Educational blog

PBS teacher blog

PBS has a wonderful section for teachers.
From this blog I found out how Google Maps can be integrated into a geography lesson, or when ever necessary or useful.
As far as my comment, it was not too contributing. Mainly that i agree with the use of Google maps and it usefulness in a classroom.

Reflextion #9

Mom's Homeroom

Here is a website that is geared towards mothers of children in school. But, not only mothers can look at. I see that a few fathers have made comments on discussions.

It has a lot of information regarding school life for students. It contains video's, a blog, option to talk to other mothers, "how to's," and so much more. What's interesting is that it gives advice on how to help your children with social issues, test taking, subject matter, and more.

The video segments have a feel of "The View," a daytime talk show feel or something like that. This is probably to engage mothers more ( is this to say a majority of mothers watch a lot of daytime TV?) and pay more attention to the details of the site.

So, I find some of the information interesting. I find it more geared towards elementary. There is a lot of material on the site, which most of it can be helpful. Take a look and see what it is like.

Reflextion #8

What: I like video games.
So What: I wonder if video games can be incorporated into student learning. Obviously there are not many video games that are deemed "educational" that actually are comparable to the ones most kids like to play. It seems that there are some computer games that work with math, science, language and similar subjects. But could a game be made to represent true historical events in a factual manner that could be appropriate for in-class learning?
Or, what if there could be a game that allowed student to dissect a human body to help understand skeletal structure, organs, and etc.
Now What: I guess it could be wishful thinking, but I'd love to plug in an xbox in a classroom, once in a while, and see students soak in knowledge, with a game, instead of some of the rubbish (fake WWII scenarios that fictitiously portray events) that they play at home.

Second set of classmates commented on

Alice
Amy
Ashley
Mathew
Sarah

NU Panel Questions

Some questions I might ask are:

1. What have been you greatest struggles as an educator?

2. What have been your greatest joys?

3. What keeps you motivated to continue educating?

recording of project plans

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I plan to possibly create either a web page with videos, blog, and podcasts, or create a lesson on Smart Board also using video.

Reflextion #7

WHAT: I created a short video riddle.

SO WHAT: It entertained the idea that I could use this in multiple ways in a classroom. Either Could use it in lesson plans or students can use it as homework or in other ways.

Now WHAT: Creating videos is a grate way to assess student learning by making it part of homework, a test, or another way. It may help with the students that struggle with test taking and such. It can bring out a creative touch in all students.

Cuaght on Video

Bob Spankle's article is slightly inspiring. I agree that a video camera is a tool to be utilized in the classroom. I like many of the uses suggested to capture footage. In fact, I think the main use I would, and mostly likely will use it for, is for capturing daily lessons for those that miss a day or need to look back for something they believe to be important. I also really like the idea of assessment. Having proof is better than just remembering.

Assignment #3

For my Toolbox I used Diingo.

I chose many sites that directly relate to history. Such as AmericanHeritage.com, American Quarterly, Online newspapers (New York Times, Wall Street Journal), and sites that provide further education and history websites.

I then separated the sites into folders depending of area of content (online news papers, online journals, reference, and education).

I believe i will continue to utilize this toolbox in the future, if not another, to assist in gathering useful sites. I like how I am able to have a tool bar to give easy access to my box.

I can share it by providing a hyperlink on current/future blogs.


American Heritage
This site contains everything the journal has plus more. You can look at old articles, sister journals, blogs and more. It has easy online access for all viewers. The resources on this site can be easily used in a classroom. They can help look at different historical perspectives, and spark discussion in the classroom.

Site For Teachers
This website contains a collection of useful sites for educators. It provides links to help with lesson plane, actual lesson plans, graphics, and so much more. All the sites range from K-12. for example there is a math worksheet site specifically for high school, or one for clip art.

PBS
This is a fantastic site. It contains a link for PBS for Teachers. It contain resources for grade levels and subject matter. Teachers can register and become part of a community within PBS along with other teachers.

I can use all these resources as a teacher. As a history teachers American Heritage will be a valuable tool, not to mention that I can subscribe to the actual periodical to have in the classroom. The Sites for Teachers site is very useful as well, containing multiple resources for all areas of education. PBS will be one of the top sites utilized as an educator. The help and resources I take advantage of will be priceless.

reflection #6

What?
I cant stop thinking about the possibility that teachers may not be as needed one day.

So what?
If technology takes over how students are taught, whats to keep it from taking over the teacher's position. We already have people signed up to online courses, watching lectures and such. This right here causes the need for teachers to be less. could it be possible that some form of "home school" will be preferred over all else.

Now What?
I guess I'll keep teaching for as long as possible. In doing so hopefully all will see that having a "living biological teacher" might be better than an avatar or downloading into a brain.

entry #8

Here is a blog about ActivBoard. What I get from it its that many people prefer Promethean over Smart in the classroom. Some say that it is more student friendly. But over all it is very similar to Smart. The biggest con about Promethean is that it is not interactive with anything else other than the pen created for it, no fingers to write or draw anything. I think that it really comes down to personal preference; everyone will just have to make a pro-con list.

The only question(s) I may have is- What's the difference between Smart and Active?
All other questions will just fall with in this one.