Character Traits Video

The focus for our video was the different character traits the students learn throughout the year and how they incorporate them in the classroom. We chose to include science and health TEKs in our assignment. The 7 elements of digital storytelling were used to help create this video. A combination of different items were used to make the video. We used PowerPoint, Windows Live Movie Maker, a song from iTunes, and a digital camera. Schools now focus on one character trait each  month and take time to teach students about what they can do to model each one in the classroom and at home.

Storyboards

There is a lot that goes in to creating a digital story. For this assignment we decided to focus on character traits and how they are incorporated in science and health. We developed an activity plan of the TEKs we chose to use for this assignment. Once we completed everything we developed our storyboard. This shows frame by frame what the video will look like. After you have finished these few steps, you are now ready to make a movie.

Digital Storytelling

Before this class I hadn't learned about digital storytelling and had never done a storyboard. Using this in the classroom can be very beneficial to the students and the teacher. It is an interactive way to teach a lesson so that the students can enjoy it. Digital storytelling is a short form of a digital-film making that allows everyday people to share aspects of their life story.

This works with students because they are learning without actually realizing they are. It's not like the boring, typical lecture where the teacher just talks for hours but it a hands on way for the students to get involved. In a special education classroom, the teacher would have to make some modifications but it is still something the students can do.

Technology in today's classrooms

Technology has become a huge part of today's education. Now teachers have incorporated Smart boards, Mimios (and related technology), voice thread, and other various forms of technology students can use. Lessons are now becoming based around the internet and different websites that can be used in the classroom. 

When I was going through school technology was still uncommon. My teachers used textbooks for everything and taught primarily from them. Now that I am studying to be a teacher, I have realized what a difference it is. I probably enjoy using today's technology just as much as the students do. However, I have never written a blog or used it in the classroom, but I have used them as a resource for ideas to implement in my lessons. 

Since I will be a special education teacher, it would be difficult for me to use blogs for my students. Blogs in the classroom would be most beneficial as a means to communicate with my students' parents or guardians. One possibility to involve the students could be to implement a "weekly diary" for the students to reflect on their week. Another idea would be to post pictures of the assignments that we do each week like Karla, a Special Education Teacher, does in her blog. 

Inquiry & Project-Based Learning

Welcome to Ms. McMullen's blog.

Benjamin Franklin once said, "Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn". I could not agree more with this quote! Involving students in each and every lesson is crucial to their success, especially in a special education classroom.We as teachers can't just stand up at the board, lecture, and write down notes and expect the students to grasp the lesson. Instead, we need to make things interesting and check for understanding frequently, or do hands-on activities, just something to get the students involved and interested in what they are learning about. This is why both Inquiry and Project-based learning are important in the classroom.

• Inquiry-based learning is seeking for truth, information, or knowledge by questioning. This goes back to checking the students for understanding frequently. Every so often, we should pause the lesson and ask a Higher Order Thinking question to make sure the students are following along and really grasping the information. We want to make sure they aren't just memorizing it, but are actually learning it. 
• In project-based learning, students look at real-world problems and challenges. Using real-world examples is a great way to engage students. If it is something they are able to relate to, chances are, they will be more interested and will be able to remember whatever it is they are learning. 

Both of these should be incorporated in the classroom because it gets the students actively learning and thinking. When developing my unit plan, both project and inquiry- based learning were taken into consideration. The unit question that we are looking at, "What are the different holidays celebrated around the world in comparison to the United States?" causes the students to dig deeper than the knowledge they already know. It is something that will have to be well researched.