Sunday, November 23, 2014

C4K

Hunter:
Declaration of Independence

We the people Declare Independence from the basketball player Kobe Bryant. The citizens need to be happy. Also we have to be free and break up with Kobe. For it is you have brought this upon yourself Mr. Bryant.
Im breaking up with because you have not met my expectations in basketball. You have done an awful job these last few years.
You have not made enough baskets.
You have way too many penalties.
You are not a good basketball player.
Your shoes aren’t good.
You are to old.
Mr bryant we are breaking up because you have been replaced by Lebron James because he is the king and he is way better than you.
I’m sorry my friend but we are through and we should just be friends.
Signatures
Natalie(:
Patrick
MRA
MADDIE
Hunter
Bradley
ELENA
Katlyn
Racquel

I said:
Hi Hunter, my name is Ashley I am a student in EDM310 at the University of South Alabama. Very creative post! Good points! I enjoyed reading this.



Sebastian:
My Holloween Costume
For halloween i am going to be a MARIACHI.It is so awesome.I wanted to be a mariachi because I personally thought it was unique.I can’t wait to go trick or treating because i think every person is going to comment me about it.I have a hat that is huge.I also have a mustache that is puffy.I a white shirt a vest and a jacket.I have pants that are black and have decorations on them.

I said:
Hi Sebastian, I am Ashley a student at the University of South Alabama. I really enjoyed reading about your costume. I think you gave a great description. I could picture it in my head. It sounds awesome!! I bet you got a lot of compliments on it. It is very unique and original. I’m glad to see the creativity!
-Ashley



Sebastian:
Most people think Thanksgiving is all about a eating the turkey or every other food.

Well what other people think is wrong.Thanksgiving is all about celebrating all the family you have.Also to give thanks for every thing you have.Even if you don’t have every thing you want so bad,you still have to be thankful for every other thing you have.

In conclusion,Thanksgiving is a holiday to give thanks for every thing you have in your life.What does Thanksgiving mean to you?

I said:
Hi Sebastian, I am a student in EDM310 at the University of South Alabama. I enjoyed reading your post. Thanksgiving means family time for me! All my family from out of town comes together and we have a blast spending quality time. A fun tradition we do is at the table before we eat we all have to go around and say one thing we are thankful for! Great post!
-Ashley

Blog Post #14 Teaching Can Be a Profession by Joel Klein

After reading Mr. Klein's article there are many facts about the education system. In this post I will provide you with three of Mr. Klein's problems and solutions in the education system. It was a very interesting article, I enjoyed reading his solutions.

Problem #1:
Professionalize teaching, make it as respected and appreciated as are lawyers and doctors.
Solution: Do not let just anyone become a teacher, we need to recruit from the top third percent of the graduating class to become teachers, doing this will help make the school system and the teachers better all-around.

Problem #2: When lay-offs happen the school system gets rid of the most recent teacher, not the most effective teacher. The school system does not pay attention to the teaching skills, rather the teacher's who have been there longest.
Solution: Require a "national teacher examination", this way teachers will be tested on their skills and effectiveness. Also, require a one-three year internship for future teachers.

Problem #3: There is a great need for a radical change in the education system.
Solution: Allow teachers to have their own board in which they can set standards and examinations for the teachers. They could also allow the teachers to throw out mandatory assignments and homework. Also, teachers who have succeeded greatly would be allowed college graduates as teaching assistants.

I strongly agree with Problem #1, I believe that teachers deserve the respect and pay that the law and medicine receive. Without teachers, who would teach the lawyers, attorneys, doctors, nurses? With that being said, there does need to be a test taken to become a teacher, it shouldn't be so easy that anyone can become a teacher. If teachers were recruited from the top third percent of their class there would be a lot more effective teachers out there.

I again strongly agree with Problem #2, I think it is absolutely wrong that the newest teachers are the first to get the boot. If you're a good teacher, you're a good teacher, and you should be chosen to stay over a teacher that has been teaching for 15 years but making no progress with his/her students.

