Technology Integration Video -- Big Thinkers: Judy Willis on the Science of Learning

Link to Video - Big Thinkers: Judy Willis on the Science of Learning


Judy Willis was a Neurologist for years and loved her medical practice until she realized there was a bigger need for her in the classroom. She had begun to get numerous teacher/school referrals for students who were believed to have various issues (OCD, Staring spells, ADD, etc.). Many of these students simply needed to be more involved in the classroom. She talks about the importance of keeping children interested in the classroom in order to steer clear of boredom. Sets help spark curiosity within the brain and allow students to prepare for what they are going to learn. Attention getters are a great way to make sure students are staying on task. Providing ample opportunities for participation is one of the most important things to remember when encouraging learning.


I agree with what Ms. Willis states throughout the video and her views on the importance of motivational and interesting learning experiences. I love her idea of using individual erasable pads or whiteboards to allow class participation without the fear of making a mistake in front of the whole class. She specifically states that 50% of the facts students are taught will somehow be modified by the time they leave (graduate). If this is so then why do we spend so much time memorizing facts when application is the true key? In order to be successful students will need a toolkit -- the executive functions! Preparing children for this can come from critical analysis, evaluation, risk assessment, and problem solving.
The most moving part of this video for me was the section when she compared/contrasted video games and classrooms. Video games give feedback and allow those players who are able to complete tasks to move up! Often times students are forced to keep doing things they already know only because they must stay with the rest of the class. Classroom models should compare to video games and differentiate instruction in order to allow each child to perform at their "achievable challenge level."


Overall, this is a great information video and very helpful for any educator!

Reflection Blog Posting

My Instructional Design and Technology class has taught me many things that I will certainly choose to implement in my future classroom. I have realized the importance of technology integration and teaching to learners using multiple types of resources. 

The most important and useful thing I have made this semester has been my teacher website. I really enjoyed finding things to post on my website. I felt that all of the pages had great resources for coworkers, fellow teachers, parents, and students. I enjoyed creating my website using my own personal touches and decorative ideas. I will definitely refer back to my teacher website when I make one for my future classroom. I love the idea of providing information about what my students are learning on my curriculum page. Ms. Tackett's Classroom

I also found the Portaportal to be useful to fellow teachers, parents, and students. I loved finding resources that I may choose to use in my future teaching. I was blown away by the amount of free graphic organizers, games, calendar tools, classroom posters, etc. that are free and printable online! I loved being able to share what I found with whoever takes the time to check out my Portaportal. Rebecca's Portaportal

I am very excited about working on the Digital Storytelling Project and would love to use this tool in my own classroom. I would love to have one digital story each week and make sure that I can link it into whatever I am teaching within that week. Students love listening to stories and we all know they love technology! I believe this is a great way to encourage both (listening to stories, telling stories, and using technology). I would also love to have my students work to make their own classroom digital story. Depending on the age of my students I could also have them work in groups to make digital stories. 

Overall, this class has offered many wonderful learning opportunities and I look forward to using these ideas in my own classroom. 

Schools kill creativity!

The Importance of Creativity by Sir Ken Robinson.
Link: http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html


Sir Ken Robinson makes a valid point about every person having some form of creativity. He believes that creativity holds the same importance as literacy in education. I agree with his belief of holding creativity at such a high standard. Although not all people can be extraordinary artists and singers, everyone has an imagination.


Robinson explains that If you're not prepared to be wrong then you can never be able to come up with something original. He states, "We are educating people out of their creativity capacities." Teachers must strive to allow creative practices in all possible ways in order to provide a proper and fulfilling education. Robinson points out that the Arts are at the bottom of the hierarchy of education systems around the world. We must  stop trying to educate students "from the waist up" and allow them to perform outside of just strictly academic ability. Previously, students have been turned away from choosing majors and possible careers in "creative" jobs. The process of academic inflation proves that degrees no longer mean anything. Students can obtain a degree and still fail to find a job. The education system must be rethought and improved in order to focus on creativity that will further enable the world to continually improve and become more advanced through the ideas of creative minds.


I agree with Robinson's points and realize that creativity is not something that should be thrown to the side and barely touched within the classroom. As a future teacher, I hope to allow creative thinking and focus on activities that require it. In order for students to obtain a truly beneficial education, teachers must work to encourage growth in every possible field of knowledge (including creativity).


Just for fun - Favorite quote of Sir Ken Robinson's speech: If a man speaks his mind in a forest and no woman hears him.. is he still wrong?