Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Project # 13 Collaboration

Collaboration for Group July 16th

For projects 15 and 16 my group used Face Time, email, Google Doc, and text messages to communicate. At first I was frustrated with this because I felt like my group needed to be face to face to plan our projects. I learned a lot from this assignment. I finally used Face Time for the first time, even though I have had my Iphone for a year. Our group would text to discuss little details and the times to meet. We used email and Google Docs to send the videos we recorded and larger important documents to each other. Overall our group projects went very smoothly.

Friday, April 26, 2013

Final Report on PLN


Final Report on Personal Learning Network

For my Personal Learning Network I use Symbaloo. From Symbaloo I have access to learning tools such as, EDM class blog, Moodle, Alabama Virtual Library, and many more resources. Over the semester, my PLN has grown more than I could have ever hoped. I am following many teachers and principals blogs and twitter that Dr. Strange has introduced me to. I have played around on many blogs and follow ones that I am found myself. I use Symbaloo for school as well. I keep a page for Paws and Sakai. Symbaloo is the first page I see when I open up my internet. This is perfect because I can get to every page I'll need from here.

Blog Post 14


Teacher Knows if You Have Done the E-Reading

In the article, Teacher Knows if You Have Done the E-Reading, it explains a new technology, CourseSmart. It is being tested now at Texas A&M. It gives teachers the age old dream of knowing whether students are reading their textbooks or not. CourseSmart gives teachers the ability to know when students are skipping pages, failing to highlight significant passages, not bothering to take not, or simply not opening the book at all. This can be a good thing and bad for both teachers and students.

As a teacher, I feel like I could benefit and better my students learning by using this tool. I do not like the idea of using this tool in a college setting because I feel at that stage in students lives they should be independent based learners. Yes, they should still go to leachur to enhance their learning, but having a teacher force their reading sounds much too big brotherish to me. Now as a middle school and high school teacher, I believe this could be a very useful tool. Normal secondary students do not enjoy their take home reading, and many to do read constantly. You could focus your leachurs on materials that has a low engagement index and test on reading assignments you gave. This will help enforce study habits.

As a college student, I would feel pressured to make sure I read everything since I know my teacher can tell. All though, I do not read everything as a current student. I focus more on the vocabulary and what the teacher lectures on. I do not like the idea that I could possible have to change my study habits to accommodate this new technology? I also prefer a hard copy of text because I enjoy highlighting material and underlining. The article mentions that students would try to trick the system into beleive they did the reading when they did not. I could see many of my peers attempting this and in the end that would defeat the purpose of the program. As a younger student though, I could really benefit from the obligation of the constant reading. I could get overwhelmed if multiply teachers were requiring me to read all on the same night. This program could become a bit of a hassle.

Questions to ask the teacher:
1. Will you hold students accountable if they do not constantly read?
2. Do you care how often your students are using the textbook if they are still doing well in your class?
3. Will you only confront the students who are not reading and not doing well overall in the class?

Questions to ask the students:
1. Does this program force you to actually read, or did you read before?
2. If this has forced you to start reading, has your grades improved?
3. Do you prefer to have a hard copy of the textbook or use the digital textbooks?

What Comment Would I Leave on this Article?

As a college student or teacher, I do not think I would like this technology. I do not like the responsibility it takes off higher level students to be independent learners. As a secondary level student or teacher, I feel like my students and myself as a student could really benefit from the CourseSmart. I am very interested to see the results from the test trial. I am hoping they will prove me wrong about college level.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

C4T April

The Principal's Principles

Mr. Bernia, a middle school principal who strives to make the world a better place, one day at a time. Prior to serving as the Principal, I was an Assistant Principal, Teacher, and School Custodian. I’m currently in my 9th year as an educator, and think it is the most important job in the world.

April 10, "The Era of One has Begun"

In Linchpin, Seth Godin argues that in today’s economy, there has never been higher demand for artists; people that are creative and make goods that are one of a kind. Godin talks about increased demands for customized items and the need for producers to develop goods and services that are tailored to individuals. Corporate America is calling for indispensable workers (Godin’s term) who will reimagine industry. In a manufacturing economy, bells to announce when to move from one class to another or school policy that demanded conformity was virtuous. Schools mass produced students who, as adults, mass produced items in an economy. Technology has changed all of that. Individualism is the new mass production. Are schools preparing students to meet this challenge? I feel part of an over all educational problem is we reward students for correct answers and punish them for wrong answers. What some educators do not do, is encourage critical thinking at all times, even if the student is wrong. This causes students to be more focused on a reward rather than learning.

