As others in this class have commented, I had no idea that beginning a blog was so easy. Before I started my MAT classes at WOU, I have previously shared written information, Word documents, videos, mp.3 files and urls via email while in the private sector. When I thought about blogs and websites, I did so as a visitor who might post a comment or a reply in someone else's blog.
My blog could list class assignments accompanied by their due dates. Students could post by assignment to ask questions about the assignment. My blog would list key dates in the semester: quizzes, mid-terms, finals, field trips, etc. These assignments and key dates can help parents to keep their children on track. A teacher's blog can be a place for students to post work for me that can include videos and urls to other sites that are immediately accessible via a click. This reminds me of some of the capabilities of Moodle. Hardcopy assignments don't have the same immediacy. Students can complete assignments this way, but can also post their opinions about the value of particular assignments. Sort of a "suggestions box."
Students can see what websites and blogs that I follow that may be helpful to them in the study of social studies or language arts. Lastly, a successful blog in a school or school district can be a good example to other teachers about the benefits of communicating with students, parents and other teachers in this manner. Blogs are a tool that enable more effective teaching & learning.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Extrinsic Motivation In Teaching
In my educational psychology class, one of the assignments was to watch this video about operant conditioning using rewards & punishments http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G59KY7ek8Rk One could not say that this video reflects an empirical study, but the humor from this sitcom does have the ring of truth to it. For those of you that read my Jan 19 post about the documentary "Freakonomics" and their study of paying students for good grades, the above video has a contrasting message. Some of you who replied to my "Freakonomics" post expressed doubt that extrinsic rewards (like cash or "teacher-dollars") are as effective in teaching as instilling intrinsic motivation in one's students. In fact, paying for grades can even be counter-productive.
As a person who has spent many years in marketing and sales roles with corporations, I know that the key tools of motivation there are dollars in the forms of comissions, bonuses, raises and other monetary rewards. And they do work to drive the desired performance. Yet I'm beginning to understand that what works for employed adults doesn't necessarily translate to the classroom setting to support a learning environment for students.
As a person who has spent many years in marketing and sales roles with corporations, I know that the key tools of motivation there are dollars in the forms of comissions, bonuses, raises and other monetary rewards. And they do work to drive the desired performance. Yet I'm beginning to understand that what works for employed adults doesn't necessarily translate to the classroom setting to support a learning environment for students.
Marketing/Publicizing One's Blog
My searches for websites and videos regarding this subject have mostly been referenced on other blogs from this class. Something Tori wrote aligned with my thinking: "Since I plan on focusing my blog closely on my classroom and meeting the needs of my students, I do not think it is necessary that I deal with advertising and all that. I am not trying to go global or become famous because of my blog therefore, I am not going to go to extreme measures to promote it."
A key exception to the student/parent-only informational model would be for one's blog to connect to other teachers around the country so as to share best practices & ideas. As I look for such teacher blogs they aren't difficult to find using Google (http://multimedialearningllc.wordpress.com/ is a history & social studies best practices example). It would appear that using a facility like Digg is a way to publisize one's own blog to make it easier to find by other teachers. Naming one's own blog can make it easier or more difficult for others to find. I originally named my blog "Mr. Wellen's Warehouse" trying to be creative using a "catchy" name. That is fine when one's only audience is one's students and their parents. However, in order to reach teh wider teacher community, a title like "Social Studies and History Teacher's Blog - Finding resources for teaching social studies" (from the above url) brings it to the top of the list from a Google search.
A key exception to the student/parent-only informational model would be for one's blog to connect to other teachers around the country so as to share best practices & ideas. As I look for such teacher blogs they aren't difficult to find using Google (http://multimedialearningllc.wordpress.com/ is a history & social studies best practices example). It would appear that using a facility like Digg is a way to publisize one's own blog to make it easier to find by other teachers. Naming one's own blog can make it easier or more difficult for others to find. I originally named my blog "Mr. Wellen's Warehouse" trying to be creative using a "catchy" name. That is fine when one's only audience is one's students and their parents. However, in order to reach teh wider teacher community, a title like "Social Studies and History Teacher's Blog - Finding resources for teaching social studies" (from the above url) brings it to the top of the list from a Google search.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Freakonomics & Incenting Students To Achieve Better Grades
My family and I enjoyed a Netflix movies yesterday, "Freakonomics." I assume many of you may have read the book, or at least heard about it. The film closely follows the book, but actually shows the authors describing and showing the experiments they conducted related to statistics and incentives that drive behavior. In one segment, they work with a school in Chicago to determine if you can turn children into better students with better grades by paying them to do that and providing them with recognition in front of their peers. The short answer is "it works with some of them and not with others." Here is a short YouTube clip related to this segment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8s4qTifYWe4
I encourge you to read the book, see the documentary film, or at least check out some of the YouTube videos about Freakonomics.
