I decided to do my app smash on Class Dojo. It is a Web tool that is fun for the students and it is beneficial for me because I get to use it on my iPad. I can take attendance on this tool and the best part is that the students receive points for positive behavior. Below is a screencast video of my Class Dojo feel free to check it out.
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Chapter 7: KNOWING, MAKING, AND PLAYING
Chapter 4: LEARNING IN THE COLLECTIVE
Chapter 1: ARC-OF-LIFE LEARNING
Quote: "But when we asked Sam what it meant to be a good member of the Scratch community, we were surprised by his answer. It had nothing to do with building games or posting animations. Instead, Sam told us that the single most important thing was to "not be mean" in your comments and to make sure that you commented on something good when you came across it, as well. The game does not just teach programming; it cultivates citizenship". (pg 116) The reason for this selection is because it proves that learning does not only take place in a classroom. If you give a student the freedom to explore things around his surroundings he/she will learn immensely. Question: How can we apply this "New Culture of Learning" in our classrooms when there isn't enough technology or resources to go along? Connection: This chapter talks about collaborating with other people across the world to create ideas that will be beneficial to our learning. Our technology class (EDSS 530) works similar to where we connect with other people that relate to the subjects that we are teaching. We have to follow people in our Google + account to help us become better teachers in the long run. Epiphany/Aha: The thing that intrigued me the most is when Allen was able to Google the error code his computer displayed when it crashed. When searching it gave him multiple resources to figure out the solution to his problem. He didn't even have to attend a class about computer programming to become an expert and eventually starting his own business. This relates to my teaching because I can Google a certain topic about my subject and I can find multiple sources that can help me develop great lessons and develop teaching instructions. Chapter 2: A TALE OF TWO CULTURES Quote: "A second difference is that the teaching-based approach focuses on teaching us about the world, while the new culture of learning focuses on learning through engagement within the world."(Location 371) I chose this quote for this chapter since I love the fact that the "New Learning" is about learning through what is presented in front of us and to be able to learn from out mistakes, as oppose to learning from other peoples mistakes in the past. Question: How do we change this learning environment when we don't have the help of our administrators or the support from the parents? Connection: This chapter talks about joining a culture and thriving on change to create further change. I find this as a connection of what we are doing in our clinical practice because we are needed to thrive in this new culture that we were placed and creating a changing experience that will help us in the future when becoming a teacher. Epiphany/Aha: To embrace what we don't know and come up with great questions in order to learn more. This relates to my teaching practice because I have to embrace the things I do not know (e.g., technology, standards, common core) to establish a fantastic learning environment. Chapter 3: EMBRACING CHANGE Quote: "No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man." I simply love this quote! I chose this quote because I will continue to grow as an educator and hopefully improve as time goes on. Question: What happens to those students that do no embrace change? Connection: In our EDSS 530 course, it is on a daily basis that we have to embrace change. I have learned things that I have never envision doing when teaching. I have come to understand that with change, comes ideas and methods that will transpire the world of education. Epiphany/ Aha: This chapter has inspired me to learn from the changes that are happening in our world. It has made me become aware of tools that will benefit me as a teacher (e.g., Instagram, Google +, Twitter, Padlets) "When a student is active they learn in a deeper way than sitting. For example, in my history class, we had a debate on whether SOPA and PIPA were good ideas. My teacher had us stand on either ends of the room to state whether we agree or disagree with the proposition. By doing this, I was able to listen to what all my classmates had to say." In reading this article (link), Heather Wolpert-Gawron threw out some questions for her students on “What engages students?” It was a question that she was asked a while back but she rather get an input from her students. The responses she received from all 220 students fell into ten categories which are vital to a students learning experience. Students need to be engaged in activities and have a say on what they are learning and want to learn. Most of the time, teachers go through the day without getting any feedback from the students. In the following, is how I will include these 10 engagements in my class:
