Daphne High Access Lab

I really enjoyed visiting and learning about the ACCESS lab at Daphne High. I met with Mr. Roh who talked to me about the pros and cons of the ACCESS program then gave me a tour of the lab. The concepts of the programs are great and once all of the logistics and kinks are worked out I think it will be a program that will really benefit the state of Alabama.

There are two different types of classes that can be taught in the lab, the first IVC, or interactive video conferencing is not currently being used at Daphne High right now. I found this one to be the more interesting of the two but it also seemed to pose the most logistical problems. IVC allows the teacher to be located anywhere within the state and teach to students in labs all over the state with open video communication. The main problem with this is that schools throughout the state have different schedules. In order for students to participate in this class, they must all be in their lab at the same time. Since some schools use a seven period day schedule and some a block schedule, not to mention different holiday schedules, IVC classes are hard to coordinate. However, I think this will be more beneficial to students because they are communicating with a teacher via webcam as opposed to just emails.

The second class that the ACCESS lab is used for is internet web-based classes. Currently, there are a few of these classes being used at DHS. These classes seem to be a lot like online college courses. The students have assignments and deadlines to meet but work on their own time and communicate through emails and chat boards. The students will probably never talk or meet the teacher. These are easier to coordinate because students don't have to have the same schedule to take the same class. Next year, all freshman at DHS will be required to take an internet class. This poses a problem because although the lab is well equipped, there still aren't enough computers to accommodate those students. Also, DHS offers most classes that are taught online, therefore students will be taking a class online instead of taking it in a classroom with a face to face teacher. The online classes will be beneficial to students who have failed a class. Remedial classes are offered online so students can retake a class and graduate on time. There are still problems with this system though- but not as many as IVC.

All in all, the lab was very fascinating. Its a good idea by the state but it just needs to be worked on a little. I think in about 5-10 years (or hopefully by the time I'm teaching) everything will be up and running smoothly.

Blogging in the Classroom

After learning about and creating a blog I think that it can be a very useful tool in the classroom. Blogging offers a simple and informal way of communication from the teacher to the parents and students. I think that setting up a class blog should be used in addition to parent newsletters, but that they shouldn't take the place of them. Most families now have some form of internet access but it may not be on a daily or weekly basis.

Blogging offers teachers a way to post pictures, videos, and presentations made by the class available for parents to see. Not only can you post student generated material but links to articles, or podcasts that you think parents may be interested in. It is a good way to keep parents up to date with what the class is working on.

The con to having a class blog is that it is an additional responsibility for the teacher to keep up with. It seems to be easier with practice though. When I first started blogging it seemed to take me much longer. Now that I am familiar with the layout it is pretty simple.

After reading Heather Rodger's EDM 310 blog we seem to have a lot of the same ideas. We both came in blind as to what a blog was all about and in the end have decided it can be a very beneficial classroom tool. I enjoyed reading about the schools and teachers she had communicated with as well as her outlook on the podcasts we had watched and listened too.

Center for Documentary Studies

Dukes Center for Documentary Studies provides the chance for students to address and acknowledge social situations in our world. Its a way of planting the seed for discussion on issues such as our history, race, and social situations that are normally pushed aside. I couldn't find any information on whether the students were required to listen to all of them, or just a select few or any at all, or whether this was just an available resource in case they wanted them. I think students need to address social situations and are many times hesitant. Listening to podcasts such as these in classrooms can be the way to spark discussions between students. These types on conversations can be related to any subject matter, really. In all subjects, literature, science, mathematics there has been some controversial history and conflict involved. It leads students to question what and why they are being taught the information that they are, and this is a powerful tool.

Class Podcasts

First of all, I have to say I enjoyed doing the podcast much more than I thought I would. Coming into this class I didn't even really know what a podcast was and was not thrilled at the idea of having to make one. However, I was assigned the topic of Randy Pausch's last lecture and I thoroughly enjoyed working as a group to make the podcast. After listening to our groups podcast I was satisfied, but also found room for improvement. I think our topic was one that lends itself to very in depth conversations, but we only had time to skim the surface. One thing we could have done differently was picked one or two main subjects and gone more in depth on those and how they related to education. Also, we could have included more background information on Randy Pausch and his life before getting into the topics we discussed.

