Concept Mapping Activity

I could use Concept Mapping in my future classroom by having the students use a template Concept Map to organize their goals for both exercise and nutrition. A Concept Map could also be used when brainstorming ideas in class. I could add ideas for any specific topic into the program and create a great visual for the whole class to see. Students could also use the Concept Mapping program do design their own template. It could be used individually or in groups during brainstorming activities or even create a project of their own.

Concept Mapping could play a major or minor role in student learning within my future classroom depending on learning styles. Visual learners could benefit greatly from Concept Mapping tools and might even be useful for various other learners. I don’t see myself structuring my classroom around concept mapping, but may be a useful tool to use once in a while in a health classroom during brainstorming activities and goal setting. One criterion in order to use Concept Mapping activities in part of a lesson for my students would be during a whole class discussion to organize our brainstorming. Another criterion would be as an individual or group assignment to set goals or organize thoughts. All in all Concept Mapping is a great tool for teachers to know about and use if convenient, but I don’t see myself paying for the software.

TeacherWeb Reflections

1. Describe at least 2 ways that the use of a class web site like TeacherWeb could be used to support your future teaching. Provide some specific details for each example.
I could use TeacherWeb to keep my grades updated and allow the students to view their grades at any time. Instead of always calculating assignemnts when students would like to know their grades, TeacherWeb allows the students to always view their final grades as scores are entered. I could also use TeacherWeb to post class handouts. Often times students lose their handouts, was absent so didn't recieve a handout, or there may be no need to print the handout so students can just log onto TeacherWeb and get all the information they may need.

2. Identify 2 ways students could use a class web site like TeacherWeb to enhance their learning. Provide some details for each way identified.
TeacherWeb can enhance student learning in many ways including allowing them to use online interactive tools. Student's can use TeacherWeb to navigate to various sites that may have instructional videos or games to enhance their learning of a certain topic. Student's could also use TeacherWeb to take quizes or exams. This could really help many students that struggle taking assessments in the high pressure of a classroom setting. Giving the student an opportunitiy to take a quiz their own environment could be very beneficial to their learning experience.