Creativity and Technology

Today's class is one that will stay with me.  We had Martin Ingenmey and Bryce Ridgen from Minnedosa Collegiate come to present to our class on Initiative and the Classroom.  They talked a lot about how they are a 1:1 high school.  This means that every student has a device provided by the school.  The students use this device through the years.  When graduation comes they can either buy the device or return it to the school.  This concept is great in theory.  It would limit the headaches of booking computer lab time or the reserving the portable laptops.  This is an issue I have run into during previous placements.  Having all your students have their own device would open up so many more options for assignments you could create or implement in your classroom.

http://www.schrockguide.net/samr.html

During the presentation Bryce looked at how teachers need to create assignments that reach the higher levels of the SAMR model and Bloom's Taxonomy (the picture to the right connects the two models).  Technology can greatly impact how a student is able to demonstrate their understanding of their knowledge.  It was great to see some of the exemplars from Bryce's students, past and present, as he has challenged them to think creatively, allowing them choice in how they demonstrate what they have learned.

One concern that came to mind during this presentation was how to use some of these ideas with younger students.  My next placement is in grade 4.  With the age restriction for some sites or apps my students would be limited to what they could do to publish their work.  I have been hearing more and more about the use of Twitter in the classroom, but it is the teacher who publishes the posts. Students do not have their own accounts, it is the classroom account.  I agree with the statement that students take more pride in their work when it is published, but I believe that they would have even more pride if they, themselves were able to publish their final product.

One other concern that was in the back of my mind was "what if I end up working in a division where they are not supportive of using technology in the classroom" or "what if I end up working in a division where technology is very limited?".  The second question is the direct result of one of my placements.  I was at a school where the wi-fi was blocked to students.  There were no iPads, or netbooks, or laptops for the classrooms to share.  There was 3 computer labs, and one was a teachers classroom (ICT).  This made it challenging for one of the assignments I had created.  Thankfully, my students were able to use the app, but they had to download it at home.  Also, to submit their assignment they either had to connect their phone to the computer or email it to me outside of school hours.

With these thoughts in my head, I had to remind myself that teachers can modify anything to work with there resources, laws, and students.  Teachers just have to get creative, especially when they expect their students to be creative.

~ Miss Laing

TT# 4: Follow an Edublogger

Much to my surprise I recently learned that I have been following an Edublogger for the past year. Last year I was introduced to Ms Bettess' blog.  I do not remember how I came across hers but I'm glad I did.

She is a grade 3 teacher from Northern Manitoba and has a love for technology.  Many of her blogs talk about how she integrates technology into her lessons.  Her most recent post is all about #ilovetoreadbingo.  Her students have been challenged to chose a prompt from the bingo card, take a picture of them doing something that matches the prompt, and then as a class share it with the #ilovetoreadbingo along with the bingo prompt.  The photo's can be shared on Instagram, Twitter, or both.

This is not the first photo challenge her students have been a part of.  This same year, her students participated in the math photo a day challenge.  In one of her blog posts she talks about how enthusiastic her students get as they create their photo to match the challenge.  What teacher would not be excited about their students being so excited about a math assignment, and on a daily basis?

Reading her blog posts makes me excited for my student teaching placement, and future classroom to see how I can integrate technology into my lessons, but it is so much more than that.  Reading Zoe's blogs makes me want to become a better teacher in creating lessons that my students will be excited about.  I like to think the lessons I have come up with are good, but now I want them to be better. Zoe has been an inspiration.

You can follow her class on Instagram and Twitter by searching either #ilovetoreadbingo or #mathphotoaday.

I can't wait to learn more about how Zoe is integrating technology into her lessons.

~ Miss Laing

TT#6: My PLN & the Connected Student

Above is a mind map of my Personal Learning Network.  This map illustrates the different tools and sites I use on a daily basis.  These tools are for both personal and professional use.  As I learn more about the different benefits of these online tools, I am beginning to think about the different ways I could use them in my future classroom.

I decided to try another website in making the next mind map; I read Cecile's Blog and thought why not give it a try.  Once I figured out how to actually get to the part of the site where you can make the maps, Inspiration proved to be a lot simpler than Piktochart.

For my connected student mind map I chose to colour code to help make it simpler to separate school life and their personal life.

~ Miss Laing

Online Learning

Today's student is: tech savvy and most like to learn at their own pace.  A great option for these students in online courses.  I was one of the few students in my class to experience a web-based course.  Although I believe it is a good option for students, it was not a good option for me.  I am the kind of student who needs to be in a classroom, surrounded by my classmates, with a teacher leading the lessons.  Learning at your own pace is great, but thats if you are able to make sense of the information you are learning.  This was my issue, I struggled with the material I was learning.  Let's keep in mind this was more than a few years ago.

This week Donald Girouard and Shannon Horne, from Manitoba Education, came to talk to our class about online education.  They talked about the advantages of online education:

• Those living in remote or small communities who want to take a course that is not otherwise offered to them. (This was me)
• Single parents who need to be home with their kids.
• Students who are not able to be on campus.

Online education allows these individuals to continue on with their education.  This also allows them to work at their own pace.

It was great to learn how schools in rural areas are using these tools to bring more classes to their students.  In some small town schools, they have a blended system.  This means that sometimes the teacher will be directing the lesson via teleconference, lab work (where all the schools meet at one for a whole afternoon of instruction/lab experiments),  printed packages, online tools such as Blackboard, and synchronous lessons.

