What you are about to read is a reflection on goal setting. I believe strongly in this subject and it is something I think about everyday. I currently work for a student development program called the Outdoor Program here at Boise State University. We focusing on personal leadership development, experiential learning, goal setting, and feedback to improve the people we are and all that we can contribute to this lifetime. I am all about creating SMART goals (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely) and supporting others in their endeavors as well.
So, it was totally awesome to read about this content from a teacher's point of view. The information I have been trained to embrace is truly something I can use in all aspects of my life, education included. I loved the importance of creativity that Chris spoke about in his book. Creating that vision and then running with it to see it become a way of life is something I really look forward to in my teaching adventures.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Reflections of Assistive Technologies
Josh's Story
Observing Josh and learning about his habits coming into preschool showed the importance of having an open mind to unique situations with students and to be willing to think outside of the box for assistive technologies that can assist them in their education as well as everyday life. Josh had a teacher who was patient and dedicated to his education and improvement. She observed Josh's tendencies and saw his love for books. She adapted to using a AT called the "Book Worm" which allowed for a recording device to be coordinated with certain pages in any given book.
Josh utilized this tool to bridge the gap from his nonverbal state, to one where he would follow along with his teacher's recorded voice. It was amazing to see the excitement he showed when the book could be read out loud. He controlled when the recording started for each page. I believe that this probably gave him a sense of independence when using the device. When feeling independent, I think it is possible for tools like the book worm to phase out while the student becomes more advanced.
It goes to show what powerful tools assistive technologies can be when paired with teachers and people who care to take the time to make them work for the the student they involve. These positive experiences of students doing what they love lead to better life opportunities and inspiration to use their gained knowledge.
Observing Josh and learning about his habits coming into preschool showed the importance of having an open mind to unique situations with students and to be willing to think outside of the box for assistive technologies that can assist them in their education as well as everyday life. Josh had a teacher who was patient and dedicated to his education and improvement. She observed Josh's tendencies and saw his love for books. She adapted to using a AT called the "Book Worm" which allowed for a recording device to be coordinated with certain pages in any given book.
Josh utilized this tool to bridge the gap from his nonverbal state, to one where he would follow along with his teacher's recorded voice. It was amazing to see the excitement he showed when the book could be read out loud. He controlled when the recording started for each page. I believe that this probably gave him a sense of independence when using the device. When feeling independent, I think it is possible for tools like the book worm to phase out while the student becomes more advanced.
It goes to show what powerful tools assistive technologies can be when paired with teachers and people who care to take the time to make them work for the the student they involve. These positive experiences of students doing what they love lead to better life opportunities and inspiration to use their gained knowledge.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Virtual School Symposium
Today class took place virtually through a UStream video put together by Chris Haskell. He was attending a national conference in New Orleans and UStream made it possible for us as students to be connected to him, see what he is experiencing, and for him to present to us in a nontraditional way. I thought it was so effective and neat. These current technology tools continue to just blow my mind about the possibilities for schools now as well as in the future. Teachers can go places that may benefit them in several ways as well as provide a resource and teachable moment for their students at the same time.
The subject of today's discussion was professional conferences and the benefits there of. I strongly believe in observation, learning from those around you, and sharing ideas that you may have of your own. Collaboration leads to a unique type of success; where we all take a little and give a little to create a world that suits us. Attending any sort of conference sets the stage for this to happen.
As teachers, it is good to switch up roles and become an active learner and listener. This type of observation allows you to take in information and apply it to your own classroom situations. Professional conferences provide for peers and resources that you can approach to further your knowledge and creativity.
An example of a conference that I would like to attend would be National Art Education Association Convention to be held in Fort Worth, Texas. The NAEA National Convention is an annual conference providing substantive professional development services that include the advancement of knowledge in all sessions, events, and activities for the purpose of improving visual arts instruction in American schools. As such, it is the world's largest art education convention.
The four-day convention includes over 1,000 participatory workshops, panels, seminars for job-alike groups . . . research reports, discussions, exhibits, and tours . . . keynote addresses by world-acclaimed educators, artists, researchers, and scholars . . . with the opportunity to connect with your colleagues from all over the world. Each year some 140-200 exhibitor booths displaying the latest art textbooks, high-tech software, prints, slides, curriculum materials, equipment, and programs, as well as the latest studio and art history media are made available for examination and review to art educator delegates.
