Blog post #15

Final Project #16

Blog Post #14

Box of Tricks
By: Jose Picardo

Watching Jose Picardo's video Top Ten Tips for Using Technology in the Classroom was very interesting in that with the exception of two, he mentioned the same tools we have been utilizing or learning about in EDM 310.  Over the course of the semester we have gained much of our knowledge through videos, by creating our own blog and by viewing the blogs of other students and teachers.  Through these two tools, not only a skill set was obtained but also a broad range of thoughts and ideas have been proposed to us that have helped influence our own way of thinking that will carry over into our own class room.  We have also had the responsibility of demonstrating our knowledge of the SMART Board and creating interactive exercises along with publishing our own podcast.  Social networks and internet tools such as Google Docs and Symbaloo have allowed us to stay organized and build our personal learning network.  Perhaps the most exciting tool Picardo suggests and we have gotten to use in EDM 310 is teleconferencing tools such as Skype.  Through our Skype interviews we were privileged to conduct interviews with influential educational leaders and some even had the opportunity to interview children's book authors.  While none of our assignments directly instructed us to incorporate music or utilize our own media devices such as iPods and cell phones, many students took the initiative and found way to do so anyway.  With all that being said according to Jose Picardo, we should have no excuse to not take these top ten tips and implement them in the class room.    Picardo also offers something I have included in my own PLN, an A-Z list of internet resources for education.  With the knowledge and networks gained this semester in EDM 310 along with this list, we are set up for success in our own education and to facilitate the education of our future students.  

Final Report on PLN

My personal learning network has definitely grown since the last report.  The layout Symbaloo offers allows me to easily access the sites I regularly visit.  I tried to engage in Twitter more, but cannot seem to get what I can out of other sites such as TeacherTube, TED, and The Alabama Virtual Library.  Adding the appropriate people to follow so that I can use Titter as a quality tool in my education is something I look forward to doing even after the completion of EDM 310.  

C4K #3

On the blog The age of Exploration, students of a tenth grade modern world history course post reflections regularly pertaining to the lesson of that day.  On October 24, 2011 Robby posted why he thought Research Based Classes are Superior.  This particular history class is based on research and presentation rather than lecture.  Robby feels that instead of gaining a wide range of historical facts, he has gained better skills in time management and presentation all the while learning about the subjects that interest him in depth.  I felt that he is not only taking charge of his own education, he is also adding credibility to his name by having researched fully the historical claims he may make.

While exploring Mrs. Yollis' class blog, I came across a picture in her 365 project in which students post a picture a day to the blog.  This picture is of a squirrel stealing fruit that grows in on of the student's back yard.  They had explained that this made the squirrel a nuisance.  I particularly liked this picture because I also have a pair of squirrels in my backyard who enjoy stealing satsumas and pecans from my trees.  I explained that even though they may be annoying, it is fun to watch them fight over the nuts and fruit and to see how even animals can have different personalities.

Finally, Kaycee from Room 14 at Pt England School in Auckland, NZ posted a picture and some facts about the person she admires, Nicole Scherzinger formerly of The Pussycat Dolls and currently a judge on the X-Factor.  Kaycee explained that she admired Nicole for her talented dancing and singing.  I told her another reason to admire Nicole so greatly was because she went to college and put her education first before going on to her professional career, something not a lot of performers do.

C4T #4

On October 29, 2011 Scott Kemp posted to his blog of unfinished thoughts  a quote, "The more you talk about what you believe, the more everyone will know what you believe."  He followed up this quote  by saying  in order for educators become better, we have to be willing to step outside of our comfort zones.  I commented that not only expressing our beliefs influences others to think the same way, but also gains a certain amount of respect for ourselves by holding true to those beliefs and not fear being ridiculed.  I also stated my belief that society cannot progress if we all hold our beliefs to ourselves.   Another very interesting post Mr. Kemp posted was a link on November, 14 2011 to an article from the Harvard Education Letter containing a unique way of reflection.  Instead of only looking back on what was succeeded or not, this article emphasizes to reflect on how your opinions have changed as a result of a particular experience. For example, the author of this article uses the template "I used to think.......and now I think.....".  I am very excited to use this format in my own reflection of EDM 310 because my opinions and view points have changed in ways I never thought they would.

Project #15 SMART Board Presentation #2

By: Lauren Mckenzie, Meredith Anderson and Ashley Haddock 

Special Assignment #1 Metaphors

It is a common thought that metaphors exist primarily in a literary form.  The reality, however, is that metaphors litter our everyday lives.  Since the earliest forms of writing, metaphors have been used to draw comparisons by saying one thing but intending another in order to explain things that are otherwise difficult to describe.  It is imperative in today's society that these metaphors are understood.

Metaphors have played a major role in describing historically important events in the world.  For instance, the term "Iron Curtain" is used to symbolize the Berlin Wall that divided Eastern and Western Germany from the conclusion of World War II to the late 80's.  This term not only reinforces the physical boundary that existed, but also the boundaries of ideologies and the firm stance that was held by both sides.  History books can only go so far to explain the intangible factors seen throughout time, this is where the use of metaphors become useful.  To those that did not live during the Cold War and cannot recall the tensions that were felt nor the fear the world's citizens lived with can collectively infer with the use of this term what life must have been like.  

Metaphors have proven to be a successful tool in the fields of medicine and science.  For most people, understanding scientific concepts do not come naturally and they require a different approach to process the information.  Here metaphors, more specifically analogies, allow an internal mental picture to form and a connection can then be made.  Because the language used in medicine can be unclear to the common person,metaphors are often used when talking about matters of health. Doctors employ this figure of speech to help patients and their family members understand fully certain medical conditions and how they will be treated.  Other metaphors are used to articulate the function of certain organs in the body. For example, the heart is a pump and the brain is a computer.  

One of my favorite examples of the use of metaphors in literature is found in the book To Kill a Mockingbird.  Mockingbirds represent innocence. Like hunters kill mockingbirds, Harper Lee portrays in this classic the many ways people kill innocence and the determination one father exhibits to preserve the innocence in his own children as well as in others.  Another book that implements great usage of metaphors is Eudora Welty's The Optimists Daughter.  This story line offers little plot twists and almost no suspense.  It does, however, contain a plethora of  deep, intense emotions that define the novel.  These feelings are portrayed not by being inside the main character's head, but through a string of metaphors that allow readers to perceive the character's internal struggle that are externally revealed at the end.  

