Blog Assignment #10

What can we learn from Kathy Cassidy?

First Graders in Ms.Cassidy's Class
In the video, Little Kids, Big Potential, it showed how technologically advanced first graders are in today's generation. These students were using blogs to share their work and what they have learned with the world. I thought that it was great how the student's family members were able to comment on their blogs. I thought it was great, because if a student has a family member in another state, they can still stay connected. By the students receiving uplifting comments, it is going to make that student want to put more work on their blog. (Meaning they WANT to do more work!!) The students were also making videos, using smartboards, and Wiki's. With Wiki's, students can see what different people responded to a prompt. When the students were learning about traditions, users could comment a tradition that they have. Naturally, everyone's traditions are different, so the students can learn about traditions they have never heard of, and learn more about them. Another thing that the video briefly showed was how the students should skype with guest speakers. This is great, because the students can ask specific questions and have it explained to them by an expert.

Interview with Kathy Cassidy
In the video, Interview with Kathy Cassidy (Part 1, 2, and 3), she explained what it is like to be a teacher in today's generation. She said it is important to protect the students safety by teaching them how to safely use the internet. Students should first be protected by keeping their personal information private. Kathy Cassidy teaches her students to not use their last name online and to instead use their birthday. She also does not have their name related to any pictures of that student. She then protects the students by teaching them safe sites to go to. She feels as teachers we should teach the students what to do while on the internet. Ms.Cassidy uses her student's blogs as an online portfolio, and it also helps her students with writing. Parents like the blogs because they can be involved and see what their child is learning.
Kathy Cassidy's class also shared a video they made with another first grade class and vise versa. Their videos were on the same topic, but taught it in different ways. This is useful because every student learns differently, and one video may be more useful than the other. She feels that by teachers not using technology in the classroom that the teacher is handicapping their students by limiting them. Teachers should be technologically literate so that they can keep up-to-date with today's technology and tools. This means that the teacher is constantly adapting to learning new things and new techniques. Where to start when building a PLN (Personal Learning Network) can be difficult, but Kathy Cassidy gives great advice. She says to start where they are interested, and then expand from there.

How would I use this in my classroom??
I really like how blogging gets the parents involved. I think that it is very important that the parents are involved in their child's education. I like that through blogging students can communicate with people from around the world. This gives them a range of opinions and thoughts, that they possibly might not have thought about. When I comment on a student's blog, I like to ask questions that make them think deeper into the prompt their teacher gave them. I also like that they collaborate with other classes that are the same age. This way the information is being repeated and taught in a new way. I was kind of unsure of how I felt about students being so technologically involved, but every week I learn more and more about how useful it is and I cannot wait to use it in my classroom.

Project #12 (Part A)

How to Use a Smartboard:

C4K Summary for Month of October

C4K Summary
October

10/01/14

School:JHFI (Madame Thomas)
Student's name: Dominique
Student's Blog:Dominique's Blog

Students Post:

Student posted about what she would do to change the world:
"I plan to make my mark on the world by helping kids remember things by making up fun cool jingles so that they can remember school things."

My Post:

Dominique,
My name is Andrea, and I am a student at the University of South Alabama. I think that coming up with jingles is a great way to help people remember things. Think about car rides, half the time you don’t pay attention to the song, and the next thing you know you’re singing a long. This was a commercial on nickelodeon when I was in middle school. President Song. Not only did I learn all of the president, but they are in order and it has a few “fun facts”. School House Rock was another teaching tool that used jingles to help teach the lesson. I am 22 years old and I still remember those songs from elementary school!!

10/12/14

School:Downer's Grove
Student's name: Samantha
Student's blog:Samantha's Blog

Students Post:

Students were asked to write a post on their thoughts about taking away recess as a punishment.
"Yes, kids should lose recess for when they act up. In my opinion, kids listen in class better when kids have a recess on the line. When the kids stay in when other kid are outside, the tend to listen better next time when they have a chance. Usually when kids stay in they have to do school work and that helps them be a smarter student. This way of punishing kids it word most of the time. Another reason kid should stay in, is because kids need to learn their what they did wrong and what they can do next time. Their are other ways that teacher punish misbehaving kid. One way is to take them out of class and talk to them separately, but then they are losing rich class time. Another way teachers punish misbehaving kids, is they give the student some sort of behavior report. This way their parents can see what they did wrong. This in my opinion on if students should lose recess for misbehaving."

