Saturday, July 23, 2011
Sunday, July 17, 2011
blog post 14
For the choice of this blog I chose to read Psuedoteaching: MIT Physics. We will start out with the question of " What is Psuedoteaching?" Psuedoteaching is when you yourself as a teacher are giving a lecture and just feel as if it is so phenomenal and that your students are getting a great lesson taught to them and yet you look at your students and realize that they have not comprehended one word that you have just said. Bummer huh?! I am a hands on learner and sitting through class lectures does not help me. Seeing a teacher actually do what is being taught helps me learn better. When I think back of high school, I had many psuedoteachers. I would always wonder, "well they showed me in class how come I STILL don't get it?!" Pure example now that I look back.
In this blog was given an example teacher and video of Professor Walter Lewin who teaches Physics at MIT demonstrating some excellent lectures and movements of Physics. Lewin put in 40 hours for one lecture and would then practice the lecture and demonstrations three times before doing it in front of his students. For all the time put into the lectures you would think that the students would have gotten something out of it, but they didn't. With Lewin's attendance rate dropping everyday don't you wonder if he ever thought to himself of why it was dropping.
What did MIT do about the large percentage of drop rates and failing? They created TEAL, which stands for Technology Enhanced Active Learning. With the usage of TEAL, the classrooms got rid of chalk boards and replaced them with white boards. With the white boards the students would also have white boards and be able to interact with the teacher and work problems out and such. With the help of white boards, being a visual learner like myself is better for learning than just hearing what should be done.
I think that with students being interactive in the classroom environment it will make them want to learn. Even with SMART boards today and being in the classroom when the teachers use them, the students are eager to get up and go answer a question or move something or write on it! Having students sit at their desk for seven hours of their day and being taught bores them. Children have very little attention spans, but having the children interacting with you while you do your lecture or lesson is what will make the students more involved. I say all of this now, and hope that I stick to my word in having children being involved in the classroom and me not falling back into the category of a psuedoteacher. Wish me luck guys!
In this blog was given an example teacher and video of Professor Walter Lewin who teaches Physics at MIT demonstrating some excellent lectures and movements of Physics. Lewin put in 40 hours for one lecture and would then practice the lecture and demonstrations three times before doing it in front of his students. For all the time put into the lectures you would think that the students would have gotten something out of it, but they didn't. With Lewin's attendance rate dropping everyday don't you wonder if he ever thought to himself of why it was dropping.
What did MIT do about the large percentage of drop rates and failing? They created TEAL, which stands for Technology Enhanced Active Learning. With the usage of TEAL, the classrooms got rid of chalk boards and replaced them with white boards. With the white boards the students would also have white boards and be able to interact with the teacher and work problems out and such. With the help of white boards, being a visual learner like myself is better for learning than just hearing what should be done.
I think that with students being interactive in the classroom environment it will make them want to learn. Even with SMART boards today and being in the classroom when the teachers use them, the students are eager to get up and go answer a question or move something or write on it! Having students sit at their desk for seven hours of their day and being taught bores them. Children have very little attention spans, but having the children interacting with you while you do your lecture or lesson is what will make the students more involved. I say all of this now, and hope that I stick to my word in having children being involved in the classroom and me not falling back into the category of a psuedoteacher. Wish me luck guys!
Friday, July 15, 2011
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Final Report on PLN
I would have never known that something such as a PLN even existed. Even being able to open Safari and my own personalized Symbaloo comes up as my home page with my most frequently visited web sites helps tremendously. Having all of those web sites such as EDM 310 class blog page, my own blog, Facebook, Twitter, Tweet Deck, Compass, all of my e-mail accounts, and other websites that I visit frequently. Having this also makes me think that I could personalize a symbaloo for school websites, such as blogs, and other websites that I have found that can be helpful in the classroom. Having a PLN is something that I would have never gotten if it were not for EDM class.
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C4T4
For this comment for teachers blog I was assigned to Hadley J's blog of Middle School Matrix. The first blog entry that caught my eye to read was "If I Could Craft Your Summer." In this entry she has put together a wish list and a list of goals for her students over the summer. Her first wish is for boredom and silence for her students because she thinks that activities are always filling the students minds, and they need to just clear their minds for once and use their imagination. The next two Hadley wants her students to take time out of their day to go outside and just listen to nature itself and for the students to read whatever they please for five to fifteen minutes daily. The last wish is for her students to have fun and just relax and enjoy your time off from school. For my comment, I agreed that those few wishes she had are something that every student should fulfill during their summer time. Kids enjoy being on the go all the time and playing sports, but every once in a while students need the rest and relaxation of not being in school.
For my second time to go back to Hadley's blog, I decided to read her entry " The Unknown World of The Encyclopedia." In this blog she has given her students three people to think of who they would like to research.They end up at the library for her students to explore in books and what not to narrow their searches. Come to find out when she would tell her students to look it up in an Encyclopedia or World Book they would steer away from the book shelf because it was all one click away on the computer. She then tells the students the Encyclopedias are just like wikipedia and they get excited and start to use them. She said in a couple years we went from teaching and looking up things in books to now using the internet. She is totally true, who wants to get an Encyclopedia when they can stay in the same place they are and look it up on their phone or laptop?! Technology is taking over everything including the schools, so yes books may still be helpful but with technology it is faster and what most people prefer.
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For my second time to go back to Hadley's blog, I decided to read her entry " The Unknown World of The Encyclopedia." In this blog she has given her students three people to think of who they would like to research.They end up at the library for her students to explore in books and what not to narrow their searches. Come to find out when she would tell her students to look it up in an Encyclopedia or World Book they would steer away from the book shelf because it was all one click away on the computer. She then tells the students the Encyclopedias are just like wikipedia and they get excited and start to use them. She said in a couple years we went from teaching and looking up things in books to now using the internet. She is totally true, who wants to get an Encyclopedia when they can stay in the same place they are and look it up on their phone or laptop?! Technology is taking over everything including the schools, so yes books may still be helpful but with technology it is faster and what most people prefer.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
blog post 13!
While watching "Top Ten Tips For Using Technology in The Classroom," it only made me realize how important technology is in the classroom. This video also proves to me that I will be able to apply the technology and the ten tips into my own classroom. Also in this video it backups everything that Dr. Strange has taught us in EDM 310. From watching this video and almost completing EDM it helps me have a better understanding of how technology is to be used in the classroom.
For a few of his tips I agree with using Skype and music. Not that I don't agree, with the other eight tips but I am all for introducing and including music and Skype into my classroom. I have said before in many of my blog post that I want a "buddy class" for the usage of Skype. Ever since watching the one class Skype with another and make poems via Skype on a teachers blog I was assigned to, I have been fascinated. I wish as if I could go into the classroom now and start it. With music, it is a great way for the students to get motivated in doing their work. Even having music for a quick dance, or even the Alphabet song, the students will be involved because anything is better than sitting at a desk for seven or eight hours straight. Using technology in the classroom can be entertaining but also help you achieve the goals you want to achieve in your lesson plans. Technology is great, where would we be without it?!
For a few of his tips I agree with using Skype and music. Not that I don't agree, with the other eight tips but I am all for introducing and including music and Skype into my classroom. I have said before in many of my blog post that I want a "buddy class" for the usage of Skype. Ever since watching the one class Skype with another and make poems via Skype on a teachers blog I was assigned to, I have been fascinated. I wish as if I could go into the classroom now and start it. With music, it is a great way for the students to get motivated in doing their work. Even having music for a quick dance, or even the Alphabet song, the students will be involved because anything is better than sitting at a desk for seven or eight hours straight. Using technology in the classroom can be entertaining but also help you achieve the goals you want to achieve in your lesson plans. Technology is great, where would we be without it?!
Sunday, July 10, 2011
blog post 12
Read Education World: Integrating Technology in the Classroom: It takes more than just having computers. and of the twenty ways that it list to integrate technology into the classroom, pick a minimum of three and describe why you chose each.
After reading this article, it has come to make me realize that something as small as the weather can be shown to the students with technology and that it may actually be more enjoyable than the pictures that you have in your classroom for the weather. For the ones that I chose that would be interesting but yet fun for the students would be; provide online reading comprehension practice, access an online weather forecast, introduce a word of the day, provide a URL in the place of a quote, and send the students off with a smile. For the first one of providing online comprehension practice, I chose this one because I was and still am a student who has to read something many times in order to comprehend it. I like to be hands on in class, and not "burp back the material" as Dr. Strange says. I feel as if there are many students who are just like myself, but yet feel as if they can not pass anything because they do not get the material right away like others and they actually have to work for their grades. Having the help and practice online, may help and ease themselves in knowing that they may be able to comprehend and learn better with practice. For the second one of accessing an online weather forecast, I think that would be great. I have already decided that I would like a "buddy class" to Skype with, and how awesome would it be if they were somewhere up North, and we could compare our weather forecast to how theirs is?! I feel as if the students would find it interesting that we may be in a sweater, when they are bundled up in a snow storm. For the word of the day, I think that is a great idea whether technology is around or not. Just being able to introduce a new word to the students and enhance and broaden their vocabulary is a small step, but in the end it will pay off. I am one for having quotes everywhere; in my car, my room, Facebook, everywhere. I love to be surrounded by positive things, and having positive quotes in the classroom may make the students feel as if they can do whatever they put their minds too. For the last one of send your students off with a smile, just to end the day off on a good note tell the students a joke and get a laugh or two out of them. Lighten the mood for the students know that it is almost time to go home. I am so glad I found this website because with the twenty ways listed and then over fifty other websites that you can go to and visit for other ways is awesome and I plan on bookmarking it and using it when I get into the classroom atmosphere.
