Nina Zhen
University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Becoming a Spider Scientist

Thu, Oct 30, 2014 10:28 PM
Don't be afraid of spiders!

My favorite part of this article is how the teacher got a sense of how students felt about spiders at the beginning of the project, which were mostly negative views, and then saw how their reactions became more positive. Because of modern technology, I believe that students are less interactive with what is living beside them, and therefore, are more afraid and ignorant. Having students observe and take care of live spiders gradually makes students less afraid and more curious about the spiders. That curiosity motivates students to genuinely learn about spiders. In addition, the spider project easily integrated the English arts with science. Students read Charlotte's Web and talked about the fictional depiction of a spider versus the nonfictional spider. Students also wrote in their journals about personal experiences and reflections about spiders. Hanging spiders with vocabulary terms on a spider web in the classroom also provided students with a grand visual of terms they needed to learn. Overall, this article teaches us the importance of clearing up misconceptions about things in our world and changing how we perceive things for the better.

Augmented Reality Games: Using Technology on a Budget

Thu, Oct 30, 2014 10:02 PM
Technology Integration

This article talks about using smartphones and an app that allows students to view virtual objects in the real world. Teachers take advantage of this app by creating a virtual game that takes place in their school. Virtual characters can be created and placed in strategic locations around the school, such as the cafeteria or playground. Students must find these characters around the school, learn from them, and figure out what to do next. I love this idea, because it can be applied to any subject and tailored to teachers' and school's needs. Characters can ranged from historical figures to pop cultural figures. Students will feel more engaged with the subject, because they will be "talking" and interacting with these characters. The game also gives students a sense of control of their learning, because they are figuring out where the characters and what information they need. Teachers may be apprehensive about using mobile devices in the school setting, and the article acknowledges this. The article supports the use of mobile devices, because many students have one and good classroom management can keep them from getting distracted. Those who do not have a mobile phone can be placed in a group that shares one. Overall, I think this article can help teachers integrate modern technology in their classroom in an interactive way.