Coding activities in classroom instruction.

Coding activities will fit in my classroom instruction quite frequently. Most Students want to learn how to make useful things.  So why not introduce them to things that would benefit them in the world of digital information.  The lasting benefits of students learning to code are: they become problem solvers, logical thinkers, they develop communicative skills and they learn how to collaborate.

As a new educator, I noticed that technology is becoming more prevalent in the classroom.  So it is imperative for an educator to have or become code literate.  As an educator knowing how to code gives students the values of interacting in a digital world.  Knowing how the computer technology world works help all of us adapt to the new emerging models of technology.

The beauty of coding is that students can experience making websites and adventure games that they can enjoy and share. The excitement in coding comes easily to students especially if they enjoy it. I know that     Some of the coding lessons I would like to introduce at the elementary level  will be focused on creativity web-based activities.  Such as Animation, STEM activities like an animation of the solar system or creating a robot buddy. I’m, sure there are much more activities I can do but I have to do research or collaborate with a colleague.

 

 

 

 

 

Evidence of flipped classroom is still coming in.

It is obvious that the traditional way of teaching is fading out due to the innovation of technology. many teachers are creating flipped or invented classrooms.  students can complete and review their class lectures in the comfort of their home in their pj’s. how cool is that?  But there are still concerns relating to flipped classrooms. Legitimate concerns such as the effect flipped classrooms will have on special needs students: the effect on test scores: students attitudes.  Most students enjoy being the classroom especially if they enjoy the subject.  A student can physically interact with there teachers and peers.  But then there is an aspect of students who are shy and embarrassed to ask questions.  I guess flipped classrooms will better serve the student with behavioral issues or student with special needs. That’s just my opinion.

As a future educator, I would prefer to interact with my students both thru face to face and flipped classroom. Especially when it comes to assigning assignments.  The flipped classroom approach will benefit students much more academically because if forces them to do the work, then if they don’t understand they could reach out for clarity privately.

Educational product

https://www.powtoon.com/html5-studio/#/edit/dyRpQSGeCa1

Powtoon is one of many sites that you can use in your classroom. You can create many fun and interactive activities.  This will be one of my lesson planning tools.

Bullying is social media amplifying meanness and cruelty

How does one define bullying, especially in the digital age?   Everyone may define it differently. The author  Boyd discusses her interviews with students about bullying. She also talks about the challenges students are faced with.She indicated that bullying was not a significant issue in their peer group. I disagree with this because bullying has been around for ages. I know this because I use to be a victim of bullying. During these times it was psychologically doting.  I would just cry about it or be withdrawn from conversing with my classmates. I felt as if I was the little girl in a plastic bubble, too scared to be a kid.

My mother transferred me to a few different schools due to bullying, but for some apparent reason, I kept running into these same 3 girls. It wasn’t until I was 10 when my family moved to another borough in NY. I felt relieved that I will never have to see these girls again. I started to feel compelled to come out of my bubble and make friends.

Now this day and age, bullying has been enhanced by technology.  Bullies humiliating their victim’s on social media.  Cyberbullying affects students in ways that they end up taking their own lives.  Victims become distressed and alone when being bullied online.  Cyberbullying on social media makes victims feel overwhelmed and embarrassed. Many students feel unable to talk to an adult because they are ashamed or they wonder if they will be judged.

Mobile technology is so freely available it is relentless.  The cycle of bullying constantly continues.  It has been documented that cyberbullying has resulted in tragic events. Honestly, I feel that more should be done to protect our students from this horrific crime. I also feel that there should be stiffer laws in place for such deviant behavior. But who do we turn to?  How many more student have to experience the torment of cyberbullying before something is forcefully done.  Reading this chapter only made me realize that social media sites need to be more proactive in identifying distasteful content.  Social media is for entertainment and pleasure not for tormenting and hurting individuals.

Our youth today needs to be educated more about the misuse of and the dangers of social media.  Social media is a place where mass destruction happens.  Everyone must become knowledgeable, mindful of the content that is posted on social media.  Everyone who is on social media should ask themselves this question before they post content: “What is the purpose of my comment?

 

TedX Philly Response:

When you were in HS did you think  HS stink? Did you enjoy going to each class being told what to do and how to do it? It was interesting to hear this from another person.  I was always told that I had to go to HS because HS had to go to HS because HS prepares you for the real world.  What is the real world today? The real world is so much different now that I’m an adult.   Teachers today compared to when I was in HS are so much more fun and exciting.  Teachers are so much more hip and tuned to their students.  For example teachers, today are hip to the latest dances that the kids do like lean and dab and so forth.Teachers are hip to the latest fashion, video games, or electronic equipment. Teachers back in the day didn’t really get involved in their students except when a student got in trouble or when it was time to give a test.

I remember hearing teachers say ” I’m here to a job If you fail oh well I got mine”.  Now, what kind of motivation is that for a student? Now compare that statement to a statement that today’s teachers would make. A teacher today would tell a student ” I’m here to help you grow and help you understand the content “.  Today’s teacher’s rock.  Not only do they rock but they care about the success of their students.  High School educators are so intuned with their students.

