Wrap Up

 I found working with projects and webquests very interesting. In the past I would have just given students projects to do. I would have first make sure students know what is expected of them and monitor them to make sure they are working on their projects. Then have them make their presentations.

This module has taught me how to make project work more meaningful, exciting , appealing and effective for students.

Developing a project and webquest can be very time consuming but the end result is very rewarding. I especially like the webquests although it was the hardest for me to do. There is so much you can do with it that can help the students to do well in their project like the assessment tools and other guidelines. The idea of group roles is also a very good idea as it ensures that each person has a role to play.

The webquest is so detailed for the student that as long as the teacher does it well and at a level that the students can understand they are not likely to go wrong.

I also got a good feeling of accomplishment when I saw the end result of my webquest.

I had no problem skipping between the Intel Elements and the wequests but I did not see the reason for the movement from one to the other. It did not make much sense to me but it was not really a problem.

Activity 9: Group Roles in a Project

Though this activity cost me a lot of time, I find the idea of group roles to be very good as it pins learners down to exactly what is expected of them. It keeps members of the group from writing irrelevant information. Learners are better able to grapple with the information when they put themselves into the roles of the projects. Learning is more enjoyable and effective when these are real life roles. The members of the group will be bringing different perspectives to the group so group members can learn from each other.
Because each member of the group has a specific role to play it ensures that all are actively involved in the group process and all has a role to play in the success of the results.

Activity 8: Setting the scene of a webquest

This  activity was a challenge to start off with but my creativity and imagination was stimulated as I was forced me to think about what I would like my learners to do and what they are expected to learn by doing so.
I also became excited as I watched my webquest developed into not just words but lovely and meaningful graphics too.
I have learned not to underestimate myself. I tend to think sometimes that some things are so difficult in the beginning until I delve into. I have also recognized how we can make learning and projects more exciting for learners when we move away sometimes from the traditional way of doing things.

Activity 7A: Introduction to Webquests

I think Webquests can make project work much more interesting and easier to manage for students.
It looks like the webquest will be a lot of work for the teacher to design though. I can see that it will be time consuming and demands that the teacher do a lot of research herself.
The teacher should not be daunted though as I think with practice she can get better at it. The teacher needs to bear in mind that what matters most is that it will make learning much easier and interesting for the learner.

Activity 10: The Flipped Classroom Approach: Best Practice

I think the flipped classroom when use appropriately has its place in teaching and learning. This approach can help students to learn at their own pace. The teacher can post material that the students can access without the limitations placed on classroom time. This can better prepare students to practice or question the material in class.
In Social Studies the teacher can post lots of useful material on topics such Government and Caricom which have a lot of concepts that students have difficulty grasping in class. The Fipped Classroom will give students time to look at the material before coming to class and better prepare them for  discussion and activities on the topics.

Activity 9: Managing Cell Phones in the Classroom

My attitude towards cellphones in the classroom has changed. I first saw them as a big distraction. Now I have come to realize that cell phones are a distraction because a lot of students only see phones as devices to be used for making and receiving phone calls and texts messages. I realize if teachers show students how the cell phone can be used for learning their whole attitude to the cell phone will change.
I also realize that the teacher has to put some rules in place for the management of its use in the classroom. Rules such as all phones must be turned off in class and phones that go off in class will be confiscated for a period. I realize that a well supervised use of cell phones in the classroom will minimize distractions.

Activiy 8: Managing Social Networking in the Classroom

 Social Networks have much to offer in teaching and learning in the classroom but it can also be a dangerous place for students. Students should be taught how they can benefit from social networking. Teacher can post notes for them and they can communicate with each other on assignments and projects. Students must also be taught about the dangers such as cyber bulling and predators.
Students need to be taught also about the careful use of social networks. They need to be taught things like not giving out personal information such as phone numbers and addresses.

Activity 7: Tablet devices in the Classroom

The tablet has great value in the classroom. Among its many uses is that it can be used with students with various abilities. It is light weight and is easy to take around therefore it can be used outside a physical classroom. It also has many valuable apps.
I think that the tablet poses a security problem though. They are expensive and will need to be stored properly. They also appear to be fragile and will have to be handle with care. Students can also be distracted from the lesson at hand by their many apps.
With or without technology in the classroom, teachers need to always have established rules for the management of their classroom. These rules need to also include instructions about respect for the property of others. Teachers need to plan lessons well to prevent boredom and distractions. Lessons must be planned to ensure that students are meaningfully involved in sessions. Lessons need to be planned also to cater for individual needs.

