Project 13

Project 13
Google Documents

The group Smart board presentation is based on an objective found in the Mobile Pacing Guide.  There was some discussion about the subject we would cover.  We decided on letter recognition with concentration on upper and lower case letters.  We thought about a lesson that would keep the children involved and interacting with the Smart board.  The group found ways to write with the pens and show videos to make the lesson fun.  The tool we used in communicating on our Smart board presentation for the group was Google documents.  My group, The Accomplishers, communicated also through texting to decide on a subject for the presentation.  We expressed our ideas and shared them back and forth in the document.  The use of this tool kept us in touch and asking questions to create this presentation on letter recognition.

Project 16

Project 16
IBook

The Accomplishers made an IBook for our final collaborative project.  My group members were Kayla Johnson and Giorgio Lymon.  We created a book that shows our individual projects including the book trailer, my sentence video, and a technology tools video.  We needed either 10 pictures of Mobile, 10 pictures of USA campus, or 10 pictures of vacation or family.  Twitter was the technology tool that was discussed in the book.  The IBook was a hard and detailed project, but I thought it looked great.  It was a big learning experience for me.  I hope everyone enjoys it!  For further details, watch on EDM 310 Class Blog.

Final Reflection

My Final Reflection

November C4K

Summary of C4K

Welcome to Alberta
Tieren

In this blog Tieren shows a glogster type blog about Alberta.  It shows all the major facts about Alberta.  Hunting, Forestry, Oil, Foothills region, rolling hills, all of these are represented with pictures or videos.
I thought it was very informative about the area.

Halloween
Kim M.

Kim talks about what she did Halloween night.  She went trick or treating with her brother.  Her brother had taken more than one piece of candy at one house.  The sign said to only take one piece, then someone stepped out and said hello too them.  It scared her brother.

The Storming of Bastille......With Lightsabers
ibChas03

The student had written about The Storming of Bastille and used light sabers as a writing prompt.  He used the lightsabers as a way of defending, instead of a sword.  It was a good synopsis on the story and the adding lightsabers made it interesting and students are able to relate to that time.

C4T Summary for November

Summary for Teacher Posts

iPads and iPods in physical education practical workflow with Edmodo

The use of Edmodo has been shown as a essential tool in the classroom, whether it be in physical education of in a standard classroom.  The webpage would load like a college online course.  This keeps track of the child's tests and homework for physical education.  Another app used is Workflow for i pod touch.  Trying to use the Apps to organize physical education is a great idea.  This is the comment that I had left:  I am a student from the University of South Alabama. The idea of using Edmodo in physical education is interesting. The ability for a team or an individual to go back and see themselves on video is great. This app, Coach’s eye could be a help for coaches or teachers. Online portfolios are an important way to see progress, or improvement for a team, coach or individual.

Cricket Scoring on iPad

The comment made:  I am all for anything that will help students succeed, whether on the field, or in the classroom. Everyday there is a new App to help in improving something. I like how physical education has brought technology into the class.   In any game it is hard to keep accurate stats for every child.  This application lets the person keep the scoring and stats on each child.  Then upload the games highlights on a webpage or blog for each player, or coach to see.  It becomes an updated system for any game in stats and scoring.

Project 15 Instructional Group Smart board

Instructional Group Smart board
Project 15

Last Update on PLN

Personal Learning Network
Tina Behel

My Personal Learning Network has personally grown over the last few months.  I have my PLN on Symbaloo.  I have many more tiles to fill in but, those tiles need to be available for future references. Twitter is a better use of building a Personal Learning Network.  I have built a great deal of people, or organizations that I am following on my Twitter account.  Twitter is really a better start for sources of educational tools.  Now I am following 179 different organizations, or people.  I feel like I could find someone to answer any question I have about technology in the classroom, or ask for advice.  I have Symbaloo as a source for connections but, Twitter too me is the better at building a Personal Learning Environment.

