These interactive field trips are some of the coolest things I've seen in a while. I think these websites would completely grab students attention and significantly increase their interest in a lesson. As I mentioned before, my Pre-K students LOVE the Computer Center and something like this would completely engulf them in the topic I'd be teaching. In searching through the sites Ms. Schmidt provided, I came across the Dinosaur Excavation site. Although the link no longer works I decided to search for some related to dinosaurs because it is a soon approaching theme in my curriculum.
Through my search I found this interactive dig: Dinosaur Interactive Dig. This website walks you through the process of an excavation and transportation to a museum step-by step. Although it may be a little advanced for my students to manage alone, with either myself or my aid I think my students could learn a lot through a hands-on, interesting tool while having a blast.
I also explored the Museum links and went onto the Smithsonian's website. In searching through I found an interactive flash game called, "Sizing up the Universe," http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/students/idealabs/universe.html. This particular game teaches you all about the universe and simplifies the teaching of relative sizes of different parts of the universe. It is a great way of breaking down for children the concept of the universe in a more understandable, realistic way. We just finished learning about space and will also be learning about the universe so this would be another great interactive site I would incorporate into my lesson plans.
All in all, these interactive websites and virtual field trips are ridiculously innovative and I think every teacher, student and parent should get access to them to really make learning that much more fun!
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
High school report cards
I chose to compare the high school I graduated from, High Tech High School and my town high school, Union City High School. High Tech is a magnet, public school which accepts students from all over Hudson County, which includes Union City. I have to be honest, I knew comparing these two report cards would show many differences which is mainly why I selected them. Moreover, although it has been roughly 7 years since I graduated from high school, I wanted so see how the statistics would have stacked between my two main options for high school.
The first thing I noticed was the difference in student to computer ratio. With a name like High Tech High School you would correctly assume that they would be more advanced in technology. HT's ratio is 0.8 while Union City's is 1.8. However, what surprised me more was that High Tech has 690 computers in the classroom while Union City has none! 0! Granted they have them all in computer labs and have about double the amount, however they also have about 4 times as many students enrolled.
In reviewing results of standardized tests, the gap only got larger. On the HSPA, High Tech High School scored above 98% proficient or advanced in Language arts literacy and 96% proficient or advanced in math. Union City on the other hand scored 74% proficient or advanced in Language arts literacy and 59% proficient or advanced in math. 82% of HT students took the SATs while only 57% of UC students did. Finally, the average 2009-2010 SAT score for High Tech High School was a 1658 while Union City's was a 1208. These numbers are just depressing and upsetting. I understand the reasons behind such huge gaps, I just feel more can be done to close it. This just shows that students start falling behind before high school and it is a slippery slope to where they just give up and don't have the same chance of success as others.
The first thing I noticed was the difference in student to computer ratio. With a name like High Tech High School you would correctly assume that they would be more advanced in technology. HT's ratio is 0.8 while Union City's is 1.8. However, what surprised me more was that High Tech has 690 computers in the classroom while Union City has none! 0! Granted they have them all in computer labs and have about double the amount, however they also have about 4 times as many students enrolled.
In reviewing results of standardized tests, the gap only got larger. On the HSPA, High Tech High School scored above 98% proficient or advanced in Language arts literacy and 96% proficient or advanced in math. Union City on the other hand scored 74% proficient or advanced in Language arts literacy and 59% proficient or advanced in math. 82% of HT students took the SATs while only 57% of UC students did. Finally, the average 2009-2010 SAT score for High Tech High School was a 1658 while Union City's was a 1208. These numbers are just depressing and upsetting. I understand the reasons behind such huge gaps, I just feel more can be done to close it. This just shows that students start falling behind before high school and it is a slippery slope to where they just give up and don't have the same chance of success as others.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Introduction
Hi Everyone,
My name is Lauren Sosa and I am a Pre-K teacher. I initially received my undergraduate degree in Business and Marketing from The College of New Jersey. I worked in business for about two years but eventually decided it wasn't for me. Coming from a long line of educators and being the oldest of 17 cousins, it dawned on me that teaching was the career for me. I am in my first year of teaching while enrolled in the Teacher Preparation Program/Master's in Education program at Saint Peter's College. This is only my second semester so I'm just getting started.
Although I consider myself to be pretty technologically savvy, I have never taken an online course and can really get angry with technology when it doesn't do what I want. However, I am always excited to learn new things and I feel technology can bring SO much to a curriculum and lessons. Although I do not have much technology besides one computer in my classroom, the students loveee the "computer center" and all the interactive learning it provides. I hope to gain many ideas and know-how from this course.
- Lauren :-)
My name is Lauren Sosa and I am a Pre-K teacher. I initially received my undergraduate degree in Business and Marketing from The College of New Jersey. I worked in business for about two years but eventually decided it wasn't for me. Coming from a long line of educators and being the oldest of 17 cousins, it dawned on me that teaching was the career for me. I am in my first year of teaching while enrolled in the Teacher Preparation Program/Master's in Education program at Saint Peter's College. This is only my second semester so I'm just getting started.
Although I consider myself to be pretty technologically savvy, I have never taken an online course and can really get angry with technology when it doesn't do what I want. However, I am always excited to learn new things and I feel technology can bring SO much to a curriculum and lessons. Although I do not have much technology besides one computer in my classroom, the students loveee the "computer center" and all the interactive learning it provides. I hope to gain many ideas and know-how from this course.
- Lauren :-)
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