Friendly Reminder

Be sure to review the Technology Initiative Rubric and the Grant Proposal Rubric, both are found on the course Google Site (sidebar menu).  You have been working hard in this course, and sharing insightful and relevant information.  Looking forward to Module 6 discussion posts, and reading the technology initiatives and grant proposals!  Hang in there, the finish line is in sight!

Discovering the Call to Action

The call to action often goes unheard because so many feel like there is little they can do to really affect change, yet change can only come about when others purposely decide to make it happen. There are two cases I would like to use as examples to further illustrate my point.. one comes form the extra readings "Funds of Knowledge" a look at work done by Luis Moll (I have read this research before) and by what I contend was an example Moll may have used when he started his work in the Southwest US... the Foxfire Magazine. Some of you may have heard or read this magazine / book series and some may even know its origins.... Our final chapter readings want to explore the importance and role that the communities and stakeholders have in the education system. In many cases schools lose focus on what's important to the local community because they have become so entrenched in state and federal mandates, which have their place, but are worthless without the support needed for student achievement. Eliot Wigginton found himself in rural Northern Georgia teaching freshman English. He needed a way to teach his students the importance of something that wasn't that important to them nor the community... using good or "formal" English. The Foxfire magazine seemed like a project that may accomplish the goal, but it went on to do so much more, because it (and Wigginton) placed value on what mattered to the community and their way of life (cultural education). It engaged education (and learners) beyond the classroom walls and again valued that education (and learners) as important, in fact, so important it needed to be shared and became a model for "how to" or DIY books in today's market. Whether initially knowing or not Wigginton impacted that community by partnering with the stakeholders of that rural Georgia school. In the same way, as outlined in the "Funds of Knowledge" those teachers partnered with members of the community to help bridge the language and cultural gap and build a stronger educational experience for all. I think if more teachers could recognize that they are really just more experienced learners than teachers they could discover the opportunities for engaging and affecting change. I have to remind my students daily that "I'm a student" just like they are because learning never ends. There is always more to learn and better ways to learn it... there are always better tools and better ways to use them... there will always be better learners so try to learn how they do it... I could offer so many more ways to think about this, but the bottom line for me is about creating an environment where everyone is engaged and valued in the learning community. Understanding how to think and use your learning is the most empowering gift any learner can pass on to another... That's the true Call to Action!

Module 7 - Grant Proposal (I hope this doesn't mess up the order too bad)

Grant Proposal

Here is my grant proposal, I hope you all enjoy it. I worked many hours on this bad boy and had a lot of help from Dr. Deb Hemler. I am also sorry I posted it so early and I hope I don't mess up the order of things, I just wanted it done and over with lol. Integrating 3D Virtual Reality into the Classroom with the Oculus Rift

Module 6 - This is not the end, but only the beginning

Community Involvement

The community is like the backbone of education because it where students spend the other half of their time when they are not at school. It is the other half of their education. A teacher can involve the community with organized activities within the community outside of school hours. An example I like to use is FIRST Lego League (FLL), it is supported by schools and run by the community. There are teachers that help with the club, but parents are in the majority. Parents run the clubs as well and help with resources. Getting local engineers and computer scientists to help students with their robots is a great way to involve the community in this educational endeavor. The teacher is the one who starts the project, but the community are the ones keeping it afloat.

Chapter 11

This chapter looks at the opportunities that leaders can embrace to develop authentic learning experience for students and staff. Through twenty-first century technology and partnerships the community with become more prideful in what they have in their educational system. The Pillars of Digital Leadership will work together to bring more opportunities to the community and continue to enhance education.

This is what all educators thrive to do, but it takes a lot of drive, innovation, and open mindedness from the educator and community to set things in motion. Taking risks in education is the only way to progress and bring our community into the future.

Chapter 12

This chapter talks about how digital leadership is about creating an environment of traditional methods and using new educational technology learning. There is a need to involve not only the entirety of the educational system, but also the community. Giving the students ways to connect their education to society and it’s real life implications. Making a change that will bring us into the future and beyond.