It amazes me in a time where metaphors are inescapable, so many people missed the metaphor found in Tom Johnson's blog Don't Let Them Take The Pencils Home.  Our lives are peppered with metaphors.  We cannot drive down the road without encountering a billboard that possesses one.  Metaphors often determine the products we buy as a result of their ingenious use by advertising agencies, whether we realize it or not. Politicians use metaphors on a daily basis to build popularity for votes or reassure his or her constituents that certain policies are necessary.  Surely no one actually believed that Dr. Strange literally meant that teachers "pour information" into their student's heads after drilling a hole in the top and then "burps them" to get back that information.  Since metaphors have become such a large part of everybody's daily lives, they have become a normal facet of language not matter how embellished the comparison is.  Perhaps this leads to a little insight as to why so many students missed Tom Johnson's metaphor.  When required to recognize a metaphor, there appears to be nothing out of the ordinary.  The key to realizing that a metaphor is being used is to pay close attention to the context clues surrounding the comparison.  It is vital to be able to identify metaphors  and what they mean not only to ensure academic success, but also to make sure sound, informative decisions can be made outside of the classroom.   

Blog Post #13

My e-Media Fast

My endeavors to complete a 24 hour period without using any form of media was not only a test upon myself, but my family as well. For this reason, I had seriously considered taking the easy way out and complete one of the other options for this assignment instead. Once I thought about my decision farther, I felt this would be a good opportunity for my children to practice a little self discipline and also give them an idea of what life could be like without these luxuries we all take for granted. Losing television, radio, and the computer was no problem at all for me. My daily activities as a wife, mother and student leave me little time to afford much recreational usage of these media devices. My biggest challenge, however, was refraining from using the telephone and having enough patience to listen to my children's continuous complaints about not being able to watch television or use their V-Reader.  For these reasons, my challenge to go 24 hours without using any kind of media ended in failure.

My first attempt did not go as planned because my husband was home and he was unwilling to cooperate or make the challenge any easier.  My second attempt defeated the purpose of the activity as I planned to start the fast at a time that was more convenient for our family to do without these means of entertainment. The initiation of the final attempt began without notice and privileges were halted abruptly.  This third and final attempt began a whole lot smoother than the previous two did and I had high hopes for the success of this challenge.  As the day progressed and boredom set in with the kids, the continuity of this experiment was in severe jeopardy.  We worked through the boredom and found plenty of other activities to keep busy with.  The kids completed the day successfully going to bed not having had exposure to any source of media entertainment.  The fast suddenly ceased when, without even thinking, I picked up the phone to call my husband who was out of town.

This media fast has definitely been a learning experience for my entire family.  The time my kids and I spent  together finding things to do without the use of any electronic devices is time I will cherish forever.  During this short period of time, I witnessed a change in my children's behavior and the way they interact with one another as well as myself.  While I think it is drastic to completely eliminate media devices on a daily basis, I think it is a good idea to limit the amount of time that is spent on them.  We have also decided as a family that a media fast will be conducted on occasion to give ourselves uninterrupted quality time together.  This activity has also brought me to the realization that the children that will come into my classroom are exposed to enormous amounts of stimuli on a daily basis.  As a result of this children's brains respond better to faster paced material and are quick to bore.  This idea is crucial to take into consideration when developing lesson plans.

Progress Report on Final Project

For our final project, Lauren Mckenzie and I have decided to create a video on the positives and negatives of EDM 310 which highlight the strategies we have encountered in the video making process. A script has been started on Google Docs which allows us to continue to work on this project when scheduling conflicts arise that prevents us from meeting in person and ensuring momentum is not lost during the time we are not working face to face.

Blog Post #12

As a result of being a student of EDM 310, I have had an opportunity to view technology and its usefulness in the classroom a whole other way.  The only thing I have felt that is missing from this learning experience is learning how technology can assist and benefit children with special needs.  Since school systems have begun the inclusion process, the way in which pre-service teachers are being taught has changed in a way that allows them to be able to give these students the instruction and care they so desperately need.  So far the blogs and material that we have been instructed to read focuses mainly on how technology can be used to enhance mainstream student's education.  I feel these same techniques and strategies can also help children with special needs, but I also feel there are other ways technology can be used to help them either cope with or overcome any disability they may have.  I would like to engage my fellow classmates in pondering ways technology can change a child with disabilities' life.  First, explore Glenda's Assistive Technology Blog. Pay particular attention to her post iPads in the Special Education Classroom.  Here, Glenda provides first hand accounts of how the iPad and the applications available changed the lives of children with Autism and Cerebral Palsy.  Watch the videos provided at the bottom of the post. Writing a Quality Blog Post, provide your reactions to the way in which the iPad is used in this manner.  Then, think of ways that the other technology we have learned about in EDM 310 can also help children with special needs and include them in your post.

As a parent, it is a devastating blow to receive a diagnosis that your child has a disability.  The process to find quality educators to help the child can be an exhausting, maddening and emotionally draining one.  On the other hand, it is just as exhausting, maddening and emotionally draining for the educators to find resources and techniques to provide children with special needs the quality education they deserve.  In her blog post iPads in the Special Education Classroom, Glenda Anderson provides ways the iPad can assist educators in providing opportunities to students with special needs not previously available.  In his video,The iSchool Initiative, Travis Allen addresses steps that can be taken with touch technology to reform the way schools operate.  While Travis Allen's ideas are all wonderful, I wished he had addressed what Glenda Anderson does in this blog.  With applications such as iWriteWords and Stories2Learn, just a name of few, children with Autism have been able to break social and behavioral boundaries never before broken, opening up doors and possibilities for these children.  In her blog, Do it Myself, Glenda Hyatt shares her experiences living with Cerebral Palsy and also how the iPad has changed her life through the application Prologuo2Go available on this device.  The touch technology provided allows her to keep up with her blog and post her experiences by typing with one thumb.  Through this fascinating technology, she has gained a certain level of self sustaining independence she otherwise would not have had available to her had it not been for the iPad.  Other possible ways technology can be useful to students with disabilities is offered through the SMART Board technology.  By allowing hands on interactive manipulatives and large visual stimuli, children with autism have a better chance to excel in the classroom.  The SMART Board can also be very beneficial to children with Dyslexia which impairs a students ability to read, spell, and process numbers properly.  With the assistance of a SMART Board, teachers can incorporate interactive phonics activities to build the child's awareness of the letter's sounds in words and also provides multisensory experiences for the student.  The SMART Board can also make a profound difference in children with musculoskeletal disorders through its ease of writing and large touch technology. There are a wide range of disabilities that teachers of an inclusive classroom will encounter, the aforementioned examples are just a few ways to make the inclusive process not only smooth, but also productive and meaningful for the student.   