My Post:

Samantha,
I agree with you, because recess is a privilege to go to. What do you think should happen if that student is still acting up? What if taking away recess is not enough. Is it fair to keep them inside everyday? At my school, we also had isolated lunches. If students were acting up, they would have to sit at a quiet table during lunch, and then clean the tables afterwards. No one wanted to clean the cafeteria! Also what about high school students that act up? They do not have recess, so what should their punishment be? Look forward to hearing back from you!

Student's Reply:

" I think the kids in high school should do that quiet lunch thing you were talking about. Or they should talk to the teacher of the class they acted up in. If kids still act up they will stay in everyday until they stop. But if they keep acting up they should talk to the pricipal of the school. Thank you so much for commenting on my writing. Also I was just wondering if you agreed with me. Looking forward to your reply!😃😃😊😉 "

My Reply:

"Samantha,
I agree with you! At my school, we had a strike system. Every strike meant a worse punishment. Thanks for the reply!! "

10/19/14

School:Independent School NW USA
Students name: Izabelle
Student's blog:Izabelle's Blog

Students Post:

Students were asked what their online responsibilities were.
"You usually use a password when you log into something online. Make sure you mesmerise it. Don’t make it to obvious. Sometimes people can get into your online things."

My Post:

Hello Izabelle,
My name is Andrea, and I am a student at the University of South Alabama. I am going to school to be a teacher, and right now I am taking a class called EDM310. It is a class where we learn how to use different programs on computers, so we can one day teach them to our students. You are right, Izabelle. It is very important to be responsible on the internet. You want to make sure you memorize your passwords, and not make them obvious to others. Do you think that you should use the same password for everything, or change it on different sites?

10/21/14

School:Pt England School
Students name: Cyrus
Students Blog:Cyrus' Blog

Students Post:

Students were asked to write a blog using explanation writing.
"Do you want to get skin cancer? If not, you need to wear a fully covered hat, sunscreen and sometimes you may need to wear sunglasses. A hat is a head covering that can be worn for protection against the elements, especially the sun. A fully covered hat can protect your head and your face from the sun. You need a proper hat to go into the sunlight, with a full brem. The kind of hat that is bad for you is a visor because the top of your head is not covered. Sunscreen is really good for protecting you from the sun at all times including when you go for a swim. Sunscreen is a lotion, spray or gel that you can rub on to your skin and reflects the sun of you. By using sunscreen is adding an extra layer on to you to stop you from getting skin cancer. Sunglasses are a form of protective eyewear thats was created to protect you eyes from the sun. From 12 o’clock to 2 o’clock it would be a good idea to wear sunglasses because at this time of day it is really hot. If you do not wear sunglasses you can become blind from the brightness of the day light. Wearing sunscreen, hat and sunglasses can save you from the sun and keep you safe incase you get blind or get skin cancer."

My Post:

Cyrus,
My name is Andrea, and I am a student at the University of South Alabama. I think you did a fantastic job demonstrating explanation writing. You described what each item is that protects you from the sun is perfectly. Can you think of anything else that protects you from the sun? (Maybe a type of clothing.)

Blog Assignment #9

What Can Teachers and Students Learn From Project Based Learning?

Seven Essentials for Project-Based Learning
Educational Leadership

Projects should be meaningful in two different ways. First, it must be meaningful to the student, and second it must serve an educational purpose. It is the teachers job to motivate the students, and promote active learning. However, when given a packet of work, students are instantly turned-off and unmotivated to complete the "busy work". This is why it is important to have a entry event. This could be a video, a guest speaker, or a field trip. The entry event sets up the lesson, and sparks an interest in the students. After the entry event, start a class discussion to get the ideas flowing. By doing this students can develop a driving question. The question should be open ended and complex, to really get the students thinking. A driving question can be seen as the thesis of a project, and it gives the student meaning and purpose behind the project.

Projects should give students the opportunity to learn 21st century skills. This means the student is using collaboration, critical thinking, and technology. Students also find projects more meaningful when they conduct real inquiry. Students should then critique other students work. This shows students that first attempts are not high-quality products. Students should then pass on the knowledge they know by going over their project in front of an audience. This allows students to reflect on what they have learned.

(I really liked the example project they used, especially since I will be teaching high school science. I might use this project one day!)

What Motivates Students Today?
In this video students are asked what motivates them in school. The first student said that he is most motivated by a teacher telling him he did well. He said he would possibly like it announced to the class. I can empathize with him, because I had a few teachers that did this at my high school. The teacher would announce the students name that got an A on their test. This made everyone want to get an A. However, it might have also been out of embarrassment that students would know that they made less than an A. The next few students said they were motivated by their future. They just want to be successful, so that makes them strive their hardest to do well. The students where then asked what rewards work. One student said that she was motivated by candy and a little extra freedoms in the classroom. She said her teacher lets students that do well do their work outside. Other students said teachers motivating them and food.


