In the classroom they use iPads to do research and then Friday they share what they have found with everyone in the class. They call it “going public.” I think that was a great idea so everyone gets to know the information that the other students found. The teacher also wants them to be able to make connections to the outside world and other things in their lives. The teacher also tries to let them be independent but then she is also right there to help them out or talk about what they saw. This teacher took small groups and they looked at information on the iPads. I think using iPads is great for students because it is more user friendly. Most kids are already exposed to using touch screen phones so using an iPad is easy for them.

I think researching topics does make students smarter, but just having the technology does not make you smarter. I think that knowing how to use the technology does improve your abilities. However we can not just rely on the technology so if the students are just copy and pasting like the Morgan article talked about. They did not say how the students were recording information but I am sure the teacher was helping them. Students need to know how to use the tools they are given to successfully learn. I think having students start young with technology and being able to use research is great. This will definitely improve their knowledge and improve their technological skills.

Distributed cognition is working together on something you could not have done without each other. I think this describes a classroom perfectly. The students would not know all the information without the teacher. The teacher might not have thought about the questions or the topic more in depth without that student question. In a classroom everyone has to work together in order to get all the information. I think technology can make us smarter if when we do not know the answer we look it up and remember it. But if we constantly look up the same thing then it doesn’t make us smarter it makes us rely on the technology. I think in this time right now where our whole education system is on technology it will make us smarter and it will allow us to use the technology more efficiently.

I also think the environment plays a big roll in education learning. The students need to be encouraged to learn new things. Also to be able to retell what you have learned to the other students is another way of learning. Distributed cognition relies on being able to work together. So, if you learn about one thing and another student learns about another thing and they are paired up to talk about it now they both know the information.

The teacher uses a monitoring function while teaching her students. Since they are young it isn’t always beneficial to test them on their abilities. However, monitoring their technological usage helps them use it properly. Also, having sharing time also helps the teacher know if they were on track while they were researching and talking about their lesson.

Digital Story Assessment Rubric

Criteria: 4) Exceeds criteria (3) Meets all criteria (2) Meets some criteria (1) Does not meet criteria

Research:

Was the story well researched and well documented? _4__

• Did the student research this topic and have correct facts?
• Did the student put all the research and facts together correctly?

Organization: 

Was the story easy and engaging for viewers to follow? _4__

• Did your story have interesting topics?
• Was the story in a good order that was not confusing?

Did the events in which they were placed in the story make sense? _4__

• Were the events in order or did they jump around too much?
• Did the viewers need to have background knowledge? 

Presentation and Performance:

How effective was the student’s actual presentation? _4__

• Did the student have a good presentation?
• Did the student get their point across?

Did the student include special effects (sounds, movements, etc.) __4_

• Did the student use the sound effects in the correct way?
• Were the sound effects too distracting?

Citations and Permission:

Do citations appear in the format required by the project? _3__

Total Points:  __23_ / 24

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MZ9ngOkLlOq68YVpqxq_enTYolrpVjqb/view?ts=5e8a27e1

Criteria: 4) Exceeds criteria (3) Meets all criteria (2) Meets some criteria (1) Does not meet criteria

Story:

How well does this story work? ___

Research:

Was the story well researched and well documented? ___

Writing:

What was the quality of the student’s written work? ___

Organization: 

Was the story easy and engaging for viewers to follow? ___

Did the events in which they were placed in the story make sense? ___

Presentation and Performance:

How effective was the student’s actual presentation? ___

Did the student correctly utilize transitions? ___

Additionally, did the student include special effects (sounds, movements, etc.) ___

Citations and Permission:

Do citations appear in the format required by the project? ___

Has everything that is not original been credited? ___

Total Points:  ___ / 40 

If I could change the world, I would…

*opening with light/soft music in the background

*Allie reading the poem

*pictures of garbage all around the world making it look ugly and unsanitary

Poem about changing the world:

How can we change the world?

Change the way that things are?

What will it take?

What have we done so far?

Are we calling for kindness?

Are we learning together?

Are we leaving a legacy?

We’ll be proud of forever?

Do we care about others?

Do we try to understand?

Could we unite the globe?

Every place, every land

Every single last person,

All residents by birth.

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To cherish our earth.

So, what are we doing?

Will it ever be done?

Can we craft a better future

For the generations to come?

Can we nurture all spirits

Between ocean and sky?

Can we change the world?

We can certainly try.

By: MS Moem

*Allie speaks with soft music in the background*

There are many different ways that garbage impacts the environment. One major piece of garbage that impacts the environment the most is plastics. Plastics are made to last forever which means no matter what we do, it never goes away. Instead, it breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces, which act like magnets for harmful pollutants. 

*Brigid speaking*

What is one way our trash impacts the environment? 

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WILDLIFE

*fade in the picture with Mlyssa talking in the background 

There is more plastic in the ocean than fish. An estimated 17.6 billion pounds of plastic enters into the marine environment each year. Do you know how much plastic that is? It is roughly equivalent to dumping a garbage truck full of plastic into the oceans EVERY MINUTE. At this rate, by 2050, ocean plastic will outweigh all of the ocean’s fish.

