Sunday, February 22, 2015

Blog Post 6

     Additional Thought About Lessons, along with the other videos, is a conversation between Anthony Capps and Dr. Strange via webcam. The two talked about numerous topics during their different chats including things like lessons, units, goals, etc. Anthony Capps is a 3rd grade teacher in Baldwin County and was a past student of Professor Strange. In Discovery Education, Anthony talks about how children are more likely to retain information when a visual is present. The program allows the kids to research information in order to learn more about certain topics outside of a classroom teacher. Technology is also a topic discussed between the two. Don't Teach Tech-Use it discusses how relevant technology is in the classroom. He talks about how he would use the technology in his classroom. ICurio, like other conversations, discusses programs that are helpful in the classroom. It is a tool online that allows students to safely research and search online information.
     Though I only listed a few of the videos, many of the others revolved around the same topics. I learned many helpful programs and ideas that would benefit me in the classroom setting. Being able to use these programs and helpful hints from Anthony Capps will allow for a well-rounded class, but most importantly these skills will follow the children I teach throughout their lives.
Boy on computer

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Project 15

  • WolframAplha is a very user-friendly, general search engine. One can easily find what they are looking for along with other fun things that can be acquired.
  • Stumble Upon is a very unique search engine in the sense that it allows users to search different pages based off of their interests.
  •  ChaCha is a search engine that allows a user to ask any question they may have and receive an answer. This engine seems to be useful when homework questions are asked or random bits of information.
  • Info.com is a metasearch engine that pulls from major search engines, such as Google. The similar qualities of info.com to Google allow for an easy transition between engines.
  • MathGuide.com is useful in helping answer math problems. It seems that it would be most beneficial to a student who is in a math course of some kind.
  • Ask is a simple search engine with a very basic layout. The user-friendly mentality of the site allows user to simply type in the question they are having.
  • Yahoo.com is a site that attracts many users. On the main screen, one will see a lot going on between weather, sports, and current events. This engine is useful in keeping updated with news and major events in the world.
  • Dictionary is a useful search engine when looking for things related to vocabulary. The site allows translations, as well as, thesaurus searches and definitions It can really come in handy when writing a paper or learning new words.
Search Engine Icons

Blog Post 5

What are Personal Learning Networks (PLN)?
Personal Learning Networks (PLN) consists of groups of people or single persons that someone who is wanting to learn interacts with and gains a knowledge that they did not previously have before. Before EDM 310, I did not have a clue what a PLN was or how it was relevant to today and my future as a teacher.
How can PLN's help you as a teacher?
PLN's will help tremendously because they are a link to all over the world. Having access to people of all different backgrounds, including education, science, and politics, will open doors for more opportunities for myself. Having knowledgeable resources will allow me to broaden my own knowledge and in turn help improve my future student's ability to learn.
How are they formed?
According to Dr. Strange it is necessary to figure out a "point of interest" and put in the work in order to receive necessary results. It may not always be easy at times, but once the information is found, a correct and quality PLN. Some useful sites, as recommended by Dr. Strange, include ones we use in our daily routines. (i.e. Facebook and Twitter.)
How to create a PLN?
Creating a PLN is quite simple. However, I was not aware of how easy it was or how useful it could be. A suggestion made by the instructions was Symbaloo, which was what I chose to be the most efficient for me. I can start by figuring out what it is I want to know and searching for the resources and people who can help me obtain it. Symbaloo creates an organized way of keep up with the information, both past and present, and collect it in a way that is most useful. It is important to ask help from those who have the knowledge you are wishing obtain. My other social media accounts, such as, Facebook and Twitter, will also prove to be a helpful thing to have.
Who will be the first additions to your PNL?
I feel like everyone has the same answer for this, but first off, I feel like it would be necessary to add my professors. They are an essential part of my development and the knowledge I currently have. It also does not hurt that I have been able to create bond with them that I would not be able to do with other resources. Next, I think I would do a little research to find out who and/or what would be most beneficial to me to follow up on and add to my PNL.

