Blog Post #14

We all have learned so far that students in a regular classroom get to blog on iPads and computers in the classroom, but that leads to another question. Do students in a special education classroom get the same chance as those in a regular classroom. Do students in special education get to use iPads and computers to improve their learning? To learn more about this, you are to do your own research and inform us on what you learned.

I decided to look more into special education on this blog post because it is part of my major. I can one day be teaching in a special education classroom and I wanted to see if teachers use iPads in there to teach or what tools/technology they use. This semester we have not studied a lot on this subject because students in this class are majoring in all different fields of education. I am really excited to see what information I find on this.

The first article I came across was from a teacher named Neil Virani who taught special ed in Los Angeles. There was one piece of technology that Virani decided to buy for his classroom that changed his perspective completely. And this would be the iPad. Virani opened and unwrapped the iPad, and 30 short minutes after it had been out of the box, something inspirational happened. One of his students who has Cerebral Palsy and only has access to one finger, had written his name for the first time on the iPad. Not only did he write his name for the first time, it was also the first time he has even written a word. Being in a special education classroom, there are many students who have different disabilities. Some students may not have any use of their limbs, while others may not be able to communicate. They all have different ways of learning also, and the iPad lets students have the one-on-one and learn. One quote that Virani says that I really like was "The philosophy is my classroom is to have the highest expectations for students, in an area where expectations are traditionally low". This article was so inspiring to read to me! Read it here!

I also found another source about iPads being used in the classroom. This post was a blog from a teacher named Glenda Anderson. Anderson is watching the progress in her classroom just from her students using this tool. So far, she has figured out that the iPad is not usually used as a tool for collaboration, that it works better as an individual tool in isolation. In reality, there will not be enough iPads in the room for every student to have one, so Ms. Anderson gave some tips on how every student gets a chance at using the iPad. Some include, creating a center with it after doing a lesson so the student can have the independent time and learn. Also, during the lesson, you can pass the iPad around and let each student in a team or individually look at the iPad. Ms. Anderson also can tell in her students a dramatic difference of her students wanting to do better work. She has overheard her students say to each other such things as "Oh, look what I did!" And the other student say "How did you do that?" This motivates the students to want to do their best work and show off everything they do.

Ms. Anderson can also tell in her students that they want to work together and help each other. They want to solve problems together, and they are helping each other more and more.

After researching on this subject that I knew very little about, I have really realized just how important the use of technology in the classroom. I love this quote that I found on Ms. Anderson's blog that made me want to help the students learn more everyday. It said "For people without disabilities, technology makes things easier. For people with disabilities, technology makes things possible."

Smart Board Presentation part B

Smart Board Lesson Plan for the Sisley Group 

      The Sisley Group presents a lesson plan using smart board tools and incorporating project based learning to allow our students to create a presentation to be presented in class and shared with our class blog. In this way, we hope that our students will strive to learn about not only the history; but the dynamics of how a nation evolves. They will answer the driving question: How did this event cause the United States to evolve as a nation? They will not only present to the class but, their presentation will be recorded and shared on our class blog providing a worldwide audience. We created a web page to allow the students to have all instructions, resources, and tools to guide them in their project creation. History PBL Presentation. 

Please visit our site and see what our students are up to.

https://sites.google.com/site/historypblpresentation/home

Final C4T Summary

For my last C4T, I had the pleasure of getting to read and comment on Dr. Will Deyamport. Dr. Deyamport first started this blog in 2009 to try and help adults improve their personal and professional life. The blog has now transformed to focus on the educational applications of digital media.

The first week, I commented on Dr. Deyamport's video called "If you Build It, They will Come." This video is of him giving a speech he gave earlier that morning about teachers personal development. He talked about how technology is improving every day, and some teachers are scared to use new technology. We should not be afraid of it though, we should use it and learn with it so we can become comfortable with it. Teachers also have have different personal development plans, some may use more technology than others, and that is fine. He wants teachers to get out of their comfort area and change up their personal development plan to make it more interesting!

In my comment, I told him how great it was to watch his video and how much I learned. I learned to not be scared to touch that button, it is just a button that you would be able to learn from. I also told him that I would be saving his blog for future references.

