Andrew Carnegie

Final Project

My group worked together with the idea of TED. This is our video:


For my wallwisher I explained the World of Warcraft Economy. This is my video:


View MY wallwisher at: www.wallwisher.com/wall/WoWEconomy

All of our wallwisher videos can be accessed on the video wall: http://playboy251.glogster.com/finalproject/
You can view our individual wallwisher videos by clicking on our picture here: http://www.symbaloo.com/mix/finalproject

PLN

I have added and removed different connections throughout the semester. I try to only keep what I actually use on a fairly normal basis on here. I have my workplace connections, previous employers, entertainment, and social life connected to the PLN. Take a look by clicking here: http://www.symbaloo.com/mix/reginaspln

C4T #4

In my first C4T #4 post I read about the ways technology has changed. Things that were incredibly useful 10-15 years ago are now obsolete. In this post she spoke about VCRs and cell phones, how landlines are barely used and questioned why the school systems do not reflect the changes on the scale that they should.
This teacher had not posted again so I went back to a post from the past. She spoke about how technology had helped her personally and how amazing it was. While living in Bangkok she was able to buy a house in Seattle, Washington, simply by using the internet. They were able to sign the papers while she was half a world away and even when her husband was in Belguim. After buying the house, they  completely remodeled it by using trusted people, internet and phone with picture texts.

C4K November and 12/05

This week I commented on Melissa’s blog post. Melissa loves cat and her family has many cats and/or kittens. She talked about remembering the first time her parents brought one home-its name was Fluffy. She also spoke about how the cats had gotten their names. When she posted she was looking for a name for the new member of the family. Since then she has named this new kitten Star.

For the week of 11/21 I commented on a blog belonging to “wdona”. In their class they were learning how to use mnemonics to help them remember the planet order. Wdona had a very interesting mnemonic and picture to match. The picture included both winter and summer all in one.

During the week of Veterans Day (11/14) I commented on a post from Tyrell in Canada. His post reminded us to take a moment of silence and remember. In Canada they have Remembrance Day in the place of our Veteran’s Day. Tyrell had two videos from youtube posted as well as and pro-Canada propaganda poster.

The first week of Novemeber (11/7) I commented on a student of Ms. Cassidy. This student name was Daulton who had been a skeleton for Halloween. His post was a picture that he had created using a computer program such as paint.

Project #15

Tom Johnson's Pencil Integration

     I enjoy reading Tom Johnson's post about using our brains rather than depending on pencils, papers, and other technology. He gives his students the freedom to use their creativity to teach themselves and show their perspectives to others. My favorite of these posts were about the math class metaphors. I have a feeling that these students were much happier and understood the meaning of "x" much quicker than students in other classes that were simply taught that the alphabet has now become a part of math and that it was a variable. Students that are allowed to express their opinions will open up and become more involved in discussions and take more away from the class.

Blog Post #13

     ALEX is a very interesting website available to teachers. I had heard of ALEX before but had never used it or looked into what it actually was. I am glad that we had an assignment to look into ALEX because I probably would have never done it on my own. The website has many different areas that teachers can uses such as Personal Workspace, Web Links, Podcast Treasury and many others. I mainly looked into the area with Lesson Plans. Lesson Plans allows teachers to look through previously developed lesson plans by picking a subject or through picking a teacher, grade level or other key words. I found this very interesting as I looked into my subject area (social science). I was able to find lesson plans from certain time periods of history as well as full subject lesson plans.

I will definitely be using this when I become a teacher. I found this site very useful but I have not had time to go through the entire of site yet but hope too soon.

Form - Dining Out

     For my form I asked about peoples opinions on going out to eat and how they expect to be treated by a server. Many people seem to be easy to please but notice the little things when it comes to leaving a tip. When asked about what would make someone not want to come back most responded with things about bugs, dirtiness or objects in food more than service issues. I think my results were somewhat biased because many people that had responded had previously worked in the food industry.
      I work in a local restaurant as a server and since I started I have learned many things. Servers are not paid minimum wage by the restaurant and rely on tips to earn anything. A few people did not realize this in my form but many did acknowledge this fact and it reflected on the amount they said they would tip.

Actual results will be posted soon.

Final Project Update

     I have emailed with Trung Nguyen about wallwisher. He has started a wallwisher for people to post on for collaboration. I like the wallwisher idea and will be making my own page soon.