April 24, "Whatever it Takes"

Mr. Bernia believes going to extra miles for his students. One of his students was having a crisis and explained to him that she lost her cell phone. She remembered having it before lunch, but not after. When talking with friends, one said that she remembered it being in her hand when she went to throw her trash away after eating. After she said that, she uttered the words, “Mr. Bernia, I think I threw my phone in the trash by accident.” She went on to explain that her parents are out of town and that she was participating in the Washington DC trip that weekend. If ever there was a time not to lose a new cell phone, it was then. They grabbed rubber gloves before heading outside to the school dumpster. Midway through my third bag of garbage, Mr. Bernia stumbled upon a pink and white polka dot phone case, and recovered her lost item. After a careful scrub with several antibacterial wipes, her phone was returned, still in working order. It was one of those whatever it takes moments that is a good reminder of how invested we have to be in our students every day. This shows how much the little things matter. This small gesture meant the world to his student.

Smart Board Project 15

Final Group Project 16

Friday, April 19, 2013

Blog Post 13

Brian Crosby- Back to the Future

Mr. Crosby is an elementary school teacher who teaches to at risk children. Brian fused his students use of technology with field trips, art, hands-on activities and a problem-based approach, to build their schema of the world while at once connecting them to it. In his video, Back to the Future, Mr. Crosby presents a project he did with his fourth grade class at Agnes Risley Elementary School in Sparks, Nevada. His students learned about the science and history of the air balloons through hands on experiments. They then applied what they learned to writing assignments in their blog. Students reading the class's blogs wanted to get in on the action too, so the High Hope project was started. Students all over the world sent their high hopes, and they were all sent off into the atmosphere attached to a hot air balloon.

Mr. Crosby is a teacher who goes the extra mile for his students. He teaches them to think outside of the box. One thing I was fascinated with was Mr. Crosby's student with cancer. Since she could not come to school, he video chatted with her to include her in the classroom. Having his class work through blogs and of course modern technology made it possible for her to have a higher level of learning even with her health setbacks. This also showed Mr. Crosby's determination to provide education for all students.

Paul Anderson- Blended Learning Cycle

In Paul Anderson's video, Blended Learning, he elabrates on how he combindes the Blended Learning and the Learning Cycle into his own system called QUIVERS. This includes six components he uses in all of his lessons. 1. "QU" for questions. 2. "I" which is investigation/inquiry. 3. "V" is video. 4. "E" is elaboration. 5. "R" is review. 6. "S" is summary quiz. The QUIVERS method is very student focused and effective. Mr. Anderson's method keeps his students active in their learning. This style of teaching can be incorporated into any classroom.

Progress report on FInal Project #16

Progress Report

My group, July 16th, final project will be on the 5 easy steps to passing EDM310. We will start by describing what EMD310 is and how it differs from your typical class. For example, EDM310 is far from the "burb-back" method of teaching that most of us are used to. You must be an independent learner and technology efficient. Dr.Strange's class motto says a lot, "I don't know. Let's find out". My group met Thursday to record of problem, but due to a video recording issue, we will be meeting Tuesday to try again. Apparently, my iPhone decided we did not need sound in our video.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

April C4K

April 13, Post 1

Tyler's post was all about his home state, Nebraska. I did not know kool-aid was invented there and its their state soft drink. Nebraska's state bird is the Western Meadowlark. Tyler asked his readers what their state bird was and where they were from. Of course, Alabama's state bird is a Yellowhammer. Tyle also blogged that his favorite food to eat is healthy things like fish, chicken, and steak. Tyler's post was full of interesting facts. I love to fish, and so does my fiance, so we eat plenty of eat. April 14, Post 2

Charlotte, a 4th grade student in Victoria, Australia, blogged all about her vegetable garden. She is growing potatoes, zucchini, capsicum, and carrots. She also posted an adorable picture of her and her homemade scarecrow. I have a veggie garden of my own. My carrots are a couple of inches tall now. I love the idea of you making your own scarecrow. It add a cute meaningful look to the garden. Because of her picture, I plan on making a scarecrow with my nephew to add to mine.

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Blog Post 12

For this blog assignment, Dr. Strange gave his students the opportunity to write their own blog posts. This assignment is simple and deep. It requires thought! The directions are as follow: Plan a non-traditional project for your future students. Something that is not necessarily a learning unit, but could be beneficially in other ways. Visit websites like Teachers pay teachers for ideas, but be orignal.

Time Capsule

Have each student's family write a letter to them for their graduation day. For younger students, have the family write in cursive so they will not be able read it. Have your student write a letter to themselves for what they would want to tell themselves on their graduation day. Put all the letters in a shoebox and have the students design the outside. Wrap the shoeboxes and send them home for the parents to store till graduation. These letters can be a powerful thing to students one day. Especially, if a family member passes away before the student graduates.

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Blog Post 11

First Graders in Ms. Cassidy's Class

After watching the video of Ms. Cassidy's first grade class I was in "AHHh". In this video, her students describe how they use blogs and wikis, and learn decision making and sharing skills from playing games. Ms. Cassidy made it known in her video that she is very pro technology! Which is great we have to move with the times. She found that she could coordinate homework assignments, information, and writing assignments on one simple website through blogs. The kids seem to understand what they're learning and how to use the tools they've been given. Ms. Cassidy truly understands how to benefit her students with technology and many teacher could learn from her. I have been saying "I do not know how I will incorporate technology into my classroom since I want to teach Kindergarten". Well Ms. Cassidy just proved me wrong!

