FINAL REFLECTION:
Changes I would make and why: When I started EDM 310 I never thought about what my classroom would look like, now I think about group work, project based learning, and being a teacher that supports her students, not one that lectures them. Today I think about having fun, creative blog post assignments that will allow my students to tell me what they think, or feel, about different times in U.S. History. I have learned that being given an avenue like blogging allows you to be creative and helps you learn. I want that in my classroom...we won't read to memorize, we will read to explore and discover.
My students will have the freedom to think for themselves and learn in their own unique way. I love the idea of doing a research-type paper with different sources; some blog sources, some virtual primary sources, and also finding professors/educators from around the globe to use as a source as well. This broad way of learning will help my students discover way more than they could have ever imagined. I do not want their noses in textbooks, I want them reaching out to become self-learners because it is such a liberating feeling. Creating and learning on your own is a feeling of strength and confidence that I want to share with my future students.
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Thursday, May 2, 2013
C4K April
4/14/2013, I commented on Nicole W's blog this time, and as someone that is using blogger for the first time, I was amazed at how creative and unique her blog was. I like that the kids have this outlet. I wrote Nicole and complimented her creativity and told her that she did a great job on her post.
4/21/2013, Shayla was my final C4K assignment. Her blog was again, so unique! It's awesome to see the creative avenue blogging gives kids at all ages. Shayla did a great job describing her Easter break, it was a cute post. I replied to her and told her what a great job she did, then I brought up how I do similar things with my family over the holidays.
4/21/2013, Shayla was my final C4K assignment. Her blog was again, so unique! It's awesome to see the creative avenue blogging gives kids at all ages. Shayla did a great job describing her Easter break, it was a cute post. I replied to her and told her what a great job she did, then I brought up how I do similar things with my family over the holidays.
Project #13
When I first found out we weren't always meeting in class and we had group projects due I was extremely nervous I was nervous mainly because I live in Orange Beach. I can't jump in my car and be here at any time. Then, through EDM I discovered Google Drive and how efficient technology could be for group projects. Our group, One and Done, rarely had to meet in person. We only did meet when we needed to film. Working through technology also allowed us to work at times best for us. We all work so our schedules are crazy. With Google Drive, emailing, and texting we were able to communicate constantly. This allowed us to stay in constant contact and keep up with where we were on the project. I believe our projects #15 and #16 were actually better because we had the freedom allowed to us by technology to work at our individual pace and not waste time commuting to and from campus. I personally work best in the morning, so I could get up while the other group members were sleeping, in class, or at work, and work on our projects. I loved that when I would wake up in the morning I could check our progress and see what everyone else had done over night. I was not pressed for time, and if it took me longer to do a part then it did one of the other members it was no big deal because we weren't sitting there face to face with limited time to complete specific assignments. Technology is such a huge asset, and I have really learned how efficient it allows us to be. FaceTime is something I use often to talk to my sisters....it is also a great way to communicate and live chat, although I wouldn't recommend trying to use it while driving. Ohhhhh, and most importantly, I learned how to use the SmartBoard and how to compose an iBook. Both were very rewarding experiences.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Last C4T Post
Research informed Practice in PE
This blog post was interesting because it focused on the importance of getting quality research via the internet. Most of the time you have to get researched documentations from libraries, but this blog gave other ways of getting the information. I commented to thank him for sharing his findings, and also thanked him for reminding us that getting the proper information is very important no matter what subject you are teaching.
Department Developments…
There was not a new post on the blog this week, so I went back and read Department Developments... It was refreshing to read about how their academic department was using technology, especially Google, to become more efficient. They also were thinking of ways to share their lesson plans with the world by using video recordings on their iPads. My comment thanked him for sharing his thoughts, and told him I loved the idea of keeping a file folder with all of your lesson plans video recorded. Then, you could go back and watch them, or even leave different information for substitutes.
Friday, April 26, 2013
Project #9 Final Report
My PLN (Personal Learning Network) is still growing. Prior to EDM 310 I never heard of PLN's, so I'm extremely thankful for that. I often wonder how other teachers are making it in their schools without classes like this. They definitely aren't as fortunate as we are at USA to have EDM 310. I've continued to use Twitter, it's still my favorite because it's so easy! I still like Pintrest, but I'm not crazy about it. Wordle is one I am going to love using with my future students. I just think it's such a cute idea and there are so many ways to be creative with it. A few that I've grown to like lately is Edmodo. I can really see how this can be a huge upside for teachers. It allows you to connect with students and parents in one location. Not to mention that you can also include polling on the same site. Really interesting to me. The most important lesson I'm taking from all of this is that I'm in trouble if I ever stop adding to my PLN because that means I've stopped growing.
Blog Post #14
Teacher Knows if You Have Done the E-Reading by David Streitfeld
Summary: This article discusses another way technology is being used in the classroom. The article discusses textbooks that have the capability of tracking the student. The textbook software for each student is then sent to the professor for review. The idea, as I understood it, was that teachers would use this data to better understand why students were making the grades they were on tests and quizzes. For the case study used in this article there was a correlation between amount of reading as documented by the data and the students' grades. Examples were given of students with C's & compared to students with A's. The idea is that the more you are reading (according to the software, the higher your grade). However, they are finding some problems with the data, and how it is tracked.
My Thoughts: I found myself extremely excited when I read the first part of the article...what a great idea, textbooks that give teachers feedback while the students are in the course. My first thought was that it is a great way to hold students accountable (I know I'm driven to get my blog post turned in each Sunday by midnight because Dr. Strange can see the date it was posted). Then, I thought about how much the feedback would help me if I was a teacher- I might have a student failing all their tests, I check the data, and they are reading. This immediately alerts me that this student needs additional help, or is struggling with basic reading skills. I would think this would be invaluable information that I might not otherwise know.
From a students perspective, I started to see the downside as the article went on and discussed how the data was flawed at times because students take notes in other ways, such as handwriting them or using their personal computers to take notes in a different program. Each student learns in a different way, so this does limit them if they want to make sure they are getting credit for their reading assignments. Also, a student can always find a way to beat the system and the example of just opening the text and doing something else proves this. At the end of the day, you either want to learn or you don't. As amazing as technology is, it's not perfect. Individuals must still want to learn & teachers must continue to find ways of encouraging learning.
If I were to talk with the teacher of the class that is described in the article,
I would want to ask a few questions:
How big are your classrooms?
Do you believe this helps you understand your students better, or do you think it makes them feel like you are babysitting them by checking to see how much they have read?
What are other note-taking options you would add to this program?
If I interviewed the students in his class, I would ask them (beyond
what Mr. Streitfeld asked)?
Does this program constantly taking data on you take away from the fun of the course and learning?
How does it make you feel to know that you are always being 'watched' via the data?
Are you learning more with this method?
My Comment: I think there is a lot of room for this program to grow, but I like the idea of what is trying to do. I believe, especially for large classes, it gives teachers an understanding of who is, or is not, getting the information...and it also gives insight to how they are, or are not, getting it. The other idea I like behind this idea is the potential to get constant feedback on a textbook...the ability to update it and improve it immediately would be a great advantage.
Summary: This article discusses another way technology is being used in the classroom. The article discusses textbooks that have the capability of tracking the student. The textbook software for each student is then sent to the professor for review. The idea, as I understood it, was that teachers would use this data to better understand why students were making the grades they were on tests and quizzes. For the case study used in this article there was a correlation between amount of reading as documented by the data and the students' grades. Examples were given of students with C's & compared to students with A's. The idea is that the more you are reading (according to the software, the higher your grade). However, they are finding some problems with the data, and how it is tracked.
My Thoughts: I found myself extremely excited when I read the first part of the article...what a great idea, textbooks that give teachers feedback while the students are in the course. My first thought was that it is a great way to hold students accountable (I know I'm driven to get my blog post turned in each Sunday by midnight because Dr. Strange can see the date it was posted). Then, I thought about how much the feedback would help me if I was a teacher- I might have a student failing all their tests, I check the data, and they are reading. This immediately alerts me that this student needs additional help, or is struggling with basic reading skills. I would think this would be invaluable information that I might not otherwise know.
