Blog Assignment #11

In the video, Back to the Future, there were so many fun things that Brian Crosby allowed his students to do. They did so many fun, hands on projects that really allowed the students to learn something new and have fun at the same time. Brian said time and time again that the students were completely blown away with the projects. The balloon project was my favorite. It was such a creative idea to attach a camera to the balloon and watch the footage as the ballon floated higher and higher. This taught the students how pressure works. Overall, this video was very inspirational.

The next video was Blended Learning Cycle. This video actual broke down what blended learning was all about, and also what the learning cycle was. Paul Anderson explains that in a blended learning cycle there are a few steps to take. It is important to start class with a question, something that really hooks your students.You then let your students investigate the topic and experiment. Next, you show them a video that explains the topic a little more. You then move on to elaborations, reviewing, and finally a summary quiz. One thing I noticed by watching this video was that the blended learning cycle is a very organized way of teaching. I think I would definitely use this cycle, because I like to be very organized.

A video I really enjoyed was, Teaching Digital Citizenship. I think it is a great idea to teach students the responsibilities of going online, and becoming involved digitally. Students should know what types of precautions to take when online, and things they should avoid. I absolutely loved the fun project they did when they created their own super hero character. This allowed the kids to have fun while learning. They then gave their characters a real life situation, and created a story. The students were told to add in pictures of themselves, which allowed them to be more involved in the project and feel ownership. This activity was very fun and educational at the same time for the students. I would definitely do something like this in my future classroom.

The classroom in, Project Based Learning, was no or ordinary classroom. This classroom blended different subjects together, and had not one teacher, but three. This class inspires me in so many ways. I never thought blending different subjects together like this could be possible! Instead of getting feedback from one teacher, they get feedback from three. This allows the students to broaden their thinking skills, and get better and better at what they are doing. By blending these subjects together, time is opened up to perfect their work, and make it the best possible. I was completely amazed with this classroom. I was such a different, yet productive idea to blend subjects.

I have learned so many wonderful things about project based learning. A good example of a school who uses PBL is Roosevelt Elementary. This school truly strives to help their students learn as much as possible through project based learning. The teachers in this video pointed out lots of things such as the fact PBL helps with public speaking skills. If the students start presenting their projects to the class at a young age then they will be less afraid to speak in public as they get older. Students are also extremely excited to present their project to the class and show what they have created. PBL helps students apply real world situations in the classroom. The teachers in this video sound as if their main priority is to teach the students in the best possible way. Overall, I think PBL is great, and should definitely be used in the classroom form kindergarden on up.

Project #12 Part A

How to Use a Smartboard.

Blog Assignment #10

While watching the first one of Ms. Cassidy's videos, I was simply amazed with how much she used technology in her classroom. She teaches such an ambitious group of students who seem to want to learn more, and do more with technology in the classroom. This video was such an amazing way to show how affective technology can be for students. I gained many ideas from this video that I would be able to use in my future classroom such as; using blogs, Nintendo DS's, and Wiki's.

While watching interview one, and interview two with Ms. Cassidy, I gained a deeper understanding of how her classroom works. She talked about how affective blogging was for her students. Her students are excited to write on their blogs because of how many people across the web will be able to see what they write. The blogging site that her students use, allow them to see how many people have looked at their blogs. The students get extremely excited when they see someone comment on their blog post, whether it is a family member, or someone from a different state. They also practice their writing and grammar skills when making a post. One thing I could see that would interrupt the blogging process would be if a student made a rude comment on another students blog that could possibly bring up an argument or dispute. To prevent this from happening I would check my students blog pages periodically. Blogging is something I would definitely love to use in my future classroom. A benefit of using blogging in the classroom would be having students practice writing, and also practice commenting on other students work. Something else that I would love to use in my future classroom are Wiki's. I love the idea of students being able to see other students work, and being able to interact with them too. Using Wiki is a great way to get ideas from other teachers that you could use in your own classroom. I can definitely see the use of Wiki becoming something fun and useful at the same time for teachers and students.

