Final reflection

Blog Post #14 Teaching Can Be A Profession by Joel Klein

          After reading the article, "Teaching can be a profession", I realized just how complex this statement could be. Teachers come from all walks of life. I would like to focus briefly on the economic, social, and political impact of teachers.

          

         Teachers and education  play a major roll in our world economy. For a while we have realized that the academic achievement of school children threatens, in the words of President Obama, " the U.S's role as an engine of scientific discovery" and ultimately its success in the global economy. Low achievement of American students will prevent them from accessing good high paying jobs. I agree as lower achievement often means slower growth in the economy.

          There is much that the teacher can do to promote social development in a student. Students tend to fall into four basic social categories in the school setting:

1) Rejected

2) Isolated

3) Controversial

4) Popular

         

 Teachers play a major role in a students social development when the teacher recognizes one or more of these problems, they can ask the child's parents to come in for a conference to discuss the child's social status and needs. I don't believe that a teacher should ignore the problem that a student is having and hope it will go away. This could be the child's break through that could help them socially for the rest of their lives.

           Research by Diana Hess suggests that many educators try to keep politics out of their teaching. This is done often  to avoid accusations of bias and to provide students with space to explore different political positives; while allowing them to make up their own mind about them. I agree that teachers should not display their political views in the classroom, because this is something I believe should be left in the hands of their parents.

          When teachers prepare our students in the classroom they are able to go out and achieve success. The teacher has a clear conscious that he or she has done all they could do to promote this success. When a child grows up in life  they will choose which way they want to go, and the teacher has laid the foundation for them to go there.

            

Blog Post #5 (PLN)

    I think it's great being able to connect with other teachers. Developing a personal learning network will enable me to do just that, when I become a first time teacher. Communicating with other professionals will help us to stay on top of things, and not get discouraged. Not being afraid to ask questions will help us become successful teachers.

Comment: First post in series,

Building A Culture of Wonder: Inquiry in Primary Education


    Jennifer sounds like a (PLN) personal learning network teacher, gathering as much information from other teachers as she can. When students read something they are interested in, their passion for writing about it comes alive. I am glad to know that there are still teachers interested in providing students with opportunities to engage in reading and writing in ways that are meaningful, interesting, and relevant to students as individuals. Debbie, Patrick, and Penny appear to be those kind of teachers. I believe they can cause a student to believe, they can, "do the math."

C4ta Teacher #4 post #2

<; If you Give a Kid Some Cards They Will.....# Play Math

</>Comment: Family time is so important. Math is not an easy subject for so many students. Anytime you can use an object to help grasp the concepts of math that's good. Playing cards, using math concepts, and having fun all at the same time, does make learning easy.

Blog Post #13 - What Did I Leave Out ?

What can we learn about Project Based Learning and special needs students ?

   All students have different learning styles and abilities. Just to mention a few; Jerry Webster, special education expert says, " some students are strung visual learners, some are auditory. Some are kinetic, and learn best when they can move around. Many children benefit from sensory input, and students who are ADHD or Dyslexic benefit from being able to move as they process information." Project Based Learning is an excellent way to differentiate instruction in an inclusion classroom, especially when the class consist of developmentally disable and gifted.
     Samantha S. Kincaid and Suee Jackson, wrote an article describing a project that will make a positive impact in today's special education classrooms. PBL will empower students with special needs to become more confident, independent and successful. These students went into the community discovered how inaccessible the sidewalks were.Upon returning to school, students wanted to know who to call to fix the problems. They asked questions like, "Who do we call to complain?, and "Who is responsible for fixing side walks in front of houses?, "And what can we do to help? "These special need students took a real world problem, and tried to find a solution. The Community Based Work Instruction Program (CBWI) classes are being taught in Mobile, Al. at Augusta Evans Special School. There is an inside program for the students who are not able to leave the campus, they are trained to work in the cafeteria, wiping tables, doing dishes, and sweeping. The outside program will take the students to grocery stores to stock and clean shelves. They go to hotels to clean rooms, make up beds, and clean restrooms. Future jobs will require higher levels of training and ability to work collaboratively in groups. Teachers must have compassion for students with varying levels of disabilities. when students are excited about what they are doing, their behavior is better and they will learn more.

