Blog Post #16

Blog Post #5 Part 2

Personal Learning Networks (PLN) are about making connections and building personal relationships with teachers, school administrators, university professors, and experts around the world.  Mostly, just sharing ideas/resources, collaboration, and learning.  Since I have started this class, I reopened my Twitter account and added some of my fellow classmates and professors.  I read almost everything they Tweeted when I had the time to.  Blogging and Facebook plays a big role during this semester as well, because I never thought I would be doing it.  Now, I can read different teachers and students blog post and create one myself so other people can read it.  PLNs can help teachers by collaborating online and using a range of social media tools to build their own personal learning network to interact with other educators.

         

 

Blog Post #14

Teaching Can Be A Profession by Joel Klein

  

Problem: Pick from the best

Solution: Begin with better academic training for prospective teachers.  Second, they need a new approach to recruit teachers, instead they can recruit from the one-third of their graduates.  Last but not least, they must change how they reward the teachers.

Problem: Seniority distraction
Solution: The late Mr. Albert Shanker, wrote " Unless we go beyond collective bargaining to the achievement of true teacher professionalism, we will fail ... to preserve public education in the United States and to improve the status of teachers economically, socially and politically."  He suggested, doing some things to help create a profession, and it included attracting their best students, developing a demanding "knowledge base" along with a "formal set of peer relationships."  He also called for a "national teacher examination" that tests mastery of pedagogy and content knowledge, akin to the entry exams now required for lawyers and doctors. In addition to all of this, Mr. Shanker would require a "supervised internship of from one to  three years" to evaluate the performance of prospective teachers.

Problem: Radical change
Solution: Mr. Shanker came up with that teachers establish their own board to police the profession, establishing standards and providing mechanisms for removing incompetent teachers.  The teachers would abandon their support for mandatory assignment of kids to neighborhood schools in favor of "the greatest possible choice among public schools."  Mr. Shanker recognized that the public education would not be sustainable if the teachers were continued to be treated as workers in an old-fashioned factory.

In the first post, "Pick from the best",  I have to agree with everything I read.  I think that they do need to start with a better academic training for upcoming teachers and recruit from one-third of their graduates.  This would be a great idea because they can meet new teachers all around and learn more about what's going on in the school systems, classrooms, and what to expect overall.  Changing how they reward teachers would not be a bad idea.  

In the second post, "Seniority distraction", I have to agree when they said job security and seniority dictate the way the schools operate.  I like the way he thought about helping out by, developing a demanding "knowledge base" along with a "formal set of peer relationships."  He even wants them to take a "national teacher examination", which is a test mastery of pedagogy and content knowledge, akin to the entry exams now required for lawyers and doctors.  I think this is a great idea as well because it lets him know if the teachers are really up for what they are getting themselves into.

In the last post, "Radical change", Mr. Shanker went in depth about this transformation.  He proposed that teachers establish standards and provide mechanisms for removing incompetent teachers.  I have to agree with him, because if they want teachers to do what they are suppose to, them they need to start treating them better.

From reading all of Mr. Joel Klein post, I had to agree with everything he said.  Teachers are a big help to many kids today in this world.  They should be treated much better than what they are now.  I hope things do change in the education majors.

C4C

How Do We All Become Learners?

Kelia Fagan

Hi Kelia! I love the way you explained PBL and how you identified your strengths and weaknesses.  I totally agree with you when you said you'll have to learn to focus more when giving a lesson so you won't get off topic. Great job!

What Can Teachers and Students Teach Us About Project Based Learning?
Leslie Evans
Hi Leslie!
I have to agree with you when you said you didn't know what PBL was because I didn't either until I started taking this class, watching all of the videos and reading about it.  I love the way you explained everything. Keep up the good work!

Mrs. Cassidy
Alexis Taite
Hi Alexis! I totally agree with everything you said about Ms. Cassidy's video.  From the looks of her videos, she loves what she does and that is teaching and letting the kids use technology to learn.  I can't wait until I get a chance to experience that because the kids can have fun while their learning.

