Blog Assignment #5

School of My Future

I thought that this was an interesting blog post assignment. If I Built A School by Ms. Venosdale was one of the best blogs about school that I have read so far. Her imagination is like so awesome!!! The way she describes her school just blew my mind. I especially love the title "Welcome: Now Entering The Innovation Zone" If I was a child, that title would make me feel like I could do anything that I set my mind to. I really think that this is how a teacher and educational environment should make a child feel. I really want to thank Dr. Strange for giving us this assignment. This gives me the opportunity to be creative and invent my own school of the future. Let's image this...a student walks into a classroom that is built specifically for the subject that the teacher is teaching. Bare with me while I explain my position on my school. It would be constructed as one building with various wings for each subject. Let's examine the math wing. This would be constructed in the shape of math symbols (+, -, =, etc). The science wing would be in the shape of a flask, graduated cylinder, or beaker. I'm sure by now you have the point. Now that's venture into the school itself.

Driving up the concrete driveway, you would immediately see to your left a bus terminal for bus riding students. These buses are designated just for our school. The students would then be met by the principal at the front door which would be designed like the doors of "The Great Hall" at Hogwarts except they would be crystal glass. Walking into the school, you would be met by the a circular reception desk in the middle of an enormous great room. This entrance would be constructed with two levels with glass staircases. This would also be where the students would be scanned into a computer attendance database. Then the kids would be off to classes. The glass stairways would be wrapped around a giant book shaped room, or the Library. It would have a sign that said, "I don't know, let's find out" You can thank Dr. Strange for that tid bit. All of my teachers would be required to know at least one other language besides English and be required to take American Sign Language classes before beginning at my institution. The academia at my school would be completely paperless. I feel as though we would save more money with the iSchool Initiative (for more information, click the link). This means that the students and teachers would be equipped with iPads for educational uses only. Considering I am teaching Special Education, this would be a great way for my more severe students to be able to communicate with their teachers. In my opinion, books, pen and paper have become a thing of the past and we need to make moves toward the future. The classrooms would be well equipped with collaborative tools such as SMART boards, iPads, computers, etc. My teachers would also have to opinion to use Collaborize Classroom which is a great online for teachers to keep track of students.

Hopefully one day I will actually be able to build my own Special Education School. I think that would be completely awesome!!

The Virtual Choir

I know that when I first heard this video, it sounded like angels in the chorus of heaven. I was completely blown away at how these people were able to come together and make such a soothing sound. Now I was even more blown away when I found out that these people had never met and these people and that they were from all over the world (12 different countries). I did not know that the internet could be used like that. I wondered how this person managed to put this together? Did he/she just pull different videos off YouTube and patch them together? I really could not tell you, but the one thing that I do know is that it was the mos beautiful sound that I had ever heard!!! If you do not believe me, please click the play button on the Youtube video to the right side of your computer screen.

Teaching in the 21st Century

Let's not beat a dead horse here. We all know that technology is revolutionizing education as we know it. Kevin Roberts did a wonderful presentation on it. Technology is slowly but sure going to engulf the future of students. The time of pen and paper are over and we have to prepare them for this change. We can not just sit around and be in the dark about these things. If the children do not learn it from their teachers, they will learn in from the media and other outlets. At least if they learn it from a teacher, there is a fair chance that the facts may be correct. I concur with what Mr. Roberts is saying, as a future educator changes have to be made and that is just the way the cookie is going to crumble.

Flipping Education

This is a great method of teaching students who have different learning abilities. This would great for my classroom because that is exactly what I am dealing with...student who have difficulty learning. The students' ability to go back in and be able to review as they please and even move ahead to other concepts is a just amazing. Like I have said before some students do not learn at the same pace as others and may just need that special push and is too afraid or ashamed to ask. As teachers, it will be up to us to make sure that our students get the best education possible. The teacher being at the center point for the kids is important as well. I say that because, as a student, I found it comforting when my teacher was able to give me that one on one time if I had no idea what he/she was talking about. I love the idea of the teacher placing her desk at the center of the room and having her students to break off into four groups to surround her so that whichever way she looked, she was able to hear and see what each individual needed from her. All I can say is, I AM READY TO FLIP MY CLASSROOM!!