After reading this article, it has come to make me realize that something as small as the weather can be shown to the students with technology and that it may actually be more enjoyable than the pictures that you have in your classroom for the weather. For the ones that I chose that would be interesting but yet fun for the students would be; provide online reading comprehension practice, access an online weather forecast, introduce a word of the day, provide a URL in the place of a quote, and send the students off with a smile. For the first one of providing online comprehension practice, I chose this one because I was and still am a student who has to read something many times in order to comprehend it. I like to be hands on in class, and not "burp back the material" as Dr. Strange says. I feel as if there are many students who are just like myself, but yet feel as if they can not pass anything because they do not get the material right away like others and they actually have to work for their grades. Having the help and practice online, may help and ease themselves in knowing that they may be able to comprehend and learn better with practice. For the second one of accessing an online weather forecast, I think that would be great. I have already decided that I would like a "buddy class" to Skype with, and how awesome would it be if they were somewhere up North, and we could compare our weather forecast to how theirs is?! I feel as if the students would find it interesting that we may be in a sweater, when they are bundled up in a snow storm. For the word of the day, I think that is a great idea whether technology is around or not. Just being able to introduce a new word to the students and enhance and broaden their vocabulary is a small step, but in the end it will pay off. I am one for having quotes everywhere; in my car, my room, Facebook, everywhere. I love to be surrounded by positive things, and having positive quotes in the classroom may make the students feel as if they can do whatever they put their minds too. For the last one of send your students off with a smile, just to end the day off on a good note tell the students a joke and get a laugh or two out of them. Lighten the mood for the students know that it is almost time to go home. I am so glad I found this website because with the twenty ways listed and then over fifty other websites that you can go to and visit for other ways is awesome and I plan on bookmarking it and using it when I get into the classroom atmosphere.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
final project progress report
For the final project I am in a group with Emily Kinney and Christy Hayes. We have yet to decide on what we are going to do but are meeting Monday to talk it over and start working on our project. We plan to meet as much as we can when we all are not working to get the project completed before it is due!
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
blog post 11!
Little Kids... Big Potential
Watching this video about Mrs. Cassidy's First Grade classroom made me think that anything is possible. When first starting EDM 310 I was doubtful in the way that such young students would be able to use technology like we use today, but by watching this video it proved me wrong. In Mrs. Cassidy her students are working with blogs, wikis, webpages, Nintendo DS, making videos and also Skyping to share with others there education progress. On the students blogs they do their classwork and even show improvement by each blog. With the students being able to blog they said other family members such as uncles and grandparents could see their progress in their school work. What an awesome idea! Not only on their blog, but Mrs. Cassidy has the student webpage and the students can go to it and click on the many exercises that are listed and they can work them at their own pace. For the students to have other classroom blogs and classrooms that they Skype with and share their ideas really shows collaboration with others, which is never a bad thing. The students to seem to really enjoy working and being engaged in activity with technology. Their progress for only being in the first grade is also about the same level that I am on in college. Also, Mrs. Cassidy went outside of the regular teaching methods, and I am sure that the students enjoy being able to use all of the technology.
Skype Interview with Mrs. Cassidy
While watching the Skype interview, it seems as if Mrs. Cassidy is all about her students learning how to properly use technology to learn in the classroom. She went to many lengths for technology to be used in the classroom, which means she was determined for her students to have and learn it. Mrs. Cassidy also says that "students and technology go hand in hand." I think she is correct, and that students do begin to shut down with learning the old way with books and paper and pencil. She is also very cautious of how her students do their blogs and the information that they display. She does not allow the students to post pictures with their face, but yet mix up the pictures with the students names. With the approach that she takes to technology she is very cautious and does not seem as if she will be letting technology go in her classroom, but only further more use it.
Using blogs and webpages seems to be a great idea while in the classroom. I like the idea of using the webpage and the students being allowed to go home and work on the lessons at their own pace. I also really LOVE the idea of using Skype. I hope that in my classroom I will be able to find a classroom that could be our "buddy class" and we could Skype maybe once a week to see what is happening. Sharing ideas is something that I think can help further education and just our own learning purposes by others. I hope that my classroom can be half of the classroom, speaking about technology, as Mrs. Cassidy's classroom is.
Watching this video about Mrs. Cassidy's First Grade classroom made me think that anything is possible. When first starting EDM 310 I was doubtful in the way that such young students would be able to use technology like we use today, but by watching this video it proved me wrong. In Mrs. Cassidy her students are working with blogs, wikis, webpages, Nintendo DS, making videos and also Skyping to share with others there education progress. On the students blogs they do their classwork and even show improvement by each blog. With the students being able to blog they said other family members such as uncles and grandparents could see their progress in their school work. What an awesome idea! Not only on their blog, but Mrs. Cassidy has the student webpage and the students can go to it and click on the many exercises that are listed and they can work them at their own pace. For the students to have other classroom blogs and classrooms that they Skype with and share their ideas really shows collaboration with others, which is never a bad thing. The students to seem to really enjoy working and being engaged in activity with technology. Their progress for only being in the first grade is also about the same level that I am on in college. Also, Mrs. Cassidy went outside of the regular teaching methods, and I am sure that the students enjoy being able to use all of the technology.
Skype Interview with Mrs. Cassidy
While watching the Skype interview, it seems as if Mrs. Cassidy is all about her students learning how to properly use technology to learn in the classroom. She went to many lengths for technology to be used in the classroom, which means she was determined for her students to have and learn it. Mrs. Cassidy also says that "students and technology go hand in hand." I think she is correct, and that students do begin to shut down with learning the old way with books and paper and pencil. She is also very cautious of how her students do their blogs and the information that they display. She does not allow the students to post pictures with their face, but yet mix up the pictures with the students names. With the approach that she takes to technology she is very cautious and does not seem as if she will be letting technology go in her classroom, but only further more use it.
Using blogs and webpages seems to be a great idea while in the classroom. I like the idea of using the webpage and the students being allowed to go home and work on the lessons at their own pace. I also really LOVE the idea of using Skype. I hope that in my classroom I will be able to find a classroom that could be our "buddy class" and we could Skype maybe once a week to see what is happening. Sharing ideas is something that I think can help further education and just our own learning purposes by others. I hope that my classroom can be half of the classroom, speaking about technology, as Mrs. Cassidy's classroom is.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
special assignment 2
Part 1
The Khan Academy is a "free world-class education for anyone anywhere". One day he was teaching cousin and thought that it would be more useful and time consuming if he could put his lecture on the internet for others to see and his cousin to view on his own time. So he did and the number of views of his lectures starting growing. He created the Kahn Academy, after himself and now creates videos on certain topics and posts them for others to see for free.
iTunesU is similar to YouTube and also the Khan Academy. On iTunesU you can upload your own videos and lectures for others to see such as; teachers, students, faculty of schools, and anyone interested in it. For viewing purposes you can upload or import the videos to your iPod, iPad, MacBooks etc, and also your iPhone.
TED was started as technology, entertainment and design being brought together as one. TED main focus is " Ideas Worth Spreading." TED also has a wide variety of topics to chose from since their is to change the lives of others.
Part 2
TED seems as if it would brighten up a lecture. With the many different options and genres of videos on the website it makes each lecture seem a bit more interesting as if the teacher were teaching it because it is someone different. Another positive thing about TED is that the material may be more up-to-date with the time and have correct facts and entertain and even teach you the teacher something new.
With Kahn Academy, the first thing that comes to mind is parents being involved while the students are at home doing their homework. With this the parents can watch and help their children to understand and comprehend the concept that is being taught in the video. Also with Kahn Academy, the lessons are stacked on to one another so once a lesson is learned and the concept is grasped the student can move on to the next. Great building blocks where the material is not all thrown in your face at one big time.
On iTunesU any of the schools and resources on the list can be viewed or heard as far as the lectures go. Along with the other two, they all share the same concept of sharing lectures and educating students online. With any of the three they may also be used for those who have missed class, or who did not understand the lesson the first time, they can go back and watch or listen as many times as needed until they find the point the lecture is trying to get across.
Part 3
For TED, I watched as Michelle Obama went to the United Kingdom to share her plea for education. I could have watched a school lesson, but was more interested to see what she had to say about education. Michelle Obama Plea on Education. In this video Mrs. Obama is talking to an all girls school about how they need to start taking school more seriously because they are the new future and that they are the age that is going to change the education gap in what it was and what it should be. Michelle thinks that women help make a difference in the education department and most everything such as family, and jobs.
Age Word Problem by Mr. Kahn is the video I chose to watch from Kahn Academy. I chose this problem because these problems to me seem more than Algebra, but also a great brain runner. While watching this video, I had to actually get a piece of paper and a pen to do the work myself. These problems would be great brain warm ups or a quiz at beginning of class for students to keep as bonus points for when they please. I think that when students have to use their brains with problems such as these that it actually gets their brains started and thinking.
On iTunesU, I chose to watch "Digital Art." It was a project that the children got to chose their own pictures, add a little spunk to them, and make them into CD covers, TShirts, and other items that pictures can be screened or drawn onto. The idea behind this video was for the students to use their creativity while coming up with something that they enjoyed and thought looked great but still be able to use the different art tools and technology used today.
Part 4 and 5
For iTunesU, it seemed a bit complex for me to navigate through, but that is because I have not spent all the time in the world exploring it, but with all of the different topics and channels to chose from the possibilities are endless. For the Kahn Academy it is hands on done step by step, well in the few math ones that I have watched they were, and very detailed where maybe the "slower learners" could get on and actually comprehend the material. TED being with such a wide horizon makes the possibilities endless on what topic to do and also to see what others may think of the topic you are learning or teaching but yes also being critiqued by others. This assignment surprised me, but at the same time it didn't. Without this class I feel as if I would be slacking in the technology department in my classroom. This class has opened up my eyes and broadened my horizon to things and technology that I would have never thought would. For instance this project and reading teachers blogs and reading the input that they get from others can be so uplifting at times. Anyone can be a teacher, you just have to believe in yourself. This project has made me want to try out some lectures, put them onto iTunesU and put them on my iPod just to see what it is like. I can not wait to try.
The Khan Academy is a "free world-class education for anyone anywhere". One day he was teaching cousin and thought that it would be more useful and time consuming if he could put his lecture on the internet for others to see and his cousin to view on his own time. So he did and the number of views of his lectures starting growing. He created the Kahn Academy, after himself and now creates videos on certain topics and posts them for others to see for free.
iTunesU is similar to YouTube and also the Khan Academy. On iTunesU you can upload your own videos and lectures for others to see such as; teachers, students, faculty of schools, and anyone interested in it. For viewing purposes you can upload or import the videos to your iPod, iPad, MacBooks etc, and also your iPhone.
TED was started as technology, entertainment and design being brought together as one. TED main focus is " Ideas Worth Spreading." TED also has a wide variety of topics to chose from since their is to change the lives of others.
Part 2
TED seems as if it would brighten up a lecture. With the many different options and genres of videos on the website it makes each lecture seem a bit more interesting as if the teacher were teaching it because it is someone different. Another positive thing about TED is that the material may be more up-to-date with the time and have correct facts and entertain and even teach you the teacher something new.
With Kahn Academy, the first thing that comes to mind is parents being involved while the students are at home doing their homework. With this the parents can watch and help their children to understand and comprehend the concept that is being taught in the video. Also with Kahn Academy, the lessons are stacked on to one another so once a lesson is learned and the concept is grasped the student can move on to the next. Great building blocks where the material is not all thrown in your face at one big time.
