Reflections for 5-5

Thank you everyone for another great class. The night was filled with some presentations and some great conversations. For your last post of the class please take a few moments to reflect on poverty in the classroom, what you took away from our class and how you think your teaching will, can, or should change. Have a great end of the year.

Skip

Class Reflections 4-28

Hi all,

Thanks for another great class. I really appreciated everyone stepping up and preparing presentations and articles with the short week's notice. Thanks to everyone for their outstanding participation during each week. You will have fun and learn a lot from each other during your program. I hope that the class has been valuable, that you were able to learn a lot and that you will become better teachers because you were able to apply some of your learning. I know that I have learned much from you all. I hope that this class has helped you realize that your students are coming to you with every conceivable background and that you can make a difference. A favorite saying of mine is, "They may not remember what you teach them, but they will always remember how you make them feel." Taking the time to really get to know your students and meet their diverse needs will teach them a lot, but more importantly, it will make them know you really cared. They will remember that.
This week's blog entry is to write your thoughts on the article I passed out at the end of the class. You don't have to write a ton. I think anything equal to Ray's last entry will suffice. :-) OK, if you don't write quite as much that is fine.
Thanks again and best of luck to you all.

Class Reflections 4-21

Hi All. Great class tonight. I appreciate everyone hanging in there. It looked like people were pretty tired, suffering from allergies and really wanting to get out and enjoy some beautiful (finally) weather. The presentations were excellent. I always learn so much from all of your work and am impressed with how much you all know and learn in order to prepare and complete your projects. I also appreciate how much everyone participates and contributes to discussions. I think we learn so much from each other and it also makes the class go quickly and be very interesting.
Remember for this week's blog, we are commenting on the fantastic book about the dog incident. (I really don't mind the book that much. I am curious to see what happens when/if Christopher gets to London, and where the author is going with all of this now that we know who killed Wellington.)
Finally, remember that we are switching topics for the last two weeks. Next week is TAG. Those of you slated for long presentations don't need to worry. If you can finish, great, but if not, you can go the last week. I will try to have some eligibility guidelines to discuss and share. Our talk about the book may be a bit longer than the past.
Thanks and have a great week.
Gary

Class Reflections 4-14

Wow what a class! Thanks for all the great discussions, reflections, ideas and stories. I went home very tired but it was a good kind of tired. I hope you all felt the same. For this week's reflection take a global approach and discuss what gained from the presentation, readings, and class conversations. Remember to try to apply your learning to your classroom practices. Thanks again,

Skip

Class reflections 4-7

By next class on 4-14-2009 please take a few moments to reflect on the class discussions and readings from the class on 4-7. The reading for the class on 4-14 were sent via email. If you did not receive them please contact Skip and he will re-send them.

Thanks,

Gary and Skip

Next Class 4/7/2009

Hi All,

Here is what we will be doing Tuesday night. Please read to page 83 in the book. Come with 3-5 questions/ comments/ thoughts for discussion.
1) We will have a short discussion re: your blog entries.
2) We will have the in depth presentations on our topic of the week (there are four this week)
3) We will have the rest of the class share their articles
4) We will discuss the pages of the book and your questions/ comments/ thoughts.
Of course, we will build a break or two into our evening.

Thanks and see you Tuesday.

Gary

3-31-2009 - Great Class!

Thanks for the great discussions tonight. I hope you all walked away with some better insights and information that will help you understand and work with digital learners. Before the next class session please take a moment to collect your thoughts and reflect on tonight's discussion. Within your post please also include links to resources and readings you might have referenced or found.

Have a great week!

Skip

ps - check out this link to some of CommonCraft's youtube videos - they are the company that makes the easy to follow videos. http://www.youtube.com/user/leelefever

Reading for Digital Learners

Hello Everyone,

Attached to this post you will find the reading for the next class meeting which will focus on digital learners. I will also email these documents to you. They are in .pdf format so everyone should be able to open them without any problems. But if you have trouble opening them send me an email. Below is also a YouTube video that might capture some of the frustrations we experience when working with new technologies. Enjoy!

Readings:

• A Day in the Life of Web 2.0
• Adopt and Adapt - Shaping Tech for the Classroom
• Syncing Up with the iKid
• Young Minds, Fast Times

Book Update...

Everyone -

I have received permission to not use the What is it About Me You Can't Teach book.

To replace this book I will be providing you with readings from several different sources that will coincide with the topic of the week. I will send these readings to you via email in .pdf format. Look for the first readings on Digital Learners sometime this weekend.

See you on the 31st.

Skip

ps - there was a small issue with the blog and posting comments. This has been corrected. When it asks you to select a profile you can choose anonymous. Just be sure to include you name somewhere in the post so we know who you are.

Welcome!

Welcome to EDU 595!

Throughout the course participants will be asked to post a refection of their learning to the class blog. There is no specified length to your blog post but it should include how you can apply your learning to the classroom. It can also include personal experiences related to the class discussion, opinions and ideas, links to resources and additional information, and anything else that will extend the classroom conversations and learning. Additionally, participants are encouraged to comment on each others postings.

Reflections should be posted prior to the next class meeting for that instructor. Of course it is always best to try to post your reflection as soon as possible so information and thoughts are fresh. A portion of each class will be dedicated to reviewing and discussing blog posts and posting a weekly reflection is part of your overall grade - so don't forget!

Because blogs might be new to some, we are going to make the first assignment very easy and non-threatening. Prior to the next class please tell us a little bit more about yourself and your professional experience.

For those who are feeling a little adventurous, include a picture of yourself in your blog post. Good luck!

Gary and Skip