Using Pinterest In the Classroom

As a future physical education teacher, I appreciate any and all creative ideas to get kids active. Until recently, I had been a stranger to Pinterest. Once I made an account I quickly realized how much use I could get out of it. Just typing in "Physical Education" brought up hundreds of pictures and ideas of different lesson plans and activity ideas. I found inspiration for a project based learning assignment through bits and pieces of different lesson plans and game ideas for students. There are countless possibilities that are possible through the use of Pinterest. Some pins that I pinned to my board had pictures of lesson plans that I could use for my class. If the picture in the pin was not enough, I could actually go to the website where many more lesson plans and resources could be found. Pinterest is unique because it can help a teacher come up with creative ideas by just searching key words. You can compare different ideas right next to each other. Once you find neat ideas to use, you can organize them into different boards. So you can search for creative classroom ideas, and then you can organize what you find the way you want it.

When I began brainstorming on a project for students to complete in physical education, I wanted to incorporate an activity that would not only get students active, but get them to think outside the box. When I began looking through Pinterest, I noticed many of the lesson plan ideas involved creative games for students to play. They had clear and concise rules to help the teacher when they present the game to their class. So I took bits and pieces from different pins and decided to have students create their own game. This would require students to think for themselves instead of just following a set of rules. I believe that if you create a game, you have a better appreciation for the reasoning behind rules and a scoring system. If the rules do not correlate well with the objective of a game, it can be very evident and not fun. A common problem in physical education is participation. There are a lot of kids that do not participate for various reasons. This project will not only require students to participate, but it will also allow them to create a game that would be fun to them.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1LNrVp-wHifdW5TXzZfWEk5Vlk/view?usp=sharing

The above link is the PBL assignment I created using some ideas I found on Pinterest.
After I created the assignment I completed it.

The first step was to find some tools to use for the game. I found an empty trashcan, a baseball, and bricks for markers. Because I was not in a classroom setting, I just used some things I found around my house.

The next step was to create a set of rules for my game. I typed up a set of clear and concise rules that could be followed easily for my original game. I also created the objective during this step. The objective of the game was to get as many points as possible by making the ball in the trashcan. I used bricks to mark different scoring spots. Shooting from the further spot got more points.


After that, I created a scoring system. 1 point could be scored by shooting from the closer brick. 2 points could be scored by shooting from the further brick.

The name I came up with for the game was "Trashketball". It correlates with the objective of getting the ball inside the trashcan.


When completing this project, my hope is for students to realize the different opportunities available to create a game and get active. I learned that it is quite possible to make your own fun. That was the point of the assignment. I was able to come up with something that interests me, and I was able to find an opportunity to get active. I believe that students would be able to learn how to participate in life time recreational activities from doing this assignment just like the Arkansas state standard that the assignment is based off of.

Web 2.0

Trent Curry
EDU 2043
11/3/15


http://www.ustream.tv/   (Ustream)

Ustream gives the user a chance to broadcast live broadcasts. It also allows the user to create podcasts and recorded videos as well. This also allows you to chat online with others. I find this useful because as a teacher, I can effectively communicate with my students by using this. I can choose to either talk with them live or leave a recorded video for them to watch.

http://poster.4teachers.org/  (Web Poster Wizard)

This website allows teachers to post a worksheet, lesson or class page online for their students to view. This is a free website strictly based on helping teachers do their job. Students or teachers can add images to this website to help display information. This would be useful in the classroom because many state standards in today's world require the use of technology. This is an easy way for a teacher to incorporate technology into their lesson plan.

http://www.wolframalpha.com/ (WolframAlpha)

This website is a research database. It covers a variety of different subjects from mathematics to music. This website can calculate math or chemistry problems while showing you how it got the answer, or it can answer simple yes or no questions. This website is useful for the classroom because it covers so many different areas of education. It also provides the researcher with information on how it got the answer such as examples of problems worked out or resources it used.

http://www.extremetech.com/computing/76878-inetword-online-word-processor (iNetWord)

iNetWord is a downloadable web app that helps students edit and create different word documents. It goes above what an average word processor can do by allowing for grammar checking, custom paragraph styles, and web page templates. It is free but must be downloaded to be used. This would allow students in the classroom to have a better idea of how correct their document is, without the teacher having to correct simple grammar mistakes. It also allows the teacher to create an online accessible lesson to implement technology standards.

https://crocodoc.com/ (crocodoc)

Crocodoc utilizes document embedding technology. Crocodoc uses box view, which converts PDF and Office documents to embeddable HTML, CSS, and SVG files. This is free although you must sign up. This is beneficial in the classroom because it downloads large PDF files such as an online textbook or lesson very quickly. It also is compatible from any device.

https://justpaste.it/  (JustPaste.it)

JustPaste.it allows students to easily access notes and other word documents. It allows them to easily share their notes and other images. It can be used to create one's own notes or search popular notes created by others. This website is useful because it makes learning easily accessible to students. It allows them create or find notes that will help them to succeed in the classroom.

