The Mind Shift blog is one that "explores the future of learning in all its dimensions". After browsing their blog, it is obvious that the blog posts focuses on using technology on the classroom, reflections of teachers who have used technology, and other important classroom issues. A challenge I have been facing with students is the use of cell phones. The high school I am placed in has a cell phone policy where students are discouraged from using cell phones in the class. They are forbidden from using a phone unless it is by a teacher's approval. So my mentor teacher and I spend a lot of time asking students to put their phones away and paying attention to the class. Students are generally only allowed the students to use their cell phones if they want to look something up, or if they have extra time after finishing a task. However, I haven't seen cell phones being used strategically yet. When devices are needed, students are directed to the computers at the back of the room.
These daily classroom struggles with cell phone usage is why this article caught my attention. The article talks about creating a community of trust where students can make judgements about technology use. I think this is such an important issue because with the way technology is spreading today, I don't see any chance to "banning" cell phones from the classroom. Since we can't get rid of them, we should really try to make the most out of it. This article outlines a really great scenario that would be great to reproduce in more schools. Cell phones are powerful tools, and we should empower students to become technology producers and consumers. The fact of the matter is, as students grow older, they have to learn how to manage cell phone usage anyways. When they go to college, or are have a job, they cannot be on their phones constantly. So why not start providing them with practice early on? Furthermore, the article emphasizes the role of trust in developing this type of community. I believe trust is important for learning in general and not just in shaping digital citizenship. So building trust in the school will benefit students in more than just nurturing digital citizenship. Finally,, we've learned that as teachers, we need to have high academic expectations for our students that they can rise up to. Lowering expectations will send students the implicit message that this is all they are capable of. I think this concept can be extended to having high trust expectations of students. By treating students like they can be trusted, students will rise to the occasion and develop into trustworthy, responsible individuals.
Friday, November 7, 2014
Guest Speakers: Carrie & Rachel
We were fortunate enough to have Carrie and Rachel as guest speakers in our class. It was an unconventional session because it was virtual. I thought it was interesting because not only did they tell us about their experience in Michigan Virtual Schools (MVS), but also gave us insight on the tools and strategies they use to teach virtually.
Before this session, I was not even aware of virtual academies. I now see that it is a real possibility for students, especially for students who are naturally self-motivated. It is a necessary option for students who may have unusual situations. The guest speakers touched on a lot of issues that affect students that attend a virtual academy such as MVS. In particular the speakers mentioned that, for students to succeed they must be naturally motivated to do well because they have to stay on track with the lessons. This needs motivation because the lessons are all recorded, and it's easy to say that they will watch them later. But as someone who has tried to take classes online, I have first-hand experience in saying that I will watch the lesson later, only to find myself very behind on the material. In addition, because the students are at home, their families might take advantage of their availability and expect them to do errands, or take care of other family members while they are at home. However, students will need their family's support to succeed.
Rachel and Carrie were able to show us some example of strategies they use when teaching. Namely, they showed some of the ins and outs of Black Board. This tool to host webinars have a multitude of useful features. I especially like the private break out rooms and the polling features. Students can be assigned into break out rooms to have a private discussion to "think-pair-share", or to allow groups of students to work together at the same time. A teacher can also put a student in a private room to speak to them privately if needed. The polling feature allows a teacher to do a quick real time check-in or to vote options. Furthermore, as a moderator the teacher has many features for class management and to facilitate class logistics. Some of these features include having a timer, be able to bring people out of break rooms, and restrict audio and video, Students are able to raise their hand to ask questions, choose emoticons to convey opinions, and submit answers through polls.
Right now, I don't know what my job will be like in the future. So I don't know what technology resources I will have access to, or what circumstances will arise. I don't know if I will ever need to host a webinar, but if I do I feel much more prepared. Knowing how to host a webinar is definitely something I am glad to have in my tool box in case I ever need it.
