Don

Reading #1 How Technology Can Improve Learner-Centered Teaching

Technology in the classroom can and is a huge asset to the learning environment. I often have students googling information on their smart phones in class to gain further understanding of the discussion topic and sharing it with the rest of the class.

Having the course documents such as the course outline, outcomes, grading, and marks posted online eliminates confusion and guess work among the students if they lose papers associated with the class. This can give them a homebase to visit for frequent refreshers of the course.

We must also realize that there is a group of individuals who outright refuse to buy into these technological advances ( I still know people who don't have cell phones or internet) Selling technology in the classroom to these people can pose huge challenges. We need to be diverse and inclusive in our classes that we teach which means accepting the people who can't afford or refuse technology. Is it right for us then to impose it on them in our classroom?

The problem we all have with technology is that it does not always work and this can cause unnecessary delays in a classroom when we have a limited amount of time to instruct. Technology is not perfect and always has bugs that need to be fixed and patched. It also can cost alot of money and students don't always have the finances necessary to purchase these items. It would be necessary for students to know ahead of time before enrolling in a program what technology they need to purchase or be familiar with.

Reading #2 The flipped classroom [|__http://www.knewton.com/flipped-classroom/__] [|__http://www.thedailyriff.com/articles/how-the-flipped-classroom-is-radically-transforming-learning-536.php__] [|__http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flip_teaching__]

The flipped classroom is an interesting concept where by the instructor makes available all the lessons online in a video format and other medias. The idea of putting lessons on line came about from two instructors ;Jonathan Bergmann and Aaron Sams. They did this because too many students were missing classes due to extracuricuar events such as sporting outings. These students could then follow up on missed lessons. Students are expected to view this material on their own time at home and then work on the concepts the following days in the classroom under the guidance of the instructor. The students are sort of expected to learn on their own with each other. They are expected to come up with ideas and expand upon the lessons given through the video format. This is a form of student centered learning where by they help each other learn. Research has proven that this is a very successful technique for education. Poor note takers can greatly benefit from this method since they can always go back and review the lesson many times. This would be great for parents who also want to be involved in their child's education. I don't believe this is the silver bullet for educating. Trying to replace the dynamics of a face to face lesson with a computer screen falls short in my books. This method may work great for some but I don't believe it will satisfy every learners needs.

Scott: Hey Don, I really thought what you wrote was quite insightful. I also think this would be an awesome learning aide for children. They definetly would not be bias towards the method because they wouldn't know any different. Good job, Scott

Harry's comment - I agree with you Don when you say that it is hard to replace face to face instruction with a computer screen. Having immediate feedback or clarification of material is something that all students need.

Derek: Don I also agree with you. I feel that the student needs to be self driven for this method to be successful. Unfortunately, not all students are self motivated. Also as we have learned in our past CAE courses, there are many learning styles. So I think it would be safe to say some of the students could be left behind. Or better yet some of these students would rely on the motivated, and only pretend to know what is going on. Unfortunately this would be the case no matter what method you would use. You�re damned if you do and you�re damned if you don�t.

Nicholas Tesla Blog []



A Webquest that I could design for my students would be an inquiry into Series RLC resonant and Parallel RLC resonant circuits and their applications. By the time my students are ready for a lesson on resonant circuits they have already mastered the understanding of all other types of AC circuits. The resonant circuit takes it one step further and they would be ready to discover it for themselves through a properly designed Webquest including these six components (introduction, task, information sources, process, guidance and conclusion)

In the introduction: -I would try to capture their attention by giving them an exciting example of a resonant circuit such as a radio tuner or a metal detector.

In the task: -understand the theory of a resonant circuit -define the components of a resonant circuit -differentiate how an RLC series resonant circuit differs from a RLC parallel circuit -find practical examples of RLC series and RLC parallel circuits -design your own RLC series or parallel resonant circuit and discuss its possible application -build your resonant circuit in the lab with your partners

Information sources: Webquest links

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Process: -Gather in your groups of 3 that I will have assigned -Visit the weblinks provided to gain understanding -share your ideas together in the form of a Popplet -Find another web link that coincides with the information sources -Discuss among your group to make sure everyone has grasped the concept

Evaluation: -As per rubric

Conclusion: I would have the students reflect on the differences between series and parallel resonant circuit and their applications. Find additional sources of information to support the initial concept and to expand on the existing information.

__Learner centered approach presentations:__ Kyle-Nice easy to follow power point Melanie-The value cards are a great way to have students reflect on their value system and get them involved Danya-Good Job! Rob-Short and quick webquest are a good idea with the limited time we have in our curriculum. Bitia-Great use of role playing! Carol-Clearly defined Activities, outcomes and evaluations Darrell-Great innovative way to include a learner centered approach in a field that I presume is very teacher centered. Andrew-Good demonstration of current teacher centered teaching strategies vs new student centered approaches. Aaron-I like your simulation approach, I bet it really gets the students involved Cindy-very interesting presentation on animoto. Harry- I like your PBL approach, it really gets them ready for a real life situation. Really good practical examples for every approach. Stephen-Good background info on your learners, good use of role play in your classroom, gets them ready for the real world. Johanna-Attractive and clear power point with great background colors Ruth-Very impressive webquest and great to see that you are actually using it as well. I like how you set out the outcomes first and then the activity to achieve the outcomes. Derek-Getting the students to relax is a good idea and probably gets them thinking clearly. Scott-Great use of more than one learner centered approach (basically all of them) for the same lesson. Over and above what was asked for! Michelle-Great use of journalling and using it to make sure the students stick around till the end of the day

__PBL presentations__ Ruth- Very clear presentation with well defined goals and what you learned. Scott/Derek- Great information on the different types of windows and installation considerations, good job relating it to the classroom and your students Michele- Super animoto presentation! And you clearly had a lot of fun with your project. Cindy- A very good learning experience...sometimes people tell us we shouldn't or can't do something and instead of trusting them we find out for ourselves by attempting the task to see if it can or can't be done. Bitia/Rob- Very creative project! You are both very artistic. Melanie- A very heavy topic, but something we can all relate to and I wish you and your family all the best. Carol- Very well presented and informative also good job on the prezi! Harry- Cool! I did not know what geocaching was. I might try it, I also have the etrex legend. Stephen- I use to do lots of sewing in the past and it definetly can be pretty tricky! Good job! Johanna- Thanks! you just inspired me to try my hand at making lasagna. Good job! Danya- Great concept! I always want to do this! Kyle- I've always been tempted but the warranty thing scared me off. Darrell & Andrew- Cool engaging presentation, you guys did a good job! Aaron- I've always been interested in this topic. Very interesting!