Project #16

Blog Post #14 - Final Reflection

Project #13

Hey guys! For this project, we are supposed to post a collaboration on what materials we used for Project #15. For Project #15, my group mostly used text messaging and email. It was neat to know that we didn't have to meet face to face in order to organize this project. So, what are some disadvantages of communicating this way? Let's start with the advantages. First of all, it was easy to type up our ideas and send them to each other. We couldn't use FaceTime because not all of our group members had an iPhone, but we still managed to make it work! The major disadvantage had to do with time. Not everyone in our group had the same schedule, so it was quite difficult for us to be able to respond to one another as soon as something was sent. However, no matter what problems we had, we worked together and made an excellent project in the end!

Final Report on my PLN

I still think Symbaloo is a great way to organize a PLN. Since the progress report on my PLN, I've added many things. I've added Michael Smith's Blog, who is the teacher who I was assigned to in many of my C4T projects. I also added a page called The Teacher's Guide. It is a website for teachers that is full of useful material! I still think YouTube is really neat because I can actually see lectures from many great teachers, such as Ken Robinson. It also allows me to find videos that help to explain the different topics that I will be teaching. Twitter and Facebook are also great ways to follow and keep in touch with other teachers and administrators. My number one tool in my PLN is my blog. I absolutely love it, and I can fill it full of educational information! I know that as my career as a teacher begins my PLN will constantly grow, so these tools in my PLN are only the beginning of a mountain of informative material!

Blog Post #13

"Engage in an E-Media Fast"
Here is how this assignment works: Do not use any electronic (powered by electricity or batteries) entertainment or communications device (except a land line telephone or in the course of your employment) for 24 consecutive hours. If you break this activity by using a banned device, you must start the activity over again. After the third attempt (or a successful conclusion, whichever comes first), write a post in which you describe the outcome of the activity; discuss its difficulty for you; specifically identify what made the activity difficult (or easy); discuss the help (or interference) by others and identify those others and their relationship to you; reflect on what you learned about the media and about yourself as a result of the exercise. Finally, reflect on what your students will be like when they arrive in your classroom after living lives filled with media and no "e-media fasts."
What is banned: Any use of television, video records or players Computers, tablets, notepads or similar devices Video cameras, audio recorders or equipment, radios, iPods, iPads, iPhones (or any cell phone), Telephones other than land line telephones
You may go to a movie in a movie theatre, participate in personal conversations, read one or more books, attend a lecture in person. No FaceBook however for 24 hours. Can you do it?

Above are the instructions on Blog Post #15. Wow, what an interesting activity! My conclusions on the project are as follows:
I can definitely go without Facebook for a day. For me, Facebook is something I do for fun. The problem is when it comes to cell phones and computers. I personally, cannot go without either for 24 hours. Why? Well, let's start with the cell phone. I do not have a landline, so my cell phone is how I keep in touch with everyone. I could definitely go without talking to my friends on the phone for 24 hours, but I can't go 24 hours without talking to my family, especially my parents. I am the type of person who has my cell phone in hand 24/7. What if an emergency pops up? I cannot risk letting go of my phone for 24 hours.
Now, let's talk about the computer. If I wanted to, I could go without my computer for 24 hours. However, being a full time student, my computer is my lifeline. I think that teachers expect us to have access to our emails and the Internet all of the time, because that is how most of them communicate. That being said, I actually have some online courses that require computer access 24/7.
So, what does this mean for the students in my classroom? Sure, they won't be able to use their cellphones in class, but I hope that whichever school I teach at has computers in the classroom. I think the Internet, or even technology in general, is a great way to excel students' education. There are so many interactive activities on the Internet these days that can greatly help students in learning.

Project #15

C4T Summary

Michael Smith's Blog - Technology in School is a Fad.

In this post, Mr. Smith is full of sarcasm. He talks about how technology in schools will never last. The point of the post is that there are too many administrators in school systems that think technology is just a fad, and it will be gone soon. The hidden message in this post is that technology WILL last, so we better get used to it. I commented on his post and told him how much I agreed. He is a genius. I love how he can write a post full of sarcasm but still make a point. Technology will last! It is "the next big thing". Those who are trying to make the "real change" better get used to it!

School Administration is for Old People
This post kind of confused me. He talks about how he was in a room full of young people who wanted to become school administrators. He writes that he thinks one should be over 35 years old before one can become an administrator. I commented and told him my thoughts. I’m not sure if this is sarcastic (like many of his other posts) or if it is serious. I don’t think there is a certain age one should become a school administer. Sure, older people have more experience, but if a younger person feels as if they are up to the challenge, I don’t see why this is a problem.

Creativity and Curiosity: My Thoughts - Special Post #12A.