Before this session, I was not even aware of virtual academies. I now see that it is a real possibility for students, especially for students who are naturally self-motivated. It is a necessary option for students who may have unusual situations. The guest speakers touched on a lot of issues that affect students that attend a virtual academy such as MVS. In particular the speakers mentioned that, for students to succeed they must be naturally motivated to do well because they have to stay on track with the lessons. This needs motivation because the lessons are all recorded, and it's easy to say that they will watch them later. But as someone who has tried to take classes online, I have first-hand experience in saying that I will watch the lesson later, only to find myself very behind on the material. In addition, because the students are at home, their families might take advantage of their availability and expect them to do errands, or take care of other family members while they are at home. However, students will need their family's support to succeed.
Rachel and Carrie were able to show us some example of strategies they use when teaching. Namely, they showed some of the ins and outs of Black Board. This tool to host webinars have a multitude of useful features. I especially like the private break out rooms and the polling features. Students can be assigned into break out rooms to have a private discussion to "think-pair-share", or to allow groups of students to work together at the same time. A teacher can also put a student in a private room to speak to them privately if needed. The polling feature allows a teacher to do a quick real time check-in or to vote options. Furthermore, as a moderator the teacher has many features for class management and to facilitate class logistics. Some of these features include having a timer, be able to bring people out of break rooms, and restrict audio and video, Students are able to raise their hand to ask questions, choose emoticons to convey opinions, and submit answers through polls.
Right now, I don't know what my job will be like in the future. So I don't know what technology resources I will have access to, or what circumstances will arise. I don't know if I will ever need to host a webinar, but if I do I feel much more prepared. Knowing how to host a webinar is definitely something I am glad to have in my tool box in case I ever need it.
NSTA Blog
Lately I've been hearing a lot about the National Science Teachers Association, and the great resources they offer to teachers. So I visited their blog, and I have to agree. I had a hard time choosing which blog piece to write about. Finally I decided to write about this blogpost because it really resonated with me. It addresses an issue that many of us are facing right now, myself included. I've notices that while teaching. A teacher asked for advice on what to do when there are only a few of the students answering all the time. I feel that this is problematic because as a teacher, if only a few are answering, I don't know if all the students get the material but some are just shy, or if some students just don't understand the concepts. I've been thinking a lot about this, and had some ideas on how I might address this in the classroom. Some of the things I thought of were actually listed in the post itself, which was a nice surprise! I had an additional suggestion for the teacher,which I posted in the comment section. I added that I usually try to show that I value students' contributions. So I might say "that's a great point, did you guys hear what so-and-so said?" This shows students that contributions are valuable, and that we can all learn from each other.
One of the things that I especially liked about the NSTA blog is it includes a space by teachers, and for teachers. A teacher posted her issue, and teachers responded. In addition, I visited the blog later on, and found a second part of the same article. The original teacher who posted the question had a chance share her experience with the suggestion, and the reflection on the results. The writer of the blog also provided some extra information and resources for the teacher and everyone else. In addition, the NSTA blog is really a great resource for teachers, it categorized blogs into topics that are important to teachers such as the Next Generation Science Standards, advice for teachers, and even digital tools for teachers. Overall, I think the NSTA and their blog are both great resources that I will keep an eye on as I delve deeper into my career. I see it as a place that will provide me with resources, collaborators, and help me stay updated with current educational research and public policy - all of which I will need to be a successful educator.
One of the things that I especially liked about the NSTA blog is it includes a space by teachers, and for teachers. A teacher posted her issue, and teachers responded. In addition, I visited the blog later on, and found a second part of the same article. The original teacher who posted the question had a chance share her experience with the suggestion, and the reflection on the results. The writer of the blog also provided some extra information and resources for the teacher and everyone else. In addition, the NSTA blog is really a great resource for teachers, it categorized blogs into topics that are important to teachers such as the Next Generation Science Standards, advice for teachers, and even digital tools for teachers. Overall, I think the NSTA and their blog are both great resources that I will keep an eye on as I delve deeper into my career. I see it as a place that will provide me with resources, collaborators, and help me stay updated with current educational research and public policy - all of which I will need to be a successful educator.
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