Blog Post 13

Back To The Future
Brian Crosby

Mr. Crosby teaches fourth graders from Agnes Risley Elementary School.  He presents the class in a PowerPoint presentation.  A large percentage of the class is second language learners.  Most of the children are from lower income families and are mostly on free or reduced lunches.  The majority of the children have lived in Sparks, Nevada most of their lives.

A survey is given to the fourth graders about What city do you live in?  What's your address?  What's your phone number?  The survey is a simple one, but the fourth graders for the most part could not answer them.  Why are they having such a hard time in the classroom?  The obvious point is they are ESL students.  If these children haven't had opportunities or means to travel and are lower income, they have not expanded their learning experiences.  Schema is building on previous experiences.  If the children have none, there is not a lot to build on.

Mr. Crosby gets them to think outside the box.  They built a hot air balloon.  First, they consult the Science book about the Atmosphere.  Second, they use experiments in the classroom to help with constructing the balloon.  Through this whole process, the kids where blogging and telling about these experiences.  People from everywhere were commenting and interested in what they were doing in their classroom.  Having an audience helped the kids see that it was important to do their best.  Mr. Crosby got the local college involved in preparing audio and cameras to travel along with the hot air balloon.  Meanwhile, the children were writing and using Skype to collaborate with others about the project.  The children were told to write about the balloon experience.  Then, they were asked to pretend they were the balloon itself.  Also, they started a High Hopes blog.  They asked children from around the world what they would want to see from their community or themselves.  The project expanded in so many ways for this class.

Mr. Crosby makes a list of all that was accomplished during this Science experience.  The children were reading and writing to learn.  They were writing to clarify and share about the Hot Air Balloon project.  The kids were telling a story about themselves being a balloon.  Then, the amount of feedback each child got from each blog.  Oral presentations were given about the project.  Collaboration on the project from others online and well as locally expanded their knowledge.  Always having an audience to see what the children had written on their blogs kept the kids interested.  All the areas covered:  Language Arts, Math, Science, Art, and gave them new learning experiences.

This is interesting because we were just talking about how children sometimes have a narrow view on subjects because they are not exposed to new experiences in our Literacy class.  Children only know what is there in their view everyday.  It is up to adults to show and elaborate on everyday things.  Whether it be expanding language or experiences, children need a wide variety of things in which to be involved.  Children of poverty just do not have those opportunities in life.  Sometimes going to school and home is the only thing those children do.  Turning the creative light on for these children is essential for them to learn.

A Vision of Students Today
Michael Wesch

This was an interesting video.  You enter a college auditorium where a lot of classes meet.  Then, there were different questions on the walls and seats, and students were holding up written questions and statements.  All were pertaining to college students and were very accurate.  I will list only a few:
1.  What are you learning sitting here?
2.   If these walls could talk, what would they say?
3.  We haven't even used this 100 dollar book.
4.  Will this help us in the real world?
5.  We have 115 people in an average college class size.
6.  Teacher's don't even know my name.
7.  My neighbor never comes to class but has paid.
Then, it tells all the technological information about a typical college student.  There are emails sent instead of writing papers, and how much time is spent on the phone were only a few facts.  The college student does so many things in one day.  These were all facts and questions brought to us by Kansas State University.

I think this was just a different way to show educators and others how the typical college classroom can be.  Using technology can make the typical college classroom a different learning environment.  Technology can help the college student not spend so much on books or reduce tuition by not meeting as much in class.  The technology is there so use it to help educate and show the student what is out there they can use in any job.

Progress Report on Final Project

Progress Report on Final Project

The final project of my group and myself is the IBook.  I have already started on my individual book.  I collected the pictures that I wanted to use in the book.  The pictures will feature all the places I love to visit on vacation.  I have pictures of my friend's children in there as well.  They are like my children, so I have to use those pictures.  I have having some issues with my you tube videos, but I plan on working on that tonight.  The group work is going alright.  We have already made the smart board presentation 2  before Thanksgiving.  We have that out of the way.  I knew it would be hard to do this week. I still have a lot I want to do for both, but for the most part, I have already positioned all the pictures for my individual part.  It's a work in progress, but I know it will get done.