In my second post I watched an interview with Dr.Will and author Michael Graham. Michael Graham wrote Google Apps meets Common Core. In this interview, they discuss Google Apps, Gmail, and how to use Google Apps in the classroom. Graham states that all students have a gmail account under Google Apps and they can control what emails they receive and send. He says this is an efficient way of making sure the students stay on task in the classroom. Graham also explained how this came about at the school he was teaching at and said once they started learning more about Google that it spread like wildfire, so he then decided to write a book and help other educators out.

My Comment

Dr. Will, I loved watching your interview with Michael Graham. It is very important that everyone knows how you can use technology in the classroom. In Mobile, Al they are trying to give all students in middle through high school Mac's and that is where all there work will be done. I am in EDM 310 right now at the University of South Alabama, and in this class we are learning everything we can about technology in the classroom. It is truly amazing how much it can change in a couple years. Google Apps Meets Common Core sounds like a very helpful book for every teacher or educator to have!

PLN Final Summary

Reflecting over this past semester, I would have never expected to use my PLN as much as I did. I saved multiple websites and even blogs that I loved reading from my C4T. As you can see, I added over ten educational tiles from the first time I started using this. I also added a couple tiles to my personal section. Some educational resources I decided to save was Edutopia, Smartboard, and BIE's website so I can easily access sources to make planning a little easier. After using my PLN this semester, I can easily see myself using this to help prepare and organize in my future classroom.

I have organized my learning plan by colors, and also top half and bottom half. The top white icons are for my personal use. The bottom teal icons are for educational purposes. Organizing my PLN has helped in many ways, and I also know exactly where it is so I don't have to search for it. Here is a picture of my PLN.

Blog Post #13

Blog Post 13: What Can We Learn from Sir Robinson’s Favorite TED Talks?

Turning Trash into Toys for Learning: By Arvind Gupta

Author: Douglas R. Jarvis Jr.

    Arvind Gupta takes us on a marvelous journey in his talk about using things we normally would simply toss away in order to provide interactive teaching tools for children. He provides examples of using rubber tubing and match sticks to create countless mathematical shapes that could be used to teach angles, geometry, engineering and so many other lessons. He shows us how to create pumps from bicycle tubes and straws and generators from batteries, magnets, and paperclips. His ingenuity is a prime example that even the poorest school system can find ways to provide children with hands on learning tools. We get so bogged down in worrying about how to afford fancy classroom supplies. However, what  really matters is teaching your students in a way that captivates them. By using these inexpensive methods, you can allow students to have hands on interaction and really see why the science or math involved creates the desired effect. We can all learn from this method of education. Face it, many school systems are going to be reluctant or unwilling to provide us money for projects. As teachers, we can use Mr. Gupta’s ideas to turn our trash into toys built by our students.

    It has been proven time after time that people learn best from practical experience. Yet, so many teachers continue to take the learning out of the students hands and force them to endure tedious and non-motivating lectures. Imagine listening to a lecture on shapes in your geometry class; now instead use, the rubber tubing and match sticks and let your students build the shapes and explore the strengths and weaknesses of each shape while you discuss the lesson. The student is intrigued because he wants to learn how to make the more interesting ones and captivated when he gets to play with his creation. Learning can be fun, it does not have to be a chore. We all know what it is like to be watching the clock praying for the bell. So lets all fight against that and create classrooms that our students don’t want to leave. We don't have to have a lot of money, just the desire and drive to learn how to maximize the resources we have.

Author:Kristie Bell

In Kakenya Ntaiya’s video, “A Girl Who Demanded School” she tells the inspirational story about her educational journey. Kakenya made a deal with her father about undergoing the traditional Maasai rite of passage if he would let her go to high school. In the Maasai culture the boys grow up to be warriors and the girls will be mothers. At five years old, Kakenya found out her parents had already arranged her marriage for her. She was expected to a perfect woman so that she could become a perfect wife one day. However, Kakenya’s mother was denied an education and she always wanted better for her children, so she pushed Kakenya and her siblings to get an education. Kakenya’s mother wanted a better life for her children than the one she was living. The case was very different with her father who would abuse her mother and Kakenya’s mom could not question him because she was merely a woman. Kakenya’s dream was to become a teacher when she went to school and so she worked hard. As she was approaching high school, she told her father she would only go through the Maasai ceremony if he let her continue school. He accepted because he did not want dishonor brought to his family. Kakenya went as far to apply for college and was accepted to a women’s college in Leesburg, Virginia. She needed the support of the village because even though she had a scholarship she had to raise money for her plane ticket. The village felt it was a wasted opportunity on a girl and should have been given to a boy instead. However, she was able to work with her village elders and she arrived in America. Kakenya said she was overwhelmed with enjoyment, but she also learned that what they did to her body during the ceremony in Kenya  was against the law. It is called female mutilation and many more girls in Kenya are at risk of undergoing this. She learned that she had a right to her body and a right to an education. She also learned that her mom had a right to own property and did not deserve to be abused because she was a woman. Kakenya’s journey to America was a culture shock and a new eye opener for this young woman. It made her so angry when she discovered the news that she wanted to do something about this. She returned to Kenya and said she wanted to give back to the community. The people of the community and Kakenya came up with a school for girls. The Kakenya Center for Excellence was established in 2009 with 32 students. The school is just for girls and it focuses on academics, leadership and female empowerment, as well as life skills. Kakenya also works with donors to provide scholarships for those who cannot afford tuition.

