Thursday, October 23, 2014
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
C4T Post #1
This week I read Denise Krebs' Blog this week and found it very interesting. This is her blog post and what she said:
My World
I created a picture of my world today on The Open University Create Your World.
Roughly from left to right, here’s what my picture represents:
Good conversations with new friends here, and also faraway friends and online connections
Brain research, thinking, questioning and teaching the ABCs and more to five-year-old Arabic children
Jesus, the Tree of Life, bringing shade to the world, as well as standing over the puzzle piece of my life
Wedding rings represent my husband and me
Two flowers for our two lovely daughters
Good books, fruit, creativity and art are some of my favorite things
Am I a Planet-protecting, probing motivator? I’d like to think so! :)
Sheri Edwards created a wonderful connected language lesson using this Inspiring Learning: My World app.
Read all about the picture of her world and her middle school lesson plan on her class blog post called: “#teach2blog About Me World Ms Edwards“
My response to Denise Krebs post was:
Hi my name is Ashley and I am a student in EDM310 at the University of South Alabama. I love that you created “your world” and showed what means the most to you and best describes you through pictures and symbols. I think I could potentially use this in my future class. I think it could be a fun project for the first week or two of classes to allow the students to make their own and share with the class. I think it would be a great “get to know you” project. I want to make my own now! Thanks for sharing I would have never known about this app without reading this post!
-Ashley
My World
I created a picture of my world today on The Open University Create Your World.
Roughly from left to right, here’s what my picture represents:
Good conversations with new friends here, and also faraway friends and online connections
Brain research, thinking, questioning and teaching the ABCs and more to five-year-old Arabic children
Jesus, the Tree of Life, bringing shade to the world, as well as standing over the puzzle piece of my life
Wedding rings represent my husband and me
Two flowers for our two lovely daughters
Good books, fruit, creativity and art are some of my favorite things
Am I a Planet-protecting, probing motivator? I’d like to think so! :)
Sheri Edwards created a wonderful connected language lesson using this Inspiring Learning: My World app.
Read all about the picture of her world and her middle school lesson plan on her class blog post called: “#teach2blog About Me World Ms Edwards“
My response to Denise Krebs post was:
Hi my name is Ashley and I am a student in EDM310 at the University of South Alabama. I love that you created “your world” and showed what means the most to you and best describes you through pictures and symbols. I think I could potentially use this in my future class. I think it could be a fun project for the first week or two of classes to allow the students to make their own and share with the class. I think it would be a great “get to know you” project. I want to make my own now! Thanks for sharing I would have never known about this app without reading this post!
-Ashley
Blog Post #10 What Can We Learn From Mrs. Cassidy?
After watching Mrs. Cassidy's video, Little Kids...Big Potential , I was glad to hear the kids are taught to always write nice comments, never ever write mean comments. As a child that can really be hurtful to hear bad feedback. I was also glad to hear that they do not use their last name when signing a comment, good way to protect the children. I also like how they used Wiki to learn the alphabet and traditions, they were able to learn about traditions all around the world, even from students at USA. Very neat! I love that they use Skype, Wiki, Videos, Nintendo's, etc. to learn more. I think that is a great way to keep the children engaged.
I watched the first part of the interview with Mrs. Cassidy, Interview 1 , and was amazed to find out that she has been blogging with her first graders for five years. I think it is a good idea that she sends home a form for the students parents to know what is being posted. She keeps it safe for the children on the internet. Mrs. Cassidy does not allow last names or pictures matched to the name which is a good way to keep the children safe from any predators online. I do however disagree with her comment that we cannot teach kids these days the way we were taught. I understand technology is taking over and it is a great way to teach. However, if we all have made it this far learning without technology why could we not teach that way? I understand her point that if they write something on their blog they have numerous amount of people reading their blogs, versus just the teacher reading the paper copy. I completely agree that blogging is a great way to make connections around the world.
After watching the second part of the interview with Mrs. Cassidy, Interview 2, I am glad to hear that you can use technology with whatever way interests you. You can use YouTube, Flickr, Blogging, depending on what interests you. Any social media on the internet can be manipulated for learning and connecting world wide. I believe that the key to a successful Twitter is following people who you genuinely care to read about and know how to hash tag so people can see what you have to say. I agree with Mrs. Cassidy when she says that it is a great way to find other students wanting to be teachers. They can help each other out and see what the other has tweeted.
