Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Blog Post #10

An Open Letter to Educators:
I enjoyed reading this post by Morgan Bayda.  I too am open to changes and learning as much as I can.  Honestly, I find it hard to stay awake in some of my lecture classes.  Actually, in my lecture classes a majority of my teachers go over Power Points or read straight out of the book, and this is boring for me.  I know as a future educator I DO NOT want my students bored with the lecture I am presenting.  This is why I enjoy learning about technology.  If I can make the learning environment fun for my students, and keep their attention, then I know they will be getting something out of my lecture.  I am not saying that technology is the answer to making learning fun, but if you think about it technology is what the society is based around these days. If I can bring technology into my classroom to keep my students interested and involved in class discussion, then I will!


Don't Let Them Take Pencils Home:
I enjoyed reading his post. We should focus more so on solving the problem than just focusing on the problem!  We waste so much time worrying about the problem, and finding the solution becomes so minor.  This should be the exact opposite.


Two Questions that can Change Your Life:
Was I better today than I was yesterday?  This question is a question I want to continue to ask myself every day.  I try to always to better every single day. My sentence was developed from my past.  My fifth grade teacher, Marcy Miller made a HUGE impact on my life.  The reason I have chosen education as my major is because of her!  I hope that my sentence will encourage me to do better and continue to work towards accomplishing my goals and ambitions.


sentence

MY SENTENCE:
Though creativity, I will have a fun and motivating learning environment for my students so learning for them will be fun and enjoyable.

Additional Assignment #3

Sir Ken Robinson:
Changing Educational Paradigms
Google
I really enjoyed watching this video!  Sir Ken Robinson tells us about his views on education.  Schools cannot be model from what was done in the past.  School systems and technology has changed tremendously, so it is expected that children will become distracted!  I agree with his view on ADHD.  I feel that being on medication for ADHD is not healthy for the child.  Children who are on medication for ADHD seem to be somewhat zombies.  He also spoke about standardized testing, and showed us pictures of how students are manufactured into lines and put into a grade/level they are suppose to be in.  He made very good point.  Not all students learn the same, not all students work better in larger classrooms, and not all student work well in groups.  Why are we so sure that it is okay to put 24+ students in the same classroom for them to learn?  We aren’t sure; this is just how it has been done for as long as some of us can remember! I believe change is good, and I am a firm believe that change in education is much needed!
I agree with a lot that Sir Ken Robinson tells us in his presentation.   I feel like we are being taught the same as we always have been in the College of Education with a few tweets.  These tweets being learning more about technology, and understanding the importance of technology within the classroom.  The only thing I know to do as a future educator is to understand the learning differences of students in my classroom.  It is a learning process that will continue to change.
I liked this presentation.  The drawings were really creative.  If I had to do a presentation like this with others, I would most likely play the role as the designer or narrator!  Let’s just say my artists skills aren’t the best! J

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Blog Assignment #9

Stay

What I've Learned This Year

Just from viewing this blog, I knew I would enjoy reading Mr. McClung’s post!  A future teacher can learn a lot from this post.  From walking into the classroom to listening to learning educators must know that their job as an educator comes with many responsibilities.  This post really made me realize there is so much for an educator to learn once they get into the classroom.  Every topic Mr. McClung talks about is very important for future teachers to be aware of.  Some of my favorite things he talked about were being flexible!  I am sure no one has ever had the PERFECT lesson.  We must learn that everything is always going to go according to plan.  Another one of my favorite things talked about was being reasonable.  Teachers do have expectations for their students, and sometimes these expectations are not met.  I loved when Mr. McClung said “Out job as teachers is to simply pick them up after they fail, dust them off, and encourage them to try again.”  This is SO TRUE!  Mr. McClung also speaks about technology in his post.  I agree with this, and can honestly say EDM 310 scared the heck out of me the first week!  I have learned many things since then, and can honestly say that technology is extremely helpful when it comes to education.  He is right, taking your time to learn about technology and not giving up so easily is only going to benefit yourself in the long run!  I really enjoyed Mr. McClung’s post and thank him for all the points he has shared with everyone!

http://attheteachersdesk.blogspot.com/ seems like it will be a very helpful blog.  I added it to my PLN!


