Blog Post #16

Blog Post #5 --Part B

Blog Post #5 Part B

Websites on Personal Learning Networks can be found all over the internet.  I was introduced to the concept of Personal Learning Networks in our EDM310 class.  It has been a concept that was easy to enjoy.   PLN's are a great way to help share  information with other people with the same interest.  The different  ways we share information is limitless.  My two favorite PLN's  are emailing and my new love, Twitter.

 Today, emailing sounds old fashion or out of date compared to other forms of sharing. I just love to send and receive email and all the attachments that go with them.  I love having a digital written correspondence to save or to share. I am constantly giving my email address  to others. I also leave my email on any opportunities if I think it is appropriate.  I love checking my email on my phone, my tablet as well as my laptop.  I love sharing a link or pictures with others in my PLN.

My new love for my PLN is Twitter.  I followed my instructor and the lab assistants on Twitter this semester and I learned a lot from them.  I added teachers and some educational blog pages to follow as well. This is a new way to see what others are doing quickly.  I still have a lot to learn, but that is what EDM310 taught us as well.  We are all learners , as well as teachers.   I hope to someday have good post on Twitter that is worthwhile to people who are following me.

I am at the beginning stages of my PLN compared to what I envision to have in my career.  I hope to be a positive contributor to my educational field.  I do believe that PLN's can make my teaching much more enriching that will only benefit myself as a teacher, but will also help my students as well.

C4K #8

April's Summary --Comments 4 Kids








c4k #8

 Seira 's Post of a book review on a book she read called Counting by 7's  by Holly Goldberg Sloan.  Seira gave a great detailed summary of the book which makes it seem very desirable to read. I sounds like a heartwarming story about  love, loss and family.

My Comment:

Hi Sierra.  My name is Tanya G and I am a student at the University of Alabama.  Your book report titled Counting by Sevens is very good.  You gave a great review of the story.  I love finding out that  there are good books for young readers.  This book would make a great read for many people young and older.  I hope you continue to enjoy reading and keep up the good work.  Great job.

Sierra is in seventh grade in Mrs. Lombard's class in Oklahoma.  Posting a blog about a  book that a  is a wonderful way to show other readers about a good book to read.  Many people read books through references from their friends or someone whose opinion is important to them.  Sierra did a great job.


c4k #9
Marvina's Blog Post was an answer to a class question. The questions was When did April Fools Day begin?
Marvina's Answer was The start of a new calendar in 1582.

My Comment:
April Fools Day
Marvina, Hi my name is Tanya G and I attend the University of Alabama. When asked how did April’s fools begin I do believe your answer of the new calendar in 1582 is correct. Great Job. Keep up the good work.

Marvina is a student at Holley Elementary School in British Columbia, Canada. She is in Mrs Gardner's class.  Posting answers on blogs can be a great tool for teachers to see how well their students understand the material being taught.

c4k #10

Monae's Bucket List is posted by Monae on her goals on her life.  She listed some wonderful mild stones both big in small that she plans to experience in her life.  She has a positive attitude and plans to  be a mature responsible productive adult.


My Comment:

Hi Monae, My name is Tanya G.  I am a student at the University of South Alabama.  I like your bucket list.  You have a very bright and positive future ahead of you.  I feel that having long and short term goals are very important.  You seem to be on the right track and keep up the good work.

Monae  is in Ms. Thomas's class at John Hansen French Immersion School in Prince George MD.   I liked the idea of students posting goals for themselves.  I is good for the students to visualize the future and have long and short term plans.  With these post, students can come back a later time and see if their goals have changed or have been met.

Blog Post #16 Part A

Project 16 Part A



Technology and Teaching

Technology is always changing, transforming and improving. We believe that technology in the classroom is key for success in getting students ready for college and a career. The earlier we start teaching them technology and working with it consistently, the better. When the students reach college and career level they will need to know technology skills to keep up. The main issue right now is that most schools are unable to provide students with the necessary technology tools. If schools were equipped to aid in technology and teaching, it would revolutionize the way students learn and communicate.

