Blog 5: Edutopia is Awesome!

Searching for project based learning resources can be a tiring process. So many websites offer information on PBL, that it can be hard to nail down the core concepts of PBL. When I had to look at Edutopia for relevant PBL info, I found an easy to understand, robust group of resources compiled together.

Here was my favorite article: https://www.edutopia.org/blog/PBL-and-standardized-tests-andrew-miller

It was a well written article that covered the issues that exist between PBL and standardized tests. Incorporating formal assessments into newer teaching styles has been a sort of academic hobby of mine over this past year. Too much formal testing can stifle creativity and limit a teacher's curriculum. This article introduces the idea of looping when dealing with connecting PBL and standardized tests. Looping is using a curriculum to revisit important test concepts. PBL offers this ability in an interactive, easy to understand way.

Go Edutopia!!

Blog 4: How have I used Interactive Whiteboards in my Classroom?

Hello Readers!

Up until about 2013, or so, I worked in schools that utilized basic whiteboards and chalk boards as teacher support in the classroom. It was not until started my Masters at a local college that I saw my first smart board. It is was pretty awesome! You could do so much, and not get chalk all over you!!!!

In a middle school Spanish class me and my co-teacher played a jeopardy style group work lessons. Students would work in pairs, and each pair would have a "buzzer"to click with the right answer. The entire classes points would be totaled on the board, the co-teacher could clear old answers and easily more to the next questions! The class loved it! there are many more examples, but this was my favorite use of a smart board during a lesson.

Here are is bulky list of possible uses for an interactive whiteboard:

• Create video files to teach a software application, a lesson, or as a review to be posted to

the server or web.

• Use the built-in maps to teach continents, oceans, countries, or states and capitals.

• Presentations created by student or teacher

• Digital storytelling

• Take notes directly into PowerPoint presentations

• Reinforce internet skills by using on-line interactive web sites

• Creating an online project calendar

• Teaching students how to navigate the Internet

• Illustrate and write a book as a class.

• Teaching steps to a math problem.

• Have students share projects during Parent/Teacher/Student conferences

• Graphics and charts to better support ESL learners and special ed students.\

·       Google Earth

·       Team competition

·       Virtual tours

·       Visual editing

Se you next week readers!
Stay cool and dont melt!

Blog Post 2: Importance of classroom websites

Hello readers!

I attempted to post a canva I made on classroom websites to my blog, but unfortunately the PNG file was too big to put on one blog page. So, here is a link to my canva:

https://www.canva.com/design/DAD86-ooNOc/3t4athVfAGsKHBVM0ulb1A/view?utm_content=DAD86-ooNOc&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=sharebutton

I believe this canva describes all of the relevant information on why a website could be important in the classroom, what to put on your website, and what makes a good 8th grade website.

Thanks readers!
Cristobal

Blog Post 3: Benefits of Tech in Classroom

Hello!

After reading the article on the benefits of using technology in a classroom, a few of the points the author used really stood out. They lauded the use of videos in class as a flexible, fun teaching medium. I agree completely! Videos are a great way to introduce a topic, break up a long lecture, or give the students a fun review at the end of a unit.

The author then continues to talk about choosing the correct video provider. I think this is not really an issue anymore, as there are thousands of free multimedia websites that support lessons on any subject. Even youtube has developed a large enough library to be an effective teaching tool!

Thanks for reading!
Chris