Blog Post 16- Fin

Blog Post 14 and 15- That's A Wrap!

We were asked to reflect on what we believe our strengths and weaknesses are going to be when entering the world of being an educator. I have exactly two years until I am a graduate from the University of South Alabama to become prepared for my endeavors as a future educator. One of my strengths, I believe, is that I am very accepting and willing to learn about new technologies out there to help further education. I honestly like the change that is happening within the world of education, and I believe this quality will allow me to find innovative and interesting ways to teach my students. A weakness I could see myself having when it comes to PBLs in the classroom is being innovative with the PBLs I choose. I would be nervous that the project I would decide to do would not actually be effective and the students wouldn't learn the material.

Some final uses of technologies that were introduced with us included QR Codes. QR Codes can be used as a tape recorder. Teachers can record their voice for students, as well as students can record their own voice for themselves as well. The teacher can essentially become a personal tutor for the student this way. After recording, you can turn the recording into a URL, this way it is accessible to all students.

Three helpful classroom tools that are good for reading include Ipad Centers, Poplet Centers, and the Alabama Virtual Library. In an Ipad Center, students can record themselves reading, after reading the child listens with the recording and makes sure he or she did not make any errors upon reading the first time. This allows self correction for the student. Poplet is an app you can download to Ipads. First, students are to choose a book, and once they have done that they can use the app to add pictures, information, and text to create a digital bubble map to use as a visual tool for their reading. Also, the Alabama Virtual Library is an app students can also download onto their app Ipads. The student is then able to type in a word, then the student is read, by the app, an introduction and facts to whatever the word they typed in.

Also, we were to watch a video instructing how to make an Imovie relevant within the classroom. I personally loved using Imovie for the book trailer we made in an earlier assignment. It is definitely something I would incorporate into my classroom as an English teacher. The fact that students as young as six years old are able to use it is truly amazing, and says something about the correlation between upcoming generations and technology. A final type of app we learned about was Discovery Education Board Builder this is an app students are able to use to create their own educational board, they are able to add pictures, facts, and links from Discovery Education to their board. This can be used as a study technique for themselves or shared amongst their peers.

One of the final videos we watched was an interview directed by Dr. Strange about Twitter For Educators In this video, it was discussed how Twitter is changing the way teachers are learning. Through sites like twitter and technology, we all become learners. Education is no longer just a teacher teaching a students, but now everyone, including teachers, are able to now become full time learners. Everyone can learn something from everyone.

C4Tp #4 (Silvia Tolisano)

Ms. Tolisano posted a blog entitle, Building Good C.U.L.T.U.R.E. This acronym, created by Dan McCabe, stands for collaborate, understand, love, trust, unite, respect, empower. All very important attributes and ideals to have when learning or being immersed within another's culture. Ms. Tolisano was asked to illustrate a picture to go along with this acronym.

In an earlier blog post, Telling a Story With Data Ms. Tolisano introduces a class in which the students have learned to take data, analyze the data and tell a story with it. They are demonstrating their understanding of Math concepts, data graphs, misleading graphs and communication skills. The students were given a rubric, so expectations were clear, then students were able to let their creativity flow, by changing the math into a story to share with their class.

C4Ta Post #4 (William Chamberlain)

In William Chamberlain's blog post, A Case Against Expecting New Technology to Drive Engagement, Chamberlain argues that new technology is not a substitute for great lessons. Chamberlain discusses, from personal experience, how technology in the classroom has effected his class. Often the technology that Chamberlain introduces to his class is new for the students just as it is for Mr. Chamberlain. He often found that the focus was more on the technology, rather than the actual material being taught. Chamberlain says, "I forgot the real purpose of the technology, which was to make it easier for me to give my students great lessons to learn the school's curriculum." I agree with Chamberlain's final point, which is the fact that the technology is often "new" to the students as well, so as a teacher, be sure that the focus is still on the material, rather than the fascination of the technology.

In an earlier post, Owning Our Choices and Accepting Ourselves, Chamberlain discusses a project being held within his classroom. The students are instructed to create their own "Russian nesting doll," a week later, the students will explain why they created the doll the way they did, why they chose a super hero, friend, etc... The point of this project is to encourage individuality. Educators should encourage individuality, and allow students the opportunity to be creative without the presence of peer pressure. As Chamberlain says, " We need to take a stand in our classrooms and give our students opportunities to share their inner nerdiness. Give them their voice."

Blog Post 13- What Did I Leave Out?

In this blog post, you will focus on the subject of English. The blogger must also anticipate that every classroom he or she teaches in will contain a SMARTboard

In this weeks blog, you need to find three useful tools, not discussed in earlier assignments, on the SMARTboard that could be used for English class specifically.

