Wednesday, November 28, 2012

C4T #4

C4T #4
My teacher this week was David Wees. The blog post that I commented on was named "Connective Leadership." It was a slideshow explaining how technology is changing leadership. He explained how technology is changing and how people who know technology and those who don't. He said that the difference will change into not learning. Meaning, if you know technology you will learn, if you don't then you might not. I agree with this. Technology is becoming a huge part of education. If you fall behind, or don't care to learn it, then you might fall behind. I really enjoyed this slideshow.

C4K #9

C4K #9
This week the student I was assigned to was Alyssa R. She is in Mr. Seliskar's 4th grade class. This past week she had her birthday. She told us all of the wonderful birthday events that she had. One item that she received was a doll. She was so excited about her doll. It was her favorite birthday gift. I am so happy that Alyssa had a great birthday.
C4K #10
This week my student displayed awesome badges. They are from the French Revolution. She displayed awesome grammar and the badges looked really cool. I like how interested in these badges she was. I admire these students for being so intrigued with all of this information.
merit badges

Smartboard Instruction Part 2

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Blog Post #12

                                                                Blog Post #12
      This weeks blog post was on our own. I wanted to find a webpage that shows how technology is used in the classroom. Watching the Skype conversation between Ms. Cassidy and Dr. Strange the other day got me thinking. Ms. Cassidy said that technology was used in P.E in several ways. I wanted to explore those ways for myself. On the page "Technology brings new P.E. to schools," I learned how over 10,000 schools have added numerous technological additives to the classroom. Heart monitors, wristwatches, as well as target zones have been put in schools. There have also been games such as Dance Dance Revolution, and WII Fit into the classroom. Teachers say it motivates students and intrigues them to actually participate and workout in class. I love this idea. I want to be an inspiring teacher, that means doing whatever it takes to get the student's up and going. I really enjoyed this post. I encourage all P.E. teachers who want to motivate their students a little more to read.
P.E

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Blog Post #11

Ms. Cassidy
Ms. Cassidy has shown me a lot. During her Skype conversation with Dr. Strange, she really caught my attention. The fact that Ms. Cassidy has been in technology ten years blew my mind. I was sad to see that her administer wasn't so supportive of her technology work though. I like that she sends permission slips home with the students on the first week of school for parents to know that her students will be using technology. I think that it's very important for parents t be involved with their children's work. Thats one reason why I like the blogging in classrooms so much, so parents can see their children's classwork. I was interested to learn that blog's give children inspiration through the audience that they see them. 
One technique I would use in my classroom that Ms.Cassidy uses is page views on her students blog. It is very good to me to know that students gets so excited by seeing how many people view and read their blogs. They know that people from around the world see their blog, which makes them stay focused. I love that Ms.Cassidy used Wiki. I never heard of that before watching her video. I think thats an amazing too. I also like that she Skype's with classrooms across the world. I often use Skype to connect with friends in different states. It is very good to know that there are other classes around the world that are doing the same thing that they are. Just so they are not alone. I like that she agrees that teachers should be technologically literate. Students these days are using technology more and more, and in order to keep up with them, you must do the same. I find it interesting that Ms. Cassidy doesn't use technology in her personal life.   
I like that they discuss Twitter. At first, I was skeptical about Twitter myself. I didn't have a Twitter until this class. I have grown to love it. Overtime, following people gives out great information. It definitely helps with your PLN. Twitter can help by new teachers. Following other teachers, who have taught a long time, can give you ideas of things to do in your classroom. 
I feel her first grade students are very intelligent. She blogs with her students once a week. I find that very helpful. Ms.Cassidy has shown me a lot and informed me on more than I thought she would. This definitely has shown me a new perspective. I like how she brought up how to use blogs in Physical Education. I am going to be a P.E teacher, and I was thinking the same thing. By posting practice times, test rimes, days to change out or not, or simply class times, can help in that way. 
I enjoyed this Skype conversation. This has helped me a lot. If anyone has questions on blogging, or second thoughts, you should definitely watch this. 
Skype

