Final Reflection

Blog Post #5 part 2rainbowswithinreach.blogspot.com

My PLN is expanding everyday. The resources Dr. Strange has provided us has really helped me expand my learning on teaching. I now know how to use technology to help create lesson plans and ideas for my future classroom. The PLN idea is great it gives me a wide variety of ideas and opinions that I may have not thought of on my own. Some teachers may not give it much thought to post their lessons online, but to us beginners they are a big help to develop are own.

Blog Post #14

Problems and their solutions stated by: Joel Klein. He emphasizes on professionalizing teaching.

1. Pick from the best.  Start with the academic training for teachers. We need to look at a new approach in recruiting teachers. Rewarding teachers should help enforce great and productive teaching. 
2. Seniority Distraction. Job security and seniority dictate how schools operate. Professionalizing teaching means that excellence would be the guiding hallmark.
3. Radical Changes. Teachers should establish their own standards. Lastly, teachers would abandon their support for mandatory assignment of kids to neighborhood schools in favor of "the greatest possible choice among public schools."

Academic training should be enforced for teaching. While some simply just have a degree in the field with no education degree, can become teachers. I agree, that teachers should be educated. Some teachers go over and beyond to teach their students as to some who simply do what they have to do to get by. The teachers who go over and beyond should be rewarded for their handwork. Seniority distraction can determine how schools operate. Experienced teachers end up in middle class schools, while the poor kids receive teachers who are not always effective. Radial changes would allow teachers to establish their own guidelines. Teachers would then be promoted based on specialty exams. 

Professionalizing teaching would give the teachers the respect they deserve. As teachers, we guide the next generation of doctors, lawyers, and everything else kids want to be. Providing teachers with the best academic before they get out on their own only benefits the students. Rewards help boost teachers work. Seniority can be a good thing or bad thing. A young teacher who works his or her tail off may be cut because they were the new hire vs. the teacher who has been their for 10 years that sits down everyday. Teachers should be able to write their standards. They see what is going on in the classroom everyday. 

Blog Post #13

Write a Blog Post on what you have learned in EDM310 so far.




When I signed up for EDM310 I didn't know what to expect. It is my first semester at USA, I transferred from a two-year college. I am very knowledgeable on how technology can be incorporated in to the classroom. When I was growing up it was just pencil and paper, but times have changed. I learned multiple ways to integrate technology with lesson plans. I have also built my personal learning network in the process. Dr. Strange has also shared with us some great resources to look back at when I develop my own classroom. I am also knowledgable on how to create a book trailer which would be really fun for my future students. I have learned a lot about the SMART board and how the functions work. I can not wait to use all my knowledge gained from EDM310 in my classroom.

C4K November

Cameron V,

Mission 1 T walkers                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 On Digital Passport I watched a video and i saw when to use our devices in the right place at the right time.                                                                                you must not use it when your at a friends house and you can use it when your mom can pick you up.

Mission 2 Share jumpers                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     In this lesson it teaches you what you should share and how.                                                                                                                                                                             I learnt that you should not share inappropriate things because people are watching.

My comment:

Hi Cameron,
I am Paula Holt. A student in EDM310 at the University of South Alabama. I agree there is a time and place to use devices. At a friends house you want to make as many memories with that friend rather than being glued to your cell phone. It is a great way to build a life long friendship. There is always things that should be kept a secret with yourself. Everyone does not have to know every little thing. Do you have any secrets that you keep to yourself?


<a href="http://holtpaulaedm310.blogspot.com">Paula Holt</a>



Kurt,
My left picture is before I printed and the one on the right is when its on paper, and printed.

My comment:
Kurt,
I am Paula Holt a student in EDM310 at the University of South Alabama. I love print making. We just we over this in my art class. I am in the process of making my own print. You did a very good job on this. It is taking me a while to figure out what I want to draw. I hope you are enjoying school.
<a href="http://holtpaulaedm310.blogspot.com/">Paula Holt</a>

C4T #4

Post #1
Annie Palmer,

Some of the greatest lessons I learned were on a softball field as a young adult.  Oftentimes, I find myself making connections between that context of learning and the context of learning about instruction.  Let’s make a comparison between a coach on a softball field and a teacher in a classroom and tie it all into feedback, which is one of the most powerful strategies in improving student achievement.

1. During any given practice, a softball player does not receive a score on their performance, but rather specific feedback, such as “hit the middle of the ball” or “keep your head tucked in when swinging.”  This feedback is specific and directed towards one particular player.

What this means for feedback in the classroom: Do not mistake scores for feedback.  Scores are oftentimes an end result and sends the message that learning is done.  Instead, give feedback in relation to the learning target and success criteria in the form of a verbal conversation or written explanation, not a number.  In addition, focus feedback on individuals as opposed to whole-class feedback.

2. When a coach enthusiastically yells “Way to go!” to a player, there’s a sense of pride and accomplishment. It makes them feel good. This is important; however, it also does not give feedback on improvement.

What this means for feedback in the classroom: There is a place for praise in the classroom. But, research shows that praise affect’s a student’s ego, not their achievement.  And, when given in tandem with feedback, praise dissipates the power of the feedback.  The lesson: give praise in the classroom, just separate it from feedback.

3. A coach does not wait until the end of practice and definitely not until the end of the season to give instruction to their players. Feedback is constantly given in the act of learning.

What this means for feedback in the classroom:  The most powerful form of feedback is in the form of formative assessment, done daily and in the act of learning.  A teacher’s “aha’s” about student learning should come daily or weekly as opposed to that happening as a summative assessment is graded.

What other analogies can you think of connecting coaching and instruction through the lens of feedback?  I would love to hear your ideas!

My Comment:

I found this post very interesting. I as well played softball all year round for over half my life. It caught my attention that someone has compared teaching to coaching. I think feedback should be directed towards one student for his or her accomplishment than as a class. Once you see someone struggling or needing a fix it is best to assess the moment when you see it as to waiting until it is to late. I do agree that grades give the illusion that we are done learning on that and it is not the case we are always learning. Great post. It has opened my eyes to the one thing I love and the one thing I want to become. 

EDM310 Student at the University of South Alabama.
Paula Holt




Post #2


Darren Fix,

This is a good discrepit event to start a conversation on heat energy. Ice cubes are placed on blocks made of different materials (although students aren't aware of that). One ice cube melts at a much faster rate than the other. The block that melted the ice cube faster feels colder than the other. Students are quick to predict/assume that the warmer block would have melted the ice cube faster. This leads to a critical thinking discussion of how heat energy flows and the ability of materials to conduct heat better or worse than others. 

My comment: 

I am a student at the University of South Alabama enrolled in EDM310. This is a great way to show students energy and heat. This allows the students to engage and see the actual thing happen. Great post,thank you for sharing. 

Project #12 Part B Group 4

We will be teaching First Grade how to add and subtract whole numbers.
 Lesson Plan