On iTunesU any of the schools and resources on the list can be viewed or heard as far as the lectures go. Along with the other two, they all share the same concept of sharing lectures and educating students online. With any of the three they may also be used for those who have missed class, or who did not understand the lesson the first time, they can go back and watch or listen as many times as needed until they find the point the lecture is trying to get across.
Part 3
For TED, I watched as Michelle Obama went to the United Kingdom to share her plea for education. I could have watched a school lesson, but was more interested to see what she had to say about education. Michelle Obama Plea on Education. In this video Mrs. Obama is talking to an all girls school about how they need to start taking school more seriously because they are the new future and that they are the age that is going to change the education gap in what it was and what it should be. Michelle thinks that women help make a difference in the education department and most everything such as family, and jobs.
Age Word Problem by Mr. Kahn is the video I chose to watch from Kahn Academy. I chose this problem because these problems to me seem more than Algebra, but also a great brain runner. While watching this video, I had to actually get a piece of paper and a pen to do the work myself. These problems would be great brain warm ups or a quiz at beginning of class for students to keep as bonus points for when they please. I think that when students have to use their brains with problems such as these that it actually gets their brains started and thinking.
On iTunesU, I chose to watch "Digital Art." It was a project that the children got to chose their own pictures, add a little spunk to them, and make them into CD covers, TShirts, and other items that pictures can be screened or drawn onto. The idea behind this video was for the students to use their creativity while coming up with something that they enjoyed and thought looked great but still be able to use the different art tools and technology used today.
Part 4 and 5
For iTunesU, it seemed a bit complex for me to navigate through, but that is because I have not spent all the time in the world exploring it, but with all of the different topics and channels to chose from the possibilities are endless. For the Kahn Academy it is hands on done step by step, well in the few math ones that I have watched they were, and very detailed where maybe the "slower learners" could get on and actually comprehend the material. TED being with such a wide horizon makes the possibilities endless on what topic to do and also to see what others may think of the topic you are learning or teaching but yes also being critiqued by others. This assignment surprised me, but at the same time it didn't. Without this class I feel as if I would be slacking in the technology department in my classroom. This class has opened up my eyes and broadened my horizon to things and technology that I would have never thought would. For instance this project and reading teachers blogs and reading the input that they get from others can be so uplifting at times. Anyone can be a teacher, you just have to believe in yourself. This project has made me want to try out some lectures, put them onto iTunesU and put them on my iPod just to see what it is like. I can not wait to try.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
blog post 10!
"Do You Teach or Do You Educate?"
Becoming a teacher is what I would say was my calling. By teacher, I mean dance teacher. I took dance for sixteen years of my life and I would always say that I wanted to become a teacher. As I grew older I was babysitting more and finding myself working or entertaining children while at family functions or weddings and what not. After hearing many times that I was great working with children, not bragging by any means, I decided that maybe teaching in a school system was what I am supposed to do. So here I am now, and enjoying every minute of it, even the classes and learning processes that it takes to become a better teacher.
While being a teacher, I hope that I can inspire my students to learn and want to further their education. The students need to know that their education is very important and without it you will not get very far in life. I also want to teach in a low income minority school for the reason being that those students need to know that they are loved and cared for whether they are or arent during their home life. I also want my students to look back and think that they enjoyed school and actually remember what was taught to them and that it is not all about the letter grade they make but if they were to comprehend the materials being taught. On that note, I CAN NOT wait to become a teacher, it cant come soon enough.
Tom Johnston's Dont Let Them Take the Pencils Home!
In this post Gertrude the "School Curriculum Instructional Interventionist Academic Specialist" has picked a fight with Mr. Johnson on how he allows his children to take home pencils so they have a writing utensil to do their homework, but yet Gertrude believes from an article that children who take home pencils from school have a lower standardized test scores. Mr. Johnson is correct on how does a fill in the blank test determine whether a child takes home a pencil and does his homework with it or plays with it?! Gertrude believes from the article that children in low income areas that take pencils home use them as entertainment because their parents may not know what else to do with it. Mr. Johnson starts up a group of parents to help with the pencil becoming a homework or entertainment use. Mr. Johnson has come up with ways for the pencil to become entertaining and want to get the children to interact whether it being homework or playing Hangman, the students are getting something educational out of the pencil.
Learning is a part of life's process. You never finish learning until your life is finished. In this blog post, Mr. Johnson is saying that whether or not they take a pencil home and do their homework or play a game they are learning something. Maybe the students will go back to school the next day and not be able to play outside, or receive a bad grade for not completing their work, which in return they have learned that by not doing their work they have been punished. Mr. Johnson took the problem( taking pencils home could lower test scores) and fixed it with a solution(students may not do work, but play a game but are always learning). Many teachers if were told not to allow their students to take home pencils would quit letting the students take them home and that would be the end of it. Mr. Johnson faced the problem and came up with a successful solution. Randy Pausch once said "brick walls are there for a reason; they let us prove how badly we want things." Johnson came up with the solution to make pencils become interactive, and he got over the brick wall for the problem of allowing children to take pencils home.
![pencil and paper]()
Becoming a teacher is what I would say was my calling. By teacher, I mean dance teacher. I took dance for sixteen years of my life and I would always say that I wanted to become a teacher. As I grew older I was babysitting more and finding myself working or entertaining children while at family functions or weddings and what not. After hearing many times that I was great working with children, not bragging by any means, I decided that maybe teaching in a school system was what I am supposed to do. So here I am now, and enjoying every minute of it, even the classes and learning processes that it takes to become a better teacher.
While being a teacher, I hope that I can inspire my students to learn and want to further their education. The students need to know that their education is very important and without it you will not get very far in life. I also want to teach in a low income minority school for the reason being that those students need to know that they are loved and cared for whether they are or arent during their home life. I also want my students to look back and think that they enjoyed school and actually remember what was taught to them and that it is not all about the letter grade they make but if they were to comprehend the materials being taught. On that note, I CAN NOT wait to become a teacher, it cant come soon enough.
Tom Johnston's Dont Let Them Take the Pencils Home!
In this post Gertrude the "School Curriculum Instructional Interventionist Academic Specialist" has picked a fight with Mr. Johnson on how he allows his children to take home pencils so they have a writing utensil to do their homework, but yet Gertrude believes from an article that children who take home pencils from school have a lower standardized test scores. Mr. Johnson is correct on how does a fill in the blank test determine whether a child takes home a pencil and does his homework with it or plays with it?! Gertrude believes from the article that children in low income areas that take pencils home use them as entertainment because their parents may not know what else to do with it. Mr. Johnson starts up a group of parents to help with the pencil becoming a homework or entertainment use. Mr. Johnson has come up with ways for the pencil to become entertaining and want to get the children to interact whether it being homework or playing Hangman, the students are getting something educational out of the pencil.
Learning is a part of life's process. You never finish learning until your life is finished. In this blog post, Mr. Johnson is saying that whether or not they take a pencil home and do their homework or play a game they are learning something. Maybe the students will go back to school the next day and not be able to play outside, or receive a bad grade for not completing their work, which in return they have learned that by not doing their work they have been punished. Mr. Johnson took the problem( taking pencils home could lower test scores) and fixed it with a solution(students may not do work, but play a game but are always learning). Many teachers if were told not to allow their students to take home pencils would quit letting the students take them home and that would be the end of it. Mr. Johnson faced the problem and came up with a successful solution. Randy Pausch once said "brick walls are there for a reason; they let us prove how badly we want things." Johnson came up with the solution to make pencils become interactive, and he got over the brick wall for the problem of allowing children to take pencils home.
C4T3
For this comment for teachers, I was assigned to teachernz blog of "What Now? What Next? So What?" His blog was all about a new project that he has decided to do with his students. You record your own mouth saying whatever you would like to say on a video camera. You then put your camera onto any picture that you wish it to be and then press play on your phone where it looks as if the picture and your mouth are together! For my comment I said that it was a very creative idea, and I think that the children's expressions when they see the project would be priceless. The children have the chance to be creative and take any picture they want and put their mouth on it. For example I would put my mouth on a picture of Donald Trump, how funny looking, but since it is my script of saying he could say whatever I wanted. Such a creative idea, and I hope to try that with my students or just by myself one day at home in my free time!
For my second comment I posted to the blog "Education Reset." It was a great post talking about how he thinks that the education system needs to have a reset button pushed to see what better can come from it. For my comment it was basically agreeing with all of the other bloggers saying that ''yes the education system does need to be reset, because who knows if it would cause harm to the schools or not." He was very blunt and forward about the school systems but if that is what it takes for there to be a change then so it is. I really enjoyed both of his entries that I got to read, and I hope to continue following him, if he would post more blogs.
For my second comment I posted to the blog "Education Reset." It was a great post talking about how he thinks that the education system needs to have a reset button pushed to see what better can come from it. For my comment it was basically agreeing with all of the other bloggers saying that ''yes the education system does need to be reset, because who knows if it would cause harm to the schools or not." He was very blunt and forward about the school systems but if that is what it takes for there to be a change then so it is. I really enjoyed both of his entries that I got to read, and I hope to continue following him, if he would post more blogs.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
blog post 9!
"Mr. McClung; What I've Learned This Year"
While reading this blog, I would have never known that he was only a first year teacher. He was so thorough in his blog and his experiences and all of his mistakes that he had performed through out the year. While reading this blog it also showed me that there are many things that I need to be aware of in and out of the classroom, and also to learn from not only his mistakes but every mistake that is made by any teacher. No one is perfect, so we will all make mistakes, but by making mistakes it will help us to grow and learn. In his reading the crowd and be flexible segments, those are two things that I need to work on. I can read some facial expressions but I like to know that the crowd is understanding and comprehending what is being said. For the being flexible part, I need to brush up on that skill because I do tend to stick to my old way some. Communication is the biggest factor in having any type of relationship with anyone; girlfriend, boyfriend, teacher, student, fellow employees, and even your students parents. For the don't section, I completely agree with each of his sections! Great Blog, glad I got the opportunity to read it all from someone's first year of teaching.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
blog post 8!
Learn to Change, Change to Learn
In this video you can see that many different educators all have one thing in common and that is the belief that something has got to change in the education system and the teachings of our children. There needs to be more technology in the classrooms and less use of the textbooks. With the way society is now with technology, why are schools so far behind in keeping up with the world? Technology is everywhere so why not try and incorporate it into the schooling systems?!