This is a great site. It has ten sites that can enhance project based learning in the classroom.

Two Students Solve the Case of the Watery Ketchup
Two high school seniors developed a solution to the watery first squirt of ketchup without having to shake the bottle. The students developed the cap as a class project. The teacher told the students to solve a problem that bugs them. The students started out by doing a lot of research on the problem. The students researched patents to make sure that something like this did not exist. They decided to go with a mushroom shaped cap based on the pythagorean cup idea. The students are now selling their invention.

This video is a short, effective explanation of Project Based Learning, and everything you need to know to effectively use it in the classroom.

Project based learning gets students involved and interest in learning. The projects are relative while serving an education purpose as well. The teacher should start the project off with an event entry to spark the students learning. Then it should be followed up by a class discussion to get ideas circulating. The students should be using 21st century skills to solve the problem of their project. The students should then be given time to reflect on their learning, by explaining it to an audience.

The video about the two students and the ketchup bottle was a great example of effective project based learning. These students came up with a problem, developed a solution, and are now selling their product. Project based learning pushes students to do their best, and to become extremely engaged in whatever project they are working on.

Implications and Teaching Opportunities for Camera Use in Teaching and Learning

I am new to the world of smartphones. I just got my first one a week ago, and suddenly I feel like I have been introduced to a whole new world. My old phone did not have a touch screen, and it did not get apps. Often, it would die just from lack of charging it because I never used it. My new phone, dies because I use it too much! According to a recent study by Zogby Analytics they found that 87% of people dont let their smartphones leave their sides. I see the good of that, but I also see the bad.

The good side is, if you ever want to know something, you can find the answer in your phone. I constantly look up articles on my phone. My phone gives me updates on the weather, the news, and even what my friends are doing. Apps make learning easier too. I have trivia games and brain building activities on my phone and I'm constantly learning on it. However, I also see the bad. Unfortunetly not everyone uses their phones for learning. Currently as a teacher I would not trust students to do their work from their phone. I feel that they would become distracted with apps and games. I also think that more people are to busy looking down at their little screen then living life. 78% of people say that they use their phone at least two hours a day. I just hope for the futures sake that, that two hours was spent reading and learning.

One way I have personally used my phone to learn, was when I found a strange bug in my house. I took a picture of it, and did a google search by image. I found out that it was a dogbane beetle, which is native to the area. By reading about the bug and its habitat, I taught myself about my own backyard. I can now identify all the plants in my yard, and that was not even my purpose in looking up the information. I feel that, that is one way everyone can use their phone to learn outside of a classroom.

Inside the classroom the teacher has so many different ways they could successfully use a phone or tablet as a resource in the classroom. The students can use them to access their emails, Google drive, and many other personal accounts. They can use those accounts to store information that they can take with them where ever they go. Students can actually text Google a question and receive a response. (I used this a lot before I could just search the internet on my phone.) Students can use their phone or tablet to scan a QR code.

According to a study by Pearson, 81% of students agreed that using tablets is the best way of learning for them. I also found a great video that shows different ways tablets and cellphones can be used in the classroom.(Link Below)

Plug In! How to Integrate Tablets, Smart Phones, Devices, and More

Project #9

Video Book Conversation:

Blog Assignment #8

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

This is actually my third time to watch Randy Pausch's Last Lecture, and I always learn something new when I watch it. I watched it twice on my own time, because I found it to be very inspirational. I admire Randy's cheerful and positive attitude, and I think it serves as a lesson to everyone. I think the moral of his lecture was that anything is possible, no matter how hard the obstacle may seem. He even said himself, "Brick walls are there to show you how bad you want something.". His lecture showed that no matter how impossible a childhood dream or goal may seem, you can achieve it. The first two times that I watched this video I was in high school. Now watching it as a Secondary Education major in college, I strive to be a teacher like Randy.

Randy did not give his students step by step criteria to meet, but instead gave them freedom. In return, their results were better than he could of imagined them to have made during the entire semester, let alone two weeks. He then pushed his students by telling them he expects more. His students were having fun learning difficult things, and that is amazing.

Another thing that Randy had brought up, was how he was a good salesman. Instead of taking a job in sales, he decided to sell education. I love that, because that is what a teacher is doing. You want to sell to your students why they should be interested in the topic, and why it is important to know. If the teacher goes into the classroom and has no enthusiasm students wont buy it.

