Inquiry-Based Learning

Inquiry-based learning is a student-centered learning which is focused on developing critical thinking, problem-solving skills, seeking solutions to questions, and reflecting on what students are doing. 

 I had been studied in a traditional school for many years which was based on memorization of facts, listening to teachers, and giving answers that teachers expected from us. Traditional way of learning did not involve a lot of thinking, but knowing concepts well. In college I experienced some inquire-based learning when teachers encouraged us to make observations, ask questions on what we were doing, reflect, and evaluate. That kind of learning required a lot of learning.  

In my future classroom inquire-based learning will definitely be a big part. I will try to incorporate this type of learning in every subject to make connection between various disciplines. Lessons will be based on students’ interests. I will make emphases on collaborative work where students are divided into smaller groups to discover things and search answers to questions on their own. Hands-on activities will be used to make connection to ideas. Technology will be integrated to enhance students’ thinking and creativity. Computers are useful to search information, contact experts, and share their projects with others. All these and many other inquiry learning techniques will be useful to involve students in learning process.

Copyright Issues for Educators

The Internet gives us access to enormous amount of information. However, can we copy them legally? Only after having read the articles on copyright laws and discussing them in class I realized that I cannot just copy videos, music, photos, documents, and books for myself, because the materials have copyright protection. Under “fair use” some materials can be copied if they are used for educational purposes and are part of the curriculum. However, they cannot be posted on blogs and websites. One of the most interesting things I learned in the classroom is that educators can’t show videos or DVDs in class as a reward. It is certainly that I won’t do in my classroom, as it is the violation of the copyright law. There were several cases when teachers were sued, although those teachers had good intentions for their student. There are many tricky limitations under “fair use”, even though materials are used for educational purposes. I will make sure to educate students on copyright issues, explain what is safe to do and what is illegal. It is certainly good to know what copyright law is.

Photoshop

Our digital cameras can provide us with good quality pictures. Using Photoshop (Picnic, Photoshop Online or other programs), however, the quality of these photos can be improved even more to match one’s taste. With Photoshop programs details of the picture can be adjusted. Exposure, brightness, tones of photos can be regulated. Imperfections can be removed as well.  In one of my photos I eliminated red eyes using Photoshop Online.

Photoshop is a great tool if you know how to use it. In our last class we were working with downloaded Photoshop program. That program was very confusing for me as I was not familiar with that program. It was hard for me to make any changes. I chose two pictures: one with a sunflower and another one with a blue butterfly. I wanted to insert a butterfly on the flower. It took me a long time to do such a simple task. I am sure anyone can get better in editing photos with Photoshop by playing around with the tools offered. But at the beginning it is frustrating.

I created a picture with a butterfly on a sunflower and inserted a poem about this insect. I would use this picture in first grade to teach some reading strategies such as matching pictures to words (the picture of a butterfly can help students to read about it in a poem). Fluency is another skill could be taught with this picture. The poem with colorful pictures can encourage children to read which promotes fluency.

UDL and eTips by Dexter

The UDL article and eTips by Dexters are closely interrelated. UDL includes three principles to guide children’s learning such as representation, expression, and engagement. Effective technology integration adds value in teaching and learning. It brings more benefits to children in learning process than one would receive otherwise. All students are different. They perceive and process information according to their learning styles. Classes in American schools are extremely diverse. There are English language learners and students with special needs. They all need individualized approaches. Incorporating technology into the curriculum by taking into the considerations the UDL principles allows meeting the needs of all students. Technology adds value in learning in various ways. It makes learning more successful by providing access to up-to date information, providing learning-by-doing opportunities, helping students to construct meanings through visualization. In addition, it promotes collaborative work with classmates which enhances their expressive skills and increases motivation. For teachers, technology adds value by assisting to develop lessons and assessing children’s knowledge.