M.Miyagi

I thought this tool was interesting for students. However, I don’t know whether students can learn math effectively by thinking in their own heads. Although it is said that Japanese students’ math achievement has been decreasing these days according PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment), it is still among the highest in the world. I think that is because Japanese students seldom use calculators and any computer tools but use a set square and a pair of compasses and think how they can make triangles, rhombuses, and parallelograms. They also solve function problems by imagining and calculating in their heads. It is true this tool may motivate students, especially lower achievement students. However, I think it may stop students’ thinking process. I don’t know much about math education, but I believe teachers should use computer tools in the way their students can think actively.

Posted by Mari Miyagi at 1:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I was so excited to watch the earth moving! We can see any countries and places in classrooms and at home. I think it is a very useful tool not only for social studies but also EFL (English as Foreign Language). In my classroom, there are many students who don't know where America, China, and Africa are located. In classes, we often read about foreign cultures in English. If my students use google earth, they will be able to know where the main character in the text lives, how far it is from Japan, and how the town in which s/he lives is like. Thereby, they will be able to be motivated to reading the English text and interested in other foreign countries. In addition, when the students know that the main character in the text has the same feelings as the students have although s/he lives very far from where the students live, they will be able to learn that we are all same human beings as well as cultural differences. Actually, I have used a world map made of paper and also even wrote a map by myself so that my students could know where other countries are. Now that I know the more useful tool, I will definitely use this tool, google earth, in my classes.

Posted by Mari Miyagi at 6:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

This article was difficult for me. But what I can say definitely is that schools are never same as other institutions for business. Although I'm not sure about the actual situation of business, I think even if business institutions use a lot of technologies, they just deal with information, and transport information to others such as by email, powepoint for conferences and so on. On the other hand, using technologies in schools allow students to use their cognitive tools. Students sometimes see what most business people think right from critical point of view, and have conversation with other students and teachers in class and create new sense of value. It may be true when the author says that schools will be no longer dominant places to transform culture to next generation, but it is true in terms of "communication of information". That is, I believe creating new ideas and sense of value for students' future and human life is mainly in schools. Therefore, technologies must be used to contribute to that kind of learning, not just dealing with information.

Posted by Mari Miyagi at 2:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)