Group Blog--Team Panther--Using Technology and the Smart board in the Classroom

As a team we discussed how using technology in the classroom has come a long way.  No longer is there just a chalkboard and  notebooks and pencils.  Technology has moved into the classroom. Technology has entered the classroom in two outstanding forms such as smart boards and computers device with all the capabilities that go along with them. With the smart board, an oral presentation now can have visual material to go along with the lecture. The smart board still has the capabilities of a chalkboard but it gives the student and teacher options of pictures and shapes and even sound to go along with their written material. The computer device in a classroom also changes the dynamics of how learning can be achieved. With the computers devices the students can go to the internet and explore material that their teacher has assigned to them. The internet not only has written material, but the students may also be able to see pictures or even videos on the assigned material for their class.

A smart board and computer devices in the classroom has definitely changed the way we perform teaching, but using project based approach to learning is one of the main reasons this technology works so effectively in the classroom. Project based learning approach can be the format to which teachers guide their class through the assignments that she would have given them. The project base learning approach has many benefits.  It can be used by individual students, small groups or even by the entire class. There is no limitation on the degree to which a student can engage in the topic because the internet has a vast amount of information on the subject and related topics given to any assignment. Project base learning has moved the class from pencil and paper to the internet. The class is no longer limited to just the knowledge of the teacher but to the unlimited vast material on the internet concerning the assigned topic. The teacher, as well as the students then both become learners of the given assignment. Technology and project base learning have started an ever changing transformation in the classroom. The only sure thing about technology and project base learning is it will continually be changing the way our students will find new ways to learn.

Blog Post 14

Blog Post 14

Teaching Can Be a Profession By Joel Klein is a news article in the USA Today paper showing his brutal honest opinion of how teaching could be changed with a magic wand.  Klein ran New York City's public schools for almost a decade. The three problems associated with changing education that are listed in the article are Pick from the best, Seniority distraction, and Radical change.

Pick from the best in Klein's opinion is to start with better academics for teachers.  Klein is concerned about reading instruction taught to teachers. In Pick from the best Klein  also explains how advantageous it is to have the top graduates become teachers instead of other professions like doctors or lawyers. In Pick for the best, Klein lastly shows his distaste of how teachers are viewed as interchangeable personnel.

My opinion on the different components of Pick for the best vary.  I do think better instruction can help all teachers and future teachers.  I don't believe that you have to be in the top third of the graduate class to become a great teacher. I do agree that teachers should not be view an replaceable personnel.

Secondly is the argument of Seniority distraction. Klein explains, Seniority distraction is the problem in the way a school is run  due to job security and seniority. Bad teachers, Klein concludes cannot be removed, simply they are just put into less desirable schools.  Klein thinks that course work is one way to eliminate the problem of bad teachers.  In my opinion , Klein is correct that job security and seniority have held back our educational progress.  I do agree with Klein in that continuing education for all educators is a great way to overcome the bad teachers who stay due to seniority.  In my opinion, continuing education can only benefit both the teacher and their students.

Thirdly, Klein  refers to Shanker when  he calls his last point Radical Change.
Shanker proposed for the teachers to have their own personalized board of police.    I do think he is correct.  Like most professions, they have their own professional boards that the professional has to answer to. A few examples are the Board of Pharmacy, The Board of Nursing, and the State Board of Law.  I do believe, however that if you want to hold teachers to such high standards of professionalism, then in my opinion you need to treat them and pay them like a professional.

I do believe Klein is very clear on what needs to be fixed in our education machine that is broken in this country.  I was disappointed with the lack  of a time line or a formidable  plan to fix these serious grievances.  Maybe this is the start of fixing the problem, that is acknowledge that these elements, along with some others exist.  Until Americans make education a major priority, I believe the changes Klein wishes for will not happen soon.

C4T #4--April's Postings

C4T # 4 Post #1

Around the corner is a blog page of Miguel Guhlin  on which he posted on April 9th, 2015 a post titled Against the Wind: Hierarchy of No.  Guhlin explains how great creative ideas do not get implemented if not originating from the top of a chain of command.

