Which come first, the chicken or the egg?

In this case, the chicken is “writing to learn” and the egg is “learning to write.”
Of course, learning to write should come before writing to learn. I believe a good foundation in knowing how to write should be attended to before moving the student on to writing to learn. Can you imagine someone asking you to do something you have no concept of and how overwhelming that feeling would be? Personally, I would feel like there was no hope, and no possible way I could do anything. Ultimately, I wouldn’t even try if I knew I would be defeated in the end. I believe that’s exactly how my students would feel if I asked them to write a research paper before I have taught them how to write.

However, once knowledge and understanding of writing is achieved, writing to learn is the next step and is a great teaching/learning tool for both teachers and students. In most cases, students are allowed to choose topics of interest for research papers which in return motivates them to learn all they can about that topic, and it allows the teacher to check the development of their writing skills. However, the flexibility of topic shouldn’t be restricted to research papers but could be implemented in any writing scenario.

As far as using digital technology to make writing more appealing, I believe a balance of handwritten material and digital material is needed. For example, I can remember using a calculator in math or science but not very often. Now days, it seems like that is all the students use, and working problems out by hand is a thing of the past. Don’t get me wrong, I think calculators are great tools that make things easier and faster, but I believe we shouldn’t rely totally on technology. When you have to work out math problems by hand, a great deal of thinking is required. When you use a calculator, more knowledge of knowing how to use a calculator is implemented and less on how the problem is solved. Another problem I have with relying totally on technology is that technology fails. What happens when technology fails, and no knowledge of how to complete a task independently is established? Exactly, nothing! It would be so sad to be completely helpless especially when we so desperately want our students to think critically and independently.

Red light/Green light

Red Light-Green Light

The writings required on Chapter readings and multiple respondings to peers can be overwhelming at times, but I learn from the process and the postings (feedback/comments).

I appreciate the time in class to complete assignments. Otherwise, it would almost be impossible for me because I don't have internet at home. So, THANKS!

Smart vs. Prom

I have had little interaction with both, and I see the benefits of both. Personally, I think I would like the Promethium because when we had a lady come show it to use in Dr. Fox's class, it seemed like it offered more options. We also had to do an "unneccessary" online training before the speaker came, but I couldn't tell you how to do one thing on there. I'm a hands-on learner and have to do it before I totally understand. But then again, I don't know much about the SmartBoard besides the elmo.

Ch. 7 Blog

“Motivation and Teacher Expectations. Teachers sometimes unintentionally worsen feelings of failure, disaffection, and not wanting to try anymore (p. 194).”

When I read the statement above, I thought of what we learned in Dr. Fox’s class about unintentional harmful praise. For example, if a teacher overly praises a student for doing exceptionally well on a test or any given assignment, how will the teacher compensate for praise when the student doesn’t do so well on the next test/assignment. I’m sure this type of situation happens all of the time because the teacher is so excited for the improvement in the student especially if he/she usually struggles, but will the absence or lack of praise of following tests/assignments cause the student to become less motivated or completely unmotivated all together. Fortunately, the solution is easy, we as teachers must find the perfect balance. Unfortunately, finding the perfect balance can be difficult.

However, our ability as teachers to motivate our students is extremely important to their educational success. We all know that motivation is a key element in engaging students and can be done so by activating prior knowledge and schema to teach a new concept. We also know that as teachers we are not to assume anything about any student. We should not assume that students already know/understand any given concept, and we should not assume any reasons why students seem motivated or unmotivated because we never know what our students come to us with ranging from home life to school life. Our job should be to motivate, inspire, and educate all students equally.