March of the Monarchs
Q#1-Q#3 In this classroom they are using a computer program called Journey North that has activities and a database for the kids to use to record research as well as communicate with and learn about people from all over the world. This allows the teacher to use hands on and visual learning strategies. They are able to their own research and record the information found on the journey north database. They also work on their writing skills as they communicate with other students by writing letters to them. The kids are learning about science including animals, weather, climate etc,; language art skills by writing and reading; and social studies skills by learning about people around the world.

Q#4 The technology used in this classroom is a great contribution to the learning experience of the students. They are able to actually see and experience things they wouldn’t be able to otherwise without traveling around the world. From the classroom the teacher is able to present them with visual hands on information from places a long way from home. The activities provided are creative and interactive and help the kids to really learn and apply the information taught. They are able to do research and record this research in a database where it is made available for people all around the world to see. They are also able to write to people around the world. This makes it so that the kids will want to do a good job on their work because it is going to be seen and used by other people. This is also a good way for them to practice what they are learning. There was a lot of active engagement and group work integrated into the classroom through the activities provided.

This video was interesting because it shows how kids use Journey North to talk to other people as well as keep track of their resources they are using to do projects. This can be veru helpful in classes that have the opportunity to use this program because students usually do not get to see other people react to their work. Also, in this case, students were able to take the butterfly migration patterns and talk to people who may have experienced this migration in other parts of the world.

i salute to the author of this other way of teaching the students effectively...
you let the students learned by doing..
or learning by experience.

After watching the video, I think the way technology and subjects like social studies, geography, and language arts were intergrated very well. It helps the students work together as a team. In addition, the outcome, or product, done by the students is viewed not only by the teacher, but by others outside of the classroom. I think this is a great way to get students involved with technology in class. It helps keep the students' interest and the need to go explore more.

What a meaningful experience to provide those children. They were so engaged and the activity touched on so many areas!

I produced and shot the video of the monarch emerging and the African American child reacting (North Minneapolis) used in this video. I also produced and directed the footage shot in Mexico with the symbolic migration and the monarch sanctuaries.

It was all part of a series of videotapes for Journey North and the Annenberg Foundation on monarch butterfly/animal migrations, tulip gardens, and mystery class. All nature based observational and experiential science curricula from Journey North. The entire series is streamed here: http://www.learner.org/resources/series127.html

I now produce for Penn State Public Television.

Kristian Berg
kristian@psu.edu