Blog Post 7

My strengths and weaknesses:
 I don't think I have any strengths with project based learning. I didn't do any project based learning through school. I also haven't had an opportunity to use it. My only strength could be that I don't have a problem doing research, so doing research for finding projects for a class wouldn't be that much of a problem. I cant see myself using project based learning as a way of instruction as a physical education teacher.

My weaknesses would be that I have never used the project based learning method. I don't have experience with it at all. Second would be how to go about starting project based learning in the classroom. Another weakness would be that I don't care too much for technology in the classroom, I'm more traditional. I would probably be completely unprepared for this type of classroom instruction.

What I learned from the videos:

Kindergarteners are using iMovie trailers, they write the scripts and create their own book trailers. The students make the project their own. They have a better understanding of how to use this technology better than college students it seems. The Alabama virtual library is free to anyone. It is a way to teach your students basic research methods.  You can log on to it at any campus or get a library card at any library.

Using technology in the classroom changes the way of learning. The students teach the students, and the students even teach the teachers. With technology in the classroom everyone becomes a learner including the teacher.

Over the span of one year using ipads in schools show benefits. They allow the students to take  "virtual" field trips. It is a different way to look at course material. There are many apps for spelling. Ipads can even be used by special education students who have trouble speaking. They believe having technology in the classroom will get the students more engaged in the lessons.

10 reasons to use technology in teaching: Reason number one is that students enjoy using new technology and it gets them more involved in learning. Number two, it engages the four key components to learning. They are; active engagement , group involvement, frequent interaction and feedback, and connection to real world experts. The third reason to use technology in education is professional development. Using such technology the students develop valuable skills. Another reason to use technology is that it makes life easier for teachers. Like putting test online so the students can get immediate feedback. It also improves test scores. Technology in the classroom can also help students with lower attention spans by mixing up the learning process. It also helps remove obstacles such as using amplivox to amplify the lecture for students with hearing problems.

Links:
Using imovie and Alabama virtual library
We all become learners
iPads in the classroom
Top 10 reasons to use technology in education

C4K blog post

Comments for kids.
Comments for kids #1: Ian C doesn't like the winter weather. He doesn't like being cold at all. Ian thinks he would never like the winter. He prefers the summer because its not cold out side and he can play.  I agreed with Ian that it is too cold to go outside to play sometimes. I said I play soccer and playing in the winter is rather uncomfortable. I don't hate the winter though because I like snow. I agreed that the summer is better playing weather than the winter.

Comment for kids #2: Donna's blog post is about National Random Acts of Kindness which is February 9-15. At her school they go around putting candies on random lockers. She believes we should try to be kind to one another. I enjoyed reading her post. Going around and putting candy on lockers is a nice thing to do. And it think we should all try to do something like that. I agree that we should always try to be kind to other people . You never know what kind of day they are having.

Comment for kids #3: Kaitkn's blog is about a book called Almost Home. Its about this girl that has divorced parents. she keeps having to move around and go to new schools because of her dad. She attends a summer camp and when its time to return home, she thinks her mom is going to pick her up. Turns out her mom moved with out her knowledge. Now she will be permanently living with her dad. This sounds like a good book to read. She provided a good summary. I can relate to the book because my parents go divorced when I was in school. And my family was always moving because my dad was in the Navy.

Blog Post 6

Video's with Mr. Capps

I learned that project based learning is a way to learn through doing projects based on the course material. It is also based on student interest and has something to do with the community. To complete a project the students must know the content standards. The goal with project based learning is a means to get students to learn something and get excited about learning. Students get to revise and look over their work.

Students get really involved in these projects that Mr. Capps comes up with for his class. Project based learning involves a lot of work involving planning and research for projects. Some projects may not be as successful as others. You cant always expect 100 percent. These projects are also approved by the super attendants, they think they are a good idea. Students have the option to choose what projects they want to do.

Icurio is an online tool that allows students to safely search on. It is filtered for their use. It also has storage for them to use. They can save what they are doing and come back to it later where they left off. This helps the students get organized online. Icurio has a time line feature and a directory feature. This tool is useful for all grade levels to use.

Discovery Ed is a resource for many school subjects. It is used to enhance the students search experience. They can find videos and pictures that go along with their subject. Students attain more with a visual aid. Discovery Ed brings the expert into the classroom with a video.

Tips for teaching from Mr. Capps. I learned form this video that you need to be interested in learning to be a good educator. A teacher must also be willing to do hard work. The hard work a teacher does is very rewarding. Teachers need to be flexible in the classroom as well. It is important to have every student engaged in the activity. Always start with a goal in mind so you know where you want you lesson to go.

