#20: How Common Core in Action: How Two Science Teachers are Implementing Common Core

     The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are primarily focused around English Language Arts and Mathematics, but more science and art teachers are incorporating the CCSS into their lessons. The article explains in detail how two science teachers used different reading and writing skills in their science lessons. Both teachers wanted their students to write an argumentative report on a certain science topic, but reading and writing the report had English Language Art standards from the CCSS. The students were able to be engaged in their science topic but also work on their reading and writing skills.
     I think it is very important for science and art teachers to incorporate some of the skills mentioned in the CCSS into their lessons. If you think about it, language arts and math can easily be used in science topics and language arts can easily be used in art topics. Just because a certain subject is not mentioned in the CCSS does not mean teachers of all subjects can't incorporate what is already written for students in each grade to learn. Teachers need to be educated on how they can properly use the CCSS in all subjects. Reading and writing is used in everything, as well as math, so it wouldn't hurt students to get more practice in each of those areas.

#19: "Evolving Classroom Education: Where is K-12 Technology Headed"

     In Matthew Lynch's article, "Evolving Classroom Education: Where is K-12 Technology Headed?" explains how technology has taken over the style of learning in K-12 classrooms. He lists ways technology is used within in the classroom. With BYOD (Bring Your Own Device), teachers are allowing students to use their electronic devices in the classroom. NUI (natural user interface) has evolved to help students learn through body movement. This has helped students with different disabilities learn better. PLEs (personal learning environments) is completely student centered and allows the students to choose resources they want to learn about. Lynch says that so much technology is being implemented into the classroom and soon "teachers and administrators [will] need a second full-time job in the technology sector in order to keep up with electronic classroom culture." Schools will have to adapt to these technology advancements fast and at all cost.

     This article goes to show how much technology is changing and how fast it is impacting the classroom. Soon, schools will have no choice but to turn to all forms of technology. I feel like every student will have to own some sort of Tablet or device that can always be taken to school and used in the classroom. It is going to be a huge shift for teachers too. Teachers are going to have to become more educated on the technological advancements being put into school systems because if the teachers no not know how to properly use the equipment, then the students will not be taught properly either. Technology is moving and it is moving fast, so schools are going to have to step it up even faster to keep up with all the new advancements that students will start learning from on a regular basis.

# 18: Voki

#17: Bullying

I think that bullying within schools has increased, but also a lot of bullying between students and teachers goes unnoticed. A lot of children are afraid to speak up if they are being bullied because they do not want to look like a "tattle-tale" or feel threatened anymore by the person who is bullying them. Boys and girls defiantly have a different way of expressing their bullying to others. Boys are more aggressive, while girls tend to use verbal language. Society today has put such an impression of how you should look and act in high school to be considered "cool" while everyone else gets made fun or/bullied if they do not meet those certain expectations. It is said that society has come to this point because we are all human and we are all the same. No one is better than someone else, and I think kids have difficulty getting this concept. To help prevent bullying in my classroom, I will teach my students what bullying is and the different types of bullying there are. Also, if they see any bullying or are being bullied themselves they should report it to their teacher or parents. I would love my students to walk out of my classroom knowing that they are no better than their peers next to them. I believe that a lot of bulling begins with the parents not communicate with their children or giving them the proper attention they need. When this starts to happen, children rebel against their parents because their parents ultimately do not care, therefore their children begin to hang out with people who may not be the best influence on their lives. If this starts to happen in my classroom, I would have a teacher-parent conference to see what is going on with the student at home and ways parents could become more apparent in their child's life to stop a bullying behavior. As of right now, I do not know how to handle every situation of bullying and it is going to be a learning process when I get into the classroom.

#16 Augmented Reality Snags a Coveted Spot in Classrooms

     This article focuses on augmented reality apps which are becoming more popular in all aged classrooms. Author Laura Devaney says, "Augmented reality uses technology to blend the real world with interactive and enhanced content." This enhances the normal scene of whatever is being looked at. Students are able to use an iPad and hover over an object which will then connect them to videos or websites that further elaborate on that object. One teacher who uses augmented reality apps in her classroom says, "Students can explore, and they really dig deeper into their own learning." Students become engaged in their learning without even realizing it. These apps allow students to get a first person perspective on whatever is being taught. Lastly, augmented reality is becoming more accessible and is available in general and specialized formats.
     I think augmented reality apps are a great asset to the classroom. They will help students have a better and deeper understanding of a certain topic. It will also help incorporate technology into different lessons. I downloaded the app "Layar" which allows you to scan anything with a Layar logo, such as magazines, newspapers, books, product packages, and other items. This app also allows you to scan QR codes. It also has this new thing where you can scan movie posters to see current releases or to watch the trailer.