Blog Post #12

Watch this video about Facebook Applications that can be used in education. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRhvnTHAqek&feature=related

Write a comment about this video.

     This video talks about different applications that Facebook provides that allows students to learn while networking. As stated in this video Facebook is here, we don’t need to fight it, we just need to use it to our advantage. Applications such as math formulas, flashcards and mind games are just a few that can help students. Many students can use the language applications when learning foreign languages. They also speak about the applications that would be considered more for electives but still help with making students use their minds to figure out problems.

Teach Somebody

For my teach somebody I am sharing instructions for a recipe that I created. I like to mix different things and see how they turn out. This became a household favorite for my family. Click here to learn how to make Chicken and Veggie Pasta.

C4T Teacher #3 Summary

     Over the last few weeks I have read and commented on the blog posts of Mrs. Hadley. She is a teacher in Philadelphia at an all-girls school. She has four children of her own that she homeschooled until the high school years. In her posts she spoke about convincing the children that it’s not all just about a grade but how they learn the information. This was the primary focus of the first post I read. She wanted the point to be made that for some assignments there is no “right way” to get to the answer. A vocabulary lesson was turned into a group activity as an example of this. Children learn more when they have to search for or create an answer. The second post that I comment on was a follow up to a post that came between these two. The middle post mentioned the importance of exercise and how it can be used between or during activities as a way to clear the minds of the students and help them get back on task. The post that I commented on however was called “Following My Own Advice”. In this post she spoke about work that she had to do but wasn’t very excited about. She went out and raked leaves to get the energy to do her work. When she took a break she went back outside and regained the motivation to finish the task she had started. This takes discipline to stop the task you enjoy and go back but is also good for the individual. Exercise as a way of motivation is healthier than coffee and energy drinks.

Blog Post #11

     I enjoyed these two videos about Ms. Cassidy’s classroom and the way she uses technology. The children in her class seem to enjoy being able to use the computers and other technology in their classroom. The interview that was done with Ms. Cassidy was something that I could get something out of. She makes several good points about technology’s use and the way that teachers should look at it. Blogs seem to be a favorite among young children because of the audience that it provides. While many principals and other faculty may not be interested in technology the parents liked being able to keep up with their children’s progress. The comments from the entire world keep the children motivated to keep their work up.

     Ms. Cassidy makes the point clear that a lot of protection is used to keep the children safe. Parents must approve of their child using the internet and even so their pictures are never matched to the child. First names only are used and the children make this point known. In the question and answer session she also mentions that they educate the children of where they can and cannot go. Ms. Cassidy uses her blog as a hub for the children so she knows the links are safe for them.

     Finally I like the point that she makes about how the use of classroom technology has become a part of her personal life. She mentions that she normally does not use technology for personal reasons but because of her PLN it is becoming a bigger part of her everyday life through connections she has made.

Skype Interview

Additional Assignment #3

     I really like and agree with this clip by Ken Robinson. Education today is not what it was years ago and therefore it doesn’t need to follow the same rules. I saw connections between this clip and his previous lecture about creativity that we watched and also connections with Dan Brown’s video from last week. Education used to be for the elite class but now it is fairly normal to go to college. Robinson is right that a college degree doesn’t guarantee a job anymore and it’s true that some students are discouraged by that fact. I personally liked the animation in this video because I get bored listening to lectures but the words and pictures kept my attention. I especially liked the part about ADHD and I completely agree that there are way too many children on medication that isn’t necessary. I sit through classes just like many of these children do on a daily basis and I am bored out of my mind. When I leave class I may have a page of notes that I could have found online in seconds but more than likely I have a ton of texts, emails and Facebook messages about how bored I was and plans for what to do after class. Does this mean I wasn’t paying attention? No, it means I was multitasking and I learned the information but it just didn’t keep my attention.

SMART Board

Blog Post #10

        I found Morgan Bayda’s post to be very true. While she is not as drastic as Dan Brown was in his video I completely get the point. The video was my favorite part of her post because he is very enthusiastic about having his voice heard. What Dan talks about is also very true. We pay thousands of dollars for an education but much of the information we learn can be found online without a price. I go to class on a daily basis not because I want to sit through an hour long lecture but because it is required to get me the degree I need. What I get out of the hour long lecture PLUS more I could find online in a matter of seconds (same is true with expensive textbooks). While I do not plan to drop out of school I understand his perspective and reasoning.

