LEAD issues five digital learning recommendations

LEAD issues five digital learning recommendations
President Obama launched a bipartisan Leading Education, called the ConnectED Initiative launch in order to commission a five-point blueprint that instructs the actions to accelerate the digital learning of K-12 grades. The U.S Department of Education and Federal Communications Commissions noticed a need for technology to transform K-12 education. The LEAD Commissions has worked hard for more than a year to identify and overcome barriers that hamper digital learning in the US. This is done in the hopes that all children no matter zip code will have access to high-quality 21st century learning tools. And this should be taken seriously and doing what’s best for our future generations. The LEAD Commissions’ blueprint calls for the acceleration in implementing digital learning and Ed-tech in America’s education system. The Five-point blueprint call for the federal, state, local, private, and charitable sectors put into practice the following recommendations for digital learning and Ed-tech: 1 solve the infrastructure challenge by updating the wiring of schools; 2. Build a national effort to deploy devices; 3. Accelerate the adoption of digital curriculum; 4. Embrace and encourage model schools; and 5. Invest in human capital. Implementing these 5 things allows us to change the stagnant educational performance since the 19th century.

Education needs to evolve along with technology, or at least the ways in which education is learned. Just like one of those professional stated from our previous assignment about technology used to engage student through like games with achievements and awards, that’s a good start. I think both go hand in hand myself. Technology enhances education by pushing pass past limitations, but only through education, curiosity, and ingenuity can technology be enhanced or newly created technologies.  And just because technology advances so much we should not rely on it too much and become complacent and stagnate in which we just rely on technology to solve all our problems.

3. Sir Ken Robinson - Schools Kill Creativity

3. Sir Ken Robinson - Schools Kill Creativity

Ken Robinson believes all kids have tremendous talent and we squander them. He believes we stigmatize mistakes, educating people out of creative capacity. He states that kids are educated out of their creativity, rather than growing into it they grow out of it. Every school has the same hierarchy of subjects, placing arts at bottom. Ken Robinson even uses examples such as a young girl named Julian, who disrupted the other students because she couldn't sit still, now a days she would be diagnosed as having ADHD, but back then all she needed was to dance. She was an active thinker, have to move to think. She became a ballet dancer, multi-millionaire now and if she had been in school now when would have been given meds and told to calm down, what would she have accomplished?

I think some problems children are diagnosed with are jumped to many automatic conclusions, like ADHD. There is the possibility of other means to helping kids with some of their, what we may think to be issues like ADHD. I believe there is no telling how many kids are misdiagnosed at such young ages that it squandered out something that might have been important one day. So in effect I believe what he says is true schools kill creativity. Sad because creative thinking leads to thinking outside the box in turn leads to discovery, leading to new ideas.

2. Ali Carr-Chellman - Gaming to re-engage boys in learning

2. Ali Carr-Chellman - Gaming to re-engage boys in learning

Ali Carr-Chellman list why boys are out of sync with the cultures of schools today. And that video games are not the cause of academic failure but are a symptom. Some reasons boys are out of sync are: 1 Zero tolerance, as teachers we should allow students to discuss or write about what they want not what we deem they should.;  2 fewer male teachers,  93% of the teachers boys get in school are women and male role models that stat is ok to be smart instead of feeling like they don’t belong here in school where its mostly woman;  and 3 kindergarten is the old second grade,  serious compression of the curriculum.  There needs to be better engaging educational  games for boys in the curriculum.

I am a total gamer so I like how she talks about creating more engaging educational games. she is right when she mentions about the rewards and achievements in gaming they do make you feel like you accomplish something and some can be so ridiculous to get but once you reach it you feel awesome.  Setting up a achievement or trophy system for educational games would boost boys in the school curriculum and academic achievement. 

1. John Hunter - Teaching the World Peace Game

1. John Hunter - Teaching the World Peace Game

John Hunter teaches his students complex problem solving skills through the use of his World Peace Game. The structure has evolved he states to even outer space. Students face all kinds of issues from nuclear spills, oil spills, minority tensions, environmental disasters, global warming, etc…The students  has separate states with armed for arms dealers, united nations etc…. Basically, the game teaches students how to take care of their own world and solve problems that arise.

