Project #16: Presentation

Blog Post #5 Part Two: Summary of my PLN

My PLN

I remember writing the first part of this blog post being so confused on what the definition of a PLN even was. Now towards the end of the semester I am glad to say that not only do I know what a PLN is and how it is used, but I use it in my everyday life. I personally found Symbaloo to be most helpful in developing a PLN. It is now my homepage when I open Safari. It took a lot of hard work and dedication to create my PLN but I am proud to say it was worth it. I'm excited to use Symbaloo to help assist me in learning more about my content area. 

Blog Post #14: Teaching Our Children Can Be a Profession by Joel Klein

While reading  Teaching Our Children Can Be a Profession I came across different problems with teaching in our society that stood out to me the most.  

First problem: Teachers are being hired only because of a degree. 
Solution: Hire teachers who not only have a degree, but were in the top of their class.

I couldn't agree more that this a serious problem in schools all across the world. The solution to this problem is a step in the right direction, but personally I would add more to it.  Maybe not only look for teachers who were the top of their class, but also look for things such as teachers who affiliated themselves in activities and organizations regarding their degree.  

Second problem: Teachers who have had more experience will continue to be chose first because of seniority. 
Solution: To make teaching a profession by treating all teachers as equals, and allowing teachers to earn their levels of achievement.

This problem was occurring even before I entered college as a Education major. I personally feel like the solution to this problem is very obtainable. In the article Klein speaks of a  "national teaching exam" that gives teachers the opportunity to earn their raises and achievements through "knowledge-based" testing, having similarities to entry exams for doctors and lawyers. I think that this is definitely a fair way to allow teachers the goals of achievement they deserve.


I really enjoyed reading this article. It lifts a burden knowing that their are other Educators out their that feel the sam as me. Teaching is a highly underestimated profession that deserves more credit than what it gets. We educators are shaping the future of our nation, if you ask me that's pretty important. 

Project # 16: Teaching and Technology: My Philosophy

If you would have asked me months ago before I completed this course about using technology in my future classroom my immediate response would have been no. I saw no need for it, and I was not aware of the beneficial factors it brings to a classroom and to learning. Now that I have been able to research and witness technology being used in the classroom my answer to that same question would be absolutely, without a doubt!

Technology has come a very long way over the past several years, and it is going to continue to. Our students need to be actively engaged in learning and technology allows that. I feel that as a future teacher technology is a huge asset in developing a functional community of learners. The use of technology offers so many benefits to your classroom. It allows for your students to stay focused longer, they are also more engaged in the lesson because they enjoy using computers and iPads versus books. To me the biggest benefit technology brings is that it allows for students to be able to learn at their own pace allowing the student to become more self- directed which gives the teacher more time to accomplish classroom objectives.  This class has taught me a variety of ways to incorporate technology into my future classroom, and my most favored would be a class blog. I enjoy writing and expressing whats on my mind, and I want my students to find a love for that too. I want them to actually take pride in the work they create knowing that it will be published world wide. We teachers need to stop under estimating the power of technology being used in the classroom and just try it. A successful classroom is a classroom that incorporates technology.

There are many benefits of using technology in the classroom, especially as students become increasingly digitally literate. The shift in worldwide computer usage and the need for computer skills in today's workforce have pushed the United States government to create guidelines, such as the Core Curriculum Content Standards, for educators to ensure that students are prepared to

Source: Boundless. “Advantages of Using Technology in the Classroom.” Boundless Education. Boundless, 14 Nov. 2014. Retrieved 22 Apr. 2015 from https://www.boundless.com/education/textbooks/boundless-education-textbook/technology-in-the-classroom-6/edtech-25/advantages-of-using-technology-in-the-classroom-77-13007/

There are many benefits of using technology in the classroom, especially as students become increasingly digitally literate. The shift in worldwide computer usage and the need for computer skills in today's workforce have pushed the United States government to create guidelines, such as the Core Curriculum Content Standards, for educators to ensure that students are prepared to

Source: Boundless. “Advantages of Using Technology in the Classroom.” Boundless Education. Boundless, 14 Nov. 2014. Retrieved 22 Apr. 2015 from https://www.boundless.com/education/textbooks/boundless-education-textbook/technology-in-the-classroom-6/edtech-25/advantages-of-using-technology-in-the-classroom-77-13007/

Blog Post #13: What Did I Leave Out?

What field trips are available to you as a teacher with out having to leave the classroom and/or school?

Read and/ or watch the following material to help answer the question.