        When I read the title of “Don’t Let the Take Pencils Home” I assumed it was going to mean to let them do work through technology rather than pencil and paper. I was wrong but I like the message in this post. A positive teacher can change the world for a child. So many children are discouraged by a negative teacher that sometimes they feel as if they can’t do anything right. When children are encourage their imagination and creativity shines through and often greater work is completed. If a smile can change someone’s day a positive teacher can change the world.

        My sentence: I will make myself a better person through positively impacting the life of others through leadership, service and encouragement.

Short Movie Project

Blog Post #9

     In Mr. McClung’s post he talks about things he learned in his first year of teaching. It is obvious through this post that he is a very dedicated teacher who truly cares about his students and their success. Even though he teaches at a young grade level he recognizes the importance that the skills and life lessons that he teaches. In his post he talks about many different things he has learned: read the crowd, be flexible, communicate, be reasonable, don’t be afraid of technology, listen to your students, and never stop learning (all of which are his titles).
     To read the crowd means to actually pay attention to the students needs. This is something that many teachers tend to forget because of all the requirements that they must meet. They must get to a certain point in the curriculum, pass certain tests, and be ready for assessments. While all of these goals are great it makes many people lose sight of what is truly important in a classroom-learning. Students are missing out on important information because of the mandatory testing and simple memorization of answers for those tests, they cram these answers then when the test is over they forget all the information.
     Being flexible is something that many of us forget. Life changes on a day to day basis, especially when you are dealing with multiple people (students). This is true in any workplace. To walk in with an expectation of what is going to happen that day is a good idea, but if you get disappointed when something goes wrong it can screw up your whole day. Currently I work in a restaurant; it’s an environment where you cannot let people know what really gets to you. If one table bothers you or is disrespectful, etc it can ruin your whole day if you let it bother you. Sometimes you just have to take a breath, clear your mind and choose a new route.
     Communication is key for success in life in general-inside and outside the classroom. One can never be afraid to ask for help or advice. A new teacher may not know everything they need to make it through but there are teachers who have been around the block that can help out. Venting is also part of communication; if you share your problems with someone else you often feel better and may even find a solution to the problem.
     Being reasonable is another thing that is needed in life as a whole. If we expect everyone to be perfect then we will be disappointed every time. As a teacher the last thing we should want is to see our students fail and be discouraged. Everyone has their day when stuff doesn’t go their way, everyone will fail a test, forget their homework, or break a rule but if we call the student out on it and bring them down they may get discouraged and feel like they are worthless. Everyone has to fall at some point but we must be ready to pick them back up, not kick them when they are down. The same rules apply for us, when we miss a goal we cannot beat our self up but instead we need to move on and not make the same mistake.
     Technology, technology, technology….it’s a major part of the world around us, and it’s still growing. Mr. McClung makes a good point when he says many adults are terrified of technology-my mother for example. Without technology in today’s world we will never survive in the classroom and our students will quickly pass us up. We cannot be afraid to press a button, to search what we don’t know and to implement technology into the modern classroom.
     Listening to our students, we all do this right? How many times do we overlook what a student says to us because it seems unimportant? To ignore our students is to fail them. I like that the student in Mr. McClung’s class pointed this out. As a young student they already realized that if they are listened to they feel important. Students tell us so many things that could be important. They may be struggling with the lessons, they may be having problems at home, they may be trying to warn us of danger, or they may simply just need someone to care about them.
     Finally the last thing that Mr. McClung writes about is to never stop learning. We cannot afford to stop learning. If we are teaching the children of tomorrow we must continue to learn throughout the course of our life. We need to teach our children this also. School and life is not about what you can learn out of a book but about the necessities to survive In society, to be informed. Technology is constantly changing (we need to know how to use it), science is constantly in motion (new medical advances and changes in structure will change in textbooks), politics and world events change (our leadership and success as a country). When we walk across the stage and get our diplomas we still have a lot of learning left to do.

     I liked Mr. McClung’s and I have written a lot of it combined with my experiences and thoughts above. What he learned in his first year of teaching is a lot of things that are helpful inside and outside of the classroom. Also much of what Mr. McClung learned applies to both students and teachers (and in other work environments this is still applicable). Mr. McClung’s dedication to teaching and learning is inspiring to me and I believe it will be inspiring to many others who read his post. I would love to be a student in Mr. McClung's class. 