What can we learn from these TED talks?

    We can learn so much from Kakenya’s inspirational story. First of all, her story should remind us of how blessed we truly are to live in the land of opportunity and to be able to have the option of earning a degree. We also have a public education school system where children can get an education at no cost to their parents. So many of us take education for granted and many people drop out from high school before they even receive their diploma. This young woman wanted nothing more than to have a chance at receiving an education. She was able to fulfill her goals and dreams of becoming a teacher. Not only did she become a teacher, but she also became a wonderful role model to her home community. Kakenya is an absolute blessing to the young ladies that attend her school in Africa. She teaches us to follow our dreams and never give up even if it is not an easy journey. She is an outstanding example of what a teacher should be. We need to reach out and help our students to be successful in all that they do. Kakenya’s story was remarkable and it will always serve as a reminder to me.  

Author: Autumn Sprouse

    For this blog, I chose to watch Charles Leadbeater's video, “Education Innovation in the Slums”. Charles Leadbeater is a British author who writes on topics such as innovation and creativity. Leadbeater has advised many companies, cities, and even governments around the world on innovation strategy. He has written many popular books and continues to express his knowledge on education. Leadbeater decided to start off in Monkey Hill, Rio in one of the biggest slums in the country. There he met a boy who dropped out of school at the age of fourteen. That boy started working in a business to make money, and at the age of sixteen was  running the business and  had hired over 1,000 people to work for him. This young man would be expected to be dead by the age of 24. Living in the slums means a high death rate of AIDS and the life expectancy is low. Out of a room full of kids, over half of them do not have parents, and the other half only have one parent because of the AIDS epidemic. Luckily, this same boy met a guy in Rio who had installed the first computers in classrooms for the children of Rio. Leadbeater says with education and technology, there is a chance for hope. This video also showed the computers that Sugata Mitra used in his homeland. Leadbeater showed a room full of students learning on computers and explained how they are reinventing the slums. Leadbeater says that we need more reinventions to improve our schools. Our schools may look the same from the outside, but from the inside we need to push forward to new technology. He also says we need to encourage our students more. Students are not going to want to further their education if we are not their backbone. This video taught me so much about the slums and the education there. I'm so glad that people like Charles Leadbeater had the chance to go over there and make a difference to people to who are less fortunate. Leadbeater had many great ideas to bring to Rio, and to classrooms today around the world.

What can we learn from these TED talks?

Author: Kynyetta Barren

    In the video, ”, Teaching One Child at a Time Shukla Bose talks about how she started the Parkrma Humanity Foundation. The foundation helps the children in India who live in the slums get an education. She went to the slums to identify houses where children lived who would never get to go to school. Bose then began talking to parents about getting their children into school. Shukla didn’t want to play the number game anymore, she made an effort to make a change. She wanted to provide the children of India with a better education. The foundation started a school with about 165 children. The foundation built more schools and even a junior college. Bose speaks about three myths that are believed in India. The first myth is that no one in the slums can speak English. that myth is not true, Bose showed a video to the audience of two children speaking English. the second myth was that parents do not like their children going to school. That’s totally wrong. Shukla stated that parents are very supportive and want their children going to school. The last myth was that children who lived in the slums did not integrate with other children who do not live in the slums. Once again, Bose presented a video of a girl that was given an opportunity to go to a camp with other students that didn’t live in the slums. The children were excited to make friends with the other children who didn’t live in the slums. The reason the schools became successful is that the schools and teachers operated under the idea, “one child at a time”, which means they would educate students focusing on treating each child as an individual. The idea of the Parikrma Humanity Foundation is to educate children and prepare them for the real world. Shukla stated at the end of her presentation, “what is in the building is not important, all that matters is what the children are learning.” This statement is so true! We learn that we can make a difference in any child’s life with education. Just by taking one step at a time to accomplish something so big for children of the future.We want our children with the best education possible. It’s very heartwarming to listen to what she did for the children of India.

