Five Things I Know For Sure

The semester has come to end in my Digital Learning Education course. Throughout the course, I learned the importance of reflection and digital citizenship, blogging, mind mapping and the benefits of peer review. Each of these five things will be beneficial and useful for when I am in a classroom! I created my own Trading Card on Read Write Think. Try it yourself! It's fun and simple to summarize/showcase your learning. 

 - mp

Peer Review

Our class completed a peer review on one another's blogs in class.  We were told to pair up with two students we haven't met before and go through their blog.  This experience was nothing new to me as I did this many times during high school and elementary school.  It was a bit nerve racking to have a colleague go through my blog and assess it, however, it was useful to have someone with a fresh set of eyes go through my blog and tell me what I am missing.  

This experience was new and exciting! It was extremely helpful having someone who wasn't as close to you (such as a close friend) look at your work at be honest.  It was nice hearing what they had to say because I genuinely felt like they wanted to help me.  I was able to take their advice and look at their blog for inspiration. Since I had such great feedback and help on my blog, I felt like I had to return the favor just as helpful.  I liked seeing other colleague's blogs and being able to recognize what they were lacking.  This process helped me understand the assignment more.  I used the checklist provided by the teacher to ensure I was reviewing their blog correctly.  It was a great guide to use! 

I do plan on using peer review going forward when I am a teacher.  I think this helps students accept constructive opportunities to improve their work, but also be able to understand what is expected.  It's a great collaborative experience for both students and teachers! 


mp. 

Mind Mapping

As a self-proclaimed organizing specialist, I do a lot of planning and de-cluttering in my home.  Not only do I feel like a clean house equals and clear mind, I also think that students need to find ways to help them organize their lives.  Think about it, students go to school full-time while trying to manage one, sometimes two or even three jobs just to pay for their gas to get to school (I am one of those students).  In the midst of all of these hectic days, it's important to take some time out of your day to regroup yourself.  

I used the Teacher Challenge to create my mind map.  It has helped me in moving my ideas, knowledge and thinking organized.  It is helping me move forward in my daily life with ease, knowing that I have organized myself using this tool, instead of keeping everything inside of my head (I feel ten times lighter)! 

Once we (students in the Bed. program) graduate and work in a classroom, we will have a lot going on!  It is important to be connected as educators.  PLN can help us (as teachers) engage in student learning, creating new and innovative ideas, and engaging with other teachers in a collaborative environment, 

Create your own today! 

mp 

I want to get to know you!

Hello friends! I would love for you to complete my survey as this will help me get to know my viewers! Its a simple, three question survey created in Google Forms.  You can customize your own questions, add pictures, design your answer style (short answer, multiple choice, etc.) and pick your design! 

Let's get to know each other :)

I've gone virtual!

       



Allow me to introduce myself!  I made my own avatar by my blue robot! It's a free and fun way to customize yourself - what a cool idea!  I think my students would have a fantastic time making their own avatar. 

Ever wondered what I sound like?  Here is your chance!  Here I talk about how using audio recordings would be a fun and interesting way to introduce myself to my students (especially useful for an online course when you typically do not see your students). 


mp. 

How will students show what they know?

I always think to myself - how will I get my students to show what they know? It's simple to draw conclusions in your head, but sometimes difficult to put it on paper.  I taught a SK - Grade 4 summer learning program this past summer and got my students to explore the use of plasticine!  It was so much fun. I had my students watch a Barbara Reid video on YouTube and watch her create art using plasticine (check it out below!).  I wanted my students to give it a try.  The one special technique that was important to master was to SPREAD your plasticine, not just stick it on your craft board.  Some students got this concept really well!  Having the student’s show me how they understood the video and create their own masterpiece was a great way for me to know if they understood how to properly do their assignment.  It was beautiful watching their creativity come alive.  

Students were engaged from beginning to end and asked many questions on how to spread their plasticine (their poor thumbs got sore after a while - so we used pencils and rulers to get their artwork to resemble Reid's techniques).  We kept the video playing over and over while they work away on their masterpiece.  

Student's demonstrated their eagerness to the task, asked questions to confirm their learning, referred to the video to ensure they were on task and to clarify methods.  Students were able to discuss the story and meaning behind their piece of work.  This showed me that my students immersed themselves in this project and were dedicated to their learning outcome. The use of the video was a great way to integrate technology and art into one.  Unfortunately, the pictures I have for this fun event show my student's faces which are not allowed to be posted online. 

I encourage you to check out the video and try some plasticine art with your students! 

mp