Sunday, October 17, 2010

Blog Assignment #8

This Is How We Dream
Technology

Richard Miller talks about fundamental change and incremental change in this video. He tells us how we have the ability to communicate globally and instantly. Richard Miller loved books and dreamed about having a career in working with books. He goes on to explain how the fundamental and incremental change process only takes a few seconds.


It is amazing how our learning lifestyles have changed. Now days we don’t just use pencil and paper for writing. We have computers that allow us to create word documents that express what we are trying to say. Mr. Millers shows us how to make word documents into web documents and showed us how a print document can be made into a web document.


Mr. Miller tells us how the digital environment has been found and how new material can be change right before our eyes. For example, the Internet, something that has an ongoing change can be changed instantly on the Internet. This is not true for something that has been printed in a book. Once a book is printed no changes can be made.


This video was very informative. It really made me think about how important technology is today. Before you know it, everything will be based on the Internet and through technology. Richard Miller did and excellent job in these videos.
Chipper Series
I liked this video. It is very entertaining, and I loved how Jamie Lynn kept going back to Dr. Strange to update him on how she was doing. As a student we must understand too not procrastinate. Procrastination can affect many things for a student. We must remember what is important and stick to trying our best to accomplish things we want to accomplish no matter how tough it gets!
EDM 310 for DUMMIES!
Can I get a copy of this book? HAHA! I loved it! I will admit, my first couple of weeks in this class was tough! I thought I was never going to get the hang of all the things we do in this class. With the help of Jamie Lynn, Anthony, Dr. Strange and my classmates, EDM has seemed to become easier for me. I enjoy learning new things about technology every week. Jamie Lynn and her partner did an excellent job on this video!
Critiques of Smartboards
SMARTBOARD


After reading both of these arguments, I still believe Smartboards are good for a classroom. At Dawes Intermediate, which is a 3-5 grade school that I have had the opportunity of helping out at, there are smartboards in every classroom. I know what you are thinking, that’s a lot of money, but I feel like smartboards keep the students interest and attention. My cousin who is in the 4th grade has a smartboard in his class, and one of the first things he told me about the classroom was about the smartboard. To me a smartboard is completely different than a computer. Also, I believe the smartboard get the students more involved to enhance their learning. There are many pro’s and con’s of having a smartboard in your classroom, for me more pro’s. The website http://www.teacherslovesmartboards.com/art/ that argues the opposite side of having smartboards.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Project #9b: TimeToast Time Line

History of Cell Phones!
History

Project #11: Short Movie

Green Eggs and Ham

Project #10: PLN Progress Report

My PLN

My Personal Learning Network progress is going great so far. I have added several people and websites that have been useful for my journey through EDM 310.  I add the EDM Class Blog so that I can stay up to date with new post that Dr. Strange post onto the blog.  I also added Jamie Lynn and Anthony’s blog so I can reference their blog and learn from it.  The finally person added to my blog was Sterling Strom.  She is one of my good friends in our EDM class.  When we have questions, and lab is not open we always communicate back and forth to help each other out.  That is one thing I have learned in this class.  Your classmates can be very helpful.  Even though we aren’t required t come to lab I have also learn that coming to lab helps me learn more due to Anthony and Jamie Lynn’s help. 
I also added the ALEX (Alabama Learning Exchange).  This website has been extremely helpful in my other classes.  It shows many examples of how to things that I am learning in my classes.  I feel this is website is not just useful now, but will be useful when I become an educator.  The finally thing added to my PLN was At the Teacher’s Desk, this blog has and will continue to help me with my EDM projects.
So far I have really enjoyed using Symbaloo for my PLN.  I am excited about continuing to add websites that will be useful for me, not only as a student and learner, but also as an educator.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Additional Assignment #2

Children Learning


1. What do you think? If learners are motivated, can they teach themselves?
I agree with this. If a learner is motivated about learning then it is very possible for them to teach themselves. Those who WANT to learn WILL!


