Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Mr. Chamberlain's Dear Kaia
This blog started because of a book named "The Child in the Woods." It was about a father trying to reconnect his daughter to the world she lived in. He not only connected her to her surroundings, but basically to the whole world. A school from Missouri was viewing Kaia's life.
A blog site allowed kids to connect with Kaia from across the world. This just shows how far technology has come. Not only can you share information with people in your city, state, or country, but you can share information with people all across the world. Kids are now learning from technology instead of boring text books. The kids were even able communicate with Kaia's father using skype which I am now beginning to use. I believe skype can be a useful tool, but to be honest I feel uncomfortable using it. The information these kids obtained from this blog was something that you couldn't do without technology.
Like I have stated in several post, the world of technology is changing everyday and it is making a huge impact on the way students learn. I never really realized that you could look at blogs from across the entire world. The comment for kids and Dear Kaia has opened my eyes to a new way of learning and helping others.
A blog site allowed kids to connect with Kaia from across the world. This just shows how far technology has come. Not only can you share information with people in your city, state, or country, but you can share information with people all across the world. Kids are now learning from technology instead of boring text books. The kids were even able communicate with Kaia's father using skype which I am now beginning to use. I believe skype can be a useful tool, but to be honest I feel uncomfortable using it. The information these kids obtained from this blog was something that you couldn't do without technology.
Like I have stated in several post, the world of technology is changing everyday and it is making a huge impact on the way students learn. I never really realized that you could look at blogs from across the entire world. The comment for kids and Dear Kaia has opened my eyes to a new way of learning and helping others.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
New Media Literacies
New Media Literacies are skills that are needed to function in todays technological world. I think the skills presented in this video are skills that most people use everyday. I believe all of these skills are needed for young people to be able to succeed and perform in our society. New media literacies will help students learn the proper skills that are needed to function in everyday life.
I believe that I have or know the majority of these skills. EDM 310 has showed me how difficult it can be to translate these skills and put them into function. I'm still in the process of learning and I've got a long way to go to be able to succeed in educated others. Everything in society keeps moving faster and faster. EDM 310 has helped me speed up my way of learning to be able to keep up with our society. I believe when I finish my PLN I will be able to find answers even faster. In our society today it is important to find information as fast as possible and it doesn't seem to be slowing down any time soon.
I believe that I have or know the majority of these skills. EDM 310 has showed me how difficult it can be to translate these skills and put them into function. I'm still in the process of learning and I've got a long way to go to be able to succeed in educated others. Everything in society keeps moving faster and faster. EDM 310 has helped me speed up my way of learning to be able to keep up with our society. I believe when I finish my PLN I will be able to find answers even faster. In our society today it is important to find information as fast as possible and it doesn't seem to be slowing down any time soon.
Networked Student
I think that I consider myself that networked student. I am currently learning about blogging, podcasting, twitter, and my PLN. I never imagined that I would be learning this way. I graduated in 2006 and since then technology has changed drastically. It seems like every year something totally different is coming out that can help students learn. I think the school year of 2004 I took a computer class and we were still using floppy disk to save information. Just think how technology will be in another five years.
I don't believe I am prepared just yet to be a teacher of networked students. It's hard enough to keep up in EDM 310. Every week we are learning something new and most of it will be helpful. In a way I feel that I will forget a lot that is being taught, because we are having to learn so much in so little time. EDM 310 is a perfect example of how fast technology is growing in the world today. When I signed up for this class I thought that it would be pretty easy, because it didn't require a book. Well I was wrong, the internet has a lot more information on it for you than any book will ever have. The internet always has something new out there for students to learn. EDM 310 is definitely preparing me to teach networked students. I'm not ready just yet, but this class is giving me a heads up on what the future holds.
I don't believe I am prepared just yet to be a teacher of networked students. It's hard enough to keep up in EDM 310. Every week we are learning something new and most of it will be helpful. In a way I feel that I will forget a lot that is being taught, because we are having to learn so much in so little time. EDM 310 is a perfect example of how fast technology is growing in the world today. When I signed up for this class I thought that it would be pretty easy, because it didn't require a book. Well I was wrong, the internet has a lot more information on it for you than any book will ever have. The internet always has something new out there for students to learn. EDM 310 is definitely preparing me to teach networked students. I'm not ready just yet, but this class is giving me a heads up on what the future holds.
