My Last Class

Yes, it is true, this is my last class!

I am so looking forward to moving on to the student teaching experience. I want to create lessons that use all of these innovative tools that I've learned. I am definitely not afraid to use any type of technology...so let's bring out the SmartBoards. Basically, if I had to sum up my experience from this class, I would say that I have grown professionally as well as personally. I feel that I have become more confident. I am proud of who I have become and can't wait to work in the classroom.

"Experience is not what happens to you; it is what you do with what happens to you."
~ Aldous Huxley

The Evaluation Roll

There is a purpose in evaluating myself and others. I feel that the role of this evaluation allowed me to reflect on what was created. If you always say that everything is great, you won't be helping yourself or others. It's best to be encouraging and supportive, yet honest. Personally, I found it sometimes hard to do because I didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings, and half the time I wasn't sure if I was even in a position to correct anyone else. During the microteaching, Heather S. and I carefully reviewed our peers lesson plans and made suggestions that we thought would help them the most. I feel that it was good for us because we also learned what to look for in evaluating.

Did I Get What I Paid For?

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My expectations from this class were to learn HOW to teach, HOW to present the information, and HOW to develop my lessons and myself as a teacher. I believe that I have met my expectations successfully. The proof is my ability to create such things as my Unit Plan and WebQuest. A compilation of work that I would have never thought I could manage, but I DID IT! My expectations are directly in line with what I have actually experienced because of the teaching style used. It was up to me to make my work either mediocre or outstanding. I tried my hardest to be creative and give 100%, which in turn enriched my experiences.

Under Construction

I plan to continuously expand my knowledge of technology. I remember Susan's question at our last meeting. She asked how do we stay on top of everything and not lose our edge. The answer was simply stated, "It's up to you!" Teachers that have been out of school only five years do not have the knowledge that we have gained in this class. In order to remain on top, we must read and stay involved with technology. We must remain active learners. It is the way of the evolving classroom and the evolving teacher.

Who Pitched In?

There are a lot of people that have helped me throughout my continued education experiences. My professors have guided me, and my peers and my family have supported me. Dr. Smirnova has become a guide on my side. I have taken many classes with Dr. Smirnova and have gotten used to her teaching style as one that makes you explore much on your own. At times, I felt like this style was very difficult, but I find that it has helped me to retain the information. I hope to actualize this technique to a certain degree with my students.

Seeing the Light

At this point in my career, I still feel like this little seedling instead of a strong oak tree. I know that my growth as a teacher will continue to grow now in a different direction. My experiences in student teaching will help me to apply what I've learned in a "real" classroom setting. The light that encourages my growth will be my students and their inquisitive minds. We've all seen those experienced teachers that just seem to handle everything that comes their way with ease. I can't wait to become one of those teachers.

Combo Platter

I think that working with children requires a combination of different teaching methods. I would definitely say that any age student would benefit from chunks of direct instruction to give the basic knowledge and facts. From that point, any form of collaborative group work that requires students to use and/or develop their critical thinking skills would create the greatest learning experiences. In the elementary school setting it is sometimes difficult to get the students to focus on the task at hand because group work sometimes means "fun time" for them, but this is also the best setting for young children to learn from each other too. Elementary students are open to try new things because they have been exposed to so many different ways of communicating.

On the Job Training

The fieldwork that I had to complete all along and especially in my last two classes, General Methods and Research in Literacy, were the most productive hours and gave me the greatest sense of accomplishment. When I was in the classroom observing, I would watch the teacher and the student interactions and then think of how I would act in that situation. When I was teaching the lessons for General Methods, I felt pretty comfortable in front of the room. I was well received by the students and any glitches in my lesson plans went unnoticed. The glitches, however, did not go unnoticed by me. I would go home after the lesson and analyze what I could have done differently. For my SIM lesson plan, I had the students do the Jigsaw Learning Method. I got thrown off by the number of students and the home/expert groups and then got a bit anxious because I thought the whole Jigsaw portion of the lesson would be ruined. I had to take the experts from the groups at the end and then make new groups but it all worked out. I discovered that as long as the students were learning, I shouldn't think of my first Jigsaw learning experience as a failure.

Surprise!

I think the biggest surprise I've had throughout my whole graduate experience is my ability to achieve the high standards expected from me by my professors. Being a returning student with a family creates a lot of distractions. I think my determination to perform at such a dedicated level has both impressed and surprised me.

Putting It Into Words

In order to tell you what I've learned about being a teacher, I would have to write a book. It begins with the smallest of conversations in the classroom and goes to the implementation of one of my lessons. In fact, I want my life to be full of learning. The social interactions we had as a class helped me a great deal to learn about others, create presentations and stand up in front of everyone to present. Having Dr. Smirnova as a professor also brought a different perspective to the world of teaching. When I learned about why Dr. Smirnova became such a technology expert, I realized that if you take what you have learned, you can create a any type of positive learning environment for your students.

Change is Good

I am definitely different today than at the start of this semester. When I entered this class, I had no idea what Methods of teaching was all about. I had no clue on how to deliver the information to the students. By exploring and actually creating a lesson plan on each method of instruction, I not only found out how to do the lessons but when to use each one. This Methods class has given me the tools to draw from when I need to prepare a lesson.

Because of Me

I hope that I have had an impact on students and that they remember what I have taught them. There have been people like that in my life - you know...that one sentence or "Aha" moment that sticks with you. Most of my observations up to this point have been only observing, but I love being able to teach students something that they can use to make their learning easier. I always try to get to know the children that I work with. I like to know their background. In the video that Dr. S provided to us, and the title has escaped me at the moment, the speaker who was a professor, said that he had no idea one of his students was sleeping in his car. He asked, in essence, how can that be good for your focus, concentration, your ability to do well in school? How can you not learn about your students? They all bring something different with them. You have to have an interest in your students.

In addition to getting to know the students, I have introduced a great deal of strategies and activities from dipthongs to comprehension. I love seeing the looks on the students faces when they get it. You just know you've done something wonderful. The most recent lesson I taught was called "Get the Gist." It is a comprehension strategy that I worked on with a student who is having trouble comprehending text. At the end of the lesson, he said, "That was hard, but it was fun!" He worked really hard on this strategy and we applied it and repeated it until he got it, and although I made him work at it, he enjoyed it and he learned. It was hard for me during the lesson because I didn't think what I had planned was "good enough," but after hearing his response I knew it did!

