Sunday, June 24, 2012

Blog Assignment #7

     The Networked Student is a creative presentation about a student who doesn't attend a regular school. He goes to class 3 days a week, and 2 online. His teacher is practicing a method of education called connectivism. Connectivism is the theory of learning from social connections and ties. This means that a lot of what her students learn is from research over the internet, and gives control of the educational plan to the student. Each student can share what they've found by posting blogs or other social media websites.


     The student in the movie does not learn from a book. He researches online articles, blogs, electronic versions of magazines or books. Also, he listens to podcasts of teachers from everywhere around the world and can listen where ever he wants to and isn't cooped up in a classroom. There are so many advances to his educational learning method compared to other students who go to school day after day for hours on end. One main advance that I was interested in is that it's personal experience. The student isn't trying to follow the lecture and struggling to keep his eyes open, he is free to set his own pace and review as needed. Not only is there power in the students' hand but when you experience something for yourself you learn on a deeper level than when you simply try to absorb information being thrown at you.


     The big question brought up by this type of schooling is if the students even need teachers. But to my surprise they do! Teachers must teach the students how to use the different websites and how to stay connected with their fellow classmates. In addition to proper guidance the teachers are responsible for being there to teach them good online communication, organizational skills, and many more aspects of technology etiquette. A teachers job is to teach, but to teach means to care, help, lead, and I believe that in every type of school or educational learning method will always have a teacher. Whether or not those teachers are labeled educators or even know that they are in fact impacting and helping others is the real question at hand here.


Computer

Project #9b

Project #10 Progress Report

     My PLN, or personal learning network, is based off Symbaloo so far. This application creates a mix of all the websites that I visit on a regular basis or just some of my favorites and posts them on my home page. It is so convenient and organized which really helps me stay on track. My mix consists of all the social websites I always check, like facebook and twitter. Also, I added Pinterest so I can research cool crafts for inside the classroom or lesson plans about different subjects. Symbaloo is such a helpful app, and I plan on using it for a long time.


Symbaloo

C4T #2

     Diane Krause is a technology staff development specialist. Her blog is full of different websites and sources for fellow technology savvy teachers that consist of helpful information about a variety of subjects. She calls them her "digital discoveries". Her blog has awesome graphics, a cool set up, and is very organized. The first blog that I commented on was about a website called Zinio. Zinio is a resourceful site for mobile reading. It has a ton of electronic versions of magazines and is called "the world's largest newsstand". There are all sorts of different magazines on the site that ranges from art to sports to entertainment and much more. The cool thing about Zinio is that unlike a regular paperback magazine, it has videos available throughout the site for that you can watch along with reading different articles.


Students at computers


     The second blog I commented on was about a link called NETS. This site is focused on helping students learn about the national standards on a level that they can understand. It's actually a Prezi which is a type of presentation that we actually cover in EDM 310. The Prezi has tons of attention grabbers for kids and it also has a short YouTube video that states the question, "digital citizen, who will you be?" Kids can learn all about the six national education technology standards from this website and virtual slideshow, which are: creativity and innovation, communication and collaboration, research and information fluency, critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making, digital citizenship, and technology operations and concepts. Sites like these not only help students learn and grow, but it also gives them a preview of what they will soon be creating themselves.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Blog Assignment #6

     Randy Pausch's Last Lecture is an incredible video. As I've stated in a previous blog post, Randy Pausch is someone to be admired to say the least. His character alone should be envied by all. In his "Last Lecture" he covers three topics that include different strategies of teaching and also learning. The topics are: "achieving childhood dreams", "enabling childhood dreams", and "lessons learned". Throughout the lecture Randy pairs up each strategy with a story from his personal life which not only makes the lecture more entertaining, but it makes everything he covers have even more of an impact on the audience.


     He begins his presentation with the topic of "achieving childhood dreams". At first glance this doesn't sound like much of a teaching strategy and the phrase itself isn't, what he includes under this category is where the true inspiration falls. Randy lists all of his childhood dreams, one in particular was that he dreamed of playing in the NFL. Unfortunately he never got the chance to play professional football, yet he states that he probably got more from this failed dream than any other dream he did accomplish. Through playing football, Randy learned how important fundamentals are, what hard work really is, and also about "head fakes". A "head fake" is when you teach someone something but they end up learning something different along the way. Randy's football coach was really hard on him one day at practice and when the assistant coach approached him about it he told Randy that it's a good thing. He said that when people don't care anymore to help you fix your mistakes is when you know that they have given up on you. I think every teacher needs to be told this story. Teachers carry a lot of weight in their students hearts. Their encouragement and opinions can sometimes mean more to a student than what a peer thinks. We are all human. Every teacher will have a difficult student, or more than one, throughout their careers. But we must keep in mind that every single student deserves to be pushed in their own way, and not one of them should ever be given up on because we can't handle the responsibility of their education when it gets tough.




