Blog Post #15- Final Reflection Video

Project #16- The Learning Tree

C4T #4

#Socks4Dean

Shortly after Mr. Shareski's fiftieth birthday, he received over fifty packages in the mail. Each package contained a pair of socks from people all over the world; some of these people he has never met. Mr. Shareski explained that this is such a powerful representation about the strength of weak ties. Every person who sent Mr. Shareski a package had access to his online accounts. Mr. Shareski used this experience to reconstruct the PLN acronym. PLN initially stands for professional learning network, but Mr. Shareski changed it to personal living network. Mr. Shareski's post proves that networking can go beyond a profession. Networking is broad and allows doors to open in numerous ways.

Who Owns the Data

In this post, Mr. Shareski discusses data. He claims that he has a natural knee jerk reaction to the word data for two reasons. His first reason is that, in most cases, schools go after the low level test scores. In order to record a lot of data, the natural tendency is to turn to the lowest common denominator which collects numerical data that fits perfectly in a spreadsheet. This is the cheap and easy way to collect information. Efficient assessments are expensive and can be messy so most schools do not tolerate this type of collection process. It may make for great conversation, Mr. Shareski exclaims, but doesn't make good graphs. Mr. Shareski's second reason is regarding agency and ownership. Mr. Shareski asks, "Who owns the assessment"? Mr. Shareski believes that the students should own their learning, therefore they should have a say in how their work is assessed. He believes the students should own the data. Data has become increasingly more important to Mr. Shareski. This is because he personally collects his own data which allows him to have a connection with the information collected. This post is an excellent reflection on ways teachers can adapt to students. Data collection is necessary, in certain situations, but it is the teachers responsibility to make sure the student owns that data. Mr. Shareski explains that if the students have a say in the way the data is constructed, collected, or assessed then they will be more engaged and begin to value learning for learnings sake.

C4K #9

What Makes an Effective Paragraph

Finau has been thinking about the best way to write a paragraph effectively. In order to do so, she created a rubric. The rubric is based off punctuation, a main idea, juicy details, and if the paragraph makes sense. Finau will grade herself using a three point grading system.

Best Photo Ever

In this post, Richard uploaded a picture. He posted this particular picture because he thinks it is the best photo ever. The picture has two girls and Richard making funny faces while they are holding cotton candy. I think this is an awesome picture because I love cotton candy!

Blog Post 13

At times, this course will be challenging but it is necessary to fulfill your passion. Before we divulge into the difficulties, lets reflect on why you chose to be a teacher. Watch the video This is Why You Should Teach then write a post explaining why you wanted to be a teacher and how you plan to reach this goal.

Ever since I was a little girl I knew I wanted to be a teacher. I use to sit my stuffed animals, as if they were my students, according to a seating chart that I had made. I would send the “bad students” to my mother, who was the principal. The children would have recess, music, and P.E just like regular classes. As I got older and began babysitting, my passion grew real. I soon realized that teaching was my calling and there was nothing else I wanted to do. One of my favorite subjects is math and during middle school I decided that I wanted to become a math teacher. In the seventh grade I began asking my teachers what degrees and how much schooling it would take to become a teacher. As I got older and reached high school, my dream slightly altered. I fell for the younger age group and realized my heart was at the elementary level. My dream to teach remained the same but what I wanted to teach differed. My sophomore year in high school I was a part of the school’s Spanish Club. One of our community service projects was to go to a trailer park in Canton, Mississippi and help the Hispanic students with their homework. I learned that majority of these students are living in homes where the parents hardly know any English and, for the most part, are incapable of helping their children with their homework. This experience changed my outlook, once again, on teaching. By now I was determined to be an elementary teacher but my dream became bigger than just elementary students. It turned into teaching Hispanic students, at the elementary level, English. This led to extensive research on degrees and the best path to take in order to pursue this dream. As a result, I am an elementary education major with a minor in Spanish. In order to become as fluent as possible in Spanish, I plan to either study abroad in Chile or engross myself in the Hispanic population within my surrounding area. After receiving my undergraduate degree, I will get my Master’s degree in English as a Second Language. My long-term goal is to move where there is a strong Hispanic population and teach within the school system. I believe becoming an English as a Second Language educator can have such an encouraging impact throughout schools and enable English learners to reach their fullest potential at the same rate as English natives. The beauty of the path I took, is that no matter where life takes me, I will have the capability to teach.

