Cool Cat Teacher Blog

“Don’t measure your worth by how

often you’re thanked.”

 

    Cool Cat Teacher Blog is an educational blog written and updated by Vicki Davis; a full-time teacher. Vicki regularly updates her blog with useful information on teaching, technology and leadership to encourage fellow teachers to “work intentionally and teach passionately”.

    This educational blog is simple to navigate due to the succinct layout. At the very top of the blog there are tabs which direct you to a new page on different topics of information. There is also a ‘labels’ list to the side of Vicki’s blog posts which direct you to the particular information you may be wanting to research.

    Vicki successfully manages to capture the audience’s attention well with her use of rhetorical questions, videos and pictures; it helps the readers to digest information easier and to understand the topic by questioning what they already know. Vicki typically blogs on average four posts a week with up to date information regarding aspects in and around teaching.

    This blog is worthy enough to be on my own personal blog because Cool Cat Teacher succours teachers teach with a positive impact and greater purpose with improved results, just like I hope to do one day in the future.

Vicki Davis’ old blog on blogspot.com…

 

And her new and improved blog on WordPress.

 

http://www.coolcatteacher.com/

7 Photo Story

    Introducing my seven photo story on stereotypical University Life.

    I created this short photo story by taking photographs of what I class as stereotypical university life. Then, I used an app on my iPad called iMovie to create the video. It’s a simple, easy to navigate app where you upload your chosen photos in the sequence you want. I also added background music to my video, for this I had to download my chosen song and upload it through the app. Who doesn’t love a bit of Journey, eh? J

    The photos I chose to reflect University Life are:

1.  Early Mornings (Alarm clocks)

2.  Learning (Lecture theatre)

3.  Hard Work (Books and notes)

4.  Independence and acquiring new skills (Cooking)

5.  Making life-long friends (Flatmates)

6.  Drinking (Bottles of alcohol)

7.  Late Nights (Clock)

Ted Talks: Pearl Arredondo

 

Pearl Arredondo: My story, from gangland daughter to star teacher.

 

   After watching this video, I wanted to take it back to my old school to show pupils to encourage them to achieve high and succeed!

    In this clip, Pearl Arredondo, a teacher from Los Angeles, explains how she grew up as a gangland daughter, of whom people wrote off as having authority troubles, to now being a teacher who inspires and encourages children to make the most of their lives.

    Her story of how she grew up, fighting to prove her worth and ability, is truly inspirational. Her story proves that everyone can dream big and achieve, proving to people on the way their worth. Pearl Arredondo now works as teacher in a school she opened to welcome children from difficult backgrounds, to encourage and capture their spirit, drive and determination. Her teachers “fight” to empower children to move beyond their circumstances, to become the ‘norm’.

    This particular video has given me a new view on ‘education’. It has inspired me to become a role model to children; just like Pearl. All children need the same opportunities in learning and not to be labelled just because of their backgrounds. Coming from a small town, where children regularly have incidences with authority, becoming a teacher who provides a ‘safe haven’ for children to escape and flourish is my goal.

 

Here you will find the best talks from the TED conferences. Maybe you will find one which will inspire you?

http://www.ted.com/

 

 

Technology in the Classroom

 

    Technology is important to society these days but I feel, in schools, it has become too centralised and has been taken too far!

    Since technology has become so advanced and is forever developing, children need to have experiences using them to gain knowledge and skills, it has its benefits. But do they really need them in order to discuss a topic in a classroom? When I was in school I was lucky to have one computer to share between three of us. Gone are the days where in lessons you were physically involved in discussions and participating.

    With schools having access to numerous technology devices, e.g. iPads, laptops and computers, there are some advantages children have when they are able to access them. These are:

Advantages

·        They develop their interactive skills.

·        Different ways for children to learn.

·        Helps when explaining a difficult topic.

·        They have unlimited access to the internet; where they are able to play educational games, and gain access to apps.

·        Useful when revising for exams, practice questions and mock exams are available.

·        It’s a fun and engaging way for children to learn.

    Some disadvantages also come with the recurrent use of technology. These are:

Disadvantages

·        Expensive for the school to buy and repair/ replace when broken.

