Jaguar Student Teachers Fall 2011: Unit A: Basic Understandings -- The Teacher (How to understand why you're teaching in the first place)

Jaguar Student Teachers Fall 2011: Unit A: Basic Understandings -- The Teacher (How to understand why you're teaching in the first place)
Unit A:
I thought that these first five chapters were very insightful in helping me to understand how to be an effective teacher. We have all have had teachers that have affected our lives, and I think that is why we have chosen to become educators.

In the first five chapters what I agreed with the most was the three characteristics for an effective teacher. These were positive expectations for student success, an extremely good classroom manager, and how to design lessons for student mastery. We have all heard of these characteristics throughout student teaching, and I believe that these characteristics make you an effective teacher.

I also liked the portion where it talked about moving from the fantasy stage into survival. I see that there is a lot of room for me to grow as a teacher, and accepting that is the first step. I hope to move into mastery, and into impact, but I know this will take time and a lot of work. I understand that the teacher is the most important part in student success, and I want to reach the level in which I can impact student’s lives.

I also liked how the author wrote about how important the first day of school is to having a successful year. If a student has structure, and has a clear plan of what to expect from the class the student will know what expectations are expected out of him and more effective learning will take place.


Comments:

John:
I was also shocked about the comment that beginning school with a fun assignment is a hallmark for an ineffective teacher. The teacher I am observing did go the rules and guidelines for the year, and also told the students what exactly what to expect from the class and him. He also had time for the students to do a “semi-fun activity” on the importance of history. I say “semi-fun” because it was not designed to be a fun activity, but it was very interesting and eye opening.

I think we all know that teaching means a commitment to lifelong learning, as well as never settling with how our teaching skills and always trying to improve them. One of my favorite quotes from these chapters was, “inside every great teacher is a better one waiting to come out!” This quote speaks volumes about always trying to get better, and to do a better job because we have made the commitment to be lifelong learners that want to improve.

Brian:
I like that you caught that learning does not have to be fun. I think as beginning teachers we want to make everything we teach to be enjoyable and fun to the students so that will enjoy what they are learning. If teachers teach with energy and passion I think the students will be engaged from the teacher’s energy. I also like that you wrote that about being aware of your habits. It can be hard to break old habits, and I can relate to that.

Goodbye

Classmates:
It's been a crazy semester, but it's over now. I'll see all of you around the Education Building.

Staff:
Thanks for teaching me about technology, and how to use it in the classroom to be a more effective teacher.



Its Been Real, Its Been Fun, But Not Real Fun

Final Blog Assignment

This semester I have had the opportunity to use many different tools that have allowed me to become more technologically literate. I have learned how to blog, and to follow blogs of other teachers that are already in the field. I have also got to learn other forms of technology that I plan on using in the classroom like; I tunes, I tunes U, Google Earth, Google Presentations, ACCESS, ALEX, Timeline Toast, and Twitter. I have also learned how to create podcasts, and how to develop my Personal Learning Network. These all are great tools for future teachers to use in the classroom. Also we have learned to use Vocarro, Delicious,and Picasa. This has been a very busy semester, but I have learned a lot. Before I took EDM 310 I have almost no experience in any one of these fields of technology, and now I have seen ho useful it can be to me as a future teacher. Teachers in the "modern era" must be technology literate, and give their students the skills that they need to be successful with technology. It is important for our students to be successful with technology, because their future jobs will be reliant on technological skills.

If there was one thing that I wished I had learned how to do was to make videos, and import them onto the Internet. I think that would be really cool to have a film of you on your blogs introducing yourself rather than a Vacarro message. I'm not even sure if that is possible, but I think it would be very cool.

I enjoyed learning everything in this class, but somethings were more fun to learn than others. I thought that there were things that we learned that would help us to become better teacher, and stuff that didn't. Like learning how to put your Earth Project on your blog page. Google Earth is definitely a tool that I plan on using in the classroom, but I don't see the point of putting in my blog other than looks since you can save it Google Earth. I really enjoyed learning about ACCESS, ALEX, following teachers blogs, and comments for kids because I knew saw that doing so would directly help me become a better teacher.

I was really excited about making podcasts. I thought that your project turned out really well for it being everybody's first podcast. I was also impressed with the possibilities that where there with tools such as Timeline Toast, and Google Earth. With Google Earth I got to look at my home in Citronelle, and I thought that was really awesome.

