Semester Exam Blog

For Year I Students Only!

Due:  At the end of your final exam period

During the fall semester you participated in an "Image Scrimmage."  Throughout the semester you have had an opportunity to practice and use the skills covered in that activity.   In your opinion, which component of the "Image Scrimmage" has the biggest effect on the impression others (your mentor, classroom students, administrators, etc.) form of you at your field site? Here are some of the components:

• Written communication skills (resume, cover letter)
• Confidentiality
• Professional Dress
• Marketing Yourself - Introduction poster
• Ability to handle sticky situations - Ethical dilemma
• Presentation skills - How to Read a Book
• Networking - Visit with the superintendent

Explain, in detail, why you selected the component you did.  Support your answer with examples, testimonials, and happenings from the EAT class.

Remember to include the components required for a blog (see September blog) such as written content, formatting, writing conventions, link to reference blog, and 2 sources of media.  One source must be a piece of support material that backs your answer such as a video or link to reference article.

Blog Due Friday, December 7, 2012

Blog Title:  My Favorite Internet Teaching Resource(s)

As you prepare lessons and activities to present during the 3rd six week grading period, recommend your new favorite internet site(s) that can be shared with your classmates. 

• For what devices is the site best suited? (iPad, SMART Board, computer, Smart phone, etc.)
• What makes this site outstanding?
• Why did you select this site over others? 
• Name some unique features you will use. 
• Offer suggestions for use in the classroom. 
• What grade level and/or content area would it best be suited for?
• Include the links to this source (and others) on your blog. 

Here are some places to start looking: 

Lesson Planning Resouces

BISD Instructional Technology Picks

BISD iLearn Resources to Reinforce TEKS and STARR Objectives

Title of Blog: Field Trips are Fun and Educational

Blog Due on Wednesday, October 17
Virtual Field Trip is due on October 19.  Read entire assignment for explanation.

Title of Blog:  Field Trips are Fun and Educational

Field trips are an important part of the learning process.  The experience of seeing something in person versus reading about it in a book is beyond comparison.  Due to budget cuts and an emphasis on testing, many school districts are cutting back on travel.  Students still need the experience of hands on learning, historical perspective, the existence of other cultures and new places - in other words, students need to broaden their horizons.

Blog assignment:  Due October 15

This week you will write about the best field trip you ever went on as a student.  Use the blog rubric for maximum points.

Virtual Field Trip Assignment:  Due October 19

In addition to the blog, you will create a "virtual field trip" using Prezi and the provided links to field trip resources.

You will create a virtual field trip using materials and pictures you collected from the State Fair of Texas OR You can use any of the resources below.  Use the internet to find pictures, video clips and visuals for the project.

Before you begin the project, do your homework and consider the following.

1. What is the objective of the trip?
2. What is the projected outcome of the field trip?
3. Where does it fulfill the TEKS?  Is it age appropriate?
4. Obtain information, costs, times from the facility.
5. What is your budget?
6. Follow steps that are needed in order to get field trip approval
7. District requirements (number of students to chaperones)
8. Transportation requests
9. Parent permission forms
10. Correspondance to parents / other teachers... 

Resources to use or use your own.

• Why and how to plan a field trip. Before and after.
• Fieldtripfactory
• Ft.Worth
• Classtrips
• Apple field trips
• HUD
• Virtual Field Trip guide to Texas

Use Prezi as the platform for your virtual field trip.

When you finish your Prezi virtual field trip, you will either embed it on your blog or hyperlink it.  Give a brief written introduction to your Prezi presentation.  Follow the Prezi rubric for maximum points.

The Blog is due on October 15.
The virtual field trip will be due on October 19.

Set Up Your Blog!

Blog Due:  Friday, September 14

Set up your own blog by visiting blogger.com.  Blogger is part of your Google account.
To log in, use your Gmail user name and password.  Then select "Blog."
Set up a template that is professional for this class and easy to read.  Show your page to Mrs. Kallas before finalizing.

