Friday, December 7, 2007

Reflections Period 3

What changes have you seen this semester in regards to your education? What role did technology play in that change? What role did the constructivist philosophy play in that change? (constructivist-students becoming producers of information, students in charge of their own learning)

Make sure to include specific examples and expand on each other's ideas.

24 comments:

samh said...

Looking back on this semester I have seen how I have truly changed as a student. I have become a better writer with the practice of writing our thesis statements and simply just by practicing a more formal way of writing. Throughout this semester I have become much more computer savvy and I have learned to use technology in many different ways. It has been cool being the one who supplies the information for example with our PLN presentations, and also these presentations have helped me with my public speaking ability. Also having my classmates produce information for me allows me to be able to relate better to what they’re talking about. This semester of English has been amazing and I am thoroughly enjoying the use of the laptops!

joeyw said...

During this semester in English nine I have definitely seen a ton of big as well as small very interesting as well as important changes. All semester we’ve focused on the theme “what matters” as well as 20th century learning. Now, after learning and discussing what matters on most of the stuff we’ve done in English class I now look at what matters in all aspects in my life and it has really opened me up to something totally new and cool. We’ve also focused a lot on 20th century learning and using technology in our classrooms that in my opinion has helped a ton more than any text book ever can. I think it helps a lot more because in text books you sit there and read a boring book, where as on a laptop your learning is done in a much more creative way and definitely helps you learn differently but also, I think more efficiently and creatively.

joeyw said...
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Jackie N said...

From this last semester, I think that I’ve changed more in my logical thinking. The writing and blog entries have opened up more of my ideas and opinions throughout my writing. Technology was used about everyday in the class and it taught us new different ways of our leaning environment, and it was not just a typical English class. Our own philosophy has expanded more throughout the days; because of our projects and reading we have done. I think that our class has gotten to know each other so much more through the semester; almost everyone has opened and expressed their ideas or personal opinions. I particularly like this English class because of how different it is then the other classes. Interesting things are always added on to either our reading or to the technology we use. I’ve learned a lot in this semester; and I’ve felt like I have grown as a writer compared to the beginning of the year. The curriculum is unique and pushes us as writers to improve more and more. The class is very creative and amazing!

adama said...

During this semester I have learned a lot more and have noticed changes in my education. One was is with the laptops in our class. It has been way better because we always have access to the internet and learn about more interesting topic with the Google reader and blogger. Also it was better because we got to do cool projects other than reading out of books and other boring stuff. Another major help is that we stayed on one topic the whole semester of “What Matters” which helps so the whole semester we can think on one thing and not have to worry about 8 different topics. Another cool thing is our PLN’S because we are not instructed what to learn about and we can just get on and find what interests us to learn about and that has been very helpful. This is how this class has definitely helped me this semester. Next semester hopefully we will get to do more fun and advanced learning. This is how this class and technology has helped with learning.

ethan l said...

Over this semester I have become a lot more comfortable with technology, and I also got better at typing. I think it's great that we use lap tops in this class because that's pretty much all we have to have for class. I also got a lot better at expanding on my ideas in this class because of the PLN's and all the What Matters that we had to write. I'm really glad that I got Ms. Smith for my teacher because being in this class really helped my writing and she is a great teacher. It would be great if we could use lap tops and stuff like that in our other classes too. I think it would be a lot easier on students because they wouldn't have to worry about forgetting anything because it would all be in their lap tops.

alexe said...

As this semester comes close to an end I have seen changes I have seen in regards to this semester have really grown in the way I absorb my own education. I have realized that I tend to drift off and don’t take in what we are talking about in class, and then once I come back from day dreaming I panic and use all my resources to find out what we’re doing and what we are talking about, so I see that when under pressure I get things done and learn a lot more. Also the usage of technology in the class has effected how I learn in class. Technology in this class room played a really big role, not only because 75% of our assignments were on the computer but it really helped me understand and take my time to do a better job then I normally would have. An example of this is every week when we do our PLN’s they require using a computer, and researching blogs and reading all of them carefully. And from using the computer and looking through blogs it has helped me understand what to do and how to get work done efficiently, even though I still don’t get work done efficiently they still help tremendously.

angelicao said...

