Monthly Archives: November 2013

A no good, horrible, very bad day, with an update

Posted on by
Reply

I try many new activities with my students.  Most of the time it works very well.  My students just enjoy working with computers.  And I know that everyone learns differently.  Some lessons work well with some students and sometimes with other students it just does not work.  Some of my young boys dislike writing.  Writing blogs worked quite well in the past but on the other day, my younger boys just would not work for me.  I know they like science.  The way we did it the whole term was with experiments, discussions and readings.  Writing about a topic they have read and researched did not work well at all on that day.  I think what was missing was the hands-on learning. Those young boys needed to write about something they DID and interested them.  They could not write about something that they just read, even if we discussed it together in a small group.  It was impossible for them.  I think that was the fault with the lesson I did.

Being attuned to every student particular way of learning will help me having a better day.

Update

After I posted this blog, I saw this tweet.

https://twitter.com/sarahsamp13/status/405221721868738560/photo/1

After two weeks, 90% of students remember what they SAY and DO and only 10% remember what they read.  It was a good reminder.

I will retweek my lesson.

 

 

L’express de Toronto

Posted on by
Reply

Is there a French culture in Toronto?  I would say so.  Where do we find it?  A good start would be to look at the French newspaper L’express.

http://www.lexpress.to/

We find the newspaper online, of course, on Twitter and also in paper format in grocery stores, libraries.   We find regular articles about French movies, plays, and many issues facing French people in Ontario.  Issues  around bilingualism, education, political awareness, books, science and much more.

The issue I am currently looking at has a magnificient photograph of the Great Lakes, the bilingual astronaut Chris Hadfield took aboard the International Space Station.  The article discuss films about the environment.  It is just amazing.

 

The SAMR model

Posted on by
Reply

SAMR model stands for Substitution Augmentation Modification Redefinition Model.  Here’s a description of the model.

https://sites.google.com/a/msad60.org/technology-is-learning/samr-model

The model can be understood with the coffee analogy.

S – Substitution – plain coffee

A – Augmentation – coffee latte

M – Modification – caramel macciato

R – Redefinition – pumpkin spice

The SAMR model can also be understood with the document camera uses.

At the first level, Substitution, teachers use technology to replace what they were already doing, with no additional function.  At some point in their teaching career, teachers replaced their overhead projector for a document camera, to display pages of text.

At the second level, Augmentation, teachers started showing and reading books that were placed under the document camera.

At the third level, Modification, teachers records scientific reactions for example that were done under the document camera and show the video created for a number of classes.

At the fourth level, Redefinition, a class is asked to use the document camera to create a video of a scientific experiment that will be used in their blog.

There is another interesting article about the pedagogy wheel that compares the applications on the iPad with the Bloom’s Digital Taxonomy and add another layer, the SAMR model layer.  It is an invitation to contribute to the discussion.

http://www.edudemic.com/new-padagogy-wheel-helps-you-integrate-technology-using-samr-model/

I notice that Hopscotch, an app that teaches coding to young children, an app I have been using in my class, is not yet on the pedagogy wheel.  Hopscotch and coding is not yet on teacher’s maps.  There is a lot of room for someone who wants to make a difference.

 

Women in technology

Posted on by
Reply

On the radio show MetroMorning from CBC radio (@metromorning), I heard Matt Galloway talk to Leila Boujnane. She is the CEO of TinEye, a reverse image search engine.

Here’s a link to the radio discussion I heard while driving to work.

http://www.cbc.ca/metromorning/episodes/2013/11/25/women-in-technology/

She is a woman in technology who successfully started her own company and is encouraging other women to do the same.  She is encouraging other women to start work in technology and also to start their own company.   It is quite wonderful to see such role models.

I did attend the fascinating gathering organized by HackerNest.  They regularly organize meetups where people in technology can socialize, and listen to inspiring talks.

http://www.meetup.com/hackernest/

In the attendence were other women in technology who talked about their positive experience in the field and also Valerie Fox from Ryerson University, the executive director of Digital Media Zone (DMZ).  DMZ encourages students to start-up companies in the tech industry. It is one of Canada’s largest incubators and multi-disciplinary co-working spaces for entrepreneurs.

http://digitalmediazone.ryerson.ca/

This is all amazing work and possibilities for networking and learn from others.

I very much liked this initiative as I personally think that we need more people and more women in the tech industry and in education.

The following article provides some of the reasons to include programming in education. “Computer Science – not computer literacy – underlies most innovation today, from biotechnology to cinematography to national security.” Yet, we rarely teach it in our schools.

https://www.ncwit.org/resources/moving-beyond-computer-literacy-why-schools-should-teach-computer-science/moving-beyond?utm_content=buffer9cff9&utm_source=buffer&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Buffer

 

STAO organisation and conference

Posted on by
Reply

STAO is the Science Teacher’s Association of Ontario or l’Association des Professeurs de Sciences de l’Ontario.  They hold a large conference in Toronto every year.  It is such a wonderful resource for anyone who are looking for new ideas on how to teach science, both at the primary and the secondary level, both in French and English. The selection of speakers is quite large.  Also, there are many vendors, government organizations who offer their products and ideas.  After the conference, the conference notes of the speakers are available on their website.  So if it was not possible to attend all the presentations, we have the notes available to us.   There is also two magazines: the Crucible online and Elements online that are published regularly with more ideas to support teachers.  More, there are possibilities for networking.

STAO also provides free of charge science units for teachers, newsletters, and multiple resources that can be purchased.  It is really an excellent place to find all the best practices in science education.

