Since it is almost december, for my last song on the recorder I decided to learn jingle bells. This is the fastest song out of the other ones I have learned, but it’s really fun to play and gets me into the holiday spirit.
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I have finally been able to play the entire happy birthday song and I feel so proud of myself. I would be up stressing late at night over learning it and once I finally did it, a weight was lifted off my shoulders. It doesn’t sound completely perfect, but I’m proud of how far I have come.
I decided to learn the song “happy birthday” instead of twinkle twinkle little star, because I was really struggling with twinkle twinkle, and I wasn’t making much progress.
SAMR Model of Technology in Classrooms
The SAMR model is a great tool to use when evaluating technologies used in a classroom. The SAMR model has four different tears that help transform and enhance technology that align with what your students are working on. In the future, this model would help me evaluate technologies used in my classroom as it is simple and clear, and it allows you to easily assess whether a technology enhances learning or just serves as a replacement. SAMR pushes educators to think more creatively when preparing lessons and deepens students overall learning.
Benefits of Sketchnoting
Sketchnoting is a great strategy to use when taking notes. It allows for students to be creative while also creating notes that will most likely be retained better. While making sketchnotes, students are actively remembering as they are drawing things that connect to what they’re learning. This strategy also keeps students more engaged in their learning and visually helps to grasp the topic better. With that said, everyone has a different learning style, which means this may be effective for some students but not all. Sketchnoting can be beneficial across all grades, but personally I would use this in grades 3-12. sketchnoting is quite versatile and can be adapted for multiple grade levels. This tool is effective for fostering engagement and enhancing comprehension.
Above is a photo of some sketchnoting I did in class. I have never tried sketchnoting before but after learning about it I see how it can be effective and I would be open to trying it next class.
“Creepy” does not begin to describe director Osgood Perkins’ take on an FBI agent tracking a mass murderer — or Nicolas Cage’s WTF performance
I would like to start by giving the entire crew of this film huge recognition. The film came together perfectly and every role was executed precisely. Directed by Oz Perkins, the film was released just this past July, and viewers are loving it! It boasts an impressive 85% on Rotten Tomatoes. I loved everything about this film, it kept me drawn in the entire time. I appreciated how the plot revealed details gradually while maintaining a high level of suspense.
Description
The story follows FBI agent Lee Harker, played by Maika Monroe as she tackles a decades-long serial killer case set in 1990. As she delves deeper into the investigation, it takes a disturbing turn while trying to decipher the difference between reality and the supernatural.
Before watching this film, I saw the trailer in theaters and thought, “I must see that!” The trailer is brilliant, especially because one of the villains, played by Nicolas Cage, isn’t revealed at all. I think that was such a smart move because it made his eventual appearance even scarier!
Overall, this film has quickly become one of my new favourites. It has an eerie sinister vibe to it even when nothing is happening. It’s one of those movies that you watch and continues to linger in your mind after. This film has a similar feel to the classic horror film, Silence of The Lambs, as it has a mixture of suspense and discomfort. What really really set the tone of this film was the cinematography, the colour tones and the framing used were spot on. I will definitely watch this film again as it is one of my new personal favourites.
Accessibility and What is Being Missed?
Many people don’t think twice about making something digitally accessible. Alt text is crucial for accessibility, as it provides descriptive information about images for users who rely on screen readers. Many websites overlook this practice, resulting in a lack of context for visually impaired users. I am someone who is guilty of this. Before this lesson I didn’t even think, or know, that putting a description on an image was an option. Now I am aware of how important this is and how much it can improve a website.
Why isn’t Digital Accessibility More Commonly Used? Why don’t we all Know About it?
Many digital accessibility practices aren’t well-known or commonly used due to a lack of awareness. Majority of people publishing information online do not have visually or hearing impairments, meaning that they don’t even think twice about it. Additionally, there is a perception that accessibility is complicated or time-consuming. Some may underestimate its importance, especially for a broader audience, and focus on aesthetics rather than sufficiency. Spreading awareness and improving websites is key to making accessibility more prevalent.
Today I decided I wanted to start by learning an easier song. Hot cross buns is a short song and since i’m still getting comfortable learning the notes on the recorder, I figured this would be a good start.
Using a 3D printer is so cool because it brings students creativity to life. It allows them to create functional objects they can use, promoting hands-on learning. Additionally, designing 3D models teaches valuable problem-solving skills, as students must consider functionality for the printer. I believe 3D printing is beneficial for grades K-12 because there’s something for every age group to learn. It can be tailored to be as simple or complex as needed, making it accessible for all students.
Check out this article about 3D printing!
However, some drawbacks of 3D printing include a lack of convenience. The printing process typically takes at least one to three hours to create an object. If every student is printing something, it can become very time-consuming and may stretch over the course of a week or two to complete all projects. While this technology can be effectively used across all grade levels, it may be more challenging for younger students, as they need to design objects that the printer can successfully produce.
The image above shows what I created in today’s class. It was my first time using a 3D printer, and I found it super interesting and easy to navigate. I’m excited to see the final results, including the size and colors of the object!