Blog #14: Group Lesson Plan from Alabama Learning Exchange (ALEX)

My group chose a lesson plan on living things called "What is Alive?' We chose this lesson plan because it fit well with a prior project and we could, and did, use that as a springboard. I voulentered to do the interactive powerpoint to redeem myself in my own eyes. The interactive powerpoint I did was not creative or fun enough to satisfy me. I focused on these points for this project and it turned out much better than my first.

As for the lesson, it was originally by Melissa Smith from Lanett City. It does many things differently and doesn't utilize as much technology as ours, but I think it still works well. The only technology I saw was an online quiz the class took on the internet, but that could have been accomplished just as easily through paper and pencil testing.

Here is a link to the ALEX Lesson Plan:

http://alex.state.al.us/lesson_view.php?id=13326

Blog #13: The process of creating the Interactive Power Point

Here is the link to my interactive power point:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B2ez3959jcunazk4dFBUQTRQNXM

The interactive power point was another fun project in this class, though I've come to expect that at this point. Once again I really struggled with what material I wanted to cover with the technology I had at my disposal. I decided to go with literature and cover one of my favorite stories, The Odyssey. I thought this would give me a lot of creative freedom to interpret the assignment, but it didn't turn out quite how I imagined. I expected it to be much cuter than it turned out to be. I even got so discouraged near the end that I almost started over. I actually did but I realized that I didn't have enough time to flesh out an entirely new idea and I focused on finishing Odysseus's.
I f I were to do it again, I think I would come at it from another angle. Many of my classmates did unique spins on preexisting games, which was an adorable idea, that I will incorporate next time. In addition, I showed my teacher something I did in another class where I used a green screen effect with a monster that would have fit well with this assignment. If I had more time with I would have loved to add that is for a laugh or two.
As it is, I had a lot of fun with this assignment and I am proud of the end result. This is definitely a piece of technology that I can see myself using in my future classroom.

Blog Post #12: EdPuzzle Teammate Results

I was very excited to see my teammates' videos, and I was not disappointed. Each video was so different and showed everyone's individual personality. As a teacher I was also excited to have my teammates watch my video to see how well it conveyed what I wanted it to. I found that some of my questions were too tricky, which resulted in everyone missing them. If this were a real evaluation I would most likely throw that one out or offer a bonus opportunity. In addition I would spend extra time on that topic in class.

Blog #11: The process of creating the EDPuzzle

Here is a link to my EDPuzzle video:
https://edpuzzle.com/assignments/58d4291b7db51e33b653661f/watch
Before we were assigned this project I had never hear of EDPuzzle. After working with this wonderful site I can think of so many applications. At the beginning of this assignment I was, once again, stumped at the get go with trying to find a topic. This appears to be a reoccurring problem I am having. As long as I have a topic to which I can apply the technology I can do just about anything, but If I need to supply the topic it will take me considerably longer.
When I finally started working on my EDPuzzle video I chose the most entertaining topic I could, cats. I found one of my favorite YouTube personalities and chose a video that I could base a lesson around. I had a lot of fun coming up with the goofiest questions and answers that I could. I hope you enjoy the video as much as I did.

Blog #10: Guest Speaker for Assistive Technology

Before Mr. Campbell came to speak with us we watched a video on assistive technology so that we would have a foundation on what he talked to us about. I have had the opportunity in the past to work in special needs classrooms and to see these devices in action.  It was nice to have Dr. Campbell, an expert, give us his perspective on the subject.

Blog # 8: Assistive Technology and Questions

here is a link to the video on assistive technology:
https://youtu.be/lan3y4mJG3c 

This video on assistive technology was very informative. After the build up for this video I expected it to be very difficult to watch. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that it wasn't as bad as I expected. One thing about the video was that there was something up with the audio. On my computer it only came out of one of the ears, which was very distracting. I switched it to the speakers on my computer, which helped but it was still distracting.
I loved how she talked about everyday things that could be used to help students. It made it much less intimidating to integrate assistive technology in my future classroom. This has been something that I have sometimes been intimidated by, but after watching this video I'm excited to start integrating theses types of devices into my prospective lesson plans.