 

 

 

BYOD and project work

Posted on by
Reply

Due to availability, sometimes we use the iPads in our school for our projects and sometimes we use the computer lab.   Some programs only work on the computers while others only work on the iPad.  Some programs work on both.  We have been learning to use programs on both computers and iPads.  This term, we have been learning how to code using Hopscotch, how to blog using Kidblog and we are now preparing a song for an assembly using my smartphone.  All devices have positive points and negative points and all are useful.  While I like coding, I would not consider coding on my phone while it is quite possible on the iPad and computers.  While I can use the computer for an assembly, my smart phone is more convenient, portable and easy to play the instrumental music in a school assembly.

Every student has skills that are unique to them.  We have students who are genius with words, others are genius with logic, some are genius in musically while others have a balanced set of skills.  Every personality counts.  Some are well organized while others mostly use their “last minute” to be inspired. Some work well in group while others prefer the privacy of their home to work.  Using their unique personality, students can research and show what they know using their specific intelligence.

http://www.amazon.ca/Multiple-Intelligences-Horizons-Theory-Practice/dp/0465047688/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1385209753&sr=8-3&keywords=howard+gardner

Students usually show their understanding better using applications that interest them and topics that interest them.  Bringing choice encourage motivation.

Many students have their own devices and they have the permission to use them in school under my supervision.  When they no longer need them, the devices can be locked away.

For the final project in science, students will have access to school computers to do their work.  Students will be researching a project using classroom books and the Internet and will also prepare a PowerPoint presentation.  Students who have their own devices will also have the option of using their device if I agree with the project they propose.  If students who are artistically oriented or mathematically oriented want to use Hopscotch to design a simulation of a volcano for example, they will have the option to do so using their own iPad.  If students want to write a blog because they like using words, they will have the option to do so.  If students want to write and perform a song to show their understanding of their project, they will have the option to do so.  As far as they show me they understand the topic, I will give them their marks.  Using their unique personality and interest, it is my belief students will be more motivated and will work harder at completing their project.  Using their own devices give them the option and also more time to work on their projects.

 

 

 

“I am going to change my parenting style”

Posted on by
Reply

I am not going to say where I read or hear this or in which context but I must say this is the most inspiring quote I heard in a long time.  Teachers come to school every day, sometimes, having to face students who are hungry, scared, with divorced parents, with financial problems at home, with parents working extra long hours, having to face inappropriate comments, feeling sick or generally feeling bad about themselves for inexplicable reasons.  A child cannot learn in those conditions.

I have not met one parent who does not want the best for his child.  I think everyone is trying their best but sometimes, extraordinary conditions and circumstances make daily life quite difficult.  Schools do provide support for those families who may need help:  where to get financial support, where to find a job, where to get a tutor, social work, parenting skills and many more.  We need everyone in a child’s life to create a positive effect.  There is help out there for every one who needs it.

Someone who cared very much just decided that “something” in their method of parenting was not working and decided to try something new.  It made my day!  I am also quite sure, this decision made the day of their child.

 

Finding the qualities in people

Posted on by
Reply

In our local schools we meet teachers and students from all over the world that are different in personality, looks, cultures and focus.  The best of us get to know all of those people.   Our board has been very engaged in erasing prejudice for good.   In the specific case of science and technology, many cultures have contributed to the development of science and technology at different times.  Highlighting the contributions of different cultures in the field of science and technology may motivate students from those communities.  Here’s a short list of French books that describe the contribution of different cultures. The Arabs, Chinese and Indians had an extensive contribution to science and technology as show the following books.

 

http://www.livresouverts.qc.ca/index.php?p=il&lo=36818&sec=2

http://www.livresouverts.qc.ca/index.php?p=il&lo=41310&sec=2

http://www.livresouverts.qc.ca/index.php?p=il&lo=44835&sec=2

I like robots but little did I know that the first automata was created by AlJazari in the Islamic medieval times, more than 800 years ago.  It is all described in the following book.

http://www.renaud-bray.com/Livres_Produit.aspx?id=1106552&def=G%C3%A9nies+et+leurs+grandes+inventions(Les)%2cCHALLONER%2c+JACK%2c9782702908105

There is so much to know from history that could inspire and motivate our students.

Balanced integration of technology

Posted on by
Reply

I use technology frequently in my class but I must say there are times when technology should not be used.  Technology is a good idea and it does not mean however that it should be used all the time.  Reading is also a good idea and that does not mean that someone should do all their learning using reading.  Talking and discussing is a good tool but always talking and discussing would cause some imbalance in learning.  The same happens with project work or anything for that matter.  If we only use technology for learning, we may miss on other aspects of learning like taking a walk to observe nature or the night sky, talking to a friend face to face to observe feelings and emotions, reading a paper book, building a craft with our own hands.  I think that we need to look at the whole child and at our class and decide what is appropriate for that child and that class.

As we, as a society, use a lot more technology, we should be also be aware of the adverse effect: we are loosing touch with nature, some aspects of our world and perhaps human connections.  Our students are suffering from nature-deficit disorder, a term mentioned in Richard Louv’s book.

http://www.amazon.ca/Last-Child-Woods-Children-Nature-Deficit/dp/156512605X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384904822&sr=8-1&keywords=richard+louv

My thought was that in integrating technology, we need to do so in a balanced way, in a way that makes sense for our students currently in our classrooms.  Every classroom will be different and the focus of each school will also be different depending on their needs.

 

 

Singing in an assembly

Posted on by
Reply

When assembly times come, it is sometimes a good idea to sing a song.  The following website provides pre-recorded instrumental music that can be downloaded as MP3 files and then transferred to any computer, tablet or phone.  The songs are available in multiple keys to adapt to the signer’s voice.  In an assembly, we just need to connect the phone or tablet to speakers and let the students sing.

http://www.karaoke-version.com/

The words for French and International songs can be found at the following link.

http://www.paroles.net/

In the many times my classes sang a song in a school assembly, it was always a pleasurable experience.