Blog Post #3

How can you provide meaningful feedback to your peers without coming off as rude? Peer editing consists of helping someone your age, improve or revise their writing. After viewing the information from sources: "What is Peer Editing?", "Peer Edit with Perfection Tutorial" and "Writing Peer Review Top 10 Mistakes" I was able to point out one important key factor to keep in mind while editing, is to stay positive! When making suggestions on an individual's writing make sure the information is clear and detailed. Peer editing can be very helpful, but if not done correctly, your peer can take it personally. There are three steps to remember when peer editing which are: making compliments, suggestions and corrections. This method will help the reader feel better about their writing instead of pointing out all of their mistakes.

Peer editing is definitely something that makes me nervous! By using the steps mentioned in the material I can avoid these issues. Now that I've been provided with the proper materials to succeed I feel like I would be able to successfully help my peers in the near future. Peer editing is a very helpful method to use in EDM 310, allowing me to practice with my peers to become a better critique. I’ve learned that you should care about what is being edited and the comments you are receiving. You should strive to be positive and be specific. As future educators we must be able to critique other students work and help guide them to become better writers.

Blog Post #2

Mr. Dancealot

The movie Mr. Dancealot demonstrated the incorrect way to teach, this shows me what not to do when teaching my future students. He taught his dance course in a lecture hall where students could not participate. If the class was placed I an open area the instructor could provide visual examples rather than standing behind a desk where the students could not see. When students are placed in a boring and unfit environment it causes the students to lose interest and not do well in the course. The students were confused on the material being taught. The key to making students successful starts with the professor by getting the students involved. Providing ways to interact with the students allows the professor to distinguish the student's strengths and weaknesses. As a result, the students are more engaged in the material and are eager to learn.

Teaching in the 21st Century

Kevin Roberts is certain of what it will mean to teach in the 21st century. I think Mr. Roberts is providing society with another glimpse of how much more advanced technology has gotten over the years and how it will progress in the near future. Anyone can learn anything they could possibly imagine by using such amazing resources like Google Docs, Smart board, YouTube, Internet etc. to find relevant information. With the help from teachers the resources can be put to good use to gain knowledge on anything imaginable. Mr. Roberts has inspired me to be a "filter" in my future students' lives. I will help them to grow individually, understand what information is correct and to use technology to their advantage. Students need to be taught to apply, understand, analyze, evaluate, and to be creative based on the things they explore through technology. This video has added excitement about what new technology will I will embrace in my future classroom. As the teacher I will provide professional teaching styles to engage my students in learning.

The Network Student

After watching The Networked Student by Wendy Drexler, I was enlightened on how beneficial it is for students to network in order to build independent learning. Through various tools technology can be learned by diverse connections and social networking. Why do students need a teacher? Teachers are a guide to motivate students, help when stuck and to point us in the right direction. Although students have access to tons of resources teachers still play a major role in the classroom. I think there should be a balance between teacher interaction and independent learning. This will allow students to have open learning to discover their interests. Boundaries have to be set to show the students how to communicate properly with others and differentiate good and bad information. Teachers hope that when the students leave their classroom that the students maintain the learning network and help use it to solve the world's problems. Overall the theory of connectivism is beneficial. I'm excited to utilize these techniques in the future.

Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts

The video Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts is definitely an eye opener to the usage of technology. Vickie Davis believes that every child is capable of learning, the use of paper and pencil limits the type of learners that are going to succeed. Mrs. Davis classroom is constructed in a way that her students are able to learn the same material but customizes it according to the students' interests. Mrs. Davis teaches her students how to use technology to share their assignments with others around the world. When Mrs. Davis introduces a term that her students are unfamiliar with, she expects them to use Google to gather information to get a better understanding. The students are responsible for completing assignments and being able to teach the lessons to their classmates. This method allows the student to gain an understanding of the material being presented to the class and discuss it in a way the class will understand. Allowing the students to use technology to their advantage gives them the skills to strive to become better learners. This video provided a great insight of burback information helps the students become more knowledgeable about technology.

