sábado, 26 de marzo de 2011

Distance Education

Distance education or distance learning, is a field of education that focuses on teaching methods and technology with the aim of delivering teaching, often on an individual basis, to students who are not physically present in a traditional educational setting such as a classroom. It has been described as "a process to create and provide access to learning when the source of information and the learners are separated by time and distance, or both" Distance education courses that require a physical on-site presence for any reason (including taking examinations) have been referred to as hybrid or blended courses of study.
                                                      

Technologies used in delivery
The types of available technologies used in distance education are divided into two groups: synchronous and asynchronous.
Synchronous technology is a mode of delivery where all participants are "present" at the same time. It resembles traditional classroom teaching methods despite the participants being located remotely. It requires a timetable to be organized. Web conferencing and videoconferencing are examples of synchronous technology, as are direct-broadcast satellite, internet radio, live streaming, telephone, and web-based VoIP.
The asynchronous mode of delivery is where participants access course materials on their own schedule and so is more flexible. Students are not required to be together at the same time. Mail correspondence, which is the oldest form of distance education, is an asynchronous delivery technology and others include message board forums, e-mail, video and audio recordings, print materials, voicemail and fax.
The two methods can be combined in the delivery of one course. For example, some courses offered by The Open University use periodic sessions of residential or day teaching to supplement the remote teaching.
                               

 

story of Maria Montessori

Maria Montessori: Life and Work

Maria was born in Rome, Italy in 1870 to an upper middle class family. Her parents wanted her to be a housewife, as were most women of her generation, but Maria had other ideas. In 1896, she became the first female doctor in all of Italy. It was very hard for her to become a doctor because all of the other doctors were men. The men made fun of her and threatened her. All she could do was block them out. Because of this, Maria never married.
After that she started working with disabled children. Maria devised a new method of education because she thought the method in place at the time was not serving the needs of the children. She observed that children have developmental periods in which they are primed to learn different things.
Her approach to teaching disabled children was very different than anyone else’s at the time. Instead of the traditional methods that included reading and reciting, she taught the children by using concrete materials, which worked very well. Learning was not memorizing but sensing and experiencing things. The disabled children scored higher on the same test that the regular children took; then she got an idea: “Why can’t normal children benefit from the same method?” So she opened a Casa dei Bambini or Children’s House in the slums of Rome. She moved around Europe for a while until she settled in Italy again after World War II and the fascist government was no longer. Montessori had a big impact on education; because her methods were different, she opened up a new light on the subject.
She died in 1952, but her legacy, with over 150 schools in the US and even more worldwide, lives on.
                                
Maria Montessori came up with this method from observing the development of children. She found out children have sensitive periods. From birth through six years is a very crucial time for young children when they must learn independence and order to understand the huge world that is before them.
The teacher is called a directress in the Montessori method because she directs the child. That is, the child has to pick work independently, although the teacher must direct the child so the child cannot do too much of a single thing. That is why we call her a directress.
Montessori materials are different from many other materials because these are concrete materials in which the child learns order, such as the Brown Stair and the Pink Tower. These are blocks which differ in two and three dimensions; so they teach how to discriminate size. They are self-correcting; that means the child can see if there is an error instead of the teacher having to come and correct it. There are other materials that teach responsibility, coordination, and independence. Some materials like the sandpaper letters use and develop the sense of touch while teaching how to recognize and write letters and words. Some materials also teach how to take care of oneself.
The Montessori method has been very successful at teaching many children how to take care of themselves, how to write, read, and use countless other skills that people need to survive in today’s world.
The Montessori Elementary classroom is characterized by a prepared environment, which contains concrete learning materials developed by Maria Montessori. Teachers act as guides for the children as they explore the world around them. They direct the students' education by providing a list of things to do, but the children get to choose what to do from that list. The teachers guide the students' natural curiosity.
There are multi-age groups in each classroom. In lower elementary, there are children ages 6-9, and in middle elementary, there are children ages 9-12. The younger children look to the older children as role models and, by helping out, the older children’s knowledge is reinforced.
Subjects similar to traditional schools are covered in Montessori, but the manner in which learning takes place is different. Students use concrete materials to learn academic subjects, such as math. As they progress through the curriculum, they move from these concrete materials to more abstract thought. Materials are presented in both large and small group settings. When material is presented in a large group, it is generalized; in small groups, it is more specific, and students are grouped according to academic level.
Students learn to use research materials such as encyclopedias and relevant books, but they also look to experts to find information. This searching out experts in the community is also accompanied by a developing sense of responsibility for the world around them. Students take responsibility for the care of the classroom as well as do community service. The final goal is that the student becomes aware of his/her cosmic purpose.
                                 

