I recently told my principal, “The only constant in my life right now is change,” which rings true both personally and professionally. But, remember my lobster post? Change and discomfort help us grow. My last blog post briefly introduced a “Networked Learning Project” (NLP) I was assigned for my educational technology course. It means that I have to learn something new. Using only the internet. All by myself. I always ask my students to learn new things, but what about ME? What did I want to learn, only online, at age 26? Inspired by my mom’s green thumb and my love of cooking, I had settled on starting an herb and vegetable garden. While I will still plant the seeds, I decided to change my task for the purpose of this NLP. Gardening takes a long time to get results, so I made the switch in order to communicate my learning in a more timely manner. As I was telling this to my coworker, and she mentioned this Friends clip. Watching it, I laughed because I definitely felt like I had a “claw” while trying to place my fingers. I felt like Joey, too, because the beginner videos started with information when I was just itching to pick up the guitar! So, here goes. Keep checking back for more struggles and successes as I strum. Struggles: My fingers are incredibly sore. I never realized how firmly one needs to press on the strings. My next task is finding tips to avoid this (while I build up some callouses). Successes: Thanks to Andy Guitar, I can now play the E and A major chords. Playing was incredibly relaxing instead of frustrating, as was my fear. I look forward to carving out more time for my newfound hobby (and of course, assignment). References
Andy Guitar. (2019). Online lessons. Retrieved from https://www.andyguitar.co.uk/online-lessons/ The Series Guy. (2018, February 10). Friends - Phoebe teaches Joey how to play guitar [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ADarpGU1QQ
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As a teacher, I am constantly telling my students to try new things, take risks, and learn from their mistakes. I suppose it’s about time for me to take a bit of my own advice. With some nudging from my Master’s program, and a desire that has been lurking in the back of my mind, I have decided to try my hand at gardening. My mom has always had the greenest of thumbs and grown gorgeous, lush gardens, but I did not “inherit” that trait (if that’s even possible). Now, a growth mindset meets growing plants. I have begun to do some research about beginning a vegetable garden in Texas, a state to which I am not native. According to Alena Garden, “Vegetable gardening is productive any month of the year, depending on the type of vegetable. For many, there are permanent vegetable gardens in their yard. What to plan, when and how are essential for a productive vegetable garden” (n.d.). Good friends of mine made me a standing garden box out of a used pallet, and I’ve now learned that I can keep it full (hopefully) all year long. I’ve purchased a few plants from the local HEB that say they have a fall growing season, and I’m optimistic. Here’s to hoping my cucumbers, peas, beans, hot peppers, and arugula survive and thrive! My next steps (with help from ABC Home and Commercial, 2018):
References
Alena Garden. (n.d.). Planting a vegetable garden for beginners. Retrieved from http://www.alenagarden.com/a62192.php Downer, Ryan. (2018, March 6). Central Texas gardening: Your ultimate guide. Retrieved from https://www.abchomeandcommercial.com/blog/central-texas-gardening/ I’ve been considering deleting my Facebook for a while now. I rarely post, yet I find myself mindlessly scrolling through drama on my news feed. Then, an argument in my head goes something like… Me: You could be reading or exercising or drawing! Also me: But there are cool local events posted that I may miss out on… Me: If you want an update on someone’s life, call them! Also me: My mom and her friends like to see and comment on my photos. This week, I learned about building a Professional Learning Network (PLN), and I realized that I don’t need to give up on social media; I just need to shift my focus. With my recently made Twitter account, I thought I would begin building my PLN. I now realize that I began long ago. The first “popple” in my PLN (above, created with Popplet) was “people.” This didn’t come as much of a surprise as I am often described as a “people person.” I thrive when connecting face-to-face. I also believe the best teachers are those who combine all the great qualities they have observed in mentors, coworkers, and friends. But, my online PLN has room to grow! In a TEDx Talk at Ohio State University, Tanya Menon (2017) speaks about how people tend toward “social narrowing.” We become creatures of habit and unintentionally limit our own circles by gravitating towards people who make us comfortable. I plan to use my online platforms to seek out new connections and consider opposing viewpoints. Instead of cutting social media out to make more space in my life, I intend to show gratitude for existing personal connections and to use Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to find more people who fuel my passion. References
