Thursday, October 28, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Blog Assignment #9
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Blog Assignment # 8
This is How We Dream
Reading and writing have changed so much the past few years and will continue to change as technological advances increase. Most every book or article can be found online. People no longer have to go to libraries to do research or get information they are looking for. Almost everything can be found online. To be honest, I do not remember the last time I checked out a book in the library for research purposes. I get all my information on the internet. The sources are endless.
As with books, articles in magazines, etc., they become outdated or thrown away. With the internet, these books and articles are always available and are just a click away. The internet also makes documents more available to the public. I think it is amazing how someone can put a discussion on the internet and it can be viewed over thousands of times in such a short amount time after it was posted.
When I think about technology, I get excited. As a future educator, I want to use technology as much as I can because I believe it is a great tool. Since technology is always changing, I will have to keep up with these changes. I am willing to do that because I believe in the benefits of technology in the classroom. I have to admit though, I sometimes feel confused, overwhelmed or stressed when working with technology because it can be challenging. After saying that, I still think it is worth all the stress and confusion. I always end up figuring it out!
The Chipper Series and EDM 310 For Dummies
I really enjoyed watching these videos. I thought EDM 310 For Dummies was really funny. At the beginning of the semester I felt overwhelmed and stressed about all the assignments we had to do in EDM. Dr. Strange urged us to watch this video and I did. EDM 310 For Dummies made me feel tons better about this class. I also enjoyed The Chipper Series as well. I would enjoy being in a short movie like this. I think it would be fun to make a video like these for other students coming into EDM 310.
Smartboards
There are good points on both sides of this argument. I have not been exposed the world of smart boards a lot, so I do not really have an opinion. Although, like I said before, both sides make good points. I do think it is ridiculous though, that schools will spend tons of money on smart boards when they could be spending it on tools that aren't so outrageously expensive. I think that if teachers really know how to use smart boards and can tell a positive difference in their student's learning then go ahead and use them, if the school has enough money to buy them. Here is a link for teachers who like smart boards and think they are just wonderful tools for the classroom. www.teacherslovesmartboards.com
Reading and writing have changed so much the past few years and will continue to change as technological advances increase. Most every book or article can be found online. People no longer have to go to libraries to do research or get information they are looking for. Almost everything can be found online. To be honest, I do not remember the last time I checked out a book in the library for research purposes. I get all my information on the internet. The sources are endless.
As with books, articles in magazines, etc., they become outdated or thrown away. With the internet, these books and articles are always available and are just a click away. The internet also makes documents more available to the public. I think it is amazing how someone can put a discussion on the internet and it can be viewed over thousands of times in such a short amount time after it was posted.
When I think about technology, I get excited. As a future educator, I want to use technology as much as I can because I believe it is a great tool. Since technology is always changing, I will have to keep up with these changes. I am willing to do that because I believe in the benefits of technology in the classroom. I have to admit though, I sometimes feel confused, overwhelmed or stressed when working with technology because it can be challenging. After saying that, I still think it is worth all the stress and confusion. I always end up figuring it out!
The Chipper Series and EDM 310 For Dummies
I really enjoyed watching these videos. I thought EDM 310 For Dummies was really funny. At the beginning of the semester I felt overwhelmed and stressed about all the assignments we had to do in EDM. Dr. Strange urged us to watch this video and I did. EDM 310 For Dummies made me feel tons better about this class. I also enjoyed The Chipper Series as well. I would enjoy being in a short movie like this. I think it would be fun to make a video like these for other students coming into EDM 310.
Smartboards
There are good points on both sides of this argument. I have not been exposed the world of smart boards a lot, so I do not really have an opinion. Although, like I said before, both sides make good points. I do think it is ridiculous though, that schools will spend tons of money on smart boards when they could be spending it on tools that aren't so outrageously expensive. I think that if teachers really know how to use smart boards and can tell a positive difference in their student's learning then go ahead and use them, if the school has enough money to buy them. Here is a link for teachers who like smart boards and think they are just wonderful tools for the classroom. www.teacherslovesmartboards.com
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Additional Assignment # 2
The following questions are about the video, "How Kids Teach Themselves." This video was really cool and interesting.
1.. What do you think? If learners are motivated, can they teach themselves?
I definitely believe that if learners are motivated then they can teach themselves.
2. If those motivated learners are kids, can they teach themselves?
Yes. I believe if children have the proper guidance and have motivation to learn, then they will be able to teach themselves. Just like in the video, the kids taught themselves because they wanted to learn! They were interested.
