Popplet

So for my last web 2.0 tool to look at for this month is something called Popplet. I heard about this from my last Web 2.0 class this past weekend. This is a great way to organize information. What I liked about this is that you can upload pictures in addition to You Tube videos. I was also able to upload a Google map. This tool reminds me of a paid software called Inspiration. You just cannot make a bubble into any picture. Thank you Tina for bringing this tool to my attention. I am going to be sure to use this in future planning.

Elementary Classroom Visit

Today, I had an opportunity to observe a 2nd grade class in a music class.  Students used a website called Morton Subotnick's Creating Music Wesite.  Here students explored what it meant to hear good sounds versus good music.  Students got to play around with sounds of different instruments to see what it would sound like.  They then tried to create 'good music' and shared it with the rest of the class.  It was interesting to see what the students came up with.  The music teacher uses this website to prepare them for when they get to 3rd grade when they use Hyperscore (a free download software to create songs in a more meaningful way). 

I am glad that I was able to have the opportunity to observe and participate today.  I was reminded yet again about how much you really do not know when it comes to technology and what is available.  (Until today, I did not know that these programs existed prior.)  It was also interesting being apart of the elementary environment again.  It is such a big difference from what I do. 

Little Bird Tales Adventure

Last night, I completed my very first digital short story about a boy by the name of Charlie and his rain gauge.  Basically, he wants to see his new rain gauge in action so he wants it to rain, but it doesn't.  He learns about what a barometer is so that he can figure out when it might rain again.  It sure was fun to put this story together.  I will say it made me step outside of my comfortable limits as I have never done such a thing before.  It is challenging putting the elementary teacher hat on.  I made sure that I incorporated different voices, use language that students would know, and paused at appropriate times.  Hope you enjoy listening!

When Will It Rain?

Teachers Really Do Inspire

The teachers at BHS were surprised by the student population this morning before school, as there were hundreds of hand made signs from students expressing their appreciation for their teachers.  It was really touching.  I am not someone that expresses their feelings but it really did hit me.  Better yet, I found a personalized note from a couple of my students.  They made a sign with a QR code...HOW COOL IS THAT?  They got this idea from an assignment that I experimented with in class but I did not show them how to create one.  They figured this out on their own.  When I scanned the QR code, it was a very heartfelt message.  (I really needed that!)  You just do not know how and when you affect your students.  This is why I do what I do!  Teaching is a great profession!  (You never know what the day is ever going to shape up to be!)

Prezi...giving it another chance

So, today, I decided to give Prezi another go at it.  If it were not because of my Web 2.0 class, I probably would not have gone back to this tool.  To my surprise, I was quite pleased with some of the changes.  For some reason, I felt as though it was much more friendlier to use.  I created a prezi on rain gauges. (click to view it online...I did make this public for anyone to copy and use) This was a bit challenging for me to do seeing as though it is geared towards 3rd graders for an environmental science class.  Seeing as though I have always been a high school teacher, it was a challenge to think how an elementary teacher would give the information.  I tried to make the words a simple as I could.  I also made sure to include lots of pictures and a video on how to actually make their own rain gauge.  In the future, I would like to see what it is like to collaborate with someone else on meeting tool option.  Basically, in a nut shell, I will using prezi again!

(Oh, and it is always interesting to see what you learn when you do these type of things.  I really never did research on rain gauges so I learned a few things.  I did not know that they are typically measured in millimeters.  Also, I saw some interesting rain gauges.  If you want to see a cool one, click here

Reflection on Assessing the Web 2.0 World

Today I listened to a podcast on Assessment in a Web 2.0 World (If you would like to listen to the podcast yourself, feel free to click on the link Eudcause podcast: Assessment in a Web 2.0 World) Over the course of my eight years of teaching, assessing student learning as been a big focus.  I remember when the word rubrics was new and realized that we should be providing students with the information pertaining to exactly how they were going to be assessed on a graded assignment.  This is the right thing to do and to think that it was not done prior, seems crazy.

It was brought up that not only do educators need to think about how they are going to grade students on a particular tasks, but they also need to complete the task themselves to see what the finish product might look like.  It all comes back to the teacher 'being a role model'.  If the teacher does not know what the final product might look like, then they are unable to truly think of a way to assess the students.  I can relate to this as I have been in a situation where I either gave to few or too many points on  particular component on an assessment and I think to myself, "Well that was dumb of me...Why did I do that?"  Yes, it will take time to complete the task, but it is worth it in the long run.  Plus, there are some students who need to see a model of what something could look like.  It is a win, win.

Additionally, the speakers made a comment that at times some teachers say that they do not need to see a hollywood production (in regards to a video assignment).  Well, it could be hard then to see if the students understood the assignment that was given to them, which means it may become difficult to assess the students learning. 


Also, it was mentioned that the teacher needs to collaborate with the instructional technology teacher as they have ideas of how technology can be infused into the curriculum to better enhance student learning.  One of the roles of the classroom teacher is to be an expert in that particular subject, so they may not know the technology world and what it has to offer.  This is ok.  This just reminds me that it is very important for the IT teacher to be very open minded, willing to collaborate, be available, as well as making sure the staff trusts them.  If this is not happening, then the collaboration efforts will not be made.  This podcast also made me realize that the IT teacher also really knows what the curriculum is like in the whole school since they work with all of the teachers.  This means that the IT teacher can also link classroom teachers with other classroom teachers if they are teaching connecting topics. 
(This role really seems exciting to me and I cannot wait to get my hands wet!)

