Video Intro

Here is an introduction video I created on a mobile device. This technique is very easy and takes no time at all (or as much time as you want!). Recording videos can also be accomplished via laptop or desktop camera. :)

Annotated Video Playlist

Here is an annotated video playlist I created on YouTube teaching students about yoga, partner yoga, and the benefits of yoga for our mind, body, and health.

Socrative Application

Socrative is a service that allows students to take quizzes electronically via computers, tablets, or smartphone devices. Teachers create quizzes that can be multiple choice, true/false, or short answer--it''s up to them what works best for their lecture! I tested out this application by creating a quiz compiled of ten multiple choice and short answer questions. Three participants completed the quiz in the student-paced quiz mode, and I downloaded the quiz results as an Excel PowerPoint spreadsheet. This spreadsheet is a quick and easy way to add student's results to an assessment program or system.

I really enjoyed using Socrative. It is very easy to set up a teacher account and create quizzes. It is also simple for students to open the application, join the classroom, and take the quiz according to the instructor's pace preference, which is another great aspect of Socrative. Students may be able to compete the quiz at their own pace or a at a pace preferred by the teacher.

Socrative is a great tool to get students more engaged and motivated in individual learning. I could use this application in my classroom to use open-ended questions to help frame upcoming learning activities or as a checklist while working through a current activity. Whatever my lesson plan is for the day, I'm sure that Socrative will be able to support it and make learning more exciting!

Netiquette Guidelines

Miss. Ball’s 2nd Grade

Netiquette Rules

1. Don’t be a bully
• Using the internet to spread rumors about others can be harmful and damaging. Be kind and respectful towards everyone.
2. Use emoticons to express feelings
• :-)    happy               
• :-(    Sad
• %-( Confused
• :-0   Yelling
• :-o   Wow!
• ^^^    Giggling
• :-D   Laughing
• ;-)   Winking
3. Be safe
• There are unsafe sites on the internet. Only visit sites provided to you by me.
• Do not give anybody your full name, address, phone number, school, or age.
4. Be honest
• Do not plagiarize: taking somebody else’s work for your own.
5. Avoid slang y’all
• People who don’t speak American language as a first language might not understand your meaning.

The Future Of Education

Classroom of The Future, videos created in 1987, describe the roles computers and technology would play in education in the future. The filmmaker's vision was very close to what it actually is today. He imagined that students and teachers would be able to chat with each other via video conference. This is commonly used today in work settings and when socializing with friends and loved ones. However, it is not used in the classroom to the extent that an absent student can video conference during lecture. I do think that this is a possibility and may appear in the near future.

Another technology that the filmmaker created was a library database. Again, he had the right idea as library databases are very common in most schools. The only difference is that our computers are not voice activated. In the video, a student told his computer what to do, such as, freeze the screen, enlarge the text, and scroll up or down. He did not have to use a finger to perform any of these tasks as the computer did it all for him. It may sound crazy, but I think that this could be a future possibility as well.

Reflections of Assistive Technologies

Imagine being unable to communicate your thoughts, opinions, and desires with others. It would be frustrating to try to get someone to understand your personality and almost impossible to establish close relationships with your peers. Luckily, assisted technologies have helped people who have this impairment. Elle, a fourteen year old girl, has cerebral palsy. She has lived most of her life without being able to speak. Now, thanks to the DynaVox, she is able to express her thoughts aloud. This assisted technology reads her thoughts and records them out loud. It is easier for Elle to learn at school, make friends, and live a normal life.

Growing up having to wear glasses was tough, but with them, I could see everything clearly and I did well in school. For six-year-old Mason, school is extremely difficult because he is visually impaired. His left eye is completely blind while his right eye retains partial retina. Mason can't see like a normal student. However, assistive technologies have aided Mason in his learning career and home life. Technologies such as the iPad and SMART Board help Mason complete school activities because the letters are large and the contrast is better. In the future, Mason will be able to advance to braille note takers and screen-reading devices, and perhaps something even more advanced as technology is always changing for the better.

Many things are taken for granted every day, such as the sports you play or activities you participate in. Lukas is a man who knows how valuable everyday life is. He has what is called Amyoplasia Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita. It causes stiffness in joints and results in missing muscles, causing him to sustain from every-day tasks. Lacking manual dexterity didn't stop him from following his dreams, though. With the help of assistive technologies, Lukas is able to do what he loves best; play the horn in band. A box with a joystick that triggers solenoids and operates the valves of a horn was created so that Lukas could play. Though it is still difficult, Lukas makes the best of it and it thankful for the technology device that makes is possible.