3. What conditions are necessary for kids to teach themselves? For anyone to teach him or herself?
Teachers need to be able to step back, watch and let the kids learn and teach themselves. Step back and let the kids experiment on their own. Also, there needs to be materials available. Like in the video, a computer was put in a small community and people became curious and started playing on it
4. What role do computers and internet access play in the process?
I believe computers and the internet play a very important role. Computers and the internet play a huge role in learning. Computers and the interent make is easier for people to learn on their own.
5. What role does motivation, a desire to learn?
You will learn something if you want to learn it. If you are motivated and have a desire to learn then you will.
6. What roles do a problem, a question or multiple problems or questions play in the process?
I believe if you are teaching yourself, and you have a question, you have to do research and try to figure out the answer yourself.
7. How do you motivate someone to learn?
I believe that you can motivate students so many ways. Simply place something in front of them and see what happens. In this video, kids were interested and curious about the computer. Therefore, they were motivated to try it out and learn.
8. How are you motivated to learn?
I am motivated to learn a lot by my teachers and my classmates. I also like compliments and positive feedback. If a classmate or teacher tells me that I did a good job on something, then that motivates me!
9. Can anyone who is not motivated to learn learn?
I think it depends. I believe that teachers play a part in motivating their students. I also believe firmly that if you are motivated than you will learn because you want to.
10. Do you teach yourself? When? Why?
I teach myself sometimes when I am by myself. When I do not have a teacher or classmate right there to ask then I beginning researching and teaching myself on my own.
11. What role does a teacher (either answer generally or use a specific example) play in your learning?
They play an important part, but I think teachers should be more there for guidance.
12. What is the most important idea, question or emotional response you take away with you as a result of watching this video?
That people can learn on their own. I believe that as a future teacher, I need to step back and let my students experiement. Students also learn from their classmates, so I believe that working alone or with a classmate is actually more beneficial then a teacher just teaching it all to you.
13. What other questions or issues are raised by this video that should be considered and discussed by aspiring teachers?
1.. What do you think? If learners are motivated, can they teach themselves?
I definitely believe that if learners are motivated then they can teach themselves.
2. If those motivated learners are kids, can they teach themselves?
Yes. I believe if children have the proper guidance and have motivation to learn, then they will be able to teach themselves. Just like in the video, the kids taught themselves because they wanted to learn! They were interested.
3. What conditions are necessary for kids to teach themselves? For anyone to teach him or herself?
Teachers need to be able to step back, watch and let the kids learn and teach themselves. Step back and let the kids experiment on their own. Also, there needs to be materials available. Like in the video, a computer was put in a small community and people became curious and started playing on it
4. What role do computers and internet access play in the process?
I believe computers and the internet play a very important role. Computers and the internet play a huge role in learning. Computers and the interent make is easier for people to learn on their own.
5. What role does motivation, a desire to learn?
You will learn something if you want to learn it. If you are motivated and have a desire to learn then you will.
6. What roles do a problem, a question or multiple problems or questions play in the process?
I believe if you are teaching yourself, and you have a question, you have to do research and try to figure out the answer yourself.
7. How do you motivate someone to learn?
I believe that you can motivate students so many ways. Simply place something in front of them and see what happens. In this video, kids were interested and curious about the computer. Therefore, they were motivated to try it out and learn.
8. How are you motivated to learn?
I am motivated to learn a lot by my teachers and my classmates. I also like compliments and positive feedback. If a classmate or teacher tells me that I did a good job on something, then that motivates me!
9. Can anyone who is not motivated to learn learn?
I think it depends. I believe that teachers play a part in motivating their students. I also believe firmly that if you are motivated than you will learn because you want to.
10. Do you teach yourself? When? Why?
I teach myself sometimes when I am by myself. When I do not have a teacher or classmate right there to ask then I beginning researching and teaching myself on my own.
11. What role does a teacher (either answer generally or use a specific example) play in your learning?
They play an important part, but I think teachers should be more there for guidance.
12. What is the most important idea, question or emotional response you take away with you as a result of watching this video?
That people can learn on their own. I believe that as a future teacher, I need to step back and let my students experiement. Students also learn from their classmates, so I believe that working alone or with a classmate is actually more beneficial then a teacher just teaching it all to you.
13. What other questions or issues are raised by this video that should be considered and discussed by aspiring teachers?