domingo, 20 de marzo de 2011

math games

Mathematics has always had a playful sense. Many of the deep reflections about mathematical problems have been stained by a motivation and an exciting challenge that is fun and sensation seeking and achievement. For Archimedes, Euclid, Leibniz or Einstein mathematics strokes had an adventurous spirit. Mathematics, as are all we know, are clearly drawn in the games and puzzles.
                                      
Like math the game is part of life and plays a decisive role in the intellectual development of children. Gambling in children can be serious, and quite tiring hoarder, some games are mocked, others have to do with fantasy, some may be very specific rites, can be an individual or group activity, can be a source of pleasure and great effort or dislike.
The first type of game of the babies is the motor sensory manipulation, as the baby can control his movements and explore the use begins as a game. Sensory motor play can be thumb sucking, kicking the sides of the crib. The games are important because they are the method of exploring new things. Babies play with, manipulate, explore and act but also provide attachment and safety.
There are other games in which children take flight his imagination and fantasy. For children, the objects can become something else: A stick can be a horse and a house four lines, these games have been called symbolic. The games are important for understanding symbolic meanings and are crucial to intelligence and children's relationships with others.

                               
Later games with rules, give a new dimension to the development of intellect and will print a social sense. In these games the children voluntarily accept the rules as conventional limits by submitting to the consequences and rewards of their action. The rules themselves, give structure to the game and increase the challenge.
In conclusion, the game is a mode of action, expression and experience of highly developed and irreplaceable experience for the intellectual development of children. Takes many forms through the stages of life of people and their historical, social and technological.
The game is connected to the toy, a toy can be as small stones, like a stick, a piece of fabric, marbles, a television or computer. The value of the toy and game tool for intellectual development is directly related to the active participation that the child has. If the child operates and builds on it, is more valuable than if the child only passively.

                                                
                                        

The play and toys are the processes and tools with which children naturally develop your mind. The development of children's intelligence is not to saturate the minds of children with the information that we consider necessary, but encourage the use of their intellectual potential in a gradual manner, respectful and harmonious with natural processes. The game is a real opportunity to gain appropriate thinking skills to solve mathematical problems and mathematical not under a system of logical thought.

Tetrakys is a material that facilitates different forms of games. Children manipulate, symbolically and put into games with rules in group and individual challenges. Tetrakys Play is a way to experience mathematics.

                                              

Encouraging creativity

Creativity is the freest form of expression itself, and for children, the creative process is more important than the finished product. There is nothing more satisfying for children to express themselves fully and freely. The ability to be creative helps to strengthen the emotional health of their children. All children need to be truly creative is the freedom to fully commit to the effort and make the activity in which they are working on their own. The important thing to remember in any creative activity is the process of self-expression. Creative experiences help children express and cope with their feelings. Creativity also fosters mental growth in children because it provides opportunities to test new ideas and test new ways of thinking and solving problems. Creative activities help to recognize and celebrate the diversity and unique character of their children as well as excellent opportunities to identify their actions as a parent and focus on each of their children.
                                         
Opportunities for creativity

To meet the needs of their children to be creative and self-expression, be sure to provide activities based on their interests and ideas. Learn to listen carefully to what they are saying their children. Offer them a wide range of materials and creative experiences: the draw, painting, photography, music, trips to museums, zoos, working with wire, clay, paper, wood, water, shadows and more. Give your child time to time to explore materials and to pursue their ideas. Do not forget to give them time to discuss these ideas with other people, both adults and children.

                                               

Creative play

One of the most important types of creative activity for children is creative play. Creative play is expressed when children use familiar materials in new ways or in ways unusual, and when children play roles and imaginative play. Nothing gives reinforcement to the creative spirit and nourishes the soul of a child to give large blocks of time during the day for spontaneous play, invented by the children themselves. But many parents underestimate the value of play in the lives of children, forgetting that the games promote physical, mental and social. The games also help children express themselves and confront their feelings. They also help develop the unique perspective and individual style of each child's creative expression. In addition, games are an excellent opportunity to integrate and include children with disabilities.


                         

Avoid dominating the game. Must be the result of children's ideas and not directed by adults. Try to build the capacities of their children to express themselves through play. Try to help your children to base their games on their own inspirations, not yours. His goal is to stimulate and encourage games satisfaction playing with other children or themselves. Pay attention to the game plan for him and encourage him. Learn how to extend children's play with your comments and questions. Try to stimulate creative ideas by encouraging children to create new ways to use materials. Try to remain open to new and original ideas to encourage children to find one solution or answer. Avoid toys and activities that explain everything to NOS and leave nothing to the imagination.                                                       

which is special education?

What is special education?
Special education is instruction specially designed to meet the unique needs of children with disabilities. This is done at no cost to parents. Special education can include special instruction in the classroom, at home, in hospitals or institutions, or in other environments.
Over 5 million children between 6 and 21 years receive special education and related services each year in the United States. Each of these children receive specially designed instruction:

. to meet their needs (that result from having a disability) and

. to help the child learn the information and skills that other children are learning.