My Outlook on InstagramInstagram is a where people can connect with others by providing pictures, caption, and hashtags that can be relevant to what they are doing. It is an exceptional way to express oneself through images that are describing the behavior that is going on in that particular time. I have read several articles from teachers and others that will help educators include Instagram in the classrooms and schools. #InstagramELE challenge! The first article is from two Spanish teachers that are adopting photo taking challenges for their students to collaborate across continents. This challenge helps prepare students to get engaged in the words and it is something that the students will enjoy. The students can practice there Spanish words in a fun and effective method. These teacher empower collaboration in which students can provide feedback in their classmates Instagram post. Students can work together to develop a picture that will represent the word challenge. This type of activity gives the students the power to become creative in their activity. This will lead to new innovations where students can branch out to other people that speak that language. Instagram can help students in becoming better at what they are assigned in the classroom by getting engaged in the activity and learning from the outside word from their hashtags. Instagram Scavenger Hunt In the next article, Caitlyn Tucker writes about using Instagram with her students on a field trip to Chinatown. I have done this similar activity where I have my students post their exercise during a four day weekend. I provided this assignment as an extra credit to make sure my students stay active during this long weekend. It is a great way to have the students interact and challenge each other. I provided a hashtag for the students and it was a unique experience for the students because it made them want to do it again. The students have asked me to this assignment again and I think I will be doing it for spring break. 3 Ways Colleges Use Instagram In this last article, "3 Ways Colleges Use Instagram" by Ryan Lytle, he explains that colleges and universities are using Instagram to ask questions, feed other social networks and encourage participation during major events. These ways are not only applicable to colleges and universities but also secondary schools. During this semester, I passed out a survey to determine how many students in my classes use Instagram as a form of social media and more than half of my students are using it. Instagram can be a great form of catching the student's interest in the classroom. "For college students, who are overloaded with social networks heavy on text, Instagram offers a visual alternative" (Lytle, 2012). Instagram is appealing to the user because they can be checking their feeds every day, so why not have students work on projects through this amazing app. This can help motivate students that are sharing Instagram pictures to their followers. A school can benefit from Instagram to promote their programs and for the public to see the activities on the campus. It can also benefit classrooms by sharing pictures of what the students are doing in that particular time. Teachers can benefit from Instagram by posting assignments, updates, and announce important information on a particular issue or objective. Teachers can also provide students with extra credit by going to a museum and the student must include a picture and a hashtag on their Instagram page. This can be an effective way of providing evidence that the student did go to the museum. These usages are transforming instructions and engagement because it is making things more relevant for the students. These articles align with my beliefs about education because technology is evolving and educators must use these tools to engage students on activities and provide instructions in a method. Social media if used properly can lead to wonderful things in the classroom where students will want to learn and want to come to school. In reading Tony Wagner's book "The Global Achievement Gap", I found his ideas to be significant to a students development because they will obtain qualities that they will need in the real world. Individuals that acquire these skills turn out to be leaders, innovators, trendsetters, and so forth. In his book, Tony Wagner explained seven survival skills that are imperative for the workplace. These survival skills are essential in my opinion and I will explain why in the following:
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Educators have to give the students the capability to solve problems to get them to think outside the box. When teaching, I want to present my students with problems that pertain to what's going on in their lives. It's vital that students start to grow as critical thinkers and problem solvers so that they can have a competitive advantage when obtaining a job. Collaboration Across Networks and Leading by Influence: Using technology is a major factor in the workplace now. Students are involved in technology for most of their time. Teachers should use this to their advantage and have students use their smart phones to work on projects in the classroom. Students will learn to collaborate with different groups of people from diverse cultures. Agility and Adaptability: Students must know how to adapt to their surrounding and be able to solve problems in difficult situations. "To survive, you have to be flexible and adaptable and a lifelong learner". Teachers need to put students in challenging circumstances so that they can excel in their workplace. We want to create students that will build a great future for our country. Initiative and Entrepreneurialism: Students must learn how to take initiative and be able to create ideas that can improve the world. The greatest people in history have always taken chances that others were hesitant about. “Leaders today want to see individuals take more initiative and even be entrepreneurial in terms of the ways they seek out new opportunities, ideas, and strategies for improvement.” Effective Oral and Written Communication: “The biggest skill people are missing is the ability to communicate: both written and oral presentation. It’s a huge issue for us.” Individuals