Project #7B

C4K Summary #1

C4K Summary

One of our EDM310 projects labeled Comments for Kids (C4K) enables us to connect from all over the world by reading and commenting on student blogs from all ages. Here are some of the wonderful student blogs I was assigned to comment on.


Mr. Boylen Iowa 7th Grade Lit Class : student name: Niyah P.

Niyah wrote a post about her siblings, her pets, and also her favorite animal. She has three brothers, a cat, a dog, and a bird. her favorite animal is an owl.

I commented, Hey Niyah!  I'm a student at the University of South Alabama, pretty far away from where you are. I really enjoyed reading about all of your pets that you and your brothers have, I also have a brother but he is two years younger than me. I love all kinds of animals. I agree with you owls are especially cool. My favorite animal is a koala bear they mostly live in Australia, maybe one day I will get to go and see one.


Mr. Boylen Iowa 8th Grade Lit Class: Shelby M.

Shelby wrote about her hobbies which are writing, drawing, reading, playing video games, and her interest in space and science. Also what her favorite season and holidays are as well as just some of her favorite things that she likes or enjoys doing.

I commented, Hi Shelby! My name is Danielle, I am a student at the University of South Alabama studying Elementary Education. I thought that your blog post was interesting and very well written. I also enjoy writing, reading, and the occasional video, game when I have a spare moment. I also agree, space is very interesting. It seems you can never run out of information to learn about it. Thanks for sharing!


Mrs. Hartman's Pennsylvania 4th grade class: Student Owen 

Owen talked about the book Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone and described the first part of the book and gave some of his own thoughts about the book. He asked his readers which house at Hogwarts they would like be placed in if they were a wizard.

I commented, Hi! My name is Danielle Fields, I am a student at the University of South Alabama I thought this was a great post Owen! You did a great job describing the first part of this story. I think that it would be way cool to be a wizard also. You could wave your wand and never have to clean your room or do chores again! If I were a witch or wizard I would want to be in the Gryffindor house, because Harry and his friends seem like they have a lot of fun, and it would be neat to be in the same house as them. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the book! 

Mrs. Maslowski's Per 3 class: Joliet West High School- Illinois, Student: Jose

Jose's blog post was about Tupac Shakur. She talked about his music and how much she relates to  him and his music.

I commented, Hi Jose! My name is Danielle and I attend the University of South Alabama. I was reading your blog, and I think Tupac was a great rapper also. Like you said he wrote about real life problems which I think that all types of people can relate to. I thought you had a great post!  Something that helped when I started my blog this semester was peer editing. I always allow a friend or classmate to proof read my blog before I post. I hope you continue to blog!

Blog Post #6

Project Based Learning with Anthony Capps

You might ask yourself what is project based learning? Project based learning is a teaching method in which students spend their time learning new ways to challenge themselves, research, investigate, and formulate projects, media, and ideas based off of their work. EDM 310 is a course that is solely designed around project based learning. Dr. Strange uses multiple tools to help us to better understand why project based learning is so important for our futures as educators. It teaches us to always ask questions and constantly experiment with new ideas and techniques for teaching and learning, Some of the ways in which he does this is through videos and other technological references that he provides us with. A few years ago he made a mini video series with a former student of EDM 310 and now teacher Anthony Capps. In these videos you learn most importantly that project based learning can and is used at all levels of education, from first grade all the way to the college level and it is beneficial to students of all ages. PBL gives students more freedom to learn independently without having to constantly be spoon-feed information. However, guidance and structure is key in project based learning. It encourages students to really explore and navigate their own personal learning journey in a safe and educational environment. Anthony Capps talks about how his students did more then he expected on some of the projects they were assigned and it is because they were allowed to be as creative as they desired allowing for individuality, which in my opinion the paper pencil method does not always allow for and can be somewhat limiting in not all but some situations.

 PBL is something students will learn and never forget what they learned because they are physically doing something, creating a connection and interested in what they are doing. They can take those skills with them long after they have graduated.

Conversations with Anthony Capps 

Conversation with Anthony Capps 2

After watching these videos I have a better understanding of why Project based learning is so important to introduce students to because it offers them a learning experience that is unlike the traditional learning experience. It creates a hands-on learning environment that the students will not only enjoy but teaches them to ask questions, be creative, and that trial and error is important in the learning process.

Post #5 Part 1

Personal Learning Networks(PLN)

What is a Personal Learning Network?

Prior to taking EDM 310 I was unfamiliar with the term (PLN). According to EDM 310 a Personal Learning Network is " the set of people and tools that you can call upon  for help, consultation, collaboration, or other assistance." Dr. Strange recommends Twitter as one of the best ways to gather a list of people for a network. Twitter is a great way to connect to people from all over the world by simply just following anyone who has a Twitter account. Using Twitter's signature hash-tag (#) feature will allow you to search topics and information by typing #(insert topic here), This will quickly navigate you to a page and will allow you access to the Twitter pages that have posted under that hash-tag subject giving you a way to connect with people interested in the same subject matter.

