Anthony Capps is a third grade teacher, who has been successfully experimenting with technology and Project Based Learning in the past year, which also happens to be his first year teaching. There is a wealth of knowledge to be obtained from the conversations Mr. Capps and Dr. Strange posted. Project Based Learning is a tool for educators to use but also a learning process, for the teacher as well as the student. Children who are involved in this learning process are engaged and excited about what they are studying. One of the most important things I gained from this set of videos is that the students are engaged and happy to learn while using PBL, which are authentic experiences we as educators are trying to achieve as our ultimate goal.
The next part of the series of clips contains information about an important tool for the children when they are researching and creating using technology called icurio.This resource offers a safe way to view information when researching topics, as well as store work created during the learning process. No jump drive or pencil and paper required! The safe search engine can be utilized by the teacher to ensure material is appropriate and aligned with curriculum standards. Discovery Ed is another valuable resource discussed in these clips and it can be viewed at:I have used Discovery Streaming in the past for video clips on just about every topic you can think of in just about every content area. Children today are much more apt to tune in to a visual on the Smart Board, rather than have the teacher drone on about any given topic.
Finally Dr. Strange and Mr. Capps offer these essential tips for future teachers: 1. Teachers must be constant learners. 2. Teaching never ends its hard work but very rewarding. 3. Always be flexible because the unexpected will happen. 4. Start with the goal in mind. 5. Engage 100% of kids, 100% of the time on 100% of the projects. 6. Reflect, revise and share the work with an audience. I learned after viewing the interviews with Anthony Capps that the way children learn is evolving and educators today must learn to scaffold our lessons to allow for each child to discover and use technology to gain information about the world because the knowledge is already out there waiting for us to explore.
Thoughtful. Interesting. Well written
ReplyDeleteAlexandria,
ReplyDeleteI gained a great amount of information after watching these video conversations as well. I haven't used iCurio or Discovery Education yet but I love the idea of both of them. iCurio is such a great way to make sure the children are research relevant, appropriate content. I also think that Discovery Ed is a great tool to use to grab the students attention. Students are more apt to tune in when there is a visual representation of something. Lectures are so boring and repetitive. I enjoyed reading your post!