The Chipper Series and EDM310 for Dummies
In the "Chipper Series" video Chipper drops out of school because she did not like the way that Dr.Strange did not teach the class like all of her other teachers had done in the previous years. She wanted him to teach her so she does not have to learn anything, but his way of teaching is letting the students explore and teach themselves. Through out this semester, I can actually say that I have actually learned something. I am a visual and hands on learner, and being able to do all of these projects and assignments helps me understand what I am actually learning and doing, and not forgetting the material.
In the "EDM310 for Dummies" video that is a replica of how I was just hearing about the class. At the beginning of the video, the students were going crazy and did not grasp the concept of why they were having to learn what they were assigned, but once they read the book, they were calmed and were able to complete their assignments. I was going crazy the first two classes wondering how I would ever get all of the work completed, but once I started to get the hang of how blogs, assignments, and projects go it is not so bad after all!
Carly Pugh's Blog
Carly's blog was awesome. She seems to have such a creative mind. When I have been on Twitter, she has tweeted a video, or a blog to watch and they are always so interesting. Her blog is so well written, hints why she wants to be an English major, it makes me jealous. Her idea of a playlist would be something that I would never think to do, but now that she has mentioned it, it seems like a fabulous idea. It seems that it would get the children more interested in the subject that they were learning if they got assigned to do a playlist. Carly has hit the spot on what Dr. Miller had wanted to come from his video. This was a great blog, and I am sure I will be going back to read more of her blogs or watch videos that she has suggested via Twitter or Blogger.
This is How We Dream Parts 1 and 2
From these two videos you can conclude that Dr. Richard Miller is all about easing our lives with the use of technology. With the big role that technology plays in our lives today, what's not to like about it?! With the many different tools that you can use on the internet and computer from: email, skyping, searching up words and places and getting results fast, being able to have a social network to share your life on, podcast, and being able to upload videos and pictures from your other technology tools. From being able to do all of the work you may need in a classroom, from making lesson plans, or making a test it can be done all from your computer. For we as a society have relied on pens, pencil, and paper for so long it is time for the upgrade!
Having the technology that we have today, has put life at ease, for some. With only half of the semester being complete in EDM I feel as if I have learned so much more than what I will ever be able to take in and use in my classroom. By learning how to blog, and being able to see other educators blogs and ideas, is really a great idea. A little sharing never hurt anyone! I hope that when my time to be in the classroom teaching comes that pen and paper will still be used, but that more technology is used for teaching the students!
In this video you can see that many different educators all have one thing in common and that is the belief that something has got to change in the education system and the teachings of our children. There needs to be more technology in the classrooms and less use of the textbooks. With the way society is now with technology, why are schools so far behind in keeping up with the world? Technology is everywhere so why not try and incorporate it into the schooling systems?!
The Chipper Series and EDM310 for Dummies
In the "Chipper Series" video Chipper drops out of school because she did not like the way that Dr.Strange did not teach the class like all of her other teachers had done in the previous years. She wanted him to teach her so she does not have to learn anything, but his way of teaching is letting the students explore and teach themselves. Through out this semester, I can actually say that I have actually learned something. I am a visual and hands on learner, and being able to do all of these projects and assignments helps me understand what I am actually learning and doing, and not forgetting the material.
In the "EDM310 for Dummies" video that is a replica of how I was just hearing about the class. At the beginning of the video, the students were going crazy and did not grasp the concept of why they were having to learn what they were assigned, but once they read the book, they were calmed and were able to complete their assignments. I was going crazy the first two classes wondering how I would ever get all of the work completed, but once I started to get the hang of how blogs, assignments, and projects go it is not so bad after all!
Carly Pugh's Blog
Carly's blog was awesome. She seems to have such a creative mind. When I have been on Twitter, she has tweeted a video, or a blog to watch and they are always so interesting. Her blog is so well written, hints why she wants to be an English major, it makes me jealous. Her idea of a playlist would be something that I would never think to do, but now that she has mentioned it, it seems like a fabulous idea. It seems that it would get the children more interested in the subject that they were learning if they got assigned to do a playlist. Carly has hit the spot on what Dr. Miller had wanted to come from his video. This was a great blog, and I am sure I will be going back to read more of her blogs or watch videos that she has suggested via Twitter or Blogger.
This is How We Dream Parts 1 and 2
From these two videos you can conclude that Dr. Richard Miller is all about easing our lives with the use of technology. With the big role that technology plays in our lives today, what's not to like about it?! With the many different tools that you can use on the internet and computer from: email, skyping, searching up words and places and getting results fast, being able to have a social network to share your life on, podcast, and being able to upload videos and pictures from your other technology tools. From being able to do all of the work you may need in a classroom, from making lesson plans, or making a test it can be done all from your computer. For we as a society have relied on pens, pencil, and paper for so long it is time for the upgrade!
Having the technology that we have today, has put life at ease, for some. With only half of the semester being complete in EDM I feel as if I have learned so much more than what I will ever be able to take in and use in my classroom. By learning how to blog, and being able to see other educators blogs and ideas, is really a great idea. A little sharing never hurt anyone! I hope that when my time to be in the classroom teaching comes that pen and paper will still be used, but that more technology is used for teaching the students!
google form results!
first column is the choice, second is number of students, third is percentage!
What is your favorite genre of music?
country 3- 38%
rap 0- 0%
alternative 2- 25%
rock 3- 38%
r&b 0- 0%
jazz 0- 0%
When do you find yourself listening to music the most?
in the car 3- 38%
in the shower 0- 0%
at work 0- 0%
working out 2- 25%
all the time 3- 38%
Do you like multiple genres or just one specific genre of music?
multiple 8- 100%
one specific 0- 0%
Do you like to listen to your music loud or are you indifferent?
loud 5- 63%
indifferent 3- 38%
Whats your favorite band or artist?
Kings of Leon; Shinedown; Dave Matthews Band; Many different ones; Led Zeppelin; Jason Aldean; Godsmack; Shinedown, right now.
Do you enjoy going to music festivals such as The Hangout Festival or Bayfest?
yes 3- 38%
no 1- 13%
indifferent 4- 50%
If you do not like music, why not?
n/a; i love music; love it; I doI like music; I do like music; I do like music; I do like music.
Would you rather listen to live music or studio mix?
live music 3- 38%
studio mix 5- 63%
Would you rather listen to a female or male singing?
female 0- 0%
male 3- 38%
group 0- 0%
mix of both female and male 5- 63%
What is your favorite genre of music?
country 3- 38%
rap 0- 0%
alternative 2- 25%
rock 3- 38%
r&b 0- 0%
jazz 0- 0%
When do you find yourself listening to music the most?
in the car 3- 38%
in the shower 0- 0%
at work 0- 0%
working out 2- 25%
all the time 3- 38%
Do you like multiple genres or just one specific genre of music?
multiple 8- 100%
one specific 0- 0%
Do you like to listen to your music loud or are you indifferent?
loud 5- 63%
indifferent 3- 38%
Whats your favorite band or artist?
Kings of Leon; Shinedown; Dave Matthews Band; Many different ones; Led Zeppelin; Jason Aldean; Godsmack; Shinedown, right now.
Do you enjoy going to music festivals such as The Hangout Festival or Bayfest?
yes 3- 38%
no 1- 13%
indifferent 4- 50%
If you do not like music, why not?
n/a; i love music; love it; I doI like music; I do like music; I do like music; I do like music.
Would you rather listen to live music or studio mix?
live music 3- 38%
studio mix 5- 63%
Would you rather listen to a female or male singing?
female 0- 0%
male 3- 38%
group 0- 0%
mix of both female and male 5- 63%
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
blog post 7!
Randy Pausch Last Lecture
We have followed Randy Pausch for quite a few years now. We have his book, and have all read it along with: watching him do interviews on television, and now watching his lecture on YouTube for the second or third time. He is such an inspiration to anyone who comes across any of his works. During his video he is explaining his life dreams, how he enjoys to help others, and some life lessons that he has learned. Randy Pausch shares his life journey on completing his dreams of becoming a Disney Imagineer, which he eventually fulfilled!
Pausch makes the quote that "brick walls are there for a reason; they let us prove how badly we want things," which is exactly true. Everyday in life we come across barriers that make us want to give up, but once you fight for it and overcome the wall, it shows you that you can accomplish anything that you put your mind too. When you as an individual want something, you will put up a fight for it no matter what obstacle you have to complete. Having the motivation that Randy Pausch had in trying to complete his goals and dreams was amazing, and I wish that I could have motivation like that!
When he was interviewing for his Disney Imagineer job with John Snoddy, he quoted "wait long enough and people will surprise and impress you, just give them a little more time." That quote not only stuck with Randy but also with me. The saying has always been "don't judge a book by its cover," with that being said it is similar to Snoddys quote. You may not like someone by the first impression, but they may have that hidden talent or personality that you have been looking for. I think that if more people gave others the time of day we would not have so many hurt feelings.
From watching this YouTube video along with have read the book, it is truly an eye opener and he has left a lasting impression on my life. I want to live my life to the fullest and try to fulfill as many dreams as possible, because you never know what day will be your last. Also another thing I really enjoyed about Randy Pausch is that he never wanted others to feel sorry for him for the fact that he was dying when doing all of his lectures and interviews. He did what he wanted and made his life be the best it could be before it was turned into a memory for his wife and children. He also never blamed anyone for cancer, but yet accepted the fact and lived his life!
We have followed Randy Pausch for quite a few years now. We have his book, and have all read it along with: watching him do interviews on television, and now watching his lecture on YouTube for the second or third time. He is such an inspiration to anyone who comes across any of his works. During his video he is explaining his life dreams, how he enjoys to help others, and some life lessons that he has learned. Randy Pausch shares his life journey on completing his dreams of becoming a Disney Imagineer, which he eventually fulfilled!
Pausch makes the quote that "brick walls are there for a reason; they let us prove how badly we want things," which is exactly true. Everyday in life we come across barriers that make us want to give up, but once you fight for it and overcome the wall, it shows you that you can accomplish anything that you put your mind too. When you as an individual want something, you will put up a fight for it no matter what obstacle you have to complete. Having the motivation that Randy Pausch had in trying to complete his goals and dreams was amazing, and I wish that I could have motivation like that!
When he was interviewing for his Disney Imagineer job with John Snoddy, he quoted "wait long enough and people will surprise and impress you, just give them a little more time." That quote not only stuck with Randy but also with me. The saying has always been "don't judge a book by its cover," with that being said it is similar to Snoddys quote. You may not like someone by the first impression, but they may have that hidden talent or personality that you have been looking for. I think that if more people gave others the time of day we would not have so many hurt feelings.
