Miss G's Blog

My Education Journey

Feedback Post ~ Lauren McLean

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On June 8, 2020

In edci337-feedback

Lauren McLean’s Blog

After reading your post, I am so glad you compared both traditional approaches to learning such as the lecture style we learned about within topic 2, as well as multimedia learning styles. I thought it was an excellent idea to discuss “Crash Course” as that is an excellent example of multimedia digital learning. I have personally used “Crash Course” numerous times over the years as the videos are short, engaging, and very effective in explaining a variety of topics. This connects to today’s video about Edward Thorndike’s laws of learning, in particular, intensity. Students need to feel a sense of urgency and excitement about the topic they are learning, and “Crash Course” provides a mix of fun animations to assist the information. Another excellent resource your blog reminded me of was the YouTube channel “ASAPscience“. They post a variety of videos based on scientific principles and answer some interesting questions from the perspective of science. Similarly to “Crash Course”, they accompany audio to a series of animated stop motion images. If you watch the video below, they discuss the science of racism, a critical topic as we see the Black Lives Movement sparking change in America today!

– Ms. G 🙂

Spencer, J. [John Spencer]. (2017, December 3). What is Flow Theory? What does this mean for our students? [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUsOCR1KKms&feature=emb_logo

Feedback Post ~ Alexa McLean

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On June 8, 2020

In edci337-feedback

Alexa McLean’s Blog

First off, I would like to comment on the overall appearance of your blog post. The use of images and headings acted as a “hook” that engaged my interest while reading your comments. After reading your blog, I am inspired to reflect on my own experiences in the classroom, especially in regard to multimedia learning prior to using digital devices. I loved your connection to Mayer’s “Talk-and-Chalk” theory and how picture books were an essential part of developing your learning. I think reading storybooks correlates perfectly to the concepts written in the reading “Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning” by Stephen Sorden. The author discussed how CTML is supported by “a model that includes three memory stores known as sensory memory, working memory, and long-term memory” (Sorden, 2012). Stories go through all three memories stores as students first learn the new information (sensory), process it and connect it (working), then remember the story for future use (long-term). Teachers often rely on stories as a way to engage students in a lesson as stories often teach some sort of moral or lesson. It is so important to use books so students can relate and reflect on their own experiences which inevitably improves their ability to learn. 

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

– Ms. G 🙂

Sorden, S. D. (2012). The cognitive theory of multimedia learning. Handbook of educational theories, 1, 3.

Blog #1 ~ What is Multimedia and Interactive Learning?

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On June 4, 2020

In edci337-blog

Welcome to my EDCI 337 blog! I hope everyone enjoyed reading about my experience in EDCI 336, and I am excited to advance my technological understanding throughout this course. Before today, I had no idea what the term “multimedia learning” referred to. Over the next few weeks, I hope to gain a better understanding of multimedia learning and how we as educators can utilize it to support students. I think I am most apprehensive about using Microsoft as a platform for the course. I have always used Apple products and my experience with Microsoft is limited to Word. However, I am open to this new experience as it will only benefit my understanding of technology. 

After listening to Rich McCue speak about interactive/multimedia learning (along with the assigned readings), I began to consider where I have seen these forms of learning used in my own educational experience.  It reminded me of my French 10 class in high school, where our teacher had us watch music videos from popular French artists and we were asked to translate the songs and discover their meaning. One thing that made this a more enriching experience was by supporting our auditory and visual skills. When he played the videos, he provided us with a printed out copy of the lyrics. By doing this, we could use the words and images to help piece together the meaning of the song. I feel this is an excellent example of combine multiple mediums enriches the experience for the learner. This is the ultimate goal of all teachers.

In the first chapter of Mayer’s The Cambridge Handbook of Multimedia Learning, “Introduction to Multimedia Learning”, the author discusses the difference between technology-centred and learner-centred interactive learning. I believe it is critical to distinguish between these two approaches as one focuses on adapting the learner to the tech where the other adapts the tech to the learner. In a world of evolving technology, I understand the struggle to keep up to date with the newest programs and apps. I feel that is would be more beneficial to students to take the “learner-centred” approach where the teacher chooses the tech that will best support their learning experience. For example, if you are want to develop students’ literary skills, as well as teach them introductory coding, a program such as “Scratch” would be an excellent tool to use.

If you are new to multimedia learning like I was, I recommend watching the youtube video below that quickly describes what it is, and gives an example to put it into a real-life perspective!

– Ms. G 🙂

Music Final Video

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On March 25, 2020

In Music

Click on the link below to watch my EDCI 306 A Final Video!

