Classroom Connection
A Different Way to Learn!
Students in all of my courses have the opportunity to learn how to work in a paperless environment! All of my courses are available online and all assignments are either submitted or published online as well. The cluster map demonstrates how my classroom is connected! The poster below compares a traditional classroom to my classroom. In addition, we use several other web based programs, services and links which connect to specific activities and projects.
This image helps students and parents navigate between various sites students use frequently in all of my courses.
This poster is hanging in my classroom. The top of the it shows how students receive knowledge in a traditional classroom and share what they have learned. The bottom of the poster shows how students receive knowledge in a 21st century classroom and how they share what they have learned.
Welcome to My Classroom!
Students go to my website to access all of my courses and to get to my classroom blog. Parents, students, and community can view student blogs by going to either site. Click on the images below to view my websites.
Courses I Teach
Computer Literacy / Basic Computers
This is a required 12 week course which covers the Michigan Educational Technology Standards (METS). Students create an online e-portfolio on their own blog/website using Weebly. The entire course is interactive and online using Moodle learning Management System with classroom student collaboration and teacher support.
Student Blog Samples:
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Parent permission provided for online use.
Image created by Morgan
Image created by Lauren
I have enjoyed basic computers a lot and I know that this course has helped me a lot with my computer skills just as I had hoped it would. I have learned more than I ever could imagine in one trimester. I learned to be more independent with my work and that working independently has helped me to get the job done faster. I have learned about some new websites and tools that I didn't even know existed before I started this class! For example, I learned how to embed presentations and other types of work to my blog as well as determining which images are okay to use on my blog and which ones aren't. This course has benefited me tremendously and it could very well do the same for others. If you take this class, I can guarantee you will at least learn something. Even if you do know a lot about computers, you will definitely learn something about online safety or even find out about a program you didn't know existed. I would definitely recommend this course to others because it has helped me a lot and I believe it could do the same for you. Some of the quests were challenging, but in the end, it was all worth it. My greatest accomplishment of this class was being selected to attend the Student Technology Showcase because very few kids were chosen and I was honored to be one of them. Taking this class was challenging at times, but overall, it was a great experience and I would do it again any day. ~Mallory
Coding Level 1 / Advanced Computers 7
This is a 7th grade introductory course for basic programming. All project-based assignments utilize open-source programming tool called Scratch. In addition, students learn to program a Finch Robot Using Code.Org Lessons. Students create an online e-portfolio on their own blog/website using Weebly. The entire course is interactive, online and utilizes Moodle Learning Management System with classroom student collaboration and teacher support.
Student Blog Samples:
Annabelle's Header.
Parent permission provided for online use.
Click on the cat
to play a game!
Parent permission provided for online use.
'Advanced Computers/Scratch 7 is a fun class that will teach you how to problem solve and think through things. It also taught me how to program video games and animations using MIT's online program Scratch. After taking this class, I realized that programming is something I love and would recommend this class to everyone because it teaches you problem solving and it's fun to express your ideas through video games and animations. The class benefitted me because it taught me patience and to think outside the box and plan ahead to think through things that I had to accomplish. It would benefit others because it would also teach them these things, important traits that people do not display often enough. One of my biggest challenges in the class was figuring out new code. This was challenging because I did not know it and I had to figure it out on my own. My greatest accomplishment was my pong game. I was most proud of this because it took me many hours and lots of problem solving to come up with a fun game. When it was done and other people were impressed by it and liked to play it, it was totally worth the time I put into it.' ~Sean
Coding Level 2 / Advanced Computers 8
This is an 8th grade introductory course in basic 3D programming. All project-based assignments utilize open-source programming tool called Alice. In addition, students learn to program a Finch Robot. Students create an online e-portfolio on their own blog/website using Weebly The entire course is interactive, online, and utilizes Moodle with classroom student collaboration and teacher support.
Student Blog Sample:
Game created by Nick
Parent permission provided for online use.
Finch Tag by Sam and Anthony
While I was enrolled in this class, I had a lot of fun learning how to use Alice. I had so many ideas about what to create, and some turned out pretty well! I have learned many things about other people, but mostly, I've learned about myself. I have learned many life lessons here. Probably the most important one would be, when all else fails, give your best guess, it might even end up better then planned. I have learned what I can and can't do. I can use my imagination (with some hard work) to create almost anything I want. I've found out some unique skills that I have by taking this class. I've discovered I have a unique way of thinking, I can come up with a pretty crazy story within minutes. I believe other students should take this class. I believe this because some schools don't offer this opportunity. This class has many benefits. This class teaches you how to begin-to-code. Coding, (if you are thinking of doing it professionally) can earn you up to over 100k a year! During this class, there were days where I felt challenged and days where I felt that what I was doing was easy. The challenging days were those when I needed to code a specific action and make it look realistic (or at least try). And those easy days, was when I was deciding what the plot or story should be. While taking this course, I had several accomplishments. My biggest accomplishment was completing 1-5. This project alone took me almost a week! Overall, I have loved this class, and the things it's taught me. ~Ted
Digital Media Level 1 / Digital Design 7
This is a 7th grade introductory course utilizing technology to expand creative expression and communication. Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge and use digital media to communicate, educate, and entertain others. Students create an online e-portfolio on their own blog/website using Weebly. The entire course is interactive, online, and utilizes Edmodo Learning Management System with classroom student collaboration and teacher support.
