Today I watched a video clip called "Stem to SteAm". In this video several business leaders and others discussed the Importance of integrating Art and Design into Science,Technology,Engineering,and Mathematics. The object being to make these concepts more innovative push creativity and encourage it. The most powerful statement in the entire clip was "You must Create to Innovate. This is very true.
Ms. Paige posted a series of items in her post this time. She referenced a conference she attended as well as some photos. But what I'd like to comment on is an article she shared from http://upfront.scholastic.com/issues/01_28_13/book#/14. It was about the "gaokao." This is the Chinese equivalent to the SAT, however, in China this is the sole determining factor in whether a student gains entry into a university. Nine million students take the exam every year but, only seven million slots are available. If a student fails to secure a slot he or she may take the exam again next year. The pressure is intense one student said he studied 13 hours a day, every day for a year to prepare. There was a video attached to the article that gave some insight into the minds of the students taking the exam as well as their parents. The article and video was very informative and I learned things I did not know.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Blog Post #2
I did not know most of the information provided in the video. It is amazing how many students have so much access to technology. Yet I would bet that most of them are not "technologically literate." It would be a shame for all these students to have access to so much and not teach them amazing ways to use it. New ways to learn, look up, post, create web sites, blogs and interact with people across the world that does not involve facebook. Technology can be used in so many ways. It is a new gateway to learning.
Mr. Winkle
I hope things don't stay the way it went in the video. Poor Mr. Winkle. Imagine all he could learn if he just knew how to use "one of those machines". Children should most assuredly know how to utilize technology in the learning process. Technology can be so useful if only you know how. Students should never fear technology. Technology can only improve the learning experience.
CreativityAs defined by dictionary.reference.com creativity is the ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, relationships, or the like, and to create meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, interpretations, etc.; originality, progressiveness, or imagination: the need for creativity in modern industry; creativity in the performing arts.I think Mr. Robinson said it all when he said kids are not afraid of getting it wrong . Kids will make it up as they go along with out fear of persecution. But somewhere along they way they do learn fear of being wrong. Why? Why do we ingrain our kids with a fear of new ideas thoughts and different ways of doing things? If no one tried out a new idea we wouldn't have had a typewriter, a computer or an IPad. Ideas and creativity are to be encouraged ,nourished and cherished.
Creativity brings us new ways to learn. It shows us new ways to bring technology and even old fashioned books to new life. It helps to preserve what makes us want to teach. INTEREST in everything. Think about the most interesting thing you learned in the last year. Was the person who taught youcreative in his method to show something new? Probably so. So be creative in your classroom. Don't be afraid to try new things and encourage your kids to do the same.
Pintrest
I am not new to pintrest. I was introduced to it by a classmate in a previous class. I love this site. It is useful in many, many ways. Looking for ideas on just about anything, crafts for kids, a new diet or recipe, history lesson? It's there somewhere.
I really liked the idea about getting students to use it for a group project and brainstorming. It is a way for a group to work together without having to be together, which is sometimes difficult especially if the project requires work outside of school. I fully plan to use Pintrest and other sites like it for ideas and lesson plans. It can be a wonderful tool to learn about what worked for others as well as to tell other what has worked for you.
Education & Pintrest
The first pinboard I chose to check out was Rachel Freidrich's because who doesn't remember the Reading Rainbow song. I love music and love that a lot of the ideas on her board try to incorporate music into the lesson. What easier way to learn than with a song? I mean, HELLO! the ABC song. Need I say more? There were so many to choose from but, another that I noticed was called List of free Apps for Education. There were oodles of Apps to choose from and they all looked really useful.
Next was Kristin Brynteson her board was chock full of pins on in particular was full of statistics like 70% of children age 2-5 can use a computer mouse, Only 11% know how to tie their shoes. Another pin was a link to 375 free downloadable E books. Many of these are classics. Reading is such an important facet to learning. Read, remember, comprehend. Without knowing how to read, who is going to write the next classic?
Mr. Winkle
I hope things don't stay the way it went in the video. Poor Mr. Winkle. Imagine all he could learn if he just knew how to use "one of those machines". Children should most assuredly know how to utilize technology in the learning process. Technology can be so useful if only you know how. Students should never fear technology. Technology can only improve the learning experience.
