Project 6 C4K 2

 

   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

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!

Blog Post 9

What Can Teachers and Students Teach Us About Project Based Learning?

1. Seven Essentials to 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.

2. Project-Based Learning For Teachers

     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.

Project 9

Project 13

Is it Magnetic?

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)

C4T #2

   
 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

     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?

Project 6 C4K 1

     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? 

     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.