WHY WE NEED TO TEACH TECHNOLOGY IN SCHOOLS?

Meeting an educator of a famous Bangalore school,I could not but enumerate the technological influences that her school uses in effective teaching.PowerPoint presentations are encouraged to be used and teachers do not find time to look up any other tools they can use to aid teaching.Yes,technology is the need of the hour,but as Sohne rightly enumerates teachers and parents must find themselves "comfortable" with technology and become technology leaders first.It is often seen that the students are more adept at using technological gadgets,social networking and online tools.But,not all are relevant to what they must be doing.Entertainment through music/games, and networking takes up most of their time online and the majority are hooked for the greater part of their waking hours.Educators can definitely engage this interest by effectively guiding their students to use Web 2.0 tools in creating,and sharing online.Students are then better equipped for their future.

MOST POPULAR SEARCHES FOR 2008

Great Expectations was started with the idea of supplementing students studies with the best available on the internet.It is common knowledge that students and learners of all ages look to the internet for resources,especially those that are FREE.Education must be provided to everyone willing to learn and make a difference in their own lives as well as those around them.Subjects learned in school are basic while languages help develop communicative skills.Sports and nutrition help the physical body develop and mind activities enhance the mental wellbeing.Global warming,politics,environment all serve to make one think and if motivated further,may bring about lasting changes in the world we live in.Some countries are beginning to see the value of using the computer and the internet in the classroom.Some teachers and educators who were averse to learning to use the computer or the internet are becoming more at ease.Students,of course,are increasingly becoming adept in the use of COOL gadgets such as ipods,mobiles,and they are particularly good at finding the right information on the internet for their school projects and of course,to find engaging FREE games online.Wholesome development in an individual and shaping his personality takes place not only in the formative years,but also it is a continuous process throughout life at school,college,work.Learning is therefore a continuous process as life's challenges need to be met with grit and determination.

Along with researching and writing about FREE educational resources available on the internet on this blog,to aid the student,teacher or parent,the need to use technology in education and the benefits thereof were also discussed.Writing about various internet tools that could be used in the classroom and elearning gave me great pleasure as I got to interact with some of the best webheads across the globe who were also educators.The edublogger community is vast and I am happy to be included among them.Parents,students and teachers have also contributed by way of comments,both offline and online.
Yes,I have certainly enjoyed being a learner as well as an educator this year.

My most popular searches for 2008 were:
Do People Live In Antarctica
Human Body Systems(Videos)
Interactive Human Body Systems
Learn Hindi
Learn English For Free Online
Learn Kannada
Internet Safety For Children
Free PPT Library For Teachers
Free Online Book Summary Guides
100 Ways To Use Your Ipod To Study Better
Free Computer Tutorials Online
Anatomy And Physiology-Interactive Multimedia
Powerpoint In The Classroom
Technology In The Classrooms
The Periodic Table
The Periodic Table-Fun Ways To Learn
When Does The International Space Station Fly Over My Home
Make Your Own Super Hero

TOP 100 TOOLS FOR LEARNING -2008

Teachers and educators have been using web 2.0 tools effectively in the classroom and online.The most used internet tools have been featured in this slideshow compiled by Jane Hart.This list was compiled from the Top 10 Tools list shared by over 220 learning professionals worldwide at the Centre for Learning & Performance Technologies,UK.
You may find some of the tools you already use and may be aware of a few others,but have not tried them,or you may find some that you are totally unfamiliar with.Most are FREE versions,and definitely worth trying out to enhance learning.

Top 100 Tools for Learning 2008

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27 INSPIRING WOMEN EDUBLOGGERS

Edubloggers put in great efforts to share what they constantly make an effort to learn and put into practice.The teaching community is looking at utilizing educational resources already on the internet with the use of web 2.0 tools.Developing countries also are successfully providing computer labs and laptops for their Gen X to learn.
"Education is most valuable,for only with education,do we see progress in an individual,community,and the country."
Learning occurs in several ways,formal and informal,101,or in a group,online or in the classroom.And edubloggers have found their niche in engaging with others in the teaching community who constantly endeavour to infuse fresh ideas to a student community who are far into the future with the latest gizmos and who constantly need engaging courseware that appeals to them and enhances positive interactivity and learning.
Zaid has put together this post and slideshow of 27 Inspiring Women Edubloggers and I am humbled to see myself recognized as one among them.Thanks Zaid!