TimeToast 9b - Day in History

Podcast

Blog Post #8

This Is How We Dream

     I think everyone today writes using multimedia. I cannot remember the last time I turned in a hand-written paper. Word processing took the forefront when I was in high school and for teachers it made grading papers a lot easier. Even papers that were written in class were completed using small typing centers that could be connected to a computer and then printed. Libraries and books are barely used anymore, as stated in the video, because of internet at the fingertips. The possibilities that the computer has given us are endless.
     When I was a young child we did not have a computer in our home until I was in the third grade and I can still remember it being a privilege to get to use it. Computers were meant for adults only, for real work and businesses. In the United States today it seems that children have their own computers when they are very young- they can use these to keep in contact with their friends, complete assignments and even play games. Children that are being raised around computers have better understanding of what can be done using computers (which is why it is important that I catch up…NOW).
     The internet provides information on any topics in an organized way in seconds. Information that is contained in the books at the library can be found online with just a few clicks but also new information is constantly being added. Newspapers and journals often post articles online making it possible for me to go online in the morning and find the scores from last night’s game and important information. Writing using multimedia is all around us.

Chipper and EDM310 for Dummies

     I like the video between Chipper and Dr. Strange. This video reminds me of so many students I was in high school with (and those that I have in the classes I sub for). Everyone has excuses and their own agenda but many do not think about the consequences or the requirements involved.
     The video about EDM310 for Dummies was funny. I liked the humor that was involved even though the video was serious. I have not had the issues that the students in the video had with the class but I can see how it is completely possible.

Blog Post #7

     At the beginning of Randy Pausch’s lecture he begins by talking about his current condition and says that he will not be talking about that during the lecture. Pausch speaks about his childhood dreams and what it took to reach each of them, he talks about how he has taught different students, and finally he gives credit to those who helped him along the way.  
     Pausch wanted to defy gravity so he did. He worked on a project and broke down the brick wall to be able to participate in the “vomit comet”. This was the first time Pausch brings up the quote “brick walls make us prove how badly we want something.” Next Pausch speaks about wanting to play in the NFL; though he never reached this dream he did play football and learned a lot from his coaches. He teaches us that critics are the ones that care and the football isn’t the most important part of the game. From the football experience he teaches us that “experience is what you get when you didn’t get what you wanted.” Pausch also tells us about his dream to be in the encyclopedia, be Captain Kirk, be a Disney Imagineer, and to win the big stuffed animals at the amusement parks.
     Pausch speaks about the difficulties that he had to reach every goal that he had set for himself. He tells us about the different people that helped him along the way and the ways that the goals were met. When he set his goals he wasn’t sure how, or if he would achieve them but many were achieved through a series of events that were perfectly aligned to make his dreams come true.
     In the last part of the lecture he gives credit to the people that helped him in life. He thanks his parents for giving him the freedom and support to do the things he wanted (like painting his bedroom) and he gives thanks to those who helped him in this career. Andy van Dam is someone that he obviously respects. Andy was the one who helped him get into Carnegie and taught him to never get up on something he wanted. Pausch teaches us to respect authority, to helps others and to remember that loyalty is a two-way street. If you can bring something to the table it makes you valuable and people remember what you do. We are also taught to find the best in everybody and to be prepared for anything, get feedback and pay attention to it, and finally to have FUN in everything we do.
     Having fun is very valuable. In the beginning of the lecture he makes it clear that his condition does not keep him from going through life normally. Pausch pokes fun at himself throughout the whole lecture. He shows us that we can teach people through “head fakes” and have fun while doing it.

     I really enjoyed watching this lecture, even though it was a long video. Pausch makes the lecture fun and keeps people’s attention by sharing his experiences. Being able to look at oneself and talk about how they did something and even admit when they were wrong takes a lot of effort. At the very end I really liked that he acknowledged his wife’s birthday and took the time to celebrate, showing that its not all about him. Finally the last line made me think about the whole lecture in a different perspective- when he said the video was for his kids. He talked about his parents and his whole life- something that his kids can cherish even after he is gone. The “Last Lecture” truly is a good lecture to be the last.

