Inquiry-Based Learning - ED 307 Lesson

After reviewing the inquiry-based learning, I'm certain that you have many remaining questions that should be answered before you would consider implementing this methodology in your classroom. To begin the search for answers, here's some resources:

Educational technology resources: https://sites.google.com/site/wendycowansteachingit/tech-tools/resources

Inquiry-based learning resources: https://sites.google.com/site/wendycowansteachingit/tech-tools/methods/inquiry-based-learning

If an educational act is to be efficacious, it will be only that one which tends to help toward the complete unfolding of life. To be thus helpful it is necessary rigorously to avoid the arrest of spontaneous movements and the imposition of arbitrary tasks.

                                                                                                                         ~ Maria Montessori

James 1:2-4 ESV 

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

I humbly thank my wonderful family for their support in all that I do. Robert Robbie Cowan, Robert Drew Andrew Cowan, and Hunter Cowan Hartselle, Decatur, AL

Turning Teacher-Student Roles Upside Down

So you've probably heard of the "flipped classroom" approach - which is known for its teacher-made video component. Related to the flipped approach, but reversing the teacher/student role, is the "Upside Down Academy" which is a new non-profit organization, created by Jared Cosulich, that promotes the students making the videos instead of the teacher.

Once the student has mastered the material, they create the video. Cosulich stated "learning is a lot more effective when you're not just trying to consume information, but turning around and producing it as well."

Benefits associated with this method include (1) students must understand a subject well enough to "teach" it to others; (2) provides teacher with insight into a "different" way to present the material that might be beneficial to future students and; (3) while not mentioned in the article, this approach enforces the 21st century skills of communication and creation.

Read the full article for more information.

If an educational act is to be efficacious, it will be only that one which tends to help toward the complete unfolding of life. To be thus helpful it is necessary rigorously to avoid the arrest of spontaneous movements and the imposition of arbitrary tasks.

                                                                                                                         ~ Maria Montessori

James 1:2-4 ESV 

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

I humbly thank my wonderful family for their support in all that I do. Robert Robbie Cowan, Robert Drew Andrew Cowan, and Hunter Cowan Hartselle, Decatur, AL

SimCity goes Common Core!

With the move to Common Core, we are seeing an abundance of resources emerge that will help teachers successfully integrate these standards into their existing curriculum AND develop new and more innovative 21st century curriculum. One example of this is SimCityEDU that will be launched this March - this common core enhanced version of the SimCity virtual reality game may be coming to a classroom near you!

Get an early sneak peek by signing up for the SimCityEDU beta!

What an exciting time to be a teacher - and an even more exciting time to be a student!

If an educational act is to be efficacious, it will be only that one which tends to help toward the complete unfolding of life. To be thus helpful it is necessary rigorously to avoid the arrest of spontaneous movements and the imposition of arbitrary tasks.

                                                                                                                         ~ Maria Montessori

James 1:2-4 ESV 

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

I humbly thank my wonderful family for their support in all that I do. Robert Robbie Cowan, Robert Drew Andrew Cowan, and Hunter Cowan Hartselle, Decatur, AL

Digital Learning Day: Resource Roundup | Edutopia

Digital Learning Day: Resource Roundup | Edutopia

If an educational act is to be efficacious, it will be only that one which tends to help toward the complete unfolding of life. To be thus helpful it is necessary rigorously to avoid the arrest of spontaneous movements and the imposition of arbitrary tasks.

                                                                                                                         ~ Maria Montessori

James 1:2-4 ESV 

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

I humbly thank my wonderful family for their support in all that I do. Robert Robbie Cowan, Robert Drew Andrew Cowan, and Hunter Cowan Hartselle, Decatur, AL

3D Printed Clothing Hits the Runway at Paris Fashion Week

I thought it was exciting to think about the impact that 3D printing could have in the classroom - but now I'm blown away by the other possibilities of this new technology - how cool to "print" out your "going out" outfit!

3D Printed Clothing Hits the Runway at Paris Fashion Week

If an educational act is to be efficacious, it will be only that one which tends to help toward the complete unfolding of life. To be thus helpful it is necessary rigorously to avoid the arrest of spontaneous movements and the imposition of arbitrary tasks.

                                                                                                                         ~ Maria Montessori

James 1:2-4 ESV 

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

I humbly thank my wonderful family for their support in all that I do. Robert Robbie Cowan, Robert Drew Andrew Cowan, and Hunter Cowan Hartselle, Decatur, AL

Educational Technology

Think the minor in educational technology isn't necessary for today's teachers? Well, I beg to differ - check out this great infographic from Learn Stuff - which illustrates the integration of technology into the lives of children as young as  two years of age...

Quoted in the infographic - "Today 70% of children between the ages of 2-5 can operate a computer mouse, but only about 11% of them can tie their own shoes." Amazing! Who  knows where we're headed!

For more information about Athens State Universities minor in educational technology, contact Wendy.Cowan@athens.edu

rew Andrew Cowan, and Hunter Cowan Hartselle, Decatur, AL

If an educational act is to be efficacious, it will be only that one which tends to help toward the complete unfolding of life. To be thus helpful it is necessary rigorously to avoid the arrest of spontaneous movements and the imposition of arbitrary tasks.

                                                                                                                         ~ Maria Montessori

James 1:2-4 ESV 

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

I humbly thank my wonderful family for their support in all that I do. Robert Robbie Cowan, Robert Drew Andrew Cowan, and Hunter Cowan Hartselle, Decatur, AL

It's VIDEO TIME Again in ED 305!!!!

The ED 305 students at Athens State University worked super hard this semester on their video projects. Enjoy viewing their videos and be sure to vote for your favorite (at the bottom of this post)!

Video 1: Common Craft Style - Cool School Tools




Video 2: Stop Motion Style - Ron Clark's "The Excellent 11"




Video 3: Stop Motion Style - Disproportionality of Minorities in Special Education




Video 4: Field Experience 101




Video 5: The Do's and Don'ts of Field Experience



Video 6: Surviving Field Experience




Video 7: Surviving Field Experience (2)




Vote for your favorite ED 305 Video!!!