Final Reflection

I hope to be teaching early elementary students. I will be a special education teacher. Obviously my students will have special needs which will of course, vary from one student to the next. Each student will learn differently. I want to teach in away that is integrated so that all the students will "see" the lesson. I want my students to learn by doing.

I would like for my students to be able to Skype with other classrooms like theirs. I would like for them to tell others what they learned and explain it to them. I feel that I you can show someone what you have learned and explain it clearly then you really know the material. I believe this will be especially valuable when teaching math and science lessons.

I intend to implement a class blog and web page. No more lost assignments or "I wasn't sure what to do" excuses. I think this will be useful the students as well as their parents. So the parents can see what is happening in class, as well as what should be happening at home. I am very excited about the kids having their own blog and for them to use it like the old fashioned notebooks I used to keep as a child.As well as a daily journal.

However, first and foremost I want to create an environment of respect. Respect for me, their classmates and the rules set out for them in the classroom as well as in the digital world. I will set rules and expect them to respect and honor those rules. In this happens everyone can be content. They must learn respect for each other and their "superiors". In today's world not enough of our youngsters know the value of respect.

Now and Then
I wouldn't change what I wrote at the beginning of the semester. I still think respect for me and fellow classmates as well as self respect is key to a productive learning environment and I still would like to be able to incorporate related lessons like history and art. But I have learned about so many new ways to do this. There are so many tools out there for us right at our fingertips.

For example, when learning about the Alamo my students could try to skype or twitter with students who've been there! Or take a virtual tour of the Louvre for art lessons. We can visit the Grand Canyon and learn all kinds of geological facts right through our laptops, Ipads and even phones! These are really exciting technological times. There are new advancements every day. Virtual classrooms will allow a sick child to come to class everyday and also American students can attend class in Japan and vice versa we have so much to learn from and teach each other around the world it's mind boggling! Final Reflection Video

Team Terriffic 13

For our SMART project we used a variety of tools. We uploaded, shared and viewed items in Google Drive. We shared emails and texts and well as the instant message feature in Gmail. We used the SMART Exchange for brainstorming ideas. It was very helpful. Using these tools helped to make our “facetime” much more productive as we already had a plan of action all we had to do was implement each piece. Due to unfortunate circumstances that required a member to be out of state, we could not meet to record our project on the planned day.We used Skype and texting to plan a new day/time. We also used skype and texting to plan possible alternative options if our "plan B" fell through also. Skype was a great experience and it is possible to use it on your phone also! The technology we have learned how to use from this class, has been very helpful with finding alternative ways to communicate and plan.a

Project 16

SMART board project part 2

Post 14

This article is reporting about a new software that tracks how often a student uses digital textbooks. It tracks how and what they may be highlighting and reading. This information is then put into an index score, the more a student uses the software the higher the score. The whole point is to track whether the students are reading the material and is it useful to them. Some students who showed a relatively low score were still scoring well on tests and quizzes. Is this a reflection of the usefulness of the text? Is the teacher lecturing so well that text isn't needed? More data is needed.

I like the idea being able to tell my students are reading the material. It could tell whether the text is useful and/or helpful to the students. It could also tell whether it was wasteful and useless. This is not a end all be all solution however, I think it could be a useful tool. Which students read more? Are their scores better than the students who take a lot of notes on their own? To me, it would have to be a piece of the learning puzzle. You have to have all the pieces to see the whole picture.

As a student I feel like this software is not at all useful. It can mislead a teacher's perception. The teacher may think this student isn't reading he/she must not put much stock in this class. Which may not be true, I once took a class where I read from the text ONCE. I took good notes, went to class every time, took advantage of SI (student instructor) sessions and I had an A in that class. So tracking how much I read the text is not a reflection of me as a student. I think this kind of tracking is really only useful to the textbook publishers not necessarily to teachers. It may improve the usefulness to students as time progresses but, to me , now, it is not helpful or useful.

