Blog Post #11

What can we learn about teaching and learning from these teachers?

Brian Crosby, Agnes Risley Elementary School, Sparks, Nevada, Back To the Future (17:43)
This video was very inspirational. Brian Crosby makes learning extremely fun and interesting for his students. I liked how he has all of his students write in their blogs and post the videos that they make instead of giving them a "25 question multiple test." The "high hope" assignment he gave his students is absolutely awesome. Watching the videos of the balloon going into the sky in his lecture made me want to be in his. The way Celeste is able to be a part of the class is great too. I hope to one day be the type of teacher Brian Crosby is. I learned that it is important to really engage children in the work that they are doing and to always accommodate to children's needs to the best of your ability. He says, "we can't keep racing kids through school. It can't be a race."
Mark Church, Making Thinking Visible (2:53)
Sam Pane 4th Grade (7:04) Building Comics
This was a very fun way to teach students how to be safe on the internet and it is also a good way yo engage students because they are creating something and they are getting to see other classmates' work as well.
Project Based Learning (5:35)Dean Shareski
I learned how teaching using PBL also allows teachers to teach beyond the curriculum. They teach the curriculum but also teach things about poverty in their country, volunteering, and things that they would not be able to teach and have students learn in an one hours class.
Roosevelt Elementary's PBL Program (10:00)
Giving children choices and trusting them is very important because it gives them a sense of independence. It makes them proud to know that they're decisions and ideas matter. This video really just explains how imporant and effective Project Based Learning is in the classroom! It encourages the students to work together and while watching this video I leaned that it incorporates many different learning styles. I especially love hearing some of the students' parents to praise how well PBL has been for their child.

Project #12 Smartboard Part A

Blog Post #10

What can we learn from Mrs. Cassidy?

First Graders in Ms. Cassidy's Class (4:56)
Interview with Kathy Cassidy Part 1 (14:37)
Interview with Kathy Cassidy Part 2 (4:55)
Interview with Kathy Cassidy Part 3 (12:46)

I loved the Little Kids...Big Potential video by Kathy Cassidy! The children did exceptionally well speaking about what they do in the classroom and about some of the technology that they use. I also liked how the children explained the importance of always being nice when leaving comments.
Kathy Cassidy makes a lot of good points in the video discussions between her and Dr. Strange. She did not start using technology until about ten years ago and started having a blog five years ago. After Dr. Strange states that some of his students do not see the importance in learning how to use and work with technology because they are going to be elementary teachers and that they will worry about it later down the road, Cassidy makes a lot of good points. She says that technology is not going anywhere and that it will always be around. She says we cannot teach children today in the generation with the ways in past years. She also says that by not taking advantage of some of the tools technology has to offer you are handicapping your students and yourself.
When asked about where she believes people need to start, she says that she does not really use technology in her personal life and that she only recently made a Facebook account. She says people should start where they are interested in.
I really liked how Dr. Strange was able to gather some of his students to partake in this video discussion as well. It was neat to see students like myself discuss technology with Cassidy.
I learned a lot from watching this video discussion and listening to what Kathy Cassidy has to say.

Project #6 C4K October Summary

Summary for blog post "Crayons", by Londyn
This blog post was about a student's personal fovorite cgoice of colors. Her favorite color is purple and she also states that she likes other cold colors as well.
This is the comment that I left for Londyn on October 3, 2014:
"My name is Kela Miller and I am a student in EDM310 at the University of South Alabama. My sister and I both love the color purple too! Keep up the good work with posting on your blog.
I have my own blog if you would like to visit it. Kela Miller’s EDM310 Blog"

Summary for blog post "The Murphy’s" by Jack L.
I am not sure if this blog post was about a real person, a character in a book, or movie. Jack L explains and gives three reasons why he believes Carolyn is not used to her new family.
I left this comment for Jack on October 10, 2014:
"Hello Jack! My name is Kela Miller and I am in EDM310 at the University of South Alabama. This is a very good blog post and it is well written. I hope whoever Carolyn is, whether she is real or a character in a book, gets used to her new family. I would love for you to visit my blog sometime: Kela Miller's EDM310 Blog."