Activity 6: One to One Learning with ICT

 I believe that learners have more to gain than lose in the one to one computing classroom. Some of the benefits are: Access to more information, they can become more independent learners, they can learn at their own pace etc. Some of the issues are: more distraction, spacing and storage issues and it is also very expensive to set up and maintain.
I have learnt that with or without technology you need to have rules about how things are to be done in your classroom to maintain order. I have also learnt you have to manage time and space well in your classroom and model best practices for your students to see. It wont hurt also to plan your lessons with every student in mind.

Activity 5: Interactive white board

. The interactive white board as far as I can see is very useful  especially to young learners.It is bright and colourful and can make learning real fun. It is a good tool for teaching abstract concepts as students gets a hands-on. It is also good for reinforcement. Teachers and students can also access many helpful software to enhance learning. Teachers and students can access videos, internet and wireless keyboards.
On the other hand there are other cheaper devices that teachers and students can access that will perform similar task. Why would a school purchase one interactive white board that all students will hardly ever access when you can purchase many more ICT tools with the same money that will perform similar task and more students will be able to access.
If my school did not already have an interactive white board I would not have recommended that they invest in one. But we  have one. I am going to recommend that all teachers be trained to use it. I am also recommending that they all get some basic training in its upkeep and see that it is not just use as an ICT entertainment tool.

Activity 4: The one Computer Classroom

The one computer in a classroom is beneficial to students because it ensures that a computer is readily available to teachers and students for a variety of uses in and out of class time. A lot of challenges can arise though as you are working with one computer and many students.

The teacher must ensure that he/she has rules for the use of the one computer so that no one student can manipulate it. Teachers must also ensure that they plan well so that students who are not engage with the computer are also involved in class related activities. The teacher must organize class and computer for optimal supervision. Teacher can also get other students to assist in supervising class .

Teacher can also use the LCD projector or interactive white board when possible to assist in engaging all students at once to lessen disciplinary issues. Having an individual available to deal with technical issues that can arise from using one computer can also facilitate good classroom management.

Activity 3B: Procedures for Learning Labs

In a Learning Lab the ratio of students to teachers are less than that of a high density computer lab. It is a place where students will go at assigned time to use the resources there.This means that all students will not have access to a computer but more students will access than the one computer classroom.. It also means that there will be more space for supervision than the high density lab.

Disciplinary issues can arise. Students who do not have a task to do on the computer can become distracted. Some students are likely to want to manipulate the use of the few computers leading to conflicts.

Teachers need to put measures in place  to facilitate good classroom management in the learning labs.
There must be a set rules for the use of the lab while students are there.. There must also be a roster for when students and teachers are allowed to use the lab. Students must never be allowed in the lab without proper supervision.

Activity 3 A: Pros and Cons of Computer Labs

Many secondary schools have a computer lab. These labs are generally used for the teaching of Information Technology(IT) and Electronic Documentation Preparation Management(EDPM). If used more widely, that is, if it is is accessible to all teachers, the computer lab can be of great value to learning.
The existence of a computer lab means that many students can be exposed to the technology at once making it a quicker way to teach.. It is a good place for students to work on projects such as School Based Assessment that has deadlines as many can work at one time.
It is an easier way to secure the computers as they are all in one place. Computers in classrooms are always accessible to students which is not a bad thing but it also means that it can be abused and is more likely to be worn out quicker than one in labs. Computers in labs can be locked away safely when not in use ensuring that they last longer.
A computer lab is a place where it is easier to supervise students who are working outside of fixed hours as there is a teacher in charge of the lab. Students are generally not allowed to use them without supervision.
There are other ICT tools stored in a computer lab such as LCD projector and interactive white board that can be used right there instead of having to move them to and from the classroom. This also helps in the wear and tear of the tools.

