Blog Assignment #5

 

       Scott McLeod J.D., Ph.D is an Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Kentucky and he is also the founding director of CASTLE. He was also a co-creator of the Did You Know? Videos. After reading his blog post, Don't teach your kids this stuff. Please?, I was a little confused. I don't agree with most of his points that he is trying to make. However, I do understand his point of the safety issue. I believe that you should teach children safety of the internet, as well as in the "real world". In my opinion, children should love technology and learn about it. In today's society, the world is all about technology and so children will definitely need it to succeed in their future. However if we as parents monitor our children while they are on the internet then maybe that will help out a lot. Because I understand that our children are going to have to use technology.  And that technology will be on the computer in order for our children to get through this world in the future. 

        I can honestly say that I enjoyed watching the The iSchool Initiative (Mobile Learning0 and the Travis Allen's ZeitgeistYoungMinds entry (Mobile Learning) iSchool Initiative videos. Travis Allen was just an ordinary teenager that wondered why teachers were being laid off and class sizes were getting bigger. It is very hard to learn in a class where the teachers don’t even know your name. Therefore, he created the iSchool. The iSchool is basically a school or classroom on an iPod that allows the teachers, students, and even parents to access the work daily. It is also eco-friendly because everything is done electronically. Travis Allen believes that if the schools were to switch to iSchool the cost of paper, ink, books, and projectors would be eliminated.
        Before taking EDM 310, my thoughts of iPads in the classroom were not what they are now. I just thought it was a waste of money and the students could not benefit from it. However, in just five weeks into EDM 310 my thoughts have changed especially after watching Travis Allen's videos. I think that the iSchool is a wonderful idea. Not only would it benefit the teachers, but parents and students as well. I love the fact that everything the teacher needs is in the palm of his or her hand, as well as the students and parents. I am extremely excited to see if this project ends up in the school systems. Because I would rather see the kids benefit from something and the teachers are able to teach them instead of getting laid off or let go. There are so many great teachers out there that are being let go instead of given a chance.  If you ask me I think that we should get rid of some of the teachers that have been in the system for way to long and give some of the new teachers that are up to date with the modern technology a chance. But that is just my opinion. 

         After watching Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir I was speechless. It is absolutely amazing what the internet can do. I mean how can you do that? Make 185 people that have never met or preformed together, a virtual choir. I am anxious to see what else the technological future has in store for the world. This was so amazing.

       In the video Teaching in the 21st Century, I believe that Kevin Roberts does a great job of explaining what it means to teach in the 21st Century. Children should be able to express their creativity in what they love so they would have a better understanding of what they want to grow up and be. Roberts explains that drilling children with information and expecting them to remember it is not the key. He goes on to explain that children should engage in education and have hands on experience. I feel that teachers should teach their students to engage in what they love. I also believe that students should engage in technology because it has so many answers. As an educator, I plan to teach my students to engage in everything that they do because it will make them the person that they want to be.

Project #6 - My Sentence Video

Project 5

Blog Assignment #4

The first video that I watched about podcasting is The Benefits of Podcasting in the Classroom by Joe Dale. I never knew how a teacher could incorporate a podcast in his or her classroom before watching this video. As a teacher, I plan to have a website created for my classroom. Therefore, if a student had to miss school they could listen to the lesson that they missed. I wish that teachers today were using podcasting. I also believe that it would help parents understand what their children are doing in the classroom. I learned from this video that a student can download a podcast to an iPod or mP3 player and listen to it anywhere, which is a wonderful thing in this generation.

The second blog that I read about podcasting was the Eagles' Nest Radio & Class Blog, which is a blog that contains podcasts by third graders. The class did such an excellent job with the podcasts. They had been learning about sharks in class so they decided to interview a shark expert through a Skype video conference and put it on their blog. The third grade class also travels back into time and entertains their listeners with information about Ancient Rome. The blog, "Eagles' Nest Radio & Class Blog" is a great example of how technology is being used in the classroom. I am looking forward to using this information in my own classroom. 