I watched the third interview with Mrs. Cassidy, Interview 3, and I was glad to see Dr. Strange allowed the students in his class to ask questions to Mrs. Cassidy. I like how she gave the USA student an example of how to use Blogger with being a PE coach. I like how she explained that it should not be easy to copy others blogs from previous years because we need to be collaborating. However, not copy and pasting word for word, but using collaboration to succeed. I also like how she explained how she keeps her children safe when searching the web. That could definitely become an issue with children being so young and having access to the internet.
I watched the first part of the interview with Mrs. Cassidy, Interview 1 , and was amazed to find out that she has been blogging with her first graders for five years. I think it is a good idea that she sends home a form for the students parents to know what is being posted. She keeps it safe for the children on the internet. Mrs. Cassidy does not allow last names or pictures matched to the name which is a good way to keep the children safe from any predators online. I do however disagree with her comment that we cannot teach kids these days the way we were taught. I understand technology is taking over and it is a great way to teach. However, if we all have made it this far learning without technology why could we not teach that way? I understand her point that if they write something on their blog they have numerous amount of people reading their blogs, versus just the teacher reading the paper copy. I completely agree that blogging is a great way to make connections around the world.
After watching the second part of the interview with Mrs. Cassidy, Interview 2, I am glad to hear that you can use technology with whatever way interests you. You can use YouTube, Flickr, Blogging, depending on what interests you. Any social media on the internet can be manipulated for learning and connecting world wide. I believe that the key to a successful Twitter is following people who you genuinely care to read about and know how to hash tag so people can see what you have to say. I agree with Mrs. Cassidy when she says that it is a great way to find other students wanting to be teachers. They can help each other out and see what the other has tweeted.
I watched the third interview with Mrs. Cassidy, Interview 3, and I was glad to see Dr. Strange allowed the students in his class to ask questions to Mrs. Cassidy. I like how she gave the USA student an example of how to use Blogger with being a PE coach. I like how she explained that it should not be easy to copy others blogs from previous years because we need to be collaborating. However, not copy and pasting word for word, but using collaboration to succeed. I also like how she explained how she keeps her children safe when searching the web. That could definitely become an issue with children being so young and having access to the internet.
Sunday, October 19, 2014
Blog Post #9 What Can Teachers and Students Teach Us About Project Based Learning?
After reading the seven essentials for Project Based Learning, Ms. McIntyre taught me that if the student sees the project as something that means something to them, yet also educational, it will be a good project for them. I also learned that if you, the teacher, presents the project to the class in an interesting and engaging way the class will be more excited to begin this project. For example, discussions, videos, guest speaker...anything but passing out the assignment on paper and making them read it. The driving question is key to getting the students engaged. Without this they will be uninterested, and perhaps even misunderstand the project. Allowing students to have a voice gives them more determination to succeed at this project and make it more personal and engaging for them. Giving the students a choice and voice lets them have more power and freedom, while still following the teachers guidelines for the project. Ms. McIntyre lets her class work collaboratively and do their work with her guidance and following her rubric. Doing this allows the students to use whichever technology and present their project how they please, but by following the specific guidance of the teachers rules helps keep the students focused on the main point. Ms. McIntyre provides the class with a list of driving question they came up with. Allowing the students to research and explore the answers to the driving question they themselves came up with makes it more personal and meaningful for the students. It is not so much an online research project, they can explore and discover the answers in any which way they prefer. By allowing her students to have check points, where she keeps track of the groups work and makes sure they are going in the right direction, this keeps them on task and more determination to make their project as good as they can get it. At the end of their project they get the opportunity to present their findings to the community in an exhibition. I believe Ms. McIntyre is doing teaching right, she helps the students along the way, gives them guidelines and rubrics, but also lets them work independently and makes in interesting and meaningful to them. I think if all teachers could work the way she does all students would be more excited for projects.
After watching the video "Project-Based Learning for Teachers" I found out that the students are taught collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and career and life skills. Project Based Learning is and easy way for students to answer the driving question and share it with others publicly or simply just in the classroom. This video taught me that with PBL students are able to take charge of their learning. They take the driving question and run with it. They investigate, explore and discover. Tony Vincent's workshop is very similar to Ms. McIntyre's, it is very much so student choice and student voice.
I also read the article on Project Based Learning and Physical Education. With using PBL in Physical Education the high school class is required to make a project in which they explain the best exercise program for the middle school children. This assignment required the high school students to research evidence in which proved the best exercise routine they found fitting for the middle school students. The high school students were challenged to find what kept middle school children engaged, what would draw their attention, and also be educational. Giving students voice and choice allows them to create their own personalized project and choose how they would like for it to be presented. These high school students, like Ms. McIntyre's class, would incorporate collaboration and presentation. For the feedback other students tested out different projects. A lot of physical activity was required for this project. At the end of this project the groups and individuals were required to present their projects in whichever way they chose. I enjoyed this article, I believe that if students are required to use PBL in PE it is beneficial in two ways. They are learning new or different exercises, while also getting to actively test out their projects and get some physical work in.
