Final Class, Entry to Dr. Ries!

Dear Dr. Ries,

     I would like to thank you for everything this semester, I really enjoyed the Instructional Technology course. I have learned so much, and my skills in technology have greatly improved. I am very excited to apply what I now know in my own elementary classroom, for all learners.
      At first, I was a little nervous about this class- technology and computer courses, I have had some bad experiences with when I was in elementary, and the upper grades. Teachers sometimes were not patient enough or did not know how to teach technology for various learning styles. But in this course, we have used various media, and this meets the needs for different types of students. For example, Inspiration could be a great tool for anyone. It is a visual tool that could be easily adapted for a struggling student, but also could be a tool for expanding a project for  gifted and talented student.
         My favorite program of the ones we used would probably be comic life. I think students would really enjoy making all sorts of projects from this. I would use this even at the middle and high school levels. I really liked the way my Curious George came out, it was cute.
           I really enjoyed writing a blog as well, it could be very therapeautic and allow oppertunities for discussion. I do feel I got to know my classmates a little better from the blogs, as we discussed and discovered things we had in common.
         The most challenging part of the course for me was the teacher websites. But, it was a big accomplish for me to get one together, and I now also have something I can show for a job interview.
        I really enjoyed this semester. There was a heavy work load- two education courses, and a four hundred level Shakespeare English class for instance, was not always easy. But I do feel I will complete the semester very successfully.
          My goals for the future are to receive my Bachelor's in Elementary Education, and English. I am also going for the  undergradute Special Education endorsement and Middle School endorsement for English. I also want to go to graduate school for Special Education ( Master's), and perhaps additional graduate endorsements like the substance ( abuse) awareness specialist. 
      Right now, I am looking forward to the summer.... My sister recently got engaged, so the planning will be lots of fun! We also always go down the shore for a few days- SEASIDE! I love the boardwalk. Also, my uncle owns a  hotel in Pennsylvania, and it is a really nice hotel, we always go there too. It is in Stroudsburg, Pa and is called Stroudsmoor Country Inn. I do have to take a summer course also, but at least it is prenatal/infant psych ( psych is one of my favorite subjects!). And I have a little break in between now and then.
         Thank you once again Dr. Ries, I hope I will be in another course with you in the future. 

                                     Sincerely,

                                     Meghan                            
     

Almost the end....

Hi Everyone,

We only have a few days left to go! Keep going, and finish STRONG :)

So, I came back from Ireland.... which was a  great trip! We went to Shannon, Cork, Kilarney, and Dublin. We saw the Cliffs of Mohr. That was one of my favorites. We also went to TCD ( Trinity College of Dublin) which is a really nice university. We also did a tour bus ride around Dublin. In Dublin, there were people from all over the world, which was really interesting!! Grafton Street in Dublin, is the place to go for shopping. We did have some interesting things happen while we were in Ireland... the first day we got 2 flat tires on the car we rented. This happenes  a lot in Ireland because of the small, older  roads we were told. Then, on our last day, Easter Sunday. There was a drill for about a half hour where everyone in the hotel had to evacuate! Even though it was a little crazy, we still had a great time!
         When we got home, my sister and her boyfriend went on to England, and they happened to be in London the time of the Royal Wedding!! My sister and her boyfriend also went to Scotlland. Tnere, my sister got engaged!! She is twenty-four, and is very excited to marry her fiance. We are excited to welcome Joe to our family, and discussing wedding plans with my sister is very exciting! ( He proposed to her at Edinborough Castle!)   I will be  a bridesmaid in the wedding pary.
                          I hope you all finish school succesfully and enjoy the summer! Good luck on finals. Meghan

Flocabulary: HIp Hop In the Classroom

Hi Everyone!! I hope you all have a good weekend. I thought I would share with you all a great website that can be used in the classroom for K-12, and higher education. The site is called Flocabulary and its main purpose it to integrate hip hop and rap music, into school subjects. Check out the Current Event Rap and the Shakespeare raps! http://www.flocabulary.com/

The New ESL Certificate at Caldwell!!!

