Blog Post 6

The Right Way to Ask Questions in a Classroom

Ben Johnson, a high school principal, explains that students get confused during class because the teachers act as if they have all of the answers then ask the students questions as if they nothing about the topic they just covered. As educators, we need to think about what we expect the students to learn during the questioning process. Teachers check the students understanding by asking "Does everyone understand?" but most of the time the students do not respond so the teacher assumes they can move forward. In reality, the students might think they understand but do not. Some students might be completely lost and do not know what to ask. As educators, we need to steer clear of this type of question because it is only telling the students this is your last opportunity to ask. Another element about this question is that it is just a yes or no question. It is easy to assume that all the teacher wants to hear is that everyone understands so the students will not say otherwise. This type of question is a close-ended and does not push the students to think more in detail about the topic. Mr. Johnson explains a simple but effective way to ask a question. The teacher will ask a question, pause for three seconds, then call on someone to answer the question. This requires every student to think of an answer. Teachers do need to be sure they do not choose the same person every time they ask a question.

Asking Questions to Improve Learning

According to teachingcenter.wustl.edu, when asking questions within your classroom can model a process the students should use themselves. When teachers are planning questions they need to keep in mind the course goals such as: core concepts and critical thinking skills. Teachers want to avoid asking "leading questions." These types of questions discourage the students to think on their own. Teachers always need to follow a yes or no question with an additional question. The teacher could simply ask why they said yes or no. In class discussions asking more than one question should be avoided because students could be confused about what is being asked. Aiming for direct, clear, specific questions so that the students can learn how to answer build depth about a subject by answering multiple questions. When planning lesson plans, teachers should make a note of when there is going to be a pause within the lesson to ask questions. When teachers ask questions throughout the lesson they are more likely to see more class participation. There are two types of questions that teachers should ask, close-ended and open-ended questions. Close-ended questions have a limited number of correct answers. Open-ended questions have multiple answers and encourage discussions and active learning.

Why ask open-ended questions?
Teachingcenter.wustl.edu has provided a list of objectives of why teacher should ask open-ended questions.
1. To assess learning.
2.To ask a student to clarify a vague comment.
3. To prompt students to explore attitudes, values, or feelings.
4. To prompt students to see a concept from another perspective.
5. To ask a student to refine a statement or idea.
6. To prompt students to support their assertions and interpretations.
7. To direct students to respond to one another.
8. To prompt students to investigate a thought process.
9. To ask students to predict possible outcomes.
10. To prompt students to connect and organize information.
11. To ask students to apply a principle or formula.
12. To ask students to illustrate a concept with an example.


As future teachers, we need to be aware of the two types of questions that are effective in the classroom. We need to prepare open-ended questions to be included within our lessons to encourage students to go into depth about the topic. We need to be sure to not ask more than one question at a time. When asking questions throughout the lesson, we are more likely to get more class participation and encourage all of the students to think about subject at hand.

Project 8

This is My Passion Video

My Sentence Video

Blog Post 5

C4T # 1 & 2

C4T #1

I got assigned to Hiedi Siwak blog. In her post she had visited another Germany to see how their schools function. She took many pictures but when she went it was during the summer time so the school was rearranging. She discussed how many different things the school taught the students such as things we would consider are taught at home. The school also allows the students to have some say so in a part of their daily schedule. The school offers the students many outside activities. She was sure to inform the reader that not all schools are like this. The school offered instruments to every student. If a students could not handle being in the school setting they school provided a room the students could go to and let out steam or just calm down.

In my comment I said that I enjoyed seeing how different schools can be. I also thought it was great that they offer the students a variety of things to learn such as cooking, painting and playing an instrument. I was glad she shared this experience for people to see how diverse a school can be.


C4T #2

In this blog post she describes "Maker Day." She got the students to bring in materials that were not much of a value. She wanted them to gather things to make something out of the items the students had brought in. She asked the students what the cookie tin jar in her hand was. Of course, the students responses were 'it is a cookie jar' she in return said "No, it is a wheel." By doing this the students started to think of other things the cookie jar could be. She got out the items the students brought in and had them take them apart and build something with them. The students for once were not given specific instructions and were given the freedom to use materials to build something. The students perspective on items that did not seem to mean a lot changed. They learned they can make whatever they want out of just about anything.