10 tips for being a good student.

1. - Intelligence

There are enough smart people just need to study, and others for whom - it seems - that studying is not your thing. But you probably have an average intelligence and good results are obtained with the proper motivation to facilitate the effort of studying. Think what your reasons for studying. The more valuable the better. Without a willingness to study, there is nothing to do ... and the reasons you have to study is crucial.


2. - I have no desire

It's something that happens to many people and that has to do with changes that occur during adolescence. There are many other things that are more fun. But you're playing the future ... in a few years you decide you're going to be the rest of your life ...

Some students have repeated a grade with good grades ... Have changed, have a motive. So as you have for music, sports, go with friends ... you have it, to study. And that is why you must leave. The rewards and punishments can be effective, but ultimately not decisive. If you will, but you have to exercise it.


3. - Study techniques

You've heard or what you have said: "This guy does not know how to study. " There are ways to learn how, many books, web pages, help from a teacher, your parents. But in the end, everything is common sense. A study is learned studying and see for yourself what are the systems that you are better. If you want to learn more, read on.

                                       

4. - The basics
You need a quiet study place, where everything is at hand, with a comfortable chair and adequate lighting. And no music or TV. Do not fool yourself with music you can not study, you can draw, copy ... but do not memorize and concentrate. Do not get up every moment ... is stayed seated at least 45 minutes. Then rest 5-10 'y. .. follows.And a schedule. It need not be rigid, must be flexible but usually in secondary school is to spend half hour to an hour to do homework and three-quarters or an hour to study. Monday through Friday If you have not received 10-12 hours of study, the weekend is to recover. And more testing time. Leave if you can, for the weekend tasks take you longer: A sheet of drawing, work for a subject.It's a shame that you spend time doing as you study when your head is far away. Stop daydreaming. Seize the time and then you can do many other activities.

5. - In class. Notes
It's silly to waste time in class. If you seize that moment, have much in advance. If for some reason, I leave free time, study, task ahead.
The teacher can follow the book, then take notes of what he says, of what they insist. If you give notes, is attentive and notes on everything you can, with common sense. Stresses that to repeat, is what it considers basic.
One way or another, then you will have to review what you've written, you do not need to spend to clean-but makes clear the track so you understand, now and in a few months. If you missed class or have the record incomplete, ask for it to a teammate.

                              
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6. Memorize
In most subjects will have to study, memorize the contents of the lessons. Do not attempt learning you do not understand something, so it is so important what I said in the previous section.
Each person has their own system to fix in mind the lessons: read aloud, go over it several times to try and repeat it without looking at the text ... the important thing is that you have in mind that you do not know an issue if you can not explain it. It is very convenient as you study each day, explained in class. So it will be easier, since you have "fresh" memory and is better to learn a short text to face a lot of pages when they reach the ages of assessments.

7. - Examinations
It is said by teachers that the course is approved in September. Not worth excuses will study and when the review is a huge mistake. If you study each day when it comes time to review just review knowledge already acquired, remember what you know. If you leave everything to the end, you end up with a head full of formulas, definitions, dates, etc ... chaos.
Examinations are of various types: you have to prepare each differently. Self-examination is successful.
Sleep well the night before the test, do not ever take any pills - you'll pay dearly -. This will avoid the nervousness and fatigue. Nor is it good peer comment just before starting the test: only convince you to get along well not prepared and you'll get even more nervous.
Please read the questions before starting to respond, even yourself a little diagram even mentally. If possible, answer the easiest questions first and leave the end that you do not know well. This is especially important in problems of mathematics, physics, translations ... Many times you spend all the time you have to do a problem and leave the rest blank.
Test the results, units, spelling. Do not rush to deliver: use all available time.


8. For students of science. Problems
Although it is difficult to give a common rule in mathematics, physics, chemistry tests include many problems: from data you have to find other, by a formula or more.
First you must choose the right formula, then replace the variables for the values ​​you are given (units!) And will be one or more unknowns to clear. Do it with care and reviews the calculations: it is very likely to ask you the exact results, not simply the solution is well posed.

9. Nevertheless, I do not get good results
Cheer up, everything has a solution in this life! Think about what your failures as a student, I continued, do not fret ... the results are slow in coming, and failure serve to gain experience, not to lamentGet advice from someone with experience, makes any study skills test and perfecting your methods as a student.
You may have personal problems that prevent you from concentrating. Accept it and look for a solution, but often is not easy. Try to disconnect it when touch study. You bet the future.
If you're thinking all the time, a girl, I'm pretty sure that what I like to think is that you study well and profitably, to offer something valuable, you feel proud of you.
10. And most importantly
There is a point of road, which states that "An hour of study is an hour of prayer": This book has many points, an entire chapter devoted to the supernatural aspect of the study. You would do well to consider carefully.