(u06a1) Blog on Respectful and Ethical Minds

I'm going to be honest, in my virtual school (Commonwealth Charter Academy), the opportunity for our children to collaborate--especially at a high school level, is very difficult. The curriculum is designed for students to be able to work independently and at their own pace. Though many of my students tend to stay "on track" (meaning they're working on the exact lesson assigned by Connexus for the day), a great number of them are always behind. If I assigned or implemented any type of collaborative activities in my virtual room, I would have to do some immense planning and prepping for the students well in advance. 

Listening to Julie Lindsay and Vicki Davis' (2014) audio piece tilted "Flattening Classrooms" based on their book Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds, in a sense, awakened this yearning tendency within myself to actually pursue more collaborative adventure with my kids. These tasks are so risky in my school because the chance of success is quite slim, but like Lindsay and Davis (2014) said about teachers needing hope, "they need to know that they can do this," I have to find that hope and desire to take more chances in the classroom--especially using digital media/technology. Our students complete Discussions Posts--generally one per unit, and the Discussion Posts are accessed and answered on a board for all students to view and respond. I have an idea of incorporating a Web.2.0 tool, something along the lines of a Wikispace, for students utilize for these assignments; a space the will allow collaborating. I'm thinking, those who share similar or opposing views, can work together and share ideas, notes from the text, and/or facts/history learned in other classes, and then present them (using another platform like Voicethread) to the class; I would later place their work (url) to the Section Message Board for all to access. 

Howard Gardner (2007) believes "adolescents have potentials for leadership, or for enterprise, that can be marshaled for diverse ends.." and I agree; yet I too tend to believe the more they collaborate with each other and learn from one another, the greater the possibility of exuding respect in the learning environment--respect is essential to leadership. In order for students to develop a positive ethical mindset, they must first be put in the position where their morals and perspectives are tested and a strong role model--their educator, is there to model how to handle certain topics appropriately. One of the reasons I enjoy collaborative activities is because they test the skills of kids on so many level in life. 


References:
Future of education.(2014). Julie lindsay and vicki davis on flattening classrooms. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVZuwIhjQvA
Gardner, H. (2007). 5 minds for the future [Kindle Fire version]. Retrieved from https://read.amazon.com/

Photos:
Cross collaborate.(2016). Collaborating group [Photograph]. Retrieved from http://www.crosscollaborate.com/2010/06/collaborative-leadership-eshift-the-burden-thinking/united-colors-38/
Pickering, M. & Plitt, R. (2013). Sixteen lessons learned about working in collaboration [Photograph]. Retrieved from http://tamarackcci.ca/blogs/community-animator/sixteen-lessons-learned-about-working-collaboration

(u05a2) Project 2: Spotlight on Strategies 

Click here to access my Spotlight on Strategies (SOS)!

                                        REFLECTION

What instructional goal/challenge does your SOS address? What additional value does the integration of digital media bring to your idea in terms of students’ understanding of the concept or topic?

The instructional goal my Spotlight on Strategies (SOS) addressed was the topic of debating. Debating happens to be the very first instructional challenge of mine every school year because the topic is introduced in the month of September as we venture into the unit on the Early Colonial Period.  Even though we're delving into the lives and history of the Native American people, our curriculum is designed to gives students a contemporary event/topic to discuss from time-to-time, and the topic of the continuance usage of Native American Mascot in the U.S is always up for debate. Preparing students for this challenge is so difficult due to debates tending to: go off topic, get aggressive/heated, or never reach the point of  success. Last year, I simply placed the students into two groups, went over the rules, and then assigned them a side to stand up for once the debate started; they were given some time to prepare and collaborate. Though the debate went well, I wished I incorporated some sort of digital media into the planning and production of the debate to make it more challenging, appealing, and creative. 

Howard Gardner (2007) mentioned in his book 5 Mines for the Future that  creativity is a message "endured on the streets,'" for schools decided to take a more "conservative" outlook due to their "uniformed curricula, tests, and standards (Educating the creator across the age span section, para. 7). I recognize the truth in this accurate assessment, and therefore with my role as an educator, I'm trying to counter those ideals by introducing as much creativity into the classroom as possible. My SOS will gift students that opportunity to search and save resources (Diigo), collaborate and share debating strategies (PrimaryPad), and then use the tools established on a social network to hold an awesome debate (Facebook); I want to look at this activity as providing students a chance to take my directions and ideas and make them their own--switch things up a bit if they please. The integration of digital media into this instructional strategy brings a challenge to my idea, and then take my initial thoughts  a new level beyond my original expectations. I gladly welcome anything that'll enhance the learning experience for my kiddos!

