Session III

This morning I met with miss Avery again, and we had a good time talking about the moviemaking process. She seemed to have a tougher time with the concept, and I think I might have to really guide her through the process, but it should be a fun project. The video will focus on my EQ: What does it mean to be an American citizen? and my UQ: What are some symbols American Citizens should recognize? Her storyboard ended up being some pictures she drew, and it forms a shell of what we can do with a possible video or slide show. I suppose I could have had something laid out more specifically for her to make a storyboard on, perhaps this would have eliminated the issues she had understanding the concept of what we were doing. She shies away from being on camera or talking into a microphone so it looks like we wont be able to make an actual movie, but as far as I am concerned as long as she learned from this process it was a success. Here is the updated KWL chart displaying just what she learned.

Here's what Avery had to say about today!

Session II

		Today I met with Avery for our second session. While we reviewed some of the many sources for researching the internet, I was able to avoid being at the controls for the most part. She was the one sitting at he computer, I was behind monitoring and assisting when needed. We reflected on Inquiry based learning (which I had previously introduced to her), and talked about how we can use the sources on the computer to learn. She seemed to really enjoy using the computer, and by that token being at the controls of her research rather than me doing it for her. Here's what Avery had to say!

Session I

Today I had my first session with my cousin's kindergarten-aged daughter Avery. We had a great time talking about America and what she thinks it means to be a citizen in this country. I had to sort of explain citizenship and that it isn't something we can take for granted because there are so many people who do not have the freedoms we enjoy in America. It isn't very easy for a 6 year old to understand that concept, and that said I think she is incredibly smart and understanding of the world she lives in! She seems to benefit from the inquiry based learning style, because she herself is a very inquisitive (and talkative I might add) little girl. I introduced to her my Essential Question: What does it mean to be an American citizen? I also introduced a Unit Question: What are some symbols American citizens should know? We then created a KWL chart of the things Avery knows, and wants to know, and I plan on allowing her to tell me what she learned during our last session. I will at that time post an updated KWL with the 'learned' section completed.

Check out Avery's blog for her thoughts on our session!

American Citiznship

Here is my video on American Citizenship and symbols. Enjoy!

Excel Spreadsheets

I have never been very fond of excel, and in part this stems from a lack of knowledge on how to use it, and also a lack of knowledge on how it can be used. That said, The session 9 assignment challenged me to use my noggin a bit and really study and learn the assignment at hand. The benefit of this is that I now have a better understanding of how to use spreadsheets in excel not only in the classroom, but in general.

Today's classroom is, as noted, ever-changing. The new technologies that work their way into use refuse to stop developing. The result is a changing style of teaching and learning. New teaching styles that incorporate new technologies truly embrace he use of organizational tools. The first and foremost of these is Excel. What better way to stay organized than a spreadsheet? In fact, for us teachers who grow weary of calculating numbers an looking at graphs, it will actually do the math for us. This could be used to keep an electronic grade book, or even possibly a nifty tool for students to use in their research. Ultimately the use of these spreadsheets has a big place in today's modern classroom. In a world where paper books are going by the wayside, why not keep our records and statistics electronically as well?

Click here for a GREAT example of how spreadsheets can be used (note that there are formulas entered on the .pdf that make for easy calculation and easy graph creation). 

Digital Storytelling

In using digital media to tell a story, it is absolutely crucial to utilize the seven elements of digital storytelling. In essence, these seven characteristics are the foundational aspects that must be included in order to convey the desired message and material. Their important stretches from the time you begin to storyboard, to the time you complete the final product. All of these have been take account for, and used when making my activity plan.
Point of view must be expressed properly in order for the audience to understand where the person telling the story is coming from, possibly clarifying any viewpoints or topics addressed. When implementing dramatic question into a digital story, it is important to remember that the reason the audience is watching your piece is because they don't know the ending. That said, it should not be too predictable. Five seconds in I should not be able to say exactly will will transpire. People follow their emotions, and by that token it is necessary to have dramatic content within to give people a reason to watch, something that tugs at their heart strings a bit. An easy element of digital storytelling is voice. It is easy to shy away from using ones voice effectively, but when creating a story piece, we must realize that you have a voice to be heard, and everybody watching is watching to hear that voice. A sound track can make or break a piece. What is visually appealing canola go so far, but when we include sound effects or music, it helps the video to flow. This aids in the process of drawing into emotional Appeal and Ida greatly connected to the other elements. Economy is also an important aspect in that it is important to show just enough to convey your message effectively. No more, no less. Too much cable come boring and begin to drag on, or even seem repetitive. Pacing is important because if your story progresses too fast you run the risk of losing your audience, and having very little understanding. However, if you go two slow you run the risk of boring your audience. You must find a happy medium, where everything progresses smoothly but in a continuous manner.

EmergingEdTech eBook

The EmergingEdTech website contains a free eBook on the most recent deveopments of technology, and how they can be utilized in the classroom. The book itself, is really a plethura of links to any number of sites that contain various information on different types of technology and how they can be implemented. Among the topics I thought were the most fascinating were the use of iPads and smartphones in the classroom. I had some prior knowledge on the implementation of iPads, with many districts using them across the board, even replacing hard copy textbooks. The chapter of the eBook devoted to the iPad provided various examples of how helpful they can be, with links to various studies. Also included were specific ways the iPad can be utilized in schools. One of the coolest things I learned from reading this, was how easy it is to use an iPad as an electronic whiteboard. Links are also provided to websites containing information on how to acquire the cord necessary to hook up the iPad to a projector system. This can prove extremely helpful for special educators, as it gives a sensory tool to use with students, as well as ample opportunity for hand over hand activities.
The other topic I found fascinating was the use of the smart phone in classrooms. This can be a game changer in middle school and high school students. The eBook provides several links to sites containing strategies and other specific information on how to use smart phones to assist in education. This chapter was something of an eye opener for me, as I had never thought about this before. Something that teachers have been fighting for years now, can only be used to aid in learning, but also to keep students engaged. A student is likely to be much more engaged in something that interests him/her. That said, if we use smart phones (whether an iPhone app, or something else) we can win the students' attention back without fighting cell phone use. Some of the information provided in the eBook enlightened me about how many possibilities there are. Reading, writing, mathematics, it is all there. Even Twitter can be an aid in getting students to respond or answer quicker.

Click this Link for my answers to the 3 assigned questions for each chapter of interest