Blog Post #6

The Networked Student

I really enjoyed taking certain points of view from Mrs. Drexler's "Networked Student;" however I don't know that I feel comfortable or that it is appropriate to apply this student's learning experiences to all classrooms and subjects. I fully believe that students should be familiar with the various tools offered on the internet. Once students realize that they are fostering, creating, judging, and planning their own learning experience, I can only imagine their interests will sky rocket. By teaching students to use the infinite resources just a click away, children will become much more eagerly involved. Students are no longer being forced to sit still at a desk, look up information through an outdated textbook and copy it back just as they saw it. What is the point in that? Isn't that the question Dr. Strange has been asking for years?
Empowering students through technology as well as positive support is of utmost importance; but how do the students learn the proper tools and how to implement them to enhance their learning experience? The teacher! We are still an integral part of their learning experience. Educators must be present for moral and academic support equally. Students first need to be aware of the safety of the sites from which they obtain their information. Teachers will also guide the students on how to use many different tools to further expand their knowledge, such as blogs, wikispaces, and social media. While our cartoon paper student did a remarkable job finding valuable information and I am sure is infinitely wiser about the human psyche than when he first began, it is the act of finding, organizing, and being proud of his work that should really speak for itself.
As I mentioned earlier, I do not believe that the networked student should make an appearance in every classroom, every hour of the week. I truly love the idea of implanting students with the knowledge to create their own intellectual journey and fully believe that this idea will empower students to achieve a new level of learning. I also agree that students who are taught these tools, how to use them, and their benefits will appreciate learning in a whole new light. For this, I am jealous. I know many of you reading this can go back to your school days (some of us that requires a little longer trip down memory lane) and the first thing that comes to mind is trying not to fall asleep as your number two pencil slowly rolls of your desk, teacher still mumbling along, as you peacefully slip into dreamland and away from trigonometry. Getting students involved on the web and connecting with others is an incredible way to ignite interest. However, I also believe there are other tools besides the web that can be used to spark children's excitement. I agree with Dr. Strange, Mrs. Drexler, and others that lecturing is becoming out of date and for that we should celebrate! I would love to integrate my new found love and exploration of technology into different activities throughout the classroom. For example, when teaching a lesson on Mexico, I could let the children make sombreros and wear them as we learn the salsa. Next, the students could upload the video of the class doing a salsa dance as well as their sombrero picture onto their blog! The students would be able to get feedback from others all over the world, possibly even Mexico! I am so excited to learn more about the networked student and how to appropriately incorporate him/her into my classroom.

A 7th grader's PLN

The first thing that spoke to me about this video was how proud I would be of this young lady if she were my daughter or student. She enunciates her words very well and clearly explains the points she means to get across to her viewers. One of the things that immediately impressed me was how organized all of her projects, agendas, and networks look. She later brings up the fact that network learning is different from pen and paper in the sense that it looks "cool" and "neat" when finished. Her PLE perfectly demonstrates this. I couldn't believe how helpful this learning environment would be to students, especially those who are disorganized or are very busy with extracurricular activities. I loved the notetaking program, and social bookmarking account. The idea of creating a certification report and publishing it in order to allow the students to hold animals is a perfect example of how I would like to integrate technology into my classroom as well.
I can honestly say that this student's PLN is a bit more extensive than mine would be at the moment. Yes, that is a little embarrassing but also motivational. I would love to include the notetaking, social bookmarking, glogster, and blog accounts in my PLN also. This young lady has really opened my mind and given me new ideas of websites and web related activities to investigate. I was a bit unfamiliar with PLNs, so I googled PLN in education and was taken to this wonderful website. It has links to several videos, forums, and blogs by educators we have already read about. Check it out! That's what I'm going to do right now!
During my brief view of this website, I came across this video. Watch it. If the Classics Academy doesn't appeal to you, what does that say about you as a 21st century teacher?

C4K #1

Commenting on kid’s blog posts was such a joy! I loved delving into their little, yet vast minds. I believe it is a great way for us as future educators to get a feel for what children enjoy and dislike in the classroom, as well as allowing students to showcase their creativity and get feedback from people all over the world.