Mrs. Yollis' Classroom Blog

Mrs. Yollis' classroom blog is an absolutely wonderful example of how beneficial classroom blogging can be.  I particularly enjoyed reading about the Skype sessions the class conducted with students from Georgia and Australia.  I thought it ingenious to structure the sessions as a "mystery" call and having the students ask particular questions, then having them guess where the other class is from, putting problem solving and other knowledge learned to the test.  The "share and compare" session Mrs. Yollis' class participated in with students from Australia can be just as valuable.  From reading the student's reflections and viewing pictures taken during the call, I learned information about Australia that I was not aware of.  This is such an awesome way to build student's awareness of a variety of cultures and cultivate in them an acceptance of others different from them.  Mrs. Yollis' class is also taking other steps in building their knowledge of diversity by participating in a global project called Our World, Our Stories.  Here, participating classes from various parts of the world share customs from the traditional food they eat, how their recess time is spent to what a typical school day is like.  I would be interested to find out if each class tries the new things they have learned from the others or if some of the new customs have become habits of their own.  Another great aspect I find heartening that really does not have to do with blogging in general was the classroom's participation in collecting money for UNICEF while trick-or-treating.  This project allowed the students to practice their math skills while learning about the importance of philanthropy.  Finally, I find it impressive that Mrs. Yollis' class blog has nearly double the amount of visitors than the EDM 310 class blog has had.  This is astounding giving Mrs. Yollis' count started only two days earlier than EDM 310's did.  Mrs. Yollis and her students have apparently been working very hard to create a quality blog that has grasped the interest of a multitude of people including the student's parents and other family members.  These students and their teacher should be very proud of themselves for what they have accomplished through their class blog.  

Project #14-Skype Interview

Interview With Deborah Diesen

Author of The Pout Pout Fish, The Pout Pout Fish In The Big Big Dark and The Barefooted, Bad- Tempered Baby Brigade

Podcast Powered By Podbean

C4K #2

At the beginning of October I had the pleasure of viewing a blog from a class in New Zealand.  This particular blog post consisted of many different avatars the children created of themselves.  One particular avatar I enjoyed looking at was Zana's avatar.  Her avatar depicted a splendid setting on the beach with palm trees and her dog.  When asked to tell the students something interesting about the United States, I had picked up on her interest in the water and told her about the jubilee that is experienced no where else but on the Mobile Bay.

Another blog I took joy in reading came from a delightful 6th grader sharing her experiences in a science experiment.  Katlyn tells us in detail an alternative method to make ice cream right at home.  With all the necessary ingredients and just a one gallon zip lock bag, home made ice cream can be yours in very little time.  My family loves ice cream and after reading this I have tried it with my own kids, which has quickly become a favorite of theirs.

A blog that I found fascinating came from Dalton.  In this one he shows his enthusiasm for how the human body functions.  He uses a picture of a human esophagus and mentions the many things we would not be able to do without one or if it is damaged as a result of not taking care of our bodies.

One other blog that was a lot of fun to read came from a group of children in Ms. Dorby's third grade class.  Following up to the story Flat Stanley and The Magic Lamp students had an opportunity to do what the character in this story has done and took two animals to create one new animal.  The imaginations of these children were boundless and amazed.  They came up with creatures such as a "choth", which is the combination of a cheetah and sloth, and a "giraphant" which is a giraffe and an elephant.  Along with the animal's appearances, the students also imagined what these make believe creature's activities and favorite foods would be.  I had asked them if they drew pictures to go along with the narratives because I sure had lots of fun picturing what these animals would look like in my own head!

Finally, I viewed an animation of the Grand Canyon created by Cyrus, a student also from New Zealand.  In his short video, Cyrus provided interesting facts about the Grand Canyon including its placement on the list of the natural wonders of the world.

Blog Assignment #11

Ms. Cassidy's First Graders

 Ms.  Cassidy's video displays the various activities her first grade students are partaking in with the help of technology.  I am amazed at the functions these young children are capable of performing.  My first formal computer class that taught just basic skills did not take place until I was in 8th grade.  The children in this video are performing operations on programs that did not even exist until my senior year in high school.  When I think about how much of an advantage these children have over me and the opportunity that has been provided to them that I never dreamed of possessing makes me feel it is a waste of potential and doing students a disservice to NOT utilize the tools technology provides.  As seen in the video, students have the chance to expand their writing skills.  In her Skype Interview  with Dr. Strange and former EDM 310 students, Ms. Cassidy expresses that some of her student's blogs contain only one sentence.  I find that fascinating in that most first grader's skills sets do not allow them to write a full sentence until half way through their first grade year.  To me, this is proof of one example of the positive impacts writing blogs can have on a student's education.  Another aspect of blogging that I feel is beneficial for students is the ability they have to interact with individuals from other countries.  This type of interaction allows young students to think beyond their own environment and experience a multitude of traditions from a variety of other cultures all while building rich interpersonal skills.  The only possible downfall I can foresee as a result of this use of technology in the classroom is not knowing how to balance time spent on the computers with time children spend in face to face interaction.  There really are no excuses to not use technology in the classroom, as Ms. Cassidy explains, most of what she knows she taught herself.  

C4T #3

In his blog,The Thinking Stick, Jeff Utecht introduces a project that has gotten students and even teachers involved in their own technological enlightenment.  His Become A Google Apps Ninja program provides an opportunity to enhance research proficiency on the internet.  By taking tests designed by Mr. Utecht himself, participants search for the answers on Google.  At least an 80% is required before the test taker receives a widget of a belt colored appropriately for the amount of tests completed to be displayed on their blog.  The highest achievement identifies the participant as a "Google app ninja".  This project is an excellent way for anyone to perfect their technological skills.  As the old adage goes, practice makes perfect, and this is what Mr. Utecht has offered through friendly competition and self motivating habits.

Another post on Mr. Utecht's blog that has allowed me to view technology and everything I have learned in EDM 310 in a different perspective is Technology: More Than A Tool, A New Skill.  In this post Mr. Utecht lists a couple of sayings he has vowed to eliminate from his vocabulary, including referring to technology as "21st century" as we are 11 years into the century.  Another one that resonated clearly for me was referring to technology as "just a tool".  Just about everything that I have read and watched as a requirement for EDM 310 has had a continuing theme that technology is a tool used for education and not just entertainment.  Mr. Utecht takes this a few step farther and says that technology is a skill rather than just a tool.  He is 100% correct.  The tools technology has to offer are no good if the skills required to function are not intact.  This has enlightened me and has offered new thoughts on the approach that I must take when introducing these technological tools to my future students.

Blog Assignment #10

Do You Teach or Do You Educate?

Until I watched this video, I never real thought about the differences between teaching and educating.  To be honest, I did not think there was a difference.  Their is, however, a clear distinction between the two verbs upon completion of this short movie.  To teach is much more simpler than it is to educate.  Teaching is a task just about anyone can accomplish, it is easy to show how something is done or to relay information.  In order to educate one must be able to instill in others the belief that they have the competence and mental capacity to achieve any goal imaginable and then help them reach that goal.

