Sunday, August 11, 2013

Google Earth- Enjoy the Trip!

My first instructional goal was to use available experts to develop a virtual tour of area national parks and historical places. I want my students to have respect for the environment and our past. I want them to know the cultural connections we have locally. I live in Appomattox, VA, an important place in our country’s history. Surprisingly, most people have never heard of it or know its significance. Appomattox was the place where Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union Civil War General-in-Chief  Ulysses S. Grant (real name Hiram Ulysses Grant) to end the Civil War, the one that took place here in the United States. Appomattox is where our country was reunited.

I found out that the Museum of the Confederacy in Appomattox (this is a new museum, again surprising I know) was having a teacher field day fair with many local national parks and historical sites’ experts on hand and giving away free goodies. Wow! I was excited about free stuff. I never have the opportunity to take my students on a field trip because I am an art teacher and have a full day’s schedule with all grade levels. My interest was high because I had a personal interest in outdoor activities like hiking, swimming, canoeing and participating in these activities with my son. As a teacher, I could finally take my students on a field trip, teach them about Howard Gardner’s (2008) respectful and ethical minds and have an amazing idea for my Google Earth project.

The experts from the parks and sites provided me with wonderful information. They are knowledgeable, giving, and talented. They provided me with kid friendly resources from sites like http://www.inaturalist.org/ and cool eco art and science projects from the James River State Park. The community of Farmville has High Bridge State Park with access for walking, hiking, biking, and bringing pets and children. They also have the Moton School Museum which has historical significance in Civil Rights. Not long ago Farmville’s county, Prince Edward blocked desegregation in the schools. In 1959, they closed all public schools and did not reopen until 1964. Private opportunities were offered for whites but not blacks. It is important to understand our history so we do not repeat injustices and find out the results of the dissolution of free, public education. It is important to value and relate to other people.

To be ethical, one must model good work and be a responsible citizen of the world. One of the projects shown to me was explaining fertilizer run- off to kids and many of the parks have animal and plant educations so we may protect and respect the environment we all share –the Earth. Google Earth has so many tools to explore respect and ethics but it is also accessible and fun for kids of all ages. 

Everybody gets to go on the field trip Google Earth Style. Must must have Google Earth on your computer to play this download.

Valerie's EDIM 508 Field Trip

References:
Gardner, H. (2008). Five minds for the future. Boston, MA: Harvard Business.

References for Google Earth Field Trip

Americorps Volunteer from High Bridge State Park who plays music and educates.My image.
James River Run Off Table. My image.

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

vyork's Video Blog Five Minds for the Future by Howard Gardner


Credits
 
Gardner, H. (2008). Five Minds for the Future. Boston, MA. Harvard Business Press.

Howard Gardner. [Digital Image] Retrieved from http://b.vimeocdn.com/ts/396/488/396488083_

640.jpg.

Child drawing [digital image] Retrieved from

http://img.webmd.boots.com/dtmcms/live/webmd_uk/consumer_assets/site_images/articles/he

alth_tools/motivate_your_kids_slideshow/getty_rights_photo_of_child_drawing.jpg.

Prezi. (2013) [Digital Image]. author's image.


Primary Colors. (2013).  [Digital Image]. author's image, EduGlogster V York.


“Character is doing the right thing when nobody's

looking. There are too many people who think

that the only thing that's right is to get by, and

the only thing that's wrong is to get caught.”

J. C. Watts

Read more at

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/jc

watts106082.html#fYRSWSQ4K0eY5tiV.99
Thanks to Susie Fisher for filming.

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Thinking Globally and Locally

This year, our theme for our county’s schools is “Achieving Creative Prepared Students.” It says we will achieve this goal by equipping the students with critical thinking skills and standards of learning. We will train them to be inquisitive and analyze information and provide high quality education with a wide range of options. With a positive reflection, I love that they used the word Creative in a public forum. I would have liked if they had said “Preparing Students for Creative Achievement.” It would sound as if they believed creativity is an achievement. I would guess they that they consulted exactly “0” creative people to come up with their statement. Again on the positive side, it is as if they are balancing each right brain pursuit with a left brain one. However, they are not giving up the old school approach for a new one yet.

Our county’s theme does not address the need for students to be global communicators as stated in Julene Reed’s (2007) article, Global Collaboration and Learning: How to create a world of success without leaving your classroom. Our students are going to have to adapt to globally changing markets and workplaces. It is going to take ingenuity and creativity to meet the unknown challenges of the future. Reed (2007) states global ingenuity can be achieved by technology infused resources such as: E-mail, Digital Photography and Digital Storybooks, Digital Video and Digital Storytelling, Instant Messaging, Blogs and Forums, Wikis, Websites, Podcasts, Video Conferencing and Web Cameras. Learners can go out and meet the world in an internet safe environment. They can develop 21st century skills for global collaboration. These skills link directly to the C of Howard Gardner’s, (2008) Five Minds for the Future. Learning about the lives of others, they can appreciate another’s perspective and human condition which fosters empathy. They can respect other cultures and views even if they don’t agree or participate in them. With empathy, they can consider the ethical implications of their actions and others.

With my students, I currently utilize digital photography and visual storytelling daily. We use the virtual student web art gallery, Artsonia. This website makes use of parent e-mails to inform them of the publishing of their student’s artwork. My colleagues and I use instant messaging to collaborate on school projects and Sharepoint to share and edit common documents. We have used blogs in the past but real time communication resources have taken precedent. Even though our county website does not mention these globally connected communications and collaborations, we are making fine use of them and the development of the “Respectful and Ethical Minds.” (Gardner, 2008)

Gardner, H. (2008). Five minds for the future. Boston, MA: Harvard Business.

Reed, J (2007). Global Collaboration and Learning How to create success without leaving your classroom: extracted from the website EDTECH K-12