     The second topic Mr. Pausch speaks about is "enabling childhood dreams". He tells the story about a program at Carnegie Melon University that he and a colleague designed. The program is called the Entertainment Technology Factory (ETC) which he also calls the Dream Fulfillment Factory. It was a master's program that consisted of two years full of small group projects. What Randy points out is that this program is very successful, but it's not the academic success that should take notice. What should take notice is the fact that his students were given the opportunity to chase their dreams and some of them ultimately did just that. ETC was so successful because of three reasons. One reason is a simple requirement of the course's curriculum. A focused evaluation of each member of their groups is something each student must do. Randy does this so each student will see their faults and have the awareness to make the proper changes. The second reason is again centered on head fakes throughout the process of the course. It's here that Mr. Pausch states that "the best way to teach someone is to have them think they're learning something different". He used this strategy in the creating of Alice, an educational software that was created within the ETC. Which brings me to the final reason for the success of the ETC, "helping millions of kids have fun while learning something hard". Randy saw Alice as an opportunity of teaching through head fakes, but also an opportunity to simply help someone's educational journey by adding in some fun.


     The last topic the Randy Pausch covers is "lessons learned" where he shares a variety of advice that was given to him in the past and also tips to receive help from others. Whenever you are chasing after something you desire there are "brick walls" that are put up to hinder your path. Randy believes that every brick wall is there for us to prove how bad we want the dream. Throughout his life Mr. Pausch has faced his fair share of brick walls but even a man with such a strong level of passion as him needs people to guide him around those walls. One specific piece of advice that Randy was given that I liked the most was from Andy Van Dam. Andy once told Randy that "it was a shame that people perceive him as arrogant because it's just going to hold him back". In the same way that Randy encourages his students in ETC to take their evaluations as the first step of change, he was forced to see his faults as well. This quote from Mr. Van Dam affected me the most because he wasn't rude or disrespectful. He used constructive criticism perfectly and it was effective because it was out of care, not resentment. I think we should all use this strategy not just in the classroom but in all areas of life. We need to become better people so we can then become better teachers.

Project #8




Sunday, June 17, 2012

Project #9a

Blog Assignment #5

     Travis Allen created The iSchool Initiative and the video ZeitgeistYoungMind's Entry which are both filled with lots of thought provoking information. He suggests that all school systems should switch to the iSchool. The iSchool is exactly what it sounds like, a school on an Apple device. Mr. Allen is extremely knowledgeable and well spoken for his age. In his videos he provides solid information backing the iSchool and how it could save money for school administration as well as their students. Also, he explains how the system would work through a variety of applications on the iPhone or iTouch even. I was very impressed with his reasoning and was forced to double check my thoughts towards a 100% technological school.


     My hesitations are simply for the students social and physical well being. To think of our future children staring at a computer screen day in and day out scares me. I have hopes of my children enjoying playgrounds and having pool parties with their friends. What Mr. Allen has proved to me though is that both worlds can exist. Students can do their homework on the iSchool and then go play outside, just like they do now except their homework is on paper. Which brings up another great argument by Mr. Allen, going green! Think of all the trees we would save if every student wrote essays, worked out math problems, and read books on the iSchool. Instead of cutting down trees to write a book report on paper, kids could type up the report and then go climb those trees! Travis Allen is right, we need to be embracing the era that future generations are being born into and begin teaching them the ways of technology.


     I was amazed when I watched the video Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir. It is astounding at how many resources the internet offers but this is one resource I never would have thought of. To sing each part individually on their own yet at the same time to produce perfect harmonies is a very hard thing to do. Eric Whitacre is a musically inclined technology genius! He fits the description of a true artist so perfectly there isn't even any wiggle room. A crazy thought is that each and every member of his choir are separated in a physical sense, maybe they have never even met in person, yet through the internet they are capable of creating melodies that choirs who meet every day in a classroom strive for.


     When I watched the video Teaching in the 21st Century it put things into perspective for me as a future educator. Kevin Roberts, the creator of the video, makes a valid point about the future importance of teachers. He shows many different ways students can learn and research information which ultimately makes the job of a teacher a has been occupation. However, as Roberts points out teachers can and will still be teaching years from now. The theory he is suggesting is that educators will be teaching students how to use the tools of technology, which in turn makes teachers very much needed.


