C4T 3

An Idea for the Next ISTE Conference

Post 1: John T. Spencer’s post was titled “An Idea for the Next ISTE Conference”.  In it he mentioned his idea of having no technological gadgets allowed.  It would be a “digital detox”.  There would be books, games, music on the acoustic guitar, and much more. 

Comment 1: I started by introducing myself.  I mentioned that it is very true how much people rely on their gadgets.  I thought the idea of a “digital detox” was very interesting.  It seems to be a good idea to have one day to get away from it all.  I also mentioned that technology has helped us accomplish a lot, but there are still other ways to learn, communicate, and have fun.     

The Real Reason Change Isn’t Happening 

Post 2: John T. Spencer’s post was about why teachers are so reluctant to start tech integration.  He believes that it is due to the fact that they are afraid to fail.  He found that it is not a matter of teachers not understanding the technology.  Teachers would be excited and willing to make the change if they weren’t afraid of failure. 

Comment 2: I told him that he made a valid point.  I mentioned that even as a student we already know about teaching by certain standards and standardized tests.  Teachers are judged by the scores that their students make, so they are afraid to try new ideas.  This make tech integration risky and teachers are less likely to attempt it.    

Blog Post 9

"What I’ve Learned This Year" by Mr. Joe McClung

After reading Joe McClung’s posts, I feel that I have learned a lot.  I am very grateful that he decided to share his experiences since he has begun teaching.  He has learned a lot by his own experiences that they don’t teach you in school. 

Joe McClung gave a list of thing that he learned from his first year of teaching in his What I’ve Learned This Year 2008-2009 post.  As he has mentioned, teachers sometimes forget to check and see how their students comprehend the material.  They become too focused on how the material is being delivered.  We need to remember to make sure the students understand.  Also, he says that lessons don’t always go the way you have them planned.  He says that this is going to happen and it’s okay.  Another point he made, and I think it is a valid one, is to not be afraid to use technology in your classroom.  Even if we aren’t the best with computers, we need to try.  Students in these days grow up surrounded by technology.  It could make material more relatable to them if we incorporate it into the classroom.  Joe McClung mentioned at the end of this post that we should never stop learning.  This makes a lot of sense.  We obviously don’t know everything.  We should try and learn as much as we can. 

In his What I’ve Learned This Year 2010-2011 post Joe McClung says that we need to make certain that our decisions are centered around the student and not centered around pleasing other adults.  He says that he is an outsider because he spends less time with the other teachers and faculty and more time with his students.  He says that he is happy with the teacher that he has become.  Another point he makes is to not get too comfortable.  Many times when teachers have been teaching for a few years, they fall into a routine.  Educators need to try and help make changes in the schools. 

Joe McClung has learned a lot during his three years of teaching.  I am glad that I have read his reflections of his teaching.  By reading these posts I have learned even more.  It is really neat that by him reflecting on his own learning, he has been able to help teach others and let them know a little more what to expect when they get into teaching in their own classrooms. 

      

      

Blog Post 8

This Is How We Dream

Most of us have grown up writing with pencils and paper and researching in the library.  This is how my schooling was.  Schools of the future will have their workspace, which will be the desktop.  This is very exciting.

When it wasn’t until I got to high school that teachers started trying to incorporate computers and technology into the classroom.  By incorporating technology, all they did was require that we type our papers and then turn them in.  Now students even at a young age will be to write with multimedia.  Also, students will be able to find their information on the web rather than in the library. 

As a future educator I need to be prepared to write with multimedia.  I am no expert at it, but it is my job as a future educator to understand it to my fullest so I will be able to better educate my students.  These are tools that students will learn and work with in school and I must be on top of it.  The only way for students to learn to write with multimedia is by having a teacher who understands how to write with multimedia. 

Blog Post #12 

I really loved Carly Pugh’s blog post 12.  It is quite obvious that she put a lot of time and effort into this.  Her playlist idea was a great idea.  Videos can be very inspirational.  Having student create these playlists themselves could be very beneficial and also requires them to find information on the internet. 

I really liked that she made her own playlist.  I also believe that teachers should teach by example.  She was a great example.

