Monday, January 26, 2015

Blog Assignment #3

Tag! You're it! T: Tell the writer something you like. A: Ask the writer a question. G: Give the writer a positive suggestion.     The video What is Peer Editing? and the slideshow Peer Edit with Perfection both explain the proper way to peer edit. They both explain that the definition of peer editing is working with someone your own age to help improve, revise, and edit his or her writing. They also emphasize that you should always remain positive when editing your peer's work. Both the video and the slideshow state the three rules for peer editing: compliments, suggestions, and corrections. It is extremely important to remember these rules in the order that they are stated when peer editing because you want to be nice and not offend anyone while also trying to help them become better writers.


     I personally found the video Writing Peer Review Top 10 Mistakes to be quite humorous. This video has several children showing everyone how NOT to peer edit. It instructs us to not be picky over small details, not to be mean in correcting others, and not to be vague when correcting others. Everyone needs to remember that our peers are only trying to help us improve our writing. Constructive criticism is essential to becoming better writers.

Friday, January 23, 2015

Blog Assignment #2

Couple Dancing
     The video Professor Dancealot shows why it is important for students to have hands-on learning. All the teacher does is lecture, and he talks in a very monotone voice. The students end up being bored and not paying attention. By the time the final rolls around, the teacher sets up a video camera and expects the students to be able to do the dances that he discussed in class. The students have no idea what to do since all their teacher did was lecture to them, instead of letting them practice the dances during class. I agree with the conclusion that the author chose for this video because it demonstrates that teachers can lecture all they want, but students will not be able to grasp the material if that is all teachers do.

Word Collage      In the video Teaching in the 21st Century, Kevin Roberts believes that teachers should use every resource available to them to help engage their students in learning. He also discusses all of the wonderful qualities that technology has. Roberts believes that in order for teaching to be effective, technology should be used whenever possible. I agree with Roberts' proposal on how teaching should change. I will definitely keep up to date with technology so that I can be effective in teaching my students and also engage them at the same time.

     When the video The Networked Student by Wendy Drexler began, I immediately thought that the class it described would be hard. However, as the video continued, the class described was almost exactly like EDM 310. The student does all of the work on the computer, just like students of EDM 310 do. The video poses the question "Why does the networked student even need a teacher?" The networked student needs a teacher to guide them in the right direction and help them when they need help. Without the help of teachers, we probably wouldn't get very far.

     Vicki Davis' video Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts demonstrates why it is important to use technology in the classroom. Davis states that working together with technology is a more effective way of learning than just using pen and paper. I agree with her when she says that students can sometimes learn from each other in ways that they cannot learn from a teacher. I think it is great that Davis allows her students to become teacher for the day. I think more teachers should incorporate this aspect into their classrooms. I believe that Davis has an effective teaching method because of her ability to adapt her teaching methods to her students' educational needs.

     In Who's Ahead of the Learning Race?, elementary, undergraduate, and graduate students are discussed. Before watching this video, I would think that graduate students are ahead; however, after watching the video it is evident that I was very wrong. As an undergraduate college student, I believe that elementary students are definitely ahead of the learning race. With more and more technology becoming available for children to use, it is easier for teachers to incorporate that technology into their classrooms. I remember when I was in elementary school that we did not have any technology at all in the classrooms. I think that it is great that children are learning how to use things such as Google Docs and Macbooks at such an early age. I feel like it is easier to learn things like that at a younger age then when you are much older. I love how the children are excited to be using these technological devices and are taking full advantage of them. Learning is so much more interactive than it was when I was in elementary school.

You know Ms. Grigwater, I don't thinkg you've quite grasped the idea of the "Flipped Classrom."
   Flipping the Classroom is a video that discusses "flipping" the classroom by presenting new materials online for students to watch lessons the night before in order to have a more productive learning environment. I have never heard of flipping the classroom before. I believe that there are many benefits for students being able to watch lessons at home. By watching lessons at home the night before, students will have an idea of what they will be learning the next day. Also, the student's parents can be involved in what the children are learning and are able to help them with their work. It will also save time in class so that the teacher can spend more time helping those who are struggling to grasp the concept, while the ones who do understand can be working on their homework or other related assignments. Because of the reasons previously stated, I believe that flipping the classroom would be useful to me as a teacher.

Sunday, January 18, 2015

Blog Assignment #1

 What about EDM 310?

     I have heard very little about EDM 310. Everyone that I have talked to about this class informed me that the class was not very hard, just extremely time consuming. They also all informed me to make sure that I set aside plenty of time to complete assignments and to make sure that I turn in all of my work on time. One of the fears that I have about EDM 310 is making sure that I complete all of the assignments and projects by the deadline. I only have this fear because the class involves a lot of work, and I believe that it will be a struggle to balance the time consuming work of this class with the five other classes that I am taking this semester. Another fear that I have is not making an "A" in the class. I like to do my best and feel that an "A" proves that I did my very best in any class.
     Although we have just started this course, I can already tell that EDM 310 is a course that is completely different from anything that I have taken in high school or college. First of all, I have never had to write a blog for any class, nor have I ever thought about writing a blog. I also have never had to set aside so much time for just one class. I currently cannot think of any
course that I have previously taken that is similar to EDM 310.
     I believe the most difficult thing about this course will be trying to set aside enough time to accomplish all of my assignments, while also trying to complete all of the work for my five other classes that I am currently enrolled in. I only believe this to be difficult because every class that I am currently taking are all upper level classes that require a lot of my time. The best way for me to address this difficult thing is for me to make a schedule ahead of time of when I will work on my assignments for this class and my other classes.
     The only question I have about EDM 310 is about the group projects. Are the grades given to the group as a whole or are they given based on the individual's participation in the group? To address these questions I could either ask one of the instructors for this course or ask one of the lab assistants.

I haven't failed, I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.

Practice Blog Post

 Outline:
1. Who I am
2. My passions
3.What an educator does
4. Why I want to be an educator

     My name is Heather Hudgins. I am from Deatsville, Alabama, which is slightly north of the state's capital Montgomery. I attended a very small private school for fourteen years. I began and ended my elementary, middle school, and high school career there. My graduating class consisted of only sixteen students. Small, right? I am currently a sophomore studying elementary education at the University of South Alabama. I chose to attend USA because of a scholarship I received.
     My two main passions are softball and crafting.  Whenever I have the chance, I am always watching or playing softball. I played fastpitch softball for ten years, and I currently have been playing slowpitch coed softball for two years. My absolute favorite college softball team would be the University of Alabama. When it is not softball season, I enjoy doing various crafts. My favorite crafts in particular are scrapbooking and monogramming items with vinyl.


This is a picture of a T-shirt that I made.
(Left) This is a picture of a T-shirt that I made.
One of the many softball teams I have been on.


(Right) This is a picture of one of the many softball teams I have been on. I am in the back row on the far left.










     Teaching is an extremely important job. Children are with their teachers for most of the day, so it is very important that there are positive,open-minded teachers. Not only is it a teacher's responsibility to teach the students, it is also the teacher's responsibility to make learning interesting. I want to become an elementary teacher because I would like to pass on the love of learning that I received when I was younger. Becoming an elementary teacher will enable me to instill that same love of learning in the children that I will teach. I want to show young children that learning can be fun. I look forward to helping teach younger generations to prepare them for their future.