1. What did you hope to learn from this technology? 2. Did the software teach you something new about the way students study? 3. Were you surprised by the number of students who were doing well yet, apparently not reading the material? 4. Knowing what you learned this software would you use it again? 5. Would it change the way you teach/assign reading?

1. Did knowing the software was attached to your text change the way you studied? 2. Some of you stated privacy wasn't really an issue, does anyone feel a little weird knowing the teacher knows you didn't do the reading assignment? 3. Did you find it useful/helpful? 4.Would you use it again?

This software is not for me. I don't think it truly reflects what the students are really learning. The text is only one portion of the learning experience. Tracking how much a student reads won't tell me if they are engaged.

C4T 4

This post was a letter to author's of children's books. She was encouraging author's to make their books more affordable. Actually I think the word she used was cheap. She suggested they make offers from time to time on sites like kindle daily deal.kindledailydeal She talks about her students having access to an iPad and i Pods through their school library. She encourages the authors to give deals to get recognized and there by increase sales of all their books.
Today I read an older post because the assigned teacher hasn't posted since December. In this post she was recounting trying to teach empathy to her students. She did so by assigning 3 books to choose from. After they chose they had to blog about the main character(who has a disability). In class they had discussion on how the characters were different and how they would feel if they had the same problem. The students commented: “I think just smiling at people is important. Melody tried to smile, but people didn’t know it.” & “Sometimes we think we might know what’s in other people’s heads but I think we don’t know.”
Mrs.White really seems to enjoy her students. It seems she really puts reading at the forefront of her lessons. Reading is pivotal whether it be on an IPad or Kindle or just a paper book. Reading can introduce our students to places, subjects, and times they will never experience in their own towns, homes and schools.

C4k 9- final

Today's post was from Cheyanne she wrote a post called character development. It seems to be a description of the main character in the books she is reading. I encouraged her to post descriptions on the other characters and that it sounded like and interesting one so far.
Today's post was from Shakira, a 5th grader. She told about her year so far. She spoke a lot about math and what her class was doing lately. They recently worked on perimeter and area. She told of a dice game they played to help them learn these concepts. She also told about a couple of science experiments they were conducting.
I have really enjoyed reading the kids blogs. The kids have always impressed me. They always step up to the plate and hit a homerun. I am excited to have a class of my own and get the kids blogging so I can see what they accomplish in writing.

Progress Report

Team Terrific has decided to do a video. We have drawn up an outline and have come up with questions to ask one another in the video. We hope to be able to complete and edit the video on Wednesday of this week.

Post 13

I really enjoy watching folks like Mr. Crosby. He is so fired up about his kids and how they are learning and what they are learning and expressing it. Orally, writing blogs, and commenting on other peoples blogs too. The high hopes project was awesome and the fact that the kids got so many others to participate was great. I like the idea of the kids being able toSkype in with other classrooms around the world to "teach" other kids how to do the can crush experiment. If you can tell/teach someone else what you have learned with clarity then you've got it. You know it. So much went into 17:43 of video I am interested to see more from Mr. Crosby.

Mr.Bozeman really drove home the point if you can explain it you have learned it. I like his strategy. Start with questions, expand on your learning with specific readings, watching videos, reviews and if the students don't get it more reviews. Then and only then do they move on to a quiz. All along they are self evaluating and meeting benchmarks set out for them. I think this is a good way for students to learn. They can keep up and are accountable to themselves as well as the teacher. I think this can be important because it lets students know where they stand at any given time.

Special Assignment

I can't say for sure why I missed the metaphor. Especially since my first thought when looking at the cartoon was they look like the the Mac commercial guys."> I thought maybe he is using them like a spoof. I guess I just over thought it.
Metaphors
1. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to get into heaven. 2. Better to beg forgiveness than to ask for permission. 3. We waited a lifetime. 4. Let your light so shine before man that he may see your good deeds. 5. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
Helping Students Understand
I think the best way to help them understand is to use them. Then ask Do you know what that means? Have a discussion about how they interpreted it and why they thought the way they did.Maybe get them to make up their own and get their classmates to see if they get the meaning.You could get them started with something like... playing outside is... "Let the kids run with it" and see what happens.
Why we use Metaphors.
Metaphor - a figure of speech in which a word or phrase literally denoting one kind of object or idea is used in place of another to suggest a likeness or analogy between them (as in drowning in money) (Webster) We use metaphors to get a point across. They are often used to convey sarcasm. They are sometimes used as a comparison of two unlike things.

