters with special learning challenges who respond well to visual, auditory, and hands-on learning activities (Maloy, 2013). These interactive whiteboards have replaced the original chalk board. Teachers can still write on the board, but with using dry erase markers (in multiple colors). With the projection, anything on the computer can be displayed on the board. With using a Mimio pen, games can become interactive in front of the whole class.






 Text reading software was another unique resource to discover as an educator. This resource can keep the teacher to continue at the same pace while students needing extra assistance have resources to help them. It has a highlighting feature that highlights the word for the student as it is reading. It can be used primarily for the elementary age students. Every student is not at the same reading level but by using this software they can enjoy the same material. Even for students that may have a high reading level it can be useful towards difficult reading material.





 

 Resources

Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Digital Post Blog #E

The first concept that I found neat was Zoombinis. Students are to take a journey while solving obstacles. (www.learningcompany.com) The three games in the series are Zoombinis Logical Journey, Zoombinis Mountain Rescue and Zoombinis Island Odyssey. Zoombinis are the actual creatures that a student also creates. They can change hair, eyes, nose and feet with many possible creations. Zoombinis are designed to teach critical thinking, problem solving, and mathematical learning to elementary students, ages 5 to 12 (Maloy, 2013). I think it is a great concept that teaches adventure. Also, gives students a lesson on working hard towards a goal. The educational program Kid Pix was a concept that I wanted to learn more of. A program dedicated to bring out the creativity in students is necessary. Students can express their ideas creatively for many subjects. Math is the subject mostly used for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Older students can make charts and graphs, write and illustrate word problems. To permit students to use their creativity and at the same time learn can be a successful concept. It is important to tackle teaching in a creative manner because students are not receiving enough free expression art. The versatility of Kid Pix for showing one’s ideas to others is greater than adults can imagine until they watch students create their projects (Maloy, 2013). Another program I found in the textbook under table 7.2 is Free Rice. This game, from the United Nations World Food Programme, donates 10 grains of rice to the World Food Programme for every correct answer to questions about English vocabulary and grammar, chemistry, geography, math, literature, and more (Maloy, 2013). I really found this game to be interesting. That as a teacher we can pass the lesson of helping others less fortunate is crucial. This game can also be played on Facebook completing virtual missions. As a teacher, we have a lot to cover in a day, so a program that can assist to have more productivity is essential. Resources Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.