Technology & Children, What's Your View?

Are video games harmful to children? Are they helpful to children? Can they spend too much time on computers? Children need to be introduced to technology at an early age. Technology is here so children must be introduced to it. We have to remember as teachers that we are training and teaching our students who will have jobs that have not even been yet created. So we need to expose them to as much as possible. Video games keep their interest. DVDs are great as well but are children spending too much time with this type of technology. These types of technology do offer interactive learning so how can this be bad for a child? Is technology introduced too early to children? Some folks feel that technology is teaching our children and not the parents. Parents download apps for the children to play games. Many parents rely on technology to keep their children busy while cleaning up, running errands, standing in line, etc. Frederick Zimmerman states, "Kids need laps, not apps." Technology. Does it help children or hurt them? Is it interrupting the development process? Talk to me!

Online Learning in Middle School

I would love to begin teaching my class via online! It's different! It's alive in other districts at the Middle School level! It's coming alive in others! The students would love it for various and sundry reasons. Of course, they are at home in their pajamas! They dont need to worry abut the huge textbook that they leave at school or misplace the one at home. They get to use technology more! It's natural for them! Seems like a win-win for them! From a District viewpoint, wouldn't this save money in the transportation area? I know there are other facts with technology like bandwidth, connectivity, etc to be addressed as well. Districts do not have the same funding as they used to and are having to become more and more creative. As a District, we need "to facilitate maximum learning.." That means that we should be seeing a different way of learning for students coming very soon. So, why not Online Learning! It's more planning for the teacher but after the initialization process, he/she will be updating as they go. They are numerous tools for them to use for organization purposes. I know there are sites in which they can set up their classes such as Blackboard and Moodle, to name a couple. Think about online learning if it's never crossed your mind. Remember, we are needing to reach our STUDENTS. So, be open! Is it applicable at any level? Talk back to me!

Homework- Is it really necessary?

Do we have to have all these problems to do for homework? Why do we have to show our work? My child has had homework in Mathematics ever since I can remember, Ma'am! Why doesnt the student have more homework? Well, is it really necessary is my question? Does it depend on the subject matter? Should Mathematics have homework EVERY single night? Is that really necessary? Some feel that the more the student practices, then the better they become at solving problems. Other teachers feel that parents do the homework so it still does not help the student nor the teacher. Should Language Arts have homework daily? Is there something they should be reading daily? This question has come up repeatedly by teachers, students, parents, etc. Students definitely have strong viewpoints about homework. Can we really come to a definitive answer and truly justify our reasoning! Can we? Yes, Mathematics builds on itself so a student should be working on some type of Mathematics daily. They should definitely be studying their notes every night and solving problems. On the other hand, should the child that does NOT need to do this action daily be penalized for not doing the homework yet he grasps the subject matter? It is evident that the question is intriguing and both sides can be argued. Some are totally AGAINST homework. Others believe hands down students SHOULD be given homework. All these are relevant questions and I want you to talk back to me!

Tutoring...Tutoring...Tutoring!

Who is it for? Who should come to tutoring? Students that are struggling should be in tutoring? Students who need xtra help, should they come? What about the student that just wants to get ahead? I remember a great Mathematics teacher, Tanya Payne, told me 10 yrs ago that tutoring is also for the student who wants to get ahead. WOW! It made me think when she made that statement. In addition to who should come to tutoring, let's discuss another issue. Is the teacher not doing her job if a student needs a tutor? Some parents dont mind at all getting a tutor for their child to excel, but what does it say about the teacher? I'm eager to hear your thoughts on this subject. Let me know your thoughts!

My Teacher Is Coming Home With Me?

When does a Middle School student want their teacher to come home with them? Rarely or never, right! Well, guess what? Pencasts make students ask that question again. When working on homework or solving problems, it sure would help if the student had taken better notes or if he could hear exactly what his teacher said in class. Well, guess who's coming to dinner! A teacher that has done a pencast. What a concept! There are so many benefits to using this pen. Now I can match my notes with the audio! Now I can fill in parts of my notes that I missed! Let's see. Pencasts are super beneficial! My 5 yr niece even created a pencast this month! So pencasts can be used by all grade levels in so many different capacities. She did a fantastic job. So, be sure and let your student create one or you can create one. You will be glad you did!

How Much School Has Changed!

