Darrell



//**September 18, 2012**// //**Week 1**// //**How Technology Can Improve Learner-Centered Teaching**//

After reading the article I started to think how technology in the classroom has changed since I started with Winnipeg Transit 22 years ago. Computers are very prevalent in the classroom now with the introduction of Power Point Presentations and Word Documents. But for the most part pen and paper is still the most common learning tool in the classroom at Winnipeg Transit. EBook readers would be a great tool to use instead of paper but with the very tight budgets they are not feasible at this time. I can only image the amount of paper Transit would save. Another great tool we could use at Winnipeg Transit would be a bus driving simulator but again because of budget constraints we are unable to purchase one at this time. Imagine being able to re-enact an accident with the simulator to help determine who is at fault and help the individual with retraining so they do not have a similar accident. We could also input different parameters into the simulator and see how the operator reacts without the high risks on a public road.

//** September 25, 2012 **// //** Week 2 **// //** The Flipped Classroom **//

Website: I found the article and videos very interesting. I could understand how they help teachers in the classroom and it was amazing to see the turn around in the failing grades at Clintondale High School. I don't believe we could use this type of learning in the classroom at Winnipeg Transit at this time. I don’t want to seem negative about this article but I do have some questions. I came from a family with poverty issues and the first thing that i thought of, was how well would this work for students that do not have access to computers and the internet in their homes. We can not assume every student has access to computers in their homes and I can confirm not all students have access to the internet. I am sure they must have come across some students with no computer access and would have like to know how they over came this obstacle.
 * [|www.techsmith.com/flipped-classroom.html]**

Hi Darrell (reply from Rob Engley) - I have (in the past) sent students to the College library when I have asked them to complete online projects. I will usually let them out a little early and expect them to have the projects completed for the next day. If it is something I can try in my class I'll try it. If we fall on our ass, I will stop. In your case I can't possibly see how most of your materials can be delivered outside of the classroom... but some of the 'danger' assignments you gave us in Eva's previous instructional methods class could be presented online (or perhaps a ride-around video of the dangers a driver may experience on their run).

(Andrew) Hello Darrell I can agree with you that it would be hard to use the flipped classroom at Winnipeg Transit. I believe that it may be able to use a similar type of learning style in the future but privacy and confidentiality are always a issue. I can that many home don't have access to computers or the internet it may be hard for students to have the access when they want to even log on. Library's and community resource centers are the only option. What about refurbished computers that could be given to students to use for the school term?

(Michele) Darrell, that's a very good observation. As well, I was thinking of all the older students we have in the ECE Workplace Program who have no experience with computers and how frustrating and potentially defeating the Flipped Classroom could be for computer newbies. Many of our students are also from rural areas, where they can't always rely on their internet service. I think the concept is great if we all worked in a perfect world but in your teaching situation and mine there would be several obstacles to over come.

Blog Link Fiddle Blog Fiddle Blog 2

//**October 9, 2012**// //**Week 4**// //**Web Quest**//

I did some web searching to see if there were any web-quests pertaining to transit operators and found none. One area where I could develop a web-quest would be transit operator assaults. After some research I found that other transit authorities have the same problem as we do with transit operator assaults. Most of our assaults are over fare disputes. I would have the students do some research on Transit assaults and how to prevent them. I would have them to some research on how other transit authorities handle fare disputes.

Here are the web sites I would you for their web-quest:

Video of Preventing Transit Assaults []

Documentation on Preventing Transit Assaults []

Preventing Toronto Transit Commission operator assaults: a holistic approach []

Fare Disputes in Durham []

Thunder bay fare Disputes []

Finally I would have them view this video on how quickly an assault can happen.

Edmonton Bus operator Assault []

//**October 16, 2012**//

//**Learner Centered Presentations**//

//**Kyle's Presentation**// Kyle was well informed but it was hard to follow at times with the 3 slides because he was on Skype. I guess I need to see someone in person to better understand them. Maybe needed some more slides.

//**Melanie's Presentation**// Well organized and well spoken. It was very interesting to see how she is using it already in her classroom. Any changes to a program at transit takes longer to implement.

//**Danya's Presentation**// Good and well organized PowerPoint. Would have like to see how she would incorporate her learner centered approaches in her classroom.

//**Rob's Presentation**// Well informed on his subject and is well spoken. Maybe too much info on his slides and fonts are too small, could not see the info. Be careful of your colors as some people are color blind and may not see your info on the slides. Really impressed how he uses these learner centered approaches in his classroom!!! His willingness to try different approaches is impressive!!


 * Thanks Darrell for the kind words**. I'll keep trying new stuff until I fall off the cliff I guess. I am sorry I forgot to mention to the class how to make the prezi full-screen and use the zoom function to increase the images. I'll do a better job next time. Thanks again for the feedback, I really appreciate being in the same class as you as you provide great perspective to many situations. **(Rob)**

//**Bitia's Presentation**// Seemed nervous at first but it was good to see her relax after a few minutes. Enjoyed her presentation, simple and informative.