From a students perspective, I started to see the downside as the article went on and discussed how the data was flawed at times because students take notes in other ways, such as handwriting them or using their personal computers to take notes in a different program. Each student learns in a different way, so this does limit them if they want to make sure they are getting credit for their reading assignments. Also, a student can always find a way to beat the system and the example of just opening the text and doing something else proves this. At the end of the day, you either want to learn or you don't. As amazing as technology is, it's not perfect. Individuals must still want to learn & teachers must continue to find ways of encouraging learning.
If I were to talk with the teacher of the class that is described in the article,
I would want to ask a few questions:
How big are your classrooms?
Do you believe this helps you understand your students better, or do you think it makes them feel like you are babysitting them by checking to see how much they have read?
What are other note-taking options you would add to this program?
If I interviewed the students in his class, I would ask them (beyond
what Mr. Streitfeld asked)?
Does this program constantly taking data on you take away from the fun of the course and learning?
How does it make you feel to know that you are always being 'watched' via the data?
Are you learning more with this method?
My Comment: I think there is a lot of room for this program to grow, but I like the idea of what is trying to do. I believe, especially for large classes, it gives teachers an understanding of who is, or is not, getting the information...and it also gives insight to how they are, or are not, getting it. The other idea I like behind this idea is the potential to get constant feedback on a textbook...the ability to update it and improve it immediately would be a great advantage.
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Progress Report on Final Project
Our final project is going to really start coming together this week. It has been a lot of fun to work with my group, One & Done. We are always communicating either via text, google docs, or email. I don't go more than a couple of days without hearing from them. We have all been extremely supportive of each other through each project. We know we are going to put an iBook together, and we are honestly having a great time learning iBook (this is a first for all of us). I have no doubt that we will have a quality project put together ahead of the deadline.
Blog Post #13
I really liked Mr. Anderson's method of teaching, especially using "QUIVERS" to represnt the following:
QU- Question....this is the 'hook'
I- Investigate/Experiment
V- Video
E- Elaboration
R- Review Portion: meeting with small groups to make sure they understand
S- Summary/Review Quiz
Teachers that have a method, or formula, seem to be the most productive. This shows how much he has thought about the students; he isn't just going through a lesson plan. The one thing that really stuck with me was when he discussed probing questions, then said, "You can't really learn something until you can explain it to someone else." That is something I truly believe. Blogging about the videos, posts, etc that we are assigned has helped me to reflect on what I've learned and by summarizing it, I remember it. Blogging helps information to stick with me. Pretty amazing tool to have. His blended learning cycle was unique and well thought out. I was really able to relate to him and liked him even more when he was the first to admit that the video game method from the previous year didn't give him the results he wanted. I love that the internet allows us to share with others what has, or has not, worked. It helps give insight to other teachers.
Watch Brian Crosby, Agnes Risley Elementary School, Sparks, Nevada, Back To the Future
I really enjoyed Brian Crosby's YouTube video of his lecture. The one thing that really hit home with me was when he talked about how experiences trigger imagination, which makes learning/education better. I have several kids on my basketball team that have never been north of Bay Minette, east of Pensacola, or west of Mobile. They think the entire world is basically Baldwin County, and in their defense, it is their entire world. It's sad to see that because they are limited on their world views, thus limiting the way they see/treat people, thus limiting their education.
I hope to use technology in my classroom to connect with people across the globe. I would like to spark that interest in my students, as well as my team. Money is an object for us with basketball, but we are going to Birmingham this summer as well as Tallahassee. Hopefully these small experiences, along with technology in the classroom they will be able to see beyond Baldwin County.
Blog Post #12
This blog post has obviously thrown me off because I'm a week behind completing it. I had NO clue what to do, and seeing how awesome and creative everyone else's posts were didn't help. Then, finally it hit me. I need to do an assignment on the thing that I was so confused about in a previous blog post...How To Create Your First Class Blog. So, here it goes.
Assignment: My First Class Blog
Instructions: With a focus on your subject, or sport if you'd like, think about how you could incorporate a class blog into your future classroom. Read Step 1- Create A Class Blog. You can also read Check Out Class Blogs! to see a list of educators class blogs around the globe. All of this information is found on The Edublogger. Search this site, and come up with a theme and maybe some potential assignments you would give your class. Write 2-3 paragraphs reflecting on what you've learned and discovered about starting a class blog in your future classroom.
My First Class Blog:
The Edublogger.com website was so informative. It tells you how to develop your own class blog. It even breaks it down to forming a URL and usernames. These are all areas that were intimidating to me, and made me feel that I couldn't do a class blog of my own. The advice given sounds just like something Dr. Strange would tell us....take time to check out other educators blogs- EXPLORE and DISCOVER (both have been common themes of EDM 310). The website takes you through 9 steps to creating your own class blog. This is exactly what I needed. It talks about forming rules and guidelines for student blogging. The steps even include how to add students to Google Reader and blogroll. These are all areas where I really wasn't sure how it would play out it my future classroom. Now, I have a better understanding of how to literally 'build' my first class blog from the ground up.
I loved that Sue Waters, the Edublogs Support Manager, even lefter her twitter account up so you could send questions at any time. Not only are they telling you how to do it, they are also there to help (again, very familiar to how we function in EDM 310). Now that I feel like I have the actual instructions to run a class blog, I feel more confident having one in my future History classes. And, even as a coach, I could easily manage a Team Blog. In my History classes, I could ask questions relevant to the wars, Presidents, etc that we are discussing in class. On my Team Blog I could give the players a forum to write reflections on game situations, ask questions regarding different plays we've learned in practice, and keep constant conversation going with players and coaches. Blogging is a very cool too. I've enjoyed it in EDM 310 as a student, but until now I haven't felt like I could run it as a teacher, like Dr. Strange does for us.
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Blog Post #11
In the video Little Kids...Big Potential Ms. Cassidy's students talk about the use of technology in their classroom. It was very interesting to hear the kids talk about how they become better writers every time they blog. The students are also gaining a sense of how to respect the internet because they get the fact that when you put something on your blog, the entire world can see it. See also teaches something similar to Dr. Strange and that is understanding how to comment. These young students talked about how to leave proper comments for people, something we are learning at the college level thanks to EDM 310.
In Dr. Strange's Skype interview, Ms. Cassidy talks about how she uses technology in her classroom and the advantages of it. I thought it was extremely interesting to hear her talk about how she took five computers that were given to her through federal funding and she ran with it herself. Nobody taught her, she just got creative and dug her heels in to find different ways to use the computers on her own. She does have a technology coordinator in the division, which is a key to be successful when teaching with technology.
I would love to have a class blog in my future classroom. Although I'm learning a lot about posting and having a blog myself, I don't feel confident that I could start a class blog. I know there are several email addresses Dr. Strange makes us add so he gets emails when we post, but I'm not sure how I would organize or run my own class blog. That part makes me a little nervous because I do love the creativity that blogging gives students.
In Dr. Strange's Skype interview, Ms. Cassidy talks about how she uses technology in her classroom and the advantages of it. I thought it was extremely interesting to hear her talk about how she took five computers that were given to her through federal funding and she ran with it herself. Nobody taught her, she just got creative and dug her heels in to find different ways to use the computers on her own. She does have a technology coordinator in the division, which is a key to be successful when teaching with technology.
I would love to have a class blog in my future classroom. Although I'm learning a lot about posting and having a blog myself, I don't feel confident that I could start a class blog. I know there are several email addresses Dr. Strange makes us add so he gets emails when we post, but I'm not sure how I would organize or run my own class blog. That part makes me a little nervous because I do love the creativity that blogging gives students.
Summary Post C4T Teacher #3
Comment #1) The P.E. Geek website was the website assigned to me. I read the post on Gameification for week 1, left my comment, then tried to post it. Unfortunately I could not get the comment to post. Then, I couldn't even get the website to load. Yes, there are still some issues with technology.