Bookmark your blog on your computer.
Record your log in, user name, and password in your "secret" folder.

Create a greeting for your blog.  It should welcome readers and indicate what your blog is about.  Of course, your blog is designed to comment on issues and topics that are current in the field of education. It is designed for you to think critically and respond intelligently to hot topics.  Your greeting post does not have to include media, but think about how you can use formatting and pictures to make it interesting.

HAPPY BLOGGING!

Welcome to Blogging in BCTAL 901!

This is the Education and Training blog for Classroom 901 at BCTAL.  All prompts will be found on this blog. It is your responsibility to check this blog regularly so that you can meet all deadlines. 

POSTING:
You will create your own blog.  This is where you will POST a response to my prompt on your blog.  Here are some quick guidelines on how to make a good POST.  Expert blogger, Darren Rowse, offers ten tips that will help you become an expert blogger.
Ten Tips for Writing a Blog Post


COMMENTING:
Other times I will ask for a COMMENT.  You will comment directly on my blog.  A comment is exactly what the name implies.  It is short and to the point.  It gives your opinion in a short amount of words.  In many cases, it may be a sentence or less. 

GUIDELINES:
All posts and comments must be concise, contain meaningful content, avoid the use of inappropriate language or content, and make attempts to use proper writing mechanics - grammar, spelling, capitalization and punctuation.  

• Year I Interns will need to include two sources of media.  
• Year II Interns will need to include three sources of media.

All interns will need to cite the reference material on which they are commenting.

Here is the rubric showing how you will be assessed.

Criteria	Points	Score
Quality of Writing Interesting style and voice Informative and reflective Organized	10
Writing Mechanics Grammar Punctuation Spelling Capitalization	15 1- for each error
Presentation Formatting Font Background Title	5
Multimedia (1 should cite reference; 1 should link to original article if possible) Yr II - 3 sources, Yr 1 - 2 sources Multimedia enhances post Adds perspective	10
Deadlines – Blog is posted by deadline (no late grades).  Blogs due on Friday of week assigned.	10
TOTAL	50

Blog Due May 11

Title:  My Year as an Intern

Read the poem, Roller Coaster.  As you read, reflect on this past year as an intern in the Education and Training program.  What have been some of your ups and downs at your field site?

The author refers to nausea.  What was yours?

The author refers to elation in the next to last stanza.  What was your elation this year?

Near the end, the author refers to being "forever committed." How have your experiences shaped your decision to become a teacher or not?  Describe experiences from the year that confirmed your decision.  What have you learned from your mentor, through his/her actions or advice, that you will carry with you?

If you could change anything about your actions, performance, participation, etc. at your field site classroom, what would it be?  How would you have done it differently?

(Remember to attach at least 2 different types of media examples to your post:  graphics, video, link, etc.  Make sure to cite the source(s) which you are referencing.)

Blog Due March 23

Title:  High School Teacher Creates New Educational App


Read this:  Article from eClassroom News

Describe how the app, eNotebook, that Kevin Giffhorn developed, could be useful to a student.  Think about it's usefulness for elementary, middle and high school and college.  How could you find it useful?

Watch this video showing how quickly you can create an app.

Have you ever thought about developing an app for your phone, tablet or computer?   How about one for the classroom?  What would it do?  How would it be beneficial to the user?

Blog Post Due on March 9

Year I Interns - Title:  The Ron Clark Story

Identify three rules that you feel were the most important in Ron Clark's classroom management.  Discuss why.  Create two rules of your own that you will include on the list of rules for your future classroom.





Year II Interns - Title:  Beyond the Blackboard

Identify two of the biggest problems Stacey Bess encountered as a teacher at the homeless shelter.  Not knowing what your future as a teacher holds, speculate on what some of the obstacles (at least two) might be in your future teaching position.  Be sure to identify the grade level/content area if that is relevant in your response.

