Posts

VR in the Classroom

After reading several articles and watching videos on students using Virtual Reality in the classroom, I feel it could and should be used more to enhance the students learning experiences.   The possibilities seem endless and can be used for students of all grades.   However, I think like the technology will grow old.   We purchased one of these devices around Christmas time a few years ago, as it turned out we used it for Christmas and had fun exploring placing we have never been, like Cuba for example, it showed the poverty of the island and the lack of infrastructure that exists there with garbage all over the place for example.   I think if its overused kids will grow bored of the technology and it will have less of an impact on their overall learning.   Some of the examples I thought were notable were students studying  underwater environments, and another I found on you tube showed students who were reading Romeo and Juliet, students were able to view the place where Romeo an
1 comment
Read more

Break Out EDU

I participated in a Breakout EDU a few months ago at a team meeting.  I enjoyed the experience very much.  It is interesting to see how peoples minds work, while some people try to solve these pragmatically others look outside the box for the solutions, which you need to do in order to solve the puzzles.  I tried to do a few that were listed and felt a sense of accomplishment when i figured out the lock, but got frustrated probably because I think more pragmatically and was unable to solve the puzzle. I did pretty well with the Elf Panic Break out, except the locks for the numbers and colors didn't seem to have any clues so it was just a guessing game and the direction arrows didn't state where to start from and even trying every possible direction i was not able to solve this.  This may be where a non-pragmatic thinker might do well.  This is not an individual activity and needs people who think differently to see the puzzle from all sides.  I think this would be a great activ
1 comment
Read more

Thing 27: Note taking

The article in The NY Times Laptops are Great, But…    was not surprising.    I work with students whose online credit recovery courses (all core content courses) are on the computer, we have to constantly redirect students.    In addition the article stated there was a “negative externality” with computer use in the classroom, I see this all the time, if a student is distracted and pulls up a YouTube video of high interest he may tell his friend to look at his computer and then you have two distracted students.    Much of this is usually remedied with reminders, but it is especially prevalent with students who already have behavior issues in the classroom or younger students.    For this reason, we recommend students who are either very self-disciplined or older high school students be given preference to complete their course work online. In the other article I read, it discussed not-taking tips for students.    Our teacher created study guides helps students to find the informat
Post a Comment
Read more

Thing 04: Twitter, Facebook & Personal Learning Networks

I think Twitter seems to be a bit like a blog in that you are posting things others who follow you may see.   The current administration uses Twitter to get their messages to the public, however the information is not always accurate giving false information.     I really don’t care for twitter, for this reason.   I have an account but don’t use it.   Our Virtual Academy had a twitter account, but like many it is outdated and people no longer seem to use it.   Some of the one listed above are have not been active for some time.   I wonder if Twitter will continue to be, I imagine some other social media tool will replace it.     
2 comments
Read more

Thing 2: Student Blogging & Writing

·          Discuss the resources you explored in this lesson. Why Students Should Blog “50 BLOG TOPICS AND PROMPTS FOR TEACHERS” Why students should blog” ·          Do you see value in the use of blogging with your students? High school students are pretty resistant to writing as far as I can see.   In the post “Why students should blog” they list ten reason why blogging enhances writing.   Number nine “They get to write for themselves” may be the bait students need to begin letting their creative juices to flow.   They are able to free write on topics that interest them, not on a writing prompt for example on Martin Luther Kings’ Letter from Birmingham Jail.   If we gave them the opportunity to write freely first, when the get the MLK’s letter they may be able to find their words.   In the article “Why Teachers And Students Should Blog: 18 Benefits of Educational Blogging”   I like the side bene
1 comment
Read more

Introduction

Image
I am Sue Towey, I am an Online Credit Recovery Teacher for the Virtual Academy of Rochester which is a program school within the Rochester City School District.  We operate our program at nearly all of the high schools in the district.  Our program has helped many student acquire the credits needed in order to graduate.  I have worked with OCR for nearly 10 years, it is very satisfying and gives me the opportunity to work one on one with many students in all academic areas including students taking courses for initial credit.  I live in Fair Haven, NY about an hour from Rochester and enjoy our rural community and all it has to offer.
1 comment
Read more