Tuesday, March 24, 2015

C4K Summary for March

C4K #5
Pedro 

Mrs. Maslowski asked her students to reflect on one of two things, the PLAN test or Job Shadowing Field Experience. Pedro decided that he wanted to reflect and give tips on the PLAN test. He gave some great tips for preparing and taking the test.
http://www.act.org/planstudent/My Comment:
Hi Pedro,
My name is Lydia Lynch. I am a student in EDM310 at the University of South Alabama. I will be posting a summary of your post and my comment on a post for my blog. You will be able to see the post no later than March 15th on my blog lynchlydiaedm310@blogspot.com. You can email me atlydiaruth118@gmail.com or follow me on Twitter at @lydiaruth118.
Great post! You gave some helpful tips for the PLAN test. Some of the tips can be helpful for taking any test, not just the PLAN test. For instance, the tip about making sure you get plenty of rest and making sure you eat a snack or drink something to boost your energy. It is very important to get the rest and nutrients your body needs, especially before a big test so you are more prepared and focused!

C4K #6
Luke H.

Mrs. Maslowski asked her students to complete the Black History Month Photo Challenge. Luke H. decided to choose Will Smith for his post. He talked about how Will Smith is his favorite actor and stars in one of his favorite movies, "I Am Legend".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Am_Legend_(film)

My Comment:

Hey Luke, 

My name is Lydia Lynch. I am a student in EDM310 at the University of South Alabama. I will be posting a summary of your post and my comment on a post for my blog. You will be able to see the post no later than March 22nd on my blog lynchlydiaedm310@blogspot.com. You can email me at lydiaruth118@gmail.com or follow me on Twitter at @lydiaruth118.

Will Smith is a great actor! "I am Legend" happens to be one of my favorite movies too! I am glad that there are inspirational people like him to help motivate young people to succeed and achieve their dreams! Great post! 

C4K #7
Drew N.

In Drew's blog post, Eagle Strike, he is talking about the book. He has really enjoyed the suspense that this book holds. He draws you in and makes you want to know more by explaining a little about the book. He didn't reveal too much though! He really likes the book series and recommends that his audience should read it!
http://www.walkerbooks.com.au/Kids-corner/Alex-Rider


My Comment:

My name is Lydia Lynch. I am a student in EDM310 at the University of South Alabama. I will be posting a summary of your post and my comment on a post for my blog. You will be able to see the post no later than March 29th on my blog lynchlydiaedm310@blogspot.com. You can email me atlydiaruth118@gmail.com or follow me on Twitter at @lydiaruth118.


I love suspenseful books! I may just have to check this one out! I like how you make your audience want to know more about the book by not revealing what the best part is! Keep up the good work and I hope you continue to like reading as much as I do!

Blog Post #10

Mrs. Cassidy seems to thoroughly enjoy using technology in the classroom. In the Interview with Kathy Cassidy Part 1, 2, and 3, she gave some great insight into how to incorporate it into your classroom. I love that she embraces the changes in technology. Technology is constantly improving and she follows along with it.

https://educationtrendsandissues.wikispaces.com/Integrating+Technology+into+the+ClassroomOne of the things that I would like to use in my classroom one day would be blogging. The students seem to enjoy it and like that people other than just the teacher and their classmates can see it and comment on it. I think that blogging for students is good motivation for them to do their work and do it well. It also holds them more accountable to know that their family and people all over the world can read their post and comment on it. I could see where it could be an issue where students aren't motivated to post but you could easily come up with a way to help motivate them.

http://www.securedgenetworks.com/strategy-blog/Technology-in-the-Classroom-How-to-Choose-the-BestEmbracing the changes in technology like Mrs. Cassidy has done can be very beneficial for you and your students. Like I stated before, technology is always improving and to be an effective educator, I believe you need to be up-to-date with the latest and greatest. This is not always easy due to what is available in your classroom but you must try to be creative with what you have. Being educated on how new technology works and how to integrate into your classroom is going to make your students happy and more eager to learn. I have never heard of a student that wasn't excited about getting to use technology in the classroom. I know I would much rather use a computer or some other device than use pen and paper any day!

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Blog Post #9

Project-Based Learning is an amazing way for students to think outside the box and push themselves to go above and beyond what they would do in a normal classroom. According to John Larmer and John R. Mergendoller there are Seven Essentials for Project-Based Learning. If you follow the seven essentials you should have the best results with PBL. The seven essentials are:

http://gettingsmart.com/2013/07/deeper-project-based-learning/
  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
  7. A Publicly Presented Project


Project-Based Learning for Teachers points out that PBL makes learning more meaningful. It helps students question, investigate, share, and reflect. Students are given a driving question and asked to work collaboratively to create a solution to the question. Once they have completed their project, they will present them. Students are to critique their own work and the work of their group members periodically to better themselves and their work.

