Technology is FUN!

With each passing day of constantly being integrated into new valuable technological resources for teaching, I am slowly becoming more "tech-savy" and even having a bit of fun doing it! Completing tasks are becoming easier which is an awesome feeling! I mentioned earlier about PowToon, but I want to emphasize it again because it is such a great valuable tool to use!

In terms of awesome tools for the classroom, I was introduced to another one this week called Plickers. In it, the teacher prepares questions where students then answer with their own barcode and change the direction of the shape based on which answer they would like to select. I loved this device and I think it would be great for any grade in a warm up or a conclusion of lesson activity. It would especially be valuable in math and seeing how much the students understand of the topic. I thought the anonymous component was great and will increase inclusion and honest answers in the classroom. It is also a great way for formative assessment and critical thinking skills!

Below is a great video showing how Plickers works!



I was also presented with a fantastic TedTalk presentation that provides one with a lot of take home messages. It was called The Child-Driven Education by Sugata Mitra. I highly recommend taking the time to watch it as informs you with different perspective on education and the abilities our students are capable of. Mitra travels throughout the world to locations where "the best teachers and schools don't exist where they are needed most". A quote that struck me most by Sugata Mitra was "if children have interest, then education happens". I think this is empowering as a Teacher Candidate to truly understand that I need to engage my students with interests that are meaningful to them. By doing that, education abilities and the growth mind set in students can be transformed.

My Genius Hour project is coming along well. I have my guidelines outlined and I am currently researching from the perspective of someone who has never gone on a trip before which is proving to be a trying experience. I can sense the feeling of overwhelming stress someone would experience when setting out on such an adventure without guidance. I am also looking at equipment and trying to find afforadable options. I really like working on this project as it allows me to "de-stress" and complete something I truly enjoy. It is also filling the void of not paddling or camping. I'm looking forward to my reading week to go kayaking again!

Vanerpaddel. (2011, August 31). Kayaking. [Online photography] Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/_vanerpaddel/17161125719/in/photolist

Weekly Report and Reflection Week #3

This week really opened my perspective to instrumental and relational understanding. For those who are not familiar, instrumental understanding is procedural and occurs through steps. This is often viewed in formulas to solve. Whereas, relational understanding is understanding the concept itself and the hows and whys associated with that concept. Often instrumental learning is a quick easy way, and short-term learning with limited long term memorization. This made me reflect a lot on my education as being instrumental because now I am trying to remember the formulas I used in junior and intermediate and I just can’t! (Thank you Google!) However, that being said I don’t think there is one right way. Successful learning in my opinion requires a combination of both and perhaps at different times in the lesson. As an educator, I want to combine both types of learning but I really want to emphasize the relational understanding to my students and make them question how and why they are doing something rather than just copying a formula. I found a great blog post The Reflective Educator that highlighted a great analogy of the two types of understanding by Richard Skeemp. I thought it was interesting in showing that math is not only based off formulas but brings a wealth of ideas to the world when used conceptually.

Another component we discussed was Quantity Relationships, which includes representing, comparing and ordering numbers. Through this, the importance of conceptual understanding was presented. In other words, knowing what we are solving and what we are actually doing. I found this to relate back to relational and again emphasized the importance of including that type of understanding in lessons.

Ms K Primary. (2007, May 8) Fraction Display. [Online Photography] Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/misskprimary/1037165017/in/album-72157601277946417/ 

The highlight of this week’s class was hearing my colleagues present their lessons. All showed great examples on different teaching styles and what is beneficial in the classroom. The one that stood out most for me was the lesson associated with least common denominators and I thought it was presented in a very inclusive way. Our “teacher” allowed group work and collaboration to discuss the problem; this expanded our critical thinking skills. We also had the cut out clippings of books as visual tools that we could paste in order to discover how many used books were bought compared to new books when they spent the same amount of money. I thought it was really cool and rewarding as the “student” to create a solution that worked for us and made us feel accomplished in our findings. The teacher did an excellent job in presenting a wealth of valuable information in a short time, and effectively presenting it. I think it’s important to have visuals during presentation so the learners are always engaged in the lesson. If there is no visual it is difficult to process the information in the unique way to our various learners. 