With assistive technologies like these, it is possible to support the needs of every student and allow them to grow to their fullest potential. 

Realm Of Creativity

One of my goals as an educator is to provide a positive and effective environment for my students; a place where learning comes naturally. It is very unlikely that students will enjoy learning in a boring and dull classroom. Therefore, I want my classroom environment to be colorful, welcoming, fun, and magical. The walls will be filled with student masterpieces, there will be music, and we will laugh. This will be a place where not only children enjoy, but I will as well. Teaching will be much easier in this type of environment; thus, inspiration and imagination will flow from my students like a waterfall. As each year passes by, my realm of creativity will evolve depending on the needs and desires of my students. My space will be an exciting and never-ending adventure.

Creative Technologies

1. Rolls-Royce Smart Board 8070i
This smart board series is equipped with four cameras in each corner that designate where the board is being touched. An awesome feature on the smart board is the multi-touch aspect. In the classroom, tow or more students will be able to work on the smart board at a time. Not only will this increase work time, but it will serve as a teamwork activity as students complete achievements together. Grouping, shading, and swapping are possible techniques that students will be able to perform and enjoy with one another.

iPad's are already commonly used in the classroom, but now they can connect to an educator's classroom computer via Bluetooth. This can be used as a resource when working on group activities presented on the smart board.  Teachers will be able to walk around the classroom during instruction and help students individually. This will ensure that one-on-one time they deserve while still maintaining large classroom discussion. No matter where the teacher is in the classroom, students will be able to see and hear what is happening on the smart board at all times. In addition, students who are at home can connect and partake in the lesson just as if they are sitting in the classroom.  

2. Augmented Reality Visualization Tool
Zco.com is a source of custom apps, one of which is called Augment. This app consists of different models of 3-D images that students can see through their device's camera to make it appear on something physical. Students can manipulate these images to make them small or can make them large to see what's inside of them. Augment can be used in fun ways. For example, it can be hung on the wall and students can effectively be put inside of a historical building or object. When teaching history, students can get a close to real life experience about a particular place they are studying. In math, students can learn about volume as they squeeze into a cup. These virtual experiences will create fun and exciting schema for students.

3. Active Table
The Active Table is a multi-layer function compiled with great activities and lessons for students. This technology would be of great use in elementary schools, especially great for students with disabilities as it can serve for ELL activities. The Active Table is about collaboration where students work together to achieve a shared goal. It is a fun way to create settings, plots, and characters for stories. Each student gets their own avatar and has their own set of tools. When working on an activity, students can share their work with other students at the table. When they are finished, there is a copy tool that will make copies for each student partaking in the activity so that they can add individuality. The activity can be exported back to the teacher so that the final product can be examined. A really cool feature is the heat map. It shows all finger strokes and all amounts of touches that was done by each student at the table. This would be very useful for me as a teacher to see which students were participating well and which students were struggling with the activity so that I could supply additional help. Overall, I think that students would thoroughly enjoy working on the Active Table with their peers. 

Blow Up the Grade Book?

In the movies, children come home from school to a nice house, sit down with their parents to work on homework or study at their personal desk in their bedrooms, and end the day with family supper. They have the tools necessary to complete homework and are equipped with a family support system. As Chris Haskell mentions, the existing curricular design is set up for a child like this. However, most children do not have this type of lifestyle. Teachers cannot assume that their students are getting all of the time and assistants they need on homework. Some instances where children cannot complete/hand in homework on time include: parents are unqualified to help with schoolwork,  they don't have the resources required for doing homework, some may not have the time to complete homework due to household chores/responsibilities, and some may even be homeless. It is unfair to the majority of kids to have to go through school with the existing curriculum design.

As a solution to this problem, Haskell believes that homework as well as due dates should be eliminated altogether.  Without homework or due dates, triage and unfairness will be reduced. Haskell claims that curriculum needs to be shifted to quest-based learning, which is grounded on technology. Quest-based learning acts as a game where students earn points, conquer levels, earn badges, and achieve quests. It allows and rewards failure, removes punishment, offers multiple paths and choices, and defines a winning condition. The design and activities are created by the teacher, but individually chosen by the students based on his/her own schema. It has proven to be effective as 93% of thousands of students earned A's during a two-year study. Haskell believes that quest-based learning builds school for students not against them, and that students will succeed because the winning condition is always within reach.