After watching the video and reading about Richards and Thomas solve the watery ketchup problem I quickly found out they are apart of the Project Lead the Way Program at their high school. Their teacher always begins by making the driving question to be "It really bugs me when.." to make students engaged and choose the topic that they care to change. The students had to do much research to get past all the pattens on ketchup bottles. The students found 60 different ways they could resolve this problem that do not already have a patten on it. They then narrowed it down to five, and finally picked one and called it the Mushroom Cap. They explained that it is similar to the way a toilet works. I really like how the teacher starts out by saying "It really bugs me when.." and letting the students go from there. By using that phrase it allows the students to think of things that personally gets under their skin and think of numerous ways it can be stopped. I think it is a great idea to give the students that much choice and voice. It allows them to be themselves and potentially solved real world problems.
After watching/reading all these sites on PBL I have learned many useful tips. I enjoyed Ms. McIntyre's the best, she pointed out numerous important things. Overall, I learned about student choice and voice, I strongly believe that is the best way to keep students engaged and involved in their projects. By allowing the students to choose something that means alot to them it is more likely that they will succeed.
After watching the video "Project-Based Learning for Teachers" I found out that the students are taught collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and career and life skills. Project Based Learning is and easy way for students to answer the driving question and share it with others publicly or simply just in the classroom. This video taught me that with PBL students are able to take charge of their learning. They take the driving question and run with it. They investigate, explore and discover. Tony Vincent's workshop is very similar to Ms. McIntyre's, it is very much so student choice and student voice.
I also read the article on Project Based Learning and Physical Education. With using PBL in Physical Education the high school class is required to make a project in which they explain the best exercise program for the middle school children. This assignment required the high school students to research evidence in which proved the best exercise routine they found fitting for the middle school students. The high school students were challenged to find what kept middle school children engaged, what would draw their attention, and also be educational. Giving students voice and choice allows them to create their own personalized project and choose how they would like for it to be presented. These high school students, like Ms. McIntyre's class, would incorporate collaboration and presentation. For the feedback other students tested out different projects. A lot of physical activity was required for this project. At the end of this project the groups and individuals were required to present their projects in whichever way they chose. I enjoyed this article, I believe that if students are required to use PBL in PE it is beneficial in two ways. They are learning new or different exercises, while also getting to actively test out their projects and get some physical work in.
After watching the video and reading about Richards and Thomas solve the watery ketchup problem I quickly found out they are apart of the Project Lead the Way Program at their high school. Their teacher always begins by making the driving question to be "It really bugs me when.." to make students engaged and choose the topic that they care to change. The students had to do much research to get past all the pattens on ketchup bottles. The students found 60 different ways they could resolve this problem that do not already have a patten on it. They then narrowed it down to five, and finally picked one and called it the Mushroom Cap. They explained that it is similar to the way a toilet works. I really like how the teacher starts out by saying "It really bugs me when.." and letting the students go from there. By using that phrase it allows the students to think of things that personally gets under their skin and think of numerous ways it can be stopped. I think it is a great idea to give the students that much choice and voice. It allows them to be themselves and potentially solved real world problems.
After watching/reading all these sites on PBL I have learned many useful tips. I enjoyed Ms. McIntyre's the best, she pointed out numerous important things. Overall, I learned about student choice and voice, I strongly believe that is the best way to keep students engaged and involved in their projects. By allowing the students to choose something that means alot to them it is more likely that they will succeed.
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
C4K #7 and Summary
This is the blog I read:
So lately i have been having bad luck and at recess today i said hey guys i found the ball and then i kicked it then it landed on the roof. . Also one more thing i tried to sit down in German and accidentally slammed my head on a desk and it as face first so then the teacher was like are you are you all right. I said yes and then i asked to go get a drink of water and she said yes so i did and another thing that happened in German. Is i got called by my dad in the middle of it and my phone started vibrating every five minuets and i asked if i could take this and said it was my dad and she said yes so i took it and came back and then i was so bored after that. And also don’t you think that kids should get some opinions in school. I mean you don’t need a but load of home work that only adds on to your plate for home work you already have and don’t you think we should have a right i mean teachers go to school and get paid but were forced to its so stupid right.
