December 2020 – Arocho in Education

Let’s talk about case studies.

In the field of education, there are a couple of terms for case studies. We can use them to study our students in specific areas; suck as if they need more support, have a disability, or be put into another class or grade level. In case study teaching it involves using real world situation as a basis for learning. This relies on students to explore the topic and and using critical thinking to solve it, rather can asking the teacher to do that.

In our textbook, The Global Educator gives us examples of global collaboration case studies. It shows us examples of projects that other teachers have used in their classrooms to stay connected with people worldwide. It also allows students to stay connected with people and collaborate on projects and case studies together. While reading about these case studies in my textbooks, I have found two that would really help our students and the world.

The first case study I have found was Pernille Ripp: Global Read Aloud. Pernille Ripp is the GRA creator. It is a global reading project that connected more than 500,000 students on six continents since it started in September of 2010. This is a great way for students and teachers to stay connected. Teachers can share read-aloud books they have used in the classroom with other teachers worldwide. They can also send what assignments they are doing around the books. By doing this, teachers can make connections and add more supplies and techniques into their educator tool kit.

Another case study that I found helpful was Peggy George and Wesley Fryer: The K12 online conference. I thought this was helpful for global collaboration because teachers worldwide can work together on one platform to give their ideas and tell other educators what works best in their classroom. This is a free online annual event run by volunteer educators. By teachers joining these free online conferences, they can learn a lot about the new teaching methods and how other teachers are working with their students. There is also a section about global eductors and help teaches stay connected and work together. Going to this conference is also a good way to make sure our students stay connected with other students worldwide. We can get ideas for assignments to have our students working in their classroom, but partners with someone around the world.

Leave a comment below and let me know if you read the textbook The Global Educator and looked into the case studies they have talked about. Also let me know if you have any of ideas of case studies that I would enjoy using in my classroom and what worked best for you!

What does Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality do in the classroom

Us teachers are always trying to find a new way to teach our students both fun and educational. Using old faithful PowerPoint and textbooks is boring; we need to stay up to date with the technology and find a way to include it in the classroom. Nowadays, students are getting cell phones, computers, and tablets at younger ages and are very skilled in using these technologies. We should now use our students’ technology skills in the classroom; our assignments and lessons should be more technology-based. This is when Virtual and Augmented Reality comes into play in our classrooms. I was reading an article today about VR and AR and using it in the classroom to make it more fun and creative. This article also compares the two to see which one would work best in your own classroom.

Let talk about Virtual Reality; all of us most likely have seen the commercials with the big goggles over someone’s face and controls in both hands. This is a Virtual Reality set; they can cost good money and can be difficult for young students to use. My dad has a set from Microsoft, and I have tried it before and believe me when I tell you, it is not easy to do. I also got scared. I was playing a zombie game, and the zombies just get right into your face you jump back. Of course, in my classroom, I will not be using it to play zombie games, but I have to consider that it may be harder for my younger students to use.

Using VR headsets in the classroom is going to change the way we teach our students. It is going to be in the classrooms from first grade to college. Using this set in the classroom, students will see the content of every subject taught in school. Soon students will even be able to use them for gym class. When it comes to the VR headset, I am not sure that I would like to use it in my classroom yet.

Augmented Reality is the tool I am very most excited to try in my classroom. Mostly because it is easier for young students and teachers to use in the classroom. Since it is so easy to use, students can also outside of the classroom when they are home. Using AR in the classroom allows students to see textbook images in 3D instead of 2D. Using the app for AR on the phone or iPad, students can hover their camera over the picture, and come to life in 3D. Using this feature allows students to get a better insight into the topic they are learning and keep students interested in what is being taught. A big reason I would pick AR over VR is that there is no additional cost, the school does not have to buy the headsets. They just have to hover the phone camera over what they want to be put into 3D and made interactive.

Using these tools will keep students interactive and keep them connected. It also allows them to be global learners and teachers to become global educators. We can stay connected with other teachers and students around the world using VR and AR. We have found ways that other teachers are using it. With VR, we can have our students be in our classroom but experience the rainforest, cities, and deserts worldwide.

Let me know what you think about VR and AR. Will you be using it in the classroom? How would you use it? Check out this youtube video that also compares to the two for more information.