The Chipper Series 

EDM 310 for Dummies 

These two videos were great.  The Chipper Series started off with a girl who couldn’t stop procrastinating.  She then drops out and has job trouble.  She then becomes a student who works hard.  This video is an example of how important hard work is and that procrastination gets you nowhere.  EDM 310 for Dummies is a book that students are trying to sell.  It is a book with tips on how to get an A in EDM 310.  All of the tips have to do with using the tools that are provided for us.  If we just use what is provided for us and try not to get overwhelmed we will succeed in this class. Also as the Chipper Series had addressed we must not procrastinate and get our work done in a timely manner. 

These are both great videos that were not only informative, but fun to watch.  I would like to create videos similar to these.  No matter what message I am trying to get across, I hope it will be entertaining and fun to watch. 

Learn to Change, Change to Learn 

This video really has some interesting points.  Children really do grow up using technology for their social networks.  Also most kids, today, have a cellphone or iPod of some sort.  However, all of these things are banned in the classroom. Today, technology is something that kids grow up with and can be used to better education.  As it was mentioned in this video with all of the technology and social networks that kids use, kids are living in a great world to learn. 

As a future educator I want to make it a goal to incorporate as much technology as I can into my classroom.  Children grow up surrounded by technology and it could be very beneficial to use it in the classroom.  By incorporating things that students are familiar with, school can be much more fun for the students.  When students enjoy learning it is much more effective. 

I do want to use technology in my future classroom.  However, I would make sure that it is monitored.  I only want my students to be exposed to useful and appropriate uses of technology. 

Scavenger Hunt 

I loved the idea of having a scavenger hunt.  This was a fun, but useful assignment.  I found many helpful tools, which I will be able to use when I am a teacher. 

A social network that I found for teachers and students was edmodo.  I created my own account and it seems very useful.  I would like to incorporate edmodo into my classroom.  It is a way for teachers and students to communicat outside of the classroom.  Teachers can post up assignments and assignment descriptions.  Students can ask questions and submit assignments through edmodo.  

I made my own comic by going to the Make Belief Comix website.  It was fun to play around with.  I think this could be fun for my future students.  Children could get really creative and use their imaginations with this.   

Animoto is a video tool that I have never used before.  After looking at it I have seen some very cool features.  It has a spotlight that allows you to spotlight a specific image.  It also is very easy to share and download your videos.  A really helpful feature of Animoto is that it automatically analyzes music and video clips.  Animoto seems like a useful and easy video tool to use.    

  

    

  

Project 12-Book Trailer

Project 11-Short Movie

Blog Post 7

Networked Students

This is a very interesting idea.  It sounds a lot like EDM 310.  I enjoy this class and have learned a lot.  However, I’m not sure how it would be if I had more than one class like this.  I understand that technology has come a long way and we all need to know how to use it, but I like physically being in the classroom too.

Networked students are definitely challenged and required to use higher levels of thinking, which is a good thing.  They are also rewarded by seeing and sharing their finished products online.  I can see how a student might find being networked overwhelming because there is so much that needs to be done.  However, they will end up learning so much.  They won’t be memorizing something spoon fed to them; they will be learning skills that will help them for life.     

This video addresses the fact that even though networked students are doing a lot on their own, teachers are still needed to guide them and teach them the skills they need.  It is also the teachers’ duty to get their networked students familiar and comfortable with the internet. 

Networked classes are going to become more and more common.  With technology constantly changing, students are going to need to understand how to use it.  I can see how it might be quite difficult to be a networked teacher, but I’m willing to do whatever is necessary to better my future students’ education and get them thinking on a higher level.

A 7^th Grader’s Personal Learning Environment 

I can’t believe that a 7^th grader is capable of doing all of this.  I think back to when I was in 7^th grade and I barely got on the internet besides using AIM.  I feel that it is important for students to be organized and comfortable on the internet.  The younger they start getting acquainted with the internet and technology, the better they will be prepared for the “real world”. 

My PLN is coming along, but still a work in progress.   I’m trying to keep mine organized, just as this girl’s was.  I have also started using Symbaloo, which I noticed she was using as well.  My PLN is quite similar to her PLE.  I hope to keep it up and get it more and more organized. 

