Enrage Me or Engage Me

Marc Prensky's presentation hit the nail on the head. Today's students are not engaged during instruction and it isn't because they don't want to learn, they just learn differently. They act put-out with their sighs of dread when its time to start a lesson, but a new lesson with a device in their hands changes the atmosphere completely. Its said for years that it's time for teachers to go digital and/or a new generation of teachers, Digital Natives, that will know how to engage our students through the use of technology in the classroom.

Just a little side note--
Recently students have been given more freedom using their tablets or cellphones and even though I am not using them for lessons yet, they don't seem as bothered by my teaching….haha. The students put their devices away when they know its time to get busy.

Flipped Classroom Learning

I like what Caitlin Tucker shared with us about flipped learning for the most part. I wished I were more tech literate, but turns out, I'm not. (I've had my macbook for 3 years and still don't know how to use it…I know, sad)

My classroom is not totally "flipped" only because I don't require students to watch videos before coming to class because a third of them don't have internet at home. However, I do use videos in my classroom to introduce lessons, use for centers, for days I'm absent, and/or remediation.

In 5th grade, we have to cover many fraction skills so I created short videos on those skills. The videos are posted to my website to help students with fraction skills at home as well as in the classroom.  The students that keep getting stuck on skills go to computers to watch the videos as often as they may need.

From time to time I will use a video to introduce a lesson just to mix it up. I can pause the video for further explanation when needed. I also post the link to the video on my website for students/parents to reference. And if there is a day planned to be absent, its nice to have the video for the sub so you don't lose a day of teaching.

The time issue in the elementary classroom is still there, but it's better than before I began using videos. Eventually I'll have my classroom all the way flipped. Then, I'll work on incorporating Diigo for anecdotal notes!! Dreaming big!! =)

Blogging to Keep UP with Change

I understand and see the rationale for blogging for students in the age range of middle school, high school and college, and even for professional groups. However,  I think 5th grade would be a great time to introduce blogging and discuss blogging etiquette. In fact, since technology is our world, "Etiquette in Public Forums" needs to be mandatory and added to the social studies curriculum. Technology plays such a huge role in our youngsters daily lives that it has affected them socially in face-to-face interactions. Simple/basic manners are lacking and it is showing in the classrooms more and more each year. (I'll get off my soap box now…sorry)
So, that being said, I see how blogging is a beneficial tool in literacy and its ever "changingness" (hey! this my blog, and I can make up my own words if I want to. :)) but there needs to be pre-requisite skills to earn the privilege of blogging.

IGNORE ANY TYPOS….my 3 year old, the sweet angel she is, really wanted to help me type.