Concept 1:
Maloy et. al. (2013, pp. 67-71) bring up a valid point. They discuss how teachers tend to teach how they were taught in the grade that they are currently teaching in. For instance, if in second grade they took multiple choice tests only, then they stick to that when they become a second grade teacher. If they were assessed using performance assessments more, then that's what they tend to use for their grading.
I agree with their points. It does seem that many teach according to the way they have been taught. I am guessing its also a comfort zone, and people don't always want to branch out with new ideas, especially when teachers have been teaching a certain way for such a long time. I imagine that some teachers have over the course of their education a teacher that taught in a different way, and they decided that they wanted to follow suit. Does this change always stem from a better way of teaching, or was it simply a change from the norm that impacted the student to desire to teach in such a manner when they became a teacher is the question I would then ask. Change can often provide enough stimulation to boost attention spans. A simple place to notice this is in a game. How many versions of tag is there? Whether it be a new name, different way to tag, freeze, task to perform to return to play, elimination, or environment, the change of the game can often be inviting.
Photo credit to Adam Short from Bitstrips
Concept 2:
In chapter 4, Maloy et. al. (pp. 87) discuss a technology based learning environment. In this type of set up, students may continue learning through the internet. The teacher could use a website to support students learning, offer extra material and resources, discussion questions, assignments, etc.
Having this resource open to students is a great idea. Depending on the set up and time put into the website, could pull students in and provide valuable content to them. I have seen this work well for middle school students. If they were to miss a day, they could go log in, and view what they missed, make up any assignments, and be ready to return to class fully up to date. It also helps to provide students support who may have struggled during class. The teacher can also be able to touch on things that they may not have been able to get to during class. Also, students could be able to collaborate with each other.
Potential issues and concerns are mainly the amount of time that may have to be put in to make this useful to students. Obviously, the more time put in, the more useful to students it could be, but at what cost. Teachers also need breaks, but often with the pressures of student performance connected to their performance, leads to teachers not taking needed time to themselves. What if there were staff members hired to support this learning environment.
Concept 3:
View from Prezi.
Resources:
Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly
Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.
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