This is my last blog assignment and part of my final. This blog post is also in video form. The short video is a refection on my experiences in EDM310. Enjoy.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Final Blog Assignment
Hello.
This is my last blog assignment and part of my final. This blog post is also in video form. The short video is a refection on my experiences in EDM310. Enjoy.
This is my last blog assignment and part of my final. This blog post is also in video form. The short video is a refection on my experiences in EDM310. Enjoy.
Keep Reading!
Hello. I just wanted to put this post here to inform the reader that there are more recently assigned posts after these first few posts.
Thanks,
Kevin White
Thanks,
Kevin White
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Blog Assignment #7
Randy Pausch's Last Lecture
Randy Pausch's last lecture is the most inspiring video I have watched not only in EDM310 but in my life. To me, that is a pretty profound statement as to the importance of his video. After I watched the video, I saw a related video from CBS news that said that he died a year later; his death hurt me, even though I only know of him from 1.25 hours of his life.
Randy Pausch is a pioneer. He grouped students from different backgrounds together to see what kind of projects they could create. He had students working in teams of 4 for 2 weeks creating projects; afterward, he would mix the groups up and start again. His students learned by doing and by collaborating.
While watching this video, I had trouble focusing on the teaching aspects of the video; instead, the valuable life lessons seemed much more relevant to me. I think that everyone should watch this video because its lessons transcend education.
A lot of the things that Randy Pausch said I wrote down. Not everything, of course, just the thoughts I found relevant to my life. I have an entire sheet of paper with scribbling on it from when I watched the video. I will share them now.
1.) You can't change the cards, only the way you play the hand.
2.) There are two ways to say, "I don't know":a good way and a bad way.
3.) You obviously don't know where the bar should be and your only going to do them a disservice by putting it anywhere.
4.) It's very important to know when you're in a pissing match, and its very important to get out as soon as possible.
5.) Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted.
6.) When you do something wrong and no one corrects you anymore, it means they have given up on you.
7.) Respect authority while questioning it
The most important thing I learned from his last lecture I won't label as a number, but I will put some asterisks. This will stick with me the longest I believe.
***** Brick walls are there for a reason; they let us prove how badly we want things.
Randy Pausch's last lecture is the most inspiring video I have watched not only in EDM310 but in my life. To me, that is a pretty profound statement as to the importance of his video. After I watched the video, I saw a related video from CBS news that said that he died a year later; his death hurt me, even though I only know of him from 1.25 hours of his life.
Randy Pausch is a pioneer. He grouped students from different backgrounds together to see what kind of projects they could create. He had students working in teams of 4 for 2 weeks creating projects; afterward, he would mix the groups up and start again. His students learned by doing and by collaborating.
While watching this video, I had trouble focusing on the teaching aspects of the video; instead, the valuable life lessons seemed much more relevant to me. I think that everyone should watch this video because its lessons transcend education.
A lot of the things that Randy Pausch said I wrote down. Not everything, of course, just the thoughts I found relevant to my life. I have an entire sheet of paper with scribbling on it from when I watched the video. I will share them now.
1.) You can't change the cards, only the way you play the hand.
2.) There are two ways to say, "I don't know":a good way and a bad way.
3.) You obviously don't know where the bar should be and your only going to do them a disservice by putting it anywhere.
4.) It's very important to know when you're in a pissing match, and its very important to get out as soon as possible.
5.) Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted.
6.) When you do something wrong and no one corrects you anymore, it means they have given up on you.
7.) Respect authority while questioning it
The most important thing I learned from his last lecture I won't label as a number, but I will put some asterisks. This will stick with me the longest I believe.
***** Brick walls are there for a reason; they let us prove how badly we want things.
Blog Assignment #8
Hello. Today for Blog Assignment #8 I will be reviewing some movies that I have watched.
Richard Miller, Rutgers University
I watched Richard Miller's video where he talks about writing with multimedia. He talks about a childhood filled with books, and he also talks about his future career in which he hopes to work with books. He was able to do this, and even wrote a book himself. Unfortunately, his book is no longer published and he humorously proves this by stating it is on Amazon.com for 59 cents.
He says that now, an incremental, not fundamental change is occurring in education today. The change involves the sharing knowledge infinitely. There is a new kind of material that is accessible permanently and for free. For example, he talks about the growth of itunesU as a source of academic information.
Richard Miller also talks about sharing ideas and how they shouldn't be kept to individuals. He claims that ideas don't belong to individuals, they belong to the culture. He also says that most of the time, the limits and restrictions we face our placed there by ourselves.
He is also shocked that people can't get excited for this new wave; it is a way to push ideas into our culture. He wants to combine science and the humanities. Ultimately his goals is to articulate his dreams of sharing visibly.
EDM310 Student Videos
The common message of these two videos is that EDM310 is different, but doable. It is a different kind of class that requires skills that some people may not have at all and need to develop. I would like to make more movies for EDM310. I would love to do parodies of popular movies, like the Indiana Jones movies or Star Wars.
Learning to Change, Changing to Learn
I agree with the statements made by these educators. One of them commented that today's students are stuck in a middle world of technology; They use devices and communication methods at home, but when they get to school, none of those resources are available, and most of the time they are prohibited. Teachers have to be the first ones to learn with technology if they are to teach with it.
Phillip Zimbardo and RSA Animate
This video was very interesting and informative. Mr. Zimbardo narrates as the RSA animators animate what he is saying. He splits up people into different categories based on how they view time. He has 6 different categories, 2 each for people that think in the present, past and future. He claims that schools often make their messages for the kids that are future oriented, but not for the people really at risk, the ones that live in the present. Personally, I think you have to balance thinking in the past, present, and future; as for the proper division of the three, no one really knows the right ratios because it is different for everyone.
Richard Miller, Rutgers University
I watched Richard Miller's video where he talks about writing with multimedia. He talks about a childhood filled with books, and he also talks about his future career in which he hopes to work with books. He was able to do this, and even wrote a book himself. Unfortunately, his book is no longer published and he humorously proves this by stating it is on Amazon.com for 59 cents.
He says that now, an incremental, not fundamental change is occurring in education today. The change involves the sharing knowledge infinitely. There is a new kind of material that is accessible permanently and for free. For example, he talks about the growth of itunesU as a source of academic information.
Richard Miller also talks about sharing ideas and how they shouldn't be kept to individuals. He claims that ideas don't belong to individuals, they belong to the culture. He also says that most of the time, the limits and restrictions we face our placed there by ourselves.
He is also shocked that people can't get excited for this new wave; it is a way to push ideas into our culture. He wants to combine science and the humanities. Ultimately his goals is to articulate his dreams of sharing visibly.