I think that the video shows that the internet is such a good resource in the classroom. I believe that teachers lecturing all the time will be obselete in the future.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Project # 10 PLN Progress
Blog Assignment # 7
This video is absolutely amazing. Actually, the word 'amazing' does not give this lecture enough credit. Dr. Randy Pausch lived his life to the fullest and with such a positive attitude up until his death on July 25, 2008. Dr. Pausch, at the time giving this lecture, had been told he had 3-6 months to live due to 10 tumors on his kidneys. His lecture is called "Achieving Your Childhood Dreams" or as he preferred to it, "The Last Lecture." His lecture focused on three main points. 1) His Childhood Dreams 2) Enabling the Dreams of Others 3) Lessons Learned
Dr. Randy Pausch begins his lecture talking about all his childhood dreams, which he did accomplish in his lifetime in one way or another. There are so many things I could say about this lecture, and I encourage everyone to watch it. It is a little over an hour long, but totally worth it, and the time goes by very fast! Dr. Pausch was so very passionate about education, learning and teaching. He really genuinely cared about his students and wanted to help them achieve their dreams, no matter how big or small. A lot of his quotations, or ones that he had heard, were so inspiring. Two of my favorites were, "When people stop correcting you or telling you what you're doing wrong it means they have given up" and "Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted." Dr. Pausch talked a lot about brick walls (things that people run into that can either slow dreams down or keep you out completely). He stated, "Brick walls are there for a reason: They let us prove how badly we want it." I totally agree with that statement. If you want something badly enough, you will make it happen.
I really liked how he talked about "head fake learnings". "Head fakes" are something that make people think they are learning something else. For example, when children make games or movies they are really learning how to program, but they just think their having fun! I also liked how at the end of the lecture he gave the audience two "head fakes". 1) This lecture really wasn't about achieving your childhood dreams, it was about being a better person and 2) This lecture wasn't for us, it was for his three children. Wow!
Dr. Pausch was such a brilliant man. He basically made up a degree for students to receive at Carnegie Mellon University. This degree was about make virtual worlds. He achieved so much in his lifetime and impacted so many lives. He had such a positive outlook on life (no matter how long he had). He also came up with The Alice Project. The Alice Project is a teaching tool to help teach and learn introductory program concepts. Students learn how to make video games, movies, etc. I love when Dr. Pausch says, "Millions of kids are having fun while learning something hard!" That is another thing that Dr. Pausch was passionate about: FUN. He had fun all the time, everyday and even when he was dying. What an amazing man!
I can not tell you everything Dr. Pausch discussed in his lecture and what I thought about it. Therefore, I encourage you to watch his lecture on YouTube. There are a few things I would like to add before finishing up this blog post. Dr. Randy Pausch stated a few things before ending his lecture. Here are some of them:
1) Decide if you are a Tigger or an Eeyore.
2) Never lose the child-like wonder. It is too important, and it is what drives us.
3) Help others
4) Loyalty is a two-way street.
5) Get feedback and LISTEN to it.
6) Show gratitude
7) Don't complain-- just work harder!
Dr. Randy Pausch was a brilliant man who will continue to live on through his students, family, colleagues, friends and many projects. We all need to strive to be more like him. What a gift he was! I am so glad Dr. Strange assigned this video. It was so inspirational.
Summary Post C4T # 2
The teacher I was assigned to was Kelly Hines. Her blog is called "Keeping Kids First". Go to this link to check it out http://keepingkidsfirst.wordpress.com/ . The first blog post I commented on was entitled " When I Grow Up." She discussed the question everyone has heard in their lifetime at one point or another, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" She talked about how she had been asking herself that question lately. She also stated that she does not really ask her students that question anymore because she can not predict the future. Instead, she teaches her students and encourages them to be creative thinkers and problems solvers. She also encourages them to explore many different topics, interests and passions.I love how she stated, " I want to help students be who they want to be today." Mrs. Hines said that she had also been asking herself the famous question, "What do I want to be when I grow up?" This may seem funny since she is a college graduate and a teacher, so in many people's eyes she has already made her decision. She wrote about how she may change her mind later about what she wants to be, but as of right now she loves teaching kids and adults. She also wrote about how she did not have her Master's degree, but that she may pursue one later.
This particular post made me think. I responded saying that even though I am an Elementary Education major and children are my passion, that does not mean I will be teaching elementary school for the rest of my life. I also stated that I did not know what the future has in store for me. I do want to get my Master's Degree, but that my change. I am only twenty-two years old, so my journey really has just begun!
The second post I commented on was called, "Reflections on a Lecture." Mrs. Hines made comments on a lecture she heard from Dr. Tomlinson at Western Carolina University. Dr. Tomlinson talked about five points regarding differentiation in classrooms today. I totally agreed with what Mrs. Hines said regarding this lecture. I stated that I agreed that we needed to validate our students and communicate to them that they are important. Our students may not get that validation or experience that type of communication in their homes or communities, so we may be the only ones giving it to them. I also agreed with her about making sure we take a great amount of time getting to know each one of our students. Mrs. Hines also talked about technology in the classroom and how great of a tool it is. I told her that I really did not know the positive impact of technology in schools regarding learning and teaching until I began taking EDM 310. She also spoke about how drastically and quickly education is changing. We will need to make sure we stay constantly on top of these changes in order to be effective educators. Mrs. Hines really liked the fifth point Dr. Tomlinson made, as well as myself. Her fifth point was "ALL students need a pedagogy of plenty-- high ceilings, high relevance and high personalization. I responded by saying that students really do need those principles throughout their entire educational journey.
