Watching Steven Colbert's "Common Core Confusion" video reminded me of the conversations I experience at work- endless criticism and complaints regarding the Common Core State Standards and New York State Standardized Testing. I sit quietly and listen, knowing that my personal beliefs about the Common Core do not align with my coworkers'.
I'm not sure whether these individuals are disregarding the central purpose of the Common Core or refuse to accept change. However, like it or not, education has changed drastically with the introduction of the Common Core State Standards. The Common Core State Standards define the knowledge and skills that all students, grades K-12, should develop regardless of which state they live in. Essentially, the Common Core State Standards "levels the playing field" and ensures that students nationwide have access to the same curriculum.
These Standards, in combination with the Engage NY Modules and New York State Standardized Testing have students, teachers, and parents in an uproar. In an attempt to protest this new curriculum, parents have decided to "opt-out" of the tests. Personally, I do not see the value and purpose of these actions. I feel that refusing to participate in these exams is sending the wrong message to students. In life, things are not always going to be easy and things are constantly changing. You don't always have the choice to refuse to do things you don't agree with. Think about your career. If your boss asks you to complete a complex project or task, how do you respond? Do you refuse to even attempt the task? No. You work hard and give it your best effort. Students must learn this same perseverance and determination.
Before saying that students are not capable of the higher-order critical thinking this new curriculum demands, give students a chance to prove themselves. With proper instruction, guidance, support, and encouragement, students are capable of much more than you may think. It will be interesting to see the effect the Common Core State Standards have on education within the United States in the next few years...
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Digital Footprints
Throughout this week, we were challenged to explore the concept of a digital footprint. A digital footprint is the trail of data left behind by users on digital services. In an effort to better understand digital footprints, we were asked to identify our own personal footprint by Google searching ourselves. I was definitely curious as to what I would find when I searched my name and I was amazed by some of the results.
At first, the obvious results appeared - including my Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Google+ accounts. However, more information surfaced as I continued my search. As I scrolled deeper into the search results, I discovered several other accounts that I had created for this class, including WizIQ. The most interesting thing I found was a flyer for Camp Herrlich after-school programs, where I taught a Spanish class. I never though I would find that when I searched my name!
This was definitely an interesting assignment and opened my eyes to the significant footprint digital users leave behind. It was cool to see what mark I had made on the digital world, and I will continue to monitor my digital footprint in the future.
Take a look at the VoiceThread I created to share my digital footprint!
At first, the obvious results appeared - including my Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Google+ accounts. However, more information surfaced as I continued my search. As I scrolled deeper into the search results, I discovered several other accounts that I had created for this class, including WizIQ. The most interesting thing I found was a flyer for Camp Herrlich after-school programs, where I taught a Spanish class. I never though I would find that when I searched my name!
This was definitely an interesting assignment and opened my eyes to the significant footprint digital users leave behind. It was cool to see what mark I had made on the digital world, and I will continue to monitor my digital footprint in the future.
Take a look at the VoiceThread I created to share my digital footprint!
Spring "Break"
April 14, 2014...the day I've been anxiously waiting for the past few weeks. It marks the beginning of Spring Break - a week off from class and work...unfortunately, for me this week is far from a "break." The end of the Spring Semester is rapidly approaching, and my assignments are nowhere close to being complete. Between two graduate courses and working full-time, I barely have any spare time to get anything accomplished during the week. As expected, I was unable to snap my cycle of procrastination and now my "to-do" list for this week is overwhelming. All I can think about is the amount of work that I must complete within the next three weeks and my head is spinning. Once I start making progress and checking things off my list, I know my motivation will resurface. I just need to take it one assignment at a time and try not to stress. Although I imagined my Spring Break much differently than it turned out to be, summer will be here before we know it. Until then, it's time to focus on school and all the work that remains.
The end of the semester is so close, but so far...
The end of the semester is so close, but so far...