Post 12

Diversity and disability can and should be taught in our classroom. Watch these videos and read the blogs I linked for you. How will you teach your kids about diversity and disability? Have you ever had an experience with a disabled person or maybe just someone very different from you how did you handle it?Would you do anything differently? What did you learn from it? How could you use your experience to teach your class? Also, create an activity that would teach diversity. (ex. brown/white eggs same on the inside even though different on the outside.)


diversityblog
kindnessblog

Post 11

I enjoyed watching Ms. Cassidy's students explain how they use technology in the classroom. I like her ideas on teaching them good "digital citizenship." I think before using the computer every child should learn some digital etiquette. They should know ways to keep themselves safe and places that are appropriate. Also as she said in her interview, depending upon their age, what to do if they feel they've reached a site or game that is not appropriate or if they feel they are compromised in any way. These are very important and would be a must in my classroom.

I like the idea of the students blog being their "portfolio." I like that she uses the class blog for links to games and activities that are appropriate for the lessons at hand. I like the class blog in that student always have access to the homework assignments they can go and get enrichment through games and other links. I hope I can implement a class blog or web page as useful and extended as hers. I like that she collaborated with other teacher from the same grade level. I really think that being able to see and hear what other kids from other place are doing could really be a draw for kids. In that, they can comment as well as receive comments from other kids and adults too.

Technology is all around us and our student we must keep up or get left behind. Kids are smart and soak up anything we teach. So as with anything we do with them, when using technology and the internet, we set rules and boundaries and expect them to abide by them. When and if those rules are broken or boundaries crossed there will be consequences like no free time to play games. Kids are smart they know whats right from wrong and most will follow the rules we set for them.

C4K 5-8

Today's kid left a statement regarding the Constitution and the 1st Amendment. He said without it, he could not choose his religion. I commented that he was right and that the U.S. was very lucky in that we have that right.
Today's assigned kid did not have a post, so I chose "Rachel The Uber Awesome" and she left a really substantive blog on why her town should not allow fast food drive throughs in her town. She was very thoughtful and stated all of her points. I comment on how well she wrote and how I would now have been thinking of such things as a middle schooler. I encouraged her to keep up the good work and to always speak out for what she believes in.
Today I read Ana's Blog she wrote a short post about the real reason for Easter not just eggs and candy but, the death and resurrection of Jesus. I agreed with her and told her she should keep praising and posting.Today I read Marissa's post intended to be an intro and description of herself to Russian students. She told a little about herself and asked a little about them. I replied by giving an intro and description of my self.
The blogs were all very different this go round. Each student has something to say in his own way. I especially enjoyed "Rachel The Uber Awesome" not just because she calls herself as such but she really had alot to say and gave real reasons why she felt strongly against drive throughs in the restaurants in her town. Imagine that no drive throughs and a kid in favor of it.

C4T #1 #2

Today I read a couple of Mrs. Ripp's posts. The one that caught my eye the most and the one I will comment on is "Let's Celebrate Those Kids." She talks about being in a rut. And since lately I have been feeling the same. Routine , routine, more of the same. Where is this going? Where am I going and when will I get there? She is encouraging us to look at the small things. What about the kid who complained about hating to write a few weeks ago but now wants help to make his story great with more details? Let's celebrate the child that remembered the formula for a triangle and then was able to teach the rest of the class. Let's celebrate the kids who try, try, try and then tell others about how they are trying.The kids who aren't afraid to put their faith in me every day hoping that the adventure we are about to go on is something worth there time.Let's celebrate the kids who try, try, try and then tell others about how they are trying.The kids who aren't afraid to put their faith in me every day hoping that the adventure we are about to go on is something worth there time. I think this will and can be an important lesson not just with our classrooms but in life as well. Remember the little thing that encourage us and make us smile.