Music Blog #6 ~ The Last Blog Post

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On March 25, 2020

In Music

Hey everyone! It saddens me to say that this will be my last music blog post for the semester. I have had an amazing experience taking EDCI 306 A, and have learnt so much in just a few short months. I truly feel that not only have my ukulele skills improved but my confidence in teaching music in elementary classrooms as well. Over the past 3 months, I have learnt 6 new songs (with a variety of chords) and 3 different strumming patterns that can be taught in the classroom.

Photo by Christy Ash on Unsplash

This past week, I have worked on my final two songs “Mamma Mia” and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow/Wonderful World”. I decided to not sing during my final song as the original version is sung in a lower key and trying to alter it to my vocal range was not working out. For these two songs, I focused on maintaining a steady tempo and having smooth chord transitions. I feel I have done a good job with all of my songs this semester and I could possibly teach them in the future. 

Photo by Hannah Busing on Unsplash

Since I have travelled back to my hometown, I have found I have had a lot more time to practice the ukulele. I have always had a love for music and it has been an amazing experience combining passion and purpose throughout this course. I plan to continue learning more songs on the ukulele and can’t wait to see where my musical journey will take me! 

Check out the video above to see my final video for the semester!

– Ms. G 🙂

Final ASL Free Inquiry Post

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On March 24, 2020

In Free Inquiry

Hey everyone! This is the final blogpost of my free inquiry project on the use of American Sign Language (ASL) in elementary classrooms. Throughout the semester, I have had the opportunity to explore a multitude of resources that teachers can use to learn and teach ASL to students. I begin the semester by reviewing some basic ASL terminology for my own understanding and from there began to explore other areas. Two-subject areas that are great to implement ASL are Language Arts and Mathematics. Integrating ASL into other subjects is a valuable way for students to learn vocabulary in an authentic way. ASL like any language is best taught when students are young as it helps with overall brain development. As educators, it is our duty to support all students in their academic journey. Through this project, I have grown to understand that only the benefits of using ASL for deaf students, but the profound impacts it can have on all students. 

My favourite part of this project was researching the possible signs that teachers can use in the classrooms. It puts a practical use of the signs into action. There are so many endless possibilities but here are a few from my previous blogs to help you out!

That concludes my ASL free inquiry project for the year! I hope everyone learned a little bit more about the benefits of using sign language in the classroom. I leave you with this inspirational video of a woman signing the song “This Is Me” from the hit movie “The Greatest Showman”.

– Ms. G 🙂

Final Edtech Post

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On March 24, 2020

In EdTech

Welcome back to another exciting blog from my EDCI 336 class! This week, we finished up our group presentations on our ed-tech inquiry projects. Lauren B, Sarah and I had the opportunity to share our findings on the google education certification course. Overall, we felt our presentation went well and while we were unable to complete the course at this time, this is something we are definitely going to pursue in the future. Other groups also discussed topics such as vlogging, fresh grade, assistive tech, cloud-based systems, etc. I feel that of the edtech programs, I can definitely see myself implementing “fresh grade” in my future class. As teachers, it is so important to share information about student learning with parents. With Fresh Grade, teachers can post videos and assignments of students and parents can view them at home. I once volunteered in one school where they were switching the report card system to the use of an online portfolio. The teacher was posting the students’ work and having the students and parents comment on their work. I think a system like “Fresh Grade” would be an excellent organization tool that could be used to facilitate this form of assessment. 

After the presentations, we had the opportunity to practice coding using some free online student programs. The only experience I have with coding was in my CSC 100 course I took in my first year of university. In this class, we learned how to code using basic HTML files and how to create websites. The course was interesting but I found it was more focused on a “fill-in-the-blank” approach as opposed to us creating our own designs. We used a variety of templates and then rearranged it to look the way we wanted. In today’s class, I used the link of Anna and Elsa from Frozen to learn how to follow directions using coding. You can check out the video below of one of the example coding activities I tried on the website. I did find it a bit more challenging once I passed level 6, but I think more time practicing would be beneficial. 

 

Well, that’s all from me folks! Thanks for tuning in to Ms. G’s weekly edtech posts!

– Ms. G 🙂

Final Takeaways

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On March 23, 2020

In Group EdTech Inquiry

Not going to lie, our inquiry journey has been a bit of a start and stop adventure. Our initial plan of getting our Google Level 1 Certification – while something my group and I still all intend to pursue – was not a feasible option for this semester. After discovering how much time is required to complete the course, our advice to others is simply to be prepared to dedicate some actual time to Google. We calculated that a person could get their certification in just 7 weeks if they were to invest an hour and 45 minutes a week to the course!