I have learned so much this semester in English 9. I have improved so much. I have improved from being the shy girl in the back of the class that never answers questions and doesn’t understand the true meaning in the piece of literature that the class is reading to the girl who always answers questions and actually understands everything that is going on in the class. Thank you so much Ms. Smith for doing that much for me. I thought that it was really cool how you had us doing our own wiki pages for Peace like a River. It helps me learn a lot more than when I have to just sit and listen because I am a visual and a hands on kind of learner. Also PLNs help me figure out the deeper meaning of things and help me figure out what is truly important. I also really like how you had us get in groups and then research miracles and about the Scopes monkey trial before we even read Peace like a River and Inherit the Wind. This all really helped me grow as a reader and as a student in general. Thank you Ms. Smith!

alenav said...

Overall this semester I think I have had a lot of growth. Writing has always been something I enjoy when I get into depth. The thing I have improved most on is writing. I have learned how to make my writing more personal and in the right format. Another thing I have learned this semester is how to communicate and work with my peers. We have down several group projects this semester and it is important to work well with others. Being able to work together on something specific and get it done and done well is a quality that will be beneficial throughout my entire life. Communication is also important, I have learned how to communicate and share ideas with the rest of my class. One of the things we have done is our Personal Learning Networks. I think that this is a great opportunity to share and get across what we believe in and our view points. Technologically, I have improved even more. By using technology everyday I have learned about so many educational websites and how to use them. Using these websites has helped improved my skills in learning and technology. Being able to take charge of my learning is important. It is important to have a teacher guide us and give us an idea of what to do, but when it comes down to it it’s all up to the student. I have learned that the only one who can make a positive effect in learning and growing is me. If I do not do my homework then I am not going to learn, that’s why I have to take charge. We are all in charge of what we learn throughout our life, not just in school. This semester I have learned that I need to make my own decisions to better my education. There has been major growth in all areas from my 9th grade English semester, and I hope that it will continue for the semesters to come.

laurene said...

The changes from the beginning of the semester up until now have been major. Some examples of changes would be the classmates and learning. The class has changed all together because we all became closer, almost like family because in one semester we have learned so much from another. For example, where we came from, what we like to do, if we get shy easily or if we love to talk. Knowing that a class has become so close like this English class it makes the working and learning area better and more fun. Now the learning part has changed for the whole class as well because we ask more questions and help each other out when asked for. We also have better class discussions, even though they can still get out of hand sometimes they are still fun and good. For me the learning part has changed a lot because I know what I am responsible for and I know that in high school you are not babied like you were in junior high and in elementary. I am a teenager, soon to be a young adult and I think that Ms. Smith has taught me how to take care of my own work and actions. My writing has become a lot better then last year since we take more notes and since we do a lot of PLNs. I feel like I can really take on a goal and accomplish it with what I have learned. The lap tops also help in the class room because now we aren’t killing trees. It’s a faster and easier way of learning and taking notes. We also do fun projects using the lap top which is a good thing because it is not only fun but it helps us learn how to use our recourses. Basically the changes throughout the semester have all turned out to be good and I feel that I am now more prepared for what next semester has to offer and what the world has to offer.

brandonh2011 said...

During this semester in English I think my learning and my perception on things has changed greatly. In my previous classes we just looked at what happened and took a test on what happened only that we didn’t look beyond just that like the "what mattered" how it relates to me and how it relates to the world. Those concepts make you think in a completely different way because it brings your own believes into your learning. When we used to read a book and say the story over pretty much it didn’t help it doesn’t provide what you need in life but the concept of being able to see thinks in a completely different way changes everything (the ability to have an opinion on everything). Technology played a big role in providing this you looked at stories and proved your own thoughts on real world topics in PLN'S. The PLNS really made you think in a different way also when we talked about a chapter we just didn’t talk about what happened what the meaning behind it was. I like how could have a study guide on peoples own questions it really helps you it coming from someone closer to your mindsets mind you might be thinking the same thing

DennisRocks said...

This has been by far, the most independent class I have been enrolled in. What a great idea! It is so beneficial to become self sufficient in life because in the “real” world, people will not take the liberty to look after you. By instructing the class to take learning into one’s hands, Ms. Smith has not only pounded her class into independent learners, but also has, because of this, instilled a sense of accomplishment, for students like me rejoice at the prospect of understanding independently. New technology, alien to a classroom were implanted in this English course. This introduction of technological situated devices has assisted me in my intellectual growth throughout the course of the semester. Notably, computers have developed my writing skills further than previously. This is so because of the ease of the computer. We are assigned so much writing (compared to the amount administered at my secondary school) because computers are so simple to operate. Obviously, with the increase in writing assignments, my writing skills have matured. Overall, the semester I have just experienced has helped me a lot.

berekm said...

