Blog Post #10

                                             Little Kids...Big Potential

After watching the three videos about Ms. Cassidy I began to think.. this lady must really love technology. She used just about every piece of technology she could get her hands including the Nintendo DS. I think this was a really great idea especially in terms of the students learning at the same time.  I also really loved the idea of secure web browsing. My biggest concern with the use of technology in the classroom would be kids abusing the privilege or using it for other purposes rather then learning. Even today for example here at USA , a professor of mine banned the use of technology in her class simply because students would surf twitter, buy clothes, use chat websites during class in stead of using it to learn/take notes. I guess with a group of elementary kids you don't have much to worry about besides playing video games during lecture. I think that using the techniques Ms. Cassidy use for her classroom would be a great way to get the students more involved.  

Blog Post #9

I find Project Based Learning for Teachers to be very helpful  for not only myself as a future educator but to others as well.  As future educators PBL seemed to be used a lot in EDM 310 so I'm sure it has a lot to do with our field of study. This resource requires students not only to interact but to create and share their class work with other students and or teachers.  

Seven Essentials for Project Based Learning

1. A Need to Know- When a student ask questions about that particular subject and or assignment .

2. A Driving Question-Typically an open ended question that make the student think what was the whole purpose for completing this project.

3. Student Voice and Choice- Basically keeps the students interested when  making their own decisions when completing class work/projects.

4.21st Century Skills- This one speaks for itself, teaches our students the skills and techniques of communicating and using technology in today's world.

5.Inquiry and Innovation- Students come up with their own questions answers and conclusion

6.Feedback and Revision- which is basically where each and every student critiques one another's work.

7. A Publicly Presented Product- Students come together and share what they have learned

What Motivate our Students?

·         This topic would have to be the one I enjoyed the most. After watching the video I have learned that a simple "Good Job" could go a long way as a teacher.  However, rewarding my students is one of the many things I look forward to when becoming a teacher. I want my students to know that Hey, Good job and they should be praised for following directions and or doing their work.

 Ten Sites Supporting Digital Classroom Collaboration in ProjectBased Learning

The next assignment that I chose was" Ten Sites Supporting Digital Classroom Collaboration in Project Based Learning."  This also Plays an important role when using  PBL's and the different type of methods that are used such as…

Titan Pad

Wall Wisher

Coarkboardme

Google Docs

Microsoft Live

Today's Meet

Linoit

Skype In Education and Quick Screen Share

Two Students Solve the problem of Watery Ketchup By Designing A New Cap 

This particular video was very interesting to me. These two  high school students were dying to know why water comes out of a ketchup bottle when squeezing it. It's interesting to me because I've always wondered the same thing. The use of PBL helped these guys find out why such a thing happens. This shows that these  guys will go a long way in whatever they do, If you want something out of life don't stop until to reach it no matter what the situation may be. 

Video Book Conversation

#TeamGrammar

Blog Post #8

Randy Pausch's Last Lecture

8 years ago, a science professor named Randy Pausch from Carnegie Mellon University left us with a very powerful lecture that inspired a lot of people all over the world. He talked about achieving ones dreams and never giving up. And also that If we want things in life we must work just as hard to get those things. That was the topic that stood out to me the most. I think as future educators we can all learn from Randy Pausch whether it's dealing with everyday things in life or his way of teaching using PBL's which is not only effective but a great way to teach our students other than just going by the lesson plans the state gives us. Another thing that I gathered from this intelligent man is that just because we are in leadership doesn't mean that we know everything. Back to the discussion I had on a previous blog post, there will be times where our students may know things that we don't know. We should let that be a learning process for the both of us. 

Project 7 Part B

*Message to Class 

 **Message to Parents 

Blog Post #7

After watching the assigned videos, I've found them to become very useful for not only me ,but to my fellow classmates as well as future educators. A few things that I believe I will need to work on before I graduate is staying on track. I am a very organized person but I know as a future teacher, it will be tough for some students. Not all students learn at the same pace and that is my main thing is making sure every student understands what is expected of him/her before moving on to the next curriculum. The reason behind that is to stay on track but at the same time no student is left behind. As far as technology wise, I feel that I am very up to date with what technology and resources are being used in the teaching field today.  