My Comment:

Hi Miguel,  My name is Tanya and I am a student at USA in Mobile, Alabama. I enjoyed your post. I do believe that many of your readers can identify with having a great idea but don't feel like anyone "above" them will listen.

Miguel Guhlin describes how great ideas are often overlooked because the original source is not always at the top of the chain of command.  People with great ideas have a harder time expressing ideas to others and being well received if they are low on that chain of command.

Blog Post # 13

Blog Post 13

  My passion is History, but I feel EDM310 has been an ongoing learning assignment that is beneficial for every subject. EDM310 class is the ultimate Project Base Learning assignment all on its own.  In today's world I believe technology is now available to every grade level so using PBL in the classroom is a natural tool. I feel sure that most students embrace the electronic aspect as a part of their education.Being in groups or working alone, technology appears like a realistic approach to teaching students.

To have a blog post assignment concerning my specialty for the EDM310 class  I would instruct a history assignment. I found  great inspiration from Share My Lesson - Women's History Month which gave me some ideas on how to create a lesson for an assignment on Women is History.

The Share My Lesson web site had adjusted lesson plans for many different grades.  I would focus on 10th grade history.  I would have class individually go to the web site Women's history month of 2015 and  find an article relating to a person or event that interest them. . Each student is to make a small report  with word limitations and other instructions and to  complete their report with a picture on their topic or person.

Blog Post #12

C4T #3

C4T#3
Post 1

Ten ways to use Google Maps by Jeff Utecht
starts with the history of  maps.From paper maps to digital maps, students have a vast of avenues to use this tool.  Jeff shows that maps can be used in history lessons to find a route to a historical point of interest for the class. He shows how maps can be a math lesson with how many miles from one point to another and comparing shorter and longer routes. He also uses maps as  geography lessons on the different landscape that is in the world around us. Digital maps can make these lessons come alive.

Jeff's ten ways to use Google maps.

1. Latitude Longitude Scavenger Hunts
2. Earth Picker
3. Smarty Pins
4. My Maps
5. Video Tour
6. Create a map for your community
7. Create a route
8. Measure Distance and Area
9. See your World in 3D
10. Mobile Maps

My Comment:

Hi Jeff Utecht. Thanks for opening my eyes to all the ways to use Google maps can be used in the classroom. My name is Tanya and I am an education major at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama. I can see with some thought, Google maps can become a powerful tool to almost any classroom assignment, whether the assignment is a group or individual. Maybe as a history lesson I should pull out the old paper maps and show the class what people used as maps in the “old days”. Thanks for the great referral. I enjoyed your post.

In reading Jeff Utecht's post on Google maps.  I saw how with imagination and creativity that  a tool such as maps can be used with many different lesson plans.  I also liked how the maps can be used in groups as well as individuals. Jeff Utecht  was a great teacher to follow and I look forward to reading his future post.

C4T#3
Post #2

  Jeff Utecht made a beautiful tribute to his father on a post dated April 6, 2015. Jeff reveals that his dad suffers from Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD).  This post shows us a loving bond between father and son and their love for baseball. Jeff is not only an inspiring teacher, this post show how the two spent the day together sharing a passion and not letting anything like FTD stop them from having their memories of their time together.

My Comment:
Jeff,  Hi.  It is great to see a father and son sharing a passion together.  Both of you are very lucky.


I felt that this post shows how we can see  teachers who regularly post about their professional career also have other titles as well.  It is these great outside the classroom relationships that help mold and shape the great teachers, like Jeff in our world.  We have to remember that like our students there all types of teachers and like students they have ups and downs as well.  Life teaches us all this lesson. I really enjoy following Jeff Utecht.

Project #14

Project #14

Class Assignment:
The class is learning about the very first Presidential election for the United States. The students will get into small groups and come up with their very own campaign slogans for their candidate General George Washington.  At the end of the week each group will present a power point presentation with a set time limit. The students are challenged to use technology and creativity for this assignment.  On the last day  each group will then participate in a mock swearing in of the first President of the United States: President George Washington.  Followed by  a class discussion of review and reflection.

