I thought this article offered useful advice on implementing personal and engaging technology in the classroom. I teach in a diverse third grade classroom, and half of my student population consists of English Language Learners. I am always looking for new ways to support and accommodate their individual needs. I especially enjoyed tip number one: Delivering instruction through multiple forms of media. I am always looking media that is interactive and fun for my students. It is amazing how much my language learners benefit from images, audio and videos. It really helps with some of those hard to grasp abstract concepts. I am also a big fan of tip number two: Gather and Use Immediate Feedback on Students' Understanding. I utilize the videos on Brainpop and then use clicker devices to take online quizzes that produce immediate and personal results. I will definitely revisit this article when I am looking for inspiration to spice up the implementation of technology in my classroom.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Ten Tips for Personalized Learning via Technology
I thought this article offered useful advice on implementing personal and engaging technology in the classroom. I teach in a diverse third grade classroom, and half of my student population consists of English Language Learners. I am always looking for new ways to support and accommodate their individual needs. I especially enjoyed tip number one: Delivering instruction through multiple forms of media. I am always looking media that is interactive and fun for my students. It is amazing how much my language learners benefit from images, audio and videos. It really helps with some of those hard to grasp abstract concepts. I am also a big fan of tip number two: Gather and Use Immediate Feedback on Students' Understanding. I utilize the videos on Brainpop and then use clicker devices to take online quizzes that produce immediate and personal results. I will definitely revisit this article when I am looking for inspiration to spice up the implementation of technology in my classroom.
Pandora: Time for a Bowie- Syle Invention
Pandora-ReadWriteWeb
I am a huge Pandora fan. I have a broken car radio, so I depend on Pandora as my music source when I am traveling in my car. I also play Pandora in my classroom. The kids LOVE it, and they will work hard for the reward of listening to x amount of minutes on Pandora. They love not knowing what song is coming up next. I start the volume on as low as it can go with still being able to hear. If they work quietly and nicely together, I will turn it up a little bit each time I am impressed by their behavior. If they have worked really hard and well and the volume gets loud enough, I will allow 5 minutes for them to dance. This gets out excess energy and refreshes them to continue working hard. I am a big fan and love the fact that it is free. I don't mind the ads here and there and when I have reached my max in song skips, I just change the station and start over! This forces me to listen to many different genres. I hope that Pandora continues to stay on top and only makes necessary changes that improve it!
Why Pinterest Has NOT Reimagined Scrapbooking
Why Pinterest Has NOT Reimagined Scrapbooking
This was an interesting read on a how scrapbookers use pinterest in unique and inspirational ways. The article states that Pinterest has not reimagined scrapbooking, but that it is used to document ideas which ignite inspiration. I have recently joined Pinterest, so I always enjoy different ways to pull and save ideas. I always spend A LOT of time scrapbooking at the end of the year for my students' memory books. I am a new teacher, so I have not mastered or found an easy way to pull everything together. After reading this article, I have learned so new ideas from some scrapbooking gurus who use Pinterest and have found clever ways to create a digital scrapbook.
This was an interesting read on a how scrapbookers use pinterest in unique and inspirational ways. The article states that Pinterest has not reimagined scrapbooking, but that it is used to document ideas which ignite inspiration. I have recently joined Pinterest, so I always enjoy different ways to pull and save ideas. I always spend A LOT of time scrapbooking at the end of the year for my students' memory books. I am a new teacher, so I have not mastered or found an easy way to pull everything together. After reading this article, I have learned so new ideas from some scrapbooking gurus who use Pinterest and have found clever ways to create a digital scrapbook.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
How Do We Help Kids Make Better Choices? Let Them Practice
I agree that giving kids the room to practice making decisions is a healthy way for them to learn from their mistakes. However, I think it is important for adults to discuss these situations so that kids are aware of alternative choices. The author Michael Thompson notes, there is nothing that adults can do to make a child's undirected "play" better.
I don't think adults need to be present every minute during school and extracurricular activities, but kids still need guidance and direction to prevent mistakes made in the future. I spend a lot of time in my third grade classroom discussing choices. I always ask my students to reflect on their choices. Nine out of ten times they know what would have been the better decision, but I still think it is healthy dialogue between teacher and student.
