Blog Assignment #2

Mr.Dancealot

In the video Mr. Dancealot, the professor is trying to teach his students how to dance by taking notes. The professor gets angry when the students attempt to practice the dance moves he is telling them about. He also did not approve of the students asking question.  Mr. Dancelot is an excellent example of how not to teach students. The professor did not take the time to demonstrate how to perform these dances, and when he did demonstrate the dances he was behind a large desk where the students were unable to see his feet. Mr. Dancelot never gave his students the chance to practice the dance moves and expected the students to learn by watching. In the end when it was time for the final exam none of the students were able to demonstrate the dances and most of them had the textbook in their hands while trying to dance.

Written by: Savanah Moore, Jacquelyne McKiernan, Shernaye James

Teaching in the 21st Century

In the video, Teaching in the 21st Century by Kevin Roberts, Roberts feels that technology is the main teacher for students. I think he brings up good points in questioning what it means to teach in the 21st Century. The position described in the video is that as teachers we have to keep our teaching interesting.We have to keep students interested all day everyday. It is important to keep students motivated by creating lesson plans that are interesting. As an educator, It is important for me to know that I am not the only source of information for my students. I can provide technology in my classroom to help my students learn. But, it is important to teach my students that learning can be an ongoing process and that learning never stops.

written by: Savanah Moore

The Networked Student

In this video written and directed by Wendy Drexler you are given an example of a student going into college. The student starts out with very little but soon starts to build his network. The students learns to blog, and share information using sites like Diigo and Google docs. The student starts out not very studious, he does not have a textbook but soon is able to find resources from all sorts of programs and sites that relate to his field of study. The video ends with the student being connected to a top professor at the University of California Berkeley.

The networked student needs a teacher because they need to learn the proper procedures on how to create their networks. They can not be expected to just have the sites and resources fall into their laps. The students need to be guided on the proper way to use the resources they are given and how to communicate through technology. The teacher would help improve the students success rate in widening their network, and show the students how to be more organized in keeping up with their numerous forms of technology and resources.

My reaction to the video is that it is very informative about creating and continuing to build your network. I like the idea of the term Connectivism being introduced. The video stating the importance of going through the process of creating a network, how to develop that network, and understanding how to properly build your network. Also, this video showed me how to understand the proper guidelines and format of creating a network. The importance of having good information and knowing when you see propaganda. The teacher wants the student to maintain their  network and use the many tools that can be helpful in building your network.This video shows the importance of being able to learn effectively.

Written by:Shernaye James

Harness Your Students’ Digital Smarts

In this video Vicki Davis uses technology to encourage her students to learn for themselves and to be more self sufficient when using technology. The students are able to teach themselves and other students how to use different programs on the computer. Davis when in her classroom acted more like a guide rather than a teacher. This approach of teaching can be good in letting the students become more technology literate on their own but is not appropriate for all students because all students have a different skill level. Students who do not use technology as consistently as others may fall behind because they are not as familiar with the software.

written by :Jacquelyne Mckiernan

Blog Post #1

If I could build my own school it would be a place that the kids would never dread going to! Like Krissy Venosdale my school would be colorful and very hands on. All of the artwork in the school would be done by the students. Every year on the first day the students and teachers would spend the day painting and decorating the school how they wanted it that year. The teachers would be friendly and caring toward students and each other. The library would be covered in comfy bean bags and stocked with thousands of books. I would make a thirty minute slot after lunch to hang out and read in the library. During this time, students will have access to computers and tablets to work on homework or further explore the topics they are learning about.  The cafeteria would serve yummy but nutritious foods and would always have a variety to choose from. Teachers would be more focused on the students learning and understanding the materials taught than making sure everything got briefly covered. There would be no standardized test to prepare for, EVER. Field trips would be almost a weekly thing! There is almost always somewhere to go for hands on experience for any topic of study! If it is not possible to go then it will be brought to the school!

What do you want your students to know (in general terms)?
I want my students to know that they are special and that they are important! They need to understand that they do matter! I also want them to understand that it is perfectly okay to be different than everyone else! If we were all the same the world would be a boring place! We can't all be hands, somebody has to be a foot or an ear!

What do you want your students to be able to do (in general terms)?
I want my students to be able to not only succeed academically but also in their lives! I want them to use school to help them in other areas of their lives. For example, giving presentations in front of the class can help boost their confidence!

What will be your primary way of teaching your students what you want them to know and 
to do?
I will be a very hands on type of teacher because I am a hands on type of learner. I think most people, especially children, are also this way! I will participate in class projects rather than just watch and grade.

What tools will you use in your classroom?
In my classroom I will use technology as much as possible but I will also be using lots of crayons, makers and paper! I will use whatever it takes to make sure my kids understand the topic!

What role will students play in your classroom, i.e. how will they participate in the 
learning process? 
I don't want to lecture to a class and not know that no one understands until test time. I want them to ask questions and participate in all activities! I want each student to take a topic and become the teacher for the day and teach the class everything about their topic! I also want to have hands on activities daily so that students can fully understand what I am trying to teach them.

My name is Savanah Moore! I am 19 years old. I live in Axis, Alabama in the northern part of Mobile County. I have lived there my whole life. I have a sister who is 12 and a brother who is 30. I also have a sister-in-law and 3 nieces and 2 nephews. I enjoy hunting, fishing, and getting pedicures with my best friend!

I go to Shiloh Baptist Church in Saraland, Alabama. I'm am greatly involved with our special needs children on Sunday. I also help with teaching children's choir. I work at the North Mobile YMCA in Saraland in the Youth Services department. I work after-school care during the school year and summer camp during the summer. Currently I have kindergarten and 1st grade in the afternoons. I greatly enjoy my job of helping my kids be the best they can be! 

My kids are my passion and one of the reasons I am going into education! This is only a few of the kids I keep on a daily basis. And yes, I call them MY kids because they are! Over the last 2 years, I have spent every school day, summer day, and most holidays with them; teaching them, getting to know them, and caring for them! I think in today's world we lack teachers who really care about their students! Not all but some people just teach because they couldn't think of anything else they wanted to do. I don't want to be that kind of teacher! I want to KNOW my kids; their favorite color, about their family, and what really upsets them! I want them to know that they have someone who cares about even the silliest little things! They need to know that I am rooting for them to succeed! And I am very passionate about it! (in case you couldn't tell!) :)

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