BLOG POST 1

Who is Krissy Venosdale?

Krissy Venosdale is a gifted and talented educator that allows her students to have fun while learning in her classroom. Mrs. Venosdale tries to make lasting impressions on her students by giving them the freedom to be creative and make mistakes. Another way that she tries to make good impressions on her students is by making the classroom fun and colorful. Her methods of teaching have inspired me to go above and beyond standard classroom decorations. When I become a teacher I want my classroom to resemble hers. I want fun and funky color everywhere, but also I want every inch of my room to be educational. I believe that children will have more fun and be willing to come learn in a colorful classroom.

Who is Sugata Mitra?

Sugata Mitra is a Professor of Educational Technology at the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences at Newcastle University, England. Many people know him for his “HOLE IN THE WALL” experiment. Mr. Mitra placed a computer in a wall that allowed poor children to explore the internet. The experiment allowed children to learn how to use a computer without anyone telling them how it works. In his YouTube video " Sugata Mitra TED 2013 Talk" he tells us that schools are outdated. He believe that children can teach themselves if given the chance. He also believes that with broadband, collaboration, and encouragement children can learn anything.

MY DREAM SCHOOL

My dream school would be a lot like Mrs. Venosdale. The walls would be painted bright pretty colors and the floors would have tiles with pictures and motivational saying all over them. All of the classrooms would have group tables and arts and craft supplies on each table. As the children learned something new I would allow them to express what they have learned with a craft project. On pretty days teachers would be allowed to have class outside for a change in scenery. All tests would be done away with. I believe that children learn better when they don’t have to memorize facts to pass a test. Instead of tests, I would allow students to tell the class what they have learned from the lesson. Sharing ideas with others will help children learn more. My school would be for first and second graders. At these grade levels children are just beginning to understand concepts. It’s a wonderful feeling to be around a child when they first understand something, its feels as if a light has been turned on.

What do I want my students to learn and what tools will they use?

I would like for my students to be able to teach themselves new things and ask effective questions when they don’t understand something. I would allow the students to use tools such as computers, smartphones, iPod’s and use collaboration with others to learn.

What do I want my kids to be able to do?

I want my students to be able to learn new concepts on their own, and share with the class what they have learned. I also want my students to be able to cooperate with each other in groups. Group work will teach them how to effectively get along with others and share new ideas.

What will be my primary way of teaching my students what I want them to know and to do?

I will model examples of different ways to learn. I will also use different learning devices in my classroom such as computers, ipads, tablets, and etc.

What role will my students play in the classroom?

My students will be teachers and learners. After the students learn something new they will have the opportunity to share their findings with the class. Sharing what they have learned with others will give other kids new ways of viewing the same question.