Mobile, Wireless, and Ubiquitous Learning
Mobile Learning remains an emerging and unclear concept, which makes it difficult to define. However, Mobile Learning is essentially learning in the classroom with the assistance of mobile devices such as iPads, tablets, laptops, tablet PCs, PDA's, and smartphones. Mobile Learning is collaborative and accessible from anywhere. This aspect of mobile learning provides teachers with the flexibility to create opportunities for interaction within the classroom and extend these experiences outside the classroom. Classroom teachers all over the world, from elementary school to high school are incorporating Mobile Learning to create diverse, interactive, and engaging learning opportunities for their students. The number of educators utilizing Mobile Learning is only expected to grow within the upcoming years, which can be attributed to its positive effects on teaching and learning. Mobile learning provides students with greater access to learning materials and information, allows for communication and collaboration among students, enables students to learn in their own unique way, and assists students with learning disabilities.
The majority of students, even as young as elementary school, have access to various technologies and mobile devices outside of the classroom. Rather than discouraging their place in school, why not encourage students to use these technologies to enhance their education? Computers, Smartphones, iPods, iPads, Tablets, the list goes on. Each of these devices could be used within and outside of the classroom to engage and empower today's young digital natives. The statistics speak for themselves, but it is up to the educational system to determine whether or not these devices have found a valuable place in the field of education.
An Experience I'll Never Forget...
On May 29, 2012, I embarked on a journey that I will never forget. This is the day I said goodbye to my friends and family in New York to Study Abroad in Madrid, Spain. The next month of my life would be spent living in another country - with a different language, culture, and lifestyle. There is no doubt that I was incredibly nervous as I boarded the plane. A million thoughts raced through my mind. Would I be able to adapt to this new and different lifestyle? Would I make new friends? Would I be able to communicate effectively with my host family? Even though I had a traveling companion, I still felt alone. The 8 hour flight left plenty of my time for all sorts of thoughts to run through my mind, but there was no turning back.
Landing in Madrid felt surreal. When we walked out of the airport, it was like being in a whole new world - completely different sights and sounds than New York. I spent the drive to our new home looking out the window trying to soak it all in. We were greeted outside our apartment by our host mom, Marí. It was finally beginning to hit me - this is where I would be living for the next month.
Although I was extremely nervous and unsure about my decision, studying abroad in Madrid was absolutely one of the best experiences of my life - and I conquered it all on my own. I met amazing people, experienced and lived a completely different culture and lifestyle, tried new foods, and grew as a person. Some of my favorite experiences in Madrid include:
Landing in Madrid felt surreal. When we walked out of the airport, it was like being in a whole new world - completely different sights and sounds than New York. I spent the drive to our new home looking out the window trying to soak it all in. We were greeted outside our apartment by our host mom, Marí. It was finally beginning to hit me - this is where I would be living for the next month.
Although I was extremely nervous and unsure about my decision, studying abroad in Madrid was absolutely one of the best experiences of my life - and I conquered it all on my own. I met amazing people, experienced and lived a completely different culture and lifestyle, tried new foods, and grew as a person. Some of my favorite experiences in Madrid include:
- touring Palacio Real de Madrid (the Royal Castle)
- watching Spain win the Eurocup
- observing the incredible architecture
- visiting art museums (Prado, Reina Sofía)
- meeting new people from all over the country (San Francisco, Texas, Wisconsin)
- trying different tapas (appetizers)
- enjoying home-made Paella and sangria
- shopping at El Rastro (outdoor flea market)
- watching amazing Flamenco dancers
Overall, studying abroad in Madrid was an amazing experience that I will remember for the rest of my life. If you are lucky enough to have an opportunity such as this, I recommend that you take advantage of it.
Monday, April 7, 2014
Poetry In Motion
April is National Poetry Month. Poetry was never something I've felt passionately about. However, the raw, beautiful, emotional, and powerful art of poetry reminds me of one of my passions - dance. Dance is poetry in motion. Words are expressed through moevements and the movements come together to convey emotions and tell a story.
The combination of the music, lyrics, movements, and emotions can captivate both the dancer and the audience to produce something truly remarkable. Have you ever watched a dance so emotional that you've cried? Have you ever read a poem that's sparked an emotional response. It's amazing how powerful both words and movements can be. So rather than writing a poem in honor of National Poetry Month, I would like to share some dances that express such raw, natural emotion.
The combination of the music, lyrics, movements, and emotions can captivate both the dancer and the audience to produce something truly remarkable. Have you ever watched a dance so emotional that you've cried? Have you ever read a poem that's sparked an emotional response. It's amazing how powerful both words and movements can be. So rather than writing a poem in honor of National Poetry Month, I would like to share some dances that express such raw, natural emotion.
