Amazing Science Learning

Greetings to everyone!     

“Web Adventures: Explore Science One Game at a Time” is an article that discussed about the advantages of using Web Adventures with students. Web Adventures is a virtual environment where students can play games and learn about science. The author persuaded readers by quoting teachers’ and students’ comments on how fun and interesting the science games are. The science games keep students motivated and ready to learn.

            I can use Web Adventures in my classroom by introducing science and have students explore the interactive games on their own. Student can learn about what make up a lab, the equipments used for science studies, etc. There are countless of games and information for student to explore. Web Adventures uses real images so that students can be prepared when they go to college or work in the science field. Students will be motivated to learn science when they use Web Adventures and won’t be bored. 

            The article ended with ideas of how health and science teachers can use this online tool for students to learn about science theories which will motivate them into science/math careers and engineering. Students report that they have gained so much knowledge from using Web Adventures because they can perform experiments that would not be possible in the real lab classroom environment.

Web Adventures meets the NETS for Teachers for facilitating and inspiring student learning and creativity, designing and developing digital age learning experiences and assessments, modeling digital age work and learning, and engaging in professional growth and leadership. Web Adventures uses science technology to engage students in online learning. Teachers can monitor students’ progress and create lesson plans that incorporated the National Science Standards with Web Adventures. Web Adventures is also a creative tool for students to explore what they can do with science. The best part, students are safe in this virtual learning environment without worrying about damaging equipments and/or mixing non compatible chemicals together. I highly recommend Web Adventures to all teachers.

Nhu Y Nguyen

APA Citation:

Bowling, K. B., & Miller, L. M. (2012). Web adventures: Explore science one game at a time. ISTE Learning and Leading with Technology, 39(March/April 2012), 34-35.

Common Core Standards in the Elementary Schools

Greetings to classmates,

After viewing the video on Common Core Standards in the Elementary Schools, the advantage mentioned in the video is the ability to bring teachers, principals, and parents together to work on same concepts across the nation. When everyone work together to discuss about what works and what doesn’t in achieving the standards, they become proactive about future and present students’ achievements. CC initiatives enable all students across the nation to be on the same page. They learn about the same things and are able to compete with the world with further knowledge. The greatest advantage is by having CCS across the nation, schools can work together in promoting the best learning approaches and teaching style that correlates with the same standards. Every child learns differently, therefore it is best for teachers to work around those needs by adapting teaching techniques that cover the CCS with other teachers.

            CCS can be a road block to the success of students learning because of the large amount of time that teachers have to put out to cover all of the CCS. Some teachers teach at a slower pace than others making it difficult to adjust to CCS. Another disadvantage is exposing new and specific standards to teachers will take some time. Most of the teachers learned the old standards and are more familiar with them than CCS. They have a routine way of teaching those standards and will find it difficult to adjust to newly adapted CCS. Overall, I think CCS is amazing in its way to combine the national standards together so that students and teachers can share their learning easily through the web and make the best out of their learning goals. 

Nhu Y

APA Citation:

Teaching Channel. (2011). Common core state standards: Elementary school [Theater]. Available from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IPxt794-yU&feature=youtu.be

Balancing grades

Dear classmates,

            The reason behind Alfie Kohn’s article “From Degrading to De-Grading” is to promote awareness of how grades can negatively affect students’ learning. Kohn gave numerous of examples of how grades cannot identify student’s skills and cannot be used to evaluate their potential and understanding. Some of the examples mentioned in the article were: grades encourage cheating, grades spoil teachers’ relationships with students, and grades waste a lot of time that could be spent on learning. It is true that these things can happen, but teachers can be proactive about grading and create a way for students to agree upon so that grades can be a goal to achieve instead of a negative perspective. One of the ways that I would grade students is to balance every aspect of the curriculum with rubrics and standards. I will make sure students understand what is being graded on and why it is that way. For example, I will put emphasis on participation, open-ended test questions, and reflective assignments/projects so that students can have a choice and be responsible with the results of their actions.

            The author ended the article by giving examples of what he did with his students to ease their concerns with grades. He said by doing so students are more focus on learning the material without worrying about what grade they will earn. The author also stated that teachers who gave up control and work with their students to develop a different system of grading will reduce the harm that traditional grading affect on those students.

This article does not fit fully into any of NETS standard because it did not mention about technology tools or online sources in learning. It did however, mentioned about the ability to not give grades to students by focusing on what needed to be learned so that they can expand their interests and creativeness.

            I believe there is purpose and value in a grade because without it there are no goals to set for students for them to work hard towards reaching them. Grades are a way to assess student’s potential and ability. When students know that they don’t need to work hard to get an A, they would all be doing the bare minimum to go on to the next level. Grades should not be seen as something negative or a barrier to students learning. It should however, be a measurement/rubric for evaluating students’ progress. Teachers use grades to see what he or she needs to further emphasize on so that students understand the materials before going on to the next level. For example, students will not be able to understand Trigonometry without know basic Geometry. There should be a balance in grading. Teachers should not put too much emphasis on tests/projects because not everyone will do well on them. I believe by assessing many aspects of students’ effort will be far more effective than their ability to get the right answer. When teachers focus more on creating a learning environment where students are eager to learn and are curious about what they are learning, they will be more successful at what they are teaching. 

Nhu Y

APA Citation:

Kohn, A. (1999). From Degrading to De-Grading. High School Magazine, March 1999,

Computational Thinking Through Technology

Dear classmates,
      
     “Computational Thinking: A Digital Age Skill for Everyone” is an introduction to computational thinking and how it is used in the classrooms. The authors want readers/teachers to be familiar with this new concept of blending technology with problem solving skills so that they can utilize computational thinking in their classrooms. One of the examples discussed in the article is about a group of students using Skype technology to analyze data about the rate of deforestation before putting it into data. By the use of CT and technology, students are practicing what professionals do in the real world. This introduction and explanation of computational thinking is a beginning of technological advances in the educational world. As stated in the article, CT is “a unique combination of thinking skills that, when used together, provides the basis of a new and powerful form of problem solving. It is more tools oriented. It makes use of familiar problem solving skills such as trial and error… (Barr, Harrison & Conery, 2011)”

            I believe learning should tap into computational thinking for the students today because it will help them develop CT through technology. Furthermore, I can apply this knowledge to future classroom experiences by implementing CT into my lesson plan and have students collaborate and form data through programs and online clouds environment. For example, students can use computer or online programs to examine 3-D models of the world. Using the 3-D model of Earth, students can discuss how climate plays an important role in shaping people lives. By analyzing data, students exchanges opinions and facts that will require CT to expand their knowledge. Since CT focused on the use of technology, students are exposed to the real world of technology that will benefit them later on when they are in college or working in their career where most places required technological skills.

            The article conclusion highly suggested that it is important for students to use CT since most of today work highly required computer knowledge and skills. By using CT, students have the opportunity to expand their knowledge with the help of computers and technology. They will be more connected with their world where the internet is the source of information and communication.

            Using NET-S, the article fit into standard 3d: Model Digital-Age Work and Learning, teachers model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate, and use information resources to support research and learning. Through the use of CT, students have the opportunity to analyze and research information to support their data. When students practice and use CT at home, in the classroom, and anywhere where computers can be used to connect to the internet, they are developing skills that will greatly help them and others when they become professional individuals.

Nhu Y 

APA Reference: 

Barr, B. D., Harrison, J. H., & Conery, L. C. (2011). Computational thinking: A digital age skill for everyone. Learning & Leading, doi: Computational Thinking: A Digital Age Skill for Everyone