I feel indifferent about Problem #3, I think it is fine that teachers give out mandatory homework. However, I see the point that not every child is going to have the same goals and desires as the child next to them. So, how effective is mandatory homework? I think it would be great if teacher's had more freedom, after all, the teacher's are the ones who know the students best, not the board, or the principal or anyone else.

In conclusion, I think Mr. Klein pointed out some very valid points. It was a great read. As a future teacher I would dread having to take a national teacher examination, but I would do it for the simple fact that not everyone should be allowed to teach. I agree with almost all the points he has made. I believe that if teachers were treated with the respect of other professions it would be very greatly appreciated and the education system would not abuse it. I believe that change and examinations and respect are a must for a successful teaching system.


Sunday, November 16, 2014

Blog Post #13

For Blog Post #13 you will research the benefits of technology in a classroom with Special Needs children. You can use YouTube, Blogger, Google, Twitter, etc. to find THREE benefits of using technology in a classroom with Special Needs children. You must list the three sources you used and summarize what you have learned.

Learn NC's How do special education students benefit from technology?
One of the advantages of using technology in a classroom is to personalize lessons for each of the students. This is known as "assistive technology" (devices and software to assist students with disabilities). There is now technology available for disabled children that can help them adapt and conquer their learning impairment. For example, if a student can't write there is now voice adaptive software that answers for them. There is also hearing aids and assistance for the visually impaired. With these inventions it is now possible for children with different disorders to learn at the same pace as those who aren't.

Kelsey Herron's Can Special Education Students Benefit From Flipped Classrooms?
Flipped classrooms are a new teaching method of which can increase a students one on one time with teachers and result in learning more information in a shorter amount of time. Students watch their lecture at home the night before and come into the classroom with the questions. It can also encourage students to get ahead on their work if they wish. The benefits of this method include more free time with the teacher in asking questions and understanding the information that is given to you.

YouTube's Top 10 Reasons to Use Technology in Education: iPad, Tablet, Computer, Listening Centers
This website brings up some very interesting points on technology and classrooms. The key information that stood out to me was that technology engages the four key components to learning (active engagement, participation in groups, frequent interaction and feedback, connection to real world experts), improves test scores, help students with low attention spans, and encourages the completion of homework. Students will be more likely to be interested in doing their work if it is on a iPad or tablet rather than a piece of paper. Also, if they have their own device it will allow them to work at their own speed and not be held back by other students who learn at a slower pace.



Project 12 Part B



Project 12 Part B

Sunday, November 9, 2014

Summary Post C4T Teacher #3


Mrs. Kreb's Blog

Comment #1
My World

August 18, 2014 by Denise Krebs | 7 Comments

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 Arab 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“
I said:
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


Comment #2
Finding My Way in Kindergarten Genius Hour

November 6, 2014 by Denise Krebs | 2 Comments

After teaching grades 7 and 8 for seven years, it was a challenge for me to go down to Kindergarten. The first few months, the way was treacherous. Now looking back, after eight months or so, I can say overall it has been a delight, and I know it was a gift I didn’t even know I needed.
I find I can practice what I learned in my Master’s program; that is, teaching young children literacy. Most importantly, though, the children are “wonderful, marvelous, beautiful, magical, filled with curiosity and dreams.” (Lyrics by Debbie Clement) They are loving and open. They are learning sponges with big, growing brains.
But how can I do genius hour with them? I wondered. I loved the engaged ownership in junior highers when they were given a chance to learn what they wanted in what we call genius hour.
As Faige Meller has suggested, genius hour in kindergarten may look like a maker space. In this tweet, she says making is what kindergarteners do and, in fact, makers are who they are. (Be sure to read Krissy’s original post too.)
I believed in making, but I didn’t know much about Kindergarten. I had learned to trust Faige, though, so when I saw her tweet last March, I began to run with her ideas in Kindergarten. I began collecting supplies and asking families to do so, as well. We have quite a collection, and we go through a lot of materials.
When I learn something new about brain research, I share it with my Kindergarteners too. They are not too young, and even though I’m speaking a foreign language to them (they are native Arabic speakers), they understand enough. They know they are capable and creative, and as they create, they get smarter. And they know that as they learn two languages, they get bigger brains too!
So, we are definitely still making our way (pun intended), but we’ve had some huge successes. After we made a small couch for our reading center as a group project, one boy took on the task of making a very small chair with the ten juice bottles we had recently accumulated. He needed lots of help, but that’s where I came in handy, helping to wrestle the juice bottles and operate the hot glue gun and packaging tape. He was the maker. I was the sous maker taking my orders from him.
Genius hour in Kindergarten. It’s happening. We are calling it that, we are making and learning, but I am always open to suggestions you might have for helping us do it better!
Please leave a link in the comments to your primary genius hour projects and process. Or share on Twitter with the hashtag #PrimaryGH.
I said:
Hi, I am Ashley a student in EDM310 at the University of South Alabama. I enjoyed reading this post. I definitely have taken notes for my future classroom. I like how the little boy decided on his own to make a chair after the class as a whole made the couch. Very helpful post for me being a future teacher!


