Friday, January 31, 2014

Blog #3

I believe Peer Editing is one of the strongest feedback tools in school today. I say that because we have grown so accustomed to teachers giving us feedback that we eventually just stop listening to it as much. When a fellow classmate gives me feedback on things I have misspelled or just general tips to help me out with the assignment I really take notice of it and try to implement their feedback into my next assignments. Peer Editing is a very touchy approach just like the videos and slideshow said. I have had people edit my work and just blatantly tell me it is bad, needless to say I did not listen to that person anymore. Staying positive, giving suggestions, and correcting mistakes is truly the best way to help peer edit. Just make sure you follow the steps in order! People are more likely to adhere to your suggestions and corrections if you compliment them at the start of your editing. Even if it is a short and sweet compliment like "I like your topic", the peer is still more likely to listen to your advice.
The peer editing video with the children was very comical to me, I can think back to my English classes in high school and even in college where I have had at least one of those characters! The most common ones I have ran into in my days was a Speedy Sandy and Whatever William's. During my freshman year in college I was peer reviewing a Whatever William in my English Comp I class, and told him that his paper grade was a D at best. He just blew all of my comments and suggestions off and then ended up receiving a D on his paper. After class when we got our papers back he approached me and said he wished he listened to my review comments and from that moment on he began coming to me to review his work and listened to what I had to say and raised his grades up. Seeing his grades go up and him thanking me gave me that since of accomplishment and pride that any teachers get when they see an improvement in one of their students that it burned the fire inside me to teach even more. Students Editing each others work

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Blog # 2

Professor Dancealot: I believe the central message of this video is that you can give lectures and power points every class session, but if you do not get the students involved and active they will both lose focus in class and also learn practically nothing, a break in the line of communication you could say. The way the author proves this is by having a dance class where the teacher gives lectures and does not let the students even attempt to practice the dance moves in class but expects them to be expert dancers for the final. I agree with the conclusion that you need to have students active in class in order to properly teach them and to keep their attention because I myself am a student and have experienced both boring power point lecture classes, and active student involved classes. I can say without a doubt that I learned and retained more information in the classes where the students where involved then sitting in the desk all day listening to the teacher ramble off of the power points.

Teaching in the 21st Century: I believe Roberts argument about teaching in the 21st century is that teachers can no longer use just paper and pencil and need to move on to teaching kids how to use technology the correct for them to excel in school, how to figure things out for themselves while citing the sources they used. I believe Roberts view on teaching could be beneficial but full immersion of students into technology would make them more dependent on it then they already are. Paper and pencil should no disappear completely because it makes students more have to actually learn the material instead of constantly using Google to find the answer. Becoming fully dependent on technology is not a good thing in my eyes. I believe technology should be used a lot more the nit is now in the school system but it should not overtake the entire curriculum.

The Networked Student: All of the networking tools available for a student is amazing and can really promote a students learning in school. Like I have said earlier in this blog, I think technology should be used but not overtake the curriculum. I like the idea of the students in classroom for a few days then in their own personal digital classroom for another few days. It is a good balance for kids to become more independent while still under the guidance of the teacher.Out of all the videos watched, I enjoyed this style of education the best. Also this style of teaching requires each teacher to become very proficient at using the web and other tools that the students will be using. That will ultimately raise the demand for teachers increasing the pay grade for teachers since there is more requirements to become one, and who doesn't like money?

Harness Hour Students Digital Smarts: The thesis of the video is that with the advancement of technology in today's society, the school system cannot just stick with the paper and pencil system that has been used for years. My reaction to the video is that I completely agree. She has the students looking things up for themselves and even teaching each other with the teacher over watching the entire classroom is a great hands now learning environment for the students the strive in. I believe that this type of teaching should be welcomed by all schools in the country at any grade level. That with this type of new learning environment the students will stay active as well as learn so much easier and quicker.

Flipping the Classroom: Flipping the classroom is a brand new concept to me, I have never heard of it before. I beleive this approach could have extraordinay improvements on students grades and over scholastics. The only down side I see about it is if you have a student who is very uninterested in a certain subject, to just skip the videos and come to class and be quiet. If there was some type of interactive video like questions the students have to click to show they are participating as a grade then I believe it would be near perfect.
Teacher Lecturing a Class

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Post #1

About Me

My name is Lucas Skinner. I was born on May 3rd, 1993 in Tampa, Fl. I lived in Tampa for six years then my grandmother had a heart attack and stroke and was unable to live on her own so my parents and I moved to Pensacola Beach Florida where I lived up until I began attending USA. I have two brothers who are both significantly older then I am.
My major interests are helping people, soccer, working out, and hanging out with my friends.
I am attending USA because it is close enough to home where I can go back whenever I want easily, but far enough away to get out of my parents vice grip rules.
I want to become a chemistry teacher like my mother is, while also pursuing my masters degree in school administration so I can move up and one day become a principle of my old high school. A few things I do best is ping pong, and running. My roommate and I won the advanced doubles tournament on USA's campus. I love to run and constantly am running in events ranging from a 5k to a half marathon.
Each summer I fly out to honduras with some high school friends and my church on a mission trip to help what is known as "The Jungle School" in La Ceiba Honduras.
We build new buildings or help fix things that the school cannot afford. Screen Capture of Project #1 Personal Class Blog

My Test Post

This is my First Post. I clicked the HTML button which I should always do in EDM310. I am now a Blogger!