I commented on Courtney D.'s "About Me" and "My Learning Manifesto". It was great for me to learn that children her age are aware of the fact that she needs exercise. She said she likes walking her horses around, because it gives her more exercise than if she were to ride them. She also talked about her family and two dogs and how important she thinks family and friends are. I commented on her post telling her that I also have two dogs, and I thought it was so great that she knows how important family is.
Her second post that I commented on was her learning manifesto. She talked about how she needs to get all of her school work organized and that if there was something she didn't understand, she would make sure to ask and find out. I commented on how I thought it was great that she wanted to get organized, because it really helps. I told her that it's really important to ask questions when she doesn't understand something. I also told her to never be afraid of asking questions.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Blog Post #5
Eagles' Nest Radio Episode #3: Roamin with the Ancients Romans
I really enjoyed this podcast. The students in the picture looked so excited to be dressed up like the Romans. Their podcast helped my group in deciding how to do our podcast. We also had a picture displayed while we talked about our topic. It really makes me happy to see children get so excited about learning like these children. I know I always loved learning when we got to interact and especially when we got to get dressed up like the people we were talking about.
The Benefits of Podcasting in the Classroom by: Joe Dale
I really liked how this video pointed out that children born after 1980 were called the millenials and this is the form of learning these students are familiar with and therefore makes it relevant to them. These children don't remember the time when they didn't use computers or cell phones at the age of eight. I liked how students got to have an input on what they think about the podcasts in the classroom. It's also reassuring to see the principal so excited about the podcast in the classroom. Another great thing is that parents can see and hear what their children are doing in school. I know when i was in elementary school it was up to us to tell our parents what was going on, and by the time I got home and my parents got home I didn't want to talk about it unless it was something so exciting that I wanted to tell them right when they got home. Parents aren't only interested in the things the children are super excited about. They are interested in all of it, and with the podcast they can.
Education Podcast Network
I think this is a great website for teachers to on and share their ideas and stories. It's great for teachers to be able to get on this site and find stories of other teachers that might inspire them to do something that they might have never thought of without this website. They don't have to rummage through a bunch of links to find what is relevant to their class. They can go to the subject specific podcasts and find what they need with ease.
I really enjoyed this podcast. The students in the picture looked so excited to be dressed up like the Romans. Their podcast helped my group in deciding how to do our podcast. We also had a picture displayed while we talked about our topic. It really makes me happy to see children get so excited about learning like these children. I know I always loved learning when we got to interact and especially when we got to get dressed up like the people we were talking about.
The Benefits of Podcasting in the Classroom by: Joe Dale
I really liked how this video pointed out that children born after 1980 were called the millenials and this is the form of learning these students are familiar with and therefore makes it relevant to them. These children don't remember the time when they didn't use computers or cell phones at the age of eight. I liked how students got to have an input on what they think about the podcasts in the classroom. It's also reassuring to see the principal so excited about the podcast in the classroom. Another great thing is that parents can see and hear what their children are doing in school. I know when i was in elementary school it was up to us to tell our parents what was going on, and by the time I got home and my parents got home I didn't want to talk about it unless it was something so exciting that I wanted to tell them right when they got home. Parents aren't only interested in the things the children are super excited about. They are interested in all of it, and with the podcast they can.
Education Podcast Network
I think this is a great website for teachers to on and share their ideas and stories. It's great for teachers to be able to get on this site and find stories of other teachers that might inspire them to do something that they might have never thought of without this website. They don't have to rummage through a bunch of links to find what is relevant to their class. They can go to the subject specific podcasts and find what they need with ease.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Additional Assignment #1
A. What are the educational implications of searches such as Google Squared provides?
Google Squared allows you to search a topic and see our results in tables that you can adjust as needed. It allows you to add or remove columns and rows as you see fit. It's very concise and to the point. I searched top grossing movies and got a list of movies with descriptions, gross revenue, release date, and more information on each movie.