The last video was interview three. In this video, students from EDM310 got a chance to ask Ms. Cassidy some questions they had about teaching with technology. They had some very good questions. One student asked how often Ms. Cassidy's students get on their blog. She replied that it depends on the year and the class size of her students. Sometimes her students blog more to practice their writing and grammar skills, but if they are assigned to do something with another teacher that day, then they may not get around to blogging. Overall, she replied that her students blog once or twice a week. Another EDM310 student asked about the use of networking in Ms. Cassidy's personal life vs. in the classroom. She stated that she used to never use it for personal reasons, but now she is using it more than ever. She says that she is now using Facebook, and Twitter. She finds them to be very affective ways for gaining information from other teachers and educators.

Overall, watching the interviews with Ms. Cassidy has completely inspired me! I have learned so many new things to do with my students using technology. As Ms. Cassidy said, technology will never slow down. So I should not be inclined to believe that I won't use it in my future classroom, because I will. My students will want to use it more than ever. It is so nice to be able to receive advice form an educator, knowing I will be in their shoes soon.

C4K Posts for October

Summary C4K #4

I commented on Victoria's blog post this week. She is a 6th grader in Ms. Rivera's class. Victoria made a post about a book that she was reading. She predicted what was going to happen in the next chapter before she read it. She provided lots of detail about the book, and the characters in it. You could tell that she was very interested in the book. She made a great blog post!

My Comment

Hi Victoria,
I am in a class called EDM310 at the University of South Alabama. In this class we are learning how to be a blogger. I think your blog post this week was great! You gave lots of great detail. It sounds like you are really interested in this book, which is also great. I encourage you to keep reading so you can find out what happens next. Overall, great post! If you would like to visit our class blog Take a look. You can also visit My Personal Blog.

Summary C4K #5

This week I commented on Brody's blog post. He is a seventh grader in Mrs. Ripp's class. This week he made a post about how students should be able to do more fun things during school.He started his post off by asking the question, "What do you think school should let us do?" He thought students should be able to jump out of swings, and climb trees at school.He ended his post by telling his audience bye, and posting a picture of two deer.

My Comment

Hi Brody!
I attend the University of South Alabama which is located in Mobile, Alabama. I am a sophomore in Dr. Strange's EDM310 class. I enjoyed your ambitious attitude in this post! It sounds like you are very adventurous and outgoing. However, I don't know if jumping out of swings is the best idea. I think schools could allow you to do lots of other fun things that are a lot safer. Overall, I think you did a great job with this post. Great job! Visit our Class Blog. You can also visit My Personal Blog.

Summary C4K #6

This week I commented on Zachary's blog post. He is a first grader in Mrs. Philipenko's class. His blog post was short, as I imagined a first graders would be. He wrote" At School I like play Jacob." He got his point across that he likes to play with Jacob at school.

My Comment

Hi Zachary! My name is Amanda Vaughan. You did great with your blog post this week! Please visit My Blog, or Our Class Blog.

Summary C4K #7

This week I was assigned to comment on Kyan's blog post. He goes to Pt England School in Auckland, NZ, and is a 6th grader in Mr. Somerville's class. He based his blog post on the "Kete of Knowledge." He used google presentation for his blog post to keep his information organized. He did a great job!

My Comment

Hi Kyan,
My name is Amanda Vaughan, and I am a student at the University of South Alabama located in Mobile, Alabama. I liked your blog post this week. It was a great idea to use google presentation to keep your information organized. However, your header was a little hard to read because of the yellow font color, maybe try a darker one next time! :) Overall, great job! You can also check out my Personal Blog, and our Class Blog.