*fade in the picture with Brigid talking in the background

Most ocean trash sits at the bottom. As unsightly as ocean pollution is, what we can’t see may be worse: 70 percent of ocean garbage actually sinks to the seafloor, meaning we’re unlikely to ever be able to clean it up no matter how hard we try. Seen ad many timesNot relevantOffensiveCovers contentBrokenREPORT THIS AD

*fade in picture with Allie talking in the background

• Plastic debris has been found floating on the sea surface, washing up on the world’s most remote coastlines, melting out of Arctic sea ice, and sitting at the deepest point of the ocean floor. It’s everywhere. 

*Mlyssa speaking*

Another way our trash impacts the environment?

*pops up*

CLIMATE CHANGE

*Allie talking with picture and louder/scary music in the background

The burning of large, open piles of trash in various parts of the world emits dangerous levels of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that is heating up our planet. Researchers have calculated that approximately 40% of the world’s trash is burned in this fashion, posing large-scale risks to both our atmosphere and the people that live near these burning sites.Powered by wordads.coSeen ad many timesNot relevantOffensiveCovers contentBrokenREPORT THIS AD

*Brigid speaking*

Lastly,

*pops up*

PUBLIC HEALTH is impacted by trash 

Human health is at risk through our inaction. We keep producing large amounts of trash, we do not dispose of it correctly, and in the end that will be our downfall as it is for the environment and wildlife in the ecosystems we all share. We cannot prevent or promote longevity with how we treat our Earth. The trash that we generate as a community can affect us long term. One can develop diseases such as asthma, birth defects, cancer, cardiovascular disease, childhood cancer, infectious diseases, and low birth weight. Bacteria and insects can also be added to the problem that trash causes.

*Allie says:

Many people wonder how they can make an impact on changing the world. It is easier than most people think and if we all work together, we can make dramatic changes in no time. The main way to stop the damage in the oceans, climate, and health is to…

*pop up with music getting louder*

RECYCLE!

*Recycling noise of throwing a bottle in the recycling can*

*Mlyssa speaking*

Recycling is the access or process of converting waste into reusable material.

There are different ways to recycle your bottles, plastic, metal, and glass.Powered by wordads.coSeen ad many timesNot relevantOffensiveCovers contentBrokenREPORT THIS AD

The recycling materials are taken to a plant and they are sorted and then cleaned and reused with different products.

-Fade in-

*Brigid speaking*

Now, specifically in Cleveland, we have to recycle our used products. They gave us a new bin to put our recyclables in.

*Garbage truck noise.*

Recycling can help Earth not be filled with trash that can be reused.

Instead of throwing your paper, bottles, or plastic into the trash, think about the different ways they can be reused into new products! Take the small extra time to find a recycling bin (which is usually right next to trash cans).

Recycling is a small act that makes a huge impact!

Another way we can help change the world is by planting more trees.

Trees cleanse the climate and release oxygen into our atmosphere.

They provide an abundance of benefits to us and our world, everyday.

*fade in*

We can plant trees in our neighborhood *digging noise*Seen ad many timesNot relevantOffensiveCovers contentBrokenREPORT THIS AD

This way we can prevent all of our trees getting taken down

We get oxygen from our trees and we need oxygen to breathe.

*fade in*

Planting trees is a great way to give back to our planet.

This is a way to make our Earth more green and a way to come together as a community

In grade school we posted trees on our grade schools lawn because they had to cut old dead ones home

This can be a science project for younger grades to help make sure there are trees for new generations

Deforesting is a huge issue with the rainforests because we need the resources for paper products and wooden products.

If we tear trees down without replanting them our earth will start dying because we need the trees and plants

*show this text below on screen reading along with it (highlighting the words that are being said) 

*Allie speaking 

There are many benefits to recycling that can make the world a better, more positive place. Some of the benefits to recycling are… 

Benefits of Recycling

• Reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators.
• Conserves natural resources such as timber, water and minerals.
• Increases economic security by tapping a domestic source of materials.
• Prevents pollution by reducing the need to collect new raw materials.
• Saves energy.

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*fade in*

*Mlyssa speaking with different pictures of the earth and oceans cleaned up*

Recycling and planting new trees is a great way we can help the earth and change the world.  As students we need to set an example that others can follow because planting trees and recycling seems like a small change but in the long run it will make a huge impact

*Brigid reading the poem with soft music in the background*

Poem about changing the world:

How can we change the world?

Change the way that things are?

What will it take?

What have we done so far?

Are we calling for kindness?

Are we learning together?

Are we leaving a legacy?

We’ll be proud of forever?

Do we care about others?

Do we try to understand?

Could we unite the globe?

Every place, every land

Every single last person,Seen ad many timesNot relevantOffensiveCovers contentBrokenREPORT THIS AD

All residents by birth.

It’s in our best interests

To cherish our earth.