I encourge you to read the book, see the documentary film, or at least check out some of the YouTube videos about Freakonomics.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Managing Education Blogs
Denvy asked us to take a closer look at this subject. On the web, I've discovered "Edublog." They offer services to help one "manage" their blog and their focus is on the education community. Here is their video about the top 10 was to use edublog: http://edublogs.org/10-ways-to-use-your-edublog-to-teach/ Many of these benefits are ones we can obtain now, without edublog. However part of their value proposition appears to be the "Featured Blogs" from their hompage that links users of their service in too the larger teacher community (683,000) that also use these services.
I think I'll have to try their free edublog to get a better idea of how they can help teachers to "manage" their own websites.
I think I'll have to try their free edublog to get a better idea of how they can help teachers to "manage" their own websites.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Students Learn From Each Other
Here is a story from today's Corvallis Gazette-Times about the efficacy of "peer-tutoring" being tried at Corvallis High School. The tutoring center is open to all students and offers tutors for all subjects including math, science, reading, writing and foreign languages. Students who take part can be eligible for credit, fulfill community service requirements for National Honor Society and make new friends. A freshman receipient of the tutoring said “it’s easier to learn from other students sometimes,” they are able to teach you in different ways. Oftentimes, teachers have to go by the rules.”
http://www.gazettetimes.com/news/local/article_3c2076c8-1ee6-11e0-8ddc-001cc4c03286.html
http://www.gazettetimes.com/news/local/article_3c2076c8-1ee6-11e0-8ddc-001cc4c03286.html
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
From ED 624 Special Populations Class - Purposes of Teacher Web Blogs
On page 90 of "Teaching Students Who Are Exceptional, Diverse, & At Risk" by Sharon Vaughn, there is a list of "purposes of teacher web pages.
1. General class descriptions. Teacher contact info, class rules, school calendar, supply list, class news, class email list.
2. Unit outlines & timetables. Projected beginning & ending of units, unit goals.
3. Information about specific units & projects. Major activities, homework assignments & due dates, vocab words, spelling lists, online practice tests, links to online resources.
4. Student progress reporting. Grades, GPA, class ranking, standardized test results, attendance records.
It goes without saying that examples of #4 above, must be for individual student & parent consumptions and not for all visitors to the website.
1. General class descriptions. Teacher contact info, class rules, school calendar, supply list, class news, class email list.
2. Unit outlines & timetables. Projected beginning & ending of units, unit goals.
3. Information about specific units & projects. Major activities, homework assignments & due dates, vocab words, spelling lists, online practice tests, links to online resources.
4. Student progress reporting. Grades, GPA, class ranking, standardized test results, attendance records.
It goes without saying that examples of #4 above, must be for individual student & parent consumptions and not for all visitors to the website.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Actual Message On School Answering Machine In Australia
Some of us in CSE 694 are also in ED 643 (Theories In Teaching & Learning). Our professor in ED 643 posted the following link that provides audio of a school answering machine somewhere in Australia. It's hard to believe that relations between parents and school staff can deteriorate to a point that such a phone message becomes possible. Here is an example of how technology (i.e., digital messaging, mp.3) doesn't necessarily help to facilitate helpful, effective communication.
I wouldn't like to see what a blog would look like that communicates similar negative relationships.
http://devinbest.posterous.com/actual-message-on-school-answering-machine-in
I wouldn't like to see what a blog would look like that communicates similar negative relationships.
http://devinbest.posterous.com/actual-message-on-school-answering-machine-in
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Blogging Through History
Before there were computers, there were information/opinion providers with their followers providing comments.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NZQc_mhatA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NZQc_mhatA
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Three of My Favorite Poems
Beyond Social Studies, I will be seeking a second endorsement for Language Arts. In thinking about language arts, my mind turned to some of my favorite poems.
My two son's birthdays are within 2 days of each other in January. We have had a tradition of each of the three of us reading aloud a poem around the time of there birthdays. So far, we have usually read the following three (proposed by me). I hope that my sons will suggest their own favorite ones soon.
The next one is actually more prose than poem, but I really like the message that I want my boys to internalize.
And finally, a Rudyard Kipling poem that my Mom gave to me on an engraved board 50 years ago:
If
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs, & blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
and yet don't look too good nor talk too wise;
If you can dream and not make dreams your master,
If you can think, and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with triumph and disaster,
and treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
and stoop and build'em up with worn out tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings,
and risk it on one turn of pitch and toss,
and lose, and start again at your beginnings,
and never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve their turn long after they are gone,
and so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With 60 seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And what's more - you'll be a Man, my Son!
- Rudyard Kipling
My two son's birthdays are within 2 days of each other in January. We have had a tradition of each of the three of us reading aloud a poem around the time of there birthdays. So far, we have usually read the following three (proposed by me). I hope that my sons will suggest their own favorite ones soon.
