Personal Learning Network

Relationships in the classroom

click to view 52 teacher, 52 lesson: week 36



For my personal learning network I wanted to gather more information about what is really the most important thing about being a teacher. I wanted to find out what is the true essence of being an educator, and I found the answer to my question in a blog by Lindsey Croston, a middle school math teacher from Florida, that wrote a blog called 52 teachers, 52 lessons: week 36. This blog gave me a lot of insight into teaching and the basic and simple lesson that I must always keep in mind when teaching.
Crosten had a simple answer to my question, what is teaching all about. Her answer was that teaching was all about relationships, and that it all boils down to the importance of students, co-workers, and patent's that you form bonds with. I was particularly intrigued with what she said in one part of her blog that she stated,"As we build positive relationships with those around us – professionally and personally, we start to see change come about. It may be minuscule, but suddenly knowing that the student who’s constantly falling asleep in class is doing so because he was working late to help his mom pay the rent, or the co-worker who’s a bit snappy on Mondays because her weekend really sucked and she’s stressed because her kids just aren’t getting it – for the 3rd or 4th week in a row helps us to respond appropriately – to offer the words of encouragement that help make the world a better place. Then, hopefully because of the relationships we’ve built, when it’s our turn to have a crappy day, someone will notice and lift us up." These few sentences, in my opinion, were so important and so true. As a future teacher I need to remember relationships with those around me will help me to become a better teacher. I need to know my students and co workers background and lives so I can be a teacher that understands and knows how to treat a situation. By building true solid relationships with students, patent's, and co workers I am letting them know that as a teacher and friend I care about their best interests which speaks volumes in my opinion. No matter how busy I become in life I must always keep in mind that people come first, and the relationships I form in and outside of the classroom is what truely matters.
I learned a very vital lesson through Lindsey Crosten's blog, and intend to use these lessons in my own future classroom. I left comments on her blog post, and sent her emails to try and contact her and get some more feedback, but unfortunately did not get a response. Although, I could not contact the author of this blog I was able to gain insight from her post, and enjoyed it very much.

What I learned In EDM 310

I have learned more in this EDM 310 class then any class this year. I went into EDM not knowing very much about technology, and how useful it could be. Now that I am almost finished with the class I consider myself to be far more knowledgeable about technology and the ways it can aid me as a future teacher.
One thing that has really helped me during this class were the weekly blog posts. Although, at times they seemed overwhelming, they taught me alot. Posts like Dear Kaia, Last Lecture, Is it OK to be a technologically illiterate teacher?, KidCast, and next generation learning really helped me to grasp what technology can do for education. Mostly I have learned in this class how important technology is because it provides connections with other people. With the use of technology is our classrooms distance is no longer and obstacle, and people all around the world can learn from one another and stay connected.
Podcasts and vodcasts, in my opinion, are so important. I did not know what either of these were before this class, and now I fully understand what an asset these tools are. For example, iTunesU has allowed anyone in the entire world to access lectures, videos, and a massive amount of educational resources from some of the top universities and educators in the world. Technology is changing the way we view education, and through things like iTunesU, twitter, blogging, personal learning networks,videos, and podcasting we are able to bring education outside of the classrooms, and into our own homes. I know for a fact I will be able to use these new technologies in my future classrooms, and my students will benefit greatly from them.
In conclusion, I have enjoyed this class very much, I will say that I found it interesting and I did enjoy learning about these different types of technology. I consider myself alot more literate in these issues then when I first began this class, and have every intention of maintaining my literacy through practicing and continuing with blogging, podcasting, ect...I have enjoyed this class very much and would not change one thing about my experience.