Promoting Social Interactive, Collaborative Literacy Learning With Web 2.0 Technology
This week's resources focused on promoting social interactive and collaborative learning through Web 2.0 technologies. First, it is important to the similarities and differences between cooperative and collaborative learning. Cooperative and collaborative learning both favor small-group, active student participation. In addition, each strategy supports discvoery-based learning and requires a specific task to be completed. Groups roles are assigned and students are expected to work collaboratively to complete the task at-hand. However, there are also differences between cooperative and collaborative learning. In cooperative learning, the instructor is the center of authority and group tasks are more closed-ended, with a specific answer. Collaborative learning places the power in the hands of the students with more complex, open-ended tasks.
Johnson, Johnson, and Holubec have identified five elements necessary for cooperative learning. These elements include positive interdependence, individual accountability, face promotive interaction, interpersonal and small-group skills, and group processing. When working cooperatively, students must understand that each group member's participation is essential to the completion of the task and that each member must "pull their weight." It is also important for students to understand the significance of working together - explaining, discussing, and helping each other when necessary. Providing students with sufficient opportunities to work collaboratively will promote these skills and improve student's abilities to communicate effectively in small-groups to complete a specific task.
Aside from collaborative and cooperative learning, the resources this week also discussed Constructivism and Inquiry-Based Learning. Constructivism is based upon the idea that individuals build knowledge through experiences. Constructivists believe that individuals should be active paticipants in the learning process and students should utilize critical thinking skills in order to solve problems. Constructivism is the theory behind the WebQuest model, which supports Inquiry-Based Learning and scaffolding learning. WebQuests are designed to scaffold students' learning and promote higher-order thinking skills. WebQuests guide and structure the learning environment, engage students in problem-solving, develop critical thinking skills, and enhance collaboration and communication among students.
Johnson, Johnson, and Holubec have identified five elements necessary for cooperative learning. These elements include positive interdependence, individual accountability, face promotive interaction, interpersonal and small-group skills, and group processing. When working cooperatively, students must understand that each group member's participation is essential to the completion of the task and that each member must "pull their weight." It is also important for students to understand the significance of working together - explaining, discussing, and helping each other when necessary. Providing students with sufficient opportunities to work collaboratively will promote these skills and improve student's abilities to communicate effectively in small-groups to complete a specific task.
Aside from collaborative and cooperative learning, the resources this week also discussed Constructivism and Inquiry-Based Learning. Constructivism is based upon the idea that individuals build knowledge through experiences. Constructivists believe that individuals should be active paticipants in the learning process and students should utilize critical thinking skills in order to solve problems. Constructivism is the theory behind the WebQuest model, which supports Inquiry-Based Learning and scaffolding learning. WebQuests are designed to scaffold students' learning and promote higher-order thinking skills. WebQuests guide and structure the learning environment, engage students in problem-solving, develop critical thinking skills, and enhance collaboration and communication among students.
Life is a Balancing Act
This week's Slice of Life inspiration is home-work life balance, which is something I can definitely relate to. Sometimes my life feels like a circus act as I attempt to juggle work, school, assignments, friends, and family. There just aren't enough hours in a day and my "To-do" list seems endless, growing by the day.
Lately this "balance" seems nonexistent. Throughout the week, I dedicate my time to work, going to class, and personal interests such as going to the gym. When the weekend finally arrives, I spend time with friends and family, do laundry, clean, and catch up on homework and other assignments I neglected during the week.
I realize that the lack of balance in my life is the result of my own personal choices, but how do I snap this recurring cycle? Will this procrastination ever stop? It seems impossible. After working all day, the last thing I want to do when i get home is more work, but the only way to regain balance in my life is to take control. The first step in this process is managing my time more efficiently and prioritizing what needs to be done. Hopefully sticking to this plan will allow me to achieve a balance in my life.
Lately this "balance" seems nonexistent. Throughout the week, I dedicate my time to work, going to class, and personal interests such as going to the gym. When the weekend finally arrives, I spend time with friends and family, do laundry, clean, and catch up on homework and other assignments I neglected during the week.