Sin Desty :)
My response was:
Desty, I am a student at the University of South Alabama. I enjoyed reading your post. I couldn’t have said it better myself about the homework. However, I strongly believe taking time to do the homework assigned will benefit you tremendously when it comes to quizzes and tests. If homework is the only thing you do for classes it will help, granted studying will help the most but doing homework problems and practicing it at home will benefit you greatly.
I also read this blog this month:
"
Today we have been learning about what sinks and floats. This is my prediction."
My response was:
Ariettah, I am Ashley, a student at the University of South Alabama in EDM310. I would have to agree with your prediction on what sinks or floats. However, it would depend on what kind of ball to determine if it sank or floated. It was a great prediction though!
-Ashley
So lately i have been having bad luck and at recess today i said hey guys i found the ball and then i kicked it then it landed on the roof. . Also one more thing i tried to sit down in German and accidentally slammed my head on a desk and it as face first so then the teacher was like are you are you all right. I said yes and then i asked to go get a drink of water and she said yes so i did and another thing that happened in German. Is i got called by my dad in the middle of it and my phone started vibrating every five minuets and i asked if i could take this and said it was my dad and she said yes so i took it and came back and then i was so bored after that. And also don’t you think that kids should get some opinions in school. I mean you don’t need a but load of home work that only adds on to your plate for home work you already have and don’t you think we should have a right i mean teachers go to school and get paid but were forced to its so stupid right.
Sin Desty :)
My response was:
Desty, I am a student at the University of South Alabama. I enjoyed reading your post. I couldn’t have said it better myself about the homework. However, I strongly believe taking time to do the homework assigned will benefit you tremendously when it comes to quizzes and tests. If homework is the only thing you do for classes it will help, granted studying will help the most but doing homework problems and practicing it at home will benefit you greatly.
I also read this blog this month:
"
My response was:
Ariettah, I am Ashley, a student at the University of South Alabama in EDM310. I would have to agree with your prediction on what sinks or floats. However, it would depend on what kind of ball to determine if it sank or floated. It was a great prediction though!
-Ashley
Thursday, October 9, 2014
C4T#2 Post#2
This week I read The Nerdy Teachers blog. This is what he said:
Failing Loud and Proud #EdChat
I've written plenty of times about failure over the years, but I I feel there is always plenty to say since I still fail and learn from that failure.
The other day, I was trying to show students how to submit assignments using Google Classroom. I have not used it before and I am learning how to use it on the fly. I thought I had turning in a assignments figured out and I was wrong. I wasn't just wrong, I was wrong in front of a class of 32 honors students. My students were working in groups to create a Student Declaration of Independence and I wanted them to submit their work to Classroom. I thought anyone in the group could do it, but it turns out it needs to be the owner of the originally shared document that has to submit the work. All of my students looked funny at me as my attempts to have one of them submit the work and it kept failing. I took a minute collected my thoughts and did a quick search and found the solution. I told the kids that this was all still a work in progress and I appreciate them taking the time to learn with me.
I feel that some teachers are too resistant to making mistakes in front of students. Teachers are not perfect beings and we need to stop presenting ourselves to students (and other teachers) as being perfect people with no examples of failure. We want to push our students to take chances, but we might not be willing to take the same chance in front of students. I'm not saying that teachers should be unprepared for class and do things on the fly. I'm saying that teachers should own their mistakes in front of the class, show how it is a moment for us to learn, and encourage kids to take the same chances.
Students need to feel comfortable making mistakes and trying something new. Teachers need to model this behavior and own mistakes proudly. I will need to remind myself of this and not let the embarrassment of failure be the guiding force in my lesson plans or day to day interaction with students and staff.
How have you failed in class lately?
My response was: I am a student in EDM310 at USA and I really enjoyed reading this blog. It is a relief to know that it is okay to make mistakes. I strongly agree as teachers, and for my future class, we need to reassure the students that mistakes happen, figure it out and go from there. I have always been worried that I'll mess up in class and look like an idiot. Knowing and realizing that everyone makes mistakes, even teachers, our authorities, it is a huge relief. Thanks for posting this!
-Ashley
I really enjoyed reading this post, like i said in my response, it was reassuring to know it is okay as a teacher to make mistakes in front of the class.
Failing Loud and Proud #EdChat
I've written plenty of times about failure over the years, but I I feel there is always plenty to say since I still fail and learn from that failure.
The other day, I was trying to show students how to submit assignments using Google Classroom. I have not used it before and I am learning how to use it on the fly. I thought I had turning in a assignments figured out and I was wrong. I wasn't just wrong, I was wrong in front of a class of 32 honors students. My students were working in groups to create a Student Declaration of Independence and I wanted them to submit their work to Classroom. I thought anyone in the group could do it, but it turns out it needs to be the owner of the originally shared document that has to submit the work. All of my students looked funny at me as my attempts to have one of them submit the work and it kept failing. I took a minute collected my thoughts and did a quick search and found the solution. I told the kids that this was all still a work in progress and I appreciate them taking the time to learn with me.
