Project #13 Using Collaborative Tools

My group and I communicated very well doing Projects 15 and 16 using collaborative tools. My group consisted of Kelli Francis, Alice Wise, and myself. During project 15, the SMART board project we mainly used facetime, text messages, emails, and Google Docs. Google Docs was very helpful during this project. We posted our outline through Google Docs. This way everyone in our group could see it, make changes, and have their own copy. We used Google Docs more with our final project 16 than we did with project 15. Skype is another way to communicate with your group, however facetime was more convenient for my group. The Google + hangout app was used some, but not much. This chat tool takes some time to get use too. I think my group did a very good job communicating during these projects. The tools we used were great! Communicating would have been difficult without the tools we used.

Blog Post #14

Teacher Knows if You Have Done the E-Reading

David Streitfeld wrote the article Teacher Knows if You've Done the E-Reading. The article is about students using electronic textbooks. The teachers can track when the students use their book, how long they use their book, and what they read in the textbook. The professors at Texas A&M love the electronic textbooks. Students probably not so much as teachers. Many of the major textbook companies have started using them also. The dean at Texas A&M says he would not reject if they were offered in every classroom.

If I were offered the new electronic textbooks in my classroom, I would take them. I think teachers would benefit from them, as well as students. I would make great use of them. I think it is a great way to make sure students are completing homework, reviewing lessons, and reading chapters. Students who do not complete their work can be determined in a much easier fashion. I would be able to accommodate help to those that needed it the most.

Honestly, if the new electronic textbooks were used in my classes now, I would be in serious trouble. It is not all the time that I read the assignments, or even study when I am suppose to. I am not punished for it now, but what if my professors knew I was not doing my assignments on time. Although I should complete assignments when they are assigned, I do not always have time. I think the electronic textbooks are beneficial, but I probably would not like them as a student.

If I were able to speak to the teacher discussed in the article, I would ask her a few questions.

1.)How does she grade assignments when she knows who used the textbooks and who did not?

2.)What are the penalties used for those who do not use the textbook like it should be used?

3.)How often do you use the electronic textbooks?

4.)Do your students like the electronic textbooks?

5.)On a scale of 1-10 how much do the electronic textbooks benefit you?

If I were able to interview the students, I would ask them a few questions also.

1.)Do you always complete assignments knowing your teacher knows who have done them or not?

2.)Do you get penalized for not using the textbook?

3.)How often do you use the electronic textbooks?

4.)Do you like the electronic textbooks?

5.)On a scale from 1-10, how much do the electronic textbooks benefit you?

I think this new technology is just the beginning. Electronic textbooks are going to become even more advanced over the years, so we may as well get use to them now. I think they are a great idea for teachers and students. I have not seen any at the University of South Alabama, but I am almost positive it will not be long before they arrive. I think they are a great tool for teachers to see how well his/her class is studying the material and so on. Students can really benefit from them too. Their teacher will notice that they are making an effort, which will prompt the teacher to help when needed.

Last C4T #4

Post #1

Mr. Bill Genereux is a teacher at Kansas State University at Salina. He is an Associate Professor of Systems Technology. The post I commented on this week was 24 Hour Media Fast. He made a video on his reflection of an assignment he completed with his students. He assigned them to not use electronic media for 24 hours, and record your thoughts through the whole day. In his video, he told us how he felt during this fast. He caught himself wanting to check his email, read on his kindle, and surf the internet throughout the day. He told us that this assignment was very challenging.

I commented on his post and told him that this was a very good assignment. I know I would have a difficult time completing it. I told him that electronic media consumes most of my day, and I would probably panic if I had to go a few hours without it. I really enjoyed watching the video to this post. I thought the assignment was unique and creative.

Post #2

This week I commented on Mr. Genereux's blog post titled Superhero Proportions. This was a very cool post. He thought of a way to configure superheroes into math lessons. The lesson would be to measure the superheroes head. Then, figure out how much percentage of the body the head consumes. I think this a great idea! He even posted pictures of superheroes and their head lengths.

I commented on Mr. Genereux's post and told him I loved this idea. I think math students would really enjoy this activity. I also informed him that I am a math education major and this was just my cup of tea. I really enjoyed reading through his blog. He seems to be a very intelligent teacher.

Final Report on PLN

Final Report on Personal Learning Network



At the beginning of the semester, I established my personal learning network. At first, I only had a few contacts and resources added to it. I am using Symbaloo. Symbaloo is a great way to organize your learning network. For me, it works wonders. Over the past few weeks, I have added many new resources and contacts to my PLN. Twitter has been put to use a lot. I am also using blogger to keep up with my contacts. Many of my C4T teachers have become part of my PLN. I am following them on twitter, and they are even following me back. When I start teaching, I am positive my PLN will be much greater than what it is now after just a few short weeks. I am looking forward to my PLN growing, and becoming more help to me than what it is now.

