Thursday, March 1, 2012

Skyping with Aviva Dunsinger & Wikispaces


Most helpful information?

World Math Day.  I love that her students are so excited about math.  I’ve found that turning anything into a competition motivates children, and competing against another classroom would also create solidarity within the classroom.  It also presents a way to connect with students worldwide and expose children to other cultures.  Awesome!
 
What was most helpful for you?

Interesting tidbits?

Children think they are nicer to each other online than they are on the playground.  Surprising when you think about high schoolers who use the anonymity as an excuse for tragic cruelty, isn’t it?  I hope that as educators promote digital citizenship and instill these values in children at young ages, cyber bullying will disappear entirely.  What do you think, wishful thinking or probable outcome?

As Associate Director at a sleep-away summer camp (where cell phones are PROHIBITED), I was shocked to hear that these students would rather play inside with their tablets than play outside.  Our campers force their parents to drive across town borders to hand deliver their camper applications, because the mail takes too long and camp might fill up.  They LOVE camp!  A place where they sleep outside on Wednesday nights, where they are outside 12 hours of the day, and where even iPods are frowned upon.  How can we promote technology AND an appreciation for the outdoors simultaneously?
 
EDUC584 Projects

I’m totally excited about this.  I think it’s a great resource, and I think the idea is great for our own classrooms too.  Students helping, teaching, and mentoring each other – heartwarming just thinking about it!

Ciao!

2 comments:

  1. Can't help but comment. It is wonderful idea to have campers do without technology. The children from Ontario whom we Skyped with would probably be fine at your camp. They were probably thinking in the moment. They were Skyping and had technology all over their classroom. If they were at a summer camp with summer weather and plenty of activities to do outside with other campers, the tables would be turned. What if you asked them the same question in those circumstances? Do you think they would say they would rather be outdoors?

    Last winter, I went to Costa Rica for 10 days. Other than a camera, I left technology behind. I did not turn on a computer, use a cell phone, watch television, use a phone of any kind, or use any other form of tech. I simply enjoyed the great outdoors, and what a phenomenal country to do that. It was also wonderful to be away from the technology.

    Just some thoughts. Do you think the students from Ontario would have had another answer in another circumstance?

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  2. Good point. I'm sure that if I had asked at camp their answers may have been different! I find it to be incredibly relaxing and freeing to be disconnected...once in a while ;)

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