Documents Used:

Project Calendar

Project Checklist

Overview

Group Rubric

Individual Rubric

Blog Post #11

Blog Post #11

Back To the Future is a video with Brian Crosby.  Crosby is a thirty year plus teacher who is speaking about some exciting things he does in his classroom.  What I learned about teaching from Crosby is children now have the opportunity to set goals for themselves and build their own learning network.  I also realized that learning is not limited to books, but learning can come from hands on projects and sharing your work with others.   What I learned about learning from Crosby is how students share their is just as important as the work itself.  Crosby really shows you that teaching can become unlimited once the students' creativity  has the proper tools to use.

Mr. Paul Andersen has a video blog.  I watched his educational video on questions.  What I learned about teaching from Andersen is the three types of questions: factual, recall and application questions.  What  I learned about learning is  that kids respond to questions by using hands on projects such as gaming to help them understand the material.

 The video Blended Learning Cycle with Andersen is a video explaining how to use a blended cycle in a classroom.  He uses blended learning which consist  of online, mobile and classroom tools with the learning cycle of engage , evaluate, explore expand and explain. The blended learning combined with the learning cycle creates the blended learning cycle.  What I learned about teaching is how Andersen shows that this is a great way to present material and a great way for kids to learn.  What is I learned about learning is the Blended Learning Cycle will help with my teaching and the students learning in a very efficient manner.  Andersen goes on to explain the Quivers:
1.Question
2. Investigate/Inquiry
3. Video
4. Elaboration
5. Review
6.Summary /Quiz
I really liked his approach on making sure the students understood the material.  I am already thinking of how I could use this approach in my classroom.

Making Thinking Visible by Mark Church is a short video of how visualization enforces knowledge and ensures understanding. I learned  about teaching from Church that visualization is powerful to students.  I also learned  about learning from Church is  that students have really learned material if they can explain it back to the teacher or someone else.

Sam Pane 4th Grade is a video by the teacher Sam Pane using a program of Building Comics to teach his students to be good digital citizens. I can see where using visual comics is a great way of learning for students and using visual text and dialog. What I can learn about teaching from Pane is using technology individually and in small groups has great results. What I learned about learning is how Pane shows how sharing each others super villain and giving feedback.  Pane's class did this by taking a gallery walk  around the class.
The take away's from Pane's video are:
#1 Write narratives to develop imagined experiences or events.
#2 Analyze how visual and multimedia elements contribute to text
#3 Ask and answer questions.
I really enjoyed Pane's approach to teaching by the children showing how their digital character make good choices.


Project Based Learning by Dean Shareski is a short informative video about combining classes.  History, English and a Computer Tech classes were blended  to make one block of time for the combined material. From Shareski's video I learned about learning is that in this particular project base learning classroom the students became more engaged learners and they had a deeper understanding of their subject matter.  What I learned about teaching from Shareski is the value of good quality feedback  I also saw how  time for projects gave students a greater chance of ownership of their work.

Roosevelt Elementary's PBL Program is a video about a great school showing the great impact PBL has made on their students.  To the teachers at Roosevelt, Project Base Learning is a style of teaching which creates:
-In depth learning
-Integrated thematic instruction
-Based on real world problems
-Research based
-Project and presentation

Roosevlet  shows  how its uses teacher collaboration, standard based guidelines and cooperative learning in their project based learning definition. What I learned about learning from Roosevelt is the importance of oral presentations for children at an early age can help the student as he becomes older.  What I learned  from the teachers at Roosevelt  is that children can obtain a more in depth understanding of the subject matter being presented to them.

Project #12 Part A

Blog #10

First Graders in Ms.Cassidy's Class  by Kathy Cassidy  is an adorable video.  The children are truly Little Kids with Big Potential.  These students use technology naturally.

