Blog Post #7

    Technology is making a big appearance in schools all across the country. Teachers and students are enjoying being able to learn and teach through the use of technology in the classroom. Students are becoming the teachers and teachers are becoming the learners. Moreover, the students are more engaged in learning because they love using these devices. Personally, I love the idea of incorporating the use of technology into the classroom. I think it holds the student's attention more and that is something that teachers fight to do everyday they start to teach. However, I will first need to know how to really use it effectively for learning. As I prepare for graduation, I know that I need to experience a teacher that really uses a lot of technology in his/her classroom before I get out into the field. This class has been a huge help with that but, I would really like to able to experience it first-hand and see how other teachers use it in their classrooms. Being that my mother was a teacher, she still has a number of acquaintances that I can work with. Moreover, the videos provided in this assignment touched on technology in the classroom as well and helped expand my knowledge.

Using iMovie and the Alabama Virtual Library (AVL)
    In this video Dr. Strange spoke with two librarians on the use of technology in their classrooms and school and how it was working out. I was very surprised to learn how well kindergartners were using iMovie and other apps and devices. Mrs. Bennett (one of the librarians) told listeners that the kindergartners were using iMovie so well that they had to teach the teacher how to use some of the functions! Also, she said that they were so eager to edit their movies and trailers when they saw even the tiniest bit of imperfection. They were also creating iMovie book trailers just like were a few assignments ago. Then, Mrs. Davis came in and talked about AVL. She said that the kindergarteners were also using this feature to do research on a daily basis. Now, granted it is much easier that what we as college students would have to do, but I mean COME ON they are kindergarteners doing research on the computer! Amazing.

We All Become Learners
   This video was with Dr. Strange and the two librarians again. Mainly Mrs. Bennett, spoke on the dynamics of learning and how they are changing because of technology. With technology being introduced into the classroom, the whole dynamic of learning changes. The teachers are being taught by the students on how to use certain features on the devices they are using in the classroom. Thus, everyone becomes the learner at some point and everyone becomes the teacher at some point. Keeping the students more engaged creates a better learning environment for the students and technology allows for that.

iPads in the Classroom
   Using iPads in the classroom was what this video touched on. Many public and private schools across America are beginning to use Macs and iPads for education. One teacher in the video said that it allows her students to take a virtual field trip everyday through the use of images and interesting research. The students already use so much technology outside the school setting so why not use it at school? This is the question that teachers are asking all the naysayers out there. Many teachers in the video found that their overall profecieny has risen because the iPads have done a lot of the grading work for them. It also captivates and engages the students better. Overall, through the use of the iPads the students are becoming more interested in their school work and that is amazing!

Top 10 Reasons to use Technology in Education
    In this video, it talked about the top 10 reasons why teachers and schools should use technology for learning in their classrooms. Students already use and love technology so much so why not try and incorporate it into their learning? Also, it would help students in the long run with their future jobs because they would already have the basic skills on how to navigate computers and other devices. Another great aspect of technology in the classroom is that the teacher's jobs are made easier. If tests are taken online, the computer can do the grading work for them. Therefore, allotting the teachers more time to work with the students. Also, students gets to see their grade right after the test. Moreover, it improves tests scores and students are not held back by those that may be struggling. It also can reach out to the different learning styles that the children may have. Furthermore, after watching this video all my doubt about technology use in the classroom disappeared. Technology is a great tool for the advancement of education.

Project #13 Project Based Learning Plans

Below is a link to our group's drive:

Team Bobcat's Group Drive

There you will find our plan for the project based learning activities required for this project! (They are the first 5 in the drive)

Project #7, Part B

Parents



Students

C4K Summaries for February

C4K #1 Bailee H

Mr. Boylen's 7th Grade Literature Class

Bailee, 

My name is Jesse and I am a student at the University of South Alabama College of Education. This book sounds like something I would enjoy reading because I like to read mystery books. Also, the main character and I share the same name! You should read the Chasing Yesterday Trilogy by Robin Wasserman if you enjoy mysteries. I read them when I was your age and they were my favorite books! I enjoyed reading your book review. Keep up the good work! I will leave you the link to my blog if you are ever interested in reading it. 

Thanks, 

Jesse

http://reedjesseedm310.blogspot.com

Bailee's blog post about a book series called "Undercover Girl". She was reviewing the second book in the series called "Fugitive". Bailee explained the book in post but, having not read the book I didn't understand what she was talking about. Her summary of the book was short and to the point without giving away any of the important parts. I really appreciated that she replied back to my comment saying that she would try the book I suggested for her.

C4K #2 Abigail Z.

Mr. Boylen's 8th Grade Literature Class

Hi Abigail, 

I am a student at the University of South Alabama studying elementary education. Your post was very inspiring to me! It is always important to remember that you are special and have many things to offer the world. I know that, personally, taking time out of my day to exercise and then relax with my friends after school helps my stress level with all my home work I have to do. This was a well-written post and I enjoyed reading it! 

Thanks, 

Jesse

Abigail posted on her blog 10 things that we should remember to tell ourselves everyday. They were very creative and applicable to all ages. I really liked that she mentioned that we should always strive to be ourselves and not try to be someone else or please someone else. I feel that a lot of people struggle with this. Her post was well written and thoughtful. Everyone could benefit from reading it!

