Take Away Message 2/24/14


                  The video on Earthquakes was a really engaging way to begin a lesson or a unit for students today. I liked how it left oppotunities for teaching points and posted questions for the students to think about as they viewed the photographs. My students will usually watch a video geared towards some of the major concepts to help them visualize it and motivate them to want to know more. It would be great to be able to create video clips personalized to our specific classroom. Teaching English Language Learners, it would absolutely help them not only grow interest but have visual with key vocabulary terms.
                  Another thing that stuck out to me about tonight's class was the idea of looking at an elephant through different angles. As educators, we are constantly analyzing the process of student learning and thinking of how to get insight for each child to get the support they need. I thought that was a clever way of thinkin about it. Do you see the full length of an elephant? Do you just see the front angle of the elephant?

Take away message 2/10/14

              Jumping into this class a little late, I have to say my first class really opened my mind a bit. The lengths of my technology knowledge are pretty much limited to my iPad, smart board and language translators. As you can see it even took me about a week to figure out how to follow any of my classmates or create a blog or gmail account. Luckily, I think I'm finally doing this right.
              The topic that stuck out to me the most from class was the idea of a backwards classroom. I've never heard of anything like that where the children learn on their own at home and practice in class. In theory, it sounds pretty ideal. They watch the videos, as to not waste the classroom time, and then they would just come in ready to apply it. While this would never work with my third grade class, I think for high school students it might be useful. It would give the students the opportunity to understand the concept at their own pace and come in ready to ask specific questions or get right to work during the time they would have been getting the lesson. I thought that was really interesting.
           I also have been thinking a lot about the use of Instagram/Facebook in the classroom. I think it would be awesome to have an account especially for Math, to post a video to help with the homework. My students that come from a low income area in the Bronx, would not have access to phones like this. However, in areas where a majority of students have access to these types of applications, would be awesome for homework help and at home practice.
          As I'm waiting for my textbook to arrive the mail, I'm really excited to explore new ways to involve technology into my classroom.