I wonder who created this game originally? I've used this (well, actually, a variation) since I started teaching world history at the high school level. Students do get frustrated and want to erase 'til the cows come home, but they get the point that many cities developed rapidly and without thought to environmental impact.
Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.
Showing posts with label AP World History. Show all posts
Showing posts with label AP World History. Show all posts
30 December 2008
24 December 2008
Traditional Reports: Begone!
Recently, another teacher and I were looking for an alternative to traditional biographies. We are finding that our AP World History students aren't paying attention to the people in history (though admittedly there IS an awful lot for them to grasp). We decided to give Glogster a try. Glogster asks you to 'poster yourself' and is actually something of a social networking site. However, they do have an education version that allows teachers to create a master account and sign up for student sub accounts. After being assigned an individual (or two) in history, pairs of students did a bit of research and put together a "Cliff Notes" version of the person's life and significance. Students can add photos/drawings, text, video and listen to music as part of their assignment. They can also link to sites for further information. The big thing is that they can draw from a variety of media to learn about a person.
For the most part, the BioGlogs (as we called them) came out pretty well, though we need to emphasize significance in history more. Below is an example from a group that had Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau.
For the most part, the BioGlogs (as we called them) came out pretty well, though we need to emphasize significance in history more. Below is an example from a group that had Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau.
12 November 2008
You're on Candid Camera!
Recently, on the AP World History Listserv, there has been a very active thread on students recording teachers in the classroom. It seems to have started with a teacher asking for thoughts regarding a principal giving students permission to bring their laptops to class and record their teachers with the built in web-cams. The discussion has been fast and furious.
I've noticed two things about the discussion. First, there seems to be an US/THEM mentality between teachers and administrators. I am interpreting some of the responses to mean that teachers are viewing this type of administrative action as an attempt to "catch" teachers doing something bad. Second, nowhere in this discussion has anyone discussed the need to educate students about their responsibilities in using such technology. The assumption seems to be that students will take the video and/or audio and use it for evil.
I've written about this problem before. As educators we are getting into the habit of demonizing the technology rather than teaching responsible behavior. Even NEA Today published a recent article about the pitfalls of allowing students to record in the classroom. Yes, we all have bad days and may even say something that unintentionally offends someone's sensibilities, but banning the technology just doesn't seem like the right answer in 2008. Perhaps we should all take a deep breath and examine resources, such as those offered by CommonSenseMedia, that will help us educate our students and their parents about responsible use of technology.
I've noticed two things about the discussion. First, there seems to be an US/THEM mentality between teachers and administrators. I am interpreting some of the responses to mean that teachers are viewing this type of administrative action as an attempt to "catch" teachers doing something bad. Second, nowhere in this discussion has anyone discussed the need to educate students about their responsibilities in using such technology. The assumption seems to be that students will take the video and/or audio and use it for evil.
I've written about this problem before. As educators we are getting into the habit of demonizing the technology rather than teaching responsible behavior. Even NEA Today published a recent article about the pitfalls of allowing students to record in the classroom. Yes, we all have bad days and may even say something that unintentionally offends someone's sensibilities, but banning the technology just doesn't seem like the right answer in 2008. Perhaps we should all take a deep breath and examine resources, such as those offered by CommonSenseMedia, that will help us educate our students and their parents about responsible use of technology.
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