I absolutely loved reading about the Pt. England School in New Zealand. It was awesome to look around their class blogs and get a tiny peek into their educational culture. They seemed like a very interactive, involved, and motivated school and class. I really enjoyed how Stevie mentioned the good things that he AND his classmates did. I thought that showed great sportsmanship. I asked Stevie if he thought that the numerous team activities they did strenghtened his ability to work well with his classmates. Maybe he'll respond and shed a little light into that subject. Their class had a silly sports activity day where they played games like squeezing sponges to fill buckets up the fastest, and a fun tennis race that kind of sounded like a three legged race to me. I asked him for a little further explanation because he seemed to really love that game.

The following week I read a child's blog from Mr. Wolfe's class. All of the children in Mr. Wolfe's class had great things to say about him as a teacher. I definitely got the vibe that he enjoys making learning a worthwhile and interactive experience for his students. The child whose blog I read wrote a very short post saying he thought Mr. Wolfe was awesome! I decided to read more of his material later and I found out that he is in fact, a very creative and detailed writer. This finding furthers my theory that creating student/class blogs is a fantastic way to foster creative writing in young students. I believe often times children lose their passion for writing, or whatever the subject if it is made boring by a certain teacher. It takes a long time for one teacher to reignite the fire another let smolder.

We were given the pleasure to get a glimpse into the Mobile County schools for our third assignment. As I watched the video put on by Mr. Capps in the St. Elmo school, I began to feel very excited that this will be me one day soon. Not only did I enjoy watching the kids get so involved, I also liked seeing how much it fired Anthony up to see what he created with the children. I can imagine it's a pretty good feeling to realize you have created an exciting, challenging, and rewarding day for your students! The children, especially Josie, were thrilled to be on camera. It was obvious they were very proud of their self portraits as well as their ability to share their similarities and differences with everyone else. I think this a wonderful way to teach children art, self exploration, and professional and personal skills (by being on camera). Kudos to Mr. Capps and his adventurous explorers!

Lastly, I read about Natty's avatar in Sydney, Australia. Her blog was so interesting to look around on. It was filled with fun pictures, interactive clocks, information about her visitors and where she lives, and many more entertaining widgets. Natty is a part of the Student Blogging Challenge that takes place for ten weeks every March and September. She vividly and clearly described her Avatar which was a combination of many different animals ranging from a polar bear to a spider. I loved her bright imagination and spirit! I believe these blogging contests to be an innovative twist on Creative writing contests. Blogging keeps creative writing an integral part of the curriculum while also allowing students to interact, derive ideas, and learn about other student's cultures.

Project 9a- Timetoast Timeline

Blog Post # 5

Do you know any teachers who are terrified of getting out of the traditional teaching method taught in schools like this one? Don't let their paranoia get you down! Rise above and let's progress!

