Brining it Home:
The “travel” has changed me by allowing me to open my mind to incorporate web 2.0 tools into the classroom. It has also provided me with the opportunity to relate student projects to the real world by incorporating project management implementation strategies. New ideas that I will take forward is to go beyond the classroom and find ways for the students to communicate internationally with other students through the use of technology to broaden their scope of learning. In other words use technology to bridge the continents and learn the world. The students will benefit because this exposure will allow them to think out of the box and allow their minds to go beyond where they have physically been. The students will also benefit by gaining experience that they can apply when they enter the workforce. The strategy that I will utilize in the classroom will prepare them for the boardroom as far as project management and relationship management is concerned.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Celebrating & Reflecting! Student Reflection
As an educator I believe student reflection is a very important factor in the learning process. At the end of a project I would have a session such as a lessons learned where the students would reflect on their learning experiences. As part of the lessons learned, I would have a listing of questions such as;
What did you do well? What worked?
What were the things that didn’t turn out so well?
What were some opportunities for improvement?
What would you different?
After specific projects I would include these sessions to help students improve on future projects. At the end of the school year I would have a “project closeout” celebration”. Something similar to what was discussed in chapter 10 regarding planning a celebration. The project celebration would be a great motivator for students to be innovative in their current projects so that they could “show off” at the end of the school year.
In making sure that the reflections re meaningful for the students, I would target the sessions to be student centered, and allow the students to put together their own ideas and thoughts about project improvement. The more they are involved, the more meaningful it should be to them. I would use storyboarding as a technology tool to incorporate and capture summative reflections. Blogs and Podcasts would be useful to reflect on the project throughout.
What did you do well? What worked?
What were the things that didn’t turn out so well?
What were some opportunities for improvement?
What would you different?
After specific projects I would include these sessions to help students improve on future projects. At the end of the school year I would have a “project closeout” celebration”. Something similar to what was discussed in chapter 10 regarding planning a celebration. The project celebration would be a great motivator for students to be innovative in their current projects so that they could “show off” at the end of the school year.
In making sure that the reflections re meaningful for the students, I would target the sessions to be student centered, and allow the students to put together their own ideas and thoughts about project improvement. The more they are involved, the more meaningful it should be to them. I would use storyboarding as a technology tool to incorporate and capture summative reflections. Blogs and Podcasts would be useful to reflect on the project throughout.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Making Assessment Meaningful & Celebrating and Reflecting
Making Assessment Meaningful:
I would assume that between the role of consumer and producer, students are most familiar with being a consumer. My assumptions are based on how much I have observed the purchasing behavior of teens and children of today. Many of them are “sold” or marketed to by commercials, music, videos, etc. They feed their minds and ask their parents to go out and buy them what they have seen. It is rare that I hear of students developing their own products at their will. I believe the assumption is not only for students, but for many adults as well.
In measuring the distance a student has traveled as a learner I would use many methods. The major thing to do when measuring distance or growth is to establish baselines for the learner. I would use a combination of methods and strategies that would include the development of rubrics, and the use of a variety of assessment methods. In order to establish effective communication to the learners regarding their gains is establishing mutual expectations. I believe that it is important to obtain the students input on what they expect to learn as well as what the teacher expects of them. After a baseline has been established and the project or assignment is complete, I would include various methods such as peer grading, self-evaluation, as well as an evaluation from the teacher. I would conduct sessions such as lessons learned that would provide students the opportunity to reflect on what went wrong or opportunities for improvement. This method would be use preferably for group projects. In incorporating the lessons learned sessions, I would allow the students to use web 2.0 tools such as blogs and work spaces to make comments and recommendations for improvements on their projects. I would also suggest that students research similar projects or assignments to see the different methods that were used to accomplish similar tasks.
As an educator it’s important to convey the “why” for assignments and include the benefits for students while making it relative and realistic to everyday life. I believe this will help generate interest and allow them to have more a responsibility to be actively involved in their learning.
