Thursday, April 23, 2015

Blog Post 5 Part B

http://freshmancomp.com/2013/03/11/summer-project-proposal-establishing-a-personal-learning-network-pln/
     This blog is a continuation of Blog Post 5.  Blog Post 5 is about PLN's.  A PLN is a personal learning network.  Personal learning networks are a great way to connect anywhere and with anyone around the world over the internet through things such as social media.  I started my PLN by using Twitter. I created an account and followed professors from the University of South Alabama and even followed world wide known educators. Over this semester my PLN has grown. The more it has grown, the most I have become interested and educated. I have continued to follow educators and educational cooperations. I have become very inspired and interested by reading their tweets. Even though my time in EDM is almost over, I know I will continue to expand my PLN experiences and educational ideas.

Blog Post 16

Final Reflection Video


Thursday, April 16, 2015

Blog Post 13

What Did I Leave Out?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3ddtbeduoo

     For this blog post we were assigned to create an assignment for our class that we didn't cover or learn about this semester. Throughout this class, I learned a lot about project-based learning and how to be a successful teacher using technology, but I did not learn how to be a successful teacher without using technology. I believe that using technology is great and is a first choice, but not all counties and school systems can afford a lot of technology. I chose to create a blog post assignment about learning how to be a successful teacher without technology. This assignment is to watch the video Teach Teachers How to Create Magic by Christopher Emdin. Once the video is viewed, respond to the followed questions in a blog post. 
                                  1. Have you discovered how to use magic?
                                  2. How will this magic help you in your classroom one day?

My response to the above assignment:
     Christopher Emdin opens the TEDtalk by telling a story for the audience to imagine in their minds. He automatically drew me into the video with his voice and stage presence. Emdin asks the question of why we educate by using and studying old texts that are written by people who are dead. He then goes on to talk about stressing over lesson plans. He states that no matter how prepared we are they may not be right for the classroom. He inspires and shares that the magic is creating a classroom atmosphere where our lessons as educators should tell a story. The magic is creating a classroom of students that are drawn into the lesson by a simple movement that speaks a thousand words. Capturing our students by our words is what we should strive for in the classroom. We should be expressive and interactive which will draw them in. This will help me one day as an educator because I will not be so depended on using technology to drawing my student's attention. I have learned the magic of using my voice and simple movements to get their attention. While technology is a great tool to use in the classroom, it is my job to teach students. 



Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Project 6 C4K 3

http://www.youranswerplace.org/kids
     The first comments for kids that I did for this assignment was by Ian.  Ian's blog is called English Project: Survivors. Ian wrote this blog to share about a book he read and did an English project for. The book was called Survivors and is written by Erin Hunter. Ian lists the main characters of the book with the main story line. He describes the book to have some suspense and drama. He thought that this book was great and recommends it to everyone. I commented, "Hello Ian! Thanks for sharing and recommending this book. I will have to check it out. Keep reading and look forward to hearing about more books that you read. Great post!"
     The second blog I read was by Deneed. Deneed's blog is called My Bucket Lost. Deneed shares in this blog that her goals in life are to go to high school and then go to college. She is not sure what career she wants to pursue yet, but she has time to figure that out. I commented, "Hi Deneen! I am currently in college and I am going to school to be come a teacher.  Have a bucket list and goals you want to meet in your lifetime is great! Going to high school and college so that you can get a job that you love and that will provide for you sounds awesome! I would love to learn more about what kind of job you want and what you want to do after high school. Happy blogging!"
     The third and final blog that I read for this assignment was by Rico.  Rico's blog does not have a title, but was posted on Wednesday, April 8, 2015. Rico's blog is all about a piece of art that he drew with his aunt. The art is a drawing of a wolf. He is very talented and should continue to draw because he will only get better. I was very impressed with is talent and look forward to seeing more of his work. I commented, "Hello Rico! Wow, you are a very talented artist. I was automatically drawn to your blog because my brother is a very talented drawer as well. I like your wolf and you should definitely continue drawing. I look forward to seeing more of your posts and drawings. Happy blogging!"

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

C4T #3

http://www.spencerideas.org/2015/03/a-solution-to-homework-wars_17.html?showComment=1427239158738#c5972107801730489024
     A Creative Solution to the Homework Wars. This blog is about homework. Mr. Spencer shares with us that he used to be against homework. As he continued in his career of being teacher he learned the importance of homework if it is done correctly. He gives five ways that he has found for homework to work and be successful with his students. He changed the outlook on homework for his students and parents. Homework became a success and became fun for his students. I commented, "Hi Mr. Spencer. I am currently in college in plans to become a teacher one day.  As a former grade school student I was always against homework and never understood the point. Now that I am an adult and in college I see the importance. I really enjoyed reading this blog and the five ways that helped make homework work for you and your students. My favorite approach would have to be the show and tell approach. This has definitely given me a differently outlook on how homework should be handled in the classroom. Thanks for sharing and I look forward to keeping up with your posts."
For my third comments for teachers assignment, I was assigned to a teacher's blog named John Spencer. John Spencer is a great teacher to learn from. He is inspriring and shares his mistakes and experiences for the readers to learn from. The first post that I read by him was
     The second blog that I read by John Spencer was Why I Do the Same Student Projects Over Again. In this blog Mr. Spencer shares that he used to think that teachers should shred and throw away their lesson plans at the end of the year and start fresh. He wrote this post to explain that his way of thinking was wrong. He learned that we should not throw away past lesson plans or projects, but use them to modify and make the next years better. We should use our past ideas and activities to our advantages. This post was very inspiring and good to learn as a future teacher. I commented, "Hello Mr. Spencer. I am in college and going to school to become a teacher. Thank you again for sharing your blogs and experiences. They are very educating and encouraging to me as a future teacher. I like all of the different projects that you use in your classroom. I totally agree with the fact of not throwing out last years work, but instead modify it to make it better. I do not think we should just throw out lesson plans or projects, but use it to make ourselves better. Thank you for your inspiring and experienced posts!"