I think that everyone has grown in this classroom in many different aspects. I have changed in the way that I think and the way that I write. Now that I have been in this class for a Semester I relate things to myself as well as the world. All the PLN’s I have done I have related to myself and the world. In the beginning of the semester I wasn’t doing the PLN’s correctly and I saw why. I’m not the only one who can relate to one article, the whole world would probably be able to relate to the same article as well. This is why we do the PLN’s. Also I have grown in the fact that I now write with emotion instead of just writing because it’s an assignment. I enjoy writing now and since the things we have been writing are being posted for the world to see it has caused me to become a better more vigilant writer. As a class after the PLN presentations we have some very strong discussions about some serious topics. We do well during these discussions and now that we have learned how to relate things to the world we just do that automatically. We let everyone get there opinion out and then compare but never come to a conclusion because everyone is right. Using lap tops is a great way to show our hard work and show it to the world. I’m sad because right when I started to enjoy doing the PLN’s they are coming an end. I’m not a very organized person in the fact that I will do homework but just forget to hand it in. All though I haven’t don’t all of the work in this class it is easier to hang it in because it is either on a flopper disk, CD, or a hard drive. I wish I did more of the work in this class so I could have a better grade but now after I have learned from myself, classmates and especially my teacher how to do things and the computer and just stay focused I think I will improve greatly next semester. BM

brandonh2011 said...

During this semester in English I think my learning and my perception on things has changed greatly. In my previous classes we just looked at what happened and took a test on what happened only that we didn’t look beyond just that like the "what mattered" how it relates to me and how it relates to the world. Those concepts make you think in a completely different way because it brings your own believes into your learning. When we used to read a book and say the story over pretty much it didn’t help it doesn’t provide what you need in life but the concept of being able to see thinks in a completely different way changes everything (the ability to have an opinion on everything). Technology played a big role in providing this you looked at stories and proved your own thoughts on real world topics in PLN'S. The PLNS really made you think in a different way also when we talked about a chapter we just didn’t talk about what happened what the meaning behind it was. I like how could have a study guide on peoples own questions it really helps you it coming from someone closer to your mindsets mind you might be thinking the same thing

Anna K said...

I have noticed an immense change in my learning. I believe that having us learn for ourselves helps us to understand the material more and even go into more depth about the subject. I feel that to be successful, you can not just listen to your teacher and get an A on the test and then just forget about it. You have to look into the subject in more depth then the teacher, and really understand the material because it will be helpful in your life someday. Technology played an important role in my learning experience. So much information is online, that you are able to search for one subject and millions of sites pertaining to that subject will appear. My knowledge has greatly increased on many subjects because of the internet and the information available. We are also able to do interesting projects using the computer that will help us to become better writers and learn about our experiences in life also like the Odyssey Journeys. I was able to enhance my writing skills and also really think about my past experiences. Finally, I believe that having the PLN’s really got us to understand the world better. We are able to comment on posts that we have read and voice our opinions. When we present in class, not only are we teaching our audience about new events, but also practicing our speaking skills which are necessary in everyone’s life. Overall, I feel my learning has improved greatly!

annies said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
annies said...

I know I have changed. Not only in the way I think, but in the way I look at everything in this world as well. I have learned to look at the bigger picture in life. Looking at what matters, how everything we talk about has something to do with us, or something to do with the world around us. I know now, I think a lot deeper into assignments then I used to.
Technology played a major role in this class. When we do our PLNs, or our Wiki projects, we can start them in class with our laptops. Some people don’t have internet at their house, or, like the situation I was in about a year and a half ago, have your parents divorced and only one of them has internet, and they’re the ones whose house you don’t stay at as often. But when we’re in school, and we have the internet available to us, and we can start our projects.
I think constructivist philosophy is great for this class, putting out information instead of soaking it in, like we’re used to from middle school. In my history class, we have to make our own study guide, instead of the teacher making it for us with easy questions/definitions on it. This is much more difficult, but in the end, when you’re taking your test, it pays off. In this class, we don’t do study guides, we do PLNs. Which is a good way to read something, but then know how to put it in your own words.

Josh TS said...

This semester I noticed that the new technology helped my education, the constructivist philosophy helped a lot in some ways but hurt a lot in others. It helped because it gave me a chance to figure out key things for myself. It hurt because often times it was hard to pick out key things and I would get it wrong.
In Scarlet Ibis it was easy for me to figure out what mattered but in Inherit the wind it was very hard to pick out key things.

Josh TS said...

