FOUNTAIN DRINK ANYONE?

While enjoying my Spring Break 2016 in Destin, Florida, I said to myself, “Self, which one of these quests, could I do, that won’t destroy my flip-flop wearing, tan line having vibe? I scrolled down and saw one of my favorite words”create”. Create a video using a tool incorrectly. That is right down my alley, I am left handed, and I always use tools incorrectly.

Dropping Mentos into Coke Zero, diet Coke and regular Coke to make a soda fountain could be used as a party trick but, I would prefer that my soda comes out of a true soda fountain machine like the one in “Tom Thumb” a gas station in Florida.

Since we all know that TPACK is to remind us to use the right tool for the right job. Doing this video reminded me of a few ideas and phrases that I have heard while growing up like, “just because it’s shiny, don’t mean it is gold,” and “just because it’s in your size, does not mean you should wear it.” Really, everything thang ain’t for everybody.  

Just like TPACK, using the right tool for the right will not only make your students think you are cool because you know how to use Youtube and #twitter but, it will enhance the learning environment in your classroom, making your room a sweet spot.

So, when I return to my classroom I will be sure to be reminded to always include TPACK to not only to improve the learning in my class but to remember to Laugh, Love and #Singon.

Cookin' with TPACK

Hello again and lets cook with TPACK as I use real life experiences to explain what TPACK is and how it could be thought about. This is a video of my niece, Ahmani as she chooses utensils from the kitchen to complete a task that she has no idea about, thankfully she loves her Aunt Ronda, and is up for the challenge.She looks in her grandmother’s cabinet and pulls down a nice medium sized cereal bowl and a plate, and goes into the draw and pulls out her favorite butter knife.  She is equipped with her utensils, and next I ask her to reach into the hat and she pulls out number 4, to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.From looking at the utensils she has especially the knife, she is capable of completing this task. However, I asked her if there were other utensils she wished she had and she said a spoon, so she would not have to double dip the knife in the peanut butter and the jelly.  The bowl and the plate was not useful to her in this experience but just like in the classroom you may not use ALL of you tools but it is always good to have them in a tool belt ready to be used.Sometimes in the classroom, you may not have a SmartBoard to use or even access to a video camera, but all you may have is access to is your favorite tool, a butter knife, from your grandma’s kitchen. But if you are open minded to any task, even one as simple as making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, that one tool may be all you need to complete the task of TPACK in the classroom. #SINGON

 We become what we behold. We shape our tools, and thereafter our tools shape us.” ― Marshall McLuhan

How is digital citizenship similar/ traditional citizenship in the world?

Well when it comes to citizenship, it is simple, always apply the golden rule, “Treat others how you would want to be treated, weather it is at a coffee shop or on the World Wide Web. If I am making my coffee and I spill some cream or raw sugar on the counter, I take a recycled napkin and wipe it up, so the next person can have a clean space to make their coffee.

Just like in point number, two in the Citizenship in the Digital age suggests, treat others courteously, and never bully, at the coffee shop and in the digital world. We all are responsible for making this world a better place to live in, thinking of others before yourself lays a footprint of car and concern for all citizens of the world. We must learn to share the planet. 

How can we apply traditional citizenship ideas to our work in helping students develop digital citizenship?

Point number five is my favorite, to actively pursue education and become a lifelong learner. Teaching young learners that the Internet is a TOOL and not a toy is very important. It is OK to enjoy gaming and other forms of communication on the Internet but, teaching them that at the touch of their fingers they have access to answers and ideas of the WORLD. Use the digital tools to enhance your learning and be smart enough to understand that using Internet tools to enhance and develop your learning is the wise road to take. 

As teachers we are responsible to promote and encourage digital citizenship, and I think one of the best ways is to demonstrate it with our students.  With all the technology you may have access to in your room showing students HOW to be digital citizens is important, something as simple as this video is a start to open up a conversation, related to point number eight. 

 In the classroom developing a relationship with students where they understand digital citizenship is important not only to you as their teacher but important to everyone on the planet. The small steps young learners make to promote digital citizenship within themselves encourages others to follow them, and one student taking the time to be aware of his or her actions online, lead to citizenship all over the world. Let's sing together, "Let their be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.", starting with a kid as president.

grooooW WITH ME

     PLN's (personal learning network) is not a thing, it is an idea. The question is how do you get this idea started, and keep it going? A PLN can be as simple as having a cup of coffee with a college and sharing ideas or it could be as expanded as Skyping with a teacher in Alaska about an upcoming collaboration, and sharing that on a VLOG.  
     For me all of this sounds overwhelming but I plan to take it in small bites. First I want to i.d. my overall goal is to connect with other, what I like to call "Urban Music Educators" and create a network where we can discuss common concerns in the classroom and how we can move forward together to solve each others problems creatively. 
     Writing this BLOG is a good step, but joining teacherlinx is an even better one. The screen shot thing is not cooperating with me so, http://teacherlinx.com/#/regsuccess.  The next idea to get started is the join Twitter and watch Twits and hashtags, and selectively follow educators who have similar teaching lifestyles as I do. This graphic of how to grow your PLN really helped me get a better understanding about the process.  

     I plan to sustain my PLN by weeding out followers on Twitter until I have a compatible group of educators with similar educational interests. With the group of Urban Music Teachers, creating a collaborative and creative group using Twitter, Skype, and Podcasts I intend to harvest results from the group to use in my classroom and share with others. This cycle should be re-visited at least 3-4 times a year to create a new crop of PLN's and ideas.