2. If those motivated learners are kids, can they teach themselves?
I still believe that no matter what age, those who want to learn motivate themselves enough to teach themselves. Granted, not everything is something a child can teach themselves, but that child can begin to learn on their own and ask questions to what they do not understand.


3. What conditions are necessary for kids to teach themselves? For anyone to teach him or herself?
I strongly believe that a learning environment is very important when someone begins to teach themselves. Outside of a learning environment, I believe a student should have confidence in themselves.


4. What role do computers and internet access play in the process?
I think computer play an important role in teaching. I think that computer and internet usage should be monitor at all times when a child is using it. Technology can enhance a students learning in my opinion.


5. What role does motivation, a desire to learn?
To me motivation and desire go hand and hand when it comes to learning. Students have to have a desire to learn in order to motivate them to learn.


6. What roles do a problem, a question or multiple problems or questions play in the process?
I’ve always been told we learn from our mistakes. When we have problems we can’t just give up. We have to find a way to fix these problems. Questions are important in a classroom. Students ask questions because they do not understand something. Something they care to understand. It is the educator’s responsibility to answer their questions, and not just push them aside


7. How do you motivate someone to learn?
I motivate someone to learn by giving encouragement and positive feedback. Letting a student know the importance what they are doing, and why they are learning it is very important.


8. How are you motivated to learn?
I am motivated to learn also by encouragement. Encouragement makes me feel like I am going something good. I also have motivation because I know that teaching is something I am passionate about.


9. Can anyone who is not motivated to learn?
If you make them! I am kidding! Not all students care to learn; therefore they are never motivated when it comes to learning. All we can do as educators is try and help them the best we can when it comes to learning


10. Do you teach yourself? When? Why?
Yes! I do teach myself. When I do not understand something I try my best to teach myself before going to ask for help. Teaching myself doesn’t just apply to school work. I teach myself outside the classroom also. This is a source of accomplishment for me!


11. What role does a teacher (either answer generally or use a specific example) play in your learning?
Teachers are motivators for students. If a teacher can make learning fun then the student is motivated to learn. For example, my fifth grade year was by far the great year growing up. This is because of my teacher, who went above and beyond to make learning fun. She is who has inspired me to pursue a career in teaching.


12. What is the most important idea, question or emotional response you take away with you as a result of watching this video?
It is hard to believe that some children do not have the opportunity to go sit down in a classroom and learn. Some children only have the opportunity to learn by teaching themselves, and this to me is so inspiring.


13. What other questions or issues are raised by this video that should be considered and discussed by aspiring teachers?
I believe every educator should watch this video. This video inspires me as a future educator to be motivational when it comes to teaching!

Blog Assignment #7

Number 7

Randy

What a tearjerker! Randy Pausch’s video was spectacular!  He really made me start to appreciate life more than I ever did!  In the beginning of the video, Randy tells us about his medical background.  He found out he had ten tumors in his liver, and that the doctors gave him three to six months of good health left.  Despite what Randy has had to go through he still sees the positive side of things.    He knows he cannot change anything that has came his way, but instead knows he just has to learn how to deal with it.  He tells us about his childhood, and how he was always smiling when he was younger.  Growing up, you can tell that Randy has always enjoyed life and appreciated it no matter what circumstance were thrown at him.  Randy told us about all the childhood dreams he had for himself.  He went into great detail about them.  One of these dreams was to play in the NFL.  On his first day of football practice his coach did not bring any footballs to practice.  He said he learned the fundamentals of the game, and soon realized how important these fundamentals were.  He said,  "Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted."  I agree with this comment.  In life, you cannot always get what you want. 

