week #5 Trends and Issues

TREND: Interactive White Boards

“An interactive whiteboard (IWB) is a large interactive display that connects to a computer. A projector projects the computer's desktop onto the board's surface where users control the computer using a pen, finger, stylus, or other device. The board is typically mounted to a wall or floor stand.”

·      Are you interested in this particular topic (e.g., are you interested in virtual schooling and online learning)?

o   The general idea behind interactive white boards is interesting to me. However, upon reading up on the product I see that it can have many downfalls. Besides the obvious initial cost issue, proper instructional training is needed so that the product is being used to its full potential.  This training can be another added cost to the district.

o   As a science major I can see myself using this for several different aspects of education. However, one of the informational links provided for us gave some important things to consider and steer clear of. One of which I found less obvious was “Don’t be the sage on the state”. The benefits of the device can be quickly diminished by improper use. One huge benefit of having an interactive whiteboard is for the students to be interactive with their learning. If the educator is the only one coming in contact with the board the interactive portion is not being used for the purpose of education only convenience.  If you are using the IWB in place of a projector or white board… you are using it wrong and wasting thousands of dollars that could have been used more wisely as you do so.

 

In my opinion, if the whiteboard is actually being used in an interactive way to assist in the lesson by all means use it. If not, don’t waste your money.

If used well an IWB could benefit businesses, schools, college sports and many other areas of life.  Deciding if the cost is worth it is the real issue in any situation.

ISSUE: identify theft

What is this? : the fraudulent acquisition and use of a person's private identifying information, usually for financial gain.

One statistic: Identity protection scans of more than 40,000 children in the United States show that 10.2 percent of those children have had their Social Security number used by someone else, a Carnegie Mellon CyLab report states. That rate is 51 times higher than the .2 percent rate for adults.

The YouTube link below is a video resource on the importance of secure passwords, caution when posting online and safe internet use. Something as simple as a picture of you in your front yard can give a criminal just what they need to steal your identity. 

https://youtu.be/H0I7jQb37bo

Week 3: Web- Based Resources

Resource #1

• Title:
• Monster Genetics

• URL: 
• https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Monster-Genetics-Traits-and-Heredity-for-Upper-Elementary-1474425

• How you found it:  
• Searching 5th grade science activities on TPT

• How you might use it in your final project:
• I would use this resource ( or a similar one I construct on my own) to introduce to my students the  the difference between dominant and recessive genes. This resource covers bits of genetics, heredity, genes and dominant and recessive genes. It is a fun way to simplify the science and break it down into manageable parts for the introduction of the concept. 

• What standards does the resource address:

3-LS3-1.	Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence that plants and animals have traits inherited from parents and that variation of these traits exists in a group of similar organisms

Teachers Pay Teachers - Link to website where resource was found.

Resource #2

• Name/Title of the resource:
• Gross Science

• URL:
• https://www.youtube.com/user/grossscienceshow
• How you found it:
• I found this YouTube channel while googling around for good science based resources.
• How you might use it in your final project:
• I liked this channel because it is about something new each post but they all revolve around science. The title Gross Science and the content that matches it is a fun way to introduce  lesson or get kids attention. I can see myself finding a video from Gross Science that aligns with each days lesson and use it as as attention getter or writing prompt before or after the lesson. 
• What standards does the resource address:
• Every post hits a new introduction for a standard.

This is a post about how to use household items to see microbes with an iPhone. 

Resource #3 

• Name/Title of the resource: 
• Abby Gutch Science Activities
• This is a compilation of several resources on heredity 

 

• URL:
• http://buncombe.k12.nc.us/Page/30134

• How you found it:
• For this resource I googled " 5th grade heredity activities". There were many results. I chose this page because it had many resources for the topic but were not layer out in a lesson format like some of the other great ones i found using that search. This one was a compilation of resources made by a school specifically for 5th graders. It appears that the school has online space for the teachers to store their activities for public view. I liked the idea of providing the parents with access to the resources I will use in class.  This is great because not only to the families of the students get to see what they are learning they have the opportunity to learn the same things. This will make helping with homework or studying much easier for the families that DO choose to help their students at home. 

• How you might use it in your final project:
• There are several games and online activities that i could use for the review process of the lesson. These could be whole group or individual based review if iPads/ computers are available to me at that time. 

• What standards does the resource address:
• For this i chose to use one of the video resources. It was pictures of a mother and daughter and the viewer was prompted to see what traits were possibly inherited by the daughter from the mother
• 3-LS3-1.Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence that plants and animals have traits inherited from parents and that variation of these traits exists in a group of similar organisms

week 2: Mythbusters

I was intrigued and if I'm being honest, partially confused by a few parts of the articles. The article on myths of students engagement was pretty straight forward and informational. The one I was most interested in was "People remember 10%". The reason I chose this one was because of this graph.