Thomas Suarez: A 12-year-old app developer


I can't believe that this is a 12-year-old kid.  He has already made several apps.  He also has formed a club at school to allow other students to learn how to design apps.  I think it was funny when Thomas said that students were better with technology than the teachers.  This is so true; students are capable of a lot when it comes to technology.  It is impressive that even at such a young age he wants to share his knowledge with others and has goals that he wants to accomplish in the future.      

Project 10-PLN

My PLN is a work in progress, but coming along quite well.  After watching videos and reading articles, I have started to familiarize myself on the internet.  I have signed up for Symbaloo and have begun using it to help me navigate easier around the internet.  I have become much better about checking my emails.  I have two email accounts, gmail and jagmail.  I also have a Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube account.  Also, Google docs/drive has been very useful.  I’ve certainly become much more organized.

C4T 2

Facts


Post 1: Dr. Strange’s post was about how he believes that learning facts is irrelevant.  He thinks that knowing when the Civil War began is not as important as wanting to get the answer, knowing how to gather information and evidence to answer a question, knowing how to sort through the evidence, and clarifying the question.  He mentioned that he believes that we should probably not even be tested for our knowledge of facts.

Comment 1: I commented by telling him two different types of teaches that I’ve had.  Ones who pretty much just made us memorize facts and ones who taught skills and made us apply them to get the answer to questions.  I learned more from the teachers who didn’t focus on us learning facts.  I ended my comment by clarifying that, while I believe skills are more important for students in the long run, some facts are necessary to know and learn.     

Understanding Sarcasm and Satire or You Might be Dangerously Irrelevant as an Educator

Post 2: Dr. Strange’s post was about how so many students in one of his previous classes didn’t understand the sarcasm in Dr. McLeod’s post “Don’t Teach Your Kids This Stuff. Please?  He then went on to give the definitions of sarcasm and satire.

Comment 2: I responded by saying that I read Dr. McLeod’s post.  I didn’t understand how so many students at a college level couldn’t understand the sarcasm.  I went on to say that my only explaination was that the students didn’t really read the post.   

Project 9b-Prezi

The Food Groups on Prezi

Project 8-Podcast

Blog Post 6

Randy Pausch’s Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams 

Randy Pausch’s Last Lecture was very inspirational for me to watch.  The hour that it took to watch flew by and my attention was grasped the entire time.  He was very positive and motivating.  If you have not watched his Last Lecture yet, then I encourage that you do so. 

He begins with addressing that he has multiple tumors on his liver and has only been given a few months to live.  With that being said, you would think that he would be depressing or unmotivated.  However, he was stayed positive and had a great sense of humor.  He really wanted to encourage everyone to achieve their childhood dreams.  He showed the list of his childhood dreams and explained how he was able to achieve all of them throughout his short life.  He explained that there will always be “brick walls” in the way of achieving your goals, but those are just there for us to prove how badly we want something.  These “brick walls” keep out those who don’t want something badly enough.  Randy Pausch is an inspiration.  He never gave up and was able to make all of his dreams come true.  Though he had many “brick walls” along the way, he accomplished all of his dreams.  He should inspire everyone to make their dreams come true and to never give up.       

Randy Pausch had some great teaching methods.  He really shows how to be a good and effective educator.  I think that all teachers should model after him.  I like the idea of never setting a bar on what you expect out of your students.  As, I saw from this video he told his students that he knew they could do better (even though he was extremely impressed with their work).  They kept trying harder and harder and created some truly magnificent work, which he shared at the lecture.  One thing that makes him such an effective educator is the fact that he is always having fun and enjoys what he is doing.  He added a little humor when he said that everyone needs to decide if they are a Tigger or an Eeyore.  This is very true if someone is trying to educate others and seems miserable, the message won’t be conveyed properly.  Always have fun!

I have learned a lot from watching Randy Pausch’s Last Lecture.  I feel that I will be a better educator if I use him as a guide.  I believe that this is a lecture that everyone needs to watch at some point in their lives, especially educators.       

Blog Post 5

The iSchool Initiative

The iSchool Initiative 

Travis Allen's iSchool Initiative 

Travis Allen has some very interesting ideas.  He wants to completely do away with books, notebooks, pens, pencils, and other school supplies.  He believes that having an iTouch, alone, will make up for all other school supplies.  There are so many apps that exist that make this very possible.  Travis Allen believes schools are capable of going completely green. 

