I read the blog “The Learning Revolution has Begun” by Steve Hargadon. In particular I read his one blog written June 29, 2015 about “Tech-Ped”: technology adoption driven by pedagogy. He began his blog quoting a conversation between Alice and the Cesshhire Cat in Alice in Wonderland.

“Alice: Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here? The Cheshire Cat: That depends a good deal on where you want to get to. Alice: I don’t much care where. The Cheshire Cat: Then it doesn’t much matter which way you go. Alice:… So long as I get somewhere. The cheshire Cat: Oh, you’re sure to do that, if only you walk long enough.”

Steve’s whole premise is we cannot unintentionally build together a culture of learning as a school and expect to accomplish any goals worthwhile. I think schools have been functioning more like a business than an actual school. The superintendent and people in charge do what is best for the moment, instead of collectively deciding what would benefit the school as a whole. Schools have to have shared goals and strategic planning of how to accomplish those goals with technology or with anything involving the school. If schools do not adopt this philosophy than they may reach those goals but it will take much longer wandering aimlessly before possibly reaching it.

 

 

I read the blog “Demonstrating Leadership in the Classroom” by Mr. Kemp. As an educator we are not simply adults teaching students important material. It is important that I am a role model and exemplify leadership for my students.I loved this blog, because it made me realize that I am  supposed to be a leader preparing my students to become future leaders.  I was thankful that this blog did not merely state that we need to be leaders, but he also gave ways in which to show leadership in the classroom. Leadership starts with creating an environment in which the students feel comfortable, responsible, respected, and listened to. I learned it is important to be an empathetic listener to my students. I need to listen and understand what my students are trying to say before I cast judgement. I also love the quote he uses by John Quincy Adams: “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader”. Students need leaders in their life. Sometimes school is their escape from a bad home life, it was for me. I had a teacher in my life that challenged and inspired me. I would not be where I am now without her continual support in my life. It is important that I create an environment where I show leadership where my students can grow into the leaders I believe them all to be. Making a difference in a student’s life can be the difference from them growing into the man or woman they have the potential to becoming or choosing a wrong path. I can make the difference in a student’s life and they can make a difference in mine in helping me to become a better leader and educator to them.

This assignment was to create an  OSMO Vocabulary Game that I could use in one of my lessons. Geography is key in understanding history. Countries have different culture, religions, and geographies. I created a map of Europe and the goal would be for my students to name all of the countries and their capitals. It at first took me longer than I originally thought to create this game, because I didn’t understand how to create a map with arrows pointing at the different countries. I had to insert a picture into Microsoft and then insert an arrow to all the different countries. It was also difficult, because I did not remember where all the countries were on the map. This game would help out my students, because it allows them to name individual countries at a time, instead of getting overwhelmed by all the small countries Europe has.

I wish I would have known about this OSMO vocabulary game, because it would have helped me out when I took my World Regional Geography class at Kansas State University. I found myself reviewing and quizzing myself on all the countries. It was really fun! I will create many more vocabulary games for geography maps not only for myself but for my future classes! This resource will provide my students a great opportunity to study and learn more about geography! I could also assign them making a vocabulary game like this so they can practice making their own map of what they need to study for.

 

Words I used for the Osmo Vocabulary Game are below:

Madrid, Spain/ Lisbon, Portugal/ Paris, France/ Berlin, Germany/ Dublin, Ireland/ London, England/ Warsaw, Poland/ Brussels, Belgium/ Prague, Czech Republic/ Amsterdam, Netherlands/ Oslo, Norway/  Stockholm, Sweden/ Helenski, Finland/ Rome, Italy/ Kiev, Ukraine/ Minsk, Belarus/ Vienna, Austria/ Budapest, Hungary/ Bucharest, Romania/ Ljubjana, Slovenia/ Zagrob, Croatia/ Belgrade, Serbia/ Tirana, Albania/ Athens, Greece/ Skopje, macedonia/ Sofia, Bulgaria/ Bratislava, Slovakia/ Sarajevo, Bosnia/ Podgorica, Montenegro/ Moscow, Russia/ Chisinau, Moldova/ Villnius, Lithuania/ Riga, Lativia/ Tallinn, Estonia/ Copenhagen, Denmark

 

 

I’ve never heard of OSMO, but after having a first hand experience with these games, I was thoroughly impressed. Technology is becoming more prevalent in the classrooms. These games utlize reading, art, math, and critical thinking skills. It would create a diverse learning experience for students. In my classroom, OSMO would be an essential tool for learning. My fvorite games were Words and Masterpiece. I am not an artist. Masterpiece allowed me to be an artist by simply tracing the lines on my paper. Words forces critical thinking skills by looking at the picture and thinking of the word it could be. Playing against someone made it more difficult because you had to think of the word before they could. OSMO would be a great resource to use for a brain break in the classroom. It could also be used if a student had finished all of their homework and needed something to do.  I would recommend OSMO for all classrooms!