EDM310 Student Videos
The common message of these two videos is that EDM310 is different, but doable. It is a different kind of class that requires skills that some people may not have at all and need to develop. I would like to make more movies for EDM310. I would love to do parodies of popular movies, like the Indiana Jones movies or Star Wars.
Learning to Change, Changing to Learn
I agree with the statements made by these educators. One of them commented that today's students are stuck in a middle world of technology; They use devices and communication methods at home, but when they get to school, none of those resources are available, and most of the time they are prohibited. Teachers have to be the first ones to learn with technology if they are to teach with it.
Phillip Zimbardo and RSA Animate
This video was very interesting and informative. Mr. Zimbardo narrates as the RSA animators animate what he is saying. He splits up people into different categories based on how they view time. He has 6 different categories, 2 each for people that think in the present, past and future. He claims that schools often make their messages for the kids that are future oriented, but not for the people really at risk, the ones that live in the present. Personally, I think you have to balance thinking in the past, present, and future; as for the proper division of the three, no one really knows the right ratios because it is different for everyone.
Blog Assignment #9
For Blog Assignment 8, I visited Mr. McClung's World, a blog hosted by Mr. McClung. The particular blog post I am commenting on is a reflection from Mr. McClung about his first year as a teacher.
He came to many important conclusions that I agree with wholeheartedly. His thoughts on reading the crowd is important. Every student won't respond to lessons the way the teacher predicts, so adaptation is important. Adaptation requires the knowledge of what to adapt to, and that comes from reading the crowd/students. I also think that this will help with relationship building with students.
Communication is important to Mr. McClung and rightfully so. Often times people lose jobs because of their inefficient communication skills and not because of a lack of ability to do the job required. Communication skills are required to build relationships with students, peers, superiors, etc.
Mr. McClung also says to not be afraid of technology. I agree with this statement. At first, I thought technology in education would just make my job more difficult, but as I learn more about different tools, websites, blogs, and education resources I realized that becoming technologically inclined would actually make teaching easier.
He came to many important conclusions that I agree with wholeheartedly. His thoughts on reading the crowd is important. Every student won't respond to lessons the way the teacher predicts, so adaptation is important. Adaptation requires the knowledge of what to adapt to, and that comes from reading the crowd/students. I also think that this will help with relationship building with students.
Communication is important to Mr. McClung and rightfully so. Often times people lose jobs because of their inefficient communication skills and not because of a lack of ability to do the job required. Communication skills are required to build relationships with students, peers, superiors, etc.
Mr. McClung also says to not be afraid of technology. I agree with this statement. At first, I thought technology in education would just make my job more difficult, but as I learn more about different tools, websites, blogs, and education resources I realized that becoming technologically inclined would actually make teaching easier.
Final Project Progress Report
For my final project We are doing the ABC's of Educational Technology. In it we will assign one of the 26 letters to something that starts with the same letter. For example, google would be G.
I am doing this project with Alicia Robertson and Abby Jordan. They are both elementary education majors.
I am doing this project with Alicia Robertson and Abby Jordan. They are both elementary education majors.
Comments for Kids #4
I commented on each of these children's blogs. Below is a summary of the children
Hannah
I commented on Hannah's blog named Hannah's Hacienda. The blog post I commented on revolves around the Persian/Iranian holiday of Seezdeh-Bedar. The holiday is a celebration of the 13th day of the Persian New Year. It is celebrated outdoors, sometimes in parks. The day is spent with family and friends.
Mrs. Yollis
Mrs. Yollis is not a child, but she teaches them. Her blog, "Mrs. Yollis' Classroom Blog" is a blog for her 3rd graders. Mrs. Yollis puts much emphasis in quality commenting, and rightfully so. It is good to learn the right way to do things, especially when you are young.
Declan
Declan's blog was empty when I came across, and Allie suggested that I leave him a comment anyway, and I did. I told him that I thought it was great that he had a blog and it would give him an advantage over the children unfamiliar with it. I also told him he had a significant age advantage on myself in terms of blogging since I have only been doing this since January.
Mr. McClung
Mr. McClung's blog, "Mr. Mcclung's World" is a blog of a teacher in Arkansas. He is also the cross country coach. I commented on his blog post "Tres Cosas Juevas". Although I'm am unsure what that means, the blog post was about collective bargaining rights for teachers in Wisconsin, and the controversy that goes along with it.
Hannah
I commented on Hannah's blog named Hannah's Hacienda. The blog post I commented on revolves around the Persian/Iranian holiday of Seezdeh-Bedar. The holiday is a celebration of the 13th day of the Persian New Year. It is celebrated outdoors, sometimes in parks. The day is spent with family and friends.
Mrs. Yollis
Mrs. Yollis is not a child, but she teaches them. Her blog, "Mrs. Yollis' Classroom Blog" is a blog for her 3rd graders. Mrs. Yollis puts much emphasis in quality commenting, and rightfully so. It is good to learn the right way to do things, especially when you are young.
Declan
Declan's blog was empty when I came across, and Allie suggested that I leave him a comment anyway, and I did. I told him that I thought it was great that he had a blog and it would give him an advantage over the children unfamiliar with it. I also told him he had a significant age advantage on myself in terms of blogging since I have only been doing this since January.
Mr. McClung
Mr. McClung's blog, "Mr. Mcclung's World" is a blog of a teacher in Arkansas. He is also the cross country coach. I commented on his blog post "Tres Cosas Juevas". Although I'm am unsure what that means, the blog post was about collective bargaining rights for teachers in Wisconsin, and the controversy that goes along with it.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Project #16, Final Project
For this final project I grouped up with Abby Jordan and Alicia Robertson. We made a Google presentation on the "ABC's of Technology". In it we assign a letter to a tool, service, or website that is helpful in EDM310 or as future educators. I hope you enjoy.
Project #15, First Gift USA
For Project #16, Alicia Robertson, Abby Jordan and myself made a short movie to help inform people about how and where to make their first donation, a.k.a., First Gift USA.
Unfortunately at this time, we are not able to post our videos because they are involved in a competition; when our video clears and is able to be posted it will be.
Unfortunately at this time, we are not able to post our videos because they are involved in a competition; when our video clears and is able to be posted it will be.
Comments for Teachers #4 Summary Post
Today I will be summarized the two blog posts I have read from the blog "Whatedsaid".
It is owned by Edna Sackson a teacher in Australia.
Post #1
The first post I commented on on was titled "How Do You Change School Culture", and it was a response to that question posed by a Tyler Rice. Edna talks about the need for a reference-able set of beliefs that can be used by all teachers to promote homogeneity. She also outlines several learning principles they are worded incredibly well. Below is a picture from a lecture given by Jay McTighe.
