When I first heard the words challenge based learning in class and that we had to do a project with it I had no clue where to start. I didn't really understand what challenge based learning was and what I was going to have to do. Through the reading I learned that challenge based learning is education with a clear purpose. A fairly simplistic concept that sadly gets over looked. It is education that is engaging and relevant to our students and where they are in their lives.
Now days the over used "purpose" of teaching has become to pass the standardized tests. Teachers spew out information and drill it into students to make sure they pass their exams, not making sure that they understand the content or that they have really retained it. Sadly, it the way the classrooms have become because the structure that has been placed upon school systems and classrooms. Also, because of educations need in general for funding and funding comes to those with higher scores. I really liked the challenge based learning reading and all of the opportunities it shows us. The author mentions that a lot of assignments in the curricula are lacking real-world context for students.
Education is supposed to be about learning, it is for the students and it is about the students and their needs. Not about teachers or tests, or even funding although helpful to have. If students can relate contain to life outside the classroom and make clear connection to way what they are learning is important then they will be more engaged and more apt to listen and learn. Challenge based learning is to keep students with you and part of the learning process and it is important that even though there is the necessity to do well on tests that we keep students engaged, involved, and motivated.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Thursday, February 7, 2013
IPad
Reading this article I completely understand how ipads can be useful in the classroom. Students love working with technology so using ipads in the classroom can be really reinforcing and there are plenty of educational apps that can be put on them. Plus, you could have a whole library of books on the ipads giving students plenty of reading options and they can enlarge the text to a size that is comfortable for them to read.
Ipads can also be useful for teachers to have portable devices for doing any class work on the go. Whether its writing lesson plans, making notes, or grading assignment. There are plenty of apps for teachers to use.
The one flaw is that you have to make use of ipads fair for all of your students. They are aren't too expensive but it is unlikely that you would have enough for each student in the classroom. Therefore, a system needs to be put into place of when they can be used and who's turn it is to use them. Also, as teachers we need to make sure that they are being used for academic purposes only while in the classroom.
I do believe that in the future, technology is going to be a very big part of the classroom. So we need to make sure that we understand how it works and different resources that will be useful for the classroom.
Ipads can also be useful for teachers to have portable devices for doing any class work on the go. Whether its writing lesson plans, making notes, or grading assignment. There are plenty of apps for teachers to use.
The one flaw is that you have to make use of ipads fair for all of your students. They are aren't too expensive but it is unlikely that you would have enough for each student in the classroom. Therefore, a system needs to be put into place of when they can be used and who's turn it is to use them. Also, as teachers we need to make sure that they are being used for academic purposes only while in the classroom.
I do believe that in the future, technology is going to be a very big part of the classroom. So we need to make sure that we understand how it works and different resources that will be useful for the classroom.
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