My Future Classroom

As a first year university student, I have not given a lot of thought to what kind of classroom I would like to teach in.  I can honestly say that I am not even completely sure that I want to teach at times.  I am not a fan of how much work being a teacher will be, but every time I enter the classroom I fall back in love with the idea of becoming a teacher.  So at the end of each day I keep my eyes on the goal of becoming a teacher.

Throughout my  first semester I have been introduced to many great ideas for classrooms. I do know that I am a big fan of quotes and posters on the wall to make it more homier for the students.  I also want my students work to be shown within the classroom.  I want my students to feel comfortable and safe within my classroom so that their learning will be optimized.  Some ways that I believe I can make my students feel safe is by making sure there are windows so they can receive fresh air and sunlight throughout the day.  I also believe that peer learning and discussions are important.  To do this I would place their desks in groups or have tables in which they can sit around.  I want my students to be able to bounce ideas off of each other and reflect about all lessons taught.  I believe that by telling a story and relating the material to the students and having them discuss the material, it will optimize their learning.

One thing I would like to try in a high school setting is to have a class pet.  I want to see if a class pet will bring students closer together and if it will make more students want to come to school.

I would like to start off each of my classes by telling a joke or a story, and get the students minds thinking.  The joke or story should be something that the students can relate to, as well as relating to the class material of the day.  I believe if students hear a meaningful story they can relate to, they will be able to remember what was taught in the class better.

Having a class blog/website is definitely something I want to do.  This way students will have an updated list of homework they need to do, and have contact with me at all times.  Students will also be able to learn from each other.  The blog will also have all the class material posted on it.  I want the blog to also be something fun for them to use.

I do not have much experience with a smart board, but I am positive it will be something I will use in my future classroom.

For a final statement, I want my classroom to be a fun and memorable experience.  I believe in order for that to happen I need to have my students constantly interact with each other and me, and learn by doing.  If they are part of the learning, they will learn more effectively.  Obviously the last thing I want to do is have a classroom in which I lecture.  I want to introduce an idea they can relate to and guide my students while discussing the idea.  I want a classroom in which my students feel comfortable asking questions and discussing new ideas.  I want them to be able to reflect and learn, and enjoy it.

Uploaded on December 12, 2007 by Willowpoppy http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2085/2108050388_f734d089d0.jpg?v=0

This is a picture of an elementary classroom.  I love the organized mess of it.  When I am in a classroom like this I feel at home, and warm and fuzzy inside.  I am hoping that by having a room, kind of like this, it will also make my students feel at home.

Reflections on new information

Something that has pushed my thinking is the concept of hemisphere specialization. The left brain thinker is logical, rational, analytical, objective, and looks at parts rather than wholes, while the right brain thinker is more random, intuitive, holistic, able to synthesize, be subjective, and looks at the whole picture. From reading this section I am wondering how an educator is able to create a learning environment that will incorporate both hemispheres. How can we tell what side of the brain a child uses more? How does learning affect each side of the brain, and what type of learning is most beneficial to both? What type of activities and classes are most beneficial to the growth of a brain?

Emotion and mental attitude are very important to learning. Every child has their own set of emotions, and deals with their emotions in their own way. Emotions rule a child’s life, so we need to be able to help children cope with their emotions as well as being able to boost their emotional appearance. If we can help students to control their emotions and believe in themselves, how much will students improve in the school system?

Students learn best from others. Students learn from stories told by others that they can relate too, they learn from group work and most of all they learn from observing other people. Children are observing others from a very young age. They figure out how life works around them and the necessary skills to survive. One important thing that we need to do is have positive and moral role models for students to observe. This is hard to do because we cannot control what students see outside of school. How can we change these negative influences of society and their environments so that children will become more just? Will schooling ever come to the point of all schools being boarding schools again where children are monitored constantly and taught the proper ways of life?

They say that teaching is successful when learning is the result. Students can memorize and do well on an exam and then once the exam is done they will forget everything that was on the exam. This is not proof of real genuine learning. How do we really know that learning has occurred in a student? Do students learn best in a strict lecture or a student involved lesson? I believe that for students to learn they need to be part of the process. We need to be able to interact with the students and make sure they are taking part and reflecting upon the information given to them. As a teacher we also need to be able to have professional judgment with our students. I will be able to pursue this topic in my near future and will hopefully figure out the balance between interaction and judgment to create successful learning for the students.