A poll conducted by MSNBC in 2007 found that 1 in 4 adults read no books in the course of a year.  I have to wonder if these 1 out of 4 had teachers or educators while in school.  My bet is they had teachers.  Educators not only act as mentors and implant moral compasses in their students, they also help their pupils see that learning is a process and not an event.  Educators understand that learning is a way of life rather than just a period of time.  It is up to educators, rather than teachers, along with parents to provide an environment that encourages exploring, discovering, and learning.  This is why I plan to educate instead of teach, as I hope others entering the field of education vow to do the same.  If not, I fear the number of adults who read books will continue to drop.

Don't Let Them Take Pencils Home

In his blog Tom Johnson's Adventures In Pencil Integration, teacher John Spencer takes on the persona of 1890's teacher Tom Johnson to tackle modern day school system's obsession with technology integration.   Through a string of hyperboles, highly satirical remarks and metaphors, Tom Johnson presents both the good and the bad technology has to bring to the table.

One particular post, Don't Let Them Take Pencils Home challenges the common ideology that technology is a student's "kryptonite" and the accusations that claim having this technology accessible in homes is the cause for lower test scores.  Mr. Johnson counteracts a fellow coworker's concerns that, in this case, allowing students to take home pencils has adversely effected test scores.  Whether it is 1897 and the use of pencils are becoming novel or it is 2007 and the use of computers are becoming increasingly popular, the point Mr. Spencer is trying to make is that no matter what tool is being used, there is an infinite degree of learning possibilities available.  It is up to educators and parents to demonstrate these devices can be used to facilitate learning instead for pure entertainment.

Through Tom Johnson, Mr. Spencer also conveys many educator's preoccupation with standardized tests.  Rather than being interested in knowing how students can apply what they have learned to real life situations, school administrators have place an urgent desire to know exactly how much facts are being poured into a student's head and their ability to regurgitate these facts on demand.  This I think has created a tense environment in the classroom between teachers, students and even parents.  Of course there is a marginal need for the "drill-and-kill" bubble test to monitor teacher performance, but perhaps what Mr. Spencer is trying to relay here is that technology is a good way to gauge a student's ability to take learned information and apply it, which can eliminate a stressful learning environment and allow students to flourish in their education rather than drown.

Blog Assignment #9

What Mr. Joe McClung Learned in 2008-2009

When reading Joe McClung's reflective blog from the 2008-2009 school year, many of the lessons he learned in his first year of teaching struck a cord with me.  Some of these ideas are those I never imagined would be an issue when the day comes that I will step into my own classroom.  Knowing about some of these challenges (as I am sure there are more yet to be discovered) ahead of time gives me a little bit of an idea how to mentally prepare for that day.  One important lesson learned that McClung discusses is the importance to be flexible.  As a mom I struggle with this on a daily basis with my own children.  I often get frustrated if naps aren't taken at a specific time everyday if we don't make it to a destination right on time because of some confrontation that took place before we left the house.  It has taken me some time to understand that the more stringent a schedule your kids are on, the more uptight they will be.  It never occurred to me that this same concept applies to the classroom.  I have always had this vision that classrooms run like a well oiled machine; order and punctuality  prevails in a classroom. After reading McClung's blog, I realize that when dealing with children, especially small children, delays are to be expected and things may not go as planned.  The key is to know how to improvise and work around these small road blocks.  I find McClung's sarcasm towards drama in the workplace to be very amusing.  Though we are adults,we are still human beings and drama in the workplace is inevitable if not unavoidable.  His solution for resolving any problems created by drama is to communicate with those who have caused it and perhaps build a friendship out of it.  The most important lesson I feel should be taken to heart is to always listen to your students.  As expressed by Jed Baker in his book No More Meltdowns and by McClung himself, it is important to take interest in our student's lives before respect can be earned which leads to a healthy teacher student relationship.  Children with behavior problems in classrooms are expected to change their ways automatically without considering what could be causing this disruptive behavior.  Often times it is the adults that need to change their behavior toward the child.  Listening to students and getting to know them is a big key in correcting and maybe even preventing undesirable behavior.

What Mr. Joe McClung Learned in 2010-2011

It was very interesting to read McClung's blog three years after he posted his first reflective blog and see how he applied everything he learned in his first year in education to his current methods of teaching.  Some new lessons he had learned, however, stuck out that I pondered further.  Two of these were connected to one another, he says not to expect others to as excited about change as you are and to not be afraid to be an outsider.  Not many people are susceptible to change and are afraid of it.  Having grown up in a military environment, change is all I have known.  I love change, I embrace it, in fact I cannot stand when something has been the same way for any given period of time.  In the past my patience with people who duck and dodge any kind of change has been almost non existent.  I have found however, that becoming irritated and edgy with those that cannot accept change accomplishes nothing.  If a little bit of patience is exhibited and time is given to people to fully grasp the idea of whatever is being changed, opinions can eventually be turned the other way.  In accordance with this idea, McClung also urges young teachers to not be afraid to be an outsider.  We have all been in a situation where we behave like a bunch of sheep and follow the crowd in fear of sticking out like a sore thumb.  Who is that really being true to though?  When you know what you believe in and stick firmly to those beliefs, people may not like you but they will sure have an ample amount of respect for you.  And personally, I would prefer respect over popularity any day.  I also feel this is the only way new and exciting ideas are brought about, people not afraid to go against the common belief.     

Project #13 Smartboard Instruction Part 1

Project #12

Project #11

Blog Assignment #8

This Is How We Dream: Part 1 and 2
By: Dr. Richard E. Miller

Dr. Miller of Rutgers University shares his vision of the future of human communication in a two part series titled, "This Is How We Dream."  These visions will change the entire scope of how we write, work, research and publish ideas we may have or want to share.  Having been raised with a profound love for books and the solitary act of writing, Dr. Miller recognizes these near antiquities are slowly being phased out and replaced with a much more modern method of interacting with one another.  He states that we are now living in the moment of the greatest change in the history of communication.

Dr. Miller emphasizes that these changes are incremental and not fundamental.  While the changes that are transpiring are small ones, I do feel that they will eventually lead to fundamental improvements in the way everyone lives on a day to day basis despite social/economical standings.  When once before research required sitting hours in a library, and sometimes even multiple libraries, individuals can now sit at there desktop and conduct any and all research required to meet the task at hand.  As a result of published material living dual lives, print and web based, knowledge is now being shared with an infinitely.  Dr. Miller exemplifies this with the fact that if a piece of work is published via print sources, it could take up to two years for the material to be circulated.  Two years does not seem like that long of a period of time; however, the rapid advancements seen in technology has profoundly influenced the rates at which new discoveries in medicine and science are being made.  Many of these discoveries have the potential to be life saving or altering.  If it were to take two years to make these new findings available to the greater population, they would have been made in vein.  An added bonus technology has to offer to this means of sharing information is that if further information is found, existing information can simply be updated rather than having to begin the publishing process all over again.

