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ED 701
I really enjoyed looking at the flipped classroom website. Flipped learning is something I have heard about, read about, and even discussed with fellow colleagues who have tried it. It has always felt like something that would take more time on my end (recording a lecture beforehand), but the site’s information makes it seem more feasible.
I do really like the idea of saving the teaching time for home, and saving class time for collaboration and group work. I would imagine that student interest would increase (more exciting to watch a video at home than do “homework” at home…)I could see myself starting small, by posting a few short videos per week. I do wonder though about: students who do not watch the video, and students that have questions during the video. Will they remember to ask me the question the next day? I was so very interested to watch the video and learn about CBL. I love the similarities to PBL, yet how it is based around a core challenge. I also really excited to see a CBL project in action. It is clear that the students were interested and engaged in the lesson, and I love how each child focused on a specific Guided question and quided activity. My school does not “do” PBL, but I would be interested to see my students try this. I bet I would be amazed at what they came up with!
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1. I am my Connectome:Sebastian Seung’s TED talk is about how we are more than our genes and our genetical makeup. Instead, we are made up of connectomes. These are connections between the brains neurons, which really shapes who we are. Unfortunately, this is still a hypothesis, as we do not have the tools and technology to research and discover this.
2. A new culture of learning: John Seely Brown’s speech was mainly about how education is constantly changing. Teachers must be life-long learners, and be open to evolving and changing as our education system and curriculum do as well. In addition, how can we have successful learning without diminishing returns? How can we spark our students’ curiosity in order to keep them engaged? 3. Five minds of the future: Howard Garner’s speech was quite enlightening. He discussed how he has study the brain and how it has evolved, and how it will continue to evolve. I was especially intrigued by the respectful and ethical mind area of his research - which is giving other people the benefit of the doubt, especially when they don’t look like us. These are areas that are not found on a classroom scoring rubric. 4. Sir Ken Robinson: Sir Ken Robinson’s Changing Education Paradigms is a video I have seen before, but NOT in a LONG time. One of my favorites - and always a great message to be reminded of. One thing mentioned in the video is that a college degree doesn’t necessarily guarantee a good job anymore. The education system is the same system since the 18th century, even though our culture and our economy have changed greatly since them. As educators, we need to realize that our students live in a different generation than us, with much more stimulation than we were every used to. We must adapt our teaching to fit the needs of our students. 5. The surprising science of motivation: Daniel Pink’s TED Talk began with different experiments about how humans think. As a psychology major, I was so interested in these experiments, and how they relate to education. It is crazy to learn about how humans are motivated, and what can easily sway how motivated people are. My Insights: After watching these videos, I realized that there is much wrong with our education system today. In my own school and district, I feel that we are doing much to change education for the better. Teachers at my school are working hard with new curriculum in order to adapt their teaching to fit their students’ needs. Teachers must be open and willing to change, in order to best benefit their students. In reading Darling-Hammond closing chapter, and reflecting on her policy prescriptions, I made many connections to my own classroom.
These policies could have a large impact on education, as many school districts and teachers are hoping to make a change in order to be a part of 21st century learning. If goals become more meaningful, students would be more engaged and interested as learning would relate to the real world. Accountability systems and adequate resources would provide teachers with the tools they need to help their students be successful inside the classroom, and out. Strong standards and supports would keep expectations high for students, and allow teachers to help them meet those standards. Lastly, having a school that supports teacher and student learning encourages all people to be life-long learners, and really sets students up with skills they need to be successful in the "real world". Currently, many schools do not have adequate resources, and are not focused on student learning. If we were to turn our education system around and fully implement these policies, I believe that we would be better preparing our students for their futures. John Dewey said "What the best and wisest parent wants for his own child, that must we want for all children in the community. Any other ideal for our schools is narrow and unlovely; acted upon, it destroys our democracy”. This quote perfectly sums up what education is like in the United States, without Darling-Hammond's 5 key policy elements. We discuss education like all students have access to an EQUAL education - but that is completely not the case. Until we can make schools equal in ways of funding of resources, and support/professional development for teachers, we will not truly be setting all students up EQUALLY for a successful future. At my own school in Benicia Unified School District, I believe that they offer a lot of support and resources for teachers, which allow us to best help our students. On the other hand, I teach in a "well-off", middle/upper-class suburban neighborhood. Our school is not very diverse. In some way, we may be perpetuating these "unfair" and "unequal" education systems. I'm not sure of the right answer, or how to make these 5 key elements a reality. For now, I try to use the resources and supports I do have to make my classroom the most successful place it can be. I loved looking at the SAMR model, and wanted to share this one I found - I like the image of the swimming pool :) https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/differentiating-in-math
