Sunday, May 2, 2010
Good Bye
Dr. Strange I have enjoyed your course and Mr. Tashbin I have enjoyed having you as an instructor. To my classmates, I enjoyed getting to know you guys and working with you. Good luck and see you guys in the fall.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Final Reflections of EDM 310
What can I say? EDM 310 has been an experience...a good one though. There were a lot of new things thrown at us sometimes. For me, it seemed over whelming at times. I didn't think of myself as technologically literate before this class began. But now I believe that I have learned a lot and can be called some what technologically literate (debatable still). Here is a list of some of the tools acquired:
Blogs- I have never blogged before taking this class. I wasn't a big fan of it when we first started. But it has grown on me.
Google Docs- Very useful. You can create power points, spreadsheets, surveys and more. Google stores everything for you so you don't have any organizational issues and you may access it on any computer. Also it allows for a number of collaborators that you can allow to edit these with you.
Picasa- I used this to shrink photos that were to large to fit in my blogs and presentations. But there is a lot more that can be done with this.
Podcasts- These are very useful. You can find podcasts on itunes. Just like music, you can add them to your ipod.
Youtube- Although there are a lot of funny videos on youtube. There is also a lot good information on youtube. Didn't really understand this until I entered this class.
PLN (Personal Learning Network)- This is a collection of sources where you can share ideas with other people via twitter, facebook, and blogging. Also you add frequently visited websites that help you gain better ideas for your teaching.
iTunes- This is where you can find music. But more relevant to this class you can find podcasts. You can also upload podcasts that you have made.
Comments4Kids- I have learned that posting a students work online can be very beneficial because it is putting their work in front of an audience. Also the positive feedback from comments can act as a powerful motivator.
Comments4Teachers- I have learned some much from visiting teachers' blogs. It is always good to get point of views from people with experience in the teaching field.
Google Earth- This is a useful tool. I have played around with it before but never used it for any practical purposes. You can use google earth to record tours around the globe and then use it in a presentation.
I don't think there is anything we didn't learn in EDM 310 that I wish I would have learned. At least I can not think of anything at the moment. We covered a lot in this class. There is nothing that I learned in this class that I wish I hadn't. I think everything will have a practical use sometime or another. This class excited me more about becoming a teacher because now I have more tools to instruct students and keep them interested in school. At times, I became bored watching the long videos but for the most part, they were interesting. If I could change this course I would only make it more concrete. Meaning, I wouldn't add in extra activities in the middle of the week. It would help students plan how they wanted to spend their time studying for EDM 310 and other classes. But it wasn't too bad I didn't feel overworked. If I had to quantify my technological literacy I would say, medium. But I feel I will maintain this literacy by using these tools in future classes and more importantly in my teaching career.
Personal Learning Network
My PLN has grown since the middle of the semester. I have added a blog. Paul McMahon's blog has helped a lot. It gives me a point of view from a math teacher in Asia. Also two more websites, Alabama Learning Exchange (ALEX) and ACCESS (Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators, and Students Statewide). ACCESS allows for distant learning which improves the equity of for all Alabama public high school students through interactive videoconferencing and web-based courses. ALEX is designed to share many types of educator materials.
Blogs- I have never blogged before taking this class. I wasn't a big fan of it when we first started. But it has grown on me.
Google Docs- Very useful. You can create power points, spreadsheets, surveys and more. Google stores everything for you so you don't have any organizational issues and you may access it on any computer. Also it allows for a number of collaborators that you can allow to edit these with you.
Picasa- I used this to shrink photos that were to large to fit in my blogs and presentations. But there is a lot more that can be done with this.
Podcasts- These are very useful. You can find podcasts on itunes. Just like music, you can add them to your ipod.
Youtube- Although there are a lot of funny videos on youtube. There is also a lot good information on youtube. Didn't really understand this until I entered this class.
PLN (Personal Learning Network)- This is a collection of sources where you can share ideas with other people via twitter, facebook, and blogging. Also you add frequently visited websites that help you gain better ideas for your teaching.
iTunes- This is where you can find music. But more relevant to this class you can find podcasts. You can also upload podcasts that you have made.
Comments4Kids- I have learned that posting a students work online can be very beneficial because it is putting their work in front of an audience. Also the positive feedback from comments can act as a powerful motivator.
Comments4Teachers- I have learned some much from visiting teachers' blogs. It is always good to get point of views from people with experience in the teaching field.
Google Earth- This is a useful tool. I have played around with it before but never used it for any practical purposes. You can use google earth to record tours around the globe and then use it in a presentation.
I don't think there is anything we didn't learn in EDM 310 that I wish I would have learned. At least I can not think of anything at the moment. We covered a lot in this class. There is nothing that I learned in this class that I wish I hadn't. I think everything will have a practical use sometime or another. This class excited me more about becoming a teacher because now I have more tools to instruct students and keep them interested in school. At times, I became bored watching the long videos but for the most part, they were interesting. If I could change this course I would only make it more concrete. Meaning, I wouldn't add in extra activities in the middle of the week. It would help students plan how they wanted to spend their time studying for EDM 310 and other classes. But it wasn't too bad I didn't feel overworked. If I had to quantify my technological literacy I would say, medium. But I feel I will maintain this literacy by using these tools in future classes and more importantly in my teaching career.
