Field Experience: An Almost Misadventure!....or Week 9 cause date orders mean nothing to me!

So, after a long stressful journey, I found a fantastic educator, blogger, author, and my new Knight-in-shining-armor for coming in on such short notice and helping me. Jeff Utecht was formally an Elementary school teacher with aspirations of becoming a principal. Now, he travels the world teaching other educators new and exciting ways to help students learn. You can find out even more about him by visiting his website and blog, which I STRONGLY recommend.

Without further adieu, here is the interview itself!

Kate: What is the one piece of technology that all students should have access to in a classroom?

Jeff: The Internet! That’s it…..every student should have access to the Internet at any moment when they need it. Access to that amount of information at a moments notice changes everything! It’s changed cultures, it’s changing our society...it is the most important piece of the puzzle. I don’t care what the device is. Give the students access to the Internet and then teach them how to use it.

The teaching starts with search….I highly recommend this free course from Google. Every educator should have to take this. It’s 3 weeks and opens up an entire new world. If we could teach this to students we change education.

Course: http://www.google.com/insidesearch/landing/powersearching.html

My blog post with lesson plans: http://www.thethinkingstick.com/start-the-year-by-teaching-search/

Kate: What has been the hardest thing for you to overcome in your educational career?

Jeff: Not sure it fits your question but it’s basically standing up to the fact that what you know you are teaching, the approach, the curriculum is not what students need today. We say we want/need creative students and then we teach in ways that don’t allow that, we design school systems that don’t allow that….and we adopt curriculum that doesn’t allow teachers to be creative to teach….rather what education is becoming more and more at the moment is a routine. We want everyone to teach the same thing on the same day in the same way. Here is the curriculum don’t think just do what it says. We’re draining the creativity and the fun out of teaching.

Kate: What is your favorite lesson plan that uses technology in your arsenal?

Jeff: As you know I’m no longer a teacher but there are so many out there that I have loved to see and what teachers build over the years. Watch some of the videos on this page http://www.coetail.com/about/ to see what teachers are doing. These are my grad students (Kim was one at one time :) ) They’re doing some pretty cool things…..and most of the time (see my answer above) they are doing it against the will of the school. They are doing this because they have to for their grad work not because the school thinks it’s what is right or even that it’s “good learning”. I’ll let you be the judge.

Kate: What is the best advice you can give to me, as a future Social Studies teacher, for using technology in my classroom?

Jeff: Build a PLN! Things move way too quickly for me to give you “best advice” so the best advice I can give you is get connected to the conversation. There are over 200,000 (our best guess) educators on Twitter. Find them, be a part of them, learn from them and be apart of the learning community. I’ve attached a free copy of my book to the email. It should help get you started. That and here is a link to all the educational hashtags on Twitter. Find your Social Studies ones...follow them...learn from them…...it is the only advice to give to a up and coming teacher.

http://www.cybraryman.com/edhashtags.html

Kate: Do you blog or have a personal website? If you do, how effective have you found it as a learning tool? I personally have grown very fond of blogging myself, and want to hear more first-hand experience of its usefulness, both for the educator and the student!

Jeff: Blogging is amazing….I’m a full time consultant now because of my blog. I believe every educator should have to blog should have to openingly reflect on their own learning….it is so powerful. I believe that every student should have a blog….at my last school every 2nd - 12th grader had a blog that they were the administrator of. Open to the web for the world to see….so powerful. You can download a free PDF of how to get started with student blogging at the bottom of my blog here: http://www.thethinkingstick.com

Kate: How do you view social media as an educator? Are Facebook friends with current students? How do you decide where to draw your own personal line of privacy?

Jeff: I just wrote a blog post on privacy...see what you think: http://www.thethinkingstick.com/privacy/

We have to use social media with students...I talk about this in my book as well…..

Here’s what you need to remember…..as a teacher...you are public. You will teach hundreds of students who have hundreds of parents...you are public. So you need to control that. You need to be out there blogging and such and control your profile...if you don’t you allow others to do it.