Today Mrs.Ripp's post was about assumptions. She says we should never just assume a child was raised the way we were. We shouldn't assume someone is from where we are from. My Grandaddy always said "you know what happens when we assume." Then he would say "you make an ass out of u and me." This is so true we should never assume that a child knows what we mean or that he or she can relate to us. They may not have been taught the same rules and moral we were taught. Take time to really know your students, where they are from, what they like, what rules at home are like. This may make understanding for you and your students grow.
Mrs. Ripp seems really neat. I like her. She says what she feels even if it doesn't quite make sense to her. She puts it all out there then asks for feedback.

Blog #10

Adventures in Pencil Integration: I'm a Papermate. I'm a Ticonderoga.

Pencil
Let me start this by saying I'm obviously not a hipster because I had never heard of a ticonderoga pencil before now. I'm not really sure what his point to this particular cartoon was but, I think in reading his other blogs I get it. A pencil is a pencil. However if use know how to use it and use it well,it could be something really special. Maybe my logic is faulty here but I'm going with it.

Playing Games
Mr. Spencer use dialogues to get his point across. I like this as you can really see both sides to the issues at hand.Mr. Spencer the free thinker and the obstinate "institution."If we are going to have a graduating class of critical thinkers and problem solvers we must stop the mass production of memorizers.
If games get the kids to interact, think, problem solve and OMG! learning too, then why wouldn't we play? Our kids really do learn by doing, not by memorizing and "burping back". There is way to much politicizing of our systems. We have to do what works best for OUR students. Which in the end may not be suitable for others and that's o.k. too. We have to teach our students to be thinkers and doers.

Don't Teach...
Dr. Mcleod has used his sarcasm to make a point. Technology can promote so many ways to learn, collaborate and integrate. Of course there are things to beware and watch out for but this is the case every time we let the kids out the front door. But this is why we teach them caution, respect, awareness,and boundaries. This goes with any new tool they learn to use. There is a time and place for all of it. We should be integrating technology into their lessons they will have to use it in their everyday lives no matter what they do. Even the "whopperfloppers" have have to use a computerized cash register and order system.

Scott Mcleod
Scott McLeod has A Masters degree in education from William and Mary. He also has a doctorate in Educational Administration from university of Iowa. He is currently Director of Innovation in Pocahontas, Iowa at Prairie Lakes Area Education Agency. He is a staunch advocate for utilizing technology properly in the classroom. Technology can be such a wonderful tool and should be advocated. He has a blog called Dangerously Irrelevant. You should check it out he has some really neat insights. I like the way he thinks. He has sarcastic tone often which is often the way I think as well.

Book Trailer Project #12

Smart Board Project #14

Project #11

Blog #9

I read Mr. McClung's post volumes 3 and 4. I like what he has to say. I really like the idea of writing a reflection on the past year. It could be helpful. What did I learn? Where did I miss a step? Are the kids still enjoying the lessons? This is a really good way to make sure the lesson plans stay fresh and interesting. In his blog he talks about how to answer these questions.

Mr. McClung says stay true to yourself. The people we as educators should concern ourselves with most is our students. This may seem like a no-brainer but, a little reminder from time to time couldn't hurt. Don't try to serve the agenda of the administrations need but rather the students. Ask ourselves are they having fun? If not don't be afraid to make a change. In fact, embrace it. Change stimulates growth and growth is vital.

We must grow to learn. We have to also learn to stand back sometimes so our kids can learn. We can't always step in. This is how they get to grow. Sometime it takes making a mistake to see the whole picture. And often as teachers we will want to step in and guide them when in reality we are hindering them. It's like a plant, it needs water to grow, but if we give it to much it will die. Same thing with kids, make sure they have enough to grow but not too much or they'll never really learn.