Most importantly, Dr. Miller states that the limits and restrictions that are placed on writing with multimedia will be set there by ourselves.  For this reason it is all the more important that educators become intimately familiar with writing in this fashion so as they are capable of passing these skills on to their students.  While I feel the benefits of writing with multimedia are boundless, I still believe it is imperative to be able to function with tangible print based information and learn how to incorporate the two methods.

Carly Pugh's Blog Assignment #12

In her blog post number twelve, Carly Pugh exemplifies perfectly Dr. Miller's vision of being able to combine various thoughts, ideas or beliefs into one easily accessible and shared publication.  Although she did, Carly did not have to write in words her beliefs and philosophies pertaining to education.  These were clearly inferred by simply watching the videos provided in her YouTube playlist.  This is exactly what Dr. Miller travels the country talking about; writing with multimedia does not require the use of formal language.    This is also a fantastic way to mainstream common ideas among educators. 

EDM310 For Dummies and The Chipper Series

These two videos were very intuitive and insightful, as well as humorous, tools used to administer advice for keys to success in not only EDM310, but also life in general.  The Chipper Series does a fantastic job of portraying that nothing comes easy in life and that hard work is required to achieve anything worthwhile. Even the most meager jobs such as garbage collecting still requires a certain level of dedication and commitment in order to succeed.  Haphazardness with your responsibilities only jeopardizes chances of leading a happy, successful life not matter what those responsibilities may be.

  EDM310 for Dummies comforted me when watching it for the first time before this class actually began.  It can be very easy to become overwhelmed in this class, however, if time is managed wisely and work is started farther in advance than the same day it is due, there is a lot to be gained.  EDM 310 for Dummies keeps this concept in perspective for me.  

Learn to Change, Change to Learn

"It is the death of education, but the dawn of learning."  What a powerful statement!  The way in which school systems are structured as of present time does not do much to prepare individuals for the challenges and obstacles that students will face upon graduation.  The standardized tests that have become so important to educators only achieve more of an understanding of how well a job teachers have done rather than gauging how effectively students can take information learned and apply it to real life situations.  I feel that the use of technology in classrooms is an excellent way to provide this type of hands on learning and give educators a way to assess how much students are learning.  I especially agree with the idea that "school" is symbolic and that learning should not be limited to the time students sit in a desk contained inside the mortar and brick walls of a school building.  However, as I have stated many times before, the use of this technology in classrooms needs to be done in moderation and extreme caution must be heeded to ensure students do not lose interpersonal face to face communication skills.

Blog Assignment #7

In a lecture series titled Randy Pausch Last Lecture:Achieving Your Childhood Dreams, Carnegie Mellon University associate professor Randy Pausch addresses his audience with a three part discussion of how one can achieve his or her childhood dreams.

During the first part of his speech, Pausch talks about the dreams he held as a child and how either did or did not achieve those goals.  He first stresses the importance of celebrating brick walls.  The obstacles that are faced on our journey to achieve our dreams are set in place to show us how badly we want something and weed out those who do not hold a deep desire for a particular dream.  With each of his childhood dreams, Pausch recalls the brick walls he hit with each and every one of them.  These road blocks had a purpose in his own personal development.  I am reminded of the old adage, if at first you don't succeed, try, try again. This is precisely what Randy Pausch did in order to make his dreams of experiencing zero gravity.  When told he was not allowed to join his students on NASA's Weightless Wonder (aka The Vomit Comet) as a faculty member, he instead acquired press credentials and resubmitted his application as the official photographer of the trip.  When brick walls are placed in your way, do not give up on the first attempt, try and find other avenues around them.  Another factor to remember when striving to reach childhood dreams is that some dreams are not always meant to be fulfilled.  This was the case in Randy Pausch's desire to play in the National Football League.  Although he never had to opportunity to play professional football, the learned a tremendous amount more on his way to this goal than he would have had he actually made it all the way.  He reminds the audience that "experience is what we get when we don't get what we want" and that "most of what we learn is learned indirectly."  It is hard not to feel like a failure when our dreams are not played out, however it is always important to stop and reflect on the situation to realize we have really gained instead. Pausch also emphasizes the need to understand that some dreams are just fantasies that cannot logically be met as well as providing ways to prove your legitimacy about goals met to cynics who will undoubtedly question your credibility.  Finally, Pausch accentuates the importance of patience when striving to make your dreams come true. When trying to meet his dream of becoming a Disney Imagineer, legalities and other minor details were not working out to his benefit.  He was told that if he waits long enough, people would surprise him and it would work out in the end.  Achievements are not made over night, the process takes time with a lot of hard work and persistence.

During the second part of the lecture, Pausch turns away from focusing on his dreams and more towards how you can enable others achieve their own dreams.  When he started the class Building Virtual Worlds, he really had no idea exactly what to expect from his students.  When the groups returned after two weeks with material that should have taken them a semester to finish, Pausch did not overly praise the students; rather he encouraged them that they could do better and did not "set a bar" to guide them.  As a result of not restricting his students, they took the limit to the sky and produced phenomenal projects.  It is also important to keep in mind that when you learn to focus on people and learn to work in groups the impossible can be achieved.  Pausch uses his experience with the Entertainment Technology Center as an example of how team work leads to self reflection and allows the dreams of many people to come true.   Finally, this biggest tool to use in order to help others achieve their goals is a mind game Pausch likes to call a "head fake".  This occurs when skills or information is learned without knowing it was learned while accomplishing something  else.

During the third part of Pausch's speech, he highlights the important lessons he learned that helped him reach his dreams.  Perhaps the most important fact to remember while striving to reach your goals is to recognize and appreciate what lets you get to achieve your dreams.  For Randy, this was his parents.  The best example Pausch provides is the moment he and his mother discovered shortly after his father's death that he had been awarded the Bronze Star for Valor during World War II; an achievement that is certainly boast worthy.  However, Pausch states that arrogance limits what you can accomplish.  A sense of humility must be required when reaching for the starts.  This is a possible reason is father chose not to divulge this remarkable accomplishment to his family.