Blog Post Due on March 2

Title:  The Advantages of Technology in the Classroom

Read the e-article:  The Advantages of Technology in the Classroom

The author, Eric Schriener, outlines five ways that using technology in the classroom helps students become prepared for the real world.

• List the five ways highlighted in this article. 
• Identify the way(s), identified by Schriener, that have been most helpful in preparing you for life after high school and why.  
• List another advantage of using technology in the classroom not outlined in the article that would help prepare students for the real world.  Be sure that you are not restating one of the five listed.

  

Complete Your Blog Evaluation by Feb 24

Friday, February 24 is the end of the six week grading period.  Did you fall behind in your blogging?  Uh oh!  Use this week to catch up and get your blog in order.  Complete the blog evaluation sheet and turn in by Friday for a major grade!

Blog due on February 17

Title:  My Involvement in TAFE

The TAFE Teach Tomorrow Summit marks the official end of the TAFE year.  A new year begins immediately after the state conference.  View the TAFE Teach Tomorrow Summit program at www.tafeonline.org.  Click on Conferences and Workshops and scroll down and open the Teach Tomorrow Summit Program.  Look through the 20 pages of competitions, events, workshops, and exhibits in which your peers are involved this week in San Antonio, TX.

Comment on your participation in TAFE this year at the local, region and state level.  What are you especially proud of?  If you could redo your participation in TAFE, what would you do differently (if anything)?  Why?  What has been the most rewarding experience through this organization?  If you are a junior you might mention your plans in TAFE for next year.

Remember:  Your blog will be linked to your electronic portfolio.  Avoid a negative tone that casts a poor light on you.
Reminder:  Two sources of media must be included to meet the minimum requirements.

Blog Due on February 10

Title:  Who is Stacey Bess?

Read about and find out who Stacey Bess is.  Google her and read about how she has made an impact in education.  What uncommon circumstances did she find in her first teaching job?  What is the name of her book?  What is the name of the movie based on her story?  Do you think you could last in the circumstances she found herself teaching in?

Those students who are attending the T.A.F.E. Teach Tomorrow Summit will have a chance to meet and  hear her speak about her unique story as a teacher.  Note:  We will be watching her made-for-TV movie on the bus on the way to the state conference!

Reminder:  You must have a minimum of two sources of media in your post.  If you comment on an article you read, be sure to reference it!

Blog Assignment Due February 3

Title:  Bullying in School


A recent Fort Worth Star Telegram article reports about the FW ISD's stance on partnering with the community to take a stance on bullying.  Read the article, Fort Worth ISD's Approach to End Bullying, and respond with your thoughts on the following:

• What type of behavior constitutes bullying.  
• Does BISD have a bullying problem - among students, faculty, at elementary, middle or high schools?
• Have you ever been a victim of bullying or witnessed bullying at school?  
• What should be done to deal with bullying?  How do you think it should be handled?  
• What can be done in your future classroom to create an environment that prohibits bullying.

Remember to follow your blog guidelines.  Two sources of media are required.  To get full credit you must allow the reader to reference your source.

Want more?  What do you think about this?

Blog Assignment Due January 27

Title:  Reflections of My Fall Semester Internship

The new semester has started.  What better time to think about the past and plan for the future. Reflect on your BCTAL classroom and field site experience.  What could you have done differently?  What did you do well?  What parts of the class have you enjoyed the most?  What changes could you make that are in your control to produce a better outcome?

Reminder:  This semester you are required to have two media sources (working link, video, graphic, etc.)

Blog Assignment Due January 6

Title:  The Ideal Classroom

Read the article below about a Metroplex classroom and create a post about how your ideal classroom should be structured.  Include reasons that are educationally sound.  Think about the classrooms you have learned in and the ones you have interned in.    It is due on Friday,  Jan. 6, 2012.  

Lewisville ISD trades rows of desks for sofas - Your Houston News: News: DALLAS — There’s something missing from Angela Hamm’s
third-grade classroom.