Activity 2: Learning in ICT Enabled Classroom

The benefits to be derived from an ICT enabled classroom are numerous. Students and teachers are exposed to a host of useful information in the classroom. ICT makes the teaching and learning process more interesting and exciting. Students are able to develop a lot of skills such as problem solving and critical thinking. Their creativity is also developed. They also learn how to work with each other.
Students can save work for later use. Students are also able to produce more legible work.
The teacher must pay attention though to the challenges, such as challenges to supervision, poor attitude of some teachers to the technology, lack of technical personnel and put measures in place to address them .

Activity 1:Classroom Management: with or without ICT

I have found that I  get a good start in my classroom when I am on time. Students will try to be on time too and are prepared and ready to go. Less time is wasted on disciplinary issues and so most often I am able to complete what I planned.
I have also found that when I prepare well I have less issues with discipline.
I do not think teachers should take classroom management for granted as it can greatly impact the teaching and learning process. I believe that teachers should adopt good procedures for classroom management. Some of these should include good planning of sessions, be on time for sessions, do not engage students in battle, treat all students fairly and do not put down students.
A teacher who adopts good procedures for classroom management will find he or she will spend less time on disciplinary issues, get more work done, get the respect of students, students will enjoy learning and will learn.

Activity 11: Testing your resource with your leave

I did a lot of work on my resource and though I think I could have done better I was happy with the results. I realize that I do not always have to go looking for resources to integrate in my lesson. I do not have to spend money purchasing resources. I realize that I can develop my own resource that can look just as appealing and be as effective as others already prepared. It is also possible that my resource can be more suitable for my students since I know them well.
I have looked at some of the resources of colleagues and found them to be good too. They look very attractive and are suitable for the age group they are intended for.

Producing the resource

At first I thought that this activity was going to be very challenging as I thought I would not have been able to develop my own resource. I thought it would have taken me forever to do but once I started I found it was not so hard after all. I learned that I do not always have to waste time searching for suitable digital resources when I can develop my own.
Finding suitable digital resource for Social Studies for my students have been difficult as the syllabus call for material on the Caribbean. I have found that a lot of the Social Studies resources available are not on the Caribbean. I am pleased to get the practice so I can develop my own material and make them as appealing as those found on line. Making my own resource was exciting for me.

Activity 7: The value of available resources

My school may not have a wide variety of resources but it has sufficient to enhance teaching and learning. At my school we have access to laptops, projector, printer, document camera and stereo system.
 Our laptops make it easy for us access data from all over the world through internet search. We can use the few laptops, along with the few projectors to project data for the whole class. The laptops and projectors can be used for lessons and to demonstrate skills to students.
We can use the few document cameras to project information from text that might not be available to the students. We can also use the document cameras to project data that was not available in digital form to classes.This will ensure that all students have access to data. The document cameras can be moved easily so teachers do not necessary need to go to the computer labs to use them.
The stereo system helps students to not only listen but it can be connected to the laptops while images are projected so students can hear as well as see what is happening on the projector. The few printers helps to make worksheets, handouts etc. available to students who might not have laptops of their own.

6C: The Value of Spreadsheets for Social Studies teaching

Spreadsheets are frequently use in the teaching and learning of Social Studies. Data from surveys are generally put into graphs, charts and tables using spreadsheet by educators to help students analyze data from the survey, draw conclusions and make recommendations based on the survey.
Educators also use spreadsheets to record students marks and keep track of students marks.
Social Studies students are also expected to construct charts, graphs and tables from their own survey. Form  5 students are expected to do a research project as part of their school based assessment for their external exam. Students can use the spreadsheet to tally data from the research. If done correctly this can ensure accuracy.They are also expected to construct graphs, charts and table from  the data collected. These diagrams are generally checked for accuracy.The spreadsheet will help in this regard. Students are also expected to do their own analysis of the data presented, draw conclusions and make recommendations

6B: The Value of Office Software for the Social Studies Teacher

Like the teacher in the article ' Teaching History with Technology', I have found that incorporating office software in the classroom has great value for teaching and learning. Some of the  office software that are available for teaching and learning are Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point and Publisher.
Microsoft Word can be used in the classroom to assist students with the writing and editing of their letters, essays etc, for keeping notes, to do worksheet and assessment exercises.
Students can use Excel for the drawing of their graphs, charts and tables to demonstrate data from their surveys for their research projects.
 Social Studies students and teachers generally have to make presentations. Power Point can make presentations more manageable and appealing to the audience.
Publisher is another office software that students and teachers have at their disposal. This they can be  used to create family tree, brochures, bookmarks and newsletters.