Personal Learning Network
My PLN has grown since the middle of the semester. I have added a blog. Paul McMahon's blog has helped a lot. It gives me a point of view from a math teacher in Asia. Also two more websites, Alabama Learning Exchange (ALEX) and ACCESS (Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators, and Students Statewide). ACCESS allows for distant learning which improves the equity of for all Alabama public high school students through interactive videoconferencing and web-based courses. ALEX is designed to share many types of educator materials.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Teacher Interview
I did my interview with Jessica Bryant. She is a third grade teacher at Sun Valley Elementary in Birmingham, AL. She taught 6th grade before teaching the 3rd. We conducted the interview via phone and I recorded it using audicity. I would like to thank Jessica for her time. To listen to the interview click here
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Personal Learning Environment
In the video, the young lady's personal learning environment(PLE) is pretty impressive. I like how all of her web tools and information are organized in one place. It makes it alot easier to do research and make a report. My PLE doesn't even compare to the one in the video. But I have only just started and it has already to grow and progress. As I make new connections, my PLE grows. This helps me out alot because when ideas are shared I gain new perspectives of many things.
Two Questions That Can Change Your Life?
Two questions were posed to me through a video clip I was assigned to view. These were "What is your sentence?" and "Was I better today than I was yesterday?" Two good questions if you ask me. These two sentences act as a motivator for me. I think everybody wants to be better person. So the second of the two questions acts as catalyst to get people to progress everyday to strive to be better citizens of society and better human beings in general. While, that questions is meant for more a shortter period of time, the next one is meant for the long haul. I would want my sentence to be a good one. And I think if we can say yes the second question everyday, our senteces will be positive ones.
In the video, the young lady's personal learning environment(PLE) is pretty impressive. I like how all of her web tools and information are organized in one place. It makes it alot easier to do research and make a report. My PLE doesn't even compare to the one in the video. But I have only just started and it has already to grow and progress. As I make new connections, my PLE grows. This helps me out alot because when ideas are shared I gain new perspectives of many things.
Two Questions That Can Change Your Life?
Two questions were posed to me through a video clip I was assigned to view. These were "What is your sentence?" and "Was I better today than I was yesterday?" Two good questions if you ask me. These two sentences act as a motivator for me. I think everybody wants to be better person. So the second of the two questions acts as catalyst to get people to progress everyday to strive to be better citizens of society and better human beings in general. While, that questions is meant for more a shortter period of time, the next one is meant for the long haul. I would want my sentence to be a good one. And I think if we can say yes the second question everyday, our senteces will be positive ones.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Teaching Someone Technology
We were assigned to teach somebody how to use one of the tools that we have learned about in EDM 310. I ask my sister Amy if she would be willing to learn something new and she was happy to help me out. I taught her how to make a tour on google earth. First, I showed her what google earth was because she had never heard of it before. I showed her a few examples of tours and a few quick searches. She caught on quickly. Then we discussed the uses of a google earth tour and then what she was going make one about. She decided to make one of places she has been in the world. I step back and observed but offered help when solicited. Here is her tour.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Week 13 Post
There are many things about EDM 310 that I will take with me as I start teaching. I definitely utilize the tools and skills acquired, such as podcasts. I have always known what podcasts where but was never really into them. But this class has shown news ways that they can be useful. I already have some ideas that I think I will use them for. EDM 310 has also introduced me to blogging. I have never blogged before this class. For me, I wasn't fond of blogging in the beginning but now I see the benefits of it. It is a good way to share your thoughts had get feedback from others. It can also be a good self review. EDM 310 has been a good experience for me. These tools and skills I have acquired this semester will be very beneficial for me in my career.
Comment For Kids
This week I comment on a students post that shared her feeling about going to stay over night on a camping trip. She said she is a little scared but she will have to brave.
Comment For Kids
This week I comment on a students post that shared her feeling about going to stay over night on a camping trip. She said she is a little scared but she will have to brave.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Publishing Student's Work on the Web
As I watched the Dr. Suess video about the "Zax", I thought that many people are like the Zax when approached with technology. Teachers are also like this. They teach in the same systematic ways that have been used for years. Times are changing and technology is becoming more and more dominate in our society. If we do not change also, the world go on without us, just like the the Zax.
The PS22 video was great. The student chorus did a rendition of the song "Landslide" This is a prime example of why students should have an audience for their body of work. They are very talented and because this video was posted on the web they were invited to play with Stevie Nicks. It also good to get their work to a bigger audience because they can learn from the feed back. Criticism (there isn't much) can help because they can learn from it and engage in civil educated conversations. The positive feedback can be a big motivator.
Comments for Kids
This week I commented on a students blog from Pt. England school. He wrote a very descriptive story about his kite.
The PS22 video was great. The student chorus did a rendition of the song "Landslide" This is a prime example of why students should have an audience for their body of work. They are very talented and because this video was posted on the web they were invited to play with Stevie Nicks. It also good to get their work to a bigger audience because they can learn from the feed back. Criticism (there isn't much) can help because they can learn from it and engage in civil educated conversations. The positive feedback can be a big motivator.
Comments for Kids
This week I commented on a students blog from Pt. England school. He wrote a very descriptive story about his kite.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Comments for Kids Week 12 (No Week 11)
This week I visited Pt. England's blog. I visited a students blog where she post a picture and said she was a good student for listening to her teacher.
Comments for Teachers 2
For this comments for teachers assignment, I am assigned to visit Paul McMahon's blog. Paul is a math teacher in the Asian region. I am always looking for advice from any teacher but this a good opportunity to gain knowledge from a fellow math teacher. Maybe learn how technology is specifically used in the classroom to teach math.
On my first visit to his blog, I saw that he has not posted since February of this this year. So I checked out some of his older posts. His works entails him trying to implement technology into classrooms that are still predominantly textbook and examination driven.
