Monday, June 15, 2015

Blog Post #7

iMovie LogoAVL LogoIn the video by Dr. Strange and also Elizabeth Davis and Michelle Bennett, Using iMovie and AVL in Kindergarten, they talk about the different approaches teachers are making with students. They especially talk about the progress being made in the kindergarten classrooms. Michelle spoke about how she went to observe a teacher in her school, Ms. Tubbs kindergarten classroom, and she couldn't have been more amazed. Her students were creating iMovie trailers for their story of the week. Ms. Tubbs' kindergarteners were writing the scripts, listing their names, describing the pictures, etc. Michelle also explained that Ms. Tubbs approached her students through stations, with iMovie being one of them. Then we heard from Elizabeth Davis. She went over the different functions of Alabama Virtual Library (AVL). She mentioned how valuable it was as a learning tool and she also pointed out that Kindergarteners are even using it as well. She notes that it is a great way to teach students basic research. Students are able to pull up images, visit encyclopedias by their age groups, etc. One example she gave of her kindergarten students was how they were researching by pulling up a different animal each week so they could get practice. All in all, in this video, we see the media specialists used several approaches of learning through technology. Ms. Davis and Ms. Bennett were applying real world applications and broadening the students horizons from day one. This helps students know what is out there and how to apply what they learned in school from here on out.


Learn PictureWe all Become Learners was a video made by the same media specialists from above and Dr. Strange. In this video, the educators talk about how we all are learners and will always continue to learn for our whole education career. There are changes to the dynamics of learning, to where we are all using a device of some sort. As of right now we are seeing teachers teaching students, students teaching students and students teaching teachers. Everyone is constantly learning! But our job as educators, is to dig deeper. Ms. Bennett spoke about how she tries to teach mechanics in her library time. This supports the teacher by teaching specific parts of the device, so they can move on as a whole, to the lesson when they get back to the classroom. Michelle also pointed out that we all become learners in each others own PLN. Teachers aren't worried about teaching the mechanics, or they shouldn't be. Teachers get students to teach, which changes the dynamics of learning because we all have devices. When we learn from each other, we teach each other. We see the same learning approaches as the video above. Technology has taken a toll on our generation, and generations to come and we need to embrace it.


Note From Principal Clip Art

Out of the many videos to choose from, I was limited to the several high school interviews with Dr. Rosado and Dr. Strange. I really wanted to apply mainly to my age group that I am pursuing my education towards and these were the best resources. I chose one elementary video to see the differences between elementary and secondary approaches. In the first video I chose, Interview Rosado How to Get a Job, Dr. Strange and Dr. Rosado, principal of Gulf Shores High School, have a video chat on what he is looking for in a new teacher at his school. Dr. Rosado starts out that hiring has changed, even from just three years ago. When he is hiring a new teacher he is looking for: someone who knows technology, someone who works technology, a team player, and not a lecturer. He then clarifies that it is not just technology, he is looking for someone to use different ways to approach and teach students. He wants real world applications. One of the departments at GSHS, specifically the engineering department, is building a boy scout building in the community. Not only that, but the marine biology classes are building actual reefs. Dr. Rosado explained that we as educators, should focus on: getting ourselves involved in real world projects, be learners ourselves, and do team activities. We must go outside of the realm we were taught in growing up. We see the approaches to learning in this video is to apply real world matters, not just broadening our horizons through technology.


Principal's DeskInterview Rosado Part 2 is just as it says. Dr. Strange asked Dr. Rosado several questions throughout regarding GSHS. One being, "How has technology changed your school?" He says that there are still lockers, but they are hardly used because the students use the backpacks provided for them. He also says there are hardly any textbooks left either. There is also technology in the hallways. Educators can see whether a student is doing work or not but for the majority they are. Dr. Rosado also mentions that technology isn't perfect. There are still students off task and though they monitor quite frequently, they can't catch all of the students off task. But with good lessons given by teachers, it diminishes the negatives and promotes enthusiasm and engagement. It is also calm in the hallways, surprisingly. Dr. Rosado explains it as "calm in a sense of hallway discipline and management." One other change that technology has brought is the school is nearly paperless. As of two years ago, Rosado said he spent about $6000 every year on paper and copy supplies and now he only spends about $400 a year. By going paperless, he says they're not getting rid of the library but it offers up questions of what it will bring in the next few years. Dr. Rosado explained that they took part of the library and turned it into a Dolphin Cafe, to give it more of a college type feel and environment. There is a charging station to use and also a wall that the art department was appointed to design. With all of this, Rosado is applying real world applications just within the school itself. Not even necessarily in the teaching aspect. Even the hallways and library can impact a students learning. He is taking new approaches to better educate his facility, faculty, and students.



