Harry

Harry






 * Project Based Learning - Nov.6**
 * Don - "**Video Editing" - this was a really cool idea and you did a great job. I didn't know anything about imovie.


 * Carol**- "Sushi" - This was well done. I really like sushi. I have never even thought about making it. It was a very involved task with so many options. It looked great.


 * Stephen** - "Sewing" This could have been a big topic to cover in 5 hours. good job.


 * Johanna** - "how to cook - lasagna" - I cook alot for my family but I have never baked any sort of dessert. You have inspired me to try and bake something.


 * Danya** - "Pay it forward" - Great idea. A very worthwhile project. Good presentation, even with the tech. problems.


 * Kyle** - "hack a phone" - Good presentation. you made me realize how little I know about technology in general.


 * Andrew/Darrel** - "Violin" - I don't have a musically bone in my body. Good for you to take this on. Good presentation.


 * Aaron** - "Cloning" - I found this really interesting. I don't have a very green thumb but I enjoy the little garden we do plant. Really good presentation.


 * Project Based Learning - Oct. 30**
 * Ruth - "**Skipping Class". I think the extra learning that came into the presentation was interesting. IE: the computer work required, Dropbox. Underlines that there is always levels of learning.


 * Derek/Scott -** "Windows" - I learned how windows are rated. The skill sets of the project were interesting. I was surprised they let you tour the factory.


 * Michele -** "a Poof " - The animoto was very cool but I personally like to have verbal explanations, especially with a topic I know nothing about.


 * Rob/Bitia -** "Painting" - Good presentation. Nice paintings.


 * Cindy** - "Cement removal" - Good presentation. I give you alot of credit for trying this. I have used a jackhammer for work and I would never have passed up the offer of a machine.


 * Melanie** - "Elder care" - Nice work. That was an emotional topic. Is there anything we take for granted more than our health?


 * Learner Centered Approaches - Oct. 23**
 * Aaron** - A couple of blank slides but no big deal as the verbal explanation was very good. The examples seem like they would be a good fit for your teaching.


 * Cindy -** Neat presentation, it made mine look very plain. Good ideas and well presented.


 * Don -** Good presentation. Your outcomes were clear and specific. We use lots of simulations and troubleshooting at Hydro. I think it is a great approach.


 * Stephen** - Nice work. I agree with your comments on customers paying the bills. As a crown cooperation with no competitors Hydro can face a serious backlash if we don't pay attention to our customers.


 * Johanna** - I think it was good that you had time for people to do things individually and then come back together in a group. It looks like you have put alot of thought into these approaches. Very good presentation.


 * Ruth** - Great presentation, the explanations and slides were clear and concise. The webquest looked really well done. You come across as sincerly caring for your students.


 * Derek -** Nice work. I agree with you that there are good lessons to learn when things do not go according to plan. Your comments after the presentation about a weaker student being pulled along by a strong one is something that I deal with almost daily.


 * Scott** - I had never heard of the 4 p's, I like it. I got a little lost between the verbal explanations and what was on the slides. You have put a lot of effort into these approaches. Good presentation.


 * Michele** - I liked your approaches. They seem to be a good fit your your teaching. The diorama was a neat idea. Good Job.

**Learner Centered Aproaches - Oct. 16**

 * Kyle** - I like the scaffolding with the "trail of bread crumbs". If learners find their own answers it will enrich the learning. Nice work.


 * Melanie -** The cards were a neat idea. Also I liked your approach with the cooperative learning and the "drive by" religion topic. It seems like it could generate some good discusion.


 * Danya -** I thought the discovery learning was interesting. I don't remember ever seing the discovery loop before. Your comment about "ensures learners brains are engaged" is something any teacher will struggle with. Good presentation.


 * Rob -** Good verbal explanation but some of the slides were hard to read. I like the use of practical, hands on work. I think any trades program loses credibility without a hands on component.


 * Hi Harry...** Yeah I would have been well-served to begin the prezi by explaining how to set the prezi to full-screen mode. It is a mistake I will not make again. As well, I use the learner centered approaches in my delivery as supplemental tools only to enhance my classroom delivery. I am in my mid-50's and trust me, it was hard to get my mind around this as well. The vast majority of instructors in our electrical department for the most part have no use for technology in the classroom and only do this to get their CAE completed. I only know that my class averages in all of the subjects I deliver (Code, DC Machines, EC-I, EC-II and DC fundamentals) have increased nearly 5% since I began using them to supplement my teaching. As well... my class averages tend to run between 6% and 12% higher than the other classes and have only had one failure since I began using these methods (as the student flew back home to New Jersey the night before his final code exam for reasons unknown). __I even had one class where there were no absences or lates for the entire 10 week duration... they just enjoyed being there__. My coordinator can confirm this. I know this stuff works in my class and I am not afraid to fall on my face if the experiment fails. By the way I absolutely share your concerns regarding students that may not have access to either computers or the internet. **(Rob)**
 * Bitia -** Nice visual presentation and good explantions. The role play seems like a really good fit with your field. You commented that you like Evas use of journals. I do too but haven't thought of a way to incorporate it into my classroom.


