Project #13

July 16th Group
Our group chose to FaceTime with each other and use google docs to discuss our final projects. By using this technology we were able to work from our homes and get a lot accomplished. I would have to say FaceTime was the most useful tool because we could see our facial expression and realize "wait we aren't on the same page" or "yeah he or she really does understand". We also used email and text to discuss what time would be best to do the projects or where to meet. My group as a whole did a fantastic job on planning for the group projects and working together!

Final Report on my PLN

WOW! My Personal Learning Network has tremendously grown in just one semester! It has kept me very organized, and I am beyond thankful for that. My PLN helps me get started quick, one click and I am there! I see my PLN growing even after I am through with EDM310 because it has been so helpful. Through all of this technology, I have learned beyond what I ever thought I could at this point in school.

Blog post #14

Teachers Know 

In the article, Teachers Know if You've Done the E-Reading I learned about a new program CourseSmart that is being tested at Texas A&M. CourseSmart realizes when students are failing to read textbooks, or if a student even opens his or her book. I believe this program can be very helpful to both the student and the teacher. 

As a teacher I believe this tool would be helpful to me in many ways. If I see that a student is not getting much out of their textbook, I could focus more on teaching in a different style. It is very important for a teacher to know how each of their students learn best, and adapt to those needs. Some may say that's impossible, I say that it is my JOB as teacher and it will get done.

As a student I would not fret on weather or not the teacher could see if I read my assignment. I am gonna study or learn in the best way that works for me. In the article it mentions students trying to cheat the system, however if a student is still making good grades say by watching lessons on YouTube, why punish the student for not reading? A college student usually takes four to five classes a semester and could feel overwhelmed by reading every single thing assigned. 

Questions for teacher?

-If you see a student is not reading, yet still making good grades, would you punish them?

-If you as a teacher saw that your student learned better via YouTube lectures would you be willing to work the videos in your lesson plans more?

Questions for students?

-Has this program helped you or put you behind?

-Would you prefer an eBook to an actual text book?

My comment for this article?

I would DEFINITELY like to try this program out in my classroom. This would help me see how different students minds work, and how each one learns best. If I saw that my students were not learning well by reading text on their own, I would try something new until we as a classroom whole were successful!

C4T

Pondering Paige
This week I had Mrs Paige. In her post she praised all the hard work and dedication of the faculty here in the education building. She made a statement, "From K-12 to higher education issues, we are caring, thoughtful people who share our talents in diverse ways while simultaneously navigating our own complex lives. " What a true statement! These people go over and beyond and were finally recognized properly. Hats off to everyone mentioned!

In a Tolstoy Mood
In this post Mrs. Paige simply just post a quote by Leo Tolstoy. The quote was "“Music makes me forget my real situation. It transports me into a state which is not my own. Under the influence of music I really seem to feel what I do not feel, to understand what I do not understand, to have powers which I cannot have. Music seems to me to act like yawning or laughter; I have no desire to sleep, but I yawn when I see others yawn; with no reason to laugh, I laugh when I hear others laugh. And music transports me immediately into the condition of soul in which he who wrote the music found himself at that time. ~The Kreutzer Sonata”
― Leo Tolstoy
What an amazing quote! I am a big fan of music as well, because it can be so inspiring in any situation. For example the other day I was running a mile and a half and was gonna call it a day. I was on my last lap when a song came on that inspired me to keep going! I ended up running a whole two miles, simply because of a song that pushed me. We as future educators need to be that song to students. We have to be there to push and encourage them to do their best. If a student is struggling we have to be the song to them saying "keep trying, it will be worth it".

Project #16 FINAL PROJECT

Project #15 SMARTboard Instruction part2

Blog Post 13

Back to the Future
In Mr.Corsby's  blog Back to the Future he explains a project he did with his forth grade class. He seems to be more of a hands on teacher when it comes to teaching his students about technology, and I think that is GREAT! Mr. Corsby's class learned about the history and science of hot air balloons. After they gained this knowledge, they applied it to their blog. Students attached their hopes and dreams to the air balloon and watched it float up, up, and away.  How awesome is that? I bet everything the kids learned from that experience sticks with them the rest of their life, because I know it sure would with me! I believe hands on teaching is the best teaching, and Mr. Corsby clearly does an excellent job of it!
Another thing I absolutely love about Mr. Corsby is his passion to educate everyone! One of his students has cancer, and to keep in touch with her they video chat. This student is able to keep up with the class, and do her work online and through the blog! Thank goodness for technology, because without it this girl would not be able to keep up.