Though this chapter focuses on the future we must not forget our past and everything that we have learned through the evolution of education. What works and what doesn’t, applying the methods that work the best and using them with new technology. Education is constantly evolving and adapting to this every changing world. Education is the essence of what we have become, a world of lifelong learners. It is what we are as a species, always curious and learning in different ways from individual to individual. We are where it begins, so let's make a good impression on young minds and make education what it was always meant to be, the exploration of our world. Asking questions and finding the answer.

Virtual Reality Field Trips

http://www.edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2015/11/google-expeditions-brings-virtual-reality-field-trips-schools-across-america?utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral

MindMap Created Using Google Drawing

I created this MindMap using Google Drawing with two colleagues. Google Drawing is a great, user-friendly collaborative tool. I thought you might be interested in the issues and trends presented in the CITE Journal over the past three years.  Click on the image to enlarge.

Module 5: Brianna Jones

Grant Idea

I have gone back and forth with this since we started looking into grants and what my school could benefit from. Being in the library, I could look at what my teachers need in their classrooms or what they need in the library. Finally I talked with teachers that utilize the library a lot and spoke with our technology coordinator and made the decision to look at what we can use in the library that would be beneficial to not only our teachers, but people in the community as well. Our school is the newest high school in Harrison County so it is used quite a bit from people in the community. I chose to apply for a grant to be able to buy a presentation cart (a cart, laptop, and an Elmo). I already have a projector in the library and a screen that can be used with it. When classes come down to the library or I am teaching a class I always try and show students things that would help them. I am a visual learner and I know a lot of students that are as well. This presentation cart will help the teachers and me when we are teaching students in the library. The library is also used during the summer and some evenings during the school year for various meetings and I know that this presentation cart would help them as well.

Being that this purchase would be for our school and our community, I went with the Wal-Mart Community Grant. This grant ranges from $250-$2500 and would pay for everything that I have listed above. There are a lot of grants for the library but a lot of them you had to have 3 years experience or be a member of their organization. Since this is my first year in the library it made it difficult to find one that suited my current position.

Chapter 9 Increasing Student Engagement and Enhancing Learning

“Digital Leadership is a mindset and a call to transform a school’s culture into one that unleashes the creativity of students so they can create artifacts of learning that demonstrates conceptual mastery”.   Do you agree that schools should reflect real life? 

I completely agree with this quote. For students to succeed in real life, I think that it is up to us to prepare them for it. What better ways to prepare them for the real world than having schools reflect it? Students are always asking where they are going to use different content in real life; well if we have courses that reflect real life and have those learning traits that will help them then students will not ask those questions. They want to see how the concepts you’re teaching them is going to help them in the real world once they leave high school. We need to teach them how to become digital leaders and prepare them for jobs that may not even be available right now.

Chapter 10 Rethinking Learning Environments and Spaces

Summarize the story of Clark Hall and reflect on your workplace or learning environment.  What are you thinking now after reading about Clark Hall?

Clark Hall is a high school that was established in 2010. Clark Hall was different than a regular school when it came to technology. Students could bring in their personal devices and connect to the network during school hours. Students and teachers were encouraged to become close with each other when it came to talking about personal things. The school provided a home like campus where students could be comfortable and have fun while learning. They created this school to be different than the others. The creators wanted this school to be more technology based and have students be ready for the real world once they left. They wanted the atmosphere to be more of a college atmosphere where the students felt they were free but still worked hard in their classes.

After reading this chapter and learning about Clark Hall, I think that giving students the freedom to use their devices and connect to the network would be great. However, I know that there are some risks too. Looking at my school right now, we have issues with students always being on their devices and not paying attention in class. I think that it would be nice to lean more towards having the school ran like a college atmosphere. Looking at how Clark Hall was made and how they wanted it to be real world based curriculum, I think that schools and students would benefit from this in the present and in the future.

Module 5

“Digital Leadership is a mindset and a call to transform a school’s culture into one that unleashes the creativity of students so they can create artifacts of learning that demonstrates conceptual mastery”.   Do you agree that schools should reflect real life? 

