Friday, February 25, 2011
Space Age Tech
Yesterday, my dad and I drove down to Cocoa to witness a truly amazing event: the launch of the space orbital Discovery’s last mission. As the countdown ensued, T minus 9 . . . the thousands of people gathered cheered. Smoke billowed on the horizon, and over a million pounds of metal, technology, and six people implausibly launched into space in a matter of minutes. Now, the idea of herding 25 second graders to a launch is slightly intimidating, and depending on location, impractical. However, the experience was so amazing, and left my feeling so patriotic and proud, I would be remiss to not share at least part of it with students. If technology can send a 27-year-old space ship 143 million miles, 5,628 orbits, over 363 days, in 13 trips, technology can bring the launch into my classroom. Beyond watching the live broadcast of the launch, students can use books, models, and the Internet to develop an understanding of space and some of the trials astronauts face. NASA has websites and TV channels that steam live video from ISS, so students could actually see people living in space. Students can perform experiments and projects with items as simple as rocks, flour and a pie tin to recreate the surface of the moon. There are also numerous computer simulations for operating spacecraft. (I assure you neither my dad or I will be operating any space craft anytime soon, talk about your crash and burn!) Technology in the classroom is not only advantageous for presenting information to students, but also providing an experience as well. Different media and materials deliver different reactions and responses, and therefore provide a broader opportunity of experience and learning.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
You Aughta Teach in Pictures
Learning is a lifelong process and occurs any and everywhere, but people typically think about the process occurring in the classroom. Students learn information, content, and ideas through a dynamic relationship with their teachers, peers, and environment. Everyone has his or her own part in the production of Academia. Good teachers must employ various teaching methods and techniques, using activities, media, and a little creative thinking. Enter stage right technology! Although often miscast as only electronic aids, educational technology is any supporting role that makes the lesson, the star of the show, more appealing, and therefore memorable. For example, Batman can kick bad-guy butt on his own, and a teacher can impart astronomy knowledge through just a lecture. But, throw in Robin and a virtual field trip to space, and all of the sudden there is a lot more POW! and PUNCH!
While there are some Oscar worthy improv characters out there, most notable performances are well scripted. A teacher drastically improves a lesson, and the learning process, by having a detailed plan. The first step is to design the instructional unit and identify the competencies students will achieve, much like a director planning out a script. Next, the teacher breaks the unit down into daily lesson plans, or scenes. Finally, the teacher creates a “to-do” list, and then it’s: Lights, camera, action! The importance of a well-laid plan being said, it is also critical for a teacher to observe, react, and respond to the students. Flexibility and adaptability are a must. Do you think “Here’s lookin’ at you, kid,” was actually scripted? (It wasn’t – just Bogie reacting and adapting to the scene.)
Typically, people prefer to learn in one of three ways, visually, aurally, or kinesthetically. The best lessons star all learning styles, and have some of those comedic relief educational technologies as sidekicks. The idea that people tend to learn the best when given information through their preferred senses corresponds with Howard Gardner’s theory on multiple intelligences. Gardner claims everyone possesses intelligence in words, logic, music, special concepts, physical body, understanding others, understanding one’s self, nature, and the world’s biggest conundrum: The Meaning of Life. If someone happens to excel in any one of these areas, he or she is a prodigy. Cue Einstein, Mozart, Nietzsche, and Jeff Foxworthy (interpersonal genius I tell you, who else could make a fortune off rednecks?). Basically, everyone is different. During childhood development, people’s neurons wire differently, and their environments and experiences are unique. So it only makes sense that people learn and absorb information differently. You can bet Tarantino did not direct Samuel L. Jackson and Uma Thurman the same way, I'm just saying. Teachers can use those fantastic sidekicks of educational technologies to stimulate different senses as well as intelligences in the classroom. Who knows? Perhaps there is a prodigy just waiting to come out of his or her shell - Foxworthy watch out!
To take learning styles one step further, Richard M. Felder and Linda K. Silverman worked out a model that details learning styles as active/reflective, sensing/intuitive, visual/verbal, and sequential/global. After taking the test (twice because I’m just that stubborn) I am apparently a very strong intuitive learner; coming in at 9 and 11. And I wondered why accounting wasn’t for me? Repitition? No thanks. Bottom line? Don’t think so. Routine calculations? Boring. As far as the other styles go, I’m pretty middle-of-the-road. I’m slightly more verbal (English major), and slightly more active (basketball player?). I was surprised to see an inclination toward global learning. But, after writing this blog and moving just about every paragraph around, I guess I agree with that too!
While there are some Oscar worthy improv characters out there, most notable performances are well scripted. A teacher drastically improves a lesson, and the learning process, by having a detailed plan. The first step is to design the instructional unit and identify the competencies students will achieve, much like a director planning out a script. Next, the teacher breaks the unit down into daily lesson plans, or scenes. Finally, the teacher creates a “to-do” list, and then it’s: Lights, camera, action! The importance of a well-laid plan being said, it is also critical for a teacher to observe, react, and respond to the students. Flexibility and adaptability are a must. Do you think “Here’s lookin’ at you, kid,” was actually scripted? (It wasn’t – just Bogie reacting and adapting to the scene.)