Finally, Pausch offers a few more pieces of advice to help dreams become reality.  He states that you can not get to your dreams by yourself and will require the help of others.  The way to get people to help you is to always tell the truth, be earnest in your endeavors, own up to your mistakes and apologize for them, and focus on others, not yourself.  Once you have a support system in place and ready to take on your dreams, Pausch reminds the audience to celebrate brick walls and to never bail or give up.  Integrity is a requirement when pursuing our dreams.  He emphasis that when the right thing is done, good things happen to you.  And most importantly, do not complain; just work harder.  Pausch users the famous baseball player Jackie Robinson as an example of this ideal. Despite battling racial segregation and pressures of prejudices seen in the 1940's, Robinson continued to marvel in the sport of professional baseball and even broke down numerous boundaries; no excuses were ever made by him.  But perhaps the greatest example Pausch could have used to exemplify hard work with excuses is himself.  Dealing with a terminal illness and a grim prognosis knowing he had only a few months left to spend with his family, he continued to push forward to make his last dream a reality, to still be able to play a vital role in his children's lives with the lecture he had just given.

C4T #2

Canadian primary school teacher Jennifer Brokofsky posted ideas to help new teachers create a classroom environment that further cultivates and expands children's interest in mathematics.  The first idea she highlighted was creating a specific math corner in the classroom.  Provided with an assortment of manipulatives such as Base Ten Blocks and Venn Diagrams, students are able to foster their mathematical skills in an independent manner.  Mrs. Brokofsky also stresses the importance of having a special collection of math books in order for students to make a connection between reading and math further compounding their math skills.  Finally, Mrs. Brokofsky suggests having a wall in the class room devoted to math terminology, definitions, and possibly charts and graphs.  Math has quickly become children's least favorite subject in school, whether they naturally understand the concepts or not.  By creating a math rich classroom, students have continuous exposure to mathematical ideas but also enhances their natural curiosity and allows them to relate their disposition to mathematics to make sense of their physical and even social worlds.

The second post of Jennifer Brokofsky's that I read was published some time ago. Despite that it was published a couple months ago, I chose to pay closer attention to this post rather than the others. In response to a challenge posed by Dr. Scott Mcleod to all educators/bloggers, Mrs. Brokofsky lists her ideas on how leaders can support learning in education through technology.  I found this particularly interesting having read Don't Teach Your Kids This Stuff Please?, also by Scott Mcleod, not too long before encountering this post.  In this highly sarcastic poem, Dr. Mcleod vents his frustration with parents and educators who are not willing to become technologically literate and will not allow their children and students to become so also.  Brokofsky offers steps to not only develop a rich Personal Learning Network, but also ideas on how to bridge this gap between the the educators who have opposing view points pertaining to technology and its use in the classroom.

Project #10- PLN Progress Report

So far my Personal Learning Network has little to be desired.  I have found it most difficult to focus on acquiring information that could prove to be valuable; and when I do come across something it does not occur to me to save this information.  Twitter and the Alabama Virtual Library has currently been my main sources for material.  I have decided to take a more active approach into building a more substantial PLN and reserve at least 30 minutes each day to educate myself more on how to do this

Project #9b WIKI Book

C4K #1

The first blog I had the privilege to read belonged to a young man in New Zealand.  He is currently in year 8 in school and from what I could gather this is equivalent to the 7th or 8th grade in America.  Ilalio participated in a Multiple Intelligence Test and shared his results in his blog.  His strengths were interpersonal skills and visual/spacial skills.  He said he would like to work on and become better at linguistic, kinaesthetic, naturalistic, musical, and logical skills.  I explained to him that it was very good to have strong interpersonal skills.  It is important to be able to comfortably communicate with other people and even strangers. Although he had obvious strengths, the margin was very narrow between all skills which indicates to me that Ilalio has many intelligences.

The second blog I read also belonged to a student from New Zealand.  Shontal expressed her delight in having the opportunity to participate in A.F.L. Kiwi Kick.  This program is designed for students to learn about and play football.  Football in New Zealand is not at all like what Americans are used to viewing.  After watching highlights from a few games on YouTube, I think I might prefer watching the game being played in this manner.  I told Shontal this and also expressed my delight in her enthusiasm to partake in a physical activity.

The third blog I viewed was exceptionally special to me as it was something local children are participating in.  The St. Elmo explorers created a video in which each student displayed their own art project that helped them realize the value of difference among people.  I especially liked Jenna's bright and colorful self portrait she drew of herself.  Her difference from other people is that she is sensitive which accentuated by the many hearts she drew in her portrait.  I told Jenna that being sensitive is a quality to be proud of possessing.  With this she is more capable of understanding and appreciating all types of people and love the differences that she learned about through this project.

The last blog I read was a 17 year old's from Moscow.  Among her eight lessons in school, Liza is also learning to play the piano and guitar.  I encouraged her to keep up with her musical lessons.  Being a musician myself, I told her that music can help clear thoughts and make some processes a little easier.  She is also learning to speak Russian and English, which I find amazing she has the discipline to study both at the same time.

Project #8 Podcast

Media In The Lives of 8-18 Year Olds
By: Ashley Haddock, Lauren Mckenzie and Meredith Anderson

Hosted by kiwi6.com file hosting.
Download mp3 - Free File Hosting.

Blog Assignment #6

The Networked Student

In Wendy Drexler's video, "The Networked Student", a typical school day in the life of a 21st century student is featured.  Instead of carrying an over-sized book  bag filled with outdated textbooks, this student utilizes the internet to leverage the power of social media tools.  These tools in turn shape the learning path and process for the student.

This process is powered by connectivism, a learning theory that suggests knowledge is distributed across connections.  In the digital age, social media found on the internet provides teachers and students to connect with one another and help shape society's collective learning experience.

A continuing theme is seen in this video as well.  It would seem to me that in order to assist students in making their own connections, teachers need to be connected as well.  A teacher's role will not become obsolete because of the increasing use of PLNs by students, but rather they must take on and fulfill a variety of new modern and contemporary roles. Students must still have resources available to them to learn how to assess and validate information they find to ensure their own reliability.

A 7th Grader's Personal Learning Environment

Upon watching this bright young lady's video, I feel that she is more than just a few steps ahead of me in enhancing her education.  I never would have thought it possible to interact with a scientist from the United States let alone one from another country.  This has been a dream of mine!  My problem is time,   as soon as I have a little bit of extra time to sit down and devote my attention to something other than kids or schoolwork, something almost always tears me away.  After seeing how organized this student is, and I LOVE organization, I have been motivated to make a resolution to devote at least thirty minutes a day into developing my own PLN.  

