Sunday, June 12, 2016
Friday, June 3, 2016
Too Much? - #LIBM409 Reflection 3
Have I ever mentioned that sometimes I bite off more than I can chew? I am beginning to think that I have done that this summer. Two classes and a Summer Institute may have been a little ambitious for my first foray back into the college game.
That said, I am learning a lot of new things between my two classes. The hardest part is keeping them separated and remembering which article went to which class! Sometimes they are vastly different, but there have been a few overlaps.
I really, really like this book (I may have mentioned this before). So, for all of you who are not privy to the class discussion page, here is my take on this week's reading:
That said, I am learning a lot of new things between my two classes. The hardest part is keeping them separated and remembering which article went to which class! Sometimes they are vastly different, but there have been a few overlaps.
I really, really like this book (I may have mentioned this before). So, for all of you who are not privy to the class discussion page, here is my take on this week's reading:
Well, I think the first paragraph of
Chapter 5 did a bang up job of explaining why we are using Twitter
during this class and why it is good to become comfortable with various
forms of social media.
I totally relate to finding YouTube valuable. There are so many resources there, from exercise videos, to how to build something, how to grow or make something, and many, many, classroom and teaching related videos. I have 43 subscriptions, and probably 100+ playlists of things I’ve found useful.
I really love when he talks about how “Don’s kindness taught me about being open and wanting to make other teachers more effective through collaboration.” I don’t know how many times as a young teacher I listened with one ear to the advice that was shared by others. And now, I know just how valuable that advice and mentoring can be. I am not a team person, I do not like to talk to people, I do not like to work with other people…I was the kid who, when we got group assignments in school, would just put my head down and end up doing all the work for the group, because it was easier that way. But, I do know the value of collaboration, and how incredibly empowering and knowledge increasing it can be. Maturity has taught my introverted self that it’s okay to ask questions and volunteer my ideas, it’s okay to work together. Yes, “iron sharpens iron.”
Recently, I collaborated with another teacher across the country to teach our classes how to debate. Neither of us had any experience or knew anything about it, so we looked up rubrics, rules for debating, and watched a lot of YouTube videos, which we shared with each other. We decided not to make it a competition, but a learning experience for all of us. Our kids took the information and ran with it, and they did a phenomenal job of presenting their opposing arguments and rebuttals over Google Hangouts. All in all, it was a great experience, and I learned a lot more by working with her, than by pitting myself against her.
I do have to say, I am much more comfortable with Facebook than Twitter, and I have numerous groups on Facebook for both personal and professional reasons where I enjoy communicating in depth with various friends, family, and other educators. Twitter is challenging for me to follow and disseminate the information that I actually want. However, it’s also been a learning experience, and I am growing, even if I don’t always like it J. I’ve just started on Instagram, and I definitely don’t have the hang of it, but it’s handy to see what my own children are up to online (my personal kids, not spying on my students), and there are some neat photos there. I love Pinterest. I have an addiction, and I am not afraid to admit I have more Pinterest boards than I care to count about as many different things as you can imagine. Lots and lots of ideas and information there!
I totally relate to finding YouTube valuable. There are so many resources there, from exercise videos, to how to build something, how to grow or make something, and many, many, classroom and teaching related videos. I have 43 subscriptions, and probably 100+ playlists of things I’ve found useful.
I really love when he talks about how “Don’s kindness taught me about being open and wanting to make other teachers more effective through collaboration.” I don’t know how many times as a young teacher I listened with one ear to the advice that was shared by others. And now, I know just how valuable that advice and mentoring can be. I am not a team person, I do not like to talk to people, I do not like to work with other people…I was the kid who, when we got group assignments in school, would just put my head down and end up doing all the work for the group, because it was easier that way. But, I do know the value of collaboration, and how incredibly empowering and knowledge increasing it can be. Maturity has taught my introverted self that it’s okay to ask questions and volunteer my ideas, it’s okay to work together. Yes, “iron sharpens iron.”
Recently, I collaborated with another teacher across the country to teach our classes how to debate. Neither of us had any experience or knew anything about it, so we looked up rubrics, rules for debating, and watched a lot of YouTube videos, which we shared with each other. We decided not to make it a competition, but a learning experience for all of us. Our kids took the information and ran with it, and they did a phenomenal job of presenting their opposing arguments and rebuttals over Google Hangouts. All in all, it was a great experience, and I learned a lot more by working with her, than by pitting myself against her.
I do have to say, I am much more comfortable with Facebook than Twitter, and I have numerous groups on Facebook for both personal and professional reasons where I enjoy communicating in depth with various friends, family, and other educators. Twitter is challenging for me to follow and disseminate the information that I actually want. However, it’s also been a learning experience, and I am growing, even if I don’t always like it J. I’ve just started on Instagram, and I definitely don’t have the hang of it, but it’s handy to see what my own children are up to online (my personal kids, not spying on my students), and there are some neat photos there. I love Pinterest. I have an addiction, and I am not afraid to admit I have more Pinterest boards than I care to count about as many different things as you can imagine. Lots and lots of ideas and information there!