 * Carol -** Good presentation. Your explanations were excellant and your slides were clear and easy to follow. You have put a lot of thought into the approaches you will use.


 * Darrel -** Interesting presentation. Good ideas to try and get away from lecture and powerpoint.


 * Andrew -** Nice work. Simulation seems like a natural fit for your field. We use some with Hydro and the trainees really like it. Its expensive to develop but has great potential. With any interaction with the public, role play seems like it would be very benificial.

I could develop a web quest to help my students with learning electrical theory. The units focusing on electrical theory for the Hydro training program are currently delivered in a lecture setting with the students following the material in their binders. This webquest would be a good opportunity for a learner centered approach. I would focus on AC circuits and the factors affecting them, lagging, leading currents and sine wave diagrams. I could have them explore the generation of AC power and why it has an advantage over DC circuits. I would also steer the students into learning about the power triangle and have them be able to do simple calculations regarding power factor. The following websites would be beneficial: [] [] [] My students would still have their Hydro supplied training modules with the unit on electrical theory. It has diagrams and text that describe the key points for this learning. We could modify the current module to include the webquest as a practice assignment. We would direct them to questions that would be a review for when they wrote their unit test.
 * Harry’s Web quest Assignment **

Here is a blog (also for my "learning assignment") []

(Andrew) Hi Harry I agree with your comments and concerns it can be difficult for some students to have access to a computer. Library's are not always an option as you stated. It would seem that the schools would look at other options for students to gain access to their owns computers to complete homework or view videos that can help to educate todays youth.

Comment from Carol- Hi harry yes I agree that it would be difficult in class for the teacher to manage the student who has not done their work-would they sit to the side and complete which in turn defeats the purpose of the model. I agree that there would only be specific times where this model could apply particularly with those who can't afford a computer, true enough the library is an option but after school there are other commitments wherein they need to be home, working etc, perhaps the library is very far away, hours aren't suitable etc. So if all variables being equal yes it has potential. It would be interesting to see which student demographic this works the best in as it currently works in some states.


 * Sept. 25 – reflections by Harry **

“The Flipped Classroom” by Valerie Strauss taken from the WashingtonPost.com

One of the biggest trends in education is the flipped classroom. This is a method where students learn lessons at home with the help of on-line resources, videos or other material provided by the teacher and then do what would be considered traditional homework during class time. This allows getting one on one time with the teacher and working with other students to increase learning opportunities.

Proponents of this system say that students will learn more material and have better understanding of content and leaves teachers more time to help students that really need it.

Opponents to this system wonder if all subjects are appropriate for this method of teaching. Or they worry that it will force poor families into purchasing expensive technology. Also some students will have a hectic home life where traditional homework would be problematic let alone finding time and space to watch an online video lesson. They worry that it is a way to expand the school day and more kids could be left behind.

My opinion on the flipped classroom is mixed. My biggest concern is the potential expense required for families to purchase technology. What kind of material is the teacher sending home? Is it all reading from a traditional textbook? Or is it videos or online sources? There will always be students who do not do what is assigned to them whatever it is. With the flipped classroom what does the student do in class time if they haven’t learned enough to do the assignment?

I think that this concept is one that like most teaching approaches has too many variables to say “yes it works all the time” or “No. it’s the worst thing ever”. The answer is in between and comes down to the teacher’s application of the method and the student’s motivation to learn.

ADVANCED INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS Sept. 18 – reading and reflections I agree with Shibley when he says that using technology only for the sake of using technology is never a good thing. An instructor must take care and use programs that are appropriate to the desired learning outcomes and facilitates learning. I also agree that choosing this technology can take a lot of the instructor’s time.

I disagree when he says that technology does a better job of keeping students on task. To me it is all about the student. Is the student a “digital native” or a student that struggles with technology? Becoming frustrated with computer programs you cannot access to complete assignments shifts the focus away from the learning outcomes and onto the technology the student may never need to use again.

The instructor needs to strike a balance between using technology for the sake of increasing learning opportunities and the idea that any technology in the classroom is good technology.