Emma Cottier, one of our aforementioned seminar leaders, has achieved far beyond her Level 1 Google Innovator Certification. During her lectures the first semester, she frequently demonstrated different ways in which she uses Google as an educational resource and advocated the advantages such technology has brought to her students. With Emma’s presentations and our own independent exploration into Google Certifications, we found the following benefits…

BENEFIT #1) Fancy title to include when applying for a job

BENEFIT #2) More resources for organizing presentations/documents/worksheets

BENEFIT #3) Implement innovative technology in future classes (fun projects)

BENEFIT #4) Aware of a variety of tools that may help students better showcase their learning

Photo by Niclas Illg on Unsplash

Despite our desire to obtain our Google Certification, we obviously failed in our attempts to complete the course over the span of the semester; so instead, we explored the following Google platforms…

SCIENCE JOURNAL → Free app that allows students to document their science experiments through measurement, picture taking, and note-taking.

CODING WITH GOOGLE → When paired with Google’s free course curriculum on teaching computer science, teachers can help their students learn to code and create various instructions for actions they want to elicit from their computers.

GOOGLE JAM BOARD → Program that allows you to visually display your ideas using an interactive canvas where you can paste images, add notes, and incorporate assets from all around the web.

Photo by lalo Hernandez on Unsplash

Our Takeaways: Google offers MANY free resources that can be especially useful for educators; however, it is important that teachers use these resources in ways they see fit for their classes… Not every resource will be a perfect match for every student, but every program does have unique ways that it can be adapted!

– Lauren B, Sarah, Heather

Music Blog #5 ~ Practice Makes Perfect and New Song!

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On March 20, 2020

In Music

Welcome back to my blog! As the last few weeks of school are approaching, I have been working on my third song “Mamma Mia”. Overall, the song is coming along quite well, however, I am still struggling with the chord transitions from “A” to “Bm”. I was originally planning to record this song as a duet with Alexa but with the recent Covid-19 pandemic, both of us will be travelling back home for the rest of the semester. I know we were looking forward to playing together and perhaps in the future, we will have the opportunity to do so. In the meantime, I have been increasing the current tempo in order to match it closer to the original song. This song has a simple “D, U, D, U, D, U” strumming pattern which has been the easiest pattern of all the songs I have learned this semester. For the rest of the semester, my goal is to be able to sing and play at the same time. 

Attached is the video that I have been using to learn the Bm chord.

For the rest of the semester, I have decided to learn one more song which is a famous Hawaiian ukulele cover. It is called “Over the Rainbow/Wonderful World” originally performed by IsraĂ«l Kamakawiwo’ole. I came across this song a few years ago and thought it was such a beautiful combination of two classic songs. The chords in the song are the following: “Am, C, D, D7, Em, E7, F, G”. The strumming pattern is “D, D, U, U, D, U” and it is referred to as the “island strum”. This is the same strumming pattern that I learned while playing “Somone to Lava”, and most of the notes in this song I have learned through the other songs. I am continuing to work on adding more speed to this song, and hopefully next week I can start singing and playing at the same time!

Here is the official video of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow/Wonderful World” played by IsraĂ«l Kamakawiwo’ole.

– Ms. G 🙂

Handspeak: The ASL Dictionary

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On March 19, 2020

In Free Inquiry

Welcome back! Over the course of the semester, I have gained a valuable amount of resources surrounding ASL that can be used for my own personal understanding or shared with a group of students. For today’s blog, I thought I would dive into my favourite online ASL dictionary that has been a huge help to me throughout this entire experience. The website is called “Handspeak” and as I have stated before, it is an online dictionary that provides videos and definitions of words in American Sign Language. There are numerous different websites out there, but this website has a variety of special things that made it more engaging.

The following subheadings can be accessed from the Handspeak Homepage:

Word of the Day → Every day, Handspeak posts a new sign that you can learn. Often around the holidays, they may post a word like pumpkin or Christmas.

ASL story of the week → With this feature, Handspeak wants to promote literacy and ASL. Each week, there is a new story posted that is signed by an interpreter and they provide a transcript of the actual story. This allows people to read the story in English while watching the interpreter translate. One way you could incorporate this into your classroom is by having the video playing on the screen and you reading the story to the students. Afterwards, you can go through and ask students if they recognized any signs or pick out a few words for them to learn.  Click on the link to view this week’s story! https://www.handspeak.com/learn/index.php?id=126

Quick Links → In the image below, they have a tab that links to other pages on their website. One useful link is “Learn ASL” as it provides step by step lessons that can be self-taught in order to learn from a proper ASL teacher instead of you teaching yourself.

 

Next week will be my last official blog for this inquiry project! Stay tuned to one last exciting post from Ms. G’s blog!

– Ms. G 🙂

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