I totally and completely agree that schools should reflect real life. The system of that we have now of teaching to the text is a failed one, and if we do not revamp our education system to get with the times we will continue to fall behind in education. Students want to be challenged with real world problems at school. They are able to see that the education they are currently receiving does almost nothing to prepare them for what comes after graduation. Administrations should allow and encourage the use of personal technology to be used in order to create a more comprehensive learning environment.

Summarize the story of Clark Hall and reflect on your workplace or learning environment.  What are you thinking now after reading about Clark Hall?

Clark Hall came about when it was found that Gahanna Lincoln High School was too small to house all of its current students, and the students they were expected to get in the future. Is was designed to be “an open, bright, and flexible space for learning, provide student choice, integrate technology to engage students, be flexible with time to focus on learning, provide students with the opportunities to express their natural creativity, utilize teachers as facilitators, promote interdisciplinary and interconnected projects, and make learning fun.” I think more schools could learn from the example of Clark Hall. Students excel in earning when they are given challenging real world problems and assignments, and Clark Hall gives students a productive space for thinking, learning, creating, and problem solving together.

Grant Idea

For my grant my plan is to apply for around 20 laptop tablets through Computers for Learning, for a high school music department. 

Module 5 - Laura Funk

Post your ideas for your grant. 

I am not 100% sure what I want to be my focus for my grant.  I am often indecisive and get too many ideas at once and have trouble narrowing down what I feel would be the most valuable asset.  I have two ideas I will share.  First, I could focus my grant on equipping my classroom with furniture that would facilitate creativity more successfully and promote movement, comfort and expression.  Or, I could buy OSMO accessories that fit on the top of the ipads I currently have to make digital interactions in art class more fun, relevant and engaging for the students.  The OSMO starter kit is $79.99 per device, so for my soon to be 25 devices, It would cost me roughly $2,000 to equip each device with the OSMO Masterpiece capability (and more with the starter kit options).  The students have soo many possibilities with artistic expression utilizing this program/device accessory.  I might have answered my own question here and am now leaning more towards the OSMOS than the furniture.  Check out the link because they offer lots of learning for students in all subject areas.  I embedded the video illustrating some of the artistic options for the program.  Check it out.  I am excited to try it myself! I may shoot for OSMOS now and attend to my furniture dilemma next.  All a work in progress don't you know.  

https://www.playosmo.com/en/

Chapter 9 

1. “Digital Leadership is a mindset and a call to transform a school’s culture into one that unleashes the creativity of students so they can create artifacts of learning that demonstrates conceptual mastery”.   Do you agree that schools should reflect real life? 

I agree that school should reflect “real life” to a degree.  We need to set expectations and follow through on what we say as teachers to build trust and routine with our students.  Students need to be respectful and responsible and conduct themselves appropriately.  Most importantly, we need to make connections in our classrooms to relevant topics in the world today that students find valuable and can use in the future.  Students should feel the information covered and use of technology is current and will teach them skills they will need in their future lives. 

I struggle deeply with this aspect, because art is hard to justify.  It is not easily measured or graded.  Students have abilities, however big or small.  But to me the biggest part is motivation in the desire to create and produce work.  If a student doesn’t like or is not remotely interested in art, I can’t force them to be.  I can motivate and encourage them and try to alter their mindset, but it isn’t always successful. 

I have noticed an increase in motivation among my students since purchasing the ipads.  Now all my students have instant access to search images to help them in their art making, and to find topics interesting to them to further motivate and inform their expression.  This makes everyone involved enjoy the process more and forces them to seek out solutions to their problems, instead of always asking for my help.  The students have much more motivation and control of their projects from start to finish and seem to be enjoying the explorative process more in this freedom of imagery, text, and content provided my the ipads. 

Chapter 10 

2. Summarize the story of Clark Hall and reflect on your workplace or learning environment.  What are you thinking now after reading about Clark Hall?

