Second Life (Week 8)

I've actually never heard about Second Life until I read the article and watched the short video.  What a neat concept.  The first thing I actually thought of when I was watching the short film was Minecraft.  Minecraft is an online game where you build and have challenges to gain tools and materials to build your own city.  I don't know much about this either, but last semester one of my seniors made a scale model of the Globe Theatre using Minecraft.  It was fantastic!  He did all of the research to find out exactly what the outside and the inside of the theatre looked like.  When he was finished, he brought his computer into school and took the class on a tour using his character.  We were able to "go inside" and sit in the audience.  We were also able to go on stage and figure out what was in the back tower.  This student did all the research so his Globe Theatre would be as accurate as possible.  What a fantastic way to learn!  He was extremely proud of his product.  The class enjoyed it as well because we were able to go on a "tour" of the Globe Theatre.

Second Life has some similar components as far as being able to take virtual tours.  Having virtual options for children, especially homebound children, makes learning more relevant.  I wish I could fly all of my students to England to see the real cities and places where Shakespeare lived and worked.  However, we can't, so we have to do the next best thing.  Personally, I think that virtual learning, in this sense, is going to become more prevalent over time.  I think in the near future, we will put away the textbooks and rely solely on Second Life type of learning.

According to the article, "7 Things You Should Know about Second Life", this type of software allows for virtual field trips and allows students to interact in a 3D world where they feel comfortable.  This allows students to explore learning and engage in informal self-directed practice.  Overall, software like Second Life can and will create meaningful educational experiences.

"7 Things You Should Know about Second Life." Educase Learning Initiative (2008): n. pag. Web. 11 June 2013.

QR Codes (Week 8)

QR Codes are a Web Tool that I've been playing with this past school year.  I came across this blog Free Technology For Teachers, and this particular post talked about different ways to use QR Codes.

The one tool I think I will try next year is QR Voice.  QR Voice "is a free tool that allows you to create QR codes that when scanned will play a short audio message"(Byrne).  I think it would be neat to put this on projects as a "secret message" or maybe "secret extra credit".  This could also be used as a opening activity and scavenger hunt! This tool also has the option of changing the language.  Teachers of foreign languages could create listening activities with this tool. There are various ways to use QR codes.  I'm looking forward to exploring new ways.

Byrne, Richard. "What QR Codes Can Do for You." Web log post. Free Technology for Teachers. N.p., 6 June 2013. Web. 10 June 2013. <http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2013/06/what-qr-codes-can-do-for-you.html#.UbZd4uC1l8s>.

End of Year Reflection ( Week 7)

Today was the last day of school for the 2012-2013 school year.  I can't believe that I've just finished my fifth year teaching at Jack Britt High School.  Today feels different than the last 4 "last days of school".  Not different in a bad way, but more reflective.  As I'm sitting here typing, I can picture certain days and moments out of the past five years of teaching (good and bad).  In the past five years I've taught 9th, 11th, and 12th grade English.  I've assistant coached and now head coach the Speech and Debate team (which is going to Nationals next week!!!).  I've become involved with my school improvement team and am constantly striving to be a better teacher.

Many people, articles, and statistics say that 5th year teachers are most likely to feel burnt out.  Do I feel tired?  Sure, but I'm becoming such an experienced teacher that it doesn't matter to me.  For those teachers out their that love their job, but are feeling tired and "burnt out", what can you do to make it better?  How can you make what you love, easier on you once again?  At the end of the school year I like to reflect on what I've done and what I can do next year. This helps with the warn out feeling.  The article, 25 Ways To Make Students Better Learners, is something that caught my eye.  This year my county implemented Common Core.  This was an arduous task, but overall transitioned well into what we were already doing.  Many of the things mentioned in this article go with Common Core and with making critical thinkers.  For example, "Use evidence and reasoning to support thinking" and "Synthesize diverse ideas" are strategies taught to my students.  Students always need to back up their answers with evidence.  This makes them think more critically.  Some strategies on here that I will emphasize more next year are "Question the credibility, accuracy, and relevancy of information and sources" and "Seek new and better solution."  These strategies will get my students thinking on a higher level.