From watching this YouTube video along with have read the book, it is truly an eye opener and he has left a lasting impression on my life. I want to live my life to the fullest and try to fulfill as many dreams as possible, because you never know what day will be your last. Also another thing I really enjoyed about Randy Pausch is that he never wanted others to feel sorry for him for the fact that he was dying when doing all of his lectures and interviews. He did what he wanted and made his life be the best it could be before it was turned into a memory for his wife and children. He also never blamed anyone for cancer, but yet accepted the fact and lived his life!
C4T2
CFT#!
For my teacher assignment I was assigned to Joe Dale, "who offers tips and advice using ICT to enhance the teaching of modern foreign languages". The blog that I read was published yesterday and its topic was "How can technology support teaching and learning?" ICT stands for information and communications technology. In this blog he has a video where a student from Medina School who scans a QR code, and a story is read to the student behind the picture of the maid. How awesome, to just scan a code, and the reading is spoken to you! While at the school, Dale showed the students more innovative practice and where the students could go to find out more about have ICT in the classrooms and the use of it. He also taught the students how to email their mp3 to a podcast player and use Google Reader.
Joe's Twitter page is quite lengthy with hello's and comments on how his tips of ICT help others. In my comment on his blog, I simply stated that it was amazing to scan a picture in the classroom and the information that is wanted is read to the students. I have only seen that with the iPhones and that was on items such as a shirt bar code and it would come up with results of where that item was the cheapest. Technology is replacing everything we have today, such as books. Without technology and knowing how to use it, in the future the people may be lost in the world.
My next blog by Joe Dale that I am reading is "Podcasting with The Ed Tech Crew.!" Joe got interviewed by Tony and Darrel from the Ed Tech Crew about technology and the changes that it is having on the future. Some topics were blogging, podcasting, and time management. The world is changing every day and technology does nothing but further our day to day learnings. For my blog comment I just told Joe I agreed with him because technology is changing everyday and it can only further our education!
For my teacher assignment I was assigned to Joe Dale, "who offers tips and advice using ICT to enhance the teaching of modern foreign languages". The blog that I read was published yesterday and its topic was "How can technology support teaching and learning?" ICT stands for information and communications technology. In this blog he has a video where a student from Medina School who scans a QR code, and a story is read to the student behind the picture of the maid. How awesome, to just scan a code, and the reading is spoken to you! While at the school, Dale showed the students more innovative practice and where the students could go to find out more about have ICT in the classrooms and the use of it. He also taught the students how to email their mp3 to a podcast player and use Google Reader.
Joe's Twitter page is quite lengthy with hello's and comments on how his tips of ICT help others. In my comment on his blog, I simply stated that it was amazing to scan a picture in the classroom and the information that is wanted is read to the students. I have only seen that with the iPhones and that was on items such as a shirt bar code and it would come up with results of where that item was the cheapest. Technology is replacing everything we have today, such as books. Without technology and knowing how to use it, in the future the people may be lost in the world.
My next blog by Joe Dale that I am reading is "Podcasting with The Ed Tech Crew.!" Joe got interviewed by Tony and Darrel from the Ed Tech Crew about technology and the changes that it is having on the future. Some topics were blogging, podcasting, and time management. The world is changing every day and technology does nothing but further our day to day learnings. For my blog comment I just told Joe I agreed with him because technology is changing everyday and it can only further our education!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
PLN
As you can see, I have started my PLN and have been trying to make it my own! I still have a few things that I have been trying to accomplish, such as making my own tiles for the sections. But, have not yet figured it out! When I had to chose between between a Symbaloo and Netvibes, Symbaloo just sounded awesome. I am a visual person, so I jumped right to it! After seeing the seventh grader who had her Symbaloo organized, it made me think that I too could be as organized as that!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
blog post 6
The Networked Student by Wendy Drexler
In this video it introduces a new way of learning for students which is called connectivism. Connectivism is the thought that learning occurs through their own personal learning network. It also teaches the students how to learn on their own and share his or her ideas and opinions with other students and teachers. By using the method of connectivism in the classroom, it allows the teacher to enhance the childrens learning on technology and their own networks, but not bore the students. You would think that the theory of connectivism is the same as an online class, and it is but many students still do not know how to use technology like they show in this video with different files and applications used.
As they say in the video, "Why do the networked students need a teacher?" We need teachers because they are who will guide and help the future individuals. Someone that knows about technology is one that needs to be head of the process of using technology in the classroom. The teacher will be there to teach but also assist the students in getting them started on their own networks. For myself being a networked teacher, am I ready? Not anywhere near being ready. My technology skills are slowly increasing, only from this class, but if it were not for this class, technology would not be used in the classroom. Reason being, I do not think I would take the time to actually explore my options.
The Seventh Graders PLE(personal learning environment)
The seventh grader in this video boggles my mind with her organization skills. I would consider myself organized, but she has folders and even symbols down to a certain point. She has her school work on the bottom and social along the top. By watching this video, it seems that she does most of her school work on her computer and that having Symbaloo it helps her to stay organized in things such as bookmarking and sharing with her class the information that she has found for her projects. By watching this video. it has only made me more anxious to get my own PLN and also have it organized with Symbaloo.
Critiques of Smartboards
Why Smart Boards Are a Dumb Initiation?!
Michael Stanton does make a point on why the smart board is not an effective way to teach your students but also a way to improve the way that the students learn. Stanton states, which is true, that the cost of a Smart Board is outrageous, but yet the teacher is still standing in front of the class lecturing, and every so often the students are coming up to the board to help. Stanton thinks that the Smart Board is a waste of money because the teacher with or with out the board is going to stand in front of the classroom. With the Smart Board there can be more interaction with the students, but it is the same as the overhead projector with a few added extras. The Smart Board can move items and have annimations that can move, one of the basic things that an overhead projector can not do. He also says that money can be spent on other useful things in the classroom such as remediation for students. Michael Stanton stands behind his beliefs that there are other ways that we as teachers can improve our childrens learning and education by not spending the amount of money that is spent on a Smart Board.
Switching off the Interactive White Board for Good
While reading this presentation, Kevin McLaughlin makes it a point that IWB's have had their day and no longer need to be used in classrooms. He, just like Michael Stanton, believe you can spend the amount that it cost for an IWB on something else that can be used more efficiently in the classroom. Kevin is curious to know whether it was just him, or if other teachers actually use them or if the money that was spent on them is sitting on the wall not getting any use out of them. With the way technology is changing, something new will be invented to replace Smart Boards.
The blog that I have found is "SMART board- Pros and Cons of Using a Digital, Interactive Whiteboard in the Classroom." On this blog the cons are over powering the pros. But who would have ever guessed?!
white board versus smart board
![smart board versus white boards]()
In this video it introduces a new way of learning for students which is called connectivism. Connectivism is the thought that learning occurs through their own personal learning network. It also teaches the students how to learn on their own and share his or her ideas and opinions with other students and teachers. By using the method of connectivism in the classroom, it allows the teacher to enhance the childrens learning on technology and their own networks, but not bore the students. You would think that the theory of connectivism is the same as an online class, and it is but many students still do not know how to use technology like they show in this video with different files and applications used.
As they say in the video, "Why do the networked students need a teacher?" We need teachers because they are who will guide and help the future individuals. Someone that knows about technology is one that needs to be head of the process of using technology in the classroom. The teacher will be there to teach but also assist the students in getting them started on their own networks. For myself being a networked teacher, am I ready? Not anywhere near being ready. My technology skills are slowly increasing, only from this class, but if it were not for this class, technology would not be used in the classroom. Reason being, I do not think I would take the time to actually explore my options.
The Seventh Graders PLE(personal learning environment)
The seventh grader in this video boggles my mind with her organization skills. I would consider myself organized, but she has folders and even symbols down to a certain point. She has her school work on the bottom and social along the top. By watching this video, it seems that she does most of her school work on her computer and that having Symbaloo it helps her to stay organized in things such as bookmarking and sharing with her class the information that she has found for her projects. By watching this video. it has only made me more anxious to get my own PLN and also have it organized with Symbaloo.
Critiques of Smartboards
Why Smart Boards Are a Dumb Initiation?!
Michael Stanton does make a point on why the smart board is not an effective way to teach your students but also a way to improve the way that the students learn. Stanton states, which is true, that the cost of a Smart Board is outrageous, but yet the teacher is still standing in front of the class lecturing, and every so often the students are coming up to the board to help. Stanton thinks that the Smart Board is a waste of money because the teacher with or with out the board is going to stand in front of the classroom. With the Smart Board there can be more interaction with the students, but it is the same as the overhead projector with a few added extras. The Smart Board can move items and have annimations that can move, one of the basic things that an overhead projector can not do. He also says that money can be spent on other useful things in the classroom such as remediation for students. Michael Stanton stands behind his beliefs that there are other ways that we as teachers can improve our childrens learning and education by not spending the amount of money that is spent on a Smart Board.
Switching off the Interactive White Board for Good
While reading this presentation, Kevin McLaughlin makes it a point that IWB's have had their day and no longer need to be used in classrooms. He, just like Michael Stanton, believe you can spend the amount that it cost for an IWB on something else that can be used more efficiently in the classroom. Kevin is curious to know whether it was just him, or if other teachers actually use them or if the money that was spent on them is sitting on the wall not getting any use out of them. With the way technology is changing, something new will be invented to replace Smart Boards.
The blog that I have found is "SMART board- Pros and Cons of Using a Digital, Interactive Whiteboard in the Classroom." On this blog the cons are over powering the pros. But who would have ever guessed?!
white board versus smart board
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
blog post 5
Eagles' Nest Radio
While listening to the Eagles' Nest Radio about Ancient Romans it reminds me of an interview you would see on the television or even a news channel. The music in the background puts a real effect on the students voices and the stories and facts that they are telling the viewers of the video. The picture of the class of Eagles' Radio very well fits the topic being covered. By listening to the video, it shows that the teacher let his or her students dress as they want and let the students speak the facts that they know about the Ancient Romans. Also during the audio, it is not also them just speaking, but the facts are something that may teach you something that you may not know of!
Langwitches
This mp3 file, was very well put together! I have to say that I am impressed with the children and their doings on this video podcast with their voices. They are very clear and well spoken, which is important in case the listener does not have the script to follow. The sound effects in the podcast also made the "Dinosaurs Before Dark" detailed, almost as if you were watching what was going on! I would love to try this out in my classroom one day, just to see how the students react and if they enjoy re doing a story line!
