This is the initial posting for edtc625 class and for group members Latisha Smith, Ebony Jacobs and Linda Tavares. Please check back often for updates and added material.
--Linda Tavares
I would like to write about my key personal learning this week in our class. I was so amazed to learn about “Digital Story Telling”. This technology is truly a creative way to engage students in our lessons and to encourage them to learn and share their learning with others. When I saw one of our classmates had included a link to a free download of this software, I became intrigued with the possibility of using it in my classroom. I have three student computers and I can download it on all three. I know it will take time to learn how to use it and additional time to instruct my students but the possibilities of having students create stories and sharing them with the class would be a powerful learning tool and would greatly benefit them. I am also planning to create mini lessons for Social Studies and posting them on my classroom website! There are so many useful possibilities for using digital storytelling!!
International Blogging: I personally feel that international blogs are a great way for students to communicate with other students internationally, as well as learn about their cultures. Blogging is also a great way to integrate technology into student learning. Once a week, possibly at the end of the school week, a student can post a blog describing what the classroom did during the week. New things they have learned, trips they have taken, even what was served in the cafeteria. In turn, the students abroad can post about their week as well. This can turn into a great discussion with students about how their culture and lifestyles compare to their peers overseas. Using blogs in the classroom promotes critical thinking and develops their writing skills. Overall, blogs can be a great learning tool.
From Ebony on 3/17 At my high school, blogging as a tool has already created a buzz among the students and the teachers. Many student led groups, and subject courses are considering opening up blogs, where the students can collaborate, share and support their ideas around pertinent and current events and information. Two blogs that I know will be developed soon will be blogs for the hiking club, green club, and life orientation class. These blogs will serve as a platform for the students and their varied interests and topics that interest them. At the moment I actually do not have a set classroom of my own, but I do work with different classes and teachers very personally. The way that blogging has been discussed in the classes that I have been working with resonate with me; I do believe that I would want to use blogs in my classroom in a similar way. I would want my classroom blog to help my students reflect on what happens in the classroom, in their communities, and in the world. It would be something that I would require my students to update frequently, and possibly engage with their other social media tools. I look forward to utilizing blogging tools in my classroom in the future, I already have many ways I would like my students use blogs for more current and present learning.
Saturday, March 12 Hello to all from Belize!! Cahal Pech (means “place of ticks”) The first day of my trip to Belize began with a visit to the Mayan ruins called Cahal Pech. You can click on the link below (or copy and paste the address into your browser window) to see pictures of where I went and what I saw. When you do you will see panoramic photographs taken by Irmin Wehmeir in 2009 which show some of the places I have visited. The first picture shows a plaza or courtyard inside the ruins of Cahal Pech temple. A plaza is a flat area where long ago Mayan people would gather for rituals and ceremonies but this photograph shows a plaza only royalty were allowed to use. These buildings were constructed and settled in 1000 B.C. or over 3000 years ago. They did not have fancy calculators or machines. They used only their hands and stick and string technology. They would tie a string to two sticks and measure the stone by pulling the string tight enough to show a straight line. Then they would scratch a mark and cut and place the heavy stones in exact locations. The buildings are remarkable straight and true for using sticks and string!! Cahal Pech was abandoned in 800 B.C. after the Mayan people ran out of resources. They ran out of resources because they cut down and burned up all the trees in a process used to turn limestone into lime. They used the powdery lime to paint the temple buildings. When they mixed the lime with colors from tree bark, plants and other rocks they created paint colors of deep red, green, yellow and black. To turn the limestone into powder to use for paint, they needed to burn the lime stone and used up all the trees in the process!! Once they had no trees, they had little shade, depleted (or lost) all of the vitamins and minerals in the soil and could not grow food anymore. So they abandoned Cahal Pech in 800 A.D. And most went to Xunantunich (pronounced Shoe-nan-two-neesh). Click here to see this plaza at Cahal Pech: http://www.360cities.net/image/cahal-pech-mayan-ruins-belize#0.00,0.00,70.0
You can learn more about Cahal Pech at: http://www.duplooys.com/mayansites/cahalpech.php
San Ignacio Market: http://www.360cities.net/image/san-ignacio-town-market-in-cayo-district-belize#369.22,12.51,90.0
Next we went to San Ignacio market in Cayo District. Click on the arrow that says “San Ignacio Market” to see this wonderful place. In the market I came upon a native of Mayan ancestry. He was making a beautiful silver and black ring. When he finished, I bought the ring from him. It cost $30 Belize money. The exchange rate is $2 Belize money = $1 U.S. Money. Can you divide to figure out how much I paid for the ring in U.S. Dollars? That's right, $30 divided by 2 equals $15 in U.S. Money. So I paid $15 for the ring. I will show it to you when I return from my trip. Look around at the market photo and you will see lots of fresh food for sale. When the people of Belize go shopping for food, they come here. They only shop at a store for items like soap and dish detergent.
