Sunday, September 28, 2014

Project #8 Book Trailer


The Hobbit Book Trailer

                                                  Link to youtube page: Book Trailer

Project #6 C4K Month September

Mohammed
Mohammed's Blog

My first student was a child by the name of Mohammed. He is 13 and currently an 8th grade student in Ms.Clarke's class in New Zealand. He shares many of the same interests as I do and seems to know more about how blogs work as well. He shares a post containing a presentation of the many sports of his country including "octopush", a sport I never knew existed.

Two Octopush Players Underwater
Link to Octopush: Octopush
Nathaniel
Nathaniel's Blog

My second student I met was Nathaniel who is a 4th grade student in Mrs. Timm's class. He developed a post where the assignment was to create their own personal invention. It was very entertaining that he developed a "bacon corndog" as his invention detailing the ingredients as well as the overall taste of it. His grammar could be improved a bit, however I understand that this is a 4th grade class and I am so used to seeing college quality diction.

Basket of many corn dogs
Link to image: Corn Dogs
Emma
Emma's Blog

My final student is Emma who is a 5th grade student in Mrs. Greer's class in Massachusetts. She made her post regarding a book that she had read about the underground railroad. It surprised me how much knowledge a 5th grade student had on the subject as well as others like the Titanic or the 9/11 incident. I am astonished also by how these kids can grasp the use of this technology so well.

Logo of the Underground Railroad Network to Freedom
Link to Image: Underground Railroad



Blog Post #6

Education written on chalkboard with mouse pointer about to click on it
Link to image: proctorfree.com

Project Based Learning Part 1

1. After watching these videos, I understood more of what a "good" project means from the examples Anthony gave and the feedback that those projects received from his students as well as their parents. Anthony himself stated the major key points of a project in his videos beginning with having an authentic audience that motivates the students to do their very best and perhaps even push further beyond the goals than anticipated. Second, Anthony spoke of the student's interests and how in his projects students were much more involved and provided more input when the project considered subjects relevant to the students. Anthony also included that the project should show how the assignment is related to the community and the actual real world relevance and the students are learning just "burp back" information. As an educator, I feel that these concepts of an interesting project for students is detrimental and I myself know that I will be using these tools to develop young minds with knowledge that will help them become critical thinkers. 


2. Honestly before this class I had never heard of iCurio, but after learning that it is an educational multimedia search engine i will be most likely using it all the time. The program is very organized and is actually a key tool in the improvement of student organization and is thorough in preparing them for the adulthood with iCurio's virtual organization. Also, the application of this search engine is very useful considering the time restraints the modern classroom entails with only 50 minute class intervals and breaks for lunch throughout the day. 


3. Discovery Education is a wonderful tool that can be used for finding visuals for a certain academic topic. Whether it be from science, math, of social studies their are visuals present to educate the child more effectively than just reading it. Students, speaking from my point of view as a current student, are more likely to retain knowledge from videos about the subject just as Anthony has stated in his video. 


4. After watching this video, I myself feel more comfortable going into the realm of education when listening to these various tips for beginning educators. I realize that as teachers we are also constant learners alongside our students and though it is hard work it will be fun and rewarding in the end. Also, an excellent tool for educating is being flexible and creative in your own right and anticipating when things go bad but also fixing the situation to benefit yourself as well. Constant reflection is also a key factor in reviewing what was done and how to improve the project better or change it entirely to benefit the students.


5. By teaching students to use technology instead of teaching them about the technology, the students are more motivated to learn the subject at hand. Children are more adept at technology than ever before and will continue to surprise with their aptitude for it. By teaching the students to use technology that they already know and understand to find information, they do not necessarily feel bored and are show more interest in the class. It is evident that a classroom that doesn't use technology will be left behind academically.


6. I learned in this video from Anthony's own input the key elements of the standard lesson. To begin with, one must find out how the lesson is incorporated into the year, or the curriculum for that year. Then find out how to prepare the unit for the class by devising a way to reach an outcome at the end of the semester by learning other tools beforehand. After unit comes how to prepare that unit into various weeks that progress to the aforementioned goal. And lastly, consider that daily assignments and activities and how to progress the next day in a smooth and cohesive transition. 





Sunday, September 21, 2014

Project 7

My Sentence Is...

My Passion Is...

Blog Post #5 My PLN part #1

When making my PLN, I have decided to search various websites for educators who will be giving information to my particular field of study, which is Language Arts, and also providing ideas on education skills as well. I have added such teachers such as Vicki Davis who uses social media in her classroom as well as provides great insight in educating students on using this technology on their own. Also I have found an chat channel on twitter that begins every Monday at 7 which concerns only Language Arts and resources that relate to better educating students.