Saturday, April 4, 2015

Blog Post 11


http://connectandspreadlove.com/motivation-inspiration-for-the-soul/teacher-inspiration

What can we learn about teaching and learning from these teachers?

1. Back to the Future by Brian Cosby
     In this speech, Brian Cosby is speaking about a class that he once taught. He shares about a time that he asked his students questions like, "What is your address?", "What state do you live in?", "What country do you live in?", etc. When he asked his students these questions, surprisingly, so many of them did not know the answers. Cosby also knew that he had students in his class that were mostly second language learners. He began to get his students engaged about science through using technology. His student were using project based learning with technology through blog posts and as he called, "High Hopes" projects. Cosby gave a lot of new ideas and thoughts that made me think. He pushed the thought that we can not create passion with creativity. I learned that there are no limitations when it comes to teaching and there are definitely no limitations when it comes to learning. The learning atmosphere and opportunities that he allowed for his students were incredible and I hope I can be a teacher that allows my students to grow and learn.
2. Blended Learning Cycle by Paul Andersen
     Paul Andersen is an A&P biology teacher. He is a teacher that likes to create acronyms for his students to help them remember what they have learned. In this video he uses an euler's disk and spins it on the table. The disk will spin for a long time without stopping and starting again. He uses these acronyms to get his students attention. He then tells teachers to as a question. Make the students' minds wonder and be curious. He calls these questions, investigations, videos, elaborations, reviews, and summary quizzes, "Quivers." He shows the importance of incorporating all of these into daily plans for the classroom. I learned from Paul Andersen that it is okay to use other sources from around the world to incorporate learning into my classroom. Yes, I need to be creative and teach according to my students' needs, but I can use other sources to help me be more successful. I also learned that incorporating quivers, as he calls them, helps my students to learn on a better level. It also helps me to see and know how much they truly absorb and learn. 
3. Making Thinking Visible by Mark Church
     Mark Church and his students in this video created a banner that in a few words described what they already know about human origins at the beginning of class. He allowed them to hang their banners at the front of class and discuss what they know. At the end of class, after they had learned more about the human origins, he allowed them to write another statement on their banner. I like this method of teaching a lot. I learned that teaching with this type of method the students realize they have learned a lot of new information about the topic within a short amount of time. It caused some of them to want to change what they had wrote on their banner at the beginning of class. It is a great way for students to realize that they can always be a learner and that they do not always know everything about everything. 
4. Building Comics by Sam Pane
     Sam Pane in this video is teaching his students how to be safe with and on the internet. Pane has his students create a Digital Citizen Superhero. He wants his students to be a good technology citizen. He wants to teach them to take care and to take pride in what they do. Pane does a great job incorporating other subjects into this one subject. He incorporates language arts into technology. He allows them to do peer reviewing through comics. The students are so engaged and it all seems so fun. I have learned how important it is to create students with good digital citizenship. I want to create this in my classroom one day. I also hope to do fun things such as comics with technology with my students. 
5&6. Project Based Learning by Dean Shareski and Roosevelt Elementary's PBL Program 
      Videos five and six are about Project Based Learning. Project Based Learning is a great way to combine learning math, science, language arts, and history all into one place. It is also using technology which is automatically a great way to get students engaged today. In this video, a school in Canada combines these subjects for their students. The teachers quickly realized that their students were understanding and learning so much more because it was joined together. I feel like through these two videos I have expanded my knowledge about Project Based Learning. Over this semester, I have viewed a lot of videos about Project Based Learning. However, I continue to see and learn the importance of it. It keeps the students engaged and brings learning to a whole new level. I cannot wait to incorporate it into my classroom one day.

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Project 6 C4K 2

 
http://community.mis.temple.edu/studentblogger/2012/02/22/475/
   The first student's blog that I read was by Maya. It was called The Fault In Our Stars. Maya read the book The Fault In Our Stars by John Green. She is sharing with us in her post how she thought the book was wonderful. She tells how many pages the book has and that it is a realistic fiction book.  Maya goes on to tell us a few details about the book and does a great job of not being a spoiler with too many details. I commented, "Hi Maya! You did a great job on giving main details of the book without spoiling important details. I have been wanting to read this book as well as see the movie. I enjoy reading the book and then watching the movie to compare the changes made. You are not the first person to recommend this book in such a great way. I will definitely have to find time to read it! Glad you loved the book and keep up the great blog posts!"
     The second student's blog that I read was by Skye.  It was called PLAN Testing. Skye tells us the bold and honest truth about testing. She shares that it is not fun and no one ever wants to go through it. Positively, Skye gives us great ways and tips for preparing for a large test such as a the PLAN test. Her advice is very accurate and are tips that I still use to this day as a college student. I commented, "Hi Skye! I am a student in college and have taken many different types of tests in my school career. You have done a great job of telling others how they should prepare for a test. Taking tests can be very boring and tiring, but they do pay off when you get to do something successful because you prepared correctly. Great post and keep up the great work!"
     The third and final student's blog that I read for this assignment was by Lisa. Lisa's blog was called The House of HadesTh. Lisa was reading a book called The House of HadesTh by Rick Riordan. In this blog, Lisa shares the basic details about the book and its characters. This book has so many characters that she said she could not list them all. She shares that she loved the suspense and adventure of the book.  She recommends it to anyone. I commented, "Hello Lisa! This book sounds very interesting. I love to read and especially like to read new things. The suspension and adventure sound interesting. Thanks for sharing this book and I look forward to reading it."