Module 5: Activity 5A Exploring Websites Resources

This course has helped me to discover  sites that I did not know exist before, sites that I find to be useful for the teaching and learning of Social Studies. Many of these sites are more content based but I have found a few like: http://caribbean.notesmaster.com/notes/syllabus/viewer and http://www.caribbeanelections.com/education/oecs.asp. to be very useful. They contain notes, syllabus ,lesson plans resource for teachers, activities and have suggestions for related links and other resource materials. I have found that some even have connection to social networks such as facebook and twitter. I have also found that many useful websites are free.
I have found though that sites in Social Studies for upper secondary students are limited. Although I found useful sites for Social Studies I have found that those that are Caribbean specific are limited.
The evaluation criteria helps me to be more selective about the ones that are most suitable to include in my lessons. My counterpart in Social Studies is very happy when I share them with him. He has been finding them very useful too.

6A: The value of using ICT to promote writing in Social Studies

Social Studies students are expected to do a lot of writing. They must write notes and are often expected to write essays. I have found that writing has always been a problem for Social Studies students. They struggle in areas such as expression and paragraphing. ICT can be very valuable  for Social Studies students.
 Many Social Studies students do not even know how to begin their essays. Teachers can develop worksheets that give a plan or outline that students can use as a guide when writing their essays. With practice students will be able to create their own outline for their writing.
Exercises such as the 'example jumbled text ' can help students to organize ideas. Students often have very good ideas for their writings but these ideas are sometimes all over the place. An exercise like this will help students to place their ideas in the appropriate paragraphs. Students will learn how to group their ideas.
ICT worksheets will not help students place their ideas in the appropriate paragraphs but will also help them to place their ideas in the correct order in the paragraphs.

Activity 3: Reviewing Educational Software

This activity was quite enlightening. I realized that you just cannot select and use a educational software because it is  available or because others are using it. Like websites you need to carefully review and evaluate educational software before you select them for use in the classroom. You need to look at factors such as the purpose and layout of the software. Is it easy to install and navigate? Is the language clear and easy to understand? What about cost? Would the users be able to afford it? I was pleased to be able to gain information on how to evaluate software. This put me be in a better position to select and recommend useful software to educators.

Activity: Experiencing Educational Software

I must admit that I do not often use educational software in my teaching but this course has reminded me how useful they can be to teaching and learning. Many of them can be used by both students and teachers in the classroom as they are age and ability appropriate and can also be easy to navigate. They can make learning easier and help students to master skills that they are struggling to develop. They can also make learning more exciting. Some are not difficult to obtain since they are free to down load from the internet.
I realize that they should not be used sorely as a teaching tool but should be used when they can enhance and support teaching. Many students already love using the computer(I know those  at my school love do), therefore it will be useful to have them use educational software to help them develop and master skills that they need to. I will be recommending some of those I have seen posted in this programme to my teachers.

Module 5 Activity 1: Reflection on the value of Social Bookmarking

I am very pleased to be exposed to social bookmarking. Social bookmarking is a very useful tool for educators. It is a place where you can store many websites for later use. One can build up a reservoir of useful links that you can share not only with other teachers but also with your students. It is an quick and cheap way to store useful materials. Social bookmarking also allow you to highlight aspects of information found that you will like to return to later.

Activity 12: Problem Solving Strategies

I find this activity very useful for Social Studies as Social Studies involves students working on the causes, effects and ways to lessen or eliminate social issues. As a matter of fact all Social Studies students must be able to identify a social issue in their community and investigate it for their final exam in Form 5 so I was very happy to receive information on problem solving strategies which can be used to help my students.

Activity 11: Encoraging Learners to ask questions

Most of times the teacher is the one who ask the students questions in class but it is always good when the students are asking questions. We do not want students who just accept the material given to them but who would also question the material. Sometimes we are not comfortable with this aspect of the lesson. I realize that teachers should prepare their lessons in such a way as to encourage students to ask questions. I believe this will help to develop critical thinkers.