What can we learn about teaching and learning from these teachers?
Janelle Owens
Hi Janelle! You did a great job explaining everything from this post.  From watching these videos, they really have me excited about the future.  Project Based Learning is a good idea because they children learn so many things in so many ways.  Keep up the good work!

Assistive Learning Technologies
Caroline Mitchell
Hi Caroline!  Your team did a great job explaining assistive technologies.  You guys explained each topic very well, especially with each bullet.  Even the pictures are very helpful to me, because I love to see visual images.

Summary Post C4T

Dean Shareski
The Least Talked About Problem in EdTech
Hi Dean Shareski! My name is JeNyia Rocker and I attend University of South Alabama and I am currently a Junior. I enjoyed reading this post because I never really thought of this the way that you had explained it. A bandwidth is the transmission capacity of an electronic communications device or system; the speed of data transfer. If you really want to make digital learning a reality, every school needs at least 100 megabits. Some need more, some need less. Right now, though, the average school has 10 megabit.

Jen Deyenberg
Trials Optional
Hi! My name is JeNyia Rocker and I attend University of South Alabama.  I really enjoyed reading your post.  I find it so awesome how you let your kids do hands on experience with the science experiments.  Being able to watch and learn how you do things is amazing.

Deb Frazier
Primary Perspective
Trusting Readers and the Journeys

Hi! My name is JeNyia Rocker and I attend University of South Alabama.  Reading your post really inspired me because when I was in the first grade, I didn't like to read at all.  I guess it's because I didn't have a teacher that really motivated me to read.  Seeing you motivate your children, pushing them to read, it gets me excited and I know it gets them enthused in what they read. I look forward to reading more of your post.  Have a great school year!

Summary of C4K posts and comments for April

7th Grade English Class- Oklahoma

Breanna G

Volleyball

Hi Breanna! I totally agree with everything you said about volleyball. This is one of my favorite sports, including tennis. I have been playing volleyball for about 8 years now and I love it so much. Volleyball is a very competitive sport, if you ask me. I really hate losing in a game. Like you said it consists of bump, set, spike and if you mess up, then that’s it. Great way to explain everything, keep up the good work!!

7th Grade English Class- Oklahoma

Breanna G
If I Started My Own Business...
Hi Breanna! My name is JeNyia Rocker and I attend University of South Alabama.  I enjoy reading all of your blogs, especially this one.  When you start your own business, make sure you email or write me because I would love to come and support you.  I know you would do a great job selling books and artwork.  You seem like you already know what you want to do and that would be a good thing to do.  Best wishes to you Breanna

Holly Elementary in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
Mr. Gardner
Ira
How do we get energy from the sun?
Hi Ira! My name is JeNyia Rocker and I attend University of South Alabama.  The sun does gives us natural light during the day light and it keeps us warm.  They also call it clean and green instead of solar energy because it doesn’t pollute the air and water.  I like the way you explained how we get energy from the sun.  Keep up the good work!

Blog Post #13

How Can Common Core Be Implemented in Physical Education?

1. Watch Physical Education Common Core Connection .

2. Watch Common Core in PE?

3. Read Common Core Standards and Physical Education.

Common Core Standards & Physical Education (PE)

Common Core is set of national standards designed to create standard assessments for language arts and mathematics.  It can be integrated in physical education at any grade level.  Common Core in physical education can provide instruction, vocabulary words, practice counting and using multiples when keeping score, spell out words related to physical education, and apply physical education vocabulary through certain exercises.

When putting Common Core Standard together with Physical Education, it should focus on social, psychomotor, and cognitive skills.  Mathematics, writing, and reading should be integrated into Physical Education activities, as well.  Common Core lessons in a physical education program should be simple and not too hard for the children, meaning physical education teachers should not force a link to a Common Core Standard.

There are numerous physical education skills that can support Common Core Standards.  Some are putting bulletin boards up that can provide students with information about important vocabulary words, such as health terms, names of muscle groups, and movement words, to physical activity and nutrition articles.  Health and Fitness Journals, you can have the students maintain their own health and fitness journals, which can be used to track and record their fitness goals for the entire year that they are in class.  Supplemental materials are when you hand out materials to the students that provide additional information regarding the sport or activity they are engaged in.  Create a new game, you can split the kids into groups and have them write out the rules and directions for a new game.

