Collaborative Lesson Planning!

Hi everyone!
     This week we were given the opportunity to work in small groups to create our own collaborative lesson plans! In doing so, we were able to incorporate different tools that we have been exploring throughout the year into a lesson plan for any subject we would like. This was something that was not only fun to play around with, but also interesting to see the different ways that different technological tools can be used across subjects!
     My group decided to focus on human organ systems within the Grade 5 Science curriculum for our lesson. In doing so, we chose to have our lesson involve our students researching the harmful and beneficial effects that technology can have on the body through the use of an introductory newsletter, followed by the students creating Poppits and Prezis to demonstrate their learning through their research. Finally, we chose to use a Google Form in order to consolidate our lesson, and gain an understanding of what our students were able to learn.
     Feel free to check out our lesson plan and learning objects below!

Tech Class This Week!

Hi everyone!
     In this week's class we explored many different learning objects that we could use to incorporate technology into classrooms! Some I had heard of before, but for the most part they were new to me, and I found myself very interested in the few that I was able to explore.

Crow, D. (2007, July 17). Jing Project version 1.2.3. 

Retrieved from http://bit.ly/1W7Hzci

     For instance, I had never thought of the different uses that screen capturing could have in the classroom! I found it very interesting to read and hear about how different screen capturing tools, such as Jing, could be used to show students how you mark them and give them audio feedback as you go through the process. I believe that this could be a great resource to use for those students who would learn more from being able to hear where and why they went wrong, and how to improve, rather than read about it in comment on a page.
     Another way that I was able to explore screen capturing being used was though adding audio to slideshow presentations. This could be a great way to receive audio explanations of projects from student who may be shy or anxious presenting in front of the class. It could also be used as an alternative to students writing an essay or book report. Instead, they could create a slideshow with images from the book, or their own images of how they image the setting/sections of the book would appear, with voice over narration of their thoughts, feelings, and opinions on those areas. I believe that this would be a fun way to allow for more creativity in the classroom, and for students to explore topics and possibly learn more through needing to verbalize the information they have learned.

Becoming More Tech Savvy

Hi everyone!
     This week in class we worked on adding voice over narrations to our Powtoon videos, and began making movie trailers for our Genius Hour projects! Yes, you read that correctly, movie trailers! How exciting is that?!
     However, my first thought was not excitement, I was actually a little bit nervous. Why you may ask, because I have never made a movie trailer or video online before, and I am not very tech savvy to do so on my own. Yet as the class progressed, I found that it is not that difficult, as long as you use programs that you are comfortable with, or in my case, one that gives you step by step instructions.
My Genius Hour movie trailer is not yet complete, but I think it is coming along well, and will be posting it for you all to see once it is finished.
     Stay tuned until then!
   

Genius Hour Continues

Hi everyone!
     This past week has been a busy one, but my Genius Hour project still continues!

Krebs, D. (2012, March 20). Genius Hour [photograph].
Retrieved from http://bit.ly/1WNZUI6

     As I progress through this project, I find myself finding more and more interesting information. For instance, before this project I had never thought of all of the different ways that music therapy can be used! I may be focusing on one specific use, but throughout my research I have found a plethora of uses for music therapy, which I find myself wanting to look into, perhaps creating another, slower paced project for myself after this one. This is something that I did not imagine would happen at all.
     When I first started this project I thought it would be fun and interesting, because it involves things that I find interesting and am passionate about. However, I did not imagine I would find so many other interesting uses for music therapy, and become even more interested in it's use. I suppose the above image is correct, when genius and passion are combined, the possibilities truly are endless. Where this project will take me, I do not yet know, but I am looking forward to finding out.

Stay tuned to find out too!
     

     

Let The Learning Continue!

Hi everyone!
     In regards to my Genius Hour project topic of music therapy for those diagnosed with a mental health disorder, and those undiagnosed, I have found that there is a lot of interesting information all over the web! I've gathered background research on what exactly music therapy is, and even more information on how it can be implemented in different ways to different people. However, what I have learned most on my journey to complete this project so far, is actually about myself, and what it takes to fully immerse yourself into a project such as this.
     For instance, I have learned that participating in a Genius Hour project is quite the commitment.

Schipul, E. (2008, March 29). Commitment [photograph].
 Retrieved from http://bit.ly/1PzsaKm

These projects involve a lot of time and effort to be put in, but when done properly, they are a lot of fun! The key, as I have said in previous posts is to find a topic that you find to be of interest to you, or that you are passionate about, and to go from there. This is something that I am beginning to understand more and more as I continue with this project, as I am finding myself to motivated to continue researching and working due to the interest I have in music and music therapy.
     I have also found that I like having my own timeline for this project that I would like to follow.