Blog Post 10

http://kellamalyxedm310.blogspot.com

What can we learn from Mrs. Cassidy?

     The first video by Kathy Cassidy that I watched was Little Kids...Big Potential. This video was interesting to me.  She shares with us the many, many different ways that technology can be used in the classroom. She uses all of her technology in such a unique and creative way. She does not use the common classroom technology like SMARTboards and blogs. She uses Nintendo DS's and NintenDogs. I love that she uses these technology tools to teach her students how to work together as a team. 
     There are three part videos to the interview with Dr. Strange and Mrs. Cassidy. The three videos are Interview Part 1, Interview Part 2, and Interview Part 3. In these videos they discuss the importance of technology in the classroom. Mrs. Cassidy gives great ways for beginner teachers to begin with technology. She tells those teachers to begin with the technology that they like or the technology that they are most familiar, such as YouTube or blogging. The techniques that I learned from Mrs. Cassidy on using technology is to simply use technology. I should take advantage of the technology. Technology is not going away and as a future teacher, I must adapt and learn to be creative with it. I really enjoyed watching and learning from Mrs. Cassidy and I look forward to applying technology to my classroom one day!

Saturday, March 21, 2015

Blog Post 9

http://www.jonesvalleyteachingfarm.org/pbl-week/
What Can Teachers and Students Teach Us About Project Based Learning?


     After reading this article I learned seven essentials for project-based learning.  The first essential is called an entry event. This gets the students engaged into the project.  It allows them to start conversations and create interests for the students.  The second essential is called a driving question.  A driving question should be an open ended question that gets students to begin thinking.  The question should be a way to overview what the students are learning at the time.  It should give the students the knowledge and purpose of the project.  It also allows the students to know what information to put into the project.  The third essential for project-based learning is to remember to not give students a limit.  Allow them to explore and be creative in their own ways. We should not tell them exactly what we expect of them, but instead give them the basic guidelines which will allow them to create on their own. The fourth essential is technology.  We should use as well as allow the students to use it.  It's the twenty-first century!  They can use the technology for communicating and exploring. We should not keep them from that.  The fifth essential is to help create students that want to ask their own questions so that they learn more. Teachers should not just tell them information.  We should tell them in a way that gets their minds curious and causes them to ask more questions.  The sixth essential for project-based learning is feedback and revision.  Feedback and revision is important to cause students to become successful at creating quality work.  When they receive feedback and revision on their work, whether positive or negative, they will know what to improve on for the next project.  The seventh and final essential is to publicly present the product.  When students know they have to present work to the class, they want to work harder and make a better product.  Students take pride in their work when they created it and came up with all the ideas.  Allowing them to present their product builds up confidence in them.
     Project-based learning is important for teachers to incorporate in their classroom because it creates students that are able to be creative and inspired learners.  This video tells teachers that we should not be asking the question of "what" but "how".  Project based learning allows them to think on their own with a driven question from the teacher.  In classrooms today, we expect students to follow specific instructions and follow them exactly.  It seems that students today are not allowed to explore, think, or be creative on their own.  Project-based learning creates and allows those things to be reincorporated into the classroom atmosphere. 
3. PBL: What Motivates Students Today
     After watching this video, I am more concerned about what motivates students and I question if they are really learning.  The student in this video, says that she wants to be  veterinarian when she grows up but seems to be only concerned about her grades.  Are the students today only concerned about make the "A" and only absorbing the knowledge long enough to pass the test which leads to forgetting what they memorized?  As a future educator, I long to create students that genuinely want to learn  as well as want to make good grades, but I do not want the grades to be their main motivation.  Students should be taught so that they learn the knowledge for long term, not just for a test. 
4. High School Teachers Meet the Challenges of PBL Implementation
     Project-based learning is for all grades and even for any subject.  Project-based learning is not conformed to a specific way or type.  It can be changed and reformed to fit the needs of the subject of students.  There is not a right or wrong way to create a project assignment for students.  Teachers just need remember to accommodate the requirement and information for the age classroom they are applying it to. Project-based learning can be fun and affective for any grade or any subject but it just needs accommodate for the specific situation for the best results.  
5.  Students Solve the Problem of Watery Ketchup by Designing a New Cap
     This article was unlike any other project-based learning assignment I have ever see or heard.  The students were using a ketchup cap and determining, "what really bugs them."  These students seemed to be engaged in the project.  They seemed to enjoy making their own ketchup cap.  Their driving question was, "it bugs me when."  This question did not limit the students to a specific answer or project, but allowed them to think and create their own project.  This article did a great job at showing that students are capable of more than we give them credit.  As a future educator, I need to remember to ask my students the driving question and then allow them to think and explore on their own - outside the box.

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Project 13

Is it Magnetic?

MAGNET.png
Image Source: Texas Watchdog
This project teaches students in second grade the difference between magnetic and nonmagnetic objects. This project also teaches students how to work collaboratively to complete research and writing assignments in a timely manner,

Is it Magnetic? Lesson Plan
Is it Magnetic? Lesson Calendar
Is it Magnetic? Project/Evaluation Rubrics
Is it Magnetic? Project Checklist
VIrtual Poster Sample (Included at end of Lesson Plan)