C4ta#4 Post#1

Build a Culture of Wonder. Inquiry in Primary Education by: Jennifer Brokofsky

When students are "authentic" in their writing, you are reading papers that are genuine and true. What these teachers are teaching will cause minds to be awaken from what they read. Thoughts will began to come together and before you know it, their genuine ideas are on paper. Jennifer Brokofsky stated, "this kind of teaching is not born from worksheets, packaged programs, and activities, that do nothing more than fill the time. Brokofsky said that authentic writing comes from relationships, sitting side by side with students, and talking to them about their lives as readers and writers. This method of teaching can also be done in a math class. Maybe, when some of the students that are struggling in math get an "authentic"feeling toward it, grades will go up.

Blog Post #12

Blog Post 11

Back to the future - Brian Crosby

As Mr. Crosby gave his lecture, you can tell his students had moved around a lots. Some kids didn't know their address, phone numbers, or what city they lived in. It's good to get to know who your students are. These students were very disconnected. Mr. Crosby is a teacher full of excitement, with crushing cans and hot air balloons in his project. These type of projects will surly catch the imagination  of any kid. He has a classroom full of active learners. He treated a little girl that had lukemia,  just like she was one of the other students, she was pictured on a lab top in the video. He really had to take time to do this with his class . Mr. Crosby is a very dedicated teacher, and he wants the schools to be dedicated to them also.

Blended Learning Cycle, In the video the class was turned into a video game. The teacher explains blended as being online, mobile, classroom learning. He also talks about the learning cycle that includes the 5 E's, engage explore, expand, explain, and evaluate. Paul believes in the power of questions. He spells the word Quivers, which is a very good question, it investigates, use videos, elaborates, review and has a summary quiz. If students appear not to know the information, they go back to relearn it. He still believes in the old fashion test taking. He believes in  students really explaining what they have learned, and know what they are talking about.

Making Thinking Visible, Mark Church allows students to look at the world, to see and define problems in creative ways. To see how the world influences them, and think about things deeper. As a teacher he wanted to get kids to thinking. He says thinking really make things take off, and help them understand.

Building Comics, Teacher Sam Pane ask students to focus on super digital citizens, creating a digital citizen "Super Hero" using the internet safely, respectful, and responsible. The students created their own character and used their imagination in a situation. This comic strip was all about them, a visual way of learning, and making good choices. They also walked around the classroom to look at each others work to see weather it was safe, respectful, and responsible. This was a great way to allow the students to express their good values in a given situation.

Project Based Learning, A high school classroom where three teachers combine history, english, and information processing, using technology to help bring in project based learning. They ran into road blocks going across the curriculum, but they blended ideas and got feedback from students and made it work. Students began to write poetry, and found themselves going pass the finished project and made it better. This made them appreciate their work better, and they went beyond the curriculum.

Roosevelt Elementary School PBL project, The learning style is very different at this school.
PBL is:
* In depth learning
* Integrated theme instruction
*Based "real-world" problems
*Research based
*Project and presentation
The students in the program think for themselves, and show they understand through what they have learned. The students have public speaking skills at a very young age. They learn by making their own decisions. Students work in groups and independently. In group work they answer to each other, they see what worked and what didn't. The students also used rubrics to reflect on their learning.

C4T#3 comment # 2

        Year one with a 3D printer: 17 tips

       A 3D printer is a process of making three dimensional solid objects from a digital file. The creation of a 3D printed object is achieved using additive processes laying down successive layers of material until the entire object is created. You can print robots, math manipulative, and even parts for a 3D printer. Ms. Vicki Davis has seventeen technical tips to follow to keep your 3D printer in working condition.

