Pam



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=Pam's Page = =Assignment 1 = Welcome to this page! I teach a looping 1-2 class at Saccarappa school in Westbrook

=Assignment 2 = Here is [|Google]

=Assignment 3 =


 * [|Rainforests Biomes] Ecogeeks...What is a rainforest? Great music and descriptions about rainforests and what makes a rainforest! Kids will,love the quick chatter and the music!
 * [|Techchicks] Great professional development about technology; specifically blogs, wikis and podcasting. Great exchanges between the two ladies. Very entertaining!


 * [|Italian Edutainment] What a great way to learn another language, but through a podcast! This is the introduction lesson to everything Italian: phrase, food and culture! Check it out!

=Assignment 4 =

# 4 Response:
My take away from these articles is that teaching children who are engrossed in their learning can be an exciting experience. Children’s personal discoveries should become an expression of pride and accomplishment. When children are in control of their learning, they realize their own potential according to their own timetable. It is better to be in control of one's own learning and to self discover through one's own personal experiences. Students who are in control of their own learning are able to achieve thoughtful solutions to problems and to creatively achieve a solution. Not only do these students develop social aspects of life, but as individuals they develop in group process; something many of us can not do as adults. Social interaction leads to more cognitive development and higher academic achievement. Technology is a medium that provides this element of learning; where children actively construct knowledge, embodies the essence of how children learn. Holistic learning helps children make real world connections within the act of learning!

Organizational change is a complex and challenging process; the evolution of change takes time and perseverance. As educators we must examine best practices to help promote an environment conducive to all learners. Barriers need to be torn down and the constraints of organizational structures need to be lifted for a more heuristic approach to learning.

All learning is motivated from desire, curiosity, and a willingness to discover. I believe it is a teacher’s responsibility to foster this desire and create a learning environment that is nurturing and provides a safe haven for children take risks, just like that teacher points out through music! Students should be viewed as multi-dimensional learners, learning at different rates, rather than one-dimensional learners learning at the same rate. Immersion is the essential element for any learner.

This has been my struggle and my passion with education for years!!!!

**Please Check Assignment 5!**

=Assignment 5 =

//What experiences in school really engage your students?//

Children are not willing to persist or pursue any task that is not meaningful ! Students learn best when a topic is self selected and developed, and there is a high interest level ! I believe is it is the teacher's major task each day to create an environment for learning. This environment is the ecosystem that fosters the develop of learning and supports children emotionally through intellectional achievement. Teachers who create a caring, safe, nurturing environment, and who encourage children to take risks in their learning, will help children become successful learners. That environement must provide student choice, differentiate to the various learning styles and nourish and respect children's imaginations. In my experiences, I have found that; play, exploration and hands on activities are always the highlight of any lesson! Children also are much more engage in an activity when they have the responsibility to make choice. I think choice is key!

//What ways do your students use technology in school as opposed to outside of school.//

I have been very fortunate to have one of the first computer labs in a primary classroom in my school. I was awarded a WalMart Teacher Award and had a 6 computer mini lab set up with 5 digital microscope, in my room about 7 years ago. Students in my multiage class had the opportunity to use the computer all the time during center time and free exploration time. Most of our use on the computer comprised of web1.0 stuff; epals,kidspiration, games and internet sites,that I found or stole from our tech coach. We did a lot of publishing stories as well. I complied quite a list of sites, which were posted for the kids to use. Then last year I was awarded a Smart Board, which we have used for making movies, doing research,playing interactive learning games, and creating projects! It's been quite a ride and I literally can not keep up with the kids! Most have computers at home and have taught me many great sites to go on from games to creating avatars! I feel I have very tech smart kids!!!

//What was one take away from this video?//

Children will always pursue their own interest and get it ! It"s encumbent upon the teacher to seek out those interests and guide them through their discoveries. The message is the medium and technology is the medium of choice! Unfortunately, organizations have a life of their own and change is a difficult concept!!! There are pockets of hope, though, where some continue to strive for change.

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[[image:Friends_1.jpg width="88" height="92"]]
media type="file" key="Interview 2.mp3" width="240" height="20" Interview with Claire.

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Reflection:Wes
My first take away from the discussion is that kids need to be actively involved and totally engaged in an activity. Interest, interest, interest is key! Technology is the hook that we need utilize more, to engage student's with their learning. I also believe that if you give teachers and kids the tools for technology they will use them.

My second take away is that organization are difficult to change and that change has to be made in baby steps. The first structural change needs to occur at the university level. Teacher and administrative preparation needs a major overhaul!!! If one wants to truly have effective change in the way we teach kids, then it needs to begin at the top.

= Assignment 9 =

Media Literacy

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=<span style="color: #9d00ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Assignment 11 =

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> In an attempt for a deeper understanding of how the world works, I have select the theme, __The Life Cycle of a Seed__ because I believe it is a developmentally appropriate unit that reflects childrens interest with nature and will offer the greatest opportunity for children to have a concrete, hands on experience with gardening. I will demonstrate and show evidence on how seed changes occur and demonstrate the differences through technology. I will model the cycle, change and patterns that will take place with the seed. The goal is for the children to create an exhibition that demonstrates what they have learned through research.

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= Assignment 12 =

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http://voicethread.com/share/557671/

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