Hi Everyone,

Did any of you notice there are some great new programs coming to Caldwell, particulary in education??  I think it's fantastic that the ESL certification has been added to the graduate school here at Caldwell. I would consider it as a possibility to study in the program.... How about any of you? There are so many students that are English Language Learners, and need specialty trained ESL teachers. Do any of you know students who recieve ESL education? Do you speak another language at home? I think it is important to accomodate and help this learners, especially now days, there are so many languages being spoken in New Jersey!!

Upcoming Trip!!!!

Hi Everyone!!

I am so excited, because over the break my family and I are going to Ireland! It will be my  first time out of the US, and Ireland is a place I have always wanted to go to. We leave on Tuesday, right after my ED 340 lesson plan presentation! It is difficult, in  that I am working on all my school work that is due before, and during break, because I don't want to worry about it later. But, what a reward, right? My family and I are going to Dublin, Shannon, and Cork. Have any of you been to Ireland before? Do you have any suggestions? I will try to put some photos of the trip on here for you all to see.  If you could go to another country where would you want to go?

Fall Classes :D

Hey Everyone! I met with my advisors and I have my classes for fall picked out. It will be a busy semester, but one I am very excited about ( a semester of all my favorite subjects!). These are the names of the courses I am taking, are any of you taking these??? :) It would be cool to know if I will see any of you!
- Sociology of Poverty
- American Literature
- Adolescent Psychology ( for Middle School Endorsement)
- Intro to Exceptional Child
- Assesment for all Students in Special Education
- Overview of Autism

Facebook, Twitter, or Myspace?

Hi Everyone,

I was wondering how many of you use Facebook, Twitter, or My Space ? I am familiar wiht Facebook, but have not used My Space or Twitter. How would you use these sites? Are they very similar from each other or would you say they also have major differences? I really find it helpful how Dr. Reis and Dr. Kalustian in my other education class,  have been teaching us how to these in class. For example, Dr. K, likes the idea of using twitter for social studies, and current events. Sometimes, these sites are very uneducational, but as teachers, we can also show the students how these sites can be a learning tool!

Volunteering

Hi Everyone,
   Somehow a couple days ago, a freind of mine and I were talking about places we were interns or volunteers. It just so happens that we are interested in related fields, so we happen to have volunteered at many of the same places. I really enjoy volunteering, it makes me feel so good that I am helping others. During the summer, I want to volunteer somewhere.... So I was wondering if any of you had some suggestions? I reallly like volunteering with children and adolescents ( particulary special needs... as you can tell :) ). So if you know of a places with children  please comment. How does volunteering make you feel? I will share with you some of my favorites of the places  I have volunteered at so if you are interested, check them out!! :) Matheny Medical and Educational  Center: a special hospital and school  for  children and adults with medically complex developmental disabilities:
http://www.matheny.org/about_matheny.htm    Horizon Schools ( Cerebral Palsy of Northern New Jersey) Schools-  are not limited to educating  students with cerebral palsy.   Students’ diagnoses include a wide range of disabilities, including traumatic brain injuries, seizure disorders, developmental disabilities, autism spectrum, multiply disabled with hearing and/or visual  impairments, Down syndrome, and preshool special needs   http://cpnj.org/?page_id=36

Did you Know, April is Autism Awareness Month?

Hi Everyone,

 Did you know, April is Autism Awareness month? There are a lot of activities going on to support awareness about autism and to support the ABA center on campus, for the next few weeks. I think it is really cool to see people coming together to help a good cause. I have heard a lot of people say  they will run or walk for the Autism Event coming up here at Caldwell. Do any of you know a family member or friend with autism? With how many people that are affected with autism, especially here in NJ, I think this is a great cause.

Careers in School Settings You May Not Know About: Athletic Trainers, & Physical Therapists

I thought I would write about the people who may work in schools that you might not realize are even there. Physical therapist and  athletic trainers. I know some of you are also considering the possibilty of coaching or similar positions so this might also interest you. I have been going to physical therapy for the last few months.  Well I had always needed to go to physical therapy all my life, and am back again. So I know ALOT about PT. Where I go now though, there are not only PT's but also Athletic Trainers. Which before recently, I did not know much of what Athletic Trainers did, especially that they often work in schools, both colleges and high schools.