I believe that I have helped my peers with technology questions both in Curricular Planning and General Methods. I love to show people what I've found out because I remember how I learned it. I was asking the same questions and now I can teach others!

I am so excited to Student Teach in January. To actually be in a classroom where I am responsible for the creativity, learning, growth in order to make a difference in these children's lives is what I have worked so hard for.

A Day in the Life of an Information Processing Chid

After reading and watching the posted video-clips, it is obvious to me why Direct Instruction isn't enough in the classroom. The Long Island Children's Museum video actually brought tears to my eyes for some reason. I loved the look on the children's faces when they could touch, smell and be a part of the learning. Unfortunately, when I was a child I don't ever remember many places like that. It seems to me it was more like, "Do this because I said so and don't touch that." What amazing discoveries children can experience today! By allowing children to actively construct their own knowledge, they learn! The teacher's role as a guide on the side as they engage, explore, explain, elaborate and evaluate together with the student, allows them to build on prior knowledge and experience new understandings. We all learn by modifying our knowledge. However, when we use the IPM, learning becomes an evolving process that we build on. There is no way that Direct Instruction could touch or affect children the way the IPM does.

I"ll Take One DI Lesson And One WebQuest To Go Please

I have to admit that creating this Direct Instruction lesson plan and plugging away at the WebQuest requires a lot of hard work and research. They must both be very detailed. I never realized the amount of research that is needed for each. I have found that you have to play them out in your head. You must go through it as if you were actually teaching it, but then you must also act as the student to see if what you are teaching can be understood and flows in a natural manner. Hopefully with experience, these type of issues can be resolved.

Write a Direct Lesson Plan the Right Way

I have discovered that the overview in a direct lesson plan must contain exact wording. You must state the 3 W's - Why you are teaching it? How you will teach it? and What the lesson is about? I have chosen the topic of photosynthesis as this directly relates to my Webquest which will deal with Native American crops/planting. I think that this will be a good introductory lesson to show the students how plants grow and what affects them. I can't wait to use an interactive tool that I found on this topic. I think the students will love it.

This Is What I've Been Waiting For!

I have been growing since the day I was born. I have grown as a daughter, a wife, a mother, a student and now a teacher. I have combined my strengths from all of these roles and now use them as a kind of backbone to assume the role of teacher. Besides becoming knowledgeable about all of the methods in education, I have noticed that my learning style has changed. It is no longer pen, book and paper. The world of technology brings about a new learning style that is different, yet very exciting. The options available to a 21st Century teacher seem endless at this point and I'm sure they will continue to grow. I enjoy listening to videos made by teachers around the world. The perspectives are so colorful. So, this is what I've been waiting for. I have been waiting to see how a teacher works, talks, demonstrates, models, checks for understanding, analyzes, and watches. This is the good stuff that will be embedded in my brain when I walk into my first classroom. It is my expanding knowledge of education.

Read All About It.....

This past month has been one of most in depth learning experiences thus far in my education courses. I have enjoyed learning about models, strategies, approaches, but perhaps the most exciting is learning about all the different types of instruction. I compare Direct Instruction to building a house (of knowledge). The activities of getting to know each other and collaborating within our groups have been contributing to the base of a strong foundation among my peers and instructor. Each week, we build on that foundation with the framework of Methods. I have learned a great deal about Direct Instruction through the explaining, modeling and demonstrating which is done in class. The videos by Dr. Ybarra were all very informative, but I think the 24 questions per 50 minute class really surprised me. It makes sense to do this to check for understanding and to not use it for anything else but as an end toward automaticity (not discipline.) I also loved Zig Engelmann's approach to Direct Instruction. He says, "If they're learning, that's all that really counts." If students don't struggle that doesn't mean that they are not learning, they are being taught in a way that they can exceed the teacher's challenges. A child's behavior will change when you have made a difference. Their self-esteem, confidence and how they approach learning new skills will be positively affected. Teaching in small steps and cyclically checking for understanding, ensures that your students will learn.

From Short to Long....Memory That Is

Automaticity was a word that I wasn't too sure of. Direct Instruction and automaticity go hand in hand. After drilling and practicing with the students, their basic knowledge becomes automatic, like multiplication tables for instance. The meaning of the word automaticity has crossed over from my short term memory to my long term memory and now when I am asked what it means, the definition is automatic!!

Direct Instruction

In assessing my skills for using the Direct Instruction strategy, I find that I understand the planning of the tasks, and the methods for performing the instructional tasks. I feel that it may be difficult to create post-instructional tasks, like designing independent practice. I think I could create challenging assessment tools, self-directed questions, and give insightful reflections. I think it will all come easier once I have designed and created a lesson and know its direction and expected outcomes.

A Bit More Comfortable Now

After all the review of the models, strategies, objectives, lessons, planning and Bloom's Taxonomy, I feel a bit more comfortable. It helped me a great deal to "refresh" these concepts because they are the basis for teaching. I think the part that helped me the most was having the triangles as visuals. It is easy to see how all the concepts are interrelated.

A - G - O

Aims, Goals & Objectives

Aims are general statements about general learning outcomes.
Goals are statements of educational intention. They are more specific than aims and goals adjust to the theme of your unit.
Objectives are specific statements which describe the student's behavior and the measurable outcomes to be achieved.

The sources for formulating aims, goals and objectives are as follows: aims - NYS Standards, goals - State Standards, objectives - teacher formulated.

Bloom's Taxonomy helps you write objectives because it organizes thinking skills into six levels. By using the terms (verbs) in Bloom's Taxonomy, the learner is enabled to reach higher-order thinking.

In order to teach and have the students learn, the teacher must create conditions for the student's independent learning. A student and teacher enter from two different directions and they each bring their skills and strategies. The student brings their ability to cope and process their abilities. A learner must take the acquired information, process it, understand it and store it to use or draw from successfully again. Teaching can be described as giving knowledge or skills through creative learning activities.

Reviewing Models, Strategies & Methods

Models are general broad approaches to teaching. The instructional models are information processing, behavioral, social interaction and personal. There are many goals that go along with each model. For example, the behavioral model helps develop basic skills and knowledge while the information processing model equips students with knowledge, how to find it, use it and reflect on it.

The strategies throughout the models are a set of steps that a teacher follows in order to implement or achieve the learning objectives. The instructional strategies that can be implemented are: direct, indirect, interactive, experimental and independent study.

Methods such as lecture, debate, and inquiry are used to reach the most specific goals of instruction. A teacher's method is the most individual way to create a positive learning environment in his/her classroom.