Comment #2)- Tried again and left this post....I was given your blog to read by my college instructor, and I really enjoyed it- very creative and full of ideas. I wish more PE teachers, especially at the high school level would use some of your ideas. Thanks so much for sharing
Comment #3)- Mr. Robbo had a really cool post on Google Chrome & the the Google Chrome Store. There are several apps he uses as a PE teacher that help him. These apps are free and he can put them on his Google Chrome homepage. I had never heard of the Google Chrome Store and honestly never used it until EDM 310. I commented on much I learned about Google Chrome through the video he posted. It was really cool, especially for me, a newby with this web browser.
Comment #2)- Tried again and left this post....I was given your blog to read by my college instructor, and I really enjoyed it- very creative and full of ideas. I wish more PE teachers, especially at the high school level would use some of your ideas. Thanks so much for sharing
Comment #3)- Mr. Robbo had a really cool post on Google Chrome & the the Google Chrome Store. There are several apps he uses as a PE teacher that help him. These apps are free and he can put them on his Google Chrome homepage. I had never heard of the Google Chrome Store and honestly never used it until EDM 310. I commented on much I learned about Google Chrome through the video he posted. It was really cool, especially for me, a newby with this web browser.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Project #11
I could not get my video to rotate to save my life, sorry I'm sideways the entire time, but I did teach you how to shoot a free throw correctly! haha...the video part I am still working on! Enjoy- this is just one more reason I have a love/hate relationship with EDM 310- Did I learn how to work with a Green Screen? Well, yes I did! Can I rotate myself or figure out how to open this video in a different program? No, I cannot.
Blog Post #10
I'm a Papermate. I'm a Ticonderoga.
Ok, so I had to read through the comments of this post to even understand what in the world was going on...I guess that is more plus to blogging, you get to read everyone's comments, not just see the picture, or read the author's words. Of course once I read it (and I had to Google Ticonderoga, I got it). In an old-school way he is comparing pencils to pencils, which today would be a Mac vs. a PC. Pretty funny because it is a play on the direction education is going. The first step has already happened, students have MacBooks at school. I think it is happening a little backwards though because the students understand technology more than the teachers do for now. Teachers are now learning how to teach with technology. Once that happens, I think we will reap the rewards of having technology in the classroom. I thought this post was extremely clever.
Mr. Spencer
I loved his writing style Why Were Your Kids Playing Games? and >Remember Pencil Quests?. It took me a second to get it, but I thought it was very clever. In the first blog, Why Were Your Kids Playing Games? I believed he was taking a hard shot a standardized testing, and how it unfortunately shapes our education system. I, personally, believe that it is only a matter of time until standardize testing is completely eliminated. I mean, what does it accomplish anyways? In the real world, we all receive training for the job we are hired for, even if we make a 30 on the ACT. Mr. Spencer was making a valid point, he was trying to focus on life skills and things the students will face outside the walls of school.
In the second post I read, Pencil Quests, Mr. Spencer relates to the fact that he is pushing the envelope. Although his students might think it's silly, like he did when he was giving the pencil quest assignment, he understands that it takes those moments to make education evolve. He is truly inspiring, like most teachers/bloggers we have had to study in EDM 310. I love seeing all of the different ways passionate teachers approach education. It is time to have innovators, and teachers that are willing to allow their students to be themselves. I hope sooner rather than later that I am correct, and standardize testing is a thing of the past.
Scott McLeod
Blog Post reactions- I loved this sarcastic way of making his point. Dr. Leod says fine, keep your old ways of teaching, but...it's not working! He understands that technology is the way of the world now, and without it in schools, we are doing the children an injustice. Teachers that are given the freedom to use technology to teach are not doing anything but getting their students ready for the future. They are preparing these kids for life. The longer I'm in EDM 310, the more I really understand that is not IF you know the information, but IF you know how to use it. All the information we need is at our fingertips thanks to the internet...teachers need to being teaching their students how to use and collaborate with the information they find. Teachers jobs' are changing, and change is hard for a lot of people, and those are the ones Dr. Leod says he would put his kids up against at the end of the day. Great read! Dr. McLeod is an extremely educated man, I loved his title, "Director of Innovation." You can tell that his first love is education, and doing it right!
Ok, so I had to read through the comments of this post to even understand what in the world was going on...I guess that is more plus to blogging, you get to read everyone's comments, not just see the picture, or read the author's words. Of course once I read it (and I had to Google Ticonderoga, I got it). In an old-school way he is comparing pencils to pencils, which today would be a Mac vs. a PC. Pretty funny because it is a play on the direction education is going. The first step has already happened, students have MacBooks at school. I think it is happening a little backwards though because the students understand technology more than the teachers do for now. Teachers are now learning how to teach with technology. Once that happens, I think we will reap the rewards of having technology in the classroom. I thought this post was extremely clever.
Mr. Spencer
I loved his writing style Why Were Your Kids Playing Games? and >Remember Pencil Quests?. It took me a second to get it, but I thought it was very clever. In the first blog, Why Were Your Kids Playing Games? I believed he was taking a hard shot a standardized testing, and how it unfortunately shapes our education system. I, personally, believe that it is only a matter of time until standardize testing is completely eliminated. I mean, what does it accomplish anyways? In the real world, we all receive training for the job we are hired for, even if we make a 30 on the ACT. Mr. Spencer was making a valid point, he was trying to focus on life skills and things the students will face outside the walls of school.
In the second post I read, Pencil Quests, Mr. Spencer relates to the fact that he is pushing the envelope. Although his students might think it's silly, like he did when he was giving the pencil quest assignment, he understands that it takes those moments to make education evolve. He is truly inspiring, like most teachers/bloggers we have had to study in EDM 310. I love seeing all of the different ways passionate teachers approach education. It is time to have innovators, and teachers that are willing to allow their students to be themselves. I hope sooner rather than later that I am correct, and standardize testing is a thing of the past.
Scott McLeod
Blog Post reactions- I loved this sarcastic way of making his point. Dr. Leod says fine, keep your old ways of teaching, but...it's not working! He understands that technology is the way of the world now, and without it in schools, we are doing the children an injustice. Teachers that are given the freedom to use technology to teach are not doing anything but getting their students ready for the future. They are preparing these kids for life. The longer I'm in EDM 310, the more I really understand that is not IF you know the information, but IF you know how to use it. All the information we need is at our fingertips thanks to the internet...teachers need to being teaching their students how to use and collaborate with the information they find. Teachers jobs' are changing, and change is hard for a lot of people, and those are the ones Dr. Leod says he would put his kids up against at the end of the day. Great read! Dr. McLeod is an extremely educated man, I loved his title, "Director of Innovation." You can tell that his first love is education, and doing it right!
C4K comments for March
Post #1:
This comment was for Matthew K., a 6th grader. His post was crazy unique. It was a novel type story, and he did an amazing job....so detailed, and so creative. Prior to blogging, most kids didn't have an avenue to really share their creative ways with the world. I let Matthew K. know in my comment that I was completely into his novel and wanted to see what was going to happen next. He wrote me back and said that there will be a sequel. I think that is so awesome!
Post #2:
Sam M. was my second assignment. He wrote about a documentary regarding autism. Pretty cool assignment, and blog for middle school kids in GA. Sam M. was very sensitive in the blog posts, and you could tell they truly understood that people with disabilities in the documentary are not treated fairly. I think it's great these issues are being discussed with middle school kids today, and that they have an open forum, like blogging, to say how they feel. I commented and let Sam M. know that I liked the overall look of the blog and that he was doing a great job. His post made me want to watch the documentary. Pretty awesome work!
Post #3:
This comment was for Goldie, an 8th grader from Iowa. It still amazes me at how creative and different all of the kids blogs are- I love that have blogging in schools! Goldie told a little about herself, and expressed her interests. I commented to let her know that like her I loved sports, and could also relate to her because I am not much of a reader either. Very neat kid, and again, I love seeing the students having the outlet of blogging.
