Blog Post #16: Final Reflection

Blog Post #5 Part B

Personal Learning Networks

At the beginning of this semester, I honestly had no idea what a personal learning network is but had always heard of people talking about networking. During the first part of this blog post and semester, we were assigned to use twitter and other social networking to make a personal learning network. While I believe those truly did help, the C4C and the C4T were the best tools for a beginning jump into the world of PLN's. Each week we were assigned a new teacher to comment on. With each new teacher, we asserted ourselves into the world of teacher's. As a future teacher I hope to take the knowledge learned from this class and expand my personal learning network through the avenues we have explored and new ones that I hope to find along the way in my actual school.

Blog Post #14

Teacher

In the article written by Joel Klein, he addresses the main part of education that if he would change if he could "wave a wand" to change. He points out that while this is a difficult question, he does have many things that should be changed. Firstly he points out the fact that teaching is not respected on the same level as being a lawyer or doctor in the professional world.

Some of the problems are that teachers need better training or education to be a teacher to the next generation. Klein addresses the problems by saying that teachers need to be better trained academically, school should only hire a top percentage of the graduates, teachers should have a national teacher examination, internship should be supervised from one to three years, and a merit based tier system should be evoked.

As a current student in Elementary education I believe that the level of training is not growing at the same pace as the level of work for the students. Joel Klein addresses this point by stating that almost anyone with a degree in education is allowed to teacher. With a better education of the teachers, the students would be better off all around because of the versatility of the teacher with better education versus the teacher with the lesser education that did not put as much effort into their own education. How can you expect a teacher who did not love to learn to want to teach students that may not have the drive to learn?

The selection process of teachers at a school should be based on the very best of the group. If a teacher applies and has a masters in education, but only made a 3.0 in both their masters and bachelors and had very little extra curricular activities such as volunteer work or tutoring, and a teacher that has a bachelors in education with a 4.0 and a great deal of the extra curricular activities. I feel that the second teacher should be the better choice because they put forth the effort, while it seems as if the first teacher just made it through.

The national teacher examination is a great way for the teachers to show schools who would be the best for the position. As a lawyer or doctor, you have to participate in one of these exams, that Albert Shanker proposed. Shanker also has another idea on a supervised internship that Klein explains. This internship lasts from one to three years and would help to narrow down the prospects of teachers.

A merit based tier system, instead of seniority or tenure, would be available for teachers to prove themselves by actually participating instead of just waiting out their time to avoid being fired. This would also help prevent teachers from using tenure as a way to keep their job when they are not the best fit for the students. 

After reading what Joel Klein has to say about means of improving the world of education and teaching, I truly agree completely. If schools and colleges were able to invoke the changes that he explains then education would grow to the level of being a doctor or lawyer. As many people fail to believe, education is not always an easy career. Teacher's are the ones that teach lawyers and doctors. Without teachers, how would people prevail to those professions? 

Project 16 Group Blog Post: Using Technology in the Classroom

Project 16 Group Blog Post

Using Technology in the Classroom

Using a Project-Based Approach to Learning in the Classroom

Source: Pix Good

Using technology in schools is very important.  Students today rely on technology to do a good percentage of their classwork.  In doing this, the classroom is taken beyond four walls.  Teachers can invite other classes from around the world into their own by simply Skyping.  Blogs are also a creative way to incorporate technology in school as well as in the home.  Teachers and students can blog about what they are learning and then parents, friends, and family can read all about it.  I think it is a good way to get parents more involved and active in what is going on in the classroom.

Using technology in the classroom engages students and teachers to expand their search for new ways to create and learn. By using the internet teachers and students are able to broaden their research beyond the books and people that surround them. This also opens up opportunities to project-based learning in the classroom.

Project-based learning in the classroom is a different approach to the normal lecture and reading type of learning. Project-based learning is a fun and interactive way for students to learn and complete assignments. Along the way, students are not just completing assignments, they are learning life skills. Students are allowed to explore and discover new information on a topic by using the internet, create projects, and learn how to apply resources all within project-based learning. Project-based learning allows students to take learning into their own hands.

Blog Post #13

What did I leave out?

Research and write about the ways that elementary education teachers use technology in a inclusive classroom to grasp the attention of both types of students. Find at least three resources and include links for the location of these sites. 

Using digital technologies to promote inclusive practices in education

This resource is a great way to better understand the history of inclusive education and the need for technology to help progress the idea of inclusive learning. In this five part document, the writers include an introduction to inclusive education, a framework to develop the situation, the policies, the policy drivers, and a few online resources. I really enjoyed reading this document because it was able to open my eyes to the bigger picture of an inclusive classroom and the different ways technology can help.

