TEAM OLD SCHOOL

  Why are so many schools becoming STEAM schools? Can any classroom have a STEM/STEAM focus? I believe so many schools are becoming STEAM schools because we are realizing the benefits not only of increased math and science instruction, but of the integration of all subjects. Allowing for students to discover and create, to take ownership of their work. Also, as stated in the video, the ability to work with other people is just as important as learning on your own. In most careers, especially those of the future, collaboration is going to be huge. Learning about photosynthesis in science, then performing calculations about that, and finally writing about photosynthesis in English Language Arts not only solidifies that knowledge, but also allows for growth in all areas of education. This learning style leaves infinite room for possibilities. Any classroom can have a STEM/STEAM focus and I believe that is the future of education. Integration, project based learning, and technology a...

 BLOG POST WEEK 12 I was really inspired by both Joy Kirr and Abby Mowry.  If we can think outside the box of traditional classrooms, I really think that we can engage students in more authentic ways that help better prepare them for the future job market. I loved that Abby Mowry has started pre-recording some of her lectures so that her students can work independently, and she can use that time to check in on students who need extra help. It was also impressive to see how many hands on activities she had going on in her classroom. I would love to be able to do a robot club in my classroom. Joy Kirr has a lot of really fascinating suggestions for transforming the traditional classroom. I particularly liked her idea of a Genius Hour, where kids get to focus on their own interests. I was also fascinated by her approach of less grading and more conferences and chances to improve work. Some of my teachers at CSUN work that way and I have really appreciated the chance to learn from...

  Week 13 Blog Washington State Teacher of the Yea-Camille Jones ·          What does this teacher of year do that is different than most traditional classroom teachers? ·          Can you replicate this teacher’s learning environment?   Most traditional classroom follow the A  traditional classroom   involves a standard curriculum delivered by a teacher in-person. Standardized tests are administered at regular intervals to test students’ comprehension. This model is where students’ time, place and pace of learning remain constant. Usually in the traditional classroom, the focus is on learning mostly Math and English, a lot of standardized test focus on these two topics. The students listen to the teacher, record, or memorize information then when they go home, they will have homework to reinforce the skills learned then they get tested on learning the information. There is n...

  Focus One: ·         Why has blended learning taken off in recent years and become so popular? ·         According to studies, blended learning tends to be somewhat more effective than online learning or traditional learning alone ·         How can schools help support the move toward blended learning? ·         How do you motivate faculty to engage in blended learning? ·         Blended learning as a ‘gateway' for faculty to go fully online ·         The potential for blending essential traditional classroom elements* into the online course environment to increase engagement and retention *(specifically, face-to-face verbal dialogue and social learning aspects). ·         Handling push back from those who feel technology does not belong i...

  Flexible Classrooms-Providing the Learning Environment That Kids Need asks that you consider how you manage a classroom environment to maximize learning.  What approach facilitates learning and collaboration while infusing technology? “ Creating art- work using vector graphics, making a geometric pattern by computer programming, and designing a building in a 3D coordinate system are intuitive ways to learn the STEM subjects .”  STEM becomes STEAM in this article, as an elementary teacher what skills do need to plan and deliver this instruction? First and foremost to get comfortable using the different apps that I would incorporate in my classroom, to play around with the different tools the apps provide, and to get a sense of what the students will be exposed to. That for me is very important, secondly I will look at the Common Core Standards and link them together with technology. While reading the article, I loved reading about incorporatin...

 "Third-grade students at Rockledge Elementary join thousands of kids across North America to track migration patterns of butterflies and other species as part of this online project." What are the key learning and technology integration strategies that make this work? Does the curriculum support Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)? If you taught at Rockledge School, what talents and ideas do you have to contribute to the school's success? The key learning strategies that make this work ties back in with project based learning. With project based learning, " students develop deep content knowledge as well as critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and communication skills. Project Based Learning unleashes a contagious, creative energy among students and teachers."  (pblworks.org) . The curriculum supports CCSS and NGSS by allowing students to be active, critical thinking participants in their own learning. Two of...

 WEEK 8 - SMART BOARDS & STEAM INTEGRATION Common Core Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards expect all students in California to meet certain grade-level standards. In order to do this, all students need to receive access to the same tools and advantages whenever possible. A kindergarten student might not need the exact same technology - or might not use technology - in the exact same way as a 5th grader, but providing technology-rich experiences from a young age will build the confidence and aptitude all students need to succeed in an increasingly technological world. Similarly, I've seen Special Ed classrooms make great use of technology. In one Special Ed class I observed, interacting with Smart Boards gave the students a great sense of pride and a feeling of accomplishment. Students got the experience of interacting directly with the screen, as well as answering questions from their own individual tablets. Being able to answer through their tablets and see al...