This comment was for Matthew K., a 6th grader. His post was crazy unique. It was a novel type story, and he did an amazing job....so detailed, and so creative. Prior to blogging, most kids didn't have an avenue to really share their creative ways with the world. I let Matthew K. know in my comment that I was completely into his novel and wanted to see what was going to happen next. He wrote me back and said that there will be a sequel. I think that is so awesome!
Post #2:
Sam M. was my second assignment. He wrote about a documentary regarding autism. Pretty cool assignment, and blog for middle school kids in GA. Sam M. was very sensitive in the blog posts, and you could tell they truly understood that people with disabilities in the documentary are not treated fairly. I think it's great these issues are being discussed with middle school kids today, and that they have an open forum, like blogging, to say how they feel. I commented and let Sam M. know that I liked the overall look of the blog and that he was doing a great job. His post made me want to watch the documentary. Pretty awesome work!
Post #3:
This comment was for Goldie, an 8th grader from Iowa. It still amazes me at how creative and different all of the kids blogs are- I love that have blogging in schools! Goldie told a little about herself, and expressed her interests. I commented to let her know that like her I loved sports, and could also relate to her because I am not much of a reader either. Very neat kid, and again, I love seeing the students having the outlet of blogging.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Blog Post #9
Mr. McClung's Yearly Reflections
Mr. McClung's post started with a picture of this track team, so I thought I would do the same thing with my basketball team...and yes, they are always this crazy!
Mr. McClung's posts were very honest reflections of his experience during a particular year. Of course, I related to the fact that he was a social science teacher and a coach! That was awesome! There were 3 main points that stood out in the two posts I read.
The first point that hit me was when he discussed how important it is to continue to challenge yourself...try not to use old lesson plans. This immediately made me think of EDM 310 because Dr. Strange will be the first one to take suggestions, and many of our assignments are based off previous students' ideas and posts. At first I wasn't sure why he did that, but now it's starting to come together for me. Changing year to year is a must...growth is a must if you want to be a successful teacher. I change or modify my basketball plays, practices, and drills each year as a coach, so it would only make sense to do the same thing as a teacher.
The second point Mr. McClung made was the use of PD (Professional Development). This is necessary to grow as a teacher, and you can't be afraid of change when it comes to this. Always have an open mind. Again, basketball is what I relate most things to, so the first thing that came to my mind was how my boss when I was coaching college basketball. She always made all of the assistant coaches attend the WBCA (Women's Basketball Coaches Association)Convention. We would go for days to attend different meetings, and always left with a wealth of knowledge, as well as making new contacts and networking with other coaches. As a teacher, I am learning how important PD is for my future classroom.
The final, and to me the most important, point was to remember who you are working for....THE KIDS! This quote really touched me, and will stay with me, "Worrying about perception of adults has never done anything positive for me, but making sure that my kids are taken care of and enjoying class has done wonders for me. As long as I stick to this rule and remember who I really work for then I should never divert down the wrong path." Since I've been subbing I can tell who the good teachers are just by how the class acts (even though I have never met the teacher). There will be classes, even younger kids, that are well-behaved and respectful. These classes are effortless and enjoyable. Even when the students walk in and see a sub they are disappointed their teacher isn't there. I hope I am one of these teachers. On the other hand, I have been in a couple (not too many thankfully) of classrooms where the students have literally cheered, and not because it's ME and I'm fantastic, but because it's not their teacher. These classes have tended to been a pain, and have made subbing awful. It's sad but I am learning that it is not the kids, it's the teachers! When the students feel they are in a safe environment, and they are respected, they will 99% of the time treat you the same way. This is the positive environment I want in my classroom. I want to offer a challenging and rewarding environment for my students, and I don't want them to hate my class. However, if that happens to me, I will without a doubt look in the mirror, and try to change myself, not my students. Mr. McClung's reflections were great, and made me really think about what I want my reflections to say after each year of teaching and coaching.
Mr. McClung's post started with a picture of this track team, so I thought I would do the same thing with my basketball team...and yes, they are always this crazy!
Mr. McClung's posts were very honest reflections of his experience during a particular year. Of course, I related to the fact that he was a social science teacher and a coach! That was awesome! There were 3 main points that stood out in the two posts I read.
The first point that hit me was when he discussed how important it is to continue to challenge yourself...try not to use old lesson plans. This immediately made me think of EDM 310 because Dr. Strange will be the first one to take suggestions, and many of our assignments are based off previous students' ideas and posts. At first I wasn't sure why he did that, but now it's starting to come together for me. Changing year to year is a must...growth is a must if you want to be a successful teacher. I change or modify my basketball plays, practices, and drills each year as a coach, so it would only make sense to do the same thing as a teacher.
The second point Mr. McClung made was the use of PD (Professional Development). This is necessary to grow as a teacher, and you can't be afraid of change when it comes to this. Always have an open mind. Again, basketball is what I relate most things to, so the first thing that came to my mind was how my boss when I was coaching college basketball. She always made all of the assistant coaches attend the WBCA (Women's Basketball Coaches Association)Convention. We would go for days to attend different meetings, and always left with a wealth of knowledge, as well as making new contacts and networking with other coaches. As a teacher, I am learning how important PD is for my future classroom.
The final, and to me the most important, point was to remember who you are working for....THE KIDS! This quote really touched me, and will stay with me, "Worrying about perception of adults has never done anything positive for me, but making sure that my kids are taken care of and enjoying class has done wonders for me. As long as I stick to this rule and remember who I really work for then I should never divert down the wrong path." Since I've been subbing I can tell who the good teachers are just by how the class acts (even though I have never met the teacher). There will be classes, even younger kids, that are well-behaved and respectful. These classes are effortless and enjoyable. Even when the students walk in and see a sub they are disappointed their teacher isn't there. I hope I am one of these teachers. On the other hand, I have been in a couple (not too many thankfully) of classrooms where the students have literally cheered, and not because it's ME and I'm fantastic, but because it's not their teacher. These classes have tended to been a pain, and have made subbing awful. It's sad but I am learning that it is not the kids, it's the teachers! When the students feel they are in a safe environment, and they are respected, they will 99% of the time treat you the same way. This is the positive environment I want in my classroom. I want to offer a challenging and rewarding environment for my students, and I don't want them to hate my class. However, if that happens to me, I will without a doubt look in the mirror, and try to change myself, not my students. Mr. McClung's reflections were great, and made me really think about what I want my reflections to say after each year of teaching and coaching.
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Blog Post #8
This Is How We Dream
Richard Miller's lectures, This is How We Dream Part 1 & 2, were preaching a lesson in 2008 that is now the 'norm', and that is learning instantly, on the internet. Our knowledge updates at the time it happens. There is no printed documents that take months to get released. There is no longer traveling all over to do research for your topic. You have everything you need at your fingertips. Limits are now something that only we can put on ourselves.
I loved that Richard Miller's lectures took place in 2008, and now we are taking courses like EDM 310 in college, preparing us how to teach our future students to be self-learners. The students we teach will grow up doing what we are just now uncovering with the internet, and that is that they can share knowledge with other people all over the world. That will allow them to research anything that interests them.
I loved when he discussed how the internet allows all of the information to be updated immediately. He used the example of voting records and patterns. You can see the reaction of Americans about a political decision as it is happening. It no longer takes weeks, months, or years for information to be published. Even then it only reaches certain people that have access to libraries or subscribe via the mail. I remember when I was growing up I had to get subscriptions to Sports Illustrated, and other sports magazines to keep up with my favorite teams. Today, I turn on my computer when I wake up and every score is right there for me. Even as a coach, we are using an iPhone App to update our high school scores and I can follow any other high school team in Alabama that I would like. The beautiful thing about technology is that is never going to stop growing.
Blog Post #12 by Carly Pugh
Carly's Blog Post #12 was most inspiring to me because it was brutally honest. It's very hard to allow yourself to be open and honest on the INTERNET where everyone in the world can see it. She used her indecision as her strength, not her weakness. That was very inspiring to me because I tend to doubt my creativity all the time. I need to just be me and know that is enough. I loved her idea for an assignment and see how it has a little head fake in it...by putting together YouTube videos that she loves, she has created her own teaching philosophy.