How can (PLN's) help you as a teacher?

Once a teacher I feel that (PLN's) will benefit me by allowing me to connect to a vast number of people from not only an educational background but also scientific, political, and many other backgrounds. Making contact and branching out in the technological world of ever changing resources will add to my (PLN) and will grant access to people from all over the world that I can connect, collaborate, and consult with. I feel that my (PLN) will not only benefit me as a teacher, but it will also benefit my students. It will allow me to better my teaching ability by allowing me resources from multiple areas, and by doing so will allow me to help my students to build their own (PLN). In the video A 7th Graders Personal Learning Environment (A kind of PLN) this student explains how she uses her own Personal Learning Environment (PLE) in her science class, giving her a number of tools including Symbaloo, Skype, and Glogster that helps her manage and connect to her (PLE) for her educational or personal needs as a student.

How are they formed?

According to Dr. Strange you must first, "formulate questions, or identify a subject area of interest to you." Then you use this information to search for people, places, organizations, and ideas that will help you learn and gain knowledge. It is up to us how we choose to build our (PLN), meaning you must put in the work and research in order to form a quality (PLN). Dr. Strange suggests sites such as Twitter, Facebook, or delicious to search, read, follow, ask questions, and communicate with people in order to "dig" for knowledge and resources for your (PLN).

How can you create your own (PLN)?

I would create my own (PLN) by first, setting up an account through a site such as Symbaloo in order to organize and keep up with future and existing networks and resources. Second, I would establishing a subject area I find current interest in and reach out to those people around me that I already have access to through my existing accounts via Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Once I have established a connection through these places I would do further research on the subject I chose and seek out other sites and people that could be of assistance in that particular area of knowledge.

Developing A Personal Learning NetworkEDM 310

Who will be the first additions to your (PLN)? 

The first additions to my (PLN) will first be my professors. At this stage in my education they are the closest quality tool I have to help me in all aspects of my education.

Second, would be through some of our EDM310 assignments comments for teachers (C4T) , comments for kids (C4K), and Twitter. I hope to continually build and expand my (PLN) as I continue to grow as not only a student but also as an educator. 

Project #7

Project #4

C4T Summary

Over the course of a couple weeks we have been assigned a teacher's blog to read and comment on. The blog page I was given was Digital Media + learning: The Power of  Participation (www.dmlcentral.net) A site that lists different blogs in the same realm of interest. I chose an insightful blog by John Jones that focuses on technology and learning. His first blog I read was entitle "Lets Ban Bans in the Classroom", Jones believes that the classroom should be a place where students should and can experience more than just a verbal lecture for learning. He makes it clear that he does see that technology and electronics can inhibit learning to a degree but that the benefits seem to out weigh the inhibitions.
"Let's Ban Bans in the Classroom"

My Comment on the blog:

I agree a great deal with your point of view. There is definitely a time and a place for technology in the classroom, and it is all about adapting to the emerging technologies not completely disregarding them. Your article on this was well put together and sought to show the view points from different individuals and not just focus on your own point of view. Great use of information!

Jones' second blog post that I read was entitled  "The Technophobe’s Dilemma: Nicholas Carr’s ‘The Glass Cage'" In this post Jones critiqued the book by Nicholas Carr entitled " The Glass Cage". Jones goes on to say in his post that Carr's "technophobe" view point about automation systems in our society is one that is somewhat inhibited. Jones discusses how the book is full of skewed information about the automation systems and how they effect us as people and a society.
"The Technophobe’s Dilemma: Nicholas Carr’s ‘The Glass Cage’"

My comment on the blog:
This was a very well-rounded critique I thought, based on what I read above I agree that Carr's book seemed fixated on one specific subject in relation to automation. I think that everyone depends on technology to an extent, our society relies on technology for things even as simple as the traffic light systems. Something we all use daily, and to me a world without traffic lights is far more frightening than the automation technologies that surround us and continue to emerge.

                                                                        

Project #15

Search Engines   

Search engines are great tools for gaining knowledge about a vast range of subjects. They make searching for a specific item or piece of information much easier. Here are some of my favorite search engines that I use on a regular basis to search different things. Enjoy!