The subject of today's discussion was professional conferences and the benefits there of. I strongly believe in observation, learning from those around you, and sharing ideas that you may have of your own. Collaboration leads to a unique type of success; where we all take a little and give a little to create a world that suits us. Attending any sort of conference sets the stage for this to happen.
As teachers, it is good to switch up roles and become an active learner and listener. This type of observation allows you to take in information and apply it to your own classroom situations. Professional conferences provide for peers and resources that you can approach to further your knowledge and creativity.
An example of a conference that I would like to attend would be National Art Education Association Convention to be held in Fort Worth, Texas. The NAEA National Convention is an annual conference providing substantive professional development services that include the advancement of knowledge in all sessions, events, and activities for the purpose of improving visual arts instruction in American schools. As such, it is the world's largest art education convention.
The four-day convention includes over 1,000 participatory workshops, panels, seminars for job-alike groups . . . research reports, discussions, exhibits, and tours . . . keynote addresses by world-acclaimed educators, artists, researchers, and scholars . . . with the opportunity to connect with your colleagues from all over the world. Each year some 140-200 exhibitor booths displaying the latest art textbooks, high-tech software, prints, slides, curriculum materials, equipment, and programs, as well as the latest studio and art history media are made available for examination and review to art educator delegates.
Monday, October 15, 2012
Blow up the gradebook?
Blow up the gradebook?
The concept that schools are changing faster than they ever have, that schools will change more in the next ten years than they have in the last one hundred, is an overwhelming and exciting idea that should be seen as an opportunity to create a better environment for students to achieve what they wish.
One of my most prominent visions is to help others discover their own passions and then to give them the resources they need to pursue those passions. In a school that gives students free rein to create the education that inspires them this suddenly comes more than possible.When students are excited about what they are learning, it makes for a better experience.
Imagine students who can efficiently move through school learning about the things that matter to them. An environment like that would allow for students to be inspired to develop further than a traditional style classroom ever would. Without quizzes, due dates, and redundant homework, school suddenly becomes an exciting place for students that sets them up for their own idea of success. Personal success leads to more drive in personal passions. I believe that this will develop a society that is incredibly capable, able to move forward, and who are aware of resources and pursing goals.
The concept that schools are changing faster than they ever have, that schools will change more in the next ten years than they have in the last one hundred, is an overwhelming and exciting idea that should be seen as an opportunity to create a better environment for students to achieve what they wish.
One of my most prominent visions is to help others discover their own passions and then to give them the resources they need to pursue those passions. In a school that gives students free rein to create the education that inspires them this suddenly comes more than possible.When students are excited about what they are learning, it makes for a better experience.
Imagine students who can efficiently move through school learning about the things that matter to them. An environment like that would allow for students to be inspired to develop further than a traditional style classroom ever would. Without quizzes, due dates, and redundant homework, school suddenly becomes an exciting place for students that sets them up for their own idea of success. Personal success leads to more drive in personal passions. I believe that this will develop a society that is incredibly capable, able to move forward, and who are aware of resources and pursing goals.
Monday, September 17, 2012
New Kind of Student
After reading a bit of text out of Haskell's book Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse or Your First Year of Teaching a theme that really stood out to me was that students are ever changing as time progresses. My generation of students are different then any prior and will be evolving to expect more and more out of school environments as they change and grow with us. Well, that is what we hope they will do anyways.
As a future teacher, it is my job to think critically about how I can create a classroom that will give students opportunities to be inspired to find their passions. In an era where information is readily accessible to students, it is now most important for schools to provide for the motivation to take in content and turn into something useful in their lives. Students should have the option to do things that are important to them. Schools are the best place for this to happen.
As a future teacher, it is my job to think critically about how I can create a classroom that will give students opportunities to be inspired to find their passions. In an era where information is readily accessible to students, it is now most important for schools to provide for the motivation to take in content and turn into something useful in their lives. Students should have the option to do things that are important to them. Schools are the best place for this to happen.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Back to the Future
http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x30plj
http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x31upf
http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x324c3
These videos, created in 1987 may have seemed outlandish at the time, but twenty plus years later the creators should be astounded at how similar reality has become to their past visions. These short films are pure evidence of how quickly technology evolves and how what we dream up can easily come reality.