This is How We Dream!
To be honest, that video was putting me to sleep (boring). Richard Miller has probably the most boring voice I've ever heard. Even though his speech was pretty boring he did state the facts. He said that he believed we are now living at the moment of the greatest change in human communication and in human history. He stated that we now have the capability to communicate instantly. We can get any information we need with the click of a button.
In part two of "This is How We Dream" he talked about iTunesU. He stated that many people who follow iTunesU and other developments are shocked, but pleased with the success and popularity of the academic lectures that they offer. I know that I was definitely shocked with what iTunes offers to help students and teachers. When I looked at iTunesU last week I found a couple of different sites to help me in my personal health class. On the other hand students don't necessarily feel like listening to anymore lectures than we have to. Overall, these developments can be great help for students, but most of us don't feel like listening to anymore lecturing or we don't have the time. I believe that multimedia will be used sometime in the future, but it's hard to predict when it will be used.
In part two of "This is How We Dream" he talked about iTunesU. He stated that many people who follow iTunesU and other developments are shocked, but pleased with the success and popularity of the academic lectures that they offer. I know that I was definitely shocked with what iTunes offers to help students and teachers. When I looked at iTunesU last week I found a couple of different sites to help me in my personal health class. On the other hand students don't necessarily feel like listening to anymore lectures than we have to. Overall, these developments can be great help for students, but most of us don't feel like listening to anymore lecturing or we don't have the time. I believe that multimedia will be used sometime in the future, but it's hard to predict when it will be used.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
iPods
It's crazy the way technology is growing. I thought iPods were just for music, but now they're used in the classroom to help students. I can see where students would take advantage of using iPods in the classroom and use them to listen to music instead of the professor, but overall I think they're great for students. "Duke University distributed free iPods to all first-year students in 2004; for the current academic year, free iPods were distributed only to undergraduates who enrolled in a course that required the device." (http://www.dukenews.duke.edu/2005/12/ipodupdate.html)
IPods give students an opportuniy to record lectures and listen to them whenever they want and as many times as they want. An iPod gives students alot more time to focus on school work. For example, if a student had a podcast or lecture downloaded on his/her iPod they could listen to it while exercising, riding in a car, cutting grass/yard work, etc. I believe you can even watch videocast on some of the iPods. These types of technological advances definitely give students a positive way to improve their ways of learning.
IPods give students an opportuniy to record lectures and listen to them whenever they want and as many times as they want. An iPod gives students alot more time to focus on school work. For example, if a student had a podcast or lecture downloaded on his/her iPod they could listen to it while exercising, riding in a car, cutting grass/yard work, etc. I believe you can even watch videocast on some of the iPods. These types of technological advances definitely give students a positive way to improve their ways of learning.
iTunes U
iTunes Univesity can be great for teachers and students. As a student I can find useful podcast and videocast on basically any subject. iTunes U is free for anyone, so that can be a positive for college students. I found a videocast showing students how to study smarter. This vodcast can improve a students study habits and possibly help students make better grades.
iTunes will help me as a future teacher as well. I can find different ideas that other teachers use. iTunes University has podcast that give tips on how to use microsoft powerpoint, excel, and the other microsoft office tools. You can search basically any topic that you need to learn about. I never realized that iTunes could be used as a tool to further my education. I thought it was a place to download and listen to music. All of the links under categories can be helpful to students, but the link that stood out to me was teaching and education. Universities and colleges can also be a good link to use to find interesting information.
Specific Link: Click on Teaching and Education under categories. Click on Study Smarter and listen to the podcast. Great for Procrastinators!!!
iTunes will help me as a future teacher as well. I can find different ideas that other teachers use. iTunes University has podcast that give tips on how to use microsoft powerpoint, excel, and the other microsoft office tools. You can search basically any topic that you need to learn about. I never realized that iTunes could be used as a tool to further my education. I thought it was a place to download and listen to music. All of the links under categories can be helpful to students, but the link that stood out to me was teaching and education. Universities and colleges can also be a good link to use to find interesting information.
