Podcast Reflection #12: The Chicks at the Chick (fil-a)

This podcast was full of tips.  The chicks talked about different ideas to keep in mind as a classroom teacher.  One idea was "most improvements are baby steps".  This is so true because you just have to keep trying something and it will get better and better the more you practice.  Another one was "there is more than one way to win".  This is a great idea to keep in mind.  If one group in your class is doing a project a certain way, and another group is doing it different.. it doesn't mean that one group is right and the other is wrong.  There can be multiple paths to reach the same goal.  I also like this idea "you can never do the same thing, the exact same way".  Teachers really need to keep this at the top of their minds.  You can teach an amazing lesson on day, and try to teach it again.. but it is going to go differently.  Regardless of when you teach it or who you teach it to, there will be differences.  You cannot expect things to go the exact same way as they have before.  The last idea I am going to mention is "you can't recover from a bad start".  This idea I kinda agree and disagree with.  They used the example, if you start a lesson and the students don't understand and your not having a good time with it, then to just stop and start over.  I agree with that, but I also think you can be working on a project and it may not start how you want it, but you can keep working and change it up until your satisfied with it.  These were just some thoughts I thought were note worthy.

Podcast Reflection #11: Project Based Learning in Hand

This podcast was about mobile learning for students.  Schools are discovering that handhelds like iPod touch and iPad make great learning tools.  In fact, handhelds can play a big part in project based learning.  Not only do projects motivate students because they use exciting handheld technology, but they also lend themselves to student voice and choice.  This speaker gave each of his students a palm handheld.  They used these tools to make different projects.  The students enjoyed working with technology and were proud of their work and wanted to show it off. I think this is a great use of technology in the classroom.  Students are not complaining about the work they have to do, but rather excited to start that work because they have a new technology tool to work with. 

Podcast Reflection #10: iPads for Differentiation in a Primary Classroom

This podcast was actually an audio recording of Jessica Asbury and Daniel Wessel's presentation, "iPad: A Tool for Differentiation" at the MACE Conference which was given right here in Manhattan, Kansas at Kansas State University.  When I first started listening this was what caught my eye.  I am sure my teacher for the class I am writing this for was actually there at this presentation.  iPads were the topic and I was definitely interested.  These teachers started and iPad project at their school.  They got all the teachers iPads at the school.  They talked about how they used them in their own classrooms.  Jessica talked about how the iPads help draw her students into what they were working on.  She does a lot of reading projects with her iPad.  I think iPads are a great resource to use in the classroom.  Instead of carrying around a laptop on a field trip, take your iPad!  They are full of apps to use and a great way to store videos and documents.

Podcast Reflection #9: Plan Less, Do More

I found this podcast on K12Online.  I actually downloaded their entire play list on my itunes.  The main point of this podcast is bringing real change to your school.  It is about cultivating change in the school through student engagement.  Most teachers spend so much time planning, that they never really connect with their students.  Teachers need to do more, and plan less.. (hence the title). I really enjoyed this podcast because the speaker was so passionate about working with children.  He wanted to make sure students connected with not only him, but with the content they were learning.  He really wants to integrate technology into the curriculum.  He makes sure that when he does plan, there is always technology available to the students.  Supporting, Leading, and Coaching are important agents for change.  There are so many insightful ideas and methods shared in the podcast.

Reflection: Using Twitter as an Educator

Using Twitter is a great way to connect with other educators.  Twitter allows teachers to share ideas, lessons, and resources.  This is great because resources can be hard to come across.  Twitter makes sharing these tools very quick and easy.  Twitter could also be used in the classroom.  If teachers and students work together Twitter is a great way to share information.  Teachers could post deadlines and directions for students to reference.  I think it is a great way to stay connected and share ideas that teachers have all the time.

Reflection: Comics in the Classroom

Comics are a great way to connect with children.  They take concepts that might be hard to understand and make them easier for children to learn.  They are also very entertaining and easy to use.  Students can also make their own comics!  Teachers can use this as a way to introduce a concept or review a concept.  I used toondoo to make my comic for my website.  It was a very easy-to-use site and it had a lot of great pictures to use.  I enjoyed this project mostly because I know I will use it in my future classroom.