Danielle O'Neill's Portfolio: Comments

Comment on "Social Studies Final Blog"

Mon, 04 May 2009 22:10:02 -0900

Nice job on your final Blog. You get a 5.
LJR

- LINDA J REEVES

Comment on "Social Studies: Chapter 2 Blog"

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 20:45:39 -0900

Great job on your BLOGS.
LJR

- LINDA J REEVES

Comment on "Earth Day, April 22nd"

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 09:51:11 -0900

Since Earth Day can involve plants, it is very easy to integrate many subjects with this topic. If the class planted flowers or plants in the school garden, they could continue to study the plants by measuring their growth and collecting data. They would then record information and make charts and graphs, which integrates math into science. They can also write in science journals and do research with read alouds and non-fiction books about plants and flowers. Most subjects can be brought into and Earth Day unit.

- ALYSSA MORGAN LYDEN

Comment on "Chapter 3: Young Historians"

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 20:56:07 -0900

Nice job on your work! Looking forward to reading your Rosa entries.
LJR

- LINDA J REEVES

Comment on "Blog Entry Two"

Sat, 31 Jan 2009 15:49:09 -0900

Hey Dani!

I really enjoyed reading about your personal connections to inquiry as an elementary school student as well as your connection to the use of science notebooks. I can remember being similar to you in that I always seemed to be looking for the "one right answer," especially in science. I have come to realize, and I am sure you have as well, that there is rarely ever one correct answer. This is what makes science so exciting, though. Inquiry-based instruction in the classroom allows students to work in groups exploring science concepts together. They are working to create their own knowledge and answer questions they may have about the topic they are studying. Oftentimes, questions are left unanswered. Students must realize that this is okay and it is all part of taking on the role of young scientists. As future teachers of science, we need to stress the importance of engaging in the activity in order to research and find answers to questions we may have, but we should not get caught up in finding that "one right answer." So far, I have really enjoyed using the science notebooks to write down my thoughts, questions, misconceptions, and my findings. Organization is key, however. I believe science notebooks help teach students this important skill as well as act as a source of reference in future investigations.

Great job Dani! Your summaries were informative and well-thought out. I also enjoyed reading your quotes! See you in class on Monday!

- CHRISTOPHER HENRY KNECHT

Comment on "Exploring Web Resources"

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:13:42 -0900

I also think Google Docs is amazing. I haven't used it yet but it sounds like the perfect way to do group projects. You don't even have to meet with your group to finish a project! This seems so handy to use, and I will definitely be using it in the future. All these new things that we have been learning in class is so interesting, and I can't wait to explore more.

- MEGAN ALYCE GROSS

Comment on "Exploring Web Resources"

Sat, 29 Nov 2008 23:42:18 -0900

I also tried flickr over break and liked how you could do so many things with it. My favorite part was the mapping! I never knew there were programs out there that did such things. I wish my classes taught me about these programs, like your art class with GoogleDocs. I never knew any of this stuff existed until this class. I do like Flickr and I think I would use it for some of the reasons you stated, such as going abroad, which I plan on doing this summer.

- GABRIELLE DEROSA

Comment on "Live Video Chat--What an Experience!"

Sat, 29 Nov 2008 23:30:59 -0900

Hey Dani! I just saw your comment that you will also be student teaching in England in the fall and then saw this post! I wanted to attend the video chat, but by the time I saw the email it had already taken place. I am glad that I have been able to read about it here however! It seems like quite the experience, both for technical knowledge and to learn more about schooling overseas. I am also glad that it was a positive experience for you, I know how using new technology can sometimes be very frustrating until you really learn it.

I have seen video conferencing at the branch campus I attended last year, where there were a few classes that an on-campus Penn State professor taught to both Penn State students in the same room and also to students at a neighboring university. This too was interesting to see because as you sat around a U shaped table, you faced a screen displaying other students sitting around a similar U shaped table facing towards you(a little confusing to explain).

I think it was really exciting for you to have the opportunity to take part in a video conference and I am looking forward to talking to you in class on Monday about England!

- SARAH

Comment on "Updated Group Choice Proposal"

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:09:21 -0900

This sounds like a great idea - very creative! I like the way you have kept 21st century learning as the centerpiece, but have found a light-hearted approach to make your point. Can't wait to see it!!