I would find this activity to be thoroughly engaging.  This game is obviously used to build critical thinking skills, problem solving skills, teamwork ethics, trust, and good communication skills and so much more. It also allows students to take control and be involved.

How Teachers Are Using Technology at Home and in Their Classrooms

How Teachers Are Using Technology at Home and in Their Classrooms


A survey of Advanced Placement (AP) and National Writing Project (NWP) teachers and their usage of technology has helped them in their teachings but have brought new challenges to the plate. Using technology in the classroom is good and effective, although taxing and demanding of teachers in increasing their range of content and skills to be knowledgeable in when dealing with the internet and technology in their curriculum; they are still tools that have a “major Impact”.  Technologies such as, mobile technology rather than just laptops and desktops, has become commonplace students’ learning. Students and teachers (approx. 73%)  use mobile phones in the classroom to complete assignments, also students (approx..45%) use e-readers to do classroom assignments. Teachers have student use digital tools to conduct research online, access and submit assignments online, use interactive learning activities like GoogleDocs for example to help with online collaboration and editing of works. However not all students have access to such devices at home as they do in school. There is a growing disparity in the use and advantages of technologies in the  lowest income schools as compared to the highest income schools, limitations to access in turn widens a gap between the most  and least academically successful students. Generational differences among teachers affects their usage and non-usage of different in technologies in the classroom there-in affecting the possible opportunities students could have.  Although teachers believe usage of technology is good and useful, teachers are concerned with students become to over reliant on the easy access of information from these tools. Teachers agree that the internet and other digital tools play key roles in classroom preparation such as finding engaging content and activities to create lesson plans, and professional networking such as email alerts, and weekly updates.

There are pros and cons to using technology in every situation. I find it rather unfair that some school districts get more advantages that others, for this only hurts the students success in the longs run. Students that get access to the many advances and technologies that other poorer students do not increases the advantageous students chances in succeeding in becoming better qualified for things, such as a job, in the future.While the other student who did not have the luxuries of the richer student, although he may be brilliant and academically successful in his own right, he will still have limitations outweighing him compared to the other richer student. Who do you think will get the job for a computer technician in the case of a student who has had access to technology and computers all his life from birth to college, whereas the poorer student only had access to the limited uses of technologies provided by his school, college, etc.? Both are academically successful in their own right but one has grown with technology and adapted to each level of introduction of additive technology, so therefore I ask who would be the overall choice?

15 Strategies Educators Can Use to Stop Cyberbullying

15 Strategies Educators Can Use to Stop Cyberbullying

Cyber bullying is steadily becoming a rising issue among young people. Its danger for cyber bullying can remain anonymous and unlimited in repeated episodes of verbal aggressions that can lead to problems in young people such as: school failure, psychological implications, depression, violence, and illegal activity. There are a few strategies we as future educators can step in and do to help deal with cyber bullying such as: create digital citizens where students can learn how to be safe online; raise awareness of the legal ramifications and psychological issues associated with cyber bullying and implement positive use of technology for greater good in their community instead; teach students that it’s ok to report abuse; establish firm policies by teaching explicitly technology usage rules; realize that younger generations identify more closely to their online presence and help them approach problems they may address to you; team building activities to reinforce students socialization amongst all; encourage education for teachers, administrators, and counselors; get parents involved; establish open communication with students; allow technology in school, know when to use community resources; create a positive school environment; interventions should focus on restoration, rather than punishment; establish a baseline; and zero tolerance policy. These are a few strategies to try and curtail the use of cyber bullying.

These strategies are good to use in the event of teaching our future students to be aware of cyber bullying and ways to prevent or deal with cyber bullying. I know I would like for my students to feel free and open with me if they have issues like cyber bullying so I would provide a free flowing environment in my classroom and probably implement some of the strategies mentioned above to help curtail cyber bullying, if there is any, with my students. I would find the team building activities to be a good start and useful way for students to engage with not just a select few individuals in the classroom but all students in the classroom. When I was a student in grade school I loved school yet I hated it at the same time. I love to learn I was a book worm with a thirst for knowledge; but I did almost everything on my own, my school had cliques in which I belonged to none. The only time anyone only wanted to be in my group or paired with me was only to cheat off my paper or knew that I would have all the answers and want a good grade as me. Taking from my own experiences I want to refrain from any of my students feeling the same.

