FRIT 7234

My goals were to learn how to use twitter and incorporate in my lessons.  The second goal was to become fluent in blogging and tweeting. I know how to blog and tweet now.  I am not as fluent with twitter as I want to be.  The blogging was easier than the tweeting. I am more familiar with what this course is about.  My goals have changed in not just knowing how to use them, but to understand them and the power they can have.  I want to add PLN  with the blogging and tweeting because it has become a major part of our course and will be helpful in the future. When Carol Dweck ( Mindset Interview ) said that fixed minds are thinking "Am I going to look smart? Am I not going to look smart?" This is me sometimes.  In these online courses, I worry what my classmates will think.  (Everyone that I have contacted and worked with has been very helpful and kind.)   However, I also think I have a growth mindset.  Since I am not digitally...

The two resources that we had this week for our blog were informative, and helped me to start thinking of how I want to make changes in my teaching.  After the year, we take time to reflect and think of what can we do to make next year better. In Grant's article , when the co-captain said the other team was not lining up the way we do drills.  In class, I tell my students that on the EOC test the questions will be worded different, but you will have to solve the same way.  It will be presented in a different way, but that does not mean the students will not know how to do it.  This example Grant gave also reminded of a quarterback that school use to have.  He knew how to adjust to the other team and could run great plays.  There are players that can just do that one play that the coach told him to do. The coach was able to let the quarterback go and run the plays.  Going back to the classroom, I will admit that I struggle letting go. I sometimes do...

I will confess that when I want some quick information or even when I am doing research, I will Google it, at first. With research, however, I will do more digging than accepting the first few websites that come up.  I like to write things down, print items and make notes.  Students do not like taking notes at all.  They would rather use Google because they can just look it up again.  When someone needs information, we will say "Google it."  I remember when I would have a question for my mother.  She would say to look it up.  I would go to the dictionary or encyclopedias. (Quit laughing.) In Terry Heick's article How Google Impacts the Way Students Think , the title alone scares me.  Google having control of people's minds is not good. He made very good points.  The following is so true to me: " Having found an “answer,” rabid-Googlers are ready to “finish” the assignment. Or are ready for more Googling (because Googling is easier than t...

When I read articles or watch videos, I try to somehow relate to my classes and lessons. In the 8 Ways Into Inquiry Learning , the first one is so true.  Teachers have to be flexible.  With the state changes, administration changes and the way students learn, I do not see how you cannot be flexible and still be a successful teacher.  The number 4 way was "Teachers teach kids, not subjects."  I was talking with my principal this week about our students being so needy.  What we do in the classroom goes so much further than just a subject.  My students know I care for them, but sometimes that is still not motivation enough.  My subject is math.  We scaffold because math builds on previous content. It is hard for participation and fostering joy when students already have in the their mind that they cannot do math.  (Is that a scorpion on the boy's face?) What a great analogy in Karen Lirenman's T he Journey from Digital Literacy to Digital Fl...

My first blog ever.  It is exciting.  I have stayed away from social media, except for looking on my son's facebook.  This course is definitely going to teach me some new things. When I first looked through the syllabus, one of my first goals is how to use twitter and incorporate in my lessons.  The second goal is like the title of the course.  I want to be fluent with blogging and the tweeting and all that we are going to do this summer. After this course I want teachers and students asking me how "something" works.  During spring semester I had to create an online module.  One of the teachers that evaluated it wanted to know how I did it.  I like that feeling of knowing something new that can benefit others.  When I hear others talking about technology, I will be able to answer. Please keep in mind I am new to all this.  If there are suggestions or comments, let me know.