Menon, Tanya. (2017, March). The secret to great opportunities? The person you haven’t met yet [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/talks/tanya_menon_the_secret_to_great_opportunities_the_person_you_haven_t_met_yet Getting into the kitchen with a podcast or music on and creating something to fill my belly is satisfying in many ways. This week I was given a “cooking” assignment, but it was nothing like I’d done before. I was asked to “cook” with TPACK, the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge framework for teaching (Koehler & Mishra, 2006). Strange as it seemed, I was excited by the assignment, and it did not disappoint. Randomly chosen for me were kitchen tools and a simple cooking task: Use a plate, bowl, and wooden spoon to slice hard cheese. In completing the activity, I considered how it relates to using technology as a tool in education. Any way you slice it, a wooden spoon is not ideal for assembling a cheese plate. Similarly, certain technology tools are better suited for certain teaching tasks than others. In her TPACK video, Roberston (2013) encourages teachers to consider how content (the what), pedagogy (the how), and technology (“the partner”) fit together to create meaningful learning experiences. Does it make sense to use a wooden spoon to cut cheese? A PowerPoint presentation to practice multiplication facts? Videos to teach the writing process? My district uses Schoology, so I have spent the past year exploring how to make it purposeful in my classroom. I have been able to create assignments providing instant feedback, allow my students to track their own mastery data, and communicate updates with families. Considering how to use this platform was a challenge, but it is also a wonderful asset. Technology is not “one-size fits all” or an isolated subject (Mishra & Koehler, 2006). Simply giving teachers laptops does not translate to meaningful uses of technology in the classroom, just as handing a chef a wooden spoon does not make it easy to make a cheese plate. References
Mishra, P., (2018). Revised version of TPACK image. Retrieved from https://punyamishra.com/2018/09/10/the-tpack-diagram-gets-an-upgrade/ Mishra, P., & Koehler, M. J. (2006). Technological pedagogical content knowledge: A framework for teacher knowledge. Teachers College Record, 108(6), 1017-1054. Robertson, Candace. [Candace R]. (2013, April 26). TPACK in 2 minutes [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FagVSQlZELY Schoology. (n.d.). What makes Schoology great [Web page]. Retrieved from https://www.schoology.com/ For my coursework this week, I read part of Bransford, Brown, and Cocking’s (2000) How People Learn: Brain, Mind, Experience, and School. Many of their ideas reaffirmed what I have been doing in my classroom, and some gave me a whole new understanding of how our minds work. Particularly interesting to me was chapter two, “How Experts Differ from Novices.” Bransford et al. (2000) described how an expert’s mind works compared to that of a novice. An expert has information categorized and stored systematically. They are able to recognize patterns, understand context, and fluently retrieve information. As I was captivated by the reading, my mind wandered to Monsters, Inc. Perhaps because I teach elementary school, or maybe I tend to think in analogies. The door chase scene, however, is a great visual for the way I imagine an expert’s brain to work. Monsters, Inc. has an intricate framework where doors are sorted, stored, and retrieved by the monsters who operate the scare floors. Each door has its unique place and can be called upon in seconds when needed. Expert minds seem to do the same with storing and activating relevant information. Sully's door chase scene from Monsters, Inc. by Out Monster YouTube channel. Click here for original clip. Check out this essay I wrote to learn more about Bransford et al. (2000) explanation of expert versus novice learning, what this means in my classroom, and to read about me learning to drive my stick shift Jeep Wrangler in high school. My husband, Jake, and I leaving our wedding ceremony. Teaching him to drive my Jeep was an important part of our story. And, notice who is driving. Photo used with permission from Siobhan Findlay, Evergreen Photography. References
Bransford, J., Brown, A.L. & Cocking, R. R. (2000), How people learn: Brain, mind, experience and school. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press. Retrieved from http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?isbn=0309070368. Findlay, Siobhan. (Photographer). (2019, August 20). Just married driving in Jeep [Digital image]. Retrieved from https://drive.google.com/open?id=1E9vJupz8oIW3PAlUSPBABSoUWDhHX43q Out Monster. (2018, July 30). Sully door fights scene - Monsters Inc. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8scXkDv80r0 |
Hi there!I'm Sarah! I have a passion for powerful teaching and lifelong learning. I am a 4th grade teacher turned instructional designer, and this is my blog documenting the journey. Click here to get in touch with me. Archives
February 2021
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