Being a teacher with five years of experience is a neat feeling.  I finally have a handle on my teaching styles and what works for me.  I'm constantly reflecting and making things better for my students.  Whenever I get that "burnt out" feeling, I just take a step back and think about why I wanted to be a teacher in the first place.


Dunn, Jeff. "25 Ways To Make Students Better Learners." Edudemic. N.p., 6 June 2013. Web. 10      June 2013.

Google Apps (Week 7)

About midway through the school year last year, we switched over to Google.  Now, all of the computers have Google Chrome and a variety of Google Apps.  Before taking the courses in this program, I only ever used Gmail, Blogger, and the Calendar.  Google Apps have really enhanced the way I teach.

The Good:
Sharing content is as simple as giving someone access to your work.  Being able to sign into one place anywhere in the world to access documents and files without worrying about compatibility is priceless (Educase). Say, for example, students have a group paper to work on.  These apps would allow them to work on any computer anywhere that has internet access.  Also, I've given surveys and quizzes now using Google Forms.  The greatest aspect of Google Apps in my opinion is the fact that I don't have as much paperwork to keep up with.

The Bad:
No matter how great something may seem, there can be a few drawbacks.  According to the article "7 things you should know about Google Apps", "the greatest concern about Google Apps and similar services is loss of control."  Yes, one must log in to access files and other apps.  When someone shares their work, they are relying on the fact that the person they sent their files to keeps their login safe.  This is not always the case.  Files and/or ideas may be stolen and published under a different name.  This is a major drawback in the world of academia.

Overall Google Apps are a great tool for educators and students alike.

"7 Things You Should Know about Google Apps." Educase Learning Initiative (2008): n. pag. Web.

Social bookmarking and Pinterest

Reading the article, "7 things you should know about Social Bookmarking", I would have to agree with the fact that social bookmarking "gives users the opportunity to express differing perspectives on information and resources through informal organizational structures."  I've used Delicious before taking this course.  Overall,  I like Delicious.  It is a good place to collect and share links and websites for future reference.  A social bookmarking site that I find even more user friendly is Pinterest.  Pinterest uses pictures and is linked to other social networking sites.  The appeal of Pinterest "encourages users to keep coming back because the folksonomy and the collection of resources are constantly changing."  This isn't just a shameless plug for Pinterest, but I have used this site for lesson planning on many occasions.  I have also used it for cooking, DIY, and hair styles!  As an educational resource, Pinterest and social bookmarking, simplifies the way we store and share information.  As a teacher, I could create a "board" and "pin" certain materials to assist my students.  Overall, this is a valuable resource.

"7 Things You Should Know about Social Bookmarking." Educase Learning Initiative (2005): n. pag. Web.

Digital Writing

As an English teacher I am constantly looking for new ways to make reading and writing more enjoyable for my students.  I was looking for some blogs about writing and I came across this one, Digital Writing, Digital Teaching.  Coincidentally, this blog is written by someone at Central Michigan University!  I looked at a few posts and the one that stuck out to me the most was a review on a new book that was just published.  This book focuses on writing digitally and incorporating it into all classes.  Composing digitally defines the new generation of learners.  Babies are born with iPhones in their hands now.  As teachers, we need to hone in on this skill and make it important to the students.  I'm curious about checking out this book.  According to the blog, the author of the book "explores the questions of how to teach digital writing by examining author’s craft, demonstrating how intentional thinking about author’s craft in digital texts engages students in writing that is grounded in their digital lives."  Knowing and understanding the author's craft is important to reading comprehension and writing.  I think this book will be a great resource to use in my classroom as I prepare my lessons for the coming school year.

School days around the world

Imagine if you will:
1. Two breaks a day to collaborate with teachers.
2. Fifty minute lunches.
3. School delayed one day a week to accommodate a weekly faculty meeting.

This is not a fantasy. This is real life in New Zealand!  What are these two breaks exactly?  This is a customary "teatime".  Students get "teatime" as well.  The writer of this article went around during this time to talk to teachers and students and he found that the "adults felt like they had time to share concerns with peers, grow philosophically, innovate."  The students also felt that they could decompress from class time, take a break, and get ready to learn again.  The writer himself witnessed this in the classroom shortly after teatime.  The best thing about this schedule is that " teachers and students in New Zealand have roughly ten hours of collaborative professional development time built into the schedule."  Any time for professional development built into the schedule in the United States would be a luxury.  