With my second and last visit to his blog, I found out that he now works full time for Mathletics. This is website which allows kids to learn and have fun math at the same time. Paul McMahon is a regional manager for the asain region. But this is another prime example of how technology is being used to break down classroom walls and bring kids together. Paul believes that math hooks teachers into using technology.
On my first visit to his blog, I saw that he has not posted since February of this this year. So I checked out some of his older posts. His works entails him trying to implement technology into classrooms that are still predominantly textbook and examination driven.
With my second and last visit to his blog, I found out that he now works full time for Mathletics. This is website which allows kids to learn and have fun math at the same time. Paul McMahon is a regional manager for the asain region. But this is another prime example of how technology is being used to break down classroom walls and bring kids together. Paul believes that math hooks teachers into using technology.
Long Distance Connection
"Dear Kaia" and "Singing Hearts"
This week we read three blog posts and they are all relative to each other. A man and his daughter, who live in Qatar, go outside one day and take pictures of their surroundings. The little girl posts a blog about her findings outside and creates a photo essay which she also posts in her blog. An eighth grade class in Missouri finds this blog and begins to comment on her blog. But they become more curious about the world that Jabiz Raisdana and his daughter live in, that Jabiz offered to skype the class in Missouri and answer questions.
This is a prime example of how technology breaks down the class room walls and expands them outside of their normal realm. The eighth grade class became curious and was able to skype a person person from that region. Instead of reading boring paragraph and paragraph, they were able to interact and have their questions answered personally.
The future is only going to see more and more of this happening in class rooms. I think it will eventually become the norm, which is awesome. Because these people took risks and allowed themselves to be open, they made connections that other wise would be impossible.
This week we read three blog posts and they are all relative to each other. A man and his daughter, who live in Qatar, go outside one day and take pictures of their surroundings. The little girl posts a blog about her findings outside and creates a photo essay which she also posts in her blog. An eighth grade class in Missouri finds this blog and begins to comment on her blog. But they become more curious about the world that Jabiz Raisdana and his daughter live in, that Jabiz offered to skype the class in Missouri and answer questions.
This is a prime example of how technology breaks down the class room walls and expands them outside of their normal realm. The eighth grade class became curious and was able to skype a person person from that region. Instead of reading boring paragraph and paragraph, they were able to interact and have their questions answered personally.
The future is only going to see more and more of this happening in class rooms. I think it will eventually become the norm, which is awesome. Because these people took risks and allowed themselves to be open, they made connections that other wise would be impossible.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Vocaroo and Skype
This is a useful tool. It allows you to record voice messages them and send them as emails. Here is an example.
Skype is very useful tool as well. It allow people to have conversations and meetings using webcams. I use it all the time to keep in touch with family.
Skype is very useful tool as well. It allow people to have conversations and meetings using webcams. I use it all the time to keep in touch with family.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Time Toast Timeline
In EDM310, we have found a new program that could be useful in the classroom. I think it would be particularly useful in a history class. It is timetoast timeline. It is very easy to use. I experimented with it and made a fun one about Alabama Football. Click here and check it out.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Week 10
"An Open Letter to Educators"
This post by Morgan Bayda makes you think. It makes me think about the classes I take and how some of them are exactly has described by Morgan and in the video by Dan Brown. I can not help but feel the same way about some of the classes that I take. I sit through boring lectures where the professor reads off a power point. Then, you can get the power points off their website and read. It makes it almost pointless to go to class when you just read yourself online. It wasn't for mandatory attendance, I probably would not go. I think there should be change in education. We shouldn't stick to the old ways of teaching and learning such as memorizing facts. Although I do not see the "old school" way of learning to be my chosen education, the fact is we have no choice. I want to be teacher and I need to make a living somehow. How is it possible to be teacher and make a living without a degree? I need it. So I have to take these courses. But, I can take these values with me to the classroom and change the mindset of the next generation.
Comment For Kids
This week I commented on a young students post which was a recount of her activities through out the day.
This post by Morgan Bayda makes you think. It makes me think about the classes I take and how some of them are exactly has described by Morgan and in the video by Dan Brown. I can not help but feel the same way about some of the classes that I take. I sit through boring lectures where the professor reads off a power point. Then, you can get the power points off their website and read. It makes it almost pointless to go to class when you just read yourself online. It wasn't for mandatory attendance, I probably would not go. I think there should be change in education. We shouldn't stick to the old ways of teaching and learning such as memorizing facts. Although I do not see the "old school" way of learning to be my chosen education, the fact is we have no choice. I want to be teacher and I need to make a living somehow. How is it possible to be teacher and make a living without a degree? I need it. So I have to take these courses. But, I can take these values with me to the classroom and change the mindset of the next generation.
Comment For Kids
This week I commented on a young students post which was a recount of her activities through out the day.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
ALEX-Alabama Learning Exchange
This website, the Alabama Learning Exchange, is a very useful website for teachers. It offers tools to help a teacher to improve ones teaching in the classroom and their experience. It offers helpful advice so that we may improve on ourselves professionally. This website is a good site t be familiar since we are going to be future teachers.
This offers links to others sites that can also be very helpful. It offers lesson plans for all subjects taught. It even has podcasts that relate to education and some that can be used in teaching lessons. There are interviews with famous intellectuals that can be played in class. I think I will be visiting this website often throughout my career.
ACCESS - Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators, and Students Statewide.
This is a program that allows students to take classes that are not offered where they live. It was launched on November 1, 2004. This program also allows students to receive supplemental teaching. This program uses technology to teach these students from across the state.