The third article that I read was called 100 Ways to Use your iPod to Learn and Study Better. After reading this article I believe that every student should have an iPod. I honestly never knew that my iPod could be used to help me study. The article, "100 Ways to Use your iPod to Learn and Study Better" taught me about every application, tutorial, podcast, study guide, tool, and download that I could use on my iPod. My mouth literally dropped while I was reading this article because I never knew that I could use this in my classroom. I can honestly say that I will be downloading and using my iPod more than before.

Blog Assignment #3

It's Not About the Technology
By: Kelly Hines

The blog post "It's not about the Technology" by Kelly Hines explains that teaching is not just about technology. We need iPods, computers, wireless connection, blogs, and podcast. She explains that technology is a great tool but she doesn't agree that it should be the first thing we use in the classroom. She states that we should first recognize the need to change teaching and learning.  Hines goes on to explain that there are four things that every single teacher should recognize in order to positively and effectively impact the lives of the students of the new generation. The first thing is that teachers must be learners and be up to date on the current trends and tools. The second thing that Kelly Hines explains about is that teaching and learning is not the same thing. In the 21st century it is going to be about working smarter and not harder. She believes that if you teach something and student’s don't understand then it's useless. The third thing is that technology is useless without good teaching. When you put the money in the right teacher’s hand your classroom will be filled with lots of exciting things. Technology is a wonderful tool and can be used to your advantage. The last thing that Hines explains about is you should be a 21st Century teacher without using technology.

As I was reading this blog post, I began to realize how much I agreed with Kelly Hines. I believe that teachers should use the technology that is given to them in an effective and useful way. I have seen too many teachers let their technology go to waste because they don't want to learn how to use it. I also agree with the fact that we should teach our kids to relying on technology to help them work.


Is It Okay To Be A Technological Illiterate Teacher?
By: Karl Fisch

"Is It Okay to Be a Technological Illiterate Teacher" is a blog post explaining why teachers should have technological literacy. Karl Fisch explains all educators must have some sort of basic level use of technology and if you really need to cause it will really help. He goes on to explain that some people think that it's okay to not know how to work a computer. In today's society, all people should know some use of technology. Because in this time a day every job has some sort of computer stuff in it and you will eventually need to know it. Fisch explains that in the 1990's you could be successful and be technological illiterate. However, every year it is becoming harder and harder for people who are technological illiterate to be successful.

I believe that all teachers should be technological literate. We obviously live in a society where technology is all around and it keeps growing. Students should see that technology can advance their lives in many ways. In order for students to learn about technology, teachers must know how to teach it. So get with it teacher and learn learn learn....


Gary Hayes Social Media Count
By: Gary Hayes

It is crazy to see the numbers of the social media counts race in just seconds. It is hard to believe that technology is growing so fast in just one minute. I can't imagine what the numbers is going to like in just one day. The numbers are breath taking to me. For example, 63 hours of uploads on YouTube, 45,509,000 items shared on Face book, 143,469 Tweets on Twitter. This media count is a perfect example of what our society will be like in 10 to 20 years.

As a teacher, I believe that I should keep up with all of the social trends and share them with my students. For example, it is very important for teachers to show students what technology is capable of because those students are our future. 


Michael Wesch: A Vision of Students Today
By: Michael Wesch

The movie "A Vision of Students Today" is about students who don't seem to enjoy school. Different students hold up signs stating facts about what students really think about school. For example, one sign stated that the person had been on Face book during class and not listening. As a student I can understand from their point of view because I am always thinking of my bills, my kids, and husband, and how I am going to cope from pay check to paycheck. School sometimes is not the most exciting thing but I know that at the end I will be in a much better place. However, as a teacher's point of view it could be very frustrating. I would not be a happy teacher if I was teaching to a class of students who didn't care about school. I know sometime down the road I will have those types of students but hopefully I will have an exciting classroom that they can't wait to come in.


My C4C Comment to Dr.Strange
 

The C4C student I posted about spoke very well about each topic. There were a few grammar, capitalization, and punctuation errors but overall was very well written. I would prefer making it privately so that there are no embarrassing moments.