Interview with Kathy Cassidy Part 1  is an online interview using skyp.  Cassidy explains how technology came into her class through the years.  I love how she is constantly looking for new ways to use technology with her students.


Interview with Kathy Cassidy Part 2 is a shorter online video where Cassidy says that starting with your interest is where you should start using technology.  A good example she used was flicker for those who are interested in photography.


Interview with Kathy Cassidy Part 3 is the last of the interview with Cassidy where Dr. Strange's students were able to ask questions to her about technology and her class.  Cassidy ended her video with a view of the snow in her backyard.  Her belief of teaching is an ever changing  process really is true for me.  I really like her point of view of continuously trying to find new ways to teach and new ways to share information.

C4K #4 ,#5,#6 #7

#4

Valentines Day Behaviors  by Courtney was a detailed list of high school girls who did or did not have boyfriends.  She listed the behaviors of each group of girls.

My Reply: Courtney, Hi my name is Tanya. I am a student at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama.  I love the way you have described Valentines Day.  I am not too sure about you, but in 10th grade, I was part of the second group.  Enjoy high school and take care.

I feel Courtney can enjoy high school with good friends, both girl and boy on Valentine's day and any other day.  In 10th grade, good friends are important, not whether you have a boyfriend or not.

#5

Plan Test Reflection by Kassandra is a posting about timed testing.  She is real concerned about doing well but has issues with timed test.  Time restrictions during a test can be very stressful . I feel Kassandra will do will on test because she is aware of the time issue.

My reply:

Kassandra, Hi.  My name is Tanya.  I too hate timed test.  I am a senior at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama.  I do believe however that you got the lesson of the plan test, the lesson of making the most of your time.  Any chance you get to practice on a test before it really counts is a good experience in any subject.  You will do great in school because you are aware of the time restrictions. Good Luck.

#6

  Diego's blog post was titled Should high school last 6 years?  Diego showed very interesting arguments for and against the idea of extending the amount of time students should attend high school.  He mentioned that some students would benefit by gaining more knowledge in their field of interest  by staying in school two more years.  Diego also realizes some kids may drop out of school if high school were to be extended two more years.

My Reply

Diego, Hi, My name is Tanya.  I am a student at University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama.  I think your topic is a very interesting one. You surely shown both sides of the question well. Once a student starts looking for a job or career, they are now competing on a world wide scale.   Any and all education can give a student  a better opportunity in this competitive  job seeking market. Your post, however does make one think about the quality of education during those extra two years.  Great Job. 

#7

The Wishsong of Shannara By Carson P. is a review about a series of books by Terri Brooks.  His main point concerns the last book of the series The Wishsong of Shannara.  Carson list the characters and also explains why the last book did not follow the other two in gaining his interest.  I do love Carson's passion for reading. 

My Reply:

Hi Carson P. My name is Tanya. I am a student at University of Alabama in Mobile, Alabama. This series of books that you have read by Brooks seems to have had its ups and downs. I understand. Once you find an author that you really like, then you will enjoy reading even more. Keep up the good work.

.

Blog Post #9

Seven Essentials for Project Based Learning by  John Larmer and John R. Mergendoller list the main points for project base learning.
The seven essentials are:
1. A need to know
2. A Driving Question
3. Student Voice and Choice
4. 21st Century Skills
5. Inquiry and Innovation
6. Feedback and Revision
7. Publicly Presented Production
These steps can turn an assignment of an ordinary worksheet into a problem solving, very educational experience.



Project Based Learning for Teachers by Tony Vincent  show how Problem
base learning is achieved through questioning, investigating sharing and reflecting.  Vincent breaks down problem based learning by using steps.  First is having a purpose, then addressing an audience, and next is crafting a driving question followed by identifying learning standards. Vincent reveals his latter group of steps as creating a rubric, and grouping students followed by brainstorming branching questions.  The last series of questions meeting deadlines, focusing of the process and refining the end product.  I really liked the way Vincent broke these steps down for problem base learning.