On Dr. Strange's Skype Conversation with Ms. Cassidy

First of all, Dr. Strange brought up his class poll to see what percentage of EDM310 students believe that teachers should be technologically literate, in which about 5% say no. Ms. Cassidy discusses how important it is to keep up with technology because the way kids were taught years ago is not the way they should be taught today. They also discuss Twitter, which Ms. Cassidy says students classify as an "old people's Facebook". She suggests education students should follow other prospective teachers for advice rather than experienced teachers, because they would be going through more of the same thing. This is something I had not thought of yet. I follow many experienced teachers on Twitter because I am fascinated by almost everything they say. I try to soak up as much knowledge as I can to help mold me into a better teacher. Following beginning teachers would be beneficially because they still remember what it is like to go through the change of being a student to being the teacher.

C4K March

March 5, Post 1

In Allison's blog she was asked "What do you think you as a student gain from blogging with students and others outside of the school? Is it worth the time? Why/why not?" Her response was, "I think you gain getting to know other people by talking about books and telling a little bit about yourself, it’s not like Facebook or Twitter. I think it’s worth the time, because we are telling other people from around the world about the books we read and other students tell us what they think or we can look at their blogs and get to know them. We also talk to some of the teachers. I think it’s fun too!" I told Allison that in our class we only work through blogs. It is a very unique and beneficially learning experience. I am teachers are using this at a lower level in school. I also told Allison to not be so quick to judge Twitter. It can also benefit learning, because many educators and students use Twitter as a learning tool. It is all about what you make it.

March 24, Post 2

Heidi is in middle school and described her winter break. Her winter break was very fun! She hung out with family and went shopping and out to eat and other things. Winter break is my favorite because of the much needed family time. But Spring break is here! I asked her what all do she plans on doing for Spring break?

March 30 Post 3

In this students blog she wrote that it was currently Easter in New Zealand. Chocolate eggs, bunny rabbits and more are everywhere. Pt England was so lucky to be given boxes of Easter Eggs from some really generous people. Each child in Pt England was able to get 20 chocolate eggs. I was fascinated that their Easter fell a couple of days before ours and NOT on Sunday. Ours is always on a Sunday.

April 7, Post 4

Nicole's post was an introduction of herself. She has lived in Iowa, USA for 13 yrs, all of her life! She enjoys playing sports like basketball, volleyball, and track. Nicole has have have four people in my family. She has one sister. Nicole has two pets, a dog named Ruger and a cat named Taz. She likes to spend my free time with my family and friends.

March C4T

Quantum Progress

John Burk is a Physics and Math teacher at a boarding school in Delaware. His blog, Quantum Progress, tells the store of his on going learning.

March 24; A great visit to Saint Ann’s

On March 19th Mr. Burk traveled up to Saint Ann’s School in Brooklyn to see a dear internet friend, Paul Salomon, and meet a few of his amazing colleagues. One of the great things about visiting a school like St. Ann’s is just how different it is from most schools. Saint Ann’s packs an entire 4th-12th program into a 13 story building with two elevators. Assemblies meet in odd classrooms and the lobby, and the entire building feels like a beehive of activity and engagement. One of the very best things was that every teacher in the department teaches in both the middle and upper level of the school. It’s not at all uncommon for a teacher to teach 3rd grade math, 6th grade math, and functions (Algebra II). This seems hard wired in the DNA of the faculty. Saint Ann’s also has no grades, and I can only imagine how empowering this must be for helping students to take risks and to learn from feedback from the teachers and peers without having to worry about the judgment of grades and ranking. As a future teacher I can only imagine what it would be like to teach middle and upper levels of school. Especially, at the same time! Saint Ann’s School sounds absolutely fascinating! The dedication of the teachers is far beyond most.

April 7; A collaboration between Dance and Physics

Avi, the schools dance teacher, approached Mr. Burk with this incredible idea he and his students are developing for arts weekend—a “day in the life of the school,” and in one of the scenes, a student gets really upset upon receiving a 96 on a science test. The student then begins to dance around the room, playing with science, and not focusing on grades, and then the student suddenly sees the real joy in learning. Avi wanted help for some ideas for some visually impressive demos that would help communicate the ideas of playing with science and be visible to an auditorium that seats 400. They bounced around with a few ideas including; making giant soap bubbles, dancing around with a large hydrogen balloon and then blowing it up, and using a vortex cannon to shoot smoke rings out. My favorite is making giant soap bubbles, especially if they could make them go in the audience. Getting the audience involved just makes the learning experience that much more fun!