Oct 5, 2010

What is student engagement?


Recently, I had the privilege of stepping into a teacher's classroom and witnessing a remarkable scene of student engagement. It was palpable—the students were fully immersed in their learning journey. Their focused demeanor and animated discussions indicated a deep level of involvement.

The lesson revolved around a compelling question: "In what ways do natural resources and the physical geography of a region determine the establishment of communities?" It was a Social Studies exploration that sparked curiosity and critical thinking.

What caught my attention the most was the innovative use of technology. The students embarked on a virtual "community walk" using an intriguing Web 2.0 tool. Despite this being their maiden voyage with the tool, I anticipated a learning curve centered around its usage. However, to my delight, the students seamlessly navigated the tool, diving headfirst into researching various cities and towns.

The tool in question? "Community Walk" — a fantastic resource that empowers students to explore different regions with unparalleled depth and detail. Utilizing Google Images and Street View, students delved into their research, uncovering the intricacies of each locale with enthusiasm and curiosity. It was truly inspiring to witness their engagement and initiative in exploring the geographic landscapes that shape our communities.



Here is an example of a community walk:


CommunityWalk Map - Map 731016

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a great way to engage students and allow them to experience virtually a different part of the country:)

iambeamer said...

It was pretty exciting.

Kim Wedman said...

Sorry I don't know why my comment yesterday was anonymous - it was me:)
There is nothing better than seeing success with students.

Danielle Spencer said...

Hahha! Ya, thanks for telling em it was you. I was a wee bit curious.
Yes it is pretty fun watching children have fun with their learning.