B. What are the educational implications of searches such as WolframAlpha provides?
WolframAlpha allows you to search a topic and gives you all you need to know about it without having to search through a bunch of links. I searched the University of South Alabama. It gave me everything about South, from I was born. It told me the time difference from today in years, months, weeks, and days. It also told me what time the Sun rode and set on that day and the events that occurred on that day.
C. Did you know about Google Squared before this assignment?
No, I did not.
D. Did you know about WolframAlpha before this assignment?
No, I did not.
E. Have my comments altered your thinking about anything you saw, heard, read, or reported for the Did You Know assignment?
Yes, I have realized that when reading or hearing statistics I need to be aware of other factors. The statistics about China and India compared to the United States are overwhelming before you take into consideration the population differences in China and India compared to United States. All you have to do is figure out what percentage of their country equals the amount of people in the U.S.. People try to manipulate statistics in their favor all the time, and we need to be aware of exactly what the statistics say.
F. What did you learn from this exercise about how you react and deal with "statistics"?
I've learned that I should take statistics with a grain of salt. Numbers alone do not tell the whole story. People manipulate statistics in their favor all the time. I think the best thing I can do is when I learn of certain statistics I should do more research to figure out the whole truth.
Food For Thought
I thought it was amazing how an illiterate stable boy with no previous knowledge of an ipad could pick it up and know how to play on it.
Google Squared allows you to search a topic and see our results in tables that you can adjust as needed. It allows you to add or remove columns and rows as you see fit. It's very concise and to the point. I searched top grossing movies and got a list of movies with descriptions, gross revenue, release date, and more information on each movie.
B. What are the educational implications of searches such as WolframAlpha provides?
WolframAlpha allows you to search a topic and gives you all you need to know about it without having to search through a bunch of links. I searched the University of South Alabama. It gave me everything about South, from I was born. It told me the time difference from today in years, months, weeks, and days. It also told me what time the Sun rode and set on that day and the events that occurred on that day.
C. Did you know about Google Squared before this assignment?
No, I did not.
D. Did you know about WolframAlpha before this assignment?
No, I did not.
E. Have my comments altered your thinking about anything you saw, heard, read, or reported for the Did You Know assignment?
Yes, I have realized that when reading or hearing statistics I need to be aware of other factors. The statistics about China and India compared to the United States are overwhelming before you take into consideration the population differences in China and India compared to United States. All you have to do is figure out what percentage of their country equals the amount of people in the U.S.. People try to manipulate statistics in their favor all the time, and we need to be aware of exactly what the statistics say.
F. What did you learn from this exercise about how you react and deal with "statistics"?
I've learned that I should take statistics with a grain of salt. Numbers alone do not tell the whole story. People manipulate statistics in their favor all the time. I think the best thing I can do is when I learn of certain statistics I should do more research to figure out the whole truth.
Food For Thought
I thought it was amazing how an illiterate stable boy with no previous knowledge of an ipad could pick it up and know how to play on it.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Blog Post #4
Dr. McLeod: Don't Teach Your Kids This Stuff. Please?
I absolutely loved this! I think that some people need that kick of sarcasm to actually listen. I think children should be exposed to the technology we have today. They are at a point in their lives where they can absorb so much information. There are risks, but in this world there are risks in things we do everyday. Just because there are risks doesn't mean we shouldn't do anything. I think that if children are properly monitored while they are using the Internet they should be fine. They need to know what kind of world they are coming into. If we shelter them from the world, we aren't helping them. We are crippling them. Ignorance is not bliss.
iSchool Initiative
I think that Travis has made some very good points for the iSchool Initiative. I think it's a great idea in theory. I have had an iTouch for almost a year. I got it mostly to listen to music. However, it really has come in handy when I need to get on the Internet and don't have a computer. I also love all the applications at my fingertips. I think it has the capability of doing everything Travis has said and more. I love the aspect of his plan of reducing our carbon footprint. I think that with all the paper we use in schools it would greatly reduce our carbon footprint. There are some applications that he mentioned that I didn't even know about, which would be very beneficial in the classroom. Like I said, I think this is a great idea in theory, but I do have a few concerns.
