Blog Assignment #5

iSchool Initiative
Travis Allen created the video, “iSchool Initiative,” when he was a seventeen year old high school student. Travis attended a financially troubled public school where teachers were being fired, and classes were getting larger. Because of this, he wanted to convert the use of pencils, paper, and books to iPod Touch devices in order to save money.

After Travis explains his plan in the video, he then goes on to give us supporting facts. He tells us about different applications that are beneficial to not only students, but teachers and parents as well. Two apps that really stood out to me were the calendar and notes. The calendar app, can let your teachers post due dates for assignments and tests. The notes app, lets you take notes and allows the teacher to send them to you. Travis definitely got my vote for switching to iPod Touches. It allows student and teachers to be more interactive, which can help students be the best they can be.

Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir
"Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir," is absolutely amazing! It's so serene yet completely incredible. If someone ever tells me the internet is a waste of time again, I'll be sure to show them this video. Eric Whitacre's choir consists of one hundred and eight-five people that have never met. Even though they have never met they all harmoniously played Lux Aurumque. The choir sounds so beautiful, and I'm so delighted that I was able to hear it!

Teaching in the 21st Century
The video, "Teaching in the 21st Century," by Kevin Roberts (Dr. Strange Version), made me think about who the real educators are, teachers or the internet? The video points out that the internet is where everyone goes to find answers to their questions. I think teachers are vital for so many reasons. Teachers aren't just teachers, they're counselors, motivators, and role models. Teachers and technology are two things that need to go together. Teachers should always use the best technology available in the classroom.

Flipped Classroom

The videos "Why I Flipped My Classroom," "Dr. Lodge McCammon;s FIZZ-Flipping the Classroom," and "Flipping the Classroom-4th Grade STEM," are all about flipping the classroom to benefit the students. Flipping the classroom steers away from lecturing students day after day. It's an innovative way to keep students engaged in whats going on. It also helps students that don't catch on as quickly get extra practice, while helping students that catch on very quickly not get bored. Flipping the classroom is definitely something I'm interested in doing in my own classroom one day.