1. Find a video about loading the filament properly
2. Make sure the feeder tube is long enough
3. Call the manufacturer when you need help don't wait.
4. Keep fingers from the inside of printer
5. A curiosity cabinet keeps hand fingers away from printer
6. Play with the resolution
7. Always attend the printer
8. Order filament in a variety of colors.
9. Combine the smaller parts of a print job
10. Organize your printing
11. Invest in two nozzles
12. Let student work in teams
13. Start with pre-made items
14. Use boxes to keep work organized
15. Let students use software that's comfortable for them

Comment:

Like any other classroom technology it takes time to master. I really have to be honest, I don't know anything about a 3D printer, but i am willing to learn. anything that will jog a students imagination is worth investing in.

Smart Board Project #12 Part B

Special Blog Post Assignment

Assessment Is Proof - Faces And Places

Coming from the American Folk art of the 18th and 19th centuries. This art doesn't seem to have a specific title. It seems to have a certain feeling, and elementary students do have a feel for art. I have walked the halls of schools and hospitals an viewed beautiful paintings that students have on display on the walls.

The ipad is a Learning Studio.

This small piece of technology can connect you to the world. I am sure that students and teachers love traveling. The ipad can take you to Japan in no time. This is one of the safest ways to travel that I know of, that will provide so many opportunities to learn. The ipad is one of the best hands on learning tools in the classroom..

Active literacy across the curriculum

Every teacher is a language teacher. It is the root of all performance, it can be improved in any learner with on going review of assessment data, language can be developed at any age k-12. It is a direct way to communicate. I wouldn't want a classroom without some type of communication, weather it's through technology or verbal.

Visual Thesaurus

A column for word lovers. When you think about word problems in a math class, there are times when you may have to know how to translate the meanings of different words to know how to solve the problem. Language is everywhere even in numbers.

About Emaze

Emaze is the next generation of online presentation software. The teacher will select free presentation templates to create an visual experience of the students. It is a state of the art HTML5 presentation maker that will create slide shows, video presentations and 3D presentations. These are things, I would love to have in my class to keep my students interested and excited.

Kids Know it Network

This website has a mission to provide the highest quality educational activities to help kids learn. This is a free learning network. What teacher doesn't love the word free. This network has thousands of common core educational worksheets free of charge.

Blog Post 10

       The kids welcomed us into their classroom. The first graders began by showing off their blogs. They said by communicating with others on their blogs this helped them to become better writers, and to also be kind toward each other, always say nice things to each other. To me this helps with discipline in the classroom, something I would really have a need for. The students used the website by clicking on pictures, to get to the website they wanted to view. Wiki was used to compose a song from the alphabet, and create a video to show what they learned. Skupe is what I really would like to work with in my classroom. This will allow us to reach different people in different places, without leaving our classroom. Nintendo DS is a very good problem solver, and it also taught the students to share. I know sharing can become a problem among first graders.
          Mrs. Cassidy put a ray of sunshine on the matter of having and getting better and more technology in our classrooms, now we know that it's not impossible. She received funding from the federal government, she had a technology coordinator at her school to help, and some of the principals may not have been interested but they did not stop her. This is encouraging to me, their is going to be a greater need for technology in the classroom in the days to come. I'm glad to know, that students can also be protected by just using their first names on their blogs. Forms can also be sent home so the parents can sign, to give permission for the different use of technical activities. Mrs. Cassidy also stated that the world is changing, so we must change with it. We must never feel that we shouldn't use technology, because it is everywhere an it is not going away, someone stated. Dr. Strange said in the video, that Twitter has changed his life, after he gave it a try. I am going to use Twitter more, because of the value of learning more. A few of the students asked questions. The first question asked was, how often did she use blogging with her students? She said it depended on the class size. Some of the students would be engaged in spelling, reading or blogging. I really would love for my class to blog, because it is the fastest way to reach other students, while still being in your classroom. Another student asked about cheating on the blog, using another students information. She said that teachers switch classwork often, it's ok to share thoughts and information, because we learn from each other, and everyone will go through a shift. The only problem she had is that students would try to get on non-educational games. The problem I would have is losing the desire to learn more about technology. I am getting better, as I type this blog.