Additional Assignment #2

     I think anyone is capable of teaching themselves. We do this all the time, just not on the scale that this video shows. If I don’t know the answer to something and I need it, I will find it- that’s teaching myself. Motivation does play a big part in this as well as how important the answer I am looking for is. If someone encourages me or gives me a reason to do something I will probably try harder that I do when I’m alone. I don’t think there are any certain conditions that are necessary for someone to teach themselves- you can learn based on the resources that you are provided with or make your own. A computer with internet access absolutely helps but if someone was truly passionate about something and was motivated to learn it, they could probably find means of figuring it out. Computers and internet access puts everything at a child’s fingertips and makes searching and finding answers much simpler. Giving a child a computer and a question will result in an answer-they can translate and search the required information to answer the question. Motivating someone to learn plays off the person’s interests; if you can find something that the child is interested in then they will be more enthusiastic about learning. I teach myself daily to do new things. When I go to work I do not know what is going to happen that night and I don’t have all the answers but with guidance from other employees, customers and the computer system I can have a successful night. Teachers are important, even in a computer based environment, because they provide the support and guidance to make an individual not give up when they struggle. When I watched the video about How Kids Teach Themselves it pulled emotions about me wanting to be a teacher and the thought of a computer that does the same thing. It made me wonder why am I doing this if a computer can do it? I have always wanted to be a teacher, to help others and to watch children develop. I like the concept of computers in education but I do not think that computers should completely teach children. It makes me feel as if teachers are not valued. As a teacher is my purpose to actually TEACH or am I going to become a babysitter in a computer filled classroom? I think computers and technology are great…but only in moderation. 

Family Timeline

PLN Progress

I am using Symbaloo to organize my PLN. So far my PLN includes:
Yahoo mail – my personal email
Google – my most used search engine
Gmail – email used for this class
Blogspot – easy access to my blog
Facebook – probably the most used website
Craigslist – for scrolling through ads
Hotschedules – scheduling for work
Subfinder – scheduling for substitutes
PAWS – access student email
USA Online – access to grades and class information
Money Network – pay card
Wachovia and Regions – accounts

C4T #2 Summary

     The teacher I have been commenting on for the last few weeks goes by the name dragonsinger. She is a teacher and a mother from New Zealand.
     In the first post that I commented on she spoke about an earthquake that had hit the area where her family had lived. She talked about how the news traveled quickly due to the media and how many that she had been close to were able to be contacted.
     In the second post she had an outline of the conference she had been to. She listed the different workshops that she attended and the different speakers for the keynote sessions. This post is still in progress as she adds new links for the different topics and people. She seemed to have a great time at the conference and spoke about the give-aways and freebies that she got.

C4K Summary

     The last two weeks I have read and commented on Kirsten's blog. The first week I read about her in her "About Me" blog. This post was fairly simple but described her. She talked about the sports she liked, her family, and her school life. In the second post I read, her "Manifesto" she talked about doing well in school and getting enough sleep at night. Kirsten's blog is very well done and she seems to truly care about having a say in her classes and learning through blogging.

Blog Post #6

The Networked Student

     This video was made very simply but made great points. It is a never ending search for information. Many students use the internet more than a textbook even if a textbook is given for the course. The connections that can be made with other people to discuss the topics are also great for the learning process. This makes students feel that they actually have a say in the class rather than just memorizing information. The teacher is mainly there to help the student make the proper choices in which sites to trust. In my personal opinion I would hope that the teacher would also actually teach some and not just let the computer do the work.

A 7th Grader’s Personal Learning Environment

     I like this video and how she seemed excited to show what she had created. The video is very informative about the different options she has to store information and about the projects that she used them for. I enjoyed seeing what she had done rather than just showing the buttons to click. The paperless classroom is something I think a lot of students would enjoy. I like having paper copies of some information but on some stuff I would rather see it on a computer in an organized fashion. Not having to take a pencil to class everyday would also save a lot of time in class for the children who don’t have one.

The Machine Is Changing Us

     This video is so true. The world is changing and a lot of it is influenced by internet and TV (media). Almost everyone has a cell phone now, many of which can connect to the internet anywhere. I love my phone and without it I would not know a lot of the information I do. My phone is how I connect and keep up with people throughout the day. Children are starting to own phones at a younger and younger age. When I was 8 years old a cell phone was out of the question and having a computer with dial up internet was simply awesome. I like this change though- I like the quickness of knowing what is going on around the world.