The Education Podcasting Network
The Education Podcast Network was formed for podcast that may be helpful to teachers to be found in one central location. The podcast is open to anyone such as future teachers, or teachers now to get ideas, give their opinions, and share stories that may be helpful or inspiring to others.
While listening to the Eagles' Nest Radio about Ancient Romans it reminds me of an interview you would see on the television or even a news channel. The music in the background puts a real effect on the students voices and the stories and facts that they are telling the viewers of the video. The picture of the class of Eagles' Radio very well fits the topic being covered. By listening to the video, it shows that the teacher let his or her students dress as they want and let the students speak the facts that they know about the Ancient Romans. Also during the audio, it is not also them just speaking, but the facts are something that may teach you something that you may not know of!
Langwitches
This mp3 file, was very well put together! I have to say that I am impressed with the children and their doings on this video podcast with their voices. They are very clear and well spoken, which is important in case the listener does not have the script to follow. The sound effects in the podcast also made the "Dinosaurs Before Dark" detailed, almost as if you were watching what was going on! I would love to try this out in my classroom one day, just to see how the students react and if they enjoy re doing a story line!
The Education Podcasting Network
The Education Podcast Network was formed for podcast that may be helpful to teachers to be found in one central location. The podcast is open to anyone such as future teachers, or teachers now to get ideas, give their opinions, and share stories that may be helpful or inspiring to others.
Friday, June 10, 2011
blog post 4
Scott McLeod
Who is Scott McLeod? Scott is one who is technologically advanced in helping K-12 graders further their education in technology. He is an Associate Professor in Educational Administration program at Iowa State University. He is also the co-creator of the youtube videos, "Did You Know?," and he is the director CASTLE. CASTLE stands for Center for the Advanced Study of Technology Leadership in Education. It is also the only place in the nation that is dedicated to helping technology needs of schools administrators.
In McLeod's blog titled " Don't Teach Your Kids this Stuff.Please?" sarcasm was his key to getting the point across. I am a very sarcastic person, so reading something from someone who is also sarcastic made me enjoy the blog post a bit more. I think that students should be allowed to use technology. The world is slowly going to start revolving around technology, and things such as textbooks will not exist anymore. I also think that for internet use that children should be monitored until they reach a certain age or their level of maturity has been reached, but for some that may be in their twenties. The internet has everything any one could ever wonder about on it, and some things that get published that should not be, well we can't help that except to avoid it and MONITOR our students and children.
iSchool Initiative
Fabulous idea. In this video he is arguing that technology can do just as much as school books can do, and if not more. Like I had commented in the blog before, technology is taking over the world. How amazing it would be to see students just carrying an iPod, or iPad to class, and not having their book bags loaded down with school books only giving them back problems because they weigh as much as the student them self. At the same time, many parents may disagree because they were raised in pencil and paper classrooms and may want their children to be taught that way because they feel that may be the only way for their child to learn.
The apps for each different subject seem like a great idea, but what if you cant find the app for free? The cost of apps may rise in your money spending when you thought you switched to the iPad to save money on textbooks. It would be great if schools could slowly make the transition into only using technology and seeing how well students learn and operate on them.
You Can't Be My Teacher
This child makes you wonder and get the point across that technology and internet is everything that we depend on in todays world. From reading the discussion below the video, many people got upset with him for making the video. The maker of this video is just trying to get the point across that teachers should at least know how to use the technology in the classroom. Whether or not the teacher applies the technology to the classroom learning skills is his or her choice.
So many people critiqued the video saying the little boy was a brat. In my opinion it does not matter if he is a brat or not. It is the message that he is trying to get across to people and having technology in the school systems. As a future teacher, technology will be used in my classroom because I think that students will become more involved with the school work. But in the time that I become a teacher which I don't graduate until December of 2012, technology may be all that the classrooms use. I dread to be a teacher that students think is boring because she lectures out of the book, or give you pages and pages of notes to copy down off of an over head projector.
Virtual Choir
I have to say I am not one to sit and listen to opera, but that was an amazing performance. Having made that video just from gathering youtube videos shows that something beautiful can come from small things. When the people posted their video, they were not thinking that it would be combined with 184 other youtubers singing the same song to make a beautiful performance. For these people to have never met and perform that is was an outstanding performance.
Teaching in the 21st Century
To teach in the 21st century means, as I myself am in the process of becoming a future educator and I need to be up to date with the latest technology so that I will be able to teach the students the correct information and how to use the technology safely and efficiently. It is to also show the students that the technology can be used for mainly anything and if the students take the time to apply it to their school work or just their social life they will and can get a lot accomplished.
Education is always changing just as technology is. If we as teachers are not caught up nor will our students be. Students need to be aware of all of the changes that are taking place every day in our lives with technology and improvements. Having our children up to date allows the students to teach others about the positives of technology if they were to not use it.
Who is Scott McLeod? Scott is one who is technologically advanced in helping K-12 graders further their education in technology. He is an Associate Professor in Educational Administration program at Iowa State University. He is also the co-creator of the youtube videos, "Did You Know?," and he is the director CASTLE. CASTLE stands for Center for the Advanced Study of Technology Leadership in Education. It is also the only place in the nation that is dedicated to helping technology needs of schools administrators.
In McLeod's blog titled " Don't Teach Your Kids this Stuff.Please?" sarcasm was his key to getting the point across. I am a very sarcastic person, so reading something from someone who is also sarcastic made me enjoy the blog post a bit more. I think that students should be allowed to use technology. The world is slowly going to start revolving around technology, and things such as textbooks will not exist anymore. I also think that for internet use that children should be monitored until they reach a certain age or their level of maturity has been reached, but for some that may be in their twenties. The internet has everything any one could ever wonder about on it, and some things that get published that should not be, well we can't help that except to avoid it and MONITOR our students and children.
iSchool Initiative
Fabulous idea. In this video he is arguing that technology can do just as much as school books can do, and if not more. Like I had commented in the blog before, technology is taking over the world. How amazing it would be to see students just carrying an iPod, or iPad to class, and not having their book bags loaded down with school books only giving them back problems because they weigh as much as the student them self. At the same time, many parents may disagree because they were raised in pencil and paper classrooms and may want their children to be taught that way because they feel that may be the only way for their child to learn.
The apps for each different subject seem like a great idea, but what if you cant find the app for free? The cost of apps may rise in your money spending when you thought you switched to the iPad to save money on textbooks. It would be great if schools could slowly make the transition into only using technology and seeing how well students learn and operate on them.
You Can't Be My Teacher
This child makes you wonder and get the point across that technology and internet is everything that we depend on in todays world. From reading the discussion below the video, many people got upset with him for making the video. The maker of this video is just trying to get the point across that teachers should at least know how to use the technology in the classroom. Whether or not the teacher applies the technology to the classroom learning skills is his or her choice.
So many people critiqued the video saying the little boy was a brat. In my opinion it does not matter if he is a brat or not. It is the message that he is trying to get across to people and having technology in the school systems. As a future teacher, technology will be used in my classroom because I think that students will become more involved with the school work. But in the time that I become a teacher which I don't graduate until December of 2012, technology may be all that the classrooms use. I dread to be a teacher that students think is boring because she lectures out of the book, or give you pages and pages of notes to copy down off of an over head projector.
Virtual Choir
I have to say I am not one to sit and listen to opera, but that was an amazing performance. Having made that video just from gathering youtube videos shows that something beautiful can come from small things. When the people posted their video, they were not thinking that it would be combined with 184 other youtubers singing the same song to make a beautiful performance. For these people to have never met and perform that is was an outstanding performance.
Teaching in the 21st Century
To teach in the 21st century means, as I myself am in the process of becoming a future educator and I need to be up to date with the latest technology so that I will be able to teach the students the correct information and how to use the technology safely and efficiently. It is to also show the students that the technology can be used for mainly anything and if the students take the time to apply it to their school work or just their social life they will and can get a lot accomplished.
Education is always changing just as technology is. If we as teachers are not caught up nor will our students be. Students need to be aware of all of the changes that are taking place every day in our lives with technology and improvements. Having our children up to date allows the students to teach others about the positives of technology if they were to not use it.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
special assignment 1
Did I know about Wolfram Alpha?
Not at all, but I am amazed at the statistics and the information such as the ranking that it also had on it.
Did I know about GoogleSquared?
No. technology is amazing these days, and as it is still changing and being worked on, no telling what google will come up with next.
Percentage of China population is the population of the United States?
approximately 24 percent
Percentage of India population is the population of the United States?
approximately 25 percent
Thoughts of Facts from "Did You Know"
I am amazed that in years time, statistics can change so rapidly
Wolfram Alpha and Google Squared useful for you and your students? why or why not?
Yes! Anything can be useful for anyone. Such random facts that students may want to know, and they can just get on the internet and have an answer.
Not at all, but I am amazed at the statistics and the information such as the ranking that it also had on it.
Did I know about GoogleSquared?
No. technology is amazing these days, and as it is still changing and being worked on, no telling what google will come up with next.
Percentage of China population is the population of the United States?
approximately 24 percent
Percentage of India population is the population of the United States?
approximately 25 percent
Thoughts of Facts from "Did You Know"
I am amazed that in years time, statistics can change so rapidly
Wolfram Alpha and Google Squared useful for you and your students? why or why not?
Yes! Anything can be useful for anyone. Such random facts that students may want to know, and they can just get on the internet and have an answer.
blog post 3
Michael Wesch: A Vision of Students Today
This video was enjoyable to watch. I think that it explains the truth of a college student from the time needed to do everything in a day, and that exceeding a days time, the high cost of tuition, and the over rated prices for the books that are "needed for the class," but may not ever be opened. For the high cost of a student to attend a university and the price of books, once a student graduates, they may be paying off their college debts for the rest of their life. South is somewhat cheap compared to Alabama or even Spring Hill, and it may even have smaller classroom settings which may be better for students who may be "slower" learners.
With all of the students in the video holding up their signs saying they spend two hours working, or two hours on their cell phone, or bringing their laptop to class but not working on their classwork is typical of most college students. I am 100 percent guilty of that. I also think that in a bigger classroom setting and the teacher does not pay attention to the students, they are more tempted to do those such as if the teacher and students were in a small classroom setting. Procrastination is something that the students in the video never had a paper saying they waited for last minute to do their work, when all the other things they had to complete in the days time without the time.
Kelly Hines "It's Not About the Technology"
"Technology is not the only thing that helps students learn" is what Kelly Hines said in her post. Yes, technology can help teachers and students, but some information that students need to know come from the books. Not only in technology but in our books and learnings we, as future teachers should be up to date on everything so that the students are learning the most up to date things.