Sunday, March 15, 2015

C4T #2

   
http://www.mathgametime.com/blog/2012/05/top-20-teacher-blogs/ For my second comments for teachers blogging assignment, I read two blogs by Krissy Venosdale. I really enjoyed reading her blogs!  She has bold and interesting views on the classroom and how the atmosphere should be organized.  Her blogs caused me to stop and think about the subject she is writing about on a deeper level.  I then, create my opinion about the topic and it inspires me to be a awesome educator one day.
     Krissy Venosdale's first blog that I read was Make School More Than Worksheets.  In this post, she talks about how when she was in school the teachers always gave out worksheets. The teachers would keep the students busy with worksheets and that was how her and her classmates learned.  She continues to say that she does not think that the learning environment should be full of worksheets. The students should have fun learning while being hands on and engaged.  I commented, " Hello Krissy Venosdale!  I am a student at the University of South Alabama.  I am in a EDM blogging class.  I really enjoyed reading your post.  I too, was a student that was given worksheets and I would work to make that A.  I totally agree that students today have so much technology at their fingertips.  They will navigate a world that we cannot fully imagine.  Thank you for sharing your thoughts!  I am encouraged and want to be a teacher that does not give worksheets, but allows my students to be involved and hands on."
     The second blog I read by Krissy Venosdale was The Things We Use.  In this blog, she gives many different technology tools and asks what we see when we see that specific tool. For example, she asks, "Do you see an iPad?" Then she compares the technology tool to another life necessity to a child like training wheels. After comparing what we see when we see these technology tools to other tools we see in a child's life she asks, "Do you see a bunch of tech tools or do you see learning opportunities? Do you see yourself as the expert in the room, or the learner along side your students?" I commented, "Hello Mrs. Venosdale! My name is Courtney Doyal and I am a college student. I am currently in a class called EDM 310 and every week we learn how to become a better teach and how to use sources to our greatest advantage. The only words I had after reading this post was, "WOW!" It brought the debate about technology in the classroom to another level. You really showed the necessity for it by comparing it to something as simple as training wheels on a bike. I completely see tech tools as a learning opportunity. Even though I am not in my own classroom yet, I do not think I will ever consider myself an expert. I will always be a learner along side of my students. I truly believe the saying, "you learn something new every day." I never think you can be too educated or too old to learn something new. I forever want to continue learning and becoming a better person. Awesome post and thank you for sharing you thoughts!"

Blog Post 8

http://www.wisdomportal.com/RandyPausch.html
     Randy Pausch's video, Last Lecture was entertaining and kept my focus all the way through.  I feel like I learned and was reminded about a lot of things through his lecture.  The thing I liked most about his lecture was that he told his life experiences which turned into life lessons for the listeners.  Pausch introduces "brick walls" in his lecture.  He shared the dreams he had as a child.  He wanted to be an astronaut and then he wanted to be an NFL player.  He explains that the brick wall lets us prove how badly we want something.  If we want it badly enough, we will push through the brick walls of life to achieve our dreams.  He was told no time and time again to his dreams, but he continued to push through and strive until he achieved them.  He then began to remind us that we should encourage our students to succeed and we should never give up on them!
     He explained that it is important to raise up students that are able to be "self reflective."  This causes students to push to be better and strive to do more.  If we do not set a standard bar for our students they will do more.  He gave an example of his past class that did more which led to the faculty and parents eager to come see their final products.  We can teach them to self reflect through peer reviews and allowing them to see their mistakes.  We should not just throw away their work or assignments, but give them back so they can see what they need to work on.
    Pausch reminded us that to be an educator we must always be a learner. We must always be willing and ready to expand our knowledge.  His example on how to be a learner to be one that never quits. We should never be willing to say that we do not know or that we know enough.  If we do not know, learn it! Then finally and probably most importantly, I learned that I should never give up on my students and never stop caring for my students.  At the end of his lecture, he asks the audience if they figured out the head fake yet.  The head fake was his was of telling us that his lecture was not for us to hear about how dreams are achieved, but instead, how to lead a life. What kind of life will you lead to your students and the people around you?

Sunday, March 1, 2015

Project 6 C4K 1

http://jessicagottlieb.com/2013/07/pr-for-kid-bloggers-or-lets-play-the-who-is-the-next-lilo-game/
     One of my EDM 310 assignments has been to read kids' blogs.  We call it comments for kids. These kids are students in grade school and they are blogging and expressing themselves through writing which I think is awesome!  Their teachers are showing them how to blog and how to use the internet in a positive way at a young age. To see this many students using the internet at such a young age for more than social media or entertainment purposes is very refreshing.
     The first student's blog that I read was about basketball. This was female student in the 5th grade. She has a huge passion for basketball and is on the school team. In this particular blog she was telling us how she and her team are undefeated so far in this season. The team is getting ready to go to state and she hopes they can keep up their winning streak. I commented on her blog and wished them great luck on their game in hopes that they win! I encouraged her by telling her that practice makes perfect, so if she and her team work together and practice they can surely win.
     The second student's blog that I read was Ice Fishing by Samson. Samson shared with us in this blog that he got to go ice fishing the previous weekend. He said that he did not catch much but it was still a lot of fun. I commented,  "Hello Samson! Ice fishing sounds like a lot of fun.  Unfortunately, where I live, it does not get cold enough to go ice fishing.  Hopefully, one day I will get to expeience ice fishing.  I'm glad that you had fun and hope you catch something next time you go ice fishing."
     The third student's blog that I read was Famous Phonies by Caitlynn. Caitlynn is reading a book called Famous Phonies by Biranna Dumont. In this blog, she is sharing about this book and how she has almost completed the book. She gives the example that George Washington is a phony. She says she is really enjoying the book and suggests that everyone should read it.  Caitlynn had a few typing errors in her blog. In my comment, I tried to express to her, in an encouraging way, that she had errors in her post.  I commented, "Hello Caitlynn! I have never heard of this book before but you have me interested. I will have to check it out and read it. I do not think the title fits the book because it does not sound like that would be the topic at all. Great job on your post! Just remember to always proof read your blogs for errors before you post them. I noticed a few simple typing errors. Keep up the great work and I hope you continue to make reading fun!"
     The fourth and final student's blog that I read was Share Your Genius by Jesus.  In this blog, Jesus shares that this is his first blog and he is excited about it. He reminds us that we are all special and extraordinary in our own way.  He wants everyone to learn to share as we learn so that we can embrace the awesomeness together.  He then asked for everyone to share in a comment what makes them special or extraordinary. I commented, "Hello Jesus! I am also a new fan of blogging and I am in college. Something special about me is that I am going to school to become a teacher. I have a huge passion for helping and teaching kids! Keep up the great work. Happy blogging!"

