EDU 792 Thoughts

  As a high school science teacher, I recently had the opportunity to dive into the world of coding through a specialized course aimed at integrating this valuable skill into my teaching repertoire. In this blog post, I want to share the most significant takeaways from this course and how they will shape my future work in the classroom. 1. Coding Fosters Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: One of the most important lessons I learned was how coding can profoundly enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills. I always knew these skills were essential, but coding brings a new dimension to their development. Through coding exercises, students are challenged to break down complex problems into smaller, manageable parts and logically build solutions. This mindset will undoubtedly be a cornerstone of my future teaching approach. In my science classes, this means incorporating coding activities that encourage students to analyze data, run simulations, and solve scientific proble...

  Image Source: Author Hello, fellow educators and science enthusiasts! If you're reading this, you've likely embarked on a similar journey as me—a high school science teacher who just so happens to be a proud member of Gen-Z. Yes, I'm part of the generation that grew up with smartphones and social media, but until recently, I had yet to dive into the Twitterverse for professional networking, linked HERE . So, let me share my exciting experience of using Twitter to expand my personal learning network and how it's been a game-changer for me. Let me start by saying that I wasn't exactly a Twitter pro when I decided to give it a go for professional development. Like many of my fellow Gen-Zers, I was accustomed to using social media for personal connections and entertainment. However, the idea of using Twitter to connect with other educators and science aficionados piqued my interest. To kickstart my Twitter journey, I followed a curated list of 15 accounts that promise...

  Greetings, fellow educators! Today, I want to delve into the world of educational technology and share some intriguing statistics that have caught my attention recently. As we strive to embrace the digital age in our classrooms, it's vital to understand how technology impacts our students beyond the flashy gadgets. Let's explore three research statistics that left a lasting impression on me. 1. Project Tomorrow's Speak Up Report: The Power of Student Voices One of the standout research reports that I came across is the Project Tomorrow's Speak Up Report. This report is a treasure trove of insights gathered from students, educators, parents, and various stakeholders about technology in education. It's impressive to note that since 2003, more than 5 million participants have contributed to this invaluable resource. What surprised me most is that 78% of high school students feel that they could do better in school if they had access to mobile devices for learning. Th...

 Greetings, fellow educators and curious minds! Today, we're diving into the world of active learning and why it's essential for teachers to keep it in mind when developing lessons. First I created a Padlet able to be found HERE where I explored a blog post. But we won't just talk theory; we'll sprinkle in a bit of science education along the way. So, grab your virtual lab coats and let's embark on this educational journey!  Side not, I am the assistant soccer coach at the high school I work at and we recently celebrated a HUGE win! You can tell how excited I am from this photo below: Photo Credit: Author Active Learning Unveiled Active learning, as the name suggests, is all about keeping our students actively engaged in the learning process. It's like the difference between watching a documentary about the ocean and actually snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef. One is passive, and the other is an immersive, memorable experience. In our classroom, we recently e...

 Introduction As I look at my digital space, and the spaces of others around me, I am very quickly reminded that I am technically apart of the first instillation of Gen Z. Growing up with my VCR's getting replaced with Blu-Ray's, learning how to do classwork on the computer as my teachers were still figuring out this new technology as well, and begging for a new type of video game or electronic device at every Christmas. I have grown up almost as fast as technology has progressed. I have moved from showing my parents how to access their emails or Facebook, to now showing my coworkers (even the younger ones!) how to use ChatGPT or customize their bookmark tabs on their computer. Of course, when you are teaching others how to use technology, it is easy to not reflect on your own utilization and just be content with having a sense of pride that you are just more capable and "have your finger on the pulse".  Mapping my Usage Now, let's delve into the fascinating conce...

  SAMR: What is it? This week, I embarked on an exploration of the SAMR model, a transformative framework for integrating technology into education. SAMR, an acronym for Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and Redefinition, delineates four distinct levels of online learning enhancement. In this model, Substitution and Augmentation belong to the enhancement tier, while Modification and Redefinition constitute the transformation tier. SAMR plays a pivotal role in the integration of technology in classrooms nationwide. Even though technology can have its hiccups, the image below shows my students being VERY engaged playing with the dinosaur on Google during a school-wide Wi-Fi outage! Image Source: Author In this journey to understand SAMR more deeply, I encountered an enlightening YouTube video that provided a concise explanation of each SAMR tier's significance and its impact on the educational landscape. This visual representation greatly enriched my comprehension of the SAM...