Chapter 5: Modeling with Technologies

Chapter 5 is entitled "Modeling with Technologies" and is about how students can use models to expand on their learning. Using any type of technology in the classroom with students allows them to show their peers and the teacher what they have learned and allows them to represent their internal and mental understanding of a subject. In this course we are learning how to use technologies in a way to enhance learning, not simply to teach the students in place of a real teacher. This was also emphasized by this chapter in the book. The book went into learning with concept maps and other types of advanced modeling for higher learning.

Without going into too much of a summary of the chapter, I would like to talk about my thoughts on this particular chapter. I have always learned how to do webs in order to organize my thoughts before I was supposed to write a story. These, however, were a different type of concept map and models. The examples shown in the book were of a great variety and I believe that most of them I would try and use with my students, but at a lower level. I want to teach 4th grade students, but I do expect them to not slack off and to always do their best. With this being said, I will try to challenge them more than my 4th grade teacher did for me and using concept maps to show their learning is a great way for them to show their internal and mental understanding of a story or a subject.

I would definitely need to explore these different tools much more before having my future students work with them, but as they do they will also teach me how to use the program better. One program that I enjoyed in the book was modeling with databases. This seemed like an easier way to use models in students' understanding and is a great way to keep this information on record for the classroom. There are many great tools available for teachers to use on the internet, and a great one that I found is at inspiration.com, where teachers can find great softwares to use in the classroom for things like concept mapping. There are also many freeware concept mapping sites that teachers can go to.

As far as classroom application goes, I would have my students use this type of modeling mainly with stories, but it can really be used across the curriculum. If my students were to do a research type project on types of rainforest animals, they could use a concept map using technology to map out what they learned and then present it to the class in a very informal type of setting, instead of having to do a long essay on all of the facts that they learned about their animal. This type of project is more fun and interactive for the class and something that I think they would enjoy.

Resources:
http://www.inspiration.com/Freetrial#Kidspiration
http://www.thebrain.com/?gclid=CK69jd-V0pgCFRJ4xgodUnZ0ug