New Classroom Rules by Education Innovation

NEW CLASS RULES



New Classroom Rules


New Classroom Rules by Education Innovation was a re-make of basic school rules to fit our schools as they begin to use technology more and more. These rules made a very strong point, and opened my eyes to the way technology is broadening and improving our schools. The two most important rules, in my opinion, was rule number three, leave your seat only when necessary, which should be often to go collaborate with others or demonstrate something to the class,and rule number one, Come to school every day, unless you would rather just go on line.
Rule number three stood out to me the most because often times in school there is no actual experience for students. Most of the time a students role is very non active, and their job is to sit in their seat and listen. With technology this can all be changed. Students are encouraged to be engaged in their classes. Technology pushes children to learn by experience, and by working with others. Students can learn from one another through giving demonstrations, or interacting with other students. To me this inspires students because they have more options than sitting in their chairs and listening to the teacher, and they can learn from other sources and people. Rule number one stood out in my mind, and was so important because technology opens up an entire new way to think about education.
Most everyone would think of going to school in a classroom setting with a teacher, books, desks, and a chalkboard. With technology students are no longer restrained in this setting, but can be in the comfort of their own home, or in a coffee shop while in class. Traditional schooling also puts a specific time frame of when you must be present, but with technology is schools time no longer is a barrier. People can go to class whenever and wherever they want. This is so important because it allows schooling to be convenient for everyone, and it also opens up a lot of possibilities for people to even have the opportunity to go to school.
In conclusion, technology is transforming our traditional view of schooling. It is taking education outside of the classroom and placing it in our own rooms. Technology is allowing education to be accessible to anyone, at anytime, and anywhere. I think these new rules are vital to are ever changing culture, and is a great way of adapting to a world ever expanding in technology.

Importance of students posting blogs from the classroom and Michael Wesch

Michael Wesch
PS22PS22




Examples of students sharing their talents over the Internet


Let the Children Play

Landslide

Don't Stop Believing

Coldplay

In PS22 Chorus class in New York a group of elementary students have been able to share their unbelievable talents with the world. In this video the teacher of this elementary class decided to post his students singing Landslide over youtube. The first thing I noticed when I watched this video was the response the children were giving off. Every student in that class was not only singing, but they were whole heartidly enjoying the experience. Every students eyes were focused and paying attention, which in many cases you do not find very often. Students appeared to have a spark about them while singing this song, and each one put in so much emotion with hand movements and their expressions. I believe the reason behind this amazing motivation and heart felt singing had alot to do with being video tapped. I am sure that was a new and exciting thing for children to experience, and you could see it in their preformance that they were all engaged, and having fun. When a teacher posts students work on the internent I think it fires up the students, and gives them a sense of pride knowing other people will be able to see their talents. On the other hand, I believe posting students work on blogs not only benifits the students, but also other people who view the blog. Thousands of people have been able to view video's such as these and it has been an inspirtation. Blogs such as these can motivate other teachers to start incorporting this type of learning into their classrooms. Obviously, it is making some kind of spark in students, and inhancing education. I believe this is a great way to motivate students and other people all around the world.




Michael Wesch

Watch Lecture

Michael gave a lecture on culture today, what it is impacted by, its behaviors, and also effects of youtube. He started off by identigying the strong bond between media and are culture. If something changes in the media, it changes our conversations, and our converstations determine are culture. He gave an exaple of a youtube video posted called " charlie bit my finger". This video recieved millions of hits, and thousands of videos were created by people that related to it. Anywhere you went this video was known. He started to explain some of the characteristics this generation is showing. He showed a picture of his college classroom with hundreds of students appearing disinrested and dis engaged. Next, he showed a casting call for American Idol where people were going crazy with ecitement and were engaged. He asked the quesion what is the difference here. The difference he explained is in the word "Whatever". Whatever over the years has morphed into something that explains our culuture today, which is that today people believe the world is all about them.


As a whole we have are own agenda's and are not worried about anything else. People are forgetting about what real relationships are. He talked in detail about youtube, and using the tool to create and entire new way to connect and form real relationships with others. Although, people may feel context collapse, which is feeling nervouse or self conscious when first being infront of a web cam , Wesch says that people can form relationships with people, and have the entire world watching with out the social anxiety aspect. Through several videos on youtube Wesch was able to show that people all over the world wanted to form real connections with people, and shift the focus off of themselves. For example, one person created a video that asked people to write one world on their hands and put it up on their web cams for the world to see. The response was overwhelming. People responded to the idea of one , and unity. People were seeking those relationships and connections, and therefor finding their true self. Welsch said that we could change the whatever of today into We care and will do whatever it takes...by whatever means neccessary.