I watched the above video for this case study. I am hoping to have my research question revolve around differentiation during math instructions/activities/lessons. While this video shows a class that is younger than mine, it definitely gave me ideas. The kids in this class have 1:1 laptops, and play a math game called "planet turtle". The students are able to get immediate feedback, as well as the teacher! Then, the teacher can pull aside a group of students who need to be retaught a lesson, or work with those who need to take their thinking to the next level. Although I may not use this exact website, it did give me an idea of how to differentiate my math instruction! I can work with a group of students, while other students are working at their own levels, using technology, and playing math games! Through technology, math games, and differentiated mini lessons and small group, the teacher noticed how his students' math skills improved. In addition, the students were engaged when playing games, and really benefitted from having immediate feedback on whether or not their answers were correct. IF I had more technology, I could do this lesson. Since I do not, I think I can take parts of this lesson to use in my class. I would rate this a 4 out of 5, because I would have loved to see more of how technology and math games are used in this classroom. While reading Darling-Hammond's book The Flat World and Education, I unfortunately felt like I was reading something far too familiar. Even though I have not been in the teaching profession very long, it has been clear to see the problems in education. While substitute teaching at different schools, I was able to see how far money and support went in terms of benefitting the students. While funding is the obvious issue, I think a lack of support is there too. Other countries put such a value on education, and see teaching as a prime profession. Here, teaching is not looked at the same way - more so a "those who can't do, teach" attitude.
That being said, I do feel very fortunate to work at the school that I do. My kiddos are lucky enough to (for the most part) have supportive parents who are able to spend time/money on their child's education. We have access to technology. At times, I wish we have more, but I know that we are more well off than other schools. As for what I can do in my own classroom - I can teach children that it is ok to ask questions, and to make mistakes. It is beneficial to collaborate with others, and it is okay to struggle during a problem that involves deep thinking. All of this is especially critical with how fast technology is growing. Students have a world of knowledge at their fingertips - now we just have to teach them how to use it. http://www.teachertube.com/video/plano-isd-using-pointdraw-164851
In this video, the teacher was using the smart whiteboard in order to teach a science lesson. The students seem engaged - shouting answers, and counting along with the teacher. The teacher really seemed to be using the smartboard as a visual while she asked questions. I could (and somewhat do) use my smartboard in the same way this teacher was. In my own class, I'd love to see the students up at the smartboard using the tools more than me - using the pens to share their thinking and teach other kiddos. I would rate this video a 3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCo4SIUStUw This video shows a case study with a classroom using an interactive whiteboard as well as a document camera. This video was applicable to me because I have both of these items in my classroom! The teacher gave great examples which items she uses most often (document camera), and HOW she uses them. For example, in science lessons, she uses the document camera to show labs, etc. In math, she displays manipulatives, and for writing, she displays student work. Although I didn't see students in action, the teacher made it clear that student are more engaged because they really want to get their hands on the items! While this is not a very NEW and EXCITING use of technology in the classroom, it did remind me what a great piece of technology I have in class, and reminded me of how to use it daily for each subject. I would love for my students to be more involved using the document camera themselves, and I would love to see students showing more of their work, and show/describe how they did something. I would rate this a 4 out of 5, because it was not that new to learn. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_pIK7ghGw4&feature=youtu.be This video really emphasized fun in the classroom, which can be done with tech savvy teachers that have access to technology. It is clear to see that the students are learning. The lessons are directly related to what they are interested in (Social media: twitter, facebook), and the students are therefore all engaged and on task. In this lesson, I observed many differences between a lesson with this technology, and a less without. For example, the teacher mentioned that in a "regular" lesson, students can't all ask questions at the same time. With technology and the instant messaging tool, students can all ask questions or share their thoughts at the same time! I would consider using aspects of this lesson, but as a 4th grade teacher with limited technology, this may not even be possible. In addition, the social media aspect makes this more suitable for middle or high school. I would rate it a 3 out of 5. |
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January 2016
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