General Methods of Instruction begins!!!!

I'm back and ready to begin on another adventure in learning. This Fall I am taking General Methods and Research in Literacy.

Flickr, Photobucket & Picnik - WoW

My screentoaster link to hear my presentation. I apologize about the PPT not being available with the recording, but when I went to put it on the whole site shut down. My 5 minute presentation has turned into over a 4 hour nightmare. I also tried Jing but then ran out of time. When I went back to redo it, it said that Jing had to temporarily close and I haven't been able to get back on it. So you have my recording and you have my PPT, just not in the same place. : )

Grading criteria checklist for your WoW project presentation and blog reflection include:

Organization of the presentation (flow, length, practiced). Presentation parts: Intro, Body, and Conclusion + References and Appendices. I organized my presentation as if it were being given at a professional workshop, however the information within my presentation could very easily be presented to students as it describes the basics of those photo-sharing sites and how to begin.

Topic stimulation (active engagement) - the topic stimulation would be to go to the actual sites and have the students participate in editing/decorating a picture that they have taken.

Usefulness of materials (clear, practical, handy, relevant, informative, handout(s), resources provided). I feel that the material is practical because it explains how to join these sites, the basic advantages as far as free editing tools, how to share your pictures and what methods of media to use to share your photos/videos.

Knowledge of the topic (expertise, good ideas, insights). Flickr, Photobucket and Picnik are all photo-sharing sites. At first it seemed a bit confusing because it seemed like they were all the same, but after researching them and using them to actually edit one of my own photos, I was able to pass on some good ideas for each site.

Scope of teaching ideas and curriculum impact (goals clear, important, appropriate, significant, doable). I believe that I portrayed clear goals as far as how photo-sharing could be used in the classroom. I also provided some advantages and disadvantages so that anyone viewing my presentation could see the appropriateness for students.

Effort (digging deep, extensive depth displayed in the research and provided presentation, work-work-work-work, persistence). My gave my best effort in this presentation and tried to use each site so that I could tell the listeners what site would work best for them.

Audience involvement (Grabbers, Check for Understanding stops, activities, Summative assessment tools, etc.). I feel that my grabber would be my brochure and checking for understanding. I have included a youtube video that really explains the usefulness of photo-sharing in schools.

References (APA style is followed). References follow the APA style guidelines.

Final Log In My Blog

I think what I have found most important throughout this course is the reflection that I have done on my own work, as well as the evaluations that my peers have given to me. Whether you are assessing yourself, your peers or your students, you are diagnosing what you know and what you need to work on. Exploring technology and developing the knowledge to be able to create using technology is a wonderful tool to take with you anywhere. It's a new topic and there are a lot of people that are unaware of all the capabilities. I just told my husband about the pogoboards website because he deals with customers from many different countries. He now wants to explore and use this to put together a presentation in Singapore and France.

Bookmarking sites and keeping a running list of resources on my personal website and this blog are a great reference point to refer to when I need to research a topic for a lesson.

Following the blogs of my peers is not only fun, but it's interesting to see what take other people have when we research or listen to information on the same topic. Here are some blogs that I follow and have commented on either through the blog directly or via the Moodle website: http://2teachis2share.blogspot.com/, http://dougmaxwell.blogspot.com/, http://pam-pamelapc.blogspot.com/, http://thebrowns63.blogspot.com/

I am thankful that I had a teacher like Dr. Smirnova because she is genuinely excited about technology which in turn gets the whole class excited to learn. The advantages definitely outweighed the disadvantages when we had our online classes, and Dr. Smirnova never got frustrated.

Have a great summer and I look forward to blogging again in my Methods class.

Collaborating Chords for the Final Accord

I loved this video. It just goes to show you that every little piece that someone contributes adds to the whole creation, like a piece to a puzzle. It is collaboration at its best. It's sharing and enjoying what you learn mixed all together. One person standing alone cannot reach their potential. When you share your learning, the knowledge and camaraderie you gain is staggering. Just check out the numbers on just a few of these social media sites...Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and you'll be surprised at the shift we have made into learning through Web 2.0.

Take a Peak at Speakaboo

Record your own storybook! How fun would that be for your students. You could incorporate literacy, art, music, and technology into this new Web 2.0 tool. The ability to record your own story is "coming soon" to the Peakaboo website, but I have registered and am awaiting the newsletter that says it is ready. I can't wait to bring this fresh idea to my student teaching.

Pogoboards

I really thought this was an interesting tool to use. Whether you use it to communicate, improve literacy or just for fun, this communication board tool is an exciting way to get the students involved. I have bookmarked this site and can't wait to think of an idea to use the pogoboards with when I student teach.

My WoW Project

flickr, photobucket and picnik
Photosharing sites - check it out!

http://www.slideshare.net/sjmankoo/sallys-wow-presentation

How to Get Engaged with a Smartboard

I would say that the key characteristic of an engaging website for use with a Smartboard is visual representation. The Smartboard brings a lesson alive. The attractiveness of the website, i.e., color, interactivity, sound, will all make a website engaging to active learners and will in turn create a positive learning environment.

Sign Up! Permanent Professional Development

I am excited to become part of yet another professional development site. It really pays to become a member of these groups because the newsletters and information that they can provide are priceless. I know that I am getting the most up to date information and that will make me as asset to my students and co-workers. I love these words: "Did you hear about....? Learning is exciting, but sharing ideas and knowledge with others is worth so much to me.

Copyright or Copywrong?

I was surprised at the amount of work that is not copyrighted. I am also surprised how much is! I was taken aback by my incorrect assumption of how giving credit does not satisfy copyright requirements. I must admit that I was really unaware of how to properly use copyrighted work. Work on the internet is governed by this treaty http://www.law.cornell.edu/treaties/berne/overview.html.

Now that I am aware of it, I will assume that everything is copyrighted and will ask permission to use it.

Netiquette

There is a long list of tips on how to avoid hurting someone's feelings on the internet. However, I feel that the best advice is write ONLY what you would say to someone's face. Words on a page cannot show emotion and you have to remember to add little emoticons if you want to make sure someone knows you're joking.

The internet is such a "public" place that what you say or write could get into the wrong hands. My best advice is to treat people the way that you would like to be treated, and remember everything that you publish on the internet never goes away, it just floats around in internet space.