This class was important to be as becoming a math educator. It provided me with more knowledge on what is valuable in the classroom and what isn’t. It also made me think critically about the different understandings, which will help me grow as a better math educator. Each class I am becoming more confident in my knowledge about teaching math to students. I am excited to implement these newfound strategies one day in the classroom! 

This TedTalk again reiterates that math is not only based off of formulas but can provide many other critical thinking and conceptual ideas. 

“Something is true just because a teacher or adult tells them… just showing everyone the rules is the wrong way to go about it”- Eugenia Cheng 

Weekly Report and Reflection Week #2

Math used to be a subject I would cringe at. It would cause instant fear and panic. Becoming an educator with that feeling towards math has actually benefited me. It forces me understand the importance of creating an inclusive lesson and math environment for all our different learners to understand. I have always felt math to pose a negative connotation. No one wanted to do it (except for those math-loving-kids). I think because it was always solving problems that were either right or wrong created the divide. Often I felt like I would solved a solution in an entirely different way than the teacher presented a problem. This made it difficult for me to conceptualize math because I couldn't relate to the instructor's way of presenting it which often was only ONE WAY! With that it heightens the importance of learning math that does not only show one way of doing it but multiple to expand to all learners.

Sagolla, Dom. (2009, July 16). Chalkboard and Apple. [Online photography]. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/dominic/3250101952/in/photolist 

An excellent math teacher provides many ways of presenting the topic and in different formats. They guide the learner through the process of creating a problem and solving it. This can be compared to an activity completed in Forums where we take a picture of something and create a math problem out of it. I think this is an example of great instruction that allows the learner to potentially take something of interest and create a problem for them to solve. This concept of math was not something I learned in school. It was very much like here is 50 problems and a pencil- solve them. I think also creating discussion and asking why things happen is beneficial to incorporate critical thinking skills. With that, I think anyone has the potential to be a good math student. But that potential is largely influenced by the educator who presents the topic to them. If it doesn't make sense to the student, the motivation will decrease and then the negative mindset sets in.

Recently, I had my first placement which is a grade 8 class. They were working on the topic of Patterning. The teacher presented the lesson briefly (as they have been working on it a couple of days), and then they were allowed to work individually or in pairs to solve a workbook that contained many different types of questions. With that, they had the option work in different environments including their desks, the hall, or comfy chairs (how cool is that!!) They had the option to use small whiteboards to visualize their solving or clipboards. I thought it was great to see that the students were able to make themselves comfortable. As well as create a way to learn that is beneficial for them. No one cringed when they started the work but they embraced the opportunity and you could really see things were clicking for them! I think the experience really proved that the way math is presented, and the level of engagement can influence the abilities. By being in small groups they were able to work together, and the teacher could walk around and help those in need. Not only did it help with math skills, but also critical thinking and group work and collaboration.

This experience exemplified the importance of strategies. I would implement similar structure when completing tasks individually/ in pairs. I also really like the application Kahoot!  Kahoot! allows students to use their own devices to answer a question presented on the overhead. It is very interactive and students love it. I think it's important to incorporate Gamification, so I would make sure interactive educational games are provided as well. An example is Demolition Division a game I recently tried and thought was a lot of fun!

When I am teaching in a J/I classroom, I will be incorporating the 7 Mathematical Processes:

1) Problem Solving
2) Reasoning and Proving
3) Reflecting
4) Selecting Tools and Computational Strategies
5) Connecting
6) Representing
7) Communicating

Through incorporating these processes, math understanding can be improved to the student and also create a more positive and inclusive environment which is critical to being a great math teacher! Over the course of the next few weeks, these processes will be an important area for me to learn. I also hope to develop new strategies that students enjoy, and ways to make math more positive and fun!

Swayze, R. (September 2016). Number line. (Personal Photo)
Retrieved from personal library.

The Genius Hour Project

I've been learning a lot about the Genius Hour concept a lot lately, and each exercise I love it more! It has the possibility to create so many wonderful ideas from our young learners! It's important to learn first hand about the activity before implementing it within a classroom. With that, my GH Question is What do I need to complete my first interior camping canoe trip? Over the next month or so I will be exploring this question and posting my progress in my Genius Hour Project section located to the right of this post! As this is a passion of mine, I'm looking very forward to learning more about this fun topic!

