Carpe Diem

I thought the the webassembly was very cool. I felt like I was apart of the classroom. It was quick and gave great facts about the future of technology and how it will effect our schools. I didn't realize how much smartphones had taken over pretty much everything.

1. How prepared for you to engage in each type of learning (Carpe Diem vs St. Marys)?

I believe that I am the lucky one, since my job would be to get students to put down the technology for an hour get active with games and sports. Although I could use technology during my health class but not to the extent as Carpe Diem demonstrates. I don’t think their style of teaching is the right way to get kids to learn, and hope that I do not have to teach that way. St. Mary’s on the other hand; was the typical school setting with kids engaged with each other and learning the “old-fashioned” way so to speak. They were still learning using technology and devices, just not the extent as drilling the kids with information for half of the day.

2. Provide specific examples including devices and apps or software, of what you are currently doing in each model if you are teaching.

I recently learned about an application called Classroom Dojo which is designed to improve the behavior of the students. The teacher is able to instantly notify a group or a single student, take away or earn points and so on. I have not yet used this application other than the demonstration in class. But looking back at the lessons that I created and taught in my methods courses at local middle and elementary schools, the only software or use of technology was a power-point presentation as well as play music for the elementary school students. As mentioned before my goal is to keep kids healthy and active. Its ok to put the smartphones and ipads down once and a while and go outside and do something .

Here is the link for Classroom Dojo: http://www.classdojo.com/ 

3. If you not in the class now, what would you suggest teachers in your field adopt based on current knowledge of mobile/wireless devices.

I love my iphone and like any other person, they are constantly on theirs too. At the schools that I have been to, the #1 rule was no cell phones during in class. That shows that just about every student has a smartphone or some type of device to connect with their friends. I remember taking health class, and I do not especially enjoy teaching it. But if there was a way to incorporate this technology and let the students learn some of the material using these devices, they would be more interested and want to learn. I would encourage the Classroom Dojo app if the students are not paying attention during certain lessons or the class is being uncooperative.

4. What would you recommend in terms of a school wide initiative to improve teaching and learning at this point if you were in a position to do so?

After learning about the ways of Carpe Diem, I would hope that using technology in the classroom does not follow that style of teaching. I understand that test scores were increased but the style is limiting social interaction, and other basic skills. The students are isolated, although focused, there are better ways to teach information. I recommend limiting technology and use it only when necessary. I am not saying not to keep up with how fast technology and apps are increasing to benefit learning, just that kids need all aspects of how to really learn and retain the information rather familiarizing what they see on a screen.