I think this program is a very good program because it allows students that didn't have the opportunity to get a high quality eduacation to now have the opportunity. Plus it also shows a good way that technology is being used for.
Comments For Kids
This week, I comment on students blog where she used video and audio to describe a dinosaur.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Week 8 Post
"Randy Pausch Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams"
This was a very enlightening video. Randy Pausch made it very interesting. It wasn't hard to pay attention for a hour and 20 min. I think he makes very good points in here about achieving your dreams and life in general. It was uplifting to see him have a positive attitude even though he was dying.
Many kids have dreams but they never try to work for and give up. Some are they cannot fulfill them or that they shouldn't have dreams. As teachers, we should do everything we can to help our students fulfill their dreams. Sometimes, that might be challenging them or getting them to work harder. It depends on what their dreams are and how the students respond.
Being a future educator I took a lot of advice about teaching since Randy Pausch was a teacher. He made a point not to set the bar or expect a certain level of performance from the students. I think this is a good way of looking at education since you want to teach as well as you can. If you set a level of expectations then you will only teach to that level and you want to make sure the students get the best education possible.
The video was very good. It teaches lessons that we can use in life and take with us as we start teaching.
Comments for kids
This week, I commented on a students blog. She post blog about monsters and whether to believe in them or not.
Comments for Teachers
For this assignment I have been following a blog, "At the teacher's desk." It is a blog that is comprised of a team of teachers from all over the world. I can not keep up with all the new blog posts so Dr. Strange has narrowed it down to two contributors for me, Jarrod Lamshed and William Chamberlin. I have followed the blog for 3 weeks and learned alot. As a future educator the ideas and advice that you can find in all blogs, not this just this particular one, can help to better prepare you as a teacher. I know I have gained good insight of what the future has in store for me.
Week 7 was the first time I visited this blog. William Chamberlin posted information about a webpage he found. It is called Kidsblog. When I read this I thought, what a great post. It is always good to get information that can be beneficial in the classroom. As you can tell, our EDM310 class blogs all the time and we have seen elementary students do it to. But there is a problem with safety with the younger students because of creeps on the internet. Now there is a solution to the problem. Check out William Chamberlin's post for more information. He gives the full scoop.
Week 8 was the second time I was visiting the blog. So I scrolled down to the newest post published by William Chamberlin. He published a post about google alerts. This is a system on google that will search the internet automatically and email you alerts. It doesn't just search fro anything. You give it key words. It keeps a constant look out for the key words or materials related to the key words. For an educator, this is great. I know have google alerting me about new information pertaining to secondary education and mathematics.
Week 9: The newest post that was published was about how Disney now allows access to stream videos online. This seems to be a housekeeping post but it is the only one I saw written by William Chamberlin since the last time I visited. Although, this is very good information for people with families. Kids love Disney movies. I know I did.
All in all, I have learned a lot from William Chamberlin's blog posts and the blog "At the Teacher's Desk" in general. Mr. Chamberlin has shared excellent information that I'm sure I might use when I get into the classroom.
Week 7 was the first time I visited this blog. William Chamberlin posted information about a webpage he found. It is called Kidsblog. When I read this I thought, what a great post. It is always good to get information that can be beneficial in the classroom. As you can tell, our EDM310 class blogs all the time and we have seen elementary students do it to. But there is a problem with safety with the younger students because of creeps on the internet. Now there is a solution to the problem. Check out William Chamberlin's post for more information. He gives the full scoop.
Week 8 was the second time I was visiting the blog. So I scrolled down to the newest post published by William Chamberlin. He published a post about google alerts. This is a system on google that will search the internet automatically and email you alerts. It doesn't just search fro anything. You give it key words. It keeps a constant look out for the key words or materials related to the key words. For an educator, this is great. I know have google alerting me about new information pertaining to secondary education and mathematics.
Week 9: The newest post that was published was about how Disney now allows access to stream videos online. This seems to be a housekeeping post but it is the only one I saw written by William Chamberlin since the last time I visited. Although, this is very good information for people with families. Kids love Disney movies. I know I did.
All in all, I have learned a lot from William Chamberlin's blog posts and the blog "At the Teacher's Desk" in general. Mr. Chamberlin has shared excellent information that I'm sure I might use when I get into the classroom.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
My Persoanl Learning Network
For my personal learning network (PLN), I am subscribed to EdTechTalk.com. This is a podcast on itunes that keeps me up-to-date with new technology and new techniques and methods of to incorporate them into the classroom. I am also following Mr. Tashbin and Dr.Strange on twitter. This helpful because I can gain new ideas and engage in discussions with teachers. I follow Jarrod Lamshed's blog. You can find it on the webpage attheteachersdesk.blogspot.com. His blog offers good advice for new teachers. I also have included NCTM, National Council of Teachers of Math, in my PLN. I go to this webpage often. It offers articles, lessons, and advice how to be a better math teacher and better prepare students for the future.
Week 6 Blog
"Dr. Christie's Web page"
At Dr. Christie's web page serves as a useful tool to discover more ways to use technology in classroom to enhance teaching. This is a very helpful website for teachers and future teachers alike. It has many different categories to choose from, such as internet safety.
For me I found the most interesting link in her web page to be Emerging Technologies. It shows you upcoming technology that would be beneficial in a class room setting. I found this one interesting because I am a future educator and I believe the newer technology would be more relevant to the students that I will be teaching.
At Dr. Christie's web page serves as a useful tool to discover more ways to use technology in classroom to enhance teaching. This is a very helpful website for teachers and future teachers alike. It has many different categories to choose from, such as internet safety.