Blog Post 7


How Do We All Become Learners? 
http://www.teach.purdue.edu/becomeateacher/

     This week I was assigned to watch different videos and reflect on them. Becoming a teacher is a very exciting thought to imagine.  I am so close for that official moment. I have a year and a half left in school. I feel that I have so much to learn still.  I feel my strengths as a future teacher are being creative and always having a plan way ahead of time.  I am not a procrastinator, which I think is a positive quality for a teacher.  My weakness is probably flexibility. I have a hard time changing the plan or schedule when I already have things planned out.  I think that in order to be ready to be a project based teacher in the next year and a half, I need to start buying supplies and preparing for the future projects that I want to engage in with my students.
     In watching all of these videos, my favorite videos were the ones in Mrs. Tassin’s 2nd grade class. This class was so engaged in using technology as they learned.  The students were having so much fun and were on another level of focused learning. Mrs. Tassin used many different apps on the tablets as extra learning tools for her students. The students throughout the video were creating their own projects with the technology. After completing their projects, they were eager to present what they had created to the class.
     The last two videos, We All Become Learners and Using iMovie and the Alabama Virtual Library in Kindergarten, really show how the classroom setting and the use of technology is changing and growing.  We All Become Learners, Michele Bennett explains that the typical thought and setting of a classroom is changing. He shares how he believes that students are teaching teachers, teachers are teaching students, and students are teaching students.  The second video, Using iMovie and the Alabama Virtual Library in Kindergarten, Dr. Strange and other guests on the video are sharing with us about kindergartens using iMovie to create book trailers. This video blew my mind.  I am in college and I am just now learning how to use iMovie and these kindergarteners are using it like its second nature. Dr. Strange even referenced and compared the kindergarteners to college students.  The kindergarteners were engaged and eager to create their trailers and to learn while us college students have to be forced and pushed to learn how to use something new, such as iMovie. 
     How do we all become learners?  To become a learner, we must be eager and excited about learning.  A positive attitude will go a long way.  We must also be ready to ask questions and keep an open mind. Even as a teacher one day, I need to be open to letting my students teach me something new while at the same time teaching them new things. 

Sunday, February 22, 2015

C4T #1

     For my second comments for teachers assignment, I viewed two blogs.  The first blog I read was What am I Supposed to be Learning by a teacher named Mrs. Palmer.  Mrs. Palmer shares with us in her blog post that she believes in allowing her students to have a hands on learning experience with the Common Core Standards.  She allows them to think and explore for themselves.  She gives steps and visual aids like pictures and videos of ideas.  She also shares ways to allow your students to be hands on.  Her students seem to really love and enjoy the atmosphere that Mrs. Palmer creates for learning.
     The second teacher's blog that I read was Make School More Than Worksheets by Krissy Venosdale.  I really enjoyed this post, it was simple but she got her point across.  Ms. Venosdale explains that when she was student, she only had boring worksheets as her assignments.  She just did the worksheets to get her "A," but never learned anything.  She never was engaged in learning. She also sees that learning should be fun and hands on.  She lists all the wonderful tools that she has used or found that makes learning fun for her students.  I replied to her post and shared with her that I agree and believe learning should be hands on.  I was also, a student that was bored with worksheets and just did them to get the grade.  I never learned anything from those worksheets.  I truly learned when I was given the opportunity to be hands on and involved.   I enjoyed reading both of the blog posts and I am continually encouraged and inspired for the type teacher I want to be.
http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com/2012/03/top-10-technology-blogs-for-education.html


Blog Post 6

"What do you learn from these conversations with Anthony Capps?"


http://www.clipartbest.com/elementary-school-clipart
     In the first two videos with Anthony Capp and Dr. Strange, Project Based Learning Part 1 and Project Based Learning Part 2, I learned that it is important to know how to be an effective project based teacher.  Any teacher can use projects to try and teach students, but are they using them in a proper manner?  Teachers should make them fun and interesting.  Teachers should never put a "lid" on the creative abilities of a student.  Anthony gives a great example of how he brought a current news headline to life by taking it back into history for his students. It is the teachers job to spark an interest about the subject in the student.  It was a great reminder as a future educator that projects can be fun and effective.  When I was a student, I had a dislike for projects.  This video helped me to see that projects can be an effective way for students to relax and learn in their own way.
     The second two videos that I watched were iCurio and Discovery Education. iCurio is an incredible search engine for students.  This is a great search engine mainly because it eliminates the negative or inappropriate things that typical search engines can provide. Students can explore images, videos, and lots of other content. It has opportunities for the students be organized by exploring and saving their data. Discovery Education is also a search engine that is great and safe for students. This search engine teaches information through video.  I have never heard of this before until this assignment.  I am very interested and think that this could be very helpful to students. In my opinion, since children are so engaged in media, I feel that they will be more apt to learn because it is in video format. 
     The fourth video that I watched was The Anthony - Strange Tips for Teachers Part 1. In this video, Anthony and Dr. Strange shared many tips to being an educator.  Some of their tips were to never stop learning, to be flexible, that hard work is necessary to gain the rewards of the job, to always give 100%, start with a ending goal, and to always reflect on the work or experience. I feel that all of these tips are very important and key to being a successful teacher. These tips will not only help me, but they will help my students succeed also.  I hope to gain and use all of these tips as a teacher one day.
     The fifth video I watched was Don't Teach Tech - Use It. Anthony gives a great example of using technology but not teaching it.  He has his students make a video of themselves talking about what they have learned and use iMovie. He gives standards and instructions for the assignments but does not teach them specifically how to use iMovie. He wants and encourages his students to learn how to operate iMovie on their own. Technology is important to students as well as teachers.  As someone who uses technology on a daily basis for many different tasks, I feel it is easiest to learn how to use technology by using it and exploring it yourself. I feel that having someone try to sit and explain what to do only makes it confusing and overwhelming.  I agree with Anthony about using technology and allowing the students to explore it, but not teaching them every detail of it. 
     The sixth and final video I viewed was General Thought About Lessons.  So far lesson plans have been very overwhelming to me. Anthony shows us that we have to think about the big picture. We must think about the whole year and what must be learned by the end of the year to determine what will be taught on a certain day.  He also explains that lesson plans must connect.  Making a connection between Monday's lesson and Thursday's lesson is important.  Personally, I have never thought about the connection of each weekday's vs. the full year's lessons until I viewed this video. Connecting the lessons from the day to day or week to week will allow the students to feel and see that they are learning. It will make a larger impact. He definitely shows a different side to lesson planning that I have never seen before.  I am inspired to look at the big picture and to make connections for bigger impacts. 


