Blog Post #6

What do you learn from these conversations with Anthony Capps?

In this post, we were required to look at several video conversations between Anthony Capps and Dr. Strange. They went through several useful tools and covered lots of information in about an hours time. Their first video they focused on, Project Based Learning, Part 1, came in two parts. In this first video, one important question that was addressed was, "How do you approach project-based learning as a teacher?" Anthony goes onto talk about, first, that as educators, we have the wrong idea about projects. Instead of how we portray them now, we need to shift in means of getting them to learn something. In essence, creating something as they learn the knowledge. As said by Anthony and Dr. Strange, the goals of a good project is: have an authentic audience, have the students interest in mind, involve the community, and drive the content. Anthony really harps on, as educators, we are given content standards by the state to drive our appointed grade level. We must think of what kind of projects can we create that will give our students an opportunity to need to know the content that we need them to know. Anthony also gave an example of his students in PBL. He and his third graders wrote letters to our congressman regarding someone in history, serving in military capacity. It got the students involved and interested in what they were doing because they felt they were making an impact. Overall, in this video, the statements, "Review Everything!" and "Teachers are learners as well" concludes the video.

In Strange's and Anthony's second part of the video,  Project Based Learning, Part 2, they go more into depth on the subject. Anthony mentions, in the classroom, some projects don't go well. Both he and Dr. Strange also say in PBL, you are going to get more than you, as an upcoming educator, expect. So, never limit students by giving them exactly what we want them to do. Let them go beyond what you want them to do and they will. Dr. Strange says, PBL involves a powerful method by which students learn. It takes a lot of planning, a lot of work, and fancy footwork to make it successful. As an educator, if a project is not successful, it is successful in the way students are still learning and reflecting upon it to better next time. Another note to mention is, Anthony pointed out the only time his students have disliked projects is when it involves collaboration. Nonetheless, administrators, on all levels, have high approval ratings for PBL. These two videos are very valuable for my education, and these are just stepping stones for what I have ahead of me.

In our third video, iCurio, featuring Anthony and Dr. Strange, they talk about a online tool called, as the video is called, iCurio. iCurio has three parts to it. The main feature and purpose it serves as is it's a search engine that is filtered for educational purposes. The search engine aspect doesn't restrict you to just text, it incorporates video and audio, as well. Other components are the storage capacity and timelines. In the storage capacity, students get practice organizing online. In the timeline feature, students are able to search by criteria. This website is useful for all grade levels.



The fourth video, Discovery Education, by Anthony and Dr. Strange, talks about the benefits of the website to teachers and students. The actual website, Discovery Education, has everything beyond the realm of all subjects, as Anthony puts it. It brings experts in the classroom via video. It is used to bring texts, overall, to life. Discovery Education let's you couplet text with images because students, nowadays, are starting to watch and listen, more than they are reading and writing.

Our fifth useful video in this blog called, Anthony and Strange Tips for Teachers, Part 1, is just what it says. Both, Anthony and Dr. Strange give five key things to remember as a teacher.

1. Learning: Be interested in learning yourself, if not, you won't be a successful educator. Continually learn.
2. Let your work be a fun experience for you! Hard work is never ending but rewarding, nonetheless.
3. Be Flexible.
4. Keep Students Engaged. Anthony says 100% of the time. That may be crazy you think, but remember, "No child is left behind." Get them motivated.
5. Reflect: It is the goal. Self evaluation is critical in the process of learning.


In the second to last video resource named, Use Technology, Don't Teach it, they is a very important concept every upcoming educator must understand. As the title says, "Use technology, DO NOT TEACH IT." Technology comes natural for kids; let it stay that way. Teaching technology shouldn't be part of the curriculum, instead, educators should scaffold the technology they're using. In other words, build on it. Anthony gave an example. He said, one week he incorporated a research tool, and then the next, he incorporated a video tool. The following week, he used both, to his advantage, in a project for his third-graders. The benefits to technology is, it is shareable and real. Both men shared:  to use technology to get students excited and share what they're working on. Don't expect perfection. Work on it and then reflect on the mistake. Lastly, they mention to educators, if you're worried, try it yourself. This way you can understand what students are asking if they come across the same questions you had. Remember: "Questions are more important than answers."

In our last resource, Additional Thoughts about Lessons, Anthony mentions one last thing in this section. He wanted to explain how a lesson is four layers thick. It consists of: the year, going into the unit, going into the week, and finally getting down to the day. He advises to follow these four steps for effective teaching.