The relationship between Wolfram’s talk on integrating technology into math can also apply to other subject. He asked the question, “Why teach math” (Wolfram, 2010). Can we also ask why teach economics? What is economics? His point is lets teach “real world” application and use computers as a tool to accomplish this. Why not use skype to teach government and economics. Skype would be a great way to stay in touch with current issues such as an online discussion with a public official. What a great way to put students in touch with current and “real world issues.
Technology integrators can also use Wolframs ideas to lay a foundation for teacher collaboration. For example: using wikispace for teacher collaboration. Wikispaces allows for user created content to be posted onto the Internet and made available to anyone. Wikispaces also allows for free webhosting for teachers. This provides 21st century educators with an excellent tool for a variety of tasks, and since it is user controlled and created educators can collaborate with students and other educators. The editing software is easy to use and can be utilized for multiple applications. Teachers can also use wikispace for student student, collaboration.
Reference:
Wolfram, C. (2010): Teaching kids real math with computers
FILMED JUL 2010 • POSTED NOV 2010 • TEDGlobal 2010
Chansanchaims, A. (2011). Skype in the classroom encourages collaboration across
Oceans. Today tech. 2011
Byers, J., Frey, A. (2012) How to Succeed in Ed-Tech. Tangient LLC
Skype has so many possibilities. I haven't used it yet, but am hoping to do a Mystery Skype session soon. That's a new game where you play a 20 questions type with another class and try to guess where they are before they guess where you are. (We are looking for another special ed class, if anyone has any ideas.)
ReplyDeleteGoogle Hangouts is cool too! I participated as a viewer this summer in my Scratch workshop. Would be great for a real time virtual field trip, and better with the tour guide wearing Google Glass.
I forgot to add a point. Mystery Skype is great for teaching geography concepts. Kids work in the background to look up info on Google Maps or other site, to narrow down the possibilities. Teaches map skills and Geography and world knowledge. It's not just a game!
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