Sunday, February 15, 2015

Blog Post 5

http://donalomahony.edublogs.org/2011/05/03/personal-learning-network/
     Until this assignment, I had never heard of Personal Learning Networks (PLN).  I was very interested once I saw what this website was and how useful it can be for educators.  PLN is a way for educators or students to use the Internet to share and learn information from anyone or anywhere across the world.  They are able to learn and share through networks like social media, blogs, videos, etc.  As a future educator,  I feel like PLN will help me to be successful in many ways.  It will help me to learn methods or creative ways to teach a topic to my students.  It will even help me with activities to go along with the topic of the day.  Then, most importantly, I can share my successes and failures that I have experienced in the classroom to help other educators.
     Personal Learning Networks are simply created by first developing a subject that appeals to you.  Then create a place where all the information can be stored or added as you explore.  Creating bookmarks of your favorite places to explore, such as Twitter or Delicious, will also be helpful.  In one of my sources for this assignment, A 7th Graders Personal Learning Environment, the seventh grader does a great job at showing how she created and bookmarked her PLN for easy access.  Currently, Twitter is my only PLN.  I have a twitter specifically for this class and I have followed many other accounts that have to do with education.  I have followed accounts like: @drjohnhadley@Edutopia, and@thenerdyteacher.  Now that I have learned about PLN, I plan to add and explore more ways to be proactive as a future educator. I know I will be able to depend on my PLN for assistance, ideas, and ways to grow in my profession.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Project 4 - C4T 1

   
http://www.classroomconfections.com
For my first comments for teachers assignment, I got to visit and learn about a teacher named Lana Gerin through her blogs.  The name of her blogging page is For the Love of Teaching.  Her blogs are full of fun and creative ideas for teachers to add to their classrooms or do with their students.
    The first blog that I commented on Mrs. Gerin posted on Sunday, January 4, 2015.  In this post, Mrs. Gerin shares with readers about a website that she found called Quill. When she found this site, she purchased an easel for her classroom.  Mrs. Gerin explains how useful this product is in her classroom. She shows images of the easel and all the convenient compartments that it has available.  As I commented on Mrs. Gerin's blog, I had nothing but positive things to say.  As a future educator, I feel it is important for me to learn about helpful things that I will need to purchase for my classroom.  She gave me a great idea for something to add to my classroom one day.  Even more importantly, she shares the website where she purchased the easel. The website has decent prices and has lots of things to explore and buy. 
     The second blog that I commented on by Mrs. Gerin is called International Dot Day.  This blog was posted on Tuesday, September 16, 2014.  In this post, Mrs. Gerin writes about International Dot Day and how she brought it to life for her students. She shares the book "The Dot" by Peter Reynolds to her students.  Her school asked the teachers to read the book to their children and do an art project with coffee filters.  She was unable to get the book so she allowed her children to view a YouTube video instead. She then gave all of her students a coffee filter and paint then allowed them to create their own dot.  I commented on Mrs. Gerin's post. I shared with her that I had heard of International Dot Day and that I thought it was great! I feel it is a great way to encourage students to be themselves and to be creative in their own way.  It also had a important lesson of teaching students to make their own mark on the world.  I also shared with her that I had seen many different art projects for this assignment, but I loved the creative idea of using coffee filters.  I cannot wait to incorporate this project into my classroom one day! Mrs. Gerin's posts are easy to read and have great ideas for teachers.  I highly suggest to check out Lana Gerin's For the Love of Teaching!

