Designed Video For Learning

In this article, The author describes the importance of video and multimedia not only for students, but for teachers ans parents.  When I was in school, elementary through High School, we had very few multimedia tools would use.  We had an over-head projector, computers for word processing only and movie reels for the projector.  We did not have the internet, video cameras, editing tools, etc. 
This author breaks down the importance of video into four categories.  First one is Seeing.  Seeing is a way to show people something they might not have seen before.  The second one is Engaging.  Engaging is a way to pull a person in to a situation or topic and keeps them interested.  The third one is Doing.  Doing is the attitude-watch and doing what others do. And skill-intentional effort and practice.  The last one is Saying.  Saying is why and how, facts and ways to tell the information.  The use of video and multimedia are important to all types of learners.  I would have liked to have an option on how I could learn.  Teachers can also benefit from computer use in the classroom.  Videos can be used for teaching the class as a whole or specific for one student. 
Not until I was in college did I use the video for learning. I as a pole vaulter at SDSU and we would video tape our selves vaulting.  After each jump we were able to see what techniques we were doing and not doing.  This helped me improve my vaults.   
Designed Video will definitely improve the teaching and learning in the classroom. 

Computational Thinking. Are computers or humans better problem solvers?

In the article, “Computational Thinking” the author describes the similarities and differences between human and computer computing process.  Computational thinking is a skill that children and adults should possess.  I thought you needed a computer or be a computer scientist to figure out the answer.  Nope, just a background knowledge and a little planning.  Statistics, algorithms, patterns, mathematical engineering.  What?!?  What do these words have to do with thinking? 

These different types of thinking occur in our everyday life.  What line is shorter at the gas station?  Where did I leave my keys?  How many times should I rent a steam cleaner before I buy one?  We have been taught to take a step back and analyze a situation and try to create a desired outcome.  Does it always go our way?  No. 

So, are humans or computers better problem solvers?

1.     Humans:  multi level thinkers, clever and imaginative, make computers exciting, and communicate and interact with other humans (emotion).

2.     Computers: dull and boring, restricted to software and programs (no emotions or feelings).

I think combining the two will create a greater learning experience.  Today the computer is so important in schools. 

NETS for students is #4 Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making.  Students are expected to plan, collect data, and analyze data to come up with an educated solution to a problem.  Students should be able to understand different perspectives to the solution. 

In elementary and high school, our type of thinking was very limited and narrow.  We did not have the of the internet, we only had books in the library.  I think that is so important to require students to be familiar with information in the internet and to show them how computers and humans can work/think together.

Understanding Rubrics

Understanding Rubric by Heidi Goodrich

In the article Understanding Rubric the author not only defines what rubric is, she tells why you use it and how you use it.  So what is rubric?  It is a list of criteria for what is expected in a piece of work.  It is use to support and assess students learning.  A rubric generally tells you exactly what the teacher is looking for.  Do teachers like it?  Do students like it? Yes and no. 

What is a rubric?  A rubric is a list that is divided into columns labeled from excellent to poor.  The columns are divided into a grid.  Each box provides an explanation of what is expected in each column.  Some examples might be: purpose, organization, details, voice and mechanics.  Each of these examples should be specific on what is considered a good piece of work. 

Why use rubrics?  The author gives five reasons of why teachers should use a rubric.  First, they can improve student performance as well as monitor it by making teacher’s expectations clear.  Second, they help students become more thoughtful judges of quality of their own and others’ work.  Third, it reduces the amount of time teachers spend grading students’ work.   Fourth, it promotes flexibility in learning styles.  It can accommodate all type of learners from gate to special needs.  Last, they are self-explanatory.  It should be easy to use and easy to explain. 

How do you create a rubric?  A rubric should be modified to each instructors teaching style.  Here are the author’s seven steps to creating a quality rubric. 1.  Look at models: provide students with a good paper and a bad paper.  2.  List criteria: what is important in a project.  3. Articulate gradations of quality: Describe excellent and poor levels of quality.  4. Practice on models: Practice on example papers.  5. Use self- and peer- assessment: Have the students get started and observe their assessments.  6. Revise:  After feedback, let students revise their work.  7. Use teacher assessment: Use same rubric as students to assess their work.

A 2^nd grade teacher used a rubric for assessing a “book talk.”  She wanted students to help her create and use a rubric to describe a book.  The students were responsible for defining the excellent to poor criteria.  They also performed a self and peer assessment on their reports. 

The NETS for students would fall under Critical Thinking, Problem Solving and Decision Making.   It is this standard because it teaches to students to find out what is expected of them for each project.   

I think a rubric is beneficial to teachers and students because if made correctly, it will be an important tool to support and evaluate learning.

The New library still has books

Not Your Grandmother’s Library.  Learning and Leading with Technology.