As a teacher about to graduate, it is great to know that the province is doing what they can to make sure that everyone has access to education. 

TT#5: Digital Footprint

So after the first week in my class Internet for Educators I decided to Google myself to see what came up.  I was very thankful to find out that the only thing on the first page of Google results was my Pinterest page.  When I looked through the pictures, I did not find any of myself.  This was a relief.  I have been told numerous times how employers will Google you before they meet with you to see what they can learn.  This got me thinking: if all they find is my Pinterest page is that a good or bad thing?  With this thought in mind I created my AboutMe page.  On this page I can direct what sites they can be linked to, as well as provide them with information that will be beneficial to hiring me. Here is the link to my AboutMe page if you would like to check it out: http://about.me/m3laingmk

Creative Commons: http://pixabay.com/en/footprints-feet-walking-toes-human-149398/

So how do I control my digital footprint?  I try my best to lock down my privacy settings on my Social Media sites.  As an upcoming teacher, I do not want my students to have access to my person life.  I would like to keep my Professional and Personal lives separate.  With younger sisters, it is hard to keep my online identity private.  Although I have changed my name online or my online addresses, my students are able to go through my sisters contacts to find me.  In most cases, my students have to request permission to follow or be friends with me online.

The article Digital Habitus gives a great definition of habitus:

"the process through which the activities of our everyday life shape and order our values and expectations."

It is so important to teach our students at a young age the importance of their online identity.  They need to be aware of their use of the digital world.  They need to know how to protect themselves. Students need to learn that every site they visit can be traced back to them, it becomes part of their history.  Many people hide behind the screen, creating a second identity.  What students need to realize is that they have one identity both on and offline.  It is possible if we start teaching students at a young age the impact of the internet and the consequences of misusing the internet, we can help keep our students safe and help limit cyber-bullying.

~ Miss Laing

TT#10: Commenting on a Kids Blog

As a teacher it is so great to see, hear, or read how kids express their learning.  Having a class blog is a great way for other teachers and parents to see what the students are learning each week.  This is especially great for the parents who ask their kids what they are learning and all they get the answer "nothing".  I decided to check out a few different class blogs.  I found it interesting to see the ways that teachers set theirs up.  The one that stood out the most to me was Ms. Cassidy's Classroom Blog. I loved how on the home page of the blog Ms. Cassidy posts what her class was working on and how to see more, check out the students individual blogs.  I checked out a few and loved that it was more than just writing a blog post but rather incorporating technology with writing.  Each student creates a video that they upload as their blog post explaining what they have learned.  One of my favourites was a young Hailey put together a video on Lady Bugs.  I loved how she included music to help catch the viewers attention.  Here is a picture of the post I left for Hailey:

In my future classroom I would love to set up a blog similar to Ms. Cassidy's classroom blog.  I really like how the students are able to create their own posts, on their own pages that are linked to the classroom blog.  By posting what the students have learned allows them to feel a sense of pride and accomplishment.  It is also a great way for parents to know what is going on in the classroom!

~ Miss Laing

TT#9: Online Videos in the Classroom

I don't remember a time in school where I was not excited to watch a video.  Watching a video meant you did not have to take notes, read the textbook, or listen to the teacher talk.  Most of the time there was an assignment that went along with the video, but hey it was still the best option.

I support online videos in the classroom.  In my past teaching placements, I have found online videos to help solidify my students learning.  I have found videos on YouTube and TEDx talks.  Here are two examples of how of I used online video's in my classroom:

1. In my first placement I was teaching grade eight Social Studies.  To help my students create a study guide, I had them create their own rap songs.  The raps were to include everything part of Ancient Egypt we had studied.  They were allowed to choose their own music.  The example I showed was from YouTube.  Here is the link to this video: Walk Like an Egyptian.

2.  In my third placement we were looking at photo editing in English.  To help my students see and understand photo editing we looked at many videos.  Some were found on YouTube and there was a TEDx Talk.  What I loved about the YouTube videos was how the clip showed the process of editing a photo from the beginning to the final product.  I was able to find videos for both a female and male photo edit.  Here is the link to the female photo editing video: Dove - Evolution Commercial.  Having more males than females in that class I wanted to make find a male version of a photo being edited. Both the genders were taken by surprise about how a male photo could be edited.



These videos provided my class with a visual to the information we were talking about in class.  They were able to provide more insightful answers and contribute to conversation.

So it must be obvious that I like finding videos on YouTube.  One other site I mentioned I liked was TEDx Talks.  I was able to find a model talking about her career.  What stuck with me the most was how she talked about her life, her job, and how they are separate.  She showed some powerful images of her before a shoot and her after the photo had been edited.  She was so honest in her answers.  I would suggest this TEDx Talk for teachers who need to address body image and photo editing with their students: Cameron Russell: Looks aren't everything. Believe me I'm a model.

 Ok, so now you must be wondering, would I consider having my students create their own videos/multimedia.  My answer: Absolutely!  Most students learn best when they are able to learn by doing.  Creating videos would allow students with all different strengths to work collaboratively in groups.  Each student would be able to contribute their own strengths.  I like the idea of creating a video or a project to demonstrate their learning, rather than having the students sit in the desks and answer questions.  Questions limit how they can demonstrate their knowledge.  If my school allowed it, yes I would post my students work.  Posting their work would give them a sense of pride in what they have accomplished.  It also provides other students a chance to learn from my students.

If anyone knows of good video/multimedia sites to share, please let me know!!!

~ Miss Laing