Blog Post #12 What assistive technologies are available to you as a teacher?

Group 5 Blog Post 12

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

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.

Social Media

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.

Technology

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

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Project #13 Group 5 Lesson Plan, Rubric, Weekly Plan with Shira Bell and Ashton Dykes

Project Lesson Plan

Rubric

Weekly Plan

Fahrenheit 451 Book Cover

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.

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.



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."

Thursday, September 25, 2014

What do you learn from these conversations with Anthony Capps? Blog Post #6

In the first video with Anthony Capps I learned about Project Based Learning and his experience with his class writing letters to the Congress. I found it very interesting that he got the class to choose the best letters to send off. I think it is a great way for students to help each other out, while also making the letters as best as possible. With this project the class as a whole was allowed to participate and help each other out, knowing the class as a whole would be represented by the eight letters that got sent to Congress.
In the second video with Anthony Capps I learned that student choice is important in Project Based Learning. I learned that with allowing the students to choose what they want to do (with given guidelines) they will be more passionate and more willing to do well. When the student has a little bit of freedom for projects, they are more likely to be excited and proud of their outcome.
Before this blog post I had never heard of iCurio. iCurio is a like a search engine where you can drop any finds in to a folder and keep it for later use. It saves all documents, photos, videos that you have found for your class and keep it in one, easily accessible place. I have never heard of it, but I think it sounds very efficient. I think iCurio is a great tool, especially for Project Based Learning.
Discovery Ed is a search engine that students or teachers can use where you are able to get expert opinions through videos. I have never used this before but it sounds very efficient. I am definitely a visual learner, so I think seeing and hearing a video on information would be more interesting for me than reading from a book. I will definitely try out Discovery Ed and most likely use it in my classroom one day.
In the tips for teachers video, I learned that teaching is a never ending job, but a very rewarding job at that. I found out that you must be a constant learner, always willing and loving to learn new things to be a successful teacher. I found out you must be creative and be able to be put on the spot. If something goes wrong you should always have a back-up plan as a teacher, you should never assume that everything will go the way you plan. Things happen, you must be flexible enough to make every situation work.
In the sixth video I learned that you must not teach children technology. In place of teaching technology, let them learn from it, let the class play with different sites and applications and technology. You should not have to teach technology, you should just be able to use the technology. With letting the students explore technology they will learn themselves.
After watching all the videos of Anthony Capps I have learned a lot of helpful tips and advice for being a teacher. I have learned different techniques to keep the students involved and excited.

Project #7

My Sentence Is...



My Passion Is...

Project #3 Presentation

Sunday, September 21, 2014

What are Personal Learning Networks (PLN)? Blog Post #5

How can they help you as a teacher? How are they formed? How can you create your own? Who will be the first additions to your PLN?