The most bored that I would get in this class, was while watching 30 minute films to write two paragraphs about. Most of the films where very informative, but after so long I would lose interest in them. The most interesting parts where the presentations, projects, following teachers, and comments for kids. I really enjoyed doing the comments for kids every week because they were so smart, and doing such a great job.

I really enjoyed this class, but if I could change anything about the class, it would be to do more stuff inside the class. During the week we could do more projects while the blogs, and other commenting could be homework. That way everybody in the class isn't scrambling to to do them late in the semester. It would be nice to learn Twitter one week, then Timeline Toast the next week..... I understand that you want us to be more responsible learners, but doing them within the class keeps everybody more organized and productive. Also if there are problems they are easier to fix then, than wait until the next class period to ask about the problem.

When I started this class I was probably technology illiterate. I am now partically literate, but I have a solid foundation that will allow me to learn more stuff about technology in the coming years. Thanks to this class I will be a better teacher, because I will incorporate technology into my teaching.

I will improve my skills in technology until I graduate. I will continue to Twitter, Blog, and to build my PLN. I will do this because I want to be a successful teacher that has contacts with outside of my region to look too for ideas, and advice.

Teaching someone about Technology

I taught my sister how to create a Google web site. She is very excited about it, and is going to use it to upload pictures of her in her Azela Trail dress, so that my family up North can see it. It is something that she enjoyed learning about, and something she could use.

Substantive Presentation

Week 14

A 7th Graders Personal Learning Enviroment:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEls3tq5wIY&feature=player_embedded
I thougth that this video was a great example of how to successfully use technology in the classroom. Her PLE was very organized, and had everything that she needed to be successful in her academic career. She used facebook, blogs, and skype to get her work to where it could be seen by scientists and other people. In a perfect world this would be how classrooms should be taught, because it helps students to be successful with technology. It also gives them the responsibility to learn on their own, and the opprtunity to learn about what intrests them.

Two Questions that can Change your Life:
http://techliterateteacher.blogspot.com/2010/03/two-questions-that-can-change-your-life.html
The two questions were:1) What is my sentence? and 2) Was I better today than yesterday?

These two questions can serve as motivation that makes sure that you are doing good for humanity, and that you improve as you go about your life. As a future educator these are questions that we need to ask ourselves everyday. I want to make an impact on the world through teaching. By asking these questions I will find my calling and to improve my skills.

Results for Google Doc Questionnaire

Results for Questionnaire
https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0Aksbei29GPOddG1heUNBRll4UUo3UENrdHY5SjVEZ3c&hl=en

My PLN

First half:
http://twitter.com/gtashbin
http://www.alicechristie.org/
http://www.freetech4teachers.com
http://www.edm310.blogspot.com
Second Half
http://edupln.ning.com/
http://alex.state.al.us/index.php
http://www.learnoutloud.com/Podcast-Directory/History
http://historyiselementary.blogspot.com
http:morganbayda.wordpress.com/
http:twitter.com/mbayda
http://twitter.com/winetimejs
http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com

BCS Game Sites

Skype Project

I am very new with skype, but I already see advantages of using skype. In our class we have had the opportunity to skype with different teachers from around the world that gave us great advice on what to expect in the classroom.
Also I have got the chance to skype with some of my family from out of state. Mostly I talked with my cousins Jake and Bobby who I haven't got the chance to see in a long time. I thought that it was really cool that I got to see them and talk to them using technology. I plan on skyping them on a regular basis now.

Interview

For my interview I got the opportunity to interview my grandmother who has been a teacher for 15 years in the field of Special Education.

Alice Herring: Citronelle High School

1) Why did you decide to become a teacher?
I always loved working with kids. They have been my whole life. I was a stay at home wife and raised six children, and after they were grown I wanted to continue to work with children.
2)What advice would you give for a future teacher?
It is a very challenging job, but also very rewarding. I love my students, and I am very passionate about my job. My advice would be to do what you love, and if you don't love teaching or working with children you need to find a new profession.
3)Do you use technology in the classroom?
Yes, I do. Obviously I do not as much as I would like, because we only have two computers in my room. I think that it is very important for students to be able to use technology. Also they enjoy using the computer, so they end up learning a lot as well.
4)How has the use of technology changed since you first became a teacher?
Oh, it has changed a lot. The use of computer has defiantly changed education for the better. When I started teaching students rarely ever got to use computers for educational purposes, and now we are trying to find more ways for them to use them.
5)Do you think that teachers should be technology literate in today's classroom?
Ha, I don't think that I am technology literate at all. I know how to use the basics, but that's about it. I wish I knew how to do more with computers, and I think that it would be very beneficial for teachers to be technology literate in today's classroom.