Blog #9: Lesson Plan from Alabama Learning Exchange (ALEX)

Here is a link to a lesson plan on art in fairy tales from ALEX:
http://alex.state.al.us/lesson_view.php?id=11303

When I logged onto the ALEX website I was hit by how familiar it was. I'm not sure, but I believe I have used it before at UAB. I love how clear and easy it is to use. It's very user friendly. I chose a lesson plan in art because that is something I am passionate about. This particular lesson plan jumped out at me because it incorporates art as well as literature analysis.
In this lesson the students create works of art based on a fairy tale that they read in class. After this they have the opportunity to display their art and talk about the creative choices they made. Each piece of artwork is that student's interpretation of the assignment and story that was read. This makes every one unique and uniquely perfect.

Blog #7: Group Video

Here is a link to our group video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6esgAlZ16E 
 

The first thing that I thought of when we were introduced to the group video was that if I volunteered to do the editing than I could duck being in front of the camera. That hope was thrown out as soon as I read the rubric. As I said in previous posts I am much more comfortable behind the camera. I came to learn that my group members were just as uncomfortable as I was in front of the camera, which was paradoxically comforting. For me, it felt like this detail made us more of a group. As we started filming the trepidation faded a little and we got more and more goofy. In a few of the takes we actually had some difficulty getting the shot because we were giggling so much. Though as I got the first of the footage I felt like I really got into my element.

The next challenge we came across was that we were missing a few points on the rubric, time limit and narration. This was a relative easy fix. All we needed to do was come up with a few more ideas to fill in the gaps and film them, which we did. We even managed to subtly incorporate our group name. I really love editing, weather it is with videos or pictures. It reminds me of making art, which I guess it is. I had a lot of fun with this assignment; that seems to be a going trend in this class. Hey, you won’t catch me complaining!

Blog #6: K-State Video

Here is the link to the K-State Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGCJ46vyR9o 

Although this video is nearly 10 years old it is still very relevant in today’s educational system. At the beginning of the video when the camera shows the writing on the walls and desks my inner teacher cringed. It bothered me to think that the students were more focused on writing those messages that what was being taught in class. Later when the students in the classroom were showing the issues they had written down I could relate to most of them. For example the fact that they were going to have tens of thousands of dollars in debt by time they graduate with no sure way to earn enough to pay it back any time soon is all too relatable. Although, the education program at South does address that concern by placing us in schools where we can build rapport with professionals in the field. I’m sure other programs do something similar, but not to the same extent.

Another concern that was brought up was how many teachers require students to purchase hundred dollar textbooks that they never use. College kids are generally very strapped for cash at the best of times so adding that hefty expense is a real struggle. Many teachers realize this and are switching to online material that can better suit their subject matter. This is double appropriate because students of this generation are surrounded by technology and are more confortable with it’s use than traditional texts.

Blog #5: Guest Speaker for Video Production

Here is the link to the powerpoint from Mr. David Walker's lecture:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1q-sTZkCIbgg7HqWmfQaS0vIP9aEJN2ny9sPmH_ZQtow/edit#slide=id.gde32d56e7_0_178

Today’s lecture by Mr. David Walker about video production with iPhones opened my eyes to the potential of the media that I had not seen before. Mr. Walker pointed out many of the common mistakes that I had not thought of before as well as what to do to fix them. Suddenly it feels like I can do so much more with just the camera on my phone. Mr. Walker recommended many different pieces of equipment for the best possible results, but I think for my purposes I can work with the tools already at my disposal.

One of the videos we watched had 5 tips to improve video quality. It had a more colorful name, but you get the idea. The five tips were think in shots, don’t shoot till you see the white of their eyes, keep the brightest light behind you, treat your video like a still camera, and keep your video short. All of these things have a reason and can be accomplished with very little effort, if you know what you’re doing. I’m not looking forward to being in a video again, but I’m very excited about this project.

Blog #4: Videos in Education

Here is the link to the Let's use video to reinvent education video:
http://www.ted.com/talks/salman_khan_let_s_use_video_to_reinvent_education?language=en#t-984589 

This video had many insights that I had never thought of before. I have always been a fan of supplementing classroom education with online resources, but I never thought about reversing the process as suggested in the video. I love the possibility of having the students watch the material at home, at their own pace, and doing the activities in class where the teacher can help. This way the teacher can correct any mistakes before the student practices the concept incorrectly.