Kate: What is the one technological tool that you have encountered or used in your career that you can’t imagine being without now as an educator?

Jeff: The Internet…...learn how to use it. Learn how to connect to others, learn how to learn from it and change education. Here is my TED Talk see what you think:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8djV8slDN0

My initial thoughts on this whole field work experience was: holy moley this was stressful. I had to reach out to so many different teachers/educators before I finally found some one absolutely fantastic. The lack of control for certain aspects of this was very anxiety-inducing for me! But, the third try was the charm, and once I heard back from Jeff, it went wonderfully! I could not be happier with the outcome....well, maybe if this resolution had found its way to me BEFORE the actual assignment was due I would be a little bit happier!

The interview process gave me even more information to tie in to my future teaching career and also tied in to the course objectives. We discussed privacy and the proper use of technology for me, as an educator, and ways for me to be proactive in that. We discussed how to stay current and involved with new technologies, especially through PLNs.

He and I have a lot of similar beliefs in the regard to the state of education in our world, specifically about stifling creativity while simultaneously saying they want to foster it. I think that is indicative of the trials educators face in technological integration. In order to stay current and progressive and to better the childrens' education, you have to force your way through, and occasionally get in a little trouble with administration. Progress is slow on a bureaucratic level, and it only hurts a lot of the students when that happens. On a more positive note, educators, for the most part, are pushing for these changes. They are calling for more. Those that are responsible for teaching the students are doing what they can to provide the best educational experience possible. 

I Had the Time of My Life....or the Final Class-assigned Blog Post....or Week 10

On a personal level, and this is my blog, so, I am going to throw it out there: this is term and the class that I took at Southern New Hampshire University has been one of the best academic experiences of my life. It was just everything about it: unexpected emails from the instructor of things that are totally and completely in my wheel house, just because she saw it and thought of me. I have learned so much about myself as an educator and also learned how to articulate professionally what it is that I think about the educational world and where I see it going.

The greatest things I have taken out of this are resources. Web 2.0 tools, broadening my Personal Learning Network, and just learning of places I can go to find support. Because, I know, that someday (hopefully soon) I am going to need that in my career. And that is something that I am still hoping to learn: if what I learn will really help me. Will I retain it? Or will I need to keep my Diigo account fully stocked of every little thing to ensure I do?

There are course objectives for this class, things that we were expected to understand by the time it is over. It is not uncommon. Every class has them, at any level. I discussed some of them once before, briefly, but, I am going to lay them out here and break down a few more:

Design meaningful and authentic digitally based learning experiences with multiple and varied assessments

I was totally thrown out of my comfort zone with this one sometimes. The final webquest assignment was the big reason for that. I was like a deer in the headlights sometimes. I have grown up learning in a very structured environment. A+B=C. A and B are predetermined, so C is right there laid out for you. But, with this, I had to start being more creative in my education. And in doing that, it helped me reinforce that I want that for my future students. So they do not have to feel like deer in headlights when confronted with making their own decisions in the classroom.

What?!?!?!

Illustrate through application how state and national standards are implemented within the curriculum (e.g., Common Core, NH Curriculum Frameworks, ISTE (NETS-Teacher/NETS-Student) and NH-ICT Literacy Standards for K-12 Students (Ed 306.42)) 

I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THIS. I had been secretly a little concerned that I was not going to understand how to utilize standards in my lesson plans. That it was going to be that thing that crushed my hopes and dreams as an educator, because I couldn't implement them and demonstrate them. But, I have learned that I am alright. Honestly, they are not there to set me up for failure! I can use them, and they allow me to be creative and implement them in many ways. Making the Webquest, and doing the Me Poem, they all helped transition me in to understanding them. And I am infinitely grateful for that.