     I feel as if Roberts really hit home in this 21st century based video. His opinions concerning the changes in education may or may not come true, we won't know until the time comes. Yet, his preparations are much needed in the lives of our students today. Teachers shouldn't worry about becoming "obsolete" as Roberts states, they should worry about the fact that we have wasted so much teaching time with our students already. The Mac is the perfect example. Schools are replacing regular PC's with Mac's as we speak, but most teachers do not have the skills to properly work one let alone teach their students to use one too. It is now that we must swallow our pride and learn alongside our students. The sooner we learn as teachers, the sooner our students will be impacted. Kevin Roberts is setting the standards high and teachers across the land should run, leap, and jump to push that bar higher as we grow and flourish into an education system that is prepared to take on the technology age.


Kid doing homework


     Why I Flipped My Classroom was definitely my favorite video of this blog post. It didn't have special high tech graphics or fancy moving blurbs of information like the other videos that I've watched and enjoyed, but it had a subject matter that I, as a future teacher, worry about when day-dreaming about my first year of teaching. Katie speaks about "flipping" her classroom's seating and approach to reach her students more effectively. She figures out that because of how her classroom was setup she wasn't meeting the needs of the students who are not centered in the seating chart. To change this, Katie uses the internet as her main resource by uploading the lesson's content online. The students can review lessons as many times as they want, move ahead if they are absorbing the information faster than others, also they can preview all of the things that will be talked about in class that day. She then grouped her students desks together so now if she goes to help a student there are others listening in on questions they might have as well.


     This video needs to be put into action. As Katie states, "90% of the classroom time is spent on delivery from the teacher and only 10% is used for interaction or meeting the individual needs of each student". With that said, are we even really teaching our students? If the majority of the time spent with my students is wasted because of my own neglect for observation then something must be done. To teach someone is to provide them with something new, something they couldn't do or didn't know before, not spit information in one ear and hope it doesn't spring out of the other ear before a test. Katie has a pretty clear idea about what teaching is and she is doing it. She is taking educational risks and thinking outside of the box. The boundaries that she has crossed have opened a whole new world for teachers and their students. Katie's method of teaching is going to impact her student's and hopefully colleagues immensely.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

My Sentence Video

Blog Assignment #4

     The first blog I selected to read was 1st Graders Create Own Read Along Book. I was skeptical at first because I have seen things like this before and it seems to be the teacher doing all of the work. Except in this case the students did a lot! I was impressed when I saw how the students, being so young, were really into it and absorbing the skills it takes to complete such a technological project. I especially enjoyed reading about the students eagerness to re-record to make their voices "better". They were toning in on their reading skills by learning how to make the story sound more exciting. Reading is a lost enjoyment in our children's generation and if we can make it fun for them they will soon realize what an amazing world is at their fingertips when cracking open a good book.

     For my second choice, I chose the Flat Stanley Podcast. Right of the bat it was clear that Ms. Tolisano's purpose for having her students do podcasts was not just for the entertainment of her kids, but to really teach them skills in the world of technology. I commend her for doing so, because as I have stated in previous blog postings I really feel that it is important that our children become experts at technology. When they grow up and enter the working world computers, mp3 players, and all of the Apple products will be even more advanced and useful. I worry that if they are not taught by someone with the same mindset as Ms. Tolisano then they will suffer when they are adults standing in the unemployment line because they are not experienced enough with the present technology.


     My final pick out of the list of blogs or podcasts to choose from wasThe Benefits of Podcasting in the Classroom. I found this blog to be interesting in a different way than my first two selections. What's different is that the author, Joe Dale, sees it in a variety of point of views. He lists many reasons why having podcasts in the classroom can be beneficial, but I specifically respected three of his comments. Those being: " parents can see and hear what their children are doing at school", "it can offer distance learning opportunities for absent students", and "it promotes creativity and innovation". These particular reasons struck me because they are from the point of views of the parent, student, and an average person. He doesn't just view this opportunity as a form of subject matter as some teachers can do at times, he views it as progress all across the board from the student's home life to the well-being and character growth of the child.

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Project #5

Blog Assignment #3



     After watching the videos What Is Peer Editing?Writing Peer Reviews the Top 10 Mistakes, and watching the slideshow Peer Edit With Perfection Tutorial I have learned how to efficiently critique my classmates on their blogs as well as future co-workers in my teaching career. The information given is not only very useful but can be productive in our own personal growths as good teachers. Teachers, especially, need to know how to give someone constructive criticism in a nice fashion. They are role models to their students and need to be setting a  good example for them at all times.