Starting a Trend in 2010: Generation Text Newsletter

Communication is important between teachers and parents because the difficulties that the student is having are exposed. Those difficulties can then be focused and improved on. Communication is also important because the teacher, student and parents share the understanding of goals in the curriculum. The parents are also able to let the teacher know about the student's interests, needs and areas of concern. Communication is key because it lets the parents and teachers know what is going on in their child's/student's life.

I would like to offer many forms of communication with my students' parents. I will definitely use some form of weekly newsletter. I was a bit disappointed with Letterpop this time. The formatting became a problem because it wouldn't let me view the whole column.

I'm a little unsure of using tools such as email. I would want parents to understand that the answers may not be immediate. My top priority would be to my students. Throughout the school year, it seems that Engrade would also be a good form of communication because the parents would be able to view everything themselves, and then contact me with specific questions. I found that Engrade does have some very useful tools, and in the next few years, I think all the minor kinks could be worked out.

The software we used for this project was Letterpop. We chose it because I think I persuaded everyone how cool it was. The collaboration was easy because our group did it through Google Docs, however, Letterpop does not provide for group work like a Wiki. I would definitely give all the other newsletter sites a test run to see which one worked the best.

Kidspiration Venn Diagram

I chose this Venn Diagram because it goes along with the Unit Plan I created for Dr. Smirnova's Curricular Planning class. The learning outcome I would expect for my mind-mapping venn diagram would be that the students would be able to visualize the objects used by the Native Americans, the Colonists and also items that they both used. The venn diagram will show the students similarities and differences between the Natives and Colonists. This type of assessment provides the teacher with diagnostic feedback. It shows if the students understand what was used by each group of people. I think this mind-map tool will improve the student's learning because it is not just words on a page. The pictures of the tools, homes, food, etc., give the students a visual understanding of what was available during that time period and who used what. I would say the most important thing I learned from this activity would be to make sure that I include assessments like this creative Venn diagram from Kidspiration. It all started with my Unit Plan on Native Americans. I then took the Measurement and Evaluation class this summer and I created a in depth test that goes along with this Unit Plan. Now I have a cool mind-mapping tool that I could include along with it. It is very exciting to have all of these tools to incorporate and fit into assessments for my Unit Plan. I really enjoyed working with Kidspiration. The thing I liked best was the amount of clipart they use and the ability to make sound.

Engrade gets an A+

I love the organization that this online grading tool can offer. I tried to play around with it first, but then decided to take the tutorial. It is so easy to post assignments and enter grades. You can even have the program weigh the percentages. I like the feature of using e for exclude or m for missing assignment. The program calculates the scores accordingly. The citizenship box is pretty cool too. The parents or student can access their gradebook and see the teacher's comments in the citizenship section, such as "great job." If a student has many teachers that use Engrade, they can register once and have all their classes under one account. This keeps the student on track and can provide motivation to increase their grades because they have online access at any time. I would definitely use this program. It seems that it would keep me very organized, as well as in touch with the parents and students.

I know that the calendar feature would be a favorite to the teacher, student and parents. Tests, homework, projects, or anything that is due can be added to the calendar so that students and parents can keep track of upcoming assignments.

E-Portfolio - A Story of Learning (Helen Barrett video)

I enjoyed listening to Helen Barrett describe digital storytelling. What? So What? and Now What? are her three questions that can help guide our reflections tie the past to the present to the future. She also discussed hyperlinking and how that can lead to metacognition and deeper learning. The way I understand this association is that when you hyperlink you check out other resources and you gain more knowledge because the information is "webbed" together. Learning and reflecting through a digital story can be celebrated. You can keep adding to it, and, in a sense, hear yourself change throughout your life.

"You're Putting My Work Where?" said the student to the teacher.

In an E-folio.

"Why?": To show how much you've changed and identify your strengths and weaknesses, show your end of year accomplishments, and evaluate your progress toward the standards so that I can place you appropriately.

"What will you put in my e-folio?" Anything can be included in a portfolio, but I would mostly select samples of work that illustrate your best performance in designated areas or the culmination of progress you made. I will collect your work along the way but save the selection and reflection until the end.

"Will my work be in a folder?" I would like to make an E-Folio (electronic file), however there are paper portfolios and hybrid portfolios which hold artwork, audio/video and more 3-D projects.

"Who will see my portfolio?" Well, you will tell about your portfolio to your classmates, friends, and family. You will be so proud of all your work and will be amazed at how much you've grown throughout the year. You will actually be able to assess your achievements yourself.

"How do I get my work into an E-Folio?" There are so many Web 2.0 tools to help you publish your work, some of them are: "Me" Publishing, Photo sharing (Flickr), youtube, Plone, del.icio.us (a social bookmarking site), shared writing spaces like Wiki (PB Works), media creation, podcasts, start pages, and online office tools. If you want to check them out follow this link http://electronicportfolios.com/web20.html#web2

Things have really changed from 1.0 to 2.0. The portfolio focuses on your individuality and creativity. You are the driving force behind this portfolio!

Constructing Answers Out of Old and New Knowledge

Traditional ------------------------Authentic

Selecting a Response ------------Performing a Task

Contrived --------------------------Real-life

Recall/Recognition --------------Construction/Application

Teacher-structured --------------Student-structured

Indirect Evidence ---------------Direct Evidence

The use of authentic assessment does not take away the need for traditional assessments. When used in conjunction with one another, they complement each other. A student who is assessed using both authentic and traditional assessment will be kept on track and the teacher will know exactly where they student needs help. When students have to construct a response based on their interpretation of the material, new knowledge is gained and it can be shared with their peers.

In order to create authentic assessment, the teacher must know what the students need to know to meet the standards. Next, a task must be given to see if the student can perform well on the task and apply their knowledge so that the product is creative. The product is based on a criteria or a rubric which has all the requirements and what score will be given for meeting such criteria.

Authentic assessments are real-life meaningful applications that are driven by the students. It is not memorization or teacher-structured. Students need to get more out of a lesson than a grade. What I really like about authentic assessment is that you are catching any misconceptions that the student has about the material BEFORE the Unit is over. Diagnostic feedback is the best way to provide students with the best growth and maximum learning potential. There are different types of authentic assessment: selected response like multiple choice and true/false tests; constructed responses like short answer (product) and measuring objects (performance) and products like essays or podcasts.

My First Podcast

salmankoo.podomatic.com

I cannot believe it worked. There were a few kinks along the way, like the Podomatic internal server errors, but it worked. My topic was technology and where it will take us. I had so much fun doing this. Now that I know how to make a podcast, I can make some more and help others to make some too.