Blog Assignment #2

Did you know 3.0
By: Karl Fisch and Scott McLeod
This is a great video that sums the growth of technology in the next three years. It was amazing to see the numbers of technology increasing over a few year spans. I can remember when my family got our first computer it was amazing. But I think I was about 17. Now, I could not live without my laptop. Nor can my kids. This video states that the first text was sent out in 1992 and now the text sent out and received per day surpasses the total population. I can only imagine what the numbers will be in five or ten years. When I sent my first text I couldn't believe it I can just imagine everyone learning new things, because it was so new to me.
The children of today need to learn at an early age to be familiar with technology because they are our future. They were being prepared for technological jobs that haven't been discovered yet. Technology is always changing and it is to our benefit to keep up with it. This video also explains that the world is changing year to year as well. And it said that we are going to college right new but next year it is all going to be new and everyone is going to have to learn new stuff because it changes every year. As the population grows and the world changes so will technology. So what does it all mean..... It means that we are learning every day and are going to have to learn even more the years to come because things change every day.

Mr. Winkle Wakes
By: Mathew Needleman
In this video Mr. Winkle wakes up from a 100 year sleep to find that he was lost in a world full of technology. He had seen that machines printed out pictures and documents. He also saw that people all over the world could talk to each other and see each other on a small screen. Feeling sick, Mr. Winkle went to a hospital and found the same type of machines as he found in the office building. He was still uncomfortable with all the weird stuff around that he left. He later found comfort in a school. The school kids sat in their desks and listened to the teacher. Mr. Winkle found only one of those machines, but it had dust all over it and no one was using it.
In the world today, we know how important technology is, however Mr. Winkle was sick and uncomfortable because he was unfamiliar with the technology surrounding him. Many jobs today require some knowledge with technology. But Mr. Winkle feels comfortable in the school because no technology was being used and even after 100 years so things still remain the same. Technology is very vital in schools because the children are the future and so is technology.

Sir Ken Robinson: The Importance of Creativity
By: Ken Robinson
In this video, Ken Robinson explains the importance of creativity in education. He begins by saying that humans have a variety of extraordinary creativity. He also states that education will be taking us into an unknown future and we have no idea of what the future holds for us. Ken Robinson goes on to say that creativity is just as important in education as literacy. He tells of a story of a little girl drawing God and the teacher says no one knows what he looks like. Then the little girl says but they will in a little bit. He goes on to tell another story of his little boy who forgot his lines in a play. Robinson is explaining through these stories that children will take chances even if they are wrong. He goes on to say that if you are not prepared to be wrong then you will not come up with anything original. In the world today, adults are scared of being wrong and mistakes are the worst things you can make. All children are born artist the key is to stay with it. Ken Robinson doesn't understand why schools don't teach things like dance everyday like they do mathematics. Children that have the ability to be creative grow up thinking they are not. Public schools worry more about academics then they do about creativity. Therefore, students never get the chance to be creative. Robinson explains that intelligence is diverse, dynamic, and distinct. He also explain about a boy that everyone thought was sick and it turned out that he just loved to dance and he is making millions now. Because he preferred creativity over knowledge.
In the world today, so many children grow up with the knowledge that they are not creative. I believe that parents have an impact on the creativity of their child just as much as the school system does. I encourage my children everyday to be creative just as my mom did to me. In the schools, children are not able to express their creativity as much as they need to.

Cecelia Gault Interviews Sir Ken Robinson
By: Cecelia Gault
When Cecelia Gault interviews Sir Ken Robinson he explains that the curriculum has to change in schools by balancing science and arts. He goes on to say that schools need to make better use of technology so that the children of our future will have a better understanding of technology. Cecelia later asks Ken Robinson about three myths on creativity and what they are. The first myth is that only some people are creative. However, Robinson believes that everyone is creative. The second myth is that creativity is only about certain things, but you can be creative with anything science, math anything. The third myth is that you are either creative or not. Robinson believes that you can teach people to be more creative. He finds intelligence as diverse.
When I become a teacher, I hope to teach my students to be creative with everything that they do. I believe that children learn better by being creative and having fun.