The Most Important Technology Tools

Blog Post #12

C4T Summary

Ideas and Thoughts
Dean Shareski 
Revolutions and Encouragement, Can they Co-Exist?
Hi Mr. Dean!
You really have some great ideas and thoughts.  If you ask me, I think change is good.  It helps the teachers as well as the students to learn more.  Technology is becoming more broad every single day, which makes teachers have to step their game up in the classrooms.  Also, every teacher/coach needs to read this quote you shared because it really stuck with me once I read it.

Thanks so much for sharing!

Ideas and Thoughts
Dean Shareski
My Community Story
Hi Mr. Dean!
Hi Mr. Dean! Reading your post, made me realize some things.  Technology can do so many awesome things, in many ways.  I am still wondering about when I post a blog, who all is reading and looking at it.  I really wish other people would read this post you wrote about "My Community Story", it needs to be shared.

Project #14- Project Based Learning Plan

This project is for a lesson plan that is dealing with 3rd through 5th grade Fun with Prepositions.

Fun with Preposition Lesson Plan
List of Prepositions
Preposition Worksheet


 

Blog Post #11

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

In the video I watched, the Blended Learning Cycle, by Paul Anderson, it was very interesting if you asked me.  He showed a picture that was made in France in the 1900s.  The kids where in a classroom and they all had earphones in and books going into a machine, the picture was basically predicting what a classroom would look like in year of 2000.  Blended Learning is taking the compelling parts of online, mobile, and classroom learning and blending them all together in a classroom.  The Learning Cycle is dealing with 5 E's which are engage, explore, explain, expand, and evaluate.

 

In the video, by Sam Pane who is a 5th grade teacher at Wilson Focus School in Nebraska, he told the students that he wanted to focus on how to be a super digital citizen.  Mr. Pane teaches all curriculum subjects math, social studies, reading, and science.  How he introduces what he's talking about, he'll bring up a quote from Spider Man, that says, "With great power, comes great responsibility."  He really made the children think by asking them what kid of power does the internet give us?  A digital citizen is a person who chooses to act safely, respectfully, and with responsibility whenever you are online.  Some examples that the kids responded with when some people are not being these things are hacking into someones computer and giving personal information.  He let his students create a digital citizen super hero, they can customize and do everything with them.  The students are able to create this narrative between themselves and the super hero and put together a full story.  Seeing how the students are excited and really engaged in what they are doing really inspire me because I can't wait to use some of these ideas.

  

Project Based Learning, by Dean Shareski, several of the teachers combined history, english, and information processing and embedded the principle of project based learning to create a unique learning experience for the students.  Research shows that projects increases students engaged in learning and a deeper understanding.  The kids use the technology as a tool to bring the content to life in the classes.

 In Roosevelt Elementary's Project Based Learning Program video, they talked about what PBL was and what it stood for.  Project Based Learning is in depth learning, integrated thematic instruction, based on a "real-world" problem, research-based, and project and presentation.  It is a great instructional approach that tries to incorporate with real-world problem solving skills within the classrooms.  Teachers get together and they collaborate on what projects they are going to do and  how they are going to use the state standards in the project.  In Project Based Learning you have to let the children make some decisions on their on sometimes, you have to let them realize that this is a self motivation thing.  Children learn in so many ways.  Differentiation activities is so easily done with certain units, it allows multiple intelligences and learning styles.

 

Blog Post #10

What can we learn from Mrs. Cassidy?

Mrs. Kathy Cassidy is a first grade teacher.  From the looks of her videos, she loves what she does and that is teaching and letting the kids use technology to learn.  In her first video, Little Kids...Big Potential, she shows how she lets the children use technology by using blogs, Skype, Nintendo DS, wikis, videos, and classroom webpages to discuss things and learn in their classroom.  The children are having a blast with using every single one of these items.