Physical therapist in schools, I already knew about... I had a PT in school. During my gym period I would not only work with my gym teacher but also my PT. So part of the period of gym I would do the gym acticvity, and I would also do stretches and excercises with a Physical therapist.

I thought it was so interesting to learn that AT's are hired in school, because I had no idea they were even there! But looking back now, I realize I was lucky to go to a high school that actually does hire AT's. AT's like a physical therapist, helps peoople recover when they are injured, but  from a particular sport. I also learned that Athletic Trainers monitor games that go on for each season, so they are right there to help if you get hurt.   Because of being back in PT and now also working with AT's, I have a new respect for these people!

Do any of you already have an interest in Athletic Trainig or PT in an educational setting?

A Good Read: Any Recommendations?

I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions of good books to read? Here are some of my favorites:
- She Said Yes by Misty Bernall ( about Cassie Bernall, who died from the Columbine Tragedy, because she believed in God).

- The Curious Incident of the Dog in  the Nightime ( a murder mystery and autism novel)

- The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks ( a love story, most of you probably already know)

- I will ready anything by author, Torey Hayden ( a special education teacher)

- The Freedom Writers Diary  ( which is what the movie Freedom Writers came from)

Please send your suggestions. :)

ED 340: Today's Observations & Writing

Today, I went to my school that I am observing at for ED 340. I don't normally go on Tuesday's so it was interesting to go on a different day. Today, I was a scribe for one of the students, meaning I had to write for them. I had to write for them because the student while in kindergarten, had recieved very little attention on writing, at their previous school. So now, this student is just learning what most of their classmates already know how to do. This student can barely hold the pencil, after long periods of time, they get very tired since writing is so new too them. I can not believe that wherever this student went to school previously, did not teach what they should have, like at all. Basically the teacher told me " that he really didn't have a kindergarten", particularly in the area of writing. HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN? This makes me angry that somethig like this could happen to one of my students, or to one of my own kids in the future. Has any one seen this or heard of this at any of their schools?

One more Spotlight on a School... Eden Autism Services

Since I just wrote about Collier, there is one more school I thought I should mention. Through connections I have with one of my previous jobs, I have worked with many students, from Eden Autism Services ( Eden Institute). Here is a video about the school. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MJT8R_dea0
Eden is a school for children who have  autism ( mostly severe cases)  and uses the principles from Applied Behavior Analysis  ( ABA). Also- Caldwell has a great masters ABA program guys so check that out!!!  Question: Do any of you guys have " connections" that have helped you towards your education degree ? It is because of my job at a special needs  summer camp, that I was allowed to do observations at this school, so thanks to my old bosses!!  official site:
http://www.edenservices.org/

Spotlight on a special education school.... Collier HS

Hi Everyone, I thought I would share with you a link on a particular special education school I am interested in, since I know some of you are also interested in special education. This school called Collier High School is an alternative high school for teens with emotional challenges. They are looking for substitutes right now, and require the subs to have 60 college credits. Once I have 60, I hope to be a sub here also. Check it out. Where are some of you subbing. planning to sub? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyLzg9pqG0w

2ND Recording: Welcome

http://www.box.net/shared/3ho0ok877o  This is a recording I would like to use on a teacher website for my class.

Observations for ED 340 continued, and Music Workshop.

Hi! Well observations are going great! The teacher and students are all  really nice. Friday, which was my third time going to my school, was a very busy day! I graded papers, and organized folders for most of the day which was a really good experience. I was tired later on though! Have you guys graded or done other similar task for your classes yet? Also, the math concepts first graders are learning are challenging for them. My class is doing the machine concept of addition/subtraction. So its like saying, " if the number is 2 and plus 2 is put in. What comes out ?" This was hard for the first graders, and my teacher had to stop and reteach them this, on the day I came. 
         On Saturday, for my Music for the Elementary School teacher class, I went to a workshop for music educators/ elementary school teachers at William Patterson. It was interesting, although a long day. I did find some of the workshop challenging, like the two hours the music teachers spent going over the recorder. It is amazing how since observing and taking other classes, how much elementary school students are learning!