Post #2
The second post I commented on was about Edna's work in the SOLE project. This week she talked about a student in India she skyped with; His name is Kalpesh and he knows 2 languages well, and is working on improving his English. Her conversation with him was limited by the communication barrier, but it was a connection made. I like the SOLE project and plan on finding out more about it.
It is owned by Edna Sackson a teacher in Australia.
Post #1
The first post I commented on on was titled "How Do You Change School Culture", and it was a response to that question posed by a Tyler Rice. Edna talks about the need for a reference-able set of beliefs that can be used by all teachers to promote homogeneity. She also outlines several learning principles they are worded incredibly well. Below is a picture from a lecture given by Jay McTighe.
Post #2
The second post I commented on was about Edna's work in the SOLE project. This week she talked about a student in India she skyped with; His name is Kalpesh and he knows 2 languages well, and is working on improving his English. Her conversation with him was limited by the communication barrier, but it was a connection made. I like the SOLE project and plan on finding out more about it.
Special Metaphor Assignment (Blog Post #14)
I've been asked to answer these questions about a previous blog post for blog post #14. Here are the questions and my answers.
1. Why did you miss the metaphor in Tom Johnson's post, or, if you "hit the nail on the head", why do you think you understood the metaphor and why do you think that others in the class missed the metaphor?
I actually got the metaphor used, I didn't include my understanding of it in my blog post, but it is in the blog post left to him. Here is my post.
Kevin White said...
Hello Mr. Spencer,
My name is Kevin White, and I'm an education major at the University of South Alabama. I am in Dr. Strange's EDM310 class. I truly enjoyed your post. When you substitute "computers" for "pencils" it really makes the argument to not use them at home look silly. It is true that students may not use them for the intended purposes 100% of the time, but the leap of faith must be taken; students need to be trusted to be responsible.
Thanks for the post,
Kevin White
11:17:00 AM
I am pretty good with metaphors, and I often make my own. I think some people may have actually figured out the metaphor, but just left a comment on HIS blog and not their own; I assume this because this is what I did.
2. What metaphors have you encountered since I asked you to create a log of them?
I watched a movie about the Iraq War where one of the soldiers remarked someone's I.E.D. wound looked like pizza after the cheese slid off. My dad also told me at work that "time is money". Also, at work I heard the songs "Love is a Battlefield" and "Eye of the Tiger".
3. What other things can we do as educators to help our students to understand and to use metaphors?
I think, as educators, we should use metaphors more often. Every hard subject matter should have a metaphor to go with it to help with understanding of the information.
4. Why do we use metaphors?
We use metaphors in communication to make explaining the unknown to someone easier. A metaphor is used to related two different things together so that the less vague of the two items is able to be understood by relation. Metaphors are used to save time and to make communication more vivid.
1. Why did you miss the metaphor in Tom Johnson's post, or, if you "hit the nail on the head", why do you think you understood the metaphor and why do you think that others in the class missed the metaphor?
I actually got the metaphor used, I didn't include my understanding of it in my blog post, but it is in the blog post left to him. Here is my post.
Kevin White said...
Hello Mr. Spencer,
My name is Kevin White, and I'm an education major at the University of South Alabama. I am in Dr. Strange's EDM310 class. I truly enjoyed your post. When you substitute "computers" for "pencils" it really makes the argument to not use them at home look silly. It is true that students may not use them for the intended purposes 100% of the time, but the leap of faith must be taken; students need to be trusted to be responsible.
Thanks for the post,
Kevin White
11:17:00 AM
I am pretty good with metaphors, and I often make my own. I think some people may have actually figured out the metaphor, but just left a comment on HIS blog and not their own; I assume this because this is what I did.
2. What metaphors have you encountered since I asked you to create a log of them?
I watched a movie about the Iraq War where one of the soldiers remarked someone's I.E.D. wound looked like pizza after the cheese slid off. My dad also told me at work that "time is money". Also, at work I heard the songs "Love is a Battlefield" and "Eye of the Tiger".
3. What other things can we do as educators to help our students to understand and to use metaphors?
I think, as educators, we should use metaphors more often. Every hard subject matter should have a metaphor to go with it to help with understanding of the information.
4. Why do we use metaphors?
We use metaphors in communication to make explaining the unknown to someone easier. A metaphor is used to related two different things together so that the less vague of the two items is able to be understood by relation. Metaphors are used to save time and to make communication more vivid.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Blog Assignment #13
In today's blog post I will be accessing two different sites. The first one is ALEX, which is an acronym for Alabama Learning Exchange. The second site is called ACCESS, also an acronym, meaning Alabama Connecting Classroom, Educators and
Students Statewide. Below I will go into detail about accessing and navigating the site; I will also discuss how this information is relevant to me as a future teacher and how I plan to use this information.
Site #1: ALEX
The Alabama Learning Exchange is a website designed to help Alabama teachers with lesson plans and curriculum requirements. I like the design of the site, it is user friendly. On the main page, there are eight main links. The first link is "Courses of Study"; in its section of the site, you can choose a subject area such as Social Science, and from there it gets more specific, for example US Government. In the US Government section there will be lesson plans and websites that other teachers have created. Below the link for the lesson plans is usually one or more symbols. These symbols represent different state tests that the information appears on frequently.
The second link is "Web Resources". In it you will the information tiered just as "Courses of Study" are arranged; the only difference being the final result is a website resource instead of a lesson plan. The "Lesson Plans" link is very similar to "Courses of Study" but the search procedure is a little different. The next button to appear on the main page is called "Search"; it does exactly what it says, it searches, and it searches the sites tied into ALEX.
The fifth link is titled "Personal Workspace". After clicking the link, you are asked to login. This is a place where you can save your work and collect materials; its similar to an electronic filing cabinet. The sixth link is called "Professional Learning"; in it you can find links and access to power point presentations and other resources to help learn and teach ALEX and Thinkfinity. Also ALEX has an extensive podcast collection from credible Alabamians.
I believe this is the most important resource that I have found yet in EDM310 for teaching. I like having all that information accessible and in one location. This seems like it will have the biggest impact on my teaching career as far as websites go. As a student I believe this website will be influential in creating and adapting lesson plans.
Site #2: ACCESS
ACCESS is also a very important Alabama teaching resource. As well as having information for the various courses taught in Alabama, it also contains course requirements, what grades these classes should be taken, and a brief course description. This site differs from ALEX because it is for students and teachers, not just teachers.
Students Statewide. Below I will go into detail about accessing and navigating the site; I will also discuss how this information is relevant to me as a future teacher and how I plan to use this information.
