Monday, February 27, 2012
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Blog Post #5
Don't Teach Your Kids This Stuff. Please?
Awesome! I have always been a big fan of sarcasm and witty humor and I loved the approach Mr. McLeod took on this delivery. It was definitely an eye opener to what some parents think about the internet. I think it is important that children understand that they need to use caution and be safe while on the internet, but I always thought that would be enough to make a parent be okay with them learning about technology. I absolutely loved the thought he stuck the reader with at the end. "can't wait to see who has a leg up in a decade or twocan you?" It definitely got me thinking about how I will raise my students and eventually children of my own. As the founder of Center for the Advanced Study of Technology Leadership in Education, I would have expected nothing less from a post of his.
The iSchool Initiative
The iSchool initiative says that schools can be changed out for an iTouch a student. I think that incorporating technology into schools is a great idea, but to take place of it completely? I don't know if I misunderstood the end result of this project, but if the children don't actually attend the school anymore then that could open up a whole new can of problems. I think, however, that the kids will go to school and use these devices instead of books and such, which could be a good idea. The only problem I have with it is the risk of medical problems that occur from an overuse of such devices. Eye problems and hand and joint problems are just two that come to mind. If these problems didn't surface then the iSchool is a revolutionary tool that should most definitely be used.
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Awesome! I have always been a big fan of sarcasm and witty humor and I loved the approach Mr. McLeod took on this delivery. It was definitely an eye opener to what some parents think about the internet. I think it is important that children understand that they need to use caution and be safe while on the internet, but I always thought that would be enough to make a parent be okay with them learning about technology. I absolutely loved the thought he stuck the reader with at the end. "can't wait to see who has a leg up in a decade or twocan you?" It definitely got me thinking about how I will raise my students and eventually children of my own. As the founder of Center for the Advanced Study of Technology Leadership in Education, I would have expected nothing less from a post of his.
The iSchool Initiative
The iSchool initiative says that schools can be changed out for an iTouch a student. I think that incorporating technology into schools is a great idea, but to take place of it completely? I don't know if I misunderstood the end result of this project, but if the children don't actually attend the school anymore then that could open up a whole new can of problems. I think, however, that the kids will go to school and use these devices instead of books and such, which could be a good idea. The only problem I have with it is the risk of medical problems that occur from an overuse of such devices. Eye problems and hand and joint problems are just two that come to mind. If these problems didn't surface then the iSchool is a revolutionary tool that should most definitely be used.
This video gave me the goose bumps all the way through! Beautiful singers and made even more spectacular that they weren't anywhere near each other while this was made. I couldn't stop with just this video though, if you have not listened to his video, Sleep, I highly recommend doing so. Truly amazing! This video actually lets you see, in digital groupings, the 2052 videos from 58 different countries and is just breathtakingly beautiful.
Kevin Roberts brings up a valid point when he says that teaching will be changing, or should be changing, as the technology around us changes. When students have all the information they need at the push of a button or touch of a screen then where does that leave teachers? To adapt to this form of learning, we must do some learning ourselves. We need to be as updated on the technology as our students are, and we need to know how to relate these devices to the skills they need to grow and succeed.
This website seemed to have everything there is needed to helping children read. I was a peer helper, tutor, in middle and high school and could have used resources like these to communicate better with the children. One of the biggest difficulties was getting on the same level and speaking in a way that made sense to a child so much younger than I. I loved that they actually have a page for children struggling with reading, this gives teachers good ideas and tips for helping them out and keeping them up to pace with the rest of the class.
They have links in this website to apps for computers and such that are specifically designed to help with reading comprehension. I think it is really neat to see how technology is working its way into the classroom one subject and one problem at a time. Those apps really are helpful to students and it gives them the courage to pick up a book and try again.
Blog Post #4
Langwitches: Flat Stanley Podcast
On the website, Langwitches, there is an article on the first graders project of Flat Stanley. I loved that they had an audio clip for us to listen to. The children sounded like they were having a blast! It definitely gave me good ideas on how to keep the kinds in tune with learning while getting to know technology at a young age. It also seemed to include the parents some too, which I think is always important for younger children.