Specific Link: Click on Teaching and Education under categories. Click on Study Smarter and listen to the podcast. Great for Procrastinators!!!
Dr. Christie
This site has interesting and useful information for any type of educators. It's a great source of information to help teachers who wish to use new technology in their classroom. I focused primarily on the GPS section of her website. I think a GPS system can be useful to any individual in the world today. The site states that GPS systems can be used on boats, cars, airplanes, and they even have them on cell phones. (Man have cell phones change in the last ten years) GPS recievers can be handy for hikers, campers, hunters, surveyors, and the everday individual.
GPS recievers are great for people that have no sense of direction. I know many people who can't remember how to get to some of the simplest places. This is when a GPS can come very useful. Dr. Christie's website gives different ways to use GPS recievers in the classrooms. One of the examples was with high school students. Students were broken up into teams and they used GPS recievers to locate items that the instructor had hidden around the school campus. This activity is a great way to begin teaching students how to operate a GPS effectively in a timely manner.
Any of these sections can be used by teachers to find resources and technological teaching ideas. There's no such thing as a teacher who doesn't need outside help. Teachers are always in the need for new resources and ideas and this is a perfect site to find creative and effective suggestions.
GPS recievers are great for people that have no sense of direction. I know many people who can't remember how to get to some of the simplest places. This is when a GPS can come very useful. Dr. Christie's website gives different ways to use GPS recievers in the classrooms. One of the examples was with high school students. Students were broken up into teams and they used GPS recievers to locate items that the instructor had hidden around the school campus. This activity is a great way to begin teaching students how to operate a GPS effectively in a timely manner.
Any of these sections can be used by teachers to find resources and technological teaching ideas. There's no such thing as a teacher who doesn't need outside help. Teachers are always in the need for new resources and ideas and this is a perfect site to find creative and effective suggestions.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
What I've Learned This Year
Mr. McClung's "What I've Learned This Year" has given me great insight on what to look forward to in my future career. Being flexible is something many teachers have a hard time adjusting too. As a future teacher this will be one of my main focuses on how I teach. When things don't go as planned we as teachers will need to stay focused and work around these obstacles with smiles as Mr. McClung said.
Mr McClung stated that communication is the best medicine. Teachers need to communicate with other teachers and students to give them the best opportunity to teach effectively. Teachers that communicate with each other can gain more and more knowledge about teaching effectively. Communication is also the best way to resolve problems in the workplace. Communicating with your students is just as important as communicating with fellow teachers. Communicating is a big key to being effective in the classroom.
Mr. McClung made a good point saying that students aren't perfect and neither are we. Many teachers have unrealistic goals set for there children and get frustrated if the students don't accomplish the goals that were set. We as teachers need to set goals for our students, but remember that the students are human and don't always accomplish these goals. If students fail, pick them up and encourage them to do better next time.
Mr McClung stated that communication is the best medicine. Teachers need to communicate with other teachers and students to give them the best opportunity to teach effectively. Teachers that communicate with each other can gain more and more knowledge about teaching effectively. Communication is also the best way to resolve problems in the workplace. Communicating with your students is just as important as communicating with fellow teachers. Communicating is a big key to being effective in the classroom.
Mr. McClung made a good point saying that students aren't perfect and neither are we. Many teachers have unrealistic goals set for there children and get frustrated if the students don't accomplish the goals that were set. We as teachers need to set goals for our students, but remember that the students are human and don't always accomplish these goals. If students fail, pick them up and encourage them to do better next time.
Wikipedia
Wikipedia is usually the first source that comes up on a search. The NPR article on Wikipedia states that it's usually the first source to come up but it's a free encyclopedia that anyone can edit and it is not fact-checked. I can recall many of my english teachers telling us basically the same statement as the article states. Many of my teachers have said not to use Wikipedia as a source for papers and projects and some have said if you do choose to use Wikipedia you will get a automatic failing grade.
The example they used about walmart shows how unreliable Wikipedia really is. Common since should tell you that wages at Walmart aren't 20 percent less than other stores. Many companies such as Walmart and Diebold have been known to change information just to make their companies look a little better. All of this information shows why many teachers will not except projects and papers with information used as sources from Wikipedia. In my opinion Wikipedia is based off of false information that comes from other peoples opinions.