Once you have found the three tools, give a short synopsis of how you would incorporate theses tools into three different lesson plans.

A useful site to use is SMART EXCHANGE

Blog Post 12- What Assistive Technologies are Available to You as a Teacher?

Project #12- SMARTboard Instruction Part B

C4Tp Post #3 (Silvia Tolisano)

On June 28th, the Langwitches blogs posted a video, complied and edited by Andrea Hernandez, entitled The Possibilities of Student Blogging. Hernandez points out how blogging gives students a platform to reach more than their own personal network, but gives students access to the entire world. Blogging has also improved the writing skills of the students within the classroom. Hernandez also introduces the concept of "Quad Blogging." This is preformed by involving a few classes, all from different countries, and basically setting up a personalized learning network for the students. The classes comment on other students blogs from across the world, a very interesting concept!

In Silvia Tolisano's blog, "Documenting FOR Learning", she discusses the importance of documentation for teachers and students. She gives many effective examples of how to document in the classroom, such as, video, blogging, and photos. I also agree documentation is important, not only does it help students to more easily retain information, but it also allows for better organization within the classroom.

C4Ta Post #3 (Steven Anderson)

In Steven Anderson's blog, he discusses some helpful tips which he believes will help you truly get the most out of attending a conference. Steven Anderson discusses three main techniques, first, "put your thinking cap on and push the boundaries of your thinking. Anderson says to go in with an open mind, purposely listen to speakers who are covering topics you are skeptical about. Secondly, "reflect, often." Go back at the end of each day and think about what you heard, also, make notes throughout the day so you'll always have a reference point when trying to remember what you heard that day. Lastly, "don't be a hoarder, share your learning. If you hear about a great idea, be sure to pass the word along! As I was reading this blog post, I couldn't help but think of how all of these points are completely relevant to my experience in EDM310, or any educational setting for that matter. These are great points to carry throughout my life when entering into any new learning experience.

A second blog post Mr. Anderson wrote was entitled, "Quick Collection of Bring Your Own Device Resources." In this blog post, Anderson addresses the fact that, yes, allowing students to bring their own type of device to class may originally seem overwhelming to the teacher. However, their are many great resources found online that can offer helpful apps, ideas, and tools to allow teachers to handle multiple devices brought by the students. These resources can be found on sites, such as, Edutopia, THE Journal, and many other online options for great tips for teachers.

Project #10- Teacher Interview

Blog Post 11- What Can We Learn From These Teachers?

In Brian Crosby's lecture, Back To The Futrue, he discusses the demographic of his classroom, and how he has been able to connect and engage his students in the classroom through technology. The main point of Mr. Crosby's lecture is that, we as educators, cannot continue to rush children through education. The result of rushing students leads to classrooms where over 50% of students do not know the country in which they live in. By bringing technology into the classroom, Mr. Crosby has been able to allow his students, who have not had opportunities to be exposed to the world, are now allowed to see the world through the internet.

In Paul Anderson's video, Blended Learning Exercise, he discusses what exactly blended learning is. Blended learning is a blend of online, mobile, and classroom learning into one. The six stages to an effective blended lesson, according to Mr. Anderson, are to Question, Investigate, Video, Elaboration, Review, and Summary Quiz. In a later video, 5th grade teacher, Mr. Sam Pane, discusses the importance of Teaching Digital Citizenship to your students. When incorporating lesson plans which involve the use of internet, it is important to teach students necessity of proper etiquette online. They should be aware of potential identity thieves, so students must keep their information private. Also, students must be aware that what they post online is available for all of the world to see. Lastly, in Dean Shareski's video, Project Based Learning, the benefits of combining multiple classes for PBLs is shown. In this video, History, English, and Information Processing were all combined to preform effective PBLs. This type of learning allows students to make connections within the classroom and be productive within their own learning.

Blog Post 10- What Can We Learn From Ms. Cassidy?

Watching Dr. Strange's interviews with Mrs. Cassidy, it was clear that there are ample ways to use technology within the classroom, even for very young students. Mrs. Cassidy uses blogging, SMARTboards, and even video within her classroom, what's amazing about this is the fact that she teaches first graders. Something I will definitely be interested in using in my classroom, after getting my degree as an English teacher, will be blogging. This can be used in many ways within an English classroom. I can view student's writing assignments, students can communicate with authors around the world, and I also feel blogging improves writing skills. My experience with blogging, thus far, has been very great, I can't think of any issue that blogging would bring in the classroom for upper level students. I think blogging is something I will definitely incorporate into my class one day.