Oz, S. (2014, March 1). 2015 calendar template rectangular 14 purple white background [photograph].
 Retrieved from http://bit.ly/1JsEc2X

I have found that with my own timeline to follow, I am working harder to follow it, in order to please myself, and be proud of the hard work and dedication that I have put in. I find myself being motivated to continue on with my research due to what is part of the exact definition of a Genius Hour project, passion and the exploration of my own creativity with what I find. 

Getting Reflective

Hi everyone!
     This week in class we were prompted to reflect upon on what we have learned about our Genius Hour projects so far, and what we have learned about ourselves.  
     In terms of the project thus far, I have learned more about the importance of self-motivation within Genius Hour projects. Without self-motivation a project such as this, spanning over a large period of time, could fall by the wayside. However, with self-motivation and the interest, and passion that is involved in an effective Genius Hour project, instead of forgetting about the project, the researcher will want to put the time and effort into their project. This is also something that I have learned about myself, I am more invested and interested in working on projects that involve something that I am interested in and/or passionate about. I am extremely interested in my project topic, and with that intend to work hard each week to meet my goals and successfully complete the Genius Hour project! As of right now I am still in the beginning stages,locating effective, credible sources, but I am very excited to see what I will learn in the weeks to come!
     Stay tuned to learn more about my project and progress throughout the next few weeks!

My Genius Hour Project

Hi everyone!
     Today we began to develop the questions we would like to focus on for our Genius Hour projects. However, when asked to develop a question, I found myself struggling to know what I would like to research. It needed to be about something that I find interesting and would enjoy learning about throughout the semester, which got me thinking about my interests.

Krebs, D. (2013, January 19). Genius Hour Brainstorming For Ideas [photograph]. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/mrsdkrebs/8396958364

     One of the things in life that I love the most is music. Unfortunately, I do not play an instrument, but I do listen to many different genres of music, all of the time. Which got me thinking of why I love music so much, and that is because of the way it can help me in any situation. When I am stressed, sad, angry, or even happy and wanting to celebrate something I turn on music... and then it came to me. I would love to research just how music can be used to assist someone's well-being. But how could I get more specific with this topic? After thinking about this, and conversing with my course instructor, my question for this Genius Hours project was created: What is an effective music therapy program to implement for students' well-being for those diagnosed with a mental health disorder vs. those undiagnosed?

Alishayan79. (2012, January 10). "Music" [photograph]. Retrieved from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Maroper_Music.jpg

     My main goal for this project is to try to conduct a little research on the subject each week, in order to continue learning and discovering new information over time, before coming to a conclusion. This is a subject that I am very interested in, and would love to learn more about, which is why it is something that I would also like to learn about slowly over time, rather than trying to absorb a vast amount of information on all at once. It is with this in mind, that I intend to measure my progress by noting what I have researched and found each week, in order to build upon my research and delve deeper into the topic.

TPACK Teacher Quest: Copyrights

  For this week's TPACK Teacher Quest badge I was able to learn more about copyrights. For instances, I learned that copy right notices are not actually required, if you created a piece of work you are the only one with the rights to use it (Figg, 2013). Furthermore, I learned that as a Canadian teacher, I can only show videos in my classroom that have public performance rights. Any YouTube videos that I, or any other Canadian teacher may choose to show need to have a Creative Common license allowing them to be used, not just the standard YouTube license (Figg, 2013). 

Pingstone, A. (1988). "Children playing Paperboy on an Amstrad CPC 464" [photograph]. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_computer

     Through gaining this knowledge, I was also able to find what I believe to be the most important thing to teach students about copyrights, which is to create their own work, but also to know the proper ways of crediting the original creators of works they may use. I believe that this is not only important in terms of teaching students about laws, but also in teaching them morals and empathy, through understanding how others may feel when their hard work is being claimed or assumed to be someone else's. 

San José Library (2008, August 9). "Children using the library computers" [photograph]. Retrieved from http://bit.ly/1ief9eT

References

Figg, C. (2013) Copyright for tech-enhanced teaching. Handy4class Presents the TPACK Teacher     

     Game: A Game That Builds Teacher Knowledge for Teaching Tech-Enhanced Lessons. 

Welcome!

Hello everyone!
Welcome to Genius Hour with Miss Winger! In this blog I intend to share all of my experiences with Genius Hour throughout the semester.
Stay tuned, the fun will begin soon!