Comments for Kids 11, 12, 13

Week 11:
In this weeks comment for kids I got to see a picture that a student named Khismira drew of a snail going down a hill. The picture was very well drawn and the student has a lot of artistic ability. Art is a great way to express yourself, and also learn.

Week 12:
In this weeks comment for kids I got the opportunity to watch a video post Andre. In this post he discussed blowing bubbles. He was very descriptive, and I thought it was very interesting the way that he described things.

Week 13:
In this weeks comments for kids I got the chance to watch a video post by James. In his post he described going on a camping trip, and what he could learn from his experiences. He was looking forward to this experience, and wanted to learn the proper way to have a positive camping experience.

Comments for Teachers

Weeks 7,8,9
Kelly Hines: Keeping Kids First
After following this blog, I see that it is very important for a teacher to always keeps kids first. The opportunity to work with young people is the reason that I have always wanted to be a teacher. It is important that as future educators we keep this in mind that we are there for them and to help them to be successful. In her blog, Kelly makes reference to her grandmother and how inspirational she was to her in becoming a teacher. I want to be inspirational to my students in the future as well. We have all had teachers that have inspired us, and that is my goal.

Weeks 10,11,12
Ted Barnett: Ed.Tech: Challenge, Instinct, Resilience
After following his blog, I have found his page very useful. He has made several posts about how to use twitter successful, and information that could help future teachers. In the most interesting one I looked at was the post: Challenge, Instinct, Resilience.
In this post ted discusses the pressures and problems he had with being a new teacher. He said it was a baptism by fire and through it he learned how to lead under pressure. He said that he learned a lot about himself, and became a better teacher in the process.
As a teacher there are going to be a lot of pressures, and I am looking forward to facing these pressures and problems.

Weeks 13, 14
Steven Anderson: Blogging the Web 2.0, Connected Classroom
In this blog, Steven states that as teachers we are obligated to provide context and relationships so learning will make sense. Students have the right to know why and how what they are learning is significant. He also states that lessons must have depth and meaning so that students will be interested in the material. If students are interested then the students will be more adapt to learn more and discover more about the subject covered int he lesson.
I found this to be very interesting, because as teachers we must be able to keep our students interested in the materials. If students believe what they are learning is important they will be more likely to learn. This means that as a teacher you must be very passionate about what you teach. If a teacher is unenthusiastic about a lesson, so will the students. So, as a teacher you have to be passionate about the material, so that your students will be as well.

Week 13

Blogging:
I believe that blogging is the most important thing that I have learned about this semester. Before this semester I have never blogged before, and it could be very valuable for future teachers. Blogging allows people to get ideas from people that they never would have came into contact with, and also allows you to put your ideas out there for other people of interest to view and use. While blogging this semester we have got the opportunity to talk with teachers from other areas, and also got the opportunity to view blogs from children from all around the world.
I have also learned the value of your students publishing their work in blogs on the Internet. Children have great ideas, and they are worthy to be published, and by doing so many people are able to view their work. It can open doors that are beneficial to their futures that wouldn't have been opened if their ideas weren't published. Also it gives students an opportunity to learn how to use the computer, and technology to learn. That is important because their future success very well could be tied to their knowledge of how to use computers and technology.

Week 12

Dr. Seuss - The Zax
I thought that this cartoon was a very good example of how technology is changing, and we need to change with it to not become the Zax. As humans we are creatures of habit, and are stubborn to change, but change is necessary in order to keep learning and moving on with the times. I think that it is very important especially for teachers to adapt and stay current with the way things are being done with technology. As future teachers we must provide our students with lesson plans with technology, because that is what they are going to need to be successful in the world that they are going to live in.

Another PS 22 Video
After watching this video I was impressed with that class. The all of the students were interested and sang their hearts out. The thing that impressed me the most was the exposure that this song got the students. Stevie Nicks got them to come to Madison Square garden to participate in the Fleetwood Mac show. By watching this I realized it is important to publish the work of students on the Internet, because you never know who may be watching or what door it can open.
It is also important for our EDM 310 class to publish our work, because we also do not know who will see our work and what doors it can open. Another example is the comments for students that we have been doing. By them publishing their work on the Internet those students are being motivated by future teachers and other teachers from around the world.