#15 Five Essentials To Create Connected Students

     This article makes some great points on how students should be educated if they are connected to anything online. Author Vicki Davis states, "...being connected isn't just for socializing; it's a life skill." Students need to learn the routes of the internet before they jump into the newest types of social media. There are essential skills for connecting that students need to know. First, Davis talks about a connected author. Students need to know how to write and communicate appropriately online. Second is a connected publisher. Students should upload some of their academic works online rather than only personal information. They need to start learning to be more professional. The third essential is a connected conversationalist. Students need to use their skills of making conversation and make their voice heard. Fourth is a strategic disconnector. While technology can be very addicting, students need to learn the appropriate times to put down their phones or shut off their computers. Everyone must find that happy medium of being connected but disconnecting when appropriate. The last essential is a curious, lifelong pursuer of ingenious solutions. Students need to learn to be creative and learn new things when using programs online. Schools must make time for investing and programming and using technology in order for students to be trained properly for this online world we live in.
      I liked this article because it was not making all positive points or all negative points on connected students. It is true that not all students are connected. Some may not be able to afford it while others may choose to stay disconnected. Whatever the situation, teachers must be careful what they ask their students to do or expect them to do regarding technology. All the essentials for a well-connected student that Davis mentioned were very accurate. I defiantly agree that students need to learn how to communicate appropriately online. Sloppy writers are not acceptable when someone publishes anything online for people to see. Also, I loved how Davis said, "While connecting is important, disconnecting is essential." I agree to this statement because when I went to the Philippines for two months I had no communication at all. Because I was completely disconnected from my life back in America, I was able to form the best friends and have the most sincere conversations with people. I did not have technology distracting me. I'm not going to lie, it was great being disconnected from the internet. It is important that everyone finds that balance of being connected and disconnect, but it is also important that when students or anyone for that matter are connected need to be smart and publish appropriate things.

#14 21st Century Skills: Why They Matter, What They Are, and How We Get There

    The article describes how the world around us is changing. Technology has advanced in so many different ways and is taking over manual labor and routine task. The authors proclaims that without learning the 21st century skills people will not succeed. Schools have not switched over to this change yet and students are not getting the proper education to make it in the real world. These 21st century skills consist of critical thinking and problem solving and these skills power out economy. Other countries are figuring out the 21st century skills and are catching up on our dominance in technology. The Partnership for 21st Century Learning has developed frameworks for a new educational system that will teach students to compete and use appropriate skills. These frameworks focus on the outcomes. The article states that students will be prepared in the skills to think, learn, work, solve problems, communicate, collaborate, contribute throughout their lives. Also students are going to be expected to learn these new skills: creativity and innovation, flexibility and adaptability, and leadership and cross cultural skills. Students will be expected to do more in school and almost learn on their own. Some states have instilled the 21st century skills into their educational systems while others are still waiting.
     I think the article holds a lot of truth! Technology and the way things are being run in our world today are changing and education needs to change also. Students need to learn the new 21st century skills in order to do well in the work field. Systems aren't as plain and simple as they used to be. Now students are having to do a lot of thinking themselves. Not only do students need to be aware of these skills, but the teachers who are teaching students of the 21st century need to know exactly what those skills are and be knowledgeable of how to teach them to their students. As much as we want the government, economy, and education systems to stay the same, they just aren't going to. New things will be invented and more people will be coming up with ideas to better run these systems. It is up to the educational professionals, states, school staff, and teachers to stay on top of these changes and new skills in order to keep the American education system caught up with the rest of the world so that students will not be behind or confused when they get into the real world.

#13: Why Tough Teachers Get Good Results

This article explains how writer Joanne Lipman's music teacher, Mr. Jerry Kupchynsky, was extremely tough on them in class. Lipman says they would practice over and over again, but while it sucked at the time, it paid off in the future. Mr. Kupchynsky may of been harsh on his students, but his teaching strategies were effective. Lipman shares eight principles inspired by his former teacher. First: a little pain is good for you, meaning that students need constructive, even painful, feedback. Secondly: drill, baby, drill. Teachers need to drill their students with facts so that the students memorize fact and become fluent in them. Thirdly: failure is an option. Students learn from their mistakes and moments of failure and it also does not hurt their self-esteem as much as people say it does. Fourthly: strict is better than nice. When teachers are more strict on their students, the students will realize they need to work harder. Fifthly, creativity can be learned. Students are not born geniuses, they become smarter through their experiences and creativity. Sixthly, grit trumps talent. Seventhly, praise makes you weak. Students always need to be pushed harder in their abilities. Lastly, while stress makes your strong. Teachers need to instill confidence in their students so that their students will have the faith in themselves to do better. His strategies may not be the best for all teachers and students, but his strategies do show discipline.

In my opinion, Mr. Kupchynsky's teaching strategy was effective in many ways. Although his students categorized him as "strict", he instilled discipline into his students. I liked how one of his former students wrote this article because it shows that although his class was hard, he was a memorable teacher. Teachers need to be tough on their students. I agree that some teaching strategies need to go back to the old-fashion education. To some extent, teaching these days has become to lax because now a days teachers get in trouble for the smallest things when it comes to their students. Teachers need to be a little strict with their students. Students need to learn from their mistakes and even learn from themselves and others as they experience new things. Teachers are there to guide their students to being the best they could be.