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Showing posts from January, 2013

Using Technology to Support Multiple Intelligences

It is refreshing to go through the concept of multiple intelligences in a Special-Ed. course, I am taking currently. In the words of  Howard Gardner ,  “We are all so different largely because we have different combinations of intelligences. If we recognize this, we will have a better chance of dealing appropriately with the many problems that we face in the world. "  According to Howard Gardner, all humans have varying degrees of intelligences (nine types) based upon their experiences and genetics set-up. These multiple intelligences can be nurtured, strengthened, or ignored and weakened with use or by paying special attention. His theory is widely accepted in the education community, as it enables us to understand the significance of incorporating music, art, visuals arts and drama to make learning a meaningful process. Besides, it also supports the concept of differentiated instruction. By acknowledging various learning preferences, teachers can create authentic opport

Google Search Education

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‘Help your students become better searchers' is the mantra for  Google  to have Google Search Education. Not only, for students, but it is a great tool for educators as well.  I feel this is yet another resource must to have in one’s library!   With power search option, it offers tips and tricks to become a fast and effective fact-finder.  Besides, it provides help in downloading appropriate lesson plans and activities   and also  give s live trainings in the form of webinars. One section, I found very interesting to check out is a puzzle ‘A Google A Day challenge’ that facilitate to develop complex search skills  among students , and thereby ignite their interest, thus engaging them to learn and explore more. Here are few examples of the challenges from the Science section of the website: Questions: While quietly standing at sea level, you are suddenly whacked on the ankle with a guitar. Did you hear it or feel it first? If you stacked $20 bills until you reache

Lessons from Space!

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It was intriguing to watch the astronaut Chris Hadfield giving elementary school students at Chris Hadfield Public School in Milton an out-of-this-world lessons, on CTV news . Chris Hadfield interacted with the students from the spacecraft Soyuz and is actually the second Canadian to take part in a long-duration spaceflight aboard to the International Space Station (ISS), to work for five months as part of the crew of Expedition 34/35 . And the thing, worth taking note was the excitement and thrill of students as they spoke with someone directly from the space. I felt a great jest among the students as they asked questions about his scientific space discoveries, the solar system and life aboard the space station. One second-grader asked how the stars really look like in space, so she can draw them better. He told them facts about gravity and showed how he adjusts in weightlessness. Another interesting tidbit the astronaut told them that he watches sunset 20 times a day as their ISS or