Summary for blog post "Map Work" by Aaron
Aaron explains in this blog post how they were learning about reading maps in Literacy. He says he know he will use this skill later in life when he needs to read maps.
This is the comment that I left for him on October 24, 2014:
"Hi Aaron! My name is Kela Miller and I am also from Mobile, Alabama and go to the University of South Alabama. I am in a class called EDM310. I enjoyed your post and presentation! Your writing is very clear, so excellent blog post. If you would like, I welcome you to visit my blog:Kela Miller's EDM310 Blog"

Blog Post # 9

What Can Teachers and Students Teach Us About Project Based Learning?

After reading Seven Essentials for Project-Based Learning by John Larmer and John R. Mergendoller, I have such a better understanding of what a meaningful project is. Growing up, I was almost always handed a packet stating I need to have such and such project due on such and such date with such and such with it and more such and such rules, oh and can't forget such and such and such and such. It was always dry, clean cut directions for projects with little availability to incorporate my own ideas and opinions. I have had teachers that would just tell students a little about the project and that it is important because it may be on a test or because we will receive a grade for it. I personally loved projects when I was in school because I love to make things and figure things out. However, there have been PLENTY of times where I was so frustrated because I thought what we were having to do was useless, unimportant, and most of all meaningless. I hated to question, "will I ever really use this in life." Not understanding why something is important can be such a downer.
Seven Essentials for Project-Based Learning really emphasizes on how important it is to make projects meaningful. Actually providing students with reasons why something is important to them and why it matters can make such a big difference in grasping their attention and to spark the "I want to learn more" attitude.
Here is the, very helpful, list of the 7 essentials presented in this article:
1. A Need to Know
2. A Driving Question
3. Student Voice and Choice
4. 21st Century Skills
5. Inquiry and Innovation
6. Feedback and Revision
and lastly,
7. A Publicly Presented Product

Project-Based Learning for Teachers

Awesome video to get teachers interested in Project Based Learning

Two students solve the case of the watery ketchup by designing a new cap

This is a prime example of how effective PBL is. These students were able to come together as a team and work together towards a goal they had set for themselves. I am very sure they took pride in their accomplishment. They both put forth an extreme amount of effort into something they both were interested and concerned in. This was definitely a MEANINGFUL project to them.

Two more videos that show how important Project Based Learning is and what motivates students within the classroom are High School Teachers Meet the Challenges of PBL Implementation and PBL: What motivates students today.

Project #9

Implications and Teaching Opportunities for Camera Use in Teaching and Learning.

"A recent study by Zogby Analytics reports several interesting findings regarding young people aged 18 - 24:

1. 87% say their smartphone never leaves their side.
2. 80% say the very first thing they do in the morning is reach for their smartphone.
3. 78% say they spend 2 or more hours per day using their smartphone.
4. 68% say they would prefer to use their smartphone instead of their laptop or personal computer for personal use.
5. 91% say that having a camera on their smartphone is important (61% very important)
6. 87% say they use their smartphone camera at least weekly. 59% use their smartphone camera at least every other day. 44% use their smartphone camera for still or motion picture taking every day." -Dr. John H. Strange

Part A

I believe that education, schools, teachers, and learners all benefit from technology. I personally absolutely love technology and my smartphone. Technology is an ever expanding tool for virtually anything. It is simply amazing that there are so many ways to use it and so many resources that come from it. Technology has, no doubt, made our world much easier and better in many ways. I love being able to grab my iPhone or computer and within just a few clicks learn and see new things within seconds. The use and availability of technology and smartphones will always broaden the horizon within classrooms and allows teachers to incorporate so much into their lessons. Students will always use technology and what they learn about it throughout life. However, with all the good technology and smartphones contribute to our world, some things about technology and smartphones bother me.

Some of the above data about smartphones bothers me. 80% of people reaching for their phone as soon as they wake up and 87% saying that their smartphones never leaves their side are both very large numbers. I understand that it is important to have them near in case of emergencies, work related communication, phone calls, etc. however, I do not want our world to be so involved within our technology that we miss the world. Some people would be completely lost without their phones, myself included. I hope that we do not allow our smartphones to lessen our ability to enjoy a beautiful day, a simple conversation with a child about their new pet turtle, a common courtesy right in front of us, or our family. Too often people are looking down playing a game, searching the web, tweeting, or watching videos. Instead of wanting to reach for our phone first thing in the morning we ought to tell our significant other, children, parents, roommate, or siblings "good morning." We all love technology without a doubt, but technology will never love us back. Moderation is key.