K-12 Online Conference Review #3

For my third K-12 Online Conference review I watched “Leading the Change – Overcoming Entropy.”

The definition of entropy is the amount of energy that is not available for work during a certain process, and a measure of the disorder or randomness in a closed system. This presentation goes on about how we can change the course of education without causing entropy.  We as teachers need to be able to change the way our students learn and introduce new ideas without causing chaos.

I found this conference to be very interesting.  It was about many ways that we can change the classroom and help students without causing chaos in the classroom.  We need to be able to relate to our students, and help them along the path of learning.  This can be a painfully slow process, but by relating to them by telling stories and coaching them, we are able to create a relationship that will slowly change our students for the better.  We can tell stories, look at our students perspectives, and listen to our students.  We need to figure out what our students want, how we can connect with them, and lead by example.  As a teacher we need to create positive energy in the classroom and reflect upon learning, and take away any barriers in our students way.

The quote at the end of the presentation was a great way to end off the presentation.  This quote was, “In the process of changing to a new model of teaching and learning, it’s all about balancing energy and entropy, but never seeking a static balance.  If the breeze of energy continues to blow on your balanced mobile of change, the elements will continue to move in new configurations.” (Candace Shively)

I believe that if our students are used to constant change, they will be able to handle a constant flow of new information and learning and use it to their advantage.

Uploaded on April 6, 2008 by Champloohttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2216/2394420689_1f8a314457.jpg?v=0

K-12 Online Conference Review #2

This presentation was called “Crossing the Copyright Boundary in the Digital Age”.  I picked this presentation because I have been hearing a lot about how copyright is tricky in this day and age.

At the beginning of this presentation the speaker goes on about how teachers have always copied material without asking permission, such as a comic in the beginning of class, or making photocopies of a text book without permission.  The reason it was kind of ok was because it was happening just within the classroom and no one was finding out about it.  Now with the internet and classroom blogs it is becoming a problem.  This problem is that teachers and students are using material off of the internet without asking permission from the creator.

In order to solve this problem, there are now creative common sites that allow you to use material under certain conditions, such that you must link the creator back to their work.  There are also completely copyright-friendly websites.

I have learned a great amount from this presentation.  I now know how important it is to always link back to someones work.  I believe that creative common websites are an amazing tool that will help anyone out that is scared of copyright regulations.

I found this picture interesting, because it is a collage completely made out of creative commons images.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/30/100230924_6be71ea5df.jpg?v=0

Uploaded on February 15, 2006
by musha68000

Technology I have used throughout this class

Last night I was thinking about how much I have changed over this first semester of University.   One major thing is that I have become more independant.  Before I moved to regina I was literally a chicken poop.  I hated doing anything alone (other than school work which I like doing alone or with a group) and seriously needed someone to guide me though everything.  When I look back it was pretty sad, considering I would almost refuse to phone someone because I was scared to talk on the phone.

I would say that my ECMP 355 class was a big help to me thoughout this semester.  This class made me try new things with technology (I was really scared of technology before), and has taught me to enjoy trying new things.  My whole horizon of life has completely changed.

Ways that ECMP 355 has changed me is that it made me independent with using technology.  It pushed me to try new things and figure them out on my own.  I feel that I now know a decent amount on how to use wikis, how to blog, how to connect with others across the world, how to use flickr, and how to make sure you source everything from the internet.  I now know how to use elluminate, audacity, picasa 3, garage band, google maps, you tube, photo story, igoogle, and many other awesome tools.

To get in contact with others in this class I have commented on blogs, phoned, texted, sent emails and used msn messenger.  This is a lot more than I ever thought I would have done.

I also have some great memories throughout this class.  We have had some pretty amazing discussions online about many topics, including bullying with technology.  One really good memory was a face to face class when we were given a video camera and had to make a quick video.  Making this video was hilarious and gave me the opportunity to express myself as well as learning how to use new technology.

