Blogs for All

Blogs are a way for anyone to take on the role of reporter and publisher of the news and how they interpret it.  Whether this news is about things they are interested in or hobbies that they want to share with others.  It is your own unique outlook on the world around you.  There are many features on blog that allow you to not only share this new with others but also read other blogs,comment on other blogs, and link blogs together.  The power of media is at your fingertips.  As an educator our goal is to keep our students engaged and excited about learning.  By teacher our students to blog and allowing them to do so in the classroom, we will be encouraging empowerment, interaction, motivation, participation, creativity, reflection, we will be extending the walls of our classroom to the world wide web.  The students will have access to the Internet 24/7 is they desire.  Some educational blog sites I found and bookmarked for my own personal use are:  edublogs.org, www.blogtopsites.com/tag/education, and www.schoolrack.com.  Blogging allows for children to participate in intercultural exchanges because there is no limit to who they interact with and gives them the opportunity to learn first hand from people of other cultures. 

Internet Resources

 While exploring EmergingEdTech's 2013 Free Education Technology Resources eBook,  I found many helpful topics that I found intriguing.  In chapter 2, I was interested to learn more about Google Drive and how I may used this tool as a teacher.  I was first introduced to Google Drive this semester by my Technology Apps For Teacher Professor and so far I'm finding it very convenient and easy to use.  In chapter 4, Educational Games and Gamification, I read about 7 Free Online Educational Sites because it helps the teacher determine whether the sourse they are using helps meet the requirements of a truly educational purpose. This is a great way to get the attention of your students, what is better to do that than combining gaming with learning.  A win, win situation.   I am constantly looking for Apps that can be used for educational purposes, especially in the math subject.  You can find more information on where to find Apps in my notes.  Chapter 7, iPads in Education, There are 15 Apps selected by teachers, this is useful in finding your own to use in your classroom.  In Chapter 15, Other Topics & Resources, 7 Online Resources For Funding Grants For Educators will help locate websites to utilize grants that are available and will no doubt be useful. 

IBL/PBL+Unit Plan

Inquiry-based learning involves seeking information by asking questions. Traditional ways of teaching required memorization and repetition of expected answers.  Facts change, so it is important to learn how to produce appropriate resolutions. Inquiry-based learning encourages the “need or want to know”.  Project-based learning is an approach to teaching that encourages students to explore real-world problems and challenges.  In my unit plan, I chose Science and Math as two of my three subject areas because I feel that our educational system needs help finding ways to get our students more interesting in these areas.  Most students may not see the link to Math and Science to their everyday lives and how they will use what they learn in the real world.  Inquiry-based learning and project-based learning will help demonstrate to the students, who then go through the steps themselves.  My unit plan includes the following essential question, "How can you be helpful to your environment?"  My unit question for Math, "What is the difference from a producer and a consumer?", for Science, "How do organisms affect one another?", and for English Language Arts and Reading, "In what ways has our environment changes in the past five years?"