I am starting to really understand the benefits of connecting with other blogs. It helps me expand my learning and gets me thinking about new ideas and perspectives. This week I read a blog post by Kelly Koshinsky on participation in sports. She brings up the question that if children do not excel in a competitive sport or activity, will they be too discouraged to continue on with it? This makes me reflect on my experience both as an educator and a sports participant.
Throughout my time in university, and my time spent learning in Phys-Ed classes, I have been encouraged to use cooperative games and sports as a teacher, rather than promoting individual competition. When students are involved in cooperative games, they experience the benefits of working with others instead of feeling the need to be the best. As a teacher, I use cooperative games because it allows students to work together fairly, help each other, and gives them all equal opportunity.
However, when I reflect on my experiences in life as a competitive swimmer, I realize that competition was important. Competition taught me how to be driven, showed me the value of dedication, and gave me ambition. It also taught me how to deal with disappointment in a good way and prepared me for future let-downs. I am the well-rounded person I am today because of my experiences with competitive sports.
Reflecting on the topic of participation in competitive sports allows me to see its benefits as well as its disadvantages. In a school setting, it is important for teachers to help kids realize their full potential in an encouraging way. There needs to be a balance with competition and cooperation so that students can learn from both areas.
Kelly makes a good point by saying that “the best races to watch and participate in are those that tell a story”, especially when “people are striving to reach their full potential, regardless of time.” Despite competition, kids should fulfil their own potential and look at what they are capable of themselves. It is important for teachers to help kids understand that their desire to be first shouldn’t exceed their enjoyment of the sport, and most importantly, they should strive to do their personal best.
Check out Kelly’s Blog: http://kellykoshinsky.edublogs.org/2014/02/09/does-embarrassment-discourage-participating/
-Amanda
As you can tell from my last post, I have been learning a lot about digital footprints. I am making an effort to create a positive digital footprint, and luckily our tech task this week helps with this. We were asked to create an About Me page to promote ourselves in a positive way.
Here is a the link: http://about.me/amandabrace/#
We were also asked to google ourselves and post the results. I first googled myself by typing in Amanda Brace, and I just found links to my Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
I decided to make my search more limited, so I typed in Amanda Brace Regina. I found links that talked about myself when I Synchronized Swimming competitor. I even found out that I was mentioned in a newspaper called the Montreal Gazette when I competed in Italy for a Masters Competition. I had no clue! It is interesting to find out what people will stumble upon if they search your name.
There is so much that I learned from George Couros on Tuesday that it is hard to put it into words! He presented to my ECMP 355 class about what he looks for in a teacher, but he touched on many more topics that a future teacher like myself should know! I will break it down for you. Here are some highlights that I got from his presentation.
1. Work with students to develop a love for learning.
-As a teacher, I need to motivate my students to not only be learners in the classroom, but in life. The learning should go beyond the classroom, and as a teacher it is my job to encourage that learning. I need to make sure that they are not dependant on me, and that they are willing to learn on their own. I need to inspire my students to keep the learning going.
2. Focus on “character education”.
-I need to remember that I have more than one job in the classroom. I am not solely there to teach students content. I am there to help develop kids as people.
3.There is value in participating online in a positive way.
-Whether I go online or not, I will still have a digital footprint. It is important for me to make my own voice heard online, rather than someone else’s. In the past, people have told me to remove myself from social media because it is dangerous. However, it is much more important to have myself on the internet in a positive way than not having a place online at all.
-The idea of having a positive image online is also important for students to learn. This is why having technology in the classroom is crucial. As a teacher, I can model and share with students how to effectively use the internet in a positive way.
4. Connect with kids first.
-It is crucial for teachers to have an ability to build relationships with students. When teachers have relationships with their students, then students are more willing to learn and are more responsive to what they are being taught. I need to be willing to teach the kids first, and the curriculum second. I need to relate the content to my student’s lives. When I engage with the students and draw relevance from their lives to what is being taught, then the learning goes so much deeper.
You can connect with George Couros through Twitter: @gcouros or Blog: http://georgecouros.ca/blog/
-Amanda
This week I learned about building my own Personal Learning Network and have come to realize its benefits. I realize how valuable creating networks is with others, especially when it allows me to engage with fellow educators. I am able to exchange ideas with others, reflect on various topics, learn more about incorporating tech into the classroom, locate resources, and stay connected with the online community. Connecting through various communities is important, which is why I have made an effort to follow even more educators so that my online learning can progress. Below I have listed my top five picks that I would reccommend to others to add to their Personal Learning Networks.
1. Beth Holland: Blog: http://brholland.wordpress.com
I first found out about Beth Holland when I stumbled upon an article she wrote about technology integration called “Teaching the Essential Skills of the Mobile Classroom”. She talks about the importance of technology fluency for students, and says that “by supporting the development of students’ technology fluency, we are preparing them to become digital learners who are able to construct new tools and objects, communicate ideas and solve new problems.” I was intrigued to learn more from her, which is when I found her blog. She talks about various topics involving technology in the classroom. Give her blog a follow!
2. AJ Juliani: Twitter: @ajjuliani
AJ Juliani is a great person to follow on Twitter because not only does he have innovative ideas himself, but he also tweets links to other useful and innovative articles. The reason why I started following him was because he wrote a post about the “10 Commandments of Innovative Teaching”. I think his ideas in this post are brilliant and I learned a lot from reading it. I recommend following him!
3. The Classroom Bookshelf: Blog: http://classroombookshelf.blogspot.ca
This is a collaborative blog created by literature experts who review, critique, and give ideas about new books that can be shared with students. They give educated opinions on various books from all levels, and give helpful lesson ideas. Check out their blog for useful ways to incorporate quality books into the classroom!
4.Patrick Larkin: Twitter: @patrickmlarkin
Patrick Larkin is useful to follow on Twitter because he connects his followers with links to hot topics and articles about education, technology, and other relevant themes for educators. He is “passionate about creating a more relevant education for our students”, which is something I am interested in as well. Give him a follow!
5.Michelle Cordy: Twitter: @cordym
Blog: http://hacktheclassroom.ca/
I am fortunate enough to have Michelle Cordy as my mentor this semester for my ECMP 355 class. She is a grade 3/4 teacher in Ontario who has 1-1 iPads in her classroom. After meeting with Michelle on Skype this week, I noticed her passion for technology in the classroom and I realize that I will learn so much from her! She has innovative ideas, creative ways on incorporating technology in the classroom, and she makes it evident that she wants others to become fluent with technology as well. I am excited to collaborate and learn alongside Michelle, and if you want to learn from her too, you will want to follow her!
Feel free to let me know of anyone else I can add to my PLN!
-Amanda
