Multimedia Project

Now that the mulitmedia project is done and has been turned in for a few weeks, I have finally gotten my nerves straight again! I enjoyed working on my project when technology allowed for it. It was two steps forward but three steps back for the most part ... for some reason, VoiceThread does NOT like my computer at home. So much of my work was spent on Chowan's campus, trying to finalize all the things needed to complete my project. I am glad that I chose the topic that I did though. One of the teachers at my school wanted to learn more about the use of a blog so I showed her my project, and now she is on BOARD! :) Makes me feel like my hard work was worth all the stress, tears, headaches, etc...

Christmas is ALMOST HERE ... May will soon be here!

ONE MORE SEMESTER TO GO ... HOORAY (for my husband that is)

While having a conversation with my husband the other night, the discussion some how turned to GRADUATE SCHOOL. My returning to school is starting to take a toll on him. Maybe its the fact that he is actually having to take care of our puppy or he just misses me :)

Yet, I can't help but start to feel the same way. I am ready for a break! My students are going at full speed and I am running on empty it feels like. I am looking forward to Christmas break to revive my spirit and refresh my soul. I am also looking forward to May 2012 because it will also bring about graduation for me but for my little sister as well. I find that to be kinda cool :) My mom and dad get to celebrate two major accomplishments in one day. May is going to be a stressful time but I can start to see the light at the end of the tunnel and there is no turning back now!

Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants

Technology is EVERYWHERE - Get on the Technology Train or Get Left Behind!

Everywhere you look, technology is staring you in the face! Children today are being exposed to technology as soon as they are born and some schools are still operating in the Stone Age. Take a look around while walking in the mall, while driving in the car, or walking down the street. Everywhere you look, you will find at least one kid using a piece of technology that you probably have never heard of. Many kids already own a cellphone or iPod (I didn't get a cellphone until age 16 and an iPod even later).  When my ActivBoard was installed into my classroom during my 2nd year of teaching, the thought never crossed my mind to let my kids work independently on that expensive piece of technology. WHAT IF THEY BREAK IT? Although many things could have happened, I just had to suck it up and "just do it". Four years later, my ActivBoard is the most used piece of technology in my room, and NOT BY the teacher - by the students. They can turn it on, open their sites, change the view, do what they need to complete their lessons, and turn it off at the end of the day. 

Teachers need to believe in their students and "just do it". Technology is not going to bite you. Technology is knowledge waiting for you to take it by the reins and run with it.

Preparing Tomorrow's L.A. Teachers Today

All Language Arts teacher (regardless of the grade levels) need to be comfortable with the use of technology in their classroom. Technology is an extremely important technology and should be used in all areas of teaching.  When technology is used, students are engaged in learning and learning becomes fun.  My students love using the ActivBoard during reading centers and also math time.  They love sitting on the reading carpet after lunch time and being able to listen to a book being read to them on Tumblebooks or being read to them by a famous actress/actor.  They hear me read to them every day and it allows for them to hear someone different read.  


Students need to be exposed to technology on a daily basis, as the world continues to become more and more technologically driven with each passing second.  We, as teachers and role models, have the duty of making sure we expose them to as much technology as we possible can in the time we have them in school (7 hours a day/5 days a week).

Semiotic Representations

Growing up and still today, I find it very easy to take notes in classes or read notes that are provided and completely understand the material. On the other hand, my younger sister needed illustrations to accompany her notes. For example, Anna always struggled in physical science and her teacher had a one-track way to do things (her way or the highway). Anna did not do as well as she could have because she wasn't allowed to do her notes and schoolwork in a way that she understood. She struggled because her needs were not being met.  She was NOT allowed to use those illustrations that helped her the most. Her teacher failed her!


Yet, the next year Anna had a much better experience in science. Although the teacher was the same, she had tweaked her way of thinking and if Anna's way worked and gave her the same answers, she could do WHATEVER she needed to understand her schoolwork. Even though I didn't understand her way of thinking at times (I thought it was easy for everyone), I knew she was doing what was best for her. The teacher also taught her class in different ways (differentiation) to accommodate all of the levels of learning in her classroom.  


By looking at the activities in this article, you can easily see how different students have been able to interpret tasks based on their needs and preferences. Examples of assignments are provided and connections can be seen although each students attacked the task in a different way. Their learning experiences were personalized!

Article on the Common Core

Common Core this and Common Core that ... I think I eat, sleep, and breathe the Common Core these days! 

I found this article to be both interesting and easy to read. I hear about the Common Core on a daily basis, although it will not the implemented in my school district until the 2012-2013 school year.  I have attended workshops about the Common Core as well as information learned in graduate school.  The analogy that Golub used in this article comparing the CC to a library sinking and relevant. Teachers these days take on so much and try to do their best in everything they do, but are unable to be well-grounded due to being loaded down with so much.

I believe that the CC will be most beneficial to students that migrate from school to school, as well as state to state.  Although, the teachers will not be teaching in the same way at least they will be hearing the same curriculum language.

I truly enjoyed reading this article. It has given me some new things to think about as well as a new perspective on the CC.

Infographics = confusion for me :)

INFOGRAPHICS - a word that confuses the pants off of me! (My first thought) Upon further reading and reading and more reading, the concept of infographics is starting to grow on me. I find that my kids have an easier time expressing themselves through pictures than strictly through written conversation. Not all kids are good with words, but most kids can draw you a picture of what they are thinking on a certain question or topic.


Ideas:


1. It would be interesting to see what the "writing process" would look like described through the use of infographics.


2. In first grade, we do alot of work with sequencing. Many of my kids find it easier to describe a story when picture or drawings are incorporated. It was be interesting to see what a story sequence would look like.