Blog Post 12

Teaching Mom What Her Blind Child is Learning on the iPad

The iPad has the capability to adapt to blind people's needs. It has a voice over feature that allows each app to be verbalized when a student runs over it with his or her finger. Once a student is in a particular app, there are two ways to use the keyboard: standard mode which requires a double tap to open everything or touch typing mode. The standard mode allows the student to roll over each letter and have the voice verbalize what is being touched, but nothing is entered on the screen until it is double tapped. The touch typing mode does not require doubling tapping; it only requires holding down until the letter has been entered. Depending on the need, the student will use a set number of fingers to navigate the iPad.

Teaching Math to the Blind

Teaching math to the blind is difficult because Braille is strictly linear and does not approach the two-dimensional aspect of mathematics. This is a problem because it is essential in almost every profession to understand the basic two-dimensional approach to mathematics. As a result, Professor Karshmer developed an idea. His idea included small blocks with Braille and visible numbers along with a grid that the students place the blocks on so they can physically run their hands along it. The grid is attached to a device that allows the students to scan each block and hear the number on the block. After the student places the block on the grid, the computer will verbalize where the block has been placed. This device adheres to both the touch and hearing senses of a blind student. Even though this might not help a student master calculus, it can very well help a beginner master the basics of mathematics and even algebra.

The Mountbatten

The Mountbatten is an innovative tool that gives immediate feedback to students. This device is beneficial for blind students, especially those who are not comfortable with Braille, because it helps them in a regular classroom setting. This tool gives both audio and tactile feedback to the user; meaning, as the student uses Braille it also verbalizes what is being typed. This tool is advanced because it can save files, transfer files, and receive files. Another benefit of the Mountbatten is as the student uses Braille, the Mountbatten converts the information to print and transfers it to a screen. This feature is what truly allows the students to be included in a regular classroom setting.

Autism Assistive Technology

Children with autism have a difficult time communicating. They have voices but it is very difficult for them to use it. Autism is a disability characterized by difficulties in social interaction, impaired communication, and restricted and repetitive interests or behaviors. Because of these difficulties, technology can play a major impact in these children's lives. The iPad allows autistic children to find their voice. There are many applications available to download that helps these children communicate, learn, and create. These apps encourage the children to express themselves and give them the capability to do so.

FM Systems

FM systems, or Personal Frequency Modulation Systems, are effective tools for hearing impaired students. This system is like a mini radio station that operates on special frequencies. It consists of a transmitter microphone that the speaker uses and a receiver that the listener uses. The receiver allows the sound to be transmitted to the listener's ear. If the listener is wearing a hearing aid, the sound goes directly to the hearing aid. However, a headset can be used instead of a hearing aid. This device can be used in numerous environments, including the classroom.

Blog Post 11

Brian Crosby- Back to the Future

By: William Taylor

I learned a lot of valuable information from Brian Crosby's informative and insightful speech about some of the effective methods and techniques being used by him and his students in the classroom. Mr. Crosby articulated the importance of allowing his students to be active and engaged in the learning process. Mr. Crosby is an educator who allows his students to express their knowledge, skills, opinions, and attitudes in the classroom. Mr. Crosby takes a non-traditional approach to teaching. Mr. Crosby allows his students to express their thoughts and ideas through blogs and videos. Mr. Crosby also talked about the value of creating personal learning networks. Personal learning networks are formed through resources and tools such as blogs and Skype. Mr. Crosby encourages his students to blog and share ideas and videos with students all over the world. The idea of collaboration between his students is also key because it allows students to seek out answers to questions and problems in the classroom. I believe this method is the best way for students to learn because it challenges them to work hard and stay motivated. I believe motivation is important because students get tired of paper and pencil in the classroom. Technology allows for students to embrace and share their creativity and express their knowledge, skills, and ideas. Mr. Crosby also harped on the importance of allowing students to express creativity and apply their unique skills to technology.