C4K Summary for November

For my first week in November, I had a student named Kevine who was from New Zealand who was in the sixth grade. On his blog, he wrote a narrative about a family who had been wanting to travel to the USA, but did not have enough money for their trip. One day, the girl in the family came across money laying on the ground, and that is all they needed for a trip to the United States. He had a twist to his story though, which was their neighbor had gone behind their back. Their plane crashed on the way over here and they ended up surviving on an island happily ever after. To read more, check out Kevine's blog here! Kevine's Blog!

In my comment, I told Kevine that I was actually from the USA and love it here! I also told him he had a great story and kept me interested the whole time and I was ready to see what happened next! I told him great job blogging and to keep up the great work!

The last C4K I have for this semester, is from Ms. George's class. I commented on Ms. George's class post called Big Shells and Little Shells. This post was about a student finding beautiful shells that she was very proud of. Take a look at their blog here!

In my comment, I told her class that I am from Mobile, Al and attend the University of South Alabama. I also told the class that I live near the beach and I love going to find sea shells. Each one is so different and thats what makes them so unique. I also thanked them for blogging!

Project Plan #3

Lesson Plan 3

Blog Post #12

Changing Education Paradigms

By: Sir Ken Robinson

Author: Autumn Sprouse Ken Robinson made many good, strong points in his video. The first one that caught my attention is how kids don't see a point in going to school. Even when I was in school, my teachers always told me growing up that if you did not have a college diploma then you will not have a good job when you get out of school. This simple statement pushed students to do better in school work and made them want to succeed. But now times have changed. In todays society, people do not have to have a college diploma to succeed to support their family. Students today are classified as "smart" or "not smart" and this causes students to think down on their self. When children in kindergarten were tested on their iQ level, 98% of them tested as genius. That sounds amazing right? But what is the number in fifth grade. Mr. Robinson states that every year their numbers keep declining. One possible reason for that may be all the testing that goes on in the classroom. Mr. Robinson believes that students are taught to do questions from the book for homework with the answers in the back of the book. He then explains how the teacher says not to look, but we all know everyone does. Mr. Robinson firmly believes that all great learning happens in groups, and I have to agree with him!

How to Escape Educations Death Valley

By:Sir Ken Robinson


Author: Autumn Sprouse


Over 80% of kids drop out of school in the United States each year. That number remarkably sticks out. Why do students drop out? Maybe education is moving in the wrong direction. In Ken Robinson's video, he states what he thinks could be wrong in the school system in today's society. ADHD is very popular today for students who seem to be hyper in the classroom and also outside of the classroom. But, if students sit in the classroom for every day for eight hours, how could you not get antsy. When children are actually paying outside the classroom games such as video games, watching television, or playing on the computer (things they are actually interest in) it is hard to keep them interested in the classroom on material they are not excited about. In today's society, you will find testing very popular in the classroom and find students not making the grades they should be making. Testing has become dominant when it should be diagnostic. I know personally, and I am sure everyone has made a grade that they were not satisfied with and beat themselves up over it when you knew the material. When students keep making these grades continuously, it is easy to think why am I even interested in this when I am just going to fail the test. We are so worried about meeting standards and to get the highest grades over your grade level when that is not how it should be. Ken Robinson did a great job on explaining what is wrong in the school system. I have definitely learned so much from this video and agree with everything he says in it!

How Schools Kill Creativity

by: Sir Ken Robinson

Author: Autumn Sprouse In this video by Sir Ken Robinson he explains that creativity is not pushed in the classrooms anymore. You could tell how he stood on this topic, as he was very firm that all children are born with something that makes them creative. So every student should be showing that in the classroom. He also made a very valid point saying that who knows what education will be like in five years. This is again true. I was looking back at pictures the other day of one of my family's favorite places to vacation and we go every year, and looking at these pictures so much has changed. Around five years ago we had the first iPhone, and now we have advanced so much further from that. In today's society, schools are pushing students on how to just do things correctly instead of pushing them to be more creative about something. Another thing that caught my attention was how he said that you have to prepare to be wrong so you can be creative. That is very true. Everyone knows how scary it used to be in school to raise your hand when you thought you knew the answer, but you were just too afraid to because you did not want to be wrong in front of the class. It is our job to push our students to want to take that dare. It is also not just children who are scared to be wrong, it is a problem with adults too, and sometimes I can admit that I am scared to be adventurous and be wrong. As a society, we need to teach and also learn to take the chance!