In my comment I thanked her for sharing about maker day. I also stated that this is a great way to get every student engaged in class. It also changed how the students perceived the classroom. For once, they were able to do things on their own without instruction from the teacher.

 

 

Project 3

Blog Post 4

Langwitches Blog 

I thought that recording was a great way to hear how much the students loved what they were doing. Even though one of the stories had Hebrewin it, it was amazing to listen to how excited the students were. I learned that getting them involved with podcasting makes them analyze how they read andhow to portray an emotion in how they read. They not only wanted to read andmake a podcast but they also enjoy listening to the stories that they have done. One of of the posts the teacher had the students make a podcast for the class blog. Giving the students an audience other than themselves gave them the incentive to be sure and put everything they had into it. In another post the teacher said she made sure to record the lines of the story out of order so she could let the students listen to each sentence and put the story in order. I think that this was a great idea because they had to focus and recall what happened throughout the story.

For my podcast I need to keep in mind that this is going to be posted for anyone to see. I want and need to do my best because anyone will be able to view it. I also learned that I need to think about how I will express emotion while recording a podcast. 

Blog Post 3

Peer Edit With Perfection Tutorial 

I personally found that the power point was the most helpful resource. It not only defined peer editing but also gave a break down of all three steps. The slide show gave the reader examples on how to compliment and make suggestions  in a positive way. It also gave the reader a chance to practice each step such as giving compliments, suggestions, and corrections.

I think that peer editing can be very beneficial for both the student and the editor. At first I was a little unsure on how to correct someone else's work without coming off as being rude. After watching this slide show, I feel more comfortable about editing my peer's work because I know that it will be beneficial to the both of us. As a student need to become familiar with how to correct people's work in a positive way so when I do become a teacher I will have the experience in doing so. Having your work edited it always great because they could point out things that you had never noticed you were doing wrong. It is also good to get praise about your writing and see that what your peers are thinking about the same topic.

Blog Post 2

Mr. Dancealot by Chelsea, Kenesha and Keri

In Mr. Dancealot’s video, he teaches a dance class with no hands-on experience. By using a PowerPoint, he has his students take notes and sit quietly during his lecture. When one student stood up to give the dance steps a try, he was instructed to have a seat. How can a dance teacher teach dance through lecture?

The truth is he can’t. Actually, nothing can be learned just through lecture. Students need to have hands-on experience in order to grasp the idea of anything.  It’s okay to explain the fundamental of how to do a particular assignments; however, students won’t get the concept unless they try it for themselves. Technology is growing in our society and it is becoming more and more important in our schools as well as our everyday lives. Hands on experience is necessary when learning how to use this technology instead of just a lecture or reading something out of a book. The information needs to be applied to be learned. The students in this video did not actually stand up and dance before their exam, which caused them to be very confused on the day of the exam.

Teaching in the 21st Century by Kevin Roberts <br/>
Summerized by Chelsea Calvert

This video by Roberts asks many questions to future teachers. He says that teaching is not the main source of knowledge anymore. He believes students should be taught skills not facts. He believes that students will be able to learn the information they are getting from a teacher from the internet. The students will be able to communicate from a variety of sites such as blogger, twitter, facebook, pinterest and many more. The students can also type the question they have into any search engine. If the students are able to find out everything thru the internet or by discussing it with each other, then why do they need teachers.  If his suggestions are true and accurate, teachers will become obsolete.

I agree that the student must be shown how to use the technological applications available to them. Teachers should be encouraging in any type of learning. Students need to form their own opinions and need to be able to find out the answers to questions they might ask themselves or a teacher. Students need to be taught responsibility and integrity. Teachers have an effect on every aspect of a students life. Teachers can be any one who teaches a student a life lesson. Students should be shown every possible form of technology and then allowed to study how they choose. However I do not believe that teachers could ever become obsolete.  