Sources not mention in text: http://www.johnstrange.com/edm310fall2009/PLN.pdf

World With Light

C4K Summary

http://www.randomhouse.com/book/215476/the-fourteenth-goldfish-by-jennifer-l-holm/9780375870644/
Kutter's Blog post discussed a book, The Fourteenth Goldfish, in which he expressed an interested in. He did seem somewhat confused on what was going on and left details out in order to make the reader interested in reading the book he discussed. He mentioned one incident in the book involving three characters.



Riley's Blog Post talked about what he believed to be the norm for daily life. His writing touched on how when he was little, he thought a child was supposed to do the same job as their parents. He mentions how he will not rush into trying to find out what his future has in store for him, but that he believes it will all work out. He realizes he is young and is capable of doing whatever he sets his mind to.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Blog Post 4

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAYQjB0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.inc.com%2Flou-adler%2F8-steps-to-interview-anyone-for-any-job.html&ei=EHLVVJqQFIKXgwSJ_YKAAw&bvm=bv.85464276,d.eXY&psig=AFQjCNH6CF8wBHNL6U7uiNa2DCKyXu2oGw&ust=1423360864857268
    When I was younger, I was always afraid of asking questions in class because of the fear of being wrong. As I have started my path of being a teacher, I have learned how important questions really are. EDM 310 has really brought me out of my shell when it comes to being curious and asking questions when I do not know the answer. Questions have been the leading force in my success in almost all of my classes.
     In the article Asking Questions to Improve Learning, the author talks a lot on the ways a teacher can be effective when asking questions. It is important to never lead a student to the answer. A teacher should want the student to think for themselves and formulate an answer. When asking the question, do not overwhelm students with numerous questions at once or difficult, unclear statements. As a teacher, you are responsible for deciding what the goal for the questions being asked are and should decide that ahead of time, and if the students do not understand what you are asking, then your goal cannot be reached. An instructor role is among the most important in directed students to the right answers.
     Questions are one of the most important ways to learn, in my opinion. Asking questions allows for an expansion of knowledge in the simplest and easiest way. Without questions we would not be challenged to think for ourselves and test our own abilities. No question is a dumb question and all are important.

C4T Summary

     The first post I read on the blog, Blend My Learning, revolved around the idea of kids creating their own schools and the benefits it could have. The author discusses the perks of having someone who regularly attends and knows what could be most beneficial to the other people who attend as well. It seems that when the idea was actually implemented, the students who took part responded very well. The suggestions they had seemed to allow for the students to have a customized way of learning. Overall, I am very much so in agreement with what Mr. Carroll discussed and would love to see the outcome of such an idea!
     The second post I decided to read up on was the post discussing the Lebanon School District and the high school that took a step toward blended learning. Being that the school is in a lower-income district, they had to be more efficient and effect financially when taking on this challenge. However, it seems their work was very beneficial for both the school and the district. An in-house pilot helped completely redesign the high school and the results proved blended learning in a lower-income, mainstream school is capable of being done. The school now brings people from all over the East Coast to host hybrid learning events.





http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAYQjB0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.acs-k12.org%2F%3FDivisionID%3D304%26ToggleSideNav%3DShowAll&ei=hsrXVMsngfuDBPLngKgJ&bvm=bv.85464276,d.eXY&psig=AFQjCNFHqO3LfTX_8rxGx4NAKQrZdWIyBQ&ust=1423514396130789










Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Blog Post 3

     Peer editing is sitting down with someone who is in the same class to work on and give advice about things such as grammar and sentence structure. What is Peer Editing?, Peer Edit with Perfection Tutorial,  and Writing Peer Review Top 10 Mistakes talk about the necessary qualities of a good peer review. I believe the best ways to approach a peer review is with a positive attitude, open mind, and understanding demeanor. It is best if you are able to share your skills with others to help them improve their abilities, as well.
     In order to appropriately review my classmates blogs I would read through the whole thing to address any grammatical issues or problems with sentence structure. It is important to keep in mind that a key concept behind the importance of peer editing is two minds are better than one. It is often found that help from others can produce a more accurate and appealing result. When writing a peer review, vital steps to remember would be to compliment, suggest, and correct. These will allow you to have a positive experience and still let the writer know what could improve their writing ability and quality.