Student Blog Samples:
Image created by Heidi
Image created by Audrey
Image created by Lexi
Image created by Elayna
Image created by Alec.
My experience in this class was very good. I liked taking pictures and using the cameras the most. I really learned a lot about photography and creating cool paintings on paint.net. I defiantly did the right thing by taking this class. I was really surprised on how much I learned about making art on computers and taking pictures. I would definitely recommend this class to anyone who likes photography or creating paintings on the computer. The part that was more challenging was making a self portrait on the computer. This was challenging because it was really hard making all the different features on my face. My greatest accomplishment was taking all my pictures. ~Kassidy
Digital Media Level 2 / Digital Design 8
This is an 8th grade introductory course utilizing technology to expand creative expression and communication. Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge and use digital media to communicate, educate, and entertain others. All project-based assignments utilize open-source 3D Design tools: SketchUp and Tynkercad. Students create an online e-portfolio on their own blog/website using Weebly The entire course is interactive, online, and utilizes Moodle with classroom student collaboration and teacher support.
Sample Student Blogs:
Click on images to the right for 3D view!
Design by Jacob E
Design by Mitchell
I've learned a lot about just how creative I can be. I've made bridges and spaceships and sculptures and greenhouses. All of what has been posted on this page has come from my imagination and was only born because of my own creativity. I got to create things in my mind and then apply it to the real life to show my vision to others. I think if you're a creative person who likes working online you should definitely take this class. It's all online, and it gives you another outlet to express your individuality. It's beneficial because you can learn how to create things in depth, not just 2D things. There aren't many classes like this. I liked creating things, but it was challenging trying to share that with a group. Working in groups was hard because we couldn't always reach an agreement on things. I'm most proud of my spaceship because that was genuinely my work and I feel like I put a lot of myself into it. I enjoyed this class a lot. ~Adrianah
This year in my digital design class I worked on creating a video. While working on this video I learned a lot of things. I learned how to edit scenes and add effects to the video. This course was very exciting as I was able to learn new techniques on the computer. When taking this class I learned how helpful it is to have everything prepared before-hand. I also learned how important it is to have an outline for a document or film before you start writing or filming. I would recommend this class to others because it helped me work with a group and this class helped me prepare for the future when I need to work with other people for a job I know how to communicate with others better. I enjoyed that this class gave me new ways to express my thoughts on the computer. What was challenging about this class was working in a team environment with different personalities. I also had to work outside of class to finish my project on time. This class also challenged me by teaching me something that I had no idea on. My greatest achievement in this class is my video. I am most proud of this because I spent a lot of time working on it. I think it is amazing that my team created a video during a trimester! The benefits of taking this class is that I now have more experience in technology which is helpful because the world is evolving into a much more technology based society. Digital design class would benefit others because it would give them background knowledge if they ever wanted to go into the career of designing, engineering or filming. ​~Reagann
Parent permission provided for online use.
Video Production
This course is a project-based learning experience over twelve weeks, that introduces students to the basics of video production. Students work collaboratively in a micro-society learning format taking on various video production roles - director, editor, videographer, lead talent, and supporting talent. Students are blazing a trail by working collaboratively as a team to produce a valuable, authentic video for our greater community. Video editing software is Pinnacle Studio 17.
Student Produced Videos:
Parent permission provided for online use.
Modular Technology
Modular Technology is a project based class. Students rotate through various LabVolt learning modules every 10 days. Modules included Manufacturing and CO2 Car Design, Space and Rocketry, Flight Simulation, Woodworking, Computer Graphics and Design, Engineering, Metals.
Parent permission provided for online use.
MACUL Student Technology Showcase
For several years my students have participated in the Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning (MACUL) Student Technology Showcase. This is hosted in Detroit, Grand Rapids and at the Capitol in Lansing, Michigan. St. Johns Middle School students embrace learning in a totally paperless environment! Both in the classroom and beyond, students access all course material through Moodle. They demonstrate their knowledge and skills on their student-developed Weebly blogs and by completing collaborative projects using applications in Google Drive. Students showcase what they have learned in their Basic and Advanced courses which provide students a scaffold, project/quest-based digital learning experience over twelve weeks. Various projects feature Moodle, Weebly, Google Applications, Bubbl.us, Prezi, Jing, Camtasia, Paint.net, ArtRage Demo, Code .org, Pinnacle Studio, and Scratch.
Parent permission provided for online use regarding all images .