Do not train a child to learn by force or harshness; but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each ~Plato

Innovative Teacher = Improved Learning

A teacher who is innovative reminds me of a willow tree. There are many branches and leaves which embrace the trunk of the tree which is like the student. Effective teaching and learning is effective because of all the tools that are available. A teacher who has learned how to use the indispensable learning technologies has to keep abreast of all the changes too. The new changes are the "wind" that will continuously sway the willow tree, testing and challenging the teacher to improve the learning experiences of her students.

Take Something From These Four Families

The four "families," Social, Information-Processing, Personal and Behavioral Systems each contain strategies that will help us become effective teachers. However, taking only from one family will not allow you to reach all learners. The Instructional Models Key is helpful because the goal is listed down the middle of the table and is useful in selecting strategies to use in different lessons. In order to be an effective teacher, you MUST incorporate direct and indirect teaching.

ASSURE Spells It All Out

The ASSURE Model is well-prepared and detailed guide that shows exactly how to integrate technology and media into teaching. By following this model, I would say that a teacher would be able to identify their learner, specify the objectives, and select the appropriate media. A teacher who engages their students with active learning and participation will produce students who can generalize their knowledge.

Dynamic PLE's

I enjoyed Stephen Downes' video. I got a little lost when he started with all the "techno lingo" and I really became aware of my digital immigrant status. I was, however, able to understand some of the words he used and I was proud of myself for gaining that knowledge.

I found the topic on narrowing the participation gap very interesting. When a person learns more and becomes engaged with a particular community, the gap that once separated them is narrowed. If I understood Mr. Downes correctly, a new neural state is acquired because a higher level of learning has been activated and a new network of neural connections have been formed in the mind. This is good stuff!

Good or Stupid?

In order to separate the good from the bad or stupid technology, I feel that simplicity is the number one factor. If a teacher cannot operate the technology without a lot of hassle and waste of time, how effective is the technology? Technology must be available and must be operated with ease. Remember, technology is suppose to make our lives a little bit easier : )

I agree that as technologies mature they become easier to use. Maybe technology will become so easy that the Geek Squad will become obsolete : ) I think it is important that technology be infused with teaching in the right way and balance so that a teacher can still guide the students.

The PLE of a Digital Native

I saw this video before, but was still amazed when I watched it again. First of all, to have a student that is in such control of her learning is encouraging. Will all (or mostly all) students be this dedicated to doing their schoolwork if we incorporate technology in this manner? I would love to run my classroom like this!

"When you are through changing, you are through." Bruce Barton

Dear Mr. Principal

Dear Mr. Principal,

I would like to introduce you to Google and the many creative and organizational applications that are within it. Google Apps brings together essential services that will help the students in my classroom and students throughout the school. Google Apps will allow me to communicate and collaborate more effectively with students, parents and other teachers. The services that Google provides are easy to set up and won't cost the school district a penny.

The benefits of Google Apps seem endless when it comes to staying connected. I think that my students and their parents will love the ease and accessibility that Google Apps provides.

Please consider allowing Google Apps in my classroom and within the school. It's a change that will benefit everyone and foster a creative environment.

Sincerely,
Sally Mankoo

NET-S - Well Implemented??? LET-S See

In reviewing the NET-S, class readings, and my knowledge of how the curriculum is implemented in schools, I would say that a very small percentage of each ISTE Standard is being implemented. Like the 21st century learner video revealed, only 14% of the teachers allow the students to create something new with technology, and 76% of teachers have NEVER used wikis, podcasts, or blogs.

I feel that I am ready to try to meet those standards. It will be hard at first to see what works, but through experimentation and results, I think that what I introduce to my students will be based on innovation and creativity. I think it is important to have the student learn by actually performing the task. Students who discuss and collaborate teach each other, as well as finely tune their own understandings.

Throughout my personal experiences here at MSMC, I have seen the shift toward peer collaboration. When you are asked to reflect on your learning, you have to "dig deep," and discover things that maybe you didn't realize about your learning process or how such experiences have shaped your learning.

Picasion Slideshow

Wow...this was harder than I thought it would be. I can't believe that I managed to put the slide show together. I've prepared slide shows before on Smilebox, but this time when I used Picasion, my screenshots would not save as a jpeg. I eventually figured out how to "save the page as" and some saved as jpeg and others saved as png?? Not quite sure why, but they were accepted as the correct format. I wasn't able to put my wiki page in because the page wouldn't save as anything other than html. If you read this and could make a suggestion, I would greatly appreciate it.

I hope you enjoy my little slide show.

I'll take a Sidewiki of Google, please!

What an amazing idea! Google has come up with a sidebar that allows you to contribute or read helpful information that you or anyone else has added to a web page. You gain expert insight, get helpful tips, background information, and added perspective on the topic you are researching. It's like having a personal advisor giving you helpful hints. I am in the process of downloading Sidewiki and I will report back on my thoughts.

Are You a 21st Century Learner?

A 21st century learner is engaged and ready to analyze, compare, evaluate and interpret. They are able to view multiple sources, including texts, photographs, artwork, and data. They create their own point of view. These learners, although already equipped with knowledge of a digital world, come to school ready to put their skills to work. Teachers must be able to infuse the 21st century skills by creating a feedback cycle wherein students are challenged to produce, publish, become part of the audience and peer review.

As I have learned in the past year, communication, collaboration and creation are a big part of learning. The first activity that comes to mind that incorporates all of these skills is Jigsaw learning. Information is gathered, communicated amongst the group members and a final product is prepared to present to the class. I really enjoyed my experience with Jigsaw learning. Each member of the group brought a little piece to share in order to obtain the goal.

21st century learners are paving the way and are actually guiding how we will teach. The future of technology cannot be predicted. It is essential to maximize a higher order of thinking so that students can obtain resources and integrate them to create a product.

Sources of Literacy

These different types of literacy can really be interrelated. Information literacy is knowing how to find, analyze, and use information; the ability to gather information from multiple sources, select relevant material, and organize it into a form that will allow the user to make decisions or take specific actions.

Computer literacy is the knowledge and understanding of computers and their uses.

Integration literacy is the ability to use computers and other technologies combined with a variety of teaching and learning strategies to enhance students' learning; matching appropriate technology to learning objectives, goals, and outcomes.