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On the website, Langwitches, there is an article on the first graders project of Flat Stanley. I loved that they had an audio clip for us to listen to. The children sounded like they were having a blast! It definitely gave me good ideas on how to keep the kinds in tune with learning while getting to know technology at a young age. It also seemed to include the parents some too, which I think is always important for younger children.
The Benefits of Podcasting in a Classroom:
In this video, Benefits of Podcasting in a Classroom, Joe Dale talks about how podcasting in a classroom has effects on the students simply because it is something they can relate to. Students these days know a lot about technology, therefore they learn better in a technological environment. Some of the things I also thought were interesting about the podcasts were the ability to keep absent students in the loop, promoting creativity in children, and that the parents can keep updated on what's going on in the classroom. I was never absent much, but I know how hard it is to miss a day or two and catch up. Being able to know what when on that day gives children an upper hand on bouncing back quicker. Creativity is being squandered more and more in the school systems with the absence of art and other electives so it is nice to see it being brought back, and in creative ways. My parents were always in tune with what happened at school and in the classroom. By providing parents today, most who both work full-time, with the means to get to know the teacher and what is happening can bring a whole family together even if they don't have much time. I thought this was true to its core.
Listening-Comprehension-Podcasting:
Wow! That's quite the amazing audio clip on the Langwitches Blog. These children truly learned and comprehended the Hebrew language, not just memorizing the sentence they had. You could hear the accents coming out in them. I took French for three years and am no where near as fluent as these children sounded. I thought that it was really neat that they got to edit their clips and that they understood the language enough to put their clips in the right order!
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Blog Post #3
Peer Review:
Doing peer reviews is a great way to give and get positive feedback on your blog. I know that I make mistakes and I would want people to let me know. Having an open mind is always important. You have to keep in mind they aren't saying to check your spelling because they think you're stupid, they are just there to help you out. In the technological world we live in these days, it is important to know how to write properly, but having a back up system, such as peer review, is a nice comfort blanket that makes getting out there easier.
Technology in Special Education:
Once watching the video Technology in Special Education I realized how much this technology really makes a difference in these childrens' lives. A few years back when I was in high school, our special education department added a room in our high school designated specifically for special education students. The room was called the Snoezelen room and it incorporated calming technology with colors to desensitize students when they were having an episode. As an art student I helped to paint and put together this room and the technology in this room, while not interacting with the students directly, calmed them down with such ease it is unreal.
The special education department also incorporated the use of ipads in the classroom, which allows the students to learn while playing games involving math, reading, matching, and much more. Most autistic children learn best while using their hands and using this technology allows them to do so and as a plus it keeps their attention fairly good when you have animation. Technology in a classroom simply opens up many more doors for all students that without the technology would never be possible.
Doing peer reviews is a great way to give and get positive feedback on your blog. I know that I make mistakes and I would want people to let me know. Having an open mind is always important. You have to keep in mind they aren't saying to check your spelling because they think you're stupid, they are just there to help you out. In the technological world we live in these days, it is important to know how to write properly, but having a back up system, such as peer review, is a nice comfort blanket that makes getting out there easier.
Once watching the video Technology in Special Education I realized how much this technology really makes a difference in these childrens' lives. A few years back when I was in high school, our special education department added a room in our high school designated specifically for special education students. The room was called the Snoezelen room and it incorporated calming technology with colors to desensitize students when they were having an episode. As an art student I helped to paint and put together this room and the technology in this room, while not interacting with the students directly, calmed them down with such ease it is unreal.
The special education department also incorporated the use of ipads in the classroom, which allows the students to learn while playing games involving math, reading, matching, and much more. Most autistic children learn best while using their hands and using this technology allows them to do so and as a plus it keeps their attention fairly good when you have animation. Technology in a classroom simply opens up many more doors for all students that without the technology would never be possible.
How the Ipad Works with Academics for Autism:
The video How the Ipad Works with Academics for Autism was, in my opinion, eye opening for anyone opposed to or on the fence about this technology going into classrooms. Looking at the website at all the apps out there was really amazing, seeing all those apps capable of helping children learn. I personally love astronomy and naturally I was drawn to the Star Walk app. Although not maybe as helpful in a special education classroom, this app could be beneficial in an elementary classroom where seeing the stars would be next to impossible.