College host educational technology speaker series to idividuals

College hosts educational technology speaker series

In the College of Education, there was a series of presentations held in the college’s Exploratorium with lots of appropriate applications and devices to allow for hands on learning. The presentations dealt with the T21 Speaker series where students, faculty, staff, and alumni can keep up with the advances of technology. Advances such as: iPad Applications and use in the curriculum; assistive technology for special education student, and digital resume building etc… Expert speaker sessions took place throughout the semester as well to iterate their usage and success of advanced technologies used in their classrooms. Demonstrations and hand on experiences were provided to create familiarity and confidence in using these technologies in future teachers’ classrooms.

Holding presentations like these I believe to be a good idea. It allows future teacher candidates to listen and learn from experts their usage of various technologies and how effective they can be. Leading by example is the best way to lead I believe. Also allowing for future candidates to see through demonstrations as well as hands on experiences familiarizes them with the technologies and builds confidence in their future usage.

My First Xtranormal Video on Street Precaution.

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/14584140/toris-peepz-movie

What Animals Do In Winter Concept Map

What Animals Do in Winter

I.  Hibernate

Some animals sleep during winter. This is called Hibernation. Some animals such as bears and groundhogs, eat lots of food before the winter, get real fat, and sleep in places like caves and dens. Other animals that hibernate such as raccoons and chipmunks, hide in tree trunks, logs and come out only to scavenge for food before returning to sleep again.

A. Bears

B. Bats

C. Groundhog

D. Raccoon

E. Chipmunk

II. Migrate

Some animals travel in winter, this is called Migration. Animals migrate to reach warmer climates because they cannot handle winter. Some of animals that migrate travel relatively short distances and others travel really long distances. Some animals known in particular that migrate are birds, Monarch Butterflies, reindeer, and whales.

A. Whales

B. Monarch Butterflies

C. Birds

D. Reindeer

III. Change Color

Some animals change colors in winter. This is a defense mechanism to help blend into their surroundings and hide from predators. Animals such as snow shoe rabbits and weasels change the colors of their fur white in winter to blend into the snow.

A. Snowshoe Rabbits

B. Weasels

IV. Hide

Some animals hide in the winter. Animals like bees hide in a nest, or ants hide underground, or beavers hide in their little dams, or caterpillars hide in a cocoon and goes through metamorphosis.

A. Ants

B. Bees

C. Caterpillar

D. Beavers

V. Grow Extra Fur

Some animals grow extra fur in the winter. This keeps animals body temperatures warm to face harsh winters and cold climates. Animals such as wolves and foxes grow a thick coat of fur to keep warm all winter.

A. Fox

B. Wolves

My Voki

10 Creative Ways to Use Google Tools to Maximize Learning

Google has many tools that are useful in learning. The 10 creative ways to use google are: 1. Google docs which allow students access to their work form any device and shared docs allow for feedback and collaboration of documents; 2. Google forms allow teachers to implement surveys to gauge students comprehension levels on new concepts; 3. Voice comments allows you to leave voiced input rather than written annotation; 4. Research Tools allows students to pull from multiple resources to provide additional informational support such as images, quotes, or references for example; 5. Write space is a customizable text editor for students to write on; 6. Google Dictionary and Image Dictionary allow one have quick access to definitions for things unknown; 7. Read & Write provides access to useful tools for all learners; 8. VideoNot.es allow one to take notes as a video play and documenting a timestamp of the movie as well as allowing students to change the speed of the video; 9. Google Moderator is used to empower student to use their voice, ask question, discuss, converse and collaborate on topic; and 10. Templates are provided in a multitude by Google and there are many for academic usage like storyboard templates, and lesson plan templates for example.

