Project #9

Project #16

Group Blog
PowerPoint for Lesson

Final Reflection

Blog Post #5 Part B

At the beginning of the semester, I created a PLN. My favorite PLN is Symbaloo, right now it is set up as my homepage and it makes it so much easier to get to the websites I love to use all the tme. I've had a Twitter for awhile now.  Symbaloo is a great way to have your personal and business websites right there together.

Blog Post #14

First problem: Teachers are being hired only because of a degree.
Solution: Hire teachers who not only have a degree, but were in the top of their class.

I couldn't agree more that this a serious problem in schools all across the world. Make teaching a hard job to get because those who are passionate about it will work hard to get there.



Second problem: Seniority
Solution: To make teaching a profession by treating all teachers as equals, and allowing teachers to earn their levels of achievement.

I agree with this to an extent. I believe that seniority should be taken into consideration in some circumstances, but all teachers should be treated equally. I believe that sometimes teachers with tenure forget what teaching is all about. 

Blog Post #13

What are some ways we can help prevent bullying?

Explore StopBullying.gov
Watch the video Ways to Stop Bullying by Watchwellcast

Importance of Technology

C4T #4

Teacher Leaders: Planting a flag – or foot – in the classroom
Submitted by Sharon Rubinstein on Wed, 04/22/2015 - 6:47pm


Jose Vilson has been a math teacher in Manhattan for about a decade. He’s part of the new crop of “Teacher Leaders” with one foot in the classroom, and another on a career ladder up.

When he first began expanding his duties, it was to coach other teachers in math instruction. Now, he’s an advocate and author too, and a board member of the Center for Teacher Quality, one of the supporters of the federal Teach to Lead initiative. He says he has no plans to leave his school anytime soon.

Just what - and who - are teacher leaders? Why does the role exist? And who chooses them?

A key feature of teacher leadership as it is evolving now is greater precision about qualifications, selection, tasks, and rewards.

Professor Susan Moore Johnson, who has been advocating for a more differentiated teacher corps since the 1980s, says the teacher leader role responds to a relatively flat teaching profession that has characterized American public education. By recognizing teachers for their expertise and providing them increased responsibilities, the teacher leader position creates some “elevation,” she says, and can stem the fast-swinging revolving door of teachers that creates instability in the workforce, and problems for schools that have to cope with constant restaffing.



My comment:
Kristin Evans • a few seconds ago
Hi my name is Kristin Evans I attend the University of South Alabama and I am in the Education program. I really enjoyed reading this post. It help me gain a lot of confidence that when I become I new teacher in a school I can make a difference, even without having all the experience everyone else has around me

Blog Post #12

C4K Summary April

C4K #8

Kristin Evans (Guest)
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

April 5, 2015 at 9:12 PM


My name is Kristin Evans from the University of South Alabama’s EDM 310 class. I enjoyed reading your post. It was very interesting to read and well written. Your book report titled Counting by Sevens is very good. You gave a great review of the story. Based on your book review, I would recommend this book for anybody. Great job! Just make sure you spell check before posting.



C4K #9

LUNCH FOR WILLIAM
April 9, 2015 @ 9:53 AM 4 Comments


Rabbit salad

Snake soup with brain sauce

Steak with teeth

Blood with a table spoon of lava

Ice cream guts

Eat up William!!!!!!!!



Kristin Evans (Guest)

Your comment is awaiting moderation.
April 13, 2015 at 3:15 AM


Hi Hailey,

My name is Kristin Evans from the University of South Alabama in the class Edm 310. I really enjoyed your post. Although a little wild and out there for food, it is very creative.


C4K#10

My grades


Kristin Evans (Guest)

Your comment is awaiting moderation.

April 20, 2015 at 12:42 PM

Hi Kamar,

My name is Kristin Evans I am a student in Edm 310 at the university of South Alabama. I understand where you are coming from with your grades. You just have to work harder and you will achieve the grades you want. You may only have a few more weeks but with determination you can do it.

Blog Post #11

Back to the Future
Brian Crosby keeps his students for 4th, 5th, and 6th grade. 90% are second language and most are students of poverty. I really enjoyed the information that was given. The hot air balloon project was a great way to approach the students with technology and learning the different areas they've come from. While working on the project, the students wrote a story about when they were a balloon. Technology is an active learning for students. They will always need a push, an idea, or words of encouragement and if we as their teacher don't give it to them then we are not doing a very good job of being teachers.



Blended Learning Cycle
The five "E's" - start with an engaging question, students are allowed to explore, you explain, and expand and then you evaluate. The speaker really stresses the importance of a hook, and also pulls them aside individually making sure they know and understand what has been taught. He also feels more involved with his method and feels like it's important to keep involved and keep them interested.

