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.

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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.

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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.