Pinterest in the Classroom

Pinterest can be helpful when planning a wedding, party, and outfits for the season but Pinterest can also be helpful in the classroom. Because many educators post lesson plans/ideas, it is becoming easier for educators in the same field to share ideas without necessarily sharing the ideas in person. Once an educator 'pins' a lesson plan, teachers all over the world can access the material as well.

For a recent assignment, I used Pinterest to assist in explaining and defining the Elements of Design for students (Family and Consumer Sciences Framework 3.3). I found websites, posters, and images helpful for students to explore. After creating the activity for students, I completed the assignment myself to keep as an example.

To complete this activity, I visited my Pinterest Board: Ed Tech Spring 2014 to learn about the six elements of design. After fully understanding the concept, I explored my dorm to identify one item for each element in his/her house. I documented this by taking picture of each item.

The stairs represent space. 

The pillow represents color. 

The candle represents value. 

The blanket represents lines.

The wall art represents shape. 

The tool on the wreath represents texture. 

After finding each item, I uploaded the pictures to my computer in preparation to make a collage using PowerPoint. I first began with a new PowerPoint. 

I then added all six photos to the page. 

After adding all photos, it was time to rearrange and identify each picture. I used Word Art to add the name of each element in the corresponding location. I also changed the design of the PowerPoint which caused the background color to change. 

Once each step was complete, I had finished the assignment and can now easily identify elements of design. 

Completing the assignment helped me to realize how important the elements of design are when decorating a house. Although each element is different, they each need to correspond to one another so the house is neatly decorated. 

When students complete this assignment they will gain a better understanding of Pinterest, the elements of design, and decorating a house. 

Web 2.0

The closer I get to becoming an educator, the more resources I am exposed to. Cool Tools for Schools has multiple tools that will benefit me when I become a Family and Consumer Sciences teacher. I have searched and found 10 tools that I believe will best serve to help my students, and me as a teacher.

Slideboom is similar to Microsoft PowerPoint but it takes the presentation one step further. After creating a PowerPoint you upload it into slideboom. When it is published in slideboom, web users everywhere can watch your presentation. This would be useful for my classroom because I could embed the presentation into my classroom website or blog. I would give the presentation during class then students could refer back to the web if they have questions when completing homework. 

Haiku learning is a practically a web based classroom. Teachers can upload assignments, videos, or even Google documents for students to access. If the school district doesn’t already have an online grading resource, teachers can use Haiku to manage their student’s grades. This would be useful if I had to miss school one day and have a substitute. I could make arrangements for the students to go to the computer lab and complete an assignment online. If the school district has I Pads, the students could complete the assignment on that too because Haiku has a mobile application.  

 Addict-o-matic is similar to Google or other search engines. One can type in a topic or keyword and find information about it from multiple resources such as: Bing, Twitter, and YouTube. Each resource will give links to different articles related to the topic or keyword entered. I can use Addict-o-matic when I am researching to make a lesson plan. Students could also use this when researching for an assignment.

Clipgenerator is a program that makes video generating easy. From pictures already taken one can make a video with music added. The video will be like a slideshow and continuously play while switching between pictures. In my class (Family and Consumer Sciences) students can use Clipgenerator to show classmates their cooking process. While cooking in class, students will take a picture of each step which will lead to a final product. The students will form the video and show the class so multiple dishes can be made during one class and students can reflect on each video.

Tagul is like Wordle, a previously used resource in my Educational Technology class. One can input words to describe something and it will rearrange them and shape them to the fitted pattern. For example, to symbolize ones love for someone they can pick a heart shape then type words used to describe how they love the person. In my class students will use Tagul to describe themselves. This will allow me to learn about my students without them having to complete one of the dreaded ‘About Me’ worksheets. 

TeacherTube is similar to the familiar YouTube. These resources are very similar except YouTube contains only videos uploaded by educators for educational purposes. The website will most likely not contain inappropriate content so teachers will not have to worry about ads that pop-up. When teaching on the framework that covers sewing TeacherTube will be helpful. I can find a video on ‘How to Thread a Sewing Machine’ and let students watch it instead of doing it in class and hoping all the students around me can see what I am doing. 