Inclusion in the 21st century classroom

This resource contains a video about the idea of using a virtual world/quests to lead a student with trouble learning in a normal lecture based class. The article also contains different ways that inclusion is good for certain students.

Tech Tools for Students with Learning Disabilities

This resource contains the different technologies used by inclusive classrooms. For talk to text, the article contains four companies that are used and phone numbers for the companies. I think this is a great link to have for ideas of what technologies an inclusive classroom uses along with the ideas behind the technology. 

Assistive Technology in Action

C4K for April

For this week I was asked to comment on Colby R.'s most recent blog post, which is titled Puns. This blog post is full of funny little puns. This is my comment on his post:

"Hey Colby,

I am a student at the University of the South Alabama in EDM 310. This is extremely funny and I love your puns. My favorite would have to be "is this hawkward?". I feel like I use puns more than I recognize but your blog is really making me wonder if I ever do. Thanks for the funny puns and keep up the good work and continue to blog!

Thanks,

Megan Shoultz"

Pun

For this week I was asked to comment on Charolette's most recent blog post, which is titled weet-bix. This video is about the triathlon from her area. This is my comment on her post:

"Hey Charlotte,

My name is Megan Shoultz and I am an Education student at the University of South Alabama. I really enjoyed your short video about the triathlon. I have never participated in one but congratulate you on your commitment to the cause! "

Triathlon

For this week I was asked to comment on Kaylie's blog post about senses. In this post she made a poem about her senses. Her topic was a bunny and the senses that she experiences on the topic of a bunny. Here is my comment on her post:

"Hey Kaylie!

I am a student at the University of South Alabama in EDM 310. I love your poem. When I was about eight years old I had two bunnies. I love the way you explain your experiences with a bunny. My only question is what you mean by you feel a physically smile?

Thanks! Keep up the good work!

Megan Shoultz"

Bunny

C4T #3 Dorothy Burt: Manaiakalani

Dorothy Burt's blog post Learn Create Share: Overview is about her six part series on Learn Create and Share. This post is an overview on the different steps and explains them in a whole.

Here is my comment on her post:

"Hey Dorothy Burt! 

I am an EDM 310 student from the University of South Alabama and after looking over your little series I really enjoyed the content and will implement the students into my own experiences in the future.  

Thank you!

Megan Shoultz"

Dorothy Burt's blog post Linear or Spiral: Learn Create Share Pedagogy is about her process of teaching the new teachers at her school how to embrace the technology active way of their school. This is my comment on her post:

"Hello! I am a student at the University of South Alabama in EDM 310. I really loved this explaination of the process that new teachers at your school under go to become used to the frame work that ya'll have constructed. My favorite part would have to be the share to learn process. I, personally, learn from sharing and helping others. 

Megan Shoultz"

Blog Post #12

Assistive technologies available to teachers….

Defined by the U.S. Department of Education, assistive technologies are any piece of equipment used to improve functional capabilities of a child with a disability.

50 Must-See Blogs for Special Education

There are several blog pages here that are well worth a visit!  Here is one that is very insightful:

Special 2 Me

This blog is an excellent resource for teachers of special needs/education students. It opens up about students, parents, and other conflict situations.  It also speaks about ideas and projects that might help you in your teaching.  It encourages you to hang in there and continue your work with a high held head and confidence.  This blog is great for those teachers with trouble students or difficult parents.

iPad Usage For the Blind

This is truly astounding! I think that it would be better for Siri to slow down the pace of her voice but other than that, this technology is truly astounding!  Blind readers could enjoy some of the same technology regular sighted students could with absolute ease.  This may be one of the most amazing gifts given to education.  Being able to allow someone of impairment the same tools to learn as a regular education students is helping bridge the gap between special education and general education students.  This tool give the blind more access to the world around them.

Assistive Technologies for Vision and Hearing Impaired Children

At the very end of this video, the young lady, I believe says, "Thank you for seeing".  That to me, as a non-signing and hearing-capable individual, says thank you for watching.  This video is very enlightening.  Giving hearing or vision impaired students to ability to learn on the same level as general education students is monumental!  Technology has come so far and now being able to interact with the hearing or sight impaired is going to open so many doors for them as well as teachers and educators.  This video should open your eyes and your minds to what is possible through technology and assistive technology.

This blog post was done in collaboratively with Erin Byrd.

Project # 14 Lesson Plan

Show below are my lesson plan and a few website that I feel would be great resources for the students to use with this lesson plan.

Primary Colors

ABCs of Art

Color Wheel Eyes

(ABCs of Art and the Color Wheel Eyes are both links provided to me while I take EDU 301 with Mrs. Vitulli)

mademistakes.com

Project #12 Smartboard

Blog Post # 10: What can we learn from Mrs. Cassidy?