Access: Distance Learning

Access

Access:Distance Learning Website


The Access Distance Learning project was started October 1, 2005 by Governor Bob Riley and his work force. We are finding Schools all across America that are not offering the same educational opportunities as others. The goal of Distance learning is to create equal educational opportunities for all students in Alabama's public schools. In many cases we are seeing lower income schools not being able to provide students with AP classes, advanced diploma classes or even basic core classes such as physics, calculus, or trigonometry. Alabama ranks 14 out of 16 Southern states in AP offerings. The goal of Access is to provide all Alabama students with equal educational opportunities, and the access to the highest quality education no matter what public school the student is attending. The Access project aims to eventually provide all Alabama public schools with more advanced diploma, AP, and general core courses. Access is a form of distance learning,which is defined as "learning experiences in which instructors and students are separated by space and/or time". There are three general ways information is transported to students in distance learning including web base, video conferencing, and a blend between the Internet and video conferencing. Through these modes of technology access can provide a student with high quality education, exceptional teachers, and more courses through the use of technology. Through video conferencing schools that might have other wise not been able to provide certain courses now have the opportunity to broaden their course opportunities, and create equal access to students. Distance learning benefits not only students, but teachers also.

Distance Learning


Alabama public schools that are using access gain more teachers, allow students and teachers to interact and learn from others from different schools, and resources are provided for faculty to better their abilities, and enhance the level of education being provided. Access provides online classes for students that will be taken during regular school hours. Teachers will interact with students during the provided class time or after hours. Teachers must learn how to properly use the Access equipment and be willing to work with students individually or give extra instruction and time when involved in distance learning. Students also have to adapt to distance learning in ways such as being more independent, and active in Access courses. Access classrooms can provide everything a traditional classroom has and more. E teachers can offer online study guides, test reviews,quizzes, and exams. Access classrooms can even have online projects and presentations. Distance learning allows students to work at their own pace and even have to opportunity to repeat a lesson they were struggling with. Access provides a different way of education and supports different learning styles that best fit the student. In my opinion, I think distance learning is a very import aspect of education, and I believe it could have a huge impact on education today. As a future teacher I will see myself incorporating distance learning into my classroom. Access is such a useful tool in education because it gives equal course access to students no matter where they come from or what their situation is. I will also use the Access program to further my teaching skills,learn from other teachers experiences, and as a result improve the over all educational experience for my future students. In conclusion, The Access distance learning project provides great opportunity to not only provide a higher level of education, but to further students lives and futures.

ALEX

ALEX


Alabama Learning Exchange Website


ALEX or the Alabama Learning Exchange is a program created by the Alabama Department of Education, in which, educational information and materials are being shared with teachers, parents, and students. ALEX is a quick easy source for teachers to find lesson plans, curriculum's, web links, podcasts, and even ways to keep up to date with the best and newest ways of teaching. Teachers are able to add their own lesson plans, tips, and ideas to this website so ALEX provides a very wide range of educational information coming from some of Alabama's best teachers. One helpful tool that ALEX provides is called course of study which lists according to the subject and grade chosen the skills that should be mastered by students in that course. For example, you could choose 5th grade mathematics and it will list all of the skills that should be covered in that particular grade and course. The next helpful tool ALEX offers is called web links. When clicked on web links will give teachers, administrators, and students helpful websites for more information on their selected topic. The third tool available on ALEX is actually being able to access a wide variety of lesson plans by subject or grade level. Also, teachers are able to submit their own lesson plans that they think may be helpful to others. Podcasts are also available on ALEX. Again, through choosing a topic ALEX provides several educational podcasts including interviews that can enhance children's learning and understanding greatly.

