Blog/ Vlog Week 6:

Final Blog Post:

So far, throughout my genius hour project, I have gathered all of the necessary materials for completing this project. I have managed to use both a wooden, and composite hockey stick for comparison within my project. In the picture below, you can notice that I am using a composite
stick while playing hockey (I'm the goalie). I compared my rebound performance within playoffs, using both a wooden and composite stick. The timeline I originally planned was not long enough to properly test both types of sticks. It was also not long enough for each deadline to be met, having to resort to my past experiences for information. My Genius Hour project did not go along my original plans, and I had to change my time line frequently in order to progress. I have learned that that using a wooden hockey stick is more efficient, however using a composite stick compliments my style of player more. I have also realized that I was one of the causes for the "Wooden Hockey Stick" to become extinct. I overall plan to use the results I got from my project, and make a informed choice on my next hockey stick purchase.  


Heartwell, (2015)

Blog/ Vlog Week 5:

Week 5:

          Today I learned that my topic has a lot information regarding the gradual loss of wooden hockey sticks within the NHL. I also learned about the production of both wooden and composite sticks, which can be viewed on my "Movie Trailer". I never realized that the production of composite sticks were a two piece construction, only attaching the two pieces with resin, glue, and pressure. I also learned that with the production of wooden sticks, there is no two wooden sticks that are made the same. Like every tree, every wooden hockey stick is different. This was also found to be a reason why the professionals switched to composite, for the certainty of reproducing their stick with their specific specifications.
         
          What I learned about myself today was that I am a lot slower with technology than others. It took me a lot longer to complete the required tasks online than others because I tend to make sure I know what I am doing before I complete the task. I also think everyone was rushing out because it was the start of their reading week.

         Where do I go from here? Last week I took a slap shot to the shaft of my stick and it cracked. I will need to replace that stick, and I think I am going to make the switch to wooden hockey sticks. Being a goalie, a lot of goalies switched to the use of wooden sticks over composite sticks, the exact opposite of what is happening with players in the NHL. I will have to research more on the various wooden sticks I can choose from, and make the best decision off of that.

Have a great Thanks Giving!

Blog/ Vlog Post: Week 4

Reflection:
         Reflecting on what I learned about my topic today, I noticed that there were a lot of resources on my topic "Who Killed the Wooden Hockey Stick". This was more of a relief to myself, feeling relaxed and knowing that my topic was validated, and I can do a Genius Hour on it. I also learned that beyond the scope of myself physically relating to the topic, I could write about how in all of the current video games, every single hockey player is represented with a composite hockey stick.

         Today I discovered that my composite goalie stick was in fact broken, realizing that both the hockey sticks I use are in fact both broken. Luckily, my hockey club will cover the cost of my sticks, however I am stuck with my broken sticks until the season begins.

         My future direction regarding Genius Hour is to obtain a new hockey stick, and I need to decide whether or not I go for quantity or quality, getting 1 composite stick or 3 wooden sticks. These sticks range from the price of $120-320, and I am leaning towards the $300 dollar stick. This project is now costing me money. I would have had to get a new stick anyways, so regardless of this project I would have had to get a new one. I am very optimistic to find out what stick I find better, and the reasons why, instead of a status thing.

Week 4: It's not a Box

'Not a Box'

         This picture I drew, represents the creativity I got from viewing the video Taylor showed us about 'not being a box'. It represents a big question mark in the middle of the box, revealing that the box can be/mean anything to anyone, having unlimited possibilities of what it could become. I put a rocket ship and a castle, showing that it can be anything to anyone. 

Importance of Creativity:

         Creativity is becoming more and more important as we enter this technological age. It reveals that kids reveal themselves creatively through technology. It means that I have to become a more creative teacher, allowing the students to reveal themselves more so than before. 

Blog/ Vlog: Week 3

Reflection on Genius Hour:

        After attending week 3 EDBE 8Y08, I reflected on my Genius Hour Project proposal and noticed that I had not done a lot research on my project. The topic I chose was "Who Killed the Wooden Hockey Stick?" which I can strongly relate to, playing hockey for the past 18 years of my life. Over that time period, I have used both wooden and composite goalie sticks while playing hockey. Over the years I developed a preference for composite goalie sticks, however I never wondered why I developed this preference. Even though I have not researched a lot, I have gone out and experimented with the different types of hockey sticks I own.

       What I want the instructor to know about my project progress is that I have used both types of sticks, and that I already have a preference for one stick. I will be using both of my goalie sticks in my subsequent practices, however one stick is longer than the other and throws my game off. What I learned about my topic today was that during practice, I noticed that the composite stick had a really big "rebound kick" which meant that as soon as the puck hit the stick it came off my stick extremely quick. This learning experience gives me the chance to really examine the type of style I play hockey, and also gives me the chance to improve my overall game in the future.

     What I learned today about myself was that I already have a preference for a certain type of stick, regardless of any research. I noticed that I developed this preference most likely 10 years into my hockey career and I have never looked back. As I reflect upon this choice, I remember when the company "KOHO" stopped making my favorite type of stick and I was forced to switch the type and style of stick I had been using for so many years before. I then reflected on how each of my "favorite types of wooden "Sherwood" sticks had been discontinued after a few years, which subsequently forced me to use a composite stick from then on.

     Where I am going from here is to use my wooden hockey stick in practice, and examine how different the "rebound kick" is compared to my composite hockey stick. This will be difficult because the stick is longer than my original stick, and will throw off the height at which I keep my blocker hand. Regardless of this minor set back, I will have to experiment and compare my findings coming up with the best type and style of stick for my playing style.

Digizen Work

What I learned about Copyright:

Copyright can be defined as a legal right that grants the owner/ attributor of an original work, exclusive rights to the use and distribution of that work. I found out that copyright is an extremely important factor when trying to protect anything that you produced or call your own. The most interesting fact I found out about this Copyright Act was that "the works of others should not be used without their permission unless the use is permitted by the Copyright Act. I also found out that this Copyright Act is permitted from grades K-12, meaning that this Act applies to Kindergarteners as well.

Bloggerwits. (2014). Google Images [Online Image]
Retrieved From: http://www.bloggerwits.net/

What would be most important to teach my students about copyright?

I think the most important facts to teach my students about the Copyright Acts are the specific limitations this Act has on reproducing someone else's work. I feel like an overview/ brief quiz of what constitutes plagiarism and what does not, and how it is related to the Copyright Act will need to be addressed.

Three girls using the computer at the grand opening. (2009, August 29). Flickr [Online Image].
Retrieved From: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sanjoselibrary/3887312861/sizes/l/

Hello Everybody! Welcome to my Educational Blog.

Hello Everybody. Welcome to my Educational Blog


A little bit about myself:


University Experience:
- I am currently a Brock Teacher's College candidate
- I am from Mississauga Ontario, currently living in Thorold Ontario
- I completed my undergrad at Brock University, Bachelors of Kinesiology BKin. Honours


Recent Sporting Experiences:


Hockey:
- Jr. B in the GOJHL Welland Jr. Canadians (2013-2014)
- Sr. A at Hamilton Steelhawks (2015-2016)


Recent Travels:


- Nova Scotia, PEI
- British Columbia, Big White
- Mexico, Cancun


Expectations:


Within the next  two years, I hope to gain an educational background at Brock University with teacher's college. I hope to foster my teaching abilities, and hopefully be hired by a school board.