Questions (Presented with data and explain it)
Investigation/Inquiry (Timing on projects)
Video (On any content using direct instructions)
Elaboration (A lot of reading and more understanding)
Review (Meeting with the students before moving on to the next part of the project)
Summary Quiz (Quiz on covered material)



Man Thinking Visible
Ron Ritchhart believes his students needs to be thinkers. He used his own experiences to relate things into his teaching and focuses on his students be avid learners. Richard also thinks that its about the culture on how the lesson gets taught to have a good supportive atmosphere.

Project Based Learning.
In the video, three teachers combine History, English, Information and Processing into PBL. PBL engages learners and have a deeper understanding. The use of technology today has been enhanced to be shared in different ways. Technology is also used as a tool that can come to life. For something as combinable as history and literature this is a great idea - and making it project based learning keeps the students excited and engaged.



Roosevelt Elementary PBL Program
This elementary school uses project based learning from a young age. These projects can help students gain more knowledge. It also helps them retain more information that's given than the teacher explaining it to them.

Project Based Learning is...
-In Dept Learning
-Integrated thematic instruction
-Based on a real world problem
-Research-based
-Project & Presentation

C4T#3: "Arvind Grover"

Screen Smart Parenting By: Jodi Gold

In his post Mr. Grover review Jodi Gold's book. It was a very good review on the book and taught me a lot about how to let my children and students have space when using technology, but also how to be safe. 

My comment:

Mr. Grover:

My name is Kristin Evans, I'm a student at the University of South Alabama in the EDM 310 Class. Your post has really enlightened me on how to deal with this situation with my future students or children. The internet can me a scary place to just let your students/children explore, without the right guidelines. The points you brought up are really important to build that trust between and your students, and to make you feel more comfortable with them using technology. Jodi Gold seems to haven't written a great book. I will definitely have to look into purchasing it.

Thank you for your time.

— Kristin Evans

His comment back:

Kristin, thanks for the comment. I’m glad that you found the review useful. We’ve since had Jodi back at our high school and she was most well received. Enjoy the book!
— arvind s grover

Photomath App


This app, without overstating it, is a game changer to me. It is a game changer because students will inevitably use it. The challenge for teachers becomes that knowing that, how will we assign work accordingly?

The best assignment I could imagine would be for students to design their own app with the same functionality, the ability to solve problems. What would a computer need to be told to do to be an effective problem solver?

I am not sure why, but I am really stunned by the capabilities of this seemingly simple app.

My comment:

Mr. grover,
Hi , I am a student at the University of South Alabama. Thank you so much for posting this great video on the Photomath app. I think your idea of having the students create an app is a really good place to start. It's going to take a lot of research, but I think the students will enjoy it more than solving math problems. They will also find it more meaningful and interesting. They can see the purpose behind it. Yes, you can use an app to solve any math problem, but someone has to create it.
Thank you again,

— Kristin Evans

His comment back:

Hi Kristin, thanks for reading. I think that students designing apps is
great, and they also have to learn fundamentals. I am really enjoying the
book "Made To Stick" by Brown, Roediger, and McDaniel which teachers how
well-designed fundamental instruction gives rise to creativity and greater
problem solving. It's worth a look.
— arvind s grover

Blog Post #10

Little Kids...Big Potential
In Mrs. Cassidy's first video, her first graders talk all about writing their blog and how much fun it is for them. They are learning the same things we are learning in EDM 310. The students enjoy learning these things in class. Technology they're using in class are blogs, webpage, wikis, video, and Skype. The children are learning reading, writing, and math.



Interview with Mrs. Cassidy #1
Mrs. Cassidy got into computers when her class was given 5 computers 10 years ago. She talks about the five special computers students used. She also stated that she teaches her students what's appropriate to click on and what is not appropriate. She started trying to make different webpages and utilize the online resources since those computers could not have applications be downloaded. They finally settled on blogging. The student's blog is used as an online portfolio. For teachers, she recommends they should make their own Personal Network Learning.

Interview with Mrs. Cassidy #2
The best way to use technology is something that you're most comfortable with. Mrs. Cassidy does not use any social media in her free time She also discusses the importance of Twitter, calling it the "old people version of Facebook. With social media, the best thing for elementary schools to use is Facebook. Teachers can use this to communicate and post homework assignments to remind their students on what's due

Interview with Mrs. Cassidy #3
Mrs. Cassidy has very good views on cheating. She mentions that blogs are not the problem with cheating, it’s a good way to collaborate by sharing with one another. It's an additional source of information, like googling a topic. Every time we do something we collaborate on it, but as long as we make it our own it should not be considered cheating



Mrs. Cassidy had some very good points throughout her video. Like it or not the times are changing and technology is happening all around us. I see she's preparing them for the future ahead of time. By the time I teach, I know my students will have some of the basics of technology down packed future.

