Comments for In Search of Scientific Creativity

Comment on Digital Learning Day by Steven Baumann

Steven Baumann — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:01:43 +0000

Sounds like this was a great day in the classroom(s)!
Incorporating technology is always a great way to engage students.
I liked the cross subject content used with the 4th graders, but I was really impressed with the insertion of audio in the 2nd grade project! Both exercises show that students can learn all day long (outside the classroom) and that by using technology they can document and share their learning!

Comment on Well worth the effort for problem solving by Albert White

Albert White — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 01:36:02 +0000

This was fun! I expect to show this to my kids in Earth Science tomorrow!!! Thanks Frank!

Comment on Levels of technology integration by *

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:13:56 +0000

I need that a lot.where can i get them!

Comment on Well worth the effort for problem solving by Steven Baumann

Steven Baumann — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:16:03 +0000

I needed to have my brain stretched! At first, I thought it would be a snap, then for several minuets , I thought it was impossible, then slowly, a path way to a solution emerged. Thanks for sharing. I can see how this would engage a class. The rules are very simple and it allows for almost a binary application of logic. The solution starts to cascade as soon as you gain some momentum.

Comment on Trustworthiness in Qualitative Research by rokhshad

rokhshad — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:56:44 +0000

Hi Frank,

it is nice paragraph. But do you mind add biblography?

Comment on The Digital “Textbook” by Steven Baumann

Steven Baumann — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:40:56 +0000

Frank.
I came across this article today and it talks to the issue of “digital textbooks (iPads)” and their effectiveness in the classroom.
A main take away was ” In perhaps the most thorough review ever conducted of technology and academic performance, education policy expert and McGraw-Hill research director Harold Wenglinsky found that socioeconomic status — and all the real-world factors that signifies, from parental involvement to teacher quality to domestic stress — mediate technology’s effects. Given equal access to computers, affluent students benefited more than poor students, a digital divide of effect rather than access.”
This was followed by ” The most influential factor in a student’s classroom is the teacher. It’s not the iPad. It’s not the textbook. Research has shown consistently that teacher skill, teacher ability, can overcome socioeconomic background. There have been many studies looking at this issue, and they’re quite consistent,” said Owston. “Kids need some structure. They need guidance. They need feedback. They’re not going to get that from electronic books alone.

It is a short read, but does throw some valid light on the issue.
Enjoy.
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/01/ipad-textbooks-learning/

Comment on Expecting the “right” answers by Steven Baumann

Steven Baumann — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:46:14 +0000

Frank:

Check out the following link from Edutopia.com:

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/abstract-thinking-skills-students-ben-johnson

I came across this quite by accident, but I believe it is an appropriate addendum to the points you make in this blog.

Enjoy.

Steven

Comment on The Qualitative Report Conference Friday Plenary by Steven Baumann

Steven Baumann — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:55:21 +0000

Wow, I like this lady!
You seemed to have gleamed many pearls of wisdom from her presentation. Each one could serve as a secondary agenda (collateral benefit) for any class.
Inspiring learners can be both a “push or a pull”, but these are lessons that apply inside and outside of the classroom. Those of us that can incorporate them into our very essence, will become even better equipped to share in the ongoing exploration of the world we live in.

Comment on Expecting the “right” answers by Steven Baumann

Steven Baumann — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:38:45 +0000

This is what makes language so interesting. I never appreciated the nuance of words in my youth, but with age (and experience) can come a wonder of how we choose and interpret words.
In science, we have our own nomenclature that is often distinct from conversational English. I often direct my students to take a moment to clearly compose their thoughts and to turn around their questions to see if the what the audience hears is what they mean for them to hear.

Perhaps this gives birth to the many wonderful things that can come out of the mouth of children. I have compiled a list of these for my youngest son, Wellington(now 13) . We call them Wellisms, and they have become treasured for the simple, dare I say pure, insight that we all once possessed.

As a tool for teachers, we need to figure out what we are trying to achieve. Yes, for big picture ideas, poorly formed questions present fertile ground for higher level thinking and applications. But, for assessments of specific data, we need to articulate exactly what it is that we are expecting the student to reply to.

Comment on Learning Knowledge and Skills by Steven Baumann

Steven Baumann — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 22:49:04 +0000

A quick follow up: I reviewed an article in Edutopia (a George Lucas funded education foundation) today that speaks to 21st Century skills and teaching needs. This particular read offers a concrete example of how an educator might structure their pedagogy in today’s classroom.
If you have a moment take a look: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/design-thinking-betty-ray