Blog Assignment #9

After reading Seven Essentials for Project Based Learning, I have discovered many new facts about making projects for students. It's important to keep your students attention when introducing a project. Make the introduction something fun that will intrigue students. This will be your driving question. Next, it's important to let your students have a voice in their project. Let them decide how they will present it, and how they will make it creative. After the students make their presentations, the teacher should allow the students to critique each other using a rubric. This will give the students who are presenting a drive to do the best they can. Making the students do a presentation helps them to have more of a meaning to learn the materials.

As I watched Project-Based Learning for Teachers, I gained a total and complete understanding of what project based learning was in a nutshell. I like the fact that the video started off asking the audience if they want more in the classroom. Project Based Learning is a new way for teachers to allow students to investigate a driving question on their own, and do research about it themselves. Students learn so much more than they would doing a normal boring project. This video provided so many facts about PBL, it was truly a great resource.

The next video I watched was PBL:What Motivates students today. I found it very interesting that most young students answered that getting a good job, and keeping their grades up is what motivates them. These kids made really thoughtful observations in their videos. They state that they needed good grades to succeed, and that succeeding was extremely important to them. The students then talked about getting rewarded for good grades and behavior during class. One boy said that his teacher gave them pretend money if they were good, and then the students could spend their money on a treat at school. I thought this was such a smart and fun idea for the students. Lots of the students said that their teachers do a different activity for each day of the week. I think that could be something very fun for the students to look forward to. Overall, it was very interesting to hear the student's opinions for what motivates them, and different rewards they receive.

Two students solve the case of the watery ketchup by designing a new cap, was very interesting. It showed two senior boys who created a new cap for a ketchup bottle that does not allow water to come out with the ketchup. They showed their sketches and brainstorm ideas in a book that the boys had recorded. They then designed a new cap using a computer program. The two boys used project based learning for this assignment. They learned something new and also created something very useful.

Project Based Learning in PE is an article that shows that project based learning activities can be done in PE as well as in the classroom. Its's actually a great idea because everyone needs physical fitness in their lives, and everyone can benefit from the project. In this project, high school students were assigned to find ways of fitness that would be beneficial for middle school kids. Through this project students not only learn new ways of fitness, but also team work skills,strategies, and how it is to be a role model. This shows that PBL is something that everyone can use no matter what the subject is!

Project #14

Lesson Plan 2




GoogleSiteProject#14

Implications and Teaching Opportunities for Camera Use in Teaching and Learning

Part A

The information given by Dr. Strange in the Class Blog was very interesting, but also very true. Almost everyone I know has a smartphone and 90% of those people have an iPhone. Most of my friends never let their phone out of their sight. Individuals are starting to get phones at a younger age than ever before. Most elementary school students know how to work a smartphone and even have their own. I think it is important that teachers start to incorporate using a smart phone or iPhone in their classrooms.

Most teachers shun the idea of students using their phone in the classroom, while they allow computers and laptops. It's very interesting to me that "68% say they would prefer to use their smartphone instead of their laptop or personal computer for personal use." This could be a sign for teachers that things need to change. Teachers should be open to students using their smartphone in the classroom. Whether it be to look up information, take pictures for class, or even to FaceTime another student. There are so many ways that teachers could incorporate using a smartphone into their lesson plans.

Part B

Here are a few ways students could use their smartphones,and tablet with camera during class.

1. FaceTime another student in their class, or even across the world.

2. Take pictures of objects for a project or class lesson.

3. Check the class blog if they have one.

4. Text their teacher and/or other students in their class for questions or information.

5. Email teachers and other students.

6. Visit the Alabama Virtual Library.

7. Use photos taken on their tablet to create an iMovie trailer.

8. Have students take pictures of certain objects at home and share during class.

Project #9

Video Book Conversation

Blog Assignment #8

In Randy Pausch's Last Lecture, there were a few points about teaching and learning that stood out to me. I thought Randy made a great point when he was talking about his football career as a boy. He stated that people who care about you are the ones who critique you the most. If your coach or teacher stops critiquing you then they have stopped caring about whether you succeed or not. This is something I should keep in mind when learning new things. When a teacher or coach critiques me I should know that they are doing it because they care. Randy also states that if you get angry with someone, don't stay mad, give them time. I realize when I become a teacher, I will have many days when my students and work may frustrate or overwhelm me. It will be important for me to remember Randy's lecture during those times. I will step back, take a breath, and give things time instead of getting upset.