Don't teach your kids this stuff, please?
Dr. McLeod is a man very involved and expressively interested in the integration of technology in the classroom. The center he created, CASTLE (Center for the Advanced Study of Technological Leadership in Education)is the only center in the nation dedicated to meeting the technological needs of school system administrators. Because like Mr. McLeod says on his home page, "If the leaders don't get it, it's not going to happen." His views on incorporating technology into the classroom in as many ways as possible are intent and he believes there is no excuse for educators to still be in the dark in regards to online learning. In Mr. McLeod's hilarious, sarcastic post "Don't teach your kids this stuff, please" he fervently begs future educators not to be so naive as to neglect integrating technology into the classroom. One reason I really enjoy the way he approaches this issue is how he lists all of the innovative, fun, enlightening ways that children learn through online resources and sarcastically implies they are dangerous and silly. For example, he insists that students don't need to be taught how to make a movie or write online because an audience is not important. All teachers, board members, parents, and administrators know that is simply untrue. Why would students participate in piano or dance recitals or soccer games? I also enjoy that he introduces the fears that give some old school teachers reservations about using the internet with children. Mr. McLeod believes that educators, and all those involved in our young minds' lives should be familiar enough with their technology to know what is safe and what is not. I must agree and I believe this post is a hilarious wake up call to all those parents, teachers, administrators, and board members to investigate all the ever changing, creative, and inventive ways our children can virtually learn.
The iSchool Initiative
Immediately after watching Travis Allen's video, I told my husband, "I have to work in a school with technology like this!" While I still would love to work in a school like St. Elmo that just received iPads from Ms. Lucy Buffet, I am also aware that I can be the one to bring technology such as that to my school. Mr. Allen is such an inspiration to jumping on the mobile learning train. His young enthusiasm is so contagious! It is really amazing to me what a 17 year old who is passionate enough about a cause can come up with. I was truly fascinated hearing the amount of money the iSchool initiative could save per student. In his first video created when he was 17 in 2009, Mr. Allen quotes that the iSchool initiative could save up to $600 per student per school year, not to mention the indescribable good we would do for our ecostystem. Some of the apps that caught my eye that Travis mentioned were the StarWalk app for astronomy and the formula app for math and science classes. My weaknesses just happen to be math and science so having a more intriguing way to explore those subjects is very appealing to me. I also like the fact that the students can record what a teacher is saying and have the benefit of repeating the lecture or instructions while away from the classroom. This feature would also come in handy for students who were absent from class, or needed further guidance.
I can honestly say the more I read from more educators and aspiring educators, the more excited I become! I believe this mobile learning experience is an absolute necessity. We are all born into an age that is moving only more toward technology integration. There is no better time than the present to become familiar, and what better tools for implementing these ideas than our brilliant minds of the future. Once teachers can get the ideas across to their students that technology is fun, easy, and exciting they will become immediately interested when they receive positive feedback and intellectual freedom.
Now, this video is a little slow moving, (not the actual speed of the download)however; it is a great way of showing that students of all ages are capable of mobile learning given the right tools and a positive attitude! Some teachers and critics say that kindergarten students are too young to use iPads in the classroom. Since when did it become too young to learn with different tools, or to share your budding creative ideas with the rest of the world? Maybe this new, huge sense of responsibility for the iPads will also instill a sense of responsibility and the want to care for their property. Also, watch how well behaved they are around these engaging learning tools.

Teaching Kindergarten with iPads :) from HiTech Princess on Vimeo.

Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir
Amazing!! I must admit that I cannot listen to a lot of this particular type of music but the idea behind it is really wonderful. In fact, I put my son to sleep tonight by playing him "Sleep," another virtual choir song put together by Mr. Whitacre. I also read that he is putting together a piece called "Good Night Moon," which is a children's book that every child I have ever babysat or had, has been fully in love with. I like the fact that Eric Whitacre is using music and technology to educate, connect, and inspire millions across the world.
Teaching in the 21st century
I truly enjoyed the ideas and enthusiasm presented in this video. I was hooked when I saw the perspective on students being able to readily access information on data, statistics, theories, and stories without the need of the teacher anymore. I really enjoyed the idea that teachers are merely the filters and counselors for students to set forth on their academic journey and find the information for themselves. I really liked the ideas of interactive projects, questions, and homework to be given to encourage technology integration inside and outside the classroom. One issue I saw with this was the fact that not all students have access to computers or an internet connection. This could possibly be solved by the teacher allowing the students to come in early or stay later. Another option could be to space the engaging activities out over a few days or a week and incorporate them into classroom activities as well. I truly agree with the perspectives and the ideas meant to challenge the way we view educating today's students- but more importantly, today's future. I could understand how this video could come off as an abrupt and radical to teachers still in the old school form of teaching. For example, there are some teachers who still hold so highly their ability to cram information into students and brag on their standardized testing scores. These new, innovative, and ENGAGING ideas do not focus enough on test scores for some teachers. It is time to realize the generation we are educating!
I don't believe that the idea that the teacher's role is obsolete is entirely true. It is the teacher's position to challenge his/herself to stay up to date with the technology that the students of this era need to be properly exposed to. This video stresses the importance of making all technological use in the classroom relevant to the age and subject matter being used. However, this should not be a hard assignment if the teacher is willing to get creative with his/her activities.
I like the fact that this video gives ideas on how to adapt mobile learning for every possible level of learner. I believe internet resources could be a great tool to use to encourage disinterested students, struggling, ADHD, and many other types of children who need an extra boost to realize learning is fun!
In all, I can definitely say that once again these video assignments have inspired to me learn more, research more, think more, investigate more, blog more, create more, teach more, impact more, and engage more! I feel very fortunate that I will be able to look back on this blog to see how my views have changed as well as this class blog once the semester is over. I feel like these videos are opening my eyes to new perspectives through all sorts of resources with every assignment I take on.