Vicki Davis: Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts
In a small town of rural Georgia, teacher Vicki Davis uses different types of technology to connect her students to the world. She explains that every child has the ability to learn. However, only certain children can learn and succeed with paper and pencil. Vicki Davis understands that every student is different and has different interests and strengths. She customizes her curriculum to help the students. She also teaches her students to become familiar with different types of technology and learn how to use it effectively. Some teachers believe that they need to know everything before they teach. However, Davis explains that isn't true because her students teach her new things every day. Her students connect with other students all over the world by creating the Flat Classroom project and the Digiteen. In January 2009 they travel to the Middle East to attend the Flat Classroom Project.
I admire the way Vicki Davis teaches. She lets her students explore and learn new things by themselves. A lot of children learn more things by hands on experience. I also admire the fact that she teaches her students to use different types of technology. I believe that if every elementary, middle, and high school incorporated more technology in their schools some students would be more successful.

Dr. Randy Pausch’s video

After watching Dr. Randy Pausch's video I learned that you are going to need time management throughout your life. I have always just put things off and figured that I can do it later. But since Wednesday night’s class I have figured out that in order for me to be able to pass Dr. Strange's class I am going to have to be more prompt with my school work and stay on top of things. I also like that he mentioned that it's okay to fail, and with every mess up there is a learning experience. I must admit I have tried the to-do list and just fail and go on with something else but what I have realized that with this class I am going to have to start a to-do list and stick with it. So I am going to have to check that to-do list every day and not fall behind in this class so that I can stay with the program. However if I want the children to be prompt then I will have to follow the same rules. I had never heard of Randy Pausch before but I enjoyed his video and plan to watch some more of his talks. I definitely have a problem with time management and can use all the help I can get!

And yes sir I did watch some more of Dr. Pausch's video's it was very hard to watch because I would have never none that he was going to die. He is a very smart person and wish that I would have heard of him sooner. I have dealt with a lot of people in the past 5 years, that have past way with cancer and I am not very fond of cancer at all. My father was actually almost diagnosed with pancreatic cancer but as of right now he is cancer free. I know how very serious it is and hope to god that I will never have to come across that particular kind EVER.

Project #2 Wordle

Dr. Randy Pausch’s video

          After watching Dr. Randy Pausch's video I learned that you are going to need time management threw out your life. I have always just put things of and figured that I can do it later. But since Wednesday nights class I have figured out that in order for me to be able to pass Dr. Strange's class I am going to have to be more prompt with my school work and stay on top of things. I also like that he mentioned that it's okay to fail, and with every mess up there is a learning experience. I must admit I have have tried the to-do list and just fail and go on with something else but what I have realized that with this class I am going to have to start a to-do list and stick with it.  So I am going to have to check that to-do list every day and not fall behind in this class so that I can stay with the program. Because if I want my classroom to be prompt then I am going to have to be also. I had never heard of Randy Pausch before but I enjoyed his video and plan to watch some more of his talks.  I definitely have a problem with time management and can use all the help I can get!

 

Blog Assignment #1

      My name is Vicki Nelson and I live in Foley. I am married to a wonderful man hum I have known since I was thirteen that supports me and every way he knows how. We have been married for 16 years and we have three beautiful boys. My oldest boy is Aaron that is 15 and is in the 10th grade he loves to hunt, fish and work on his truck that he will soon be driving. My middle child is Brandon that is 11 and is in the 6th grade and loves to sing any song you would like for him to sing. He loves to be in drama classes and just recently joined the band and is learning to play the trumpet. Then my baby boy is Cody this is 7 1/2 months old he loves to crawl around and love on everyone. He is the love of my life. And was born be live it or not on New Years Day.!!!! :)
       I have always wonted to be a teacher but after I graduated school I stayed home with my two oldest boys instead of going back to school. Just 7 years ago I finally decide to go back and get my degree in teaching. I love spending time with children and teaching them. I currently work at Foley Middle School as a para-professional until I receive my degree. However I work with the multi-handicap children and that is where my heart lays. I love working with them cause I believe that no matter how handicap you are I think that you always have to potential to learn something.

Practice Test Post

This is a practice test post