Mr. Crosby's class is composed of second-language learners, but that does not inhibit the focus of reading and writing in the classroom. As educators, it's important to understand our students come from diverse backgrounds and practice different cultures, beliefs, and traditions. It's key that we accept and embrace those traits and apply them in the curriculum. As educators, it's vital we provided our students with significant resources and tools to enrich and enhance their creative and innovative thinking skills. As educators, I also believe it's important to present a curriculum to our students in a way that is comprehensive, interactive, and fun. Mr. Crosby articulated that during a science lesson his students involved in hands-on experience in creating and investigating meaningful science concepts and experiments. I learned from Mr. Crosby the value of not taking a fast-food approach to education. As educators, we need to abandon the idea of linearity and conformity and promote project-based learning and creativity in our classrooms. We need to disenthrall our students and invigorate their passions, skills, and talents.

Sam Pane 4th Grade

By: Heather Marsh

There is so much to take away from Mr. Pane’s class in this informative and insightful video. The very first thing that I noticed was that all of the students were excited to be learning. Mr. Pane used a very interesting tool to teach his class about Internet safety. The students created a superhero and then created a story that showed their superhero protect people when come to computer safety. This innovative approach not only taught computer safety, but also taught dialogue and writing. His way of teaching should be an example for all teachers. He made the class interesting and fun, but also educational. The students were excited to learn and write. They also had other students read their comic strip, so they were teaching each other. The students wanted to share their work with each other and Mr. Pane. I liked how he had the students talk to each other before they started to get an idea of what computer safety was. Mr. Pane's innovative project also teaches the students about collaboration and communication.

Project Based Learning

In schools today, we are teaching collaboration between students. Not only is this important, but it is also important for teachers to collaborate, as well. What does this mean? In the video, it talked about how three teachers worked together in Canada to combine their classes. They had History and English combined with technology. The idea of collaboration enabled students to spend time creating projects. The teachers worked together to figure out how to combine their classes and create projects that fit the curriculum, and also allow the students to go beyond the required curriculum. We can learn from these teachers that we need to work together more. Two minds are always better than one. Not only do we need to give each other ideas, but also I like how they combined classes. I believe if schools were to implement this idea it would give students the opportunity to use critical thinking.

I think that most people today put a limit on what children can do. When I watched this video I thought, wow these students started young. When you think this way you are taking away from the students. From this video, we can learn that if we let the students do then they will surprise us. They had first grade students doing PBL, and they use collaboration on their projects. The teachers take real world problems and use them in their classroom. Project-based learning allows students to think for themselves. When I was in school, we did not have this, and to be honest, there was not much thinking going on. Project-based learning also will help students down the road when they are on their own.

Roosevelt Elementary PBL Program

The term that keeps popping up is the idea of collaboration between peers in the classroom. Not only collaboration between students, between teachers. As educators, it's important to understand education is evolving, and we have to work together with not only our colleagues but our students, as well. The idea of educators working together is productive and it also allows them to assign collaborative assignments to their students. A good teacher will receive help and ideas from other teachers and give some of their own. I was talking to a friend the other day, and she is currently a second grade teacher. She was telling me that there were a lot of new teachers at her school, and she was one of them. The principal had the older teachers and younger teachers work together, but the problem was that the older teachers did not want to work with the younger teachers. The approach was counterproductive because there was no communication among them. It's difficult for my friend because she does not have anyone to go to for help and guidance. It's necessary for teachers to work together not only for themselves, but for their students, as well.