Part B

As a teacher I will use technology within my classroom because I think it is very useful and it will help engage my students more. Assuming that all of my students have either a smartphone or a tablet with a camera I have come up with a few ways we as a class can use them.
1. It would be awesome to give my students a project at the beginning of the year that allows them to introduce their self to the class and show the class and I a few things about them. My students will be instructed to make a video or slide show of things about them such as their family, what sports they like, what movies they love, etc. and include pictures.
2. I will instruct my students how to create QR codes.
3. After some lessons I will instruct my students into groups for them to create popplets on the subject taught.
4. My students will be instructed to take photos of certain objects at home to show the class during certain lessons.
5. My students will continuously be instructed to search things using their tablet or smartphone.

Blog Post # 8

What Can We Learn About Teaching and Learning From Randy Pausch?

Randy Pausch's Last Lecture

My how I was dreading watching this video after I saw that it was over an hour long. However, now I am so glad that Dr. Strange assigned this. This is truly a must see video that no one will regret watching. Randy Pausch is hands down a very interesting, successful, brilliant, and caring human being. I watched Randy Pausch's Last Lecture at 6:00 in the morning and I, surprisingly for me, never once got distracted, uninterested, and nor did I doze off any. He has a very naturally keen way of keeping people's attention.
Randy Pausch has some very important key statements in his lecture. Having Dreams in life are a necessity and boy did Randy Pausch have plenty. I love that he was able to share all of the dreams he was blessed to experience throughout his life. A really cool saying he said a few times in the lecture was about brick walls. Brick walls let us show our dedication. "Brick walls are there for reasons: They let us prove how badly we want things" He explains how throughout life there will always be brick walls trying to stop us and getting in our way. It is at that those moments when we find out how bad we want to accomplish something how hard we are wiling to work to achieve our goal. He tells a story that explains the importance of how we say "I don't know." When a student or anyone ever asks a question that you are not sure of or do not know the answer to, never just say that you do not know but instead try to understand where they are coming from and either figure the answer out together or point them into the best direction.
"When people give you feedback, cherish and use it." It is always nice to have someone tell you that you are doing a great job at something but it is also good when people care enough to tell you ways to improve something. Instead of rejecting or being hurt by negative feedback be grateful, accept it, and then turn around and use it. Show gratitude. Don't complain; just work harder. "Find the best in everybody; no matter how long you have to wait for them to show you." This is a good statement to always keep in mind especially in the education field. Never short someone a chance to show that they are good because there is some good in everyone. Lastly, always try your hardest to enable the dreams of others!

Project #4 C4T (2)

C4T Comments4Teachers - Project #4

Summary of two blog posts on Venspired by Krissy Venosdale C4T

The first blog post of Venspired by Krissy Venosdale that I left a comment on is "What Inspires You?." This blog post starts out by Krissy Venosdale explaining how she just moved into her new office and she explains some of the items that she decorated it with. She asks her readers questions about what makes them think, inspires them, gives them ideas. She then states that once you have the answer to those questions, you will then be able to understand what inspires your students. This post is solely to help encourage people to dig deep and discover what inspires them in order to help them teach in a way that fearless and.. well inspiring.
I left this comment on "What Inspires You?": "Hello Krissy, my name is Kela and I am a student in EDM310 at the University of South Alabama. I love your blog and I love the name “Venspired.” I think too often people today forget to slow down and think about what inspires them. I forone. Your post has not only inspired me to think of my own inspirations but of others’ as well.
Here is a link to my blog if you would like to check it out, Kela Miller’s EDM310 Blog."