Classroom Architect is self-explanatory. With this resource, one can design his/her classroom without having to physically rearrange furniture to see if the design suits their wants and/or needs. The interactive furniture and accessories make it simple to move, rotate, and add items with the click of a mouse. In my classroom I will use the resource to arrange my classroom before the school year. I will also give my students the opportunity to use the resource when we cover the unit on jobs under Family and Consumer Sciences. Students will imagine they are a teacher and create their dream classroom. 

 Sweet Home 3D also allows one to design and arrange a room without the physical lifting. With this resource one can create an imaginary room to visualize what it will look like when trying to decide on paint color, furniture, flooring, and other simple accessories.  This allows for the creativity of the inside or outside of a home. This resource will be helpful in my classroom when covering the framework on interior design. Students will learn the basic principles then put them to test when designing their own room of choice.

Map Skip is a simple resource used to show where a place is located. If ever confused, one can type in the location in the search bar and the map will quickly relocate to your desired location. To see the actual streets of the location one can drag the miniature person and place them on the map to switch the image to what appears to be like Google Earth. Students will use this in my class when researching about other cultures. When giving a presentation on information found, students will type in their location so the class can see for themselves what the atmosphere of the location is like. 

Our Story allows one to create a timeline then share it with others. The timeline can be shared privately or publicly. A significant picture can be added with the date to add personality. I will have students make a timeline of the births of their family members (including the family they live with: mom, dad, stepparents). This will help to compare families and determine the type of family each student has (nuclear, blended, or foster families). 

Hopefully, you now know a little bit more about these 10 resources that I will find most useful when becoming a teacher. Remember: to find other tools for teaching visit

http://cooltoolsforschools.wikispaces.com/

When I made this canvas about a year ago, I immediately hung it in my bedroom above my mirror. It serves as a daily reminder that 'I am Beautiful. I am Valuable. I am Enough' when every piece of social media is telling me I'm not.

Social media has its perks, but one of the main negative effects is teaching girls that they aren't 'good enough' and they can always improve. I am all for working out and maintaining a healthy diet; however, social media shouldn't push girls to strive for unrealistic body images that their "friends" post after they have edited the picture.

Striving for self worth in their body image can cause girls to experiment with many different strategies: dieting, not eating, or seeking attention from someone else will all hurt the girls of our society. The website Just Say Yes states that "70% of 6-12-year-olds want to be thinner". I found this heartbreaking because it shows that our younger generation is not happy with themselves and are already comparing themselves to others at such a young age. 

From a Christian perspective, it's so easy to tell ourselves that we're "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalms 139:14) but until we truly believe it, we won't be content with ourselves.
 HOW OUR BODY-IMAGE STRUGGLES GIVE UP GROUND TO THE ENEMY is a great article to read and meditate on to determine if you really struggle with your body image and why you do. 

New to This

My cat, Harley and me.

I've never written a blog before, and never really thought I wanted to.. until it became an assignment for class. I've always liked the idea of blogging and keeping up with a journal, I've just never made myself do it.

With all that, my name is Kylan Helmbeck (Kylan Emelia Helmbeck--if we're getting technical) and I am a college student.  I have spent the first 18 years of my life in Cabot, Arkansas and it wasn't until I came to Henderson State University that I moved to Arkadelphia, Arkansas where I have been for almost 2 years now. If you assumed, yes you are correct, I am a Sophomore. I am majoring in Family and Consumer Sciences Education which will one day help me to be a teacher in a small town in Arkansas or possibly internationally one day.

With a brother, and two stepsisters my family can be crazy at times but I wouldn't change it for anything. They are all very supportive and I am so thankful because I know not all students are supported  by their parents. When I wanted to go on my first international mission trip they were a little skeptical at first but in the end they have supported me on my three international trips: South Africa, Haiti, and China. My relationship and want to share with others about Christ is a very big influence in my life. Any time away from school I get, I have a trip planned. This Spring Break I will be going to Arlington, TX to help serve at "Mission Arlington" and this summer I will be working at Camp War Eagle as a crafts counselor. I know God is working in my life and can't wait to see what he has in store next!