I never knew Google had so many useful tools until I read this article. I think the Google forms are useful in knowing where to start building on student’s prior schema. I like the idea of using voice comments because it allows an instructor to provide more of an input and explanation rather than writing out a long explanation; this would help students to maybe see what their instructor is trying to say rather than trying to decipher text notes. I had more issues with my teachers written comments in the past, I remember writing many of them asking what they meant by this or that. I love how easy Google provides access to many resources, definitions and templates. I use these many Google resources often in school for all my assignments. Google has been of the best technological designs ever because it provides a multitude of accessible information at your fingertips through a simple search box instead of having to physically type in websites in the address box.

10 of the Best Virtual Field Trips (choose two of the ten web sites suggested in the article and write a summary and opinion on each one).

One out of the 10 Best Virtual Field Trips that is mentions is Artic Adventure. Its free for K-12 and it teaches students about cultures of the artic and students gain an understanding and development of the their natural and social sciences. Students get to engage and somewhat be a part in the collaborations through online in the documented experiences from expeditions.

I liked the look of this website when I clicked on it. The many actual life pictures show real various people and activities taking place in the artic that catches the eye and gains the attention of the viewer. What young student wouldn’t be drawn in wanting to learn more and feel like their part of a virtual adventure or expedition in the vast artic wonder.

Another Best Virtual Field Trips out of the 10 mentioned listed is the Global Trek. Global Trek is like Expedia or Travelocity for kids and allows students to choose a country from a list to ‘fly’ to. And once the students have a destination they keep a document of what they discover about that country in a travel or log book. Each country they visit virtualy there is provided background information, guided tours, and information about the people of the country their language, culture, etc… There are many other tools on this site as well, such as: resources and tools; strategies and ideas (for teachers); student activities; books and authors; products and services; and a shop for teachers.

This website I like; it is set up kid friendly and easy access to information. I believe this would be a great way to get kids more involved in wanting learn more about other countries rather than boring textbooks all the time.  I would have enjoyed keeping a travel book and viewing guided tours of other countries when I was in school rather than flipping through textbooks that have the same old boring pictures in them with lots and lots of text.

Giving iPads to Kindergarteners

Giving pre-k, Kindergartners and early elementary education learner’s technological devices such as: computers, smart-boards, ipads, and other types of technologies can increase a child’s daily learning at home and in school. Teaching and letting early aged learner’s use these types of devices with the many educational apps provided on them allows them to actively engage in learning experiences.  Students can interact online with other classmates and work together to solve problems that seem like only fun and games to them but all in learning in the process. However, children’s usage of the technologies should be monitored and limited selectively by an adult and younger age groups should be monitored by parents and teachers to help prevent students from cyber bullying. Schools should encourage programs to teach children about positive behaviors in hopes to reinforce positive productive usage of ipads and other technologies for students.

I think implementing the usage of devices such as the ipad to younger children like pre-k to 3 or 4th grade is a great idea. After reading this article I think it would be a fun and engaging tool for students to use that would reinforce them to actually want to do their homework. And using the many educational apps of ipad provides a limitless access to educational knowledge that will enhance or even provide an engaging building block of knowledge bases for later academic success. However, I would think it wise not to rely too much on technology because it is important for students to have social interaction that builds appropriate social behavior and relationships can only come from hands on in class interactions.

Will Bitcoin Change How Kids Learn to Count?
BY NICOLA SMITH05.06.139:30 AM


It is a concern with most whether or not that children use this new form of digital currency called Bitcoins. There are pros and cons if children rely on this form of currency like for example it does help them to learn to use digital currency yes but social interaction, the form of knowing how to count and deal with real money, and will it cause them to suffer in some math fundamentals. One cannot simply rule out counting current currency because it known, just as the article states, "Countless research has shown the importance of interacting with concrete objects (say, coins over abstract bitcoin) for early learning. The most compelling example remains a classic study of Brazilian street children who couldn’t answer math problems in school, yet could perform complex math transactions in the real-life context of making sales on the street. People learn best when surrounded by physical meaning"(Will Bitcoin Change How Kids Learn to Count? article by Nicola Smith).