Demonstrate an understanding of the use of assistive and adaptive technologies and other digital resources to personalize and differentiate learning activities for every student 

Assistive technology is something I have always known about. I have worked with many special needs children. But, I love hearing more about how it is being implemented, especially as more and more schools are becoming inclusive.

 

The last ten weeks have been saturated with technology for me. I have always used it: computers, social media, video games, streaming music. But the sheer amount of options out there...it is almost daunting in its vastness. Learning about it, though, is a necessity for me as an educator. Schools need to evolve and technology is a tool that is limitless in its potential to help do that. Technology helps me and other educators facilitate education. It is my belief that independent learning is the only way that a student truly learns, and technology is one of the best ways to encourage that. With new Web 2.0 tools, we can focus on the process of learning, and not just the goal. Tools like, Edmodo, and EduBlogs can help us connect with each individual student and give them a voice. These are tools that can easily be transitioned into the schools, and allow for students to express themselves.

I know, unfortunately, this is going to be a process. Schools, especially public schools, are not well-known for their ability to adapt quickly. As Marc Presky said, we dabble first. We test the waters and see how it works out, and sometimes, even that can be like pulling teeth. But, I think that eventually we can get there. Hopefully we can. Because if we don't, we are just perpetuating an archaic way of learning. As educators, it is part of our job to ensure that students can learn as much as they can individually. And that won't happen if we remain stagnant. We, as educators, facilitators, teachers, can speed up this process by working together and forming our own Personal Learning Networks. Because, really, change starts with us.

I have learned a great deal about Personal Learning Networks through the book I have been reading for class, called The Connected Educator. I was first introduced to Diigo through this book, and it is one of the best tools I have ever found for me personally. I use it for so many aspects of my life, and as a way to keep track of all the things I have going on or want to remember. I have become more active in reading blogs of other teachers I have found and related to. I have also been using my Twitter account and other social media to hear the ideas of other educators I can emulate. I have found blogging to be the most beneficial for me. Which is something addressed in both the book and in the class this term itself. I find it to be more personal, and reading the blogs of other educators allows me to learn more. It reaches me better than say reading a Twitter feed of a few characters. And it allows for more in-depth discussion after-the-fact as well.

I feel like what I have learned in the last ten weeks is going to stay with me, beyond what I save on Post-It notes and in Diigo. I feel like it actually made a difference in how I view education, and as my first graduate level course, I could not have asked for a better experience. I don't give compliments fleetingly, and I am extremely practical. I just feel like this class has helped me become more than just a naive, idealistic, wannabe teacher.

P.S.- It has been a while since my friend Pusheen has made an appearance, so, for old times sake.....

A Webquest! Huzzah! The Final Product!

So, after many headaches and delays and not staying on track, I am finished! I have to say, I REALLY enjoyed making this once it all came together.

Without further adieu, the webquest!

http://greekpantheonandmythology.weebly.com/

<3

Life and Learning: My Educational Philosophy (Or Week 9)

Education and learning are ever-progressing; it is a necessity because people are constantly progressing as well; it is in our nature. The goal of education is to help foster life-long learners and to ultimately, drive people towards what they are passionate about and allow them to express themselves.  Education is about respect and understanding: on the part of both the teacher and the student.

As an educator, it is my job to facilitate the needs of the students. Not every student is going to be interested in what I am passionate about, and that is okay! My job is to ensure that they can still take in the information I present and to do so in a way that helps them achieve their goals. To paraphrase Sir Ken Robinson, education is about passion. We need to move away from industrial education and move on to an agricultural process. We must create conditions under which students can begin to flourish. It is extremely important that we personalize education to the people we are teaching!

I am a strong supporter of independent learning and project-based learning because of this. I think that students learn better when they are engaged. I don’t think many people will argue that point. Students learn best by doing, and doing things that they are most passionate about multiplies that effect. If they use the information that I give them and evaluate it in a way that is most comfortable for them, they are more likely to retain the information. This outcome is far more preferable than just regurgitating what I told them and forgetting it shortly afterwards.

