Day 4: Coal Mine

Today, we went on a field trip to a coal mine in MS. One of our objectives is to learn about the skills our students need to possess in order to obtain employment in a mine. The experience was amazing. I was expecting the coal to be located much deeper in the ground. Apparently the depositional events in this area of the US were not very deep over the last 55 millions of years. I'm going to bring our earth science classes here!

Day 4: Looking Forward

Tomorrow we are going on a field trip to Red Hill Mine in Ackerman, MS, and lunch is provided!

Day 3: MDE Presentation

The presentation from the guy from MDE this morning has been the most informative session yet. I learned how to incorporate the MS-CCRS standards in my subject area. Considering that I have never received common core training, this was exciting.

The "geocashing" exercise was fun. I can see the application to many of our science classes at SHS. I may use this if when I get to the plant unit.

This day has been the best yet, and I am looking forward to the rest of the experiences we will have this month.

Gaming is something that I have avoided, because it usually devolves into chaos quickly. In my experience, the students are engaged and still get too rowdy. I am a not a controlled chaos kinda guy, so I just avoid online games. I pledge to use gaming at least twice during the semester in my classes this year.

Special thanks and shout out to the professors who are sharing their time and expertise with us! It is much appreciated!

Day 2: Google Earth and Google Maps

So we did do science today! I wanted to dork out about Google Earth while in Mitchell Memorial Library. I've played on it before, but I definitely see application to Biology II. This can really be fun to plan and implement Google Earth activities once I get past the cell bio part of the course. This would have been more applicable to the way I have previously taught the course, but we should still have time at the end of the course in the fall. I have really enjoyed Dr. Sherman-Morris' sessions today.

There was one part of this day that was not helpful. The afternoon lecture on civil rights history suffered an ill-prepared, unskilled presenter. While this lecturer was invited and not part of the GAETI staff, this time could have been better spent.

Day 2: Looking forward

This morning I am no longer as worried about being a student for this month. I always approach life with a certain measure of trepidation, but, as usual, that apprehension dissipates once I become an active participant. I know that we are doing science this week, but I'm not sure if that will happen today. Either I didn't pay close enough attention when I was informed of today's itinerary, or I just forgot. Both are equally likely with me.

Day 1: Magnolia Database

Today was the first day of GAETI 2015. I have forgotten what it is like to be a students, but it quickly came back to me. Today has tired me out, but it was informative. Learning that the Magnolia Database is free to taxpayers was the highlight for me. Since I have not been a college student in years, I haven't had the nice free access to research articles that I enjoyed in those 9 short years. Apparently, I've had the ability to access the database but not the knowledge that such access was available. My excitement stems from the ability to locate readings for my Biology II students on a wide range of concepts relating to our standards. By teaching my students to use this database, they will be better able to research topics on their own.

After today, I know that this institute workshop will be beneficial to me and my students. I can hardly wait to learn about new instructional technologies to employ in my classroom. While I have attended other technology workshops, the GAETI workshop is different. We will have time to learn new technologies and gain hands-on experience with these technologies. This will make the difference for me in learning and using these technologies in my classroom