·        Children and teachers alike can become too reliant on the internet and the use of programmes.

·        From constant use of programmes like Microsoft Work, children’s spelling can take a downfall. Computers auto-correct words for them.

·        The persistent use of technology can also affect children’s health.

·        Lastly, children do not get the opportunities to be social and active when using technology.

    Even though, like I have said, technology offers new, fun and engaging experiences for children’s learning, creative activities that involve children can too be just as fun and engaging.

 

Creativity in the Classroom

 

(Support them!)

 

    Being someone who has flourished through art for most of my educational years, I favour creativity in the classroom.

    Arts, including music, dance and performance is a way for children (like myself) to express their feelings and ideas, and of course is adds fun to learning! I feel children need more opportunities I the classroom and outdoors to discover and explore art.

    Creativity allows children to develop their imagination and helps children to engage in their learning experiences. Creative learining techniques helps children to understand information, and recall it more efficiently next time it is needed. Creativity can also help when reflecting on work.

    Teachers need to keep this in mind for their approaches to teaching.

ART IS SMART!

Has Technology been taken too far?

These days where ever you are you see people of all ages on mobile phones, iPads, or something electronic.

TECHNOLOGY IS TAKING OVER!!!

    Children from very y9oung ages are being introduced to play-stations, iPads, computer games, etc. as a means of play. Where did the days of playing with Barbie dolls, cars and board games go? Even my six year old cousin knows her way around an iPad better than I do!

    Children and teenagers alike are losing the ability to socialise, too much time is being spent using interactive devices. They are becoming lazier in their ways and their health is being abused because unlike before, children don’t seem to go outdoors to explore and play as much.

    Technology and electronics need to be used today in order to keep up with society and culture, but I think its needs to be used more wisely and with care!

What will communities, years from now, be like if technology continues to influence society like it is now?

Working as a Learning Support Assistant

 

    Before coming to University, I worked at my local primary school; Bryn Bach Infants and Primary, as a classroom assistant. It was working here and having the support from the teachers which led me to apply to University and pursue my dream of a career in education.

    In September 2012, I began a childcare course in college where I needed to volunteer at a placement for two days a week. After being there for a few months, I was offered a job as a learning support assistant; and I absolutely loved it!!!

    During class, I would take a small group of children at a time and lead activities; usually something to do with are, music or physical education. During the activities I would support and encourage children’s creativity when needed in order for them to reach capable potential. During dinner time, I would lead a small group for guided reading; encouraging individuals to read and group discussions about the book.

    I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Bryn Bach and was sad to leave at the end of the school year. But, I look forward to finally becoming a teacher in a class just like this in the near future.

Our Exams are Looming!!

 

    Excluding my year at college, (which comprised mainly of practical work and essay writing), I’ve been out of education for near enough four year!! The thought of our looming exams is making me sick!

    Having not done a written exam since my A-levels at the age of eighteen (and that was I mathematics) I’m feeling a tad apprehensive.

    Already, I’m having dreams of sitting my exam alone in a huge deserted classroom! But, for the past two weeks I’ve had my head stuck in my notes and book and have been revising constantly, preparing myself for what’s to come.

Like my mother has always said:

                               “What’s in you, will come out of you!”

 Wish me luck! J

Internet Detectives

While in university one day my tutor introduced me to a site called internet detectives. It’s a free, online tutorial site that will help develop your internet research skills for University (and college) work. Which is handy for me at the moment!

    The tutorial looks at your critical thinking skills which are required when using the internet, and offers advice on evaluating websites. The tutorial is divided into five sections and takes up to an hour to complete, (but is well worth sparing the time).

    When I completed this tutorial I was surprised at how naïve I am concerning the internet! I advise using this nifty little website to gain some insight! Especially if you’re at university and have heaps of assignments to complete!

 

http://www.vtstutorials.ac.uk/detective/

iPad Mini

    Over the Christmas holidays I was lucky enough to have a new iPad mini. Being someone who does not favour technology, (usually I break it as soon as I touch it), it took me a while to get used to.

But now I have I love it!! It’s a nifty little thing!