I would assume that between the role of consumer and producer, students are most familiar with being a consumer. My assumptions are based on how much I have observed the purchasing behavior of teens and children of today. Many of them are “sold” or marketed to by commercials, music, videos, etc. They feed their minds and ask their parents to go out and buy them what they have seen. It is rare that I hear of students developing their own products at their will. I believe the assumption is not only for students, but for many adults as well.
In measuring the distance a student has traveled as a learner I would use many methods. The major thing to do when measuring distance or growth is to establish baselines for the learner. I would use a combination of methods and strategies that would include the development of rubrics, and the use of a variety of assessment methods. In order to establish effective communication to the learners regarding their gains is establishing mutual expectations. I believe that it is important to obtain the students input on what they expect to learn as well as what the teacher expects of them. After a baseline has been established and the project or assignment is complete, I would include various methods such as peer grading, self-evaluation, as well as an evaluation from the teacher. I would conduct sessions such as lessons learned that would provide students the opportunity to reflect on what went wrong or opportunities for improvement. This method would be use preferably for group projects. In incorporating the lessons learned sessions, I would allow the students to use web 2.0 tools such as blogs and work spaces to make comments and recommendations for improvements on their projects. I would also suggest that students research similar projects or assignments to see the different methods that were used to accomplish similar tasks.
As an educator it’s important to convey the “why” for assignments and include the benefits for students while making it relative and realistic to everyday life. I believe this will help generate interest and allow them to have more a responsibility to be actively involved in their learning.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Blog Week 6 - Project Launch & Guiding Hands
Project Launch \A Guiding hand-
Since I have not been in the classroom, I don't have any direct experience with developing rubrics for students. However in theory, I would utilize criteria bases on the SCANS identified for the lesson or project. I do believe that it would be a good idea to allow the students to have some input on what they should be evaluated on just to give them a sense of ownership of their work. In an approach to generate creativity I believe that postponing a K-W-L (Know, Wonder, and Learn) process would be the right step to take. I believe the K-W-L session would limit their ideas and steer them towards searching deeper into the known instead of discovery of something new. In building students' foundations skills so that they can be successful with project my approach would be to have students complete self assessments and allow them to group according to the results of their assessments so that their groups are dynamic. I would also teach them the core of project management, which will include identification of roles and responsibilities, time management, identifying the scope of their task so they that remain focused. I would also allow them to use technology to measure and document their progress though tools like Excel, Access, and Word. The students will be allowed to seek external resources for research purposes. I would also have project meetings, which would allow students to address progress, issues and concerns that occur during the course of their project execution.
“The Art of Teaching” – The art of teaching means that teaching is an art form with a set of basic guidelines and principles established, but utilizing creativity to achieve the goal of transiting information to the learner. The art of teaching includes a dynamic portfolio of tools to be used in the learning experience and “the art” means having the ability to effectively use current tools while integrating the latest and greatest. Strategies that I would use to make classroom discourse more productive would be to integrate the issues and concerns in a format for students to develop ideas to resolve their own issues. This session could be a rap session to discuss possible risks to the project due to discourse. In student to student dialogue I learn what they value most as well as observe their responses to each other. To see them engage in conversation reveals their level of commitment to learning the material. To ensure that students are comfortable in sharing their challenges or setbacks I would establish an environment that is non-critical, but own that is sharing in looking for ways and opportunities to improve the project or current situation. I would make it an inclusive session so that they help collaboration as consultants for the projects as it would occur in a real world situation.
Since I have not been in the classroom, I don't have any direct experience with developing rubrics for students. However in theory, I would utilize criteria bases on the SCANS identified for the lesson or project. I do believe that it would be a good idea to allow the students to have some input on what they should be evaluated on just to give them a sense of ownership of their work. In an approach to generate creativity I believe that postponing a K-W-L (Know, Wonder, and Learn) process would be the right step to take. I believe the K-W-L session would limit their ideas and steer them towards searching deeper into the known instead of discovery of something new. In building students' foundations skills so that they can be successful with project my approach would be to have students complete self assessments and allow them to group according to the results of their assessments so that their groups are dynamic. I would also teach them the core of project management, which will include identification of roles and responsibilities, time management, identifying the scope of their task so they that remain focused. I would also allow them to use technology to measure and document their progress though tools like Excel, Access, and Word. The students will be allowed to seek external resources for research purposes. I would also have project meetings, which would allow students to address progress, issues and concerns that occur during the course of their project execution.
