My Day With Mrs. G

Today I was able to complete my field experience hours by observing a sixth grade teacher at the Sullivan Middle School in Lowell, Massachusetts. Mrs. G is an English Language Arts and Social Studies teacher to two different classes. When I observed her using technology, she was teaching English Language Arts to her morning class. Her technology lesson involved using a projector to project different images on the board. These images were used to create different arguments in which they will write argument papers following school vacation next week. Some were controversial arguments, such as their was a picture of a person texting while driving with people on the road. Some were also positive arguments, one involving a child smiling and eating a carrot. Below I added another picture she showed to the class, showing that no matter what color crayon it was it still the same flesh.


After her ELA lesson the class then read until the enrichment teacher came in and began to teach class.  That's when Mrs. G and I went to the hall and started the interview.

My first question I asked Mrs. G asked her about her favorite technology piece. She said her projector was, because it was connected to her MacBook and it connects the class more to what they're learning in the book. It also allows her to type up the notes that the class has came up with that day and all she has to do is click print and the students who are absent will have the notes when they return. In her opinion, the most positive benefit of technology is that she realizes that the class pays more attention. She believes this especially in social studies, they get to see things and connect to what they're learning about. The book may show one picture of an ancient ruin while the internet shows many. 

I then asked her how she connects to her students outside the classroom. She said she had a blog. I thought this was really cool because I'm currently blogging about my experiences in education on this blog so we connected on that level. She said that the class is divided into different reading groups. Once a week, she posts a question to the blog about a broad event or happening in the book. This has to be general with having different reading groups. Then each student must go on and answer the question. They not only do this, but they respond to each other allowing the students to discuss what they are reading as a group. This provides different insights to the story from fellow peers.

Another response I found interesting was when I asked her about the district and if it was up to date with technology. She said that the district does seem be pretty up to date with technology, and the district does seem to pilot in some classes in the districts. However, she said that not all classrooms and teachers are up to date with technology. They do offer workshops for teachers to keep up to date and she says that she's been to some and actually taught her things she's never even heard of before! The one downfall to these workshops are that they aren't mandatory, so teachers aren't required to go so some don't even though most all teachers could use these workshops at some point in their career. She also said that the school does have one iPad cart as well as one laptop cart however it's school wide so it can be hard to obtain either one of them.

I really enjoyed my experience with Mrs. G at the Sullivan Middle School. The students seemed to be focused while learning the technology. I also learned a lot thru the interview. I liked how she uses a blog to create discussion amongst reading groups. I feel as though it's a great tool to use to help the students see different meanings of the books they wouldn't have realized otherwise! I learned a lot from Mrs. G that I can use in the future and am extremely grateful I was able to observe and interview her.



Round Table Education Panel

Last Wednesday, April 2nd from 3:15 to 4:15 I attended an education panel on math education. In this panel, there were four presenters. Each presenter had ten minutes to discuss their subject, and then in the end they opened it up the floor for questions and answers. There were four different topics being presented, since there were four different presenters.

The first topic was on Ability Grouping. This is the process in which students in the same grade are grouped based on the students ability. What presenter 1 did was she interviewed two teachers, that taught in grades 7 and 8. She then observed 64 students. She had students answer 21 questionnaires and interviewed 2 students. Her findings were that generally teachers and students are satisfied with ability grouping. The students are allowed to learn at their own pace. The next topic was "How do students utilize a lesson on discourse in their student to student interactions in a mathematics classroom?" The presenter did research in an 8th grade mathematics classroom. I was a bit confused at first, because I had never really heard and/or looked into discourse, but she found that students are learning with the help of their peers as well as thru lessons.

The next presenter's presentation was on "How does the implementation affect the way teachers make decisions in their teaching methods?"  The presenter did her research thru 4 teachers, who had been teaching 5, 5.5, 37 and 9 years. She looked into how Math in Focus changed the way those teachers had taught, and found the positive and negative outcomes to Math in Focus. The fourth presenter's presentation was on "How co-teaching affects the teaching practices of college faculty?" This presenter had a qualitative active research study with 6 teachers who partnered up to develop a successful course. I found this interesting. She found that although it is a ton of work, the professors had made it clear that no one had pushed them into co-teaching, and they did it because they wanted too. Some people gave this presenter backlash that she was only focusing on the positives, however, she replied that they did find some negatives in the research however the positives outweighed the negatives by a long shot.

I found the Ability Grouping very interesting. Being competitive by nature, I always wanted to be in the highest leveled class possible. One year, I was placed in the second highest class and I was down on myself. I knew I could learn as fast as the highest class, so I pushed myself. I got to shine in that math class that year and by the next year was in the highest math class! I was shocked that many students agreed with Ability Grouping. I think for people like myself, ability grouping can be both a blessing and a curse. I attached an article that explains more into detail what ability grouping is, that can be here.

Lesson Plan

 

Title: Lets Learn About One Variable Equations and Inequalities

Standards: Common Core State Standards Initiative Mathematics Grade 6 EE 5,6,7,8. Reasoning about and solving one variable equations and inequalities.

Objectives:   

·         Students must be able to use variables, such as “n” to represent an unknown number in an equation.