I think there are some schools (not all) in the United States that are too focused on curriculum based learning. Many schools are simply too focused on making the grades. However, there are some schools (as I've seen through watching videos and reading blogs this semester) that do care about the creativity of students. In my opinion, creativity in schools is a good thing.
I think that there can be curriculums that can help to increase the curiosity and creativity of others. For example, our EDM 310 class does both. The class is not based on burp-back education; we actually discover things through research. As for the creativity, we have plenty of that. From writing blog posts to making book trailers, this class is full of creativity.
Teacher's actions can increase creativity and curiosity. If a teacher acts like he/she is not interested in the subject being taught, but instead acts like he/she can't wait to go home, how are the students supposed to react? Teachers have to set a good example for their students. They can do this through assigning special projects and incorporating such things into the classroom. If a teacher acts like he/she is really interested in the subject, it will surely rub off on [most of] the students.
I think curiosity and creativity cannot necessarily be taught, but instead must be discovered. We all have something creative deep down in us. It is the teacher's role to help us students find it. For me, all a teacher has to do is act like he or she cares about what is being taught and encourage the students to do the same. Teachers can assign special projects, such as a blog post or video, to help bring out the creativity in students.

Progress Report for Final Project

I don't have a very extensive progress report on our final project. My group members and I have been contacting one another constantly to brainstorm with ideas for our project. We communicate via text and Google chat. Of course we have thought of many ideas, but I am not sure if we have found the right one yet! We will continue to meet in order to make this project to the best of our ability!

Blog Post #12

Our instructions for this blog are as follows: "Create an assignment for a Blog Post I should have created in your area of speciality (math, history, elementary ed, special ed, whatever). Write the instructions that I should have put here. Then do it."

How fun! My area of speciality is Elementary Education. Here we go!

1. Read the post on Should Kids Blog?
2. Summarize this blog post and state your opinions on it in at least two paragraphs.

This blog post asks the simple question, "Should kids blog?". In the body of the blog post, there are a few reasons why kids should blog. The first is that blogging helps improve with written language skills. I have only been blogging for 4 months, and I can already tell a diffrence in my written language skills. Imagine how much it could help children improve into their teen years! The post also says that kids should blog because blogging boosts communication skills. I absolutely agree. Not only do you learn about others as you blog, but you also learn about yourself. I, personally, became more open to commenting on other peoples' blogs. Getting and giving feedback is truly an excellent way to improve communication.
The posts also says blogging teaches us how to deal with critics. I know for a fact that this is 100% true. I remember the first time I got criticized on one of my posts.. I couldn't help but think "Who has the nerve to say that?" But, the truth is, in everything you do in life you will get criticized in one way or another. As long as you handle the criticism correctly, it can be a very good thing. It teaches us of our mistakes and makes us realize things we might not have before. The last thing this blog post says is that blogging can help generate pocket money. To be honest, I really don't even care too much about this point. Sure, having a little extra money is great, but as long as children honestly get something from their blogs, I think that is wonderful.

C4K - April

Jake's Blog

POST ONE
For the next 3 weeks, our class will be participating in the world blog challenge. I was assigned to a student named Jake. He is 12 years old and lives in Ontario, Canada. He likes things such as computer games and puzzles. The blog post that I commented on was entitled "Shadow Lands". He describes his teacher as an incredible puppeteer and actress named Anne. In class, they made full-headed masks. I commented on his post and told him how interesting it was. He described the process of making the masks very well, and he used very good grammar. On another note, a few of the words he used were spelled differently than I spell them (like favorite - he spelled it favourite). I am assuming that is a Canadian thing?

POST TWO
Hi guys! Today is April 3rd, and this is the second week in the world blog challenge. Jake's most recent post was about something called Earth Hour. It was a short post, but he was asking people to comment on the post and tell him what they did for Earth Hour. I commented and asked him to explain it to me. When I was in school we didn't have Earth Hour, but I am assuming it has something to do with going green! I cannot wait to see if he comments back to explain it to me! Stay tuned!

POST THREE
This week is our last week to participate in the World Blog Challenge. While Jake didn't post a new blog post this week, he did reply to my previous comment. Last week, I asked him what exactly Earth Hour was. He replied by saying it is a an hour in which you are supposed to shut off all of the things in your house that use power. He also told me that Earth Day is April 22. It's just like Earth Hour, but it is for a whole day!

Daniel's English Mihi
4/22 - My C4K this week is for a boy named Daniel. He is 7 years old, and he lives in New Zealand. For this blog post Daniel made a video and told all about himself, his family, and his interests. It was sort of an "introduction" video! I commented on it and told him how neat his video was. I told him that it was really neat that he posted an introduction video so that the readers of his blog can learn all about him and his background. He seems like a really interesting boy!