CreativityAs defined by dictionary.reference.com creativity is the ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, relationships, or the like, and to create meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, interpretations, etc.; originality, progressiveness, or imagination: the need for creativity in modern industry; creativity in the performing arts.I think Mr. Robinson said it all when he said kids are not afraid of getting it wrong . Kids will make it up as they go along with out fear of persecution. But somewhere along they way they do learn fear of being wrong. Why? Why do we ingrain our kids with a fear of new ideas thoughts and different ways of doing things? If no one tried out a new idea we wouldn't have had a typewriter, a computer or an IPad. Ideas and creativity are to be encouraged ,nourished and cherished.
Creativity brings us new ways to learn. It shows us new ways to bring technology and even old fashioned books to new life. It helps to preserve what makes us want to teach. INTEREST in everything. Think about the most interesting thing you learned in the last year. Was the person who taught youcreative in his method to show something new? Probably so. So be creative in your classroom. Don't be afraid to try new things and encourage your kids to do the same.
Pintrest
I am not new to pintrest. I was introduced to it by a classmate in a previous class. I love this site. It is useful in many, many ways. Looking for ideas on just about anything, crafts for kids, a new diet or recipe, history lesson? It's there somewhere.
I really liked the idea about getting students to use it for a group project and brainstorming. It is a way for a group to work together without having to be together, which is sometimes difficult especially if the project requires work outside of school. I fully plan to use Pintrest and other sites like it for ideas and lesson plans. It can be a wonderful tool to learn about what worked for others as well as to tell other what has worked for you.
Education & Pintrest
The first pinboard I chose to check out was Rachel Freidrich's because who doesn't remember the Reading Rainbow song. I love music and love that a lot of the ideas on her board try to incorporate music into the lesson. What easier way to learn than with a song? I mean, HELLO! the ABC song. Need I say more? There were so many to choose from but, another that I noticed was called List of free Apps for Education. There were oodles of Apps to choose from and they all looked really useful.
Next was Kristin Brynteson her board was chock full of pins on in particular was full of statistics like 70% of children age 2-5 can use a computer mouse, Only 11% know how to tie their shoes. Another pin was a link to 375 free downloadable E books. Many of these are classics. Reading is such an important facet to learning. Read, remember, comprehend. Without knowing how to read, who is going to write the next classic?
Blog Post#3
While the video and slide shows were very informative, I found that I knew the information presented in them. I have taken the required English Composition classes here at South. I hope am not making my instructors ashamed of my writing. In these classes we were required to critique our classmates work. I learned a lot especially in part two of English Composition with Dr. St. Clair. He almost killed me, but I learned a lot.
We were taught about how to write a fair and honest critique. Is the grammar correct? Does the paper make sense? Does it flow? Does the paper stay on point? Are the facts clear? Are they referenced properly? These were just a few that I learned. I took a lot away from that class. Time management was a major deal there too. I had to learn how much time to put in to research. (it can't all go in one paper.)Break it down. Be concise. Don't use fillers.
Assistive Technology For the Blind and Hearing Impaired.
I was and am very interested in assistive technology as my husband, daughter and mother-in-law all have varying levels of blindness. The Mountbatten is an exciting tool for children learning to use braille. This is especially true in that they can type the letter, hear it and for those who may have some sight they can see the braille letter on the paper and the "regular" letter on the screen. I like that it can be connected to a computer for several uses. The Ipad is very exciting. I have never seen one actually being used. I plan to show the videos to my family. It is so great that blind users can navigate through all the settings and apps. The teaching math to blind students who use braille video was very interesting. My husband and daughter have enough sight to use print albeit really large print, print none the same. So it had not occurred to me that braille runs across, math problem generally do not. Even if you didn't have the gadget you could buy tiles and put braille numbers on them. I am SOOOO excited to begin learning to use the smart board and all it can do. I have seen the Jackson Pollock video in Art for Elementary Teachers. I really enjoyed it. I love watching the kids "create" masterpieces. I can't wait to learn how and when I can incorporate these things into my classroom. The world is moving toward so much technology and so much is available. Why not use it in the classroom?
Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts
In this video Ms. Davis is teaching her students so much. I like that she is expecting them to "learn how to learn". Because not ever child learns in the same way. In using virtual worlds they can learn to "use what is available" to them find new materials using methods they may not have used before. Connecting students to other students across the globe isSOneat I hope I will have the resources to do this. Kids want to learn about new people and places.
This can open up whole new aspects of learning. For example , we do things in this way, well, in another country, students may do it differently. This may enable a student to "see" things more clearly. I am eager to learn how and teach how to use technology for more than games and social networking. A whole plethora of information is at their fingertips if only they know where and how to look. I can remember having to go to the library to do research. So, all of this is fascinating.
