Popplet

In tech class we have been exploring a collection of the many Web 2.0 options for classroom uses. I have always used mind maps to organize my ideas when writing an essay, or as a part of a study sheet of key concepts, so I decided to explore the uses of Popplet.

Popplet is an interactive, creative mind map tool. Popplet allows you to brainstorm ideas, collaborate ideas, and visually represent ideas. Multiple students can work on one Popplet, engaging in one brainstorm and compiling a class full of ideas.

This can be a great tool to co-construct a success criteria, or a diagnostic assessment of a unit. I have created a Popplet which you can see below about other uses in a few classroom subjects.

I created a Popplet about the uses to understand the user ability of the program and simplicity of the program. It offers a tutorial as you create your first mind map and the buttons are clearly displayed about what to and how to do it. All you need is to come up with the ideas for the text!

During my first placement I was teaching persuasive writing. We were writing an essay as whole class at first. In order to organize our ideas we created a mind map to develop topic sentences and the proofs supporting those statements. 

If I were to teach that lesson again, I would use the Popplet tool. I love the collaboration aspect and that multiple students can work on this together. Individuals can create their own Popplet and then add collaborators to add more ideas.

Tying in with my EduBlog; Miss Steward's Gymnasium, I have created a popplet to incorporate my students' learning throughout the unit. This Popplet teaches the skill of collaboration, and team work while reflecting on their classroom learning. Collaboration and teamwork are commonly used skills in Physical Education. This collaborative mind map is to introduce the skill into all aspects of life, rather than merely in an athletic atmosphere.

Legacy

This week the world celebrated the 200th birthday of Charles Dickens. Charles Dickens was born February 7th, 1812 and died June 9th, 1870, 142 years and we're still celebrating the life of this incredible man.

The events and articles commemorating this man's work had me thinking of what it takes to leave behind such a legacy.

The journey of becoming a teacher all began with a dream and desire to make a difference in a child's life, to aid in their success and the betterment of their being. But is this a legacy?

Many conversations of the first week of Teachers College focused around memorable teachers and the role models we had that influenced our decision to become teachers. To us, those role models left an impression of legacy in our lives. They had enough of an influence to shape my life and get me to the place I am today and possibly heading to.

In my International Education class we had a guest speaker talk to us about idealistic visions and holding onto your dreams. This involved creating and leaving behind your own legacy. However, creating your own legacy sounds like a lot of pressure. How do make such an impact? What actually defines a legacy?

Ideally, everyone secretly would love to be famous, and if it was because you had a huge impact on the world like Oprah or Nelson Mandela would be incredible. But is it actually realistic to dream that big?

I live life through an idealistic perspective. I carry dreams with me that are ultimate goals. I have a vision of making a difference. I have a dream of helping people. I have an optimistic view and a heart full of hope and inspiration.

 I believe that anyone who wants to make a difference can, on any scale whether it be large or small. If you wish to make one person smile a day or help a whole population of those in need, the choice is yours. The choice in legacy is yours. The definition of legacy is yours. You make your own legacy. You create your own definition of legacy.

So what is a legacy? Whatever you want it to be. Go out there and make a difference for someone, or many!

Miss Steward's Gymnasium

"They say you never know how much something means until you lose it", but I also believe in "You never know how useful something is until you try it."

This year I took on the new task of blogging. Blogging became a whole new experience, and something I quite enjoy. But on top of this experience, I was then given the task of an EduBlog.

An EduBlog is a blog that carries an educational responsibility. It acts as a resource for students, parents and teachers. A solid form of communication between the classroom, school and community. An interactive, web 2.0 tool for classroom communication both inside and outside the classroom. This process provides more opportunity for student choice, and student, parent and teacher collaboration.

I created a blog to represent my idealistic situation of being a physical education teacher. Throughout my tech class I have been constantly thinking of ways of how to integrate physical education and technology. This EduBlog role play became a source insight to me of how this could be done.

I had some difficulties with this process originally; struggled to think of content and how or what to put on the blog. I found myself taking on a different form of the role play; I took on the position of parent and of student. I thought about as the parent or the student what information would I like to see and what I would like to be informed about. From this, I took on the role of teacher and thought about how I would like to run my classroom - or gymnasium.

Despite the initial struggles, I enjoyed this assignment and resource that I have built. I find this to be an effective pedagogy in keeping everyone aware of what is going on.

Please check out Miss Steward's Gymnasium and provide any feedback or suggestions you may have to improve this resource.

Imagine

As per requirement for Tech class I was to make an Ebook. However, this experience turned into much more than an assignment. It turned into a reflection, an expression and a learning experience.

When first assigned an Ebook I had no idea what to do. I don't consider myself an overly creative writer, but I knew I wanted to use my pictures. This is why I chose song lyrics.

John Lennon's Imagine has always been a favourite of mine, and the lyrics are meaningful to my life philosophy. These are words I live by, and words I explore in my daily endeavours. The words explain choices I have made, career path I have chosen and my desire to teach internationally and explore the world.

In the classroom I can see an assignment being mad similar to this. This Ebook covers art, music and language curriculum. Exploring the lyrics and the moods created by the imagery and the stories that can develop through a single screen capture.

Enjoy and Imagine!

It's a Book

This summer my Mum bought this book as she found it rather amusing given the recent technology shift. Some people carry a fear of the existence or potential lack thereof, of paper books. This book mocks those techies and addiction to the devices.

This video was shown in my english class. It's a trailer of the book - the trailer reads and acts out the book.

A little ironic that a book mocking technology has now integrated technology...

But nonetheless, a cute, entertaining story holding onto the idea of paper books.

Back Channelling for Classroom Discussion

Friday January 27th, 2012 I attended the Brock Technology Showcase. Teacher Candidates, Teachers and Principals all travelled to Brock University, Hamilton Campus in hopes of gaining insight to this new, scary world, known as technology in the classroom.

I attended 3 workshops; Teaching Technology by Microsoft, Web 2.0 in the classroom and Google. All were great (minus showing up to a Microsoft workshop with a Macbook!)

The most engaging of the three was Royan Lee's Web 2.0 in the classroom. He created a chatroom for the day using TodaysMeet.com. A simple tool that requires no account and creates a temporary chat room (will last as long as the teacher requires it). A URL is created and sent out to students.

Royan used TodaysMeet as a source of back channelling. Through this tool he promoted classroom discussion, higher order thinking and questioning. As a guide he used FQR - Facts, Questions and Responses. These three letters guided the discussion and ensured accountable talk. The FQR process was encouraged during all activities of the class.

This chatroom allowed a platform for all students to participate in. Shy and outgoing students become alike and everyone's answers are heard. This then becomes an important tool for assessment. Royan described situations of diagnostic assessment and formative assessment all through questioning and FQR process.

As a participant in the workshop, I found myself more engaged in the story telling because of the constant questioning and discussion taking place on TodaysMeet.

Overall, the Technology Showcase truly was a showcase of all things technology. I was exposed to a variety of tools and technologies all guided towards students. It truly is an exciting time to be a student and to be a teacher facilitating this new paradigm.

New Look

As you may have noticed I've given my blog a new look.

I was playing around with the choices and found the birds. I felt the birds best suited the journey I am on. As they fly, I fly. We are not too sure where the birds are flying, just as we cannot be sure where I am flying to.

Life is full of excitement and opportunities, it's just up to you to choose which opportunities to take.

Through this blog we'll soar together and fly high.