Understanding Magnetism: May the Forces be Within You

Reference to URL of online resources:

Foresman, S. (2007). Magnets: Grade 2. Retrieved September 27, 2007 from, Elementary Science Website: http://www.hssd.k12.wi.us/forestglen/dign/esci2m.htm

Junior electrician: Magnetism. United Learning (2002). [Video clip]. Retrieved September 29, 2007, from http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com/search/assetDetail.cfm?guidAssetID=CD98BCE9-269E-4E88-9BCC-3111A0178509

New Mexico State University Board of Regents. (2005). Magnetic materials. Retrieved September 27, 2007, from NMSU Website: http://magnet.nmsu.edu/magnetexpone.html

The Royal Conservatory of Music Community School. (n.d). Get howie home: Magnetism game. Retrieved September 28, 2007, from Learning through the Arts Website: http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.ltta.ca/images/games/thumb-magnetlarge.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.ltta.ca/student_zone_games.html&h=99&w=189&sz=5&hl=en&start=4&um=1&tbnid=2zsVBEhiV7_S4M:&tbnh=54&tbnw=103&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmagnetism%2Bgames%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN

Zephyrus Education. (n.d). Magnetic materials. Retrieved September 27, 2007, from Website: http://www.zephyrus.co.uk/magneticmaterials.html

Grade level: Grade Two

Brief description of activity: To integrate technology in this lesson, introduce magnetism to students by first having students watch the Junior Electrician: Magnetism online introduction to magnetism video clip listed above. This will actively engage studies to start thinking about what is magnetism, the properties of magnets, and what do magnets attract. Then have students think about and recall from the video clip what materials were attracted to the magnet and which of those materials were not. Ask students to think about the properties and characteristics of materials that are attracted to magnets, for example, what do these materials have in common? Have students recognize that magnets attract materials with iron or steel in them through a class demonstration and then by having students access some of the online resources provided above. Students may finish up this lesson by accessing the magnetism game, Get howie home in the computer lab which is a fun review on what materials are attracted to magnets.

General learner outcomes (GLOs): Students will describe the interaction of magnets with other magnets and with common materials.

Specific learner outcomes (SLOs): Distinguish materials that are attracted by a magnet from those that are not.

Most relevant ICT outcomes: Students will access, use and communicate information from a variety of technologies.
Students will use electronic research techniques to construct personal knowledge and meaning.
Students will use technology to investigate and/or solve problems.

Brief rationale for computer integration (why use technology? how does it improve the lesson):
I think the incorporation of technology in the classroom can be very beneficial in helping improve a lesson by producing visual and interactive components to a lesson, which is important at the grade two level where the young students are very active and need ways to entertain their curiosity. In my lesson, students will watch an online video-clip on Magnetism, which can be used effectively both as an instructional tool as well as a means for students to represent learning. The information provided in the video is an interesting way to introduce the topic of Magnetism to the students and also get them thinking about the concepts and material presented (in relation to the SLO) in the video clip, which can be discussed as a class afterwards. I then have students access some of the online resources provided above, so that they are able to become more familiar with accessing and using the technology to attain information, as well as further construct personal knowledge and meaning based on the information provided within the sites. I have also included an online magnetism game, Get Howie Home for students, which is a fun interactive review on materials that are attracted to magnets. It is from these examples that I see how the integration of computer technology into lessons can be used as a new creative approach to learning, allowing different educational experiences for students to thrive and grow from in the classroom.