The example they used about walmart shows how unreliable Wikipedia really is. Common since should tell you that wages at Walmart aren't 20 percent less than other stores. Many companies such as Walmart and Diebold have been known to change information just to make their companies look a little better. All of this information shows why many teachers will not except projects and papers with information used as sources from Wikipedia. In my opinion Wikipedia is based off of false information that comes from other peoples opinions.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Randy Pausch
Randy Pausch’s video was pretty interesting. To be honest, I was really dreading having to watch an hour long video, but it actually wasn’t that bad. Randy’s last lecture is about his childhood dreams, enabling dreams of others, and what you can learn from these dreams. He talked about some interesting aspects of his life and stated how dreams can come true if you work hard enough. He also showed how his dream of playing in the NFL didn’t come true, but the football experience made a difference in his life. He is basically trying to say that even if some dreams don’t come true the effort put out can make a change in your life.
One of the important methods Randy talked about was the significance of enabling others childhood dreams. Helping other people’s dreams come true can often be more important than making your own dreams come true. If we help students dreams come true we can have a huge impact on their lives. As future teachers we will be there to help students learn new things and possibly help their dreams come true. My dream has always been to become a teacher just like my parents are. Now it is coming true and I will have the chance to help other individual’s dreams come true.
Randy Pausch also used a brick wall as an example. He stated that you shouldn’t look at a brick wall as a wall that you can’t get through, but look at it as something you have to work for to get around. Let the brick wall be proof of how badly you want something. This example is a perfect way to teach children to keep trying and never give up. As teachers we need to use examples like this to teach students that every opportunity they get they need to take advantage and learn from it.
Randy Pausch’s last lecture is a lecture on the importance of childhood dreams and making those dreams possible. He made it clear that even if some dreams don’t come true that they can still be helpful in life as long as you work hard at what you’re trying to accomplish. We as future teachers should take this advice and translate it to the class rooms when we have the chance to change many young individuals’ lives.
One of the important methods Randy talked about was the significance of enabling others childhood dreams. Helping other people’s dreams come true can often be more important than making your own dreams come true. If we help students dreams come true we can have a huge impact on their lives. As future teachers we will be there to help students learn new things and possibly help their dreams come true. My dream has always been to become a teacher just like my parents are. Now it is coming true and I will have the chance to help other individual’s dreams come true.
Randy Pausch also used a brick wall as an example. He stated that you shouldn’t look at a brick wall as a wall that you can’t get through, but look at it as something you have to work for to get around. Let the brick wall be proof of how badly you want something. This example is a perfect way to teach children to keep trying and never give up. As teachers we need to use examples like this to teach students that every opportunity they get they need to take advantage and learn from it.
Randy Pausch’s last lecture is a lecture on the importance of childhood dreams and making those dreams possible. He made it clear that even if some dreams don’t come true that they can still be helpful in life as long as you work hard at what you’re trying to accomplish. We as future teachers should take this advice and translate it to the class rooms when we have the chance to change many young individuals’ lives.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Is It Okay to Be A Technologically Illiterate Teacher?
It’s not exactly okay to be a technologically illiterate teacher. I believe that some teachers will have their strengths and weaknesses using new technology, but all teachers should be able to use a computer efficiently to help teach students. I like the statement he made about teachers that are not technologically literate and are unwilling to make and effort to learn is equal to the teachers 30 years ago who didn’t know how to read and write. Everybody that is going to college this day and time has the opportunity to learn about computers and be somewhat technologically literate.
I believe as future educators we should be ready to learn at all times. If you’re not willing to learn new advances then this is not the job for you. Every year new tools are made to help with the way teachers teach their students. Ten years ago computers were rarely used in the classroom and now it’s the way to go. Most of us will teach for 25 to 30 years before retiring. Just think where technology will be at that point. That’s why every one of us should be willing to learn day in and day out.
I believe as future educators we should be ready to learn at all times. If you’re not willing to learn new advances then this is not the job for you. Every year new tools are made to help with the way teachers teach their students. Ten years ago computers were rarely used in the classroom and now it’s the way to go. Most of us will teach for 25 to 30 years before retiring. Just think where technology will be at that point. That’s why every one of us should be willing to learn day in and day out.
