Module 11

Some things I learned about using online videos in a classroom is that they are becoming more and more important and popular with students. The article said that students tend to learn more and retain the information longer if they watch it from an entertaining video. I would agree because for me I would be the same way. I usually remember things better and I see or watch it rather than just reading something. As a teacher I want to integrate a lot of videos for my students learning in order to help them learn and be entertained at the same time. However, I still want to use a text book because I think it is a good thing for students to have to read and remember what they've read, it helps a lot with their reading as well.

As a teacher I also have to be very careful when looking for videos because of all the bad content out there now. There are a lot of ways to stay protected, according to the information I read. I think videos are very important and I want to use them quite often in my classroom.

Module 11: Audiovisual Technologies

     After viewing the article and video, I learned that visual learning and interaction is important in the classroom. Students respond better to educational information when it is presented in an entertaining manner. I plan to use video clips in my future classroom because I do believe that students learn more when they're interested in the subject matter. The article gave the example of a classroom where students are learning about Mt. Helen's erupting. Rather than simply hearing about it exploding, students may visually see it erupting through video clips.
      I really enjoyed the Edutopia video and the student's projects in the video. The teacher of that class explains how the students are able to express their creativity through their project. They also engage in problem-solving, since they have to figure out how to construct their craft, as well as make sure it works correctly. I do believe that visual interaction through different technologies is important and should be integrated into all classrooms.

Module 11

I learned a lot from reading and viewing the video. I thought the project the video showed was amazing. If I did that in middle school, I would of liked it. I thought those students were learning a lot from it and they were applying it to real life which was helpful. Some of the things they did, I didn't know how to do, such as using the google maps. I'm sure it wasn't hard but I have never done that before. I like how this project incorporated a lot of the content areas into it. I really liked how the students in language arts wrote letters telling why they wanted their art piece put in a certain spot. I think this video shows teachers all the things you can do to get the kids more involved and engaged in school. I'm sure this project was a big task for those teachers, but they saw how much the students gained from this project.

Module 11 Audiovisual Technologies

     I thought the Edutopia video this week really showed how students could be successful with project-based learning.  I was impressed with how they were able to google maps as a part of their project.  I also thought it was exciting to see students out and about in their community, researching, exploring, and documenting actual art forms using digital cameras.
     I thought it was important that they showed how much planning this project took by teachers as they worked with members of the community.  I felt the celebration and displaying of the projects at the end of the unit was very meaningful to all those involved.  I imagine this type of learning would stay with a student for a lifetime!
    

Module 11: Audiovisual Technology

I really enjoyed watching the Edutopia video for this week's module. The students in the video were given the opportunity to participate in project based learning while using a variety of technologies in order to complete the project. The project allowed students to work with digital tools such as the computer and digital camera, and also allowed them to be creative when designing their own kinetic sculptures. Kids are creative by nature and an activity like this allows them to let that creativity shine. I really liked how the school followed up the project with a special event that let each student showcase their hard work to their parents, teachers, and fellow members of the community. It was also encouraging to see the teachers in the video working together to ensure that the project objectives were being met in each of the content areas. In a middle school setting, a project like this would be impossible without active participation and collaboration by staff members.

Reading the tips on locating and utilizing online video was very informative. It allowed me think about different ways that I can use video in my classroom and even gave me a few tips on how to get around possible blocked sights such as YouTube. It also explained how to convert videos that can be downloaded and played back later. This information will be highly useful when it comes to finding appropriate videos for use in my classroom.

Module 11

              Reading and watching the “Anatomy of a project” made me kina nervous.  I took notes of their steps. I read through the “Online video in your classroom”. They had a lot of good points of why teachers should use video for their classroom.

              The step’s that the Anatomy videos were interesting. Step one they took pictures using a camera. Then they used their laptop to upload. Step two they used Google for maps of where the art was in the town to use for their project. Step three was writing a proposal. Step four was the design and builds their sculptor. Step five displays their art for all the students to see. This is wonderful for students to use technology and their hands to be creative.   

              “The online video in your classroom” made great points. The future teachers need to be more creative to ingage our students. We have the technology to do so. Students now days are bored with listening to their teachers talk for hours. This website showed us how boring science, math, history, ect Can come to life. I watched the video of how something like measuring can be more exciting to learn and understand.

              Making a video can make learning easier for students to learn. I am excited to make my own video for education. I hope to learn much more once I get started on my project.