References:

Everything about debates. (2015). What is debating? [Photograph]. Retrieved from http://successfuldebating.blogspot.com/

Gardner, H. (2007). 5 minds for the future [Kindle Fire version]. Retrieved from https://read.amazon.com/

(u05a1) Blog on Content Creation

Since it's summer time, the only student I have access to is my son Thomas Maselko Jr.--a first grader at Our Lady of Mercy Regional Catholic school. My son is almost 7 years of age, advanced in his academics skills but not in his social ones, so an educational space that'll allow him to: explore, get comfortable, and being self-expressive is very important to his success as a student. I asked him a few question in terms of what he enjoys about school, and slowly got him to open up about what "creativity" looked like in his class this past year in Mrs. Quinn's kindergarten room. Thomas is a talker when he's confident in the topic, so he enjoyed opening up about what creativity means to him, and how his teacher used certain gadgets to get everyone involved in many activities.

What do they really value currently and/or what would they change about their learning environment when it comes to digital media and technology supporting creativity?

Howard Gardner (2007) said " creative activity harbors more than its share of heartaches; but the "flow" that accompanies a fresh insight, a breakthrough work, or a genuine invention can be addictive (From computation to character section, para. 5). I truly believe children gave birth to that addiction. It was through the excitement and curiosity of the little ones that I seen what genuine creativity looked like--yes, I think stirring chocolate milk with a hot dog is innovative. Thomas explained to me that the thing he valued the most in his Kindergarten class was writing. He loved writing in his journal about his family, friends, and thoughts of the day. 

Thomas also enjoyed writing letters and knowing how to write them all on his own. During the school year, Thomas said Mrs. Quinn allowed the class to write, draw, and complete math problems using the White Smart Board. He enjoyed listening to stories played on the computer (audio recordings), and reading stories himself using the iPad. When asked if he would change anything about his classroom/learning environment in terms of technology (I had to explain what this word meant in simple terms) to allow for more creative time, Thomas said he would like to do more activities with a program called GoNoodle; he loves this program. He said he would like to use it more in the classroom and be chosen to teach the class something for a change. 

References:

Gardner, H. (2007). 5 minds for the future [Kindle Fire version]. Retrieved from https://read.amazon.com/

Workshop call for participation [Photograph]. (2011). Design thinking: creativity in business and education. Retrieved from https://designthinkingworkshop2011.wordpress.com/

(u04a1) Blog on Creativity in the Classroom 

In my school, Commonwealth Charter Academy, the curriculum is already established through our LMS, known as Connexus, and the lessons are already written and set in place; students work at their own pace, and they have the option to come to class for assistance.  While it may appear that this setup has some great perks, a huge drawback is in fact the strict layout of a pre-structured lesson. Trying to teach everything in those lessons and still find the time to allow students to be creative during instruction has become one of my biggest challenges. 

Do schools kill creativity? 
I don't think schools intentionally seek to dismiss educators and learners alike, the ability to be creative and innovative in their learning space; so far every school I worked in or observed supported the idea of students being creative within their school's philosophy.  However, I would be lying if I said I have not noticed this drift from "student exploration" with the arts, their speech/perspectives, and clubs/organizations across multiples districts. Allowing students to be creative is a great outlet for them when they face the pressure of being successful in school. Ken Robinson (2007) in his presentation on "Do Schools Kill Creativity," talks about the "academic inflation" our educational system runs on, and how "the whole structure of education is shifting beneath our feet." It's very true! Schools have to go back to the drawing board and assess for themselves the idea behind intelligence, success, and ways
 to promote our student's uniqueness.  

How can you use digital media to bring creativity alive in your classroom?
Digital Storytelling has been the greatest way for me to bring creativity to my classroom. This year, I will attempt to assign a project allowing students to create their own digital stories using Windows Live Movie Maker, iMovie, or another software that supports this digital media. Students love to share their personal stories, and I think this assignment will be the perfect opportunity to show me their creative nature along with skills they've learned during the semester.  