Sharon Cromwell's article Take a Museum Field Trip -- Without Leaving Your Classroom

Connected Classrooms: Underwater Seasons with Seattle Aquarium

Connected Classrooms: Meet the Doodler


Blog Post:

Classroom field trips are something every teacher should at least experience once. Not only does it do a great job at incorporating technology into your classroom it also takes away some of the stress that you would have on an off campus field trip. With a virtual field trip you and your students are in comfort of your own classroom.

Sharon Cromwell's article Take a Museum Field Trip -- Without Leaving Your Classroom gives teacher a list of museums whose websites have been set up so that when educators access them it is like they are touring the museum but online. In this article she also gives suggested things to visit on the site and an activity you could do with your class while taking a virtual tour of the museum. This could be a great field trip to incorporate into lessons dealing with science, history and art.

Google+ has recently created an awesome feature called Connected Classrooms. This is where google pairs up with educational leaders and classrooms all over the U.S and they take virtual field trips. In the Connected Classrooms: Underwater Seasons with Seattle Aquarium video the Seattle Aquarium pairs up with an elementary classroom and they get a virtual tour of the Underwater Seasons of Washington exhibit. My favorite thus far is the Connected Classrooms: Meet the Doodler. This isn't a virtual tour, but it is an awesome virtual field trip. Students get too meet with some of the Google Doodlers and watch them show many pieces of there art work along with actually creating a Google Doodle activity.
The Google+ Connected classrooms is an fun a intuitive way to have a virtual field trip. 

C4T #4: DMLCentral

C4T #4 - Post 1: The Flaws of Online Course Testing 

Jade Davis posted a blog about the many flaws of online testing. One of her main complaints was that students at some universities are being monitored via web cam while testing. She proposed the question that what happens when something goes on in the background while a student is testing? What happens when a naked child runs across the seen? Are those images protected? I commented giving my opinion on the matter and thanking Jade for sharing the information because I had no prior knowledge about this going on.

My comment to Jade Davis:

Hey Jade,
I'm Johanna Logan a student at the University of South Alabama studying Elementary Education. Through my college experience I have noticed that most courses are blended which means you come to class in participate in the lessons and activities but your quiz and/ or exam is online. I personally do not agree with students having to be monitored by video throughout out the test, due to what could or does go on inside their home. I found your post to be very informational, I had no former knowledge of this going on in colleges.
Thank you for sharing.
If you have the chance you should take the time to look at my blog.
Johanna's Blog

- Johanna Logan

C4K: Summary for April

C4K #8: Jack R.

Jack is a student in Mrs. Lombard's 7th grade English class. The blog post I chose to comment on was titles Book Project. This post was about Jack's book report on the first 39 Clues Book. His summary was very impofromative with very minor gramtical errors.

My comment to Jack R:

Hey Jack!

I'm Johanna Logan, a student in EDM 310 at the Universtiy of South Alabama.
I have not read this books but your description makes it seem so interesting. I love books with good entertainment, it makes me want to keep reading. I'm impressed that you had very few gramtical errors.
Thank you for sharing, and keep up the good work!
If you get a chance visit my blog.
Johanna's Blog

- Johanna Logan



C4K #9: Paul


Paul is a student in Mr. Gardner's 5th grade class. Paul posted about why he felt that people were left handed. His assumption was that he felt that people were left handed because they used their left hand more than their right one. I suggested to Paul that he should do some research on why people are left handed to see if maybe his assumptions were right.

My comment to Paul:

Hi Paul,
I'm Johanna Logan and I'm a student in EDM 310 at the University of South Alabama.
I think your reasoning for why people become left handed is very thoughful, maybe do some research on being left handed and see if your assumptions are right.
Keep up the good work, and thanks for sharing!
If you get a chance visit my blog.
Johanna's Blog

- Johanna Logan


C4K # 10: Sean

Sean is a student in Ms. Thomas's class at John Hanson French Immersion School in Prince Georges, MD. The post that I commented on was about Sean sharing how he felt he could leave his mark on the world. He feels that helping others with their finicial struggles and donating money to the cause would help him leave a powerful impact on the world. I suggested to Sean that maybe one day he can set up a charity for these causes so that people all over the world can benefit from it.

