Art in the Classroom

Previously I took a class that taught me about art in elementary. At first I thought that art was art and just give a kid some crayons and they'll be fine. After we got further and further into the semester I found that there is much more to art in the classroom than I thought. Art can be used for so many things with students. Students can explain how they are feeling, their emotions, and what is going on in their life. Being able to make their own art and feel that accomplishment can give a child such joy.

I recently found a hobby of drawing just everyday things. I know that being able to feel the paper, paint, brushes, pencils, etc. makes me just feel at ease and like I could take draw the whole world. Giving that experience to a child will give them the motivation to do well in school and help them strive to keep doing better. With all the different colors of the world I just can't help but feel happy and excited when I'm able to use those colors in my art. No child wants to come into a classroom that is grey and white. There is no motivation or inspiration for that student. Having bright and colorful art in the classroom makes it feel like a safe home that inspires a student to learn.

Lifelong Learners

In the profession I'm working hard to get to I will always be a lifelong learner. For me to not be a lifelong learner I will have no impact on my students. I will not be able connect with my students and get to know them and what works best for them. I will constantly be learning the new technology that can be used in the classroom and other gadgets that will benefit my students. Not only will my students be learning and absorbing things in the classroom, but I will also be learning with them. For me to give the best learning experience to my students I will need to be willing to learn and absorb everything that might help my students. While I'm in school now I have learned so many great ways to connect with my students, the parents, and staff over the internet.

Future of Schools

Here is a picture of my avatar that I made in the secondlife.com website.

Recently I did a group project in my EDM 310 class where we talked about the future of schools. The information that my group was able to find was remarkable. Right now there are schools out there that you don't even have to leave your house to attend. All a student needs to do is turn on their computer. Sometimes they'll have what is called an avatar. An avatar is a vitual character that you create to look however you would like.

To experience what this avatar and virtual life was all about I decided to visit this website called secondlife.com where you can make your own avatar and connect with people all over the world. It was very similar to the games The Sims. I chose my avatar to look similar to myself. Although the system worked very slow on my computer I found it very interesting and addictive. Having a classroom like this would definitely attract students to attend class and be apart of the activities. A class could even consist of students all over the world. How great would that be for students to connect with students a create a bond with them while learning about so many different cultures at the same time.

Podcast and Videocast

In my EDM 310 class I was able to create a podcast that is out in the world of iTunes. Being able to use podcasts and videocasts in the classroom I believe will benefit students. If for some reason a student misses class a teacher can record a lesson on a podcast or videocast that the student can go back a learn what was taught that day. Students could access these podcasts or videocasts from the class blog or from iTunes U. Although they may not be the best quality we're talking about making these babies on a teacher budget so you can't be to critical on the quality. These would also be great to have if a student didn't fully understand the lesson and needs a refresher to complete the understand the lesson. I hope that when I do have my own classroom I will have the tools to make videocasts and podcasts.

Click here to listen to my podcast

Why technology should be in the clasroom

When I become a teacher I will definitely have different types of technology in the classroom for my students to use. By having technology in the classroom I will be preparing my students for the future that will be run mostly by technology. This will also be a way for me to show different places to my students without stepping out of the classroom. Like using Google Earth will help me show students the world with just a click of a button. Students will also be able to connect with other students around the world and learn about their culture. If we didn't have some use of technology in the classroom we wouldn't be preparing our students for the future. I believe that the students would actually fall behind and would have to catch up in the technology world.

My Teaching Philosophy

My teaching philosophy lays in my desire to contribute back to the community in order to educate the world. In order for the world to grow, a teacher must teach his or her students while continuing to learn at the same time. My goal is to facilitate in my students the lifelong learning skills, the ability to feel comfortable using technology in any situation, and for my students to be intellectually challenged while still being in a caring and supportive environment. To provide this type of environment, a teacher needs to be facilitator in the classroom, encourage students to use different types of technology, and promote respect for all.

Teaching in the generation of changing and growing technology, it will be my job to keep learning and staying up to date on the technology that can be used in the classroom. By promoting the desire to keep learning, I hope to pass on this trait to my students so that they can become lifelong learners as well. Being a technologically literate teacher can also prepare students for a world that is growing constantly with different technology. Having access to these tools can provide countless resources for a student. As a teacher I will challenge my students intellectually to prepare them for the real world by promoting respect for all my students and for us to continue learning each day.

I also believe having parent involvement in the classroom is another key factor that is important to a successful school year. Not only are parents an integral part of education outside of the classroom they are also vital to supporting and encouraging the learning inside the classroom. I believe that having parent involvement in the classroom can be the connecting link to a successful learning experience throughout their child’s years of school.