Site #1: ALEX
The Alabama Learning Exchange is a website designed to help Alabama teachers with lesson plans and curriculum requirements. I like the design of the site, it is user friendly. On the main page, there are eight main links. The first link is "Courses of Study"; in its section of the site, you can choose a subject area such as Social Science, and from there it gets more specific, for example US Government. In the US Government section there will be lesson plans and websites that other teachers have created. Below the link for the lesson plans is usually one or more symbols. These symbols represent different state tests that the information appears on frequently.
The second link is "Web Resources". In it you will the information tiered just as "Courses of Study" are arranged; the only difference being the final result is a website resource instead of a lesson plan. The "Lesson Plans" link is very similar to "Courses of Study" but the search procedure is a little different. The next button to appear on the main page is called "Search"; it does exactly what it says, it searches, and it searches the sites tied into ALEX.
The fifth link is titled "Personal Workspace". After clicking the link, you are asked to login. This is a place where you can save your work and collect materials; its similar to an electronic filing cabinet. The sixth link is called "Professional Learning"; in it you can find links and access to power point presentations and other resources to help learn and teach ALEX and Thinkfinity. Also ALEX has an extensive podcast collection from credible Alabamians.
I believe this is the most important resource that I have found yet in EDM310 for teaching. I like having all that information accessible and in one location. This seems like it will have the biggest impact on my teaching career as far as websites go. As a student I believe this website will be influential in creating and adapting lesson plans.
Site #2: ACCESS
ACCESS is also a very important Alabama teaching resource. As well as having information for the various courses taught in Alabama, it also contains course requirements, what grades these classes should be taken, and a brief course description. This site differs from ALEX because it is for students and teachers, not just teachers.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Blog Assignment #12
The tables have been turned in this week's blog post. Instead of watching videos and reading blogs provided for me, I will be making the blog assignment. I hope you enjoy.
Quentin D'Souza's blog,Teaching Hacks.com is a very imformative blog that I found. There is relevant information there that can help future teachers. I would like you to pick a recent post on his blog, one that interests you, and comment on it. Afterward please write a short summary of what you learned and how it is relevant.
TheOn Course Workshop is a website dedicated to improving teachers and instruction. The link I provided is a list of common teaching mistakes that should be avoided. I would like you to read the article and provide a short summary about which mistakes you think are the most dire, and also write about one bad teaching method not listed that you wouldn't use, and why
Please watch this video on youtube.com. It is called, "The 3 Phases of Educational Technology." After watching the video, please summarize it in a blog post. Try and tie in the video with what you have learned in EDM310 thus far.
Quentin D'Souza's blog,Teaching Hacks.com is a very imformative blog that I found. There is relevant information there that can help future teachers. I would like you to pick a recent post on his blog, one that interests you, and comment on it. Afterward please write a short summary of what you learned and how it is relevant.
TheOn Course Workshop is a website dedicated to improving teachers and instruction. The link I provided is a list of common teaching mistakes that should be avoided. I would like you to read the article and provide a short summary about which mistakes you think are the most dire, and also write about one bad teaching method not listed that you wouldn't use, and why
Please watch this video on youtube.com. It is called, "The 3 Phases of Educational Technology." After watching the video, please summarize it in a blog post. Try and tie in the video with what you have learned in EDM310 thus far.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Blog Assignment #11
Skype Interview with Kathy Cassidy
I really enjoyed watching this interview as well as the video about what she is doing with her classes. I think that blogging will be important to me as a teacher. If there is a way I can incorporate it into my class, I would definitely do that. I think it would be a great way for students to view facts and opinions of other peers that could potentially be thousands of miles away. I think it would be more than helpful for students to see the work of others to help find ideas where they can improve.
I also agree that collaborating with other people shouldn't be viewed as cheating. It is our job as future educators to teach them what cheating/plagiarism is, and how it differs from correctly citing and using information that is not theirs. I want to use the internet in my future classroom because I believe it can enhance my teaching and therefore, enhance student learning. For example, I primarily want to teach history; If I am teaching American History, I could use twitter to find historians, educators, and other experts in that field. I could gain valuable information from them. Also, I'm sure there would be plenty of people on various topics that would love to share their information with students. I could even conduct a class skype interview similar to the one I just watched.
I really enjoyed watching this interview as well as the video about what she is doing with her classes. I think that blogging will be important to me as a teacher. If there is a way I can incorporate it into my class, I would definitely do that. I think it would be a great way for students to view facts and opinions of other peers that could potentially be thousands of miles away. I think it would be more than helpful for students to see the work of others to help find ideas where they can improve.
I also agree that collaborating with other people shouldn't be viewed as cheating. It is our job as future educators to teach them what cheating/plagiarism is, and how it differs from correctly citing and using information that is not theirs. I want to use the internet in my future classroom because I believe it can enhance my teaching and therefore, enhance student learning. For example, I primarily want to teach history; If I am teaching American History, I could use twitter to find historians, educators, and other experts in that field. I could gain valuable information from them. Also, I'm sure there would be plenty of people on various topics that would love to share their information with students. I could even conduct a class skype interview similar to the one I just watched.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Comments for Teachers #3 Summary Post
Comments for Teachers #3
Andrea Hernandez
Andrea Hernandez's blog is about digital portfolios for elementary students. She has made/help make them for all the students in her class. She is a bit of a pioneer, as there are very few elementary teachers participating in this. She has gone on twitter and used it to build her teaching network. She has laid the ground work that will make a lot of people's lives much easier in the future.
Scott McLeod
Scott McLeod's blog asks, "What If?" in reference to questions asked about education and what it could possibly do, but currently does not. In the end of the post he reveals that we have the means to accomplish all these goals presented, but for reasons such as complacency and apathy (sometimes lack of funding), these goals remain unmet as the classroom paradigm remains the same.
Andrea Hernandez
Andrea Hernandez's blog is about digital portfolios for elementary students. She has made/help make them for all the students in her class. She is a bit of a pioneer, as there are very few elementary teachers participating in this. She has gone on twitter and used it to build her teaching network. She has laid the ground work that will make a lot of people's lives much easier in the future.
Scott McLeod
Scott McLeod's blog asks, "What If?" in reference to questions asked about education and what it could possibly do, but currently does not. In the end of the post he reveals that we have the means to accomplish all these goals presented, but for reasons such as complacency and apathy (sometimes lack of funding), these goals remain unmet as the classroom paradigm remains the same.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Blog Assignment #10
#1: An Open Letter to Educators
Morgan talks about her negative experiences with college; these negative aspects include a tight funnel of information coming from the professor, lack of cooperative activities, and monotonous memorization. These educational problems are compounded by expensive books to buy, sleep deprivation, and boredom.