Project 15

http://griphonmarketing.com/services/increase-site-traffic/
8 Search Engines

1. WolframAlpha
This site was recommended to me for this assignment.  My first thoughts when I visited this site was that it is bright and welcoming.  In the left hand corner of the page it says, "Give your brain a quick workout with Wolfram Problem Generator."  With this site, you can enter anything you want to calculate or search any general wondering that you have have.  When you type something in the search bar, it gives information in depth about the subject.  Instead of giving links to other sites for the information, the information is automatically there to read and learn.  This site is great for kids because parents or guardians do not have to worry about what type of site links could come up when searching something. The information is there and the site does not take you to any other sites.
2. Bing 
Bing is comparable to Google.  Many reviewer opinions argue that Bing is better than Google, but that is one's opinion.  When on the home page of this site, the top of the screen has a list of things you can search or view. The list has options to search like: images, videos, maps, news, or even history. At the bottom of the home page it shows events, news, or people that are trending.  When you type a subject in the search bar, it takes you to images and links to view and learn about the subject you choose. The links that Bing gives you are links to other sites.
3. Ask
Ask is one of my personal favorites of search engines.  It is a simple viewed site but is very user friendly!  I like search engine because when you have a question, you can simply type in your question as if asking a human.  Ask will respond with an answer to your question as well as other sources and links to continue learning about your question. So, anytime you have a question, just ask Ask!
4. DuckDuckGo
DuckDuckGo is another search engine that has a simple homepage.  It has a picture of their mascot, a cartoon duck.  Directly under their search bar it says, " the search engine that doesn't track you."  If you are an Internet searcher that does not want to be tracked, this is the site for you.  This search engine like many others, give you links to other sites to read and learn about the topic you desire. 
5. Dogpile
Dogpile is a a site that gets the results of your search from Google and Yahoo.  Therefore, you can find or search anything you would on Google and Yahoo and receive the same results. 
6. Yahoo
Yahoo is a very busy site. When you go to this site, there is news and weather.  The information is  very big and right in your face. There are many images and activities to click on.  Yahoo is like Google without actually being Google. Yahoo can be very overwhelming, especially if you are unsure what you want to search.  The search bar is easy to fine at the top of the page but the rest is very busy and seems chaotic. There are many sites to click into and seems to be unending.
7. Dictionary
Dictionary is a great search engine that I find myself using a lot.  It is great for looking up a definition to a word or phrase.  It's a quick and easy way to get the exact definition of a word.  The information given even uses the word in a sentence for you to understand how it is used.  This site also has the use for a thesaurus, translator, Spanish dictionary, and many more useful things.
8. iSEEK
iSEEK is an education search engine.  This website targets users such as students, teachers, administrators, and caregivers. It expresses on the homepage that the search engine is safe, authoritative, intelligent, and time-saving. When you search a topic on this site, it gives links to supported sites that will also lead you to learn about your topic. 

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Blog Post 4


http://lifehacker.com/the-five-best-questions-a-job-candidate-can-ask-1599296074
     When asked, "What do we need to know about asking questions to be an effective teacher?",  I immediately thought of when I was in younger grade school.  I was a student that was always scared to answer questions or for the teacher to call of me.  Now that I am older, I see the importance of questions and answers in the classroom.  These sources have also helped me to learn how to be an effective teacher when asking the questions to my students.  
     In the first article I chose, it explains that teachers should know and be able to respond to student's questions effectively.  Asking Questions to Improve Learning teaches great ways for teachers to ask questions as well as respond to the student's answer in a positive way.  This article also teaches to allow the student to respond completely and for the teacher to not interrupt.  Even if the student answers the question wrong, it is important to help the student and not make them feel insecure because they answered wrong.  The teacher should continue to ask more questions and allow classmates to help the student to continue to brainstorm.  This will allow the student to feel more confident and hopefully succeed with the correct answer.
     The second source that I viewed was an article by Ben Johnson called, The Right Way to Ask Questions in the Classroom.  I absolutely enjoyed this read! Ben Johnson gives a simple but great way to ask the students a question in an effective way.  He did some observation in a classroom and saw different ways that the students react when the teacher asks a question.  He says when asking a student a question, the teacher should pause for three seconds before saying a student's name so that the whole classroom is thinking and brainstorming for the answer.  His method of pausing for a few seconds allowed the brainstorming to begin.  I think this is a great idea and I will definitely use this to help my future students interact and be engaged in learning.
     It is important to me, as a future educator to know how and when to ask questions to my students.  I do not want to create an atmosphere where my students are insecure to answer questions in the fear of being wrong or embarrassed like I was in school.  Asking questions in the classroom are important to keep the students interacting and it also helps them to stay on task. Asking questions and having interactive learning causes students to think for themselves. It also creates a more fun and creative learning environment.  

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Blog Post 3

https://writing-help.com/blog/peer-review-our-essay-example/
    Peer reviewing has great benefits in the learning process of writing when used correctly.  For most students it can be a very intimidating, nerve racking, embarrassing, or uncomfortable.  It should not be that way.  It should be helpful and effective as well as allow the student to learn from their mistakes and become a more productive writer.  After viewing What is Peer EditingPeer Edit With Perfection Tutorial. and Writing Peer Review Top 10 Mistakes  I was reminded that peer reviewing is very important and that it can be helpful and effective.
     These three sources had many great rules for reviewing a peer's writing.  The most important part that I learned is to review my peer's work without hurting their feelings or making them feel uncomfortable.  The sources also, encouraged any reviewer to always stay positive when giving feedback.  The reviewer should refrain from being mean or bulling them.  Hurting someone's feeling or confidence is not the point of a reviewer.  These sources also teach to start a review with a compliment or something that will help the writer feel good about their work.   This will allow them to take any criticism in a positive way.  Peer reviewing is a great way to improve my writing and I am happy EDM 310 is making my classmates and me participate in peer reviewing.  I hope to encourage my classmates in their writing while at the same time I am encouraged that I get to learn from them in the process.