I know that it would cut back on a few expenses, but would the students have to pay for their own iTouch? If so, what if their parents can't afford to buy one. With the improvements he mentioned I don't think the device would still be the same price. If a student can't afford to buy one, does that mean that they don't get to be a part of the class? Also, would they be required to have the latest version? If so, when a new version came out, they would have to buy a new one. If not, when a new version came out, will the students who can afford to buy the new version have an advantage over the ones who can't afford the new one? I think these problems have solutions, and I hope they can figure out a way to use. I really think this would be a great advancement of technology for the school system.
Lost Generation
WOW! I loved this video! It's all about our perspective and how we choose to live the way we want to live. I loved how when it was reversed, instead of saying that my children will know they aren't the most important thing in my life, it says that my employer will know they aren't the most important thing in my life. I think this part was very important, because I think there are so many people who give their jobs more time than their children. In return, it leaves their children thinking that they aren't the most important thing in their parent's life. When, for the most part, their parents are just trying to make enough money to give their children the thing that they never dreamed of having. I really do think that it's all about how we want to see and do things. If we believe we aren't going to amount to anything, more than likely, we won't. I've had a hard time believing in myself over the years, and I have been in some dark places because of it. I know now that I can accomplish what I want and set my mind to do. I think it was a great way of showing that when we look at something one way, it can look horrible and bleak. However, if we choose to look at it differently, maybe even backwards, it can look wonderful and appealing.
Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir
I thought that it sounded astonishing! I would have never thought about putting a choir together of people from around the world through technology. I have thought about how we can communicate to work on projects with people from around the world, such as Vicki Davis' students did. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to that performance. It's fun to think about the different ways people use the technology we have. It would have been very hard and expensive to get that choir together if it weren't for technology. We think about how technology helps us with work and education, but I'm so glad that someone thought of using this technology to put entertainment and joy in life.
I absolutely loved this! I think that some people need that kick of sarcasm to actually listen. I think children should be exposed to the technology we have today. They are at a point in their lives where they can absorb so much information. There are risks, but in this world there are risks in things we do everyday. Just because there are risks doesn't mean we shouldn't do anything. I think that if children are properly monitored while they are using the Internet they should be fine. They need to know what kind of world they are coming into. If we shelter them from the world, we aren't helping them. We are crippling them. Ignorance is not bliss.
iSchool Initiative
I think that Travis has made some very good points for the iSchool Initiative. I think it's a great idea in theory. I have had an iTouch for almost a year. I got it mostly to listen to music. However, it really has come in handy when I need to get on the Internet and don't have a computer. I also love all the applications at my fingertips. I think it has the capability of doing everything Travis has said and more. I love the aspect of his plan of reducing our carbon footprint. I think that with all the paper we use in schools it would greatly reduce our carbon footprint. There are some applications that he mentioned that I didn't even know about, which would be very beneficial in the classroom. Like I said, I think this is a great idea in theory, but I do have a few concerns.
I know that it would cut back on a few expenses, but would the students have to pay for their own iTouch? If so, what if their parents can't afford to buy one. With the improvements he mentioned I don't think the device would still be the same price. If a student can't afford to buy one, does that mean that they don't get to be a part of the class? Also, would they be required to have the latest version? If so, when a new version came out, they would have to buy a new one. If not, when a new version came out, will the students who can afford to buy the new version have an advantage over the ones who can't afford the new one? I think these problems have solutions, and I hope they can figure out a way to use. I really think this would be a great advancement of technology for the school system.
Lost Generation
WOW! I loved this video! It's all about our perspective and how we choose to live the way we want to live. I loved how when it was reversed, instead of saying that my children will know they aren't the most important thing in my life, it says that my employer will know they aren't the most important thing in my life. I think this part was very important, because I think there are so many people who give their jobs more time than their children. In return, it leaves their children thinking that they aren't the most important thing in their parent's life. When, for the most part, their parents are just trying to make enough money to give their children the thing that they never dreamed of having. I really do think that it's all about how we want to see and do things. If we believe we aren't going to amount to anything, more than likely, we won't. I've had a hard time believing in myself over the years, and I have been in some dark places because of it. I know now that I can accomplish what I want and set my mind to do. I think it was a great way of showing that when we look at something one way, it can look horrible and bleak. However, if we choose to look at it differently, maybe even backwards, it can look wonderful and appealing.
Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir
I thought that it sounded astonishing! I would have never thought about putting a choir together of people from around the world through technology. I have thought about how we can communicate to work on projects with people from around the world, such as Vicki Davis' students did. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to that performance. It's fun to think about the different ways people use the technology we have. It would have been very hard and expensive to get that choir together if it weren't for technology. We think about how technology helps us with work and education, but I'm so glad that someone thought of using this technology to put entertainment and joy in life.
Blog Post #3
Michael Wesch: A Vision of Students Today
I think this video is a good way of showing what students go through. One of my literature professors told us that a university is a place to go to for higher learning. She said that we should be going to college to continue our education to become educated members of society. I think that many of us don't come to college because we want higher education. We came to college, because we want to get good jobs. We know that without a college degree there is hardly any chance to get a job that will allow us to be thriving members of our society. We made that choice, and we knew that it would be hard.
I thought the quote about how technology will save us was interesting. Some of the signs talked about how much people get on facebook or talk on their cellphones a day. The more technology we get, the more distractions come with them. It is our responsibility to not get distracted. We knew what we signed up for when we applied to college. It is hard, but how many great things in life aren't hard to get or achieve? I think it is worth the trouble we have to go through.
Kelly Hines: It's Not About the Technology
I completely agree with this article. As teachers, we need to be perpetual learners. I thought it was interesting how she pointed out that all the teachers in our building all learned in different time periods. Even though their time has technically passed as students, they should still be, in some ways, students. They should be learning as they go about new technologies and new ways of teaching. Also, I love how she pointed out that there is a difference in teaching and learning. If students aren't understanding what we are teaching, it's not completely their fault. Not everyone learns the same way. It would be easier if we did, but that isn't the case.
I firmly agree with what she said about technology being useless without good teachers. If technology alone could teach students, there would be no need for teachers. However, no matter how much technology you have, it would be useless without a good teacher. We can't rely on technology alone. We have to be those teachers who are dedicated to the education of our students. If we aren't those teachers, it's not we who suffer. It will be those students who suffer.
Karl Fisch: Is It Okay to Be A Technologically Illiterate Teacher?
I think there is a good point made here. I think that it is getting harder and harder to go through life being technologically illiterate. I agree with the statement that being technologically illiterate today is the equivalent of being a teacher 30 years ago who didn't know how to read or write. Our world is advancing, and we need to be advancing along with it. I don't think it should be something people are proud admit if they are technologically illiterate. Some people don't care, and they won't try to learn more about technology unless they are forced to learn it. I think that, as educators, we should want to learn more about how to use technology if it will help our students. After all, isn't that the reason we are pursuing a career in education? We want to help children learn, and if technology can help us help them, I think it is our obligation to learn how.
Gary Hayes Social Media Count
I thought it was amazing how quickly the numbers kept rising. We don't realize these numbers until they are put in front of our face. After only being up for about five minutes, there were billions of emails sent globally. These numbers are only increasing. They won't be decreasing. There are only going to be more and more people learning about technology and how it works. We can't let ourselves be passed by, because we don't want to have to learn more about technology. If we don't learn how to use these amazing tools, somebody else will be more than willing to do it. We are lucky, because we actually have the opportunity to learn more about technology. We might not want to do it all the time, but it will be worth the trouble if our knowledge of technology can help others learn.
I think this video is a good way of showing what students go through. One of my literature professors told us that a university is a place to go to for higher learning. She said that we should be going to college to continue our education to become educated members of society. I think that many of us don't come to college because we want higher education. We came to college, because we want to get good jobs. We know that without a college degree there is hardly any chance to get a job that will allow us to be thriving members of our society. We made that choice, and we knew that it would be hard.
I thought the quote about how technology will save us was interesting. Some of the signs talked about how much people get on facebook or talk on their cellphones a day. The more technology we get, the more distractions come with them. It is our responsibility to not get distracted. We knew what we signed up for when we applied to college. It is hard, but how many great things in life aren't hard to get or achieve? I think it is worth the trouble we have to go through.