If you would like to check out Dr. Tomlinson's lecture go to http://www.wcu.edu/3067.asp .
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Blog Assignment # 6
The Networked Student by Wendy Drexler
This video was very interesting. It really got me to understand the importance of a PLN (personal learning network). The 21st century student has no textbooks and spends more of the time online learning than in the classroom. This semester most of my classes are hybrid classes, which means that a lot of the work is done online and not in the classroom. I can relate with the 21st century student because of hybrid classes I am taking.
The video asked the question, "Why does the networked student even need a teacher?" I believe teachers are still important with the networked student. Teachers help guide students and answer questions. I do not think that teachers should be taken out of the whole equation. Even though networked students do a lot of their own learning, they also need a teacher to help them along the way.
When I first started this semester and found out about hybrid courses, I was not excited at all. I thought I was the type of person that could only learn in the classroom with a teacher always there. I never considered learning on my own without a teacher all the time. Now, I really enjoy learning on my own. Don't get me wrong, I am constantly e-mailing my professors and asking questions. I am still new with online learning, but I have amazed myself at how quickly I have adapted. It is definitely not as bad as I thought it would be. I actually like it!
A 7th Grader's Personal Learning Environment
This video is about a seventh grade girl talking about her PLE. This video really helped me understand a PLN . I think it is good that students are learning about this type of technology. Every day she checks the class blog to see what they are learning for that day. I like how students can do that. It is very helpful. I also feel like it makes students better learners as well. Her PLE is kind of like my PLN. I used some of the same things she did. This video helped me understand a PLN better and will help me while working on mine.
The Machine is Changing Us
I really enjoyed this video. I liked all the funny video clips he provided to viewers. I can relate to how he talks about students not being engaged in the classroom. I liked the different ways he talked about engaging students. He also talks about the word "whatever" and how much it has been used. He also talked about YouTube and how it is a very useful tool. To be honest, before this class, I never watched intellectual YouTube videos. I did not know (before this class) that YouTube could be such a great learning tool! Watching this video really made me want to try to engage my students at all times!
This video was very interesting. It really got me to understand the importance of a PLN (personal learning network). The 21st century student has no textbooks and spends more of the time online learning than in the classroom. This semester most of my classes are hybrid classes, which means that a lot of the work is done online and not in the classroom. I can relate with the 21st century student because of hybrid classes I am taking.
The video asked the question, "Why does the networked student even need a teacher?" I believe teachers are still important with the networked student. Teachers help guide students and answer questions. I do not think that teachers should be taken out of the whole equation. Even though networked students do a lot of their own learning, they also need a teacher to help them along the way.
When I first started this semester and found out about hybrid courses, I was not excited at all. I thought I was the type of person that could only learn in the classroom with a teacher always there. I never considered learning on my own without a teacher all the time. Now, I really enjoy learning on my own. Don't get me wrong, I am constantly e-mailing my professors and asking questions. I am still new with online learning, but I have amazed myself at how quickly I have adapted. It is definitely not as bad as I thought it would be. I actually like it!
A 7th Grader's Personal Learning Environment
This video is about a seventh grade girl talking about her PLE. This video really helped me understand a PLN . I think it is good that students are learning about this type of technology. Every day she checks the class blog to see what they are learning for that day. I like how students can do that. It is very helpful. I also feel like it makes students better learners as well. Her PLE is kind of like my PLN. I used some of the same things she did. This video helped me understand a PLN better and will help me while working on mine.
The Machine is Changing Us
I really enjoyed this video. I liked all the funny video clips he provided to viewers. I can relate to how he talks about students not being engaged in the classroom. I liked the different ways he talked about engaging students. He also talks about the word "whatever" and how much it has been used. He also talked about YouTube and how it is a very useful tool. To be honest, before this class, I never watched intellectual YouTube videos. I did not know (before this class) that YouTube could be such a great learning tool! Watching this video really made me want to try to engage my students at all times!
Summary Post C4K # 1 and #2
The C4K I was assigned to was Kyla. I made three comments on her blog. The first comment I made was in regards to her learning to post pictures. She really likes dogs, so she had a lot of cute dog pictures posted. The second comment I made was in regards to her slide show presentation. Her slide show presentation was about building a tree house. The tree house looked great and so much fun. She did a really good job on the slide show. It was very interesting! The third comment I made was in regards to her voice thread. She did such a great job on her voice thread. The pictures were great and funny! Her voice thread was about her dog Charlie and was excellent! I was very impressed.
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