Suzanne Ball  has a video on children s motivation called What motivates students.  Ball uses students to share what makes them want to perform well in school.  The performance management first details what children think their result will be when the make good grades.  The later part shows what teachers use to reward students for good grades and behavior.  I love watching the students give their view of what motivates them.

 Lindsey Float show a video on Two Students solve the case of watery ketchup by designing a new cap.  Float shows us how two students solve the problem with their lunchtime ketchup.  Richards, and Thompson two seniors design a new cap to stop the ketchup problem. Using problem base learning, their teacher was very pleased with their final product.  I was very pleased to see that their project was of one that both students had an interest in.


Project Base Learning in PE  by Pflug was a great article I found very interesting using two different age groups.  Pflug showed how high school kids helped middle school kids with the physical fitness.  By using the six standards of physical education , the project benefited both age groups.  I was very excited seeing the students take the role as teacher or coaches with other students.

Project #9

Blog Post #8

Randy Pausch's Last Lecture  was one of the best videos I have watched this year.  He had so much information in one hour.  I liked all his ideas and how he showed them to his audience by using a time line concerning  his life.  He mixed the project learning method with technology combined with imagination and teamwork. Randy then  presented the results in a storytelling manner. Randy used his own personal story to introduce the unlimited potential we all have from becoming continuous learners with the help of others.

Randy's lectures touch on many topics that could be a entire lecture on each topic.  What I learned about teaching is Randy's introduction of head fake and the use of brick walls. Both of these concepts I feel will help improve my teaching ability.  I have also learned from Randy is the importance of  calling your mentor.  I can see where having a personal learning network would help when one realizes you cannot do everything alone.

Randy's last lecture also shed light on team work and being a good team player.  I do believe this is a good lesson for students and teachers.  Randy reminds us by supporting one another, progress in education and technology are limitless.

C4T #2 Post 1 and 2

Brendan Jones   's post of Game on. Who's with me? is a review of how Brendan is on an ongoing quest to try put video gaming or other technology into his classroom.  While using a gaming system on his compute, he has tried to think of ways that the skills needed in online gaming could be brought into his classroom. Using his professional learning network and some small dry runs, Brendan still continues to perfect his goal of using gaming skills for his physical fitness class.

My Comment:
Hi Brendan, I enjoyed your post on incorporating video games into teaching. I am a student at the University of South Alabama in EDM 310 class.  This is an educational-media class which looks at great ways to put teaching and technology together.  I look forward to seeing if your gaming skill ideas will work out for you in the classroom.  I do believe you are on to something.  Good Luck.  I also have enjoyed your web page.  Thank you.  Tanya Guillory.

I do believe Brendan will complete his quest for finding an exact combination between gaming and physical fitness.  He is energetic and motivated and open minded.


Thinking "why", not "how" by Brendan Jones
is a post of his visit to a local food chain and seeing how technology spoke to the customers. Like the food chain,  Brendan feels that we have the "how"of technology down, for our own customers (students).  The hard part of teaching with technology is the   "why".


My Comment:
Brendan, Hi. My name is Tanya Guillory, I am an education student at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama.  I too have given thought to the "why" not the "how" part of education dealing with technology and how they must come closer together.  So far, I have not found your bridge but I am still looking.  I really think you are on to something.  I enjoy reading your blog.  Thanks.

Brendan's post reveals a concern many teachers face today with the question of how much technology do I need to teach my students.  He is very positive and very determined to find that exact combination that will work for him.

Project #7 Part B

Parents Video Students Video

Project #13

The class will do a project covering the events using a time line  leading up to the signing of Declaration of Independence.  After proper instruction, the class will be placed into small groups each given an assigned event leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Each small group will work on a time limit power point presentation of their given historical topic.   After each group gives their presentation, the class will also participate in signing a Declaration of Independence on the wall.


Our project material links:
Project checklist
Individual Rubric for project

Group Rubric for Project
Class overview

Project Calendar

C4K Summary February

Jordy had a wonderful book call Critter Kin.  His classmates asked him questions on his blog to further understand the story.  Using great detail, Jordy supplied the class great answers to help them better understand the actions of a cute puppy called Earnest.  I expressed to Jordy how I loved the way he explained his book and how he will do great in school.