                                               

Blog Post #12

Create Your Own Assignment

My major is Elementary Education and Pre K.  This is what I would ask you to do for an assignment if you were my student in EDM 310.

1.  Look at the blog Pre K Pages.  You will be on the Interactive Whiteboard portion of the blog.  Summarize the blog and then give your reflection on the subject.

2.  List three Apps you can use on the I pad in Pre K.  List and summarize what what you find.

Tweet Tina (@TinaBehel) on Twitter.  Give her a thanks for finding such great ideas in technology for Pre K.




Pre K Pages
Interactive Whiteboards

The blog starts with telling about how some Administrators think that the SMART board should only be used in upper grades.  The White board is used to create lessons and the use of more technology in the classroom.  There are two types of white boards primarily used in classrooms they are the Promethean and SMART board.  They have both been introduced by the British.  Both are about the same except for the SMART board is interactive with touch screen.  The use of the SMART board works through a projector, computer, and the SMART board.  The computer projects the lesson on the board through the projector, and then the children can touch the board to interact with lessons.  The lady said that she had went to some websites and different classrooms to watch the SMART board in use.  Visiting other classrooms with SMART boards or Promethean boards is very useful and helps with lesson plans.  The cost of the board could be an issue for some schools.  Donations or grants can help in obtaining a board.  She has a list of what the board can be used for, and this is only a few.  It can be used for calendar, number line, sight words, math, flip charts, thematic charts, and graphic organizers.

The Pre K room is an excellent place to use the SMART board.  It is interactive and keeps the children's attention.  I love the idea to use it for the Calendar or stories being read to the children.  I haven't been in a Pre K room where it was used, but I would love to see it.  Video taping yourself reading a book then showing the class would be great.  There are so many uses for the SMART board in a Pre K class.  I can't even tell you how many ways you can use a SMART board in a Pre K class because they are limitless.

Apps for Pre K

Bubble Alpha is a free App for the IPad that shows new words for the Pre K child.  It introduces them to different words on the farm, toy store, or my toys.  The second App is Can You Count?  It introduces the child to basic counting.  It's a magical count picture book.  The third App is ABC Easy Writer.  This is to show the child how to write the letter or number and trace it.

All of these Apps can help the child with sight words, writing, and numbers.  All of these things are basics in teaching children in the Pre K classroom.  The IPad would be a wonderful asset in any classroom, and Pre K children would learn some fine motor skills.  This would keep their attention and interact with them.

C4T 3 Post 1 and 2

Why Leadership Matters
Will Deyamport, III

Mr. Deyamport talks about how leadership in schools can be a deciding factor in a student's academic success.  Others blame their current teacher, but the leadership of the school is the determining factor.  In every school whether urban or rural, each has the potential for greatness through leaders in the district or current school.  The leaders set the overall tone of every school.  They make the decisions regarding personnel decisions and programs involving the school.  Showing by example is the only way to get your teachers excited about education.  The comment:  Hello! My name is Tina Behel. I am a student from the University of South Alabama, in Mobile. I believe the lack of leadership goes on in so many schools these days. Urban schools sometime may lack the community involvement to see the school succeed. That gap needs to be closed by good leaders of the school. The school systems need to get behind the view of the whole child and not just teaching to test. Every child has the right to the best education possible. Our leaders need to think about the children not themselves.


Dissertation Video
Will Deyamport, III

The video, that was shown, is an update on how Mr. Deyamport's dissertation is going.  He has chapters one through four completed and revised.  Hopeful, there will not be another revision; he is relieved this part is almost over.  Chapter five is a work in progress, and he thinks it will go well.  The comment that I left for Mr. Deyamport:  Hello!  I am a student from the University of South Alabama. I am majoring in Elementary Education. I am glad you have successfully turned in your dissertation, chapters one through four. This is a great accomplishment. Keep us posted on your final product. Congratulations.