Overcrowding of the schools lead to the creation of Clark Hall.  Their first problem to overcome was lack of wireless and internet capacity which they drastically improved quickly.  Next item of business for Clark Hall was adding and training sufficient staff to help utilize the building for its targeted purpose.  Clark Hall is a learning space of flexibility, individualized learning, technology, engaging, the students had choice of study and subjects in a cutting edge facility that could provide them with the growth opportunities they needed and the support necessary to get them to their targeted goals and learning objectives.  Clark Hall was full of comfortable spaces to work collaboratively in or on ones own.  The wall colors were bright and promoted creativity and excitement. 

Clark Hall was much like a thriving college campus with well thought out workspaces, an environment that promoted and encouraged students in every capacity.  The development of this facility is impressive!  From classrooms, to eventual retail business partnerships and fitness facilities that help support the community as a whole and promote all around healthy lifestyles.  Clark Hall is an exceptional example of all a school system can achieve with a little out-of-the-box thinking.  I absolutely love this idea!  Creative spaces that facilitate individuality and community centered growth and prosperity.  Mind-blowing!  I need to work there stat!

My learning environment is claustrophobic!  I have 30 chairs in a relatively small classroom.  It is not closet small, but the space is not conducive to much movement and flow.  I do the best that I can to alleviate clutter, but in art that can be extremely difficult with insufficient storage.  I often have a feeling that I am boxed in and suffocating.  Which obviously isn’t healthy and does not promote the best creative environment.  I do have windows in one wall that lead outside, but one large window of the two has a broken seel, so is fogged up and does not produce much light.  I decided to have students paint a mural over it so that it was more uplifting than depressing.  I wish the light was more powerful from the outside, but again I do the best with what I have.  I often change up the table and chair arrangement to give us all a refreshed feeling and to figure out the best flow of traffic and the best creativity facilitation of the space.  In my classroom I have access to a projector, laptop, document camera, and 13 ipads (the other order of 12 ipads has not come in yet).  I feel pretty set for technology at the moment because my specific needs have been met.  I may go to a more clutter free space if I am given permission and have the funding for it in the near future.  I’d love to have my students standing, in a more studio art class environment free of desks and large tables.  In favor of a more simplified, open space for movement and creative flow.  I need to look into more options for art class furniture and arrangements.  Will keep you all posted if you are interested. 

Unlocking the Power

If we can all agree that everyone has within them the power to envision an idea or concept, but Not everyone has the ability to create that envisioned idea, without various tech tools. The logical sequence should then be... teach and equip everyone with the tools to create or demonstrate their ideas and knowledge in whatever media form they can imagine. Cave art started with a charcoal stick... until someone said, "I saw some red berries we could use to add color." When I offered students a choice between a traditional essay and visual essay on the Holocaust... the response to express their knowledge in a media free of words far exceeded my expectations. The parameters were very wide and only required the students to cite / credit the resources they used. Many students created original works of art utilizing pencil, colored pens, paints, collage, and mixed blends of media, which demonstrated the understanding of the content, but real learning was in the manipulation of the technology tools used to achieve their creations. This was exactly what the author illustrated in Figure 9.4 on pg 148. I find that I keep circling back to that era of my youth when research and looking for answers was "hard" work (I mean "hard" because the majority of the work was done inside a hardback book). Even simple definitions required "Hard" work and if content specific contextual usage was  desired then another book was added to the work. I say all that to say this... if I believe the idiom / proverb "work smarter Not harder" then I need to equip students and myself with "smart tools"... and learning how to use those tools unlocks far more potential than just learning a bit of content from a subject area. Schools and teachers that are truly involved in  "innovation zones" embracing and promoting the use of technology beyond the traditional scope of use are in fact preparing students for the world they "will" live in not just the world of today. In many ways, not having grown up with the technology of today, has really opened my mind to the possibilities of tomorrow and the need to prepare students for those possibilities.