I empathize with Morgan and with Dan, the man in the video. I don't like to memorize facts for tests. Simply put, I just can't remember very much at all after the test. For example, last semester, I had an Asian History class that I made a B in; 6 months later, and I'd be hard pressed to tell you what I learned.
I also agree with Dan's assessment that the price of information has decreased over the centuries throughout human civilization. The knowledge is there if you want it, you just have to find it. Being able to quickly find relevant information and teach people to do the same will be the new teaching in the future; children will no longer be at the mercy of only their textbooks and teachers.
#2: Don't Let Them Take the Pencils Home
I found this post to be great satire. The message is dead on as well. I also subscribed to his blog by rss feed.
Morgan talks about her negative experiences with college; these negative aspects include a tight funnel of information coming from the professor, lack of cooperative activities, and monotonous memorization. These educational problems are compounded by expensive books to buy, sleep deprivation, and boredom.
I empathize with Morgan and with Dan, the man in the video. I don't like to memorize facts for tests. Simply put, I just can't remember very much at all after the test. For example, last semester, I had an Asian History class that I made a B in; 6 months later, and I'd be hard pressed to tell you what I learned.
I also agree with Dan's assessment that the price of information has decreased over the centuries throughout human civilization. The knowledge is there if you want it, you just have to find it. Being able to quickly find relevant information and teach people to do the same will be the new teaching in the future; children will no longer be at the mercy of only their textbooks and teachers.
#2: Don't Let Them Take the Pencils Home
I found this post to be great satire. The message is dead on as well. I also subscribed to his blog by rss feed.
Project #12, Skype Interview
Hello. Below I have a recording of a skype interview that I did with my classmate, Skye La Darte.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Smartboard and Google Docs Assignment
Here is a video of Our presentation.
Here is our Google Form for our presentation.
Here is our Google Form for our presentation.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Comments for Kids Review Post
I am writing a review on the post I have made for comments for kids assignment.
Noah
Noah is a student that wondered if a phrase from the song, "Oh Canada" was sexist. Personally I don't think that it is, but I'm glad that he posed the question and is thinking about it.
Sosaia
Sosaia's post involved him getting instruction in the game of baseball. I explained to him that baseball is a very popular sport in the United States. Sosaia also talked about rugby. I explained that in America we have American football which is similar to rugby.
W.A.
W.A.'s blog post was a creative writing assignment where the assignment was to write a mystery. He wrote about a situation in which everyone went missing, and something chased him quickly from the street. He armed himself and took action. Later he found out the cause of the disappearances was aliens.
I liked the first round of Comments for kids. Although I'm not an elementary education major, I still like kids in general, and I especially like to hear what they have to say, because it is very different that what adults usually say. Children are much more honest and sincere most of the time, compared to adults; that is a refreshing change of pace for me.
Kevin White
Noah
Noah is a student that wondered if a phrase from the song, "Oh Canada" was sexist. Personally I don't think that it is, but I'm glad that he posed the question and is thinking about it.
Sosaia
Sosaia's post involved him getting instruction in the game of baseball. I explained to him that baseball is a very popular sport in the United States. Sosaia also talked about rugby. I explained that in America we have American football which is similar to rugby.
W.A.
W.A.'s blog post was a creative writing assignment where the assignment was to write a mystery. He wrote about a situation in which everyone went missing, and something chased him quickly from the street. He armed himself and took action. Later he found out the cause of the disappearances was aliens.
I liked the first round of Comments for kids. Although I'm not an elementary education major, I still like kids in general, and I especially like to hear what they have to say, because it is very different that what adults usually say. Children are much more honest and sincere most of the time, compared to adults; that is a refreshing change of pace for me.
Kevin White
Blog Assignment #6
Video #1: The Networked Student by Wendy Drexler
This video is made using paper cutouts representing people and different sites that can be used to build up a personal learning network. These sites include delicious, skype, and google. The video is about connectedness; The student in the video is working on a psychology assignment using the internet and his personal learning network.
This simple video says a lot about how to build up your personal learning network. In the coming years, classes will be based on internet research more often; this will makes books and paper obsolete eventually. To answer the question posed, "Are you prepared to teach a network student", I would have to answer, no*. The asterisk meaning that although I am not currently ready, I am working toward that, and I will take the information learned in Dr. Strange's EDM310 class as a knowledge base that I will add to as I progress toward becoming an educator.
Will teachers be obsolete in the future? The video says no, but the role of the teacher changes dramatically; instead of the teacher having all the answers, the answers are everywhere. The teacher becomes a guide and steers the student into the right direction by helping students learn to research themselves. When the student is able to find the answers for themselves, rather then the answers being provided to them, they build problem solving skills that will help with their chosen career path much, much more than memorizing endless facts and data which will probably only help if they want to be the next Ken Jennings.
Video #2: A 7th Grader's Personal Learning Environment
This video is about a science student whose class is paperless. They get their assignments from the class blog. The student also uses a program that bookmarks websites for them. I like this feature, and although I don't use it yet, I will; I will use it to write history papers and keep my sources handy so I can quickly go back and forth and cite my sources easily. It appears as though the teaching and learning world is changing for good, and those of us who don't make the change BEFORE we graduate are doomed to stand in line at the unemployment office. (I don't want that)
Blog Post #1: Smartboards
There are indeed pros and cons when it comes to whiteboards; what are the objections and what are the praises of the smartboard? From what I read, the cons to using smartboards are mostly based on misappropriation of funds. Anti- smartboard writers claim that even with proper training, educational white boards offer little "bang for the buck" from an education standpoint.
The pro smartboard/ white board side of the argument explains that it helps engage both the student and the teacher, which leads to enhanced learning. I can see both sides of this argument. I probably won't be the one who decides on whether or not I get to use a smartboard; regardless of that, I will just have to do the best with what I have. Here is a smartboard review
This video is made using paper cutouts representing people and different sites that can be used to build up a personal learning network. These sites include delicious, skype, and google. The video is about connectedness; The student in the video is working on a psychology assignment using the internet and his personal learning network.
This simple video says a lot about how to build up your personal learning network. In the coming years, classes will be based on internet research more often; this will makes books and paper obsolete eventually. To answer the question posed, "Are you prepared to teach a network student", I would have to answer, no*. The asterisk meaning that although I am not currently ready, I am working toward that, and I will take the information learned in Dr. Strange's EDM310 class as a knowledge base that I will add to as I progress toward becoming an educator.
