tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7071036793247021525.comments2023-08-01T08:41:17.439-05:00Scott Embrock's Education BlogAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14651657071237059328noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7071036793247021525.post-4326707567985859932012-09-30T21:47:12.084-05:002012-09-30T21:47:12.084-05:00Danielle-
Thanks for your comments, I will conside...Danielle-<br />Thanks for your comments, I will consider focusing less on the number of projects and look at the quality learning experiences they create for students. The more authentic and real-world I can make the learning, the better. Thanks again!<br /><br />ScottAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14651657071237059328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7071036793247021525.post-76959393332955741592012-09-29T17:10:03.707-05:002012-09-29T17:10:03.707-05:00Scott-
It is interesting to read your posting bec...Scott-<br /><br />It is interesting to read your posting because I am having the opposite problem! I am having trouble finding problem-based learning activities that I can utilize within my curriculum and pacing calendar. On the other hand, I am in full swing of using Edmodo. My letters for parent permission just went home the other day and so far parent responses have been positive. <br /><br />As far as you using problem-based learning activities, it sounds like you are doing a great job! To answer your question, I would not focus on a number. Like you said yourself, it is important that your projects fit within and enhance your curriculum. If you have a lot of ideas for projects that will help your students’ learn the content, then I say do them! If you need a mental-health break from these projects, then take one and get back to it! It is the quality of your projects that matter, not the quantity!<br /><br />Danielle<br />DNadlonekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08831480297560992970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7071036793247021525.post-24892610331356199322012-09-29T12:51:01.833-05:002012-09-29T12:51:01.833-05:00Thanks for the idea and words of encouragement Hol...Thanks for the idea and words of encouragement Holly. I am using Facebook as only one extra method to communicate with parents. Right now, most parent still prefer phone calls for communication but more are starting to use email as well. I had a website last year but with the new Canvas system we have for students we were told by the administration to place everything for students on Canvas. Parents are now just getting links and user names to check their students' Canvas pages so hopefully that will increase both parent inquiry and communication. Thanks for your post!<br /><br />ScottAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14651657071237059328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7071036793247021525.post-84867044386698495902012-09-28T00:34:02.717-05:002012-09-28T00:34:02.717-05:00One way that I communicate with parents and studen...One way that I communicate with parents and students outside of the classroom is through a website. I post information about what we do in class every day, links to videos and simulations, and the occasional photo from a lab. Not only do my students find it helpful for working from home, their parents like being able to stay in the loop and feel like they can help their child stay organized. <br /><br />I have also felt frustrated when attempting to communicate with students and parents using technology. It seems that no matter how well I think I am organizing the information, there is always someone who cannot figure out how to access it. However, you are right that being patient is the best approach. Eventually most of them catch on and find it helpful. Good luck!Hollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13353222963410037515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7071036793247021525.post-16734377616887096182012-09-23T20:56:38.275-05:002012-09-23T20:56:38.275-05:00Kerris-
Thank you so much for resources and commen...Kerris-<br />Thank you so much for resources and comments. As I have been looking around, it seems several people are starting to use Edmodo. Because of this, I think I will research it and maybe give it a try. This could easily replace the Facebook option that I use. Thanks again!<br /><br />ScottAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14651657071237059328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7071036793247021525.post-71142851843556030862012-09-23T20:54:36.170-05:002012-09-23T20:54:36.170-05:00Debbie-
Thank you for the kind comments, I appreci...Debbie-<br />Thank you for the kind comments, I appreciate it. The Canvas LMS is a software that is out on the "cloud" which means students can access it any place and any time. The company also has an application for it for iPad and iPhones so some of my students have it on their phones too. Basically, Canvas is set up for collaboration and learning with students. It combines the best of a wiki along with the capability to create assignments, quizzes, discussions, and much more. It is similiar to Blackboard, which was one of the candidates for our district upgrade. I get messages from students often about assignments, homework help, and missing work. It is nice for students who miss a day because they can message me and I can send them what we did for the day so they do not fall behind (for the ambitious students at least!). The biggest drawback is that the website will not always work when an internet network is having issues. I was on the committee to select it and it far surpassed any other options, including our lovely Blackboard. Hope this helps, Debbie. <br /><br />Scott<br /><br />You can look at the Canvas site and a demo here:<br />http://www.instructure.com/<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14651657071237059328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7071036793247021525.post-6342617438916153492012-09-23T10:39:02.596-05:002012-09-23T10:39:02.596-05:00Scott,