Virtual Education

I thought the reading and video's about virtual education was very interesting. I never thought about online classes k-12 students could take. I always thought it was for college students, however there are programs for k-12. I always had opportunity's to take AP classes in high school, so I never thought about taking it online. However, if I didn't have those opportunity's I would take the class online and the virtual education allows for that. Also, virtual education helps those who works full time and can't attend class. It allows for them to do the work on their own time which is nice. Another thing I like about having a virtual education for k-12 students is if a student is unable to go to school because of an illness, they can do virtual education and not fall behind. Also, I think it would benefit gifted and talented students to offer more of a challenge if they don't have it at their school.

Module 10: Virtual Education

     After reading Chapter 12 and watching the videos concerning virtual education, I found out a lot more information about distance education. I learned that while online classes (distance education) is an option for college students, it is now also becoming a choice for student K-12th. There are many different reasons that students choice to take classes online. One being that a school may not offer certain AP courses in the school system and a student may take the classes online to receive credit. This also applies to working students and as form as alternative school for children with specific needs.
    I found it interesting that the Idaho site had the option of  full-time tuition free online public school for students (K-12th). The Florida site also surprised me with its involvement of "student events" such as club activities and meetings with the school counselor. Distance education claims to offer course content on demand and a one-on-one relationship with teachers. I do believe that distance education is a great advancement in they way that a students can access courses without even stepping foot in a classroom. I recommend it for students (no earlier than sixth grade). I feel as though students any younger than that, still require social interaction with their peers. After hearing that study shows that "students learn better in the online setting", I do believe that distance education will grow in demand throughout school systems in the future.

Distance Education

I thought these online schools were very interesting to look through. I think this is a great thing for students who are unable to attend school due to medical conditions and others things. You can even use these for homeschooling your children, they would be going to a public school but still being at home and under the parents' supervision. I know of some friends who did this through a Christian school and stayed at home. I didn't realize that Indiana had an online charter school but I think that every state should have at least one to give students and parents that option.

Module 10: Distance Education

Watching the videos for this weeks module allowed me to learn about distance education and how it is being used for students in grades K-12.  Distance education is a new concept for me. I am currently enrolled in two different online courses, so I have been able to see first-hand how this process works. Prior to this module, I thought more about distance education as being used in the college setting, not really thinking that it could also be used for elementary and secondary education. One thing that I learned from the videos was how Distance Education makes certain classes available to students, that may not be offered at their school. This allows students to take classes that may be more advanced. Distance Education also creates the opportunity for self-directed learning. By participating in online courses, students learn to take responsibility for their work and being sure that they are completing the required assignments. One thing that really surprised me was the fact that research shows that students who participate in Distance Education actually show better performance than students who learn in a traditional classroom. With such high success ratings, I can definitely see Distance Education becoming more prevalent when it comes to student education.

Module 10 Distance Education

  I enjoyed the readings and the Edutopia video this week.  I didn't even realize that distance online learning was an option in some states.  I was very surprised that Distance Education was an option in Indiana for some students.  I thought that Indiana's and Idaho's sites were very helpful and informative.  Florida's was a little confusing.  I understand how online learning is a wonderful thing for children who have medical conditions and can't attend school.  However, I also feel that parents and educators should be very careful when deciding if students are best suited for traditional as opposed to Distance Education.

Distance Education is very interesting to think about. I was surprised by some things of the websites. Some sites were seat up very well for information. In some ways, it’s like kids are able to have a second chance of getting their education.

               After watching the video intro to distance learning from Edutopia, it made more sense. Honestly, I didn’t know they had distance learning for k-12 students. A high school student is about to drop out because he is so behind. With the distance learning they have a second chance. That really surprised me that they offer something like this, epically in Indiana.

               I found it interesting that Florida had Mobil learning. You are able to pick a topic and get to work on Algebra. Technology has become a big part of our student lives of education. I found that Florida’s website wasn’t very well put together. The other two gave you a lot of information about distance learning.

               Something I read off of Indiana’s distance learning was brought up: what about our special needs students? In a lot of ways, they need that one on one with their teacher. Yes, I do feel some are high functioning enough they could do it. What about some that need to be taught about life skills. I can see good and bad for distance learning.      

Project Based Learning

I believe that project based learning is a great way for students to learn in the classroom. Focusing on a a specific theme, there are many ways that a teacher can touch on each subject within that unit. When students can focus on a common theme throughout the curriculum, I believe that their learning is increased. I found the ePals website to be very interesting and full of great resources about project based learning. I really liked the project based on weather and how it works. Weather is such a fun topic for kids because it is part of their everyday life. In this one unit, you can focus on science, math, and even reading/writing. I can definitely see myself using project based learning in my own classroom.