Kelly Hines: It's Not About the Technology
I completely agree with this article. As teachers, we need to be perpetual learners. I thought it was interesting how she pointed out that all the teachers in our building all learned in different time periods. Even though their time has technically passed as students, they should still be, in some ways, students. They should be learning as they go about new technologies and new ways of teaching. Also, I love how she pointed out that there is a difference in teaching and learning. If students aren't understanding what we are teaching, it's not completely their fault. Not everyone learns the same way. It would be easier if we did, but that isn't the case.
I firmly agree with what she said about technology being useless without good teachers. If technology alone could teach students, there would be no need for teachers. However, no matter how much technology you have, it would be useless without a good teacher. We can't rely on technology alone. We have to be those teachers who are dedicated to the education of our students. If we aren't those teachers, it's not we who suffer. It will be those students who suffer.
Karl Fisch: Is It Okay to Be A Technologically Illiterate Teacher?
I think there is a good point made here. I think that it is getting harder and harder to go through life being technologically illiterate. I agree with the statement that being technologically illiterate today is the equivalent of being a teacher 30 years ago who didn't know how to read or write. Our world is advancing, and we need to be advancing along with it. I don't think it should be something people are proud admit if they are technologically illiterate. Some people don't care, and they won't try to learn more about technology unless they are forced to learn it. I think that, as educators, we should want to learn more about how to use technology if it will help our students. After all, isn't that the reason we are pursuing a career in education? We want to help children learn, and if technology can help us help them, I think it is our obligation to learn how.
Gary Hayes Social Media Count
I thought it was amazing how quickly the numbers kept rising. We don't realize these numbers until they are put in front of our face. After only being up for about five minutes, there were billions of emails sent globally. These numbers are only increasing. They won't be decreasing. There are only going to be more and more people learning about technology and how it works. We can't let ourselves be passed by, because we don't want to have to learn more about technology. If we don't learn how to use these amazing tools, somebody else will be more than willing to do it. We are lucky, because we actually have the opportunity to learn more about technology. We might not want to do it all the time, but it will be worth the trouble if our knowledge of technology can help others learn.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Response to Films
Karl Fisch: Did You Know? 3.0
I thought this video was very interesting. The fact that the top ten in-demand jobs for 2010 did not even exist only six years ago is fascinating. To think that half of what technology students learn in their first year will be outdated by their third year of school is actually quite funny to me. We depend so highly on technology now days. A person can get a college degree without ever having to set foot inside a classroom. Some people depend on it to find the person they will spend the rest of their life with. One of eight couples who got married last year met online. A few years ago I don't think many people would have admitted to finding their husband or wife on the internet. Now, it is widely accepted.
I think it is amazing how much information we have at our fingertips. To be able to read one newspaper for only a week and know more information than a person is likely to find out in their entire life in the 18th century blows my mind. They couldn't get a message from one town to the next without physically going to the town. Now, we can send a text message to anyone around the world without having to get up. I can't wait to see what a person's mind will come up with in the future.
Mathew Needleman: Mr. Winkle Wakes
This video portrayed how much technology how much technology has advanced over the years, but it has not been used in schools. I don't fully agree with this video. I think that there have been some technological advances for schools. We can now take a whole course online. Some, though not all, schools have computers in the classrooms.
Thought there has been some technological advances for schools, I don't think there has have been as many as there have been n other areas. I think there should be more advances, but I don't think that any technology can take the place of a good teacher. Also, even though there are some schools with computers in the classroom, there should be many more schools with them.
Sir Ken Robinson: The Importance of Creativity:
This video as very interesting. I completely agree with what he was saying. I think that he was right in saying that creativity is just as important in education as literacy. Also, kids aren't afraid of being wrong. As we grow up we get more frightened of being wrong. If we are scared of being wrong I think that we don't go as far into our creativity as we could. Maybe we don't think others will understand or approve of what we have come up with.