Blog Post #5

The Benefits of Podcasting in the Classroom

     I liked this video about how podcasting can be beneficial. Though I do own an iPod and an iTouch I have never listened to podcasts. I do like the idea of podcasting for students who miss class due to illness or fieldtrips. It would be a great way to do reviews also. With the testing used in the curriculums today there is very little time left for review. The reviews could be done via podcasts for the students who needed it. I know at times when I was in school reviews seemed very boring if I already knew the information. I also like the fact that podcasts can be used as a way to inform parents of what is going on. Parent-Teacher conferences and Open House Nights seem to be fading out as everyone has very hectic schedules and cannot always meet at one time.

Judy Schwarf’s Podcast Collection

     Wow! This is amazing how organized all of her information is. The step by step instructions, the topics and the questions make podcasting seem very easy to do in a classroom. Although outside of a technology based class, I don’t know how realistic it would be to spend 17 class periods on podcasting. The student’s podcasts that she has available are very creative and well-done, proof that her instructions are complete and easy, even for students.

Langwitch’s Blog

     This is a very creative way to use podcasts. I think that it builds confidence in the young children who participate in the podcasts and gives them a better understanding of what they are learning. When I was going through school I know that if I could tell someone else about something or explain it, I was the one that benefitted from it. I think this is true for these students also-that by creating the podcasts and taking on the roles of different characters they are benefitting themselves and those who listen to the podcast.

Blog Post #4

Don’t Teach Your Children This Stuff. Please?

     I really like the way this post was presented, as sarcastic yet fully seriously. Dr. McLeod makes positive and negative points about technology which really makes people think but in the end he shows that he believes that technology is good for the classroom. Dr. McLeod is very experienced with children as teaching. In his about me part of his blog we find that he is an Associate Professor in the Department of Education Leadership and Policy Studies at Iowa State University. He also mentions many different levels of education he has worked with as well as being a camp counselor and having children of his own.
     While I think technology is a wonderful thing I have a fear that if every child has access to it 24/7 that it would be used In ways not suitable for learning. There are many things on the internet other that educational resources and I fear that without the proper restrictions in place this could be distracting and even dangerous for children.

The iSchool Initiative

     This video shows the impact that anyone can have through the internet. A video done by a high school student about his views of how to fix educational problems has been viewed by many people spreading his views to people he may never meet. The thought and time put into this video makes it very evident that he is confident in his idea and has done the research to make it work.
     I think his idea could be great for the schools if the apps are created and used correctly. As a substitute teacher in Mobile County I have encountered many problems with cell phones. While it is in the rules that cell phones cannot be on campus every student still has them and they are being used. Most children think the teacher does not see but it is obvious that this is a huge distraction. I fear that if a system such as iSchool is used that children would use the connections for personal reasons more than educational.

The Lost Generation

     I had to watch this video a few times before I completely understood it. The first time I looked away from the screen as it was starting to reverse and when I looked back I realized it was scrolling the other direction but didn’t catch that it was the whole point. When I watched it again I paid attention to what was being said and in my mind I was thinking “this is horrible, why are we watching something so depressing?” When I started listening to the reversal everything started falling in place of how I would want me life to be and suddenly I felt optimistic rather than depressed.
     This video truly shows the importance of perspective. Life if what we want it to be and we cannot expect someone else to change the world for us. If we want a positive life then we need to work for it and look at life in a positive way. If we do not work for what we want we will simply become another statistic. I do not want to be a statistic and I refuse to believe that I can’t achieve what I want to do.

Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choir

     I thought this video was really interesting. It’s amazing how people who have never met and never practiced together can create music that seems so perfect. I have used voice systems such as Ventrilo for gaming purposes but I can’t imagine the time that was put into making this choir so perfect.

Additional Assignment #1

     Google Squared allows the individual to edit the findings to specifically what they need. This type of spread sheet could help express general ideas while giving specific examples and comparisons.

     Wolfram Alpha is very interesting in how quickly it can compute complicated equations. This could be used when trying to find historical dates and information, such as population changes. Wolfram Alpha could also be a great help in math as a way to check answers.

     Before having this assignment I had not heard about Wolfram Alpha at all and though I had heard of Google Squared I did not know what it was nor had I used it.




The Did You Know comments did not change my perspective.

I feel that statistics simply take what most people already know and put it onto the screen (or paper).

C4T Summary

In the blog posts that I read over the last couple weeks my teacher spoke about the importance of English- the way it is taught and tested, and the way that students are grouped into classes. The first post I read spoke about the ways of communication, of how one word could have a completely different meaning based on the way it is used. The example she gave was “nothing”. We are guilty of this all the time, saying we are doing “nothing” when in reality we may be watching tv, cooking, or hanging out with our friends. She also spoke about the oral testing that is done for the language/vocab proficiency. The testing is done in a non-biased way by teachers outside of the classroom so that the amount that has been learned is properly scored.

