Weekly Blog #6

Everyone has heard of teaching students with various visual, auditory, and kinesthetic styles, but there are other ways to keep students entranced in learning.

Problem-based, project-based, and inquiry-based learning techniques may be self-explanatory, but they are incredible useful. Let's review each one individually.

-Problem-based learning starts with, surprise surprise, a problem. Students are presented with a problem, either real or fictitious, and are asked to solve it. They may discuss it, build models, research, or write their thoughts until they come to a solution. This form of learning gets the students involved by putting the responsibility of finding a solution on their shoulders. They feel the need to reach a conclusion, so they work harder and subsequently learn more.

-Project-based learning incorporates students into their own learning by requiring them to demonstrate what they've learned with a physical artifact. In this way, the project can be used as an assessment tool for teachers. The students must work to produce something, alter or improve an existing thing, or perform a task after careful research, learning, and time.

-Inquiry-based learning is when a teacher has a question, usually open-ended, that the students must answer. They can answer it in a variety of ways, but it usually requires words. The questions can be about any subject they are learning about, so this form of learning is very useful for all classes, and can range from explaining why certain equations work to the description of feelings emoted by a poem or song.

One way to engage students with these strategies is to use WebQuests. This website uses questions, problems, and scenarios to teach students in motivating and involving ways. They combine information with stories to teach and tasks and mysteries keep them focused. The great thing about them, in my opinion, is the links that are so easy to use.

The instructional architect we learned about a couple of weeks ago can provide the space to combine all your resources if you wanted to make your own webquest.


On an different note, Mr. Johnson is my new hero. Or at least he is a role model.
I loved his classroom. From the moment I walked in I realized that that is the type of environment I want when I am a teacher. Then he started talking about all the stuff his students do and all the technology he successfully uses with his students and I just got more attached. It was all fantastic. I was so impressed to see how useful his blog was for the parents and how many assignments the students did online.

I don't know if I will every be in a school that can provide all the sweet resources he has, but they way he runs his class is my goal. So cool.

Weekly Blog #5

I learned a lot of new things in class this week that I had never known before. I knew what copyright was, but did not know the extent to which a work is copyrightable. I think it is interesting that you can use something someone says, but cannot use it once it is put into a permanent form. Who knew writing or recording something would be so important.

Trademarks and patents were also things I knew a lot about. I can't believe some of those trademarks have been around since the 12th century. That is so amazing.

Public Domain is a word that gets thrown around a lot at my house since my brothers are very much into milking the internet for all its worth. I had a basic understanding of what that means but I had no idea all of the things that are or are not considered public domain, like patriotic songs or "happy birthday," respectively. 1923 was a magical year.

Fair use has got to be one of the greatest things ever, for teachers anyway. It would be so difficult to teach if you had to write and come up with every single worksheet, article, or movie clip. Because of the fair use policy, students can get a more diverse education that includes things from outside of their culture and community to expand their knowledge of the world.

Creative Commons was one thing I had never heard of. I still do not fully understand it (who really fully understands anything), but I certainly know more now then I did last week. The little videos on Wikipedia are pretty entertaining. Strange, but funny, and informative.

I fully agree with the statement about having an administrator provide a written note when you are asked to copy something. If you don't feel that you should be doing something, or if you know it is not right, it is always good to be able to take the blame off of yourself. Plus, if they are requiring that you do it anyway, they will get blamed for it, which is as it should be.

Now that I know of the "Big 4," I will certainly remember to use them when I go to get materials for my lesson plans as a teacher.

And just for future reference:

"Phonorecords" are material objects in which sounds, other than those accompanying a motion picture or other audiovisual work, are fixed by any method now known or later developed, and from which the sounds can be perceived, reproduced, or otherwise communicated, either directly or with the aid of a machine or device. The term “phonorecords” includes the material object in which the sounds are first fixed. (Found here)

Weekly Blog #4

This past week in class, we discussed a lot about how students learn. I really liked what someone's practicum teacher said: If you can't remember it, you didn't learn it.

That might be another motto in my classroom when I teach. I feel like I went through a lot of school without thinking. I memorized facts long enough to regurgitate it for a test, but my good grades did not really reflect what I had learned. I think it is really important for students to learn. If working on their own project makes them learn, then I will assign them to present different subjects in class. If they learn best by discussing with others, I will be sure to provide discussion time in class. Or they can use a class blog or wiki to share their ideas.

School is not just about spewing facts for kids to absorb. It involves so much more, such as teaching them how society works, social skills, personal development, and most importantly (I think) is to teach them how to think and learn. Most children do not understand how they learn and school is a place for discovery, so why not teach that too.

A really great goal for teachers is to help their students become lifelong learners. Find our what they like and dislike and show them how to appreciate knowledge. Lessons should apply to students' lives which may require teachers to incorporate current events, games, or media. Technology is going to be a part of every students' life by the time I become a teacher. It is a perfect way to connect to children and get them involved in their own education.

The lesson plans sites we found will be really helpful for teachers. You don't have to use the lesson plans exactly the way they are, but they provide an outline for what and how you can teach. The Instructional Architect is awesome because it provides lots of resources and a place to gather all of them. You can also see what other teachers have collected, such as Mr. Downs' WWII history lesson.

I also found EdHelper.com which is a nice website. It doesn't have a lot of options, but some are still helpful. Like this page about sound that my practicum teacher would really like. I think I will go show it to him.

Weekly Blog #3

So, this isn't entirely weekly, but you get the idea.

In our last class, we discussed a little more about students using technology. After a wonderful presentation, it was mentioned that our students will probably know more about technology than we will. But that shouldn't stop us from using it. We simple need to involve them more.

I really liked the suggestion for teachers who only have one computer for an entire class. With use of a projector, students can make comments, give input, and share information with all the students. The teacher would have actual control of the computer, but the students would feel as if they had a say. Their thoughts would matter and impact others. They don't have to touch technology to use it.

Because they are part of the MEdia generation, as I am a part as well, these kids will accustomed to always having something to do, hear, or see. So why not "let them do as they do"(Lecture 1/28)? (okay, so I know someone said that in class, but I'm not entirely sure who. So, Thank you, whoever you are!)

That is sort of my mantra for teaching with technology now. It's a pretty good catch phrase.

Last Wednesday, we also explored the Utah Education Network website. And let me just say: awesome. The wealth of knowledge and resources that exists on the one site is phenominal. The pioneer library alone has everything from EBSCOHost for literary articles, to newspaper archives, to culturegrams. MyUEN for teachers provides a secure place for teachers to communicate with students or other teachers. They can even see and hear each other while taking in Wimba. So cool.

One of the greatest resources on UEN is their lesson plans. For every subject in every grade level and each one corresponds to a specific standard and objective for the Utah core curriculum. Even if you don't like the exact lesson, you can use their ideas as outlines for your own.
Speaking of which, I have created a lesson plan based on one I found on UEN, although, I incorporated technology which they had failed to do.

My lesson plan is:
-For 6th Grade
-Under the subject of Social Studies (World History)
-entitled: Revolutionary Characteristics: People and times
-based on Andrea Bostwick and JoAnna Seely's Lesson plan
(Found at here)

Having those lesson plans will be very helpful when I am a teacher. I can't wait to discover what else is available on UEN. It seems to go on forever. It may not be the most helpful for every task, but it certainly will help teachers.