Friday, September 11, 2009
It's Not About The Technology
I agree with everything Mrs. Hines stated. Teachers have to be ready to learn new things ever year about new technological advances. My dad has been teaching for 31 one years and he’s had to learn how to teach in an entirely different way. When he first starting teaching they didn’t use computers and now that’s the way teachers keep the role, grades, and it’s the way most teachers teach class.
Technology is definitely useless without good teaching. Many teachers have smart boards in their classrooms, but they don’t use them the way they were made to be used. Some teachers use them just like they would use a chalk board or a black board. These teachers are wasting a lot of school funds because they are not willing to take the time to learn how to properly use the smart boards to get the most out of them. I’m glad I am taking this EDM 310 class because it has already showed me how important it is to take the time to learn as much as possible about new technology.
Technology is definitely useless without good teaching. Many teachers have smart boards in their classrooms, but they don’t use them the way they were made to be used. Some teachers use them just like they would use a chalk board or a black board. These teachers are wasting a lot of school funds because they are not willing to take the time to learn how to properly use the smart boards to get the most out of them. I’m glad I am taking this EDM 310 class because it has already showed me how important it is to take the time to learn as much as possible about new technology.
A Vision of Students Today
I would have to say this video shows what most college students experience. By the time I finally graduate I’ll be twenty to thirty thousand dollars in debt. I definitely buy text books that have cost a hundred dollars or more and never used them. One person held up a sign that said “her classmate paid for her tuition but never comes.” This has been the case for many of my classmates in the past. When I first started school many students would just show up for the test. I’m not currently taking classes that I will never use, but in the past I have.
It’s crazy to hear that people are going to school and don’t even know if they will have a job that even exist at this time. Technology has added many jobs to the world, but it has also taken many jobs away and as a result many of the older individuals are having trouble finding jobs that they have experience in.
I personally don’t have facebook, but I do notice people get on facebook during classes instead of paying attention to the instructor and students often bring their laptops just to have something to do during class. If I have to pay for tuition and books I believe I want to be paying attention to what the instructor is doing. I am guilty of trying to do homework at my house and find myself talking on my cell phone or reading something about sports on the internet, but I try my best to use my time wisely in the classroom.
It’s crazy to hear that people are going to school and don’t even know if they will have a job that even exist at this time. Technology has added many jobs to the world, but it has also taken many jobs away and as a result many of the older individuals are having trouble finding jobs that they have experience in.
I personally don’t have facebook, but I do notice people get on facebook during classes instead of paying attention to the instructor and students often bring their laptops just to have something to do during class. If I have to pay for tuition and books I believe I want to be paying attention to what the instructor is doing. I am guilty of trying to do homework at my house and find myself talking on my cell phone or reading something about sports on the internet, but I try my best to use my time wisely in the classroom.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Podcasting
I visited http://langwitches.org/blog/category/podcasting with 3rd graders. I thought they did a great job with their podcast. I liked how they researched the endangered species of Florida. Knowing some of the endangered species is a good thing for kids to learn about. They learned specific details on why some of the species were endangered and they learned about these animals natural habitats. These kids were giving everybody a heads up on how to keep these animals from becoming extinct. In my opinion the 3rd graders did an excellent job on their research and the way these podcast were done. I will have to say that they did a good job at getting the attention of their audience. To me that’s really important when doing these podcast.
Like I said above, I learned to how important it is to get the attention of your audience. Keep them satisfied and don’t make it to dull. I learned that by using sounds effects at the right time can keep the audience focused or at least the 3rd graders certainly kept my eyes appealed. Basically everything in your podcast needs to go as smooth as possible and keep it interesting. Overall I believe I got more from this website than any of the others we have done so far.
Like I said above, I learned to how important it is to get the attention of your audience. Keep them satisfied and don’t make it to dull. I learned that by using sounds effects at the right time can keep the audience focused or at least the 3rd graders certainly kept my eyes appealed. Basically everything in your podcast needs to go as smooth as possible and keep it interesting. Overall I believe I got more from this website than any of the others we have done so far.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
The Next Generation
The video shows just how far the world has come in the past decade. I’ve only been out of school for three years and technology has already changed drastically. I remember my teachers writing on the chalk boards and black boards and it was really slow compared to what teachers are able to do today. These smart boards keep the kids from getting to terribly bored and they help everyone stay concentrated including the teacher.