Randy talks about when he gave his students a two week assignment, and they came back with amazing projects that blew him away. He then was unsure what to do because the student's work was so good, so he called his mentor and got advice. He was told to challenge his students even more than before. As a teacher I can learn from this. I will always know that my students are capable of more than I think, so it is important to keep challenging them. This way my students will not be restrained to only learn certain materials, they will go above and beyond to learn more and more. Throughout Randy's lecture he greatly refers to how his students impressed him through his teaching career. He used project based learning and gave his students lots of freedom when working on projects. I think that is what being a teacher is all about. Teachers are suppose to be impressed by their students and their work. It is so important as a teacher, to be proud of your students.Randy used project based learning and gave his students lots of freedom when working on projects. He explained that students learn the most when they are doing something fun. They can learn the most difficult things when they are unaware that they are actually learning.

Randy gives great advice during his lecture about not only teaching and learning, but life advice also. He says that its important to always have fun. Also, to always help others. I think that Randy did a wonderful job during his lecture. He kept the audience interested, and was a joy to watch.

C4T #2

C4T#1

My teacher this week was Jabiz Raisdana. In his blog Jabiz talks about reading programs. The first topic he explains is book talk. Book talk is when Jabiz takes a few minutes out of his class time to talk to his students about different books that he recommends. During this talk Jabiz explains to the students the strengths of the book. For example he talks about how the book is well written, and has the potential to be exciting for his students to read. He stays that his students get a lot out of these book talks. They come up to him and thank him for recommending the books. Jabiz then goes to his next topic when he states that he allows fifteen minutes at the beginning of each class time for his students to read their own book. He says that he makes no exemptions to this rule, the kids read no matter what. Some kids enjoy reading from the start. On the other hand, those who don't enjoy it from the start eventually learn to like reading. His next topic is Goodreads.Goodreads is a web site that allows students to log in what times they are reading their books and for how long they are reading. This website is very beneficial for teachers because it allow them to see when their students are reading. Jabiz very much encourages his students to read as much as possible. Reading is great because you always learn new things when you are reading.

Comment #1

In my comment to Mr. Raisdana I first introduced myself. I let him know that I was in EDM310 and that I attended the University of South Alabama. I stated that I thought his blog post was great because I learned many things from it. I learned about book talks. Book talks in my opinion, are absolutely fantastic for students because the teacher can give suggestions for books. This would make the students excited to read the book because they know a little background information about it. Next, I thought Goodreads was great. By using this website I could see how engaged my students were with their books at home. I could see if students were really enjoying their books enough to read while a teacher was not watching. Overall, I thanked Mr. Raisdana for creating his post on reading. It was really great!

C4T#2

In Mr. Raisdana's post for this week, he talks about reading more young american literature to better understand your students. Jabiz states that at first he couldn't bare the thought of reading books that his students were reading. He would be straying away from his favorite authors and books. Then he realized that if he read more YA literature that he could even recommend books to his students. He started emailing certain books to students in his class because he figured they would enjoy reading them. This came off as very beneficial to students. He could talk about books with his them that they were actually reading. His students even started recommending books to Jabiz too.


Comment #2

Hi Jabiz,
I found your blog post very interesting when you stated that teachers need to read some of the same books as their students. I think you make a very good point with this. It's a bonus for students to be able to talk about the books they are reading with their teacher. I like when you talked about how you were even emailing students that they should read certain books. That seems like it would be extremely helpful for them. Overall, I think you make a great point in this blog post! Please visit our Class Blog. Also, you can visit my Personal Blog.

Project #13

TheBiographyProjectLessonPlan

Project #7 Part B Videos

Movie For Student's Parents



Movie For My Students