need to know how to articulate their words when talking to others. Communication is always the key in mostly everything we do. Accessing and Analyzing Information: When presented with information, individuals need to learn how to access and examine that information before making a conclusion. “Rob Gordon said that all high school graduates need to learn how to access and analyze different kinds of information”. It is imperative that when students graduate they can research evidence that are reliable. Curiosity and Imagination: “Why is it that the longer our kids are in school, the less curious they seem?” The room fell silent. No one challenged her assertion; nor did anyone offer an explanation. This was happening at one of the country’s best private schools!” Educators must give the students some liberty in discovering what they want to be when they get out of high school. These skills can be applied in the classroom by providing students projects that pertain to their everyday lives. I want to develop lesson plans that will make my students become critical thinkers and problem solvers. I will measure my success on how well my students do in the workforce. What I plan on committing this year in my classroom is having my students create their own fitness program to have a greater understanding of the fitness world. After reading chapter 6, Tony Wagner enlighten us with three great schools (High Tech High, the Met, and Francis Parker) that have implemented great ideas to get students involved and wanting to go to school. I have decided that I would like to develop my own school. This school would be open for any students in the community. Their will be a total of 700 students only so that we can identify each student and have a strong relationship with those students. In class, the students will be presented with problem solving assignments in their science, technology, and math classes. Teacher will have to collaborate with each other and come up with ideas that will present students with critical thinking and problem solving assignments. The main goal in this school is for the students to graduate and have an understanding of what to expect when going out in the workforce or college. School will start at 9:00am in the morning to give the students time to eat breakfast and have a good night sleep. The students will have a choice as to what classes they need to take during the semester but they have to meet their requirements to graduate. The school will have playroom with video games, pool table, ping pong table. etc......where the students can go on their breaks. Food will be supplied for those students that are in a low income family and the cafeteria will be filled with food that is healthy. The school will avoid having processed food. The principal will walk around and observe every class during the week and have a good rapport with the teachers. Overall, this school will be a great learning environment for students, teachers, administrators and parents to attend.
Chapter 5 In chapter 5, Tony Wagner explains that students are constantly wanting to connect with their friends on the net and are desperate at times to interact with the world. They can be in class and wanting to check their Facebook or Instagram page. Future generations are going to learn differently from past generation because they need to be challenged. Things are easier for them because the Web provides them with everything they need. Technology is what these students are being raised by and we as teachers should provide that in the classroom. For example, yesterday I noticed I had a teaching moment where I tried motivating students by providing them with music. The bad part was that they wanted music that was in style. I had put music from the 70's and 80's and it was a bad idea. As a result, students want was relevant to their lifestyle and not what we as teachers want. I agree with what Wagner is saying in this chapter. In my next survey, I want to ask my students what type of music to they listen and what interest do they have outside of school. Technology is a way of getting to students. As a teacher, I need to focus on applying things that are relevant to what my students are doing in their daily lives. I don't want a classroom in which I have to lecture at all times. Chapter 4
In chapter 4, Tony Wagner focused on his experience as a teacher, an administrators and how teachers and administrators are prepared for their profession. This chapter has provided insight as to what to expect when becoming a teacher and what it was like for Wagner when he was a student teacher. Wagner explains that with his mentor teacher he really didn't get the chance to discuss his lesson planning or what is it that he needs to improve on. On my part, I feel like I have been blessed to have such great mentors that are willing to give me feedback on what I need to improve on. It has been an honor to have mentors that are experts at what they do but know that teaching is a learning process. If I was the KING of the world, I would abolish the assembly line structure that schools have. Students should want to be able to go to school and learn about things that are relevant to their lifestyles. If a child wants to know how to build a skateboard or a ramp, he/she should know what are the requirements to do so. Obviously they are going to have to learn math, computer designing, etc. I guarantee the student will get to know math because he/she will be enjoying the learning process because it is something that the student enjoys doing. I would want a school filled with teachers that are willing to collaborate and critic each others work with no repercussions. In addition, I would want administrators to be flexible and understanding of teachers. Teachers should have this ability to be creative and at the same time fail at what they are doing so that they can learn from their mistakes. Being the King of the world would be nice to implement all of these ideas, but being the best teacher a student can possibly have would be my ideal world. Chapter 3