Teachers Say More Students Homeless, Living in Poverty
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/teachers-say-more-students-homeless-living-poverty
This is a sad and heavy article about the reality that some of our students live in today. The number of students whose families are in economic crisis is growing, according to a recent survey released by Scholastic and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. According to Primary Sources: America’s Teachers on the Teaching Profession, veteran teachers reported that they have more students who are homeless than they did five years ago. Over a third of teachers in low-income communities—those with a median household income of less than $40,000 per year— report seeing an increase in the number of homeless students in their schools. In communities with a median household income of $40,000 to $69,000, 40 percent of teachers reported the same. Even high-income areas are not immune, with more than a quarter of teachers surveyed reporting higher numbers of homeless students. It breaks my heart to hear that students are coming to school hungry. I have had several students that sleep on the floor every night, and I find it hard to have the same expectations for these kids knowing their circumstances. I think providing the essentials for these kids is a start, but the problem goes much deeper. Hopefully schools and communities can come together to help these children and families in need, so these children have a fair chance.
This is a sad and heavy article about the reality that some of our students live in today. The number of students whose families are in economic crisis is growing, according to a recent survey released by Scholastic and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. According to Primary Sources: America’s Teachers on the Teaching Profession, veteran teachers reported that they have more students who are homeless than they did five years ago. Over a third of teachers in low-income communities—those with a median household income of less than $40,000 per year— report seeing an increase in the number of homeless students in their schools. In communities with a median household income of $40,000 to $69,000, 40 percent of teachers reported the same. Even high-income areas are not immune, with more than a quarter of teachers surveyed reporting higher numbers of homeless students. It breaks my heart to hear that students are coming to school hungry. I have had several students that sleep on the floor every night, and I find it hard to have the same expectations for these kids knowing their circumstances. I think providing the essentials for these kids is a start, but the problem goes much deeper. Hopefully schools and communities can come together to help these children and families in need, so these children have a fair chance.
Engaging Students with Technology over the Summer
Engaging Students with Technology over the Summer
I like the idea of connecting with students in "their world." I think using social media tools to engage students definitely motivates them to communicate and continue learning even when they are away from school. It also aids in understanding the various learning styles in the classroom. There are so many unique learning styles, and there is no better way to understand them than getting to know the kids in all avenues of their life. I would be worried about using facebook, but all the other tools mentioned in the article seem harmless. Even silly games like Draw Something and Words With Friends keeps the learning connection between teacher and student.
I like the idea of connecting with students in "their world." I think using social media tools to engage students definitely motivates them to communicate and continue learning even when they are away from school. It also aids in understanding the various learning styles in the classroom. There are so many unique learning styles, and there is no better way to understand them than getting to know the kids in all avenues of their life. I would be worried about using facebook, but all the other tools mentioned in the article seem harmless. Even silly games like Draw Something and Words With Friends keeps the learning connection between teacher and student.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
A Step-by-Step Guide to the Best Projects
Project-Based Learning Model
I really liked how this article broke down the process of creating a project-based learning model. I can see how these project motivate students and drive academic achievement. It is interesting how PBL enhances and stimulates student inquiry. The process of inquiry is applied across grades and subjects in this school. This means these students are learning a consistent approach to solving problems and are learning how to apply it to all situations and projects. I was also happy to see that the final assessment is relatively easy, because the teacher observes student progress throughout the process. The rubric also identifies multiple learning outcomes that help students along the way. Mobley explains, "By the time students turn in their final work, they should know what grade they're going to get." This holds students accountable for their success in the class. I will definitely refer back to this step-by-step guide to project based learning!
I really liked how this article broke down the process of creating a project-based learning model. I can see how these project motivate students and drive academic achievement. It is interesting how PBL enhances and stimulates student inquiry. The process of inquiry is applied across grades and subjects in this school. This means these students are learning a consistent approach to solving problems and are learning how to apply it to all situations and projects. I was also happy to see that the final assessment is relatively easy, because the teacher observes student progress throughout the process. The rubric also identifies multiple learning outcomes that help students along the way. Mobley explains, "By the time students turn in their final work, they should know what grade they're going to get." This holds students accountable for their success in the class. I will definitely refer back to this step-by-step guide to project based learning!
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