Post #8

This is How We Dream
I watched the presentation form Dr. Miller. This guy is really dull. However, the information he is presenting has the potential to be fascinating. It is exciting to think about the progression of things where writing is concerned. Being able to write an entire article or research paper without walking into a library. No research books, imagine that.
Every day I am impressed with all the information that is readily available to me with a thought or question and a click. So much has changed just in the last few years. It is exciting to see it in motion.
The ideas and thought of "the world" being tracked is a little creepy. Yet I would imagine this kind of data would be highly useful to advertising executives. It's too much like big brother to me. It's being watched without ones consent. But in fairness if you are putting it out on the internet anyone can see it they just have to know where to look.

Carly's Post
A lot of thought and work went into this post! This could actually be several assignments. I love the idea of a video list. All of these are great. I also like the thoughts she had about encouraging creativity and getting kids to rewrite the ending to their favorite books.
I like her thoughts on differences and disabilities. As the parent of a disables child, I can appreciate this. I am always telling my child she is not disables just differently-abled.
Carly is going to be an excellent teacher because she has fire and passion about it.

Chipper Series
These video snippets were a great example of what not to do. I am a procrastinator myself. In the words of famous comedian Ellen DeGeneres "Procrastinate Now Don't Wait." My video however would probably be on organization and the importance of it. Without organization nothing gets accomplished. I would start with little things like a notebook and bookbag and move to bigger things like projects and research paper. Organization is essentially to the success of any endeavor.

Learn to Change. Change to Learn.
I absolutely agree that school should be moving away from vending machine thinkers. Our school must move into the realm of teaching children how to find information. Then, once they have found this info,what can you do with it. Can you validate it? Can you integrate it? We have to teach our children to be able to think for themselves and have an opinion of their own even if it isn't ours. They must be able to think for themselves. If they can't think they can't create. Creativity and free thinking is key!!! Nothing gets created by memorization.
Br/>Scavenger Hunt
The social platform tool I found is called Ecto. It allows you to create a profile of yourself. It has a place called upcoming events. This could be used for assignments due or upcoming tests. There is a place to message you openly or send a private message. There is also a place to add a link to a blog.

Comic


Poll
pollshack

Project #9 Post1&Final Summary

I started out building my PLN page on Symbaloosymbaloopln today. I really like the way it puts all the "folders" at a glance. A student could make folders for each class/subject, respectively so could a teacher. I started out by eliminating things that could cause distractions for me like ebay and amazon. I did keep netflix because it could be useful. I am working on building a network with twitter as I am a new user. I really think this could be a very useful tool. Especially for parents of children with special needs. I am really excited to learn more.
As I have used this I have enjoyed it. It makes for a very useful homepage. Everything is all there in one place. For example blogger, USA's homepage etc. I think this could really be a very useful tool for students, and teachers alike. The way it can be added to and suggestions are neat. For students places that they go for their classes,for teachers they could use things like smart exchangeSMARTExchangeI like that the "tiles" are large and can be color coded. I like that I can manipulate and group them the way I would want to use them. PLN's Could be an amazing tool if used wisely and purposefully. So many resources can be added to use it to its full potential.

Blog#7

In watching this lecture I kept thing this is basically a autobiography. How is this going to apply? Mr. Pausch talks about his childhood dreams. I thought well ok, he is going to tell us his life story and how he lived happily ever after. But he had some interesting anecdotes to tell. He gave a list of things/dreams he wanted to accomplish and how he set out to get it all done. In doing so he gives some pretty good advice. As he speaks we learn he has terminal cancer. This fact is glazed over a few times in the lecture but is not the focus.