ECMP 355 is an amazing class that has turned me into an independant person that now has an idea on how to use technology and how to incorporate that technology into an educational classroom.

Thank You Dean!

Overview of the week

So far this week has been pretty hectic and every time I complete one project two more are added onto the load so I am starting to get annoyed.  I pretty much can say that I can’t wait for this semester to be over, but at the same time I don’t.

I have finished my portfolio for my EPS 100 class which is awesome.  I am really proud of my portfolio and plan to keep it for as long as I live.  The reason I want to keep it is because I have so many great ideas and thoughts about teaching and I know I won’t always remember them.  My goal is to be able to use all my ideas and thoughts about teaching strategies, and figure out which strategies will be the most effective for my students to learn and understand.  Obviously I think the one that will work the best is getting my students involved and doing projects that will play to all of the students strengths.

For my final project, Joelene took most of the pictures last weekend and I think they are amazing.  We are planning to get together and put the pictures together and see where the project takes us.

One thing that made my day this week was a comment that one of my students from this summer posted on my facebook.  I had changed my status to that I am not looking forward to my biology lab, because I find it very hard to purely memorize information.  One of my students commented with this, “You WILL do great. Especially if you are as good of a learner as a teacher! :-).”  It made me happy to know that I had a student that thought I was a really good teacher and was actually willing to tell me.

I am adding this picture because right now it is getting close to Christmas and I wish I could be lazy and happy like this cat right now. 

Uploaded on August 1, 2008 by invisghost

K-12 Online Review 1

The first presentation I watched was K-20 Educators Exploring Virtual Worlds – Panel. It was presented through voice thread.

The reason I chose to watch this presentation was because I have been hearing a lot about teen second life  in education lately.

This presentation went into a lot of detail of all the places you can explore and all the things you can experience in second life.  It also went into a lot of detail about teen second life and how there are many activities you can do with students within the second life world.  Some ways they showed in this presentation was creating an island for the students and having them recreate a scene and act as characters, to have a conference, to build something from history etc.  There is an unlimited amount of ways you can use second life towards education.

I found this presentation very interesting and easy to follow, but very long.  It has made me think about how easily you can use this technology in any way, for any subject within the classroom.  One thing that is awesome about second life is that a teenager can create someone and be whoever they want to be.  Identity is very important at this age, and gives teenagers the chance to try out different identities and be who they want to be.

From watching this presentation I beleive I may create an avatar in the near future.

Final Project

For my final project in ECMP 355 I have partnered with Joelene Schmidt and we are making a children storybook video.

Right now I am going to just give you guys the outline of the plot of the story.

-The video will open up in black.

-It will then go into a shot of a little girl sleeping in her bed.

-Next the little girl wakes up and finds a glowing letter on her pillow.

– We will then zoom in on the letter.  The letter will be called “Gifts of Christmas” The letter will basically look like this.

Gifts of Christmas

Find each of the gifts and put them under the Christmas tree.

Firewood

Oven mitts

Ribbon

Gloves

Icicle

Vacation Barbie

Ernest saves Christmas (movie)

– The first letter of each gift when put together in order spells FORGIVE. This will become important in the end.

– The little girl then goes to ask her grandma who is sitting by the fireplace, if she can help her find a fire log. The grandma tells the little girl that she is too busy knitting.  The little girl then goes in search of the fire log by herself and finds it.

– Next she goes to her mom in the kitchen to see if she can help her find some oven mitts.  Again her mom says no and the little girl gets very upset and finds the oven mitts by herself.

– This process is repeated for each object.  Her dad is in the room wrapping presents and she goes to him to find ribbon.  Her brother is getting ready to go outside in the snow and she goes to him to find some gloves.   Her uncle is setting up Christmas decorations and she goes to him to find an icicle.  Her little sister is playing with some dolls so she goes to her to find vacation barbie. And last she goes to her grandpa who is watching T.V (half asleep) and she asks him to help her find the movie Ernest Saves Christmas. After asking for help and getting none the little girl is very upset at the end of the day.

– After everyone is finished their tasks of the day they all gather around the Christmas tree to see how marvelous it looks.

– The little girl then presents the gifts to her family, while they are sitting around the Christmas tree.