I feel that some teachers are too resistant to making mistakes in front of students. Teachers are not perfect beings and we need to stop presenting ourselves to students (and other teachers) as being perfect people with no examples of failure. We want to push our students to take chances, but we might not be willing to take the same chance in front of students. I'm not saying that teachers should be unprepared for class and do things on the fly. I'm saying that teachers should own their mistakes in front of the class, show how it is a moment for us to learn, and encourage kids to take the same chances.
Students need to feel comfortable making mistakes and trying something new. Teachers need to model this behavior and own mistakes proudly. I will need to remind myself of this and not let the embarrassment of failure be the guiding force in my lesson plans or day to day interaction with students and staff.
How have you failed in class lately?
My response was: I am a student in EDM310 at USA and I really enjoyed reading this blog. It is a relief to know that it is okay to make mistakes. I strongly agree as teachers, and for my future class, we need to reassure the students that mistakes happen, figure it out and go from there. I have always been worried that I'll mess up in class and look like an idiot. Knowing and realizing that everyone makes mistakes, even teachers, our authorities, it is a huge relief. Thanks for posting this!
-Ashley
I really enjoyed reading this post, like i said in my response, it was reassuring to know it is okay as a teacher to make mistakes in front of the class.
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Blog Post #7 How Do We All Become Learners?
For this blog we watched the videos from Mrs. Tuck's 1st grade class on how she used technology with her children. She showed an app, new to me, called Popplet. With this app the children were able to create a collage of pictures from the book required to read. By doing this, and Mrs. Tuck screenshotting it the children are able to visual see the story and continuously go back and look at it in their pictures on their iPads. I think what teachers now days are doing with technology is amazing. It makes learning for the children that much more interesting and fun! I think if all teacher's get on board and use technology the students will have an easier time comprehending the material in class. There are so many wonderful websites and apps to help kids these days, it amazes me!
My strengths and weaknesses with technology are:
Strengths:
-I know how to work almost any technology device
-I am quick to learn new material
-I enjoy technology over books
Weaknesses:
-I am easily distracted with technology
-I have horrible time management
-I never remember to keep my devices charged
When thinking about being a teacher in two years or less it is scary. To think in just that short amount of time it will be me that children are sent to, to learn! I think technology is changing all the time so I must change my ways and keep up with all the latest apps and devices. It excites me to know that I will have my own class, with my own students. I do not want to fail, I want the kids to be excited to come to my class. I want to use iCurio and Popplet and other technologies to teach my students. I want to make it as interesting and fun as possible for them, while also making progress and helping them learn and understand the concepts.
My strengths and weaknesses with technology are:
Strengths:
-I know how to work almost any technology device
-I am quick to learn new material
-I enjoy technology over books
Weaknesses:
-I am easily distracted with technology
-I have horrible time management
-I never remember to keep my devices charged
When thinking about being a teacher in two years or less it is scary. To think in just that short amount of time it will be me that children are sent to, to learn! I think technology is changing all the time so I must change my ways and keep up with all the latest apps and devices. It excites me to know that I will have my own class, with my own students. I do not want to fail, I want the kids to be excited to come to my class. I want to use iCurio and Popplet and other technologies to teach my students. I want to make it as interesting and fun as possible for them, while also making progress and helping them learn and understand the concepts.
Project #6 C4K#4
Derrick wrote a blog on the ending of a book called "Ranger's Apprentice The Burning Bridge". He said
"The author ended the book with a cliff hanger by making the apprentice Will captured and taken away by Skadians and Halt the ranger promised to find and take back his apprentice no matter the cost even disobeying his king’s orders,this ending for me was a good one because it automatically makes me want to read the next book ." My response was, "Hi Derrick, I am a student at the University of South Alabama. This sounds like an interesting book. It’s a good thing Halt was willing to do whatever it took to get Will back. I’ll have to check out this book and see what it is all about."
"The author ended the book with a cliff hanger by making the apprentice Will captured and taken away by Skadians and Halt the ranger promised to find and take back his apprentice no matter the cost even disobeying his king’s orders,this ending for me was a good one because it automatically makes me want to read the next book ." My response was, "Hi Derrick, I am a student at the University of South Alabama. This sounds like an interesting book. It’s a good thing Halt was willing to do whatever it took to get Will back. I’ll have to check out this book and see what it is all about."
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