Blog Post #6

What do you learn from these conversations with Anthony Capps?

The common thing with all these videos is that 3RD GRADERS ARE MORE ADVANCED THAN US! It is very obvious that they are doing things with ease that we are just now learning. With today's technology all the kids are raised with cell phones, computers and tablets. That's all they know. One thing that sort of stood out to me that Anthony said in the video Don't Teach Tech- Use it was, "do not expect perfection". Everyone learns different, some kids might get it on the first try and some may not, some might even do it better than you do. Anthony also stated in one of his videos that, " weather you like it or not technology is there", so you might as well use it. Engage your students with projects that keep them on their toes and involved. Everyone thinks that project based learning is what you do at the end of a lesson to show what you have learned but it should be a way to let the children to show what they have achieved in class(Project Based Learning Part 1). I will be new to the project based learning method but I think it is a always changing method that we need to a just to an learn. We as soon to be teachers need to find ways to use technology, sometimes, in our lessons because that is the way the kids are teaching themselves at home.

Blog Post #5

What are Personal Leaning Networks?

According to Google personal learning networks are:
(PLN's) are a cost-effective means for educators to grow professionally. Each PLN is crafted and personalized based on the professional interests and goals of an individual educator. This is a FREE means of professional development available 24/7 from anywhere

How can they help you as a teacher?

I do believe a PLN will effectively help me not only as a teacher, but now as a student. I have a difficult time keeping all my work organized and I think this will help me keep up with things so much better. Having a PLN will create a place for me to gather ideas for my future classroom, find people that have "been there and done that" where I can ask questions, or just like Michael Fawcett said in his video just become friends with your friends, friends and watch there conversations an learn from them. It may develop help with my professional development and knowledge.

How can you create your own PLN?

I would create mine by using twitter more effectively. Dr. Strange said that it helps him a lot, so I will give it another shot. I will also use my Facebook. I can create a certain group of people on my Facebook that are strictly educators or fellow classmates. I think the  Symbaloo will be a useful tool that I will use also. In the video A 7th Graders Personal Learning Environment seemed to be a easy way to have a PLN also, I think if she can do something of that nature I can to. She made it seem so easy. Pinterest  is another social network that I would use. You can create a Particular section that you can pin just teacher ideas in. I find pinterest to be really helpful when finding ideas for projects or classroom activity.

Who will be the first additions to your PLN?

My family would be the first to be added to my PLN. I have a lot of family members that are fellow teachers near our area. I can use them for help or questions whenever I want to. I will also add any teachers that I come across in my time in school, like Dr. Strange or the lab assistants. My classmates will be someone good to have in my PLN because not only are they learning to but we are learning the same things, so we can help each other. I would also like to extend my PLN world to people that I do not know yet. People that may be across the world or in a different state. Getting to know other people and how they do things might help me understand different ways of learning and teaching.

Blog Post #4

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

Question= a sentence worded or expressed so as to elicit information
Google

When asking a effective questions you need to remember the three steps:

1. Prepare- You do not want your questions to not make
                    sense to the student, and confuse them

2. Play with Questions- Ask questions that make students keep
                        thinking after the question has been answered

3. Preserve good Questions- Listen to the students, and then
           repeat or change the question around for the students



Irene Leonard says, "that effective questions are questions that are powerful and thought provoking. Effective questions are open-ended and not leading questions". Open-ended questions can leave room for discussion. This is a  more effective way to ask questions instead of a closed-ended question to where it can just be answered with yes or no. As teachers we need to be able to admit that we do not always no everything, we are learning from the students just as much as they are learning from us. When asking questions in general we kind of get a understanding on how the class learns. Mind/Shift: How we will learn claims that, "asking question can be a passive model that relies on students to absorb information they need to reproduce on a test". One thing that I saw for effective questions that stood out was from Guy Claxton and he said, "good learning starts with questions, not answers". This statement can not only open up more questions that could be asked, but reveals a new aspect of thinking when asking a effective question. "Questions can be used to stimulate discussion, creative, and critical thinking".Cornell University

Blog Post #3

Stay Positive! That is the main thing that I learned from these videos and slideshows. Always when you are peer editing, remember that you do not need to tell them what to do. Simply just offer a suggestion right after you tell them what you thought they did well on. You don't want to circumcise them, just be kind and positive, even if they may be whatever William. You can do this by remembering the 3 steps in peer editing compliments, suggestions, and corrections.
Another thing that I learned that peer editing means, "working with someone your own age - usually someone in your class - to help improve, revise, and edit his or her writing." Give compliments like, "I really loved your topic." When giving suggestions "stay positive and specific." Then when you give corrections you should be looking for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. All of these suggestions make since on how to help you when peer editing. You also should editing someones paper the same way that you would want your paper edited. and once again Stay Positive!