Will teachers be obsolete in the future? The video says no, but the role of the teacher changes dramatically; instead of the teacher having all the answers, the answers are everywhere. The teacher becomes a guide and steers the student into the right direction by helping students learn to research themselves. When the student is able to find the answers for themselves, rather then the answers being provided to them, they build problem solving skills that will help with their chosen career path much, much more than memorizing endless facts and data which will probably only help if they want to be the next Ken Jennings.
Video #2: A 7th Grader's Personal Learning Environment
This video is about a science student whose class is paperless. They get their assignments from the class blog. The student also uses a program that bookmarks websites for them. I like this feature, and although I don't use it yet, I will; I will use it to write history papers and keep my sources handy so I can quickly go back and forth and cite my sources easily. It appears as though the teaching and learning world is changing for good, and those of us who don't make the change BEFORE we graduate are doomed to stand in line at the unemployment office. (I don't want that)
Blog Post #1: Smartboards
There are indeed pros and cons when it comes to whiteboards; what are the objections and what are the praises of the smartboard? From what I read, the cons to using smartboards are mostly based on misappropriation of funds. Anti- smartboard writers claim that even with proper training, educational white boards offer little "bang for the buck" from an education standpoint.
The pro smartboard/ white board side of the argument explains that it helps engage both the student and the teacher, which leads to enhanced learning. I can see both sides of this argument. I probably won't be the one who decides on whether or not I get to use a smartboard; regardless of that, I will just have to do the best with what I have. Here is a smartboard review
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Time Toast About My Family
Hello. I made this Time Toast time line and I am putting it on my blog. I Hope you like it.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Blog Assignment #5
Hello All. I've been ask to read/watch a few posts/videos and post my reaction to them on my blog.
Site #1: 100 Ways to Use Your iPod to Learn and Study Better
This is an article/post that, well, gives 100 different ways to use an ipod to promote education. The education that can be obtained is more than just history, science, English and math; instead, the articles contains many different ways to educate yourself including foreign languages, learning to play a musical instrument, and creating flash cards. I bookmarked this article because I want to try out a lot of these aides and hope to incorporate them into my education. My podcast group and I did our podcast on how itunesU can benefit us, this article is similar as it contains study aids, but it is far more elaborate than our itunesU podcast.
Site #2: Judy Scharf Podcast Collection
I found this to be a very educational site dedicated to creating and teaching other people to create podcasts. In the not so different future people will be dependent on podcasts for education instead of just using them to supplement their education. I know I will. I will use Judy Scharf's site to help me with podcast related questions I might have.
Site #3: The Education Podcast Network
This site is a helpful network with many uploaded podcasts from mostly educators. It is very useful to teachers who want to learn, or share what they have already learned with others.
I believe with just the three websites I will be able to enhance all aspects regarding podcasts. Whether I am trying to create, upload, or share a podcast with someone, these websites contain the tools and information necessary to be successful.
Site #1: 100 Ways to Use Your iPod to Learn and Study Better
This is an article/post that, well, gives 100 different ways to use an ipod to promote education. The education that can be obtained is more than just history, science, English and math; instead, the articles contains many different ways to educate yourself including foreign languages, learning to play a musical instrument, and creating flash cards. I bookmarked this article because I want to try out a lot of these aides and hope to incorporate them into my education. My podcast group and I did our podcast on how itunesU can benefit us, this article is similar as it contains study aids, but it is far more elaborate than our itunesU podcast.
Site #2: Judy Scharf Podcast Collection
I found this to be a very educational site dedicated to creating and teaching other people to create podcasts. In the not so different future people will be dependent on podcasts for education instead of just using them to supplement their education. I know I will. I will use Judy Scharf's site to help me with podcast related questions I might have.
Site #3: The Education Podcast Network
This site is a helpful network with many uploaded podcasts from mostly educators. It is very useful to teachers who want to learn, or share what they have already learned with others.
I believe with just the three websites I will be able to enhance all aspects regarding podcasts. Whether I am trying to create, upload, or share a podcast with someone, these websites contain the tools and information necessary to be successful.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Blog Assignment #4
Post #1: Don't Teach Your Kids This Stuff. Please?
This post written by Dr. Mcleod comments on the reluctance of many parents and teachers to use technology to enhance the education and lives of children. To a lot of parents and teachers, the risk is too great for the potential reward. I, however, do not agree with this. I do agree that the misuse of technology is an actual and real threat, but I believe that if children are taught to use technology responsibly they should be able to identify and avoid those threats.
Dr. Mcleod is a professor at Iowa State University and is recognized as being the top K-12 technology leader in the nation.
Video #1: The iSchool Iniative
Travis Allen explains how the use of an itouch will allow schools to be able to save $450 per student, while also using no paper and therefore preserving natural resources. From a monetary perspective it makes a lot of sense to save money where possible so those funds can be spent elsewhere. I like the idea about limiting access to only academic sites to prevent abuse by the less responsible students.
From an education standpoint I think this idea is brilliant. It allows busy parents to be able to check the status of their children anywhere, anytime and in the palm of their hand. I think this will help with parental involvement which, in turn, would lead to an increase in the percentage of children graduating from high school. I believe this will also help those students in after high school life; it certainly isn't going to hurt that cause.
Video #2: The Lost Generation
This video starts with some statements about the future that sound harsh and undesired. At the halfway point in the video, the narrator explains that there is a hope and changes can be made to save the future. The words that were scrolling on the screen stop; the words then scroll in the opposite direction while the narrator reads from the bottom to the top which completely changes the meaning of the video and moves it from a negative to a positive.
Post #2 and Video #3: Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir
I like the idea of using the internet in this way. It makes it easier to get talented people together to practice not only music, but pretty much anything that involves the transfer of ideas.
Video #4: Teaching in the 21st Century
The question asked in this video is "What does it mean to teach (in the 21st century)." I believe it means more now than ever. I agreed with the idea of the video that explains that teachers are no longer the primary source of information for students, and instead are the filters for that information.
This post written by Dr. Mcleod comments on the reluctance of many parents and teachers to use technology to enhance the education and lives of children. To a lot of parents and teachers, the risk is too great for the potential reward. I, however, do not agree with this. I do agree that the misuse of technology is an actual and real threat, but I believe that if children are taught to use technology responsibly they should be able to identify and avoid those threats.
Dr. Mcleod is a professor at Iowa State University and is recognized as being the top K-12 technology leader in the nation.
Video #1: The iSchool Iniative
Travis Allen explains how the use of an itouch will allow schools to be able to save $450 per student, while also using no paper and therefore preserving natural resources. From a monetary perspective it makes a lot of sense to save money where possible so those funds can be spent elsewhere. I like the idea about limiting access to only academic sites to prevent abuse by the less responsible students.