Xunantunich means “stone lady” according to our travel guide. When the people of Cahal Pech were forced to leave there settlement because they ran out of food, they traveled and settled in Xunantunich. This temple was located next to the Mopan river and so they had plenty of food to eat when they fished in the river. When you climb to the top of Xunantunich there is nothing to hold onto—no railings, no fence—and you are very, very high off the ground while the wind is whipping. The view was spectacular as you could see for miles—even as far as Guatamala!! If you look closely at this picture, you can see a smaller pyramid in the plaza (courtyard). The top of Xunantunich temple was used only by the king to address his people and to watch for visitors. He could see so far that he could tell his people of a visitor 3 days before they arrived. It was very scary for me to be at the top of Xunantunich and I did not stay at the top for long. Jonathan however had a great time at the top of Xunantunich and could have stayed there all day long!! I climbed down as quickly as I could and was thankful to have the soil beneath my feet again.
Another view from the top: http://www.belizex.com/imagesNEW/Maya/xunantunich/xunantunichPan.htm
When ancient Spanish explorers arrived in Belize around 800 a.d. They did not understand or approve of the Mayan culture and rituals. You see, the Mayans believed there were several gods and they prayed to a specific god to ask for help in meeting there needs. They would first offer food to the gods. Then, if for instance they needed rain and it did not rain after the offering, they would perform another ceremonial offering by burning incense and applying a small drop of blood from a priest to the burning incense. If it still did not rain, they would offer a sacrifice. The Spanish explorers did not understand this ritual of sacrificing people to the gods and so they killed almost all of the Mayan people.
Today was spent investigating this amazing cave while floating through it on a river in an inner tube. Here is a sight that shows you pictures. They are not pictures of me but pictures of what kinds of things I did on Sunday:
We hiked up the side of a large hill (or small mountain) to a platform located in the jungles of Belize. After being fitted with a hard hat, straps attached to a cable using caribeaners, leather gloves (and a whole lot of bravery), I zip lined through the jungle canopy!! It was exhilarating.
Next, after hiking through the jungle while carrying an inner tube approximately 1 and ½ miles, we floated through a cave!! We stopped half way through the cave to climb up a water fall and explore the cave further! We saw beautiful stalagmites covered in crystals. It looked just like a pile of diamonds. We were not allowed to touch the formations because we could disrupt the ecosystem of the cave but it was truly a majestic site!
I would like to write about my key personal learning this week in our class. I was so amazed to learn about “Digital Story Telling”. This technology is truly a creative way to engage students in our lessons and to encourage them to learn and share their learning with others. When I saw one of our classmates had included a link to a free download of this software, I became intrigued with the possibility of using it in my classroom. I have three student computers and I can download it on all three. I know it will take time to learn how to use it and additional time to instruct my students but the possibilities of having students create stories and sharing them with the class would be a powerful learning tool and would greatly benefit them. I am also planning to create mini lessons for Social Studies and posting them on my classroom website! There are so many useful possibilities for using digital storytelling!!
ReplyDeleteLinda Tavares
International Blogging:
ReplyDeleteI personally feel that international blogs are a great way for students to communicate with other students internationally, as well as learn about their cultures. Blogging is also a great way to integrate technology into student learning. Once a week, possibly at the end of the school week, a student can post a blog describing what the classroom did during the week. New things they have learned, trips they have taken, even what was served in the cafeteria. In turn, the students abroad can post about their week as well. This can turn into a great discussion with students about how their culture and lifestyles compare to their peers overseas. Using blogs in the classroom promotes critical thinking and develops their writing skills. Overall, blogs can be a great learning tool.
Latisha Smith
From Ebony on 3/17
ReplyDeleteAt my high school, blogging as a tool has already created a buzz among the students and the teachers. Many student led groups, and subject courses are considering opening up blogs, where the students can collaborate, share and support their ideas around pertinent and current events and information. Two blogs that I know will be developed soon will be blogs for the hiking club, green club, and life orientation class. These blogs will serve as a platform for the students and their varied interests and topics that interest them. At the moment I actually do not have a set classroom of my own, but I do work with different classes and teachers very personally. The way that blogging has been discussed in the classes that I have been working with resonate with me; I do believe that I would want to use blogs in my classroom in a similar way. I would want my classroom blog to help my students reflect on what happens in the classroom, in their communities, and in the world. It would be something that I would require my students to update frequently, and possibly engage with their other social media tools. I look forward to utilizing blogging tools in my classroom in the future, I already have many ways I would like my students use blogs for more current and present learning.
Saturday, March 12
ReplyDeleteHello to all from Belize!!