Elizabeth from Mr. Boylen's class did a video with a few of her classmates about conjunctions.  These girls are conjunction nuts.  The video used the girls action of jumping out of their chair when a conjunction was read aloud.  It was adorable.  I told Elizabeth that she and her friends are truly talented and how much I enjoyed their nutty video.

Emily posted in her blog on how she was inspired by a lady who see saw wearing bright colored hair.  Emily, not able to color her hair, decided to use color as a way to express herself.  She did this by using eye shadow.  She explained in her blog how different colors went with  different emotions. I  commented by telling Emily that she is one very creative student and how much I enjoyed her post.

Courtney, in Mrs Maslowski's class posted a blog about Valentines day.  Courtney saw girls around her acting in two different ways on Valentines day, those who had boyfriends, and those who did not have boyfriends.  She listed the actions of each group accordingly.  I expressed to her that I enjoyed her blog and I was part of latter group of not having a boyfriend on Valentines day in the 10th grade.

.

Blog Post #7

The things I believe that I will need to know and do to prepare for a career as a teacher to support my ability to use technology started by taking EDM310.  Each week I am made aware of the different resources available for myself as well as my future students.  Building a network base of professional educators and implementing the resources introduced to me through this class is another important way to prepare for my career as an educator. Lastly,  I am learning to have the mindset of "always learning through technology". I have seen by not being afraid to learn, to improve, and to grow that this class will help me to use technology effectively in my classroom no matter what subject or grade level I teach.

Using iMovie and the Alabama Virtual Library in Kindergarten is a video in which  Michelle Bennett explains how kindergarten children are using the i movie program to make book trailers.  She has shown them the mechanics of the program and the children's creativity built the project for there.  This type of technical project gives children the opportunity to creativity show their understanding of the story they have read.  


We All Become Learners in this video Michelle Bennett explains how sometimes students show teachers how to do something with technology.  When this happens, the the barriers of titles are removed and everyone is a learner. The teacher learns from the students, students can learn from other students. Everyone becomes learners of each other's network.

iPad in the Classroom in this video, Chicago students each get an iPad.  It immediately becomes clear that students become more engaged on every grade level.  The second graders use it to help with spelling. The high school science students use it to build a roller coaster prompting the teacher to ask more engaging questions to his students.  Having this technology instantly showed the benefit of student assessments on their  projects.

Top 10 Reasons to Use Technology in Education is a video supporting the use of technology in the classroom with a great presentation of ten good reasons to support its claim.          
Top Ten
1. Students Love It
2. It (technology) Engages the 4 Key Components in Learning:
      -Active engagement
      - Participation in groups
      - Interaction and feedback
       - Connection to real world experts
3. Professional Development
4. Makes Life Easier for Teachers
5. Improves Test Scores
6. Helps Students with low Attention Span
7. Learn from Experts
8. Encourages Completion of Homework
9. Saves Money
10. Removes Obstacles

I really like rule number 5 with the improvement of test scores.  The video explains that by using the correct technology educational material and testing  can include different learning styles for  each individual student.

BLOG POST #6

In the first video Project Base Learning Part I, Anthony Capps gives some real examples how project base learning helps complete state standards.  The idea of children learning and creating while preforming a project , not performing a project after learning the material is a great concept I am excited about.  The use of review and reflect are also important parts of project base learning that this video made me aware of .


The second video with Anthony Capps called Project Base Learning Part II is further proving the point of Project Base Learning is a great way to engage students.   The use of collaboration is one of the biggest challenges with project base learning.  The point I really like was that  of student choice. A student having choices in projects I believe gives the student more ownership and more creativity.

This video with  Anthony Capps introduced me to Icurio .  This search engine seems to be the perfect search engine for any project involving computer research.  The feature  filtered content and knowing that students wont find inappropriate material are two components I find very useful.  Icurio also gives students the opportunity to practice how to store and organize their digital material.

