Saturday, January 18, 2014

Assignment #1 Questions

I'm not sure if this is the correct place to ask these questions, but I figured there are probably some of my classmates that have the same questions.  I am confused on what needs to be done for Assignment #1.  I know that we are suppose to create a STEM lesson, but besides that I am lost.  Below are a list of the questions that I have.

  • Does it have to be an entire lesson, or can it be something like the Placed Based Problems that we have been doing in the majority of or EDMA classes?
  • If it is an entire lesson, what format should it be in?
  • Does a STEM lesson include all 4 elements?  Or can they sometimes just have 2 or 3 of them?
  • Are we suppose to teach the lesson/problem between now and when the assignment is due and report on what happened?
I think that those are all of my questions for now, but I am sure that I will have more :)  Thanks!

Friday, January 17, 2014

Reflection 2: Gaining Skills in Minecraft

Now that you've had a little time to get to know Minecraft, how are you doing?  Were you able to master these basic skills?

•Look around
•Move in all directions
•Jump
•Get in and out of the water, and swim
•Break blocks and place blocks (build)
•Use a torch to light your way
•Break bricks to “mine” for things
•Pick stuff up, Put stuff down
•Fly (If you log in as a teacher, go to the personal menu by entering 'p', and then enter creative mode)

Did you find the campground and build an arch?

Post your reflection, including pleas for help and celebrations of your accomplishments, by Tuesday, January 21 at 5:00 PM.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Class 1 Reflection: What have we gotten ourselves into? (Sara L.)





Going into this class I really had no idea what to expect.  I am certainly interested in the idea of STEM but I am completely unfamiliar with actually implementing it.  Class last night was certainly helpful and demonstrated how a lesson could incorporate Science-Technology-Engineering and Math.  Still the idea of creating a lesson or problem for my students to solve using STEM is foreign to me. 

I am very comfortable implementing the math portion of STEM and I am excited to learn about the other pieces of STEM.  I am especially interested in engineering.  I wouldn’t say that I am skilled in this area, however I feel like my students and my own children are interested in engineering.  I am looking forward to exploring the eGFI website.  I think this will help as I work towards creating STEM lessons.  Additionally, I would really like to get involved in working with students on Lego Robotics.  Again, I do not know a great deal about this but I would like to learn more about this program and hopefully participate in this program in the near future. 
In terms of technology I have always considered myself fairly comfortable using technology in the classroom.  I love using the Smart board for math lessons but I don’t always know how to use all the tools available.  I enjoying using typing programs in the classroom.  Also, I have created a class website and have made some videos for my parents to use to help them learn how math is being taught in the classroom.  Gaming is a different story entirely.  I have heard of Minecraft and seen my children play it a few times.  Honestly, if I see them playing I walk away and do something else.  I have always struggled with the idea of video games being valuable.  Certainly there are many good arguments as to why they are valuable, but personally I do not enjoy them.  I find video games incredibly difficult and not satisfying.  I would much rather be outside running, biking, hiking or just playing rather than playing a video game.  Still, I think I would like to learn how to play video games.  Certainly games such as Minecraft are a tool that will allow us, as educators, to connect with our students. 
I will most likely be attending the class next week so I can learn how to navigate the program more easily.  I am attaching a photo of myself learning how to play Minecraft because I think it will better depict how I was feeling last night.  (No laughing please).  After class my family sat down and watched my husband play.  He claimed he wanted to “show” me a few things.  This turned into him playing for hours.   My children kept watching him play.  I did not stay and watch but between my husband and my two older children, I think I will have a few good teachers. I am excited to learn more about Minecraft and other games, and learn how I can implement them in the classroom.


Trying to figure out how to jump

Monday, January 13, 2014

Class 1 Reflection - What have we gotten ourselves into?

Feedback, please!  Post a comment with your thoughts, excitement, dismay, impressions, or suggestions regarding class 1 and any of the topics discussed.  Post before Tuesday, January 14 at 5 PM.

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