Week 3 Thing 7

Technology-
It is rather difficult to choose one topic around technology... so first something FUN and then something EDUCATIONAL (not that educational isn't FUN) but I think you'll see what I mean with the following

First something FUN and new with technology…

My son gave me Wii Fit for Mother’s Day… and I can’t stop raving about it. I have always enjoyed exercising to … first the TV, then videos (Jane Fonda Workout), then CD’s and DVD (Slim ‘n Six, Kathy Smith, Power 90), so this latest technological gadget is right up my alley… There are activities in the areas of aerobics, yoga, strength training and even balance games.

I’m really working on the balance games—I am just horrible with a soccer ball – I was taught to pull away when something is thrown at me so trying to have my head hit the soccer balls just doesn’t make any sense to me at all!! At first I could not walk the tightrope but just yesterday I completed the walk—even jumping over the trap—in record time.

Wii Fit keeps track of your time and score each time—which normally is a good thing!! (My entire family is participating in this activity, except for Rick—we have created a Mii for him but he hasn’t started with Wii Fit. He prefers to go to the gym!!)

My absolutely favorites are found in the aerobics area. The step aerobic sessions are a good workout and I repeat them usually three times with each workout. I have never been a runner, but I am becoming one now!! I love the island run!! Just for fun, I ran ahead of my ‘trainer’ and then had to follow a cute little dog all around the island…

The strength and yoga areas are really amazing!! A demo is included to teach you how to do each pose or exercise—if you need instructions. There is even a meditation pose where you must attempt to sit still for 3 minutes—the wii fit board will track your ability!!

Wii Fit is really a remarkable technological gadget!! It is totally engaging!! You unlock more activities the more you workout. You really do get a workout!! It will calculate your BMI and present you with your Wii-Fit age ( most of the time it really makes me feel great!!)

I really recommend the Wii Fit--- go for it!!

Now something EDUCATIONAL.. and on my mind...

... since I am in the middle of an online class on using the Internet with students-- I think I will address effective instructional models using the web: Internet Workshop, Internet Project, Internet Inquiry, and Webquests!!


Although I had heard of-- and even created my own --Webquest (Summer of 2001 at Teach the Teachers Collaborative) I had never focused on the differences of Internet Workshop, Internet Project, and Internet Inquiry. Unless students have a clear purpose each time they sit down to use the Internet, much of the time students experience random, unconnected 'surfing' experiences. Much of it becomes a total waste of time!! Incorporating the Internet into my math classroom is something I plan on doing much more effectively this next school year. Integrating new literacies and the Internet into my math program will help realize all my students' potential for thinking mathematically. There is a myriad of incredible sites designed to engage them in noteworthy math experiences and I intend on tapping into that source. I can see how, with a small amount of time, I can tweak several of my current projects to encompass the Internet to a greater degree. The new literacies of the Internet are many times best developed in math through cross-curricular opportunities provided by the Internet Project or Internet Inquiry. My students need to develop the ability to think mathematically-- and the Internet Workshop, Internet Project and Internet Inquiry encourage them to work together to do just that!! Think Mathematically!!