He talks about how he not only taught students but what he learned from them as well.It rather reminded me of a book I once read and the slipcover's little blurb. The book was "All I Really Need To Know I learned In Kindergarten" By Robert Fulghum
Buy it at Amazon
These are the things I learned (in Kindergarten):1.Share everything. 2. Play fair. 3. Don't hit people. 4. Put things back where you found them. 5. CLEAN UP YOUR OWN MESS. 6. Don't take things that aren't yours. 7. Say you're SORRY when you HURT somebody. 8. Wash your hands before you eat. 9. Flush. 10. Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you. 11. Live a balanced life - learn some and drink some and draw some and paint some and sing and dance and play and work everyday some. 12. Take a nap every afternoon. 13. When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands, and stick together. 14. Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the Styrofoam cup: The roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that. 15. Goldfish and hamster and white mice and even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup - they all die. So do we. 16. And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you learned - the biggest word of all - LOOK.

I'm not sure if he read the book or not but the two men surely share the same ideas. Mr. Pausch encourages us to take chances, "Don't lose that child-like wonder." The tips he gave and received through his "journey" are perfect especially in the teaching world. Kids are always watching even when we think they are not they hear and often repeat EVERYTHING. So set an example "Don't be afraid to dream out loud." ( I love that one)

He spoke of how others influenced his life. The advice here was great. Don't always see the bad, sometimes you may have to wait a while to see the good. But it's there just wait and see. When someone gives you feedback: listen, cherish, and use it. It is important to focus on others and help them achieve their dreams. As this can be just as if not more rewarding than achieving your own.

C4K February

#1
The student whose blog post I read had a post however, it seemed to be a book report of sorts. The directions were calling for the subject matter to be on WWI. I am sure this was also assigned work but I don't think it was the post I was intended to comment on. In saying that, I went ahead and commented on the report titled "Halfway there." It was as it stated a "halfway there" book report the student gave a synopsis of what had happened so far in the book he was reading. There was a lot information and at times he seemed to ramble. He did gave a good foundation with information on the main character, his likes and hobbies, about his family and what was going on in the world.
I like this idea of doing a book report in stages. This way the reader can refer back to each stage for the final product. This is also a way to make sure no one is failing to read the entire book and not just cliffnotes. It gives the student more opportunities to improve their writing skills as well, and putting it in a blog allows them to get feedback other than from the teacher.

#2
I visited Ms. Balestrin's (2nd grade) class blog. She has instructed her students to begin blogging, get familiar with all the settings,control panel and such. This will have been their very first blog. The student I was instructed to comment on had a very short blog titled My fervent things. This should have been "favorite" but I noticed her teacher did not correct this mistake so I did not either. I told the student that I liked some of the things she liked as well and hoped she would keep blogging so I could learn more about her.

#3
The students this post are 5 and 6 years old. I was given 2 students to comment on and the blogged separately. The assignment was to draw picture and tell a short story about it. William told a story about a cat that was too fat to fit in the door. I told him to keep practicing. Arthur was next. He told a story of fishing with his dad. I told him to keep up the good work.

#4
The student this post is in a 10th grade English class. The post was word of the day, use it in a sentence kind of thing. Even here I could tell this girl had spunk. so i went back a couple of posts. One of which she titles Ten lies they tell you at BSHS.It was just a list but a really bold one. She really spoke out about how she felt. This is what I comment to her about. I told to speak her mind. But be sure to use correct spelling, grammar and punctuation so people will take her seriously.

Summary
These are a just a few ways in which a blog can be used in the classroom and homework setting. I like the idea of submitting work this way it can be a useful tool for those student who have poor organization skills. No one can say they lost the work. I really like the idea of a class blog so parents can help and kids can keep tabs on what is due and when. no excuses for not knowing what to do. A link to contact the teacher with questions is a very good tool as well. I had to wait until Monday if had a question about an assignment. I think I am going to like this blog thing after all. It will be an excellent tool to help the kids exceed their potential.