“The Art of Teaching” – The art of teaching means that teaching is an art form with a set of basic guidelines and principles established, but utilizing creativity to achieve the goal of transiting information to the learner. The art of teaching includes a dynamic portfolio of tools to be used in the learning experience and “the art” means having the ability to effectively use current tools while integrating the latest and greatest. Strategies that I would use to make classroom discourse more productive would be to integrate the issues and concerns in a format for students to develop ideas to resolve their own issues. This session could be a rap session to discuss possible risks to the project due to discourse. In student to student dialogue I learn what they value most as well as observe their responses to each other. To see them engage in conversation reveals their level of commitment to learning the material. To ensure that students are comfortable in sharing their challenges or setbacks I would establish an environment that is non-critical, but own that is sharing in looking for ways and opportunities to improve the project or current situation. I would make it an inclusive session so that they help collaboration as consultants for the projects as it would occur in a real world situation.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Imagining the possibilities
Blog: Imagining the possibilities: A “Big Idea” that I have is concerning the schools in South Carolina. Since there are schools with depilated facilities, which affect the quality of learning for students, I have an idea called “Campaign SOS (Saving Our Schools)”. An overview of this project includes building new schools in districts like those that are included in the “corridor of shame”. This would be a project-based learning opportunity for students that would occur in several phases. The phases would be consistent with those of project management. The students would be introduced to the concepts of starting and executing a project. The students will be able to apply the concepts to other areas if learning disciplines like math, statistics, history, etc. I believe that the project will continue birth different strategies due to the fact that they learn how to bring other skills and apply them to the current project. It help manage the project Web 2.0 tools are essential to keep the students engaged and allow them to have their voice and input using tools that they are familiar with. They will also be integrated in project tracking and updates, along with the use of the typical web pages.
Strategies for Discovery: In reviewing the list, I have not had any classroom experiences to relate to the pitfall, however in the workforce, it is more often that the “Technology layered over traditional practice” approached is favored. Automation is the key, seems to lead the way in some environment. To have a successful automated process, sometimes human intervention is needed to ensure that the system has appropriate checks and balances. Too often we trust technology to be accurate if the program doesn’t produce errors, even though it may be sending erroneous data. In theory, the Mashup of a Good Idea and the Right Tool, has been something similar to an Excel activity that I’ve thought of titled Excel around the world. An activity that uses learning excel through using geographical concepts. Optimal ambiguity, to means allowing structured creativity. It means having requirements and expectations, but allowing room for expansion of the imagination and approaches to find solutions and strategies for a successful project. This is the key to successful learning allowing the students to take ownership in the work that they are producing.
Project Management Strategies for Teachers and Learners: I can’t directly relate to the needs of students because I’m not currently in the classroom, however I would review the project management guidelines established by the Project Management Institute. The students would be taught the basic principles of project management. In order to chart and management their progress; several methods could be used depending on the project. For example if it’s a fundraising goal; we could use and e-thermometer or wall picture thermometer to measure progress. There are tools such as Microsoft excel, access (reporting), progress reports that can be used to track and measure the progress of the project. Management tools that are visual in pictorial format have been proven to be favored and most effective for younger audiences.
Strategies for Discovery: In reviewing the list, I have not had any classroom experiences to relate to the pitfall, however in the workforce, it is more often that the “Technology layered over traditional practice” approached is favored. Automation is the key, seems to lead the way in some environment. To have a successful automated process, sometimes human intervention is needed to ensure that the system has appropriate checks and balances. Too often we trust technology to be accurate if the program doesn’t produce errors, even though it may be sending erroneous data. In theory, the Mashup of a Good Idea and the Right Tool, has been something similar to an Excel activity that I’ve thought of titled Excel around the world. An activity that uses learning excel through using geographical concepts. Optimal ambiguity, to means allowing structured creativity. It means having requirements and expectations, but allowing room for expansion of the imagination and approaches to find solutions and strategies for a successful project. This is the key to successful learning allowing the students to take ownership in the work that they are producing.