My comment to Sean:

Hey Sean,
I'm Johanna Logan, a student studying Elementary Education at the University of South Alabama. I think it's wonderful that you think you can leave your mark on the world by helping others with their problems. Have you ever though of maybe one day setting up a charity for these causes? Also, I think its wonderful that you want to be professional basketball player, sports are so much fun!
Thank you for sharing, and kepp up the good work!
If you get a chance visit my blog.
Johanna's Blog

- Johanna Logan

Blog Post #12: Assistive Technology

C4T #3: Quantum Progress

C4T #3 - Post 1: Best Class Ever - When I Leave the Room

In this post John Burke, a High School Physics teacher, shares a video of what happens when he leaves his class with a challenging problem while he goes to attend a meeting. He gets out of the meeting early and listens at the conversations that the students are having without them being able to see him. He is in shock at how much thought and effort they are putting in without out him there to hover. It makes him realize that the teacher doesn't always need to be in the lead, it is good for students to work to figure things out on their own or with the help of a classmate.

My comment to John Burke:

Hi John!
I’m Johanna Logan. I’m currently studying Elementary Education at the University of South Alabama. I loved this post! I was in awe while watching the video. Seeing the kids collaborate when you left the room shows just how important it is for the students to be able to work alone for a portion of the class; we as teachers don’t always need to be in the lead.
Thank you for sharing!
If you ever have some free time you should go take a look at my blog.
Johanna’s Blog

– Johanna Logan

C4T #4 - Post 2: Back to Blogging With My Best Class Ever

In this post John Burke, a High School Physics teacher, shares a video of him letting his students collaboratively working together to solve a stage 4 Physics problem. He leads them in the direction they need so when it comes time to solve the problem they know everything they need to solve it. These students work so well together and you can see that they are engaging in what they are learning.

My comment to John Burke:

Mr. Burke,
I’m Johanna Logan. I’m currently a student at the University of South Alabama as an Elementary Education major.
I think it is awesome that you are allowing your students to work collaboratively to solve the problems. We as teachers need to remember that sometimes students need to be able to work it out on their own and not constantly be assisted. I enjoyed watching your videos, it was neat to see the kids in action.
Thank you for sharing!
If you ever have free time you should visit my blog.
Johanna’s Blog

– Johanna Logan

Project #14: Project Based Learning Plan #2

Lesson Plan

Adjective Topic Cards

Adective Sentences

Adjective PowerPoint

Adjectives Photo Book Rubric

Blog Post #11: What can we learn about teaching and learning from theese teachers?

In Brian Crosby's video Back To The Future he teaches us the importance of having a project based learning atmosphere. His kids were so excited when they were actually get to experiment with the lesson they were learning. You could tell that they were a lot more engaged in the lesson than they would be if it were just a pencil and paper lesson. I admire him for finding away to include Celeste into the classroom activities rather than work just being sent home for her to do. Mr. Crosby's class is a leading example of how project based learning should be incorporated in a classroom.

I have never really been introduced to the the Blended Learning Cycle but  I found Paul Anderson's version of the Blended Learning Cycle to be very interesting.

Quivers - Paul Anderson's version of the Blended Learning Cycle

1. Question: Something that catches the students attention.
2. Investigation/ Inquiry: You want the children to investigate, you need to be able to incorporate inquiry learning.
3. Video: This allows more time for class activity by allowing the students to watch a video on the lesson individually.
4. Elaboration: reading and use of Venn diagrams allowing the children to go more in depth with the lesson.
5. Review: The most important part, this allows the children to be worked with in groups or individually so that you know they understand the material and are ready to be tested on it.
6. Summary Quiz: Once the students have moved passed the review and you know that they are  ready to be tested on the material you give them a quiz on the information to show what they know.

In Mark Church's video Making Thinking Visible he goes into more depth about his book. He teaches us that teaching goes beyond classroom instruction and lessons. Teaching is about motivating the children to think and understanding the culture in which you derive your lessons from. Your classroom needs to have evidence of how the students are connecting and moving forward. Guest should be able to come into your classroom and see what the students are learning.

In Sam Pane's Super Digital Citizen he teaches us the importance of being safe on the Internet. He defines a safe digital citizen as someone who is safe, respectful, and responsible on the Internet. The students got to create a comic book character and use it in a story where their superhero demonstrates safe Internet use. I found this to be a good way to get students engaged into learning about being safe on the Internet.

I found the teachers in the Project Based Learning video to be very interactive, and wanting their students to learn in the best way possible. These teachers in the video pushed for their school to allow them to teach more than one subject with a group of students so that they would have more time with the students to be able to allow the students to engage in Project Based Learning. The teachers in this video stressed the importance of time in learning especially when its project based.

In Roosevelt Elementary's PBL Program they teach us the importance of PBL in the classroom and the benefits it brings to the children. It takes away the fear of public speaking because they have been used to PBL classrooms. They get to create and interact in projects and it allows them to gain skills that will use and apply in the real world. They become proud of their work. PBL at Roosevelt now enjoy working together and are performing well academically.