I realize that the lack of balance in my life is the result of my own personal choices, but how do I snap this recurring cycle? Will this procrastination ever stop? It seems impossible. After working all day, the last thing I want to do when i get home is more work, but the only way to regain balance in my life is to take control. The first step in this process is managing my time more efficiently and prioritizing what needs to be done. Hopefully sticking to this plan will allow me to achieve a balance in my life.
Literacy 21: Interactive and Collaborative Learning
"Literacy 21: Interactive and Collaborative Learning" was the focus of this week's resources. Previously, being literate simply meant being able to read or write. However, the 21st Century innovations and developments in technology have changed the definition of literacy. In today's digital society, students must communicate, collaborate, think critically, and create in order to succeed. The National Education Technology Standards for Students outline the developmental skills students should possess at various grade-level increments.
It is important that educators are effectively integrating technology to engage the digital natives in today's classrooms. Several articles found in this week's resources reflect the significance of utilizing technology to promote interactive and collaborative learning. Videoconferencing, Blogs, Wikis, Google Hangouts, and Adobe Connect are several programs that allow for synchronous and asynchronous learning within and outside of the classroom.
The article "Facebook Video Chat v. Google Hangouts: It's No Contest" discusses the unique features of Google Hangouts. I have recently been using Google Hangouts to meet with my classmates, and I have to agree with the points raised in this article. Google Hangouts is a great for group chats, and the program is free and easy to use! Anyone can create a hangout and invite others to join. Whether using Google Hangouts for personal, educational, or business purposes, it's a great alternative to face-to-face meetings. I have enjoyed using this program with my online group and we have yet to experience any problems.
Another article, "Methodology is More Important Than Teaching, Study Finds" reflects the importance of teaching to the students present in your classroom. You could be the most highly-qualified educator; however, that means nothing if you are not utilizing effective teaching approaches. The study found that students learned more from teaching assistants using interactive tools than they did from a veteran professor giving a traditional lecture. I'm not surprised by these results at all. We've discussed the idea of engagement all semester. The more actively engages students are in the learning process, the more they retain and generalize information, ideas, and skills. Gone are the days of lectures and teacher-centered learning. Today's students must engage with technology to communicate, collaborate, share, and create. Teachers who allow their students to learn in this way will see astounding results compared to those who refuse to shift the power and control into the hands of their students. The closing line of the article sums up the issue very briefly, but accurately.
"Lectures have been equally ineffective for centuries," the Nobelist said. "Now we have figured out ways to do it better."
It is important that educators are effectively integrating technology to engage the digital natives in today's classrooms. Several articles found in this week's resources reflect the significance of utilizing technology to promote interactive and collaborative learning. Videoconferencing, Blogs, Wikis, Google Hangouts, and Adobe Connect are several programs that allow for synchronous and asynchronous learning within and outside of the classroom.
The article "Facebook Video Chat v. Google Hangouts: It's No Contest" discusses the unique features of Google Hangouts. I have recently been using Google Hangouts to meet with my classmates, and I have to agree with the points raised in this article. Google Hangouts is a great for group chats, and the program is free and easy to use! Anyone can create a hangout and invite others to join. Whether using Google Hangouts for personal, educational, or business purposes, it's a great alternative to face-to-face meetings. I have enjoyed using this program with my online group and we have yet to experience any problems.
Another article, "Methodology is More Important Than Teaching, Study Finds" reflects the importance of teaching to the students present in your classroom. You could be the most highly-qualified educator; however, that means nothing if you are not utilizing effective teaching approaches. The study found that students learned more from teaching assistants using interactive tools than they did from a veteran professor giving a traditional lecture. I'm not surprised by these results at all. We've discussed the idea of engagement all semester. The more actively engages students are in the learning process, the more they retain and generalize information, ideas, and skills. Gone are the days of lectures and teacher-centered learning. Today's students must engage with technology to communicate, collaborate, share, and create. Teachers who allow their students to learn in this way will see astounding results compared to those who refuse to shift the power and control into the hands of their students. The closing line of the article sums up the issue very briefly, but accurately.
"Lectures have been equally ineffective for centuries," the Nobelist said. "Now we have figured out ways to do it better."
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