The Man In The Glass
When you get what you want in your struggle for self,
And the world makes you King for a day,
Just go to the mirror, look at yourself
And see what that guy has to say.
For it isn’t your father, mother, or wife
Whose judgment you must pass
But the one whose verdict means the most in your life,
Is the one staring back from the glass.
He’s the one you must please, never mind all the rest,
For he is with you right up to the end
And you’ve passed your most difficult, dangerous test,
If the man in the glass is your friend.
You may be Jack Horner, chisel a plum,
And think you’re a wonderful guy,
But the man in the glass says, “you’re only a bum,”
If you can’t look him straight in the eye.
You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years,
And get a pat on the back as you pass,
But your final reward will be heartache and tears,
If you’ve cheated the man in the glass.
The next one is actually more prose than poem, but I really like the message that I want my boys to internalize.
Success
The future is yours in all its mystery and promise. Know that it will offer you trials as well as treasures, tears as well as triumphs. Walk down Life's winding pathways with courage and humor and hope, savoring fully your achievements and learning from your defeats.
Speak kindly of others...and think kindly of yourself. Be forgiving, no less of your own mistakes than of theirs. Learn to laugh. Learn to listen. Aspire not to an unreachable perfection, nor merely to gain approval in the eyes of your friends.
Strive instead to live to the best of your ability by those personal standards of honor and excellence which only you can set. Cherish, above all, your individuality. Glory in those special qualities of mind and spirit that make you uniquely you.
Realize always that you are capable of reaching difficult goals and exceeding them, of dreaming wonderful dreams and making them come true, of achieving the only kind of success that really matters: that of being at peace with yourself and with the world around you.
And finally, a Rudyard Kipling poem that my Mom gave to me on an engraved board 50 years ago:
If
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs, & blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
and yet don't look too good nor talk too wise;
If you can dream and not make dreams your master,
If you can think, and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with triumph and disaster,
and treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
and stoop and build'em up with worn out tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings,
and risk it on one turn of pitch and toss,
and lose, and start again at your beginnings,
and never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve their turn long after they are gone,
and so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With 60 seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And what's more - you'll be a Man, my Son!
- Rudyard Kipling
How teachers are using their blogs
I found this website http://www.onlinedegrees.org/the-top-20-teacher-blogs/ useful (Top 20 Teacher Blog) as I searched for ideas for my own blog. The #1 blog was "Cool Cat Teacher:" http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/ Elements here that jump out to me include the creative catchy blog name itself, the format of the homepage with multiple tabs at the top; along the side one can find recent comments, links to the teacher's facebook & Twitter accounts, photo of the teacher with an introduction, and information organized by category. I'm sure we will all learn how to become more expert in creating these blog elements as we progress through our course
Other websites I found that offer examples of effective teacher blogging include "Edublog Awards" http://edublogawards.com/2010awards/best-teacher-edublog-2010/ and another one more focused on my targeted endorsement (social studies) http://teacherportal.com/edubloggers/history-and-social-studies
Other websites I found that offer examples of effective teacher blogging include "Edublog Awards" http://edublogawards.com/2010awards/best-teacher-edublog-2010/ and another one more focused on my targeted endorsement (social studies) http://teacherportal.com/edubloggers/history-and-social-studies
Monday, January 3, 2011
Places I've Been
I saw this map format on Denvy's blog, so I went to BigHugeLabs to generate my own "places I've been" map.
The "Warehouse" Is Now Open!
As part of course CSE694, I've just established my first blog. I am looking forward to this class, this term, the next 18 months at WOU and then my career as a social studies & language arts teacher.
ABOUT ME
My bachelors degree is in History from Lafayette College (Easton, PA). In the 35 years since then I've worked in various marketing positions at Xerox, NCR, Unisys, and in the past 22 years at Hewlett Packard. Here I am having fun on a business trip to Beijing.
I was recently laid off, which provided me with a fresh opporunity to prepare myself for a new career.
I live in Corvallis, Oregon with my wife of 20 years and my sons, ages 16 & 14.
I am very much looking forward to understanding how I can use blogs to enhance the learning experience for my students and improve communications between myself, school staff, and distant teachers who want to link and share.
ABOUT ME
My bachelors degree is in History from Lafayette College (Easton, PA). In the 35 years since then I've worked in various marketing positions at Xerox, NCR, Unisys, and in the past 22 years at Hewlett Packard. Here I am having fun on a business trip to Beijing.
I was recently laid off, which provided me with a fresh opporunity to prepare myself for a new career.
I live in Corvallis, Oregon with my wife of 20 years and my sons, ages 16 & 14.
I am very much looking forward to understanding how I can use blogs to enhance the learning experience for my students and improve communications between myself, school staff, and distant teachers who want to link and share.
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