Project Management Strategies for Teachers and Learners: I can’t directly relate to the needs of students because I’m not currently in the classroom, however I would review the project management guidelines established by the Project Management Institute. The students would be taught the basic principles of project management. In order to chart and management their progress; several methods could be used depending on the project. For example if it’s a fundraising goal; we could use and e-thermometer or wall picture thermometer to measure progress. There are tools such as Microsoft excel, access (reporting), progress reports that can be used to track and measure the progress of the project. Management tools that are visual in pictorial format have been proven to be favored and most effective for younger audiences.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Mapping the Journey – Seeing the big picture.
Mapping the Journey – Seeing the big picture.
What's motivating you to take this trip?
As the teacher in the reading Adam Kinory shifted his teaching methodology towards implementing technology and inquiry based learning, there was a shift in the students’ appreciation for learning. I’m motivated to take this journey because teaching is something I’ve always had a desire for and I have dabbled in instruction on several occasions during the course of my career both in the community and for employers. The learners of today are motivated by technology and it is a tool that’s second nature to them. Incorporating technology into teaching methodologies allows the students to apply the tools they use leisurely to learn utilizing unlimited resources. It allows them to apply the tools of technology in real life situations to resolve problems through a somewhat self directed learning approach. As a person who has been employed in the I.T industry for almost 10 years, it’s amazing to see the advances that education has taken regarding using technology in learning and education and all of the web 2.0 tools just takes everything to a phenomenal level.
What's prompting you to consider new approaches for teaching and learning?
A methodology that only uses frontal teaching is bound in this technological age. A teacher is destined for failure if this is the only approach to conveying information to the student. I’m quite sure that the average attention span has decrease for individuals due to all of the readily available technology. In order to be effective and efficient at teaching I must consider new approaches to teaching and learning with a technology focused approach. In addition to technology, collaboration and team building very important in the classroom because it what is done in the real world. Group and team dynamics learning to work together to resolve issues that affect the whole team. So it is important for me to integrate collaboration and team-building with my peers as well as in the classroom for students. Inquiry based learning is translates into research and project management in the workforce. The same principals are used to accomplish goals and objectives for the individuals involved. I believe that the information shared through identifying additional resources will help gain additional insight and review evaluated experiences of those teachers who share what works well and what doesn’t work well.
Imagine your most desirable fellow travelers. What do you have in common?
Well all of us are on a journey seeking the destination to the educational frontier. We are all challenged with identifying and implementation methodologies to improve education. We look to those who are ahead of us to help lead and guide us as we travel along the way. We are also innovators, looking for new ways of doing thing to improve the educational process and system.
I have not had any hand on project-based learning from the aspect of teacher, however from the aspect of learner it was one of the most valuable experiences ever. The experience was on where I was part of a group who needed to design a database for an organization. The project consisted of a project manager and team members, who had to apply the approach of project-based learning of identifying the problem and developing a solution. The most important part of the learning experience included group dynamics, communication, and leadership. Applying those basic principles to use technology to resolve the problem helped to make it a success.
What's motivating you to take this trip?
As the teacher in the reading Adam Kinory shifted his teaching methodology towards implementing technology and inquiry based learning, there was a shift in the students’ appreciation for learning. I’m motivated to take this journey because teaching is something I’ve always had a desire for and I have dabbled in instruction on several occasions during the course of my career both in the community and for employers. The learners of today are motivated by technology and it is a tool that’s second nature to them. Incorporating technology into teaching methodologies allows the students to apply the tools they use leisurely to learn utilizing unlimited resources. It allows them to apply the tools of technology in real life situations to resolve problems through a somewhat self directed learning approach. As a person who has been employed in the I.T industry for almost 10 years, it’s amazing to see the advances that education has taken regarding using technology in learning and education and all of the web 2.0 tools just takes everything to a phenomenal level.
What's prompting you to consider new approaches for teaching and learning?