Mrs. Cassidy is a first grade teacher in Moose Jaw, Canada. Little Kids...Big Potential is a short video about her students and what they think of the class. Her students like to write on their blogs more than their books because of the comments that they get on their posts. The students can see the changes in their writings and understand the right way to comment on a peers post. At school and at home the students can go onto different learning friendly sights that are educational through her webpage. Being so technologically advanced her students use Skype to interact with different classrooms and learn more about different cultures.

Interview with Cassidy Part 1, Interview with Cassidy Part 2, and Interview with Cassidy Part 3 are all parts of an interview with Kathy Cassidy and how she came to start about in her teaching style with computers. In this interview she explains that she started when computers were donated to her and 10 years from the day of the interview started her webpage. 5 years before the interview was the start of her blog and 2 years before the interview was the start of the video of her students using technology to better their education. The best part of the way Mrs. Cassidy explains her way to teaching with technology is the endeavor to keep the identity of the students safe, but while also allowing the students and parents to understand that they will always be using technology and the internet. The way that she uses her students blogs as a way to keep their work together is a way that I plan on using in my own classroom in the future. Also with her idea of the audience of the blogs being a great motivator to the students. In this first video "Little Kids...Big Potential", the kids state that they love to write on their blogs because of the views and comments. Mrs. Cassidy explains that the best way to get interested in technology is to find a way to express your own likes, such as Flickr if you are interested in photos or videos, or blogs if you love to write.

(Blog Picture)

C4K for March

For week 9, my assignment was to comment on Emily's blog post on her advice to new students at her high school. Emily is a sophomore at Joilet High School and her advice to freshman was very true in any case, not just at her specific school. Here is the comment that I left on her blog:


"Hello Emily. I am a student at the University of South Alabama in EDM 310. I really enjoyed your advice to future students at your high school. I went to two different high schools, both drastically different from the other. My first two years were at a high school that was enormous and my last two years were at a small little high school in the middle of the country. In your post I saw a few different punctuation and capitalization problems, but your flow and form was very easy to read. Your content was very helpful and I hope that your readers will take your advice and enjoy their new time at your high school."

For week 10, my assignment was to comment on Cristal's blog post on her experience while job shadowing. The job she shadows was in the cosmetology field, but her main concern is the wage that she would be making if she went after that job. Here is the comment that I left on her blog:

"Hey Cristal! I have never even thought of working in the field of cosmetology, but my dream is to be a teacher. Teachers do not make a great salary either, however if you love what you do then that is what matters. If you love cosmetology then chase your dreams! I have heard of countless people that take their dreams and make a great living, even in the field of cosmetology. Job shadowing is a great way to explore your options! Keep pursuing your dreams."

For week 11, my assignment was to comment on Jacob C's blog post on his pets. He has two snakes, a rainbow boa and a normal ball python. Here is the comment that I left on his blog:

"Hey Jacob!
I am an EDM 310 student at the University of South Alabama. I loved reading about what type of snakes you have and can honestly say I have never heard of a rainbow boa. I actually touched a snake for the first time yesterday, but I still have a fear of them if they are not someones pet. How big are you snakes? I saw a eight foot snake that weighed 80+ pounds yesterday.

Megan"

Blog Post # 9: What Can Teachers and Students Teach Us About Project Based Learning?

Seven Essentials for Project Based Learning 

This article is very helpful for when you are just starting your PBL and are lost in the depth of a PBL. The seven steps (need to know, driving question, student voice and choice, 21st century skills, inquiry and innovation, feedback and revision, and a publically presented project) easily break down the process and lead towards a strong project that is easily explained and thought out.

Project-Based Learning for Teachers

This short video is a great way to explain what PBL is and how it helps a teacher to center his or her lessons around a driving question that leads to a complete ending that the students have to share with their peers. In this video there are many different sites used to help a teacher with their use of PBL.

Ten Sites Supporting Digital Classroom Collaboration in Project Based Learning

This article discusses the importance of PBL and give ten resources for helpful tips on how to use PBL. Some of these sites were new to me and after looking over them I found them to be extremely helpful and will implement them in the future. 

What Motivates Students? 

In this short video, students explain what motivates them to do better. The answers range from the goal of having a family and a house and being able to support that lifestyle, going to college and be able to do what the student wants to do when they grow up, and being congratulated by teachers or other students for the hard work that paid off on a good test score. The second half of this video shows the students explaining the reward systems that they think work best for them. From stickers to pizza parties, motivation runs rich through these kids. 