In this chapter, the focus was on testing and the consequences it has on our students. Test taking is not preparing students to be critical thinkers or problem solvers. Test taking is more about memorizing ideas, events, issues or problems that most of the times the students will forget in a week. During college, one of my best classes was Somatic learning where the teacher gave us exams based on open-ended questions. Until this day, if I was to take that test again I will pass it because I was forced to study and analyze what the question may be asking for. At first, I was nervous to have essay questions as our test but I found myself researching information and asking questions regarding the test. I practically spent more time in the library and at my professors office trying to pick his brain. I agree with Wagner's views because when teachers are basing their learning on preparing students for the SAT that eliminates the purpose of learning. Students need to learn how to become critical thinkers and problem solvers. In addition, most of the elite universities are not considering the SAT scores because it does not provide evidence that students know that particular subject. On the other hand, most of the electives are shoved out of the way because of these testings. Electives such as art, music, physical education are being treated as if they are not important. These electives provide creativity and critical thinking for students and provides them with life skills that they will need in the real world such as: working in groups, creating ideas, problem solving, etc. School should be about learning not about taking a test where half of that stuff is not relevant to the students life. In reading Grant Wiggins article "A veteran teacher coach shadows 2 students......", I have learned that students most of the time are sitting throughout the day. Therefore, by the end of the day students are lethargic and when going home they feel like crashing. On top of that, teachers handout homework and then they wonder why students don't do their homework. In the school I am in, I rarely see this happening because I am not in a classroom. I get to see students run around and participate in activities since I am PE teachers. When assisting in a ELD classroom, I have noticed that the teacher has the students move around and participate in a group discussion all the time. In the last 20 minutes, the students are given a choice to either work on their homework, read, or work on their projects. I believe that this article aligns with my beliefs on education. I have felt that as a student, I tend to learn the most when I am engaged in a group activity and moving around. I am a person that hates being in one place let alone sitting for a whole day. I want my students to feel free to talk to other students about the topic at hand. Students most of the time are tired because of their bodies changing and going through puberty that we as teachers are often quick to say "Why are you tired? You are too young to be tired! This article puts things into perspective and it allows teachers to know what a student goes through during a full day. Therefore, as a teacher I need to focus on how to make a lesson engaging and at the same time comprehensive for the students to learn. When students are engaged, they tend to grasp the topic, issues, or problems in a faster rate.
Inquiry: How many authentic questions (those that you truly do not know the answer to) can you come up with around your topic?
1. What are the steps when paddle boarding? 2. When paddle boarding are the waves a big factor? 3. How long will it take to master this skill? 4. Am I setup for failure? 5. If I learn to paddle board, would it be easy to learn surfing? 6. What exercise can I implement to maintain balance? 7. Where can I learn to paddle board? 8. Should I get a coach for this? 9. Can I learn on my own? 10. How can I choose a decent paddle board? What would a successful learning outcome look like? Being able to paddle for the entire time without falling into the water. Does your idea have elements of knowledge, play, and making in it? My idea has elements of knowledge, play, and making in it because I will get to have fun out in the sun. Whenever there is a chance of going to the beach and practicing how to paddle board sounds to me like a whole lot of fun. This idea can be challenging but it can be achievable. This idea will take some time to understand and grasp since I've never tried paddle boarding my whole life besides the only time in Cabo San Lucas. Am I preparing my students to get a job at Google? No I'm not. I want to prepare my students to become critical thinkers and problem solvers so when they get in the workforce they can overcome any obstacle. I believe it is up to the students to decide where to work and if they choose to work for Google more power to them. Two topics that I enjoyed the most from this article: Humility and Ownership. Most people are never taught these qualities and are distraught when someone corrects their behavior or performance at work. As a teacher, I make sure to expose my students with skills that they will fail so that they can learn from their mistakes. Just like what we are doing for our 20% project. Humility shows students that they are correct all the time but it does not hurt to listen to others for advice. I want my students to be life-long