Blog Post #11

Little Kids.. Big Potential & Skype Interview With Mrs. Cassidy

Once again, an amazing teacher has shown us excellent ways to use technology in the classroom. The fact that these children are only in the first grade amazes me. They are already learning how to do so much with technology. I think my favorite method of technology Mrs. Cassidy uses is Skype. For these children to be able to see other people around the world basically face-to-face is awesome. There are so many possibilities of what one can learn through one simple Skype session.
I also like the fact that they use Nintendo DSs in the classroom. The benefit of this (as said in the video) is having to learn how to solve problems and how to share. I'm sure the sharing part could be quite difficult at first with a class full of young children, but that is one of the purposes of this method of technology.

Blog Post #10

Do You Teach or Do You Educate?

This video really made me think. I have never really thought about the difference between a teacher and an educator, but after watching this video I understood perfectly. A teacher is simply one who gives instruction and shows you how to do something. There are a lot of teachers who just feed their student the information that needs to be learned and never return to the subject again.
I will be an educator. As the video states, an educator is someone who mentors his or her students. The verbs used in the video are "empower" and "illuminate". That's exactly what I want to see in my children. I want to be able to set off a spark so that they want to learn, and I will be right there beside them along the way to guide them. I want students to actually take something home from my class, not just allow it to enter one ear and go out the other.

Don't Let Them Take Pencils Home

This post is very thought-provoking. One teacher is arguing that the students shouldn't take the pencils home because all they will do is play games. The other teacher (and the author of this post) tries to reason with the teacher and tell her that there is more to pencils than just games. I read some of the comments on the posts, and I have to agree with a lot of them.
First of all, I like the way this situation was addressed. The author did not snap back at the teacher; instead, he tried to reason with her and explain the situation. I think that confrontation should always stay classy, especially in the classroom.
Also, I read a comment that really spoke to me. Even if the students are playing Hang Man at home with the pencils, isn't it better than having these kids out roaming the streets and venturing into the drug and alcohol world? After thinking about this, Hang Man doesn't sound all that bad.
Students are more creative than many teachers think. No, they don't go home to sit around and play games all of the time. If a student is allowed to take a pencil home, it may spark something in that student. Maybe the student will want to write a story, and eventually when he is older end up writing several books or an award winning essay. Never underestimate the power of a pencil!

Blog Post #9

What I Learned This Year '09-'10

Mr. Joe McClung is teacher with three years experience in the school system. At the end of each school year, he has written a post reflecting on what he's learned throughout the year. I think ALL teachers should do this, whether they have been teaching one year or twenty. It is really helpful to future teachers such as myself to hear the lessons learned from actual teachers in the class room.
In this reflection, Mr. McClung talks about his transition from one school to another, which included switching from 6th grade to 8th grade. He talks about adapting to not only the classroom, but also to the students. Don't treat each class the same; Each and every grade level (and even classroom) has different needs.
He talks about not getting caught up in following lesson plans word for word. Sometimes in a classroom, you have to teach in a way that the students will best understand and allow our students to be independent learners. I think this is very important. Even though lesson plans are very important, they may not always produce the expected outcome. Sometimes you have to step away and do what is best for the students.
When Mr. McClung talks about finding a school mom, he means finding the ladies of the school who are willing to help out in any situation. It is always great to know that you have someone standing beside you to help you in times of trouble, and that's what a school mom is for. It's a woman who has many years experience at the school, and is willing to do whatever it takes to ensure the success of the students.
Check your ego at the door. I love this reflection because it's the absolute truth. We as teachers cannot be "afraid" to get up in front of our students and do whatever it takes to make them learn. Whether this includes getting up and dancing around the classroom or dressing up in a different costume pertaining to the subject being learned, we have to do anything and everything to gain the students' focus and keep it. I remember in 4th grade, my teacher would do cartwheels for every student that made an A on a test. So, if the class had 6 A's, she would do 6 cartwheels. This may seem a little silly, but it made us want to make A's.
Mr. McClung talks about "scope and sequence". This is extremely important. It's vital as teachers to learn what subject trouble our students the most so that we can spend more time teaching that particular subject or area of a subject. We have to assess our students to see what is troubling them - we cannot just assume they are taking in everything that's being taught.
Don't lose sight of what is important. I think we all know that no matter what's going on in a school, the students should be the main focus. As educators, we need to leave all of our problems at the door and focus on the students in our own classroom.