Teacher Interview EDM310

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

          A project where students take it personal; it means something to them while also fulfilling an educational purpose. The educators with the Buck institute for education provide professional development to help schools set up a sustained program of in depth PB throughout a district, network, or state. Ms. Mcintyre  has done this in  seven steps:

1. A need to know
2.A driving question
3.Student voice and choice
4. 21st century skills
5. Inquiry and innovation
6. Feedback
7. A publicly presented product

         There are times when students really want to know in depth what their assigned projects is all about. They are interested  in knowing really, what was on Rosa Parks mind at that very moment when she won't give up her seat on the bus. Among so many others , this is a real world event, that triggered the thoughts of so many students. It takes more than a worksheet to cover some of out world events. Sometimes just one question asked by the teacher will cause the class to began to have an open discussion, because the question is a driven question. Some projects are very meaningful to students. Sometimes the students should have a choice so that they will have a voice in the matter ,this is what Ms. McIntyre believes. 21st century skills can only trigger 21 century learning. Ms. McIntyre's class worked in teams and begin planning. The students used rubrics that the teacher helped them develop. They also used time and task organizers, practiced oral presentations skills and learned to produce videos and pod casts. Students do research to find answers to their questions in books, articles, websites, and if possible calling an expert on the subject. students critique on one an other's work. this is a great part of learning. Revising during a project does make learning more meaningful. This is the only way to improve a students project. Students don't mind showing off their work. A well out together project will mean the world to them and their teacher.

Project Based Learning for teachers by Tony Vincent a good overview of standards and PBL

          

        Tony Vincent really asked two very important questions. Teacher do you want to make you classroom more centered and learning meaningful? just to name a few facts coming from his video. Teachers must use technology,  Power points, School tube, Movie Maker, Google Docs, and PB works. Teachers must reach students, work over time, answer driven questions, investigate, promote sharing, common core standards these techniques can reach students must also, take charge of their learning and never forget to refine their classwork.

         Even in PE ,project based learning can take place, through problem solving challenge, working as a team or as individuals. High school students have been to create a fitness plan that they can use not only at school, but in their everyday lives. The NASPE has six standards. These include:

1. " Demonstrates competency in motor skills and movement patterns needed to perform a variety of physical activities."

2. " Demonstrates understanding of movement concepts"

3. " Participates regularly in physical activity"

4. " Achieves and maintains a health-enhancing level of physical fitness"

5." Exhibits responsible personal and social behavior that respect self and others"

6. " values physical activity for health, enjoyment, challenge, self-expression, and social interaction"

      These standards exhibit PBL because, theses are standards that can help the students health for the rest of their lives.

           Two Students solve the case of the watery ketchup by designing a new cup. All students love ketcup. When the bottle is turned over the water always comes first. This is not good for the hot dogs or fries. The students designed a device that looked like a mushroom or " the shroom." Basically what the students got out of this project was just having fun. There are two important thing's I've learned about Project Based Learning. Teachers must be open minded and willing to be patient using many sources to get the project done. Students will always feel when they have a choice in planning their project, and how having enough time to get the project done correctly. when doing this the teachers and students have space to grow

Project 12 Part A

Project 14

Project 14 Rubric
Project 14 Calendar
Project 14 Project Planner

Project 9

Blog Post 8

      What can we learn about teaching and learning?
       By: Randy Pausch
       " Really Achieving Childhood Dreams"

       In Randy Pausch final lecture he said, I am not in denial about my condition, so he humored the audience by doing push ups before he really got started with his lecture. He let the audience know that he was really in good shape. He spoke about really achieving your childhood dreams. His list of childhood dreams include: being in zero gravity, playing in the NFL, winning and collecting stuff animals, being captain Kirk, author world book Encyclopedia and a Walt Disney imagineer. I would like to write about three of his childhood dreams.