Timeline Toast

Week 11

I thought that this series of blog posts were really a good insight on how technology can affect the education of students. Kaia is a very bright child that uses technology to express how she sees the world around her. It was really neat that her dad has taught her knowledge of technology and how to use it. It was also really awesome how all of these people came together, to provide support for young Kaia. Mr. Chamberlains class was really encouraging in the voice thread they sent Kaia and her father. I think that it is awesome that so many people are now connected to Kaia and her education.

Week 10.5

Comments for teachers:
The blog that I looked at was very interesting. It was about tweeting and how to organize your tweets through delicious.

Comments for students:
I looked at a young lady's blog named Anastasia, and she told about her experience on her first day back to school.

Week 10

An Open Letter to Educators: by Morgan Bayda

It was no surprise to me that Morgan had a very negative experience throughout her college career in dealing with the modern classroom structure and its inability to keep up with the times. That is because I have sat through many of the same structured classes that consist of long boring lectures, and they are almost unbearable to attend. Most of the learning I do for these classes are only for the short term, so I can pass a test.


I found the video linked to the blog very interesting and compelling. Dan Brown dropped out of school, because he said that it was interfering with his education. He made his point by saying that institutional education is going to fail if it does not evolve, because the price of education is now free thanks to the Internet. It really made me think about what the education I have been paying for has really taught me, and the only things I now for sure that I have learned is time management, and how to deal with stress. Also I have learned other things, but I'm really not sure about the value of most of the education I have received.

I thought that this blog was very eye opening, and I believe that institutional education has to evolve to meet the needs of the world. This is going to be very challenging, but it also means that every person in the world can have access to whatever information that they want, and this is a good thing for society.

WEEK 9

ALEX
The Alabama Learning Exchange is a site that offers a wide variety of educational resources for future teachers. There is a variety of lesson plans created by teachers for teachers. ALEX has lesson plans in all traditional courses and also technology based classes. It is very well organized and easy to find great ideas, and also a variety of podcasts that will also help in the classroom. This site allows access to educational resources that will improve your classroom. There are also a lot of good ideas that will keep students interested.

ACCESS
The Alabama Connecting Classroom, Educators and Students Statewide is a great site that allows students to receive education from distance in while still in school. Students have the opportunity to take courses that are not given at their school. This could be very beneficial to students in rural areas who wouldn't get the opportunity to take some advanced or foreign language classes due to money restrictions. Also there is a portion at assists students in passing State Graduation Exams by posting study materials. This site has many educational benefits that would greatly improve the students academic dreams.

Comments for Kids
I got the opportunity to look at a young girl named Anita's blog, where she directed a short film. It was very creative, and the students did a great job in making it. The acting in the film was very good too.

Week 8,5

Comments for Kids:
This week I got a bright young man you stated the reasons why he believed the "Lock Ness Monster" was real. He said this because of the large proof of pictures and first hand accounts. It was very obvious that he was very interested in this, and I encouraged him to keep investigating and learning because the truth is out there.

Week 8`

Randy Pausch's Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams
I watched this entire video, not because I wanted to, but because it simply grabbed my attention and was truly touching and informative. Randy Pausch was was dying of cancer, and was so upbeat. This whole film was interesting, hilarious, exciting, and very informative. It was no wonder his legacy is that his students had fun learning very difficult material. I have never been interested in that type of information, but listening to this speech made me wish I had him as a teacher. Throughout this speech Pausch gave great advice, and my favorite point was that "Brick walls are there for a reason, and that reason is to keep the people out who don't want it bad enough."
Pausch's first part of his speech was about his childhood dreams. He actually accomplished many of his childhood dreams, and learned many valuable lessons from them. In football he learned about the "head fake" that is that your teaching children about one thing, but in doing so teach them way more about life in general. In fact this whole speech had two "head fakes" because the whole thing was about how you should live your life, not achieving your childhood dreams. And also he said the second "head fake" was the whole talk was for his children. I thought this was really cool, because his speech made me think about how I should be living my life and what kind of legacy I will leave.
Also Pausch got to work for Disney and got to work with many important people in that line of work. He also had good advice from many people along the way and he made point that you should listen to the advice people give you, because it makes you examine yourself. He had a professor that encouraged him to become a professor even though he didn't want to, and the professor told him that he would be a great salesman, but why not be a salesman for something worthwhile, like education. That point really drove home the point on how enthusiastic teachers should be about education, because it is really important.
In the classroom Pausch was a innovator. He broke the mold and taught in ways that had never been done before. In his undergraduate classes his students had such an enthusiasm for the class that even their parents came to watch the presentations at the end of the semester. In his graduate level classes he didn't believe in using books, and was a projects course. This way it got his students hand dirty in the field, and also they had a lot of fun doing it. Also he wanted to make his a global thing offered to millions of students, and in the last couple of years this has became a reality, even though Pausch didn't get to see it.
In closing the main points that I got from this lecture was that always have fun. You can have fun and learn difficult material. And even though you get dealt a bad hand, like he did with cancer, you can still enjoy life. He enjoyed his life and that came through in his last lecture. By being so enthusiastic about his profession and having fun many students of his are now teaching in the same way he did.