                                           

Blog Post 11

Little Kids....Big Potential
Kathy Cassidy

We are invited into the classroom to view all the technology Ms. Cassidy uses daily.  The children are busy on computers blogging and playing games.  The children are told only to use their first names not last for privacy concerns, also to be safe on the internet.  When critiquing work you should be nice and not hurt another friend's feelings.  Wiki's are used in Ms. Cassidy's room to find out information about a topic.  The children use the smart board and Skype to enhance the technology in their room.  Video taping for individual portfolios and for classroom use are seen in the classroom.

The children look like they are having fun in the classroom.  They seem to love the blogging, playing games and Skype.  These children are busy using technology in the video.  Ms. Cassidy has really told them about what they should do on the computer.  She is giving the children great tools to be successful in the class.

Skype Interview with Ms. Cassidy
Kathy Cassidy

Ms. Cassidy has taken a real interest in technology in her classroom.  She explains it wasn't by choice in the beginning.  She was given five computers to help in the classroom.  As she explains when you have five of anything, there is a need to make a center.  Her mission then was to see how she can incorporate learning into the computer technology.  She was asked if she had any help with incorporating technology in her room.  Ms. Cassidy said she had a great technical teacher who helped with explaining the use of blogging and technology in the room.  Administrators were alright with the use of technology.  Parents can look at their child's blogs and see their progress.  Online portfolios help with progression in the classroom.  She tells of the importance of safety on the internet with the children.  Some of the students asked questions about the use of blogging and the use of technology in the classroom.  Do you think technology is going anywhere?  Do I need to be versed on technology as a teacher?  These were some questions asked by Dr. Strange and students.  Ms. Cassidy expressed that technology is not going anywhere.

Benefits from technology in the classroom are endless.  The children are having fun and learning.  This cuts down on discipline issues.  The use of online portfolios for grading can be a great tool for teachers.  Smart board is my favorite tool of all.  Ms. Cassidy seemed to use it in her classroom.  The limitless advantages of Smart board for elementary children are unreal.  This is a great teaching tool.  Blogging shows the children they have a voice and a audience.  Their learning how to be good writers and how to be considerate of others.  Skype and video taping are also technology that can be used to incorporating learning in the room.  I like it when Ms. Cassidy encouraged technology through what you like as a teacher.  Then, you can use it through learning.  Technology is here to stay and let it be your friend in the classroom.

C4K Summary for October

First Post
"The Deaf Speaking to the Deaf." A Critique on Politics

The first post was a girl who talked about how politics played a big part in her family.  The name was never given, but she spoke loudly on the beliefs in her household.  I commented on the blog by telling her growing up we were taught to not really speak to others about politics and religion.  Everyone has a view on the subjects, and you should respect those views as you get older.

Second Post

Jack blogged about the book The Outsiders.  He talked about the character Johnny.  Josh told why he thought he was an important character.  I asked him if he had seen the movie.  I told him I had seen the movie and read the book.  The Outsiders is one of my favorites.

Third Post

 Josh wrote about his school.  PWR is the high school he attends.  He tells of how he feels safe there.  The halls of the school are small.  Also, the lunchroom is not very big.  Josh is glad he has an hour for his lunch.  He can go off campus to eat.  I told him that I didn't get to do that when I was in high school.

Fourth Post

Judy Moody is a sixth grade student, who is interested in soccer.  Judy talks about how much she loves the sport.  She introduces herself in the blog post.  I told her that I liked basketball in Jr. High and that was my sport.  

Special Blog Post #1

A World Where Grades Will Be Left Behind
Mary Beth Marklein

What will our education system be like in thirty years?  That is definitely an important question.  Sebastian Thurn is creating a virtual classroom through the benefit of free educational classes on the website Udacity.  This is a really good beginning to how education can change in the next thirty years.  Children will be able to work at their own pace in the mastery of their lessons. Tests and quizzes will be given on the lesson until it's mastered.  The pen and paper testing will be a thing of the past.  There shouldn't be a price on knowledge.  If you as an individual are disciplined enough to work on your own, the knowledge is there.