C4K #3 Lacey

Mrs. Leatherwood's Language Arts Class 

Hi Lacey,

My name is Jesse and I am a student at the University of South Alabama in the College of Education. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your post. I am very happy that you got your pitching were it needs to be. Keep it up, and you can get a scholarship for college! You write very well and I like your use of "big words", as I call them, throughout your post. Keep up the good work Lacey!

Thanks, 
Jesse Ann Reed:) 

Lacey's post was entitled "My Accomplishment". In the post she explained how she became the softball player she is today. I truly enjoyed reading her post because she is a great writer and her word choice and sentence structure were advanced. She seems like a very intelligent girl. 

C4K #4 Sandra

Mrs. Maslowski's Class Blog

Hi Sandra,

My name is Jesse and I am a student at the University of South Alabama, College of Education. I really thought you gave some good pointers to those who entering into high school. I remember when I was in high school and I loved it. However, it is important to remember to always strive to get good grades so you can get into a good college!

Thanks,

Jesse Reed

P.S. I am still friends with my high school friends and I'm a junior in college and they still keep me going and motivated each day!:)


In Sandra's post she provided her readers with a few tips and advice for those that are about to enter high school. Her advice could really help out those individuals that are shy or nervous about going into high school. I thought that her advice could apply also to college students!

Blog Post #6

1. Project Based Learning Part 1: Experiences of a 3rd Grade Teacher and Project Based Learning Part 2: Experiences of a 3rd Grade Teacher    In these videos, Anthony discussed project based learning and how he implements that into his third grade classroom and how it works out for him. He says that PBL should relate to students and the community and have great content. For example, he had his students do a project using iCurio and it integrated technology, reading, history, peer reviewing, and writing while still relating to the community all in one project. Moreover, he says that we should create opportunities for our students to go above and beyond.

2. iCurio
   Anthony discusses what iCurio is and how to use in this video. iCurio allows students to safely search the web for online content that set set aside for educational purposes. It helps them get organized because they can save what they were researching into folders online.

3. Discovery Education
    Discovery Education is visual learning aid for students. Anthony says from his experience that adding pictures and videos to lessons really helps the students learn and retain more information. Today's students are visual listeners and learners. Thus, by adding the videos and such his students are enjoying the learning process more and retaining the information.

4. The Anthony - Strange Tips for Teachers Part 1
    In this video Anthony and Dr. Strange went over a list of tips for teachers. The biggest thing that I learned from this videos is that work and play are not separate for teachers. The eight hours you are supposed to be teaching extends to when you get home as well because you will be researching lesson plans or reading books to better your teaching methods. Anthony remarks that work should become our play and we should learn to enjoy work just as much.

5. Use Tech Don't Teach It - Anthony
    The biggest aspect that I learned from this video is that as teachers we should, as Anthony puts it, scaffold our technology use. Meaning, that we should not jump right into the harder aspects of technology but ween students into the harder aspects.

6. Conversation with Anthony Capps: Additional Thoughts About Lessons
    I loved how Anthony explained lesson planning it was very smart and organized. He said that lessons are four layers thick: year, unit, week, and daily. Plan out the year of what you want to accomplish, then split that into units, then look at the week, then go to the daily aspect and see if


you can actually get all you want to get done in that day done to meet your ultimate year goal.

Project #8 Book Trailer

Blog Post #5 Part #1

     Coming into this project I was not very familiar with personal learning networks (PLN). I have heard of them before but never looked into them or knew what they were. However now that I have looked into them and do know what they are, I think they are a extremely useful tool and everyone that has not built one should do so. PLNs are a network of people that contribute to your professional development and knowledge. They are built through following people on various social media and internet sites that pertain to your field of interest. For example, I follow Simply Kinder on Twitter because I want to be a kindergarten teacher and they post good ideas on how to conduct class and organize your classroom.
     As a teacher, PLNs can help you gain knowledge on a certain area of teaching that you are not familiar with. Maybe you want to learn more about project based learning. So, you consult your PLN and browse various blogs or websites that pertain to project based learning. You can also correspond with other experts in that field of teaching to see how they conduct their class. You can search the internet, follow blogs, follow sites, sign up for newsletters, etc. There are so many possibilities when building you PLN.
    PLNs can also be useful to students in your classroom. In the video, A 7th Grader's Personal Learning Environment, the student talks about her PLN and how her teacher creates assignments based on her PLN through the website Symbaloo. Using Symbaloo, the the student has access to various websites that interest her. For example, the teacher asked the students to create a power-point presentation on venomous snakes and the young lady in the video used Symbaloo to complete the assignment. As a 7th grader she has already started to create a PLN that will be useful to her throughout her scholastic and professional career.
   I have started to create a PLN of my own as well. I have signed up for various websites that were suggested to us in this class. I have a Twitter that is strictly used for educational purposes. I receive newsletters from Edutopia and Challenge Based Learning Community. I follow the blogs of the two teachers that we were assigned to comment on. Although, I have not received any feedback from them I hope to very soon. Also, I signed up for Symbaloo and made it my homepage because I think it a very cool and interesting website and I love how everything is right there on the home screen. I strongly suggest that everyone sign up for this website because it organizes all the websites, blogs, or social media sites that you follow right there on the home page. Furthermore, my PLN is still a working progress and I will continue to expand it over the course of my professional development as a teacher.