"Don't Bail; the best gold is at the bottom of the barrels of crap"-- Randy Pausch

7.5: PLN and Comments for Kids

Comments for Kids:
This week I commented on a slideshow on a garden that was grown by a class. It was very impressive, and I'm sure that the students learned a great deal about plants, and how they grow.

My PLN:
http://twitter.com/gtashbin
http://www.alicechristie.org/
http://www.freetech4teachers.com
http://www.edm310.blogspot.com

Week 7

Richard Miller: This is How We Dream parts 1 and 2
This set of videos was very informative, and shows clearly the new direction that education is changing into today's world. Richard Miller states out by stating just how much writing has changed now in the world, and how it is evolving from just a word processor to a digital document that contains video's and sounds. This form of writing is very interesting and helps students more easily understand what is happening in the article.
The new technology of the computer is giving students a great opportunity to learn in ways that have never before been possible. A student has access to almost every source of information out there, and access to the worlds best professors all though the Internet. Also there are idea's of very smart people bouncing all around the Internet and today's students can use them to be more knowledgeable and better informed.
With all of the opportunities out there teachers need to get to work so that students have the knowledge to find and use these resources to help them academically. If today's students don't get the vast amount of resources at there fingertips it is the teachers fault for not allowing them to access it.

Wendy Drexler: The Networked Student
This video stressed the importance of the connectivism network that allows students to empower their learning, by networking to get the information they need to learn. To do this students must develop a PLN and search sites, and blogs for good ideas and information. Also this video stresses the importance of the MP3 players and implications it has with ITUNES U, that allows students to access information from around the world. In this video it states that this is just the beginning of this change in our educational culture and that teachers need to be ready to use it in their classrooms. It is going to be a challenge to incorporate this technology fully, but it allows a challenging way for students to learn and explore their educational futures.

Toward a New Future of Whatever: Michael Wesch
This was a very humorous video on the change in culture that has happened in our country since the cable television, and the attitudes that are formed through media and technology. In this video he discusses the American Idol phenomena, and the YouTube movement, and the evolution of the word " Whatever". It was very interesting look into today's modern culture and why we act the way we do.

Comments for Kids: Weeks 4-6

In week 4 I commented on the Mereside Blog. The post was an assignment about writing a balanced argument. They used WritingFun, and Etherpad which is an Internet based word processor that allows people to work on a given document in real time.
In week 5 I commented on Avoca West School District 37 on student Margret H. She posted a blog on why her favorite season was summer.
In week 6 I commented on 400Q's blog and on the student Muminah. I couldn't find which post that I commented on again.

Getting to Know Me

Week 6

Dr. Christie's Educational Resources:
This is a great site that is full of information and resources for teachers who are wanting to use technology in the classroom to further enhance the students educational experience. Dr. Christie was a former teacher who understands the importance of the future of technology in the classroom and it's importance. She really believes that the Internet is a educational tool that help teachers reach their students.
Also on this website Dr. Christie shows the importance of creating a well-designed web page and the benefits that it can have in the classroom. By having a well-designed classroom web page the class will be more interested and also will be more interactive in the classroom. Also the web page can also reinforce learning from the classroom.

iTunesU
This is a site created by Apple that allows students to listen to podcast from various colleges and lectures. This is very interesting, especially if you are interested in a particular area of study. Also it helps the students in the class, because they can go back and review the lecture in its entirety.
According to this site it is believed that the role of college professors is going to be significantly less in the future because of pod cats of lectures. I don't agree with this though because I believe that it is important to be in the classroom setting. This is because if you have any questions the teacher can answer you directly, and also help you understand the information more visually.

