19-Response to "Evolving Classroom Education..."

This article was about the future of technology in the classroom. It included the term BYOD (Bring Your Own Device), which refers to asking students to bring their own mobile devices in order to teach them using the technology already available. It also gave other examples of technologies that are not quite developed for schools yet, but should be in the near future. It was about anticipating these new technologies and keeping updated with them in order to effectively use them in the classroom. I found this article to be very interesting. I guess if technology is going to take over, people should be educated on how to use it properly. I also think that it should be used sparingly and in certain situations. I plan on teaching in critical needs areas and the BYOD thing may not work, because the students may not have access to their own mobile devices. It does not seem fair to let only a few children bring technologies to school while the others just have to watch and are reminded about how they do not have these things. If I were to use this in my classroom, I would have to find a way to make sure each of the children were given access to a device.

18- Voki

17- Bullying

In class, we watched part of a documentary about bullying and how it effected the students that were followed. Most of them dreaded going to school because of the bullies, some became depressed, and still others committed suicide. As a future educator, I need to think of some ways to deflect bullying in the classroom, and what to do for my students that are bullied. I think that the biggest thing I could do is to establish a system of respect from day one. I would emphasize that we should respect each other, and model that for my students. I would make them all feel that they are important and that they have value. In doing this, the students will observe what it means to be respect and to show respect and will start showing it to others. I would also try to establish the classroom as a "no judgment zone", and make it a place where all students can share what is on their minds without being judged or made fun of. It would also give them a platform to talk about things that bother them or tell about how someone is being mean to them so that those issues can be addressed. I will have to research some ways to help stop bullying when it happens, but I would think the number one thing to do would be to encourage the students to tell someone, whether a teacher, parent, or counselor. Then, the adult could look into it and help address the problem. I would just try to find a method that works, because no child should be bullied or made to feel insignificant.

16- Response to Augmented Reality Article

In her article, "Augmented reality snags a coveted spot in classrooms", Laura Davaney explores the use of augmented reality apps in two different classrooms. She first talks about a K-5 art teacher that uses augmented reality to teach her students the differences in brush strokes on famous paintings. She also creates tutorial videos and her students have started making them as well. The other teacher is a high school history teacher. He uses the apps to teach his students about different landmarks around the world. They hold their iPad up to a augmented reality trigger and all kinds of facts, pictures, and videos about the landmarks pop up. They even have games where they can put historical events in order.

I think that augmented reality sounds really neat. I had never heard of it before talking about it in class or reading this article, but it sounds like it could be very educational. I like that the art students got involved in making their own art tutorial videos, and the way that the high schoolers got excited about the apps and dove deeper into the information because it was presented to them in a different way. This is definitely something I will have to check out!

15- Response to "Five Essentials to Create Connected Students"

In this article, Vicki Davis describes 5 ways to help students become connected, even if they do not have a lot of experience in using social networks and things like that. She says that is is essential for students to be connected authors. It is important for them to know how to write formally or informally depending on their platform. They should realize that you write differently on Twitter than you do on Wikipedia or a professional blog. Another essential she mentions is becoming connected publishers. She says that students need a place where they can store all of their professional items online for the world to see which should include their full names once they turn 18. The third essential is becoming a connected conversationalist. She says that students need a voice and should be encouraged to speak out about education and other things, even if they are doing so on Twitter and using certain hashtags. The fourth essential is being a strategic disconnector. Davis claims that students need to know when to turn off their notifications and electronics and interact with the world around them. This includes study time, dinner with a relative, etc. The last thing she talks about is being a curious, lifelong pursuer of ingenious solutions. She says that the students should have a more proactive role in the technology they use. She also suggests that the students themselves should create apps. She says that technology is everywhere so we need to prepare our students to use it in the classroom and beyond.

I found this article to be interesting. I wish there would have been more information about what to do if the students we are teaching really don't have access to the technology that others do. I also like how Davis acknowledged the need to turn off electronics at some points, because I feel as if people are just on their phones all the time, and are losing the ability to really socialize. I think that it would be a good idea to let some students create their own apps. This would show that they have a grasp on what is being taught as well as what is important to them.

14- Response to 21st Century Skills

This foreword by Ken Kay talks about why it is important to implement 21st Century Skills in the American classroom. He talks about how just being a good student is not good enough anymore to ensure job security. You need modernized skills that will be helpful for many career fields. He also says that the United States needs to start teaching 21st century skills because we are behind in our education systems. The dropout rate is very high and we need to catch up to the rest of the world. He also says we should implement this kind of education to help secure our economic future. The 21st century education model combines core academic subjects, 21st century themes, and 21st century skills. These skills include critical thinking and problem solving skills. Kay emphasizes how these skills are essential for ALL students.

I thought that this was very interesting. The skills that were described were not ones that I really realized were lacking in the American education program until I just sat down and thought about it. I also liked how he emphasized that these skills should be taught to all students, not just a few. This spoke to me because I am also under the firm belief that all students have a right to a vast and deep pool of knowledge.

13- Response to "Why Tough Teachers get Good Grades"

In this article by Joanne Lipman, a tough orchestra teacher is described as one of the best. The teacher even resorted to calling students idiots and poking them with pencils and was still loved by the students. This teacher's students became very successful in every career field they decided to go into. Lipman suggests that this is because the "tough love" style of teaching actually works. She says that traditional teaching methods are shown to work better than the newer methods. She even says that acknowledging failure and the fact that not everyone succeeds 100% of the time has been found to be very effective. Also, hard work and determination help develop talent.

I though that this was very interesting. I have found that the stricter teachers are more effective at getting their points across. I liked the facts being drilled into my head because it helped me learn better. I do not agree with calling students idiots or being cold- hearted, but I do believe that a little strictness and structure is needed to have effective instruction. I also agree that the students should be taught that you cannot always win. Failure IS an option.

11- Inspiraion Comments

Erika- I like the colors and how they go along with your pictures and book. I also like the idea of the students creating their own "wild things".

Jackie- I like the chalkboards and the pictures that you used. The games sound fun, but the book seems like it would be on a lower level than second grade.

Mary Kathryn- I love the Corduroy books! The activities all seem very interesting and interactive. The Find the Button activity might even work in the classroom because they may not do it or take it as seriously at home.

Jennifer- I like that you have them pretend that they are a particular animal in a certain biome. It would be cool to try to find some kind of interactive thing online to go along with it, too.

Jordan- I like that you are giving them the information about what companies help after a hurricane. I also like that you are taking them to the library to conduct research. I like the activities but a few more interactive things technology wise could be implemented.

Jonathan- I like the interactive quiz that you found online for the start of the war. I also like how you divided your presentation by events. I also like the clips about the war, just make sure that they are not too scary!