Project #3: Project Based Learning Presentation

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Project #15

1.Dogpile.com
This is a fairly clean search engine, my meaning that the homepage isn't covered in an abundance of ads and other distractions. It hosts many categories over the subject one is searching for such as websites, images, and news. One the first page on the subject it shows the definition of what you are looking for as well as an area where you can find more information about it.
2. Ask.com
A more simple search engine and groups more relevant subject matter on the first page. Allows for more quick and ready information on the topic other than wading through multiple pages until finding the source that you need.
3. Duckduckgo.com
The search engine instantly provides information about the subject with definitions and meanings. The homepage has little to no ads or spam unlike other popular search engines. Also, the information is all on one scrollable page and much more relevant to the topic by providing government and viable websites.
4. Wolframalpha.com
This search engine is a quick answer engine that is developed by Wolfram Research. Unlike other quick answer search engines which include user based answers, this engine uses calculable data such as measurements and answers to equations. It also provides accurate answers from reliable sources rather than listing multiple pages relevant to the subject.
5. Alltop.com
Alltop is known to be the oldest blog search engine on the net. It is primarily used to search for blogs related to a topic or subject being searched. Not only will it bring up blogs where the information is being discussed but also blogs that specialize in only that subject; such as when on is searching for education blogs it will bring up blogs that are written for education subjects and not just mentioning them.
6. Ohloh.net
This engine is primarily used to find code sources. according to the website it can process over 21 billion different types of code at a single time as well as in different languages and projects. I can see this showing good promise in EDM310 when looking for code sources to use in my own blogs.
7. Academicinfo.net
I have personally used this website multiple times for my college papers in the past. It is a wonderful search engine to use in which to gather wonderful sources that are appropriately cited as well. It encompasses a vast database from various online schools and libraries and is very accurate in finding relevant sources to ones topic.
8. Iseek.com
This website I also found to be of great importance to education majors. One needs to simply ask a question in the search bar and the engine provides a multitude of relevant sources to answer it. All of these sources are of course related in an educational sense and one doesn't even need to provide a topic in the form of a question for it to be answered either. I would definitely see myself using this to provide background to the subjects I will be teaching future students as well as answering problems encountered in the classroom.

Blog Post #4

What do we need to know about asking questions to be an effective teacher?

When answering the question of what educators need to know about effectively asking questions, I found it helpful to learn more about how the students react to the questions being asked. When I was a student in highschool, there were times when I would never ask or answer a question. The anxiety of being called on or thinking that I was crippled my confidence in the classroom, even when I knew the answer to the question. I sooner realized after entering a college classroom that it wasn't my fault necessarily, but more so the questions that the teachers asked.

After reading the article Asking Questions to Improve Learning, I noticed that my teachers would often use "leading" questions which are questions that already have the answer to them. And if they weren't using leading questions, the teachers would most likely end with "Are there any questions?" basically telling use we better have a full grasp of the subject because we will be learning new subjects immediately. Not until college did my instructors ever ask a question to provoke the class into critically thinking. Critical thinking allows the instructor to assure that the students are properly digesting the information and are able to use it effectively. Below is a graph by Benjamin Bloom implementing his six cognitive process that I found quite informative. It allows the combination of lower order thinking with that of more critical higher order thinking. As an educator I can see this graph being beneficial in the classroom in designating when to ask certain questions and what questions to ask as well.

Asking Questions to Improve Learning

Saturday, September 6, 2014

BLog Post #3

1. What is Peer Editing?
2. Peer Edit with Perfection Tutorial
3. Writing Peer Review Top 10 Mistakes

1 and 2. After watching the the youtube video "What is Peer Editing", I have a more thorough understanding of exactly what it means to give a good review. I never really understood how to exactly start a a comment to review someones work, but after learning to start with a compliment it allows for a more comfortable opening in the conversation. Also, the act of including a suggestion to another's work allows for a more casual and less critical way to improve one's work. The tutorial was most helpful as well by giving an example of what giving a constructive review.

3. This youtube video was quite entertaining. Not only did it provide some social stereotypes that I myself found frequently in my classrooms, but it did so in a comical and easy to understand method. The children in the video gave very accurate portrayals and also at the same time provided tips on how not to review someones work.
Source: Photo From Peer Edit with Perfection Tutorial

Sunday, August 31, 2014

Blog Post #2

1. Mr. Dancealot

The message seems to relay that teaching has been reduced to just regurgitating information instead of applying the actual knowledge. In the video "Mr. Dancealot", the professor explains the moves and forms of dance without allowing the students to practice other than on their own. Near the end of the video the students are taking an exam and have no idea how to apply what they are actually taught. I agree that there should be a more hands on learning experience in the classroom where instead of just showing how something works, but teaching the students how to do the work themselves.