I love the title to chapter 10... mostly because we (in education) have needed to rethink a lot of things on the systemic level for a very long time (I say we because I have served as a LSIC President, BOE Member, and RESA VIII representative). Question: Has the best model for learning ever really been all the desks in a row (facing front) with the teacher demanding everyones' undivided attention, while delivering the lesson content and possibly requiring various students to read a paragraph aloud until the whole chapter was read?  Really?? Has anyone ever really only had one, single, thought in their mind at a time... furthermore shouldn't I be dividing my attention into what I'm hearing (learning) that's new and what about... what I'm hearing (learning) do I already know?  I know these seem like rhetorical questions, yet the model most teachers employ is a traditional teacher led lecture model (I find myself using this model mostly after I have used my modified Socratic circle) as a way to clarify and build understanding after trying to have activated prior learning. I think my ideal Socratic circle would look something like this... in a traditional 30 student classroom (less students equal fewer number of three person teams) the circle would be more like a horseshoe with 10 chairs (table or No table) followed by 2 desks behind each one of the 10 chairs (making 10 teams of 3). The student in the chair is the team speaker (changes daily) and the support team is responsible for helping the speaker with the flow of information to answer and compose questions based on the conversation content. Ideally there would be no verbal conversation between team members only email or texts, which would require an IM App and 1-to-1 computing.  The log of each teams conversation could be used for quiz notes or study guides. As the learning facilitator, a prompt in the form of a  "Google Doc" could be provided to all the students a starting point and then the facilitator would become the document editor to include the  new questions and any possible clarifications needed, occasionally the facilitator may need to offer opposing questions. This is one idea of the models the student centered learning real world experiences described by the goals of the newly designed Clark Hall. The speaker would be the employee that gives a report, but relies on co-workers to help compile the data... the student centered learning gives the students a more active role in their education. Would this be easy to manage... no, will there be students unengaged... yes, but to keep doing what we have always done and expecting better results is insane, right? This too, circles back to previous posts and questions... What are the true goals of education? Schools should make every attempt to provide relevant and authentic learning opportunities for students. Real life PBLs are a great way for schools to provide authentic real life learning, while modeling the workplace environment and as a bonus the students may even find real solutions to real problems. 

The Grant Proposal... The Goal: Offset as much as possible the costs for creating a 30 unit (+1 teacher station) computer learning center. The Rationale: A primary goal of the Harrison County BOE is to continue to reduce the number of high school dropouts, but also to increase the graduation rate. Since 2010/2011 the number of dropouts has dropped from 177 to 48 in 2014/2015. The program I currently teach in has been a big contributor to that decrease and as way to help increase the graduation rate the BOE is looking to possibly add CTE (Career Technical Education "Completer") program in our building. This would require a computer learning center and the employing of a CTE instructor. I know this seems a little bit out of the described "doable" grant mentioned in Module 5, but it is where the true need is in the mission of the BOE. I have enlisted the help of the County Technology Coordinator and the Secondary Curriculum Coordinator (my boss) as resources to help me with the project. It is my plan to fully develop this grant and submit it to various state and federal agencies after BOE approval and if necessary we can separate different components for specific funding like software vs. hardware. The dual purpose of this potential project should help to make it attractive for funding and while the BOE has Not taken official action they have indicated support as well as potential for finding matching funds. 

Synopsis: 30 student station desktop models (PC, based on potential CTE uses that have known Apple conflicts), 30 Individual 4' work station tables (Testing requires 4' stations) w/ padded chair, Individual CPU ethernet drops, facilitator station and drop, Additional Modem "Switch" (as needed electrical upgrade),  Wireless router (for portable devices)  and specific program software like "Quickbooks" and others. Preliminary cost estimate = $44,300.00 (this estimate is based on using current  BOE employees for installation needs). 

Module 5 - Amanda Smith

Module 5

Grant Information
In the Math Support program, we actually have A LOT of technology! We have calculators, i Pads, document cameras, projectors, and even computers. But, what we don't have, is a efficient way to utilize all this technology. For my grant proposal, I will be requesting furniture that allows students to use the technology that we already have in a way that they cannot right now.