I think it is critical to keep up with the times and incorporate technology into the classroom. Right now, well-funded elementary schools are facilitated with iPad's. This is a positive turn in the right direction, but the majority of students in low-income schools are still not being provided with these services. Switching curriculum to fit quest-based learning is, in my opinion, a good idea and will fulfill the need of technology programming. I love that children get to choose their own destiny, learn from their mistakes, and be rewarded for conquering their achievements/failures. Kids will gain expertise in time management as there are no due dates, and will not be punished for missing an assignment due to personal circumstances. My only concern with quest-based learning is that teachers won't be able to get hands-on, personal experience with their students as everything will be online. I think that it is important for teachers to get to know their students and earn a personal, professional relationship with them. If teachers are able to accomplish this with quest-based learning, then I fully support Haskell's proposal.   

     

3 Great Apps to Use in the Classroom

1. Ansel & Clair's Adventures in Africa by cognitivekid is a Social Studies/Geography app used in K-6. The app incorporates critical thinking and thought analysis, two techniques that will be regularly practiced in my classroom. The game challenges students to think about the "why" and "how" questions in addition to the "what" question. Students will be involved in thrilling interactions, addicting quests, exciting games, challenging puzzles, and amazed by the quality of animation. These aspects of the app will keep students engaged and thoroughly entertained. This app will be used in my classroom when learning about different countries. The app is so good, students may not even realize they are learning about Geography! 

2. My Bird World by 5 Ravens is a Science app focused on the upper elementary grade levels, but can be explored by all grade levels. The object of this game is for students to learn about and love everything about birds. I can use this in my classroom when learning about national state birds. It is a fun and creative game that will ignite the student's mind and get them interested in birds. The app is composed of realistic bird photos, fascinating facts, and exhibits real life bird calls and chirps. Students will learn about North American birds, what they eat, and the habitat they live in order to survive. Students will also learn how to be a valuable team player while working on teams to explore the different bird species or can independently explore for fun. My Bird World is a great app for Science activities and free time.

3. Faces iMake - Right Brain Creativity by iMagine machine is a creative app targeted at younger elementary grades, typically preschool through 2nd grade. It develops right brain creative capabilities as students make all kinds of wonderful creations. The game is a modernized version of the classic Mr. Potato Head, and is similarly played. The objective is for students to ignite their creativity and create as many imaginative faces that they can. Students can share their creations with the class and save them in a gallery. I can use this app in my classroom during project time, as a reward incentive for students who finish their work early, and as a fun and exciting game to play during recess. Faces iMake is the perfect way to let students relax, be creative, and have a lot of fun! 

What is Schema?

What the heck is schema and what role does it play in how we perceive student intelligence?

Piaget established a Theory of Cognitive Development. He proposed that schema is a means of organization and is significant in teaching. Schema is where we store specific things; it's like having mini filing cabinets inside our heads. When we learn something new, we file it away and when we need to remember something, we dig through our files to find the correct response. Our schema adapts or changes as we learn new things or experience things differently. Schema is developed through our personal experiences. So, everyone's schema is different. 

When students don't perform well on certain subjects, they are a lot of times mistaken for being unintelligent. However, the loss of knowledge is simply because they have not had experience in the right context. I believe that all students can be experts on any subject if their teachers produce a meaningful experience for them. So, as teachers, it is critical to give students an experience they will surely remember. It is in our control to teach with powerful meaning tailored to our students. Creating more schema produces more student intelligence.      

  

Voki Intro

About Me

Hello, my name is Jaraka Ball. I am a sophomore at Boise State University, expected to graduate in 2018. I am 20 years old and I love to travel, dance, and watch movies. I am currently studying to be an Elementary school teacher. One day, I hope to teach Kindergarten. 

When I was a little girl, my teachers would constantly ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up. My answers ranged from mom to babysitter to teacher. As I got older, nothing changed. My dream has always been to encourage children to be the best they can be and help them experience life to the fullest. 



I started babysitting when I was fourteen years old and I realized that working with children was in deed my passion. I babysat kids ranging from 6 months old to twelve years old. Each child was special to me and they could instantly make my day. I enjoyed helping them with homework, watching their faces glow after accomplishing a difficult task, and experiencing true happiness when they discovered something new. Each child was a student of mine who inspired me to want to become a professional teacher.

Throughout high school, I volunteered as a peer tutor at an elementary school. I had the opportunity to assist Kindergarten aged children in math, reading, spelling, and science. I also led one-on-one testing, graded and recorded homework, facilitated crafting time, and read to them. Every day was challenging and exciting. It didn't take long for me to realize that I wanted to be a Kindergarten teacher. I love the age where imagination runs wild, discrimination is nonexistent, and learning is fun.