Final Project 16

C4K April

C4K #9

My student this week name is Franklin. He is in the fourth grade and lives in Nebraska. His teachers are Ms. Feldman, Mrs. Geldes, and Mr. Catlett. Franklin's post was about the state of Nebraska. He posted many interesting facts about the state he lives in. At the end of his post he asked what state you lived in, and if you liked it.

I commented on Franklin's Post and told him that he done a very good job with his post. I told him that I live in Alabama and that it was very hot here. I asked him if it was cold in Nebraska. Franklin has very good writing skills, and sounds very intelligent.

C4K #10

My student this week name is Meg. She is in the fourth grade at Leopold Primary School in Victoria, Australia. Meg's post was about her Easter Holiday and break from school. Meg told her readers about Easter eggs hunts she attended. The Easter Bunny also visited her and her sister, Sarah. She had sleepovers with her cousin and sister. She also told us about her trip to the beach. She went to watch football with her dad and sister. Her favorite team is the Richmond Tigers. They won the game she attended also! Meg went shopping too. She did not buy anything because she says she has enough clothes already.

I commented on Meg's Post and let her know she did a really good job. She is a very talented little girl. I also told her my favorite football team is the Alabama Crimson Tide. I also told her I would love to visit Australia one day. I bet the beaches are awesome over there. I also told Meg that I am glad she had a good Easter, and break from school.

Project #15 SMARTBOARD Presentation Part 2

Blog Post #13

The Blended Learning Cycle



Mr. Anderson is a high school AP Biology teacher in Boseman, Montana. He uses a method called The Blended Learning Cycle. The Blended Learning  Cycle is also known as QUIVERS. It has five parts: Question, Investigation/Inquiry, Video, Elaboration, Review, and Summary Quiz. In his Podcast he discusses this method and how he uses it in his classroom. I think this method gives students a good understanding of specific topics. Asking questions and getting answers is always a great start. Then, investigating information gives students an even better understanding. Watching videos gives students the opportunity to see the hands on features of certain topics. Elaboration and Review work good together, along with Summary Quiz. The student is able to see their progress. While using this strategy, Mr. Anderson also lets students peer grade. While grading others papers, students are learning as well. Mr. Anderson's strategies are very creative, and interactive. I would like to use methods like his in my classroom.

Brian Crosby- Back To The Future

In Brian Crosby's video he shows that schools with low test scores have just as much initiative as schools with high test scores. His students all get free lunch, which means they live in poverty level cities. They do not know what city they live in, their phone number, and much less the state or continent they live in. These students have come a long way since being with Mr. Crosby. Mr. Crosby stays with these children for many grade levels. In his class they blog, interact on the internet, use Skype, and other fun activities. Mr. Crosby and his students made a hot air balloon as one of their science projects. They attached a camera to it, and sent it off with the balloon. His students got to experience what it was like in the atmosphere. Using these learning techniques, Mr. Crosby has gotten the children involved and they are learning. Experiments, technology, and eventful activities are what strive students to learn. I think Mr. Crosby has many great ideas, especially his science experiments.

Progress Report on Final Project

My partners, Kelli Francis and Alice Wise, and I have been working great together to finish this project. We have been communicating through email, and text messages. We are going to be filming our video for Option B sometime next week. As of now, we are working on brainstorming and writing a script for our movie. I think this project will turn out great. We have each shared our ideas and opinions, so we will have a lot to work with. It is a work in progress and is coming together.

Blog Post #12

This week our assignment was to create a blog post assignment that Dr. Strange would most likely assign to us. The assignment has to involve our field of study. I am majoring in secondary education- math. I chose to make my assignment on a high school math teachers blog. The assignment is as follows:

1.) Mr. Sladkey is a high school math teacher. He has many teaching techniques for mathematics. Read his blog post Have Students Teach the Class: The Student Engagement Wheel.

2.) In a paragraph or more summarize Mr. Sladkey's post, and describe if you would use this technique in your classroom. Follow the rules in Writing a Quality Blog Post.

In Mr. Sladkey's Blog Post he talks about The Student Engagement Wheel. This wheel consist of many ideas that students can work together and learn the material. I think this is a great idea. This could really help with using different ideas instead of the same ideas all the time. Mr. Sladkey also says that when students teach others topics they have learned, they learn themselves. To teach someone you have to have a good understanding of the matter you are teaching. When his students teach their classmates, they have a good understanding of the material. Group work plays a big role in teaching mathematics. Students seem to learn the topics better while working in a group. I think Mr. Sladkey has many good ideas and I would definitely use these techniques in my classroom.

