March 2013 Blog Posts (45)

http://prezi.com/db0p_ormz1ge/untitled-prezi/?kw=view-db0p_ormz1ge&rc=ref-34949071

Here is the link to my prezi document.  It includes a recorded vocaroo, wordle of my learning, and screenshots from the blog, wiki, and edmodo accounts I created in this class.  I have learned so many new things that I…

Chapter 9 essential questions:  Ch%209%20essential%20questions.docx

I made an acrostic poem to summarize what I have learned in Flattening Classrooms. 

Check it out at:  Challenge%2012.pptx

Absolutely, love this! Prezi!  What will the kids think? They will dig in and enjoy it, I am sure! This is so much more than a powerpoint presentation.  It can also get so complicated and detailed.  Only your mind limits you with this tool.  I used to it to present my celebration to a couple staff members.  With all I shared, I had a "can you do a workshop?"  Not so sure that I am ready to teach someone else how to use these wonderful tools we have learned about and with this semester. BUT,…

http://www.guardian.co.uk/teacher-network/teacher-blog/2012/mar/21/creativity-technology-classroom-teaching

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/happiness-learning-connection-rebecca-alber

I pinned a great article on Pinterest that broke down numerous ideas and suggestions for project-based learning ideas that can be incorporated into the classroom. All of the ideas are broken down into its respective multiple intelligence category.

By being aware of all of the multiple intelligences that exist among your students in the classroom, a teacher can pick the best project that will tap into all of her students' knowledges and allow them to demonstrate their skills…

After reading chapter 8 and viewing the ISTE NETS Standards, I made a few changes to my biography project from challenge 10 that is posted on my wiki page.  First, I took out or changed the technological tool to be used for all of the options for creating a final project that could not be done through a collaborative medium.  For example, I took out the timeline on Historia for this reason, as well as the fact that it only required LOTS.  I also removed the Puppet Pals option because it…

Standards have been added for the challenge 10 project.  You can see it at Challenge 10.

A personal brand gives others the idea of who you are, what you stand for, and what you have to offer. It also coveys what you value and what makes you creative or different from others. When you have a personal brand, it influences how others perceive you by letting them know who you are different, superior, and authentic.  Your personal brand lets others know what to expect in dealing or working with you. 

To develop a personal brand in education one must:

• Establish an…

Okay, so I aligned my project with standards. Actually, I started with the end in mind-some of the UDL methods that I had learned in a previous class. I worked with four of my students to help plan this project and it will become a part of our BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) Day. We have had to get this approved by our principal and he will bring in a router to insure that we have enough power to run these extra devices from my classroom. I am very excited and so are the children. They will be…

The next cycle on our class' agenda is about project-based learning.  My favorite! I am such an advocate for project-based learning because I have experienced the benefits first hand and I also think that it is the best way to assess a students knowledge.  If we are promoting choice in our classrooms, it only makes sense to allow them to show their creativity through projects and interactive activities! 

This website helped establish a foundation for information about…

Important things to keep in mind when creating a PBL for my class:

1. A Need to Know

2. A Driving Question

3. Student Voice and Choice

4. 21st Century Skills

5. Inquiry & Innovation

6. Feedback & Revision

7. A Publicly Presented Project

via http://tinyurl.com/387hh94

I'd be grateful if you could spread the word (especially to careers/counselling colleagues and students) about these upcoming virtual student fairs designed to help international students who are applying for entrance to USA Colleges (Universities) in 2013.

They are free and online with the opportunity to win one of several scholarships available.

Register before the event at http://hobsonsevents.com/

For…

Nurturing creative minds is essential in schools.

Something we discussed in class today was the importance of students developing resilience. One such way to develop resilience is through creativity. In an educational society that is constantly pulled in numerous directions about how to educate today's children, something that may be overlooked in classrooms is the use of creativity.

It is important for us as future educators to emphasize the use of creativity…

Program now posted: http://sloanconsortium.org/conference/2013/aln/program

Conference Overview:

The 19th Annual Sloan-C International Conference on Online Learning will be held November 20-22, 2013 at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort in Lake…

 As a response to the article I had been reading about students lack of motivation in classrooms I have been thinking about how to create engaging lessons for subjects such as English and History. I think that as teachers, we should utilise technology more productively to engage our students more thoroughly in the content. The below link has an interesting idea of presenting a classroom or class space for learning whereby the students’ interests in technology can be used to capture their…

Hello Educators,

I was reading through some literature about technology in classrooms and students creativity and found this interesting article. Please have a read through and add your opinions as I would love to hear them.

 …

New blog post at CaffeinatedTeaching.  Staying connected with students when they are absent...