Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Blog Post 1

1.Who is Krissy Venosdale?
Krissy Venosdale is a extremely creative, open minded, and artistic individual. Her blog shows he is a gifted educator who has many amazing ideas to make schools a more enjoyable place for students to learn that would open the way education and teaching is viewed. She wants to give students the freedom to make their own choices when it comes to learning. She believes in this type of environment they should not be made to do homework but she wants them to want to do it on their own. She wants a bright and colorful environment for learning and for students to witness and work first hand to learn rather then learn only in a classroom through a textbook. She also welcomes any type of technology into the learning environment and encourages students to make their own decisions when technology is to be used. I think educators and future educators could make changes in the classroom from the way she sees the learning environment.

2.Who is Sugata Mitra?
In the video Sugata Mitra is from India and teaches in England and he has a wish for children and learning. He did a experiment called "Hole in the Wall" where he put a computer in a wall in areas where children had trouble speaking the English language. After putting the computer in the wall he would leave it and each time when he returned the children had taught each other how to browse the computer and learn new things and how to speak English more clearly. He believes with encouragement and the right technology children can teach themselves if given the chance to do so. He believes the current way students learn is outdated and obsolete. He believes we do not need it anymore. Sugata Mitra says in the video Sugata Mitra: Build a School in the Cloud, "Learning is the product of self organization. If you allow the education process to self organize then learning emerges. Its not about making learning happen, but letting it happen." He inspires everyone to utilize Self Organized Learning Environments (SOLE).

3.My Dream School/Classroom
My dream school is colorful and creative elementary level school. It has smartboards and computers and is a fun but effective learning environment for the 3rd grade students I teach.
What do I want my students to know?
I want my students to know the core objectives needed for their ages and grade level but I also want them to have the opportunity to learn things that interest them also such as a sport or instrument. I want them to know math, social studies, reading, english and science as elementary students are required to learn now, but I want to teach those required subjects in a way that students find exciting and that they could relate to.
What do I want my students to be able to do?
I want my students to be able to work both individually and with groups. I want them also to be able to help each other learn new concepts and to teach each other new things. They can learn some things on their own and then share them with the rest of the class.
What will my primary way of teaching my students what I want them to know and do be?
My primary ways of teaching my students will be by using examples and visuals.
What tools will I use in my classroom?
I will utilize technology with my students such as smartboards, ipads, and computers if they are made available. I will use visuals and give examples of the material being taught.
What roles will students play in my classroom?
I want my students to all be treated equal and work as a group or as partners when asked. They will take turns helping pass out papers or any extra help that I may need. There will be no "teachers pets". They will raise their hand when they want to ask or answer a question. They will be respectful to others and not talk when other students or myself is speaking. They will participate both in groups and individually.

4.What is time management?
Utilizing a planner is an effective time management technique that I find would help me. Writing down everything that was due and everything that I had to have done or do would help me manage my time better. That way I could visually see how much time I have to do the tasks and assignments I need to complete.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Who am I? Why do I want to be an educator? What are my passions?

My name is Kaitlyn Parker. I am 20 years old but will be 21 years old in August. I grew up in Ocean Springs, MS and graduated in 2010 from Ocean Springs High School. I took dance classes for 10 years and also did competition dancing for my dance studio. I was also on the Ocean Springs High School dance team. I did ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, and lyrical styles of dancing.I was raised by my father and grew up with only him. I loved living by the beach and enjoyed it quite frequently. I have the cutest and sweetest pomeranian. She is the best gift I have ever received. I decided to go to the University of South Alabama for elementary education because it is only one hour from home and I am also able to still receive in state tuition prices even though I am from Mississippi.I took one year at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College right out of high school and then transferred to South Alabama. Fall will begin my third year at South Alabama. I am hoping to start candidacy in spring 2014. I want to enter the field of education because I have always enjoyed being around children and helping them learn new things. Dancing and children are my passions. Dancing helps me to release stress and children bring joy and laughter to others.

My Test Post Title

This is my first post. I clicked the HTML button which I should always do in EDM 310. I am now a blogger!