Your ideas for implementing authentic real...Scott, <br />Your ideas for implementing authentic real-world lessons involving technology, sounds awesome. Students tend to get a better understanding of skills and content when it is project based and they have to produce an artifact, so way to go on these projects. With them being able to contact experts for information is also a plus. Your projects will be beneficial to your students as they will need these skills to survive in the real world. <br /><br />Since our district does not allow Facebook, most of our parents sign up for our listserv, or for each individual teacher's webpage/Edmodo. I myself will easily call or send an email message if needs be. A few semester back one of our professor would send us messages via text. It did not display our number or hers. I cannot recall who we used but it was awesome, she was able to send us reminders, and we were able to send her direct messages, if we had questions. I could not recall the name of the one she used, however here are a few which I researched, and think they might be of some assistance to you:<br />1. Kikutext: http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2012/03/kikutext-keep-parents-updated-about.html#.UF8na41lSSo<br />2. ClassParrot: http://classparrot.com/ <br />3. ClassPager: https://www.classpager.com/<br />4. gText: http://www.gtext.com/<br />5. SendHub: https://www.sendhub.com/<br />6. Remind101: http://remind101.com/<br />7. We Txt: http://www.wetxt.com/<br /><br />Great Post<br />KerrisKsatchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18153862985995638076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7071036793247021525.post-4755084428323631522012-09-23T09:06:13.891-05:002012-09-23T09:06:13.891-05:00Scott,
I have seen your work with technology throu...Scott,<br />I have seen your work with technology throughout our classes together. I know that you will be successful in your GAME plan. You have excellent ideas on projects for your students’ to produce and have an innate ability with the infusion of technology. You mention that your district now has the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS), what is this system? How is it used? What are the benefits? What are the detractors?<br />Debbie<br />Mrs. Carchidihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06332353260675567128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7071036793247021525.post-82972341010190126882012-09-16T21:08:16.173-05:002012-09-16T21:08:16.173-05:00Mark-
I like the E-page Teacher idea, I will look ...Mark-<br />I like the E-page Teacher idea, I will look into using that for sure. I also like the Facebook page I have but the only drawback it that not as many parents have an account as I would like. Therefore, the E-page idea would be another great tool to add for increased communication. Do you need a smart phone for the E-page Teacher to work? Thanks for the idea!<br />ScottAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14651657071237059328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7071036793247021525.post-80177961205715983142012-09-16T21:04:38.078-05:002012-09-16T21:04:38.078-05:00Holly-
There are amazing possibilities with the ne...Holly-<br />There are amazing possibilities with the new LMS systems that are available today. Although our gradebook and attendance are not officially linked with Canvas (our LMS) as of yet, in the next few years it will be connected for the ease of student, parent, and teacher use. Canvas allows a gradebook but it is not linked with the district grade and attendance manager software yet but the other possibilities with Canvas seem almost limitless, including discussions, assignments, quizzes, and even a Smart Grade toolbox function that will allow rubrics to imported for easy grading and instant feedback to students. Because it is new I am still learning a lot of the functions but it has amazing potential. Thanks for your feeback!<br />ScottAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14651657071237059328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7071036793247021525.post-46184730268289075552012-09-16T21:00:07.251-05:002012-09-16T21:00:07.251-05:00Danielle-
Thanks for the advice, especially the Go...Danielle-<br />Thanks for the advice, especially the Google Voice idea. I think I will start working on that process now so I can get it up and running. The LMS system we have at our school allows synchronization with other sites like Facebook and Google Docs so I have then all flowing together. Parents can get updates via Facebook and still know what is going on in the classroom too. Thanks for your advice, I will take it all into consideration!<br />ScottAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14651657071237059328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7071036793247021525.post-4456553167591798032012-09-16T20:55:30.080-05:002012-09-16T20:55:30.080-05:00Sandra-
The budget project is collaborative becaus...Sandra-<br />The budget project is collaborative because students have to pretend they are married and are planning a budget as a family with children. They get some class work time but the rest is done outside of class so they are, for lack of a better term, forced to communicate and collaborate. Most students use email or Facebook chat to do this but others have used small, short collaborative wikis as well. I agree that technology integration is the next step but if we as teachers try to do too much too fast we will end up in a tail spin. Thanks for your comments!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14651657071237059328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7071036793247021525.post-59448731229084690082012-09-16T09:12:55.029-05:002012-09-16T09:12:55.029-05:00Scott,