  “Schools and teachers are deciding if it’s worth the investment to add course work in robotics.”   What evidence supports the statement?   The technological age has always been a complex and ever-changing landscape that requires Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) skills to successfully navigate this rapidly growing space. STEM skills are more important now more than ever because it enhances one’s capacity to innovate and use technology and science as a tool to solve problems. The STEM skills, education, and practices influence every part of society and will play a critical role in the trajectory of America’s future in the global technology race.   Studies by the Department of Education have found that early exposure to STEM has positive impacts across the entire learning spectrum. Traci Walker Griffith, the principal at Eliot School believes that early exposure to STEM subjects-science, technology, engineering, and math will allow her...

    1. "At Forest Lake Elementary School, in Columbia, South Carolina, achievement has soared since educators started using new technology to personalize the learning experience for each student.”  What evidence supports the statement? 2. "If you feel overwhelmed, that's normal. There is a large learning curve when bringing anything new into your classroom.”  How can you overcome the fear of failure? At Forest Lake Elementary School, the teachers provide a variety of stations that complement the individual needs of the students. One of the reasons I think their achievement has soared is because the students are self-directed and given the freedom to express what they’ve learned in different ways. In addition, each student is aware of their assignments and what stations work best for them. This gives teachers more time to work with the students who need help or instructional intervention. The online assessments the students take give the teacher specific dat...

  Will your classroom environment support learning through technology-enhanced project-based learning?  How? The Chula Vista school uses innovative strategies to support the needs of its multilingual student population through the use of technology-enhanced project-based learning.  What are the implications for your classroom? How do computers in the classroom facilitate shifting from a whole-group mentality to an individual-child mentality and change the role of the teacher?  How can you prepare yourself to make the change? I am hoping that in my future classroom I can incorporate technology-enhanced project-based learning. After viewing the video of how Mr. Dieckmann did this in his own classroom I was just so amazed on how much his students got out of this project based learning. I hope to do something similar to his experience because not only did the children learn so much about the insects that they were trying to capture to do more resear...

Before starting a blog, it would be beneficial to research and look at examples of different types of classroom blogs. Mrs. Yollis would be a great example of the positive impact blogging can have. Even finding blogs that did not succeed may help in identifying what didn’t work or what could have been done better. Another step I would take is informing the head teacher from your grade level of the idea and having information that supports peer learning through the blog. Finally, sending home a letter to the parent’s with the specifics and the purpose of the blog. I would also plan on emailing them resources and videos once it is decided which platform will be used. I was thinking of ways to introduce blogging in a first grade classroom. Before moving towards an online blog, I would start off with a few in class examples of blog posts and comments. I would look for or create a handout that provides students with a section for their response and several smaller boxes for commen...

What do you and Ms. Yollis have in common? What are the implications of social learning software for your classroom? Will your classroom environment support learning through a class blog? How? Did Ms. Yollis make the case for why the role of the teacher must change? How can you prepare yourself to facilitate a class blog for your students, parents, or colleagues? What motivates K-6th grade children to learn through a class blog?      I think Ms. Yollis and myself share the desire to make learning fun and exciting, as well as promote the idea that we are always learning, even on summer break! Ms. Yollis made the blog available to her students and they commented and participated in it during their free time, practicing their reading and writing skills without even realizing it. The idea that learning requires you to sit at a desk with your nose in a book is antiquated and can be both daunting and discouraging to early learners. Though this isn't to say that you won't need t...

An idea from Thornburg’s “Evolving Classroom” that was emphasized was the role of the teacher. The classroom is a shared space and too often it can become teacher-centered. In this situation, the teacher is the only one imparting the knowledge and the students are expected to internalize facts and procedures. When students are given the opportunity to seek their own answers and develop additional inquiries the learning process becomes more meaningful. This ties in to Dan Pink’s explanation about motivation in that autonomy can lead to better engagement and self-performance. I’ve observed classrooms where the majority of the lesson is explained and the strategies used are not flexible to include different types of learners. I noticed that students' attention would wander and they did not engage with the lesson. Teachers who have a balanced approach and guide student’s in their learning will create a classroom environment that thrives and values engagement. Another idea that was shar...

David Thornburg's description of the Evolving Classroom and Dan Pink's lecture about motivation are both reminders that students learn best when they are engaged and active participants in their own learning. The Behaviorist model of reward/punishment does not always lead to the best results. I remember this from my own schooling and from watching my children in school. Projects where children have some autonomy, along with guidance from teachers, are always the most memorable experiences. The sense of self-esteem and achievement that a student feels at the end of this kind of assignment is more valuable than any grade or gold star. I have been thinking about this a lot, because I hope to become a kindergarten teacher. Little ones are building so much foundational knowledge, kindergarten teachers have to use more of an information processing model during a lot of their instruction. There is a lot of teacher-led repetition and reinforcement. However, I do think that there are wa...

  Hello! This is Team Old School's Blog for 515 Technology. Our class meets every other week via Zoom, but we will have blog assignments due every week on the Sunday before class. Please write a post on the blog assignments here and remember to comment on other team member's posts every week.  Let's go!