It was interesting to hear the speakers talk about whether or not students going to college should be required to take a course in digital literacy.  To think that this was never thought about years ago when I was in school, and now it could be.  It is true that students do need to become digitally aware and I really think that this would be a good idea.  It will help when students are required to do work in other courses electronically.  It will also help with group work and collaboration skills.  (I think that one goal of mine would be at some point to teach a topic with one other teacher at the same time somewhere else around the world.  What a great way to collaboration with others so that the students can see the richness in it.)  This just makes you wonder what will be next, as technology changes yet again!

Lately, it appears as though there has been a shift of learning in education.  We are tending to switch from strictly learning by means of rote learning to experiential learning.  I myself have made sure that students are able to participate in said situation.  In fact, as a result of this, I feel as though I have become a better learner myself, as well as educator.  I, however, believe that students need to be able to experience both worlds, especially when it comes to mathematics.  If students do not know their basics, they will not be successful in any experiential task that is put in front of them.  I am asking those big idea questions to my students which makes them truly see why they are learning what they are learning.


I know that I have said this before, but teaching is not an easy job.  But I like not know what the day may turn out to be!

Reminded Why I Teach

Tonight, was a great ending to a very rough week.  (I think that it was one of the toughest ones that I have been through in a while.  We as teachers are going through a lot as we will be teaching on the same contract for the second year without a raise or step increase.  Needless to say, morale is low and teachers like myself do not feel valued.)  I participated in the annual pasta dinner party with the new Habitat for Humanity group who will be going to Houston/Nashville to help those that are less fortunate during spring break this year.  This group of 30 students are a great group.  I was rejuvenated yet again.  I was reminded why I do what I do.  I know that these students will get a lot out of the experience and I look forward to what lies ahead.  As one student told us at our gathering, we only have 37 days left until we board the plane.  I cannot wait! 

Interactive YouTube Video

Just when you think that you have seen it all, you are informed that it is not true.  Over the past week, Benware and I created an interactive video for students to participate in.  (This reminds me of the time when I would read books when I was young were I was able to decide my own adventure.  Depending on my path depended on what page I had to flip to in the book.  I remember this being a lot of fun for me!)  The lesson has to deal with quadrilaterals and parallelograms.  While it took some time to create, we were able to complete it in far less of time than what we thought.  I would say in all, it took about 5 hours tops from start to finish.  This was because we had to learn how to actually make YouTube videos interactive as well as dealt with some camera issues.  Even though this was some work, it was a great time to share ideas, and most importantly, laughs.  There was one video in which we could not stop laughing.  Can you see which one that was?  Hope that you have fun watching this adventure.  Benware and Sheil Adventure

Collaboration

So, it has been a couple of days since I have last written.  Tonight's topic is about how dishartened I am to hear that some teachers are still not accepting of the fact that collaboration is very important in the education world.  I am very fortunate to be working in a school that values common planning and makes sure that teachers who teach the same course have the same time block off for common planning.  What is important to know is that this is NOT the same block as my own personal planning time. 

With this model, I have found it very rewarding as an educator.  In all honesty, I feel as though I have become a much better educator.  I have learned quite a bit from my peers.  If it were not for them, I in fact probably would still be teaching by sections in textbooks rather than teaching with big ideas.  There were times where I would just spit out algorithms for my students to use and apply.  Little did I know, I was doing them a diservice.  They were not learning or knowing why they were even learning the concept.  Working with other teachers also lets you see how they teach the material or approach and idea that maybe completely different from what you do.  Also, in order to make sure that students get the same type of experience in a course no matter what the subject, common planning must be a priority. 

All schools need to get on board of this idea of providing teachers an opportunity to work with one another to help one another.  If we expect that collaboration is an important 21 century skill, then we as educators need to be modeling this!  (This goes along with what David Rosa was talking about in a video.  He mentions that we need to be modeling to our students our expectations.  It is ok that we are not the experts in the front of the room.  It is ok to show students at times that we are humans and we will get back to them.)

This conversation appeared tonight as a result of participating in the #edchat conversation on Twitter.  It was sad to see the wide range to statements.  Some teachers have never even had the opportunity to talk to another teacher.  We need to change this!

What are your thoughts?

Wi-Fi

Seeing the new iPads (I want one!) have made me think of the issue with wi-fi.  While on a vacation last week, I was reminded how people still have to pay for access to wi-fi in hotels, airports, restaurants.  I just feel that this day in age, it should be provided for free.  A lot of people have mobile devices and laptop computers that people would like access to the internet.  Not that people should constantly be connected...it just surprised me that we still have to pay a decent amount of money. 

You should really follow #edchat on Twitter

Last night, I participated in my second online #edchat conversation through Twitter.  Last night's topic was about what it means to give feedback to students.  People were explaining how they do it and why feedback is important.  What I was surprised to see was that these conversations do not and will not necessarily have a connection to technology.  I think that I was caught off guard seeing as though I am going back for my masters in technology and the first conversation that I followed pertained to tablets versus textbooks.  It is good to have conversations that do not always have to deal with technology.  This was great!  Technology really is changing the way that we do things.  To think that I was commenting and reading with people from all over!  I never thought that I would ever do this when I first started studying to become an educator.  Very, very cool!