Although literacy is used and obtained in each, the manner in which each is acquired is different. 21st century literacy will be have a new look. The days of book, pencil and paper are gone because the 21st century learners lives have been digitally changed. These learners have been born into a techno age. They are knowledgeable and open to different learning modes. Now we have to find new tools to challenge them so that their learning flourishes in a whole new way! Net generation students go to school wanting to create! If students learn by doing, we have to teach by letting them do!

WebEx Experience

My WebEx experience was similar to that of the Elluminate Live on-line class. It was exciting to see everyone come together and collaborate. There are about 28 people in the class so it took quite a bit of time to iron out all the technological problems that we experienced. The first meeting of our group - Generation Text - went okay. We made our way to Google Docs to finish up and we produced a beautiful business card which incorporated our photos and images which reflect a world that is brought together through technology.

At this WebEx class, we were able to get our questions answered and also learn about netiquette. It can be difficult to go from speaking on the telephone, texting, and then being in the same online "room" with your peers and professor. It is important to keep in mind who is where, and what type of technology you are using so that you are sure to use the appropriate etiquette.

LoTi --- NoTi

In so many of the classes that I have observed in, most of the Smart Boards and computers go untouched. I think that these teachers are intimidated by technology and by the digital knowledge of their own students. It is obvious that children today have been born into a digital world. I think it would beneficial for teachers to learn alongside the students and take advantage of their experiences in the classroom.

Teachers need to reach/teach this generation. These students will enter a competitive world, and their ability to be creative will be make them a resource and asset.

Literacy and Technology

I'm excited to see how this class will connect literacy and technology. There are so many tools to use and explore. Looking forward to another exciting online class with Dr. Smirnova.

A New Objective

Given the proper skills, the student will become a creative and inspiring teacher following the criteria of Dr. Smirnova. As I reflect back on these last few weeks of class, I am filled with many emotions. I am pleased with what I have produced and can't believe it is such a large document. Each section of the Unit Plan was broken down into manageable parts which made the whole process seem a teeny bit less intimidating. When I look at what I have created I almost can't believe it.

I really enjoyed Dr. Smirnova's PowerPoint on Making Connections. I think this PowerPoint really tied everything together for me. Nothing is random in education. Every model, method and strategy is intertwined and has been carefully designed. I can recognize my growth in learning because when I reread my notes, I wonder why I thought something was so hard. I guess I had a few "Aha" moments!

I am enthusiastic about exploring the technology world and glad that I have had the exposure to so many education programs.

For my fieldwork, I observed in a first grade general education classroom. The classroom was arranged with four groups of six desks each to form a table. The ratio of boys to girls is double. There were 16 boys to 7 girls. Out of the 16 boys, 6 are pulled out for help in the morning session which relieves the teacher quite a bit. She states how hectic it can be, especially when she only has an aide for an hour and a half a day in the afternoon.

Mrs. H keeps a well-organized classroom. Her room is full of light, equipped with plenty of storage, a sink, water fountain and bathroom (which she says is sometimes a big distraction in the class.) She makes her plans for the week on the weekend and uses a template that she recently found online. She said it is a real time saver. She introduces the main concept of the week and they spend the rest of the week reinforcing the concept. On Friday, the students have a spelling test and a vocabulary and comprehensive test to assess their learning.

The assessment books used are from the Harcourt series. The teacher follows the Standards and modifies her Unit Plans from year to year, if need be. Nearly all of her instruction is direct. When reading with the children, Mrs. H will ask many creative questions to make sure that they are comprehending the reading.

The structure of the lessons begin with getting the class ready by reading a story on the rug. She goes over the letters, words and sounds that will be used that day. By this point in the year, the students are well tuned to her attention getting signal, which is merely walking to the front of the room. In the beginning of the year, she states it was more difficult and she would flicker the lights or ring a bell. At this grade level, I notice a lot of repetition. Mrs. H has the children write their work in journals and if students finish early, they can write a story in their journal.

She performs echo reading lessons, word cheers and partner reading with the students which reinforces their skills, and has them developing their knowledge and comprehension on a couple different levels of learning. A few early mastery learners are able to apply the learned material in new situations, like in their journal stories.

Overall, this fieldwork experience has been a learning experience. Throughout the time I was there, I observed Mrs. H using different strategies to get the students to recall the information and assess their understanding. Two of the students are having learning difficulties and Mrs. H is there to give them one to one help. That seems to be just what they need to get them enthusiastic about learning.

Plugging Away

For the past few weeks, I have been really plugging away at my Unit Plan. Only a few more pages to add. What an experience this has been. Every time I look back at a page that I created early on, like the Rationale or an Anticipatory Set, it feels like so long ago. I am happy to report though, that when I look at those pages, I can really see how I've grown. The first anticipatory set was so hard and then they gradually got easier. The enabling activities were a lot of work, but they too got a bit easier by the 5th or 6th one ; )

Next week we present our Unit Plans at Dr. Smirnova's house. It should be a great time!

Get Ready...Get Set.....Start Your Activities!

I have begun creating Anticipatory Sets for my Unit Plan. Trying to keep it simple is harder than I thought. The micro teaching topic, which stressed not overwhelming students by bringing in an elephant to teach the color gray, has stuck with me. I have memorized KIS, an acronym for Keep it Simple. I have planned five activities which I hope meet the requirements of an Anticipatory Set and I am now on to plan the enabling activities. It is important in this step to remember to plan a variety of activities for different learners. When I went to school, this was never done and it made me feel very inadequate if I didn't "get it." I want to make sure that my students never feel like that, so I have to be very creative when I start planning. Wish me luck!

Which Way Does the Triangle Point?

Tonight we discussed making connections between learning, planning and teaching. I was absolutely amazed watching Dr. Smirnova's Power Point Presentation. It contained so much information but it gave me the Aha moment. It showed how every triangle of knowledge, objectives and models builds up to and overlap different levels. I realized that each layer of the triangle teaches information based on different approaches, and they are all related. I think I will always remember the quote Dr. S said tonight about methods of teaching and how it is the most sophisticated way of touching a child's soul. I know I will use that again.

Up until now, our triangles have been building up in height, but when looking at the Unit Plan design, it makes sense for it to have the funneling effect to the right. In the beginning of the UP, it is overwhelming because you have so much information and you are trying to sort through it. It is a collection process where you do a great deal of research to come up with a project that the student can show they have learned and accomplished the objectives. We are half way through and I can't wait to have a complete Unit. What an accomplishment for me!

Unit Planning - What it's made of!