Blended Learning Cycle

By: Brionna Brown

Blended learning is combining online, mobile, and classroom learning into one situation. Technology is a powerful tool that allows educators to connect and communicate with their students. There are five E’s incorporated into the learning cycle: engage, explore, explain, expand and evaluate. By following the five E’s, it is a great way to present and learn new material. Mr. Anderson created an acronym to develop parts of blended learning-QUIVERS. He has six arrows in his quiver that symbolizes that there are six parts to his blended learning cycle. The first part of his cycle is to have a good question. A good question is the hook that grasps the students' interests in the material being taught. An investigation always begins with a good question. Inquiry learning allows the students to experiment with a question. Another approach to teaching the given material is through videos. Mr. Anderson uses educational videos as a way to differentiate the lecture but still deliver the necessary information. After further information has been given, elaboration is necessary. Mr. Anderson elaborates on essential details before moving on to the next step, which is reviewing. During the review process, Mr. Anderson meets with the students individually or in small groups. Each student is not allowed to move on to the last step until he is confident with his or her responses during the review. The final step is a summary quiz, which tests the students’ knowledge and understanding of the material. By using Mr. Anderson’s approach to blended learning, the students are able to experience a well-rounded style of education.

Making Thinking Visible

Mark Church is an educator who encourages the idea of collaboration in his classroom. Mr. Church assigns his students to work in groups to come up with a headline about the search for human origins. Mr. Church used headlines as a way to force the students to think about the challenge behind the given material. This assignment allows the students to focus on how their thinking was extended and go beyond the obvious answers in the text. After time has passed, Mr. Church will have his students return to the material, creating another headline. The second headline should show growth in the students' thought processes and provide a significant difference in understanding the material.

C4K Summary for March

Efa-Lata's Swimming Story

Efa-Lata made a video about swimming. While swimming she is going to blow bubbles and splash the water. Efa-Lata was obviously reading from something but I think this is a great activity to practice reading. It instills confidence and enables the students to read with fluency. This quick, twenty second video encouraged Efa-Lata to read aloud and also read accurately.

Loseli Swimming

Loseli's class attends the Glen Innes Aquatic Center for swimming lessons. As a class, they attended these swimming lessons every day for thirty minutes. Loseli explained how New Zealand is surrounded by water so it is important for the children to learn how to swim. In her swimming class she is learning how to freestyle with a board and rocket arms. Loseli is tired at the end of swim lessons but always has a good time during the class. I think it is a great idea to incorporate swimming lessons in the classroom, especially if swimming is essential to the children's survival.

Multiplication and Division

Anisha is studying multiplication and division. For this post, she demonstrated her understanding of the material by posting numerous problems. I thought it was an interesting approach because they incorporated fractions and I think were using some type of factor tree to get the answer.

C4T #3

TigerCorp Part 2: It's Lending Time

Mr. Chamberlain created a group called TigerCorp, which is students from junior high who invested in the schools Kiva.org group. In this post, Mr. Chamberlain explains how the students made their first loans. He describes the process in which students choose from a variety of lendees and donate to the best candidate. The students picked Kana De Yanaoca Group from Peru, Thomas from Uganda, and Gagik from Armenia. According to Mr. Chamberlain, the loans will be used to provide a market stall, expand a poultry house, and to help buy more cows and pigs.

Note Taking, Moleskines, and Modeling

From this post, I learned some helpful note taking tips. The first tip Mr. Chamberlain emphasized is that note taking is not simply a task done in schools. It is a lifestyle choice and needs to be approached as such. Mr. Chamberlain also highlighted the fact that note taking is an act of learning. This approach to note taking can change the way teachers teach note taking and personally take notes. One of the most interesting tips Mr. Chamberlain states is that taking notes to memorize facts is wrong. Note taking is meant to grasp concepts and big ideas, not memorize facts. Note taking is an individual act according to the individual's needs. When notes are copied, the student misses out on the personal connection with the material. Mr. Chamberlain emphasized on the quote, "Do as I say, not as I do." Along with this helpful information, there were two videos that gave more detailed ways to customize notes. This post was helpful because I find note taking very difficult especially at the collegiate level where classes are mostly lectured based with no visuals.