Project Based Learning

Project Based Learning is a great teaching method that promotes students to utilize 21^st century skills. This method can and should be used with all students. ELL students can benefit from this practice because they are able to work with their peers to complete the task at hand. In most PBL activities, students create a project that connects to a real life situation.  For example, students in upper elementary grades should start to learn and understand their duty and right to vote.  Students can work on a project to master such objectives so they understand their duty as a citizen of the United States.  One PBL project that can promote 21^st century skills and allows students to master this objective is having them to create a video about voting.  

There are many reasons why this teaching method would benefit our ELL students.  First, this gives them the opportunity to practice and hear the English language as they are learning it.  Also, they are able to produce and create a project that is meaningful to them.  For example, ELL students may create a video that showcases a candidate’s position on immigration and the DREAM Act.  This will promote our ELL students to think at higher levels while researching and investigating for information needed to complete the video.  Resources should be given to students so they may use it while investigating for information.  Of course, adaptations and modifications may be needed to support our ELL’s research process. For example, teachers can create and give students an outline, brainstorming graphic organizers, dictionary, step-by-step action plan, etc.  In most cases, these types of scaffolds should be given to all students because each can only help and support the learning process.  After students are done with their research and planning, they should be given ample time to create their product.  Students work together to edit and complete the final product.  Communicating with one another and the teacher throughout the process. This provides our ELL’s with more opportunities to practice the language.  Once a project is completed, students are given the opportunity to share their learning process and product in front of an audience. Teachers are encouraged to invite special guest to watch student presentations.  Special guest can be an expert in the field, administration, parents, guardians, etc.   An audience makes the presentations extra special because students practice what they want to share when presenting their final projects.

I think every teacher should try this teaching method to see if it works for him or her.  It does take time to plan and prepare a successful PBL activity, but it will be rewarding for both the teacher and students.  For more tips on implementing PBL in your classroom, read this article:   Tips for Implementing Project-Based Learning.   

Have a Successful School Year (2012-2013)

Hello Fellow Educators,

I'm sure right now you are experiencing the same emotions and feelings that I may be going through right now, while preparing for the new school year.

Just remember, we are making a difference in many students lives through our gift/art of teaching. I'm so glad you stopped by because I would like to wish you and your students a very successful school year. We are in the forefront of change in this world because we can inspire, inculcate, motivate, help, guide, etc. our students be that change the world needs. 

I hope you had a chance to read my article TECH SMART: Tips to Promote Responsible and Ethical Digital Citizens published in TechEdge.  This article reminds us of ways to promote responsible and ethical users of technology. Join TCEA if you don't have the magazine subscription.  

I wanted to give everyone a free gift for their classroom to start off the school year with cheer! Feel free to print out any and all of these posters or banners for your classroom or school (images by Katie Price @ www.pricelessdesignstudio.com):

Click here to print out poster :)

Here's a banner that you can hang in your classroom as well:

Click here to print out banner :) 

Here's a white poster that you can hang in your classroom, if you want to save ink :) 

Click here to print poster :)

Here's the banner to match the white poster:

Click here to print banner :) 

Feel free to join my site, and come back to read and learn more about ways to incorporate different aspects of technology in education to support today's learners. 

Cheers to a great year!!!

Mister Techy Teach :) 

What is TECH SMART?

TECH SMART is an acronym that stands for 9 tips that teachers can use to support today's learners to be responsible and ethical digital citizens.  Use these tips to empower your students to make ethical decisions when using technology:

Take care of technology equipment
Explore appropriate and safe sites for learning and research
Copyright Laws, Fair Use Act, and Creative Commons matter
Help prevent cyberbullying

Self-image is important
Make use of netiquette
Always give credit to original source
Remember to be effective, thoughtful and ethical digital creators
THINK

Be sure to check back to download a free poster for your classroom, hallway, office, etc.  

Peace, Love, Post it on Blog!

Are you preparing responsible digital users?

We are living in a digital society.  It's time that we prepare today's learners to be successful digital citizens.  Especially since most things are done with technology.  We must prepare today's learners to be responsible and ethical users of the Internet. Wouldn't you agree?