Gary Hayes Social Media Count:
The social media count on Gary Hayes' website was overwhelming to say the least. I would have never guessed that that much was happening on facebook, youtube, google chrome, and much more. As a future teacher I think it is important to understand how technology is changing and to keep up with it as it changes around us all. The children I will be teaching will need to know how to use technology to further their own educations and I am the teacher that will be responsible for doing just that. In the next five to ten years technology will be far beyond what we have today and at the rate it is moving we all need to pick up the pace on becoming technologically literate. Seeing all the facts on Gary Hayes' website, Social Media Count, is truly an amazing website full of very entertaining and useful facts.
Michael Wesch - A Vision of Students Today:
When I watched the video A Vision of Students Today it gave me the goose bumps reading all those signs of factual information held up by actual students. It was real and in your face, but it got you to stop and think about what you're doing and whether it's the right thing for you. We, as students, put a lot of effort into the school work that we do, and to come out unemployed and up to our necks in debt is a scary thought. I thought that it was neat that most of us are in school for degrees that don't exist yet, and will be teaching other children to go on and do similar things.
As a future teacher it disturbs me to know that many teachers now don't even realize that they are not teaching in effective ways. It makes me stop and really think about what kind of teacher I want to become, and ways I can stay informed to the growing technology boom. I do not ever want to be one of those teachers who indirectly neglects her students by depriving them of knowledge simply because I know not of it.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
C4T #1 Post Summary
C4T post #1
1. arvind s grover wrote a post about his school in New York where he is trying to open up a high school within the next four years. He is doing a very admirable thing by trying to recruit teachers who will push the students to do their best . He wants to have the students have only four classes a day but make them longer, allowing for more class time to go into more depth. He also would like a lab day on Wednesdays so that the kids can get learning from different sources.
2. I commented on his post and told him a little about my own high school. My high school focused a lot on athletics as well as academics, but the athletic teachers slacked in the classroom, especially if they were tenured. I also told him that it would have been a wonderful opportunity to have attended his school and that I wished him the best of luck acquiring great, outstanding teachers that will teach the leaders of tomorrow.
C4T post #2
1. This post of Mr. Grover's was about a program called STARS that raises awareness about hurtful Halloween costumes. It had some poster pictures that the students made with different examples of hurtful costumes.
2. I commented that I thought that this group was a wonderful group and they really opened my eyes to things I may not have thought twice about. My high school did not do any awareness like this but I feel as though maybe they should.
1. arvind s grover wrote a post about his school in New York where he is trying to open up a high school within the next four years. He is doing a very admirable thing by trying to recruit teachers who will push the students to do their best . He wants to have the students have only four classes a day but make them longer, allowing for more class time to go into more depth. He also would like a lab day on Wednesdays so that the kids can get learning from different sources.
2. I commented on his post and told him a little about my own high school. My high school focused a lot on athletics as well as academics, but the athletic teachers slacked in the classroom, especially if they were tenured. I also told him that it would have been a wonderful opportunity to have attended his school and that I wished him the best of luck acquiring great, outstanding teachers that will teach the leaders of tomorrow.
C4T post #2
1. This post of Mr. Grover's was about a program called STARS that raises awareness about hurtful Halloween costumes. It had some poster pictures that the students made with different examples of hurtful costumes.
2. I commented that I thought that this group was a wonderful group and they really opened my eyes to things I may not have thought twice about. My high school did not do any awareness like this but I feel as though maybe they should.
Blog Post #2
Vicki Davis: Harness Your Student's Digital Smarts
Vicki Davis, and IT instructor, teaches her classes in a different way from most other teachers. She believes that teachers need to learn along with their students and that the students need to be able to explore and learn on their own as well. She pushes them to think on a higher level than most students have to and as a result when they are given material to learn the thrive in this environment. I thought that this setting style was extremely awesome, and I feel as though her students learn and take with them a lot, not just the "important stuff".