An Abacus. Wood desks. Different grade levels in one classroom. Discipline in schools. Teaching students how YOU learned! MY... how school has changed. Now everything is about incorporating technology in the classroom. How much technology do we integrate? How much lecture should we still have? Are the students totally bored at lecture? How much homework should a teacher give? Does it depend on the subject matter. Sure school has changed and many have to adapt to that. I love it when I see excitement in the classroom! I love it1 I love it! I would love for all my students to have a netbook in my class. I am incorporating technology head on via utilizing websites that enhance the learning such as Edmodo, Arcademic Skill Builders, Classtools and many more! I heard a teacher say this Saturday that "we dont know what will be coming up next! We have iPhones, iPods, iPads, what could be next? iEar!" Everybody just kinda sat there and thought about what she said. That could be possible! Think of how school will have changed in 5 yrs! 10yrs! It will be phenomenal and all of us can take part in it! Embrace technology and you will be glad you did!

A New Way of Learning

As a teacher, have you ever thought of a new way of learning? As a parent, have you ever imagined that the standardized format of teaching may soon be gone? As an administrator, have you thought about seeing a different view in the ENGAGING classroom? Well, guess what! It's already occuring and it's called the Flipped Classroom. Instead of you teaching in the classroom and giving homework after you've taught, it's the other way around. Classtime is mostly for activities, clarity of information, questions while the student is responsible for preparing the lesson at home! How AWESOME is that! I love the concept of The Flipped Classroom. Would it be better for Pre-AP since they are self-directed or would that constitute a problem? Is it better in a smaller numbered group setting? Should the class size be large? What are your thoughts on this new method of teaching and check out other views, too!

Technology + Parent + Teacher = Student Success

Every year we have an Open House for our parents during every school year. I always have my sign-in sheet, to include email addresses. I have my powerpoint ready and business cards. Well, this time I wanted to do something a tad different. So, I decided to create Vokis to show the parents. First of all, I was hoarse so it helped that I did not have to talk as much. Secondly, it gave an insight to the parents on how technology would be used in the classroom. Thirdly, I wanted to be able to share what occurred at the Open House with those parents whose schedule did not afford them the opportunity to be present. I was able to forward the information to a parent who emailed me before the Open House to let me know she would not be able to make it. I told her "No problem. I will send the Open House to you!" She loved it!

Here's what I prepared this year for my parents:







For more information on this topic visit http://education.families.com/blog/email-for-parent-teacher-communication#

Parent Teacher Conferences

How vital is a parent teacher conference at the beginning of the school year! Can it be missed by the parents? Is helpful information for the parent available when they arrive to Open House? Parents love coming to meet the teacher. It's a great tool for parents, teachers, and students. Parents get to see how the teacher works and how the classroom is run. The teacher gets to meet the parent early in the school year. Thirdly, the student knows that both parents and the teacher already know what goes on in the classroom.

Who does it better?

Many times, teachers spend endless hours preparing for a particular class day. They could have worked the entire weekend on a certain concept like Pythagorean Theorem. The teacher explains the concept to the students and they have the "deer in headlights look!" That's why I find it imperative to be able to use other tools to engage the students for better comprehension. Pythagorean Theorem denotes that in a right triangle, the sum of the squares of the lengths of the two (2)legs is equal to the square of the length of the hypotenuse. Well, that might not register for a student, but I can show this video and the light will click! What a way of communicating and what a feeling that the student now comprehends the concept a little better!

Communication is the KEY

When a parent communicates with the parent, a better relationship is built. When a teacher communicates to the student, a better rapport is built. It's crucial to exhibit effective communication skills! Sometimes parents feel like the only time they get a phone call is when their child has done something bad. Make it a habit to send an email to the parent when their child does something good. I feel like a teacher's email or phone call can make that parent's day! Just to see the look of the student when they return the next day and retelling me what transpired is priceless! Try it! Send a note home or call when one of your students does something good.
Dont forget you can call, send an email, send a text, etc. I guarantee you will feel better for doing so! Visit www.classdojo.com. What a tool to help with class participation in the classroom and communication with the parents.

Fun ways to communicate

I've found a new website that allows me to text my parents and students without them knowing my cell and without me knowing their cell! What a method! I love it! I just started using it yesterday and have gotten numerous and rave reviews. Visit www.classparrot.com