Another one of Randy’s dreams was getting to meet Captain Kirk. Captain Kirk was the most brilliant person on the ship, but he was the leader on it.  This made Randy realize yet another important life lesson about leadership.  In life leadership can be extremely important, and being intelligent was not what always mattered.  This dream that eventually came true lead Randy onto having bigger dreams.  Later, he became a day-a-week consultant for Imagineering for Disney.  The dream of his lasted for an entire ten year.  Randy consulted many things like the Disney Quest and the Virtual Jungle Cruise.  This dream brought about another question for him.  How could he enable the childhood dreams for other children around the world?  These questions lead him to becoming a professor.

Randy said that becoming a professor was a great place to begin to enable childhood dreams.  He listened to his students’ ambitions and dreams.  One of his students named Tommy has had the childhood dream of working on the next Star Wars Film. Tommy dream came true, and he had the opportunity to work on all three of the Star Wars Films.  Randy then began to create a course called Building Virtual Worlds.  This course was made up f fifty students from all the different departments of the university he worked at.  These fifty students were put into groups of four, and began working on all kinds of different projects like putting on productions in front of audiences.  This course soon became a hit at the university, and many people within the departments wanted to be involved with this course.  This course created a Dream Fulfillment Factory; which was yet another big hit for Randy and a guy named Don Martin.  In this, he explained how the success probably came from having two totally different people work together to achieve something so brilliant.   Randy taught this course for over ten years.  The university became a great place that helped many students fulfill their dreams.  You could really tell that this was something Randy really loved doing.  I imagine he enjoyed it so much because he got to see the students grow and achieve ambitions that they enjoy achieving, much like he did when he was a child. 

At the end of the video, Randy tell us about the lessons learn from all of these experiments.  He lets us know that where there is a will there’s a way.  You as an individual can achieve dreams and ambitions that you have.  Parents, teachers, and mentors play a huge role in helping children’s dreams come true, we can just never give up.  I am so happy this was one of our blog post assignments, this video was very inspiring, and I think Randy Pausch for sharing this with us.  This video was amazing, and really made me realize how important I can be in helping young children in believing in themselves to achieve their dreams.  Not only does this apply to children, but it also applies to myself.  I know that sometimes things get tough, but I must remember to stay thankful and appreciate what I have, and most importantly to never give up!
 

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Summary Post C4T #2


TEACHER
My second teacher I have been following is Michael Kaechele from Michigan, and he is a concrete artist technology teacher. The first post I read was called Sustained Silent Reading On-line. He talked about how many teachers use the term GRAB (Go Read a Book), for sustained silent reading in their classroom. Michael brought up a good point in his post, why do students have to grab a book or bring a book to class for sustained silent reading? Michael tired letting is class go online and read on the computer. His rules for on-line reading are: no games, music, or videos.


I love this idea of you allowing students' to read online. Growing up I remember always having to read books my teachers selected for me. Most of the books I did not enjoy at all. I like how Michael gave his class the opportunity to read something on the internet that interest them. Not only did he give them options to what they read, but he also allowed them to become familiar with the internet. This keeps the students online which is good because learning how to use technology is very important for students today. I believe this on-line reading is an excellent idea, and is something that many other teachers should try.


The second post I read by Michael was called Art Prize. He and his family visited the second annual Art Prize; which is a competition displayed all over Grand Rapids. He showed us many different art pieces from the competition. They found an exhibit of hundreds of ceramic pieces that look like shells on a wood floor, and his son and daughter went straight to playing with these pieces. His son started separating them by his favorite colors, and his daughter spelled out her name. This brought to Michael’s attention that he never had to tell his kids to “go play”, they automatically started doing learning on their own. This idea, is how Michael feels learning in the classroom should be for children.


playing with ceramic pieces


This post really made me start to think. Why should we force students to learn? Shouldn’t learning be something they enjoy doing, something they do they way they want to and at the pace they feel comfortable? I have learned in this class that not every student learns the same as other students. In his post Michael said, "We don't need to teach students to be creative artists. We need to get out of the way and let them be artists!" This is exactly right. Children can teach us! They can show us the ways they like to learn. Every student is different, and has his or her own learning pace. Michael’s posts were terrific! He gave me many ideas as a future educator. I recommend checking out his blog if you have time, http://concretekax.blogspot.com/