     Criticizing someone else's work can be difficult but as they said in the video about writing peer reviews, "don't be a Mean Margaret or a Picky Patty". It is quite possible to explain to someone their mistakes without hindering your friendship or work relationship with them. In the past I have always strayed away from expressing my judgement about another's work because I did not want to hurt the person or make them feel bad. I have learned through this blog assignment however that it doesn't have to be a bad thing. We need to help one another become the very best student, teacher, and person we can be, and to do so we must be honest with each other about difficult subjects sometimes.

     While watching the video Technology In Special Education I learned many different ways in which we can enrich the lives of students in the special education programs. Technology is taking new leaps across the globe in ways that we can never even imagine, so why should we hold back in the classrooms full of students who will one day be required to use these devices in the work place. Not only does technology make things easier for teachers, but it can make the world of difference for students too. For example, Corbin, the little boy from the video who has struggled in the past with silent reading. He is able to listen to the book being read through headphones on an iPod while he follows along reading his own, physical copy right in front of him.


     Another example of how technology can improve the well-being of special education students in and outside of the classroom is a girl named, Sherae. Sherae uses a computer like device that makes it able for her to speak without actually speaking with her mouth. A big battle in the special education field can be non-verbal students. The only reason this even poses as an issue is because we as teachers cannot communicate properly and effectively with non-verbal students while trying to keep eyes and ears on the rest of  the classroom. But with the help of technology like Sherae's this battle could be won effortlessly! I hope we see the day where students like Corbin and Sherae will no longer have to struggle in the classroom.

     After watching the video How the iPad Works with Academics with Autism, I searched for an app here, Apple.Education.Apps.com and found an app called "Math Bingo" that I would thoroughly enjoy using with special education students in my classroom. The app allows the student to work independently yet still receive help through the Apple device. Math Bingo specifically can keep students engaged simply by their graphics. They use bugs and insects instead of boring red dots to cover numbers that have been drawn. Each equation must be answered for them to determine which square must be covered, therefore they are intrigued while working out math problems that could bore them when written out on a piece of plain notebook paper.

     I watched the video Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts and was impressed with the creativity of Mrs. Vicki Davis. She sees her classroom as a canvas. Teaching her students how to use computers and technology programs while she herself continues to learn more about these areas of expertise. Mrs. Davis doesn't see herself as better than her students which makes a huge impact on her life as well as the progress of her students. When she teaches them about a new program or device she is teaching them skills that they will need in the future as either a requirement for a job or just simply to help them throughout their work day.


     A big thing that I love about Vicki Davis is that she doesn't focus on one aspect of technology, she spreads out as far as she can when taking advantage of her students time on the computers. She turns computer class into language arts class when a student asks how to spell a word or where to stick a comma by making them research it on the internet. However, when students are not watched carefully enough there can be an issue of distractions from games or hazardous internet sites, or  getting a hold of false information and learning things incorrectly. Vicki Davis is on to something, and it's about time we start listening.

C4T #1

    For the assignment Comments For Teachers (C4T) I was assigned Mr. Crosby's blog, Learning Is Messy. Mr. Crosby teaches upper elementary school all the way up in Nevada. He teaches technology courses and from what I have read on his blog, he is quite passionate about his students' education.


    The first post I commented on was about a letter from a Mrs. Broderick to President Obama regarding our education system across the United States. This blog really showed me that there are teachers out there that are willing to go above and beyond for their students academic achievement. The letter was very straight forward and focused on subject of standardized testing. It was cool to see this debate play out from the point of view of an experienced teacher. She states the understanding and need for testing in the school system. It acts as an evaluation for each individual student, teacher, and school as a whole. Yet, throughout the school year while teachers prepare the students for every little aspect of information on this bulky test, the kids become stale. They are not learning, they are memorizing.





    Mr. Crosby's second post was about freedom for creativity in the classroom as well as safety on the internet while doing so. He states the dilemma of wanting to set his students free for research and fun projects but cannot due to the hazards of the internet combined with so little free time throughout the day. This came as a shock to me. Over the years, I have categorized teachers based on what they taught. Some of my classes have been fun and some extremely boring, as many other people can agree. Yet what I never came to realize was that it wasn't the subject matter that made the class dreadful, it was and is the lack of effort coming from teachers who see no reason in having activities or projects in their classrooms. Hands-on experiments, show and tell, acting out stories or equations, these are ways that can keep the class engaged and focused on the material at the same time. However, teachers like Mr. Crosby will have to continue to struggle with managing time to fit in these fun things for there students unless something changes.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Blog Assignment #2

     While watching the video Did You Know? 3.0 - A John Strange 2012 Version I found many things remarkable. One in particular fact that struck me was that, "in one minute 1,097,220 YouTube videos are watched". If that's not crazy enough then wait a few seconds for the next slide and read that, "every minute 48 hours of YouTube videos are added to the YouTube collection" according to Gary Hayes. Social media is taking over the world! Not only is it topping the charts for the average person or celebrities, it is spreading its wings to the business world, education systems, and philanthropic realm.