learners and have an open-mind for things they hear. I do agree to on the philosophy that Google has when hiring a new employee. I believe that every company/corporations should build this foundation to have a positive environment in which people will not be afraid to fail at what they do. With that being said, I believe teachers should be allowed to fail and be creative when teaching students. After all, if they want students to be creative, critical thinkers and problem solvers teachers should have some expertise in these topics. When people say that Physical Education isn't as important as math, English, and science, I get offensive because it has plenty of importance on students as much as other subjects. In this video, Dr. Thom McKenzie talks about the advantages and benefits when students participate in a moderate to vigorous activity for 60 minutes. He also adds that adults should take the responsibility to promote physical education and advocate for physical activity throughout the day. When students are not active they run the risk of being overweight and acquiring chronic diseases. Most of the time students in school are sitting for hours at a time. That alone is bad for anyone in particular because it adds to the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Physical education promotes healthy, active lifestyles, increased physical fitness and it teaches movement and behavioral skills. This video has inspired me to be a PE teacher that informs my students of the benefits of living an active lifestyle. Sir Ken Robinson explains in this video why we should change our school system. Schools are organized on factory lines, for example, ringing bells, separate facilities, separate subjects, and we still educate children by batches (by age groups). Students have many distractions in this day an age are being diagnosed with ADHD and the leading cause of this may be standardized testing. As educators we should use these distractions to an advantage to create a positive learning environment. I believe students do want to learn when they come to school but are tired of learning about things that are not relevant to their lives. If teachers were to include math with video games or the things they are interested about, the students will be more engaged in the classroom. That is the reason why having a student survey in the beginning of the semester may help a teacher know their students qualities, interests, and beliefs. Overall, this video inspires me have students be creative in the classroom and have a say in real life issues. Sometimes we as teachers are to scare to talk about topics that are going in the real world because of what the parents have to say. In reality, students should have an open-mind as to what is going on around their lives.
Idea #1: Paddle Boarding Inquiry: How many authentic questions (those that you truly do not know the answer to) can you come up with around your topic? 1. What are the steps when paddle boarding? 2. When paddle boarding are the waves a big factor? 3. How long will it take to master this skill? What would a successful learning outcome look like? Being able to paddle for the entire time without falling into the water. Does your idea have elements of knowledge, play, and making in it? My idea has elements of knowledge, play, and making in it because I will get to have fun out in the sun. Whenever there is a chance of going to the beach and practicing how to paddle board sounds to me like a whole lot of fun. This idea can be challenging but it can be achievable. This idea will take some time to understand and grasp since I've never tried paddle boarding my whole life besides the only time in Cabo San Lucas. Idea #2: Learn to play the Accordion.
Inquiry: How many authentic questions (those that you truly do not know the answer to) can you come up with around your topic?
1. How do I choose a good Accordion? 2. What brands are the best when choosing an Accordion? 3. What is the best size Accordion to start with? 4. How difficult will it be to learn how to play an Accordion if I have never taken a music class? What would a successful learning outcome look like? Being able to play at least two songs. Does your idea have elements of knowledge, play, and making in it? My idea will take some time to make it since I don't have a background in music. It will take plenty of patience but it is something that is fascinating. When I watch someone play the Accordion, especially Ramon Ayala (King of the Accordion), it is a thing of beauty. In learning this idea, I can acquire an interest in music and study what it takes to be an instrument player. This is a masterful video that illustrates what I teenager is thinking of the world today. In this video "Hackschooling makes me happy", Logan LaPlante explains that schools in this day and age do not allow students to be creative. "Creativity" he says is as important as literacy. When creativity is present in the classroom, it can have a great impact on a teacher because he/she gets to see what the students are learning and their interest. Logan also says, "Education is oriented on making a living rather than making a life." We as people sometimes value materials over being happy and it creates a mindset in which everyone is competing over who has better things. Being happy is when you are doing the things you love and not what others what from you. Adults, including myself, ask kids "What do you want to be when you grow up?" and for Logan that question is annoying. We should ask kids instead, what is it that makes you happy? We should not determine what a child should be in his life because it isn't our choice. A child should be whomever they want to be as long as they are happy.