//**Carol's Presentation**// A well organized presentation, had all her outcomes and evaluations clearly listed!

//**Andy's Presentation**// Well organized and well spoken. Great slide info!!!


 * //October 23, 2012//**


 * //Learner Centered Presentations//**

//**Aaron's Presentation**// Another well organized and simple prezi, well spoken, seems well informed in his subject.

//**Cindy's Presentation**// WOW!!!!!!!! what an innovated way to do a presentation. Don't know if you cut the video or if Animoto did but sometimes it was hard to follow other than that you did a great job!!! Very well informed and great ideas.

//**Don's Presentation**// Simple and good information on his prezi. Enjoyed his pictures to better explain his field. Good job!

//**Harry's Presentation**// Good presentation well spoken. Again good presentation!!

//**Stephen's Presentation**// Simple and informative presentation, explained role playing very well. As with all the other presentations yours was well done!!!!

//**Johanna's Presentation**// Well informed presentation Good font size and good colors in your presentation. I really liked your role playing portion of the presentation.

//**Ruth's Presentation**// I'm impressed by her development of her web quest really peaked my interest!!!!!! Well Done!!

//**Derek's Presentation**// Well organized presentation enjoyed his example on simulation, made me feel better about my house being wired properly.

//**Scott's** **Presentation**// Was a bit confused at first but then I understood what he was doing and it was really impressive how he used many different learner centered approaches in each learning goal!!

//**Michele's Presentation**// A well organized presentation, Michele was well spoken. Really enjoyed her explanation on the the diorama and how she used in her classroom.

//**October 30, 2012**//

//**5-hour PBL Learning Project Presentations**//

//**Ruth's Presentation**// I enjoyed the presentation but I was surprised she not only learned about skipping but also how to use many different apps on her IPAD and Windows based operating systems.

//**Derek/Scott's Presentation**// Loved the pics of the different types of windows. Gave me a visual of the different windows. Good explanation of the awning window. Isn't amazing how you can find any kind of reference for a project on YouTube!! Good job

//**Michele's Presentation**// Enjoyed the Animoto presentation, it was well organized but as with Ruth's presentation it is surprising how much more she learned besides her project. Did miss the human factor but she made up for it in her questions period. Seemed to enjoy the animoto more than her poof project. Well done!!!

//**Rob's/Bitia's Presentation**// Enjoyed how Rob talked about on how he and Bitia decided on their project and how they had to prepare for the project. Simple and good PowerPoint presentation. Would have liked to seen some pics of their night of painting. Nice job!!

//**Cindy's Presentation**// Great Research!!! Good Prezi Presentation!!! Great Video!!!!! All great tools for the visual learners!!!! Great Job!!

//**Melanie's Presentation**// I do feel for her as she said it is not a fun way to learn. Good pics to show and illustrate what is going on with her mother in law!! It helped to better explain what she had to learn. It was interesting to see the different cultural view points regarding the elders.

//**5-hour PBL Learning Project Presentations**//
 * //November 6, 2012//**

//**Don's Presentation**// WOW!!!!!!!!!! Great Video very well organized presentation. Interested in how he really enjoyed the subject and it made learning a lot easier for him. Also time really wasn't a factor as he was well over the 5 hours but he didn't mind at all. Great research!!

//**Carol's Presentation**// I am wondering if she will do more research on the different ingredients because she mentioned there are so many. Good presentation, good research interesting she also learned how to use Prezi so she did two challenges.

Lots of good information. I may do some research on Harry's subject, very interesting. A pic of the different GPS's and a pic of his GPS unit would have really helped in me understanding how a GPS works.
 * Harry's Presentation**

I liked his title because sewing really is a skill and talent. Really liked his pics as it helped in describing his materials. Nice video demonstration!!! Good presentation.
 * //Stephen's Presentation//**

//**Johanna's Presentation**// Interesting subject. Good for you on not letting your pride get in the way of your learning!! Great pics in helping explain her steps. I will try the onion advice!! Well organized PowerPoint!

//**Danya's Presentation**// It's to bad her video didn't work I'm sure it would have helped her with her explanation of her subject. The pictures really helped with her presentation. Organized well so it was simple to follow, good simple info on her slides.

//**Kyle's Presentation**// Very interesting subject as almost everyone owns a smart phone. Kind of surprised he is showing us how to unlock your smart phone but again it is an interesting subject. A very honest presenter as he said he didn't do enough research, students will respect this as it shows he doesn't know everything!! Well Done Kyle.

//**Aaron's Presentation**// Good subject, great presentation great information as I didn't know about the apple tree. I was surprised at how clean you planting must be!! It shows Aaron did a lot of research for his subject. Good pictures in his slides as it helps when he is explaining the different steps.