                The second post I read (which was a previous post) was about students being placed into language classes based on age, not ability. Teaching a second language is hard enough as is learning it, but to be placed into a class based on age was a problem for her. She felt, and I agreed, that just because a person may be older does not mean that the person knows enough to be placed into a higher level class. She pushed for a new system which is now used that classifies the students based on their ability to learn. Students are tested before moving on and if the instructors feel that the student is not proficient enough they repeat the level. For clarification just because the student repeats the course it does not mean that they have failed, it simply means that they needed more practice before moving on.

                I agree completely with the new system that age should not determine a person’s ability to speak a new language. And on the other post I agreed with the way the testing was being done by a teacher outside of the classroom so that they can truly gage the students ability in general, not just based on what has been taught in that classroom.

Blog Assignment #3

Michael Wesch: A Vision of Students Today

I like the way this video was done, it’s very simplistic but full of facts and student participation. This classroom looks very familiar to some I have been in throughout college. I think the points that are made in this video are pretty accurate for most colleges of reasonable size. In my experiences very few teachers know my name but I knew before I ever went into the class it would be that way. The smaller classes where teachers know names are great but even in a large classroom setting I have had no problem getting help, even if the teacher didn’t know who I was.

                I really like the emphasis that is put on what students spend their time doing and saying that we are multi-taskers. If it wasn’t for multi-tasking students would never “have a life” outside of school and maybe work. I personally work two jobs and go to school, but I still listen to a lot of music and keep up with TV shows occasionally.  This all being said, I spend a lot of time online, which is where much of information comes from on a daily basis.

It’s Not About the Technology

                In this post many good points are made. No matter what we do we cannot force the learning process. Special attention is sometimes needed and that’s fine. My favorite point made in this post is that the teacher has to be willing to learn how to use the technology themselves or the money is being wasted. I feel that this is very important. Many people agree that technology is necessary in the classroom and I don’t completely disagree with this, but the teachers must be trained or the money that is being spent on it is useless.

                Many teachers who have a set way do not want to change to a more technological classroom and if they aren’t willing to change their methods the money should not be wasted. Students can still learn from a traditional classroom. While technology is very important some subjects can be taught very accurately without technological help- it requires more effort from the teacher and more attention from the students but I believe that it is still possible, at least for now.

Is It OK To Be Technologically Illiterate?

                Some very good points are brought up in this post- the jobs that we are training our kids for may not exist yet. The normal life for them growing up will not be the same as what ours were. When our parents were children television was a new thing, kids went outside and played, and to get in contact with someone you went to their house. We are living in a world where every child has their own television with hundreds of channels, we sit in our rooms and play video games more than riding bikes and the best friend is only a text away. Classrooms are moving forward too- we have gone from chalkboards and overhead projectors to white boards and PowerPoint to smartboards..

                Whether we agree or disagree with the way technology is changing, it is still taking over.  Textbooks will soon be replaced by books on CDs. The way we teach must move forward to catch up and keep moving forward to get ahead. Teachers don’t need to be afraid to start learning with technology; it seems that many people are afraid to press a button because they are unsure. If we are afraid to try we are going to fail ourselves and our children.

Social Media Count

               

                I enjoy seeing counts like this because they put into perspectives things we already know but don’t grasp. I think they are very interesting as well as astounding. I particularly like to look at the world clock and the birth and death rates. Our world is changing and it’s changing FAST.

                As far as what this means for me as a teacher I feel that it means that I will be working at my computer desk much of the time. Facebook has become a way of communication for me and some of my teachers I have now. It’s amazing how well it works. In the years I will be teaching there will be much less paper and red ink and more technologically based testing and communication.

Things You Should Know

Blog Assignment #2

Did You Know? 3.0

     I love this video. It is very simple and proves the point that the world is constantly changing around us. Not only is technology changing but the world is growing and using the technology in ways that were unheard of when our parents were children. This video is also inspiring, it shows that the best (or so we hope) is yet to come.
     I enjoy having technology at my fingertips, I’m not the most technical person in the world but for the most part if I need something I can find it. I can’t even imagine the things that are to come within my lifetime and the lifetime of my children. It brings a lot of wonder to my thoughts: What will textbooks be like in the future? How much will my personal computer be able to do? Will online classes become the norm? How will my lifetime be expressed in history?

