Friday, May 29, 2015

Blog Assignment #2

21st century skills
                         "Mr. Dancealot"
 I felt the central message of the video is to address what it takes to be a good, effective teacher, and to point out that there are teachers who do not teach effectively. The author makes a valid point when in conclusion the professor asks the students to test and show their skills and knowledge regarding dance. His ineffective teaching is proven when all students are confused and unsure of what to do during the test. I do not agree with the teacher. I do not agree with the teacher who teaches them ineffectively and then expects them to know what to do, but I do agree that the central message was proven correct from watching the movie.
                               
                                       "Teaching in the 21st century"
 Outline
 I. 21st century teaching
    A. Students
        1.access to technology
        2.social media
        3.learn anything online, no teachers needed
    B. Engage
        1. Teach students skills, how to correctly and effectively use technology
        2. Use it as a tool, and learn together
   
 I think that Mr. Robert's believes that teaching in the 21st century is exciting, resourceful, and can be engaging. I think it is a little scary the way technology changes all the rules, especially at my age where I see my children use the tools better than I can. I think as an educator I will need to learn everyday alongside my students, and together with the use of technology we can have endless opportunities.
                                           
                                                      "Networked Students"
 In the networked student video, it is true that students have any and all information at their fingertips. I think it is great that students have the access and resources to help them but feel that having a reliable live person (teacher) can help students grow along the way. A person that can be there to encourage them, and support them in all their endeavors.
                                                                                 
                                                                                "Harness your students digital smarts"
baby on computerI agree with Ms. Davis in the video, it is great for students to learn from a hands-on approach. I feel it is the best way for students to retain their knowledge. I also agree that there will be things even the teacher will not know, but students will be able to teach them.

                "Who is ahead in the race?"
 In this video Dr. Strange has compared Elementary Education students to college students, like myself. It is no surprise to me that the results are way ahead for the younger students. The current students and upcoming generations of students have tremendous amounts of access to all the tools that aid in learning. I am the student in college now that is older and we didn't have all the resources available yet. (As in they weren't created yet!) I know I have much to learn, but with my students help and now the technology to figure it out, it will not be an impossible journey.

                                                             "Classroom Flipping"
This is the first time I have heard the term flipping the classroom. It is definitely a new and different concept. I feel that it could be useful in some ways. For instance, if a student is absent or needs remediation. In the area I live and hope to soon teach in, I'm not certain all students and parents would participate. I don't particularly love this new form of teaching, I think that one-on-one personal time with a student is so important, but I guess it is a new way of providing instruction.

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Blog Assignment #1

What About EDM 310?
I have heard all kinds of scary things about EDM 310. Things like it will take all of your time, and the work is difficult. Well, all of that made me very nervous. As I have previously said in my practice blog, I am a mother of two and extra time is not something I get much of. I have to be very organized and stay on task at all times. My greatest fear is that I will not understand some of the assignments. I am a person who needs assignments clear and detailed. I am also an overachiever and like my computer and all my work to be clean and organized. Messy isn't acceptable for me. So far all of the classes I have taken at South Alabama have been very different than my other schools. At South we must know how or learn how to do most everything on our own. The small schools I have previously attended were like a helpful community. We are very fortunate to have lab assistants and a teacher that is willing to answer the phone for this class just incase I need my clear instructions.
apple macbook

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Practice Blog Post

Amber Nelson
Practice Blog Post
Outline and Paragraphs

I.               Amber Nelson
a.     About me
                                               i.     Baldwin County/ Summerdale
                                             ii.     Mother of two
                                            iii.     Substitute teacher/volunteer
                                            iv.     Husband
b.     Interest
                                               i.     Music
                                             ii.     Photography
                                            iii.     Antiques/ old houses
                                            iv.     Line dancing and spending time with family
c.     School
                                               i.     Faulkner State Community College
                                             ii.     Junior at South Alabama/ Elementary Ed
                                            iii.     10 years, ready to begin working
II.             Educator
a.     Why?
                                               i.     Love children
                                             ii.     Help children
                                            iii.     Provide opportunities
                                            iv.     Ready for life
b.     Work
                                               i.     Skills/ academics
                                             ii.     Technology
                                            iii.     Instructions
                                            iv.     Build confidence, provide opportunities
                                             v.     Find strengths of different students
III.           Other facts
a.     Passions
                                               i.     My own children, family
                                             ii.     Helping others
                                            iii.     Be the best
b.     Do best and do better
                                               i.     Helping wherever needed
                                             ii.     Taking care of family and friends
                                            iii.     Organized
                                            iv.     I stress best, but need to try and not worry and stress!

My name is Amber Nelson, and I am a junior at the University of South Alabama.  I live in Summerdale, Alabama, which is located in Baldwin County.  I am a wife and a mother of two.  My children are four and six years old.  Along with my schoolwork, I stay very busy taking care of my family.  I enjoy taking care of them and others around me.  I feel that if I have helped others, I am doing what I need to do to be happy.  I have always considered myself a hard worker, with very good organizational skills.  I always try my best on every task I take on.  Having children puts things in a very different perspective, and parents must find time and take organization very serious.  I often worry and stress too much. That is something I would like to improve on.  I enjoy anything that involves music and dance, especially line dancing.  My family and I will get together just to learn new line dances.  I also enjoy taking and looking at photos, I think that our land is beautiful.  Seeing nature and all of its beauty adds peace and calming to my life.  I also love antiques and touring old homes, it is amazing what people can create when they put skill and time into it.

I started college in 2005 at Faulkner State Community College, seeking a degree in Agriscience Education.  A year in, my life took a different turn, I married and had my two beautiful children.  I am happy and sad for the time I took off.  Sad that I am still not finished with my studies, but happy that my life plan changed and steered me toward a new goal that has a deeper meaning to me.  I started back at Faulkner in the summer of 2014 majoring in Elementary Education.  I received an Associate Degree and transferred to South in the spring of 2015.   By the time I graduate I plan to be certified in K-6 Elementary Education and Early Childhood.  I am extremely ready to be done with school, and be out in the field that I love.  Teaching is something I have always wanted to do.  I love school and think it is very important to provide endless opportunities to all children.  Teaching isn’t just about the academics you instill in students, but also about the life skills you teach them.  It is important that children grow academically, but also that they grow socially, emotionally, and are able to function in everyday society. I strive to be the teacher that provides the best of everything I can to my students, in hopes that they will live the best life possible.
           








Tuesday, May 26, 2015