Keepy-Uppy with your formative assessments!

 Active learning as a whole: 

As Bandit would say, "active learning is the bee's knees!" (typical Aussie dad moment), Not only is active learning fun, but it also helps kids (and adults) stay engaged and interested in what they're learning!

Just like playing a game of "keepy-uppy," active learning keeps your brain bouncing and your curiosity piqued. Plus, it's a great way to practice teamwork and communication, just like Bluey and her friends do when they play together. The show altogether has many keen examples of what it means to be actively learning! So next time you're feeling bored with traditional learning methods, channel your inner Bluey and get active!

Formative Assessments:

Formative assessments are like checkpoints in a learning journey that help both learners and teachers gauge their progress and adjust their approach if needed. These assessments provide valuable feedback to learners about what they're doing well and where they need to improve, helping them stay on track toward their learning goals. Additionally, formative assessments give teachers insight into how well their teaching methods are working, so they can make adjustments and provide more targeted support where necessary. As Bluey's teacher Calypso would say, "a little check-in can make a big difference!" By incorporating formative assessments within a lesson, learners can feel more confident and motivated, while teachers can ensure they're meeting the needs of each student.

For some more learning entertainment, Here is an episode that features a classroom setting where formative assessment and active learning is used :)

https://www.bluey.tv/watch/season-1/calypso/

Technology is so cool noh?

 Assistive Technologies

Assistive and adaptive technologies are actually SUPER COOL. The other day we had a professor who teaches computer science here about how they've created certain assistive technologies to help blind people navigate difficult and changing terrains with the assistance of sound, and I was BLOWN away by his research and creativity and how much it has helped. What became the most interesting aspect of it is that this Professor, who has a Ph.D. also is highly dyslexic. So in figuring out how he overcame his challenges, He talked about the most beneficial Assisting technologies which included text-to-speech, speech-to-text, and AI chat boxes that allowed him to put in the jumbled information that he cannot physically process and produce an entire dissertation that revolutionized assistive technology for blind people. It helped me reflect on the times I've had to use adapting and assisting technologies in my work, which I realized, I use it every day! Microsoft Word's spell check and Chat GPT have been some of the most helpful tools for me to gather thoughts together. Heck, I've been using Grammarly just so that this blog post makes sense! 

In the future...

I envision myself using these aids more sparingly than expressively. I am one that wants to see the limits of students and how far they can go before they need help. Once they are at their limits, I think that is when I would start to introduce the aids and tools. If any students in my class are struggling more than others, I will help and provide such assistance to the class. Likewise, I plan to personally use these aids that I've used in the past, to continue supporting my lesson planning, and preparation to teach students. 

Sometimes assistive technologies are effective. Here is a really fun and short Bluey episode that I think is the perfect example of how assistive technologies can sometimes not work 

https://www.bluey.tv/watch/season-3/explorers/

Personal Thoughts on the Pandemic and Multimedia theory

I'm taking this moment to breathe and talk about my experience with education through the pandemic because it was weird and, for me, a little too lax. My first semester was at Northern Arizona University, which was literally... wack. Because life was online for nearly all of my classes, I could work an overnight job at the local gas station where I worked, then just log onto the class, turn my camera off, and sleep... The classes flew by, and it didn't feel like I was in college. I was just at home or work, with the occasional online meeting where I completed assignments online and just sent pictures for my professor to grade.

Transferring to BYUH, my first 2 semesters were still online learning. Still, thankfully I had some in-person learning because of our isolated location on the island and the strict safety guidelines that our university followed to ensure that we were always safe no matter where we went. Even though it was only 2 of my 6 classes those semesters, I noticed a significant improvement in my academic learning (not just grades, which were the same consistently) where I could retain more information. 

Multimedia Theory

Multimedia theory is one of the un-tested theories that prove to be *Not false based on ethics and logic. It makes sense. from a psychological standpoint, memory works better when multiple factions of the brain are activated simultaneously instead of just one. This is where interaction works. When presenting information, have students search for the answers and engage all their senses when teaching by moving blocks, audio samples, moves, songs, and more. Guaranteed higher retention in learning and support to intrinsically motivate and incentivize students to do better, learn more and achieve goals. The best motive is to have an all-family pillow fight in the most spontaneous moments of presenting information in class. This is the most effective way to remember things you learn.

*I can't say that it's true, given it's a scientific theory, which only exists to prove what is false and not false, never what is true

Khan and Google Classroom

Khan Classrooms 

So I have one simple meme that I think works perfectly with how Khan is viewed by many educators:

https://www.tiktok.com/@jojo.chackal/video/7193442541138611462?_r=1&_t=8aLYSLjd7Gt 

Simply put, Khan made an outstanding program for self-guided learning for public use and domain. I appreciate his effort and those who donated to his program to give us the learning material we needed to understand the basics of many topics across the board. It can be confusing to navigate sometimes, and its material while going through each lesson can seem a little mundane to listen to the same style of teaching every time. Because of this, I think it is also important to use other material that is similar but also just as effective to teach. Programs such as Crash Course, Vi-Hart, and more on youtube and online (make sure they are authentic and credible) provide variety in how they teach the material to the general public and depending on the student, it could provide a better avenue for them. giving them options is ideal. 

GOogLe ClAssRooOMs

TBH I prefer canvas more than Google Classrooms. It might be more because I am just more used to using Canvas, but Google Classrooms seems less than a classroom and more of just a glorified google form. It's a little tacky, and unappealing in terms of creative structure, and navigation. BUT I will say, if you need a free platform to teach an unofficial classroom setting, (I.E. Non-Profit, or a simple public domain class) Then this is a really good option to teach. I would highly suggest it. I don't really have much more to talk about regarding google classrooms though. 

Off to go learn something new :)