I am also able to see Dr. Miller's use of multi-media teaching because she collaborates videos from all over the web, and world, and puts them together to create a different and unique message. She has a mass of information in her blog post, and she ties it all together to mean something, to show her philosophy. It was a very cool idea, and again, I loved that she didn't fight her indecisiveness, she used it! Awesome!!!
EDM 310 is Different
Let's see, a video that I would like to help create would be one showing how much faster younger students can learn with technology. I would show students learning through books, and chalkboards, and compare students learning through the internet, and SmartBoards. The video would also touch on lecturing in front of a class, and compare that to network learning. Its point would be to show how students can learn at different speeds, knowledge is at their fingertips, and they are capable of being self-learners.
The videos were great, really creative and funny. The message was to challenge yourself to be a self-learner, and that is what EDM 310 is teaching us. Learning new ways of learning can be frustrating at times, but that is because it causes you to grow. Growth is a process, and change is hard but it's the only way to keep learning. Edm for dummies was really cute, acting like it was a book was hilarious...nice touch!
Learn to Change, Change to Learn
WOW!!! This video was amazing! I honestly agree with all of the arguments made in this video. My Dad has always said that school shouldn't feel like jail. Since I've been taking this course, things in schools I've subbed in have really stood out to me. The main one is taking students cell phones...they live on these things, why not make them a part of learning? Use it in a positive way. Another disturbing observation I've noticed is teachers literally chasing a child who was trying to cut school. Seriously, I want to be a teacher, not a juvenile detention officer. This observation (in my personal opinion) is a reflection of the teacher, not the student. The classroom should be a place the student can grow and explore, they should never feel like they are forced to be there. I believe giving them a sense of freedom to learn on their own, and at the pace that suits them is the way to go. We are not there to control kids, and force feed information to them. The video made a great point...today it does not matter IF you know the information, but it does matter if you know how to use it. Thanks to EDM 310 we are getting the tools needed to help future students be self-learners.
Scavenger Hunt
Edmodo
I chose to join Edmodo because my younger sister, who is a 5th grade teacher loves it, and always talks about it. It has tons of different uses that can help teachers. One cool feature is to use it to give assignments- start by giving reading assignments to your students. After they complete their readings they can go to their computers and complete conclusion questions on Edmodo. Another useful feature of Edmodo is a portal for communicating with parents. You can also do polls on Edmodo. Setting up quizzes and other assignments for students seems to be a very useful way to use the network.
Make Belief Comix is what I used to make my comic. I got impatient and couldn't figure out how to put a picture of it on my blog. I'm also irritated because I'm very late getting this done. Being behind is awful and causes too many sleepless nights. This will be the last incomplete and/or late assignment I turn in for EDM 310. Hard lesson, but learned.
Richard Miller's lectures, This is How We Dream Part 1 & 2, were preaching a lesson in 2008 that is now the 'norm', and that is learning instantly, on the internet. Our knowledge updates at the time it happens. There is no printed documents that take months to get released. There is no longer traveling all over to do research for your topic. You have everything you need at your fingertips. Limits are now something that only we can put on ourselves.
I loved that Richard Miller's lectures took place in 2008, and now we are taking courses like EDM 310 in college, preparing us how to teach our future students to be self-learners. The students we teach will grow up doing what we are just now uncovering with the internet, and that is that they can share knowledge with other people all over the world. That will allow them to research anything that interests them.
I loved when he discussed how the internet allows all of the information to be updated immediately. He used the example of voting records and patterns. You can see the reaction of Americans about a political decision as it is happening. It no longer takes weeks, months, or years for information to be published. Even then it only reaches certain people that have access to libraries or subscribe via the mail. I remember when I was growing up I had to get subscriptions to Sports Illustrated, and other sports magazines to keep up with my favorite teams. Today, I turn on my computer when I wake up and every score is right there for me. Even as a coach, we are using an iPhone App to update our high school scores and I can follow any other high school team in Alabama that I would like. The beautiful thing about technology is that is never going to stop growing.
Blog Post #12 by Carly Pugh
Carly's Blog Post #12 was most inspiring to me because it was brutally honest. It's very hard to allow yourself to be open and honest on the INTERNET where everyone in the world can see it. She used her indecision as her strength, not her weakness. That was very inspiring to me because I tend to doubt my creativity all the time. I need to just be me and know that is enough. I loved her idea for an assignment and see how it has a little head fake in it...by putting together YouTube videos that she loves, she has created her own teaching philosophy.
I am also able to see Dr. Miller's use of multi-media teaching because she collaborates videos from all over the web, and world, and puts them together to create a different and unique message. She has a mass of information in her blog post, and she ties it all together to mean something, to show her philosophy. It was a very cool idea, and again, I loved that she didn't fight her indecisiveness, she used it! Awesome!!!
EDM 310 is Different
Let's see, a video that I would like to help create would be one showing how much faster younger students can learn with technology. I would show students learning through books, and chalkboards, and compare students learning through the internet, and SmartBoards. The video would also touch on lecturing in front of a class, and compare that to network learning. Its point would be to show how students can learn at different speeds, knowledge is at their fingertips, and they are capable of being self-learners.
The videos were great, really creative and funny. The message was to challenge yourself to be a self-learner, and that is what EDM 310 is teaching us. Learning new ways of learning can be frustrating at times, but that is because it causes you to grow. Growth is a process, and change is hard but it's the only way to keep learning. Edm for dummies was really cute, acting like it was a book was hilarious...nice touch!
Learn to Change, Change to Learn
WOW!!! This video was amazing! I honestly agree with all of the arguments made in this video. My Dad has always said that school shouldn't feel like jail. Since I've been taking this course, things in schools I've subbed in have really stood out to me. The main one is taking students cell phones...they live on these things, why not make them a part of learning? Use it in a positive way. Another disturbing observation I've noticed is teachers literally chasing a child who was trying to cut school. Seriously, I want to be a teacher, not a juvenile detention officer. This observation (in my personal opinion) is a reflection of the teacher, not the student. The classroom should be a place the student can grow and explore, they should never feel like they are forced to be there. I believe giving them a sense of freedom to learn on their own, and at the pace that suits them is the way to go. We are not there to control kids, and force feed information to them. The video made a great point...today it does not matter IF you know the information, but it does matter if you know how to use it. Thanks to EDM 310 we are getting the tools needed to help future students be self-learners.
Scavenger Hunt
Edmodo
I chose to join Edmodo because my younger sister, who is a 5th grade teacher loves it, and always talks about it. It has tons of different uses that can help teachers. One cool feature is to use it to give assignments- start by giving reading assignments to your students. After they complete their readings they can go to their computers and complete conclusion questions on Edmodo. Another useful feature of Edmodo is a portal for communicating with parents. You can also do polls on Edmodo. Setting up quizzes and other assignments for students seems to be a very useful way to use the network.
Make Belief Comix is what I used to make my comic. I got impatient and couldn't figure out how to put a picture of it on my blog. I'm also irritated because I'm very late getting this done. Being behind is awful and causes too many sleepless nights. This will be the last incomplete and/or late assignment I turn in for EDM 310. Hard lesson, but learned.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
C4T#2
Post #1
I was given Jeff Utecht's blog called The Thinking Tank to comment on for C4T#2. He blew my mind, and brought up a lot of great points regarding technology and education. The first time I commented it was on his article "WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO DISCONNECT?" I really enjoyed this post because it was somewhat argumentative and made me think. Jeff was questioning what it meant to disconnect- does that mean turning off ALL technology? Or, simply being by yourself, in nature, even if you are listening to you ipod while walking? He also tackled an issue that I really liked, and changed the way I think when I pick up my computer now. This issue was explaining the 80/20 rule. This refers to creating and consuming while we are on the internet. The point was that you should be creating 80% of time, and limiting consumption to 20% of the time. This is a great rule to have with students. The 80/20 rule will help them understand how to manage their time, and stay on tasks. I commented on Jeff's post, letting him know how much I enjoyed his blog. I informed him that he had opened my eyes by using the 80/20 rule, and I would begin to use it as well.