Argument against Blogging in a specific Curricular area based on Clarence Fisher's Commentary

Although I will not deny that Mr. Fisher has a great point about blogs being an innovative way to “invite other people to know our lives,” as a source of global unity and to educate others about our lifestyles and cultures, I am concerned about the safety, privacy and security in doing so. Although, I believe and understand that the education system would only intend that the use of blogging in the classroom to be in the best interests of expanding our students learning abilities and knowledge; it is still a means of technology that needs to be treated with utmost professionalism and caution. It is important for our students to be cautious of what they read, remembering that blogging is a matter of opinion and not always fact, which emphasizes how important it is to teach our students how to critically evaluate sources of information on whatever the topics may be. With that being mentioned, it is also important that our students are very aware, conscientious and cautious of all aspects of blogging, in regards to the advantages and the risks before using such technology. However; I feel it the privacy aspect of blogging which has me feeling a little uneasy about allowing our students to openly be “inviting others into their lives,” or even to include it in a particular curriculum area in the classroom (as mentioned in this website). As a teacher, I feel it is highly important to take the necessary safety measures to ensure the safety of our children when using blogs as learning tools. It is key to first have parental permission granted before students engage in blogging. I also believe that building a blog that only allows the admittance by students in the class is another action which can be made to ensure the safety and security of our children, like for example; I enjoyed the structure of the Web CT discussion forums that I have had the experience to work with in other classes I have taken. I like how you are able to discuss classroom topics and issues with other students in the class while using the technology; yet, you are not having to worry about who else in cyberspace (or who has access to the internet) may be accessing the classroom discussions or topics, and may be interpreting or internalizing the information posted differently or out of context then it was intended. It is just that blogging can sometimes have unpredicted consequences in politically or culturally responsive areas (as described in the section on 'blogging consequences' in this article). Let’s take a Grade 3 Social Studies class for an example, which focuses on “Connecting with the World,” as illustrated in the Alberta Curriculum. It makes sense that the content would be appropriate for what Mr. Fisher saw as beneficial way to include blogging as a tool for students to connect with other people and lives. With such a topic, I think it may be best that the teacher, should be demonstrating the use of blogging and its benefits in exchanging information between cultures or persons (as seen at http://balla.ecsd.net/) as oppose to the student. And yet, I feel there could be many other useful tools or resources that may be highly effective and utilized for Grade 3 students and their focus on connecting with the world using technology (take a look at some examples, here: http://www.blackgold.ab.ca/ict/Divison1/grade3social.htm). Now, I don’t think blogging is a negative tool in any means for education; I just think it is important to carefully evaluate how blogging will benefit a particular grade level curriculum before ever using it blindly. If there are more advantages or good from blogging that can be used to help effectively teach a lesson, then by all means, use it. Just make sure you have carefully and thoughtfully made a positive argument for it. Thank you.

First time impressions of blogging – Formulating the Pros and Cons of blogging in the classroom for students and teachers

I find blogging to be a unique way of integrating the technology of today with the education curriculum and learning. Not only is blogging a great way to increase web awareness for students, and teachers, but blogging can be a beneficial administrative tool or a resource for research as well. I see blogging as a great way to share information, advice and knowledge in all different areas of teaching with other teachers or student teachers, such as tips on classroom management or creative lesson plans that can be applied in the classroom since blogs can be used as personal journals with teaching experiences. Blogging can also create discussion forums between both students and teachers to share assignments or curriculum, as blogs can provide news on particular subjects or classroom topics. Blogs are innovative ways for students to complete homework or publically share ideas with other classmates. Although, there are many advantageous for blogging as mentioned, it is important to be aware that blogging does contain disadvantages. One key disadvantage is that since blog posts are made public to everyone who may have access to the internet, it is very important for both teachers, educators and students to be conscientious of what they post to ensure a high standard of professionalism and security. Inappropriate or non-professional information may negatively reflect back on the individual and it is especially the responsibility of the teacher to be a good role model for others to follow. Also, those who don’t have a computer or connection to the internet are unable to have access to blogging, which poses some problems in the classroom.

A little bit about me

Greetings, my name is Krystal. I am currently an Education Student at the University of Lethbridge, with a major in Science Education (Biology) and a minor in CTS: Community Health. I just recently graduated with my Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from the University of Lethbridge, and am doing research projects in my psychology field aside from studying education. I have a strong passion to want to help make positive impacts in people's lives for the better. In my spare time, I also love to travel to see new places and cultures, and spend time with my husband and kitties.