Unit Planning is hard work! Some of the things to include are NYS & National standards, performance indicators, evaluation, and activities. It has been a bit difficult for me to grasp the whole idea of what to include, but I think that this past class helped a lot. The Bloom's Taxonomy exercises in class showed me that I need to get more familiar with each level. It is a little confusing though because some are interchangeable. Like Dr. Smirnova says, Practice, Practice, Practice. I know I'll get it.

Success is failure turned inside out.
~unknown author

How do you analyize content?

This week we discussed content analysis and our Unit Plan design. I would have never thought that there was so much to the structure of knowledge. Beginning at the bottom of the pyramid with the basic facts, the mind begins to conceptualize and then generalize about the learning that takes place. The top of the pyramid holds the highest level of metacognition where the student is able to reflect about what they have learned. Content analysis is directly related to this because content includes key facts,ideas and values. The way a student receives this information is processed through the structure of knowledge. There are different ways to break down a concept i.e. a graphic organizer or concept map. Content analysis helps classify information and align them with learning outcomes. This is extremely important when teaching because you want to make sure your students are getting the information that is in line with the standards, and hopefully a bit extra to make it challenging. I really enjoyed the Think Pair Share exercise. When it was time to share, my partner and I really uncovered the root of what Dr. S was looking for. We were able to clarify it and help each other uncover concept words. I am excited to be able to "visualize" my teaching and can't wait for that moment when it all comes together.

Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.

~John Dewey

It is important for teachers to realize how very powerful they really are in the lives and development of children. With one word a teacher can crush the aspirations and creativity of a child, or make her hate a subject forever. Conversely a teacher can elevate the hopes and dreams of a child, empower her, and make her love a subject for a lifetime. Many teachers don't realize that their actions and words make deep, lasting impressions, and can in essence, reach far into the future and beyond.


~Leslie Owen Wilson

Activities are hands on fun!

I have been compiling tons of information on my topic of Native Americans. My next task is to organize this information so that I can match the standards, both NY and National, so that the Plan that I prepare is fully functional and well-rounded. I think the best part of this Unit Plan will be choosing activities that coincide with this topic. When I was younger, my dad, who was a town historian for many years, would take us to fields and we would look for arrowheads. We found a number of them and it was so exciting to have a material object that could connect to the past. I hope to be able to instill the same excitement in my students. Activities and hands on projects make learning much more memorable. These are the things that make kids remember. It worked for me.

By George...I think I've Got It!

State and National Standards was the topic tonight. Through quick memorization and funny phrases, our group was able to come up with a "device" for learning the Social Studies Standards.

Standard 1: History of US and NY
One Nation Under God

Standard 2: World History
Two Worlds Apart

Standard 3: Geography
1, 2, 3, G-O!

Standard 4: Economics
A $4 bill doesn't exist!

Standard 5: Civic Citizenship & Government
Five people driving in a civic to apply for citizenship at the government center

I tried repeating these on the drive home and was amazed that I remembered each and every one of them.

Through discussions tonight with regard to the design of the Unit Plan, I realize that in order to figure out the level which the student is at, you must see where they came from. In order to not go above their level, you must also study the standards for the higher grade so that you teach them accordingly. Key ideas name the goals you intend for your student to reach while the performance indicators are more like objectives. Something clicked tonight and things started to become a bit clearer. I'm hoping that I can pull the appropriate ideas from the State and National Standards and make them coincide with each other and also be in sync with my intentions. A tough task but I think once it's done I can say without any reservations that I've Got It!!

Online and lovin' it!!

20 inches of snow couldn't keep our class down tonight, and what a great interactive class it was! Nicholas began with his micro-teaching about assessment and we all participated in giving our thoughts on what assessment meant. Throughout the rest of the class we really concentrated on assessment and standards.

In studying assessment, the word diagnostic really represents my understanding. It's like going to the doctor when you've had symptoms for years. If you had gone sooner, the ailments could have been healed. The same thing goes for a student who goes through school without being properly assessed or diagnosed. Through authentic assessment, a student can be regularly monitored. No one slips through the cracks with this type of assessment. Everyone has to participate and give feedback.

National Standards ensure that teachers are all on the same page. A teacher can assume that a new student coming into the fourth grade classroom has been taught the skills and concepts within the standards for kindergarten through third - Systemic Learning. Standards also provide a focus for teachers. They can match their assessments to the exams as well as the materials to the standards.

I agree that assessment should be used in the beginning because the teacher can prepare how to serve her students best. Through KWHL charts, observation, questioning and an array of other revealing tools, a teacher can assess and measure where the child is in relation to the standards.

This is a whole new way of learning for me as a returning student. My first class with Dr. Smirnova was such a learning experience. Now I understand why Dr. S. uses authentic assessment. It seems hard at first, but by the end of the class you realize what happened. You learned!! When you are given the tools to obtain the information you are strengthening your ability to learn. The learning is much more memorable and I can become part of the whole experience.

Thinking & Processing Theories

It was a great review to discuss the learning theories tonight. I love learning about the different concepts behind each theory. Each group emphasized the main points and trends of their theory which made it easy to understand. Behaviorism, Cognitivism, Multiple Intelligences & Emotional Intelligences, Brain-Compatible Theories and Social Constructivism all discuss the way patterns and processing information can help you learn. A teacher should be able to really examine and reflect on their teachings to learn how to make improvements in their teaching, as well as creating an adaptable environment for learning and critical thinking. I wouldn't think that the same theory would work for everyone all the time. Using some concepts from each theory can maximize learning.

It was great to meet and listen to one of Dr. Smirnova's past students. It was encouraging to hear her positive experiences and know that all this hard work will pay off.

Gearing Up for Learning

This is how I view the components of a pedagogical system. I feel that the teacher, student, family and community all turn each other. I have given myself qualities that I think are important and how I can incorporate and stay interactive with the students, family and community. If a problem occurs, such as poor collaboration, it would be like sand getting in the gears. The operations within a classroom wouldn't run as smoothly. In looking at my diagram again, I should have also included school standards.

Planning=Security

As an education major, imagine going before a group of people and being told you must speak on nuclear fusion. What would you do? Being knowledgeable about the subject you present is key and planning will help you achieve a successful lesson. Clearly defining your goals and objectives will allow a teacher to guide the students on an exciting learning adventure. I've found that planning also allows you to incorporate the right amount of information in your lesson within your time limit.