Post #2
In "DO WE BUILD NOW OR FOR THE FUTURE" Jeff discusses the importance of taking the time to teach students the necessary tools needed to be successful in the future. I loved that he used that analogy of a baseball team. Do you try to win in the moment, or do you invest in your team, and plan for future success? Of course since I am a coach, I really liked this outlook. It helped make his point stick with me. I have been concerned about teaching, and how to get a class blog started, how much time it will take to teach blogger, and monitor the site. In this article he touched on all of that. It was very inspirational, and I let him know all of that in my comment. Great blog, really enjoyed it, and I know it will continue to help me throughout my teaching career.
I was given Jeff Utecht's blog called The Thinking Tank to comment on for C4T#2. He blew my mind, and brought up a lot of great points regarding technology and education. The first time I commented it was on his article "WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO DISCONNECT?" I really enjoyed this post because it was somewhat argumentative and made me think. Jeff was questioning what it meant to disconnect- does that mean turning off ALL technology? Or, simply being by yourself, in nature, even if you are listening to you ipod while walking? He also tackled an issue that I really liked, and changed the way I think when I pick up my computer now. This issue was explaining the 80/20 rule. This refers to creating and consuming while we are on the internet. The point was that you should be creating 80% of time, and limiting consumption to 20% of the time. This is a great rule to have with students. The 80/20 rule will help them understand how to manage their time, and stay on tasks. I commented on Jeff's post, letting him know how much I enjoyed his blog. I informed him that he had opened my eyes by using the 80/20 rule, and I would begin to use it as well.
Post #2
In "DO WE BUILD NOW OR FOR THE FUTURE" Jeff discusses the importance of taking the time to teach students the necessary tools needed to be successful in the future. I loved that he used that analogy of a baseball team. Do you try to win in the moment, or do you invest in your team, and plan for future success? Of course since I am a coach, I really liked this outlook. It helped make his point stick with me. I have been concerned about teaching, and how to get a class blog started, how much time it will take to teach blogger, and monitor the site. In this article he touched on all of that. It was very inspirational, and I let him know all of that in my comment. Great blog, really enjoyed it, and I know it will continue to help me throughout my teaching career.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Project #9 Progress Report
Developing my PLN (Personal Learning Network) has been fun and a constant challenge. The goal of my PLN is to give me a guidance and ideas when I'm teaching. One tool I really like using to connect with people is Twitter. The cool thing about Twitter is that people I've started following through EDM 310 will post articles that contain information I never even thought of using. I will definitely continue to lean on it for information and connecting with people. Other than Twitter, I've started a Pintrest and YouTube account. Then, there's also Google Presentations that I enjoyed more than using powerpoint. I also absolutely love Wordle. The fun part about PLN's is that you never stop growing and developing. There is no END to it, knowledge is limitless thanks to the internet.
C4K Summary for February
Week 1: Audrey
The first C4K post I was assigned was to Audrey's World History blog. I really enjoyed this post assignment because it was a reflection to how the world would have used YouTube in 1912. Definitely an assignment idea for me to use in my future History classes. Audrey did a great job in the post, and discussed the issue of equality, and how only white, rich, males would have been able to use YouTube. Very insightful. My comment complimented her for a great post, and let her know how much I enjoyed it.
Week 2: Nate F
Nate F's blog post was precious! It was a couple of sentences about his dog, Maggie. His blog was designed well, and it was amazing to see young kids being able to operate blogger like they are. Just further proves the way technology is being used in classrooms. I wrote a comment to Nate expressing my love for dogs as well, and told him that he was doing a great job.
Week 3: Bishop
I was assigned to a 10 year old's blog this week. His name was Bishop, and his blog is so colorful and fun to read. It was neat to hear about what a 10 year old in another country is learning. Bishop talked about a class trip he had taken and the assignment of taking pictures they were given. He also talked about rugby, a sport we don't play much in the United States. I let Bishop know that his post was awesome and I loved hearing about his adventures in school.
Week 4: Miranda
Miranda, a high school student, was my last blog assignment. Miranda's blog was very creative (like all of the others). I love that by designing your own, personal class blog, you get to express yourself. I think that blogging gives students a chance to think outside the box, and it allows teachers to learn more about their students. Each blog is different and gives you a glance into that students world. Miranda had a knack for music and plays the guitar. Now, if I was just her History teacher I never would have known this. I left her a comment complimenting her blog, and encouraging her to keep expressing herself because it's a beautiful thing.
The first C4K post I was assigned was to Audrey's World History blog. I really enjoyed this post assignment because it was a reflection to how the world would have used YouTube in 1912. Definitely an assignment idea for me to use in my future History classes. Audrey did a great job in the post, and discussed the issue of equality, and how only white, rich, males would have been able to use YouTube. Very insightful. My comment complimented her for a great post, and let her know how much I enjoyed it.
Week 2: Nate F
Nate F's blog post was precious! It was a couple of sentences about his dog, Maggie. His blog was designed well, and it was amazing to see young kids being able to operate blogger like they are. Just further proves the way technology is being used in classrooms. I wrote a comment to Nate expressing my love for dogs as well, and told him that he was doing a great job.
Week 3: Bishop
I was assigned to a 10 year old's blog this week. His name was Bishop, and his blog is so colorful and fun to read. It was neat to hear about what a 10 year old in another country is learning. Bishop talked about a class trip he had taken and the assignment of taking pictures they were given. He also talked about rugby, a sport we don't play much in the United States. I let Bishop know that his post was awesome and I loved hearing about his adventures in school.
Week 4: Miranda
Miranda, a high school student, was my last blog assignment. Miranda's blog was very creative (like all of the others). I love that by designing your own, personal class blog, you get to express yourself. I think that blogging gives students a chance to think outside the box, and it allows teachers to learn more about their students. Each blog is different and gives you a glance into that students world. Miranda had a knack for music and plays the guitar. Now, if I was just her History teacher I never would have known this. I left her a comment complimenting her blog, and encouraging her to keep expressing herself because it's a beautiful thing.
Blog Post #7
Randy Pausch’s Last Lecture
This lecture allowed me to see what an impact teachers have on their students' lives. We give them the tools, and avenues to reach their childhood dreams. What an awesome gift to have. I loved how Dr. Pausch never referred to his job of being a professor as 'work'. When you truly love what you are doing, then it doesn't feel like work. His enthusiasm is very contagious. I was mainly drawn to how honest he was about his journey. He was not ashamed, or embarrassed, by times he had not gotten what he wanted. He chose to use those 'brick walls' to allow him to separate himself from the people that didn't want it as bad as he did. His teaching method of 'head fakes' was awesome! As a basketball coach and a future teacher, that really connected with me.
I will definitely use Dr. Pausch's analogy with viewing setbacks as brick walls with my future students. When you don't get the answer you want, don't give up, find another way. You cannot give up on your goals if you get told 'No' at first. His life examples of working at Disney, and experiencing zero gravity were proof of this. I want to instill that in my students; the belief that anything is possible. Great things are not easy. You have to go the extra mile for them, and that's what makes them special. 'Brick Walls' are a part of life, it's how you deal with them that matters.
Another teaching method I would like to incorporate are 'head fakes' for learning. I will be more aware when I make my lessons plan in my future class, and make sure I have some 'head fakes' in there to teach my students life lessons. I was very inspired as a coach when he talked about what he learned from his football coaches. Although I'm teaching the sport of basketball, I hope my players leave with the understanding of what it means to be a good teammate, being on time, being accountable. All great life lessons, being taught as a 'head fake' through the sport.
My overall reaction to this lecture was a feeling of inspiration to touch as many lives as I can while I'm on this earth. Give opportunities to every student I have. Being a teacher, means being a guide, and role model for these young people. If we, as teachers, are enthusiastic about what we are teaching there won't be any limits to what they can achieve. Also, understanding that teachers are doing more than teaching a subject, that is our 'head fake', we must teach life lessons that will allow our students to maximize their full potential. Dr. Pausch has definitely left his mark on this world, what an amazing man and teacher.
