Project #8

If you Give a Mouse a Cookie Book Trailer

Author: Laura Numeroff

Illustration: Felicia Bond

Blog Post #6

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

Until assigned this question I had never put any thought into what I needed to know as a teacher about asking a  question. I always felt the question was, "what does the student need to know about the question?". After doing my research about questions I was amazed at the things that I needed to know to be an effective teacher. This research not only increased my knowledge but also will help me improve my project based learning in the classroom. 

So to answer the question, "What do we need to know about questions to be an effective teacher?", I started with Asking Questions to Improve Learning. This website pointed out a few key general strategies for asking questions. As teachers, when asking questions keep the course goals in mind. Ask questions that pertain to the subject being taught and try not to get to off subject. This should help students with their critical thinking and communicate the facts learned. Avoid asking your students leading questions and if there is a "yes or no" question then follow the question up with another question. When leading classroom discussion try and not ask more then one question at a time. Sometimes asking more then one question can cause confusion to students about what question to answer. Ask questions through out your lecture and the class is more likely to be  more involved and attentive. This can also help the teacher measure the class's progress and see where the students are. Use different types of questions such as Open ended, closed, and managerial questions. 

After reading Asking Questions to Improve Learning I still felt that there was more to learn about asking questions so I used Three Ways to Ask Better Questions in the Classroom as my next resource. According to this Maryelle Weimer, a teaching professor, preparing questions is just as important as preparing the content. Planning out questions can make questions more clear and make the classroom discussion time run more smoothly. Play with questions and this will give the students more time to think on the question. An example of playing with questions would be collecting several answers. Last, make sure you preserve good questions. You can do this by saving student's questions from a previous class. These techniques help students think and learn and that is the importance of asking questions.

So to fully answer the question, "What do we need to know about questions to be an effective teacher?", we need to know the importance of questions. Teachers need to do the research on ways to improve asking questions to their classroom. Teachers need an understanding of where the students are within the class. Last teachers need to challenge their students to think out side the box and be critical thinkers. 

C4K #1

mj01’s Blog Post-This I Believe

This student had to write a story about something that he believed. He wrote his “This I Believe” story about what sports can do for a youth’s life. This student had some challenges that he had to overcome as a youth. He spent his time getting in trouble and not making good grades. This student was worried about everything but school. He found interest in a sport and that sport changed his life.  

My Response…

First, I introduced myself a an EDM 310 student at The University of South Alabama. Next, I thanked this student so much for sharing his post with me. Then, I went on to tell this student that I agreed with his pos and i thought that it was amazing that he was able to better himself. I loved that this student saw that if he wants something than he can achieve it. Nothing is unreachable if desired.

Candy’s Blog Post- One Direction

Candy shared a video in her blog post and this video was a music video of One Direction. Candy loves One Direction and listening to them. She is very excited about going to see One Direction in Concert in May.

My Response…

I first introduced myself as an EDM 310 student from the University of South Alabama. Then,  I told her how exciting that must be to be attending a concert like One Direction. I shared with Candy that when I was younger, I was in love with the Backstreet Boys. Last I thanked her for sharing her post with me.

Shanika’s Blog-Hexagonal Learning

Shanika shared a video explaining hexagonal learning. In this video, Shanika and a friend are displaying a poster with hexagons on it. This displays hexagons with video games listed. Shanika and her friend groups common video games with non common video games. This was an example of hexagonal learning.

My Response…

I first introduced myself to Shanika. Then, I told her that her post had taught me about hexagonal learning because I had never heard of it before now. Last, I thanked her for sharing her post with me.

Sir. Bruno The Wise

Bruno was assigned to read a book called "Out of My Mind". His class and several others are participating in a global read aloud. Bruno participated in a silent challenge because the main character of the story could not talk. Bruno was partnered up and had to try and communicate with his partner without talking. Bruno admitted that this was a challenge and a situation that he would hate to be in.

My Response... 

I fist introduced my self as an EDM 310 student from the University of South Alabama. I thought this was an interesting project because it was implied to learning. I told Bruno that I had never heard of a global read along and I wanted to know more about this project. I thanked him for sharing his post.

Blog Post #5

Project #7

This is my Sentence... This is my Passion...