The wii is a good hands-on activity that can help students concentrate and have fun, but students still need to get outside and do activities. These games are not going to keep kids physically fit. This is probably the biggest problem with some of the new technology. When I was in elementary and middle school we went outside everyday to play kickball, football, or some other sport. These types of activities kept us healthy and we did not want to stay inside and be lazy and play video games all day long. I believe that the wii and other technological advances should be used to help students with their hand eye coordination and concentration, but they don’t need to be over used to an extent where children don’t do outdoor activities.
The wii is a good hands-on activity that can help students concentrate and have fun, but students still need to get outside and do activities. These games are not going to keep kids physically fit. This is probably the biggest problem with some of the new technology. When I was in elementary and middle school we went outside everyday to play kickball, football, or some other sport. These types of activities kept us healthy and we did not want to stay inside and be lazy and play video games all day long. I believe that the wii and other technological advances should be used to help students with their hand eye coordination and concentration, but they don’t need to be over used to an extent where children don’t do outdoor activities.
VideoCast
Overall the videocast was pretty good giving the circumstances. The topic was kind of boring, but they did a good job discussing if teachers should be technologically literate. The students looked like they didn’t want to be in the room doing the videocast. I would make an attempt to have a little bit of fun while doing the videocast just to keep the viewers interested. After watching this video for a couple of minutes, it got rather dull to me. The topic was probably the main reason this video wasn’t as interesting as it could have been. I also noticed that they were not equally involved in the videocast. I would try to get everyone involved as equally as possible in my videocast. Even though it was on the dull side I’ll give it a B plus.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Podcast
I have a couple of different opinions about these podcasts. Some of the podcasts, such as Smartboard lessons and Kidcasts actually have educational value. The others were basically people carrying on about nothing. Some of the Smartboard lessons had some good information to help me as a college student. I thought some of the Kidcast lessons were interesting. Some of the Kidcast showed how they got kids involved in technology. I liked how they had a Kidcast 2007 award winner.
EdTechtalk and MacBreak Weekly were very boring. It sounded like they were just coming up with stuff off the top of their head to talk about. The people talking on these podcast were basically talking about their life stories or their friend’s stories that they thought were funny. In one of the lessons they couldn’t decide on which cell phone network was the best. In a way, I believe some of these podcast can be helpful by teaching individuals like myself, how to learn a little more about technology. Just from listening to these podcast has shown me how to use iTunes and I found some really interesting information in the iTunes store.
This Week in Photography was rather boring, but it showed how far technology has come in upgrading cameras. In one of the lessons they stated that some of the new cameras are hard to operate because of all the features on the cameras. Ten years ago cameras basically had a on and off button and a button to take the picture. This shows the technological advances the world has made in a very short period of time. I’m taking a personal health class this semester and I found some valuable information on this subject. Some of the podcast have been helpful and some have been worthless, but most importantly I found that I can use other podcast to help me in other classes.
EdTechtalk and MacBreak Weekly were very boring. It sounded like they were just coming up with stuff off the top of their head to talk about. The people talking on these podcast were basically talking about their life stories or their friend’s stories that they thought were funny. In one of the lessons they couldn’t decide on which cell phone network was the best. In a way, I believe some of these podcast can be helpful by teaching individuals like myself, how to learn a little more about technology. Just from listening to these podcast has shown me how to use iTunes and I found some really interesting information in the iTunes store.
This Week in Photography was rather boring, but it showed how far technology has come in upgrading cameras. In one of the lessons they stated that some of the new cameras are hard to operate because of all the features on the cameras. Ten years ago cameras basically had a on and off button and a button to take the picture. This shows the technological advances the world has made in a very short period of time. I’m taking a personal health class this semester and I found some valuable information on this subject. Some of the podcast have been helpful and some have been worthless, but most importantly I found that I can use other podcast to help me in other classes.
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