Blog Post # 13

So for this week's blog assignment we were supposed to go 24 hours without technology. I can't even say that this was a successful task.After not being able to go without my cell phone, I decided I would just try not to check my Facebook account. Well before I could even give it a second thought, I ended up checking it. I communicate with co-workers, classmates, and family members everyday through my cell phone, Facebook, and emails. There are lots of people that rely on me and I have so many obligations that it's hard to not use technology. I am a student, an employee, and the oldest child in a city with little family. Therefore, my daily responsibilities never have a stopping point. Most of my classes this semester require me to use the internet for homework and assignments. Being that I have to actually work to pay for school and my bills, my job and billing companies contact me through email. I can honestly say that people in this day and age greatly depend on technology. It was really an eye opener for me to see that I could not stop the use of technology, for even a whole day. Everyone that I know, uses technology on a daily basis. It's lurking around every corner and it's almost as natural as breathing. Technology is important and I've learned through this assignment that it's something that I cannot avoid.

Final Report on PLN

Project #15

Blog Post # 12

1.) Watch the video iPad in Literacy: Using iPad in the Classroom. In two paragraphs, tell me your thoughts about the video and how you think using the iPad to promote literacy would work in the classroom. Follow the requirements in Writing A Quality Blog Post. 2.)After watching the video, tell me how you would use technology in your classroom. Follow the requirements in Writing A Quality Blog Post.

1.) I absolutely loved this videoThe video shows how the kids, themselves, actually feel about learning with the iPad. They seem so enthusiastic about the iPad and all of the things that the application teaches them. using the iPad to learn how to read and spell words is a great idea because it's hands on and most kids need something that's audible and visual. One of my favorite things in the video is the fact the students were helping each other learn and that is a great thing. From the little experience I've had working with children, I've seen that they feel good about themselves and learning when they are able to be interactive. The iPad, in my opinion, can be used with all subjects because again , it gives kids the opportunity to teach themselves and feel a sense of accomplishment. I mean, just from watching this video you can see how much the children actually enjoy it. As a future educator, I want my students to feel as if they are bringing something to the table by interacting with tools such as the iPad, instead of feeling that learning is a chore. These days you can do almost anything with technology, and the iPad in particular is one of the greatest learning devices. 2.) In the future, I plan on using the iPad and blogs in my classroom. These two forms of technology are my favorite types of learning tools. Before entering EDM 310, I planned on being the old fashioned teacher who taught students strictly from the book and the "board." This class has taught me the importance of implementing different types of technology in the classroom. Blogging will be a great way for my students interact with each other and other teachers, to share ideas and peer reviews and critiques. Also it will open up a medium for parents to be able to see what their children are doing in school. In addition to blogging, the iPad will be a resourceful tool because, as a future elementary school teacher, young kids can be hands on with their learning and can be helpful in teaching one another different things like reading and writing.

Progress Report on Final Project

My group and I really like the idea of using the Smart board and we have discussed different things that we could do with it. We have used Facebook and text messages as a way of communicating with each other. In the next week or so we plan on meeting up to make a final decision about how we want to use the Smart board for our project.

C4K Blog Challenge

My student's name was Dylan, who is a very adventurous child. In his blog he talks about how he like to ride quads and snowmobiles. He describes how he likes the rush of hitting mud holes in his quad and racing across the fields in his snow mobiles. My comment to Dylan was:

Wow Dylan!
You have some pretty cool interests! I have never rode a quad nor a snowmobile but it seems like it's really fun. Maybe one day I will get up enough courage to try at least one of them. I would love to read more blogs from you! Keep up the good work!

The second blog Dylan posted was about his family. He compared them to the "Three Stooges," which I thought was cute. His mom works at a pizza place, and his step-dad is a mechanic.

Hey Dylan,
Your blog was funny. I like how you compared your family to the "Three Stooges." I think it's a great idea to fix cars because everyone always needs a mechanic. My dream job is to become an elementary school principal. I love children! I look forward to reading more blog posts from you!

Dylan's next post is titled,Halloween. He talks about how it's one of his favorite holidays because you get to eat candy.

Hey Dylan!
I like Halloween too, because you get to dress up! Christmas is my all time favorite though. You should write more blogs because I enjoy reading them. I look forward to reading more! Aneelis Had an Encounter with a Beautiful Butterfly My last student Aneelis, visited a butterfly creek with her class and one happened to land on her arm. Aneelis, I think it's pretty cool that the butterfly landed on your arms. The picture is beautiful!

Blog Post # 11

Watching the video, Skype Interview with Ms.Cassidy was interesting! She talks about how the use of technology in the classroom benefits her students' learning. I agree with her. I like the fact that she incorporates blogging into her class. This is one technique that I enjoy now and I think kids would definitely enjoy it. Blogging helps you be able to share your ideas with other teachers and students around the world. In regards to children blogging, it's a great way for their parents to be able to look at their work and see what they're doing in school. It's also fun for the students. I've learned more about the importance of technology in the classroom, with all of the different videos we've watched in this class. Though, I will not solely rely on this to educate my students, I think blogging would be an important part of their learning.

Blog Post # 10

Do You Teach or Do You Educate?
This video was really good! I love how it was put together and the music that was chosen. I definitely can say that the points made about "educating," were amazing. I plan on educating, in my future teaching. My goal is lead my students to success, in the small time I spend with them.

I don't want to just show them something and have them memorize it to move on to the next grade. I want them to be able to retain any knowledge in a way that will let them carry it with them in the following grades to come. Anything that my students learn from me should be something that they can teach to others, if necessary. I want to educate my students in all areas of life, if possible. As a future educator, I want to be encouraging, inspiring, and reliable.


Tom Johnson's Don't Let Them Take The Pencils Home

Don't Let Them Take the Pencils Home, was interesting. I never, before, even payed any attention to the fact the most teachers focus more on the cause of a problem, rather than the solution. Now that it has been brought to my attention, I must say that it all makes sense to me now. As a student, I have encountered teachers that would always tell us why a certain plan failed, but then when were left clueless about what to do next. It was like, "Well that didn't work, so we won't do that again," instead of "Well that didn't work, so let's try and understand why, and come up with a solution!" Many times teachers are too focused on test scores and in what manner the child is completing their project. In my opinion, it does not matter if the child is "playing hangman with their pencils," as long as some type of effective learning is taking place. Teachers should stay focused on the best way to help children succeed and realize that "our" plan for their learning, may not be what's best for their learning! Let's pick solutions to problems rather than dwell on their causes.