Too sequential?? Linear Rational Model of Planning

In studying the Linear-Rational Model of Planning, a few things stood out immediately. The figure displays a very rigid and controlled sequential process. I believe that it leaves very little room for flexibility and seems restrictive. Learning occurs in many different situations. This figure could include a component which would allow for research and communication between the students and teacher. The teacher must allow for more interactive time. In my opinion, the arrows in the figure should be arranged in more of a circular motion where many other inputs of resources can be examined.

Reflection on Group Philosophy Teaching - Jigsaw Learning

I was confident about the information I had to teach my group about Perennialism and Essentialism. However, I think I had too much information. I have learned that part of planning is choosing which information is critical without overloading your students with unnecessary information. Everyone in the group provided visuals for their philosophy, and from their teachings, I was able to get an A+ on the Quizlet Quiz. Great job!!

I really enjoyed this type of learning. Jigsaw learning allows you to make sure you're on the right track by first meeting with an expert group. You really do become an expert because you get other group members definitions. Each definition brought another characteristic of the philosophy to the table. Enjoyable experience.

Quizlet Quiz Results - How did you score?

A+
100%

Take the test:

http://quizlet.com/720188/test/

Assessment IN, AS, and FOR Learning (Video)

Assessment can be monitored many ways when teaching. I found it most interesting when assessment is used FOR learning because it involves learners actively and allows a student to move to the level of metacognition. I'm glad that there is a movement toward this assessment instead of the feedback being just a grade. This summative type of assessment provides feedback that gives little direction or advice for learning. Rather than waiting to see how a student does on a test at the end of a unit, a teacher can formatively assess throughout the lesson and focus on how the student can improve and progress to succeed. Learning is then enhanced for the student and teaching becomes a process rather than a lecture.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUU36eWscSg

Cognitivism + Humanism = Sally

In taking the Educational Philosophies Self-Assessment I found that my philosophical preferences lie in both Cognitivism/Constructivism and Humanism, with Progressivism coming in close behind. This doesn't surprise me because I always want people to do the best they can. In the process of trying and exploring, a pedagogical experience occurs.

2 1/2 years ago a tragic event happened in my life....I could have chosen to take the easy way out and give up, but I am striving to reach my goal successfully. I can apply my experience to teaching because I want to see others succeed as well. I agree that people have a natural tendency to learn and if you encourage it and give them the right conditions to grow, the learning process will bloom. It's what you as a teacher make of the classroom. If students are getting a good "vibe" from you, I think it encourages them.

Every day is an experience and we learn to create, understand, and perceive through these experiences. I believe that one of the biggest roles of a teacher is to support the student.

The Appeal of Multiple Intelligences

Howard Gardner's 7 kinds of intelligence allows for seven different ways to approach teaching rather than one. Teachers need to attend to all the intelligences because it is simply a useful way to broaden the focus. The multiple intelligences makes teachers aware of different styles and types of learners and lets the teacher take advantage of those differences. I think it's exciting to involve all the intelligences. The cycle of learning will be a unique and exciting experience everyday.

'Never let school interfere with your education.' - Mark Twain.

Anticipate the anticipatory

I was excited to learn about anticipatory set because I have never even heard of it before. It's comforting to know that there is a way to grab the attention of students and get them to focus on the lesson. I've read that you can have the student relate the topic to their personal experience. This allows the teacher to find out what and how much of the topic they know and also grabs their attention. I like the idea of using a video to hook the students. I'll have to research "attention grabbers" and surprise everyone when it's my turn to micro teach.

It was a refresher for me to see the KWL chart. It really is an interesting tool to use when you want to achieve a goal. It makes you think about what your goal is and how you can achieve it.

What!! I thought I had it covered!

Apparently my definition of learning and teaching was a bit slim. I thought that a student takes the knowledge given by the teacher and ta da -- learning occurs!! I didn't realize that the teacher has to arrange the right conditions for the students to learn independently. It makes sense and it's making sense for a lot of kids too. This kind of teaching motivates students and gets them involved in their own learning process.

The Learning Circle - Factors in classroom teaching and learning

The child and the teacher enter from two different directions. The child is inexperienced and the teacher is a skilled professional. They both bring their own skills and strategies for learning and teaching. The child brings his or her coping and processing abilities. This all takes place within the learning environment of the classroom. What the teacher presents, as well as the peer relationships and interactions, all affect the learning outcomes and social consequences within the classroom. These are factors that create a learning circle. The student and teacher continuously "feed" off each other as they each learn from each other.

This video, Bloom and Gardner Go High Tech, discusses how children are bombarded with technology today. We must incorporate technology into teaching. This new generation has a whole new set of learning and teaching gadgets. Let's use them to our advantage!

What is learning?

Learning takes place when a teacher arranges the conditions to create a supportive learning environment. In that environment, a learner is able to use the information to actively engage in a learning process. A successful lesson is one that benefits all the students and the teacher. Everyone learns and grows together.

Curriculum

"Anything and everything that teaches a lesson, planned or otherwise."

"American culture is hard to pin down because it is layered and highly eclectic."

http://www.newhorizons.org/neuro/neu_review_bransford.htm

Curriculum is one of those words that represents so much more than you think. Curriculum comes from and is affected by many different entities. I believe that children learn something from every situation and encounter. The lesson could be as simple as returning a smile, or as big as being influenced by mass media. The word curriculum is as layered as a sedimentary rock with each layer having characteristics which reflect changing environments of deposition.

Are you engaged?

People learn by being engaged and grasping the concepts and information that they are taught. I agree that teachers must draw out and work with the preexisting understandings that their students bring with them and that the schools and classrooms must be learner centered. An uninviting atmosphere that does not value your input is like a one way street, you can't turn around and ask questions!!

Curriculum Planning Journal

Jan 28 '10
Went to the Curriculum Library. For a small library, it seems like they have everything and Brianna was great introducing us to all of the available resources. I'm glad they welcome our questions and can't wait to use the library.

Today we presented our name projects. I was nervous to get up there but it was over before I knew it. I took a different approach than most other people and didn't add too many photos. I think if I added more, it would have enhanced my project. Live and learn : ) I think this name project idea is an awesome ice breaker and would be very useful in the first few days of school.

Jan 21 '10
First meeting in Curriculum Planning. Feeling a bit nervous, but excited at the same time. Dr. Smirnova is motivating with her ideas and knowledge of technology. We discussed the syllabus and what is expected from us in this course. The name project that we have to prepare should help us get to know one another better and understand each others backgrounds/likes/dislikes.

Curriculum Planning

Well, it's underway! There is so much to learn and plan. I'm sure technology is going to make this a fun learning adventure!