Another philosophy that I thought was interesting was their idea of homework.  The writer interviewed a Head of School (or a principal) about homework and they said, "Our job is to inspire them to want to learn, not to work them to death. When you're that busy and that stressed, it's a recipe to hate education, to hate learning, to hate school."  I feel that in the U.S., as a whole, we don't feel this way.  

Would it be hard to implement this kind of school day?  Would it work?  It is interesting, and I would definitely be willing to try it.

Provost, Adam. ""School Time" in New Zealand." Weblog post. Edutopia. N.p., 6 May 2013. Web. 30 May 2013. <http://www.edutopia.org/blog/school-time-in-new-zealand-adam-provost>.

Significance of Wikis

I've known about wikis for many years.  I graduated from high school in 2003, and I vividly remember using a wiki for a class I was taking.  I don't remember the specifics, but it had to do with a group project and collaboration.  I remember liking it and thinking that it was a great tool to use.  I'm surprised in myself that I haven't put wikis to use in my own classroom.  After reading 7 things you should know about Wikis, I will start implementing them into my teaching. I also coach Speech and Debate.  I've thought about making a wiki page for this club. What a great way for kids to collaborate and post videos to make them better competitors!  One part of the article that really stuck with me was the idea that from a educational technology standpoint, "wikis allow faculty and students to engage in collaborative activities that might not be possible in the classroom."  This goes back to using blogs.  The more introverted students may feel better about sharing with their teacher and classmates in this kind of setting.  Wikis are not intimidating and easier to use.  I feel they will be a great tool for my classroom.

"7 Things You Should Know about Wikis." Educase Learning Initiative (2005): n. pag. Web.

My First Podcast

I love technology, and I'm a self-proclaimed "tech junkie".  I'm always looking up the newest trend and begging my husband to let me purchase the newest device!  This is probably the main reason I decided to get this masters degree.  One thing I never ventured to try was making a podcast.  I was happy and nervous when I saw we were going to be making a podcast for our week 4 assignment.  I read Chapter 8 in the textbook and tried different software to begin making my podcast.  I found that Garageband was the most user friendly and I began putting together my ideas.  Making my first podcast went incredibly well!  It was FUN and I look forward to using this technology in my classroom.  It seems a bit overwhelming at first because I always assume that the students know more about technology than I do, but that sometimes is not the case.  According to the textbook, "you do not need a lot of technical expertise to make it work."  This is a relief.  Now that I've made my own podcast, I will be able to help my students make one of their own.

My cup is empty...

As the school year begins to wind down, many teachers (and students) are feeling tired and warn out.  This week we have MSLs (Common Exams) and next week we have finals and EOCs (End of Course).  Students have been studying hard and teachers have been reviewing and tutoring.  Personally, this is the time of year that I feel completely overwhelmed and EXHAUSTED.  My school uses Edmodo, and someone I am connected with on this program always posts about the blog, Dear Teacher Love Teacher.  Today I finally got a chance to look at it and I found it to be a nice, inspirational blog that I will look at more often.  The posts are meant to inspire and have teachers take a step back and evaluate their day, lesson, students, or self.  The post from today was called The Choice.  I really connected with this blog because I strive to be a positive teacher, even if my day isn't going as well as I would like.  Being positive the last 10 days of school can be trying, especially with a holiday weekend coming up.

One part of the blog that really struck a cord with me was this quote, "We don’t have many seconds with them, in the span of their lives, so we need to make each one count!  We can’t afford to have many “bad seconds” with our students."  I never thought about it this way before.  We get so used to the daily grind, that sometimes teachers forget about the students.  We only have them for a brief amount of time, might as well make the best of it.  Being positive when it's hard, being caring when you don't care, that is what separates the good teachers from the "not so good" teachers.  The last few days of school are here!  We are almost done!  I am going to read this blog for inspiration.

