The definition of a metaphor is- "A metaphor is a literary figure of speech that uses an image, story or tangible thing to represent a less tangible thing or some intangible quality or idea;" e.g., "Her eyes were glistening jewels."(From Wikipedia) We use metaphors for a lot of different reasons. It is an important concept that we learned about in the fifth grade. Metaphors are useful because it helps understand the first part of the comment so you can better understand the literal meaning. In literature metaphors are a way to be creative, and it makes people think about the general idea. In stories metaphors are constantly being used to distinguish different aspects. We use metaphors in EDM310 in ways just like what was required of us in the post about Don't Let Them Take The Pencils Home. It talks about pencils but the literal meaning is computers.
In this article By Stephanie Banchero and Stephanie Simon- My Teacher is An App. they discuss online schools for grades K-12. Each year the amount of students who attend these virtual schools seem to increase. They state the many opinions of the idea of online schooling. Some have positives opinions while others are on the fence. They also raise up the suggestion that online schooling will save the schools a lot of money. This statement comes straight from the article. "In Georgia, state and local taxpayers spend $7,650 a year to educate the average student in a traditional public school. They spend nearly 60% less—$3,200 a year—to educate a student in the statewide online Georgia Cyber Academy, saving state and local tax dollars." They also talk about that teachers can handle more students when all students are all online. This would save more money for the states. Although virtual schools may save money, the disadvantages arise because of the test scores being lower. Some experts on this say that hybrid schooling would be the answer to increasing test scores, for the teacher and students can have actual interaction.
This article also talks about how this way of online schooling would be better for time management wise. The students can do their work all on their own time. They are not stuck in one room while others are standing over them telling them to do their work. This way students can balance the many different tasks they must fulfill in a timely manner based on their own schedule.
I think that the idea of virtual schooling is neat to a certain extent. I love the idea that all work can be done according to ones personal schedule. However, it just seem crazy to me to go completely to virtual schooling. Students learn form interacting with others, and listening to others opinions. The idea of students staying home and teaching themselves everything is odd to me. What will that mean for teachers? Are we really going to replace real teachers with the internet? Nonetheless, I am all for technology in the classroom, I think that it is an awesome idea. Technology is apart of all of us, so it would only make sense to incorporate it into learning. Virtual schools may seem the way to go but, it is not perfect. I really think what Rosie Lowndes says really sums up my opinion the most. "But basically letting a child educate himself, that's not going to be a good educational experience." The computer, she says, can't do it alone.
Ms. Yollis class bolg is fabulous. Ms. Yollis is a third grade teacher in Los Angeles, California. She also tells us that she is a student herself recently receiving her masters degree. She loves to travel. The pictures she put up of swimming with turtles is for sure worth viewing. She has done an outstanding job creating a fun way for her students to learn. Her blog is full of fun and fascinating ways for the students to understand materials in a new way. Her Blog count is at 75,679, which is really awesome. She deserves the credit she gets. She really seems like she takes a lot of time doing this blog and making it spectacular. Her blog has won awards for 1st runner up 2010 EDU Blog Award for Best Class Blog. Her blog also won the Lifetime Achievement award. It seems that all of her hard work is paying off.
I viewed a video that she created called The Reading Round Up. In the video she pretends to be Sheriff Yollis. It was so cute! She reviews the terms and demonstrates the differences between fiction and non-fiction. I thought that this was a really creative and fun way for her students to learn. I think that this is far more entertaining than a teacher standing in front of the room writing the definitions on the marker board. Way to go Sheriff Yollis! Well done!
In my Skype interview I interviewed a student, Alex Poothullil, who is majoring in electrical engineering here at South Alabama. He perviously obtained a job for a company called Dot USA. This company was all about integrating technology in classrooms. Alex had to teach the teachers everything there was to know about the Smart board to the teachers at his particular school he was assigned to. I thought this was really cool and super beneficial.
Our group, which consist of Patricia Radford, Kenesha Brown, and myself are going to do a how to video. We chose to demonstrate all of the kinds of technology we have learned about in EDM310. We will break down each means of tools by showing useful ways we will be able to use them in our future classrooms. We thought that this would be a useful and good idea for the Final project for it sums up everything we have learned in EDM310.
This week in EDM310, We will be focusing on the importance of working as a group. Teamwork is such a valuable asset that all teachers must learn to do well. When all teachers bring all their minds together they will not only be benefiting their school, but the most important thing the students. Watch this video on Differentiated Instruction in the Classroom (Mesquite Elementary School). Write two paragraphs on why you think that teamwork is important to you and your school. Also, write about what types of things will you do to contribute to your team to make a difference in your future school. Make sure you look over Writing a Quality Blog Post.