We were taught about how to write a fair and honest critique. Is the grammar correct? Does the paper make sense? Does it flow? Does the paper stay on point? Are the facts clear? Are they referenced properly? These were just a few that I learned. I took a lot away from that class. Time management was a major deal there too. I had to learn how much time to put in to research. (it can't all go in one paper.)Break it down. Be concise. Don't use fillers.
Assistive Technology For the Blind and Hearing Impaired.
I was and am very interested in assistive technology as my husband, daughter and mother-in-law all have varying levels of blindness. The Mountbatten is an exciting tool for children learning to use braille. This is especially true in that they can type the letter, hear it and for those who may have some sight they can see the braille letter on the paper and the "regular" letter on the screen. I like that it can be connected to a computer for several uses. The Ipad is very exciting. I have never seen one actually being used. I plan to show the videos to my family. It is so great that blind users can navigate through all the settings and apps. The teaching math to blind students who use braille video was very interesting. My husband and daughter have enough sight to use print albeit really large print, print none the same. So it had not occurred to me that braille runs across, math problem generally do not. Even if you didn't have the gadget you could buy tiles and put braille numbers on them. I am SOOOO excited to begin learning to use the smart board and all it can do. I have seen the Jackson Pollock video in Art for Elementary Teachers. I really enjoyed it. I love watching the kids "create" masterpieces. I can't wait to learn how and when I can incorporate these things into my classroom. The world is moving toward so much technology and so much is available. Why not use it in the classroom?
Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts
In this video Ms. Davis is teaching her students so much. I like that she is expecting them to "learn how to learn". Because not ever child learns in the same way. In using virtual worlds they can learn to "use what is available" to them find new materials using methods they may not have used before. Connecting students to other students across the globe isSOneat I hope I will have the resources to do this. Kids want to learn about new people and places.
This can open up whole new aspects of learning. For example , we do things in this way, well, in another country, students may do it differently. This may enable a student to "see" things more clearly. I am eager to learn how and teach how to use technology for more than games and social networking. A whole plethora of information is at their fingertips if only they know where and how to look. I can remember having to go to the library to do research. So, all of this is fascinating.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Blog post#1
My name is Chrissie Todd. I am 36 years old. I am an Education major at the University of South Alabama. I have lived in Mobile most of my life. I was raised by my Mama in the house right next door to my Granny and Paw.They made me who I am today. I only hope I can do the same for my child. Family is very important to me. I have been married for 17 years. I have a wonderful and loving husband and beautiful daughter. My mother-in-law lives with us in our home. All three of them are either blind or legally blind. My family is my rock. They are the strongest three people I know.
As for my likes and dislikes, I love music. All kinds except maybe rap. I can play the flute, piano and a little clarinet. I love animals. I am a volunteer with Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF). I have three dogs one of which is as we in the rescue business call it a "foster failure". I enjoy working with special needs. This is why I've decided on elementary special education. I have a lot to give, teach and learn through this journey.
Classroom Management
In my classroom I want to teach child respect for me, their peers and most of all themselves. I am a firm believer in teaching and expecting respect. I will set rules and make sure the children know and understand them. I believe if a child know what is expected of him/her, he/she will most often do so. I hope to be able to incorporate lessons so that sometimes the will coincide ex. Art and History. I want to make kids want to know more.
Time Management/Organization
This is a skill that I have not yet mastered. I would try to allow an even amount of time for each subject.I would teach the kids to give each subject assigned at least a few minute each night. Also if there is a subject he struggles with look over that days lesson so as not to fall behind.
As for my likes and dislikes, I love music. All kinds except maybe rap. I can play the flute, piano and a little clarinet. I love animals. I am a volunteer with Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF). I have three dogs one of which is as we in the rescue business call it a "foster failure". I enjoy working with special needs. This is why I've decided on elementary special education. I have a lot to give, teach and learn through this journey.
Classroom Management
In my classroom I want to teach child respect for me, their peers and most of all themselves. I am a firm believer in teaching and expecting respect. I will set rules and make sure the children know and understand them. I believe if a child know what is expected of him/her, he/she will most often do so. I hope to be able to incorporate lessons so that sometimes the will coincide ex. Art and History. I want to make kids want to know more.
Time Management/Organization
This is a skill that I have not yet mastered. I would try to allow an even amount of time for each subject.I would teach the kids to give each subject assigned at least a few minute each night. Also if there is a subject he struggles with look over that days lesson so as not to fall behind.
Monday, January 14, 2013
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