Project #8- The SEPTEMBERISTS! podcast

Blog Post #4

Not even out of diapers, and she can podcast! What does this say about our students?! We better get ready!

I was very thankful to have this assignment and receive a little guidance on podcast/vodcast tutorials. I loved seeing all of the children interviewed genuinely enjoying learning through podcasting. Mr. Joe Dale has a video entitled "The Benefits of Podcasting in the Classroom." After watching this video, I had my pocast fire lit! I learned the many different ways children can put their creative abilities to use via podcasts. For example, children can create a play, interview, perform a battle reenactment (with reasonable props, of course), make a book report, etc.
This video demonstrates the wide variety of topics that children can choose to do a podcast on. Children could choose any topic, whether or not to make it a video, how to discuss their topic, or what props if any to use. These options give students a generous amount of freedom, but also a sense of accomplishment once they have finished doing a podcast on a topic they truly love. Along with assigning "freebie" podcast topics, students could also create podcasts to talk about the presidents of the United States, for instance. They could dress up or pretend to interview them from the grave. The children interviewed in Mr. Dale's video had wonderful, uplifting things to say about learning through podcasting. I liked the fact the children not only enjoyed learning by putting on the podcasts, but they also enjoyed listening to podcasts put on by teachers. The teachers read stories and acted out important events in history on a podcast. The whole classroom was enthralled.
I also enjoyed listening to the audiobooks done by first graders. Silvia Tolisano read her first grade students a series of books they became very interested in, The Magic Tree House Series. I love the fact that she created a podcast book report because this will allow these books to stand out in their minds. The children gave fantastic detail on the plot, and some who acted out scenes from the book did so very clearly and enthusiastically! It is so amazing what first graders can do when they're taken away from the daily grind. These types of videos are so inspiring!
From these videos I learned the difference in a vodcast and a podcast. I also got some great ideas for websites that have free software and coding programs. I especially love the creative podcast ideas given by other fellow educators. It is always refreshing to receive a little inspiration from others with similar interests in enhancing our future minds!

Project #6 My Sentence Video

Blog Post #3

1. Peer Editing Tips


These peer editing tips have given me a lot of good ideas of how to improve on my comments for classmates. I recently had a lab assistant tell me one benefit to commenting on a classmate's blog is because it gives them an outside opinion of how their opinions come across to others. I have never thought of peer editing quite that way before, but I like that point of view. As I commented on my classmate's post, I was a bit hesitant to comment on any of the grammatical or spelling errors. I would like to change that hesitation for my next post and use these tips I have learned to let my peer understand how appreciated their views are, as well as critique any grammatical, sentence, or organization errors that might confuse other readers. I loved the slide show tutorial on peer editing and believe that it will be very helpful to have as a link in my blog so I can review it before leaving comments for my classmates. I also appreciate how much being positive is stressed. I like this because it is so important for children to receive positive reaction to creativity as well as constructive criticism. The "Top 10 Mistakes" video was hilarious! It was great to see kids being able to poke fun at themselves like that. It also seems to be a great way for the kids to see exactly what is not acceptable to do to their peers. It's amazing to me what entertaining videos 4th and 5th graders can put on!
2.It's Not About the Technology