Lisa Perez. Vol 38 (2011) Mar/Apr. No.1

The article Not Your Grandmother’s Library!  by Lisa Perez talks about how libraries are now being used as a computer lab than a place to check out books.  She says that in order to keep up with the digital age, schools are “replacing” books with computers, video cameras, and various other technologies.  Librarians or media specialists are constantly trying to improve the students’ access to information and create a more effective and efficient teaching and learning environment.

 Perez introduces us to a librarian in a Pennsylvania high school.  There she provides the students with 80 desktop computers and other multimedia tools.  The students connect to a wireless network and have space available for individual work, production, group work and presentations.

The second school she talks about is in Alabama.  Her library has 14 computers, several laptops and digital and video cameras for student use.  This instructor focused on podcasts with her students.  She was able to listen to each students work at her desk at one time. 

The last school that she talked about was in Oakland California, a low income school.  Students went to the library during their teacher prep period.  This school has 24 computers, a whiteboard, and a listening center.  She focused on creating personal movies.  The students were responsible for doing the research, scripts, and the technology skills. 

Each of these schools are trying to encourage their students to learn the importance of technology not only in the school, but real life. 

When I was in High School, we went to the library only to check out books.  We used the Dewey Decimal System from the drawer with the title written on flashcards.  The only reason we used the computers in the library was to see if the library even had the book or article we needed.  I don’t think that books will ever be obsolete. 

I think that the book is as important as the computer “book”.  Providing student with computers, cameras, and other multimedia tools are important to the learning process.  Libraries are now places to be creative.   

The NETS for Students would be Research and Information Fluency because the student would have to be able to do educated research on the topic chosen.  They would have to collect the research, organize it and then apply it to their assignment.   

Clouds without internet or flashdrives?

In the article “Computing in the Clouds”, the author Doug Johnson explores his “cloud” concept.  He proves that using a less expensive computer, not using a flashdrive, and not having the ability to attach a file to e-mail, he can save schools time and money.  I thought that the more tools and programs you have the more efficient you will be.  But these tools and programs cost money, I thought that were trying to save the school money.  How does the author do it?

He suggests that schools purchase smaller low cost personal computers like netbooks.  Here starts the savings!  Smaller computers are cheaper, file storage is free and basic applications are free.  So why isn’t every school rushing to make the purchase?  You aren’t sold yet?  Here are a few more reasons that could change your mind.  The computers are interchangeable, meaning that if one is in non working order or forgotten at home, a substitute computer can be used in its place.

Saving a file without a flashdrive, are you mad?  Doug Johnson says it can be done from any computer even if it refuses to open his file format.  So where to we save it?  Not on the harddrive. Why not?  It will slow us down and no one likes a computer that works at a snails pace!  He worked on his netbook offline and when he needed to connect online he said that is was just as easy but it took a little getting used too.  It seems to me that he is adding more steps to complicate things, but in the long run he says it will save time and money.  No internet, no hardrive, I personally would have a backup plan!

Who pays for what?  Some classrooms have computers already, what if they are behind the times and cannot afford netbooks?  Do we beg the schools for money or ask parents to make a huge purchase for their child to become computer savvy? I don’t think it is appropriate to require parents to purchase a $200 device for school.  If enough money is available to only buy one computer, it is better than nothing. 

The idea of a cloud fits the NETS for students is: Technology Operations and Concepts (a).  Here the students must understand and use technology systems.  If the cloud system is used, the students are limited on the use of the internet and can focus on the tools presented by the computer.   

In the article “Computing in the Cloud” the author makes an effort to prove that expensive computers and softwares aren’t always needed in the classroom.   A basic less powerful computer can be used to access the cloud.  I think that any electronic tool can help a student learn.  Even though it is, money should not be a major factor in effective learning.      

Blogging worth the risk?

Blogging worth the risk? by Sarah De Almeida - Monday, September 19, 2011, 02:26 PM

Anyone on this site I agree with James Maxlow, in that "humans thrive through communication and connection to others". Schools are very dependent on electronic communication. Many parents prefer to keep in contact with the teacher through email and blogs. The use of a blog in the classroom is a good idea, as long as it is more professional then personal. Teachers and parents have to make sure that personal and professional information when used together are used appropriately. If it is for a class, students, parents, and faculty, it should be positive and informative. It should only relate to the class assignments, personal information should be kept to a minimum. When making a blog, one has to remember who their audience is. Blogs were designed to express ideas and get a response from others about those ideas. Not everyone is going to agree or disagree. I think that blogging is worth the risk as long as the blogger is willing to take responsibility of their actions.

Contact Me!!

Up until about six years ago the best way to get ahold of me was to leave a message on the answering machine. I am not a doctor, I do not have kids so I can wait to see who calls me until I get home.  I check my inbox constantly for emails that never come, kinda like waiting for the phone to ring.  My first cell phone was exactly that, a basic, no camera, no ring tone selection, no texting phone.  I carried that thing with me everywhere, putting it on top of the table for all to notice that I, Sarah, now have a cell phone.

I have since gotten an up-to-date phone with all of the bells and whistles.
The best way to contact me is by text.