New Tech Blog

I found a great blog called ilearntechnology.com.  The post that stood out the most to me was about digital storytelling.  This blog tries out technology, gives background about the tool, and then tells how to implement it into the classroom.  This is a fantastic idea.  Many times, teachers find great technology, but have no idea how to use it in the classroom.  This blog was helpful and had many posts of different types of technology.  The digital storytelling post reviewed a tool that any student can use.  The problem I run into when trying to implement digital storytelling into the classroom is that many students don't have the software at home to complete the project.  The tool described can be accessed from the internet on any computer.  I like how the blog gives examples and makes implementing technology seem more fun instead of a chore.

The Great Gatsby

I currently teach two sections of American Literature.  With the release of the new Gatsby movie, I couldn't resist reading this classic with my students.  Even though I haven't seen the new movie yet, many of my students have.  We are midway through the book, and many of them are excited to continue reading.  Technology and pop culture to excite reading?  I'm in!  I came across this article, Bringing Web Tools to Gatsby's Party:  A Digital Path into a Jazz Age Classic, and I had to read it!  The whole premise of the article is to get kids to do textual analysis using web tools.  How clever!  Textual analysis can get tedious and boring. This article suggested using Wordle and Google Books.  I can see how both ways would peak the interest of my students.  Next year, when the novelty of a new movie wears off, these strategies will help engage my students in this classic novel.  Other web tools that would work well with this are Glogster, to create a poster of color symbolism in the story, and Prezi to show understanding of the characters connection.  I'm excited to try these strategies next year with my students.

Chapter 2: Blogs, Wikis, and Podcasts

I found Chapter 2 to be quite interesting.  As an English teacher, I require many writing assignments in my class.  Even in my short five years of teaching, I've seen a huge change in the way I teach my classes and the technology I use to conduct lessons and assignments.  When I began teaching in 2008, I used an "old school" overhead projector!  Currently, I'm using a SMARTboard, a portable laptop station, a document camera, and response clickers!  Technology at my school has advanced quickly and I feel that using blogs would continue this trend.

Now that my classroom has a portable laptop station, it will be much easier to incorporate blogging into my lessons.  Students love posting their ideas to the internet and getting feedback from their peers.  Richardson states, "I will never forget the first time I posted my opinion, and the first time someone responded to it" (17).  There are many instances in my class where students could use blogging to get ideas for writing and to "bounce" ideas off of each other OUTSIDE of the classroom.

The biggest plus I saw about using blogs in the classroom was the fact that it will give my quite students a voice.  Blogs are tools "that support different learning styles"( 27).  Everyone has a voice and blogs allow the students that are quite in class, to express their thoughts.

I am going to make it a goal to use blogs in my class next year.

Richardson, Will. Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms. Thousand                  Oaks, CA: Corwin, 2010. Print.

Technology is awesome!

I just came across this article about Google Glass.  This is a new device that will eventually replace cell phones.  It is warn on the head, and has an eye piece to view time and other phone features.  It is astounding to think how quickly technology is evolving. As teachers, we need to expose students to technology as much as possible.  If students are to be prepared for a 21st century world, they need the appropriate background and tools to be successful.  This article just goes to show how much technology plays a role in our everyday lives.  

Geeky English Teacher

I'm always looking for resources to make me a more effective English teacher.  The blog assignment has me on the "look out" for these resources constantly.  I came across an article on edudemic.com called "10 Online Resources To Inspire Writers Of Any Age".  The resources in this article truly were "inspiring" as an English teacher.  Like the article says, the Common Core focuses primarily on informational text.  While this is important, there still needs to be room for the classics and for fiction reading.  This article rejoices the fact that fiction is important and is needed in the English classroom.

Cyber Pop Blog

While searching for new and interesting blogs to follow, I came across a blog called Cyber Pop Blog!  There is many useful posts for teachers, and for implementing technology in the classroom.  The entry I found interesting is called "Say No to PowerPoint".  This entry talked about different ways to present information.  Some of the tools she talked about I have never heard of before.  She doesn't "bash" PowerPoint in anyway, but it is interesting to have other options for delivery of information.  In my own classroom, my students actually prefer Prezi over PowerPoint.  She references the slideshow "You Suck at PowerPoint" which is a presentation that shows the 5 major mistakes in PowerPoint designing and making.  This could be fun to show students before a presentation.

My First Blog!

Hello everyone!  Just making sure my blog is working!  I've written blogs before...on livejournal...remember livejournal?? :)  Looking forward to your comments.