As teachers we need to focus on the importance of technology as a literacy tool in order to meet the demands of multi literate clients we serve, even if we sometimes feel a bit out of our comfort zone. We have to over come the fear 'of the new' to arrive at the point where we can become critical consumers of technology, to be thoughtful users who question, reflect, and refract on (Pope, 1999) on the best times and ways to integrate technology.(Pope, & Golub, 2000)
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Concept maps in action
My attempts to design a concept map for an assignment forced me to move away from lure of artistic to the fundamentals of concept mapping in websipration. Yes, it is indeed easier to create a concept map without having to draw bubbles and lines manually, while trying to get it to all fit on a page. But the time it takes to manipulate the software left me to question its application as a teaching tool. I recognize one has to pay attention to visual and layout considerations; the shape of the concept map, the size of the bubbles, the colour choices, the font size and the need to differentiate the main concept font from the minor or branched concepts. The issue of collaboration also requires some know how. It is very easy to edit your data unintentionally I discovered. But, luckily it is save automatically, so retrieval is possible. This experience brought to the forefront, the need for teacher competence in the use of software before use as a teaching tool. Detailed tutorials for students is an important prerequisite for students use of the software. The development of a rubric will help keep students focused and help them to design meaningful visually pleasing concept maps.
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Hi Donna,
ReplyDeleteI read your article with a feeling of deja vu. From the onset of this course, I felt overwhelmed hence the naming of my blog 'Challenge of senior teachers'. I, however, especially liked the creation of concept maps, and thought it creative yet time consuming. These collaborative web tools once taught and understood would certainly transform our classrooms; as William Badke (2008) stated 'The Internet is the biggest revolution in information since the printing press'.
Junette
Hey Donna don't despair with practice concept mapping software becomes second nature, just like your art work. Once you get past the technical stuff you will need your creative side to design attractive and interesting concepts maps which gets the point across effectively.
ReplyDeletefeeling 'out of our comfort zone' is not necessarily bad as it enlightens us on how our students feel when we start babbling in class with everything flying above their heads.
In the end we will overcome and we must guide them to overcome their literary problems also.
Donna
ReplyDeleteYes,this technology all seems quite challenging but the more we use it the better we will become. Our job now is to incorporate technology in our teaching to enhance literacy skills for our struggling readers.
I love the statement you made that we must become critical consumers of the technology. We cannot use technology because we like it or it is fun but rather we must use it to serve a literacy purpose. It must be appropriate for our pedagogical framework and must achieve the goals that we set out to achieve.
I love the concept mapping, especially for brainstorming in creative writing. This can motivate children and encourage them to write. Let us be the best reading specialist that we can be and consider the children's needs first.
Donna I understand your concern about the complexity of creating concept maps using software. My students have really gotten the hang of creating concept maps to help their comprehension as well as essay planning. They however usually use the entire white board or if they are using theor note books, there is lots of erasing and scratching in the process of creation. I am a bit worried about their initial comfort level using this software.
ReplyDeleteSome students are easily turned off when they experience difficulty. I dont really want my struggling readers to struggle more than they already do.