- CARLA ZEMBAL-SAUL

Comment on "Live Video Chat--What an Experience!"

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:07:53 -0900

Sounds like quite an experience! Did you meet Carolyn Mason -- she is part of this group and has a blog on our class site? Please comment to her if you have time.

http://www.personal.psu.edu/cgm5023/blogs/ttla-_connecting_upark_and_europe/

- CARLA ZEMBAL-SAUL

Comment on "What is Education in the 21st Century?"

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 10:30:39 -0900

Hey Dani-
It's interesting you bring up globalization within education, always an interesting topic to talk about. In this day and age, it's an unfortunate fact that many of America's once coveted job position are being shipped over to Asia and Mexico so companies can capitalize on the impoverished conditions of those areas and the desperate people for jobs. Competitive wage pay is a fact of life; companies want to expand their profit as much as possible.
In order to prepare our future students for the competitive job world, we ourselves must be competitively prepared. Without the professional development we are receiving now, I would not be feel prepared for success in the classroom and confident enough to educate my future students. Digital literacy needs to be a major component of the future curriculum.

- MONIQUE ADELE D'ENTREMONT

Comment on "Digital-Age Literacy..."

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 09:50:47 -0900

Dani,

"Technology can enhance and reinforce what has been taught, therefore expanding their breadth of knowledge."

You hit the nail on the head right there, I must say. I guess I have a problem or something, because I don't see what the big argument between educational leaders is. Why does it have to be so strongly slanted one way or the other? In my mind, it doesn't and it can't. We need to meet somewhere close to the middle. Teach, enhance, reinforce. Do it with all the tools you have available to you. It's a great point to make and it's a point that is being overlooked by all major players involved. Great job.

- PELLE ERIK NEJMAN

Comment on "Digital-Age Literacy..."

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:33:02 -0900

Hey Dani!

I really enjoyed reading your response to this article from Education Week.

In my LLED block, we also discussed James Gee and his ideas behind the Discourse Theory.
I wanted to share a few interesting facts that I think could be related to your response as well as create a link to the use of multiple sign systems.

-Discourse is a socially accepted association among ways of using language, of thinking, and of actions that can be used to identify oneself as a member of a socially meaningful group (identity kit).

Gee believes:
-Literacy is the ability to use multiple texts, including all symbol systems and expressions of disparate points of view, to make sense of one's life and the world in a particular context.

I believe that Gee's theory can be related directly to how students create meaning from text/information/teacher. Technology is certainly a factor that can be used in the classroom to reinforce and help students learn. Technology allows us to use a variety of sign systems in learning (MacBook for example: photography, vocal recordings, Comic Life, etc.). Students will not only benefit from this but will also begin to think at a higher cognitive level.

I also agree with your statement that the digital age and the incorporation of technology in the classroom will never replace the teacher.

*Insightful article, Dani!

- CHRISTOPHER HENRY KNECHT

Comment on "What is Education in the 21st Century?"

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 15:34:16 -0900

Hey Dani!

Your online portfolio is looking awesome!
You appear to be such a great writer and your blog has got a lot of personality...just like you!

Upon reading this entry, I started to think about a few things.

I completely agree that teachers need to be prepared for the digital-age. I also feel it is imperative that students become comfortable as well as knowledgeable using technology. However, I feel that the incorporation of technology in schools (excluding computers) can be somewhat difficult. As you are well aware, school districts have budgets. Oftentimes, these budgets do not allow for expensive purchases such as iPods for podcasting and other technological devices.
I just read an article on the New York Times website about iPods and podcasting in grades K-12. It gave me insight as to how students become engaged and interactive in their learning through podcasting. However, budget constraints are certainly a problem. One teacher I read about and her students built birdhouses and sold greeting cards to raise money to purchase iPods for their classroom. Pretty clever, huh? Should it be the individual teacher's responsibility to bring technology into the classroom? I personally do not think so. We need to make it evident (even though it probably already is) that technology offers alternative methods of learning for students which benefits them in so many ways. How could we go about doing this?

Well, these are just a few things I was thinking about. See you Monday night!

- CHRISTOPHER HENRY KNECHT