Blog Assignment #5

Don't teach Your Kids This Stuff Please

Dr. Mcleod, an Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Kentucky, discusses in a highly satirical poem the stereotypical criticisms technology receives today.  For many different reasons, people are unwelcoming to the introduction of technology to students and the changes this brings about.  Parents fear the exposure their children will have access to; while educational professionals worry the traditional methods of teaching will become extinct.  Although I advocate the use of technology in the classrooms, I do not feel it is time for students to put down their pen and paper.  The incorporation of technology in the class room should be just that, incorporation.  This should be done in moderation and not taken overboard by allowing technology to consume every aspect of education.  In the event of a worldwide catastrophe that could disable communications, humans must still have the capability to communicate without the assistance of technology.   Parents should be concerned about the materials their children have access to on the internet, which makes it all the more important to allow them monitored access.   By allowing access, children learn to make healthy decisions regarding the content they choose to view on the internet.  It is the parent’s responsibility to stay vigilant and informed on exactly what this content is.  

iSchool Initiative

No books?  No paper?  No pencils? No copy machine?  This sounds like an Alice Cooper song and every school boy and girl’s dreams come true.  There is no argument that our school system desperately needs reform, beginning with budget cuts issues.  Travis Allen believes he has the answer to solve this problem.  Apple’s iTouch technology already possesses applications, such as graphing calculators, periodic tables,  and access to textbooks along with boundless other resources that can be valuable to all subject areas taught in school.  With slight modifications, Allen has a vision for schools to use iTouch through a new innovative iSchool.  With the assistance of customizable applications that allow teachers and students to score and track assignments, among many others; a better line of communication will be established between teacher, students, and parents.  Assignments are also turned in and completed on these devices.  Allen’s thought behind this use of iTouch technology is that it will save school districts approximately $600 dollars a student each year.  This all sounds wonderful, until thought of more.   As previously stated, I do not feel it is time to put pen and paper down.   Why can’t children be technologically literate and use technology as a tool in their academic career without  completely phasing out the older traditional methods of learning?

In Ergonomics' November 2009 Issue, the principles for the wise use of computers by children were deeply discussed.  Among the many implications that were discovered among children who have had extended exposure to digitalized print media, the two that concern me the most is the potential for adverse vision development and musculoskeletal problems.  These are potential hazards are ones  parents or teachers cannot shield their children from.  As they can monitor the content children view, they cannot control what effects will take place physiologically.  While the iSchool initiative is a wonderful idea, it should be used carefully and in moderation.  

Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir

Viewing Eric Whitacre’s virtual choir perform ‘Lux Aurumque’ was absolutely amazing and a treat.  Even more amazing was viewing a subsequent performance which took place in 2011.  Rather than the 158 individuals from 15 different countries seen in his original production; Whitacre surpassed his own achievement and assembled 1,752 vocalists from 58 different countries to perform 'Sleep'.  This type of collaborative work is a good step in the direction for world peace.  The language of music is the same worldwide leaving no barriers to overcome.   Having this number of people from a large array of backgrounds come together in one similar interest to give life to one composition proves mankind has the capability to live in harmony with one another.  I hope that other pieces such as these two can be made possible to move toward a more peaceful world.  

Teaching In The 21st Century

In this video, perhaps the most powerful statement Kevin Robert’s asserts is that educator who are teaching in the 21^st century are no longer the main source of information, but rather act as a filter to the information children have access to.  With the many different avenues found on the internet which students have access to find information; they must be taught about responsibility, reliability and integrity as it pertains to the internet.  This, Robert’s feels, can be obtained through using these internet tools by engaging students to solve problems and think critically with their assistance rather than just using them as means for entertainment.  The damaging label the internet has accrued over the years was a result of it being used as a source of pure entertainment and nothing else.   The need to train students to become self-sufficient on the internet and to make responsible decisions meets the objectives of all three domains, along with their categories,  found in Bloom's Taxonomy.

Though contrived in the 1950’s, in a time the thought of computers being used on such a wide scale was near non-existent; the committee members who proposed these guidelines wrote them in a malleable way that they can pertain to any time period’s demands from education.   Perhaps the greatest reason technology needs to be incorporated and taught how to be used properly in schools is simply the entire foundation upon which it has been structured upon calls for this need.

When And Where I Have Lived

Blog Post #4

Eagle's Nest Radio

After listening to a variety of the podcasts Mrs. Edmison's class has produced, I have a whole new appreciation for the art of podcasting.  The students in this class pose as reporters interviewing other students in character in the role of important historical figures.  This is an excellent way to teach history.  The act of role playing places the students in the particular time period they are addressing forcing them to imagine and visually experience the history being taught.  Additionally, the students are placed in the position of teaching others the information they have already gained further ingraining this knowledge ensuring it shall never be forgotten.

Langwitches

  

Prior to listening to first grader's podcast read along to "Dinosaurs Before Dark", the steps these students took to make this story book come to life are highlighted.  During the course of production, it is noted how the children become aware of their own voices.  The students began to play around with the pitch, emotions and volume of speed among other qualities.  They would also insist on  re-recording if they were not happy with the way their voices sounded during a particular clip.  This is an extraordinary activity for students to participate in to promote their self development and boost self- esteem.  Children involved in podcasting are conditioned to be a more self-confident, outgoing individual who will grow to succeed in every aspect of life.

The Benefits of Podcasting in the Classroom

In this vodcast (a podcast with video), Joe Dale distinguishes the usefulness of having podcasts in the class room.  This particular podcast goes hand in hand with the podcast our group, The Music Notes, will soon be publishing.  Focusing on the millenial generation, it is found that youth, ages 8-18, are increasingly being exposed to what the various media devises have to offer; this is time more spent than reading a book or other print sources. This list of media devices inlcudes ipod/mp3 players, computers, television and cell phones.  Upon initial examination, the results of this data is concerning and bothersome.  After listening to Joe Dale and his thoughts on podcasting in the classroom, I am looking at these numbers with a very speculative mind.  The polls used to obtain these numbers do not ask the question what these children are in fact doing while they are spending time on media devices.  According to Dale, podcasts allow students to interact with one another outside of the classroom.  Educators who provide their lesson plans via podcasts open up options to their students on days they are sick or have other engagements preventing them from attending class.  The same idea applies to teachers, students miss out so much when their teachers are unavailable for class and a substitute is required to sit in.  Podcasts allow students to still have interactions with their teachers when they cannot be there.  While the amount of time students are spending on media devises can be concerning, it is a rush to judgement to assume the time is being spent on nonsense.  It is up to educators to provide quality material for students consume and the parents to monitor what their children are exposed to in order to make these staggering numbers a positive entity. 