I chose to listen to another groups discussion on The Last Lecture of Randy Rausch and enjoyed hearing the differences and similarities from ours. The podcast that I listened to did a good job of explaining who Paush was. It seemed at times that their manner of conversation a little sarcastic though. I would also suggest to this group that they go more in depth on how Paush's life could relate to teaching, it more just about him as a person. All in all though, I enjoyed listening to a different perspective on the same topic that I had.

I listened to a few others and found it interesting how different they all were. I found that some topics definitely lent themselves to easier conversations that other did. Everyone's style was a little different too. Some seemed to be reading off of a paper sitting in front of them while others were more casual conversation between a group of people. I thought this was interesting because they all in one way or another sounded like the different styles of podcasting we have listened too from iTunes. I tended to enjoy the ones in a conversational style more so than the rehearsed ones though.

Contacting Teachers Outside of the Area

I actually contacted a few teachers because I wasn't sure if they were actually going to respond back. However, I was so impressed that every single one I emailed responded within 2 days. I found this really amazing because I know teachers are so busy with their classrooms and I made it clear I was only a student. This was inspiring because I feel like when I am actually teaching, communicating with other teachers is only an email away. Since I had a few responses, I figured I'd just post them to my blog for everyone to read. Here was our communication. I contacted all the teachers through a chat board at Teachers.net.

My name is Virginia Grant and I'm an Elementary Ed student at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama, USA. I am currently taking and Educational Technology class and we were asked to establish contact with a teacher outside of our region. Ultimately, I believe this lesson is to have us use the internet and chatboards to introduce the idea of penpals for our students when we graduate. I'm sure you are extremely busy but if you wouldn't mind writing me a quick email with ways that you incorporate technology in the classroom I would be extremely grateful. Also, have you gotten any responses on your request for penpals? I'm sure your students would love that. Thank you for your time.

RESPONSE #1
I teach a self contained classroom of 17 students. I am looking for a 4th or 5th grade class to be pen pals with. My kids are very excited about this and we are looking forward to finding some penpals.

RESPONSE #2
I've gotten 2 responses so far for pen pals. We are located in southern
Georgia, and they are located in Arkansas and California (if I remember
right). We've only emailed back and forth once so far. I plan on doing
this via snail mail. As far as using technology in my classroom, I'm
very blessed to be in a county that values technology so much. Every
class in my school has a Smartboard with projector and a CPS system
(Classroom Performance System.) I use my Smartboard absolutely everyday
and I use the CPS weekly. I have 6 computers in my room, and students
use them different projects, group activities, taking AR tests, etc.
I'll be glad to help you in any way that I can. :)

RESPONSE #3
Yes, I got a reply from Maryland for pen pals. We are working on our letters already.

RESPONSE #4
I am just starting this teaching job, first official day will be December 1st. Not sure how I will integrate technology in the class. I will help you if I can be of any help/ also let me know if you have any suggestions. I will be out of town until thanksgiving without very much internet availability. Take care, best of luck

RESPONSE #5
Hi Virginia.
I'm not sure if this is what you are looking for, but these are ways I use technology in my room.

-we use the internet/interactive CD that came with our new math textbooks to introduce new concepts

-use Discovery Education/United Streaming to show videos to reinforce concepts learned

-Elmo/projector- i have the students come up and work on it

-We make powerpoints at the end of the school year, and they learn how to incorporate pictures from the internet to put in their project

-we use studyisland.com together in small groups on the computer and put it through the projector so they can all see

I hope that helps? I have had 1 person respond, and by the time i got back to them the next day, they had already hooked up with someone else, so we still dont have a pen pal yet.

RESPONSE #6
Virginia, hi!

My English isn't as good as I wish it was, but I'll try to help anyway.
I incorporate technology in my class a lot, I think. We have 3 digital
cameras and children take photos almost every day, than we look it together
and talk. I have children stories on Power Point sometimes. I also use lap
top... computer in suitcase :) on which I have music I make my preparations
for school. We use digital camera (for DVD), but not a lot. That is about
all.
Yes I got a response form y request-5 people, all from USA. From Texas, 2
from New York, and Chicago. Now we communicate through email, but I wish we
will write to each other too.
So I hope I helped you a bit... if you want to know anything else, just say.
All luck on your University.
Take care

Math with Technology

In Episode One, Judy Chandler talks about how technology is useful to math teachers. She says that many math teachers feel they don't need to integrate technology into their classroom. They say that they don't have the time, or that most of their students are doing fine so whats the need? However, Chandler insists that it is essential to use technology to teach math. She says that it is one of the six critical principles of a high quality education. Students come to us already using technolyg as a daily tool. Technolgy, integrated with pedagogy and content knowlege offers students an investigative approach. It also helps teach to alternative learning styles. She says that by using technolgy, you actually increase your instructional mintues and can cover up to five textbook lessons in one session.