Mr. Winkle Wakes

     This video did not appeal to me in the way that it was portrayed but I like the point of the message. I think that many people just think about computers when technology is mentioned, but not many think of all the little things that fall under technology. I also think that many people my age take for granted the fact that technology is “well-developed” today compared to generations in the past. I can’t imagine a world where only the rich have cell phones and very little medical advances.
     The classroom part of this video however saddens me. I picture a classroom have power point projections and at least a computer or two. I remember the times when I was in school and everything was written on the board, but at that time it was normal. To walk in a classroom today and have no electronic help would make me feel out of place. I would feel that the students rely more on me and what I have to say and think because they don’t have the other points of view that the media used in a classroom provides. While that is all a part of being a teacher, to actually effect a child’s learning, I would be slightly afraid for them to rely completely on me.

The Importance of Creativity

     When I looked at this video the first thing I noticed was how long it was, but it is very informative, thought provoking and even comical. I love the part about the little girl drawing God. That little girl is exactly right what we don’t know we will soon. While the drawing was simply her interpretation she believed that she was right, and no one can prove that she is wrong. The school systems do tend to tell children that they are wrong way too much. Who are we to judge a child on something that is left to interpretation? If you give a child a blank sheet of paper and ask them to color it green and they give it back to you with lime green, grass green, and dark green lines are they wrong? Some people would tend to think so but to me the child followed the instructions and colored it green, just many different shades of green.
     The part about the dancer was inspiring to me also, as a child I danced (outside of school) and it was something that I enjoyed more than going to class. I could understand that some children would benefit from more extracurricular activities such as a dance class. Curriculum could be added to these classes to teach much more than dance if the need for it was there. I have learned that what is going on around me when I do different activities is how I remember them. If a child dances and is taught something they may remember those things by doing the dance in their head. For me this is done through music, when I study I listen to music or have the television on in the background. I’ve been asked many times how I can pay attention but whenever it comes time to recall the information I think about what I was listening to or watching and it is there. Also if the song later comes on the radio or I see the same show again I can connect it to what I have learned.
     A child’s creativity is a wonderful thing. Children are not afraid to make mistakes as Ken Robinson says they don’t see it as a mistake. I think that creativity should be focused on in a classroom and each child should be helped or taught according to their interests (within reason). I would never want someone to tell me how to do something or that what I’m doing is wrong simply because they have a different interpretation.

Harness Your Students’ Digital Smarts

     I wish my high school had a class that wasn’t just books and lectures, sure we had computer classes but they were simple typing classes or how to take a computer apart. These classes were helpful if you didn’t know how to type or wanted to work on computers but for a normal student these weren’t skills that were helpful. I like how technology has been brought to the classroom in this video, especially since it is a rural school. The ability to connect to people worldwide can be a scary thought but many good things can come out of these connection if done properly. For a rural community this can change everything in the years to come.
     Children learn through doing things better than they will learn from simply being lectured. I figured this concept out in middle school- if I could teach something I knew to someone else in my class I walked away with an even better understanding of the topic. This is very true in this classroom and is evident in the video. These children teach each other, work collaboratively and even teach their teacher. The world of technology is constantly changing and if you are afraid to press a button and try something new it will leave you behind.

Wordle

Blog Assignment 1

     My name is Regina Bunch. I'm a graduate of Baker High School in Mobile. I was born in New Orleans but adopted at the age of 3 months, moving me to Mobile for my childhood and teenage years. I planned to go away for college but somehow my best option turned out to be right here at home. I have a large family that is scattered between Alabama and North Carolina. 

     Ever since I was a young child I have said, "I'm going to be a teacher when I grow up." Like every kid I changed my mind a few times but always came back to teaching. There is something about the opportunity to shape someone else's life that intrigues me like nothing else. This past summer I took the test for Substitute Certification and have recently been in the class room on my own for the first time. My dad seemed hopeful that it would change my mind and make me want to go for a "money making job" but I always come home ready to go back again. 

     In my time outside of class I work part-time at Applebee's as a server and a host. I also enjoy spending time with friends. I am a member of Circle K International at South Alabama and serve as District Secretary for Alabama. This organization has allowed me the opportunity to meet college students from around the world. I love to believe that I have all the free time in the world to spend making myself happy, but in reality I think staying busy makes me happier.