The Networked Student

by: Wendy Drexler

Summarize by: Kenesha Brown

Wendy Drexler explains what it would be like if students took control of their learning. She goes on telling a story about a student from 21st Century High. The student was assigned to do research on any topic. He chose American Psychology. However, there is no textbook for the class and the teacher hardly ever lectures. His teacher believes in connectivism, which is a theory that learning occurs by social networks and many diverse connections and ties. Connectivism are made up of many tools and technology. However, the question was asked “ Why does a network student need a teacher?”

Drexler  explains that the teacher empowers students to  take control of their learning and connect with new people who will strengthen the learning process. They teach students how to build their learning network. They also show them how to take advantage of opportunities. The teacher is there to be the learning architect when the students get lost. He/She serves as a learning concierge when the student gets stuck, as well as, teaching them how to be a network sherpa  when looking at resource. In addition, (s)he teaches them how to be a synthesizer when looking at information.

From viewing this video, network learning is something that the educational system is becoming. Students are being pushed to go out there, find resources, and look up information. As educators, we should allow them to spread their wings and find answers to their questions. Drexler explained the teacher’s role really well. Basically, teachers should allow the learning process to happen until they notice a student is unsure about something.  

Harness Your Students’ Digital Smarts by: Vicki Davis

Vicki Davis is a teacher in a rural city in south Georgia. Vicki has completely opened the minds of her students to many new ideas of technology. She has provided them with access to wikis, blogs, podcasts, virtual worlds, and other media tools. These students are constantly learning something new about technology. Everyday there are opportunities in the classroom for students to use technology with their classmates as well as others around the world on blogs or other resources.

As a teacher, Vicki does not spoon feed her students. In the video, she said that she often gives them unfamiliar words and tells them to look up the meaning of the word in the context in which she has used it. Vicki also was partners in a founding a global collaborative project. “Digi Teen,” which is digital citizenship for teenagers. On Digi Teen, students from around the world studied digital citizenship by researching, writing, and posting their work through two digital portals. Vicki also believes that she is constantly learning from her students and that they can learn from each other as well, therefore she has specific times in her class where each student will be the teacher, or certain groups will teach on certain days.

The Edutopia website is full of resources for teachers. There are links for student engagement in the classroom and tips for keeping the students involved. There are also links to other blogs from teachers with experience in the classroom setting. Also on the website, there is a spot you can go to search things specific to each grade-level which can be a very useful tool for teachers. At the bottom of the webpage, there are links to “get inspired,” “find solutions” to problems or issues in the classroom or school, and “join the conversation” by getting connected with fellow educators on social media.  

Blog Post #1

Krissy Venosdale's: Venspired

Krissy Venosdale is a teacher who decided to start blogging about her teaching and her ideas. She did this to not only share her ideas but also to gain some by communicating with other educators. Her main goal is for the students to want to be creative and eager to learn. Her students inspire her with a new ideas every day. She designs her classrooms with different themes every year. She makes sure to teach the students teamwork and she makes them display this in her class daily. She believes that she should students "not what to think but how to think." Ms. Vensodale writes a post about the kind of school she would build if she was given the opportunity to build a school. She would make sure the school is up to date on today's technology and it would be used every day. She also would focus the school on creativity and have the school painted with vibrant colors. She also would make the cafeteria where the students would enjoy going to it almost like a lounge. The students would be able to have conversations with people that have professional careers. She is a person that is extremely interested in science so every lab would be equipped with the necessary supplies for the students to do experiments regularly. Grade levels would not be based on age but on their readiness and abilities.

