Throughout this techquest project, I have been searching for ways to connect classroom material to the real world. I have found many great resources that I plan to use in my future classrooms. I wasn't able to implement this project, but if I had I believe my students would have benefited from the experience. Making connections with other cultures, places, and people is a priority in the social studies classroom. Using a site like epals.com, can create a classroom community in which students have more respect for other people. This in turn creates teachable moments and turns students into lifelong learners. I hope to be able to utilize these tools in my classroom.
A project like this one gives students a deeper look into the world. As a student who has had extraordinary teachers, I remember those special lessons and I strongly believe that students in my classroom who experience this lesson would remember it for a very long time. Once I am able to implement this lesson or one like it, I will be able to see where modifications and adjustments need to be made. For now I can say that a project like this one is a lesson in life. A project like this one is what I had in mind when I began my research. I can't wait to have a classroom of my own where students can connect with other students from around the world.
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That sounds like something they would remember. It is interesting how we remember those great teachers who taught us those fun and exciting lessons. I also remember those non-fun teachers who gave us worksheets and book work only! Though I'd like to forget we remember the bad too!
ReplyDeleteThis will be a wonderful lesson when you are in a classroom. You will also want to use videoconferencing equipment or even Skype to communicate for free. There are so many tools to bridge the divide between classrooms. It is so exciting!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea to use technology such as google chat or Skype to communicate for free with classrooms in other parts of the USA and the world. If you're working with 4th-6th grade students in the future, I hope that you get a chance to read that Andrew Clements book, Extra Credit, since it raises some interesting issues about bridging the gap between 2 very diverse cultures--the US and Afghanistan.
ReplyDeleteI hope that you are able to work on this project in a classroom soon. It will help students to work on language arts standards as well as social studies. Good luck!
As teachers we are not only teaching students lessons, we are helping to prepare them for their futures...I think that your lesson will definitely help you students appreciate the world around them. Good luck with everything!
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