In the first interview with Mrs. Kathy Cassidy Part 1, she talks about how she is involved with technology and how long she's been doing it.  Mrs. Cassidy has been involved in technology for about 10 years now because they were given 5 computers in their classroom.  They were called Sun Ray computers (a Microsoft Brand), they had monitors, keyboards, and internet access, but you couldn't put any programs on them.  She's had a blog for about 5 years and a video for about 2 years now, she's always adding new things.  Mrs. Cassidy has a form that she sends home for the parents, saying that the blogs will protect their child's identity.  Parents really like it because they get a chance to see what their child is doing.  Mrs. Cassidy even have a portfolio for each child, so they can keep all of their work together.  The kids love it, she says the kids and technology goes hand and hand.

In the second interview with Mrs. Kathy Cassidy Part 2, she talks about how she don't really use social media in her personal life.  She thinks you should use social media for what you are interested in.  If you like to write, you should use a blog and if you like videos, you should get YouTube.  Everyone has something that they are interested in.  Dr. Strange talked about how he first started using Twitter and how it has changed his life.  Teachers, as well as students can use this to communicate with one another.

In the third interview with Mrs. Kathy Casidy Part 3, Dr. Strange gave his students a chance to ask Mrs. Cassidy some questions they may have.  One question was how often does she let her kids blog?  Her answer was at least once a week, but it depends on the year because some of the kids would blog, readings, and other things.  She states, blogs are not meant for cheating, but they are a way to communicate.  Mrs. Cassidy teaches her students not to use their last name, be positive to others and don't be mean, don't use pictures with themselves.  She said it's all about education and teaching them what to do.

Mrs. Cassidy did a great job in her interviews.  I know the kids in her class love her, she makes teaching so much fun just by using the technology.  When I start teaching, I am going to take some of what she mentioned to use.  Its okay to let the kids work, but to get them interested at least let them have a little fun while learning.

C4K Summary for March

Mrs. Maslowski
Joliet West High School-Illinois
Per 6 Chris

Hi Chris! It seems like you had an awesome time shadowing.  You did some of the things that I did in high school, which was make circuits and make cords with the wire.  I'm glad you had the chance to learn about the different techniques and especially the different degrees that they offer.  I have to agree with you on this, the pizza, cookies, and water sounds like it was the best part of it all.

Mrs. Maslowski
Joliet West High School-Illinois
Per 4 Brendon
Plan Testing
Hi Brendon!  You explained plan testing very well.  I feel the same way about those kinds of test.  I really don't understand why you only get little time on so many questions.  I am not a fast reader either, so that means I have to skim through the passages as well.  I always make sure I eat something before I take any kind of test because it helps stimulate your mind. Overall, I think you did a great job!

Mrs. Lombard
7th Grade English Class-Oklahoma
Ian D
Why is it that its not day all the time?
Hi Ian! Your blog really made me think.  I like how you worded everything, it was really nice.  I have never sat down to think about how many light millions of light years it takes to get to us, until now.  I do know that light is the fastest traveling thing in the multiverse.  After reading your blog, I will continue to think on it because like you said space is expanding more and more.

Project #12 Part A

Blog Post #9

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

Project Based Learning is a teaching method in which students gain skills and knowledge by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to a complex question, problem, or challenge.

 

In the article, Seven Essentials for Project Based Learning, they discussed some things that I didn't know about in PBL.  The Seven Essitials are: Need to Know meaning students need to see the need to gain knowledge, understand concepts, and apply skills in order to answer the driving question and create project products.  Driving Question when project work is focused by an open-ended question that students understand and find intriguing, which captures their task or frames their exploration.  Student Voice and Choice when students are allowed to make some choices about the products to be created, how they work, and how they use their time, guided by the teacher and depending on age level and PBL experience.  21st Century Skills is when students build competencies valuable for today’s world, such as problem solving, critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity, which are explicitly taught and assessed.  Inquiry and Innovation is when students are engaged in an extended, rigorous process of asking questions, using resources, and developing answers.  Feedback and Revision is when the project includes processes for students to give and receive feedback on the quality of their work.  Publicly Presented Product is when the students present their work to other people, beyond their classmates and teacher.

