Creating Innovative Students
Creating Innovative Students in an online classroom and making sure that the students can be successful in them is a craft,. A craft that instructional designers and instructors work on endlessly. Building online and blended content for the new technological classrooms requires more time and energy than the traditional classroom that most of us grew up with. However, online instruction offers something that the traditional classroom doesn’t offer – the ability of the student to actively engage in the technological learning process, and gain hands-on experiences that push them to really think about how things work in an innovative way within the field of emerging technology. That is one of…
The World of Competitive Dance
The World of Competitive DanceAt a dance competition this weekend I was able to observe hundreds of talented young dancers bringing their heart and soul to the stage, all in the name of dance. After 25 years of being in the dance world, I am ready to just kick back and watch the show. I don’t have to choreography, plan, buy, deal, negotiate, or be anywhere at 7:00 am until midnight. No more stage lights, fancy makeup, overpriced costumes, messed up lodging reservations, or getting lost in the big cities trying to find the venue. It isn't a competition unless I get everyone lost at least once.I wouldn’t say I’ve…
Life and writing – beautiful metaphors.
Life and writing – beautiful metaphors. I wholeheartedly enjoy the ability to write and create my own materials in any situation I find myself in. Sure, I can write for the other guy, but when it’s just for my own pleasure, I like to give myself the opportunity to research and design materials based on my own creative needs, my own passions. The same holds true for those of us who present to live audiences. The same holds true for those of us who present in person, to live audiences; like teachers, lecturers, and public personalities, etc. It doesn’t matter which field you may be presenting on – all that really matters is that…
Making The Grade – It’s Crunch Time!
Making The Grade – It’s Crunch Time! Making the Grade – It’s Crunch Time! Anyone who has spent much time at all in education might understand the term Death-Bed Repentance. I had another teacher spell that statement out for me this week as we were trying to motivate our one shared student to get his work done. Death-bed repentance, or simply stated: – those last minute adjustments to assignments -picking up on any late work -actually showing up to class instead of just leaving your recorder there -cramming information into our brains for quick purging Loans and scholarships are all on the line now, and for a fraction of the time,…
On the ledge
On the ledge – Overcoming fears Trait theory is focused on recognizing and assessing individual personality characteristics. Fear is a Trait In talking with a young college student just recently, I learned that she is preparing to present to a group of kids who are incarcerated in a regional detention center in our area. She was trying to determine which methods to use to teach these students about learning, and now asking “questions” is specific to all things in life. At first she was going to use the analogy of a McDonalds Big Mac with Coke and Fries, versus a kid’s burger with no condiments on it, as a representation…