Project 10

Integrating Technology in a Special Education Classroom from kmott

After viewing this slide show, I am interested to learn more about the Turning Point Student Response System. It is essentially like the clickers we use here at South. It enables teachers to use it in conjunction with other forms of technology like smartboards and such. Questions can be inserted at the end of a presentation or lecture.
The students answers are displayed in graph form so the teacher can monitor the students understanding. Once all answers are received the correct answer is displayed on screen. Kids say they like it because everyone gets to answer and they don't have to be afraid of getting it wrong because only they and the teacher know which answeer they chose.
This is a great tool because it allows the teacher to see the progress or lack there of, of each student and the class as a whole. Students who are shy may be more inclined to participate in the lesson using this tool. As long as the do not have a problem with dexterity it seems like this tool would be fairly easy for most any student. I hope I have an opportunity to use this tool.

Post 6

The Networked Student
I watched this video intently. I think that this idea is a lot like the way EDM310 is structured. I am a hands on people person. This format could be great for those students who work well on their own and do not require extra instruction. This format would be more useful (i think)in the high school or university level than lower levels as it would require a lot of dedication and focus that a younger student may find trying.
I think in any situation a student needs a teacher. As I mentioned in an earlier post students have enormous amounts of information available to them at any time. Teachers can assist these students in learning how to process,analyze,validate and utilize all this information. Teachers can help students navigate their way through the maze of the world wide web. They need to be able to understand how to differentiate between fact and opinion and how to tell if the facts are being skewed to represent the writers point of view. Who will a student ask if he thinks a piece of information is wrong or being misrepresented? Google? No, his teachers!!!

7th Grader's PLN
After Watching the video on PLN's like symbaloo, I really like the way it is being implemented here. Encouraging students to verify the info they gather and ask others if they are correct. this a a good way to teach kids how to write well. This I must say, is not a skill I learned before I got to the university level. Sure I could put together a sentence but write a solid paper? No. This teaches them how to find quote and properly cite it as well. I like that they can put it all in one place in neat organized folders. As a very UNorganized person this is great. Never lose an assignment again!! Imagine that.

Team Terrific Podcast

Post #5

Krissy Venosale is a very passionate science teacher. After an afternoon of extra-curricular robot building she says, "I leave a day like today thinking about all the times I hear that there is no ‘time to teach science’ in America’s classrooms today." She wants her students to WANT to learn. She quotes WB Yeats saying, “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” Light it. She also believes in hard work. She says "Rigor is deep thinking, often, and consistently. Even rigor can be fun." Krissy is a hard working passionate teacher who loves her students and loves her job.
Here are a few things Krissy says about her school: Creativity would ooze from every pore in the building. There would be colorful walls, comfy seating, nooks, and crannies where kids could collaborate, discuss, dream, and learn. State tests? Cancelled. We’d learn to read for the joy of reading, do math because problem solving is important, and learn because we love it.Seriously, there would be a big treehouse, IN the library. I love all of these ideas that make school an inviting place so that kids want to come and learn. I also like the idea that there be a special place where kids can show their appreciation for their teacher because teachers want to know they are making a difference. School is such a pivotal part of our children's lives. We need to strive from them to love it! Encourage and nourish their desire to learn new things and allow them to explore further when a subject interests them. In a dream world imagine all the things we could do! But seriously we don't live in a dream world so, we could start small. We could miniaturize all these plans to fit our classrooms and go from there.

Eric Whitacre
These two posts discuss the way this video is put together. It is amazing the way so many people can be "brought together" through the use of technology. I was just amazed.

Kevin Roberts:Teaching In The 21st Century.
Kevin makes a lot of very valid points. Kids don't really need us for information. They can get that "anywhere, anytime" their access to information is widespread. I agree we have to teach them how to validate, cross refernce and use the information they find. I also agree they must know how to apply all of this to real world applications.
Students must be "engaged." I very much concur. If students are not actively participating they will lose what they've been learning. If we don't engage them and challenge them then we are fostering the burp-back mentality that Dr. Strange speaks of so often. We must stoke the fires of excitement to learn. explore, analyze, and apply all the information they have available to them.
Flipping the Classroom
In theory I like this approach for one or two subjects when integrating it. An all at once transition may be overwhelming for students and parents alike. But I really like the idea of previewing the lesson before class so that the student can watch and rewatch the lesson. They can try sample problems and come to class with substantive questions. As long as students who need to can have time to view the lessons at school this could be an invaluable tool.

