Blog Post #11

Brian Crosby, a teacher from Nevada, talks about how he uses technology in the classroom with back to the future. Every student has a blog. Instead of the standard 20 question test, Crosby asks the students to embed the video into their blog and give an explanation. He asks the students to set goals for themselves. While the students also build a learning network to collaborate with one another. Celeste, a student with Leukemia, attends class everyday through Skype or a similar application. This allows her to be a normal student while at home fighting cancer.

Mr. Paul Anderson describes for us what blended learning is for us.  He describes that online, mobile, and classroom is mixed with the learning cycle which is engage, explore, expand, explain, and evaluate. Blended learning cycle is the combination of both. Allowing the students to grade each others work and get involved allows for more learning. Anderson talks about having a good question, investigate, video, collaboration, review, and summary quiz. He uses the method for students to better understand the material with the blended learning cycle.

Same Pane shows us what it takes to be a super digital citizen. He demonstrates what it takes to be a good digital citizen. A digital citizen chooses to act safely, respectful, and show responsibility. Pane reminds the students to not give out any information to strangers on the internet. Using a website the students are able to design and create their own digital citizen. After creating this the students must write a narrative while building a comic of a digital citizen saving the day from people not being careful while using the internet. This allows the students to write narratives, analyze how visual and multimedia elements contribute to text, and ask and answer questions.

In this video, project based learning describes using projects because it increases engaged learners. It gives the students a deeper understanding of the material. Students use technology as a tool to bring the content to life.

PBL program at Roosevelt Elementary provides a video explanation of PBl. Using project based learning allows students to show they fully understand the concept. This also encourages public speaking skills. Starting the student at a young age with public speaking will eliminate this fear as the student ages. It allows the students to make decisions and form presentation.

Making thinking visible  is also a book that deepens the minds of students while deepening the depth of understanding.