One of the opening sentences in Kelly Hines' video described how she felt that technology was not the sole answer to an education revolution. I immediately became interested in the rest of her post. I had recently been thinking about how much I love all the resources, creative ideas, and the new mindset and outlook I am having on the public education system. This new outlook I am having is because of all the technology I have recently been introduced to; however, I don't want it to be in the center of my focus for developing my personal theory on education. I loved her emphasis in focusing on the students instead of just the curricculum. Focus on the student because you want to, focus on technology because you want to empower your students; not because it has to be in your lesson plan. Be curious-it seems like some other bright man once said that. Another point that Mrs. Hines has that speaks to me is that in the 21st century, teachers should be working smarter, not harder. Teachers will apply their views and knowledge with the technical, art, science, and social world to change the way children see learning. This will give teachers such a sense of accomplishment.
While teaching in the 21st century isn't all about technology, it is still important to be fairly well versed in it. Teachers who aren't willing to familiarize themselves with the advancing technologies and resources aimed to enhance their teaching and learning experiences, cause other teachers to lose out on the equipment needed for such activities. Placing top of the line technology equipment in the hands of teachers who don't care to learn how to properly use these media is simply a waste of money, Mrs. Hines argues, so then it is deemed too much of a gamble to award all the teachers with these valuable tools. Mrs. Hines has some great points to help ground some of us who might be getting a little too involved in a technological curriculum.
3. Is it ok for teachers of the 21st century to be technologically illiterate?


Let me cut to the chase and answer Mr. Fisch's question, which was in summary: Is it too extreme to say that a teacher in the 21st century who is technologically illiterate and unwilling to make the effort to improve, is equivalent to a teacher 30 years ago who could not read or write? Not too extreme in my opinion. Mr. Fisch is not saying that technology should control the way we teach, but rather that we should have a basic understanding of technology, and be able to rely on it as a resource for educating ourselves and students in other areas as well. I like Mr. Fisch's no excuses approach which starts off with him holding the teacher accountable, and he works his theory all the way from the principal, to the school inspector, and finally to the university professors and course programs. I must say I think Dr. Strange and our course would meet his criteria! I understand his frustration and certainly cannot say that I can blame him. Like Mrs. Hines said, if teachers are not willing to familiarize themselves with expanding technology, they are holding everyone back.
What would Karl Fisch think about this video of a technology professor at MIT arguing that technology is alienating us from personal relationships and should be "put in its place"?

The Colbert Report
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4. Gary's Social Media Count


This visualization of the rapidly expanding social media would be a wonderful addition to the "Did you know?" video. It is fascinating to see right before your eyes how quickly our technological world is growing and how many more people around the world are becoming involved in these innovative new ways of communicating.

As teachers, this is once again an eye opener. Nothing is slowing down, and as educators we shouldn't be either. We are not educating students to get jobs in 2011, but rather in 2030. We cannot just teach students to replicate what they saw on a flash card and put it on paper. It is important for teachers to be concerned with our social media expansion as well to try and keep up with the many ideas being spread on the multiple networks available to us. This counter also awakened to me the idea that following Twitter (especially for professional matters) is much more influential than I had ever imagined.
5. A vision of students today

I mainly viewed this video as a teacher rather than a student. However, while thinking like the student I am, I surprisingly didn't have much in common with a lot of the statistics on the pages the other students held up. I do not spend that much time on facebook, or TV, or probably nearly as many social media as I should. However, I almost felt a little better about my lack of delving into Facebook and Twitter because it's the sooner I get completely caught up in it and let it overtake my interests in finding valuable resources to empower, excite, and engage my students and me.
From a teacher's point of view, I could see many helpful ideas in this video. One of the messages I took from this video at the very beginning was that technology in education is slowly changing, but only to those who are willing to embrace it. Embracing it does not mean playing on Facebook during your astronomy lab. It means finding different star charts, and looking through a virtual telescope, then blogging with your friend across the world who just did the same thing. Now the two kids can talk about what stars were above their heads in different locations of the world! That's taking advantage of technology in the classroom. Now, I know I have just defended social media in my previous section. I am not disregarding it as a helpful tool in the classroom, but rather that it be used at the appropriate times. Multi-tasking is also a very important part of a college student's life. For example, I was recently teaching my son to draw on paper at the table, feeding him a PB&J, checking my GoogleDocs, talking to my mom, and listening to music. Wow, aren't I talented?! No, not really any more so than the average person who has a million things on their "to do list." That is the case for most people now a days. There may be some old school folks out there who are not ready for America to move this quickly, but what is there to gain if we get left behind? Let's work on preserving the past and forging through the future!