Ipods in the Classroom
At Duke University they bought 1600 ipods for entering freshmen to use for educational purposes, which include listening to lectures on pod casts and also a recording device to record lectures.
I know that this is would be very expensive, but could be very beneficial for incoming students if their teachers put their lectures on pod casts. I know if my teachers put their lectures on pod casts I would purchase one to be able to listen to them anywhere.

Week 5

Wikipedia:
I read the articles and the question about Wikipedia was whether or not it is a reliable reference. That is because anybody can make changes to Wikipedia, and can very easily not be based on factual information. I still believe that Wikipedia is a good tool to get an introduction to a particular search. It usually gives pretty good information to start you for researching an item. The problem comes in when companies started coming in and deleting and rewriting there post in a positive light, even if it isn't true.
The most severe case of this was Diabold voting machines. A member of the company deleted 15 paragraphs. A gentlemen now has invented the Wikipedia Scanner that cross-checks who's editing and commenting on posts. This has made it more accurate on the stand point that companies are scared for changing the posts since they can track them now.
I still believe that Wikipedia is a good site to gain knowledge, but I also realize that it may not be the truth in some cases.

Mr. Chung: " What I've Learned This Year."
This was absolutely a great post for future teachers. In a nut-shell he explains his rookie mistakes and how to avoid them. This is really important because as a new teacher you are going to make mistakes, but if you already know what they are maybe you can avoid them. The whole article was filled with great advice.
The two best points that he made was that teachers should build their lesson plans around the students and let them drive the instruction. Also that no lesson plan is perfect, and the lesson plan you prepare is rarely the one you teach. This seems like something that they do not teach you in school, and you have to find out for yourself. Also he said that it was very important listen to your students because it lets them know that you care about and respect them. And the most important point in the whole article was for teachers never to stop learning.

Week 4

Benefits of Podcasting:
Watching these video's enlightened me on how beneficial podcasting can be to the modern classroom. Podcasts create creativity and innovation and force the students to use higher level thinking and skills. This is the main advantage for using podcasts in the classroom, because students are very interested in it and also learn how to think critically.
Also podcasts are a great way to supplement learning from the classroom to home. If class lectures are on podcasts students can have another chance to comprehend the material at home, and absent students will not get behind. Another important benefit of podcasts is for parents to also have the ability to be a greater asset to their students education by knowing whats going on in the class.

Learning How to Podcast:
When looking through these sites I got excited about the opportunity to learn how to make a podcast. The first thing that caught my eye was that it takes skill to produce a successful podcast. To be successful you must have a plan and a vision for the podcast that you want to produce. This is easier said than done though. I am looking forward to the challenge of creating a successful podcast.

Education Podcast Network
I was really impressed by this site. I found it to be very useful and easy to find useful podcasts. I found myself at the social studies podcasts and listened to several great podcasts of great speeches in American History. They were great and could be a very effective teaching aid in the classroom. These podcasts made the history come alive and made it very interesting. I believe that is could be great web site for teachers, and also listened to the correct way to create an interesting podcast.

Week 3

Today was the first time that I've ever listened to podcasts I found it to be every interesting and informative. I had no idea that there was so many podcasts with such a wide range of subjects and information levels. If these are used right I believe that they can serve as a valuable tool for teachers and students alike.
All of these podcasts seemed like they could be very useful. In the SmartBoard Lessons podcast that I listened too the creators discussed how to use technology, and how to wrap up a school year. This seemed like a good way for teachers to connect with other teachers by the spreading of ideas. In the Kidscast they discussed the usefulness of podcasts and video podcasts. Also they discussed how students learn from scaffold learning, by saying that teachers need to teach before field trips to make them more interactive.
The EdTech Talk and the Connect Learning podcasts were equally as helpful if not more. In Connect Learning episode 90 the creators were talking about connecting the teachers, students, and community through the podcast. I thought this was a great idea, because it allows students to use technology for help, and allows kids to respond through technology. In EDTech Talk they were answering questions that a girl had about Skype and helped her fix her problem. There are many advantages for teachers and students alike if podcasts were incorporated more into schools.
In the Mac Break Weekly and This Week in Photography podcasts also seemed really useful to people just not educators. The Mac Break Weekly talks about new technologies and their benefit and use from what I heard. This Week in Photography connects people of similar interests and addresses issues and questions of interest.
What I discovered that podcasts can be very useful to students and teachers alike if used properly. Also there are podcasts for any of your interests.