"Once you are motivated to learn something, you can get a lot done on a short time" - Logan LaPlante Dr. Michael Wesch’s video was intriguing to say the least. It is imperative for us to recognize our students and the questions they ask us. It can really help a teacher if the students are paying attention in class by the types of questions they ask. “How many points is this project worth? How long does this paper need to be?” Instead of having students read a book about science, history or health we should have students research information and find valuable information that they can use for years to come. We want students to be able to learn things that pertain to the real world not just things that they will never get to use in the future. Instead of just dumping information which is being knowledgeable, we can have students find, analyze, criticize, create and sort new information. We need more people to become a voice in our communities filled with ideas to create a better tomorrow and it starts in the classrooms.
Dr. White describes the differences of being a visitor and a resident when being online in his video "Visitors and Residents". He explains that visitors when they go online, they do what they need to do and leave no trace. They are more like private individuals that are online for a certain time for a particular reason. Visitors are worried about identity theft and are likely to see at as a toolbox where they grab a certain tool and they put it back. As for a resident, a portion of their lives is being online, even when they log off their identity is still out there. They are social and visible online. Residents comment on people's blog and are members of a social network. Basically, it is important for a resident to be visible on the Web. I see myself as a Visitor when it comes to my personal life, resident when it comes to becoming a better teacher and getting in contact with teachers that have great ideas. Before watching this video, I have been a visitor on the Web because I like my privacy and alarmed at the fact that someone can still your identity. As a teacher, I want to start building a community of teachers on the Web filled with ideas to expand and acquire information that will help in my classroom. I can use the Web to communicate with students and parents. For example, I can open a Facebook page or Google Forms to display the syllabus or Youtube videos that are educational for them to see since most school districts do not allow students to log on to Youtube. I can then be a visitor and a resident at the same time. In reading the book Why School? by Will Richardson, it has presented great ideas as to why we need to start implementing technology into our teaching. We as educators should let students find out information about certain topics through technology to help them expand their learning abilities. Google presents students with great information to learn about history, math, English, and Physical Education. If students were to log in to Youtube, they can basically learn how to build a dog house or learn how to play a certain instrument. So Why School? In my opinion, as a teacher we must guide and have the students become creative because after all companies and corporations want people that are problem solvers and critical thinkers.
Will Richardson in his book Why School? presents us with six unlearning/relearning ideas for educators that believes we all must support. 1. Share everything (or at least something): As a beginning teacher, I don't have much things to share because I have yet to learn my craft. What I will share though is my knowledge in physical education, how the body works, nutrition, weightlifting and fitness. I love sharing positive things as to how to maintain a balanced life. 2. Discover, don't deliver, the curriculum: I will make sure to apply this idea to my teaching because it is important to have the students struggle to find an answer to the problem at hand. When students graduate from high school and get to the workforce they will not be handed everything. So, as a teacher I will make sure to prepare my students to become problem solvers and critical thinkers. 3. Talk to strangers: Talking to strangers has not been a typical thing to do as a child but there is strangers out in the world that can present a child/students with great information. These strangers can be found in the internet and presumably in places like Youtube or Skype. 4. Be a master learner: I agree 100% with this idea because constantly our books or topics (anatomy, history, math, English) are being modified to new findings. As a teacher, I will continuously learn about the subject I"ll be teaching to better prepare my students for what's new in the world. After all, we learn new things every day. 5. Do real work for real audience: When students become creative and work with each other to accomplish an assignment it has more value in the real world. They will be doing the same when they get out in the world, so why not start applying these values in their heads to help students know what to expect when getting in the workforce. 6. Transfer the power: "Don't teach my child science; instead, teach my child how to learn science- or history or math or music." |
Carlos GaleanoI am a PE teacher, personal trainer, and baseball instructor. My passion is to help students live a healthy lifestyle. Archives
May 2015
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