Project #3 Presentation

C4T Post #1

I have been assigned to comment on Joe Bowler's blog for the Love of Learning. I have really enjoyed reading his blogs because he has so much passion for his work. Mr. Bowler is an teacher from Alberta Canada. Mr. Bowler strikes up discussions to keep people thinking and open minded. He somewhat challenges people.

The first post that I read from Bowler's blog was titled "When I grow up, I want to be like mommy". In this post he used a picture as an example. This picture looked as if a little girl was saying that her mom was a stripper. Mr. Bowler points out that there are more to teaching than just collecting grades. Being a teacher is about getting to know your students. Teachers should be careful not to assume and make sure to personally interact with their students.

 In my first comment to Mr. Bowler I told him who I was and where I was from. I then went on to tell him how much I agreed with everything that he said. I loved the picture example that he used. I also told him that I agreed that teachers should take the extra time to get to know their students. There is more to teaching than just sitting at a desk and collecting grades.

The next post that Mr. Bowler used is titled "3 Potential Problem for Alberta's New Task force on Teacher Excellence". This was about the Albert Government. He was highly concerned with the changes that were taking place. He never downed the government but he did want some clarification. The government is putting in place a new task force on teacher excellence. Bowler's concern was this new task force going to lead to evidence based conversations that contribute to improving teacher quality.

After reading this post I left a comment on Bowler's blog. I informed him who I was again and where I was from. Then, I took time to tell him again how much I admired his passion for his job. I also told Bowler that I agreed with improving teachers. I agree with always striving to be better and  improving. i informed him that I did not know much about the Alberta Government but I could understand where he might have reservations towards the change.

Blog Post #4

Longwhich's Podcasting with a First Grader

This is a great blog and teaching resource. This teacher went beyond what needed to be done and made a great reading technique. The children were so excited about their post and were eager to make more. It was exciting to see the pictures of the students being involved in their own learning. I am also amazed at all the skills that were practiced while recording and listening to the podcast.  I have never thought of creating a podcast as an educational resource, but this blog post showed me the importance of what technology can do for a learning environment. It also showed me how important it is for teachers to have knowledge of technology and to use technology to the fullest.

http://langwitches.org/blog/2009/12/11/podcasting-with-first-grade/

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The Benefits of Podcasting in the classroom

This blog post taught me more skills and useful ways a podcast can be used. Podcasting allows the students to show their originality and creativity. It allows the students to be excited and involved in their learning. Podcast help the students develop higher thinking skills and challenges the student. Creating a podcast is a good resource in case a child is out sick or on the go because it will allow the child to stay on track with learning I never thought about how useful a podcast could be for a child who has health issues. As a teacher I would not only use podcast to keep absent students up to date but also to challenge my students thinking skills.

http://joedale.typepad.com/integrating_ict_into_the_/2009/04/the-benefits-of-podcasting-in-the-classroom.html

What is a Podcast?

After learning so many useful ways to use a podcast in the classroom I wanted to obtain knowledge on how to make a podcast. Judy Scharf’s podcast collection has some really informative information. A podcast is a recording that can record by anyone and played on an iPod, computer, or any mp3 player device.  The link “how to Create a Podcast” shares information about how to make a podcast. Making a podcast is a free service and only a few items are needed to create one. Scharf’s post proves once again how a podcast can be an educational resource within the classroom. I really enjoyed this post and hope to use the information as a resource.  

http://www.curriki.org/xwiki/bin/view/Coll_jpsrolls/PodcastCollection

Blog Post #3

Peer editing can be an effective way to critique a paper or assignment, but there are some simple rules you must follow. You first need to know what is okay to comment on; do not be a Picky Peggy that rips peers apart. Make corrections to grammatical errors and spelling errors. Remind your peer not to become too wordy when writing papers. Maybe suggest a different word choice. Last, make sure your peer stays on topic within the paper.

Now that we know what to comment about, here are some effective ways to comment. First, give your peer a compliment. This way, you are building your peer up before you let him or her down. Next, you must be positive when you comment, because being mean or rude is just going to offend your peer. Last, when you comment, be specific on what needs to be changed; do not leave your peer confused. Now that you know what to comment about and how to comment, you can leave your peer with an accurate critique.

When editing my group members we chose to do it in private under our Google docs. We chose to do it this way so we can see the corrections made to each others work. This way makes it easier to communicate. We also communicate through group text messages. My group members Ross Hollis and Erica Tripp are great to work with ,and we all try not to be a "Picky Peggy" when editing each others work.