In the video Media Literacy in the First Grade, I was blown away at the level at which they used the computer and Internet. It just goes to show you how fast technology is growing and how easy it is for kids to learn how to use it. I believe that by using the computer, that these kids are learning in new ways that are fun and exciting and will make them learn faster and more efficient.
In response to Here's What's Coming, once again I was blown away at what such a young age children are learning how to use technology, in this case an i-phone. I'm not even sure if this kid had even began walking and talking yet, but was able navigate through the i-phone with ease. This just stresses the importance of the teachers of tomorrow to be technology literate, because your students will be.

Week 2

Michael Wesch: A Vision of Students Today
I thought this was a very interesting way to describe the life of students today. As you can tell from this video, the computer has became very important to students. The computer is important now because of the social networking and entertainment of it.
As a student I also feel the stress of not having enough time to do all of the homework that I have. In most parts I know exactly where all those students were coming from in the video, but I have to say when I have to get homework done I do not allow the computer, or cell phone to distract me.


"It's Not About the Technology" by Kelly Hines
I thought this article was great. I totally agree that the use of modern technology can be a very productive tool, but not with teachers who cannot use it in ways to produce learning from students. Another brilliant point is that teachers need to be life long learners who work on their profession. This includes using whatever tool necessary to make the students critically think and learn valuable life skills.
I'm not sure what the classroom is going to look like in twenty years, but I believe that if you have passionate teachers who are professionals that challenge students, then students will continue to learn.


Fisch: Is It Okay to Be A Technologically Illiterate Teacher?
Like it or not technology has became a huge part of life now. It is not good it has taken so long for technology to enter the classroom. I do not believe that you should be an technology illiterate teacher, but I do understand why teachers are behind. In the last few years there has been a boom in the use of technology and its resourcefulness to one's life. The key is for teachers to be life-long learners that try to do there best to be up to date and current with materials and teachings.
In today's world it is acceptable to be technology illiterate, but this should not include the teaching profession. I do not believe that they should be fired on the spot, but I believe that the teachers that take pride in their jobs are working on incorporating technology into the classroom for the students and the new skills it can provide.


Gary Hayes Social Media Count
When I saw how fast the numbers were growing I just watched in amazement, but when I thought about it these numbers made sense. In fact these numbers just reinforce my belief on how important technology is becoming in today's world.
As a future teacher these numbers mean that we need to prepare our students for a world where the use of technology, and being skilled in these technologies is a must. Also I realize that these numbers are probably going to grow even more before I make it into a classroom.

Week 1 Post

Did You Know? 3.0
This video was very informative on how fast technology is growing today. It made several comments that were amazing. And just think this video was made two years ago. I would love to see some of those numbers now and see how much they have grown.
With technology growing at such a fast rate it is important that future educators stay up to date with the ever-changing technology because our students are going to be very interested in this and will probably affect what jobs and professions they will pursue.

Mr. Winkle Wakes
This video was a humorous way to state a serious problem with today's education system. The world is changing rapidly, and the education system is not keeping up with the rest of the world. With today's technology there are countless ways to learn that students in the past did not get the opportunity to use and wish they did.
With all of this new technology future teachers should use every resource that this new technology has to offer for the education of students. Computers should be used in every facet of education, not just in one or two classes. Using the technology should be a priority it teaching future students.

Sir Ken Robinson: The Importance of Creativity
I believed that this was an awesome speech about how and were today's current education system has faults and needs to change. I believe that school systems are not helping students be as creative as they should or could be. Sir Ken Robinson said that we are educationing our kids out of their creativity.
I also liked what he said that all kids have talents and intelligences. Just because they are not intrigued or talented in a certain area does not make them any less smart than the next kid. I just means that they are different and learn different. Also with the way that technology is growing, it is our jobs to prepare them for an uncertain future.

Vicki Davis: Harness Your Students Digital Smarts
I believe that Vicki Davis's class is really paving the way for the future in the class room. In her class students are learning by using this modern technology. By using this modern technology the students appeared to be very interested and willing to adventure and learn.
I believe that every high school should have a class like this one where students learn how to use modern technologies by using them hands on. I believe that it benefits the students and prepares them for future jobs. Also they can use them in their personal lives and teach their parents how to use them.

First Post

This is my first post.