I think he was right in saying that children are steered away from doing something they like, because people told them they could never get a job doing that. There are tons of people who want to be dancers or singers, but they will never make it in the world doing that. If we are too afraid to do what we really want to do and do something else, we could be crippling ourselves for life. We will end up doing something that we don't love and be miserable. Nobody wants a job for the rest of their life that dread going to everyday
Vicki Davis: Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts
I thought this was a great video. I liked the part where she talked about having the students come up and teach the class how to do something new. I think she was right in disagreeing with teachers who say that you have to know everything about something to be able to teach it. I think there is always something we can learn about any subject. The children of today have grown up with all this technology that we have.
I think it is a great thing to have classes such as this one in schools. These students aren't only learning more about technology. They are able to communicate and work on projects with students all over the world. Many years ago a person would be laughed at for suggesting the students do a project with students half way around the world
I thought this video was very interesting. The fact that the top ten in-demand jobs for 2010 did not even exist only six years ago is fascinating. To think that half of what technology students learn in their first year will be outdated by their third year of school is actually quite funny to me. We depend so highly on technology now days. A person can get a college degree without ever having to set foot inside a classroom. Some people depend on it to find the person they will spend the rest of their life with. One of eight couples who got married last year met online. A few years ago I don't think many people would have admitted to finding their husband or wife on the internet. Now, it is widely accepted.
I think it is amazing how much information we have at our fingertips. To be able to read one newspaper for only a week and know more information than a person is likely to find out in their entire life in the 18th century blows my mind. They couldn't get a message from one town to the next without physically going to the town. Now, we can send a text message to anyone around the world without having to get up. I can't wait to see what a person's mind will come up with in the future.
Mathew Needleman: Mr. Winkle Wakes
This video portrayed how much technology how much technology has advanced over the years, but it has not been used in schools. I don't fully agree with this video. I think that there have been some technological advances for schools. We can now take a whole course online. Some, though not all, schools have computers in the classrooms.
Thought there has been some technological advances for schools, I don't think there has have been as many as there have been n other areas. I think there should be more advances, but I don't think that any technology can take the place of a good teacher. Also, even though there are some schools with computers in the classroom, there should be many more schools with them.
Sir Ken Robinson: The Importance of Creativity:
This video as very interesting. I completely agree with what he was saying. I think that he was right in saying that creativity is just as important in education as literacy. Also, kids aren't afraid of being wrong. As we grow up we get more frightened of being wrong. If we are scared of being wrong I think that we don't go as far into our creativity as we could. Maybe we don't think others will understand or approve of what we have come up with.
I think he was right in saying that children are steered away from doing something they like, because people told them they could never get a job doing that. There are tons of people who want to be dancers or singers, but they will never make it in the world doing that. If we are too afraid to do what we really want to do and do something else, we could be crippling ourselves for life. We will end up doing something that we don't love and be miserable. Nobody wants a job for the rest of their life that dread going to everyday
Vicki Davis: Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts
I thought this was a great video. I liked the part where she talked about having the students come up and teach the class how to do something new. I think she was right in disagreeing with teachers who say that you have to know everything about something to be able to teach it. I think there is always something we can learn about any subject. The children of today have grown up with all this technology that we have.
I think it is a great thing to have classes such as this one in schools. These students aren't only learning more about technology. They are able to communicate and work on projects with students all over the world. Many years ago a person would be laughed at for suggesting the students do a project with students half way around the world
Sunday, September 12, 2010
C4T#1 Summary
I read Steven Alexander's blog about #EdChat and Sweet Search. #EdChat is a site where teachers can come together and talk about their problems or ideas. It is divided into a number of different groups. There is a group for new teachers, administrators, special education teachers, and many more. I commented on this post letting him know how much I liked this idea, especially for new teachers. I think it is a great way for teachers to get help and support. His second post I read was about Sweet Search. This is a tool for students to search topics for school without having to go through all the links Google provides to find credible sources. It shows the top twenty sites that are most relevant to the search topic. Results from trusted sources like the Library of Congress, universities, and PBS are at the top of the list. I commented post telling him how awesome I thought this site was. I know how frustrated I get trying to find a site I can trust when searching something for school.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
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