I also had the opportunity to learn about PowToon which is an awesome application that guides you in creating a fun PowerPoint like presentation that incorporates cartoons and other engaging animations. Not being a very "tech-savy" person I found this application to be super user friendly. I would like to utilize it more, and use it often in the classroom. It has the potential to increase student engagement in a lesson. Furthermore, it's a great tool for students to utilize in their own assignments and creations! PowToon does require pre-planning and time management. It's also critical that all the timing settings are correct to limit error in presentations.

Check out the short PowToon I made!

If you want to create your own PowToon, click here!

DG1: What is Copyright ©?

Copyright laws mean that all rights are reserved for the person or groups of people whom have created a document or media image. This prohibits others from copying or reproducing ones work. With that, this work may be accessed only if one has obtained permission from the originator.

This is an important component to educate students learning in a technological world. Through education, they can learn and understand the importance of respecting others work. This lesson could be incorporated with plagiarism laws and teach them how to cite properly within their work whether it consists of writing or media.

Below are examples of copyright-friendly images I found online.

Schnabel, Steve. (2009, October 22). Canoeing in the Fall. [Online Photograph]. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/15572139@N07/4129206752/

Sund, Sheila. (2014, June 24). Lake Louise. [Online photography]. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/sheila_sund/14499299121 

Welcome to Mathematics

Hi and Welcome to Math!

Nelsonmania. (2012 May 27).
Math Cartoon. [Online Image]
Retrieved from:
https://www.flickr.com/photos
/77944364@N06/7283271190/in/photolist-c6AEMd

My name is Raychel Swayze and I am a Teacher Candidate in the J/I division at Brock University. I graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, also at Brock University. I am very excited to begin my Teacher Candidate journey and I look forward to being a future educator! 

I am an avid outdoors person who enjoys all sorts of paddling including kayaking, canoeing, and SUP. I love to go interior camping, and have been to many amazing parks within Ontario and Quebec. Throughout the winter, I enjoy playing hockey and downhill skiing. I also enjoy reading, yoga, travelling and most importantly spending time with family and friends! 

This blog section is to explore the world of mathematics and strategies to implement in the classroom! Throughout EDUC 8P29, I hope to learn fun and exciting ways to instruct math  to students. I look forward to learning and executing lessons that do not solely focus on textbook work, or completing a hand out. I am excited to venture into the world of math that is taught with a vast range of technology! Another important component I hope to learn and strengthen my skills at is creating a teaching practice that is inclusive for all. Math is often a subject that many students struggle with. I hope to learn strategies that will target each student's individual needs in mathematics that will allow all to be successful! 

Here's the avatar version of Me! 

Pure mathematics is, in its way, the poetry of logical ideas - Albert Einstein 

Welcome to Technology

Hi and Welcome to Tech!

Backdoor Survival. ( 2012, March 26).
Lightbulb. (Online Photo)
Retrieved from: https://www.flickr.com/photos/backdoorsurvival
/7019634849/in/gallery-106851320@N03-72157637646323644/

My name is Raychel Swayze and I am a Teacher Candidate in the J/I division at Brock University. I graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, also at Brock University.  I am very excited to begin my Teacher Candidate journey and I look forward to being a future educator!

I am an avid outdoors person who enjoys all sorts of paddling including kayaking, canoeing, and SUP. I love to go interior camping, and have been to many amazing parks within Ontario and Quebec. Throughout the winter, I enjoy playing hockey and downhill skiing. I also enjoy reading, yoga, travelling and most importantly spending time with family and friends.

Becoming a teacher in 2016 means we have technology at our advantage and fingertips for our leaders of tomorrow! Student engagement is a vital part within the classroom and Generation Z is living in the digital world! To engage students, providing these outlets are vital to their learning.

Recently, I learned about Genius Hour. A super cool program that allow students to take a set period of time during school to focus on something they enjoy learning. This is a great way to spark creativity in the students as well as passion an autonomy in their learning. It also fosters life long learning!





Creativity is intelligence having fun- Albert Einstein