Aristotle and Confucius believed in hands on learning: it can't be that bad! 

I cannot claim to be passionate about something, and not be excited about it as well. That is something that I bring to any learning environment I am in. If I am not excited about my subject, history, then why is anyone else? The way I facilitate education is equally as important as what I help facilitate! As an educator, I also need to make sure that I stay involved in modern society and keep up with the ever-changing technological advances, because, students know when something is archaic.

Technology can help us turn education into a democracy, not a dictatorship; as it is in many classrooms today. Learning is fluid, and each child is different. Technology helps us realize that, and utilize each child's strength. It gives every child an outlet. You have a shy child who fears speaking aloud in class? Technology can help them still have a voice in the community until they learn to become comfortable with the classroom, like with programs like Padlet. Technology can help students keep track of their homework, with teachers posting things on a personal website, or programs like Powerschool or Blackboard. The options are only limited by what humanity creates, and with the rate we are going, that seems endless.

Education should be organic, and help humanity achieve everything that it is capable of. Learning doesn’t end outside of my classroom or outside of the school walls. We learn for the entirety of our lives. My job, as an educator, is to provide students with tools and resources to foster that, and to help them continue to learn long after they are in my classroom.

Genie, I wish for your freedom....

Right now, I should be writing my educational philosophy for class, but, all I can think about is Robin Williams. I know he wasn't some personal friend of mine. I didn't know his family. We never had tea and talked about life. But, his roles touched my life. His role a teacher in Dead Poet's Society is one of those defining moments in my life. One of the many moments that reaffirmed who I wanted to be as a person, as a teacher.

   "Robin Williams was an airman, a doctor, a genie, a nanny, a president, a professor, a bangarang Peter Pan, and everything in between. But he was one of a kind. He arrived in our lives as an alien -- but he ended up touching every element of the human spirit. He made us laugh. He made us cry. He gave his immeasurable talent freely and generously to those who needed it most -- from our troops stationed abroad to the marginalized on our own streets."- President Obama

I think what is hitting me the most is how he died. I have suffered with depression. I have sat in the worst parts of myself, stewing in self-hatred, feeling like there is no possible way out. I know what it feels like to be at that point where you just can't imagine waking up in the morning, let alone getting up and interacting with the rest of humanity.

Depression is this thing we don't talk about. Psychological problems are often ignored. People are told to toughen up, or get over it. "You'll be fine. You're strong. Bad things happen to everyone." But, sometimes, being strong is not enough. You can have the whole world and still be depressed. I feel like it is this common misconception people have that if you have everything you need, you should not be depressed. Like you are not entitled to it. Well, unfortunately, that is not the real world people. 

People need to stop ignoring depression. I mean, I am guilty of it too. I just ignore it and hope it will go away. I just put on a smile and push through. But, people can't do that forever. Eventually, the burden on your soul becomes too much, and you burst. How that burst manifests varies from person to person. For me, I just eventually felt nothing. It was a relief at first, because it was a nice change of pace from the intense feelings of sadness I was experiencing before. But, eventually, that feeling of nothing creeps up on you too, and you just have nothing more to live for in your life. 

The perkiness is CRAZY

It isn't a matter of being selfish. How can you be selfish if you are not thinking of yourself as anything of value? It isn't about getting attention, it isn't that you don't love the people around you. It is just that no matter how much you love those people, you can't bring yourself back to them. 

So, Robin Williams, I am unbelievably sad that you are gone. I am unbelievably sad that someone so kind was suffering so much. I am not a religious person. but, I do hope, now, that you are at peace.