Personal Learning Networks (PLN) are sites such as Twitter, or Blogger, in which you can interact with other teachers. On Twitter it is simple, you search a hashtag in which you are interested in and it will show you all the tweets with that hashtag. It makes it simple to find people with common interests. On twitter you can "@" someone to tweet directly to them, or you can direct message them. This makes it easy to get opinions and help from other teachers without having to meet up in person. With Blogger you can read any fellow teachers blog that you "follow". Blogger allows you to read others blogs, comment on theirs, and it even gives others the option to comment on yours. Both Blogger and Twitter will make teaching so much easier. With just going to a website you are able to get advice and opinions from other teachers, whether it be a teacher at the same school as you or a teacher in a different country. You are able to communicate with anyone you follow. I see these PLNs being extremely helpful for my future teaching career. Since being in EDM310 I have created a blog and I also created a new Twitter account. I never really used Twitter for anything of importance before this class. Since being in this class I have realized how informative Blogger and Twitter can actually be. I am amazed! I am already following quite a few Education pages on Twitter. I have also found fellow classmates that are in the Education major. I believe through Blogger and Twitter and it being created now we are given a lifelong lifeline.



Friday, September 12, 2014

Testing Out Search Engines Project #15

I have found that Bing is very similar to Google. It is a great website that will give you any and everything you search for. After that it is up to you to determine if that site is reliable or not. I think Bing is a good website for the basic information.

Dictionary.com is a very helpful search engine for definitions. All you have to do is go to the website and type in the word you need to be defined. It will give you a definition with numerous examples of how it is used.

Yahoo is a search engine, but also an option for emails. With Yahoo you are able to have an email, view latest news, and search anything you would like to. It also has a toolbar on the side where you can click on different links to stuff such as weather, finance, style, health, etc. It is a great website for any basic information you need, as soon as you get on the website page you are shown all the latest news.

Wolfram Alpha is a great search engine for math problems. Until this project I was unaware of this website. I believe it will be very helpful for future math problems. I am amazed with this website. It is by far the greatest website I have ever seen. If you have not heard of this website or seen it yourself, I strongly suggest saving it in your bookmarks.

Wikipedia is not such a reliable search engine. Anyone, anywhere, can post and edit information on this website. I would not suggest this site if you are looking for the truth. It is not the place to go for honest information.

EasyBib is a website where you can choose the format, and it will cite the website, book, newspaper, etc. It is very helpful when writing papers where you are required to cite information. I have used this site since highschool and it cites everything I need in the correct format.

Ask.com is a website I would compare to Siri on the iPhone. It is a website that you can basically ask any question and it will give you the best answer. I would say ask.com is best to use to ask general questions. I have used ask to find out the latest hollywood gossip or stuff like that.

Duckduckgo is a website similar to Google. However, when using duckduckgo you do not have to go through numerous pages of information to find what you are looking for. It is a quick, simple, and efficient website to use if you do not wish to use Google.

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Asking Questions: What questions do we ask? How do we ask? Blog Post #4

What do we need to know about asking questions to be an effective teacher?

When thinking about this blog I realized that asking questions in a classroom is key to helping the children interact and learn. I read the article, "The Right Way to Ask Questions in the Classroom" by Ben Johnson, and found a very helpful tactic. Johnson talks about his experience observing children of all ages in the classroom, he then has a short summary of solutions. My favorite example is, "...then at least we should be asking a question, pausing for three seconds and then saying a student's name in order to get the most effect out of questions (Johnson)." Using this method every student has those three seconds after the teacher asks a question to think about the answer with the fear or hope that it will be them to be called on. If teachers use this method students will be forced to pay attention and interact with the class.


By engaging each and every student in the classroom they will become more confident and more likely to want to learn. If the students are paying attention and have kept up with their classwork and homework they should have no problem answering questions. The best way to keep the classroom alive is questions, questions, questions. Each student should be able to have the opportunity to answer questions on a daily basis in the classroom. Whether the student wants to answer the question or not, seeing other classmates engaging in answering questions aloud should make it easier and more fun for the students to learn together.

Thursday, September 4, 2014

How Can You Provide Meaningful Feedback to Your Peers? Blog Post #3

In the video, What is Peer Editing?, I learned that when peer editing you must make it more of a compliment than an insult to their work. You must follow the three basic steps; compliments, suggestions, corrections. I was unaware of the importance of compliments. I can see now after watching, Writing Peer Review Top 10 Mistakes, that it can be really hurtful and offensive to flat out say, "you spelt this word wrong, are you dumb?!". I have personally been peer reviewed by people like Mean Margaret and Picky Patty. When you do not make suggestions and compliments it can be taken the wrong way.