What I Learned This Year '10-'11

Mr. McClung's first statement in this reflection is to know who your boss is. Don't get caught up in trying to please the administration, but instead cater to the students' needs to ensure that they learn as much possible. Teaching should be student based, not administrative based.
Don't expect others to be as excited about change as you are. As we all know, it takes a lot to get students excited about learning, and change isn't one of them. However, as long as it is a good change that will benefit their learning habits, why not try it? We have to get students excited about learning, and if we have to change our ways of teaching to do it then so be it.
Don't be afraid to be an outsider. Who cares what people think of you? As long as your students are learning, that is proof that your a wonderful teacher. You aren't a teacher so that you can please people. Many people won't think to highly of you, and that's okay. As long as you know that you are teaching your very best, that's perfectly enough.
Don't touch the keyboard. This reminds me of "burpback education" as Dr. Strange would say. We cannot spoon feed our students. We must let them learn on there own, but be there to guide them along the way. As teachers, it's not right for us to do everything for the students. They must learn to be independent. Trust me, it will help them in the long run.
Don't get comfortable. As Mr. McClung says, that is one of the most dangerous things a teacher can do. To get comfortable in the classroom means that teachers are no longer challenging themselves. We too must learn new things, such as methods of teaching. We must be willing to learn new things in order to better our students!

Project #14

C4T #3

Michael Smith's Blog

For my 2 C4T posts, I was assigned to Michael Smith's Blog.
1st Post - The first post I commented on was about the beginning of Mr. Smith's trip to a Discovery "Beyond the Textbook" Forum. He described the flight to Washington D.C., his luggage getting lost, and getting food poisoning from a $14 burger the night before the forum began. I commented on the post and told him that hopefully it got better from there.

2nd Post - The second post I commented on was about the actual forum and the people he met. He talks about how weird they were. He also says all they were interested in was creating a new "techbook" (textbook) for 2012 and beyond. He is sarcastic in saying that all they were interested in technology and teaching styles. Then he said that that's a good thing, and that they were a good kind of weird. I agreed with him.

C4K Summary for March

The first week in March we didn't have a C4K, and the second week of March was our Spring Break.

3/25 - I was assigned to Klaudia's Blog. She is a 4th grade student at Hotspur School in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK. The post that I was assigned to was about why she liked her teacher. She likes him because she has many friends in his class, they get to sit on cushions, and they get to play on laptops. I commented on her post and told her how important it is to like her teacher, and that it can make her whole school experience better. I also told her that I hope she felt the same about her future teachers as she does about her current one.

Blog Post #8

Dr. Richard Miller - This Is How We Dream
This video was very thought provoking. It is about how our world is transitioning from having books, articles, and such in a library in the past, and now we can access everything through the internet. Dr. Richard E. Miller also emphasizes how there is a need for teaching a curriculum in which how to access these types of things is needed.
I agree with Dr. Miller. The past is the past. Of course, libraries are amazing places in which we can access a great amount of information, but the fact that everyone around the globe can now access almost every single piece of information out there is simply amazing. From books to speeches to movies, almost anything can be found on the world wide web, and the beauty of the world wide web is the "world". ANYONE with internet access can get the information they need, no matter which part of the world they live in or which culture they belong to.
At the end of the second video, Dr. Miller emphasizes the need for a curriculum in which students can learn how to access this information. I agree. In fact, I think that this class (EDM 310) is doing just that. In this class, I have learned so many things and so many different ways to find and do things on the internet. It would be great if every school had a class like this.

Carly Pugh's EDM 310 Blog Post #12
Wow. Seriously, wow. This post is beyond amazing. In this post and with her ideas, Carly truly shows exactly what Dr. Miller meant by "writing with multi-media". Through Carly's assignment, she told a story with videos from YouTube. Carly's post has really showed me that there are so many opportunities in teaching today with the use of the internet.

Chipper & EDM for Dummies
These two videos are videos that were created by students in EDM 310. The first one, Chipper, is about a girl who makes up ALL kinds of excuses of why she hasn't completed her work in her EDM 310 class. The message in this video is that it's important to do your work on time. The second video, EDM for Dummies, is about a view students in EDM 310 who are frustrated with the class. It's a pretty hilarious video if I do say so myself.
If I were to create a video for EDM 310, I think I would make a video of how EDM 310 is different from other classes. I might show a traditional (and boring) classroom, and then show how fun EDM 310 can be by using all of technology.

Learn to Learn, Learn to Change
This video is about how classrooms are changing. Students these days are simply addicted to technology - some of it good, some of it bad. However, no matter the circumstance, technology should be introduced and used in the classroom because it is simply a part of a child's everyday life. As future teachers, it is our job to make this happen.

Web 2.0
INSTRUCTIONS: List of Things to Find
1.) Locate a tool that is similar to Twitter/Facebook and provides a social platform for teachers, parents, and students. Create an account as a Teacher and write a paragraph or two about how you could use this site in your classroom.
2.) Locate the tool that most likely created this presentation. Once you find the site, look at the top right and click Pricing. Write a paragraph about the nice deal they make for students/ teachers.
3.) Find a tool to make-your-own comic strip. Create a comic and post a picture of it in your blog.
4.) Find a video tool that you have never used. Summarize some it's special features.
5.) Find a tool to create a poll anywhere and at anytime. Create your first poll and post it here.