References:

Julia. (2016). "Choose creativity" [Photograph].  Received from http://www.youmatter.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/choose-creativity/

Reider, C. (2015)."What's the new wave of digital storytelling in sports?" [Photograph]. Received from http://www.nrmedia.biz/blog/whats-new-wave-digital-storytelling-sports

Robinson, K. (2007). "Do schools kill creativity" [Transcript]. Received from https://live.wilkes.edu/content/enforced/216352-20372.201620/1132015%20146%20PM%20-%20189340-DiscoveryTranscripts/508%20Unit%204%20TED%20Conference%20with%20Ken%20Robinson.html?ou=216352

(u03a2) Project 1: Media-infused Presentation or Learning Center 

Please click here to view my Prezi presentation on Finding a Credible Source!

I created my Project 1 assignment using Prezi for both instructional support and as a student resource. The topic for my Prezi presentation focused on Finding a Credible Source in preparation for the two research papers my students write during the school year.   As far as providing instructional support, I’d normally go over this Prezi presentation prior to discussing pre-writing for the first draft, and then have the students practice finding credible sources as a group activity. This Finding a Credible Source presentation will serve as a resource for students as well; I want to make sure they're able to access this Prezi piece whenever they need to review some of the tips/advice I suggested throughout the year.

Howard Gardner (2007) suggests that the goal of the student should be to “eradicate erroneous or unproductive ways of thinking, and to put in their stead the ways of thinking and doing that mark the disciplined professional (Insights from the past and present section, para. 6). I believe we, the educators, have to replace those unproductive ways of thinking with proper and effective practices through modeling; in order to expect  higher order thinking, I had to make sure I modeled how to think critically. I hope to greatly impact my students by giving them the proper tools and guidance in a new line of productivity so that they’re successful beyond my class. That disciplined mind can only be the result of learning by practice—application of knowledge that'll evolve into synthesizing. Regarding Gardner's (2007) proclamations on the synthesizing mind, he does note that "aspiring synthesizers benefit from explicit instruction on strategies," which is what I try to impart on my children throughout the school year (The educational challenge section, para. 8). To teach students strategies that they can carry with them and implement into their other coursework would be evidence of a synthesizing way of thinking.  

References

Gardner, H. (2007). 5 minds for the future [Kindle Fire version]. Retrieved from https://read.amazon.com/

(u03a1) Blog on the Synthesizing Mind

Click here to view my eduClipboard on Stereotypes! 

This image above would typically be the catalyst that ignite a conversation among my eleventh graders and jump-start class.  As the class transition into short stories from our Multicultural text focusing on perspectives from a diverse group of voices, we dabble into the topic of stereotyping.  Our Contemporary Postmodernism unit addresses many issues individuals in the 21st century face daily, and so I'm always so passionate to venture into this topic in the Spring; especially as a minority and a woman in this world.

My eduClipboard showcase stereotyping from multiple angles; race, gender, citizenship, etc. are all areas in which stereotyping impacts a range of people significantly. This tool also allowed me to use different forms of resources--video, imagery, articles, to present the topic through various formats. I chose the image above because it's powerful and evoke emotions. I  selected the video of American stereotyping because it was surprising and eye-opening for my students in the past. The info-graphic and the blog on accurate stereotyping provided data and rationally to this view, and the article on stereotyping woman  in film was quite informative. Each piece serves a great purpose in examining the topic of stereotyping in many areas. 


References

Altorre, P. (2015). "6 celebrities that break the stereotypes they fall in." Browse. https://storify.com/palomaalatorre/6-celebrities-that-break-the-stereotypes-they-fall

Bian, L. & Cimpain, A. (2016). "Are stereotypes accurate?" Society for Personality and Social Psychology. http://www.spsp.org/blog/are-stereotypes-accurate

Guadagnoli, L. (2015). "How well does each term define latinos?" Retrieved from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/416442296768298221/

Ryzik, R. (2016). "Megan fox on 'ninja turtles' and female stereotypes in film." The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/05/movies/megan-fox-on-ninja-turtles-and-female-stereotypes-in-film.html?_r=0

Sofia. (2015). How to distinguish americans. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/Igk4XvzwOCw