What if you don't have the tools for this type of classroom?  Will each child be disciplined enough to learn in this manner?  How will special education fit in to this type of learning?  These are all questions that are valid in reviewing a computer based learning environment.  I love the idea of the virtual classroom.  I have seen a small amount through special education and certain subjects taught through web based programs in schools.  My vote is for the child.  I want a program that will encourage children to learn and be inspiring.

                             

Blog Post 10

Adventures in Pencil Integration
John Spencer

My view on the cartoon is how the paper and pencil are becoming obsolete.  The classroom is replacing the use of pen and paper with technology.  Computers cost more, but are more efficient in our schools.  Some educators refuse to use multimedia tools to teach our children.  The "expensive pencil" in education is teaching our children whether we like it or not.  Technology has a high start up cost in the beginning, but it pays off in reinventing the idea of education.

Why Were Your Kids Playing Games?
John Spencer

The principal asks the teacher, "Why were your students on computers?"  The principal had told him no more games as of a previous fiasco involving computers.  The principal felt like showing video simulations, reading, and drawing is not a part of learning.  The only way to learn is with the pencil and paper method.  He doesn't want anything to vary from his way.  The teacher wants the principal to give technology a try, but he is set on this way of educating the students.
Many teachers have the mentality of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."  Some how our old way of teaching is broken.  We are not educating our children if we can't keep their attention.  Technology is in our daily lives if we like it or not.  Why not use these tools to get our children involved and passionate about learning?  The start up of computers in our school may be costly in the beginning, but in the end they will pay off so much more by keeping our children involved.

Remember Pencil Quests?
John Spencer

In Mr. Spencer's sophomore year of high school, he and his classmates were told by their teacher that they were going on a pencil quest.  A pencil quest is a scavenger hunt in the textbook.  He said that the class will go to a specific page, read it, and then answer  questions. The assignment would be compared to a moving textbook.  The teacher was trying to keep the students involved and excited about the class assignment.
The pencil used pencil and paper, but it started a new course of learning in the classroom.  The same excitement about that pencil quest is the same about blogs today.
The use of the pencil quest was a way to keep the students engaged and motivated to learn in a unique way.  The teacher was trying to invent different alternatives to lecturing.  I thought it was an ingenious source of knowledge rather than using paper and pencil.  Now, the benefit of blogs and pen pal networks work better than any pencil quest.  The teacher was a pioneer of a new education.

Don't Teach Our Kids This Stuff.  Please?
Dr. Scott McLeod

Dr. McLeod is the Director of Innovation for Prairie Lakes Area Education Agency 8 in Iowa.  He has received numerous national awards for his technology leadership work.  He is on the National Board School Boards Association Center for Digital Education.  He also has written a book called, What School Leaders Need to Know About Digital Technologies and Social Media.  The argument that I think Dr. McLeod is trying to make is that, the children are using these technologies anyway why not incorporate them into our schools.  Use multimedia tools instead of shying away from social media.  If our children are using it, why not help facilitate these tools in the classroom?  Then, the children will understand and apply it in a better way.
I think Dr. McLeod is trying to tell everyone that each child is being social on either Facebook, Twitter, and other websites.  Our duty, as educators, is to help oversee the right way to benefit from social media.  Try to embrace the new and exciting way of teaching, and use it.  Bullying in our schools today is still a problem and can also be seen on different websites.  Today's technology has created a new avenue of bullying, cyber bullying.  The harassment of children in school and beyond the classroom shouldn't be taken lightly.  Social networking is here to stay so why not help direct the right path as educators.