I have always wondered if PBL could be used in PE and Project-Based Learning and Physical Education proved that is possible. I love that the high school students were asked to create exercise units for the teachers and students in middle school. Andrew Miller points out that PBL in physical education classes can prove how valuable PE actually is.  Using PBL in PE helps the students see that there is a reason to learning what they are being taught.

PBL: What Motivates Students Today shows that students want recognition no matter what. It proves that positive feedback and encouragement helps students work harder to do well. PBL allows students to be proud of what they have accomplished because they get to show off their work to not only the teacher and classmates but to the whole school and community too.

I was really impressed with Two Students Solve the Case of Watery Ketchup by Creating a New Cap. It is amazing what students can do with a driving question. It all started with the phrase "It really bugs me when..".  They took that phrase and turned it into a solution that they were proud of! That is why I always say that you should never underestimate what your students know and can do.






Monday, March 16, 2015

Blog Post #8

http://www.theboatshedfitness.co.uk/2014/09/27/sunday-28-09-2014/teamwork-3/Randy Pausch's Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams was an inspiration! He has great advice not only about teaching and learning but on life in general. I took several points away from his lecture. First, dream BIG! Your dreams are never out of reach. If you set your mind to something you have the ability to make it happen.

Second, never underestimate your students ability to learn and produce amazing work. You will never know what your students are capable of if you don't let them prove it. Give them a chance to use their imagination and wow you.

Teamwork is also a key ingredient in teaching and learning. Teamwork isn't just for your students, it is for you and your students together. You teach them how to work together and lean on each other for support. I believe mentoring is a necessity for success. It is always easier to have guidance. Learn how to be a mentor for others, especially your students.


Wednesday, March 11, 2015

C4T #2 Post #1&2

Post #1:
Principal Shawn's post, A Digital Window is Priceless, was about making movies in the school. He talks about something we all know very well, the fact that when you ask a student what they learned, their response is, "I don't know". He creates digital windows (movies) to be put on a weekly digital newsletter that is sent out to families of his students. To make the digital windows, he films students and teachers engaging in day to day activities. Since he started sending the digital windows to the families of students he has gotten a lot of positive feedback.

My Comment:
Hi Shawn,

My name is Lydia Lynch. I am a student in EDM310 at the University of South Alabama. I will be posting a summary of your post and my comment on a post for my blog.  You will be able to see the post no later than March 15th on my blog lynchlydiaedm310@blogspot.com. You can email me at lydiaruth118@gmail.com or follow me on Twitter at @lydiaruth118.

I absolutely LOVE this post. I had no idea that teachers/principals were creating digital windows for family members and the community. I have heard about teachers posting pictures and bits of important information on a Facebook page for parents but never a digital window. It makes perfect sense and I think it is a great way for parents to stay connected with what their child is learning and what activities they are participating in at school. I have a nephew that is in Kindergarten and every time I ask him what he learned in school I get the same response, "I don't know" or "I can't remember". Even though his teacher speaks highly of him to his parents, I would love to be able to see video of how he is doing in the classroom.
http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/01/03/the-frontier-of-classroom-technology
Post #2:
Richard Bruford's post, Getting the most out of your school's technology coach, talks about what the technology coach should focus on. School's hire technology coaches to help the students, teachers, parents and visitors in the school with various technological skills. Their job can be overwhelming and can become difficult to prioritize and focus on the right tasks. Mr. Bruford believes that the coaches should focus most of their time with the teachers so in turn the teachers can help the students and parents, making their job more effective.

My Comment:
My name is Lydia Lynch. I am a student in EDM310 at the University of South Alabama. I will be posting a summary of your post and my comment on a post for my blog.  You will be able to see the post no later than March 15th on my blog lynchlydiaedm310@blogspot.com. You can email me at lydiaruth118@gmail.com or follow me on Twitter at @lydiaruth118.


I couldn't agree more that technology couches should focus on the teachers for the most part. If the teachers know the solutions to problems dealing with their technology in the classroom, they can help the students and parents. When the teachers are able to help then this makes it easier for the coaches to make the most out of their job. It is always good to have a support system ready and willing to help and learn!

Sunday, March 1, 2015