     Another subject that Dr. Strange expressed in this video that I found kind of intriguing was that, "the top jobs 10 years from now do not exist yet and will use technologies that have not been invented". At first glance, I read this and thought very little of it. It is not too far off that the jobs and technology will be more advanced. But when I thought about these two facts more it makes me excited for the future. As seen on TV, the future holds flying cars, microwaves that turn pellets into 3 course meals, and of course time travel. I think back to when I was young and realize how much technology as a whole has grown since the days of game boys and tamagotchi's. Today we have Siri, a phone that can actually have a conversation with a human. We also have touch screens on everything these days. Life 10 years from now has great potential if you ask me.




     The next video I watched was Mr. Winkle Wakes created by Matthew Needleman. The story begins about a little old man named Mr. Winkle who wakes up after 100 years to find the world so different and advanced. He is freaked out when he sees computers (especially people talking face to face on the screens of those computers). Also, he is shocked by the weird machines in the hospital that we know as life support machines. Mr. Winkle finally wanders into a school and feels at home. Yes, at home in a school! The place that we dread and avoid at all costs is where Mr. Winkles can finally relax. School hasn't changed much over the years. It's the same boring lectures, books, and homework that Mr. Winkles was forced to endure when he was younger.


     This video sheds light on a very good point that tends to get looked over by society. Our homes, offices, and hospitals have more advanced technology  around every corner, yet our school systems continue to operate in an out-dated form. Progress in technology has been unreal in the past decade, so why aren't we able to take advantage of these great strides where it counts most. Computers, cell phones, nooks, iPods, security systems, cameras, cars, games, I could go on forever! These things are a major part of our daily lives that continue to get more and more complex as the years go on, and when today's children grow up they will need to be knowledgeable of these products to make a living. So why not start teaching them these skills while they are in school? Our jobs as teachers is to prepare our students to be the best they can be in every aspect of life. Are we cheating are students by holding them back from the technological world?


     The video The Importance of Creativity by Sir Ken Robinson really expresses the untold battle of children around the world that have hidden talents. His main point is that the common school set up is so focused on the core subjects and good grades that it robs children of their creativity. When we think about the geniuses and great artists of today's society we fail to see their struggle throughout life. No one person is the same as the next, so what makes us think that all students think the same? Every child interprets things of the world differently.


     Strict structures in school systems dim the light inside each child's heart a little bit more every year they progress to the next grade. But it doesn't have to be that way! If schools would adapt to the character and passions of the students generations of people would pour out of school jumping for joy to join the real world. They would be well prepared for the life a head of them because they fed the dim light within them with knowledge about the basic core subjects, as well as what they are interested in. Kids would feel more accepted by their peers because they would be surrounded by people in their specific programs that understand them. I think a good mix between the "must haves" aka math, science, reading, history, etc. and whatever area of expertise that is chosen by the student could influence the happiness of students greatly.



     I watched the Classroom Disruption video by Kevin Outland and came up with a list of these differences:

Blunder High- used whiteboards and easels, books, charts, learned via lecture, drowned their students with bulk information, the attitudes of the students and teacher were not encouraging, the administration resorted to money to fix everything.




Oakland High- every student had a computer, the teacher used internet resources like YouTube and movie clips that the students could relate to, all the lessons are interactive, the teacher uses social media resources to connect with his students outside the classroom for more help or extra information, students have personal online accounts that contain all class information, the attitudes of the students and teacher were great and eager to learn.


     If I were a student and was told to choose between these two classes I would choose Oakland, hands down. The atmosphere in the classroom is easy going and the lessons are designed to specifically keep my attention. My classes in the past have many, many, many things in common with the first classroom, Blunder. I never enjoyed those classes, and tended to struggle in them. Focusing on a single voice in an empty classroom is torture. It doesn't do anything but shut down the students brains and free their minds for daydreaming.


     The differences in the teaching styles alone are major. The boring teacher at Blunder didn't encourage his students to do well. Instead he actually turned down questions and wasted budget money on something he desired. The other teacher at Oakland was eager to teach and gave his students support throughout the class period. The objectives in each classroom are the same, but different. Let me explain, they are the same because the main goal is that the students learn and absorb the information being taught. But they are different because the Blunder teacher just wanted his students to absorb the facts and memorize the information. However the teacher at Oakland was completely focused on his students learning the concepts and grasping the understanding behind the reasons.

Project #2

My Personal Wordle