•        Students must be able to understand one variable equations and inequalities with the process of answering a question.

•       Solve real world problems by writing and solving equations of the form n+x=r where n,x,and r are all non-negative rational numbers.

•       They must be able to write an equation as x>n or x<n to represent a constraint or condition in either mathematical or real world problems.

Materials: Computers, Internet Connection

Anticipatory Set: After ensuring all my students have Google accounts, I’m going to create a shared Google account. There, I will post a link to the video on the shared Google account. The video explains how to solve one variable equations with a story. After a discussion about solving one variable equations and allowing students to ask questions, I will post math game links to the shared Google document. Following time to play on games, I will have them write follow up essay.

Procedures:

1.       First I will announce to the class that we are learning a new subject in math today.

2.       I will give them a brief introduction to reasoning and solving one variable equations and inequalities.

3.       I will bring them to the computer lab, and tell them to plug in their headphones.

4.       Then, I’ll have them log onto their Google accounts and click the link that brings them to the video.

5.       I will have them watch the video, Solving One Step Equations with a Story, an introduction story that explains how to solve one step equations by labeling the unknown x and working backwards.

6.       After the video, I will have them put down their headphones and turn around in their chairs so I know they’re done.

7.       We will have a brief discussion on what we learned, and then I will give the time for students to ask questions on what they don’t understand.

8.       I will then post the two math games on the shared Google account math game one on building blocks, and math game two on swimming otters. I will then allow the students ten minutes to play.

Closure: After the students play the games, I will have them send their highest score to me. I will look to see who is understanding these math problems, and who is not. Then, I will have the ones at the lower of the list partner up with the ones on the higher end of the list, allowing discourse amongst peers to happen. However, I will not make it obvious that the higher and lower ones are paired together, I will make it seem like I’m choosing randomly.

Assessment: When returning to the classroom, I will have the students write an essay explaining how to solve one step equations, like they were teaching someone who’s never heard of it. I will have them show an example problem, and state how step by step. I will assess these to see if they fully understand the concept of one variable equations, and if they don’t, I will allow extra instruction and practice when students are doing independent work in math.

Modifications: Some modifications may have to be made in the future:

1.       Timing is impeccable: I only have a certain amount of time to teach a specific subject each day, and therefore I need to make sure the lesson is timed right, or else some changes need to be made.

2.       Students’ focus: With this video, math games and partner practice, it may be very easy for students to get off track. I need to make sure the students stay focused, while still allowing students to stay interested.

3.       The discussion section: I have to make sure I can keep the discussion alive for the set time I have on the discussion. I don’t want the discussion to drain out, making the classroom awkward. I also don’t want to be pulling teeth.

Evaluation of Knowmia

"Technology for Teaching, Made Simple"

For my website evaluation, I chose to evaluate a website called Knowmia. Knowmia is a website and an iPad app for editing, sharing and viewing teacher videos to show to students. I used Richard Bryne’s Technology resources to find this website. On this site, teachers can learn how to create videos following a tutorial, and then use them in the classroom. Teachers then have the opportunity to share the videos they made with the website so other teachers can use them, and if they don’t want to share it is perfectly fine. The article I looked up on Knowmia was how to make video lessons. There is also a Knowmia cite for students! This posts teacher videos made available for students to help further their learning on a subject. 

This article/website is directed towards teachers trying to expand technology in the classroom. These articles are written by the Knowmia website designers. The purpose of this site is to inform and instruct teachers on how to better there classroom when it comes to technology and incorporating videos that are informative and fun for their students to learn. 

An example of what the video process looks like. 

The article, titled How to Create Video Lessons, is broken up into three different sections.  The three different sections are known as chapters. Chapter 1 is Using iPad Tools, Chapter 2 is Recording Yourself With a Camcorder, and Chapter 3 is Using Screen-casting Tools. In each chapter it breaks down into the advantages, challenges, tips, tools to consider, accessories to consider, and examples. 

This article can be accessed at anytime. This is seen as the "tutorial" on the website, and I believe it will not be taken off the website, but will be updated from time to time as the website changes. However, there is no date stating when the article was published, and therefore you do not know if this is showing you a tutorial covering everything the website has to offer including the most recent updates. 

The information comes from many different sources. In each subcategory under the chapters, they show videos from different websites, and also link many other websites you may use to further your instruction. When they are talking about different programs, they are also linking these by including the host website of the program to Knowmia. For example, the first chapter talks about iPad's, so Knowmia links different pages from the iTunes website to Knowmia. 

This website is very helpful. Not all teachers are hired being technology advanced. Many teachers have been teaching for years before this advanced technology was available to schools, and therefore do not know how to use the technology to it's fullest potential. This article also helps those who need a refresher course on how to make video lessons for the classroom, and also gives some great examples. Knowmia is a very good website and provides great references and resources on how to better a teacher's technology in the classroom, and the tutorial article is a great first step. 