    It’s thin, light and small enough to carry around I my everyday bag without weighing me down. It has amazing graphics and display on a lovely size screen. It’s fast, fluid and so easy to use (once I got the hang of it) I use if for all my university notes and power points. As well as using it for work, I can’t help but play the odd games, or shop for new clothes with the apps I have downloaded (there are thousands of FREE apps to choose from!!) Flow being my favourite game at the moment- but it is highly addictive may I add!

    As soon as I got given my iPad which was a gorgeous slate grey in colour, I couldn’t wait to buy a case and accessories for it- and my goodness there was so many to choose from! In the end I decided on a cute, flowery, blue case from accessorize! Now, I don’t go to Uni without my trusty mini computer in my bag! J

Reflective Learning and the use of blogger.us

 

Bubbbl.us

    I created this reflective learning brainstorm using bubbl.us. It is a fun, free, visual tool to use; ideal for when revising for exams, (As I am now).

The Importance of Reflective Learning

    Reflective learning is useful to helping you learn something new which you have just been taught. Reflective learning involves looking back at your work, breaking it down and then making changes to what works or what doesn’t work, helping individuals to understand what they can do in the future to develop. It also helps to understand theories which can be applied into practise and helps to extend your knowledge and interest.

    The reflective learning process can be captured through numerous ways; as I have stated on my bubbl.us. Reflective learning is useful to draw out conclusions and determine differences which can be made. When doing your own reflective learning, there are three questions you should ask yourself:

1.  What have I done?

2.  What did I learn?

3.  What do I do with this knowledge?

Animation

This is my first attempt at an animation…can you guess what it means??

That’s right….A hole in one!!

I created this animation using 2animate, a programme introduced to me by a tutor. It a simple, easy programme to use. You draw a series of pictures; each one more detailed than the last, and once finished you have yourself a video of your ‘animation’. This programme tested my artistic skills as well as my computer skills, it’s quite difficult to accurately draw what you intended to,  but I think my first attempt is pretty good and easily recognisable.

Glogster

This is a glog I have created to display my bucket list. I was introduced to a website called glogster.com; on the website you can create an interactive storyboard that allows you to tell others about a topic that interests you through interesting and creative means.

    Although it was my first time using this website it was easy to use and navigate. I was able to upload pictures from numerous sources with just a click of the button. It was also simple enough to upload videos from YouTube to display on my glog.

Tag Galaxy

    After using tag galaxy for the first time I was very intrigued. It is a simple, visual tool which is lots of fun to use.

    When you get onto the site, you simply enter a tag (anything you could possibly think of, there are tags for pretty much everything) and away you go. The next page is a visual 3D galaxy. In the centre will be the biggest planet (your tag) and around it there are smaller orbiting planets which are the words relating to the keyword. When you click on any of the planets you zoon into a globe populated by pictures which are tagged to the word.

 

    In classroom lessons this Web2 can make a boring lesson more fun and motivate the students at the same time. For example, if there was a lesson on geography, you could use the name of a country for the keyword. Everything related to that country would come up in the orbiting planets, including pictures. It is also a brilliant way for students to explore the relationships between words visually.

    I would also use this idea as a way of revising. On paper students could use the topic title as their “centre planet” and then use the keywords of that topic as their “orbiting planets”.

http://taggalaxy.de/

Wikipedia

The Pros and Cons of Using Wikipedia

 

    Wikipedia is used by many students who are in education. It can be a useful site to gather information, as long as you are wary of it.

    Wikipedia is a useful tool and simple to use. By typing in your chosen subject into the search bar you can have all the information you need. The only problem which can occur (maybe not all the time) is that this information may not be accurate. Wikipedia is a site which is open to the public. At any time and on any subject a person can edit the page and change information. Even though Wikipedia is a site that is monitored for accuracy, not all inaccurate changes can be reviewed the time in which you, yourself view them.

    The way in which I would recommend using Wikipedia, is as a base to your research. It can give you the foundations to your subject in which you can further. A useful tool Wikipedia does have is at the end of the page, on any chosen subject, there is additional site references for you to look at.

    Overall, I think Wikipedia is a simple place to find basic information, as long as you keep in mind it is not trustworthy.