Activity 10: Promoting Discussion

It was good to know about different activities that can be used to promote discussion and to read about the benefits of using them in lessons.

Activity 9: What questions do I ask and why

I have always tried to include different types of questions in my lessons to encourage students to think beyond simply recalling facts. I work at a school where the students struggle to answer higher order questions. I have found that when I start out my sessions with lower order questions students tend to feel a sense of accomplishment when they get them correct and are more ready to attempt higher order questions. I also find that I might have to break down higher order questions into simpler questions sometimes to get these students to understand what higher questions are asking of them.

Activity 8: Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development

This activity show me how much we would have already been practicing Piaget's theory without realizing it. It also help me to see the need to talk to my untrained teachers and remind my trained teachers about this theory as my teachers sometimes become very frustrated when they feel they are not reaching some children.
I need to remind them that not all students are at the same stage even though they are at of similar age and how they need to plan their lessons bearing in mind how students learn at the different stages. I plan to make this information available on hard copy to the teachers.

Activity 7:Collobarative Learning

I especially love this activity as I was able to see the benefits of cooperative teaching and how it can be used to enhance my lesson. I use to run  away from cooperative learning  as it seems as if it, it never worked. Now I realize what I was doing wrong. My approach was entirely wrong. Now I know I need to pay attention to factors such as the ability of the students, the arrangement of the classroom and the lesson goals for cooperative learning to effective.

Activity 6: Vygotsky- Understandingof Cognitive Development

This activity helped me to focus on the importance of social interaction in the process of learning. I have not done so before. I was able to see that activities other than the normal class discussions and questioning can assist in the process. I was able to see that activities such as drawing and  role playing can also help.
I realized that I need to pay more attention to this aspect of learning when planning my lessons.

Activity 3:Social Cognitive Theory

This activity helped me to focus on some of the behaviours we are modelling as a staff that our students might be copying. One of the biggest problem at my school is late coming to school and class by both staff and students.
 I have been constantly looking for ways to resolve this problem . This activity helped me to see a possible cause and solution. I believe that it is possible that the students are late because the teachers are late and if the teachers will come to school earlier and get to their classes on time, it is possible the students will do the same. I have already spoken to the  teachers about this idea(They generally complain about the students lateness. Can you believe it?)Now I am monitoring the results.

Activity 5: Developmental Psychology

I have learnt how much a learner's environment can affect his/ her life. I have learnt that factors such as exposure to reproductive stress, poverty, abuse of alcohol by parents and uneducated parents can adversely affect the child's physical,cognitive and psychosocial development. I have learnt that these can lead to learning and behavioural problems in the lives of these children. I was happy to learn though that it is possible for these children to go on to develop healthy personalities and have stable careers and positive interpersonal relationships with  appropriate corrective measures such as remedial work and medical care.

Activity 4: Behaviourism

This activity has helped me to focus more on the value of praise, encouragement and positive feedback in helping children learn. I was able to recall the occasions when I would have offered praise, encouragement and positive feedback to my students and the positive effect it had on their behaviours.
It also had me thinking about all the activities that the students can relate to pleasant experiences. I now try as much as possible to include praises, encouragement and positive feedback in my teaching and to use activities as far as it is possible that students can relate to pleasant experiences. I also make sure I share these useful tips with other members of my staff.

Activity 2: Information Processes Approaches

I now realized that learners need to learn how to learn. I realized that if learners are  interested in the material and are working with the material  such as revising the material they are expected to learn it will make it easier for them  to access the material from their long term memory. I understand that learners need to develop strategies for learning and that some strategies can be ineffective for some learners.Teachers therefore need to help students develop a strategy based on their(the students) learning styles that will help them learn the material. Students will be expected to monitor and modify their strategies

Activity 1: What is learning?

I understand that learning is a process that brings about  change in the learner due to his/her experience. I understand that learners have the potential to learn and that teachers role is to act as a guide or facilitator of knowledge and skills. I also understand that all learners do not learn the same way and that ones social, economic and cultural background among other things influence their learning . It is our duty as teachers to structure the learning environment to develop each learner's strength.