TEACHER RESOURCES

Online libraries are a plenty,but to find the right resource by subject,and grade,teachersfirst is definitely useful.Teachers need to find excellent web resources to keep their students engaged in the classroom using web 2.0.This site is useful for parents and students as well.Keyword search feature allows you to find the required topic as well.Busy educators can make good use of the rich resources available.

HOW TO BE A COMMITED PARENT?

Parents need to be good role models for their children.Children learn by watching and unconsciously imbibe several characteristics and habits from those around them.Time spent with parents these days is becoming lesser,so the quality of time spent together matters.Every home is unique and so are the children.After all,they are God's gift to us.
As your baby grows through the different stages of development,needs change,so parents have to adapt accordingly.Infancy,preschool,school,teens,college life,young adulthood bring their share of joys and sorrows to watch and later recall fond memories once the young adult flies away from your nest.

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100 WAYS TO USE YOUR IPOD AND STUDY BETTER

Some US universities are giving their students internet enabled ipods and Apple iphones.Earlier,laptops were distributed,and this fall,it is the lecturers who have to work doubly hard to engage their students in the classroom for they can listen to the course material on their ipods at a time convenient to them.Also,students are extremely happy that now there is an alternative to lugging the heavy laptops.What is your take on this?Are you with the students or the professors?Let me know your comments to this post.
Read the entire news article here.

Alternatively besides just listening to music,there are several educational courses you can do with the ipod.Adults and students are today taking advantage of the educational benefits an iPod affords them. From downloadable podcasts to just-for-i pod study guides and applications, learning on the go has never been easier.

Transform your iPod into a learning device

• Study Guides

• Podcasts to audio books and other downloadable learning devices

• Tutorials will help you make the most of your iPod by showing you how to learn new skills and create your own podcasts

• Applications and software programs that will make learning with your iPod even easier

• Find even more classes and audio books online here. Then, download them to your iPod and keep learning on your way to class, on the plane to your next vacation or anywhere.

• IPod tools like StudyGuideGuru and Portable Notes are of immense help to supplement class discussions.

• Ipod learning support can help new ipod users as well as seasoned veterans.

• Tools and websites for enhanced use of ipod

HOW TO TO BE AN ONLINE TUTOR

Virtual education refers to instruction in a learning environment where teacher and student are separated by time or space, or both. Multimedia resources, video conferencing via internet are used to connect tutor and student. In real time, both share a whiteboard where a tutor can draw,type or write using a digital pen.Content can be uploaded to aid presentation which can be any type of file. Sessions can be scheduled in advance using a calender and an invite sent for the appointed time. Exercises can be mailed to the student to complete and be marked on.

What you need? All you need is a computer and a broadband internet connection.
Benefits Of Online Tutoring:

• You can schedule as many as you are comfortable with.
• You can work from anywhere-your home or internetcafe.
• You get to interact with students from all over the globe.
• You can build up your online reputation.
• You can set your own fees.
• You do not waste time commuting.
• You can teach one-on-one,or a group comprising students from different places.
• You can join a tutoring company or be an entrepreneur tutor .

Online tutoring is definitely being preferred by many students these days as they do not have to commute and get tired,rather they can enroll for more number of courses.

NEW TECHNOLOGIES IN EDUCATION

Should we switch to new technologies that are available to us, in the field of education?
See the following presentation and make your choice!

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WEB 2.0 TOOLS IN YOUR CLASSROOM

Teachers today are increasingly aware of the potential uses of the internet and its effective use in the classroom.Teaching and learning with easy internet tools is the subject of this presentation.

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