#1 WolframAlpha: This is an excellent search engine for gaining knowledge about a wide variety of things. Things such as help solving mathematical equations, word definitions, non categorical things like what the Alabama state bird is, and for those of you wanting to add to your personal collection of knowledge the site offers a random question generator allowing you to then search the random question provided or generate another. Although it can not answer every question it is presented with, it does seem to be very useful in the Mathematics and Science realm. Overall I found the site to be very useful and will continue to use in the future.
www.wolframalpha.com

#2 Homeaway: This is a search engine used to advertise and find rental homes, condos, and cabins all over the country. You can search by location or landmark and customize your search for the number of people you need to accommodate as well as the price range. You can also read reviews on properties from previous occupants to help your decision process.This website is easy to use and gives a large selection of properties to choose from no matter what location is selected. Sometimes the property selection is too large so I recommend narrowing the search to find a place much quicker.
www.homeaway.com

#3 SnagAJob: This is a great search engine designed for both employer and employee. Businesses can post jobs and career opportunities for people to apply for. If you're looking for employment opportunities you can search by occupation for a specific type of job, or you can search by location for job opportunities in a specific area. I have used this site search for job opportunities numerous time and it offers a great selection of jobs for my area. I highly recommend this search engine if you are looking for employment .
www.snagajob.com

#4 Pinterest: This one of my all time favorite search engines for anything that is project, teaching, cooking, crafting, clothing, humor and just about anything you could think of in the realm of creativity. The name Pinterest comes from interest, this site is made so that you can search randomly or specifically from categories and pin those items you find interesting to you own personal pin-up board online, Hints the name Pinterest. It is a plethora of information in almost any category you can come up with. It is great for organizing and storing the things you find interesting and want to keep and reference for later use. This is a must to check out!
www.pinterest.com

#5 Foodily: This is a fantastic search engine for food! It is set up where you can search anything you want to cook and tailor it to your food allergy needs if necessary. People post different recipes as well as share them on this site. It is set up much like Pinterest but with only food. People can rate and like the recipes they recommend as well as save them for later use. This makes it easy to see what recipes have a higher rating and are most often liked by other viewers, making your recipe selection much easier once you have searched. I think this site is very useful especially for people like me who have a hard time finding quality recipes online. The rating system make it quick and easy to decide what recipe to choose to cook. I highly recommend it!
www.foodily.com

#6 Azlyrics: This site is for anyone from music gurus' wanting to broaden your lyrical knowledge or just for the average Joe who desperately needs to know what the lyrics to Eiffel 65's hit song Blue are. Azlyrics is set up as a search engine for basically any song by any band to search song lyrics. You can search from the alphabet of names or just use the search bar and type what or who you want to search. Although some might not see this site as useful, I have used it too many times to count, it is easy to use and useful for those of you that just need to know what they are singing about. I recommend just checking it out, you just never know what you might be singing wrong.
www.azlyrics.com

#7 Urbanspoon: If you're an indecisive eater like myself, then this is the site and phone app for you! urbanspoon is a search engine for restaurants, Urbanspoon allows you to search for restaurants in the area of your current location in order to help you find a spot to eat near by. You can search by location, operation hour, price range and much more. It also allows people who
have tried certain restaurants to rate them, post pictures of the menu and food, as well as comment and review them for those people looking to try the place out after them. For those of you who are indecisive eaters and struggle choosing a place to eat like I do, I recommend the Urbanspoon app for your phone. The app comes with a special feature called "Shake" this allows you to shake your phone or just press the "shake" button and it spins to land on a random restaurant that shows its location and price range. Such a great search engine!
www.urbanspoon.com

#8 Thefind: This site is a shoppers' dream! This search engine allows shoppers to search from a half Billion products from a half Billion stores. The site enables you to type any item into their search bar and it then provides you, the customer with a vast amount of that specific product. They offer the option to view the items you searched based on what is near you locally or just order them right from the site. This site is a great tool for shopping online, although I do recommend narrowing your search a bit to be more specific, otherwise you could be there for weeks sifting through a possible 50,000 pairs of boots looking for the perfect one.
www.thefind.com

Blog Post # 4

What do we need to know about asking questions to be an effective teacher?

Asking questions:

-Types of questions
-open ended/ Close ended

Goal of a question:

-student vs teacher

Provoking thought:
-strategies
-questions

What do we need to know about asking questions to be an effective teacher? First, as a teacher you must ask your self what is the goal of a question from the teacher's perspective? The goal of a question is to essentially provoke thought and active learning among students. Most teachers begin this thought provoking process by asking what are called open-ended questions. Open-ended questions are used to enable active learning, and require a deeper thought process in order to answer them. This type of questioning also helps the teacher gauge student comprehension while in the middle of a lesson, enabling the teacher to mold the lesson to the students' needs at that time.
Another way to question students is through closed-ended questions. Closed-ended questions are questions that require only brief answers, usually yes or no type questions. This type of questioning can be used to keep focus during discussion and can also help to promote discussion. Teachers should always present students with effective and organized questions in order to guide their students towards active learning.
 Now, from the student's perspective the goal of a question is to learn more about the information that they are given and try to understand it. When a student asks a question they are using active learning, they are wanting to learn more about they are being taught and trying to reinforce what they are comprehending. According to http://teachingcenter.wustl.edu One strategy to help keep students engaged during questioning is by avoiding " leading questions". "A leading question is phrased in such a way that it suggests its own answer and therefore discourages students from thinking on their own." As EDM 310's motto goes " Questions are more important than the answers" and an effective teacher constantly strives to challenge their students to ask effective, active, and thought provoking questions in order to enhance their own knowledge and skills.