After all, regurgitation is easy, but putting knowledge into practice is the difficult challenge.

Source of idea: http://www.hightechhigh.org/unboxed/issue8/wild_about_cramlington/

Can you remember what they were?” Immediately, the students name every single one. After all, regurgitation is easy, but putting knowledge into practice is the difficult challenge.

This is just a quote from the link shared above. I have given much thought to teaching practices and how we teach our students. I always reflect on how I teach and if I am truly doing things right.

This statement just stands out to me. How many kids can simply memorize terms, vocab, formulas, definitions, dates, etc. yet one week later probably could not pass the test they just aced?

The question I pose is, "What good does this type of learning do for our students?"

Nothing. They are simply jumping through hoops. Have students understand momentum and physics. Have them understand the basics. Then have them put the knowledge to use. Our 8th grade teachers had students build trebuchets and other projectile flying devices. Not only did students have to learn the field of physics, but they had to apply it. Now the students had to build an apparatus that demonstrated their learning. They had to tweak this, change that, rebuild this part, etc. This caused them to bring their learning to a whole new level. This forced them to put their knowledge to practice.

Knowledge is not as needed as it once was. I use my iPhone to find any answer I want in seconds. The key is what I do with that information. I can read about building a garden box for my kids at home to plant their own garden. It is easy to find instructions. It is something else altogether for me to actually build it and make it look good for my kids to use.

This is a reason why I love Project Based Learning. It does as the quote states. It puts knowledge into practice.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this and what you do as an educator to make sure that students are just simply regurgitating information.

Educational Ideas To Investiage Over The Summer Part 2

6. Open, Collaborative Test - I just love this concept. For my extensions this would be amazing to try. The key is to adapt the idea to what is being taught. This too will be done in my classes this year.

7. Use of Edmodo

Source of Idea: http://mgleeson.edublogs.org/2012/04/29/the-power-of-social-networking-in-education-with-edmodo/

8. To entice class reading and discussions: Young Adult Reading Class.....but my class would be for the middle school kid so it would make it even more interesting

Source of Idea: http://www.wordforteens.com/2012/01/im-taking-class-on-young-adult.html

9. This whole concept has my brain thinking of new ideas

Source of Idea: A Teacher Went into Class with a 5-second Video Clip - What Happened Next?
http://www.davedodgson.com/2012/04/teacher-went-into-class-with-5-second.html

10. I am presenting at ITAG in the fall and I am going to do this. Sharing this might not keep me ahead of everyone, but why not share the wealth? This one is already being tackled by me as we speak

Source of Idea: Do it before everyone else does: Create presentation slides with iPad drawing app Paper
http://thenextweb.com/lifehacks/2012/04/22/do-it-before-everyone-else-does-create-presentation-slides-with-ipad-drawing-app-paper/?awesm=tnw.to_1E88g

Educational Ideas That I Need To Explore This Summer

As I continue to organize my notes, emails, booksmarks, etc. from all these amazing people in the field of education on my social network I decided to compile a list of things that I want to explore further this summer when I have some downtime. I will post the idea and the source of where it has come from as well.

If you have other topics or ideas that I should check out please let me know.

1. Solo Taxonomy

Source of Idea:
The Secret SOLO'ist Part 4 - SOLOstations!!
http://reflectionsofmyteaching.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/as-i-venture-through-my-trial-of-using.html

2. I love this. It makes so much sense. I don't teach the 5 paragraph essay, but it has forced me to think of new ways of teaching kids how to write and express themselves for the real world.

Source of Idea:
Good Riddance to the Five-Paragraph Essay?
http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/teaching_now/2012/05/good_riddance_to_the_five-paragraph_essay.html

3. Maker Faire - I have plans to incorporate a BMS Maker Faire next year. Not sure how it is going to happen, but it will happen. The idea is planted in my head. Let it grow and watch out!

Source of Idea:
Maker High: Why Every School Should Be a Maker Faire
http://gettingsmart.com/blog/2012/05/maker-high-why-every-school-should-be-a-maker-faire/

4. Ustreaming My Classroom - This too will happen next year. I have talked about doing this for the last year. Next year it is going to happen after watching the Egg Drop.

Source of Idea
Period 5 Egg Drop (Broadcasting live at ustre.am/2MBz)

5. Technology Upgrade - I am ready to get back in the technology game. I am ready to get myself and my students one step ahead of everyone else in my district. Reading this post motivated me to get going!

Source of Idea: http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com/2012/05/gaia-3d-finally-ed-product-that-doesnt.html

Part 2 will be up in a day or two. This is a good start.

Welcome To My New Blog

Here it is! I have decided to be in charge of two blogs. My original blog, Coffee For The Brain, has undergone so many changes, themes, ideas, etc. as I have progressed(or gone backwards based on your opinion) as a human being the last few years. I have switched from a classroom blog, to a book review blog to my current passion of training.

I  needed a new place. A place where I can share my ideas of education. A place to share what is happening in my classroom, in my research, in my social networks of education. I want one location for all things education.

I did not find it fitting to post one day about nutrition while riding a bike 50 miles and the next about PBL learning experiences.

I hope this new blog works. I want it to be helpful. I want this to further spread my social network in the education field. I hope this blog takes off like my original blog.

So, without further ado, I present to you The EDUCATION OF COFFEECHUG

Be ready to learn and laugh along the way.