From an education standpoint I think this idea is brilliant. It allows busy parents to be able to check the status of their children anywhere, anytime and in the palm of their hand. I think this will help with parental involvement which, in turn, would lead to an increase in the percentage of children graduating from high school. I believe this will also help those students in after high school life; it certainly isn't going to hurt that cause.
Video #2: The Lost Generation
This video starts with some statements about the future that sound harsh and undesired. At the halfway point in the video, the narrator explains that there is a hope and changes can be made to save the future. The words that were scrolling on the screen stop; the words then scroll in the opposite direction while the narrator reads from the bottom to the top which completely changes the meaning of the video and moves it from a negative to a positive.
Post #2 and Video #3: Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir
I like the idea of using the internet in this way. It makes it easier to get talented people together to practice not only music, but pretty much anything that involves the transfer of ideas.
Video #4: Teaching in the 21st Century
The question asked in this video is "What does it mean to teach (in the 21st century)." I believe it means more now than ever. I agreed with the idea of the video that explains that teachers are no longer the primary source of information for students, and instead are the filters for that information.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
C4T-1
I read two blog posts from Greta Sanders blog which I will now summarize:
Creating Safe Learning Environments
This post is about a presentation that was presented at the New Teachers Reform Symposium. There is a slide show on the blog post that is quite informative. Although it is targeted at younger school children, even secondary educators and professors could learn something from it. Children (and people) need to feel comfortable to be able to learn in the most effective way. Also, the slide show lends the idea that mistakes aren't evil, instead they are a natural part of life progression.
Blended Instruction With Blogs and Wikis for Young Learners
There will be an online conference on which the importance of blogs and wikis will be expressed. I am gaining perspective on the importance of blogs; wikis, on the other hand, I know little about. I hope to watch the presentation and take valuable insights out of them that I will be able to use in my teaching career.
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Creating Safe Learning Environments
This post is about a presentation that was presented at the New Teachers Reform Symposium. There is a slide show on the blog post that is quite informative. Although it is targeted at younger school children, even secondary educators and professors could learn something from it. Children (and people) need to feel comfortable to be able to learn in the most effective way. Also, the slide show lends the idea that mistakes aren't evil, instead they are a natural part of life progression.
Blended Instruction With Blogs and Wikis for Young Learners
There will be an online conference on which the importance of blogs and wikis will be expressed. I am gaining perspective on the importance of blogs; wikis, on the other hand, I know little about. I hope to watch the presentation and take valuable insights out of them that I will be able to use in my teaching career.
Blog Assignment #3
Video 1: Michael Wesch: A Vision of Students Today
This video does well to describe the real college experience, not the artificial one concocted by our imaginations in high school. The lost and helpless looks of most of the students in the video say a lot about the mundane nature of most classroom settings I've been in since high school, including Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.
If I were to change something in this video, I would try to further elaborate on how ineffective ninety minutes of lecturing is; also, I'd like to not that it is ineffective to me. I'm sure some people like it that way.
Post 1: Kelly Hines: "It's Not About the Technology"
One of the things that truly agitates me is the misuse of tax payer money; normally I would not say that money spent on education was ever wasted, but it surely can be misused or misappropriated. With nearly all states in the Union feeling a budget crunch, education cuts are usually one of the first suggested cuts unless a fierce opposition to this occurs.
I believe that teachers should be able to show proficiency in whatever technological capital has been entrusted to them to ensure that it will actually be used, and used correctly and efficiently. I posted on Ms. Hines post that I do not want to be the one that squanders tax payer money by not using what has been appropriated to me to the benefit of my future students.
Post 2: Karl Fisch: "Is it Okay to be a Technologically Illiterate Teacher?"
I agree with Mr. Fisch's main point about being technologically illiterate is equivalent to being illiterate a few generations ago. The world has changed drastically over just the past 20 years, and who knows what could happen in the next 20 years. The point being that teachers are in it for the long haul; by in it, I mean they MUST continue to learn simply to ensure they are keeping up with a changing world and not shortchanging their students in the future.
Also, the idea of educators being proud of being technologically illiterate is appalling to me. I want to give my future students the opportunities to succeed in life, not just to exist. I do think that educators that are unwilling to learn new things even at older ages should not be tolerated. Tenure and decades of experience are irrelevant to me if those students being taught by those instructors leave school and find out they know little to nothing about how adapt to changes in life. Adapting to changes in technology will help facilitate adapting to all changes in life; it helps by removing the fear that most people, including me, associate with change. As I have progressed in my academic life, change is becoming less scary and I am learning to adapt better and in new ways.
Website 1: Gary Hayes' Social Media Counts
I found this website to be very informative from the aspect of how fast social media is growing. From an educator's viewpoint it means that my future job as an instructor will be always changing and I have to either adapt to the new social media world order or risk turning into a dinosaur and becoming extinct.
This video does well to describe the real college experience, not the artificial one concocted by our imaginations in high school. The lost and helpless looks of most of the students in the video say a lot about the mundane nature of most classroom settings I've been in since high school, including Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.
If I were to change something in this video, I would try to further elaborate on how ineffective ninety minutes of lecturing is; also, I'd like to not that it is ineffective to me. I'm sure some people like it that way.
Post 1: Kelly Hines: "It's Not About the Technology"
One of the things that truly agitates me is the misuse of tax payer money; normally I would not say that money spent on education was ever wasted, but it surely can be misused or misappropriated. With nearly all states in the Union feeling a budget crunch, education cuts are usually one of the first suggested cuts unless a fierce opposition to this occurs.
I believe that teachers should be able to show proficiency in whatever technological capital has been entrusted to them to ensure that it will actually be used, and used correctly and efficiently. I posted on Ms. Hines post that I do not want to be the one that squanders tax payer money by not using what has been appropriated to me to the benefit of my future students.
Post 2: Karl Fisch: "Is it Okay to be a Technologically Illiterate Teacher?"
I agree with Mr. Fisch's main point about being technologically illiterate is equivalent to being illiterate a few generations ago. The world has changed drastically over just the past 20 years, and who knows what could happen in the next 20 years. The point being that teachers are in it for the long haul; by in it, I mean they MUST continue to learn simply to ensure they are keeping up with a changing world and not shortchanging their students in the future.
Also, the idea of educators being proud of being technologically illiterate is appalling to me. I want to give my future students the opportunities to succeed in life, not just to exist. I do think that educators that are unwilling to learn new things even at older ages should not be tolerated. Tenure and decades of experience are irrelevant to me if those students being taught by those instructors leave school and find out they know little to nothing about how adapt to changes in life. Adapting to changes in technology will help facilitate adapting to all changes in life; it helps by removing the fear that most people, including me, associate with change. As I have progressed in my academic life, change is becoming less scary and I am learning to adapt better and in new ways.