A Vision for 21st Century Learning
In this video the main argument is that the passive teaching style is not the style that needs to be used. They suggest that books and lecture are in the past and that technology needs to push its way through to the front line of learning. While I believe technology is important and that students need to know how to use it, I also believe that you can not form a personal bond with a computer. Teachers do not just teach lessons out of books, they also teach children key life lessons and how to interact with one another. If you replace that with technology then you are left with a generation of socially inept children who can only connect through computers. I happen to love technology; video games, e-books, cell phones, and computers, but I also love talking to people face to face and I think a healthy mixture between the two would make the perfect teaching environment.
Sir Ken Robinson: The Importance of Creativity
In Ken Robinson's video he uses humor to keep his audience tuned in but also to help them understand why creativity is so important. Growing up I was blessed to have a school system that believed in being creative and that opened up many doors for me as I entered different grades. I have always loved writing and art, both which need creativity to strive. Ken Robinson seemed very passionate about this way of creatively teaching and creatively learning, something that I hope to be able to bring into a classroom with me some day. I enjoyed his video and agree completely that creativity is indeed important.
Mr. Winkle Waits
In this video by Matthew Needleman, Rip Van Winkle wakes up after a one hundred year slumber. He is confused to wake up in a world full of technology that he knows not of. He makes his way to a school and is comforted by the sight of a teacher giving a lecture to students just as it was when he was a child. I would most likely feel the same way as Mr. Winkle did, but at the same time I think that this technology should be integrated into the schools. There should be a happy medium between the technology world and the lecture world. In EDM 310 the students are pushed to learn outside what is normally expected, but even though hard at times, this will make us all technologically literate and help in the long run with classroom teaching skills.
Did You Know?
This video was extremely eye opening for me. I knew that the US had the least amount of bilingual citizens, but I did not realize how under educated this country is. When I was in high school I was able to take both spanish and french, but I know of many schools that do not have decent teachers in just a spanish class. I think this video was eye opening and definitely got me thinking about how I need to teach and what I need to work on to prepare myself.
Vicki Davis, and IT instructor, teaches her classes in a different way from most other teachers. She believes that teachers need to learn along with their students and that the students need to be able to explore and learn on their own as well. She pushes them to think on a higher level than most students have to and as a result when they are given material to learn the thrive in this environment. I thought that this setting style was extremely awesome, and I feel as though her students learn and take with them a lot, not just the "important stuff".
A Vision for 21st Century Learning
In this video the main argument is that the passive teaching style is not the style that needs to be used. They suggest that books and lecture are in the past and that technology needs to push its way through to the front line of learning. While I believe technology is important and that students need to know how to use it, I also believe that you can not form a personal bond with a computer. Teachers do not just teach lessons out of books, they also teach children key life lessons and how to interact with one another. If you replace that with technology then you are left with a generation of socially inept children who can only connect through computers. I happen to love technology; video games, e-books, cell phones, and computers, but I also love talking to people face to face and I think a healthy mixture between the two would make the perfect teaching environment.
Sir Ken Robinson: The Importance of Creativity
In Ken Robinson's video he uses humor to keep his audience tuned in but also to help them understand why creativity is so important. Growing up I was blessed to have a school system that believed in being creative and that opened up many doors for me as I entered different grades. I have always loved writing and art, both which need creativity to strive. Ken Robinson seemed very passionate about this way of creatively teaching and creatively learning, something that I hope to be able to bring into a classroom with me some day. I enjoyed his video and agree completely that creativity is indeed important.
Mr. Winkle Waits
In this video by Matthew Needleman, Rip Van Winkle wakes up after a one hundred year slumber. He is confused to wake up in a world full of technology that he knows not of. He makes his way to a school and is comforted by the sight of a teacher giving a lecture to students just as it was when he was a child. I would most likely feel the same way as Mr. Winkle did, but at the same time I think that this technology should be integrated into the schools. There should be a happy medium between the technology world and the lecture world. In EDM 310 the students are pushed to learn outside what is normally expected, but even though hard at times, this will make us all technologically literate and help in the long run with classroom teaching skills.
Did You Know?
This video was extremely eye opening for me. I knew that the US had the least amount of bilingual citizens, but I did not realize how under educated this country is. When I was in high school I was able to take both spanish and french, but I know of many schools that do not have decent teachers in just a spanish class. I think this video was eye opening and definitely got me thinking about how I need to teach and what I need to work on to prepare myself.
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