I also learned in the videos and slideshows that when peer reviewing you as the writer should not take everything so personally. Like the little girl in Writing Peer Review Top 10 Mistakes says, "so what it's my paper anyways", when arguing about how to spell "fox", she is correct, it is her paper. It will be the writer that suffers if she or he does not take advice from the peer reviewer. However, I strongly believe if you follow the three basic steps you will successfully review a paper without hurting anyone's feelings. Don't be a bully! Just remember: compliments, suggestions, and corrections. Those three things will make it easier on both the writer and the reviewer.


Picture taken from Bing images

Sunday, August 31, 2014

What will teaching in the 21st Century be like? Blog Post #2

In the video, Mr. Dancealot, the professor teaches the students dance moves through power-points alone, he does not engage the class and let them do the dance moves in class. I believe this video shows us that students must learn through practice, like they say, practice makes perfect. I believe it is an inadequate way to teach students simply through notes and power-points. Students learn in all sorts of different ways. Being engaged and being able to work hands-on with other students is a good way to succeed. The message I got from this video is that we as students and educators must get active. The best way for success is not to sit in a class room writing down everything the teacher says. The best way for success is to be involved and practice and work with fellow classmates, as well as the teacher.

Robert's video, Teaching in the 21st Century, tells us all the different ways teaching has evolved. It is no longer the students getting the facts and information from the teacher alone. Now with smartphones, iPads, and laptops students have access to the internet to look up anything and everything, whenever they want. With the click of a button students can now learn what teachers are teaching them in the classroom. That will not keep students engaged too long. Like Robert's says, we need to engage the students, not entertain them. We as students and educators need to be taught skills. We need to let it be known that the technologies in the class room is fine, but we need to learn the ways of working it and succeeding in school through the technologies. This video has really shown me the ways teaching in the classroom has changed and how different it will soon be in all classrooms. I believe that Robert's makes excellent points, that we need to engage the students, teach them skills and professionalism. I believe that we should take advantage of all the technology surrounding us. We should take advantage of it and make good use out of it to better educate our students and to keep them interested and engaged.

In Wendy Drexler's, The Networked Student, video it shows us all the different ways and search engines to find valid information. When asked, "Why does the networked student even need a teacher?", it explains to us that the teacher more or less his backbone. She is there for him to educate him and teach him how to make blogs, how to find legit websites, the proper way to engage in a conversation professionally. The video shows us that as a teacher they more or less supply us with all of the tools and help, and we go and explore and find the facts and find evidence and the teacher is there every step of the way for help. I believe the networked student is the future. With all of our resources and technologies, why not let the students use them? As educators we will be there every step of the way with support, teaching them how to put all their information into a well written article or blog. As educators, we are here to teach and engage students, if we give them the tools and help them put their masterpiece together each student will succeed.

I believe that Vicki Davis' thesis is that all students learn differently, therefore pencil, paper, and textbooks will not work for every student. I agree with her 100% and I think it is amazing that she learns stuff from her students. I think when students feel like they're one step ahead they get excited and want to learn more and find more out. I think it is great that she has her students teach and she gives them the tools and they go from there. It is a very smart idea to make students google the words that they do not know, this helps them learn better than just reading them definitions out of a textbook. When students have to research, and go on their own to find information, they are more likely to absorb the learned information. Personally, hands-on learning is the best way for me to learn. Sitting in my room reading a textbook just goes in one ear and right out the other.

I am very shocked by the Who's Ahead In The Learning Race? video. To answer the prompted question, I believe 100% that these elementary students are winning. These children in this video are accomplishing tasks on their computers and iPads that I have never even heard of. I am very shocked, I never would have thought that elementary children would know more about technology than a college student. I cannot speak for the entire class, but I know personally I am blown away at the elementary students skills with technology.

I have never heard of "flipping the classroom" until now. With that being said, I think it is an awesome way to really help the students learns. By watching videos at home of what to expect in the classroom this gives them time to really think about questions. I know personally, I never think of questions to ask until it's too late. With being able to watch the videos from home I believe it will give the children time to process and understand, and even to write down answers if they have any. If you spend the majority of your time at the front of the classroom lecturing it almost cuts out the students time, it gives them no chance to discuss and ask questions. With the flipping the classroom program I believe that students will find it easier to approach their teachers, and teachers will find it easier to engage students and really help them learn and understand what is going on.