Typically, people prefer to learn in one of three ways, visually, aurally, or kinesthetically. The best lessons star all learning styles, and have some of those comedic relief educational technologies as sidekicks. The idea that people tend to learn the best when given information through their preferred senses corresponds with Howard Gardner’s theory on multiple intelligences. Gardner claims everyone possesses intelligence in words, logic, music, special concepts, physical body, understanding others, understanding one’s self, nature, and the world’s biggest conundrum: The Meaning of Life. If someone happens to excel in any one of these areas, he or she is a prodigy. Cue Einstein, Mozart, Nietzsche, and Jeff Foxworthy (interpersonal genius I tell you, who else could make a fortune off rednecks?). Basically, everyone is different. During childhood development, people’s neurons wire differently, and their environments and experiences are unique. So it only makes sense that people learn and absorb information differently. You can bet Tarantino did not direct Samuel L. Jackson and Uma Thurman the same way, I'm just saying. Teachers can use those fantastic sidekicks of educational technologies to stimulate different senses as well as intelligences in the classroom. Who knows? Perhaps there is a prodigy just waiting to come out of his or her shell - Foxworthy watch out!
To take learning styles one step further, Richard M. Felder and Linda K. Silverman worked out a model that details learning styles as active/reflective, sensing/intuitive, visual/verbal, and sequential/global. After taking the test (twice because I’m just that stubborn) I am apparently a very strong intuitive learner; coming in at 9 and 11. And I wondered why accounting wasn’t for me? Repitition? No thanks. Bottom line? Don’t think so. Routine calculations? Boring. As far as the other styles go, I’m pretty middle-of-the-road. I’m slightly more verbal (English major), and slightly more active (basketball player?). I was surprised to see an inclination toward global learning. But, after writing this blog and moving just about every paragraph around, I guess I agree with that too!
The End
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Teaching Floats My Boat
In my humble existence so far, I’ve found life presents many opportunities, new adventures, and now, blogging. I’ve embraced just about every other form of communication, so I guess it is par for the course I am now a blogger. Anyway, afore mentioned humble existence started in Atlanta, Georgia. I attended a wonderful liberal school, which houses so many wonderful memories and lessons learned, I cannot begin to list them all. I played sports, namely basketball, which actually led me to Colorado College. Playing collegiate basketball while earning a BA in English with a focus on Creative Writing definitely taught me how to manage time, juggle a schedule, and on occasion, bust out essays at 2 am. My team volunteered with a local elementary school where we partnered with a class. On one of my visits, I talked to my third grade class about procrastination. The teacher then had the students write letters to me about my “lesson.” They were priceless. Young children have the most amazing minds. During the summers, I continued working with kids by coaching youth basketball camps. I feel in love with the interaction and feedback. Although I did not pursue an education degree, I always thought I would find my way back into a classroom.
After graduation, I jumped at the opportunity to move to Vail, Colorado, and assert my newfound independence. For five years, I worked in an office environment, mostly in an accounting capacity. In order to supplement my income and try to balance out Vail’s pricey cost of living, (aka ski gear) I started babysitting for two families. I really enjoyed watching the kids grow and develop over the years and still have a relationship with them. I met incredible people, and had wonderful experiences in Colorado, but I really missed my family and the East Coast.
Over this past year, I’ve made some big changes and learned quite a bit about myself. The accounting positions were good jobs, and I certainly gained insight into the financial world, but I just could not get passionate about budgets and ledgers. Call me crazy. I know balancing quarterly statements really floats some people’s boat, but I started thinking about what really inspires me. My thoughts kept returning to all of the amazing teachers I have been lucky enough to encounter. I remembered how they taught me so much more than how to solve for x, use a Bunsen burner, or analyze a Shakespeare sonnet. I’ll take fourteen lines of Elizabethan English over credits and debits any day! I also thought about how much I enjoyed interaction with kids, and how I keep finding myself working with them. I definitely gravitate toward younger children; their minds and behavior are so endearing and interesting. How incredible would it be to interact with imagination and encourage achievement in children everyday?
So here I am, grabbing this opportunity and starting on my next adventure. I am eligible for Middle Grades English certification, but I am going to apply for the Elementary Education certification as well. I aspire to be the kind of teacher who inspires her students to claim their education and take pride in learning everyday. I will strive to create an environment where students will not only learn material, but also responsibility and confidence. Teaching students they can, and will succeed, is something I do feel passionate about, even if they turn out to be accountants.
After graduation, I jumped at the opportunity to move to Vail, Colorado, and assert my newfound independence. For five years, I worked in an office environment, mostly in an accounting capacity. In order to supplement my income and try to balance out Vail’s pricey cost of living, (aka ski gear) I started babysitting for two families. I really enjoyed watching the kids grow and develop over the years and still have a relationship with them. I met incredible people, and had wonderful experiences in Colorado, but I really missed my family and the East Coast.
Over this past year, I’ve made some big changes and learned quite a bit about myself. The accounting positions were good jobs, and I certainly gained insight into the financial world, but I just could not get passionate about budgets and ledgers. Call me crazy. I know balancing quarterly statements really floats some people’s boat, but I started thinking about what really inspires me. My thoughts kept returning to all of the amazing teachers I have been lucky enough to encounter. I remembered how they taught me so much more than how to solve for x, use a Bunsen burner, or analyze a Shakespeare sonnet. I’ll take fourteen lines of Elizabethan English over credits and debits any day! I also thought about how much I enjoyed interaction with kids, and how I keep finding myself working with them. I definitely gravitate toward younger children; their minds and behavior are so endearing and interesting. How incredible would it be to interact with imagination and encourage achievement in children everyday?
So here I am, grabbing this opportunity and starting on my next adventure. I am eligible for Middle Grades English certification, but I am going to apply for the Elementary Education certification as well. I aspire to be the kind of teacher who inspires her students to claim their education and take pride in learning everyday. I will strive to create an environment where students will not only learn material, but also responsibility and confidence. Teaching students they can, and will succeed, is something I do feel passionate about, even if they turn out to be accountants.
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