Blog Post #10

What can we learn from Mrs. Cassidy?

The first video, Little Kids…Big Potential, students in Moose Jaw, Canada are interviewed and asked specific questions about how they learn in the classroom. They know all ground rules to comment on other's blogs, they blog regularly, and they use Skype regularly to talk to people from all over the world. The students believe that using technology helps them to learn problem solving and how to share.

In Part 1 of the Skype interview with Mrs. Cassidy, she tells us about the techniques she used in the classroom blog and the students' use of the internet. The number one rule is to protect the identity of her students. First, use only first names, no last names. Also, when pictures are posted, she makes sure that no pictures are paired with a name. She stresses that technology is very prevalent in students' lives and should be used as it can open new windows to education. The best part about this section of the interview is Mrs. Cassidy harping on the good that blogs do for students. She likes them because students can write and show the world, rather than showing just their teacher.

She asserts that technology is more advanced than it used to be, and that teachers should all be technologically literate by doing things that they like or are interested in. She suggests that students who are learning to become teachers should begin having their own network, starting with Twitter. In Part 3 of the Skype conversation with Mrs. Cassidy, students from Dr. Strange's class ask questions in which she offers insight from personal experience. She is very helpful with giving advice to young teachers who are coming into the technologically-advanced education system. It is very encouraging for us students to hear that our work will be helpful in so many students' lives.

Videos links from Skype interview:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

C4K #5, 6, 7

Jonathon S's post:

Jonathon wrote a summary of a book he read called "Big Nate; What Could Possibly Go Wrong?"He gave great feedback and used very good writing skills to make a great post. He has a good vocabulary, which made his post more fun to read. I liked that he gave his personal opinion and rated the book at the end because he has the opportunity to express his feelings about the book.

My Comment to Jonathon:
Hey, Jonathon! I am a college student at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama. I am studying to be a teacher. I thoroughly enjoyed your post! I thought you had a great use of vocabulary and you did well summarizing Nate's story. Good post! Here is a link to my blog if you would like to read more about me and my work! http://bakerabbyedm310.blogspot.com


Kaylie's Post: 
Kaylie gave advice to younger students going into high school. She gave great advice such as staying calm, because high school is not as bad as it seems. She also suggests not to procrastinate because it is very hard to stay caught up. Her advice is relevant in college as well.

My Comment to Kaylie:
Kaylie,
I am a college student at the University of South Alabama and I am studying to be a teacher. I really enjoyed your post! I agree that going to high school can be stressful. Your advice is very good, and I think it is safe to say that your words of wisdom should be taken to college as well!

Kate K's post:
She tells the story of Jonah and the Whale, and adds a few endings that she thinks could have happened. In my opinion, she chose a great biblical story with a good moral.

My comment to Kate K:
Great creativity, Kate! I especially like the ending. :)
I am a student in college studying to become a teacher. I really enjoyed looking at your post.

P.S.-The story is a good one, isn't it?

Project #9

Blog Post #9

What can teachers and students teach us about Project Based Learning?

In the article Seven Essentials for Project Based Learning, the authors give insight as to what makes a good project. They give seven parts of a project that should be present at all times:

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 product

In each of these, students will conduct a project on something the teacher feels is important to their education, and they will work to answer the question in which the project is based on. They will use their own creativity to properly finish the project while collaborating with groups. The goal is for students to come up with more questions as they learn, which increases their need to learn more about the topic. They give feedback to their peers and help one another revise, and then present the finished product to the class.

In Tony Vincent's video, project based learning is question-driven, and given out over a period of time. It requires application of knowledge and evidence to answer the questions. Questions must be inquiry-based and open ended, problem solving and personalized. According to Vincent, students learn a set of skills while doing each project:

• Collaboration skills 
• Communication skills
• Critical thinking skills
• Career and life skills

He encourages us as teachers to question, investigate, share, and reflect during project based learning. He teaches us that students are in charge of their own learning. As Einstein said, "I never teach my pupils. I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn." Tony Vincent believes that PBL is giving students a voice and choice in their learning, just as the authors do in Seven Essentials for Project Based Learning. 

As a future Physical Education teacher, the most interesting advice came from Project Based Learning and Physical Education. Based on the seven skills listed above, it was easy for author Andrew Miller to explain how each could be incorporated into a PE classroom in a high school. "The driving question: How can I create the best exercise program for middle school students?"

In a blog post called Project Based Learning in PE, the author agrees that students could benefit in many ways from creating an exercise program for middle school children. Not only will they learn teamwork skills, they will learn what it is to be healthy, which may cause them to lead healthier lives as they grow older. What was the most blaring part of this blog post was the statement that "Physical activity and fitness is a literacy in our world today." 

In the video What Motivates Students, students are asked what motivates them to do well in school. 

What each student said:

• When given positive feedback and congratulations
• Success later in life
• To get into college and get a degree 
• Fear of a lack of freedom

Growing up, I had many of the same motivators as each of the young students who spoke. Also, positive rewards are a great reason for students to repeat what good they have done. 

All in all, I have learned a lot from both students and teachers. I have learned how to better motivate students, what kind of projects I can give in my Physical Education classes, and the basic guidelines to follow with giving Project Based Learning assignments.

Blog Post #8

Dr. Randy Pausch was an advocate in the education field, and due to his Last Lecture, everyone has access to a few pieces of his life. He taught computer science courses that were completely project-based and had great success with his ten years of experience in this area. Randy created several courses that were solely project-based, and even created a "Building Virtual Worlds" class. To do this, he brought computer scientists together with dramatists and designers to have a course that would focus on getting the most out of his students. To me, this is a great goal to have as a teacher. In his Last Lecture, Randy explains what it is to follow your dreams and lead your life. This video showed me how to become a great teacher and person.

(Part of) What I learned from Randy:

• Learn how to have fun, ALWAYS.

• Teach your students in a way that they may learn something hard and have fun. 

• Make your students think they are learning how to create something extraordinarily fun, while it really teaches them something very valuable (the term is "Head Fake"). 

• Give yourself and your students a chance to learn from each other. 

• There are lessons to be learned every day. 

• Get the most creativity possible out of your students.

These are just a few things I learned from this video, while I am sure I would write more if I watched it again. Randy Pausch has most definitely left a legacy in the world of education, and I will be proud to become part of it!