Here is a great example of how technology can make learning more accessible for everyone. This is also a great resource for your student if there is a concept that they just don't get or they missed in class. Below is an intro video for this resource, The Khan Academy.
You can find the all of The Khan Academy's tutorial videos here.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Why is So Much of Your Class Web-Based?
Maybe after reading my last post you are thinking: 'Wow, that is a lot. Having so much of your class online just seems like a lot of extra work for me and my child. Why not do things the more traditional way?' That would be a good question to ask, because in some ways, it is extra work. But there is a reason for it. I hope this post helps clarify the rationale behind my emphasis on use of technology.
Students and Technology: Making Sure Your Student Gets the Most Out of High School
Caring teachers and parents alike hope for their students to get more out of high school than just a diploma. We both want our students to walk out of high school ready for the 'real world' - ready to take on college, ready to take on a good job, ready to be responsible for themselves. That, in my opinion, is a big part of my job. We also know that just about any job now relies on the use of some form of technology, and the more technologically savvy one is, the more opportunities one has as far as employment and advancement. At most colleges and universities now, a certain level of technological proficiency is assumed. Many assignments are submitted through websites and e-mail, and not knowing how to use programs like Excel, Word, and PowerPoint can be a huge disadvantage.
That being said, I would be doing your student a huge disservice if I did not make technology a regular part of my instruction. Using technology can also help accelerate and facilitate the learning process. By having a class website that both parents and students regularly use, students can more easily keep up with their assignments, missed notes can be found, and important information can be more easily reviewed. Having an student and parent e-mail list also eases communication. Sometimes I find a resource that I think would really help my students prepare for the next test, but I found it after your child's class period is over. Well, I can still send it out via e-mail and they are able to get the full benefit of the information.
A lot of in- and out-of-class assignments will required web-based research. There is a lot of information out there, and a lot of it is just no good. Your student needs to be able to sift through the good and the factual and the biased, the helpful and the misleading. Even if their future career does not require web-based research, many of the decisions they make as citizens may hinge on it.
Students and Technology: Making Sure Your Student Gets the Most Out of High School
Caring teachers and parents alike hope for their students to get more out of high school than just a diploma. We both want our students to walk out of high school ready for the 'real world' - ready to take on college, ready to take on a good job, ready to be responsible for themselves. That, in my opinion, is a big part of my job. We also know that just about any job now relies on the use of some form of technology, and the more technologically savvy one is, the more opportunities one has as far as employment and advancement. At most colleges and universities now, a certain level of technological proficiency is assumed. Many assignments are submitted through websites and e-mail, and not knowing how to use programs like Excel, Word, and PowerPoint can be a huge disadvantage.
That being said, I would be doing your student a huge disservice if I did not make technology a regular part of my instruction. Using technology can also help accelerate and facilitate the learning process. By having a class website that both parents and students regularly use, students can more easily keep up with their assignments, missed notes can be found, and important information can be more easily reviewed. Having an student and parent e-mail list also eases communication. Sometimes I find a resource that I think would really help my students prepare for the next test, but I found it after your child's class period is over. Well, I can still send it out via e-mail and they are able to get the full benefit of the information.
A lot of in- and out-of-class assignments will required web-based research. There is a lot of information out there, and a lot of it is just no good. Your student needs to be able to sift through the good and the factual and the biased, the helpful and the misleading. Even if their future career does not require web-based research, many of the decisions they make as citizens may hinge on it.
So, my reasons for having so many web-based assigments and information is not simply to save paper (though, that is a nice benefit), but to make sure that your student is able to be a leader in an increasingly teachnology dependent world. I want their high school experience to truly prepare them for what awaits them on the other side of their diploma, and technological literacy is a key part of this preparation.
Welcome Parents! (and any curious students)
Chances are you are visiting this blog because your child is a student in one of my science classes at Mays High School, whether it is AP Physics C, Chemistry, or Physical Science. Let me just say welcome to you, and I am excited and priviledged to be teaching your student this year. I don't guarantee it will be easy, but I do promise that I will provide challenges for your student in a way that will make him or her stronger both academically and personally. Chances are, you are also visiting this blog because you want to know how you can help your child do well in science this year and how you can help them get the most out of their high school experience. I hope to provide some insight into how we can work together to do this in this post.
How Can I Be Involved?
So, you might be thinking: 'I haven't taken science since I was in high school - I am not so sure I can help my child in your class.' Well, I have great news! You do not have to be a science expert to help your child succeed in science. Here's a few simple ways you can be involved:
1. Join my parent e-mail list. It is a great way for us to communicate. Our students are a lot more likely to study if you tell them at home then if I just tell them in class. I will send out information about upcoming tests and big assignments so that you can help them to stay on top of their schoolwork. Also, we can communicate one-on-one about how your student is progressing and share concerns that we might have. This will be much more efficient than sending home paper notices, as even the most conscientious high schoolers can forget to bring things home. To join, just send me an e-mail at mrgbryant@gmail.com
2. Check the class website every week or so. It has all homework assignments, class notes, and opportunities for extra credit and additional learning. This is especially helpful if your student misses a day in class. Now you can know for sure whether they really have homework to do or not!
3. Encourage web-based research. Is your child stuck on their homework? Are they asking questions about things they have learned in class and you want to help them find the answers? The web is full of good (but also bad) information. Helping your student learn how to find answers through internet-based research will give them a serious edge in high school and beyond. Informed use of technology can help our students to be self-teachers, and being a self-teacher can empower them to perform at a high level in any environment. Not sure how to help them sift through the good and bad info out there? Check out this article.
How Can I Be Involved?
So, you might be thinking: 'I haven't taken science since I was in high school - I am not so sure I can help my child in your class.' Well, I have great news! You do not have to be a science expert to help your child succeed in science. Here's a few simple ways you can be involved:
1. Join my parent e-mail list. It is a great way for us to communicate. Our students are a lot more likely to study if you tell them at home then if I just tell them in class. I will send out information about upcoming tests and big assignments so that you can help them to stay on top of their schoolwork. Also, we can communicate one-on-one about how your student is progressing and share concerns that we might have. This will be much more efficient than sending home paper notices, as even the most conscientious high schoolers can forget to bring things home. To join, just send me an e-mail at mrgbryant@gmail.com
2. Check the class website every week or so. It has all homework assignments, class notes, and opportunities for extra credit and additional learning. This is especially helpful if your student misses a day in class. Now you can know for sure whether they really have homework to do or not!
3. Encourage web-based research. Is your child stuck on their homework? Are they asking questions about things they have learned in class and you want to help them find the answers? The web is full of good (but also bad) information. Helping your student learn how to find answers through internet-based research will give them a serious edge in high school and beyond. Informed use of technology can help our students to be self-teachers, and being a self-teacher can empower them to perform at a high level in any environment. Not sure how to help them sift through the good and bad info out there? Check out this article.
4. Do virtual labs at home. Yes, that's right - you can do science labs at home at no cost right there on your computer, without the worry of mixing the worong chemicals and getting an undesireable result. The web is full of web-based labs. Here are a few to get you started:
Ask your child what they have been learning in class in find a lab related to that concept. Even if it is not something that I am going to test them on, any knowledge of science will help your child to be a better critical thinker and help them to better handle any scientific concept that I throw at them. All science is related, and science is as much a way of thinking as it is a body of knowledge - so any scientific activity helps!
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