Google Presentation

This Is My Sentence

Blog Post #3

"It's Not About The Technology"

In times when it is so difficult to find just the right balance in life, Kelly Hines offers some insight to teachers facing the challenge of integrating technology into classes.  Many scenarios may take place when presenting these contemporary ideas into classrooms.  Hines speaks of most teacher's either inability or unwillingness to learn and adapt to this new technology.  Educators must be willing to become the educated in this sense in order to keep up with the times and blend the new technology in with their lesson plans.  Hines also outlines an idea that is very close to my heart, learning and teaching are not the same thing.  Not all students learn in the same manner as everyone else does.  One technique will work for maybe a few, but not for the others.    Once a teacher takes the time to learn each individual's style of learning, he or she can then apply the technology at their disposal to conform to these varieties of learning methods.

 A teacher must have the passion and drive to be able to help a student learn using even the most primitive technology before the latest advances can be put to good use.  One idea Hines did not cover that I feel has become a problem in the classroom is some teachers use the technology placed in their classrooms as a crutch and allow it to replace them becoming impersonal and detached from the students.  As Kathy Hines says, with the use of a little technology as a tool, a whole lot of heart and the willingness to innovate, teachers have the power to prepare students with the capacity to be creative, think critically and solve problems with the assistance of whatever new technology the future brings.  It really is not about the technology, instead it is more important how we as educators choose to balance technology with the skills we should already possess.  

"Is It Okay To Be A Technologically Illiterate Teacher?"

As Karl Fisch calls attention to the critical need for technologically literate teachers, I feel this is done in an extreme fashion.  While his philosophy that if a teacher today is

not technologically literate-and is unwilling to make the effort to learn more-it's equivalent to a teacher 30 years who didn't know how to read or write could not be agreed with more, there should be some disclaimers to this idea.  There are numerous teachers without technical savvy that have much more to offer students than the skills to survive in a technically enhanced society.  I do not feel these teachers need to be shut out and cast away because of their lack of tech smarts nor their unwillingness to gain more knowledge in this area.  The thought of technology to those who did grow up in the cutting edge world most new teachers entering the field today did is overwhelming and scary.  Much like the way learning anything is overwhelming and scary to kids who have learning disabilities or have trouble understanding what is being taught.  The teacher of this child does not give up on them and throw them in a corner to make their lives easier, instead they find new approaches and different steps to work with this child to help them understand the material. This same principle can be applied to help the process to become technologically literate a smooth transition.  It is human nature to be obstinate when one is told what they "need" to do.  When told they "need" to learn how to be technologically literate, a person almost automatically goes on the defensive and resists.  Steps should be taken by the school systems to reassure these precarious teachers that technology is in fact a good thing and is profoundly beneficial for students and teachers alike to become intimate with in order to ensure success in the future instead of demanding technology workshop attendance and threatening ones job if participation is not executed.  Like everything else in life, the manner in which something is approached makes all the difference.

Gary's Social Media Count

The rate at which the number of items being shared in a single minute worldwide is staggering and difficult to even comprehend a number this large.  The first question that comes to mind is, how much of this information traveling the globe is actually useful material?  Much of what is posted on the various social media outlets is empty and often times ill conceived.  As future educators, the astounding rate at which these numbers change should not just open our eyes to the possible resources at our expense, how fast these resources are evolving and the importance to keep up with the changes; but also to understand the importance of learning to navigate these sites without having to drudge through any futile time consuming nonsense.  It is also important to realize not only as educators but as parents as well to realize that anybody can post anything and at such a high rate of this information being shared, it is vital to monitor what sites our students and children have access to and be involved in any communication they participate in on the internet.  Censorship has always been a touchy subject, but in order to prevent students from seeing or reading  something that is not appropriate that could possibly have an adverse influence, this is necessary.

A Vision of Students Today

Mike Wesch's video "A Vision of Students Today" is a haunting account of how technology has impacted how students interact not only the classroom, but also in their everyday lives.  Many ideas come to mind after viewing this video, first of which is how technology has taken over just about every aspect life.  The statistics shown display that students spend a quantifying amount of time on their computers performing tasks the average person are incapable of.  If these individuals are smart enough to operate complex technological devises, they should also have the wits to excel in courses in which they are enrolled.  The problem being faced is most are applying these intellects elsewhere.  Technology has served as a distraction rather than a means to facilitate learning.  The cost of books have risen because of a lower demand as a result of so many colleges and universities publishing materials online for students to access rather than having to purchase a textbook.  While this is useful, not all courses and instructors wish to participate and still require a book, in the end the same amount of money is still being spent.  As future elementary educators, we should be aware of the example being set to young minds and provide a good model of how technology can be used within reason. This video should also bring an awareness to what activities students are engaging in while they are not in class so as teachers we can search for opportunities to utilize these activities in the classroom to guarantee interest and overall success of the student.

C4T #1

Post Game Analysis 

High school physics teacher John Burke has implemented a new policy in his classroom that has given students the power to take control of their own education.  In spirit of football season, this innovative teacher has taken inspiration from the customary viewing of film teams do after a game to analyze ways to improve, win or lose.  In the days following students assessments, the graded papers are returned to the students along with an assessment post game analysis.  Much like what occurs in the locker room, students are to answer questions such as what things did you do well on the assignment, identify areas you wish to improve upon, devising a plan on how to improve in those areas, and pointers you would give yourself for mastering these ideas for success.  The students then collaborate on problems missed and figure out the correct answer together.  Even if a perfect score is achieved, it is still expected that student participate and ponder ways to ensure they can continue to achieve that level of success.  I thought this was an excellent way to engage students in taking control of their education.  The knowledge learned will be much more valued and cherished when a students own blood, sweat and tears are put forth.  This activity requires students to deeply self-reflect upon themselves and getting in touch with themselves on a much more deeper level than just succeeding in school.  

Parent Pow

As a parent it is very important to have an open relationship with your child and get into the habit of talking about your child's day at school.  From this parents are involved and have an active approach in their child's education and KNOW what their kids are being taught.  An avid fan of education reform, John Burke came across a website designed to encourage this activity of talking to one's children.  Only problem is, there is no talking occurring.  After logging in to this website, children are supposed to answer questions rating them 1-10.  The parents then log in to this same website and answer a different set of questions themselves.  The parents can then print out "scales" based on the questions answered to give parents an idea of what their children are doing in school.  Mr. Burke, as well as I, thought that this was an absolutely horrible idea!  As a parent, John Burke would rather drop whatever it was he is doing at the time and have a face-to-face conversation with his child getting to know her.  Having these interactions through a website does not allow a relationship between parent and child to be cultivated.  In this case I feel children will grow accustom to hiding behind a computer to tell their parents what they would be afraid to tell their parents in fear of what they would say.  This will only diminish society's ability to stand up and take responsibility for actions taken.  This falls into the mind frame all too many people have begun to have, taking shortcuts when it comes to raising their children.
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