1) Emodo is a tool that I found that's similar to twitter and facebook. I created an account as a teacher, and I think this website is really neat. As a teacher, you could post assignments, quizzes, and even create polls to incorporate the opinions of students into the classroom. I will definitely use this in the classroom. If I teach children that are too young to understand how to do this (such as a kindergarten class), I could even use Emodo to keep the parents of my students informed on the classroom and our progress as a class.
2) I found Poll Everywhere to create a poll. The poll I created is below!

3) A tool I found for making videos is PhotoPeach. This video software is REALLY neat because you can incorporate your own pictures into a slideshow with music and many other things. There is also PhotoPeach for Educators. With this, you can incorporate quizzes and polls into your slideshows, and you can have interaction with your students.

Project #11

Project #12

Blog Post #7

Networked Student

The video in the link above is really thought provoking. To many, the idea of connectivism might seem a little futuristic. However, to current students, it is rapidly becoming a reality. In our EDM 310 class, we are just like the student. We learn through exploring and connecting through technology. I don't think this is a bad thing. By learning this way, we are able to learn more than just what is written in textbooks. We venture out of our comfort zone to find new tools that help us learn better.

The only problem I have with the networked student is that I'm not sure this applies for elementary and middle school students. Could students learn how to do all of this at such a young age? This method of teachings seems like it would work better with high school and college students. However, anything is possible if one is willing to learn.

As for the question at the end, "Why does the networked student even need a teacher?", I have the answer. The teacher's job through this time of learning is to assist the student, not do everything for him/her. The teacher is there for answers and guidance. Just like Dr. Strange says, it is not a teachers job to put us through "burpback education". It is up to us whether we want to explore and learn how to do things on our own.


Welcome to My PLE!
This student is very organized, and has a wonderful PLE. I'm excited that she uses Symbaloo, because that is what I am using to for my PLN. I feel as if watching this video was sort of an "inspiration" in helping me figure out my PLN. I can't wait to see my PLN grow throughout the semester.

Instructional Timeline - Project #9b

PLN - Project #10

I think Symbaloo is a great way to organize a PLN. As you can see from the photo above, my PLN is small at the moment, but I am positive that as the semester continues on my PLN will grow.So far I have found that Twitter is a great way to follow and keep up with many of the people who are in my PLN. Facebook also serves the same purpose. YouTube is neat because it actually allows me to see the people in my PLN instead of just reading something they have posted. Of course, blogging is one of the most important tools in my PLN. By using Symbaloo, I will be able to actually see how much my PLN will grow throughout the semester.

C4T #2

2/26 - Michael Smith's Blog

This blog post is entitled "Why Exactly Do We Want Fans?" In this article, Mr. Smith talks about the things he has noticed at athletic events, but not the good things. He says that more often, he sees people in the crowd screaming at the refs, players, other team, and each other. He states how ironic it is that the player's families make time around their schedule to go to the games, but spend all of their time screaming and being angry. He continues on to say that "Sports should be used as a teaching opportunity on how to deal with success. And failure. How to get along with others. How to find your place in a situation bigger than yourself. How to lose." The players should have happy memories of their games, not memories of fans screaming and yelling.
I commented on Mr. Smith's post and told him how I agree with him. As I've grown up, it has become more evident to me just how much anger there is at sporting events. Children - even teens and adults- shouldn't be told by their family/friends/coaches/etc. that they "should have won" or "could've done better". The players should be encouraged to do their best, whether they win or lose. It's not always about winning. As long as the players gain a positive experience from the sport that they love, losing a game doesn't mean they failed.

3/9 - Mr. Smith's second post, Children Should Not Be Allowed to do Homework in the Car is about how busy his daughter is. He blogs about how she has something to do every single day after school, and how she has no free time.
I commented on his blog and told him that I agree with his comment. Although children being so busy these days isn't a bad thing, it's certainly different. When I was in elementary school (which wasn't ALL that long ago, but still not recently) my friends and I definitely weren't that busy. We had time to play outside until dark and have family game nights. Now, it seems as if kids don't have time to do anything other than school and sports. We really need to focus on what's important in our kid's lives, and make sure they have some extra time to relax.

Blog Post #6

This blog post is on Randy Pausch's Last Lecture. His lecture was entitled, "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams". Although it may be a little lengthy, I can promise you that it is well worth your time. Randy Pausch is really an inspiration, and he is an EXCELLENT speaker. Under given circumstances, Pausch stays extremely positive throughout his lecture. I can only hope that when I become a teacher, I will be as wonderful as Pausch.

During the first part of his lecture, Pausch talks about his childhood dreams and how he achieved them. He also mentions the struggles in doing this - or brick walls as he calls them. One quote by Pausch that really stuck in my mind was, "The brick walls aren't there to keep us out, they are there to show how badly we want something". We all have struggles in almost anything and everything we do, but we can't let the brick walls tear us down. If we really want something, we we will be willing to do anything we can to tear that wall down and pursue our dreams. He also talks about enabling the childhood dreams of others.

