Podcasting!

I just completed my first ever podcast.  Our assignment was to create a podcast about our student's usage and thoughts about technology in the classroom and at home.

Website Review

This week our class has been asked to review the Partnership for 21^st Century Skills website.  It can be found here. 

According to their website “The Partnership for 21st Century Skills is a national organization that advocates for 21st century readiness for every student. As the United States continues to compete in a global  economy that demands innovation, P21 and its members provide tools and resources to help the U.S. education system keep up by fusing the 3Rs and 4Cs (Critical thinking and problem solving, Communication, Collaboration, and Creativity and innovation).”

Overall, I was not impressed with the site.  While there was a lot of information, I found it hard to focus on the main purpose of the website, as the set up and design was not clear for searching.  For example, I clicked on resources for educators but was asked to purchase them, or download a PDF format.  I tried to download the PDF files, but was unable to view them. 

One thing I did find interesting is that 16 states have bought into the initiative and are currently, or already have, implementing the skills into their standards.  

The question I ask is:  If Common Core Standards are being implemented soon around the nation, and 21^st century skills are very timely for the present and future, why are the two not already interconnected into the same list of standards?

-Danielle


Update: After more reflection on the website I did find the Common Core Toolkit.  It shows examples of the use of state standards and the 21st century skills together.  In all, it is the binding of the two resources together that makes an impact on student's learning.  It is the educator's planning of the lesson, and knowledge of their students, that brings everything together.  ( 3/24/12)

Using a Blog in the Classroom (2nd time)

Please note my original posting about blogs within my classroom can be found below but that this is an extension from a meeting that occurred today.

Oh happy day!

Last year our school received a technology grant which has allowed us to think big and purchase many amazing technology tools for a large lecture hall that typically sat empty.  More of this to come (I promise) but the reason for this post is that this morning I had a meeting with my principal and it looks like I will be over a group of student leaders that will be in the lecture hall every period of the day (instead of having their scheduled IS time).  The student leaders will assist the teachers and students using the lecture hall throughout the period - basically, running troubleshooting.

Anyway, during my meeting my mind was running and I spit out "Yeah, and I could use a blog to get quick information/announcements out to all the leaders.  Also, they could use the blog to report how they fixed a problem and that way it could be a resource later in the day, month, or year!"

While this is still a work in progress, and technically it will not be my classroom, I still think it is a great way to use a blog.

-Danielle

Flashcard Idea

Caitlin  and I attended college together.  She has a degree in Secondary Education Math but is currently pursuing her library media certification.  Just recently Caitlin posted about two easy flashcard ideas and I figured I would share!  Her posting is here. (FYI: Her blog is much more fantasy with many recipes, clothing ideas, and resources as well!) 

-Danielle

Using a Blog in the Classroom

While I have seen many interesting ways to use blogs in classrooms this week, I still do not know what direction I would like mine to go into. Knowing a website called Blackboard will begin next year for my Algebra I and Geometry classes, I cannot think of a reason for every student to have their own blog when they will have access to links, classroom calendar, and postings boards on the blackboard website already (why reinvent the wheel right?). 

In January of this year I started following Math Teacher Mambo.  She is great at giving ideas and showing off what is currently happening in her precalculus and geometry classes.  I could see my blog going this way as well - to use as an outlet for what is happening in class and any cool things (technology and math related) I find.

To get the students in the mindset of visiting a blog I have thought about setting up a weekly post about something related to what we are studying in class.  The first few students to answer questions correctly about the post/article in class will receive a prize of some sort.  Also, I always have students asking for extra credit and I could post extra credit application problems on the page.  

Another idea would be to post an article related to our current topic and have the students read it outside of class.  Within class we could discuss the mathematics application part behind the article.  Students learn through discussions and it is something I wish occurred more in my current classroom.  The difference between this idea and the previous one is that it would be mandatory for the students to read the article during this time.  

I am struggling with other ways to implement blogs. I already have a classroom website which can be found here.  It has homework listings, PDF files of the notes, and other information for parents and students.

Anyone else feel overwhelmed by all the possibilities on the web?  I want to implement it all, but I do not want to weigh down my students either.

-Danielle

Funny

It is funny how one day you make the comment "I will never have time to blog" and then you sign into your Master's class the next day and find out you are required to do so. 

Must be a sign!