This semester I noticed that the new technology helped my education, the constructivist philosophy helped a lot in some ways but hurt a lot in others. It helped because it gave me a chance to figure out key things for myself. It hurt because often times it was hard to pick out key things and I would get it wrong.
In Scarlet Ibis it was easy for me to figure out what mattered but in Inherit the wind it was very hard to pick out key things.

Averee said...

I have seen many changes in my education this year. I believe technology played a huge role in that change. I have realized that out of all of my teachers, and all the other people in my life who help me learn; I am the one who is truly responsible for my education.

Since the beginning of the year, I have been a technologically illiterate student. I used to sit in front of my computer for minutes, just waiting for something to happen. I didn’t understand how to use a jump drive, and most of the applications on the web confused me to no end. Now, 16 weeks and several hard shutdowns later, I am capable of using my computer correctly, and without mishap.

I understand how to use all of the functions on the web, and because of it, my grade in this class in much better than it was. I don’t always want to stuff my laptop into the nearest trash can and wait for that defeated beep that I wanted so much to hear before. I can type with out wasting 2 minutes spelling out “presentation” because I never picked up on typing correctly. Just by working with my laptop, I can almost feel my brain say “See, wasn’t that easy?” I can accomplish a lot more than I could before. I no longer sit in front of my laptop with a look of total incompetence on my face.

My education is moving forward, and although I still have moments where that trash can is looking pretty good, I know that I am succeeding at more now. My education is taking an all new route that is much more successful.

laurenp said...

Some changes I have seen in my learning this semester are, for one I am a much broader thinker. Before this semester I have not always looked at the bigger things in what I do, read and write. This semester I had a lot of practice in doing that, seeing the bigger picture and being able to connect and really just think outside the box. Another thing that I have noticed change in my learning this semester is my speaking ability. Before this semester I have always been very, very afraid to present something of mine in front of an audience. With PLN presentations and the wikis that we presented this semester I have gotten more and more comfortable with presenting my own work. Technology I think played a big role in my being able to look at the bigger picture in things and being comfortable with presenting my work. For one the wikis that we have done were not only for my teacher to see, but for everyone and anyone. At first I was kind of hesitant of putting this information out there and for everyone to see, but it also gave me a reason why the assignments I do should be excellent and not average. When we did our This I Believe essay, submission and podcast is another example of how technology helped because it was very hard for me to put that kind of personal feeling and information out to the world.

seand said...

This semester I think I have improved a lot on my writing. I usually don’t like to write because I have always been told what to write about and that is not fun for me. In this class we had the opportunity to use the internet for a personal blog. This helped me with my writing because I could choose what I wanted to write about. I think everyone writes better when they are writing about something they are interested in. The laptops were great because it is a lot easier for me to organize ideas on a computer rather than on paper. They also give you an unlimited source of information from the internet that you can use in your learning. The constructivist philosophy helped me in my learning because it gave me a chance to write about what I care about and to share my ideas with others. I thought the what matters project was awesome because it had us all reflect on what is really special to us. The things that matter most to people usually shape their lives and make them who they are.

Xavia H2011 said...

I think that the one thing that has changed in me the most in this semester is my participation in class and expanding and sharing of my ideas. Usually, every day I try to say something on the subject of that day and to listen carefully to others. I guess this sort of gives me a chance to go through what I learned and to share my ideas on what I found with the class. Technology has also played a part in my improvement especially with blogging. I am glad that we have been given the assignment to do a Personal Learning Network twice a week. It is nice to get to read other peoples blogs and then make your own blog talking about the things you learned and what you found important to you out of it. I also have enjoyed trying to figure out what really matters out of all the projects and books that we have read and done in this class. I think this overall theme for this class has also helped me improve in English and in my writing. It has made me think and dig deeper into the true meaning of what we are doing, which isn’t because the teacher said so. However, I haven’t just improved on sharing my ideas and in participation, I think my papers have improved, not only by expanding my ideas, but also in the format in how it is supposed to be written. The way Ms. Smith taught us and had us repeatedly write our short essay summaries, really helped emphasize and improve my writing and will help me in CSAP’s.

carterw said...

This semester I have seen many changes, mostly in my writing. At the start of this year I could hardly form a well written paragraph. Now, I can make even the weirdest ideas make sense. Technology has played a huge role in my success in your class. Because we have been using lab tops very day I have become a better typer as a result. Being able to produce every thing from a computer has greatly improved my spelling and punctuation. Although My test scores are not great I believe that they will go up as a result of the lab top usage.