Many of you might have already read this article but I found it very interesting, especially the part about higher education and the on-line courses. I don't want to offend anyone who has taken on-line courses and enjoyed them but they are not for me. I spoke with a friend/colleague who is getting his masters right now and he mentioned that for the last semester they have to focus on a "project" (he is taking on-line courses). It makes me so happy to know that I am focusing on a project through my entire masters program and along the way I am going to be learning and doing so many different new things.
The break was just what I needed to get a bit refocused and have some down time. I am excited to get started again in February and ready to see what happens this next semester.
Today I used the iPads from the cart for the first time (I know-I'm way behind) but it was so much fun. My guided reading group loved being able to use the educreations app and for spelling we practice using the notes app. The educreations app allows you to record yourself talking and either writing or drawing at the same time (the person talking is not seen-just what they are drawing/writing). The students had to talk and draw about one of the objects that Froggy was trying to find and where it was when he found it. They loved being able to listen to themselves and see their drawing being drawn again. We are looking into how to do a multi-media presentation for our Kansas Symbols project in January. I'll let you know what we decide to do and how it turns out.
On a personal note we decided to begin the transition of making our 2 year old go to sleep on her own. When she climbed out of her crib in September and we had to turn her crib into a toddler bed our evening routine was flipped upside down. I spent 45 minutes to an hour every evening sitting by her bed waiting for her to fall asleep-then I would usually fall asleep. Now she is staying in her bed without me right next to her. There have been some tears but overall it is going great. So I might actually post something before 10:00 at night!!!
I hope everyone had a great break and wish you a terrific 2013.
Thanks for sharing. I'm always on the look out for recommended apps for primary aged children.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy hearing about your life as a mother as well as a teacher. I can relate somewhat with our youngest two granddaughters being close to the age of your youngest. I'm sure your holiday break was filled with the joys of motherhood.
February isn't far away, which means second semester is close and spring isn't that far away.
I agree completely with your view of online classes Jenny. I guess there is just something to be said for "seat time" in the classroom. The one part of the online class that I took was the connection with the teacher and other students in class. It was "different" only communicating via blackboard discussions, instead of face to face.
ReplyDeleteThe IPAD's are a very exciting piece of technology for the student to use! My fourth graders are always excited when the cart is rolled into the room! I thought I was doing a fairly decent job of using them in the classroom. Then I went to Andy Hanson's workshop. Wow, I had no idea about the number of things that we can do with these machines!
How's it going with the the 2 year old sleeping on her own, Jenny? :) Also, I don't know if you realize this, but I am in the process of co-creating an online version of this Master's degree and share many of your and Eric's concerns. Wish me luck.
ReplyDeleteI never really know how the night is going to go with our 2 year old. Some nights she stays in bed without a fuss and other nights she is up 2 or 3 times with some issue needing solved "right now." She keeps us on our toes. Good luck with the on-line version. I'm sure there are ways to make it more like a face to face class it will just take some thinking outside the box.
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