The video Discovery Ed   with Anthony Capps shows us a tool that teachers can use to help their students to visually see subject matter with photos and videos on science and social studies.  Capps reminds us that visual images hold students attention more so than just hearing material. I feel this tool will work great with many project base learning projects.

The Anthony- Strange list of Tips for Teachers Part 1  video is a great starting point for teachers when thinking of using project base learning in their planning.  Realizing that as a teacher you too are now a continuous learner may be the most important step of all six.  Teaching is hard work, but  rewarding is a tip that I feel all teachers will do naturally.  I will have to constantly remember the tip of being flexible when I am teaching.  The step of starting with the goal in mind is a great plan when structuring my lesson plans.  I will find the step of engaging 100% of the students in 100% of their projects I believe will probably need some creativity.  The step I do like the best would be to reflect, revise and share with your audience or class.  These tips will help me work toward a engaging productive classroom.


Dont teach tech-use it is a video where Anthnoy Capps  reminds us that technology is a part of project base learning.  Capps shows how with each week a teacher can layer information for a topic using one technical tool at a time. I find this technique to be interesting and I look forward to including differnt parts of technology in my lesson plans.


The last video with Anthony Capps is Additional Thought About Lessons  reveals the different layers of lesson planning.   I really liked the way the lessons should be seen as  year, down to a unit, down to a weekly and  lastly daily levels to make sure your goal is achieved in the classroom.

Project #8 Book Trailer

Blog Post #5 PLN's What Are They?

PLN's or Personal Learning Networks  was not something I knew anything about before this week.  Wow.  After listening to Dr. Lomax and watching the different video's on Personal Learning Networks I can see how PLN can help with my project base learning.  This is all new to me but it is very exciting.  The first step I have taken is starting a Twitter account. My first additions were  my instructors and my group classmates.

How can they help you as a teacher? PLN can help me as a teacher by using my network of contacts as referrals to my students when working on different projects in their project base learning.  I love history,  in particular history of the civil war, so I look forward to adding teachers and other agencies to my Twitter account who have the same interest as I.

I have to form my PLN  based on what interest myself and my class. I plan to ask for referrals from teachers that I already admire and I also plan to  ask for some good references and resources  with the contacts that I already have.  I understand that my network can be world wide and it will be exciting to find other educators who have the same interest as my own.

Project #7 Part A - My Sentence Videos

My Sentence Is..

My Passion Is..

Project #3 Presentation

C4T #1- Project 4 Post 1&2

Post #1: In my comment for teacher project,  I was assigned William Ferriter,  The Tempered Radical.  He has written books on managing education and has an extensive website which he includes slide shows as his blogs as well.  The first blog I  read dealt with the idea of schools spending too much money on technology. He also suggested that schools should focus on the real issue of education, the learner, not how much technology a school has in their classroom.

My Comment: I posted my first comment to William Ferriter and introduced myself as college student majoring in education.  I thought some of his views were very unlike the ones I feel are being taught in our class here at University at South Alabama. I did agree with a lot of what he said about technology and its usage in teaching . He suggested that technology  could possible even get in the way of learning if not properly supervised by teachers.  I told him I enjoyed his blog and his realistic observations.  I signed on to follow  him in the future.







Post #2: The second blog that I saw was a slide show William Ferriter put together on Filter.  I sensed  some hostile feelings by the choice of  graphic images that William Ferriter put in his slide show.  There was not any cute kittens in this slide show and very few smiling faces. I see where he gets the tempered in his the tempered radical name. He has a strong concern about technology replacing education and the outcome it will have on our students, especially if  technology is not used properly.

My Comment: I posted a positive second comment  to William Ferriter.  He does have some very good points and I do believe his opinion on the matter is quite creditable.  I found him very enlightening and engaging.  If anyone could find the correct equation between technology and teacher instruction in a classroom, I feel  it would be William Ferriter. I really enjoyed viewing his blog.