The only sad thing about this is that teachers have to worry about benchmark testing, curriculum material, new technologies.  Every teacher must have knowledge of the latest technologies in their classroom to teach.  Is this a Good thing or bad thing?  As this TEDx speaker stated, it’s a wonderful thing because students may already know some of the latest technologies so they can educate the teacher.  Students educating teachers hmmm. I like the sound of that. Students showing off their knowledge of what they learned. I so agree with this speaker, Motivating our students to go out in the 21 century to inspire others. That’s the way it should be.Students shouldn’t train like robots to do the same thing. Every student has a unique talent that needs to be seen!

Assignment # 2 Universal Design for Learning: Theory and Practice

1.  How does Universal Design for Learning apply to assessments?UDL is a map of instructional goals, methods, materials, for assessment of individual needs.  This contains The “what” of learning, the “how” of learning, and the “why” of learning.  How facts are categorized for what is seen, heard and read.

• Planning and performing tasks. How students organize and express their ideas. Writing an essay or solving strategic tasks.
• How learners are engaged and motivated. How they are challenged, excited, or interested.

        2.  What are the differences between assistive technology and Universal Design for Learning?

The differences between assistive technology and Universal design for learning:

• Assistive Technology is tools that are either high-tech or low-tech or both, that help make universal design learning possible for students.
• Example: Students that have physical or language disabilities will need properly designed wheelchairs, adaptive switches to control their environment, speech synthesizers, or other assistive devices.
• Universal Design for Learning is the concept and teaching method that helps explain the complexities of our brains.

3. How can technology help teachers individualize teaching materials to make learning engaging and challenging for all students?

Technology can help teachers individualize materials by developing some type of technology tool, which will support the individualization necessary to engage all types of Students. For example,

• for an ESOL student some type of language-based eBook or
• A student with very low vision, a program that the image or front type is adjustable for that student’s vision.
• A speech-impaired student, a program that helps the student with pronunciation or helps with sounds and vowels.

 

All Hail Our Annoying New Robot Overlords

NICK DOCHERTY

Humanity has accomplished some pretty impressive things. The Internet. Man on the Moon. The Sistine Chapel. War and Peace. Everything about Lego. But, for all our apparent cultural and technological sophistication, we remain a breathtakingly, almost suicidally, stupid species. In America alone, smoking kills nearly half a million of us each year – preventable deaths every one of them. Over three thousand people die in car crashes just by being distracted – so yes, that hilarious cat gif probably can wait. Nearly thirty people are killed annually whilst taking selfies. Selfies. And seventeen people die every year just trying to eat Baguettes. We do things that we know are dangerous, we consume things we know might kill us, we’re extremely poor judges of risk, we make epically bad decisions with little regard to their consequences and still we stride around like we’re invincible. Stupidity (and its preening cousin, arrogance) is…

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“Generation Like”

Question: How does understanding how children use the social web prepare us for our instruction in the classroom?

Understanding how children use social web prepares teachers to give instruction by recognizing their skills and their knowledge of the web. The student knows how to surf the web for things that interest them. Students also know how to surf the web to become popular or to gain self-worth. But before teachers plan their lessons, they need to have a class discussion with the students about the web.Teachers need to know how much the students know. Although a student may know about different social media sites, they need to made aware of the dangers and ramifications of putting their data in cyberspace.  This Viedo pointed out that expressing yourself online can bring student gain and the possibility the ability to endorse products for companies.

Now as a teacher, I would create a lesson plan whereas I would have my students analyze web content on social media and create Journal entries reflection about different peers and their need to express themselves on social media. Also in their journals, I would have them write about the need to gain social acceptance.

Another assignment I would assign would be Peer-to-Peer interviews something like pen Pal but we would name it Cyber Pals. Students would create 10 questions to ask their cyberpal then write a 3 page summary about their cyberpal. Both assignments will help students develop thinking skills, social skills, writing skills and interpersonal skills. A skill that will help them grow in cyberspace keeping in mind the dangers.

Digital Diet

I have a question do you consider yourself as a cyber/digital junker? It is very interesting how we as individuals are so consumed with digital content.  Our everyday lives we are faced with some type of digital situation. We as individuals are either reviewing or interacting on social media or we are performing work-related or personal related task.

It seems as though in our everyday life we have become digitally addicted.  It’s interesting that when my cell went off for nonpayment, I felt disconnected with the world on the go. Or when I had a power outage, I was bored and felt strange because of I’m normally online. I believe that everyone has a digital addiction.

 

Here is are questions to think about! Is our future life going to digitized?  Can we as individuals focus more on the things and individuals that have an impact on our lives?

Standards of focuses

Blog #2

We are in a world today where technology is used in our life every. Now with this being stated, it is imperative that our technical skills are up to part. Having the basic knowledge of technical skills will help learn more innovative skills. Being that I’m a hand on type learner, I will focus on the current competencies, tools, and other innovative learning methods.

 

Collaboration is another skill that I will focus on because two heads are better than 1.  Brain storming, learning from other peers and colleagues is beneficial to personal growth as a student and as an educator.  Collaboration also increases focuses and the passion to obtain more learning.

 

Creativity is another skill that I’m focusing on because through creativity I can express point of views, visualization etc… Basically have fun.  Creativity is expressive, it’s a skill that is unique .     Creativity requires you to be a logical thinker.  You can use your imagination from the world around us.

Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try. — Dr. Seuss