Group items matching

in title, tags, annotations or url

This article describes three authors from Laurier who have written a book entitled "Canadian Battlefields 1915-1918" which is a guide to and describes the battlefields of northern Europe. In addition to the book, the article describes the use of Google Earth images in better understanding the situation that soldiers were facing during the First World War. It is the author's opinion that by utilizing the technological images, "readers better understand what the Canadians were up against during their battles in the French countryside." I believe that this would not only be an interesting book regarding teaching of historical events, but also an interesting way to incorporate technology into history and to modernize history for students.

Title for Discussion: "The effects of computer games on primary school students' achievements and motivation in geography learning." This article interestingly investigates the effects of the game environment on students' achievements and motivation to learn. A study conducted by a University in Turkey highlights how there is a direct correlation between student's engagement with educational games on the computer and its positive impact on the student's ability to actively engage in their studies. This three-week experiment with Grades 4 and 5 students involves their participation in an educational computer game which focuses on learning about the global continents and countries. In contrast to the traditionalistic lecture approach, this constructivist method of teaching focuses on a technological-based style of learning. Therefore, the gradual shift towards a new pedagogy is explicitly apparent as the studies conducted from student interviews illustrate their enthusiasm and engagement to learn about world geography. In particular, the student's enjoy the opportunity to utilize the "chat tool" as it allows for student interaction as well as collaboration. This alternative method for teaching serves as an important tool to support student learning and future development. The overwhelming consensus of student support further highlights how educational computer games can offer a positive learning experience as it enhances their abilities to engage and participate within a virtual realm. However, it is important to note that using technology does not replace human experience and interaction. Therefore, computer gaming is simply one effective teaching aid that can be adapted in various ways to engage students in their learning.

Playing video games in school? How is THAT educational! In fact, schools are beginning to allow students to learn through interactives and video games. Video games create an environment that includes many of the positive factors school programs are looking for: immediate feedback, clear goals, encouragement and motivation to do better the next round! Video games and technological interactives provide activities that stimulate problem solving skills, strategic thinking and non-linear thinking patterns, amongst many others. For example, in Projectile Motion, students explore the properties of projectile motion. Students use the interactive to try and hit a target in varying conditions; they learn about the direction and location of the launch, the projectile's mass, shape and size, and the presence of air resistance. This article includes links to hundreds of whiteboard interactives and ideas for video games that encourage development of critical thinking, strategic thinking, communication skills and more. Incorporating video games and technological interactives is a great way to provide differentiated learning alternatives in your classroom. Check this article out and consider putting those 'dreaded' video games to educational use!

Some may say this game is outdated. Yes, it is. However, this game is a great interactive way to teach geography, along with different education areas such as math and science. The game involves a lot of strategic decision making in terms of geographical concepts. If Cross Country Canada was updated with today's technology and catered to our youth today, it would remain a fun and interactive way to learn about Canada and its geography, just like many of us did back in the 90s.

Ever heard the groans of students, "When will I EVER need to know this in real life?" or "I learn better by doing!" The boom of the internet, communication and simulation technologies has allowed students more opportunities for authentic learning experiences, such as experimentation and real life problem solving. Authentic Learning focuses on real world, complex problems and their solutions. These learning programs do not revolve around 'teaching english or math.' Authentic Learning tasks are inherently multidisciplinary; they could require skills from more than one subject area. Examples of authentic learning tasks could be setting a budget, or managing a city. Ensuring classroom learning has real life relevance will allow students to feel like their learning will apply to them beyond the classroom setting. Their classroom learning strategies will teach students how to turn information into useful, transferable knowledge. Making different connections across disciplines is an important skill that will aid students once they reach the 'real world' beyond the classroom.Read this article and prepare your students for the real world complexities they will soon face that cannot be solved simply by applying an algorithm!

When President Bush enacted the, "No Child Left Behind Act", he created a large hindrance of learning for the subject area of history and other humanities. This act primarily focusses on the subject areas of math and literacy. With the recent election of President Obama, similar patterns have continued to exist concerning the area of history. President Obama's policy concerning education focusses on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Author, Chelsea Gibson, states, despite the continued emphasis of math and literacy and the support these subjects receive from the government, history and social studies will always teach our children important life lessons. This in turn will create responsible and informed critical leaners. Gibson states 4 reasons as to why the application of history in schools creates critical and informed lifelong learners: 1. History teaches analytical skills. History requires students to make connections and allows them to ask question. Gibson states, critical thinking is the foundation for history therefore, making critical learning an essential learning tool. 2. History is also integrated into other curriculum areas such as the Arts, psychology, philosophy, and modern languages. 3. History teaches and improves writing skills. 4. Finally, history makes students more aware of their heritage.

Science for kids is a great interactive website for both teachers and students. This website provides different games, experiments, videos and even lesson plans and worksheets for teachers.

Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on view this video. The video demonstrates different activities and ways on how to deal with controversial issues within social studies, such as stereotypes or racism due to past and present events.

Students are falling behind in Geography as the focus has been put on math and language in schools. However, it is very important for our youth to learn about the global economy and the many different cultures and relationships around the world. This particular article discusses statistics from the US, but the same generalizations can be made for Canada and its school focus.

This article attempts to convey why Cass Technical High School's students in Detroit continue to succeed in social studies even though the worsening social and economic situation in Detroit would suggest that students would be finding school more difficult. An anonymous study was conducted with 85 students enrolled in the social studies program at Cass Technical Highschool; the study asked the students to explain in their own words why they thought they and their peers in social studies did so well on achievement tests. Their responses were very similar, suggesting that the students really appreciated the enthusiasm and passion their teachers emmitted while teaching. The students also replied that the regular use of primary documents really hooked them into the topic about to be discussed. Regular use of internet sources for research and technology in the classroom was another favourite answer amongst the students. The students really appreciated the facilitation of deep discussions that included everyone and diverse opinions. Humour in the classroom, regular inclusion of images and field trips were all included in the reasons why students felt they continued to succeed in social studies. These teaching strategies are important for teachers to keep in mind when preparing units and lessons that they want students to get excited about and succeed in. This article is a positive reminder that effective teaching strategies really can make a difference; even when the odds are against you.

If anyone can tell me how I can add another tag to this that would be awesome! I thought I had the five all clicked but I guess not:(

I think if you click "Edit this post" under More, you can add tags.

This website is a great research tool with different ways to teach social studies using differentiated instruction. The website provides different general ideas and ideas that will help spark an interest in the students. FYI on the left side there is a toolbar, it provides different activities and knowledge regarding social studies once you select a specific grade.

Geography Today is about a better Tomorrow!