I find the Facebook idea that you are goin...Scott,<br /><br />I find the Facebook idea that you are going to implement in your curriculum a very fascinating idea. The idea of being able to be constantly in communication with the parents will not only help to monitor the activity on the social media website, but with also help the progress of your students. There is another great tool that you could use in your classroom that would help you accomplish your GAME plan and it is called E-page Teacher. The tool allows you to collect the cell-phone numbers from all of your students and parents and you are able to send them text at one time. This way parents will know what is to be expected in your classroom on a day to day basis. This tool was not easy to implement a few years ago, but with some many people moving to iPhones and data plans almost every student in your class has access to text messaging. Great GAME plan.Mark Rabbitthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04182413770827490093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7071036793247021525.post-42275710056626778152012-09-16T00:15:06.827-05:002012-09-16T00:15:06.827-05:00Our district also just adopted a new Learning Mana...Our district also just adopted a new Learning Management System and I am so excited about the new possibilities. I have transitioned my classroom website to the system and now it is more secure because students must log in to access the information. I can send announcements that pop up when students log in, which will give me a new way to communicate with them outside of class. I can also create discussion boards and even assessments using the new system. Now I wish I had focused my own GAME plan more on what I plan to do with this technology! I would be interested to hear more about the system you are using and what new opportunities you have in addition to the improved communication you described. Excellent goals and plan. Hollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13353222963410037515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7071036793247021525.post-56556777229863571822012-09-15T16:59:32.126-05:002012-09-15T16:59:32.126-05:00Scott,
Your GAME plan seems sound and solid. Whi...Scott, <br /><br />Your GAME plan seems sound and solid. While I have implemented technology, it has been very content specific. Last year I was teaching science and used simulations and other technologies to enhance student learning. Now that I am teaching math, I am back to the drawing board. I would recommend doing Internet searches for ideas on how to incorporate technology into your specific content. <br /><br />As for communication strategies to use, I think you are doing great. I know you already give out your cell phone number to parents and students, but a suggestion would be to use Google Voice. Google Voice allows you to sync your cell phone number to a Google Voice number. So maybe next year, when you give our your number, you can still have some privacy. I am not sure if your LMS system your school uses includes a classroom website, but that would be another form of communication you could look into. Facebook is a great way to communicate updates and pictures of what is happening in the classroom, but a classroom website would allow you to post assignment due dates and descriptions along with links to resources. You could even post on Facebook when you have uploaded project information so parents and students would be aware the information is available outside of school. <br /><br />Danielle<br />DNadlonekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08831480297560992970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7071036793247021525.post-60996822474816193512012-09-13T23:31:52.950-05:002012-09-13T23:31:52.950-05:00Scott,
I applaud your effort to incorporate projec...Scott,<br />I applaud your effort to incorporate project-based activities into your classroom. Integrating technology into the mix is the next logical step. The budget project that you described incorporates authentic tasks with real world applications and is both technologically sound and project-based. The most difficult aspect of a project such as this would be the collaborative piece. In what stages of the project do you see your students working collaboratively? (Google Docs has some interesting possibilities for comparing results at the end of the project.)<br />Looking at the second part of your plan to improve parent-teacher-student communication, I like the idea of creating a Facebook account strictly for the classroom. This is a medium that almost everyone is familiar with and has interactive capabilities. (I especially liked the inclusion of the parent permission slips in this forum.) The additional benefit of this is the auto tracking of your posts and comments from the students and parents. <br />As for technologically enhanced projects, posters have now become either PowerPoints (or thanks to Walden) Voicethreads. Concept mapping software has proven to increase both the organization and motivational levels of my students when putting together flip books on topics such as the Civil War. I am still in the process of developing and honing technology into other projects that I have my students do. Hopefully this helps.<br />Sandra Dotyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06238762701957787430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7071036793247021525.post-52426765507080517612012-04-01T22:44:28.987-05:002012-04-01T22:44:28.987-05:00Sandra- I think that as education becomes more an...Sandra- I think that as education becomes more and more technology focused, more time and energy will be given in training teachers to use the technology properly. We are already learning so much in this program but imagine the transformation if even more teachers bought into the idea of technology integration and truly used it properly in their classrooms. I think that VoiceThread has miles of potential and if teachers can start with one or two new technologies at a time, then they can keep building their technology "toolbox" and increase student engagement even more.<br /><br />ScottAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14651657071237059328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7071036793247021525.post-15978847676640248202012-04-01T22:40:05.249-05:002012-04-01T22:40:05.249-05:00Liana-
To be honest, when I first started teachin...Liana-<br /><br />To be honest, when I first started teaching Economics four years ago I thought I had very little experience with the subject other than the college courses I took. The more I taught the concepts and ideas behind Economics, I realized I was learning so much more than I ever imagined and now I keep trying to learn more so that I can improve my teaching to benefit my students. I too think that if we are to create life long learners, we need to teach skills along with content that will help students become the future leaders of tomorrow.<br /><br />ScottAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14651657071237059328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7071036793247021525.post-79676337412831467262012-04-01T22:35:23.337-05:002012-04-01T22:35:23.337-05:00Alisha- I would love to try to create my own webq...Alisha- I would love to try to create my own webquests but I have not thus far. I usually use others created by teachers but I think that it is a good idea to create your own webquests because it will have more meaning for the students knowing you created the webquest and you are now facilitating it.<br />ScottAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14651657071237059328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7071036793247021525.post-71810680082399382822012-04-01T21:55:53.178-05:002012-04-01T21:55:53.178-05:00Scott