For me I found the most interesting link in her web page to be Emerging Technologies. It shows you upcoming technology that would be beneficial in a class room setting. I found this one interesting because I am a future educator and I believe the newer technology would be more relevant to the students that I will be teaching.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
"This is how we dream" (Parts 1 and 2)
This video is really cool. I wish I knew how to make a production such as that one. I think this video is just another example of what the future is going to be like for education. Students won't just be submitting reports on paper anymore, if at all. Our students are living in a world were information is instant and we must attempt to keep up.
As Richard Miller pointed out, this is a way to push ideas into the world. With regular ink and paper it takes a relatively long time to get a book on the market. But with technology and the internet, new ideas can be shown to the world much faster. Also they can be accessed instantly.
I do not see our future students of the near future being able to write with multimedia as well as the video portrays it. But the way our society is shifting towards being more technologically dominant and efficient, I can not rule that out. Although, I definitely expect it soon after.
"The Networked Student"
As I watched the movie about a networked student, I could not help but think that is similar to some of things we do in this class. We use delicious to share information that we find with our podcast team. We our learning to be networked students ourselves. In this case, I think I am ready to be the teacher of networked students. This way the students do not have to stuck in the classroom listening to boring lectures. They also learn more my going out and looking for the information and forming their own opinion. Also, they have an audience to share their findings with. They can share ideas and gain greater knowledge of a topic through continuing discussion.
"Toward a new future of whatever"
This video by Michael Wesch is about how times have changes and so have the people and generations. He has it somewhat correct about the generation of today, the "mtv generation." It can be confusing at times but he gets to points that easy to understand, youtube. We all have seen videos on youtube. It's way for people to express themselves. Also people can watch other people at a distance. I would have to agree with Mr. Wesch, that our generation have to fear or anxiety. When somebody makes a youtube video, they are thinking about the millions of potential viewers. So they do want to represent themselves well. But the creators do not get to see their audience watching them so therefore there is nothing to really to be scared about what they are going to say because it's not to your face. It would be to a computer. Sometimes, I think this represents our generation and sometimes it does not.
Comments for Kids
This week I commented on a class blog. They posted a video of them learning to sew. This is just to let you in on some of the other kid blogs I have commented on:
Week 4 I commented a class blog where the class made a animation video about sea life.
Week 5 I commented on student's blog. He wrote a book review.
Week 6 I commented on a class blog. They showed a short video and wrote about earthworms.
This video is really cool. I wish I knew how to make a production such as that one. I think this video is just another example of what the future is going to be like for education. Students won't just be submitting reports on paper anymore, if at all. Our students are living in a world were information is instant and we must attempt to keep up.
As Richard Miller pointed out, this is a way to push ideas into the world. With regular ink and paper it takes a relatively long time to get a book on the market. But with technology and the internet, new ideas can be shown to the world much faster. Also they can be accessed instantly.
I do not see our future students of the near future being able to write with multimedia as well as the video portrays it. But the way our society is shifting towards being more technologically dominant and efficient, I can not rule that out. Although, I definitely expect it soon after.
"The Networked Student"
As I watched the movie about a networked student, I could not help but think that is similar to some of things we do in this class. We use delicious to share information that we find with our podcast team. We our learning to be networked students ourselves. In this case, I think I am ready to be the teacher of networked students. This way the students do not have to stuck in the classroom listening to boring lectures. They also learn more my going out and looking for the information and forming their own opinion. Also, they have an audience to share their findings with. They can share ideas and gain greater knowledge of a topic through continuing discussion.
"Toward a new future of whatever"
This video by Michael Wesch is about how times have changes and so have the people and generations. He has it somewhat correct about the generation of today, the "mtv generation." It can be confusing at times but he gets to points that easy to understand, youtube. We all have seen videos on youtube. It's way for people to express themselves. Also people can watch other people at a distance. I would have to agree with Mr. Wesch, that our generation have to fear or anxiety. When somebody makes a youtube video, they are thinking about the millions of potential viewers. So they do want to represent themselves well. But the creators do not get to see their audience watching them so therefore there is nothing to really to be scared about what they are going to say because it's not to your face. It would be to a computer. Sometimes, I think this represents our generation and sometimes it does not.
Comments for Kids
This week I commented on a class blog. They posted a video of them learning to sew. This is just to let you in on some of the other kid blogs I have commented on:
Week 4 I commented a class blog where the class made a animation video about sea life.
Week 5 I commented on student's blog. He wrote a book review.
Week 6 I commented on a class blog. They showed a short video and wrote about earthworms.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Wikipedia and What I've Learned this Year
"Wikipedia: Reliable or Unreliable?"
When we do a any kind or research, one of the first things we do is search for information on the internet via search engines. On the top of this list that the search engine gives us is a link for wikipedia. Sometimes people take for granted that what they find on the internet is absolutely true. Anybody can put soemthing the internet but, that doesn't make it true. Wikipedia is not the exception.
Anyone can change the articles found on wikipedia. This fact alone doesn't make a concrete source. It is definitely not one that should be used for any academic writings. Companies and corporation has been found to change the information in the articles to enhance the view the public has on them. A chemical company deleting a portion of an article about controversial environmental hazards is a very good example. This makes the articles that we find on wikipedia well...biased. How are we suppose to weigh the the good and the bad, then make our own decisions, when we don't have all the facts. Big business isn't the only ones who do this, celebrities do it as well and any party of interest. So, is wikipedia a reliable source of information? If you ask me, I say, no.