       He never got to play in the NFL, but he learned from his coach that having a good foundation was more important than just throwing a football. Randy was really pushed and screamed at during practice. The assistant coach, Bradley, told him if your not doing well and no one corrects you its time to get concerned; that means they have given up o you. The coach pushed him to achieve. Not going to the NFL was not the most important thing, but getting the NFL experience was more important. This was what  brought out his good character and hard working ability. 

       One of his childhood dreams involved meeting his childhood idol Captain Kirk. Captain Kirk didn't always make the right decisions, but he had great leadership abilities. One of those abilities was the ability to never give up; because of this Kirk was able to lead his crew to many victories.

       Randy also talked about how he always wanted to be a Walt Disney imagineer. He filled out an application to work with the imagineer program, but he was denied. He made a statement about going pass the brick walls, he said they were there just to see how bad we really wanted what we wanted. He also enabled childhood dreams for others. He started a class building virtual worlds. He had 50 students, 5 projects a semester, they also used weak computers, but it happened. His first project for his class really impress him, he wanted to see, if they could do better. He talk to another professor to see what to do. Randy basically let him know don't set a boundary, push for more. To me this is(PBL) Project Based Learning. There was a message that Dr. Strange left for us on our blog that reminds me of this, he said you did great, but you can do better.

       Randy had a project where kids were having fun learning something hard. He also said the best way to teach someone is to allow them to think they are learning something else. He also believed in learning from students. His lessons learned list are things I won't forget, always help others, loyalty is a two way street, vouch foe people you believe in, tell the truth, be earnest, apologize when you screw up, focus on others not always yourself, show gratitude, don't complain, wok hard, be prepared, and find the best n everyone. At the end of the lecture he said it was basically how to lead your life , and the talk was for his kids. 

C4ta#2-Summary/Comment - C4tp-Post #4 - Summary/Comment, Jeff Delp

Jeff with the kids of Good Neighbor Orphanage  NGTD- Not Getting things Done


It seems as if honesty and struggling sometimes go together. Your correct, all good things like innovation, engaged learning, excellent behavior, and growth are not happening in every ones classroom, or school. In some of our schools it just the opposite, especially kids that end up with kids being placed in an orphanage.You have to be a special person, to have a desire to work with orphans, because sometimes they have some emotional problems because of their situation. I don't think being a principal is an easy job. You spoke about not being able to call the kids names when you greet then every morning, with some of these kids, just speaking with a smile means the world to them. I'm sure your staff must be pretty special also, if they were not dedicated, I don't believe they would still be there. Funding is a problem in most schools, public and private, so don't think it's strange that you are facing this problem. Your doing the right thing, stay focused on the students. It is a distinct pleasure to work with teachers and students at an orphanage school. How else would you really know, what type of strength you really have. To sum you up, an excellent, dedicated principal, with the same type of staff. Keep up the good work.

Comment: You don't always have to know how to do it to get it done. The bright side is, you tackled it, and only good can come from it. Don't quit Jeff.


C4tp post # 4

The Marginalization of Children - Summary


I feel like you, that every student deserves a quality education. We can discuss funding all day, in fact, it has been the topic brought before our government officials. They came to the same conclusion, maybe fund this school now, and get to the others later.That later just got later, and later, and later.until it never got to the other schools. No child left behind does not only mean academics but, also attendance, lets make sure the students get on roll to help with funding. Money doesn't always guarantee positive changes or success in education. As for the students with learning disabilities, don't worry parents , your child will be guaranteed n IEP,breakfast and lunch. As for their academic success,there is a lack in resources. All kids deserve a quality education, eve if it takes a quality charter school, but are they prepared and willing to meet the needs of all students.

Comment

Yes, all kids deserve a quality education.I really don't like putting students in a category, because of there economic status.Things are still a little better now than they use to be.