I feel as though the website was extremely easy to navigate as it has categories at the top, as well as a search bar. I love seeing a search bar in a website, I feel as though it helps me out when trying to find what I'm looking for. This site pulls examples from many different educational websites and popular websites, so I feel as though this website is extremely credible. I feel as though the design could be more attractive, I don't mind the current design, but it also doesn't have the "wow factor" in my opinion. However, I am also looking at this website from a education student point of view and not from the view of a teacher. I may have a different opinion on the design of the website a few years in the future when I am a teacher, 

 “Building a School in the Cloud” Sugatra Mitra

               Schools across the world today are starting to incorporate technology more and more. However, what they are also sticking to the teaching patterns they have been doing for generations. Sitting in rows, teaching reading, writing, cursive, math, and science, at the same time every day. With the sound of a bell, you stop what you’re doing in the class and move on to the next thing whether it’s another subject, lunch, recess, specials, etc. It is the same routine every day and can very repetitive and tedious. As important as it is to implement technology in schools today, it is also very important to update teaching styles to keep the students interested, since they’re world today is completely different than a student’s world 15 years ago.           

Children eager to learn about this computer in the hole in the wall. 

                While watching Sugatra Mitra: Build a School in the Cloud, a ted talk by Dr. Sugatra Mitra, he introduces a new type of teaching. In his speech,he talks about students teaching themselves. His research, known as “A hole in the wall” is where he left a computer in specific areas, first in a very poor community. He told the children nothing of the computer, and it was in English, which the children didn’t know.
 They seemed very curious when he left it there, and were excited to learn about it. When he came back after time he found them browsing, and others claimed it was because a gifted child came and taught them how to do it. Therefore, he continued his research. Dr. Mitra went to a remote location where he left his computer, came back months later and all the kids said to him was that they needed a faster processor and a better mouse! 

               After finding that when children are left to their own devices, they teach themselves whether it's an easy lesson or a difficult lesson. He came up with a vision known as SOLE, Self Organized Learning Environments. This is which a students themselves work together, without sitting in a classroom being lectured to death. I personally like this idea. I feel as though as long as someone monitors them to make sure they stay on task, they could discover things that they wouldn't be able to learn by a lecture. 

               I feel as though SOLE could be the next thing in the world today. However, I don't agree on the teachers role. I think the teachers should be more than just the overseer, they're getting paid to be there and therefore should be more than that. Teachers shouldn't be teaching like they have in the past, they should be teaching for the future. They should incorporate technology more and more and teach students how to thrive in the world today. I think that school systems are slowly coming around to implementing technology, however not quite up to par. 

              The world is changing, therefore education must change. In my research, I found an article titled R.I.P. Lectures, Notes, and Tests. It explains how schools are going to start to change from lectures notes and tests, and move on to technology. This involves teaching through viral videos. This would mean students could equally learn as much online at home as they would in school. Although this could save money in the school budget by cutting down by not having students there as much, it could also be a disadvantage to students. Students need school to socialize, some students even look forward to school to escape from their home life. In conclusion, I believe that school's should be updated to the world today, however I do still think students need to learn some things that have been taught for years.

My Vision on Technology Integration

Technology is constantly changing and growing. It is continuously being more widespread across the world, and becoming a necessity to the lives of all, young and old. Therefore, there is no surprise that technology is seen in school as well. In order for educators to develop curriculum that will help the students to be successful in the world today or even just to keep up with society today, educational technology is a must. This can be hard at times, technology is constantly changing and therefore more training is needed, technology can be costly and there can never be a guarantee that any piece of technology won’t malfunction at some point. However, with technology constantly becoming more and more popular with society today, we must find a way as educators to continue to incorporate technology in to the system.

Throughout my junior and senior year in high school, I was able to do an internship for an hour a day at a local elementary school in my town. I was placed in a third grade classroom and both observed the class and helped out. This class had just recently got a smart board installed in their room, and for those who don’t know a smart board is an interactive white board that is becoming more popular in classroom's today.

A teacher and her students using the interactive white board, also known as a Smartboard. 

I found that these students worked diligently on their written assignments, and once it was time to use the smart board, they were more relaxed and enjoyed using this piece of technology. I believe that because it was used not only for power points but for learning games, they looked to it more as fun then learning, which basically was making the students learn in disguise.

I think learning with technology can be used as a disguise for learning. I think that classroom participation will go up and the student’s attention spans will be longer. Although, I think it still depends on the type of teacher teaching the lesson and whether they use the technology completely to their advantage or not. I came to my solutions by watching a third grade class react to technology, I haven’t observed a middle or high school classroom. However after recently graduating high school, I noticed some teachers in my school used technology to their advantage and were constantly showing us real world facts, whether it be videos or articles on what they were teaching us, and their classroom always seemed actively engaged. Then there would be some teachers who would just use power point after power point to constantly bore the students.

My opinion on educational technology is that if it’s used right, can be extremely successful in the classroom. If a teacher integrates technology in a specific way in the classroom and the students don’t respond well, switch it up, don’t stick with that specific way all year. I also think that if teachers use technology in a multiple of ways that it can be useful as well. For example, do power points one day, show videos the next, and maybe a learning game the day after, which will keep the students from getting sick of the same teaching styles a teacher uses. I don’t think educational technology should be the only way students learn in school however. I think students still should have to write and do worksheets on paper, and not always type up their essays.