Monday, June 29, 2015

My Learning Throughout This Course

         I learned so much throughout this course. It was definitely an intense four weeks which was exactly what Dr. Colum had warned us about. I think the biggest and most important thing I learned is to have patience with technology and that if something does not work try to look at it with a different angle. There were so many tools and resources I used if I did not understand something. For example, I looked at the example blogs and sites if I was unsure of an assignment. I also looked at Youtube for help with my digital storytelling, Jings, and voice overs in the PowerPoints. I am a visual learner so being able to use my resources allowed me to meet an understanding with what was being asked. 
        I really enjoyed this class. I learned how to use resources and technology in new ways I would have not even imagined before this class started. There were definitely assignments that were harder for me than others. Some of the issues I had with that was simply not feeling creative enough to come up with some of the ideas. At this point I waited to watch others and looked at examples to try and think of my own ideas. I cannot wait to implement the things I learned into my classroom to create a more 21st century student-based learning classroom. I think it will allow more engagement and excitement into my teaching. Overall I loved this class and am glad I took away so much to use it in my future classroom. 

Engineering Design Process

Ask: This is the first step in the Engineering Design Process. This is where the problems are addressed and constraints are discussed. 

Imagine: This is the second step in the Engineering Design Process. Here is where the brainstorming ideas comes into play. Designs are created and the best one is chosen to continue on with the process. 

Plan: The third step in the Engineering Design Process is when planning come into place. A diagram is created and materials are being gathered that are needed for the prototype.

Create: The fourth step in the Engineering Design Process is creating the prototype. The plan is followed from the first three steps and then it is tested. 

Improve: The last step is improving the design. What could make it work better is being discussed here. If changes are needed steps 1 through 5 need to be repeated. 



Friday, June 26, 2015

21st Century Classroom

          At first I hated this assignment. I tried working with Sketchup right away and could not figure it out. I had a few struggles with the architect site as well but overall it worked better for me. Sketchup seemed like a breeze when I figured out you could download furniture instead of actually trying to build it from scratch. 
          I really liked our design. I thought we came up with as many 21st century things we could think of. I really liked the Smartboard as the center of the room. My group also decided to not have a teacher desk. This creates the feeling of a student-centered classrooms. The computers and monitors at each desk allow more technology use which allows students to feel more comfortable with it.                     
          Looking at other designs I would not change much about ours. The first thing that I would change would be to add cubbies for each individual student. This allows teachers to put notes, papers, and artwork back into their files for them to bring home. Another thing I would change would be to use either round or half rounded tables for the students to use. Students would be able to see the Smartboard easier and they would not have their backs towards the teacher or board. The last thing I would add to our classroom is a calendar. I really liked how one group used that. I think it is important to have one up in any classroom. It would be perfect to put it right next to our current events bulletin board. 
         Overall I really liked this project and it made me excited to make and incorporate my classroom into a 21st century based classroom. 

My design:



















Our Jing:
http://screencast.com/t/bcPNseC8xB

Screenshots:



Sunday, June 14, 2015

Engaging Math Problem

       The math problem assignment was really interesting! For me I stuck on the first step. I could not come up with a engaging math problem on my own. I got the idea from a classmate about a picnic. However, I did something completely different than she said. I thought this would be a great way to incorporate multiplication. Once I came up with the question, I created a PowerPoint. I then did a voice over with every slide. The first one I explained the standard and what was previously taught before my question in the class. Then the next few were me teaching the third graders. The last slide was me wrapping up my question and explaining where I would go next with it.

Thursday, June 11, 2015

International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)

The model above represents the standards and skills teachers are suppose to have and build on while teaching in the 21st century classroom. 

The model above represents the standards and skills students are suppose to have, learn, and build on while being in the 21st century classroom. 


Social Studies Instructional Software

 https://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/culture/
This is a simulation and instructional game website. To have full access you need to buy the software or have the school buy it. There is a link that says "free stuff" for those who would still like to get ideas or use some area of the website. My mentor teacher used the educational videos on this often. It was so cool! It is a great way to engage students and introduce or further their knowledge in a specific subject. It has many different school subjects like science, math, health, and English. It can be a direct strategy by the way teachers utilize this resource. It also can be constructivist when students are playing the games or learning while using the site on their own with the information. I hope the school I teach in uses this site! 

https://www.icivics.org/games/crisis-nations
Icivics is an instructional game and simulation software. It can be used by both students and teachers! It uses a constructivist approach by allowing students to create their own knowledge about real-world problems. It makes them use critical thinking and problem solving to answer questions while they play real-world like games. Teachers can use it as well to use curriculum units, create lessons, use webquests, and more. There is more access if an account is created. It is a free account that is linked to an email address. 

http://pbskids.org/games/social-studies/
P?BS KIDS is an instructional game website. Students can play many different games that is based on the many different subjects in a classroom. It is a constructivist strategy because it allows students to explore the topics and create their own knowledge on the topics through the games. It is interactive and engaging by being kid friendly to navigate. It also is great for students because PBS KIDS use the different shows and characters throughout the games. It is more than likely that the students have watched one or two of those shows before.