Comments for James Couch

Comment on So What’s Next? by Jeff Utecht

Jeff Utecht — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 19:09:02 +0000

Two great options there. Both of them I think will work and thinking how and what you want to assess technology wise is going to be the hard part. Both have some really good learning outcomes I think you can tie into around the NETs.

Comment on The Flipped Classroom by James Couch

James Couch — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 23:29:26 +0000

Thanks Justin,

For course 5 I’m going to be trying some “flipped classroom” learning. We’ll see how it goes…

Comment on Taking My Use of Technology to the Next Level by James Couch

James Couch — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 23:27:37 +0000

Thanks Michelle,

It’s more likely that awesome son of yours succeeded “in spite of” his K teacher rather than “because of”

Comment on Set a Course for Education Mr. Scott – Warp Factor 5 by Michelle Lawgun

Michelle Lawgun — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 12:34:11 +0000

I actually thought of the Matrix when I started with my blog. I know you mentioned on my blog post http://www.coetail.com/lawgunm/2012/12/11/the-future-of-learning/ about the virtual classroom idea. I figure that is exactly when the future of online learning will be going. Actually that is what online learning lacks now….the personal social interacting part. A virtual classroom could certainly compensate for some of that. The whole Matrix, alter ego part would be pretty cool as well!

Comment on Taking My Use of Technology to the Next Level by Michelle Lawgun

Michelle Lawgun — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 12:25:18 +0000

Good to see you’ve finished Course 4 James!! I like your idea of “Taking it to the next level”. I think I need to do that with my middle schoolers too. My own 5 & 6 year old kids constantly surprise me with their ease and understanding of technology (iPads and iPods). They are sponges and have this instinctive knowledge of navigating around their electronic “toys”. By the time you get them, some of them have been using Mum and Dad’s gadgets for years already. My 6 year old son makes movies on the iPad and creates series of Photobooth photos. He can often be found teaching his father how to use the technology. Could be that his Kindy teacher was some sort of genius though?

Comment on The Flipped Classroom by ismcornelius

ismcornelius — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 10:23:57 +0000

I totally understand your feelings towards a flipped classroom. I feel using flipped learning can be an important tool when used correctly. My juniors and seniors are about to go off to university, they will have the option of going to class, instead of their parents dropping them off. Flipped learning puts the responsibility of learning and taking charge into the students hands. I think that a flipped classroom would work great for this age group, preparing them to take responsibility for their own learning.

Comment on Set a Course for Education Mr. Scott – Warp Factor 5 by ismcornelius

ismcornelius — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 10:14:48 +0000

I’m glad to see I’m not the only one who first thought of StarTrack when writing the post about the future of technology. There is no way of knowing what changes will be made. The one development, besides energizering I would like to see is virtual fields trips. I can’t think of what it’s called, but I remember sever episodes of StarTrack where they would pick a book, then in a room the book comes alive. The characters, settings everything from the book becomes real, the people from StarTrack get to experience the book as on of the characters. Now that would be a great way to introduce a new book to your class!

Comment on The Flipped Classroom by Justin Marslender

Justin Marslender — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 07:58:18 +0000

I agree with you on this also. When students shirk responsibilities for your class, the rest of the class suffers. Like you said, we need dependable and reliable students for this to work.

One thing that might work would be reinforcement at home. My wife & I get a newsletter that describes what our daughter is learning this week. For instance, the ‘hopping’ letters: h, n, m were recently featured. I don’t think that it is too much as a teacher to ask parents to reinforce or recall some of these lessons at home. Now, my time is as valuable as the next guy’s, but you can get creative here. I had Claire writing letters to her aunts and uncles while I made her breakfast this morning. She loves to color and she was really into making all the new letters.

Comment on Taking My Use of Technology to the Next Level by Justin Marslender

Justin Marslender — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 07:41:50 +0000

I love the Good Morning Vietnam reference. I told my wife if and when we go to look for new jobs we’ll need to brush up on the newest educational acronym lingo (NEAL for short of course).

Having a 4 year myself, I am constantly impressed with how quickly she can adapt and navigate technology. Our latest morning routine includes her playing on my iPhone while I prepare my classroom. Or work on my smartboard. She can change colors and I no longer need to assist her as much as I used to.

Comment on Nothin’ But Net(S) by Rock Hudson

Rock Hudson — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 13:57:56 +0000

James this is a great reflection. I agree it has to be a joint effort of parents, teachers and IT teachers, when it comes to teaching the NETS. I also think you have hit the nail on the head with your two steps! Far too often we see new technologies or curriculum introduced, but there is no P.D to educate the teacher initially. And then continuing P.D to make sure teachers maintain and further their skills.
Having the NETS on the report card would make teachers accountable. When I look at my school, I find myself asking the question, ‘why have the NETS not been on our report card ages ago?’ After all, our school has been using tech for a few years and expecting the students to use it in their daily school life.