"What I've learned from this year"
This post was a good one from a first year teacher. For me, I enjoyed it because it let's us know first hand what to experience on our first year as teachers. We have to flexible. Not everything is going to go just right. We also have to be willing to learn new things. We can't afford to. As times change, we don't want to be stuck teaching in old-fashioned ways. So, we have to be innovative and see technology as tool. I liked this post. Because I am not teacher yet, I am taking all the advice I can get. This post offers some good advice.
When we do a any kind or research, one of the first things we do is search for information on the internet via search engines. On the top of this list that the search engine gives us is a link for wikipedia. Sometimes people take for granted that what they find on the internet is absolutely true. Anybody can put soemthing the internet but, that doesn't make it true. Wikipedia is not the exception.
Anyone can change the articles found on wikipedia. This fact alone doesn't make a concrete source. It is definitely not one that should be used for any academic writings. Companies and corporation has been found to change the information in the articles to enhance the view the public has on them. A chemical company deleting a portion of an article about controversial environmental hazards is a very good example. This makes the articles that we find on wikipedia well...biased. How are we suppose to weigh the the good and the bad, then make our own decisions, when we don't have all the facts. Big business isn't the only ones who do this, celebrities do it as well and any party of interest. So, is wikipedia a reliable source of information? If you ask me, I say, no.
"What I've learned from this year"
This post was a good one from a first year teacher. For me, I enjoyed it because it let's us know first hand what to experience on our first year as teachers. We have to flexible. Not everything is going to go just right. We also have to be willing to learn new things. We can't afford to. As times change, we don't want to be stuck teaching in old-fashioned ways. So, we have to be innovative and see technology as tool. I liked this post. Because I am not teacher yet, I am taking all the advice I can get. This post offers some good advice.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Podcasting in the Classroom (Week 4 post)
Last week, I listened to six podcasts for about ten minutes each. So I have only dabbled into podcasting. I thought about some of the general advantages that podcasts have. Being a future teacher, I also pondered about ways to use them in teaching. The video that I choose to watch for this week confirms some of my points and also taught me some new positives that podcasts can have.
As confirmed for me, the video clip "Podcasting in the classroom" shows some useful methods for how to enhance students' learning experience. As we are all going to be teachers of in the new millennium, we are taking on the task of teaching student that have no idea what living without a computer or some kind of technology. Because of this, podcasts can be useful in keeping their attention because of their familiarity with them. Teachers can record lectures and post them as podcasts and students can go back and listen to them as reviews. This also works out good for students who have to miss class. They can listen to the lecture right at home from their computer. Students can also create and write podcast which allows them to use their creative abilities. There many uses for podcasts in the classroom. I encourage everyone to watch this video. It is a good one.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Podcasts and Technological Youngsters (week 3 post)
PODCASTS
I think pod casting can be very useful media tool. They can be used as instructional tools and teachers can use them to leave lectures to remind students of ideas they have heard in the classroom. There are many ways that pod casting can be useful. I really enjoyed SmartBoard Lessons, KidCast,and EdTech Talk pod casts as they were related to education. I think smart boards are fun to use and can be a very good teaching tool. Having pod casts that can instruct you how to to do new things can take our teaching to new levels. I just wanted to throw that out there. Listening to these pod casts I have learned a little bit of how pod casts work. Which will help us as we will be making one in 3-4 weeks.
First of all, we have to pick a subject that is relevant to the people of which our pod casts are intended for. Since we are future educators and taking an education class, I would imagine that our pod casts would be something along the lines of education and/or technology. We must keep the subject relevant for our chosen audience. We must also work to keep our audience interested and not loose their attention. I have learned from listening to the pod casts that there are some intervals that can be very boring.
Even though this maybe a small detail of the pod casts, I think that voice projection is very important. If our audience can not hear or understand the pod cast, then it is useless. So I think speaking clearly, pronunciation, and projection of our voice can be very important. I also learned from SmartBoard lessons pod cast that depending on the subject that is discussed, we might have to use very descriptive language to describe something. Even though these maybe small details of producing a pod cast, I think they can come into play when making a good one.
TECHNOLOGICAL YOUNGSTERS
The children in the videos are simply amazing. They are doing some of the same things we are doing in this class. I do not remember being able to use a computer that well as a first grader. Then on top of that, they can explain to you how to use their blogs and how to leave comments. That is impressive. This only shows us what the future has in store for soon to be teachers. I liked this video because it shows a prime example of how technology can be used in the classroom. These kids are improving their reading and writing skills when they post blogs. They are also getting familiar with technology and connecting with the world which will be helpful in the future.
I think pod casting can be very useful media tool. They can be used as instructional tools and teachers can use them to leave lectures to remind students of ideas they have heard in the classroom. There are many ways that pod casting can be useful. I really enjoyed SmartBoard Lessons, KidCast,and EdTech Talk pod casts as they were related to education. I think smart boards are fun to use and can be a very good teaching tool. Having pod casts that can instruct you how to to do new things can take our teaching to new levels. I just wanted to throw that out there. Listening to these pod casts I have learned a little bit of how pod casts work. Which will help us as we will be making one in 3-4 weeks.
First of all, we have to pick a subject that is relevant to the people of which our pod casts are intended for. Since we are future educators and taking an education class, I would imagine that our pod casts would be something along the lines of education and/or technology. We must keep the subject relevant for our chosen audience. We must also work to keep our audience interested and not loose their attention. I have learned from listening to the pod casts that there are some intervals that can be very boring.