An Animoto Adventure and Realizing I Cannot Handle Finishing Blog Posts Five Minutes Before the Deadline

Sources Used for Animoto
http://www.civilwar.org/education/history/biographies/abraham-lincoln.html
http://www.nps.gov/resources/story.htm?id=189
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidency_of_Abraham_Lincoln
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/17/Mary_Todd_Lincoln_1846-1847_restored_cropped.png
http://www.dentongenealogy.org/1848Lincoln.jpg
http://www-tc.pbs.org/wnet/lookingforlincoln/files/2008/12/18000038.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Attack_on_Fort_Sumter.jpg
http://www.retrocampaigns.com/images/lincoln.png
http://media-3.web.britannica.com/eb-media/01/78201-004-3EDA77C3.jpg
http://hisvorpal.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/irwin_antietam.jpg
http://thumbs.media.smithsonianmag.com//filer/Lincoln-McClellan-Antietam-631.jpg__800x600_q85_crop.jpg
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/alhtml/3a05802u.gif
http://events.tennessean.com/sites/events.tennessean.com/images/event/441728030/proclamation_category.jpg
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJ4o5WWckj8Dw0LJIXtmacr7EcKov7IoPWaLekV-suD32KyskvJJXfE_uG796cSWyewEAdOhBkA93S6I1_izTwQsRwvQhusVl5BtaqWyy2EDs9tjoUvHdh5tRD4YQbJgeCzDe3uZ70V4/s1600/20080114224638!Battle_of_Gettysburg.jpg
http://www.sethkaller.com/images/extras/GettysburgFirstDraftw.png
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZBQklb4jcGheuumx8JDHCclkRfr_ZGc6Yl4IWbq1VCaT9rptugb4GX0vZdQ-EAKVEgiFu-FPcULllrA8Py3ItNK3dEwYBlMFOTVLdXkFxI_BkUIMTppLq3uJgtj3MqGf354rysu9nQFlk/s1600/Grant+-+mourning+band+for+Lincoln2.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/0f/Lincoln_box.png

Common Core Standards Met

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.9
Compare and contrast treatments of the same topic in several primary and secondary sources.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.3
Analyze in detail a series of events described in a text; determine whether earlier events caused later ones or simply preceded them.

ISTE Nets Standards Met

3.Research and information fluency
Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information.
a. Plan strategies to guide inquiry
b. Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of 
sources and media
c. Evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the appropriateness to 
specific tasks

d. Process data and report results

6. Technology operations and concepts 
Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations. 
a. Understand and use technology systems
b. Select and use applications effectively and productively
c. Troubleshoot systems and applications
d. Transfer current knowledge to learning of new technologies

Reflection on Creating a Digital Story
I found the process fun: gathering the information, and photos, and choosing the music. But, honestly, it felt like a creating a glorified Powerpoint presentation, at least in Animoto. Do I think it is an enjoyable experience? Yes, definitely. It was fairly easy to use and intuitive. But, I am not sure it is something I would use for most assignments. It is nice to know it is available as an option though! I also think utilizing the speaking aspect of digital storytelling is the biggest upside to it.

Other Digital Story-telling Options
Some other digital storytelling options are Comicmaster and Storybird. Comicmaster is a great Web 2.0 tool! It seems really fun and creative, creating a graphic novel of whatever they want. You can even print out the graphic novel when you are done! Storybird allows students or yourself to write a story and then use the art they provide to create a story for it. Then they can also read the story aloud and record their voice reading it.

Benefits of Digital Story-telling
I think Digital story-telling develops critical thinking and also allows an outlet for students who are shy and need a place where they can give their voice. It also creates a sense of individuality in the students' work. Because no two stories are necessarily going to be the same. You can provide a broad topic and they can create something stemming from that.

Listening to Yourself Talk is Mildly Horrify- also known as Kate Makes a Podcast (Or Week 5 continued)

As a mid-term assessment of sorts, I was asked to make a podcast. It was horrible yet wonderful at the same time, and I encourage everyone who likes to talk, like myself, to make one themselves!

You thought I was kidding about the talking in to the mouse thing. huh?

listen to ‘How I Learned to Make a Podcast and Reflect on Myself as an Educator’ on Audioboo