Interview with teacher

C4K October

For the month of October, I had four C4K's to complete. They consisted of students all over the United States and I got to learn so much about them just throughout their blogs.

C4K Week 1

My first blog I got to read was from a boy named Ben who went to school in British Columbia, Canada. He wrote about how important and neat it was to learn about service dogs and what all they do for people in need. His class is also reading a book right now and they connected it to the service dogs. Look at Ben's blog here!
In my comment, I told Ben that I was a student at the University of South Alabama and that I loved reading his blog. I then told him that he was exactly right about service dogs being important to people and how awesome it is that they can help people who need help! I told him he did a great job on his post and to keep the good work up!

C4K Week 2

For my second week, I had a girl named Morgan who was in the fourth grade from Iowa. In her blog she wrote about what they had done in school that week and what all they learned. She said that one day the firefighters came to her school and they got to tour the fire truck for an hour and that she got to learn so much from them. The next day she said that they learned about eating healthy, and they got stress balls to squeeze for when they feel like they are stressed. She seemed very excited to be learning about eating healthy and about what firefighters do around the community!Here's their blog!

In my comment I told her that I was from Mobile, Alabama and I loved reading her blog! I also told her that eating healthy is important and is really good to know and start early! I also told her how I never got to tour a fire truck, so I know that had to be a great day! It also sounds like she has so much learning! She was very excited I commented on her blog, I got a reply from her saying how excited she was to get a comment from someone so far away from her reading her blog!

My third week, I had a student who was reading a book and was participating in a virtual book where all over the world they read the same book and they review it on skype together. He wrote about a girl who happened to be blind and deaf and how he realized how grateful he was. He also liked Skyping with other students across the world.

In my comment, I told him how awesome it was that they got to participate in this global reading and Skype with other classes to learn from each other. I then told him that I was a student at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Al. I also told him to keep up the great work and to keep blogging!

My fourth week in October, I had a girl named Maimazan who was a senior. She was enrolled in high school, but took an online history class through an all girls school. Her post was about her deciding to take that online class and what all she has learned from it. Her credits said she did not need another history, but she wanted to take one, and she decided to stand up for what she believed in and take it. She has learned how to blog, and also how to communicate with girls all throughout the country, and she said she has learned more in that class than she has in any other and it is online. You can view her blog here!

In my comment, I told her that she needs to stay motivated in school, that it sounds like she is doing great in her AP courses. I also told her that that was awesome how she wanted to take that class even though it was discouraged for her too. I also told her to keep up the great work and I had also learned so much stuff from my class which required a blog and I never thought I would enjoy it!

Blog post 11

After watching the Skype interview with Ms. Cassidy, I have learned so much about technology and how to incorporate it in the classroom. She remembers getting her first computers in her classroom, and she knew she would do something with them, so she made a center with them for the students. After realizing how much the students loved learning on them, she then got federal funding from the government and started buying more computers and other items for her classroom. Her administration did not discourage her from using the technology, but they also were not encouraged about it. But, that did not seem to phase as her as she said that technology is constantly moving forward and that is what needs to happen in the classroom. After starting her blog, she learned very fast that her parents loved keeping up with them in the classroom and seeing their child's progress through the year. It also taught the students a lot about audience, that everything they posted on the web could be seen by anybody. This taught them to always be dedicated to their work. Also, they would pair up with classrooms all over the world, and Skype about their blogs. Classes would also comment on their post and that helps the students really see that anybody can read their work. They had audio, video, and writing lessons all just through their blog.

I thought I knew how important technology was in the classroom, but I realize I did not exactly know how critical it is in the classroom. The world is changing everyday and technology really is growing so fast and it is really important that we keep the students moving forward in learning with the technology. Computers, laptops, Iphones, and Ipads are apart of almost everyones lives everyday. I know everyday on my phone and computer I learn something new about them everyday, and students need to learn through this also. They will learn more with the technology and the hands on. This was a great video to watch and learn a lot from.