2. Teaching in the 21st Century

Robert's Argument Outline
A. Students Can Learn Anything Anytime
1. Internet Sources
a. Google, Twitter, Youtube, etc.
B. Teachers Are Now Filters for that Knowledge
1. Techniques for Filtering the Internet Knowledge
a. Thinking critically about problems
b. Using Internet sources such as blogs and wikis to answer those problems
c. Teaching the students about the dangers of copyright and plagiarism

I agree with what Robert's is explaining that the Internet instead of schools has become the primary engine for knowledge. Teachers will now have to adapt to this new learning curve by educating themselves in the way of the internet sources of blogs and Google to productively teach students about critical problem solving skills.

3. The Networked Student

I found this video very intriguing. When I was in High school myself, I would have never thought that a teacher would be willing to show outside networks that can make information readily available. Instead of sitting there and absorbing the information from the teacher, students now will be able to find the information themselves and interact with professionals and other students from across the globe who are searching for the same information expanding the classroom drastically.

4. Harness Your Student's Digital Smarts
I would assume that Davis' thesis is that students learn more productively when in a more technological environment. Rather than using the traditional pencil and paper method that has been used for years, Davis implements technology to educate her students into using their social media and other helpful web devices to further their own education outside of the classroom.

5. Who's Ahead in the Learning Race

Elementary students are clearly ahead in the learning race. It is remarkable how fast that education is incorporating the use of technology and internet media at such an early age. Being an Undergrad, I find it hard to accept just how far behind we are in the race. However, being an older more experienced student I probably do not have to spend as much time learning how to use a program as much as a starting 3rd grader.

6. Flipping the Classroom
I personally have never heard about "class room flipping" before but is sounds like an excellent idea. The idea of preparing the class the day before allows for a more interactive and discussion based classroom rather than one which students just sit there and try to absorb information. I myself find it hard to discuss a subject that I barely know about and as an educator would most likely implement this technique in my own classroom.

Sunday, August 24, 2014

Blog Post #1

1. What are the things (if any) you have heard about EDM310?
2. What fears (if any) do you have about EDM310?
3. Compare and contrast EDM310 with other courses you have taken in college or high school.
4. What do you think will be the most difficult thing for you in EDM310?
5. What is the best way for you to address this “most difficult” aspect of EDM310?
6. What questions do you still have about EDM310? What ideas do you have about how to address those questions?

1. I had heard through the grapevine that EDM310 is a time consuming class that requires a person to work outside of their normal routine to be an effective learner of the subjects in this course. Although it is time consuming, the students who have divulged this information to me have also explained how rewarding the knowledge that one takes away from this classroom if you put your mind to it.

2. I do have a fear that the class might go too fast for me, or that maybe the projects we will be working on in the group will hinder my ability to help the group more than I can at the time.

3. It is definitely more team based learning than I have ever experienced in a classroom setting before. It sounds too easy at first but will probably change my frame of mind by the end of the course.

4. The most difficult thing will most likely be the group work, not necessarily that I do not work well with others but more so how complex these projects will be.

5. The best way to address this is by doing the assignments seriously, timely, and efficiently learning what I need to so I can help the group in any way I can so we can get the work done on time.

6. Maybe how the idea of EDM310 came to fruition? or why haven't we decided to require this class a much longer time ago? I am sure these questions are somewhere on the internet so that I can educate myself on the matter, or maybe emailing Dr. Strange himself for info on the subject firsthand.

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Practice Blog

Post Outline
1. Who Am I?
2. Why Do I Want To Be An Educator?
3. 21st Century Education
4. Life Passions

1. Who Am I?
Hello, My name is Robert O'Berry. I was born in the city of Mobile April 14, 1991. I come from humble beginnings and also the first person in my family to attend college. I chose the University of South Alabama as my college of choice due being a native of the area myself, but also most of my childhood friends were going here as well.Most of my family are natives of Florida, particulalry the Lake Okachobee area, since my family crossed over from Ireland back before even the Civil War.

2. Why Do I Want To Be An Educator?
I have always had the knack for being able to teach others complex concepts that came naturally to me. I love helping others, and if I could make a career out of doing it then I couldn't be happier.

3. 21st Century Education
With the new technological revolution brought into the 21st century, it would only make sense to increase student knowledge about technology from the educators themselves. This new way of learning is complex and thought provoking and though most individuals whose mind still lives in the last century, things are being set in motion that cannot be reversed and a new teaching method will be growing rapidly through all the schools.

4. Life Passions
Besides teaching, I have quite a few other life passions. I am proficient in writing in many forms and genres to which I enjoy writing equally. From writing novels, short stories, and poetry I enjoy all of the complex and emotional processes that go into crafting a piece. And when I am not writing, you can find me doing my other passion which is crochet. My grandmother taught me how to before her death as none of her daughters really picked up the trade and I just so happened to have been there during the last months she had. I cherish it as each time reminds me of one person who believed I could accomplish anything.
Crochet Time
welcome

Outline

Source: Photo by Robert O'Berry
Crochet Time

Test

Test

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

My Test Post Title

This is my First Post. I clicked the HTML button which I should always do in EDM310. I am now a Blogger!