Placing lectures online makes learning a less intimidating and more customizable experience. This opens it up to a whole different type of discussion where no one feels pressured to join in and responses can be read and reread if someone doesn’t understand. The same thing goes for watching and rewatching the video. People can comment if they have a question and anyone can answer. Mr. Khan also pointed out that by having these kinds of discussions online it literally opens up a whole world of knowledge, which is what I believe education is all about.

Blog #3: The process of creating the Free App Trailer

Here is the link to my free app trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JcuSPlma8Q&feature=youtu.be

I had a lot of fun with this assignment. Editing audio and video clips is something I like to do in my free time, although with different subject matter. One of the most stressful parts of the assignment was the selection of the app to use. There are so many useful free apps, but it was difficult for me to find one that fit the theme I already had in my head. I eventually came across the Socratic app, which suited my purpose well. In fact, the Socratic app has become a great help with my own homework.

One I started on the trailer it became clear that my next great struggle would be to balance my perfectionist nature with the time constraint of the assignment. I was spending so much time on one part of the video that I wasn’t focusing on getting in everything that I needed to. After I made myself put aside the cosmetic details and focus on getting all on the components everything started to fall into place. I let myself have a lot of fun with assignment, and I got a little goofy as well. I’m proud of the end result, I might actually make it public on my YouTube profile. Who knows?

Blog #2: Do Schools Kill Creativity?

Here is the link to Do schools kill creativity? By Sir Ken Robinson:
http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity

The Video Do Schools Kill Creativity? is one of my favorite educational videos that I have watched in all of my courses.  Sir Ken Robinson has a way of speaking that is engaging and creative (gasp!). He says that creativity in school is as important as literacy. As the talk goes on he talks about how schools undervalue the arts in favor of math and literacy. This is a disservice to the students. Sir Robinson describes intelligence as diverse, dynamic, and distinct. Additionally, he describes creativity as “The process of having original ideas that have value.”

One of the stories he tells is about a woman named Gillian Lynne. She is a choreographer who worked on Cats and Phantom of the Opera. When Mrs. Lynne was eight years old her school sent a letter home to her parents telling them that they thought she had a learning disability. Her parents took her to a specialist who showed her mother that the reason she couldn’t sit still was because she was a dancer. It was then that her mother signed her up for dance lessons and she flourished. She found people like her who couldn’t think unless they were moving. In another scenario her teachers, parent, and even doctors might have forced her to sit still and pay attention, stifling her natural talent.

            As teachers we are responsible for the development and encouragement of the students placed in our care. So much of the time we are so concerned with teaching our students what we have decided that they should know, making them mediocre, and we miss out on the higher achievements they could be capable of. If we would put more emphasis on the encouragement of students’ natural talents than there is no limit to what they can achieve.

Blog #1: Reimagining Learning

Here is the link to Reimagining Learning by Richard Culatta:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0uAuonMXrg 

While watching Reimagining Learning I was struck by how underutilized and incorrectly utilized technology is being used in today's classrooms. Mr. Richard Culatta pointed out that many teachers are merely digitizing traditional teaching methods. This is something I have noticed in my college courses and it makes it difficult to become invested in the class. As a future teacher I know how important it is to create lessons that will make students want to be involved. This ties into Mr. Culatta's three challenges in today education that he believes technology can solve.

The first challenge is that all students are taught the same. By doing this we do not acknowledge students’ differences in order to customize their education. He says, “The least equitable thing we can do in their learning is to treat all students the same.” The second challenge was that was mentioned was that teachers teach lessons in a certain amount of time, but students need varying times to grasp it. The schedule has become more important than giving the students time to understand the material. The final challenge was the fact that grades for assignments are given to students when it is too late for them to do anything about it.

Technology allows teachers to address the three challenges addressed in new and innovative ways. It makes it possible for teachers to customize education, spend appropriate time on tasks, and give students relevant and timely feedback. If schools would utilize technology in new and creative ways to address the challenges in front of them they could change the face of education, as we know it.