Hazing in A NJ HIgh School, Girls Bullying Each Other:Acting Like " Mean Girls"

I was very shocked to read a story about Millburn High school, and how hazing occures every year on the first day of school. Female students create a " slut list" each year, and some students cry because they areon it, others are actually upset they are not!! The story was published in 2009, and it had been a long traddition at the schoool. The hazing is done by female students, attacking other students. This does occur at many schoools, girls being very " Mean Girl" - like to their classmates. I remember hearing about a couple very violent, agressive fights at my old high school. This makes me upset, as teachers, what can we do about this??

NJ Middle Schoolers Stop Bullying... With the Help of Enrique Iglesias!!

Hi Guys!! Here is a great story!!! Middle School students from Long Branch, NJ used You Tube for an anti- bullying project! The students created an anti-bullying song, based off the beat of Enrique Iglesias's song " I like It". Then, Enrique heard the song, and he really liked their project's cause. Also, I am so excited to say for the ED 340 class, my group's mini lesson was inspired by this story. It was such a good use of character education and technology!! I loved this idea, how you would use technology for character education? Check our the video the NJ students made!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-X3Pu20w24

Ms. Forte reads a poem: Things you need to know and Welcome to First Grade!!!!

http://www.box.net/shared/bshj1558xy

Students Who Have Been to Juvinile Hall, and Come Back to Public School

There is a major transition for those students who have been sent to juvinile hall, and then are sent back to their public schools, or private. All of a sudden, they have to be strong enough to face their old demons again... and walk away from them. Majority of students who have been sent to juvinile hall were sent because of gang related actitivy. You might be thinking that it is juste high school students that get sent here. Wrong. There are certainly younger adolescents, middle school and elementary. Particulary middle schoolers- because they are in that akward  stage of being more than a little kid, but not an adult. Here is a great article students and juvinile hall.  http://www.kpbs.org/news/2011/feb/15/juvenile-hall-classroom/

Blogs Are Great for ELL/ESL Students Too!

ELL students can also benefit from Blogging! From http://iteslj.org/Techniques/Campbell-Weblogs.html is what I think are the best benefits of Blogging for ELL/ESL students.  The Article is below:

" Three Types of Weblogs for Use in ESL Classrooms

The Tutor Blog

This is a type of weblog that is run by the tutor for the learners. It serves the following purposes:

• It gives daily reading practice to the learners. Sometimes students find assigned reading material too boring, difficult, or hard to relate with. This is because it is often written with another purpose in mind. So who better to write to them than the person who knows them best: the teacher. Entries are kept short, geared towards the learner interest, and linked to related online sources for further reading if desired. Vocabulary used in class can be recycled this way. New vocabulary words can be linked to definitions on other sites found with a search engine. Furthermore, a casual, natural writing style can be used by the tutor to develop learner familiarity with native language patterns.
   
• It promotes exploration of English websites. Any entry made by the tutor can and ought to encourage further exploration of the Internet in English by linking to related articles, and content based websites. For those learners reluctant to step outside the comfort of exploring the Web in their native language, being led to interesting English language sites will increase their confidence and help to overcome their aversion.
   
• It encourages online verbal exchange by use of comment buttons. At the bottom of each entry, any blog reader can make a comment that can be read and further commented on by all who access the site. Ask your students questions, give them riddles, challenge their views; whatever it takes to encourage them to comment.
   
• It provides class or syllabus information. Entries in the blog can also serve to remind students about homework assignments and upcoming discussion topics. Links can be provided to sites that introduce relevant topics of discussion. The tutor can also follow up on difficult areas of classroom work that might need review or clarification. In addition, a permanent link to the classroom syllabus and rules can be included on the blog.
   