Website 1: Gary Hayes' Social Media Counts
I found this website to be very informative from the aspect of how fast social media is growing. From an educator's viewpoint it means that my future job as an instructor will be always changing and I have to either adapt to the new social media world order or risk turning into a dinosaur and becoming extinct.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Blog Post #2
I've been tasked with watching a few short videos and afterward I am writing a little about each.
Video #1: Did You Know? 3.0
This video is about technology and its speedy global expansion. It contains many interesting and even shocking facts and statistics as well as many technological predictions based on current speed of progress. The video also states that soon the United States of America will be the second largest English speaking nation, behind China. I also found the employment statistics to be quite revealing, most notably, the stat claiming that the average person today will have eighteen different employers before they retire.
What does this information mean to me? Simply put, it means more work; more and more information is being created and shared more quickly than ever before, and continues to speed up. The spoils attained from hard work and dedication now require more hard work and more dedication than ever before, not to get ahead, but just to keep pace. Technological evolution is weeding out the weak while the strong dominate and live on.
Also, the United States is losing its technological advantage to countries such as India and China. Personally, I want the United States to be the world leader in everything, but I suppose that is just nationalism.
Video #2: Mr. Winkle Wakes
Mr. Winkle is a man that is scared of new technology, or at the very least intimidated by it. He travels to a busy office setting where technology is part of nearly all functions of the office. He later moves on to a hospital where he is surprised to see that similar technology was in use to keep people alive and more healthy, a feat that was unrealistic a hundred years ago. Mr. Winkle later travels to a school where is he is pleasantly surprised to find that technology was not in use, although it was there, collecting dust.
Mr. Winkle didn't have to sleep for one hundred years to become technologically declined. He could have slept for ten or maybe even as little as five years to become completely oblivious to what drives businesses and health and human services in the modern age. The video does an adequate job in portraying the idea that schools are teachers are falling behind in equipping children with knowledge of technology, educational technology and the use of social media as an educational tool, as well as its social uses. To me, this video is a "Call to Action" for teachers to become technologically literate and in turn to use new forms of technology to aid in teaching students in the most effective means possible.
Video #3: Ken Robinson Says Schools Kill Creativity
Sir Ken Robinson addresses the problem with negating the creative powers in youth and trying to replace them with higher ranking hierarchical subjects such as math and science. He speaks of a new revolution that is taking place where creativity is becoming just as important as academic performance. Intelligence is being measured more abstractly now.
I like the change taking place in education where creativity is encouraged. Everyone sees the world in a unique way, and their talents are diverse and are not easy to categorize. Ken Robinson says intelligence is all encompassing and different for different people. This idea is important from an education standpoint because it reaches more students and aids them in maximizing their potential.
Video #4: Cecelia Gault interview Sir Ken Robinson
The United States can make progress toward competing with Finland in education can happen. The United States is the most diverse nation in the world and its education should be as well.
Video #5: Vicki Davis: Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts
Vicki Davis leads the charge toward promoting creativity and learning to learn using technology. She adapts what she teaches based on the needs of her students. She teaches them about computer software and the different types of educational media.
I think that creativity and implementing it into education is an important step in moving education away from paper and pencil and more toward more efficient means of increasing intelligence.
Video #1: Did You Know? 3.0
This video is about technology and its speedy global expansion. It contains many interesting and even shocking facts and statistics as well as many technological predictions based on current speed of progress. The video also states that soon the United States of America will be the second largest English speaking nation, behind China. I also found the employment statistics to be quite revealing, most notably, the stat claiming that the average person today will have eighteen different employers before they retire.
What does this information mean to me? Simply put, it means more work; more and more information is being created and shared more quickly than ever before, and continues to speed up. The spoils attained from hard work and dedication now require more hard work and more dedication than ever before, not to get ahead, but just to keep pace. Technological evolution is weeding out the weak while the strong dominate and live on.
Also, the United States is losing its technological advantage to countries such as India and China. Personally, I want the United States to be the world leader in everything, but I suppose that is just nationalism.
Video #2: Mr. Winkle Wakes
Mr. Winkle is a man that is scared of new technology, or at the very least intimidated by it. He travels to a busy office setting where technology is part of nearly all functions of the office. He later moves on to a hospital where he is surprised to see that similar technology was in use to keep people alive and more healthy, a feat that was unrealistic a hundred years ago. Mr. Winkle later travels to a school where is he is pleasantly surprised to find that technology was not in use, although it was there, collecting dust.
Mr. Winkle didn't have to sleep for one hundred years to become technologically declined. He could have slept for ten or maybe even as little as five years to become completely oblivious to what drives businesses and health and human services in the modern age. The video does an adequate job in portraying the idea that schools are teachers are falling behind in equipping children with knowledge of technology, educational technology and the use of social media as an educational tool, as well as its social uses. To me, this video is a "Call to Action" for teachers to become technologically literate and in turn to use new forms of technology to aid in teaching students in the most effective means possible.
Video #3: Ken Robinson Says Schools Kill Creativity
Sir Ken Robinson addresses the problem with negating the creative powers in youth and trying to replace them with higher ranking hierarchical subjects such as math and science. He speaks of a new revolution that is taking place where creativity is becoming just as important as academic performance. Intelligence is being measured more abstractly now.
I like the change taking place in education where creativity is encouraged. Everyone sees the world in a unique way, and their talents are diverse and are not easy to categorize. Ken Robinson says intelligence is all encompassing and different for different people. This idea is important from an education standpoint because it reaches more students and aids them in maximizing their potential.
Video #4: Cecelia Gault interview Sir Ken Robinson
The United States can make progress toward competing with Finland in education can happen. The United States is the most diverse nation in the world and its education should be as well.
Video #5: Vicki Davis: Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts
Vicki Davis leads the charge toward promoting creativity and learning to learn using technology. She adapts what she teaches based on the needs of her students. She teaches them about computer software and the different types of educational media.
I think that creativity and implementing it into education is an important step in moving education away from paper and pencil and more toward more efficient means of increasing intelligence.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Blog Assignment 1
When I'm not at work, school or doing homework I'm usually listening to talk radio, playing video games, watching television and movies, and sometimes I even read or play basketball. I love the New Orleans Saints and the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Historically, I haven't been very good at time management, but that is a trend that I hope to break this semester. I do work fairly well with deadlines looming, but for sanity's sake it is much easier to get things done early. I can also get along and work well with nearly everyone I meet.
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