Smartboard presentation Project #14

Short Movie Project #11

PLN Report Project 10

PLN Report

I have started my Personal Learning Network a couple of weeks ago, on Symbaloo.  I had included several of the websites that I frequent everyday.  Edm Blog post is one that I look at everyday.  Twitter, Facebook, and my Gmail account are others that are viewed daily.  I wasn't sure how Twitter could actually be a Personal Learning Network, but I am changing my mind.  Twitter is already a great source for me as far as technology updates, and Pre-K references as well.  I am learning more each day about how to increase my contacts on Twitter.  There are a great deal of people who are wonderful sources about education.  A couple of websites that I have discovered from others, I plan on adding them to my PLN.  Things are coming along well and I will have the finished product soon.

Book Trailer Project 12

Blog Post 9

Reflections on 2008-2009
Joe McClung

Mr. McClung had a few words of wisdom for an educator or student teacher, "Stay positive."  Being positive about the day or your hope for a great year is important.  Every day try to be optimistic about what the day will bring in the class.  Another tip is to learn how to read the crowd.  As a student teacher, you fall short of the audience in front of you and concentrate on being graded.  Once your degree is final and your in front of the classroom, think about them.  If the class has a certain interest, let it guide the instruction.  Be flexible in the classroom.  Many educators are very regimented about their instruction.  If the class doesn't go with what you have prepared, be flexible on the situation.  If things should go wrong, work through them them, and don't panic.  Communication with colleagues is essential in a great working environment.  Communication also is key in working through any problem with students and parents.  Being reasonable is another lesson learned for Mr. McClung.  Expectations in the classroom need to set at a reasonable goal.  If they are not met, go with it, and never become upset.  Encourage children to have high expectations, but when they are not delivered, try not to lay blame on you or the student.  No one is perfect, and that includes you as a teacher.  Technology is your friend.  Stay aware of how technology can help you in the classroom.  Better yourself as a teacher by going to workshops about new technologies in the class.  Mr. McClung has a few more things to address for his first year.  They are never stop learning, and listen to your students.  Never stop learning new avenues to enhance your teaching abilities.  Learning new things helps you become a better teacher.  Listen to the students' views on situations.  Listen to the children by letting them talk and elaborate on subjects.  You're there to learn from them as well as the students learning from you as an educator.

Mr. McClung has some great advice on his first year of teaching.  As teachers, you think you should control what goes on in the classroom.  Sometimes, you must learn to go with the flow if it is being productive.  Communicate with others and be flexible in any working environment.  Sometimes losing sight of the children and what is interesting for them is easy to do.  Embrace change in the class as well as with technological advances.  Learning in any area is essential in growing in the classroom as an educator.  This year seems to be a great growing experience for him, and he learned a lot.  I think in your first year of teaching you are so bogged down with pleasing administration and co-workers that you forget about the class before you.  You try to keep your head above water and hang in there.  Mr. McClung has learned a lot and will be a better teacher for that reason.
                                                         
Reflections on 2011-2012                                            
Joe McClung

This year, Joe McClung has kept it short and sweet.  He has learned two great things this year.  They are as follows:  You have got to dance with the one who brought you and challenge yourself.  Both points sound like he has learned a lot since his first year teaching.  What he meant by dancing with the person who brought you to the dance is this, worry about your classroom and not what your colleagues think you should be doing.  If what has been working in the classroom so far is helping, don't mess with a good thing.  Challenge yourself as a teacher.  Teaching the same subject for a period of time can make you complacent.  He was asked to move to a new subject, AP Civics, and American Government.  The new subjects will challenge him as a teacher.  Doing new and different things help keep you alive and vibrant as an educator.

I like this blog post.  It seems like he has learned so much in just a few years.  Educators need to learn not to bring each other down but lift them up.  Encourage new teachers, and give them help and an ear.  I think sometimes we as people like to see others fail.  That is definitely not what we should do as educators and colleagues.  Challenging yourself in areas can be good.  Taking on new and different things can be scary at first, but then you might like it.  I have learned so many things from Mr. McClung's blog posts.  I wanted to see the differences between his first year teaching and his last.  He learned a lot.