I think that as teachers, enabling the childhood dreams of others is important. If you watch the video, you see that he reminisces his childhood dream of playing in the NFL. Although he never made it, he talks about how much his football coach inspired him. The fact that we play a part in children's dreams is actually scary to me. If we are a good teacher, they may dream to be a teacher when they grow up. However, we must not teach them to pursue their dreams, but rather to aspire. If the children do not reach their dreams, there is always the fact that they learned something from the experience. Just like parents, it is our job as teachers to support our students and encourage them to be creative in all that they do.

Randy Pausch also talked about lessons learned. Not only do students learn from their teachers, but teachers also learn from their students. They give us a sense of youth, and as Pausch says that we should never lose our child-like wonder. Never give up your childhood dreams, and never shoot down the dreams of a child. As long as we can push through the brick walls, (and yes, there will be more than one) we can do anything we set our mind to. Not a single dream is too small or big. NEVER GIVE UP.

Podcast

C4K Summary for February

Ana Barbara's Blog
My first C4K blog assignment was for an eighth grade student named Ana Barbara.She lives in Noel, Missouri. Her teacher's name is Mrs. Chamberlain. From looking at the class blog, I can tell that Mrs. Chamberlain is an amazing teacher who loves to incorporate technology into her classroom. Ana Barbara's blog was really neat. It was full of information from the scientific method to writing to science experiments. I commented on her blog and told her how great I thought it was that she was learning to blog for educational purposes. I also reminded her to use complete sentences and correct punctuation, because she has A LOT of viewers! It is truly amazing to me to see so many students enjoying learning through the use of technology. Keep up the good work, Ana Barbara!

2/19- Payton Schuche's Blog
Payton is a 4th grade student in Mrs. Huebner's class. They live in Spirit Lake, Iowa. Payton's blog is really need. It's all about what he likes to do and his interests. His most recent blog is about a free throw contest. He could possibly get the chance to go to the championship free throw contest in New York. He is really excited! In his post, he asks everyone to cheer for him and have confidence in him. He should be very proud of himself!

2/26- Aleks's Blog
Aleks is an elementary student in England. His most recent post was a "5 sentence challenge". His teacher chose his as one of the best! The point of the "5 sentence challenge" is to tell a story in just 5 sentences, and I think Aleks did a great job! His story told of a snowy day, where there were people inside cuddling, and there were people outside sledging and screaming from having fun. He used very good grammar, and it was very nicely written over all!

2/29 - "Flame's Awesome Site"
This student is in a fifth grade class in Iowa. His most recent post was about a letter that he was going to write. The subject of the letter was littering. He said that people litter because they are inconsiderate to their communities and our earth. He also wanted to know why there are so many garbage trucks? The fact that there are so many garbage trucks in every city increases the pollution in our atmosphere. He concludes by saying that if littering didn't happen and if less garbage trucks were used, our environment would be much cleaner, and the air would be safer to breathe. I commented on his post and told them that he was very right. I wish more children thought like this! They may not be able to do anything about it now, but in the future this will be their problem, so I am glad some children realize exactly what they will have to face soon.

Blog Post #5

Don't Teach Your Kids This Stuff
Dr. Scott McLeod is an Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Kentucky. He is dedicated to furthering technology in educational leaders. This blog post really cracked me up! It is full of sarcasm, but the deeper meaning behind it is powerful. These days, parents' don't teach their children like they should - mainly because of the negativity that follows. However, being that they are the leaders of this world, teaching them how to read, write, and use technology is crucial to their success.

The iSchool Initiative & iSchool Initiative
Travis Allen posted the iSchool Initiative video when he was 17 years old and a high school student in Georgia. He proposed The iSchool Initiative, in which everything that is done inside a school will be on an iTouch. This includes students' school books, reports, schedules, and MUCH more. After posting this video, he got international attention for his idea.
I think Travis's idea is pretty neat. As he says in the video, the cost of the iSchool wouldn't even compare to that of a classroom now. There is no telling how much money would be saved He says $600 a student, but it could very well be more. Also, the iSchool would help the world to "go green". There would be no paper or pencils - everything would be done on the iTouch.
Honestly, I think Travis's idea is pretty genius. In all reality, I think we are headed in the direction of the iSchool now. Everyday, schools are starting to switch to technology based learning. Before we know it, the iSchool will be in full use.

Virtual Choir
Oh my! This is simply astounding. Who knew this could be put together by using the internet? It sounds so beautiful. It is truly amazing what we can do with technology today. It really amazes me that these people have never performed together, and that this was all done through the use of technology. I think that stuff like this is exactly what the internet should be used for! Who would have ever thought that such beautiful music could be made through the internet? I am truly speechless. It goes to show us that nearly anything is possible through the use of technology!