• It serves as a resource of links for self-study. In the right and/or left margins of the blog, permanent links can be set-up and organized to aid the learner in self-study, for example links to online quizzes, English news sites, key-pal networks, audio and video files for listening practice and ESL interactive websites.

The Learner Blog

These are blogs that are either run by individual learners themselves or by small collaborative groups of learners. In ESL, learner blogs may be best suited for reading and writing classes. A common reading assignment can be followed by blog postings on the thoughts of each learner or group of learners. Furthermore, the act of constructing the blog may encourage the use of search engines and net surfing in English to find the appropriate sites to which links can be made.  This will empower the learner to direct the reader to sites of choice for further reading. Individually, blogs can be used as journals for writing practice, or as free-form templates for personal expression. The idea here is that students can get writing practice, develop a sense of ownership, and get experience with the practical, legal, and ethical issues of creating a hypertext document. In addition, whatever they write can instantly be read by anyone else and, due to the comment features of the software, further exchange of ideas is promoted. Tutors can even run a mega-blog of select topics of interest gleaned from student blogs so that the broader issues are brought into focus on a single website.

The Class Blog

This type of blog is the result of the collaborative effort of an entire class. The following are some possible uses:

• In conversation-based classes it could be used like a free-form bulletin board for learners to post messages, images, and links related to classroom discussion topics. It could also be a space for them to post thoughts on a common theme assigned for homework.
   
• With intermediate and advanced learners, class blogs might also useful for facilitating project-based language learning, where learners can be given the opportunity to develop research and writing skills by being asked to create an online resource for others.
   
• Class blogs could also be used as a virtual space for an international classroom language exchange.  In this scenario, learners from different countries would have joint access and publishing rights to the blog. The entire exchange would then be transparent to all readers and could be followed and commented on by other learners, tutors, parents and friends.
   
• For reading and writing classes, it might also involve the use of knowledge management software, like Userland's Manila, that allows for a great deal of threaded discussion behind the scenes. Much like a publishing group, individual learners can be given varying amounts of responsibility to publish material arising from postings on the discussion list. The results of this effort are what is seen on a website by the public at large." 

English Courses and You Tube

On Monday, Sister Brigid used You Tube to provide our Shakespeare Plays of Love course a visual, as we read a long to the play. I do find that with watching a video or listening to the book on tape/online I understand my English texts a lot more. Which I thought it was interesting how being in this course, I now even see my professors teaching with technology! You Tube/ School Tube can be great " read along" tools! Also, my tutor told me about www.learnoutloud.com. This site has many books on tape, which you can download for free. I have found these tools help me. Any thoughts or other suggestions?

Urban Educators Use Blogs for Support

Teaching at an urban school district has many challenges that are unique, compared to working an a more suburban district. With these challenges, teachers and administrators often feel they need more support. They need a place to find out more about techniques, disciplinary issues, and other things. So blogs have become very important for these educators in finding the support they need. Do any of you have plans to teach in an urban district and what do you plan on using for support? blogs?

Observations So far!

Well, I had a full day at my school for Ed 340. I love the class I am in, a first grade classs! The students and teacher are great! I have learned a lot already, I even was given some sample worksheets etc. One the best things I saw was they do a " Super Readers" program. The students break into groups of three, and they read to their peers. It's as if, they are the teachers! It was a great lesson idea!

Teenage Parents and How Blogs are Keeping Them Going....

As teachers, it't important to keep in mind all the personal stuff adolescents deal with. Besides the pressures of school there is a lot of pressure for these students about college, sports, drugs, and sex. Many students are teenage parents for example. So not only do these parents have to worry about tomorrow's math test or an upcoming AP exam, they are dealing with changing diapers or reading a bed time story. It is a way of life for more students then you may realize, and even though its a challenge for these students, receiving an education is still possible. Here I found a blog specifically for teenage mothers, sharing there stories. http://www.circleofmoms.com/teenage-mothersyoung-mothers/Teenage-mothers-blog-Tell-your-true-story-277097  I believe that these blogs can provide encouragement, hope and motivation to keep these kids going! Do you know any teenage parents who use a blog? And do you think schools should encourage teenage parents to go to resources, such as blogs, to help them?