In Math Support, we talk a big game about hands on learning and working together and talking with our students instead of only lecturing at them. I teach in two different rooms. In room one, there is a teacher computer/projector combo and that is it. There are no other computers for the students to use. The desks in there room are very small and only about the width of a standard laptop. There is definitely not room for a math book, a note book, calculator, and an iPad. The furniture alone limits what I can do with them in this room. I can't ask them to get into groups and use manipulatives because there just isn't room.

In the room two, we do have much nicer things. There is the teacher computer/projector/document camera combo. And lucky for us, this room just underwent a makeover and now we have 30 computers that sit on hideaway tables (meaning we can store the computers in the tables when not in use). Do not get me wrong, this is AMAZING and a much needed step in the right direction. However, these tables are just lined up in straight rows and each student can really only interact with the two (sometimes one) students sitting on either side of them. This presents a problem...

For example, last week my class was completing an assessment from the math department in which they had tow work in groups of 4. These tables are not able to be moved and the paths between them are very narrow. It's nearly impossible to get groups formed in this room, and when we do, some people would rather just work alone than go through the hassle of trying to situate themselves around a single table.

The type of furniture that I would like to see in the classrooms is something that can still house a computer, but also allow for much easier collaboration. Something that is easy to move, and that can allows for a little more freedom in the classroom.

The grant that I will consider applying to is a community grant through Walmart.  (Community Grant guidelines) I pick this one because I meet all of the qualifications. A lot of the grants that I looked at were for K-12 teachers only. Since that isn't me, I had to dig a little deeper.

Chapter 9 - Increasing Student Engagement and Enhancing Learning
“Digital Leadership is a mindset and a call to transform a school’s culture into one that unleashes the creativity of students so they can create artifacts of learning that demonstrates conceptual mastery”.   Do you agree that schools should reflect real life?

Yes, I absolutely agree that schools should reflect real life!

There are a few excerpts from that text that I really like:

·         “If schools allow students to use the digital-age tools that they are using on a routine basis outside their walls, chances are they will find more relevancy and meaning in what they are learning” p. 134

·         “The only way schools can place learners into positions to seize opportunities present now and in the future is to authentically engage them in learning experiences that are relevant, meaningful, and allow them to apply what has been learned through a variety of means, including the use of digital tools” p.145            

·         “Technology Proficiency-The importance of this skill goes without saying. The more reliant society becomes on technology, the more we must effectively embed it into the teaching and learning culture to adequately prepare students for the real world” p. 146

I was in high school before this whole new world of digital literacy really took off (2001-2005). I rarely was asked to “make” anything using the computer, and I definitely didn’t collaborate with other students using technology. I can remember doing the senior research project, in which we did utilize the library. Other than that, I don’t remember really doing a lot of technology base work. I didn’t even have a cell phone in high school! When I go to college, it was a completely different world! Essays, PowerPoints, and spreadsheets ruled my life! I was definitely NOT prepared.

Obviously, things are way different now, and most all teenagers seemed to be glued to their phone. I think that it is important that we as educators strive to make learning relevant to what these kids are doing outside our walls. If we bore them with uninteresting “stuff”, lecture at them, and make them memorize a bunch of math formulas, we aren’t going to be very effective. Now, more than ever, I am learning new ways to use technology in an education setting. My goal is to eventually infiltrate some of these ideas and projects into my own math class!

Chapter 10 - Rethinking Learning Environments and Spaces

Summarize the story of Clark Hall and reflect on your workplace or learning environment.  What are you thinking now after reading about Clark Hall?

So basically, Clark Hall sounds like an amazing blend of a high tech office building and The Falcon Center here at FSU. After reading about it, I instantly looked it up on Google and the pictures are amazing. It definitely does not look like it should be part of a high school. Because I went to North Marion high School, and that school is literally a square with worn-out stair cases and bland walls, it’s hard for me to imagine anything other than the design that I lived with for 4 years.

What I’m thinking after reading about Clark Hall is that I wish it was on FSU campus and that I taught there! Poor ole Hunt Haught Halls sure does leave a lot to be desired after reading about and seeing images of Clark Hall! My mind goes the Falcon Center. That is a very nice building. It has the gym, pool, different eateries, bookstore, internet connection, places to sit and study, and it is very pleasing to the eye. I see a lot of student interaction going on there that I don’t see in the halls of our other buildings.