Project 12 A

How to Use a Smartboard.

C4K #2 Summary

Per 8 Andres' Blog
Friday the !3
Posted on February 14, 2015

Jesus was crucified on a Friday and ever since the day has been associated with “general ill omen,” Michael Bailey, a history professor at Iowa State University who specializes in the origins of superstitions, told USA TODAY Network. Weddings in the Middle Ages, for instance, were not held on Fridays and it was not a day someone would start a journey, Bailey said. Thirteen guests are believed to have attended the Last Supper, the night before Jesus was killed, according to Stuart Vyse, a psychology professor at Connecticut College. And Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, is considered to have been the 13th guest, Vyse said. The superstition’s origins are mysterious.

My comment:
Kristin Evans on March 17, 2015 at 11:16 pm said:

Your comment is awaiting moderation.

Hi Andres,
My name is Kristin Evans I am a student at the University of South Alabama. I really enjoyed reading your blog and your facts on Friday 13th. This is the first time that I have heard any of these facts.



Blake's Blog
Samaria

Categories: Blog

January 12, 2015 @ 9:46 AM

Samaria are legendary and skilled warriors. They have big sword and cool armor.The samaria and the ninja are enemys and have wars and battles. In battle the samaria have long swords so it is easy for a samaria to hit from a couple feet away.


My comment:
Kristin Evans (Guest)Your comment is awaiting moderation.

March 25, 2015 at 1:49 PM

Hi Blake,

My name is Kristin Evans. I am a student at the University of South Alabama. I really enjoyed reading your facts about Samarias’. I really like samaria’s too. If you haven’t seen it, you should watch the movie The Last Samaria. It is a really great movie.

Blog Post # 9

What can teachers and students teach us about Project Based Learning?

In Seven Essentials for Project- Based Learning, every project needs to be meaningful for the students and it needs to fill an educational purpose.

The seven essentials are:
1. A need to know
2. A Driving Question
3. Student Voice and Choice
4. 21st Century Skills
5. Inquiry and Innovation
6. Feedback and Revision
7. Publicly Presented Production
These steps can turn an assignment of an ordinary worksheet into a problem solving, very educational experience.

Project Based Learning for Teachers tells us about all that you can do with PBLPBL is an important tool when used with Common Core. Common Core is what needs to be taught, PBL is how you are able to teach Common Core. It explains how it ties in with common core standards and gives some benefits of using PBL over regular instruction in the classroom.

What Motivates Students, The performance management first details what children think their result will be when the make good grades. The later part shows what teachers use to reward students for good grades and behavior. There are all kinds of things that motivate them, like being told they did well and their visions of the future.


PBL in PE is an article that starts telling us about the six standards PBL easily meets. It also gives the students to be more creative in an area that they don't always get to be creative in. Pflug showed how high school kids helped middle school kids with the physical fitness. By using the six standards of physical education, the project benefited both age groups. They can meet higher fitness levels, and set their own goals.

C4T #2: Arvind Grover

Blog Post #1:
Dr. Grover talked about a book he had read by Jodi Gold, on how to make sure your children and students are using technology safely.


My Comment:
Mr. Grover:
My name is Kristin Evans, I'm a student at the University of South Alabama in the EDM 310 Class. Your post has really enlightened me on how to deal with this situation with my future students or children. The internet can me a scary place to just let your students/children explore, without the right guidelines. The points you brought up are really important to build that trust between and your students, and to make you feel more comfortable with them using technology. Jodi Gold seems to haven't written a great book. I will definitely have to look into purchasing it.

Thank you for your time.
— Kristin Evans

His Comment:

Kristin, thanks for the comment. I’m glad that you found the review useful. We’ve since had Jodi back at our high school and she was most well received. Enjoy the book!
— arvind s grover

Blog Post #2:
Dr. Grover posted a video called Photomath app is blowing my mind via @KarenBlumberg, it talked about the app and he talked about how the students should try and create their on app.


My Comment:
Mr. grover,
Hi , I am a student at the University of South Alabama. Thank you so much for posting this great video on the Photomath app. I think your idea of having the students create an app is a really good place to start. It's going to take a lot of research, but I think the students will enjoy it more than solving math problems. They will also find it more meaningful and interesting. They can see the purpose behind it. Yes, you can use an app to solve any math problem, but someone has to create it.
Thank you again,

Blog Post #8

In the video Randy Pausch Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams , Pausch talked about a lot of personal things. Most of the video is about Randy speaking about his life as a college professor. The way Dr. Pausch taught his students was very special. It was encouraging and exciting for them and rewarding for him. When they thought they'd done all they could on a project he would tell them they could do better. Pausch talked about kids making movies and games, but in actuality they are learning computer programming.