What Does It Mean?
Kevin Roberts has some pretty powerful ideas in this presentation. As teachers in the 21st century, it is not our job to simply show students how to use technology, but how to use it correctly in order to better themselves. There are so many resources out there, but without finding the right ones, technology is useless. It is up to the teachers to show students how to engage themselves and use technology for educational purposes, not just for fun and entertainment. Although we can't eliminate the fact that the internet and other technology is used for more than educational purposes, we can show them to best ways to use such things so that they get a better understanding of why it's so important to be a techno buff.

Reading Rockets
Wow! I love this! This website is extremely neat. It is full of educational resources for teachers, parents, librarians, principals, and other professionals. It's full resources for teaching kids to read. The website has classroom strategies as well as ways to help children who are struggling to read. There are links to "award-winning books" and author interviews.
I think this website is really helpful, especially with it's section on helping struggling students. You can learn how to target the exact problem that the child is having and minimize it using resources available on this website. There is a slideshow available on 12 comprehension apps available to help students practice reading.

Timeline Timetoast - Project #9a

Blog Post #4

Flat Stanley Podcast
The "Flat Stanley Podcast" was done by a class of first grade students who had recently read the book Flat Stanley by Jim Brown. This was AWESOME! It was so fun to listen to. The best part was that they were actually telling a story - not just reading from a paper. I could actually picture the story in my head because of the great amounts of emotion in their voices. This shows me that a podcast is more than just writing and recording. It really shows how hard they have worked on this project. In order to make a great podcast, you must put a lot of time into it!

Benefits of Podcasting in the Classroom
This video was really neat. I loved watching the students' create a podcast at the end. It really is amazing just how much more interested these children are in their work through the use of podcasts. Project based learning is really important. The use of podcasts to do this incorporates creativity and innovation into the classroom. It's really neat that students who miss school can use podcasts to catch up on their work. It's also neat that the parents can listen to the podcasts to actually hear what their children are learning.

Podcast Collection
This post was probably the most beneficial to me. It explained everything from the definition of a podcast to creating a podcast. I've never made a podcast before, so this website will be my #1 "go-to" site for help. I think it will make the process of creating a podcast MUCH easier. If you've never made a podcast, LOOK AT THIS POST!

My Sentence Video - Project #6

Blog Post #3

The 2 paragraphs below are my opinions and what I learned from these videos:
Peer Editing
Peer Edit With Perfection
Top 10 Peer Review Mistakes

These peer editing videos were very helpful. The first two covered much of the same information. First, always compliment your peer. Stay positive so that they will remain positive about your post. Second, suggest they do something, don't TELL them to. Lastly, include corrections. Corrections could include problems with grammar, spelling, or sentence structure. Whatever you do, don't be rude about it. Politeness is the key.

The third video was my favorite. It tells of the top 10 mistakes people make when they peer edit. A few examples include "Picky Patty" and "Mean Margaret". Picky Patty is entirely too picky when editing. Remember that we are all humans, and we all make mistakes. Mean Margaret is simply mean! Do NOT be rude when peer editing. Edit the way you would want a peer to edit your paper.


Technology in Special Education
I agree that special education students should not be shut out from the technological world. Although I've never really thought about it before, technology is just as important for educational students as it is for other students. The programs they showed in this video really seemed to get the children more interested in their work. There are many different types of technology that can be used also, such as the computers and iPods shown in the video.
Technology shouldn't be limited to certain students. It should be available to all who need it. In special education classrooms, technology can not only interest them in the classroom, but also help prepare them for their future. Almost every single job out there uses some form of technology. By incorporating technology into their classrooms, we can help prepare them, and possible make it easier to find a job.

iWriteWords
The app I chose is called iWriteWords. It is a handwriting game in which children write the letters of the alphabet. I like it because it can help improve handwriting and motor skills for special needs students. It's also not too difficult to catch on to. I think I could use this app when learning how to write in order to make it more fun for the students.

Gary's Social Media Count

Wow. This is amazing. It is really astounding how many people join the technological world every second. To be honest, it blows my mind. I think this is why it is so important to incorporate technology into the classroom. Look at that chart! Without technology, where would we be right now? What would jobs consist of? Although this is just a "social media" chart, it really makes me think about how much technology is being used outside the social media world.
Technology needs to be taught and shared for the sake of our students' future. Some people may see the chart as "just another number", but to me, it's telling us something. Technology is taking over, and we need to be prepared for it. We can start by sharing it with our younger generation.