This lecture allowed me to see what an impact teachers have on their students' lives. We give them the tools, and avenues to reach their childhood dreams. What an awesome gift to have. I loved how Dr. Pausch never referred to his job of being a professor as 'work'. When you truly love what you are doing, then it doesn't feel like work. His enthusiasm is very contagious. I was mainly drawn to how honest he was about his journey. He was not ashamed, or embarrassed, by times he had not gotten what he wanted. He chose to use those 'brick walls' to allow him to separate himself from the people that didn't want it as bad as he did. His teaching method of 'head fakes' was awesome! As a basketball coach and a future teacher, that really connected with me.
I will definitely use Dr. Pausch's analogy with viewing setbacks as brick walls with my future students. When you don't get the answer you want, don't give up, find another way. You cannot give up on your goals if you get told 'No' at first. His life examples of working at Disney, and experiencing zero gravity were proof of this. I want to instill that in my students; the belief that anything is possible. Great things are not easy. You have to go the extra mile for them, and that's what makes them special. 'Brick Walls' are a part of life, it's how you deal with them that matters.
Another teaching method I would like to incorporate are 'head fakes' for learning. I will be more aware when I make my lessons plan in my future class, and make sure I have some 'head fakes' in there to teach my students life lessons. I was very inspired as a coach when he talked about what he learned from his football coaches. Although I'm teaching the sport of basketball, I hope my players leave with the understanding of what it means to be a good teammate, being on time, being accountable. All great life lessons, being taught as a 'head fake' through the sport.
My overall reaction to this lecture was a feeling of inspiration to touch as many lives as I can while I'm on this earth. Give opportunities to every student I have. Being a teacher, means being a guide, and role model for these young people. If we, as teachers, are enthusiastic about what we are teaching there won't be any limits to what they can achieve. Also, understanding that teachers are doing more than teaching a subject, that is our 'head fake', we must teach life lessons that will allow our students to maximize their full potential. Dr. Pausch has definitely left his mark on this world, what an amazing man and teacher.
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Project #10- Finding the Right Tool
Finding the Right Tool
I found several tools that I would like to use in my classroom, but the two that stuck out the most to me (not to mention they are FREE), were Aviary, and BetterLesson. It is truly mind-blowing to see all of the online assistance available. If you search for it, you will find it...or you'll find something even better! The internet is full of knowledge, truly limitless.
Avairy allows you to do a wide range of editing and creating with any media. It seems quick and easy to operate. I would use this tool in my classroom to edit and choose which sections of videos,or audio clips, I wanted to incorporate. Then, I would use the edited information to create my History lesson plans. The edited information would allow my class to flow smoothly.
BetterLesson would allow me to connect with other History teachers all over the globe. This website would allow me to have a community of teachers to share and exchange lesson plans. BetterLesson allows teachers to connect with one another, and see what other ideas are being used.
I found several tools that I would like to use in my classroom, but the two that stuck out the most to me (not to mention they are FREE), were Aviary, and BetterLesson. It is truly mind-blowing to see all of the online assistance available. If you search for it, you will find it...or you'll find something even better! The internet is full of knowledge, truly limitless.
Avairy allows you to do a wide range of editing and creating with any media. It seems quick and easy to operate. I would use this tool in my classroom to edit and choose which sections of videos,or audio clips, I wanted to incorporate. Then, I would use the edited information to create my History lesson plans. The edited information would allow my class to flow smoothly.
BetterLesson would allow me to connect with other History teachers all over the globe. This website would allow me to have a community of teachers to share and exchange lesson plans. BetterLesson allows teachers to connect with one another, and see what other ideas are being used.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Blog Post #6
The Networked Student
I've never heard the word 'connectivism' until today. I was very impressed by Wendy Drexler's video. Teaching students how to be self-learners is once again the theme. I have continued to see this throughout this class. The focus on developing your own PLN (Personal Learning Network) was taken to another level for me when watching this video. After seeing this video I can see why organizing the information would be the largest task, but they would learn the most from it.
Three important steps were taken in the video. The first step was researching URLs. The student would then develop a public list of these URLs, and look at other people's public lists to make sure he hadn't missed any website he might want to use. During this step he focused on locating sources within the library, and other academic areas. I thought this was a great organizational approach. Next, in step two, he goes to blog research. Separating the two (academic and blogs) keeps the information valid. I have often wondered how I would use blogs, along with technology in my future classroom, and this video really laid it out for me. The final step was to create your own blog with the information found during step one. This would be the student's avenue with the world, and give him a place to share with others what he had learned through his own research. I think this is a great approach to teaching students how to start a blog. I'm studying secondary education/social sciences, so I would want viable information from my students. What a great way to make that happen!
Why teachers are needed is the final issue discussed. If students can do all of this alone, what is the point of having a teacher? I'm slowly understanding and seeing that the teacher's role is not to lecture, or talk 'at' students for an entire class, but rather to guide them. When guiding them, you allow them to learn on their own. As teachers you are able to help them differentiate the good sources from the bad ones. You are also there to offer students personal support, and show excitement when they accomplish different tasks. The teacher's role is to allow students to learn, while being available to assist them when they get stuck, or ask for feedback.
A 7th Grader's Personal Learning Environment (or PLN)
Evernote is something I plan to start using. Since this way of learning is brand new to me, I was curious has to how I would keep up with sources I found. I've only ever known to carry a stack of books around with me. The Pocket Tasks were really cool! I would love to use that in my future classroom. The idea of allowing them to chose how and when to do something forces them to be responsible. I like this idea because teachers will be busy teaching, not babysitting. My PLN is just beginning, so this 7th grader is leaps beyond what I even knew was possible. Once again, another blog post has opened my eyes to different ways of learning, and teaching.
I've never heard the word 'connectivism' until today. I was very impressed by Wendy Drexler's video. Teaching students how to be self-learners is once again the theme. I have continued to see this throughout this class. The focus on developing your own PLN (Personal Learning Network) was taken to another level for me when watching this video. After seeing this video I can see why organizing the information would be the largest task, but they would learn the most from it.
Three important steps were taken in the video. The first step was researching URLs. The student would then develop a public list of these URLs, and look at other people's public lists to make sure he hadn't missed any website he might want to use. During this step he focused on locating sources within the library, and other academic areas. I thought this was a great organizational approach. Next, in step two, he goes to blog research. Separating the two (academic and blogs) keeps the information valid. I have often wondered how I would use blogs, along with technology in my future classroom, and this video really laid it out for me. The final step was to create your own blog with the information found during step one. This would be the student's avenue with the world, and give him a place to share with others what he had learned through his own research. I think this is a great approach to teaching students how to start a blog. I'm studying secondary education/social sciences, so I would want viable information from my students. What a great way to make that happen!
Why teachers are needed is the final issue discussed. If students can do all of this alone, what is the point of having a teacher? I'm slowly understanding and seeing that the teacher's role is not to lecture, or talk 'at' students for an entire class, but rather to guide them. When guiding them, you allow them to learn on their own. As teachers you are able to help them differentiate the good sources from the bad ones. You are also there to offer students personal support, and show excitement when they accomplish different tasks. The teacher's role is to allow students to learn, while being available to assist them when they get stuck, or ask for feedback.
A 7th Grader's Personal Learning Environment (or PLN)
Evernote is something I plan to start using. Since this way of learning is brand new to me, I was curious has to how I would keep up with sources I found. I've only ever known to carry a stack of books around with me. The Pocket Tasks were really cool! I would love to use that in my future classroom. The idea of allowing them to chose how and when to do something forces them to be responsible. I like this idea because teachers will be busy teaching, not babysitting. My PLN is just beginning, so this 7th grader is leaps beyond what I even knew was possible. Once again, another blog post has opened my eyes to different ways of learning, and teaching.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Blog Post #5
If I Built A School
Krissy Venosdale's blog and classroom website were inspiring to me. She is a driven teacher that is currently teaching gifted children, grades 3-6. I loved how she posted pictures of her classroom and encouraged others to use her ideas. Even the smartboard area of her classroom was awesome. My younger sister is a 5th grade teacher in the Tuscalooa area and when I was telling her about my EDM 310 class she asked me to please send her some good webistes, Krissy Venosdale's Blog was just sent to her via text message. Getting to student teacher with Krissy Venosdale, even though I'm secondary education, would be like hitting the teachers' jackpot.