Project #5 Google Presentation

C4T #1

I recently enjoyed reading a few posts by Lisa Thumann, a senior specialist in technology education at Rutgers University. From the very first post I read, I could tell I was going to have to do some research to understand some of what she was talking about. She began talking about QR codes which I had actually recently heard my friend talking about earlier that day. When I heard Lenore say something about scanning QR codes and doing something with banks, and checks, and stuff, I freaked out and thought, "Well, I don't want to learn about that because it sounds complicated, and I'd have to buy a new phone, and then pay for the internet package on it,and then..." So when I read her post and watched this awesome video on QR codes being used in PA classrooms, I opened my mind almost immediately. It was really amazing to me the way these teachers have gotten so creative and really geared their instruction and projects on visual and kinesthetic learners. It gave me great hope for the future of education!

The next blog post I read by Mrs. Thumann was equally as interesting and inspiring. Like I told Mrs. Thumann, The Flat Stanley project is a much more interactive and engaging version of Where's Waldo. I kind of found it like a Where's Waldo of Facebook. It is a social network that is geared towards children and incorporates academic concepts within its network. Students can make their own character. They can dress them from head to toe and send them on a trip. These trips let the students see where their Flat Stanley is and view other Flat Stanleys around the world. It is a great way for children to begin learning culture and geography in a fun and creative way.

I was very pleased to begin reading posts by Mrs. Thumann. I also enjoyed checking out the rest of her blog which really blew me away. There was a blog post just a month before the QR post in which she gave a speech on the ten skills students should graduate with. I was remotely familiar with just a few of the technical skills she mentioned. I am motivated to get out of my internet closet and enhance my resources, thus improving my technical skills.

Blog Post #2

1. This presentation on our every growing technical industry was really astounding to me. I knew that text messages, the internet, Google, and social networks were growing at record speeds, but to see the actual numbers has once again sent me into a mode of panic. I am panicked because I want to be totally immersed in all this technology, yet I have a very minute idea of where to begin. I am a perfect example of why the United States is ranked #19 on Broadband Internet Penetration. Statistics such as the ones shown in “Did You Know?” are remarkably eye opening and I hope will push everyone to become more familiar with their technical surroundings. For example, I was astonished to read that India has more honors kids that America has kids. Isn’t America supposed to be the “model country?”
It seems to me that for many years educators, students, and other professionals have simply pushed aside the idea of learning new ways to communicate, teach, and learn because technology is frightening. What should be more frightening is that the top ten high demand jobs were not even thought of six years beforehand. Technology is not a slow progressing field either. Over just a four year period, there were 28.3 billion search titles added to just Google. While it seems that I am stressing my feelings of panic after I watched this video, I decided to watch it after having made myself a little more familiar with some of the social networks and programs that were new to me online. Once I browsed through Twitter, searched for some K-12teacher resources on youtube, and various teacher blogs, I have come to the conclusion that the internet really isn’t so scary after all. Educators of all kinds should be held accountable for introducing our young minds to the wonders of technology. This video taught me how ever changing our world is and as future teachers it is our job to properly prepare our students for it!
2.After watching this video by Sir Ken Robinson, I called my mother who is a fourth grade teacher in Spartanburg, SC. She has been a teacher for almost forty years, so I thought these innovative ways of educating would ruffle her feathers a little. As I was telling her about this wonderful video I had just watched, she e-mailed me another link to a video by Sir Robinson which she had just showed in her grade level meeting. "Sir Ken Robinson on creativity."It brought me such tremendous joy to know that his message on rethinking intelligence can have an infulence on even the most old school teachers.
"Importance of Creativity" is one of the most eye opening videos on education I have seen. I love his take on educating our whole being. Every student learns differently, thus it seems we should put an equal amount of focus on every subject instead of putting the most emphasis on math, sciences, and languages. I love to see young children dancing around in different costumes, making houses out of sheets and sticks, and pretending a golf club is their pet horse. Who is to say this kind of creativity shouldn't be taught in schools? It is simply teaching the child to open his mind and make situations possible with what is at hand. I especially enjoy Sir Ken Robinson's idea that without being willing to make mistakes, we will never be creative. When children take a chance, whether it be on a math problem or when dancing in a recital, it should show us they are not afraid of their outcome. We should view these types of mistakes as creativity and foster the type of learning environment where mistakes are not frowned upon but rather used as learning resources. In conclusion, I believe Sir Ken Robinson is a wonderful man to follow, and I look forward to using many of his concepts as I teach in the future.
This is picture taken in a dance class at Pine Street Elementary School in Spartanburg, SC.