Saturday, May 28, 2016
Thursday, May 26, 2016
"Great projects have several daily and weekly task guidelines." #libm409 Chapter 4 - Reflection #2
About the time I think I have it all figured out, around swirls the drain and I think "Oops, I forgot that!"
I am absolutely loving the book that we are reading for LIBM409. In fact, I've already recommended it to another teacher friend I have who thinks like that.
It's not a totally open ended project, but definitely along the lines of student independence, and something of value to them.
She had a mentor group of students earlier this year, for a short time, whom she wouldn't be grading, but she wanted something of value to them, not just some busy work to pass the time. She contacted me, and we set up a debate. They chose the issue, then we flipped a coin on Google Hangouts during her class time, and chose sides.
We shared resources back and forth about how to run a debate, how the format looks, what the scoring rubrics are like, what pieces judges need to see (neither of us had any experience with debate prior to this). Each group researched and built their arguments, and we met again on Google Hangouts about a week later. There were some technical difficulties, but the amount of effort and polish that both sets of kids came up with was impressive, and they did a great job. We were both very impressed.
This is the kind of thing I see an innovative type class doing, technological/cross-country sharing with other groups.
I plan to put this into place next year, and I am already excited about the possibilities. I've already had one ask about going before the town council to petition them to allow chickens. That would be a fantastic project to let one or more of them explore and address.
I am absolutely loving the book that we are reading for LIBM409. In fact, I've already recommended it to another teacher friend I have who thinks like that.
It's not a totally open ended project, but definitely along the lines of student independence, and something of value to them.
She had a mentor group of students earlier this year, for a short time, whom she wouldn't be grading, but she wanted something of value to them, not just some busy work to pass the time. She contacted me, and we set up a debate. They chose the issue, then we flipped a coin on Google Hangouts during her class time, and chose sides.
We shared resources back and forth about how to run a debate, how the format looks, what the scoring rubrics are like, what pieces judges need to see (neither of us had any experience with debate prior to this). Each group researched and built their arguments, and we met again on Google Hangouts about a week later. There were some technical difficulties, but the amount of effort and polish that both sets of kids came up with was impressive, and they did a great job. We were both very impressed.
This is the kind of thing I see an innovative type class doing, technological/cross-country sharing with other groups.
I plan to put this into place next year, and I am already excited about the possibilities. I've already had one ask about going before the town council to petition them to allow chickens. That would be a fantastic project to let one or more of them explore and address.
Friday, May 13, 2016
Old Dog Learning New Tricks - #LIBM409 Reflection 1
I started the first two classes in my Library Media Endorsement Program this week, and while I think I have my head pretty well above water in one, I definitely feel stretched beyond my comfort zone in the other (which I think is part of the point).
My experience in class so far really makes me believe that our instructor subscribes to the Innovation Class theory, "where students have time and space to create their own learning experiences and collaborate...", where they learn by doing and creating, and the focus is on discovery, curiosity, and building knowledge.
She gives us the opportunity to fail, so that we can "tweak the formula and create...a more meaningful experience." It requires us as students to take ownership of our education, and challenges us to prove that we understand the material and have mastered the standards. It gives us the chance to be our very own MacGyver, and figure it out, using a paperclip and a toenail ;).
I've already tweeted at our textbook author, and told him I can't wait to read the next chapter!
My experience in class so far really makes me believe that our instructor subscribes to the Innovation Class theory, "where students have time and space to create their own learning experiences and collaborate...", where they learn by doing and creating, and the focus is on discovery, curiosity, and building knowledge.
She gives us the opportunity to fail, so that we can "tweak the formula and create...a more meaningful experience." It requires us as students to take ownership of our education, and challenges us to prove that we understand the material and have mastered the standards. It gives us the chance to be our very own MacGyver, and figure it out, using a paperclip and a toenail ;).
I've already tweeted at our textbook author, and told him I can't wait to read the next chapter!
Monday, March 14, 2016
The Word
John 1:1-3
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
The Word is Jesus. Jesus is the Creator of all things. The same God we have asked into our hearts, the same God lost people need, a Friend who is always there, God's peace.
The world can give you temporary satisfaction, but it's not real, it's a lie, and it's not permanent, real peace.
Only Jesus can give you real peace.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
The Word is Jesus. Jesus is the Creator of all things. The same God we have asked into our hearts, the same God lost people need, a Friend who is always there, God's peace.
The world can give you temporary satisfaction, but it's not real, it's a lie, and it's not permanent, real peace.
Only Jesus can give you real peace.
Matthew 11:28
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
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