Cahal Pech (means “place of ticks”)
The first day of my trip to Belize began with a visit to the Mayan ruins called Cahal Pech. You can click on the link below (or copy and paste the address into your browser window) to see pictures of where I went and what I saw. When you do you will see panoramic photographs taken by Irmin Wehmeir in 2009 which show some of the places I have visited. The first picture shows a plaza or courtyard inside the ruins of Cahal Pech temple. A plaza is a flat area where long ago Mayan people would gather for rituals and ceremonies but this photograph shows a plaza only royalty were allowed to use. These buildings were constructed and settled in 1000 B.C. or over 3000 years ago. They did not have fancy calculators or machines. They used only their hands and stick and string technology. They would tie a string to two sticks and measure the stone by pulling the string tight enough to show a straight line. Then they would scratch a mark and cut and place the heavy stones in exact locations. The buildings are remarkable straight and true for using sticks and string!! Cahal Pech was abandoned in 800 B.C. after the Mayan people ran out of resources. They ran out of resources because they cut down and burned up all the trees in a process used to turn limestone into lime. They used the powdery lime to paint the temple buildings. When they mixed the lime with colors from tree bark, plants and other rocks they created paint colors of deep red, green, yellow and black. To turn the limestone into powder to use for paint, they needed to burn the lime stone and used up all the trees in the process!! Once they had no trees, they had little shade, depleted (or lost) all of the vitamins and minerals in the soil and could not grow food anymore. So they abandoned Cahal Pech in 800 A.D. And most went to Xunantunich (pronounced Shoe-nan-two-neesh). Click here to see this plaza at Cahal Pech:
http://www.360cities.net/image/cahal-pech-mayan-ruins-belize#0.00,0.00,70.0
You can learn more about Cahal Pech at:
http://www.duplooys.com/mayansites/cahalpech.php
San Ignacio Market:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.360cities.net/image/san-ignacio-town-market-in-cayo-district-belize#369.22,12.51,90.0
Next we went to San Ignacio market in Cayo District. Click on the arrow that says “San Ignacio Market” to see this wonderful place. In the market I came upon a native of Mayan ancestry. He was making a beautiful silver and black ring. When he finished, I bought the ring from him. It cost $30 Belize money. The exchange rate is $2 Belize money = $1 U.S. Money. Can you divide to figure out how much I paid for the ring in U.S. Dollars? That's right, $30 divided by 2 equals $15 in U.S. Money. So I paid $15 for the ring. I will show it to you when I return from my trip.
Look around at the market photo and you will see lots of fresh food for sale. When the people of Belize go shopping for food, they come here. They only shop at a store for items like soap and dish detergent.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteXunantunich:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.birdseyeviewbelize.com/Xunantunich.htm
Here is a view from the top of this Mayan Temple:
http://www.360cities.net/image/xunantunich-ruins-cayo-district-belize#206.80,-2.20,80.0
Xunantunich means “stone lady” according to our travel guide. When the people of Cahal Pech were forced to leave there settlement because they ran out of food, they traveled and settled in Xunantunich. This temple was located next to the Mopan river and so they had plenty of food to eat when they fished in the river. When you climb to the top of Xunantunich there is nothing to hold onto—no railings, no fence—and you are very, very high off the ground while the wind is whipping. The view was spectacular as you could see for miles—even as far as Guatamala!! If you look closely at this picture, you can see a smaller pyramid in the plaza (courtyard). The top of Xunantunich temple was used only by the king to address his people and to watch for visitors. He could see so far that he could tell his people of a visitor 3 days before they arrived. It was very scary for me to be at the top of Xunantunich and I did not stay at the top for long. Jonathan however had a great time at the top of Xunantunich and could have stayed there all day long!! I climbed down as quickly as I could and was thankful to have the soil beneath my feet again.
Another view from the top:
http://www.belizex.com/imagesNEW/Maya/xunantunich/xunantunichPan.htm
When ancient Spanish explorers arrived in Belize around 800 a.d. They did not understand or approve of the Mayan culture and rituals. You see, the Mayans believed there were several gods and they prayed to a specific god to ask for help in meeting there needs. They would first offer food to the gods. Then, if for instance they needed rain and it did not rain after the offering, they would perform another ceremonial offering by burning incense and applying a small drop of blood from a priest to the burning incense. If it still did not rain, they would offer a sacrifice. The Spanish explorers did not understand this ritual of sacrificing people to the gods and so they killed almost all of the Mayan people.
Sunday, March 13
ReplyDeleteCave tubing and zip lining
Today was spent investigating this amazing cave while floating through it on a river in an inner tube. Here is a sight that shows you pictures. They are not pictures of me but pictures of what kinds of things I did on Sunday:
http://belizecruiseexcursions.com/BelizeCaveTubingZipLineExcursion.htm
We hiked up the side of a large hill (or small mountain) to a platform located in the jungles of Belize. After being fitted with a hard hat, straps attached to a cable using caribeaners, leather gloves (and a whole lot of bravery), I zip lined through the jungle canopy!! It was exhilarating.
Next, after hiking through the jungle while carrying an inner tube approximately 1 and ½ miles, we floated through a cave!! We stopped half way through the cave to climb up a water fall and explore the cave further! We saw beautiful stalagmites covered in crystals. It looked just like a pile of diamonds. We were not allowed to touch the formations because we could disrupt the ecosystem of the cave but it was truly a majestic site!
Here are a few pictures of my trip!!
ReplyDelete