I think that teamwork is super important. Also, I think it is a necessity for all upcoming and current teachers to be apart of a team. When people work together as a team things go a lot smoother. All of the work is not focused on only one person. This gives everyone the opportunity to express their ideas, and for those ideas to only become better by adding one or two things to it. I think that when great minds all come together the outcome will only be that much better. I am all for teamwork. I really believe if teachers work as a team everyone will get along better, and the work they construct will be super.
After watching this video, I was really inspired. I thought that the things this school did as a group was really great. They all came together to improve the scores on the tests students had to take. It was really cool how all of the teachers cared so much, and it really showed when the test scores came up drastically. I would absolutely love to be apart of a team like this. They all seem to care about one thing, the students. When I am an educator I will try as hard as these ladies did to do the most I can for my students and school.
Also take a look at Principal Kappy Cannon Fosters Technology Innovation and Teamwork. Notice how they always use the word "We" This school is always trying to make things bigger and better for their school so there children will succeed. Discuss in two or more paragraphs what you have learned from watching this video. Did you find this video to be useful in your future classroom and also when you will be working with your colleagues. Make sure you look at Writing a Quality Blog Post.
The word "We" is well defined in this video. They all seem to give credit to everyone as a team. This school is a technology friendly school. They give their students the opportunity to experience the cool technologies for themselves. For, they video chat with classes across the world, and they converse different things they are learning about. I feel that the teachers "shared vision" is a neat aspect they rely on in their school. However, I love how the principal states that they could have all the bells and whistles but it all really boils down to the relationship between the students and teachers.
I thought that this video was very useful. They did a lot of things that I would love to try one day in my future class. I love how they are so eager to help the student learn with new technologies. It is so neat how they focus on students individuality. I also love the fact that the focus on preparing their students for the 21st century.
The first C4K Of the month I commented on Alex C's Blog. He is in Mrs. Gregory's 6th grade class. He is in her 6th period class. Alex made a post telling a little about himself. He stated that he plays baseball and that he really loves dogs. So, I commented on his post telling him that I thought his blog looked really nice. I told him of what a good job he was doing. I also told him how we have some common interest for I as well like baseball and dogs. I told him about my dog. I wished him luck with the 6th grade. On the same week we also had to chose a student from the random generator they had on their class blog. When I spun the wheel I landed on Walker. Walker made a post about a class called stem. Stem is a special class of elected few 6th grade students. It is a more advanced class. I told him that this was a cool thing that his school does. I also commented saying that I hope he continues to work hard and do well in school. And of course to have fun in 6th grade!
Another C4K that I was assigned to was on Marlene's Blog. She is in Ms.C's Grade 8 5th hour. I chose to comment on a post that she created called "Why I Write". Marlene made some really good points about why she choses to write. She says that writing helps her remember things that she has done in the past. It also is a way that she can express herself. I told Marlene that those reasons were wonderful reasons. I thought that she could be an inspiration for those who do not like to write. This was a good post that she made.
The next blog that I commented on was PJ's. He is a student in Room 9 at Pt England School. He constructed a video on Australia. He colored the pictures and incorporated them into his video. I thought that it was cool how he chose to pick the common Australian animals that most people are familiar with. I told him that he is doing a really god job and that I enjoyed checking out his blog.
First I would like to start off by saying that I have had the privilege of following Ms. Cassidy on our C4T, and I loved her from the get go. She is truly inspiring from all of the wonderful and impressive things she is doing.
When watching Little Kids....Big Potential I was truly inspired yet again by Ms. Cassidy's work. She teaches first grade students each year by incorporating blogging, wikis, students nintendo ds, and even Skype. I would not of thought that students this young of an age could pick up this kind of technology and master it. They sure did though. Her students talk about the ways they use all these types of technology in their class. They all seem to really be having fun while learning, and that is so awesome to me. I thought that they got most use out of their blogs. They seem to really enjoy blogging. I really thought it was cool for the fact that they can work on it at school and also go home and work on it some more. They get encouraging and nice comments from people all over as well as their loved ones. It was really neat hearing first grade students talking about all the wonderful uses they are learning about in Ms. Cassidy's class.
I also watched the Skype video between Ms. Cassidy, Dr. Strange, and some EDM310 students. In this, she talked about how she first started incorporating technology in her class. She says that she started ten years ago when she was given five computers. She knew she had something good on her hands so she embraced it! I really love what she is doing and can only hope and try my best to be a truly inspiring and great teacher as Ms. Cassidy is.