2.After watching the inspiring video by Sir Ken Robinson, this video on Mr. Winkle is a little depressing. Instead of embracing or researching any of the technical changes that have taken place around him, Mr. Winkle just tries to run from it. I feel for him and wish that he could take Dr. Strange's EDM 310 class to learn a little about HTML, blogging, and the like to realize that all this technology is fascinating and would make him want to be better, instead of frightening him into sickness.
The lack of change in the classrooms is what should frighten Mr. Winkle the most. Students have become bored with simply listening to their teachers talk and drill information into their minds. How do we know how the information they are expecting us to burp back will be useful if we can't see it being applied in our everyday life? Reading, writing, and arithmetic could be made interesting for the students in Mr. Winkle's school if it were made more hands on and interactive. Students who love math and science would greatly enjoy going outside to measure the amount of rain in ml and judge what types of clouds are overhead. This video by Mr. Needleman has shown me what it will be like if I don't embrace this technical revolution and be ready to teach it to my students.
4.When first reading the blog post by Ms. Gault on her interview with Sir Ken Robinson, one would not be able to tell she is a just a child. Her blog was worded in a very mature fashion and she has a vast vocabulary. I'm sure this is in part to the blogging, making videos, and hands on activities she does at her arts school in Finland. I was amazed to learn that Finland has a 1% drop out rate, which is 24% lower than that of the U.S.
Cecilia Gault is a poised, well educated young lady. I would be very proud if she had come out of my classroom. She got straight to the point when interviewing Sir Robinson and wanted to know exactly what his three myths of creativity were. She relayed the information she was given in a very clear format and with a bit of personal interest as well by saying that she believes creativity is so important since she attends a Performing Arts School. I like the idea of sending students to interview professors, speakers, and other professionals because it makes them comfortable around intellectuals. I also enjoyed that it was apparent Cecilia had done her research on Sir Ken Robinson and other educators who shared his point of view. I believe it is crucial for my students to learn about reading, math, and science as well as the importance of creatively obtaining that education as well. Sir Ken Robinson said it best, "Creativity is as important as literacy."
5.Vicki Davis is such an interesting lady! I love that she calls herself a "teacherprenuer," and it seems that she really is! She believes first and foremost that when you can empower a student, then the classroom will flourish. I have never seen education in exactly that light but I love that idea and it makes perfect sense to me. I have a 15 month old son and the same thing holds true with him. I recently could not get him to eat anything for breakfast, lunch, or dinner which was so strange because he used to eat everything off anyone's plate around him. He began wanting to only hold the spoon and try to do it himself, but when he did the grits or macaroni would launch across the room. One night my husband and I decided to just let him go at it with some eggs and see if he could figure out how to use his fork. We watched from the bar window in the kitchen and to our surprise he began trying to stab his eggs with the fork and before long he had pretty much figured out how to eat with utensils! He was so proud of himself and began clapping over and over again. If something as simple as eating eggs for a toddler can bring that much joy, just imagine how excited a 15 YEAR old would be to teach his own teacher something new.
Ms. Davis also says that when teachers use only pens and papers only certain students learn. She is aiming to make every student learn, including herself. I really admire the way she learns from her students and tries to focus her cirriculum on the way they take in information. In the video, we saw a student teaching the class a new game and how to "terraform." All of the students were completely involved. Perhaps they were so involved because it was one of their own peers, or perhaps it was because it was something they could all relate to. Whatever the reason, these children were really into learning different technology, as well as new words like terraform. This video taught me not to just take ideas from these videos in EDM 310 but to constantly be thinking of new ones and possibly be a "teacherpreneur" myself.