Blog Post #5 or "what I learned from Anthony Capps".

His Project Based Learning Videos (video 1 & video 2) is a discussion on, just as the title suggests, Project Based education in a 3rd grade classroom in Baldwin Co. It's interesting to see how he is using ideas such as letter writing to congressmen as a way of improving reading and writing, while keeping them informed with social material. I like that he is using that project as way to foster the ability to do research, as well as arguing for a point. I think debate skills are, far too often, left along the way side in favor of posturing. Causing kids to think AND support their position will lead to a better adult.
The second in the series is about another project that was perspective based. I found it interesting that, on reflection, I had similar lessons when I was a student. These "plays" that we had to act out or perhaps bring in related food, were a common experience. I would have like to have heard what he did for the student who was unable to participate in the Afghanistan project. A science project... I'm curios about how he resolved that situation while meeting the requirements of the lesson for that student.

iCurio, seems interesting, and when I went to check out the web search system I discovered that it requires both an account and a "registration key" to create an account. I would like to browse the site... I wonder if there is a "key" for South students... hmmm.

Discovery Education's website reminds me of The Exploreum in downtown Mobile AL. It's based on an exploration type of learning where the "teaching" or "lecturing" is done by experts in their fields. Plants are discussed by a botanist and physics are discussed by physicists. The importance of this type of medium is found in the expertise of the individuals who are discussing the topics. I also thought of YouTubes' Educational site, a personal favorite.

Strange Tips For Teaching, gave me the thoughts of how we need to collaborate with others to better improve ourselves and refine our methods. It's not only important to hear another persons ideas but it can also help us to have a "sounding board" to bounce our ideas off of.

 Use it, Don't Teach Tech! Is about how we need to embrace technology and use it to better our lives, and perhaps more importantly, use technology in the classroom. Of course it is widely known that the youth has an advantage to learning new technology than the older generations, but this video focuses on allowing the students the opportunity to use it that ability.

Additional Thoughts About Lessons, is Anthony's thoughts on teaching methods and how the material is compressed into a school year/semester/month/week/day.