I agree wholeheartedly that technology enha...Scott<br /><br />I agree wholeheartedly that technology enhances the educational experience, and it certainly brings a new aspect to cooperative learning. When you use webquests, do you create your own or use some that are already made?<br /><br />AlishaMrs. Claypoolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13894072621209882113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7071036793247021525.post-41013064372246208752012-04-01T21:36:14.601-05:002012-04-01T21:36:14.601-05:00Scott,
Though cooperative learning has been going...Scott,<br /><br />Though cooperative learning has been going on for decades, I agree that new technology makes the experience more powerful and enhances the effectiveness. Technology gives teachers and students the means to experience cooperative learning outside of the classroom. Students are more likelt to become lifelong learners we can that can make associations to things they find important, like peers and socializing.<br />I also agree that students learn more through teaching others. As a teacher, I have come to the realization that I understand the way math works now that I teach it. It was always easy for me and I got good grades in class, but now I REALLY understand the many connections. <br />Thanks for sharing the pictures :)<br /><br />LianaLiana Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10172106573428993584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7071036793247021525.post-47108693355147753282012-04-01T00:47:40.861-05:002012-04-01T00:47:40.861-05:00Web 2.0 and some of the other enhancements (techno...Web 2.0 and some of the other enhancements (technologically speaking) have come a long way in supporting collaborative learning. I will admit to not being familiar with all of the programs and software that you mentioned but agree that webquests are a powerful tool for both teachers and students. Anytime we can have students critically think their way through an inquiry, whether individually or collaboratively, then we are preparing our students for a lifetime of learning potential.Sandra Dotyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06238762701957787430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7071036793247021525.post-32937137452685669042012-03-25T22:05:35.130-05:002012-03-25T22:05:35.130-05:00Ah yes, I remember the same kinds of teachers in S...Ah yes, I remember the same kinds of teachers in Social Studies growing up as well. I tended to listen more to them because I enjoyed the subject, but looking back I understand why so many other classmates did not pay attention as much. I think it sounds like an awesome experience you had with your government teacher, talk about some real experiential learning. Thomas Carlyle (Investopedia, 2012) called Economics the dismal science and I try very hard to make Economics as exciting and engaging as possible. Letting students learn about Economics in their own unique way, such as the stock market project and a budgeting project, can help them understand the context in which they will ever use the "dismal science" in their lifetime. <br /><br />Scott<br /><br /> Resources<br />Investopedia ULC. (2012, March 23). Dismal science. Retrieved from http://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/dismalscience.asp#axzz1qBiOaT4BAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14651657071237059328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7071036793247021525.post-60747436416033006022012-03-25T21:52:03.593-05:002012-03-25T21:52:03.593-05:00Sandra-
Students do have the chance to trade outsi...Sandra-<br />Students do have the chance to trade outside of the classroom but the game is set up so that it follows the trading hours of the New York Stock Exchange, so active trading is really done at 3:30pm. All other transactions after hours roll over to the next trading day. When I first started the project 4 years ago, students did not like it much because it was all paper based and they had to research so much in newspapers and magazines. Now that we have internet stock simulations, it leaves students more time to decide how to spend their virtual money and focus on the paramaters of the project, which includes weekly updates each Monday and a final analysis. Yes, students love the game because it is engaging and also a competition but I make sure they do not lose sight of the true learning goals.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14651657071237059328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7071036793247021525.post-243708230409380962012-03-25T20:50:10.924-05:002012-03-25T20:50:10.924-05:00Scott,
Aha! I remember the stock market game in hi...Scott,<br />Aha! I remember the stock market game in high school. I failed miserably, and it made me wary of the stock market! I do agree that simulations are beneficial for our students, even if they are virtually created simulations. Everyone has to start somewhere safe, and what a better place than school! I will admit, I remember little of my Social Studies classes in high school apart from lectures and boring notes. There was one teacher that made the experience amazing - my government teacher decided to run for a public office, so we all got the experience of learning the steps he went through, learned how to work the polls, and it was our year to vote for the first time, so he encouraged us to practice our right, not to vote for him, but to vote because we're Americans. It's an experience I have never forgotten.Mrs. Claypoolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13894072621209882113noreply@blogger.com