Monday, November 12, 2007
Energy Conservation Project presentation review
While watching my presentation on my conservation project, it is easy to pick it apart and find the weaknesses. I found it uncomfortable speaking in front of a camera, knowing that this short snapshot will be viewed by myself, others in my program, and possibly anyone on the internet. You constantly have a sense that it has to be perfect, and you need to do your best. There is an added pressure that comes from speaking on film that lessens with experience I am sure.
Weaknesses that jumped out at me were that the introduction was disjointed as I was having a hard time verbalizing my findings and getting into the data. I believe that an improved vocabulary would make my presentations smoother and have better flow. I also did not always speak in solid, complete sentences. This was probably because I did not script my presentation, and therefore my thoughts may have started one way, only to end another. This lack of continuity added up to confusing statements at times, which was not good. My closure could use improvement as well.
Even though it may have been a bit confusing for the listener, I thought that I showed confidence and good voice in the piece. I stayed on topic for the most part, and said what I wanted to say. Six minutes seemed to go by quickly. I also thought I made good eye contact with the camera, and used my notes sparingly. I was not nervous during the presentation, and that came across positively.
I think that this new insight will be helpful in my improvement in the classroom. It is important to be clear when speaking to a large group of semi-interested sophomores who may not like to ask for clarification. Speaking clearly and smoothly, and also having a great understanding of your material is what will ensure good communication.
Project Recap
I learned quite a bit during this project. First, I learned about energy use in my own home, and in general as well. My ears were open to thoughts about electricity and water usage in southeast Alaska. Also garbage consumption and recycling. Where you live has an impact on how you need to conserve. For example, by using electric heat, my electricity bill is higher, but because much electricity in southeast AK is produced by rain power, it is a much more 'earth friendly' power source than gas heat. I also learned what some of my strengths and weaknesses were as a presenter. And that it is not too bad to watch yourself on film.
Article Assesment #3
Tools for the Mind
By Mary Burns
Overview:
In this article, Mary Burns hits the nail on the head with her assessment of how technology is misused in schools in terms of potential. She opens with a revision from about ten years ago when people were singing the song of limitless opportunities that computers and technology will bring to schools. However, her tune changes soon afterward. It is obvious to her that due to a few variables, computers are used for low level applications, and along with lower level student thinking as well. She points out how to solve this issue and that one must truly commit to technology and computers as fine tools that can help students achieve higher levels of thinking and learning.
Specific of high and low levels of application and thinking are given to help illustrate her perspective. Programs such as word, publisher, and power point are explained as simple programs that do not encourage the higher levels of learning. The programs power point and publisher are highly visual, and encourage the use of incomplete sentences in the format. They encourage organization of ideas, but language skills are forgotten in order to fit the information on a slide in a visually appealing way. These programs also encourage more development of the cut and paste culture which inhibits learning at all levels.
Suggested programs are spreadsheets and databases which can be used in ways that students truly get a chance to develop important, higher level skills. These are also programs which help construction of content for a full grasp of that which is learned rather than simply presenting the material as computers have been used for so long.
One problem is that teachers themselves do not have proper competence in these programs or a sense of how to fully use them. Teachers must focus on instruction, curriculum and assessment and use computers and technology as a tool to teach what they need to teach, not solely as "gimics" to make their content more exciting.
Reference Points:
Classrooms rarely use spreadsheets or databases, which are conceptually and technically more difficult. (50)
Power point does not lead students to delve deeply into the writing process or wrestle with complex and conflicting conceptual information. (50)
Students use the internet as an electronic textbook…and use is intellectually passive. (50)
Databases are rarely used for analytic purposes because of their difficulty. (51)
Professional development should focus on core areas of teaching…once teachers have a solid base in these areas, they can begin incorporating technology. (53)
Response:
I admire this article for its authenticity to the reality of these issues. Technology is pushed and encouraged in many schools, but rarely are the benefits fully realized. She points out the pitfalls of the system and offers some, but not many solutions to the problem. Most importantly, I feel that their needs to be the correct attitude toward computers and technology. These things are tools to be used to better learn the content. Technology must also be encouraged by the teachers and not just the administration and districts. This means that teachers need to be open to learning themselves in order to better use the technology as it develops. If not, then computers will only be used for information gathering (credible or not) and to cut and paste. In these cases, computers work against student thinking and learning. In the end, it is pointed out that we still do not know how much potential and benefits can be received from computer use, and that we will not know until a greater, and more focused commitment is given to its implementation. This is something that is not easy to accomplish.
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