Even though this maybe a small detail of the pod casts, I think that voice projection is very important. If our audience can not hear or understand the pod cast, then it is useless. So I think speaking clearly, pronunciation, and projection of our voice can be very important. I also learned from SmartBoard lessons pod cast that depending on the subject that is discussed, we might have to use very descriptive language to describe something. Even though these maybe small details of producing a pod cast, I think they can come into play when making a good one.
TECHNOLOGICAL YOUNGSTERS
The children in the videos are simply amazing. They are doing some of the same things we are doing in this class. I do not remember being able to use a computer that well as a first grader. Then on top of that, they can explain to you how to use their blogs and how to leave comments. That is impressive. This only shows us what the future has in store for soon to be teachers. I liked this video because it shows a prime example of how technology can be used in the classroom. These kids are improving their reading and writing skills when they post blogs. They are also getting familiar with technology and connecting with the world which will be helpful in the future.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Week 2 Blog Post
"A vision of students today"
I can personally relate to some relate to some of the topics and points brought up in this video. Books cost a fortune and I don't even use some of them. Most of the professors I have had know my name or knew my name at least while I was in their class. I agree with some topics that have been brought up in this video.
I do agree that some reading assignments given by professors are too long. They assign so much reading that sometimes it can be hard to finish all of it. There are other responsibilities outside of the classroom. But its not like anybody said college was going to be easy. Students have to use their time wisely to get done what needs to get done.
"It's not about the technology"
This was a very interesting article. I agree with Ms. Kelly Hines about her view of technology in education. While it can be very useful, there is no point in spending money and time setting up technological tools if the teacher cannot be innovative to use these tools to teach. Teachers must be creative in their ways of delivery. They need to bring many ways of delivering a subject to students. There are a lot of different minds that do not learn the same.
Therefore, technology can not really help us unless we change the whole mindset of education. We need to first change the way we think. As teacher, we need to keep up-to-date with information about ways and methods we can use to teacher students. After this, technology can be put in place to only further improve methods and delivery.
"Is it okay to be a technologically illiterate teacher?"
It certainly seems that in times today many people are not able to get by without being some type of technological literate. Whether it is with cell phones, computers, or fax machines. People wouldn't be to survive. We are growing more technologically dominated everyday. There are first graders that are better with computers than their parents. This shows us where the world is going today and the type of students that will be entering the work force in the future.
If teachers choose not be technologically literate then they are hurting the chances of their students. They can not teach their students how to be technologically literate. Times are changing and forcing people to shift from old ways of working to new technological ways. The students will entering this work force after we are done with them and it is our responsibility to get them ready for it. So I agree with Karl Fisch. Teachers can not afford to be technologically illiterate, at least in this day and age.
"Social Media Count"
As I look at this counter, I can't help but notice how fast that this numbers grow. And as I am writing this blog for an education class, I can't help but think has to how many of my future students have and will be contributing to these amounts. What this means to me as future as educator is that I will definitely have to stay up-to-date with technological information. This is so I can have better tools to teach my future students and also keep their attention.
I can personally relate to some relate to some of the topics and points brought up in this video. Books cost a fortune and I don't even use some of them. Most of the professors I have had know my name or knew my name at least while I was in their class. I agree with some topics that have been brought up in this video.
I do agree that some reading assignments given by professors are too long. They assign so much reading that sometimes it can be hard to finish all of it. There are other responsibilities outside of the classroom. But its not like anybody said college was going to be easy. Students have to use their time wisely to get done what needs to get done.
"It's not about the technology"
This was a very interesting article. I agree with Ms. Kelly Hines about her view of technology in education. While it can be very useful, there is no point in spending money and time setting up technological tools if the teacher cannot be innovative to use these tools to teach. Teachers must be creative in their ways of delivery. They need to bring many ways of delivering a subject to students. There are a lot of different minds that do not learn the same.
Therefore, technology can not really help us unless we change the whole mindset of education. We need to first change the way we think. As teacher, we need to keep up-to-date with information about ways and methods we can use to teacher students. After this, technology can be put in place to only further improve methods and delivery.
"Is it okay to be a technologically illiterate teacher?"
It certainly seems that in times today many people are not able to get by without being some type of technological literate. Whether it is with cell phones, computers, or fax machines. People wouldn't be to survive. We are growing more technologically dominated everyday. There are first graders that are better with computers than their parents. This shows us where the world is going today and the type of students that will be entering the work force in the future.
If teachers choose not be technologically literate then they are hurting the chances of their students. They can not teach their students how to be technologically literate. Times are changing and forcing people to shift from old ways of working to new technological ways. The students will entering this work force after we are done with them and it is our responsibility to get them ready for it. So I agree with Karl Fisch. Teachers can not afford to be technologically illiterate, at least in this day and age.
"Social Media Count"
As I look at this counter, I can't help but notice how fast that this numbers grow. And as I am writing this blog for an education class, I can't help but think has to how many of my future students have and will be contributing to these amounts. What this means to me as future as educator is that I will definitely have to stay up-to-date with technological information. This is so I can have better tools to teach my future students and also keep their attention.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Technology in edcucation
"Did you know 3.0"
In today's world, technology is constantly changing. It does not seem to be slowing down either according to "Did you know 3.0". The world seems to be shifting to more technologically dominated societies. With personal computers becoming more affordable every year, less-developed countries even have access to the internet. This allows them to acquire information and news instantly. Otherwise, it would have taken hours or days for the news to reach them.