The idea is that kids have fun while learning something hard. Parents, teachers, and mentors are all different types of people that help you learn. Pausch also talked about metaphorical brick walls. Brick walls are challenges that stop the people who don't really want to achieve their goals. He got an entire school and even parents involved in what his students were doing, just by letting them do their own thing. It's interesting what you can learn when you're given the opportunity to an almost rule free project with endless possibilities.

I learned that there will be times when you may hit a brick wall, but never give up.

Blog Post #7

Using iMovie and Alabama Virtual Library in Kindergarten
In this video it is said that kindergarten students are using iMovie to create book trailers on books that have also read. While my College level class just recently learned how to use the same technology. I would have never imagine being in kindergarten and being able to produce such work that students, that young, do in today's society. This is an indication that my generation of student is currently behind the up and coming one, as far as using technology.


We All Become Learners!
I really enjoyed because it shows us that teachers can still be students as well. In the video Ms. Michele Bennett talks about how a student taught her about the camera on an iPad. The teachers are being taught by the students on how to use certain features on the devices they are using in the classroom. Thus, everyone becomes the learner at some point and everyone becomes the teacher at some point. Keeping the students more engaged creates a better learning environment for the students and technology allows for that. The barriers are lowered allowing children to become comfortable in their knowledge. This shows us that even teachers must still be willing to learn.


iPads in the Classroom.
Using iPads in the classroom was what this video touched on. I love how teachers learn new things from their students on a daily basis. It amazes me what students already know before they even start school just from one little device.

The two ladies explain the use of the website Padlet. Padlet is a website where you can add people to a group and post questions or statements that everyone in your group can see and respond to. This is a great website to use for open-ended questions and group projects. It makes students feel so proud of themselves when they can show their work to their teacher and classmates and if they can teach their teacher how to do something she may not know. This enhances every lesson and helps keep the students interested and inhibits a more productive learning environment.


Top 10 Reasons to Use Technology in Education: iPad, Tablet, Computer, Listening Centers
1. Students Love It
2. Engages the 4 Key Components to Learning
3. Professional Development
4. Makes Life Easier For Teachers
5. Improves Test Scores
6. Helps Students With Low Attention Spans
7. Learn From the Experts

8. Encourages Completion of Homework

9. Saves Money
10. Removes Obstacles

Project #6 C4K Summary Comments for Feburary

C4K #1: Blake

I was assigned Blake in Mrs. Smeby's fifth grade class in Nebraska. Here is what Blake posted in his blog,

"Clue#1: He likes digging into flowers.
Clue#2: They are going to a pinic"


Mrs. Smeby's Class Blog
My comment

Your comment is awaiting moderation.
February 8, 2015 at 10:49 PM

Hi Blake,
Would you be talking about Cifford the Big Red Dog. This is the first story that popped in my head. If you are those are some great clues for that book. I am also a student attending the University of South Alabama.

Ms. Kristin Evans




C4K #3: Cameron

I was assigned Cameron in Ms. Leatherwood's Language Art Class. Here is what Cameron posted in his blog,

Nature Is Amazing

"Cardinal’s are beautiful birds. They are know as family bird because they travel in flocks of 70 or more. When the female cardinal (shown in the picture) sings from the nest, it means her and the babies need food. The females and males sing, but the female sings more complex melodies. The males are strong and very protective. They could fight their own reflection for hours. They love to live in bird houses and eat out of bird feeders. They get the name “backyard birds” from this. Their diets consist of seeds, beetles, grasshoppers, and many other insects."

Ms. Leatherwood's Language Art Class

My comment:

Kristin Evans (Guest)
February 22, 2015 at 12:22 PM

Wow, Cameron. That is amazing. I never knew that about Cardinals. They seem like very complex birds.

C4K #4: Alyssa

I was assigned Alyssa from Joliet West High School in Illinois in Mrs. Maslowski class. Here is what Alyssa posted in her blog, 

Black History Month

Gabrielle Union is a inspiring black woman in the industry. She is a successful actress who has starred in many movies such as “Bring It On” and “Bad Boys II”. She also right now has a show called “Being Mary Jane” that comes on BET which in my opinion teaches real life lessons. Union is a inspiring person to the people due to her being involved with the communities and giving back to the world. I personally like Gabrielle because watching in movies and television shows makes me want to do something with my person life even though I’m not inspiring to be a actress

Mrs. Maslowski class

My comment:

Kristin Evans says:

Your comment is awaiting moderation.

February 23, 2015 at 4:35 pm


Hi, Alyssa. 

My name is Kristin Evans. I am a Student at the University of South Alabama. I also really live Gabrielle Union as a person and as an actress. She seems to be very compassionate person who she plays her roll in “Being Mary Jane”. I feel that the show does have some real life prospective also and could teach everyone a little something who watching it. I really enjoyed reading your blog post. Keep up the good work.

-Ms. Kristin Evans