One example of how these videos from the 80's relate today is how the injured athlete can easily stay up with the rest of the class from his home. When students are required to take an absence from school email, telephone, internet, and web camera setups all make it simple to get information and to stay connected with the teacher and or class. A second similarity to the short films and education opportunities today is that information is literally at the fingertips of the students. At any time if a student is feeling motivated to gain knowledge in a given area, the internet and vast array of resources available makes it easy to stay up with the expectations of the class. This was represented when the injured student was at home finding information about the history behind the creation of the word "marathon". There are also all sorts of options for us to talk to computers, computers to talk to us, and for computers to connect us with peers.
A difference that I can think of when comparing the videos to reality today would be the way we react to technology. We do not act the same way that the characters in the video did. I suppose that would be a cultural difference relating to the time periods. I think that my generation of students relate to technology as if it is a second nature. It would be difficult to predict how humans will relate to future developments. As far off as they may have thought they were, I give props to the creators of the videos for getting a nearly accurate vision of what was to come.
http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x31upf
http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x324c3
These videos, created in 1987 may have seemed outlandish at the time, but twenty plus years later the creators should be astounded at how similar reality has become to their past visions. These short films are pure evidence of how quickly technology evolves and how what we dream up can easily come reality.
One example of how these videos from the 80's relate today is how the injured athlete can easily stay up with the rest of the class from his home. When students are required to take an absence from school email, telephone, internet, and web camera setups all make it simple to get information and to stay connected with the teacher and or class. A second similarity to the short films and education opportunities today is that information is literally at the fingertips of the students. At any time if a student is feeling motivated to gain knowledge in a given area, the internet and vast array of resources available makes it easy to stay up with the expectations of the class. This was represented when the injured student was at home finding information about the history behind the creation of the word "marathon". There are also all sorts of options for us to talk to computers, computers to talk to us, and for computers to connect us with peers.
A difference that I can think of when comparing the videos to reality today would be the way we react to technology. We do not act the same way that the characters in the video did. I suppose that would be a cultural difference relating to the time periods. I think that my generation of students relate to technology as if it is a second nature. It would be difficult to predict how humans will relate to future developments. As far off as they may have thought they were, I give props to the creators of the videos for getting a nearly accurate vision of what was to come.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Review & Evaluate a Spreadsheet Integration Project
The second grade pumpkin project was the first spreadsheet integration project I read about. It sounded like a fun activity to do with young kids, especially if it were seasonal.
This project started out with the question: Do larger pumpkins always have more seeds? The class was divided into groups who each had a different size of pumpkin. The students were then instructed to estimate the weight of their pumpkin as well as the number of seeds it contained. The second part of this project involved students collecting and recording data. Data included actual weight, observation, and number of seeds that were inside. This is when the students could really get hands on and separate the seeds from the pulp and make several observations about their pumpkins. The data was then transferred to an excel spreadsheet and created into a couple bar graphs. The project concluded with comparison and discussion.
Being interested in Art Education, I like projects that are fully hands on. A project similar to this one could be completed in unison with a general education teacher. I like the different aspects to the pumpkin project. Scientific thought, math, computer technology, and hands-on learning are all touched on. Once all of that is completed I could easily add on a pumpkin carving project to finish it off. Who doesn't like carving pumpkins??
This project started out with the question: Do larger pumpkins always have more seeds? The class was divided into groups who each had a different size of pumpkin. The students were then instructed to estimate the weight of their pumpkin as well as the number of seeds it contained. The second part of this project involved students collecting and recording data. Data included actual weight, observation, and number of seeds that were inside. This is when the students could really get hands on and separate the seeds from the pulp and make several observations about their pumpkins. The data was then transferred to an excel spreadsheet and created into a couple bar graphs. The project concluded with comparison and discussion.
Being interested in Art Education, I like projects that are fully hands on. A project similar to this one could be completed in unison with a general education teacher. I like the different aspects to the pumpkin project. Scientific thought, math, computer technology, and hands-on learning are all touched on. Once all of that is completed I could easily add on a pumpkin carving project to finish it off. Who doesn't like carving pumpkins??
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