The video, Project Based Learning for Teachers,by Tony Vincent was a great overview on Project Based Learning and some of the standards.  PBL has students working over an extended period of time answering a driven question.  Common Core State Standards are the WHAT and Project Based Learning is the HOW.  Think of PBL as questioning, investigating, sharing, and reflecting.

In the articles, Project Based Learning and Physical Education by Andrew Miller and Project Based Learning in PE, they had some very interesting things to talk about.  They discussed how Physical Education can be a place where authentic learning can occur.  As a team and as individuals, they must explore and solve in Project Based Learning.  They should be doing physical activity not only through school, but through daily lives, creating fitness programs can help an individual practice physical fitness, and the ideas of collaboration, teamwork, and role modeling are also presented through this project

In the video, What Motivates Students?,  they had several students to answer this particular question. 
Some of the answers to this question was that, they want good grades and they like it when the teachers recognizes them on test.  They also get candy and rewards from some of their teachers if they do well.  It really doesn't take much to motivate a child to do good in school and I can't wait until I actually start teaching.

Project #9

Blog Post #8

What Can We Learn About Teaching and Learning From Randy Pausch?

 

As a professor, Randy Pausch inspired students in and out of the classrooms.  Professor Pausch co-founded the Entertainment Technology Center and led researchers who created Alice, a revolutionary way to teach computer programming.  He says that in his lecture, it reminds him what all he did throughout his life and what we as people need to do every day in this lifetime.  His final lecture was recorded and has been viewed more than 16 million times on youtube.  It was about achieving your dreams, he spoke about how he achieved his dreams and also helped enable others to achieve their dreams as well.

Professor Randy Pausch believes there were several keys to the success of this program. Their curriculum was project-based, and the students had so much fun and went on field trips. Project-based learning really engages and makes the students want to learn more.  Professor Randy Pausch was an awesome teacher, I would of enjoyed him because he is really an inspiration.  He basically let the students use their own imagination and be creative hands on.  Professor Pausch had a lot of energy in his teachings and he was so enthused in what he was talking about.

Blog Post #7

From watching these videos, technology has came a long way.  I feel like I need to know more about what it has to offer.  These kids can probably do more than me and it's sad.  Technology is basically changing everyday and we rely on it more and more.

Using iMovie and the Alabama Virtual Library in Kindergarten

 

Watching this video with Dr. Strange, Ms. Davis, and Ms. Bennett was very interesting.  They are like the supporters or research.  Kindergarten's use imovie just like we do in college.  It's unbelievable that they can do all of this at a young age.  Imovie is not only fun, but they are learning as well.  The Alabama Virtual Library is a great website for Kindergarten kids and plus it's free.  Its a great way to teach students basic research.  You can type in something so simple and it will pop up images as well, something that's on their level.  I use the Alabama Virtual Library myself and it's so convenient to use.

We All Become Learners 

In this video, Ms. Bennett talks about when using a device and how it changes the dynamic of the learning.  It's basically students teaching students or teachers teaching students.  One of the most popular website is Padlet, where you can take a picture and post questions and everybody's answer pops up.  Ms. Bennett didn't know how to use it and a child had to show her how to use it.

 

iPads in the Classroom 

After watching this video about having ipads in the classroom, maybe it is a good idea.  The ipad is an excuse to really look at teaching and learning.  Teachers and students in the Chicago area, are seeing a multiple of changes in the kids learning.  One teacher said that the ipad practically lets them take a virtual field trip everyday, by letting them search the web.  The students are much more engaged and into the materials, coming from an ipad.

Top 10 Reason to Use Technology in Education
In this video, teachers are finding out that ipads, tablets, ipods, and etc. are great tools for helping students learn.  Using new technology is the future of education system.  The 10 reasons they should use technology in the classroom is because students love it, it engages the four key components to learning, professional development, it makes life easier for teachers, it improves test scores, helps students with low attention spans, learn from the experts, encourages completion of homework, saves money, and removes obstacles.