This is the second reflection post about self-directed learning. The first post is Fall Reflections 2014 Part Two: Getting Started with Self-directed Learning. In this post, I am sharing excerpts from my blog that show the progress of self-directed learning so far.
Please follow the link below to my post focused on what students could possibly blog about:
http://kidblog.org/MrsMilnersClass-2/837a2724-97ad-49c4-8caa-a2d27142b8d3/what-should-i-blog-about/
Please follow the link below to see a fantastic post that was written by a student after my Friday blogging discussion about the quality of their posts.
http://kidblog.org/MrsMilnersClass-2/8def95fc-af1d-4fd7-850b-89f614f223d5/imovie-special-effects/
Passions Ignited 11/15/14
The self directed learning projects seem to be making a difference in how my class views their world. It is fun to watch them get inspired from everything around them.
We had a class get together after school at a place that has an amazing waterworks show. As the kids watched it in amazement, one student said to me, "Mrs. Milner, this would be a cool topic for an SDL project."
Earlier in October, we went to an overnight at Camp Bourndale and there were many topics there that students came back inspired to pursue. Click the link to Kevin's blog about magic. He was psyched to start this new topic after seeing an incredible magic show at Camp Bournedale.
In this post, Will shares what has inspired him and what he plans to do about it.
Will:
Many students have stayed with their same topic so far, but it has inspired them to find creative ways to present their topic. One student studied different kinds of codes and his research about the Codetalkers sparked his imagination, so he is writing a fantasy story that will incorporate what he has learned about codes. Click to see his post about his characters.
Zach:
Another student worked on taking apart an older computer and learning the parts. He then had new questions about how it was different from a newer computer or an IPhone. In wanting to present his findings, he also is learning quite a bit about editing with IMovie. Click to see his posts and the course his project has taken, wholly directed by him.
Pete:
Some students have enjoyed their topic, but have had trouble getting going with their blogs. A few did not fully grasp the purpose of the blog. After I shared other students' blogs, created a blogging rubric, and wrote a second post about all the different topics they could write about, these students came to understand the purpose of blogging. Click to see my post:
Students are more motivated to do this important piece of self directed learning: reflection. Here are a few examples of students showing growth in their blogs. By growth, I mean not just length of post, but level of reflection and sharing their process.
Maggie:
Alex:
More SDL Success 11/21/14
Some cool SDL developments this week:
One student shared this awesome video that is an example of the stop motion animation he is working on.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=g5ml5KJTBkk
Another student visited our local t.v. station to try out the green screen and work on his project.
http://kidblog.org/MrsMilnersClass-2/8def95fc-af1d-4fd7-850b-89f614f223d5/green-screen-plus-video/
A student studying sharks found something that breaks his heart, the killing of sharks for their fins. Here is his website that he recently created about this problem.
My Latest Self-directed Learning Post 12/2/14
I told my students at the beginning of the year that I would not assign anything that I haven't done myself. With blogging, I am going through what the students are going through. At times, not knowing what to write about, or working all week to make a post the best it can be.
Along with my personal blog, I am also posting on our class blog about my SDL project. Like some of the students, I changed my topic when it wasn't as interesting or motivating as I thought it would be. Now I have a topic that I could write about for the rest of my life! Relieved really. I have empathy for students struggling with this.
Another great benefit to blogging myself is that I can model how to cite sources, use my own words to share research, write in depth about a topic, use appropriate media, etc.
Here is the link to my Kidblog SDL page:
SDL Magic: Penn is Such a Nice Guy! 12/3/14
One of my students was inspired to study magic for his self-directed learning project after seeing an amazing magician during an overnight school trip. When I met with this student a couple of weeks ago, I mentioned that I had a friend that knew Penn Jillette of Penn & Teller fame. I contacted this friend who contacted Penn. His directions were for Kevin to come up with five questions to be answered. Below are the questions and Penn's answers. What a guy!!
1. When did you start doing magic and what or who inspired you?
I started doing magic when I was 18. That's when I met Teller. He changed my mind about magic and magicians. He showed me that it was a true art form that could be done in a way that respected the audience and was truthful. That was a major change in my attitude towards magic.
2. How did you learn to do all the tricks you do? Did you have a mentor?
I learned the tricks I know by reading, studying other magicians and tons of practice. My biggest mentors are James "The Amazing" Randi, Johnny Thompson and Teller.
3. What is some advice you would give a young magician?
Practice, practice, practice. Be completely original and different than anyone else. Find one skill that you are good at and hone it until you are better than anyone else.
4. What are the best resources to learn more about tricks and illusions?
There are hundreds and hundreds of books and now with the web, your access to information on magic is limitless.
5. What is a simple trick or illusion that I can perform for my classmates?
Our National Magic Trick, known as the "thumb tip and hanky" is a great trick to do for classmates. Send us your address and we'll send you one along with our special Penn & Teller trick cards.
Collaborations and Presentations 12/6/14
Collaborations:
One of my students is working on stop motion animation and taught interested students how to use the Lego Animator app.
Here is the link to his blog page that includes some short videos.
Another interesting collaboration is with two students who want to start an online baking business. They want fifty percent of their profits to go to charity. They hatched their idea this week during SDL time.
Presentations:
More students have presented projects the past couple of weeks.
Sculpting
This student's presentation was very well planned and lasted 20 minutes.
Gerry Cheevers:
Running:
Evolution of Our Blog 12/19/14
The blogging we are doing for self-directed learning is fantastic. A few days ago, I reflected on the progress the students have made and how much stronger their writing is getting. I know I want to continue the post a week assignment. However, there are a lot of things that the kids want to blog about and this week I changed the focus a bit.
Students need to write a self directed learning post two times a month and the other two posts a month can be any other school/learning related topic they want to write about that week. Many will do more than one a week now that they can write about anything. From their comments, you can see they are psyched!
Students are already venturing out to new topics. This week, every day, I have heard students saying, "Hey, you should blog about that!" In math, three boys were working on an enrichment word problem and asked if they could blog about their process and eventual success in solving it. I was thrilled! It will be fun to see how this blog evolves even more now that they have more freedom of topics!