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Blog Post 2


Image Link: www.educatorstechnology.com
     This week I had to view many different videos about what teaching will be like in the 21st century. The first video, Professor Dancealot, the students are taking a dance class from Mr. Dancealot. The students are learning many different types of dance styles and movements... while sitting in their seats! Mr. Dancealot was using power points while standing behind a counter and occasionally actively demonstrating in his own way the dance movement.  He was not engaged in the movements and does not allow the students to practice the movements while he was teaching them. I believe the central message of this video is to show us that teachers, as well as the students, must be engaged in teaching and learning. Allowing the students to be active and participate in what they are learning makes a better outcome on what material they retain. The central message point is evident when the students go in to take their final and cannot do the dance movements correctly. The students were never able to truly engage in the dances, which made the final very difficult if not impossible. I do not agree with the teaching methods of Mr. Dancealot. The video does a great job at showing that teaching is not just about standing in front of students and speaking. It is about being engaged and effectively allowing the students to learn. Teachers should allow learning to be fun and memorable. 
     The second video that I viewed was Teaching in the 21st Century by Kevin Roberts. Kevin Roberts shares through his video that teaching in the 21st century is about engagement, not entertainment. It is about teachers being able to give their students knowledge about technology that will last them a lifetime. He makes the point that students have access to any information they could possibly want through technology, but teachers should be there to push learning and technology to the next level. I personally think Roberts is correct in this way of teaching. He believes school in the 21st century is not limiting the technology, but adapting to in the classroom and changing the way students view and use it. Teachers should adapt to the technology the same way teachers once did with pencils, paper, and textbooks. Technology has negative sources, but it has more positive sources and availability in general. If students are taught to use it correctly, they will use it for the positive sources. His point of view affects me as an educator because it inspires me to want to know more about technology and the resources that are available. I feel that I am very educated and user friendly with technology, but this video inspires me to want to continue to learn so that I can be a successful teacher in that area. If I am using the technology and learning new things about it everyday, it will allow me to teach my students the proper and incredible ways that technology can be used.
     The third video that I viewed this week was The Networked Student by Wendy Drexler. This video was a great example of a student using the Internet through social media and web casts to be educated. Realizing that a student could do such intense learning all on the Internet made me for a quick second ask, " why does he even need the teacher?" At the end of the video, it is correct in showing that the teacher is there for one on one support, guidance, and information. Without the physical teacher in the classroom to help and educate, the student would have never been able to use his technology and the Internet to extent that he was able. This particular video was a great reminder to me that even though technology plays a large role is education today; the teacher is still vitally important for the student to truly be a successful learner. 
     The fourth video that I viewed was Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts by Vicki Davis. The thesis of Davis' video is to show and teach teachers that not all students learn the same. She is allowing the students to use technology and learn in new ways, even allowing them to teach her new things as they learn. While I watched this video, I was very impressed with Davis. I completely agree with her outlook and way of teaching students. It is incredible to me that Davis realizes she cannot know every detail about the technology and allows her students to teach her. I also agree that she believes in making the students think and question what she is talking about by using words outside of their vocabulary. When she uses words outside of their vocabulary, she encourages the students use google to find the meaning. As a student, I am a better learner with hands on participation. Davis has a great way of teaching her students in this way and I hope to be as successful as her. 
     The fifth video that I viewed was Who's Ahead in the Learning Race by John Strange. When I finished watching this video all I could say was, "Wow!" The elementary students were doing so many large projects and tasks on the MacBook Pros so easily. They had only had the computers for two days and they were very well adapted to how to work them and used them creatively. It was shocking to me that the elementary school used the computer for creative and online assignments.  As a college student, I am not given the opportunity to use my technology to that great of an extent. It is a sad statement to say about myself, but it seems that the elementary students were easily ahead in the learning race. I hope to see changes in my college classrooms by being able to do more assignments with technology.       
     The sixth and final video that I viewed this week was Flipping the Classroom. Flipping the classroom is definitely a new strategy of teaching for me. Watching this video was the first time that I had ever heard or seen anything like this. After watching this video, I have positive and negative opinions about this strategy. I feel that this is a great way to get students to think and be ready to ask questions the next day, but I also question if the students will really sit to focus and watch the videos provided. I also feel that students listen to their teacher talk all day long and then for them to have to go home and watch a video of them talking more is a lot to ask, especially for younger students. I think it is great for the students to use technology for homework but maybe not in such a "classroom setting" way. However, watching Flipping the Classroom does inspire me to be creative in allowing my students to use technology at home to complete assignments. 

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Blog Post 1

Coming into EDM 310, I was completely scared and intimidated.  I have only heard overwhelming things about this class.  I am mostly fearful that I might get behind on an assignment which will lead me to being behind with the rest of the assignments.  Coming into class today and walking through our first assignment step by step helped me to relax and feel confident that I could do this!  I feel that the hardest part of EDM will be the writing off the top of my head.  I have a hard time writing but I have spent many years on improving my writing skills and I know this class will help also. I am already prepared from other students reviews that this class will be a lot of work, but I feel that if I stay organized I will be able to successfully complete this class.  I do not feel that I have any questions about the class at this time but if I do I will be sure to contact Dr. Tashbin or one of the assistants.

Practice Blog Post


Outline:
1. Basic information about me.
2. My passions- children's ministry and teaching children.
3. Why my passions led me to elementary education.
4. Why I think being a teacher is more than just being an educator.


Hello everyone,

       My name is Courtney Doyal.  I am twenty years and I was born and raised in Mobile.  I went to Mary G. Montgomery High school and graduated in 2012.  I am in my junior year of college at the University of South Alabama.  I live at home with my mom, dad, and brother.  I have a dog that is five pounds of spoiled rotten.  His name is Brody and he is a Maltese and Shih-Tzu.  My family and I attend church at Forest Hill Church of God. My faith is a large part of my life and is my first priority in life.  I currently have two "jobs" while going to school. I am a nanny for the music pastor at my church. They have two children, Ari and Noah. Ari is the oldest and she is five then, Noah is two years old.  My second job is volunteer and very dear to my heart.  I am the second children's pastor at my church. Six years ago I felt that God was calling me into children's ministry and I have been very active in the ministry ever since.
       Working in children's ministry led and helped me decide that I wanted to continue to pursue a career along with children's ministry working with children.  That decision led me to choosing the major of elementary education.  I love working with children and cannot imagine myself doing anything else with my life.  Being a teacher or leader is not only about educating but about building relationships and making a positive impact of children's lives.  I look forward to continuing to pursue my degree in education!