Seriously though, I do think that FSU campus would benefit from some of our “halls” being like that. Some of our buildings are old and boring and plain.  The room that I teach in on the second floor of HHH is very plain. No color on the walls, plain chalkboards, plain very small desks, no real desk or chair for the teacher, and just overall depressing to look at. Sometimes it smells bad, or a unique smell that you can’t quiet put your finger on. The room I use on the third floor of HHH has recently undergone some positive changes. It now has tables that house computers; however, we are short on computer chairs. We have random wooden chairs as well as older computer chairs that are permanently stuck in one position and squeak the entire time. 

Module 5

Module 5

Grant Idea

The idea I have for my grant is an idea I have been throwing around in all of my classes this semester and it is the idea of using the Oculus Rift Virtual Reality System in the classroom. This 3D virtual reality system allows for students to dive deeper into content than ever before and is cheaper than one might think. The system only runs $350 and the company aims to have that price lowered to $300 or less. This is much cheaper than other tools that are used in the classroom, such as an iPad that does have some functions that the Oculus Rift does not have, but the immersion into the content is not nearly as strong. This system can help eliminate lab costs and field trip costs because the educator can actually take students to these places or do a science experiment in their classroom without having to worry about safety hazards. The system has free games and is also programmable so the educator can really develop a lesson in anything. Want to take your students back to ancient Rome to explore what it would have been like? You can do that! Why not go ahead and have them be there for the death of Caesar or any other significant event. I bet it won’t be as easily forgetting then. So for the grant I want to utilize the NASA ERC and FSU campus to develop a summer workshop for 4 days where the educators will use and develop their own game with the Oculus rift and receive graduate credit through FSU. The best part of using these resources is that the ERC can house a loaner set for educators to rent after becoming certified through the workshop. Using the ERC and FSU will also keep the cost down because of their inkind contributions. I think this could be a great opportunity for educators and one that they would be excited to participate in.

Chapter 9 Increasing Student Engagement and Enhancing Learning

“Digital Leadership is a mindset and a call to transform a school’s culture into one that unleashes the creativity of students so they can create artifacts of learning that demonstrates conceptual mastery”.   Do you agree that schools should reflect real life?  

I agree that schools should reflect life because that is the best way to prepare them for it. Handling current and real life situations helps students become ready to handle them when they occur. This type of learning promotes critical thinking and problem solving.  

Chapter 10 Rethinking Learning Environments and Spaces

Summarize the story of Clark Hall and reflect on your workplace or learning environment.  What are you thinking now after reading about Clark Hall?

Clark Hall was a project that was started to help with the crowding of schools. Clark Hall looked like an office building complete with technology integration. Students in Clark Hall had a virtual classroom where they completed assignments, but the building served as a place for students to lounge around and complete these assignments and talk to teachers when they needed help. This gave the students a more one on one experience when they needed assistance. There are also conference rooms for students to work in small groups on projects. The building is also leased out to businesses that help pay off the mortgage for the building and a partnership with a land developer was formed to create a thriving economic model that benefits the community, students, and school. Another partnership with the YMCA helped get exercise equipment into Clark Hall. Even more partnerships were formed to make Clark Hall a thriving school that takes risks and improves upon learning with unique experiences that can only become reality at Clark Hall.

After reading this it does remind me a lot of how my graduate experience has gone because it is all online, but I still go to teachers when I need individualized help with assignments. It is often a very relaxing way to go through school because I complete assignments on my own time. The advantage I see to Clark Hall is the group work portion. I know that some of my classes have group assignments, but I dread doing them long distance. This is the type of learning environment I would like to teach in if I was given the option. I love how this model takes in the community and I bet the educators can get the students involved with the companies that lease the building and in the surrounding area for the students to get real life exposure to real life problems. Building the curriculum into current affairs, such as land development for these properties. Though I am not sure we have the funds to do something like this in West Virginia it is something to dream about and maybe one day accomplish.