On the topic of technology in the classroom, I think that it is wonderful for all teachers to be able to work their technology. Their are many teachers, such as where I went to school that refuse to learn how to use the Smart Boards because they are used to their old ways of lecturing out of the book. When a teacher lectures out of a book, it seems to bore the students. But by observing in a classroom where the teacher uses the Smart Board as often as she can in her lessons to teach, and the students are interacting they seem to learn more. With the students being able to interact they may not get as bored and will be more willing to learn and know that the next time to the Smart Board to play could be their turn.
Karl Fisch: Is It Okay to Be A Technologically Illiterate Teacher?
Karl Fisch lays it flat out on the line and does not beat around the bush. In my view he is saying that teachers and school workers should be up to date on their technology and if they do not use technology they should make the switch from their old ways. If the teachers are one to not change their ways completely, just having or knowing how to use the technology would be help to them.
From the video "Did You Know" it relates to this post in the fact that technology is always changing and it may be hard to keep up with it, but learning the best of what you can helps. When the technology is incorporated into the classroom I think students are more focused and may want to participate more, knowing that they may be able to play the game, or just use their finger on the board to answer a question. Having your students involved in your classroom and knowing that they are not bored should be such an influence on any teacher to update to technology in the class room.
Gary Hayes Social Media Count
WOW. I knew technology was changing, but not at this speed. Watching the count change at every blink of an eye was mind boggling. I feel as if technology has taken over everyones lives and it is the new means of how people live their day to day lives. But then again when you think about it, people survived without technology back in the day, so why cant we survive without it now? So many people rely on technology that I think if it were to disappear people may lose their minds and not know what to do. By seeing how fast it changes in the seconds, seeing it change in years would be outrageous. At the bottom when i scrolled down looking at the statistics for different things, makes you think of how often you apply to each of the changes statistics.
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This video was enjoyable to watch. I think that it explains the truth of a college student from the time needed to do everything in a day, and that exceeding a days time, the high cost of tuition, and the over rated prices for the books that are "needed for the class," but may not ever be opened. For the high cost of a student to attend a university and the price of books, once a student graduates, they may be paying off their college debts for the rest of their life. South is somewhat cheap compared to Alabama or even Spring Hill, and it may even have smaller classroom settings which may be better for students who may be "slower" learners.
With all of the students in the video holding up their signs saying they spend two hours working, or two hours on their cell phone, or bringing their laptop to class but not working on their classwork is typical of most college students. I am 100 percent guilty of that. I also think that in a bigger classroom setting and the teacher does not pay attention to the students, they are more tempted to do those such as if the teacher and students were in a small classroom setting. Procrastination is something that the students in the video never had a paper saying they waited for last minute to do their work, when all the other things they had to complete in the days time without the time.
Kelly Hines "It's Not About the Technology"
"Technology is not the only thing that helps students learn" is what Kelly Hines said in her post. Yes, technology can help teachers and students, but some information that students need to know come from the books. Not only in technology but in our books and learnings we, as future teachers should be up to date on everything so that the students are learning the most up to date things.
On the topic of technology in the classroom, I think that it is wonderful for all teachers to be able to work their technology. Their are many teachers, such as where I went to school that refuse to learn how to use the Smart Boards because they are used to their old ways of lecturing out of the book. When a teacher lectures out of a book, it seems to bore the students. But by observing in a classroom where the teacher uses the Smart Board as often as she can in her lessons to teach, and the students are interacting they seem to learn more. With the students being able to interact they may not get as bored and will be more willing to learn and know that the next time to the Smart Board to play could be their turn.
Karl Fisch: Is It Okay to Be A Technologically Illiterate Teacher?
Karl Fisch lays it flat out on the line and does not beat around the bush. In my view he is saying that teachers and school workers should be up to date on their technology and if they do not use technology they should make the switch from their old ways. If the teachers are one to not change their ways completely, just having or knowing how to use the technology would be help to them.
From the video "Did You Know" it relates to this post in the fact that technology is always changing and it may be hard to keep up with it, but learning the best of what you can helps. When the technology is incorporated into the classroom I think students are more focused and may want to participate more, knowing that they may be able to play the game, or just use their finger on the board to answer a question. Having your students involved in your classroom and knowing that they are not bored should be such an influence on any teacher to update to technology in the class room.
Gary Hayes Social Media Count
WOW. I knew technology was changing, but not at this speed. Watching the count change at every blink of an eye was mind boggling. I feel as if technology has taken over everyones lives and it is the new means of how people live their day to day lives. But then again when you think about it, people survived without technology back in the day, so why cant we survive without it now? So many people rely on technology that I think if it were to disappear people may lose their minds and not know what to do. By seeing how fast it changes in the seconds, seeing it change in years would be outrageous. At the bottom when i scrolled down looking at the statistics for different things, makes you think of how often you apply to each of the changes statistics.
Monday, June 6, 2011
C4T
CFT#1
For my teacher assignment I was assigned Becky Goerend who is a sixth grade teacher in Iowa. The blog I read and commented on was Collaborative Writing with Jonathan Ferrell's class. Mr. Ferrell's class is located in Kansas, while Mrs. Goerends in Iowa. The two classes combined technology such as Skype, TitanPads, and Edmodo to write fairy tales. Before the project had begun the students from each class got on Skype and a few fairy tales were read to both classrooms at the same time. The students were paired with a student from the other class and had time to communicate with them to come up with their own fairy tale. After the students had days to complete their fairy tales, a few groups were picked to share their fairy tales, once again via Skype with their partner and both classrooms.
For my comment to her blog, I was simply blown away with technology and how amazing it was to do a project with a class not even in the same state as yours. For the students to pick their partner, from the other classroom, that they have only met over Skype and blogging and become partners to make up a fairy tale was very interesting. I think it is a chance for the students to not only be creative, but to see what the two come up with separately and then combine them to make one story, is working on the students communication skills as well.
CFT#2
In the second blog that I read on Becky Goerends blog, it was about her children having the ability to choose. She let her students choose a type of poetry, create their own, and then somehow present it to the class whether it be talking or a slideshow. However the student wanted to present it, was fine with her.
In my comment, I was writing that I think that when children have the ability to chose their own topic and do the assignment, that it is more interesting for the children. I remember being able to pick topics, such as for writing a paper, and was wiling and ready to do the paper and not have to learn so much more about the topic that was assigned. Students should have the ability to chose what they would like to do and be creative with it. Let the students minds wander:)
http://mrsbmg.blogspot.com/
For my teacher assignment I was assigned Becky Goerend who is a sixth grade teacher in Iowa. The blog I read and commented on was Collaborative Writing with Jonathan Ferrell's class. Mr. Ferrell's class is located in Kansas, while Mrs. Goerends in Iowa. The two classes combined technology such as Skype, TitanPads, and Edmodo to write fairy tales. Before the project had begun the students from each class got on Skype and a few fairy tales were read to both classrooms at the same time. The students were paired with a student from the other class and had time to communicate with them to come up with their own fairy tale. After the students had days to complete their fairy tales, a few groups were picked to share their fairy tales, once again via Skype with their partner and both classrooms.
For my comment to her blog, I was simply blown away with technology and how amazing it was to do a project with a class not even in the same state as yours. For the students to pick their partner, from the other classroom, that they have only met over Skype and blogging and become partners to make up a fairy tale was very interesting. I think it is a chance for the students to not only be creative, but to see what the two come up with separately and then combine them to make one story, is working on the students communication skills as well.
CFT#2
In the second blog that I read on Becky Goerends blog, it was about her children having the ability to choose. She let her students choose a type of poetry, create their own, and then somehow present it to the class whether it be talking or a slideshow. However the student wanted to present it, was fine with her.
In my comment, I was writing that I think that when children have the ability to chose their own topic and do the assignment, that it is more interesting for the children. I remember being able to pick topics, such as for writing a paper, and was wiling and ready to do the paper and not have to learn so much more about the topic that was assigned. Students should have the ability to chose what they would like to do and be creative with it. Let the students minds wander:)
http://mrsbmg.blogspot.com/
Saturday, June 4, 2011
blog post 2
Did You Know?
Knowing this video was published in 2008, I am scared to even know what the statistics are for each of them in 2011. Had I not had the opportunity to watch this video, I would still know nothing about the other countries and the statistics that were made. In the video at the beginning it is talking about how large China is becoming, I am curious to find out how much China has actually grown in three years. For India's 25 % of their population to have the highest IQ outnumbering the United States population should mean something to the US, and to start making a change in the ways we are taught.
it also had the slide about students are being taught to about technology not even invented, and that what we learn one year, will be outdated in three years. That is not only an example of in school work, but also technology. New technology comes out updated every couple months. For the slide about computers and the human brain, I think that it is nearly impossible for ones brain to be smarter than a computer. But who am I to say that it can not be proven? This video shows that technology has taken over our lives as human beings and without it we would be lost. Technology delivers information to one very fast, and yes it can be helpful but at the same time, the world depends on technology for such things such as email. Not many people mail a letter just to check on their friend. They e-mail, get on Facebook, or even Skype them! This video is pushing me to learn more about technology and the different ways that it is changing everyones lives daily.
Mr. Winkle Wakes
Mr. Winkle awakes and travels through a world full of technology, to get to the classroom and see that none is being used. Matthew Neeleman gives many great examples of how technology is used today, and that the lack of it in classrooms should also be focused on. Mr. Winkle goes to work offices with copiers, printers, and even the use of Skype on computers to have conferences. Mr. Winkle attempts to run from the fact that everywhere used technology but can not get away from it. If a hospital can have a machine to keep humans alive, then why cant schools have technology that keeps students interested in what they are learning in school?!
With the SmartBoard program in the classrooms, it seems that from observation, students are more into the material that is being taught to them. With the SmartBoard and the interaction that the students are given, if more and more technology could be made to be similar to it, I feel as if students would want to learn. From my past times, I was a student that had to be hands on to understand and comprehend material. Just as in the video "Did You Know?" they say what students are being taught one year, will be replaced with new information in three years. As much as what the students are being taught, technology is changing just as fast. Without technology in the classroom, it is back to the way of note taking and book learning. That bores students and makes them not want to learn. But with technology our children can grow and WANT to learn.
