Journal #3 - Global Collaboration for Elementary Students (NETS-T I,II)

Richardson , C. (15, August 2012). Global collaboration for elementary students. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/issues/Global_Collaboration_for_Elementary_Students.aspx 


Carmen Richardson, a third grade teacher in Hawaii, uses Skype to connect to elementary students within the States and around the world. Her first class connected with a school in Maine. After that she opened her class communications with students in Vermont, New Jersey, and Australia. Students learn about climate, culture, seasons, native animals, and current events, which begins many lessons and projects in both classrooms. Children discover friendships with students all over the world. They get excited in showing their presentations to an audience. They exchange music and poetry. Sharing their work with each other deepened the friendships that were created. Students on both sides realize that they are part of a global society of similarities and differences. Imagination and desire for their work is enhanced when the finished product is produced for a global audience.

How can Technology be used in this application?

Students can use video or PowerPoint presentations to display their biographies. Edmodo and Voice Thread assist students to communicate collaboratively over the computer for projects. 

How does this develop children socially? 

Students realize that they are part of a bigger picture. There are similarities and differences in all children where ever they live in the world. It gives them confidence to be social with those that they might think have nothing in common with them. Curiosity and a spark of learning is found on both sides.

How did Carmen get involved with Skype classrooms?

A specialist in the Office of Instructional Technology for Baltimore County Public Schools, located in Maryland, Michael Fort, was looking for schools to work with. He contacted her through the Skype for Educators website (education.skype.com). He set up a partnership with Carmen and Dana Novotny, a technology integration teacher at Cromwell Valley Regional Magnet School of Technology. Afterwards, they set up classes in first, second, fourth, and fifth grades to collaborate with each other, starting with a guessing game of where the students live. 

Journal #4 - Lego Robotics (NETS-T V,II)

 Gura , M. (15, August 2011). Lego robotics: Stem sport of the mind. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/issues/Lego_Robotics_STEM_Sport_of_the_Mind.aspx


Educators look for ways to get students excited about STEM. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. In the past, classes were book driven with theories and lectures with little critical thinking.  Lego Robotics enables students to have hands on experimental activities in the classroom. Mobile robots are built from parts. They are programmed to move on ramps, and turn, use pulleys and levers to move objects. Students are encouraged to use creative problem solving strategies. Decisions are made collaboratively with communication a necessary skill. Robots can be used in science experiments by reading levels of moisture, pH balance, and temperature. It can be used to measure distances in a Math classroom. It makes physics, circuits along with all the sciences tangible into the Engineering classroom. There is an answer to engaging students in the sciences along with critical thinking in robotics.

How did schools first become involved with Lego Robotics? 

They started as after school FIRST Lego League (FLL) clubs. Dean Kamen founded "For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology" 20 years ago which is a world wide non-profit organization. It was made to inspire students with mentors to engage future scientists and engineers in robotics. The Junior program is for 6-9 year olds, and the other is for 9-14 year olds. To be a part of the International program, a group with one or two parents / teachers with experience in robotics may join. 

Are international competitions interesting?

 You might think that a small group of science inspired students gather for a quiet uneventful event. Actually, FLL competitions are very loud and crowded with students, parents, and teachers cheering their team on. Everyone is excited to be involved.

Do students enjoy robotics classes?

Ian Chow Miller, a teacher from Graham, WA  says "this is one of the only classes I have taught where students want to continue working past the bell." The class is very popular, and are in high demand by students.  They develop, analyse and compute what they need to make heir project work voluntarily. It makes science make sense.

Journal #2 Teaching Every Student in the Digital Age NETS - T (II,I)

Design and Develop Digital Age Learning Experiences Assessments.

 This cite incorporates digital tools and resources to promote learning and creativity. I chose this module because I had virtually no experience in this subject matter. The site “Teaching Every Student in the Digital Age” was very helpful. The topic of teaching every student is very important to me because of my option in teaching Special Education. Many students are challenged either from educational difficulties or learning with English as a foreign language. This site supports a classroom environment that has diverse needs and interests, and in attaining opportunities and high standards for all students. Previously, the brain was not known to have many parts. A student with a weekness is now known to have a strength elsewhere in the brain. Teachers now encourage different media to assess what the student learned, form using clay to pictures and sound that creates a Powerpoint presentation. Modern resources can assist students with learning difficulties and barriers.

Journal #1

100 THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY

1. a baby's laugh
2. prayer
3. singing
4. Katalina (my oldest)
5. T.J. (my son)
6. Morgan (my youngest daughter)
7. painting pictures
8. flowers
9. chocolate (and anything covered in)
10. jamocha almond fudge ice cream
11. Spaghetti Factory pesto
12. onion rings
13. B.J.'s chili (though I'm not much of a chili person)
14. Carl's Jr.
15. my husband when he brings home the above 7
16. my in-laws
17. respect
18. "SALE"
19. discount racks in the back of the store
20. having money to spend
21. when people understand my humor
22. festive holidays
23. glass (drinkware, figurines...)
24. listening to music
25. "Nite and Day" Al B. Sure
26. "All Cried Out" Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam
27. "Can We Talk" Tevin Cambell
28. "Fairweather Friend" Johny Gill
29. "Me, Myself and I" De La Soul
30. Alicia Keyes
31. Maroon 5
32. Bruno Mars
33. Ne-Yo
34. Sheryl Crow
35. Mana
36. word searches
37. mindsweeper
38. angry birds
39. ninja fruit
40. solitaire
41. wearing sweats
42. Twilight books (not movie)
43. kindness
44. my NOOK
45. a clean home
46. visiting an art gallery
47. a quiet couch at the library
48. when family finished the food I make (and I snuck in the veggies)
49. making a suprise party
50. finding the answer to a problem
51. family pictures
52. when I don't need to deal with "whites" on laundry day
53. when I'm allowed to play Just Dance (beat their scores)
54. the look of a student when they "get it"
55. people who use their signals
56. when people help each other out
57. finishing a term paper
58. getting an "A" in class
59. returning to my bed after a weekend away
60. Lucille Ball
61. Judy Garland
62. Orlando Bloom
63. Anne Hathaway
64. Robert Downey Jr.
65. Madea
66. Avatar: Last Airbender
67. Mulan
68. Tangled
69. Pixar shorts
70. Wille E. Coyote
71. Squirrel in Ice Age
72. musicals
73. tasteful comedies
74. when machines "work"
75. back rubs
76. "thank you"
77. people who hold the door when you're behind them
78. besitos
79. a smile
80. icea tea
81. watching the rain from inside
82. cats
83. dogs
84. rabbits
85. fuzzy sweaters
86. window shopping
87. open houses
88. taking pictures
89. voluntary pictures/ drawings from kids
90. the smell of lavender
91. my husband's deodorant
92. walking in to a hotel room
93. view at the Grand Canyon
94. watching waves crash on a beach
95. digging feet into wet sand
96. Disneyland
97. Vegas (with money / without kids)
98. Knott's Berry Farm
99. free museums / attractions
100. knowing I visited the Twin Towers