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.