A Vision of Students Today
This video was kind of eye-opening. Sure, we all have a lot of stress on us while being in college. We all have to study, sleep, etc. Yes, we (and by we, I mean the students willing to learn) have to multi-talk in order to complete all that we need to within a days time. We may have not created the problems in the world - but they are our problems now.
Why is it a problem for some students to bring their laptops to class? If they truly want to learn, they will use it for educational problems only and not for facebooking. But it goes both ways - if a student wasn't allowed to bring a laptop in class and didn't want to learn, they would spend the whole class period daydreaming or scribbling on their paper. It is up to us as the students and future educators to decide whether or not technology should be used in the classrooms.
For the last part of the video, what do you think the professor writing on the chalkboard was trying to get across? That teachers wouldn't have to move if we had technology in the classroom and are lazy? I think that's crazy. If technology is brought into a classroom, it's not to benefit the teacher. It's solely used to benefit the students and help them become better learners.

Project #5 - Google Presentation

C4T #1

Recently, I read a post on a blog belonging to Mathew Needleman called Creating Lifelong Learners. The blog was entitled "Parent Better and Change the World in 2012". This blog post really spoke to me. It was about how kids learn from their parents, and what they learn is important. If kids aren't taught good behavior, they will not use it. If kids aren't taught good vocabulary, they won't learn it. Although it may be scary how much a child depends on his or her parents, it is a known fact that cannot be escaped. Parents influence their children in all that they do, whether they realize it or not. The parenting skills show in the classroom. So, parents, do the world a favor, and take the time out of your day to spend with your children and teach them all that they need to know.

The second blog post I read was entitled "Is There a Place for 'Drill and Kill' on the iPad?" This post was about letting students play games on an iPad to learn math. Mr Needleman let the children play only after he had taught the material and interacted with the class.After posting on twitter about the app he was using, Mr. Needleman got some "iffy" replies. One reply said that he should not promote these kinds of apps. In my opinion, I do not think Mr. Needleman is doing anything wrong. Most of these types of apps actually make learning fun for children, in addition to actually making them want to learn in the first place. All children like rewards. I do not know a single child who would pass up an opportunity to play a game as a reward. Although other people didn't like Mr. Needleman's idea, I thought it was a great way of incorporating technology into the classroom.

Blog Post #2

Did You Know?
This video was very enlightening. The fact that technology is becoming an everyday thing for children in our lifetime simply blows my mind. When I was little, I didn't play on the computer or a cell phone all day. But the fact remains: technology is taking over. Whether or not it's a bad thing can be one's own opinion, but since we have it, it needs to be out into use in our classrooms. As Americans, we want to remain one of the leading countries in education. Other countries are quickly moving to the top. I feel as if using technology in the classrooms can help get us back on track.

Mr. Winkle Wakes
This video had a great message. After Mr. Winkle awoke from sleeping for 100 years, almost everything had changed - except schools. The offices and hospitals were all operating by machines and such, while the school was still as he remembered. My opinion of this is that the author of this video feels that technology should be used in schools as well.

The Importance of Creativity
Ken Robinson makes an amazing point. School and education aren't just about academics. Children should be taught to embrace their creativity, not feel different because of it. The Arts are quickly dying out in our education system today, and it's such a tragedy. While I do feel that it's important for children to get a proper education, I also feel as if creativity should be a part of it. Everyone has something unique about them - why are schools throwing this away? The students should also be able to enhance the creativity inside of them while getting an education in academics as well.

A Vision For 21st Century Learning
This video may be short, but it shows the necessities of our future. I must admit, as a student in high school, there was much material that went in one ear and out the other. I feel as if integrating technology into students' daily lives is crucial to prepare them for the work environment they will face when they become adults. I also feel as if students will learn better with technology in the classroom by actually interacting and engaging in activities.

Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts
I think all teachers should learn from Mrs. Davis. She allows her students to learn through technology. I cannot stress how important this should be in all schools. Allowing students to create and explore in the digital world not only helps them learn, but I also feel that it gives them a sense of independency, and allows them to be excited to learn new things.

Project #2

Blog Post #1

Hey y’all! My name is Anna Darby. I was born and raised in Monroeville, Alabama. It’s a very small town, so basically everyone knows everyone. I have an amazing family who has always supported me in all that I do. I graduated from Monroe Academy in May of 2010. I attended Auburn University my freshman year of college and absolutely LOVED it. In March of 2011 I got engaged to the love of my life. In August I transferred to South Alabama to be closer to him and my family. I am getting married on June 16, 2012, and I couldn’t be more excited.

I chose Elementary Education as my major because I am passionate about kids. Ever since I can remember, I have been drawn to helping people. While in Auburn, I babysat for a family that had a huge impact on my life. Watching the children learn and grow from every day experiences was simply amazing to me. That’s when I knew I wanted to teach children and be a part of the most important years of their lives.

Before watching the video, I had never heard of Randy Pausch. However, he makes a very valid point. Time management is one of the most important things when you’re in an education field. Planning and making to-do lists can help tremendously. 

Practice Post

my first post