Cecelia Gault Interviews Sir Ken Robinson
While Cecelia Gault interviews Sir Ken Robinson, his responses are nothing but positive and only wanting the best for the children. Sir Ken Robinson wants to see an improvement in the education system. He also says that he would define "intelligence" as making sense of the diverse world around us. Not only having to focus and understand what happens in Finland, but also in China, Japan, or even the United States. Robinson's main focus is creativity. He says all children can be creative and it can be shown through science and technology, not just the arts. With the technology that the classrooms can have, it can allow the students to broaden their creativity levels.
Vicki Davis: Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts
Vicki Davis uses the time her students have with her in her classroom by letting them teach her things she may not have known. She wants her students to become more associated with technology not only in the classroom, but with the technology with other students around the world. Living in a small rural town in Georgia, the students may not get to venture out like they want to. But being able to blog and communicate with people in the Eastern half of the world, is something that her students seemed to enjoy.
Vicki Davis likes the thought that her classroom is not the original "paper and pencil" classroom but that you are actually being able to go hands on. She also stated that she does not always have to stand up front and lecture to the students, but that sometimes the students are teaching her something that they may have figured out how to do on the computer while they were learning how to use and navigate through the different software. Davis also stated that she likes to give her students words without defining them so they have to use the technology and look up what the word means. The way that Vicki Davis uses technology, is only broadening her students minds with technology.
Sir Ken Robinson: The Importance of Creativity
Ken Robinson has the up most respect for children and enjoys his time spent with them. As from the interview with Cecelia Gault, once again he has the concern for the loss of creativity from our children. He thinks that children should show their creativity in every subject matter with school, and not just the arts. He also says that while in school, the students are just taught the curriculum needed, and he thinks that dance and music should be added to get both sides of the brain working.
After seeing this video, it makes me only want to incorporate dance and music into my classroom. I think that when students can be creative in their own ways in the classroom that their minds may wander and something good may come from it. Creativity is what gives each student their uniqueness in life. Ken Robinson has a great outcome on why creativeness should be in the classroom, and I think my view has changed to agree with him in adding the arts into everyday classroom activities.
Knowing this video was published in 2008, I am scared to even know what the statistics are for each of them in 2011. Had I not had the opportunity to watch this video, I would still know nothing about the other countries and the statistics that were made. In the video at the beginning it is talking about how large China is becoming, I am curious to find out how much China has actually grown in three years. For India's 25 % of their population to have the highest IQ outnumbering the United States population should mean something to the US, and to start making a change in the ways we are taught.
it also had the slide about students are being taught to about technology not even invented, and that what we learn one year, will be outdated in three years. That is not only an example of in school work, but also technology. New technology comes out updated every couple months. For the slide about computers and the human brain, I think that it is nearly impossible for ones brain to be smarter than a computer. But who am I to say that it can not be proven? This video shows that technology has taken over our lives as human beings and without it we would be lost. Technology delivers information to one very fast, and yes it can be helpful but at the same time, the world depends on technology for such things such as email. Not many people mail a letter just to check on their friend. They e-mail, get on Facebook, or even Skype them! This video is pushing me to learn more about technology and the different ways that it is changing everyones lives daily.
Mr. Winkle Wakes
Mr. Winkle awakes and travels through a world full of technology, to get to the classroom and see that none is being used. Matthew Neeleman gives many great examples of how technology is used today, and that the lack of it in classrooms should also be focused on. Mr. Winkle goes to work offices with copiers, printers, and even the use of Skype on computers to have conferences. Mr. Winkle attempts to run from the fact that everywhere used technology but can not get away from it. If a hospital can have a machine to keep humans alive, then why cant schools have technology that keeps students interested in what they are learning in school?!
With the SmartBoard program in the classrooms, it seems that from observation, students are more into the material that is being taught to them. With the SmartBoard and the interaction that the students are given, if more and more technology could be made to be similar to it, I feel as if students would want to learn. From my past times, I was a student that had to be hands on to understand and comprehend material. Just as in the video "Did You Know?" they say what students are being taught one year, will be replaced with new information in three years. As much as what the students are being taught, technology is changing just as fast. Without technology in the classroom, it is back to the way of note taking and book learning. That bores students and makes them not want to learn. But with technology our children can grow and WANT to learn.
Cecelia Gault Interviews Sir Ken Robinson
While Cecelia Gault interviews Sir Ken Robinson, his responses are nothing but positive and only wanting the best for the children. Sir Ken Robinson wants to see an improvement in the education system. He also says that he would define "intelligence" as making sense of the diverse world around us. Not only having to focus and understand what happens in Finland, but also in China, Japan, or even the United States. Robinson's main focus is creativity. He says all children can be creative and it can be shown through science and technology, not just the arts. With the technology that the classrooms can have, it can allow the students to broaden their creativity levels.
Vicki Davis: Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts
Vicki Davis uses the time her students have with her in her classroom by letting them teach her things she may not have known. She wants her students to become more associated with technology not only in the classroom, but with the technology with other students around the world. Living in a small rural town in Georgia, the students may not get to venture out like they want to. But being able to blog and communicate with people in the Eastern half of the world, is something that her students seemed to enjoy.
Vicki Davis likes the thought that her classroom is not the original "paper and pencil" classroom but that you are actually being able to go hands on. She also stated that she does not always have to stand up front and lecture to the students, but that sometimes the students are teaching her something that they may have figured out how to do on the computer while they were learning how to use and navigate through the different software. Davis also stated that she likes to give her students words without defining them so they have to use the technology and look up what the word means. The way that Vicki Davis uses technology, is only broadening her students minds with technology.
Sir Ken Robinson: The Importance of Creativity
Ken Robinson has the up most respect for children and enjoys his time spent with them. As from the interview with Cecelia Gault, once again he has the concern for the loss of creativity from our children. He thinks that children should show their creativity in every subject matter with school, and not just the arts. He also says that while in school, the students are just taught the curriculum needed, and he thinks that dance and music should be added to get both sides of the brain working.
After seeing this video, it makes me only want to incorporate dance and music into my classroom. I think that when students can be creative in their own ways in the classroom that their minds may wander and something good may come from it. Creativity is what gives each student their uniqueness in life. Ken Robinson has a great outcome on why creativeness should be in the classroom, and I think my view has changed to agree with him in adding the arts into everyday classroom activities.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
blog post 1
My name is Kelsey Hayward and I am 21 years old. I have lived in Mobile my whole life, but plan on changing that after I graduate. I am attending the University of South Alabama because I knew if I were to go off to school, school would become my second option and partying my first. I love my life and the people in it! During the hot weather I love going to our bay house in Perdido, and going out on the boat. Ever since I can remember my summers have been spent over there out in the sun and in the water. I love any sport that has to deal with water. I also took dance for 16 years of my life. Dancing was something that I love to do, until I was a senior in high school, and figured out that I wanted to have fun with my friends and not be stuck in dance.
Family means everything to me. Without my family and the support that I receive from them I do not think that I would be as far as I am. I was never one to like school, but being pushed by parents and realizing that most jobs these days require a college degree, I am here at South Alabama. Growing up I was always babysitting for the extra money, and my passion for children started there. I like the idea of becoming a teacher and being able to teach a child something new and they grasp and learn the concept and get so excited. The look on their face is priceless. I used to teach swim lessons, and once the child understood they could swim and go under water that is all they wanted to do. Im hoping that children that are taught will have an impact like that and always want to learn, and not look at school as if it is a boring place to be.
I am also training to run a marathon in January in Disney World, which I am super excited about. I am running it not because I like to run, but being able to train and put my mind to a task as big as that and accomplishing it. Training is intense because I am used to running three miles, and now some days I am running eight miles in one day, which I did not think was capable for my body. I like to be a leader and different from other people. I like people who are unique, and speak their mind, because I am one to not bite my tongue. I hope to pass this class, and enter into candidacy in the fall. I am anxious and can not wait to actually one day become a teacher and to help others.
Lacking Time Management
Being on time is something that I have to battle with everyday. Getting to class on time is quite simple, but having to get to an appointment, such as my physical therapy three times a week, I am late everyday. I live my life religiously by my planner book that stays in my purse, and every little thing can be written in it and I still may forget something. I am also one of the students, when Dr. Strange said not to print, I had to print when I got home because it is something that I can look at and know due dates. I will still be reminded to check the online date to see if anything has changed, but knowing I have the print out of how to do each blog, project, or assignment, and the due dates calms my soul. Procrastination is also a weakness of mine. I like to get my work done, but on some assignments I will wait until the last minute possible. I think if I could figure out the best time that I am more aware to study and do homework that would help me. I just do work or study when i feel like I want to, not a certain time Procrastination is not a great quality to have, but I try everyday to attempt to become better, and am hoping that with this class and having multiple items to do by certain dates and that some may take longer than others, it will help my qualities.
Family means everything to me. Without my family and the support that I receive from them I do not think that I would be as far as I am. I was never one to like school, but being pushed by parents and realizing that most jobs these days require a college degree, I am here at South Alabama. Growing up I was always babysitting for the extra money, and my passion for children started there. I like the idea of becoming a teacher and being able to teach a child something new and they grasp and learn the concept and get so excited. The look on their face is priceless. I used to teach swim lessons, and once the child understood they could swim and go under water that is all they wanted to do. Im hoping that children that are taught will have an impact like that and always want to learn, and not look at school as if it is a boring place to be.
I am also training to run a marathon in January in Disney World, which I am super excited about. I am running it not because I like to run, but being able to train and put my mind to a task as big as that and accomplishing it. Training is intense because I am used to running three miles, and now some days I am running eight miles in one day, which I did not think was capable for my body. I like to be a leader and different from other people. I like people who are unique, and speak their mind, because I am one to not bite my tongue. I hope to pass this class, and enter into candidacy in the fall. I am anxious and can not wait to actually one day become a teacher and to help others.
Lacking Time Management
Being on time is something that I have to battle with everyday. Getting to class on time is quite simple, but having to get to an appointment, such as my physical therapy three times a week, I am late everyday. I live my life religiously by my planner book that stays in my purse, and every little thing can be written in it and I still may forget something. I am also one of the students, when Dr. Strange said not to print, I had to print when I got home because it is something that I can look at and know due dates. I will still be reminded to check the online date to see if anything has changed, but knowing I have the print out of how to do each blog, project, or assignment, and the due dates calms my soul. Procrastination is also a weakness of mine. I like to get my work done, but on some assignments I will wait until the last minute possible. I think if I could figure out the best time that I am more aware to study and do homework that would help me. I just do work or study when i feel like I want to, not a certain time Procrastination is not a great quality to have, but I try everyday to attempt to become better, and am hoping that with this class and having multiple items to do by certain dates and that some may take longer than others, it will help my qualities.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
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