Monday, March 14, 2016

Assistive Technology

For information on Assistive Technology please see the following slide show. In this slide show you will find information on how to adapt lessons to meet the needs of your learners who may have special needs or be academically gifted. 



Monday, February 15, 2016

Digital Literacy: What You Need to Know


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In a world today where everyone is so connected to everything, it's hard sometimes to figure out what to use, how to use it, and if we are using it the correct way. Being digitally literate is so important this day in age. 

What is Digital Literacy?
Digitally literate people are able to “use technology strategically to find and evaluate information, connect and collaborate with others, produce and share original content, and use the internet tools to achieve many academic, professional, and personal goals” (Crowley).


When students are able to work in a digital world, they are able to have information in a second at their fingertips. When students are not involved in a digital world, they will be behind and only have access to the information given to them. Digital Literacy gives students access to information around the world. 

How to Use it In the Classroom
Digital literacy is important for children because if they have that knowledge, then students will be able to utilize that knowledge and use different forms of technology. Using popular social media in an educational light- teachers having a classroom account and using it as a way to communicate during the school day and beyond.  For example: creating an Instagram of what a person from history's page might would look like. 


Check out this article on Digital Literacy here.

What is a Copyright?

en.wikipedia.org
To me, copyright means that you have reserved the right to whatever piece of authentic material you have made and no one else has the right to steal it unless you give them permission. 

It's so important to make sure students are aware of copyright laws, and are equipped with the tools they need to cite a source. Teachers should teach their students about copyright because students need to understand the importance of plagiarism and how they can’t just copy and paste information since it belongs to another person. For older students, plagiarism means that they must cite their sources or else they’ll pay severe consequences and fail that assignment and even the class.
Take a look at this video on Copyright Laws.


Resources

Crowly, B. (n.d.). What Digital Literacy Looks Like in a Classroom. Retrieved February 08, 2016, from http://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2014/10/29/ctq_crowley_digitalliteracy.htm

Pennington, M. (2014, December 24). Tips to Help Your Child Avoid Plagiarism. Retrieved February 08, 2016, from https://www.noodle.com/articles/tips-to-help-your-child-avoid-plagiarism 

US Digital Literacy. (2015). Retrieved February 08, 2016, from http://digitalliteracy.us/

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

PBL and IBL: Advantages and Uses in the Classroom




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As future teachers, we are constantly searching for new information to store in our tool belt to use for our future classrooms. Get your tool belt ready, here's two new instructional tools to use.

Two types of instruction that will be discussed in this post are: Project Based Learning and Inquiry Based Learning.


What is Project Based Learning?

Project based learning is a classroom approach where students are explore real world problems by investigating and being engaged in the material. The students are presented with a question, problem or challenge and then respond to it through research and investigation. 

www.buncombe.k12.nc.us
The Advantages
Students are using hands on materials.
• The students are more engaged than with direct instruction.
• Students are challenged by working through a project to become more knowledgable about a subject.
• The students are given a chance to make choices, which makes them feel like they have a voice.

When a student is challenged and successful using a Project Based Learning approach, they are better equipped to apply what they have learned in a different situation. They become all around more knowledgable about a subject, and develop higher order thinking skills. Students will feel accomplished and have more confidence in themselves and future work. Instead of giving notes and just being told about a place or thing, students are learning about that specific place or thing by building it, researching it, investigating it, and becoming a part of it

How to use it in the Classroom
Using a budget of $10,000, students will create their dream vacation. This activity will require them to do internet research, allocate resources, calculate the cost of the trip, convert costs and learn the geography of a new area. This will incorporate Math, ELA, and Social Studies into one project.
See this activity and many more here.

Below is a video that can give you more insight into PBL.



What is Inquiry Based Learning?
The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines inquiry as: "the act of asking questions in order to gather or collect information."
Inquiry based learning starts off with posing questions to the students. The students then use these questions as a basis for their research. Inquiry based learning is not just asking questions, but it is a way of converting data and information into useful knowledge. 

The Advantages

Students can easily make connections between the curriculum.
• IBL aids students in developing useful problem solving skills.
• Students develop skills in analyzing data and information.
• Students can draw conclusions easier with practice.

When students become familiar with Inquiry Based Learning, they will transfer what knowledge they learned from the question-based research and apply it in the classroom and in life. When all subjects are intertwined, students develop a more concrete foundation to build upon in the future.

How to use it in the Classroom

If a class is studying about ecosystems and the food chain, a field trip to a local river or creek would be a good way for them to get firsthand involvement with that subject. Students could be assigned different areas and asked to take samples and record observations. In this type of setting students are emerged in the environment and with the creatures they are learning about. They are making discoveries and getting hands on experiences with organisms they may have never come in contact with otherwise. Students will be able to more successfully recall this information later in life because they have used all 5 senses to gather information and develop understanding.

Watch this video on the steps of IBL for further information!


Technology in IBL and PBL
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Teachers, take advantage of technology! Use smart boards, iPads, computers, online simulations, spread sheets and data modeling to get your students engaged in the material. Use these materials to enhance your lessons.


I hope that you have gained some new tools for your tool belt and use PBL and IBL in your classrooms. Start small, and work your way up. You won't regret it, and your students will thank you for it.

Resources
Inquiry-based Learning: Explanation. (2004). Retrieved February 03, 2016, from http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/inquiry/

What is Project Based Learning (PBL)? (n.d.). Retrieved February 03, 2016, from     http://bie.org/about/what_pbl 

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Just a Small Town Girl



Hi!!

My name is Casey Herring and I am from a small town in Greene County named Hookerton. I come from a small family and I am an only child. Since my Dad died in October of 2014, it's just me and my mom. She is truly my best friend. Since he died suddenly, that has really changed my life. I try to live every day now telling the people I love that I love them, while I have the chance. I have been with my boyfriend for five years now, and he is my rock! I have a strong group of friends that I've had since elementary school, and new friends that I've made while in college.

I am a Junior Elementary Education Major with a concentration in Reading at East Carolina University. At ECU, I am a Maynard Scholar, Apple Ambassador, and the Membership Chair of Kappa Delta Pi Education Honors Society. When I'm not in school, you can usually find me either snuggled up with a good book, outside, hanging with friends, or binge watching Netflix. I am obsessed with children's books, and love getting them any chance I can. I listen to every type of music, but I really love old and new country, rap, and Christian. 




I have always known I've wanted to be a teacher and I would teach my baby dolls what I learned at school the day before. I have a passion for learning, teaching, inspiring, and helping. I have a love for changing lives, for changing negative mindsets into positive ones, and for giving others a passion for learning. I really love working with at risk kids, and would love to do that for a part of my teaching career. I eventually want to move into administration, and plan to stay in Eastern NC.  I can't wait to graduate and start teaching!

You can find me on Facebook! Just Click Here.

Here is a video that makes my heart smile!



"Laugh when you can, apologize when you should, and let go of what you can't change. Love deeply, forgive quickly, take chances, give everything, and have no regrets."