Blog Post #7

What Can be Learned from Conversations with Anthony Capps?
Author: Victoria Williams, Phillip Hall, and Duane Nelson (Collaborative)

What is project based learning? How can it be used effectively in the classroom? Can a teacher that uses project based learning confirm that this form of learning is more effective? These are all questions that many may have questions when thinking about Project Based Learning. These questions can be easily answered in the interview Dr. Strange held with Anthony Capps Project Based Learning 1 - Experiences of a 3rd Grade Teacher and the conversation continues with Project Based Learning 2- Experiences of a 3rd Grade Teacher. Anthony Capps is a 3rd grade teacher in Baldwin County in Gulf Shores. Mr. Capps uses projects as a method in which students learn. Anthony Capps said it best when he said "It is not only a means to show students of what they have achieved but a method used to teach students how to learn. As Anthony Capps said " Project based learning allows children to engage in learning.  Project based learning allows students to get excited about what they are learning and giving students the opportunity to OWN what they have created through the learning process. The goal of a good project is one that has an authentic audience (so that the kids are rewarded for the work that they do and motivated to do good work). One that has student interest and is relative to the student's life. The best is to have the project relate to the community some how because it relates to the real world experience. Students are driven by content. Content standards that are based from the ACCRS, which is the content the state expects each grade level to know." Project based learning is the MOST effective way for students to LEARN. It has been proven by many including Confucius and Aristotle who first practiced project based learning. Students LEARN more when they are learning by doing, and having a hands-on experience.

iCurio in the Classroom

Mr. Capps presents a fabulous way to incorporate iCurio in our future classrooms. This can be found by watching the interview Dr. Strange had with Anthony Capps iCurio. What is iCurio?How do we allow our students with the opportunity to search through the internet for projects? iCurio easily provides a safe search engine and prevents children from viewing things that are inappropriate. When using iCurio as a search engine in the classroom it allows students to not only be able to view text but also images and videos as well. iCurio possess a storage capacity that allows students and teachers to store material that they find valuable. iCurio is a very effective way for students to easily organize their work. Anthony Capps brought up a resourceful tip when he mentioned that in the classroom their are sudden changes that cause students to have to come to a complete stop. This means having to stop and go to lunch, or recess, ect. iCurio presents students with the opportunity to pick up exactly where the student left off and saves the progress that each student has made. iCurio is also a wonderful tool for ALL students including students who face disabilities. For example, iCurio make this possible by providing opportunities where students can click a button and hear the material read out loud. This is a wonderful tool to use for someone who faces challenges with reading or someone who is blind. iCurio incorporates diversity into the classroom and provides students with individual resources, which they can use to learn.

Discovery Education in the Classroom

Anthony Capps reviews how to use Discovery Education in the classroom in Dr. Strange's interview Discovery Ed. What is Discovery Ed? Discovery Education is a beautiful resource in project based learning. Anthony Capps said "Well, I think there is a phrase 'a picture is worth 1,000 words, and a video is worth a million. Discovery Ed is worth every but of that!" Discovery education provides the text book to come to life through videos and pictures. It could not have been said clearer when Mr. Capps said "Discovery Ed brings other people into the classroom via video". Dr. Strange made a wonderful point when stating "Often times students learn by listening and watching versus reading and writing due to the technology that is accessible to our students and society." Discovery Ed is a program that goes hand in hand with reading and allows the experience of reading to be more enjoyable process. For example, Discovery ed gives students the opportunity to watch a video on sharks instead of just listening about sharks, they are provided the resource to WATCH how sharks react in real life. We are sure that this provides a wonderful experience for students and gives them the opportunity to learn through Project based learning. Discovery Education allows students to learn in a fun and exciting way, one process in which many of us were not given the opportunity to learn as a child.




Additional Thought About lessons

Author: Phillip Hall





Anthony stated that a lesson is 4 layers thick. The first layer of a lesson consist of the school year the teacher has to work with. As an educator, ask yourself, how will you incorporate all the content standards, and have you written a map that makes sure all the standards get covered. The second part of a lesson is the unit size. The unit size is a layer within the first part of the lesson. You should unfold the unit into a stair step, which stretches the lessons out to make it easier for the students to comprehend. The objective of the stair step is not throwing all the material at them at once. This layer should be meaningful and connected in some way. As you approach the end of the lesson the students should be able to master the outcome which should take 6-8 weeks. The third layer is a week scale. You should ask yourself, how are you devising your week? So that you can accomplish day by day goals for that week. The final layer consists of daily lessons. Daily plan's are how you deliver the lesson to your students that particular day. Daily lessons should catch the students attention and engage them to learn for that day. At the end of the day, you should measure what they've learned during that day to know where to pick up on the lesson the next day. All these components are equally important to making a great lesson.




Preparing yourself as a Teacher

Author: Duane Nelson



There are many aspects that all future teachers should follow to prepare themselves as a successful educator. Anthony Capps and Dr. Strange provided many great tips and points as a guideline that will help up and coming teachers in the classroom. Many great tips when preparing oneself as an excellent educator are as follows :

• Be a Constant Learner- All teachers should keep the drive of constantly wanting to learn even after becoming an educator.


• Teaching Never Ends- Remember when working and playing work is not separate from play. Hard work is very rewarding for you and your students.


• Be Flexible- Always keep an open mind when teaching because the unexpected will happen.


• Start with a Goal- Always have a lesson plan so you can reach your achievements.


• Engage 100% of your Students 100% of the Time in 100% of their Projects- As an educator you should constantly figure new ways of keeping the students interested in the subject topics.


• Reflect, Revise, and Share Work with an Audience- When producing a topic in a curriculum setting a teacher should always review and edit their work multiple times before sharing to the class.

Don’t Teach Tech – Use It

Author: Collaborative Duane Nelson, Victoria Williams, Phillip Hall



Technology in the classroom is still a controversial topic even in this modern age. Technology should not be a question on use but a necessity that all students should be able to have access to on a daily basis. Regardless of high income or low income areas technology is present in a student’s everyday life. When using technology in the classroom allow the student to explore the device and learn on their own. At this time of age, technology is natural for students and they will enjoy the curriculum even more. Referred to by Anthony Capps technology should not be taught as part of the curriculum but used during the curriculum. This will let students use their own thought process and ideas to create an original made project. By letting the students work off their own skills students will be proud of what they have achieved and will proud of their new skills. Hopefully sometime in the near future technology will be used as an everyday tool in the educational setting.