So, what are we doing?

Will it ever be done?

Can we craft a better future

For the generations to come?

Can we nurture all spirits

Between ocean and sky?

Can we change the world?

We can certainly try.

By: MS Moem

Due to the Coronavirus my cooperating teacher has been overwhelmed with work and has not responded to my email. I did try and find these answers on their website and I have asked other teachers that I know personally. On the Mercer Elementary website I searched through their faculty and staff directory. Only one name came up with the search, Library Media Specialist: Denise Goble. For my friend’s school they have a computer lab and the librarian is also in the media education.

At Mercer they have a set of chrome books for each grade, however there are 3 classrooms for each grade. At the other school they have an entire computer lab, they have a cart of iPads for the 1st floor and one for the 2nd floor. Every 7th grader and 8th grader has their own chrome book that they are allowed to take home.

Yes, they are readily available and they are in good working order. Students have their own log in and password. Teachers have personal computers and they have their own log ins. The families have to pay for the chrome books it is in their tuition. You also do not have to reserve the laptops, since every class has a computer lab class. The iPads have a sign out sheet so a class can reserve them.

The firewall blocks inappropriate or not needed websites for learning. You can not use netflix or any shopping websites on the school computers. The principal decides what the firewall needs to block. She gets an application that places firewall blockers.

 What is their role or do they have a title? Who is able to direct you to the people with the most information? Who has the most and/or best information?

They are a teacher in the school, they do not have a role in the technology. If I needed to I could probably get ahold of the principal since she runs everything that happens. She would also have the best and most information.

I am observing at Mercer Elementary in a 3rd grade class. The students all have chrome books. However, the entire grade shares a cart of chrome books. There is not an issue of charging the laptops because they charge in the storage cart. This allows students to just pick up the laptop and start to work. The students use the laptops appropriately because other websites are locked. So, in school students can’t go on social media. Social media is not used in the classroom since some students might not be able to use it. My first day visiting some of the girls asked me if I have a snapchat or instagram. I told them I have both platforms however, I told them it would not be appropriate to add me. They did understand since I am over 10 years older than them. My siblings are around their age and they do have monitored social media so I think social media is fine as long as it is safe. I think social media can be a great resource but it can also be so dangerous. For classes I have used social media as a tool for assignments and it has been nice to use. I do think those students are too young for that right now since social media is such a touchy subject.

My students rarely do small group learning, they only really do partner things. The students do math flashcards in pairs. Their teacher does do small group directions and differentiates instruction. This way the students that have IEP can have different instructions and sometimes different assignments. The students do sit in a group. They sit in tables of four students. However, they are rarely allowed to openly communicate with each other. I think this would bring a different dynamic in the classroom. I think students should be able to talk about what they are learning in a quiet manner. If students make a comment to another student they get a speaking out tally. But sometimes I hear the comments and they are constructive thinking and about what they are learning. So, I think the students should be able to discuss their ideas. The only time they are allowed to talk in class is when the teacher calls on them during a whole group discussion.

The teacher in the classroom does use her computer and an active board regularly. However, she prefers not to use technology. She said she likes to write things out better so she usually writes on white boards when she can. For digital storytelling she will read a story and then she will turn on a youtube video that talks about the story and the author. She then connects these videos to have the students write about them. I think it would be a good creative assignment to have students write a digital story. This would allow students to have creative ideas. This would work only if this was an in class assignment. I am not sure if every student has a home computer. Since the students have chrome books at school this would work easier.

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This article talks about children actively constructing themselves through their own writing and voice. It shows that students need to be independent and creative in expressing themselves through their choice in tools and social structure.

I would love to use this website in my classroom. The only downside I have found in this game is that you need to log in every time you go on the website. This would be hard if you have to log students on every time. However, when you do log in and start using the game you can chose from many different games. I think this is also a great resource for parents to use if they think their child needs extra practice. I feel confident that students could be directed to go on this website and be able to play any game they wanted.

This is also a great resource for teachers if they want to find new worksheets or lesson plans for students. I think if there was no log in that would be best for the website. Every game has directions under it to help move the process along with the learning aspect of the games.

I think integrating play into the classroom setting helps students stay engaged. I rarely see teachers telling students to go play a game. This is a change of pace from the usual writing and reading. I would say these games are not drill and practice. If you do not pass it lets you reset the game. Then when you get the correct answer and pass a level it just levels you up.

This time I used more than just one of the games on this website. You are able to change the settings for grade and subject. There are also options to chose a game based on standards. This is a great resource for teachers if they are searching for educational games. As I was looking though the entire website I noticed that it also had worksheets and pre made lesson plans. I chose to play a learn how to code, it was actually hard to do. I did complete a few levels-I think students would love this game.

I wonder if you can do a class log in so you can have a class set of laptops or iPads. This is something I am still wondering about. This game I think would be for older students, I would use it for a student that is more advanced. I have never taken a coding class in grade school, so I am not sure if that is something some schools offer. I also do not think you need to have a background in coding to figure this game out.