Her idea of a tree in the library was perfect! While I was reading her post If I Built A School, all I kept thinking was how kids are inside most of the day. Bringing the fake tree IN the library...love it! My 'dream' school would have lots of windows, and natural light. I would definitely have the most up-to-date technology in each classroom, and learning would be project-based. I would want an interactive classroom, so everyone felt included. My school would also have an awesome outdoors area with plenty of activities for kids to do when they got off the bus in the morning, or after school while they were waiting. The lunchroom...whew, that is where we feed our minds. I would want a full organic kitchen area. It would offer the best and cleanest vegetables, whole grains, and grass-fed meats for all students. The lunchroom would serve breakfast and be open after school until the last bus left. And, of course I'm a basketball coach, so I would want three gyms. One for boys sports, one for all girls sports, and one for PE classes. That would be my 'dream' school, if I was ever afforded the opportunity to build one.
Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choir
This use of the internet is absolutely amazing. The internet is limitless in ways we will not ever understand. People talk a lot about how dangerous it can be with child molesters constantly looking for victims, scams, etc. However, when you see videos like this you realize just how great it is at the same time. When it comes to education, I know that one of my friends is taking her masters classes via skype. She is enrolled at Troy, and doesn't have to drive there. I'm sure it's the same as online classes and lectures.
Teaching in the 21st Century
There are several key points in this video, but the one that stood out to me was the part that asked the questions about what you would do if your flight got cancelled. That hit home with me because most life lessons were not taught the first time I went to college in 1997-2001. We learned the 'old school' way with books, facts, and burpback education. When I got my first job I learned how to explore and not take NO for an answer. This video reminded me that the answer is always out there, you might not like it, but it's there. That's what EDM 310 is showing me about teaching. I'm teaching students how to learn on their own, allowing them to be independent learners. This will help them function better in society. I'm constantly blown away by what gets brought to me in this class.
The Flipped Classroom
I really enjoyed these videos, and yes, I would use this method. All three teachers recognized that this is the way of the world today. The jobs our students will need to be prepared for have not even been created yet. That is crazy to think about, but I also didn't have a cell phone until after college. Today, my cell phone is the 5th limb on my body. I loved the idea of being prepared prior to class so the teacher isn't stuck lecturing the entire time. Most younger kids go home and ask for help from parents, so the recorded lecture would be helpful for the entire family. I really liked this approach, and think it is going to be the future 'norm' for classrooms.
Krissy Venosdale's blog and classroom website were inspiring to me. She is a driven teacher that is currently teaching gifted children, grades 3-6. I loved how she posted pictures of her classroom and encouraged others to use her ideas. Even the smartboard area of her classroom was awesome. My younger sister is a 5th grade teacher in the Tuscalooa area and when I was telling her about my EDM 310 class she asked me to please send her some good webistes, Krissy Venosdale's Blog was just sent to her via text message. Getting to student teacher with Krissy Venosdale, even though I'm secondary education, would be like hitting the teachers' jackpot.
Her idea of a tree in the library was perfect! While I was reading her post If I Built A School, all I kept thinking was how kids are inside most of the day. Bringing the fake tree IN the library...love it! My 'dream' school would have lots of windows, and natural light. I would definitely have the most up-to-date technology in each classroom, and learning would be project-based. I would want an interactive classroom, so everyone felt included. My school would also have an awesome outdoors area with plenty of activities for kids to do when they got off the bus in the morning, or after school while they were waiting. The lunchroom...whew, that is where we feed our minds. I would want a full organic kitchen area. It would offer the best and cleanest vegetables, whole grains, and grass-fed meats for all students. The lunchroom would serve breakfast and be open after school until the last bus left. And, of course I'm a basketball coach, so I would want three gyms. One for boys sports, one for all girls sports, and one for PE classes. That would be my 'dream' school, if I was ever afforded the opportunity to build one.
Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choir
This use of the internet is absolutely amazing. The internet is limitless in ways we will not ever understand. People talk a lot about how dangerous it can be with child molesters constantly looking for victims, scams, etc. However, when you see videos like this you realize just how great it is at the same time. When it comes to education, I know that one of my friends is taking her masters classes via skype. She is enrolled at Troy, and doesn't have to drive there. I'm sure it's the same as online classes and lectures.
Teaching in the 21st Century
There are several key points in this video, but the one that stood out to me was the part that asked the questions about what you would do if your flight got cancelled. That hit home with me because most life lessons were not taught the first time I went to college in 1997-2001. We learned the 'old school' way with books, facts, and burpback education. When I got my first job I learned how to explore and not take NO for an answer. This video reminded me that the answer is always out there, you might not like it, but it's there. That's what EDM 310 is showing me about teaching. I'm teaching students how to learn on their own, allowing them to be independent learners. This will help them function better in society. I'm constantly blown away by what gets brought to me in this class.
The Flipped Classroom
I really enjoyed these videos, and yes, I would use this method. All three teachers recognized that this is the way of the world today. The jobs our students will need to be prepared for have not even been created yet. That is crazy to think about, but I also didn't have a cell phone until after college. Today, my cell phone is the 5th limb on my body. I loved the idea of being prepared prior to class so the teacher isn't stuck lecturing the entire time. Most younger kids go home and ask for help from parents, so the recorded lecture would be helpful for the entire family. I really liked this approach, and think it is going to be the future 'norm' for classrooms.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
C4T Comments for Teachers - Project #3
I commented to let her know that I had been given her blog to follow for one of my college classes. I also was to let her know in my comment that I was inspired by her passion for teaching, and that I was looking forward to learning from her experiences. I gave her my email address along with the URL for my EDM 310 Blog.
Post #2: In Mrs Miller's next posts, A writing prompt to start the year, she discusses the importance of knowing her students names as well as who they are as people. Do help her learn everyone she opens the classroom up the first day by letting the kids ask questions about her. Once they feel comfortable with who she is, she flips the table and begins learning about them. She does this by writing an "About Me" paper. It sounded very similar to what Dr. Strange asked us to do for Blog Post #1. The coolest part about her "About Me" project is that she then has them put the papers in Wordle. Once this is completed, she can look at their Wordle to see if they use common words such as 'like', 'love', and 'also' too many times.
In this comment, I told her that I was going to use her Wordle project in the future, and that I was going to be posting a summary of her posts along with my comments. I again left her my email and blog addresses.
Blog Post #4
Langwitches Blog offered up useful information for Podcasting. I am glad we were given this assignment because I have never done a Podcast. I am also one of those people that said I considered myself technology savvy in the questionnaire, and now realize with every assignment just how little I know.
Prior to this assignment I would not have been able to tell you why Podcasts were a great teaching tool. Now, I have been given a glimpse into how they offer a better learning experience because the students are having to teach the content to others. Podcast are project based, and really allow children to focus on being creative, delivering information how they understand it themselves. The most obvious benefit is that it can be listened to at anytime, anywhere. This didn't even hit me until I heard Joe Dale's The Benefits of Podcasting in the Classroom. I also liked that Podcasting is an easy way to share the learning experience with parents. They can listen to their child's podcast at home on weekends, or after school.
The main lesson I learned through this assignment is to listen to my own Podcast before I post it to make sure that my voice is reflecting what I am trying to get across. I need to be engaged in the activity, work on my speaking, and changing my voice so my listeners can hear my different emotions. Of course, Podcasting will be another new adventure for me, just like blogging has been. I can only hope that I will see improvements from my first Podcast to my last.
The main lesson I learned through this assignment is to listen to my own Podcast before I post it to make sure that my voice is reflecting what I am trying to get across. I need to be engaged in the activity, work on my speaking, and changing my voice so my listeners can hear my different emotions. Of course, Podcasting will be another new adventure for me, just like blogging has been. I can only hope that I will see improvements from my first Podcast to my last.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)