Project Based Learning in PE

This blog post is about a high school that allows their students to plan and improve the physical fitness plans for the middle school students at the school. By following the The National Association for Sport and Physical Education standards not only are the high schoolers following the basic guidelines of physical fitness but are helping to mold the middle schoolers into a healthier lifestyle. This way to use PBL is a great idea to help all high schoolers promote physical fitness around the world. 

PBL

Project # 9: Motivating Students to Learn

Blog Post #8: What Can We Learn About Teaching and Learning From Randy Pausch?

This week we were assigned to watch a lecture, given by Randy Pausch, that had the ability to make "the world stop and pay attention" as it was stated on Carnegie Mellon University. Starting the lecture out, Pausch tells that he had tumors in his liver and was told he only had three to six months left to live. At this point, I had to stop the video because my own experience with my mother having cancer and being given the same time frame to live and not making it to the sixth month mark. Bausch continues on about how he wants to promote "Achieving Your Childhood Dreams" and talks about his own childhood dreams of being able to flip like the astronauts from his childhood in the 60s. 

One of the mainly points that Pausch mentions in the first part of the lecture is that your critics are the people that are telling you they care and want you to do better. As I listened to this part of his lecture about his football coaches, I remember all of my own critics. My parents were my first critics, who pushed my boundaries and my determination to be the best that I could be. My resources teacher, Mrs. Fox, who pushed me to catch back up to the other kids in my grade and inspired me to be a teacher. And lastly, my 12th grade english teacher, Mrs. Conerly, who pushed me to get out of my rut and take pride in my work. The similarity between all of my great teachers were the enthusiastic determination to excite their students and promote learning. These are points that Pausch mentions as the important parts of a "good" teacher. Throughout his lecture, Pausch describes his brick walls that are the different adversities that one must overcome to be the best that they can be.

C4T #2 - Diane Dahl

In Diane Dahl's blog on fotheloveofteaching.net, my task for this week was to comment on her most recent post, which is from September 1, 2014. Below is my comment on Diane's blog:

"Hey! I'm an EDM310 student at the University of South Alabama. I really enjoyed your blog post and I agree that students and fellow teachers should be treated like that are at the top of the class. It promotes great feelings and gives encouragement for the students or teachers that may not feel on the top of everything!

Thank you!
Megan Shoultz"

Taken from Diane Dahl's blog post

On Diane's blog, I commented on her Math Monday post in which she explained that she gives her students time to explore their ways of addition at the start of the lesson. In her post, Diane included wonderful photos of her students various reasonings behind how they add. Below is my comment:

"Hey! I'm an EDM 310 student at the University of South Alabama. I love the photos that you added of your students and their different ways to explain their techniques of adding. As a student I remember my own struggles with adding and love that you have given your students 15 minutes of personal time to explore the different options. I feel that this is a great way to open up your students minds to different options."

Project 13

Below you will find a link to our group file and there you will find our lesson plan, rubric, and calendar for Project 13:

Wildcats Drive

Project #8: Book Trailer

Blog Post #6

While watching the seven videos for this weeks blog post, I learned a great deal of new things about the idea of Project Based Learning. The seven videos are:

Project Based Learning: Part 1 and Part 2

In this video we are watching Dr. Strange talk to his old student, fellow EDM 310 Professional, and now good friend, Anthony Capp. Anthony Capp is a third grade teacher at Gulf Shores Elementary School. Anthony talks about the letters to Congressman that his student sent and received replies. This project instilled the idea that by actually acting with the subject the students will become involved and excited to learn. 

iCurio

I really enjoyed iCurio because it is a means of keeping your files and information organized. Anthony mentioned that it was a gateway to keeping your life as a teacher organized. iCurio also helps to allow students to search factual information without all of the junk that is around the internet.

Discovery Education

This website is a great way to get students to interact with the subject and be able to search though the site to find more about the subject. Anthony's class was using Discovery Education to research plants and to become more familiar with them. I would definitely use this website with my class.

The Anthony - Strange list of Tips for Teachers Part 1

In this video Dr. Strange and Anthony grouped together to give EDM 310 students helpful tips as they progress into the lives of a teacher. One of the key points that stood out to me as I was watching was when Dr. Strange said that we ourselves need to like to learn. Without liking to learn how can we expect our students to like to learn and put forth their full effort on a subject when we did not put forth the same effort. Another key aspect of being a teacher is to expect the unexpected and be able to improvise and be flexible. 

Don't Teach Tech - Use It 

In this video we observed Dr. Strange asked Anthony about technology, which prompted Anthony's response of using technology in the classroom through scaffolding. He suggests using one program one day and then allowing students to use another the next day. This would give the students a wide range of technology to be able to combine and use towards the end of the class. Students in Anthony's classroom can use iMovie, while I have no idea how to use it and have just downloaded it for the first time. 

Project #3: Project Based Learning