My reaction to this video was shock because his idea really is possible.  I think he makes valid points with his argument and an iTouch could replace a lot of school supplies and books.  However, I find a little fault in his idea.  It might be a little difficult to take notes using the touch screen provided.  Also, I find it frustrating to read a large quantity of text on such a small screen.  All in all, I think Travis Allen’s idea is quite possible.  Even if an iTouch doesn’t replace every single thing in the classroom, it could still be very useful and make up for a lot. 

Virtual Choir

This video was absolutely incredible.  These people were all singing together and they have never even met.  The internet opens up so many possibilities for us.  We are capable of chatting with others around the world, and now people around the world can even sing in a choir. 

This virtual choir was amazing to hear.  It sounded beautiful.  I honestly can’t believe it was all done through the internet.  Technology has come a long way and it just keeps improving.    

Teaching in the 21^st Century

Teaching in the 21^st century means incorporating internet usage and other technology into the classroom.  It also means teaching skills for a higher level of thinking.  Many people believe everything they see on the internet.  This is something that teachers need to address.  Teachers shouldn’t teach facts to be memorized, but rather skills.  If students can learn to form their own opinions based on what they read on the internet, then a teacher has already accomplished a lot.

I think that this video is very true.  Memorizing facts isn’t learning.  Learning new skills and technology usage will be much more likely to benefit students in the future.  When I’m a teacher I want to be able to give my students a research assignment and have them find reliable sources on the internet.  They need to learn how to use the internet for their own benefit, not in a destructive manor.

Flipped Classroom

Why I Flipped My Classroom

Dr. Lodge McCammon's FIZZ-Flipping the Classroom

Flipping the Classroom

After watching this video, I thought that this seemed like a great idea. Ever since elementary school and sometimes even now, when I’m in a class that requires note taking, I get nothing out of it.  I get so focused on writing notes that I barely listen to the teacher.  I would always go home and try and reteach the material to myself.  This flipped classroom idea seems to be a solution for this situation and situations similar.  Now students can watch the videos of their teachers as many times as they need.  If they are like me and like to take notes, they can watch it once and take notes and then watch it again and listen.  This idea seems beneficial for many reasons.  Students can learn on their own speed.  Also, classroom time would be better spent.    

I think this is a great idea that would be useful in any classroom.  Now that I’m in college, I think I’ve had one class that did something like this.  It really helped me a lot.  I know that it would also be helpful in the elementary grades as well.  This is something that I would like to try and do for my class when I’m teaching.     

   

    

Project 9a-Timetoast

Blog Post 4

Langwitches-First Graders Create Their Own Read-Along Audiobook   

First graders learning the skills to create their own read-along audiobook is quite impressive.  This blog mentions that they were even able to experiment with pitches, emotions, volumes, etc. while reading the script.  This just goes to show you that even at a young age students are eager to learn, especially if you make it interesting.  After the finished project, the students were so excited to read their book and follow along. 

I think that this read-along audiobook is a great way to grasp the attention of your students and encourage them to learn new skills.  Also, it helps them produce work that they are proud of.    

The Benefits of Podcasting in the Classroom  

This video really highlights how podcasting can be useful in the classroom.  I have never done a podcast before, but my EDM 310 class is going to require me to do so.  Students using the skills needed for podcasting at such a young age will make it second nature to them.  They will know how to pull up the videos their teachers post, as well as post up their own videos.  This will keep them learning outside of the classroom and use skills higher on Bloom’s Taxonomy. 

Not being very familiar with podcasting I would probably not have been very willing to use it in my classroom once I’m a teacher.  This vide has made some valid points about podcasting.  It also makes it seem easy to do.  I think that it is important to incorporate higher levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy into your classroom and podcasting is a way.  Also, I find it helpful for teachers to post up podcasts so students can keep up from home if they are sick or out for an extended period of time.

Judy Scharf Podcast Collection 

This site was very helpful.  She explained exactly what a podcast was and how to create one.  She also put up some great links showing exactly how to make a podcast.  There were even examples of podcast topics and a link explaining the benefits.  I will certainly refer back to this page whenever necessary, while still in school and especially once I’m a teacher.    