–  The objects begin to glow and it starts to snow outside. Next the lists starts to glow.  We then zoom in on the list to see that the first letter of each gift on the list is glowing.

– The little girl realizes that the glowing letters spell out the word FORGIVE, and apologizes to her family for getting upset with them for not helping her.  She then forgives her family.

– The video ends with the family in a big group hug by the Christmas tree.

So far we have the plan of our story done.  My partner and I are not completely certain if we want to try and take pictures of our own, or find pictures on flickr creative commons and source them.

I would really like to hear back and get some advice on what might be a good way to approach the completion of this project. Thank you and hope you enjoy!

Uploaded on December 17, 2006 by Stuck in Customs

Feel Good Girls, Because We Are All Amazing!

Face it.  Every women gets depressed.  The stupid hormones and the drama and stress of life all causes us to feel blue.  Today’s society is ridiculous, pushing women to starve themselves to be skinny, because this is seen as beautiful.  I can honestly say I don’t find a girl that looks like a skeleton with no curve attractive.  Women are supposed to have curve, to be voluptuous and beautiful.

Fashion magazines I find are a big root of evil.  A psychological study in 1995 found that 3 minutes spent  looking at a Fashion Magazine caused 70%of women to feel depressed , guilty and shameful! This is horrible, considering that most models in magazines are airbrushed. Why do we put ourselves down whenever we see these fake images.  Telling ourselves how fat we are does not help the situation.

To make myself feel better I have a few little things that I think about, to remind myself how gorgeous I really am, inside and out.

1.Marilyn Monroe wore a size 14. She was considered gorgeous and beautiful in her time. (now she is considered fat – that is preposterous!)

2. The average women weighs 160 pounds and wears a size 14.  (this is still tiny in my eyes)

3. If Barbie was real, she would have to walk on all fours due to her proportions.

4. Someone will always find you gorgeous, it is just a matter of finding that person.

5.  Teenage boys and young men are attracted to looks because society has pushed them to be that way, but when they get older they realize how important the inside beauty of a women is.  If someone is ugly on the inside they will always be ugly on the outside.  (trust me)

6. Always remind yourself about what you like about yourself, and do little things to keep yourself happy.

Now here is a poem about the beauty of a women:

~~ Beauty of a Woman ~~
The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears,
The figure she carries, or the way she combs her hair.
The beauty of a woman must be seen from her eyes,
Because that is the doorway to her heart,
The place where love resides.
The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole,
But true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.
It is the caring that she lovingly gives,
The passion that she shows.
The beauty of a woman
With time, only grows..

Always remember how beautiful and amazing you are!  You only live life once, so follow your dreams, and make the most of what you have.

Uploaded on March 10, 2007 by ToniVC

Podcast Reviews

The first podcast I listened to was CBC Radio: Learning English with CBC Manitoba – Aboriginal Education.  It talks about how Manitoba (and the other prairie provinces) aboriginal population is growing at a rate six times faster than the non-aboriginal population, but when it comes to education, aboriginal students are falling behind.  The prairie provinces need to be concerned with this trend because the work force is becoming smaller, and will no longer have a high skilled labor force.  This will lead to the provinces not being prosperous because social service demands will constantly increase.

As side thoughts, aboriginal education is a big deal.  If you do not finish k-12 schooling, you can’t go on to secondary education.  We need to find ways to promote education for all people, and to show them how important a full education really is.

I am a big fan of comedy, so for my second podcast I went searching through the comedy section.  As soon as I saw stand up comedy I had hit the jack pot.  My second podcast is George Carlin: Back in town – The nature of the beast. Throughout this podcast George Carlin discusses the dilemma of having to pass gas in public.  I found this quite hilarious because anyone and everyone can relate to such a dilemma.  He went on to describing the test fart (usually happens when someone bends over in some way to hide that they are letting one loose).  To me this was a great comedy show because I was brought up in a family that loved fart jokes.  Some people find it horrifying at first, but they always get used to it.  I figure if you have to fart, just let is loose, because everyone does it.  Also, you don’t have to hold it in and hurt your insides, and sneak away from everyone when you have to let it out.