I learned that it is important to not teach technology but rather use it. Posing scenarios for the class such as, using iMovie to create reflections about  a lesson or something a student read. Use technology to students express themselves and share what they are doing. You cant always expect perfection. Do the project yourself first if you have concerns about it.

A lesson plan should have four components. One is how your lesson plan fits in with that school year. And within that year you have units. Plan the units so that they are spaced out. In these units you have your weekly lesson plans for that unit, and then you have your daily lesson plans. If you have everything planned out it will run smoothly.

Project based learning part 1

Project based learning part 2

icurio

Discovery Education

The Anthony-Stange list of Tips for Teachers part 1

Don't teach tech- Use it

Additional thought about lessons

 

 

Project 15 Search Engines

1.Wolfram Alpha- this search engine is pretty straight forward. It asks you what you want to find information on.  I typed in physical education and it gave me a definition. I also typed in Bengal cats, and it gave me a little more information. Such as a description , history , images , and the properties. It is very simple to use!
http://www.wolframalpha.com/
2. WebMD- I enjoy using WebMD to find anything health related. You can check your symptoms, find doctors , and find great information about staying healthy. It has trending topics you can click and read about. This search engine is easy to use and you can search  anything health related.
http://www.webmd.com/
3. Bing- Bing is a great search engine to use to find just about anything. You type in what you wish to know about and it pulls up web sites related to your search topic. It also pulls up pictures, videos, and related searches. Bing is very helpful and easy to navigate.
http://www.bing.com/
4.Yahoo- Yahoo has links on the left side you can click on, like the weather tab. It will bring up your current location and if it is wrong you have the option to try again. It also has a bar at the top of the page to click and find links from. Such as games, news ,and a search bar. Yahoo has a nice layout. I didn't like using the search bar, I feel like the previous search engines pulled up more information than yahoo.
https://www.yahoo.com/
5.Ehow- This search engine has a nice page layout. After you search something with the search bar it gives you links to click on. You can look at videos and find articles. Over all it is easy to navigate. You can look up pretty much anything you want information on.
6.Galaxy- Galaxy has many tabs for you to choose from like humanities, technology, medicine, and religion. It gives you the option to click on any tab and it bring up folders you can pick through.
7. RecipeBridge- This is a nice search engine if you are looking for recipes. It gives you many links to popular recipes as well as top recipe searches. Search any type of recipe you are looking for and it pulls up a lot of different kind of recipes you can pick from. It lists everything you need as well as prep time. Recipe bridge is a great search tool for finding a recipe.
8. Go.com- This is a Walt Disney search engine. It is family friendly. You can click on links at the top of the page like, music, games, as well as  books.  After you use the search bar it pulls up the information you are looking for as well as other links to choose from.

Blog Post 5

PLN's are a set of people and tools you can use for help and sharing ideas. They can help me as a teacher by providing me information and other tools I can use to further my teaching. PLN's are formed through communication and social networks. You can create your own PLN by expanding your social networks to include professionals and organization's in your area. You can use many resources , read blogs, and search for people. Using tools such as twitter, Facebook , and blogs are a creative way to start your PLN. I plan on including my boss to my PLN. She has worked in early child care development and has experience creating lesson plans and activities for children. Id also like to include an Auto tech teacher that I know through friends. He does a lot of hands on experience in his teaching which is useful because teaching physical education has a lot to do with hands on experience and not just books. I also want to include a High school soccer coach that I am shadowing since I also want to coach. To me I also think including a physical education teacher and / or a coach would be wise, they could have useful information about teaching methods. To keep myself organized I would like to use word documents and quick notes.

A 7th Graders Personal Learning Environment
My Wonderful PLN
Michael Fawcett Discusses his PLN
Developing A Personal Learning Network in EDM310
Personal Learning Networks

C4T blog post

Mr. Spencer talks about how when someone asks you how you've been, people always say " I have been busy." He thinks that when we say this is it is like a cry for help. I agreed with Mr. Spencer . That it is almost like a cry for help for some people. But being busy isn't always a bad thing.

Mr. Spencer's second blog talks about how to talk to strangers when you are shy. He gives tips like telling stories, geek out about something and try interviewing them. I am in agreement with Mr. Spencer that if you are shy like me, big parties or events can be a bit overwhelming. I am not a social butterfly and some of his tips would be interesting to try.

Blog Post 4

What questions do we as teachers ask our students? The usual " Do you have any questions?'' Doesn't always work. Because there will be some students who wont raise their hand. We as teachers need to think of creative ways to pull the information from our students to see if they know the material.

How do we ask these questions? For me as a physical education teacher, I would ask my students what the rules of the game are, what form they should be using, and how to properly kick or hit the ball. Asking them questions about the material instead of just asking them if they had any questions is a good start. I would also see if they could demonstrate certain things. Getting them involved in demonstrations is a good way to ask them if they know the material taught in class.