ALEX Lesson Plans


ALEX, in my opinion, is an invaluable learning resource for teachers, students, and parents and can be extremely useful. ALEX provides a way for teachers, students, and parents to learn from the best educators Alabama has to offer. By founding a website that allows other professionals to share their ideas, tips, and educational information through their own experiences can greatly enhance the quality of teaching and learning in our classrooms today. In my future classroom I will use ALEX to find the best lesson plans for a specific topic I am teaching in my classroom. I will also use it to make sure I am covering the correct skills and educational outline for the course I am teaching. ALEXA will also be a great way, for me as a teacher, to introduce technology to my classroom. Through using helpful websites provided through ALEX I can expose my students to online researching, and with available podcasting I can show an entire new way of learning to my classroom. Podcasts on ALEX will be of tremendous use so students can not only listen to a lecture, but they can experience it first hand by watching it for themselves. In conclusion, I think ALEX is an invaluable project that has been created and in the future I will absolutely use its tools and educational information to enhance learning in my future classroom.

Dear Kaia

Dear Kaia

Kaia's Blog

Intrepid Teacher

Mr. C's Class Blog



This was an extradinary blog to learn about. A father in Qatar was reading a book called The Last Child in the Woods. This book was talking about the importance of getting children out into nature to discover beautiful things and to explore the world around them. This inspired the father and decided to take his little girl, Kaia, outside to connect with nature. He took a camera with him to record his little girl's expierience. Where Kaia and her father lived was in the middle of the dessert and most people would find the area to be a wasteland with nothing beautiful about it, but Kaia's father was out to teach a bigger lesson. He encouraged Kaia to just take pictures of what she saw. In his blog, Kaia's father said that he could not believe the excitement and enthusiasam Kaia displayed while being outside expierencing nature in a dessert. The outcome of this expierence was to be just a normal outing with pictures to share with friends and family, but it turned into something so much greater. After Kaia and her dad were finished exploring outside, he asked kaia if she would like to see her pictures on a big computer screen and talk about them. She was very intrested and kaia and her father ended up making a video of all the pictures kaia took and her commenting on each picture in the background of the video, and posted it online. The next day the video got several comments, and kaia's father saw a commment from a 8th grade class all the way in missouri that watched kaia's video.

Through twitter kaia's father was able to contact, Mr. C, the teacher of the class and actually skype in and talk to the class. In return, the 8th grade students created a video and voice thread to Kaia thanking her for all of her great pictures. Through twitter, skype, online videos,voice threads, and other types of technology a group of people were able to connect with eachother from thousands and thousands of miles away. Technology brought together a family living in a dessert in qatar with an 8th grade classroom in Missouri. This opens up a type of learning that has no limits. People are learing from other people all over the world. Distance can no longer stop learning. If this type of learning can really take off all over the world the possibilities are endless. I believe this type of learning with technology could inspire children to learn. I believe students would be intrested in learning a different culture or hearing from someone halfway across the world. I believe this would spark students imagination and thrill for learning. I also believe this would help students and teachers understand other cultures and even gain more respect for other ethnicities.


Singing Hearts


Kaia's father started off having just a regular family experience with his daughter. He was trying to teach her to see the beauty of her surrounding. To stop, slow down, and enjoy what is all around her. Kaia took regular, ordinary, objects and turned them into something beautiful and creative. Through, technology this lesson was not just learned by Kaia and her father, it was learned by thousands of people all around the world. Through technology this simple expierence was turned into something that had the power to touch other people's lives. Kaia's father said that to really use this type of learning you must have an open mind, and really be open to trying new things. Although, Kaia's dad did worry about some factors of using this type of technology like revealing his little girl to the world over the internet, I believe he saw the good things that could be done and those outweighed the risks involved. Through sharing his little girl with the world connections were made with people that will always be in Kaia's history. People could learn from others expierences and make connections to people that would never have exsited without technology.