Sunday, August 24, 2014

What About EDM310? Blog Post 1

Outline
What I've heard about EDM310
What fears I have about EDM310
Compare and Contrast EDM310 with other college courses I've taken
What will be the most difficult thing
The best way for me to address the most difficult thing
What questions I have about this course

When I first heard that I would be required to take EDM310 I was not sure what to expect. I started asking people that I know have taken it. The majority of the people told me, if you can manage your time you'll be fine. People told me it's all about time management and making sure you get everything done that is due that week and to not get behind on your work. Once I heard numerous people's outlooks on this course I understood a little better and I knew going into it that I need to stay on top of my work. Overall I now feel more prepared for this class than I did before I heard what people had to say.

My biggest fear about this class is time management. College has been overwhelming for me, having to keep up with so many different assignments and quizzes and tests. I have never been one to manage my time accordingly. However, so far this semester I feel that I am prepared and managing my time well. I know that if I don't make every spare moment count then I will be behind, whether it be in this class or another.

Compared to any other college course I have taken, this course is alot more of out of class work. In all classes you have outside work, such as, homework, assignments, etc. In this class I feel as if it is all about keeping up with the assignments in the checklist master. As I mentioned earlier, I know quite a few people who have taken this class previously. They have been very helpful in reassuring me that it will be okay and helping explain it to me when I am confused. I think I will really enjoy this class, it is alot more different than any other course I've been enrolled in, however, I enjoy the fast pace.

The most difficult thing for me this semester with this class will definitely be time management. I'm usually very good at last minute work, however, I can already see now that that will not work in this class. With that being said, this class will have to be my first priority. I am scared to get behind in this class and end up with a bad grade over something I can control. I know that as long as I get the work done in this class done in a timely manner I will be fine and hopefully I will end up with a good grade overall.

At the moment I cannot think of any questions I have about this course. I feel like everything was covered in class. I am sure in the weeks to come I will have a question or two about something.




Thursday, August 21, 2014

Practice Blog Post

Outline
Personal Information
Why I want to be a teacher
What my job as a teacher will include
My passions

My name is Ashley Stacey. I was born and raised in Mobile, AL. I attended St. Paul's Episcopal School from Kindergarten until graduation. I was in the graduating class of 2011. The summer of 2011 I broke my back just a few weeks before I was supposed to go up to Oxford, MS to attend college at Ole Miss. The doctor approved me to attend college there; it was very difficult and horrifying. I ended up only attending one semester there. I realized I needed to be in Mobile, AL until I got out of my back brace and found out what I wanted to do. I enrolled here at South and started classes in the Spring of 2012 and have been here ever since.
I am the youngest of four children. I have two sisters and a brother. My sisters graduated college in four years. My brother did not finish college. I am very close with my family, but with my siblings living in Georgia and Tennessee it is difficult to see them often. My parents and grandparents are in Mobile so I get to see them often. I am a born and raised Auburn fan and I enjoy taking road trips up to Auburn to tailgate and attend the games. This past January my dad took our family out to Pasadena, CA and we went to the National Championship. It was a blast!

My junior and senior year of high school I took an elective class called Service Leadership. My teacher, Mrs. Lerner, impacted my life greatly. In those two years our class would help out the community with different community service activities. Once a week we went to Little Tree Pre-School and tutored Autistic Pre-schoolers. It was then and there that I decided I needed to become a Special Needs teacher. I have a huge place in my heart for Special Needs kids and I cannot wait to graduate and work with them. I will be responsible for teaching these children the basic studies that all Pre-School children need to learn. I will help them with their social skills, as well as their thinking skills.

Photo by: Stranger on Santa Monica Pier
My family means the world to me. I am very close with my parents and siblings. We are all big Auburn fans and Auburn football games are usually the only time we can all get together and spend time together other than holidays.
Welcome
outline

Source: Photo by Ashley Wikle
Go Jags