Paul Anderson
In the video Blended Learning Cycle Paul Anderson explains the five "E's" (engage, explore, explain, expand, and evaluate), which is a big part of the cycle. Blending takes parts of mobile, online, and classroom learning within the classroom. Another factor in the cycle is something Mr. Anderson refers to as "QUIVERS", which means: QU-question, Investigation, Video, Elaboration, Review, and Summary quiz. 
I believe by applying this to the class, a lot of material is covered and learned. 

C4K

Mrs. Chamberlain's Class
My student for this week was Dawn. The title of her post was Men. Dawn talked about how difficult men are, and how they need to do what women say. Well from a woman's point of view I say "RIGHT ON!" She also talked about how guys try and out do their friends in everything. It wouldn't be life if guys did not compete like that. Dawn also made a point that guys eat pretty much anything. A little tip to all, the way to a guys heart is through his stomach! :)

Ryley's Blog
My student for this week was Ryley. This student wrote about how Easter was his favorite holiday! He had the opportunity to go over seas for Easter, and sounded very excited! His writing is very good!

Progress Report on FINAL Project

The July 16th Group has worked extremely hard so far on our final project. We have met several times and put in a lot of extra hours! We believe it is going to turn out excellent! We should be finished by this Thursday!

Blog Post #12

Special Education (Collaborative) 
Directions: For this post you will explain how you can prevent bullying towards your students. Read Brian Earley's blog Think2Change. Did you find the signs in this blog useful? How So? Write in your blog what you learned, and what you plan to do to make a difference.

Blog Post 12
In Brian Earley's blog I learned some shocking statistics. Over 3.2 million students are victims of bullying each year. Mr. Earley also stated in his blog that bullying is the leading causing death in children under 14. BULLYING IS SERIOUS, and with technology/social media becoming more depended on in schools it is critical that teachers know the signs of bullying. Here are some steps found in Mr. Earley's blog to help prevent bullying: 1. Be a good example of kindness and leadership, 2.LEARN THE SIGNS, 3. Create anti-bullying habits early, 4.Talk with and LISTEN to your students, and 5. Pay attention!!!
Reading this blog was eye opening! I knew bullying was serious, but not this serious. As teachers we play a key role in students lives, and it is very important to notice things like this. I would like to see all educators come together, "think2change", and put an end to bullying!

C4K

Harbor 7

My students name was Danielle. In her blog titled Snowing she talks about the pros and cons of it snowing in Vermont. Danielle talked about the severe snow storm a few years back, how the snow got up to 8 feet thick! She said with the snow being that thick it was harder to snow blow and shovel though. However, she did enjoy the snow days.

After reading this blog I am very thankful I live in Mobile, AL because the snow is just not for me. Other than a few grammar errors, Danielle did a good job

Easter and Good Friday

My student this week was Senolita from a Pt England School. The student describes what both Easter and Good Friday is to people of the Christian faith. This post was very thorough and well written!


Mrs. Goerend's 5th Grade Class
My student was Jayden. He wrote a blogpost  My Life Without the First Amendment. In his blog he explained how important the First Amendment  was to him. He said without this he would not have some of his family members, and he is very thankful for Mr. Luther King Jr.

Mr. Boylen's Class
My Student for this week was Mackenzie G. This is probably the best student blog I have read. She described herself, her interests, and her future plans. These type blogs are more that interest me because I love giving advice! Mackenzie made a comment in her blog that "her absolute dream colleges to attend would be Stanford or Princeton," but then goes on to say, "but that is unlikely". I am an encouraging person, and I say whatever you put your heart to can be accomplished!

Blog Post #11

Ms. Cassidy's Class
Ms. Cassidy's class uses technology in a variety of ways. She was given five computers, and she was determined to put them to use. These computers could not download programs, however they did have internet access. Ms. Cassidy's has a class room blog that the children enjoy writing in and viewing comments from their readers. Her children also use their Ninetendo DS to play educational games and I think that is a great way to keep them interested in learning. Another thing the children seemed to like were the Skype interviews; this aloud them to interact with other classrooms around the world. The students seem very interested in these techniques. I would definitely use the blogging tool in my classroom too. The children's writing skills improve daily, and they get feedback from around the world. This feedback is positive feedback, and it encourages the kids to keep up the good work. Which also gives them incentive to write more.  Using this technique will definitely benefit the child's writing and technology skills. I cannot wait to teach children this!