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.