The second blog post of Venspired, by Krissy Venosdale that I read and left a comment on is "It Starts Today." In this blog post Krissy Venosdale starts out by stating how she sometimes complains about some things within the US education system and then says how she knows that there is really nothing she can do to fix things such as that. The rest of this blog post is about how important it is to live each day knowing that there will always be mistakes made and that it is perfectly okay, it is important to take risks, share things, and enjoy learning.
This is the comment i left on this blog post: "I love this. Just like in teaching and in life as well, we will all be a part of mistakes that teach us valuable lessons. Knowing that we cannot change everything or fix what we do not like is perfectly okay. It is just important to make the best of each day just like you said. Thanks for sharing Krissy Venosdale!"

Blog Post #7

How do we all become learners?

How to make an audio QR Code. (6:23) by: Michele Bennett, GSES

This video shows step by step instruction to creating a QE Code. I always see QR Codes but I have actually never used one before or even simply scanned one before. I often wondered what they were and what exactly do the do. I think using QR Codes can be a very unique tool to use within the classroom and I think the students would be very excited to make them. Anything that makes a student's work different and special, such as this with their own voice, will make them feel very prod of their work. This can be used as a great tool for students to read and learn how to read because they can follow along in books and see the words as they are listening.

Ginger Tuck, GSES Kindergarten – iPad Centers (2:23)
iPad in the Reading Center:

What a cool way to help students learn! I think this is a very useful tool for teachers to use in the classroom. I think that this particular method for helping students learn will be fairly easy to use and also to instruct. Like Ginger Tuck says in the video, "It's no work."

Poplet as a Center (4:07) Ginger Tuck

Poplet is a new term for me. I have always been taught to create webs. This looks like it would be very fun for students to create and a useful tool to encourage students to work well well together. This type of activity can be very useful for students to use to study for tests as well. Poplets can also be printed and hung on the walls for students to see their creations and help them to remember certain subjects and/or lessons.

Alabama Virtual Library as a Kindergarten Center (4:02)

This center really introduces the concept of researching subjects to young students. This type of activity and using the AVL website can bring an endless supply of independent learning. Students can get on and learn almost anything about the subjects taught within the classroom. I love the idea of having worksheets for the students to fill out by drawing pictures and writing sentences demonstrating what they have learned. This makes for a great independent study center.

Mrs. Shirley’s 1st Grade Class: How to use and build a Board in DE for a Project Based Lesson (7:38)

This seems to be an activity that students can work on independently and collaboratively. I am still not very sure what all you can do with Board Builder just from watching this video but from what I learned while watching it also seems like a very useful tool for teachers to use inside of their classrooms. This is definitely something that I have no prior experience with and I hope that I am able to learn more about building Boards in my years at South in the education program.

Mrs. Tassin’s 2nd Grade Class
1. Students Sharing Board Builders (1:29)

2. Student’s Sharing Board Builder (2:34)

In the first video I think the two young boys were shy but very, very proud to show what they had made for the video. Anytime a student or students are able to make something I do believe it makes the learning process so much more fun and interesting and it gives the children to really engage into what they are learning about.

Oh the little girls in the second video are just precious. They certainly are proud and confident with their Board. With watching this video I was able to really see and undertand better what Board Builder is. This is a great tool for teachers to use in the classroom with students and I will certainly love to use it when I have a classroom full of digital learners!

Using iMovie and the Alabama Virtual Library in Kindergarten July 7, 2014 (8:05)

The excitement that Dr. Strange, Elizabeth Davis from Daphne Elementary, and Michele Bennett from Gulf Shores Elementary, is so encouraging to students like myself. It makes me excited as well to know that I will be a part of teaching young students how to use and embrace technology as well as all of which it has to offer. To know that students as young as 5 and 6 years old are using and doing almost the exact same thing that I, a 21 year old senior in college, is doing is just amazing.

We All Become Learners (7:18)

Michele Bennett is so excited and proud to be a part of this type of education. You can really tell that all three teachers love their job and are proud of what they do. It is awesome to watch teachers collaborate and discuss what their students and schools are being able to accomplish with the use of technology and applying project base learning.

Projects #13 Project Based Learning Plans

After collaboration our group decided to teach third graders about the Temperate Forest. We decided to teach them about the weather, location, animals, plants, and even ways that humans can help preserve it. We wanted to focus on project based learning and incorporated the use of technology to keep our young students 100% engaged 100% of the time. Below you will find our rubric, checklist, calender, and lesson plan.

Rubric

Checklist

Calender

Lesson Plan