A methodology that only uses frontal teaching is bound in this technological age. A teacher is destined for failure if this is the only approach to conveying information to the student. I’m quite sure that the average attention span has decrease for individuals due to all of the readily available technology. In order to be effective and efficient at teaching I must consider new approaches to teaching and learning with a technology focused approach. In addition to technology, collaboration and team building very important in the classroom because it what is done in the real world. Group and team dynamics learning to work together to resolve issues that affect the whole team. So it is important for me to integrate collaboration and team-building with my peers as well as in the classroom for students. Inquiry based learning is translates into research and project management in the workforce. The same principals are used to accomplish goals and objectives for the individuals involved. I believe that the information shared through identifying additional resources will help gain additional insight and review evaluated experiences of those teachers who share what works well and what doesn’t work well.
Imagine your most desirable fellow travelers. What do you have in common?
Well all of us are on a journey seeking the destination to the educational frontier. We are all challenged with identifying and implementation methodologies to improve education. We look to those who are ahead of us to help lead and guide us as we travel along the way. We are also innovators, looking for new ways of doing thing to improve the educational process and system.
I have not had any hand on project-based learning from the aspect of teacher, however from the aspect of learner it was one of the most valuable experiences ever. The experience was on where I was part of a group who needed to design a database for an organization. The project consisted of a project manager and team members, who had to apply the approach of project-based learning of identifying the problem and developing a solution. The most important part of the learning experience included group dynamics, communication, and leadership. Applying those basic principles to use technology to resolve the problem helped to make it a success.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Welcome to my blog! - Melika Talford
Hello Everyone:
I am the one and only Melika S. Talford (at least in the U.S.) and I’m from a town in South Carolina named Great Falls. It’s a fairly small town located about mid-point between Columbia & Charlotte, Exit 55 to be exact. I graduated from USC in 1999 with B.S. in Computer Information Management. After graduation, I was a substitute teacher until I moved to Illinois to work at Abbott Laboratories as a Systems Analyst. While there I continued to be connected to education through my participation in the Junior Achievement Program at North Chicago High School, volunteering for the Computer Science Explorers Post as a Mentor, and volunteering as a Sunday School Teacher for my Church. I also became a certified phase I Sunday School teacher under the National Baptist Association. At work I was connected to education through training the IT staff on the problem management software I supported as well as other programs. After spending six and a half years in IL, I grew tired of the bone chilling cold and relocated back to South Carolina in June of 2006, to work at Capital City Insurance Company as an Application Systems Analyst. There I provided application and database support as well as trained users on the systems I supported. Capital City was purchased two times within the same year and for the first time in my life, I experienced a layoff in March of 2008. It was a blessing in disguise, and thankfully about two weeks later, I became a contractor at AllSouth Federal Credit Union. I worked at AllSouth for six months as a contractor and was hired on full-time. My new title is Database Analyst and that's something that I've always wanted to do, however my heart has always be connected to teaching. Although, I've been in the corporate arena for a while, I'm excited to be in the program preparing for my second career as an Educator. Thus far, I've completed TSTM J702 and TSTM J528, TSTM J508, TSTM J443, EDFN 749 and have enjoyed them all. Again, I'm so excited to be part of the MAT in Business Education program at USC, because it combines the best of both worlds for me Education and Technology! It’s a program of distinction!
Interesting facts about me: I have served on the Black Alumni Council for two terms (2007-2009) and I'm a proud Life Member of the Carolina Alumni Association. I’m also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. I have two God children one girl 16 years old and boy 9 years old. I participated in the Hustle up the Hancock lung cancer fund raiser, climbing up to the Hancock Observatory in the John Hancock Center to raise funds for lung disease research, advocacy and education for two years in a row (2004, 2005). Both times I completed the climb less than 30 minutes; I wish I could do it now :-). I've also attended the Oprah Winfrey Show (it so happened to be the show where Barack Obama was a guest), and was able to actually shake her hand. It pays to wear the right colors to the show, you get better seating that way. My favorite vacation was in 2005 when I visited the Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands of Spain. It was awesome check out the photos:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=5qdnwsw1.ad6ct6hh&x=0&y=arjt19&localeid=en_US. I would love to travel internationally again, however I haven’t had the opportunity.
I’m looking forward to my days as an Educator in the classroom!
-Melika S. Talford
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