http://www.educadium.com/freewebclass (Educadium)

Educadium allows the teacher to create an online lesson or course from scratch. Videos and PowerPoints can be uploaded to enhance learning. It can be used for education, training, and certification. If a teacher can create a online course, it may allow them to teach more classes therefore making them more marketable as an employee. With many education standards turning towards technology these days, more and more online classes are beginning to become realities at different schools.

http://www.simplevle.com/v3/index.jsp (simple VLe)

Simple VLe allows teachers to design online quizzes and tests. It also allows them to record student grades and create assignments. It creates a virtual online learning environment for the students. This would be convenient for a teacher because of the availability to create online assignments and quizzes. A teacher could post grades and assignments from home for students making everyone's life easier.

https://www.mindomo.com/ (Mindomo)

Mindomo is a website that helps design "mindmaps" with different illustrations and colors. Mindmaps is a tool that helps students visualize information. This website also lets the teacher create flowcharts and other helpful tools to aid students in visualizing important information. This would be useful because it is an original approach to information. Information would be more likely to stick with students because it is so visual.

http://flowchart.com/ (Flowchart)

Flowchart allows teachers and students to create informational flowcharts with "real-time collaboration". Flowchart helps the instructor teach students how to create a flow chart and organize their information. This app allows colleagues to develop flowcharts at the same time. This can be beneficial during group projects or online assignments. A teacher can also monitor how a student is studying or how much work they are doing at home.

Effects of Social Networking

As a collegiate student looking to make the most of my opportunities, I have to consider the effects of social networking. Social networking has shown exponential growth throughout the "2000s". I remember when I began to hear about it. I was in junior high school. I had no idea how big of an impact things like Facebook and Twitter would have on our society.


But what are the effects that it has on our society?
Are they good? Bad? Both?

It is quite extraordinary how social networking can affect our lives. Since it is a relatively new phenomenon, studies are just now beginning to come out on how it actually affects us. According to the American Psychological Association, teens who spend excessive amounts of time on Facebook tend to show antisocial behaviors, manic episodes, and aggressive tendencies. This makes sense. When I get on Facebook it seems as if all I see are people constantly arguing or bickering at each other over political issues, popular events/people, and other topics. It seems to be adults a lot of the time that are making fools of themselves. What is that teaching our youth?

It is not all bad, though.

Studies show that social networking can increase "virtual empathy". It can help young introverted teens learn to interact with others through the compatibility of a screen. Also, social networking can be educational. Teens can access information though a variety of ways as a result of social networking. Although the APA says these are positive, in my humble opinion I have to disagree. Young kids should learn empathy though physical interaction with each other. They should learn how to cooperate and work together with one another. I feel that these "positive" effects of social networking will greatly influence the next generations to come in a negative way. Kids need to learn that they are responsible for what they say. Being behind a screen seems to make some people brave. Kids say mean things to each other through social networking. Sometimes they do it anonymously although it is still hateful and can hurt others. And the whole thing about social networking providing access to information? This is very true but we must ask ourselves, is this information credible? The very fact that many people do not ask themselves this question leads to many arguments with facts and other information that isn't necessarily true. People will post anything to get you to think the way they do.

Social networking still does serve a functional purpose with our society. People can keep up with friends and/or relatives that live far away. People can virtually interact with each other from around the world which is very convenient. As a student in college, social networking is helpful to me because I can keep up with fellow classmates and teachers. I can see schedules and information about my university by simply "following" or "liking" their page.

So the answer is social networking can be good or bad, the question is how do we teach people to use it in a positive way?








Sources:


http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2011/08/social-kids.aspx


http://www.teenink.com/nonfiction/academic/article/485925/The-Effects-of-Social-Networking-upon-Society/

About Me

My name is Trent Curry. I am a current physical education major at Henderson State University. This is my second year at HSU. I live in Glenwood, AR. I drive 45 min to school every day which creates a challenge to be a part of student organizations and school wide events. I have future plans of becoming a football/baseball coach in the state of Arkansas. I also plan on teaching Life Sciences grades 9-12 along with Physical Education and Health. I grew up in an education family. My mother is a 7th grade teacher. My father is a former coach and an administrator at Lake Hamilton Middle School. This highly influenced my decision to become a teacher and a coach. I've been able to experience first-hand what life is like living in a family of educators. My priority goal at this point in my life is to graduate college with my bachelor's degree. I work part time at a marina to help pay for food and gas. Working a job and going to school is a huge challenge when it comes to time management. I feel that this will help me when I become a teacher. Organization and time management skills are key to being successful in life. I love sports, and the life lessons they teach. I once read that you should spend your time figuring out how to do what you love and get paid for it. I took that to heart and found what I love doing. My old teachers and coaches made a huge impact on my life. I can't wait to do the same for the next generations. I want to set a great example, and help young people accomplish their goals. I am not there yet, but I have clearly defined goals I want to achieve to get there.