 

I find it terrifying that this graph was begin used in the development of instructional design of classrooms when it is false.  The individual who was sited in a research paper on the topic says this, "I don't recognize this graph at all. So the citation is definitely wrong; since it's not my graph."

WHAT?!  These numbers have been discredited and yet they are still the basis behind many peoples classroom development. The article even discusses that this graph and these numbers may have been developed from a 1942 "cone of experiences" that was presented to the readers with a warning that there was no research put into the idea only opinion. Also, there was no data, or numbers attached. It blows my mind how that could develop into such a widespread accepted idea that is false. This wasn't even an ignorant mistake there were fraudulent citations and deception was the point of it.  

As I continued reading this it occurred to me that I had no clue if this was accurate. This whole article could be fake. The quotes, the citations.. Yikes. This only hits the point home even more that we as educators are responsible for not only how we do things but why. And in return we must have the knowledge and research to back those opinions up. Its not ok to just read something and take it as truth/ possible truth. (hopefully thats an obvious statement..but this article gives me the worried feeling that it isn't. I highly recommend this article the topics in this article are universally concerning not just to people in the field of education. 

Having research and data to back up my opinions is really the first step in having an educated conversation of instructional practice. Sadly I think that table was shown to me more than once during my years as an undergraduate education major. 

#3 Blogs In The Classroom

Blogs can be used by a teacher in many ways. I can see myself having a blog to communicate with students and families as to what is new and exciting in the classroom. Blogs are a nice way to update and educate people on new research or plans you'd like to incorporate into the classroom. Blogs are useful in this way because comments can be made by viewers. The communication is open to allowed viewers so that conversations between more than two people can occur. I can see myself having a blog post about volunteering in the classroom. Comments can be a way to agree to bringing certain supplies or offer ideas.

I also think Blogs would be useful in the education and assessment of students. Weekly or even daily writing prompt can be done via a blog. Weather that be a classroom blog where student take turns bringing up a topic for others to discuss, or a teacher led discussion. Blogs can be used for practice in writing, typing, responsibility, social interaction, respect and many more areas. Creating and commenting on a blog can build confidence in writing. I like the idea of having students review and comment on other students work as well. Constructive criticism or pure positives can be used and may help build a positive classroom community. However, blogs can be a private way to submit work for review too.

When thinking about ways a blog can be used in a classroom there are endless possibilities. It can be a special place for great work to be published or a daily communication between the class. Depending on the age and ability of students blogs can be very useful. They can be made public and controlled by the class or price for just class and family use. Blog post can even help guid the curriculum based on students interest and inquires. A students comment on a blog can lead to questions that aid in the development of the next topic of discussion. These comments can also be used as guides for independent studies.

#2 Lisa Marie Simpson

LISA SIMPSON

Academically Lisa Marie Simpson is doing well. She is highly self-motivated to do her best. Lisa is a very intelligent young lady. She is a seven year old with an IQ of 159. She gets high grades and rarely struggles in class. Although, Lisa is a good student and cares about her current and future success, she often causes disruptions in the classroom. Many times she is seen voicing her opinion on what is wrong with a current situation. It is nice to have that kind of passion in such a young child but constant interruptions and challenges can be destructive to the classroom community. Socially Lisa is a loner. Her intelligence gives her a sense of superiority that often gets in the way of friendships. She is often worried about becoming like other members of her family who appear to be much less intelligent. As a teacher I would discuss these issues with her one on one. Lisa wants to be heard and often believes she is right. Having that personal connection and communication could lead to a healthier classroom discussion when a contradiction in views arises. Providing an appropriate time and place for Lisa to voice her opinions is necessary for her to feel important to the classroom community.

Lisa plays the baritone saxophone in her school band. She is a vegetarian and is often involved in environmental awareness rallies as well as liberal and feminist campaigns. Lisa is a very passionate individual and works hard to have her opinions heard and considered.

Lisa is in 2^nd grade so not yet college ready but if her work ethic continues she will remain on the path to a college education. Lisa comes from a two-parent home. Her mother, Marge occasionally takes on jobs but is primarily a homemaker. Her father, Homer is a nuclear safety inspector. They live in a suburban community and would be considered part of the lower- middle class.

Lisa cannot except the reality of a poor grade. 

Lisa uses her older brother Bart in her science expirement 

About Me

Hello everyone! 

My name is Amanda Melville and I am an Integrated Science Major minoring in Elementary Education. I enjoy building things as well as arts & crafts type projects. I've worked at Home Depot for the past 3 years so that fuels the DIY and Pinterest itch I often get :) I also really enjoy sports both as a spectator and participants. One of my favorite spring/summer activities is attending Tigers games.

The only experience I have with USING technology in the classroom would be the projector I occasionally powered on and muted in my TA placement. My experience with PLANNING technology goes no further than listing computer, projector etc in the "materials" portion of an assignment based lesson plan.

This is a picture of me on the tour of the Capital building in Washington D.C.

One of my favorite things to do is spend time with my family. I have three nieces. This is at Macy's birthday party.