Sugata Mitra TED Talk 2013 

Sugata Mirta is a man who use to teach people how to write processors. Near his work was a low income neighborhood which he wondered how those children where ever going  be people that learned how to write the processors if they are never exposed to a computer. He formed what he is called a "hole in the wall." At his office building he made a whole in the wall and set the computer in it so that the neighborhood children could investigate. He realized that after a while the children had figured out how to use it on their own. He set up computers in different countries with the language set on English and the children still managed to learn not only the language but the information that was on the computer.  Mirta downloaded information about DNA and gave this information to the students thinking it was impossible for them to ever learn. After two months he tested them and they scored a thirty percent. Since he could not send a teacher down to where they were he found someone to just sit behind the students and encourage them. After another two months he went back and retested them and they scored fifty percent. He noticed that the students teach each other how to read the information and how to function the computer. Mirta is trying to build a self oragnized learing environment. He believes that the classrooms should now have broadband plus the ability to collaborate and enouragement. Before he did this experiment with the "hole in the wall" he investigated how schools got started. He found that the government wanted people who could read, wirte neatly, and multiply in their heads.  As people we need to be able to do more than that not to fuction in the world. 

Future Classroom

I hope to teach a third grade class. I chose this age group because they are still intrigued by the little things and are eager to learn about everything. At this age they have not yet really chosen a favorite subject so they want to gain knowledge about them all. My main focus is to have hands on classroom. I think that students learn and will engage more in the class if they are able to participate. I have always been one to have to have things hands on or my mind would wonder as the teacher was lecturing.

I want to strive to make all of my students have a passion for reading. Reading is a part of every subject and is an essential part of learning. I personally have never really enjoyed sitting down and reading a text but I wish I did. I never want my students to dread reading. I will have a word wall that surrounds the top part of my classroom so that every student can see it. This wall would be something that we would add to every week. I think that if the students know the words and are able to see them on a daily basis they will more likely use them in their vocabulary.

I will use a SMART Board to enhance every aspect of my teaching. I am amazed at how much we can do on them. I also love how well they get the students involved while they are all sitting at their desks. This is another way to keep the students involved because they are fascinated by them. Being able to use other teachers' lessons and being able to modify them is also a great tool that the SMART Board offers.

My classroom will be an environment where the students can talk and ask each other questions. I think it is important for the students to be able to interact and work together.  I am a very organized person and I think that my classroom will reflect that. I want to stress to my students that if you are organized then you will be more successful. Being organized will help in every aspect of someone’s life.

Dr. Randy Pauch and Time Management

Dr. Pauch talks about quite a few things in this video. I had to watch it a few times to get all of the information that he was giving us. He talks about how to set goals and time management. I am one of the people he is referring to when it comes to procrastination. He talks about how to overcome that in little ways such as making a to-do list. He suggests to ask yourself "Why am I doing" whatever we need to get done. We need to make sure of why we are doing what we are doing and what the goal of doing it is. He also talks about how experience only comes with time so in the end we will benefit in doing things now rather than not doing them at all. He talks about planning and how to do it. We should have a plan for every day, every week, and every semester. We also need to remember that things are subject to change but as long as we have developed a plan have something to change. He suggests that we should have to do list and we should do the least appealing thing first. I think having a to-do list is a great idea. I love when I can make a to-do list for the day and get everything done; it makes you feel like you accomplished things.

Practice Blog Post

My name is Chelsea Calvert. I live in Foley, Al. My entire life I have lived in Baldwin County. I chose to attend the University of South Alabama because it is a major university and it is close to home. For now, my main focus is on finishing school and working. I have two older and two younger brothers. I treat my little brothers as if they were my own children because growing up I had to watch them while my mom worked. One of my older brothers has three girls and one boy so I always have someone to go visit. Our family is extremely close, even though I do not live at home anymore I see them at least once or twice a week. My little brothers play three different sports so I have always games to go to. When I have any free time I love you go to the beach or lay around a pool. If it is a rainy day I am always up for shopping.

Growing up I have always had a lot of children younger than me around. I think this played a big role in how I decided to study to become a teacher. I would help my little brothers with their homework every night. When I was in high school I was in a program where I would tutor students at the elementary schools near my high school. I did this for two semesters. I would also mentor a student at the high school. While I was tutoring the elementary students is when I realized I had a passion for helping children. I love being able to watch them figure things out and how excited they get once they do. I love volunteering at the Marietta Johnson School of Organic Education. I want to become a substitute this semester to get more experience in an elementary school.

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