As I have mentioned before, I have never done a podcast.  However, I can definitely see the advantages of incorporating them into your classroom.  Podcasting seems to make things exciting and from what I can see students enjoy creating them and revealing them.  I’m excited to do my first podcast for EDM 310.  This class is getting me prepared to do all of the things that I want to do with my students one day.    

Project 6 - My Sentence Video

Project 5 - Google Presentation

Blog Post 3

Peer Editing

What is Peer Editing?

Peer Edit with Perfection Tutorial 

Writing Peer Review Top Ten Mistakes 

I have always been back and forth on how I feel about peer editing.  I like getting the critiques so I know what I need to change.  On the other hand, I don’t want to come across like I think I am smarter than my peers and I don’t want to feel like my peers think they are smarter than me.  After reading Paige Ellis’s blog, watching the videos, and reading the assigned PowerPoint, I can now feel more comfortable about peer editing.  There are a few simple rules that will keep negativity out of peer review and make it even more beneficial. 

All of these sources have made it very clear that you must stay positive.  You don’t want to come across mean or put anyone down.  Also, you should always start your peer review with a compliment.  Secondly, make suggestions.  Finally, make corrections.  I believe that these will be very effective to the peer editing process. 

I’m excited to use what I have learned.  I think that now peer editing will be completely beneficial and won’t cause hurt feelings or make anyone feel inferior. 

Technology in Special Education    

This video was really awesome.  It showed even more ways how technology is changing education for the better, including special education.  Many of the students in this class had major difficulties communicating to the teacher.  Now, they can easily type what they are trying to say on their laptops.  Also, iPods were used to read aloud to students who needed assistance reading.  They can now wear ear phones and still be in the classroom with the rest of their class.  There was even one student who had trouble seeing small print.  His computer was able to enlarge the print so he was able to see.  This was a great video and really had great ideas with how to incorporate technology into special education classrooms.  

When I’m teaching, whether I have special education students or not, I will always try my hardest to incorporate technology into my classroom.  If I do have special education students, I will take any approach I need to better our communication and their learning.  I think this video had great use of technology and I would certainly use some of these ideas. 

How the iPad works for Academics with Autism 

After watching this video, I was amazed.  There are so many different apps for the iPad that can be used for children with Autism or other disabilities.  Braden was able to use his iPad to count, spell, and write.  The cool part was that the iPad made it fun for him to learn.  He was more motivated. 

I went to the Apple in Education website and saw that there were many different apps to help students and special education students.  One app that I found quite interesting was Proloquo2go.  It is an argumentative and alternative communication solution for those with difficulty speaking.  It is recommended for children and adults with autism, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, and other disabilities.  I would find this very useful in a classroom.  Not being able to communicate can be very miserable.  To have a solution to this would be absolutely amazing.  Enhancing communication greatly improves learning. 

Harness Your Students’ Digital Smarts  

In this video the students were doing projects that I have never done before.  They were able to figure things out on their own and actually teach their teacher and class how to do it.  They were to figure things out on their own instead of relying on their teacher to feed them information.  It was really neat to see fourteen year olds blogging.  I’m twenty-two years old and this is my first blog I have ever done. 

I think that it is crucial for students to be able to work many different kinds of technologies.  Our world is centered around technology, so everyone must be comfortable with computers, iPads, etc. just to keep up.  We had a computer class in grade school and high school, both pretty much just focused on typing.  I wish I had learned how to do more on computers at a younger age.  I’ve taught myself how to do a lot with technology, but it would have been much easier if I had been exposed to technology at a much younger age.    

C4T 1

PD in your PJs Virtual Conference

Post 1: John Mikulski’s first post was about an online PD conference that he has coming up.  He was selected to be one out of eighteen educators at this online conference, PD in your PJs.

Comment 1: I congratulated him and introduced myself.  I told him that this online conference was a good example of how technology is changing and that I know even after I graduate PD will still be a priority of mine.  

The Lasting Impact of Teachers

Post 2: His second post was about how teachers can influence their students at any time.  He posted a copy of a poem he wrote in the 7^th grade and the comments his teacher left.  His teacher asked if someone else had written the poem because it sounded very mature.  Dr. Mikulski has not forgotten this and wants everyone to remember that teachers are here to influence, but you don’t know how or when it will happen.

