Module 5 Activity 3b - Reviewing Educational Software

The new dispensation in learning is using educational software.  While it should not take the place of the teacher it should be a very good help to both students and teacher.  It is therefore very important and critical that we review the software/sites to ensure they meet the necessary criteria before presenting it to students.  We should always  take the time to plan and prepare our lessons and ensure that the sites we use and direct the students to meet most if not all of our criteria. 

Module 5 Activity 2 - Experiencing Educational Software

The various sites my colleagues posted were very informative.  There are a few of the sites I know but there a few I have never seen nor encountered before.  Those that I viewed were very informative and educational and would be very useful and helpful to  me.  I especially loved the sites with the games as my students would be very happy with these sites - they enjoy playing games.  While they are 'having fun' they would be learning at the same time.

Module 5 Activity 1 - Reflection on the value of Social Bookmarking

OK module 5 has started and I have no idea if I have bookmarked or added the sites correctly to the diigo page.  I am just winging it for now.  I have bookmarked pages (crochet patterns and other educational sites) on my computer before  never had I had them on a 'site'.  I am hoping I did the correct thing and when I get the hang of this I will be bookmarking everything and categorizing them.  It amazes me that everytime I think I have made a headway in using technology something comes along and stumps me out.  Anyway this is a learning process and I am glad I have this opportunity to learn.    

There are lots of advantages to be derived from bookmarking sites.  As teachers we can visit each other's sites to use them as teaching tools.  It would also be very handy to have and store these sites to come back to them when we need them.  The links can be placed into lists and this makes for easy retrieval at anytime. I am looking forward to the other activities!

Assignment 3

This assignment had me thinking for days how to approach section D and E.  Finally it dawned on me – I hope!  It was hard for me because at the same time I was busy with end of term activities – preparing CPEA report cards (sent from the Ministry) along with the school’s report books.  This took a lot from me.  I am still not finished with the module though I am yet to complete two activities and complete my blog.

While there was a lot of reading in this module that sometimes seem would never end (and most times I had to read the same thing more than once) the information was very useful.  I found dome new activities that my students enjoyed such as comparing and contrasting and the class discussion with the speaker holding the flashlight.  I would be incorporating them in my teaching more often.  There were also some suggestions on our group page that would be put into practice daily such as praising positive behaviours, conditioning negative behaviours and building students self esteem.  I would also try to show more interest in their personal lives.

Module 1 Activity 12 – Problem Solving Skills

Students should not be taken for granted when it comes to solving problems.  They become very stimulated and involved in the lesson and were very confident with their answers.  They felt good when they shared.  They added to each other’s ideas and it was an opportunity for me to see their thought patterns.  The final product of their work was very well done.  The posters, rhymes and jingles presented showed time, effort and careful thinking went into each group’s work.  These posters, jingles and rhymes can be proudly used by any marine conservation organization.