Lessons from Randy:

•Critics Care
•Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted.
•Don't restrict students.
•Push your students.
•Have fun and help others.
•Brick walls show dedication, and how badly you want something.
•Don't Bail.
•Lead life the right way.
•Work hard.
•Find the best in everyone.

When it comes to being a teacher, do not restrict students, push them, and have fun. When it comes to be a learner do not bail, lead life the right way, and karma will return the favor.

C4T Summary #2

I was assigned to the blog Science Fix, by Darren Fix. The blog was full of videos of short experiments. I felt that this is very useful, because these short experiments can be done at the beginning of class to spark the students interest. Unfortunately Darren has not posted a new blog since December 2013. Both of my comments are waiting to be approved and have not shown up yet.

Darren's blog that I commented on, was an experiment on melting rates. He made a video that showed how just because some things may look similar, they can have completely different melting rates. He melted two ice cubes, on two different, similar looking blocks. One ice cube melted faster, because it was on a metal block, a good conductor that absorbed the surrounding energy.

Summary of my First Comment:

My name is Andrea Fust and I am a student at University of South Alabama. What a great way to get students engaged. I feel that these experiments are quick attention grabbers for the students. These experiments can be done at the beginning of class to spark an interest in the students. Students will want to pay attention more to understand why something they cannot explain happened.

Summary of my Second Comment:

I have really enjoyed watching the videos in your blog. I feel that these are great warm ups to do at the beginning of class to get the students interested. I have bookmarked your blog and I will be checking back for more updates. One day when I am a teacher I hope I will be able to use a few of these. Thanks for the posts!

I also left links to my email and the class blog.

Project #7 (part b)

A Message to the Parents

A Message to the Students

Project #13

Here is a Link to our Google site to share our Lesson:
Lesson Plan #1 by Andrea Fust, Heather Howton, Alex Odell, and Justin Thompson

The project is for tenth grade English students, and it is on propaganda. The students must do research as well as use Symbaloo, Google Docs, and iMovies.

Blog Assignment #7

Strength & Weakness

A lot of planning goes into teaching and being a teacher, especially when it comes to projects. Project based learning uses projects to teach an effective lesson that helps the information stay. As a teacher, I will have to plan my own lessons and projects. A concern I have is planning effective lessons. I am scared that some lessons may not go as planned, and the overall message of the lesson may become lost. I will have to make sure I give myself plenty of time to go through the lesson or project a few times before teaching it. This concern is because of my lack of experience, a weakness I have because I have not actually taught a class yet. I will have to also make sure I am good at managing my time. I hope that student teaching will help me with these concerns.

I feel my strength is that I catch on quickly, and that this will help me when I begin to teach. Because standards, curriculum, and technology are always changing, teachers must constantly adapt and change their lessons and ways of teaching. Teachers need to be up to date on the latest technologies. That is a skill I am currently working on thanks to a class I am taking, EDM310. Since joining the class I have discovered so many new resource tools that are free to use online. These tools can come in handy when teaching in the classroom.

Strengths:
•catch on quick

Weakness:
•lack of experiene

What did I learn from the Videos?

Ginger Tuck, a kindergarten teacher at Gulf Shores Elementary, had three videos that showed how technology is used in the classroom. First the students had a center where they could monitor their reading abilities with an Ipad. The students would simply record themselves reading, then play back the video and read along with themselves. Not only did that make reading more fun, but it had the child read the sentences multiple times. The teacher also can watch the videos later to monitor the students progress.

These students then used an application called poplet. This allows kindergarten students to create a neat and organized web outline. I felt that this project was great, because it helped the students in multiple areas. (ex: Reading, Typing) The students then used Alabama Virtual Library to research various topics. I thought this was great, because each student does the research and learning on their own. This helps ensure that they are really paying attention, versus if a teacher was just in front of the classroom.

Tammy Shirley, a first grade teacher at Gulf Shores Elementary, demonstrated how discovery education is used in the classroom. Through discovery education students create a board about their given topic. They can find images and videos through discovery education as well to add to their board. The final projects were very impressive, and it was made my first graders!

In Dr.Strange's video, Using iMovie and AVL in Kindergarten, he discussed with Mrs.Davis and Mrs.Bennett how kindergarten students are making book trailers. This is amazing to me, because it is so different then how kindergarten used to be. I can not wait to see what these children grow up to do.

Ginger Tuck's Videos

•Ipad Reading Center
•Poplet
•Alabama Virtual Library

Tammy Shirley's Video

•Discovery Education Board Builder