Comment 2: I explained that though I am not yet a teacher, I have still had experiences with this as a student.  I am going to remember this and try not to discourage my students and accuse them of something they did wrong.     

Blog Post 2

Did You Know? 3.0 – A John Strange 2012 Version

Did You Know 3.0 was originally done by Karl Fisher and Scott McLeod.  Dr. Strange made his own version, Did You Know? 3.0 – A John Strange 2012 Version, for EDM 310 students.  Dr. Strange’s version starts out explaining how just the top students in India is more that all of the students in the United States.  Also the number of Chinese people who speak English is likely to exceed the English speakers in the rest of the world by 2025.  The whole world is advancing.  YouTube and Goggle have over a million people on, watching and searching, every minute.  The world is becoming very technology dependent.  Millions of text messages are sent every minute and the age in which one owns a cellphone has gotten much younger.  Majority of people in the United States have computers.  Dr. Strange’s video also has an estimate that the top jobs ten years from now do not exist and will use technologies that have not been invented yet.  The world of technology is constantly changing. 

It is amazing how much the world relies on technology for everyday life.  Most people, including myself, wouldn’t know what to do without their cellphone or computer.  I know that technology is constantly changing and there are new advancements made all of the time.  I find it hard to believe though that the top jobs ten years from now do not exist and will use technologies that have not been invented yet.  I believe that there will be new jobs, but I can’t imagine the top jobs changing all that drastically in just ten years.  However, ten years in the technology world is a lot of time.  I don’t think the jobs will change all that much, but rather new technology will be added to jobs that already exist.  

Mr. Winkle Wakes

Mr. Winkle was asleep for one hundred years.  When he awoke the world had changed so much.  Everyone was using new technologies that he had never seen before.  Business and hospitals relied on these new technologies.  However, when he went to the school not much had changed.  Teachers still stood at the front and lectured, while students took notes with pencils and paper. 

I think that since technology is getting more and more advanced, students should learn how to use it in school.  Technology should be used when teaching students.  Since we live in a world that relies so much on technology, students should start learning at a young age how to use it. 

Sir Ken Robinson

Sir Ken Robinson believes that schools kill creativity.  Educators are here to foster the growing of young minds, but how can they when schools make it so easy to take creativity away.  He quoted Picasso saying that all children are born artists, but the problem is remaining an artist once they grow up.  This is true because all little kids are very creative in the way that they play, the pictures that they draw, and even in what they say and think.  It is quite obvious that majority of people lose their creativity as they grow up.  Teachers need to make it a goal to keep creativity in the classroom, no matter what the age.  Also by incorporating all learning styles, all children will be able to learn more effectively and relate to the class.

As a future educator I am going to make it a goal not to make quick judgments about my students and their learning abilities.  Sir Ken Robinson told a story about a ballerina; her teachers thought she had a learning disorder.  She in fact did not, but rather learned in a different way, thorough movement.  This story is a perfect example of what I don’t want to do as a future educator.  I want to get to know my students and not jump to conclusions about their learning abilities.  Claiming someone has a learning disorder when in fact they do not could cause big problems for that student. 

Classroom Disruption

There are huge differences between the two teachers in the classroom disruption video.  One was boring, would ignore the students’ questions, and did not use any computers or other technology.  The other was quite opposite, he came into the classroom with a positive attitude, he was exciting, did all he could to help students and answer their questions, and his classroom was based around technology.  One teacher made it exciting to learn, while the other made it hard to stay awake.  I would definitely prefer to take the more exciting teacher’s class who used the technology to the students’ advantage.  Unfortunately, most of the classes that I have taken are unlike that class and more like the boring teacher’s class. 

These two teachers clearly had different objectives.  One was more focused on making the students memorize information and spit it out on the test.  In contrast, the other was more focused on the students actually learning rather than strictly memorizing.  He made it fun for them to learn and his students were eager to learn.  Also, the teacher that used technology in his classroom is doing his students a huge justice.  They are going to be steps ahead of others when they get out of school and into the real world, which is centered around technology.  I would like to teach like the exciting teacher who incorporated technology into his classroom.  In order to do this I will need to be up to date on the latest technology and understand how to use it in a way that I can make it effortless and fun for my class.       

          

        

Project 2 - Wordle