MacBook ClipArtAlthough this video seems similar to the first, Interview Rosado Part 1 talks about applying the real world in the school. Dr. Rosado, principal of Gulf Shores High School, had another interview with Dr. Strange. He spoke about the "digital renaissance" happening. He says its been hard for teachers to follow this adjustment because they were taught a different way to teach, and now they are being told to apply real world applications. His educators, as well as many if not most, are comfortable with books. Now all teachers and students are using Macs. Students are now on the same level because they are taught on the Macs. It is our responsibility to teach the student but we must change how we approach them. Dr. Rosado says teachers are now putting their lessons into an app called Moodle, which makes it available for all to see as long as you have a password. Not only has technology had such an impact of GSHS teachers but also the students. Dr. Rosado also mentions how the availability of technology has reduced discipline. He received 350 less discipline forms just within the first year of bringing technology into the school systems. It has affected attendance. With technology coming in quicker than imaginable, it is making huge improvements in such a short amount of time. Although it brings changes for the teachers, we need to keep in mind that we are always learning. Technology is the continuous approach to learning at GSHS and we see the impact is has made on everyone.


Son reading to Father


Lastly, in the video Mrs. Lauber Interview, Dr. Strange interviews a second grade teacher. She was asked if technology benefitted her in the classroom. She said yes. Especially since each student had their own iPad now. The better the tools, the better and quicker the task is done. Mrs. Lauber explains that the students have technology around them constantly, at home or at school. But she doesn't always rely on it. She starts out with paper rubrics so the students know what she wants. She starts the rubric by asking an essential question per lesson. She then uses Moodle to demonstrate videos, tasks, articles, and presentations. So pencil and paper hasn't gone completely down the drain today, but it isn't being used as often. One thing that was striking in this interview, was when Mrs. Lauber pointed out that the children do more on their own with technology. She is just a facilitator. There is more peer tutoring than anything. Then Dr. Strange provoked the question, "Do your children know what rubrics are/ how to use them?" Mrs. Lauber says the students understand rubrics. She described her using them as a way to let her students know what she wants, just on a smaller scale. One last thing Dr. Strange asked Mrs. Lauber about was real world reading. Mrs. Lauber then mentioned DIBBLES. DIBBLES are no longer state mandated, but is now simply used to test fluency. Throughout the year, students are tested three times to see how they are progressing. This provides opportunities for teachers to know at what level their students are reading. The goal is to go above and beyond. Again, Mrs. Lauber teaches using real world applications.

English Teacher Teaching


I believe after watching all six videos, I can tell I have some strengths for what's happening in the classroom but mostly weaknesses. I can tell that I will be prepared for technology in one aspect, but I have a long way to go. As Dr. Strange always says, "We are all learners." I have several weaknesses that I can already tell too. I know I will struggle with basing lessons on real world applications. Just thinking about trying to apply the real world to a secondary english classroom seems tough, but what part of educating is not tough? I know it's rewarding in the end. With more classes and instruction, I can gather more ideas so I can apply it in my own classroom one day. Another weakness I see is also incorporating technology as much as other classrooms do. Again, being an english major, it's hard to imagine how to incorporate technology beyond Moodle. I think in the next year and a half, I need to apply myself and look into actual classrooms for ideas on how other english teachers do it. With these applications, I feel I can accomplish being a better teacher and educator in the future!

4 comments:

  1. This is a excellent, detailed post! I like your idea of looking into actual classrooms to see how they use real world applications and technology to teach the content of their subject. You are going to be a great secondary English teacher!

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  2. It is definitely a different world between elementary and secondary education. I have had the opportunity to substitute teach in both, and although I respect all children I feel that elementary is my calling. Your post are great! This is the second comment I have been assigned on your blog. I feel that you really take all the information in and find ways you can incorporate into your life and your future teaching. I really like using paper and pencils, I am still working through issues with incorporating technology. However, I didn't realize the amount of money the school was using on paper and now saving when using the technology. I find those facts amazing. Good luck on all your upcoming work.

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  3. Good Post! Everyone has weaknesses, you just have to turn those into strengths. When I was in school, I'm sure when you were too, we used pencils and paper, so it is a challenge learning how to teach using technology. Just like me, I'm sure you will get the hang of it.

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