I am always thinking of different ways to integrate technology in my lessons. It is our duty as educators to  provide opportunities so students are empowered to use technology appropriately.  Modeling the use of blogging, social networking, etc. are just a few ways to help empower our students to be TECH SMART.  This is an acronym that I came up with that encompasses ways to promote responisbile and ethical digital citizens.  There are far too many who are posting things online that can have a negative impact on their image.  I'm sure there will be courses developed to teach our learners to exemplify The Six Pillars of Character while using technology.

I'm in the middle of finishing up an article for TECHEdge magazine that will provide parents, teachers, counselors, administrators, students, etc. tips on how to be responsible and ethical digital citizens.  I will post a link to the virtual copy so you guys can read it as soon as it's published.  I'm also creating a poster that educators can print out to hang in their classrooms, hallways, office, etc.  I'm excited about creating the poster. My friend Katie Price who is a web designer is helping me create the poster.  If you need help with your website, feel free to visit her at Priceless Designs.  Once we finish the poster it will be available on this site to download and print as many copies you would like.  Oh, I forgot to mention, the poster will be FREE. :)

I'm really interested in hearing from you.  I want to hear about your opinions and ideas on how to prepare today's learners to be responsible digital users.  How are you preparing your students to be successful digital users?  Are you allowing them opportunities to practice appropriate online behaviors by letting them use technology in the classroom? Feel free to leave comments.

Peace, Love and Post It on Blog!

Mister Techy Teach update

It's been a long while since my last post.  I sure did think it would be easy to write one post a day when I first created this blog.  My busy schedule has led me to do the opposite, but my desire to help other educators evolve with the use of technology in the classroom inspires me to think of ways to continue this adventure. 

So here goes...

What if teachers created an adventurous learning environment that provides opportunities for students to use the different technologies? Learning would be considered... Fun! An adredealine rush! Awesome! Unbelievable! Instead there are too many instances where a child is disengaged and they do not realize their true potential until later in life.  As we all know time is precious, and we must be accountable for the time we spend with our students.  I'm sure we all want to inspire, motivate, and push our students to excel.  Yet, there are so many challenges that we may face to get to that point of helping our students realize their potential to be expressive, creative, scientific, and analytical.  We must engage and motivate our students to realize how fun learning can be by incoporating an array of methods and strategies that speaks to our learner's today.  The use of technology in the classroom can inspire, motivate, engage, and support our learners.  There are many organizations, business, schools, cities, states, etc. that are evolving with technology.  Yet, are schools using technology to prepare students to have the necessary skills for the 21st century?  Do our students feel like their teachers are preparing them to be global citizens?  How do we get teachers and students to see each other as partners in education?  Can technology help bridge that gap?  How do students feel when their teachers allow them to use technology to create a project, express their thoughts, and analyze news feeds from all over the world?

I challenge you to let technology inspire you!  I challenge you to let your classroom evolve with technology!  I challenge you to help your students realize their potential now...not later!

Peace, Love and Post it on BLOG! :)

Google Doodle

So I've been asking myself what's the purpose of tweeting?   Why should an educator join Twitter?  It seems that many are jumping on the bandwagon of tweeting.  Yet, I am still trying to figure out why I should tweet.  I've decided to jump on the bandwagon and find out why educator's should be tweeting.  For the next couple of months I plan to tweet on a weekly basis. Most of my tweets will be sharing links/resources since I'm only allowed 140 characters.  I'll be back to report my thoughts about tweeting.  What are your thoughts about tweeting?

TCEA TOTS AND TECHNOLOGY

Hello Fellow Educators,

TCEA Tots and Technology was full of energetic and exciting sessions that allowed us educators to learn new tools and ideas for our classrooms. I have to send a big thanks to everyone who attended my session on Content Area Video Blogs. Having a room full of educators who wanted to learn more about Content Area Video Blogs meant the world to me.  I am still working on this concept for educators to distinguish the importance of a participatory pedagogical framework for our 21st century learners.  I hope to soon have an article published that will delve deeper into the purpose, benefits, and components of this conceptual framework.  Feel free to visit my conference website to view more information about CAVB.

Content Area Video Blog link

Peace, Love and Post it on BLOG!!!

Mr. Techy Teach :)