In Episode Two, Chandler talks about thinking mathmatically. This episode was mainly based on the importance of asking students meaningful questions about math. Teaching math the traditional textbook way causes many students to memorize and forget or to disengage all together. By using technology in math, students are provided with hands-on experiences, they are engaged in what they are doing. Asking students meaningful questions leads to critical thinking. Students begin to connect ideas and investigate concepts. This leads to deeper concept development and helps perpare students for more learning.

I have always claimed to hate math, I think so much of this came from being bored with it. I made decent grades but it was because I memorized what I needed to know and used it on the test, then forgot it. However, the next year when I was asked to build on what I'd learned I struggled because I never truly understood what I was doing. This led to getting college math classes over with as soon as possible and hoping to never have to do it again. The point of this story is that had I been more engaged in what I was doing, I may have taken more of an interest in math. Had I been challenged to explain what I was doing, rather than just burping it back on the test my base would have been stronger. I think this is true of many students when it comes to math. We are taught to believe either you get it, or you don't. I think technology can help with this. Students think technology is cool, and you can teach concepts with out the traditional textbook ways. This makes students look forward to math. I think here in the US we have a long way to go in the math department, but it starts with reaching students young and engaging them.

Growth vs. A Fixed Mindset

In the Stanford University video Professor Carol Dweck discusses the difference between people with a fixed mindset and those with a growth mindset. She begins by saying that people who have a fixed mindset go about their work trying to prove their intelligence and gauge success on how smart they appear to be. However, people with a growth mindset believe that the mind can grow and that intelligence is achieved through passion, studying and education. In order to test this theory they decided to set up an 8 session workshop to teach the growth mindset. The students in the study were divided into two groups. Half were taught study skills to try to increase their academic performance. The other half was given the study sills along with the sessions on growth mindset.

In the growth mindset workshops, students were taught how to apply their mindset to get optimal performance. Students are taught that mistakes are inevitable, however what you do with them makes the difference. She compares it to driving a race car, you have to be in the zone, the difference is after mistakes are made, can you stay in the zone.

At the end of the semester, the students who had just the study skills course showed no signs of improvement. On the other hand, the students who had the study skills session along with the mindset sessions showed significant progress and a rise in grades.

Dweck says that there are two groups in the world, one group is curious to learn and the others just want to feel smart. As a future teacher this is extremely important to remember. I think that it is important to never be complacent with where you are as a teacher. If you want to succeed, you must continue to exercise your brain. Teachers who get set in their ways and don't try new things lose the interest of the students. I think this is easier said than done though because this requires more time from teachers outside of class. I think that teachers need to share ideas and collaborate, learning and sharing ideas with one another is an easy way to pick up new ideas. I hope to be a teacher with a growth mindset.

A Night in the Coral Reef

On the WGBH podcast site, one of the videos I watched was "A Night in the Coral Reef." This video was located under the K-5 section of videos. The short, three minute video took you on an underwater tour of the coral reef at night. It explained that day feeding fish hide at night to avoid nocturnal predators. The crevices in the coral serve as good hiding spots for these fish. Nocturnal sea animals such as the squirrel fish, porcupine fish, and octopus come out at night to feed. Some of these are carnivorous and look for plant eating fish to eat. The video did a good job of capturing an underwater ecosystem.

Podcasts such as these can be extremely useful in the classroom. Students attention is captured by videos and technology. By keeping it short, it can be a useful tool as an introduction to a lesson. Many times videos can spark discussions from students that traditional text book reading may not.

These video-podcasts also help students take a "virtual field trip" in a way. With just the click of a button they are able to visualize and see for themselves many environments that otherwise they may not have seen. Students love learning and discussing new things- if it is presented in an interesting way. I think that these podcasts can serve as an essential tool to opening the minds of students to new and exciting places.