C4T #2

The first post is essentially a list of proposed things to answer the question "How should communities assess their schools’ integration of digital technologies for learning and teaching?" They include but are not limited to:Adequate personnel resources for supporting technology integration (e.g., learning technologists, information technology support staff)The role of technology use in class instruction (e.g., student v. teacher use, consumption v. production, replication v. acceleration or transformation of learning and teaching),Accessibility of adaptive technologies for students with special needs. Ongoing, content-specific professional development for teachers that focuses on pragmatic solutions to technology integration in their context, and student and family access to learning technologies after/away from school. If we can get just these ideas integrated into all our classrooms it would be great!
For this post I chose to go back a few posts because the others were not very substantive.In this post the author writes of three "visions" for use of technology in education. He seems to be arguing the even with the best hardware , without good software and the knowledge of how to utilize both the students and teachers will not be able to use technology to its full potential. He states, "Used well, the computer extends the breadth, depth and complexity of potential projects."

This Is My Sentence

Project 2 Wordle

Post #4

Podcasting with 1st Grade
I really enjoyed this. The children created an interview. They took turns being the interviewer or being interviewed. This was a great way for kids to learn about the events that took place in their book. The kids did such a good job. This is a wonderful tool for teaching history lessons because the children learn to ask the questions as well as answer them. This is a way to integrate technology into a history lesson.

Flat Stanley Podcast
What fun. The kids were really enthusiastic about this one. they each got to be "Flat Stanley" and tell about their "trips." They each told where they had been what they had done there, what it was like and how they got home. They each did this with such detail. At the end when they returned they got the teacher to "unflatten them. This was a fun way the kids to learn about places other than their hometown. One child went as far as Israel where the Israeli prayed for rain and another went hiking in Alabama and learn the chant Roll Tide.

Benefits of podcasting in the classroom.
This was an interesting piece. I had not thought of using a podcast/vodcast like a study guide but why not? As a unversity student I have recorded lectures and listened to them later. A vodcast would allow a student to hear as well as see what a teacher is presenting. I reaaly like this idea. It is a great way for students to get extra input. Also it is a innovative way for kids to share what they have learned, like with mock interviews with historic figures.

Special Blog post #1

Facts can be used to show all kinds of things. They can used against a point or for a point it all depends on how the facts are presented. I noticed the way the facts were presented and thought about the population size difference but didn't know the answer so I just kept going. We have to notice and check these things especially as teachers we must be observant at all times.

Wolframseaerch
This is a pretty neat tool. I searched "compare mobile, Al and Fairhope, Al. I found all sorts of information: population density, how far it is from one city to the next, the weather in each city. Also it gave statistic on "education attainment" in which the stats seemed a bit skewed on their own but when looking at them in conjunction with all the other factors like population and income they made a little more sense. I did a couple more like Mobile, Al compared to Moscow, and Mobile, Al compared to Beijing, China, and for some reason these yielded little more than population, elevation and weather. For toots and giggles I put in Apples vs. Oranges in the search field. You would believe the data.Among these were per serving size: fiber, calories, fat even density to name a few.
Students could use this a million different ways. It is always neat to learn new things. This is a great tool. when I learn something new I am always saying oh so it's kind of like.... I am a very visual learner so if I can compare it to something it makes more sense. So for students this could very well help the to see differences and similarities to a whole range and variety of things.

Social Media Count
This is a very interesting and telling tool. Technology is exploding right before our eyes or in some cases behind our backs. We must realize technology is growing exponentially in ways that could forever change the way we teach and learn.
Social networking, blogging and things like video classroom where children across the world can share a lesson together. Maybe even kids who are sick and can't come to class could do so through the use of technology. It is very exciting to learn about new technology and to put it to use.

C4T Paige Baggett

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.

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.

Creativity
As 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.

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.

This is test number 1.