Blogging and Students with Autism

Hi Guys! I saw an article recently, that gave me an idea for this post! I think, that perhaps blogging would be a great idea for students with autism. I keep seeing articles online, about how children with autism are loving the IPAD. So then I thought, maybe they would love to blog! In case you didnt know, children on the autism spectrum sometimes have a hard time socially, especially giving eye contact. But students with autism are often very bright.  ( Also future teachers- NJ has the highest rate of children with autism). Many children with autism love technology and are good at using these things. We've discussed in class, how one of the benefits of blogging in school, is that students develop a certain writing style. A student with autism, may have an easier time expressing their thoughts on the computer, especially if computers is one of their strengths and interest.  I have a feeling, that blogs may be able to communicate what these students in social situations ( face to face) sometimes have difficulty with. What do you think?

Learning About Smart Board!

On Thursday, I learned about the Smartboard. I observed that I can simply touch the screen and have shapes be colored in, and then moved around. I can put maps or any image I want either from clip art or the web onto the board. Dr. Ries was showing me how I can use it in math class ( like counting the number of flowers). Or do a great lesson on maps by enlarging the image. I was in the beginning  a little nervous about all this smart board stuff, but I do think its all interesting and can be a great tool. I really like that the shapes can flipped or put behind another image. Especially because, in math this is a topic elementary/middle school students learn. I am excited to keep learning more. What are some other lessons you would use smart board for? 

Dragon Naturally Speaking Product

Hi! One more thing I wanted to add, since yesterday I wrote about therapeutic ed, and about using technology for special needs students. I myself use a program called Dragon Naturally Speaking sometimes to help me type my papers. I have a difficult time with the speed of typing, so luckily someone told me about this program. When I talk into the microphone, it types what I say. I am still

new at using it, because I only started a couple a months ago, but it works well. I just wanted to share that with you all. Feel free to post any questions... any one else use any technology products to help them with school work? If so, what do you use?

Using technology for Therapeutic Education

For me personally, my goal is to become a special education teacher. I have experiences of working with children and adolescents with a variety of special needs- physical disabilities, learning disorders, and working with the emotionality disabled. I was reflecting on a past blog's comment on how writing, and writing in a format like this could become therapeutic. So, then I had a though: Using Technology  for therapeutic education. Probably, a lot you are not so familiar with this term, or terms like " therapeutic boarding schools".  These are schools, that often times are for youth at risk- they may have a disability or substance abuse addiction,  This led to a little bit of research... and here for example is an article for using technology for emotionally/behaviorally disordered students, I thought some of you might want to look at.  http://www.eric.ed.gov/PDFS/ED339155.pdf. I am looking forward to learning more about assistive technology. and how technology is used in counseling services for youth! What are your thoughts?

Another Snow Day....What are Some Activities You know of that are fun and also encourage learning?

For a lot of kids this winter, they have had so many snow days! In some districts, they have already gone over their limit. My question is how can a snow day be used for learning... instead of the kids being inside watching tv,  what else can they do, that is fun but also has more learning to it? I think I would encourage the kids to do some arts and crafts, or they could even talk to their parents about science- snow, weather, etc. And of course-  sledding is good for them too! . Any other ideas, suggestions?

So what do you think of all this technology?

Well, the new semester seems very busy so far, but I like all my classes and professors. A lot of my classes are very technology oriented this semester it seems. Almost all of my classes are using a different type of website- some are on live text, others on black board, and moodle. It's a little crazy and overwhelming for me right now, but I know I will get better doing all this after using it more. Isn't it amazing how first graders are computer experts and know so much about ipads, ipods, cell phones, etc. As future teachers, we really do have a lot to learn! So I was wondering, how you all felt about young students using so much technology? I think there are some advantages and some disadvantages.... What do you think?

                              

What will I learn about Blogging?

So, how do you think you would use blogging in the classroom? I think it could be very useful for students, even though I never really did this before. Students can talk to each other by commenting or following. And for a lot of students, wrting can get boring but this allows them to write about almost anything, and create their own writing style.