Blog Post #11

Skype Interview with Ms. Cassidy



This week our assignment was to watch the skpye interview with Ms. Cassidy. Dr. Strange and some of his former students done an interview over Skype with a first grade teacher from Canada. Her name is Ms. Cassidy. She uses a lot of technology in her classroom. Her students blog, use Wiki, Skype, smartboards, and many other technological advancements. During the interview, Ms. Cassidy says her students blog maybe once or twice a week, depending on the school year. It gives her students a chance to better their writing and reading skills. They get many compliments from people around the world. I will use blogging in my classroom. I think it gives students a new way of learning. They can communicate with others around the world. When I am not available to answer questions, maybe someone they are blogging with can. Another site Ms. Cassidy uses is Twitter. Many teachers communicate through twitter. I will use Twitter also. Along with Twitter, Facebook is also a great way to incorporate learning. Some challenges may be encountered using technology in your classroom. Just like any other learning technique, technology has it ups and downs. I would handle each situation the best I could. I am sure some parents do not approve of their children using social networking sites to learn at school. I will be their for the parents to answer any questions they may have, and to ease their worries.

C4K March

C4K #5

This week I am commenting on a student's post who is in the eighth grade. His name is Bryar, and is in Language Arts. Bryar goes to school in Iowa, and his teacher's name is Mr. Boylen. Bryar's most recent post is about what he as a student gains from blogging with others from around the world, and is it worth his time. Bryar thinks it is worth his time. He likes blogging because he learns about people from different areas, and they are able to learn about him.

I commented on Bryar's Post and told him I like blogging too. Like he said, it's a fun way to get to know other people and where they are from. I asked him what Iowa was like. I have never been to Iowa. I also told Bryar that we blog in this class.

C4K #6

This week I am commenting on a student's post who is in sixth grade. His name is Nick, and he is in Mr. Seyfert's class. Nick post was about who he would like to hang out with. Nick wrote about a guy name Alex Rider. He said that Alex Rider was a very cool guy from what other people have said. He also said that Alex Rider was handsome according to other people also.

I commented on Nick's Post and asked him who Alex Rider was. I also asked Nick is he has read about Alex Rider or something. I told him that Alex Rider seemed pretty cool if he was a handsome and cool guy. Nick seems like a very intelligent young boy.

C4K #7

This week I am commenting on a students blog named Wyland. He is in Ms. Lentine's class. His blog was about his classmate William, and how William built a really cool wind mill. He said that he made it out of trash. He also said he would want to build an attic, and have carpet in it. He wanted the floor to be a really big monopoly board.

I commented on Wyland's Post and told him that building a wind mill did not seem easy. I asked him if everybody in his class built one. I also told him that I love monopoly, and that it was my favorite board game. Wyland seems like a very intelligent student.

C4K #8

This week I am commenting on a students blog named Kennedy. She is in the seventh grade, and in Mrs. Krebs class. Her school is located in western Iowa. The post I commented on is about Nunavut, Canada. Kennedy tells her readers about the climate, weather, cities, and other things about Canada. She learned all of her information from Mrs. Pemik. Her class did a Skype call with her. She taught her class all about Canada. Kennedy says that people in this city rarely use cars. They have to navigate with either boat, four wheelers, or airplanes. There are no roads in between towns. The weather there is cold. Winter starts in October, and ends in June. Nunavut also has three time zones. Kennedy sounds very intelligent and did an awesome job on her blog post.

I commented on Kennedy's Blog and told her that her post was very good. I also told Kennedy that I think it is awesome that her class does Skype calls. I think students can learn so much from different people around the world, and Skype makes it possible. I think Canada sounds very fun to visit. I told Kennedy that I would love to visit there. I think not being able to drive from city to city would be very difficult. Kennedy done so good on this post!

C4T #3

Post #1

The teacher I am assigned to is Brian Bennett. He is a high school teacher in South Bend, Indiana. Brian's post was about how lazy our elected leaders are being. Brian wrote legislative leaders a letter letting them know that he thinks they are not being very effective, and that he would like that to change. In his letter he wrote that even his young adult students know that something is wrong with our government. Brian thinks that everyone should write the leaders a letter and maybe it will make them realize what is being done wrong.

I commented on Brian's Post and told him I enjoyed reading his post. I totally agree with Brian that citizens should make it known how they really feel about our leaders. They should simply write them a letter to inform them. I think it would open many of their eyes and maybe some changes would occur. Im glad Brian took the time to write them a letter stating his opinion.

Post #2

The next post I commented on was Mr. Bennett's Teachers Speak Up Again. In this post Mr. Bennett described his response he received from one of our elected leaders in regards to his letter he sent earlier this month. Our leader did not address any of the issues Mr. Bennett had spoken of, and he did not act concerned at all. Mr. Bennett wrote another reply to this leader, and told him just that. He also wrote in this letter that education should not be there to balance the budget. He also spoke of schools in Chicago closing because of this. Those children are having to move to different schools all because of the United States budget.

My response to Mr. Bennett's post was pretty much the same as last time. I told Mr. Bennett how much I hate this is happening. I really hate how our elected leaders do not care much about this. I think it is a big deal. I am thinking of writing a letter myself, and I think other students and teachers should too. I also told Mr. bennett how bad I felt for the children in Chicago whose schools were shut down.