It has been interesting seeking out new information on Twitter through new channels that I have not used before. In CEP 810 and CEP 811 we were told to setup a RSS feed and Twitter feed, but beyond tweeting assignments, I had never used them to seek out information. While previous assignments made me find sources of new information, I didn't actually start using many of them.
I like using Twitter to seek out new interesting articles because it forces sources to write a very brief idea of what the article is about and if I am interested enough to read it, I can click on their link. I started following a couple new sources on Twitter: @edutopia, @EducationNext, and @grantwiggins. Many of their posts differ and expand my thinking about education. Thanks to geralt for this CC0 licensed picture.
A post by Edutopia gave me new insight into blended learning. The article sparked ideas of how to integrate online learning in a classroom in a hybrid model – allowing students to have some control of pacing and path of learning (Dabbs, 2012). It also included some links to other websites that have potential in helping teachers bring more online learning into their classroom.
Education Next made a post that shared an interesting New York Times article about on how visiting an art museum helps students to develop intellectually. This was a stretching article for me since as a science teacher I see classes like math and science being the backbone of curriculum. The article showed strong evidence that after being randomly selected to visit an art museum, the students “demonstrated stronger critical thinking skills, displayed higher levels of social tolerance, exhibited greater historical empathy and developed a taste for art museums and cultural institutions” (Kisida, Greene, and Bowen, 2013).
I also caught a tweet by Grant Wiggins who linked to an article which give a perspective in favor of teaching common core curriculum – a different perspective from the often heard protests to standards-based teaching. The author, Frank Bruni, had some good points about arguments that many people have brought against the Common Core. In trying to prop up students in their own self-esteem, they often have an over-inflated view of their own ability and feel that the don't need to study much and yet still expect good grades. In regards to complaints of school becoming more boring or offensive, Bruni writes: “Aren’t aspects of school supposed to be relatively mirthless? Isn’t stress an acceptable byproduct of reaching higher and digging deeper? Aren’t certain fixed judgments inevitable? And isn’t mettle established through hard work?” (2013). While his views and points are debatable, I found it an enlightening read.
I could see myself coming back to Twitter now to seek out new information through these new sources. It is helpful hearing perspectives and new ideas being tossed around.
References:
Bruni, F (2013, November, 23). Are Kids Too Coddled?. retrieved November 24 2013, from The New York Times Web Site: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/24/opinion/sunday/bruni-are-kids-too-coddled.html
Dabbs, L (2012, October, 1). Blended Learning: We Are All New Teachers. retrieved November 24 2013, from Edutopia Web Site: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/blended-learning-getting-started-lisa-dabbs
Kisida, B Greene, J, & Bowen, D (2013, November, 23). Art Makes You Smart. retrieved November 24 2013, from The New York Times Web Site: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/24/opinion/sunday/art-makes-you-smart.html
I like using Twitter to seek out new interesting articles because it forces sources to write a very brief idea of what the article is about and if I am interested enough to read it, I can click on their link. I started following a couple new sources on Twitter: @edutopia, @EducationNext, and @grantwiggins. Many of their posts differ and expand my thinking about education. Thanks to geralt for this CC0 licensed picture.
A post by Edutopia gave me new insight into blended learning. The article sparked ideas of how to integrate online learning in a classroom in a hybrid model – allowing students to have some control of pacing and path of learning (Dabbs, 2012). It also included some links to other websites that have potential in helping teachers bring more online learning into their classroom.
Education Next made a post that shared an interesting New York Times article about on how visiting an art museum helps students to develop intellectually. This was a stretching article for me since as a science teacher I see classes like math and science being the backbone of curriculum. The article showed strong evidence that after being randomly selected to visit an art museum, the students “demonstrated stronger critical thinking skills, displayed higher levels of social tolerance, exhibited greater historical empathy and developed a taste for art museums and cultural institutions” (Kisida, Greene, and Bowen, 2013).
I also caught a tweet by Grant Wiggins who linked to an article which give a perspective in favor of teaching common core curriculum – a different perspective from the often heard protests to standards-based teaching. The author, Frank Bruni, had some good points about arguments that many people have brought against the Common Core. In trying to prop up students in their own self-esteem, they often have an over-inflated view of their own ability and feel that the don't need to study much and yet still expect good grades. In regards to complaints of school becoming more boring or offensive, Bruni writes: “Aren’t aspects of school supposed to be relatively mirthless? Isn’t stress an acceptable byproduct of reaching higher and digging deeper? Aren’t certain fixed judgments inevitable? And isn’t mettle established through hard work?” (2013). While his views and points are debatable, I found it an enlightening read.
I could see myself coming back to Twitter now to seek out new information through these new sources. It is helpful hearing perspectives and new ideas being tossed around.
References:
Bruni, F (2013, November, 23). Are Kids Too Coddled?. retrieved November 24 2013, from The New York Times Web Site: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/24/opinion/sunday/bruni-are-kids-too-coddled.html
Dabbs, L (2012, October, 1). Blended Learning: We Are All New Teachers. retrieved November 24 2013, from Edutopia Web Site: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/blended-learning-getting-started-lisa-dabbs
Kisida, B Greene, J, & Bowen, D (2013, November, 23). Art Makes You Smart. retrieved November 24 2013, from The New York Times Web Site: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/24/opinion/sunday/art-makes-you-smart.html