In the first video, I discovered that both applications are actually very important and easy to navigate especially in today's world. The fact that kindergartners are using iMovie is very interesting to me. Although, I have not used iMovie personally, I think it will be a fun and exciting learning experience for me and for my students.

Using iMovie and the Alabama Virtual Library in Kindergarten

In this video, Dr. Strange talk to a few teachers here on the gulf coast about how using technology changes the different dynamics of learning. It's no longer us as teachers teaching our students, they also can teach us a few things with today's technology. Mrs. Bennett tells us that Paddlet is one of the most popular websites that is being used today whereas students and or teachers can post questions and just about anyone can respond. She also touched basis on PLN which we discussed a few weeks back in a earlier blog post.

We All Become Learners

iPad's in the classroom, is one that really shocking to me on how students are succeeding in the classroom. I agree with the use of some technology in the classroom ,but is the iPad really the excuse for looking at teaching and learning? it just seems like to me that this is an excuse to spend more money. Most of the things that these students are learning on these iPad's can be taught by reading the book or by doing hands on activities. But then as you look at it in reality technology has already taken over the minds of our children whether it's a good thing or a bad thing. There's really no way around the use of it now.

iPads in the Classroom

In the last video, I overheard that some of the reason why teachers love the use of technology such as  tablets, digital video and video games is because students love it and it engages them while learning. In my opinion It's almost as if there is no need for teachers anymore since technology basically does most of the job. A teacher from Florida stated " Teachers will not be replaced by technology , but teachers who don't use technology will be replaced by those who do. After reading that statement, I guess she has a point, either hop on board or be replaced. Your choice. My goal as a teacher is to use technology throughout the classroom ,but have limitations to it. The use of pulling out your iPad for everything is just not my thing and is not something that my class will use every day.

Top 10 Reasons to Use Technology in Education

Blog Post #6

In project based learning part one, Dr. Strange discussed the importance of project based learning with former student of The university of south, Mr. Anthony Capps. Capps also took this very same class that we are enrolled in today and is teaching 3rd grade at Baldwin County Elementary School.   Dr. Strange goes on to ask Mr. Capps a few questions on how does he approach project based learning as a teacher. What I gathered from the video is that the main goal to a good project is to have a good audience, make it exciting, and do hands on activities. Number two is that, students should be aware of what the state expects of them in order to be a successful student. After that, students will then know what is expected of them in Mr. Capps 3rd grade classroom. It's almost as if they both go hand and hand. I find the tool iCurio to be very interesting as well especially for a third grade class. These videos provided lots of helpful information.

Project Based Learning Pt.1

Project Based Learning Pt.2 

iCurio

Discovery Ed is another toll that can be used to coincide with Project Based Learning. This can be used for social studies or sciences. Not only is Discovery Education useful for students but as well as teachers to find information on different topics. This tool is something that was not offered or as prevalent as it is today but will be very helpful to the students now and generations to come.

Discovery Ed 

Tips for Teachers was very helpful for me and for others especially since we are going to become future educators. One of my main things when I start teaching is to not be afraid to have a little fun with your students. Not only does it grabs their attention but many but it opens up doors for questions, and things of that nature. I think that's what most teachers as I was coming up failed to realize. Yes, it's about getting our education but at the same time kids are more apt  to learn and participate when the teacher is about excited and having fun while teaching whatever the subject may be. Another things is that as we discussed earlier in a blog post, asking more open ended questions to get the answer you need goes a long way. 

Tips for Teachers 

Use Tech, Don't Teach it taught me a lot of things I wasn’t aware of but one that stuck with me was there is always room for learning. Just because we go through school, get a degree and began teaching doesn’t mean we've learned all that we need to know. There will be times where students will teach me a thing or two I'm sure but let that be a lesson for all of us, as teachers, students , and parents.

Don't Teach Tech, Use It..