I agree when the article mentions that if digital currency is to be taught to children as if it were norm, then they should learn both forms of currency, digital and physical. I like the idea mentioned in the article that students should be required in high school to take a personal finance class. If I had had something like that in my school maybe my handling of money and counting wouldn't be so bad and I would be able to manage it better. Even though technology continues to advance we should not rely so much on it honestly, I am a good example myself. I rely to much on a calculator that even doing basic math configurations takes me quite awhile to figure out the answer.

Teens, Social Media, and Privacy

Social media such as: facebook; twitter, myspace, etc.. have become a rising must have in the teens social networking world. Teens use these social media tools frequently and it has become more noticeable that teens are opening up and sharing more information about themselves. Teens have become much more loose with their privacy from 2006 to 2012 their profiles in the social media networks have become more expressive and open. Statistics have shown how teens have become more open in sharing: photos of themselves, post their school name,  post the city or town where they live, post their email address, post their cell phone number, post their real name, post their interests, post their date of birth, post their relationship status, and post videos of themselves. Twitter has grown with teens significantly, and their is a waning enthusiasm towards facebook with teens. At least 60% of teens on facebook keep their profiles private and majority include their parents, family, and close friends. Most teens enjoy expressing themselves and take confidence in managing their facebook setting; as well as taking steps to manage their networks, shape their reputation, and hide information they don't want others to know. However, teen social media users seem to not show a significant level of concern about third party access to their data. And with growing network size and variety of friends, teens share a wider range of information than those who have fewer. Overall teens report more positive online experiences than negative ones.

I think that teens being more open with their information on social medias such as: facebook or twitter is very dangerous. Being open with information like: your hometown, your school, your date of birth, and photos of yourself all have dangers to consider. There are both pros and cons to consider. On one hand these social medias allow teens to connect with not only their immediate friends and close-distant family but to connect with a variety of other individuals from other places in their age group. However, there are always dangerous people out their ranging from the creepy to the sadistic like stalkers, pedophiles, etc.. With growing network size and variety a teens information can be accessed in ways they may never know to their knowledge like the third party access mentioned in the article and if their information includes photos, hometown, school, age, interest, and even cell phone numbers illicit easy access for these dangerous individuals to nail the teen down to a point and pursue.

IT 365
The Teacher's Guide to Pintrest

Pintrest has been found to be a useful tool in the educational field that benefits both teachers and students. Teachers can create boards and pin all kinds of useful artifacts pulled from various other places and "pin it" to the board; this can consist of images, other supportive articles, videos, etc. anything that can be considered assistive or supportive of the original idea on the board. This allows teachers to create their own lesson plan boards and more that may assist other teachers. Teachers can also pull from other teachers' lesson plans to pin to pin to their own. Pintrest helps teachers to create: educational-related boards; share quotes and inspiration; share visuals and other artifacts for art classes; offer students suggestive reading material; encourage student's participation; show student's works; curate content; organize ideas; collaborate with others (students or teachers); and allow and encourage students to use pintrest. Students can use Pintrest as well to participate in journalism activities of their own interest, and to have a place to show their own works and receive feedback or comments.

I think this is useful tool for teachers and students both after reading this article. I believe it would be useful and beneficial in helping teachers collaborate not only other teachers but their students as well. Teachers can use Pintrest to pull from other teachers, ideas and more that they can use and pin to their own content. This is useful in broadening one's horizons so to say through collaboration, discovery, and acquainting with other's point of view. I think it would be a good tool for students too. What student doesn't want to please their teacher and do good work well enough to be pinned to the board. I would have liked to have used something like this in my schooldays to pin my works on and receive feedback and critiques from other students before submitting it for a final grade. Something like that would have also helped students build better collaborative, and social skills.

Introduction

My name is Victoria Phillips, I am from Picayune Ms. I am a Senior at University of Southern Mississippi in the Elementary Education Program. I graduate next May 2014, can't wait very excited to be finally be a full fledged teacher out and about to start my career! I am a hardcore videogamer, I play xbox, playstation 3, and wii. I am a Call of Duty Queen!! I am a highly energetic individual, outgoing, and fun. I love shopping, and cooking the top two things I am really good at. I want to be a Elementary Teacher because I love children and have always been good with them. I hope to teach 4th grade science one day.