With news and information being instantly accessed, the world is able to develop rapidly. People in the job market are forced to keep up with updated technology and information. As technology changes, so does the way it is taught. According to "Did you know 3.0", the technological knowledge and skills that students acquire will already be out dated by the time they finish school. Can anyone be truly certain of what the future will hold with the way technology is rapidly progressing? One thing is for sure, the possibilities are endless.
"Mr. Winkle Wakes"
In the video "Mr. Winkle Wakes", Mr. Winkle wakes up from a 100 year sleep to a technologically advanced world. He sees how a businesses and hospitals are run with the assistance of computers and technology. He feels very uncomfortable until he gets to a school. Where everything seems very familiar to him because of the absence of technology that he saw being used the world in the world.
I think the author, Mathew Needleman, wants to point out the absence of technology being used in schools. Students need to be prepared to enter a technology dominated job market. Students are used to living in a technologically advanced society, it can be hard to keep their attention and teach them in out dated ways. With the presence of up-to-date technology in classrooms, students can acquire the technological knowledge to better prepare themselves for the job market. Also, it will provide new methods and techniques for teaching students of a technologically dominated generation.
"Ken Robinson says schools kill creativity"
Ken Robison defines creativity as orignal ideas that contain value. I do agree with Mr. Robinson's definition. He states that schools are teaching the students how to do things the "right" way and therefore killing the creatitivy of the students because they are afraid to be wrong. I agree partly with this statement because in certain subjects of academia there is a unique solution to a problem.
I believe that fine arts such as music and art are the areas of acadamia where students can use their creatitvity. They are encouraged to do so. But in a subject such as mathematics, creativity does not exist. There may be a number of methods to finding a solution to a problem. They still all lead to one unique solution. In this aspect, I disagree with Mr. Robison. But I do agree that other areas of education should not be put above areas where students can use their creativity. As a society, we teach our students to focus on subjects such as mathematics and language arts because these are the skills that will get them a job. Although these subjects are very important, we can not say for sure that a studnent will not be a musician, dancer, or artist.
"Harnessing Your Students' Digital Smarts"
This video is very a interesting piece. It shows how technology in the classroom can help to teach students of today. This will only better prepare them to use technology outside school. Teaching students how to use useful software can only help them. They will encounter such technlogy as they further their education and can feel comfortable and find ease in using them.
I agree with Vicki Davis that if we only have pencil and paper to teach students then it is setup for only some students to succeed. Students learn in different ways and technology provides other tools and methods to teach students. As a future educator, I like the fact that you do not have to know everything about a subject to teach it. I am pretty sure that when I start teaching, my students will be more technologically literate than me. There is always room to learn new things, even as a teacher.
In today's world, technology is constantly changing. It does not seem to be slowing down either according to "Did you know 3.0". The world seems to be shifting to more technologically dominated societies. With personal computers becoming more affordable every year, less-developed countries even have access to the internet. This allows them to acquire information and news instantly. Otherwise, it would have taken hours or days for the news to reach them.
With news and information being instantly accessed, the world is able to develop rapidly. People in the job market are forced to keep up with updated technology and information. As technology changes, so does the way it is taught. According to "Did you know 3.0", the technological knowledge and skills that students acquire will already be out dated by the time they finish school. Can anyone be truly certain of what the future will hold with the way technology is rapidly progressing? One thing is for sure, the possibilities are endless.
"Mr. Winkle Wakes"
In the video "Mr. Winkle Wakes", Mr. Winkle wakes up from a 100 year sleep to a technologically advanced world. He sees how a businesses and hospitals are run with the assistance of computers and technology. He feels very uncomfortable until he gets to a school. Where everything seems very familiar to him because of the absence of technology that he saw being used the world in the world.
I think the author, Mathew Needleman, wants to point out the absence of technology being used in schools. Students need to be prepared to enter a technology dominated job market. Students are used to living in a technologically advanced society, it can be hard to keep their attention and teach them in out dated ways. With the presence of up-to-date technology in classrooms, students can acquire the technological knowledge to better prepare themselves for the job market. Also, it will provide new methods and techniques for teaching students of a technologically dominated generation.
"Ken Robinson says schools kill creativity"
Ken Robison defines creativity as orignal ideas that contain value. I do agree with Mr. Robinson's definition. He states that schools are teaching the students how to do things the "right" way and therefore killing the creatitivy of the students because they are afraid to be wrong. I agree partly with this statement because in certain subjects of academia there is a unique solution to a problem.
I believe that fine arts such as music and art are the areas of acadamia where students can use their creatitvity. They are encouraged to do so. But in a subject such as mathematics, creativity does not exist. There may be a number of methods to finding a solution to a problem. They still all lead to one unique solution. In this aspect, I disagree with Mr. Robison. But I do agree that other areas of education should not be put above areas where students can use their creativity. As a society, we teach our students to focus on subjects such as mathematics and language arts because these are the skills that will get them a job. Although these subjects are very important, we can not say for sure that a studnent will not be a musician, dancer, or artist.
"Harnessing Your Students' Digital Smarts"
This video is very a interesting piece. It shows how technology in the classroom can help to teach students of today. This will only better prepare them to use technology outside school. Teaching students how to use useful software can only help them. They will encounter such technlogy as they further their education and can feel comfortable and find ease in using them.
I agree with Vicki Davis that if we only have pencil and paper to teach students then it is setup for only some students to succeed. Students learn in different ways and technology provides other tools and methods to teach students. As a future educator, I like the fact that you do not have to know everything about a subject to teach it. I am pretty sure that when I start teaching, my students will be more technologically literate than me. There is always room to learn new things, even as a teacher.
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