Flipping the Classroom

Upon watching the video Flipping the Classroom I had no knowledge on this strategy. I think this approach will be very useful in my future classroom. As a teacher I will be able to create strategies for all types of learners. This approach allows the students to work at their own pace or work ahead when mastered the material. I can imagine teachers being overwhelmed with not enough time for effective differentiation within the classroom. Allowing the students to creatively use technology at school and home brings learning to new level. Students are able to obtain background knowledge on the material and even provide discussions around the material. I think with this approach it will allow all students to become engaged and challenged.

Blog Assignment #1

Upon entering EDM 310 I heard a lot of negative comments. The comments consisted of: the class is time consuming and it's hard and you may want to take that class by itself. Others stated that they hated the class and they were glad that it was over and wished me the best of luck this semester. I think the workload is demanding in this class but once I get in the routine of what's expected of me in the class and ask questions then the class should be very informative.

The only fear I have with EDM 310 is not fully understanding the tools that will be used with completing the daily tasks that are assigned to the class. I also dread if I'm unsure of an assignment and ask for help and I get ignored.

EDM 310 compared to other courses taken in my past semesters is definitely different, an eye opener. In EDM you have to be organized daily, the same amount of time in class is valuable. The information you gather in class will help you to prepare you for the next assignment being given to help further your studies. The technology part of this course is also a big attribute in the field of education. EMD 310 will provide ways to use technology to engage other individuals on learning new material, allow the students to reflect on the information learned at the end of the course. Other courses are somewhat similar to EDM 310 due to usage of computers and studying the material to pass the course.

The most difficult thing that I will encounter while in EDM 310 is balance with my school and work load. If I keep things organized and done on time I should be able to succeed in this class. The best way for me to address the difficult aspect of EMD 310 is staying positive and push myself to do the best I can no matter how hard the class may seem. I don't have any questions for this class, but I am eager to learn ways to incorporate the knowledge taught in this class and to share with others.

Test Post

test

Practice Post

My name is Ryan Knight. I’m 28 years old, the oldest of my six siblings. I was born in Mobile, AL and mainly raised in Birmingham, AL after I graduated from middle school. In Birmingham I attended Jefferson State Community College, majoring in Elementary Education and working at a daycare center called Patty Cake Academy. After completion of the Junior college I took a break in completing my education due to family issues causing me to further put my education I hold. I moved back to Mobile two years ago due to me getting ill. I'm currently a Junior at South Alabama continuing my studies in Elementary Education while working as a part-time teller at Wells Fargo. My family members are CHARACTERS; there is never a dull moment in our house. I have two brothers (DeMarcus and Jaleel) and three sisters (Jesslyn, Jessica and Auriel). Momentarily I live with my mother who I adore, a great role model in my life who always reminds me to stay humble and true to myself.

The main reason I entered the field of education is my family and the fact that I love to be around children. Majority of my family members are educators. My grandmother was a teacher and aunt is currently a principal at W. B. Robbins Elementary School. The guidance and continuance to further my education from the educators in the family pushed me to become a great role model in other children of various walks of life.

As a student at South Alabama I rarely have any free time but outside of working and school I enjoy surfing the internet on the latest fashion trends and shopping (my addiction). I love to mix and match different prints and try to set “new” trends. I’ve always been told I have a special gift in styling but I’m still trying to figure out if I should pursue some of my energy in that field or not. I want to get better at not letting stressful situations get me down, sometimes I become so overwhelmed that I get to myself and don't want to be bothered. I'm learning now that if I take it one day at a time and plan ahead things will work out, if not then as long as I tried my best then that's all that matters. One interesting fact about me is that I once modeled for Project Runways designer Ken Lawrence in Birmingham.

My Test Post

This is my First Post. I clicked the HTML button which I should always do in EMD310. I am now a Blogger!