C4K #7, 8

C4T #7
This week my teacher was in Ireland. The post I had to comment on was simply a bag of chips. Sour cream and onion to be exact. In Ireland, they call chips crisps. Pretty interesting to know. I hope they have a blast in Ireland. It is a beautiful site to see.
C4K #8
This week my student was Jazmyn. She lives in Alberta, Canada. She posted about how last night was Halloween and that she sorted lots of candy. She said she ended up with more chocolate bars than anything. She sounds like a very fun girl to be around. I told her that I loved candy and that I hoped she had an amazing Halloween.
halloween

C4K

C4K #4
In This weeks C4K, my student was Sarah. She is a very intelligent student. She posted this week on online classes. Sarah is a very outgoing person. She said she usually raises her hand first in class. Sarah also has to take an onlune class now. She stated how difficult it was for her to adjust. She said she was shy and nervous to post anything, and that she would re-read her posts over and over again to make sure she wasn't wrong. After a while, Sarah said the online class grew on her. She now has a better understanding. She said that it has made her grow as a student and learn to think before she speaks. Her post is very well written. Feel free to check out Sarah's post.
My comment to Sarah's post
I loved reading her post. As I told her, I was complete opposite as she is. I hated raising my hand in class, and I was very timid and shy to seak any answers outloud. I admire her for that. I had my first online class in college. I enjoyed it for the reasond that Sarah disliked it. But, it now gives me a better understanding to why there are so many people who don't like them. I encouraged her that they will get better. I'm so proud of Sarah for growing as a person and student because of this class. I enjoyed her post a lot.

C4K #5
This week, my C4K was really short. The student did a guessing game. He gave hints about the singer, and asked who we thought he may could be. It was a neat little mind thinking game. If you would like to check out Juan's game you can go to his link. My comment to Juan's game
I liked the guessing game. It gets the mind going. Even though this was a small post, I liked the effort put into it. Great to get people from all over to get involved!
C4K #6
My student this week was Coleman. The post I read was about him. I learned that his favorite person in this world is his mother. I learned that Coleman's favorite song is "Fly Over States." When Coleman grows up, he wants to be a doctor. I think thats amazing for him to want to be that. He sounds like an awesome, fun, loving boy. IF you want to know more about Coleman, you can visit his blog.
My comment to Coleman's Blog
I enjoyed reading about Coleman. My favorite person is my mom also, so thats nice to know that we have that in common. I enjoyed reading about what Coleman likes to watch. His favorite show is "MY Big Fat Redneck Vacation", I love that show.

C4K #3

Courtney's Post
This week, my students name was Courtney. She is having a hard time adjusting to high school. She is making new friends, and playing volleyball, but it's still difficult for her to getting around the bossy people. She said she loves volleyball. That it is her escape. She did say that high school is much better than elementary school. If you would like to read her blog, feel free. Courtney's blog.
My Comment on Courtney's Blog
I can relate to Courtney in many ways. I played softball all throughout school. And it got me a college scholarship. I am so glad that she enjoys it, because it can get her so far! I also know how it feels to have people boss you around, and you may not like it. I was in the military, so I had many people boss me around. I enjoyed her post a lot and i wish the best for her.

C4T #3

C4T #3
This week, my teacher was Mr. Cosby. He didn't exactly post a long post, he posted a video. It was a video of pilot taking off and landing in Nevada. It was amazing! It was in Washoe Lake. I am a huge vaction taker, so to see the sight in this post was amazing. It definitly made me ass Nevada to my places to see. I loved every minuite of ot. I highly encourge anoyone who seeks adventure, or who enjoys sights to check this video out!


Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Project #14

Special Assignment

                                                                           USA Today

    
       In the USA Today article "A World Where Grades Will Be Left Behind", a professor named Sebastian Thrun is beginning a new way of teaching. He believes in no grades, no one will be late, as well as doing games to teach. Thrun believes that the whole world shouldn't fail. He stated that making grades is a failure to the system. He stated that in his style of education students can take as much time as they need on an assignment.

      Thrun also doesn't charge for education. He said that some fees are needed as to related services though. His class may include thousands of people, but he says there will be no more one size fits all classrooms. I think this is an amazing way to teach. He is setting an amazing example for people all over the world. Thrun is making people succeed. So many people fear education these days because they are scared to fail. With this type of education, there is no failure. That boosts students confidence as well as pushes them to further their education. This is also very inspiring. I advise anyone who is scared of education to seriously look into this. It would be very helpful.
 

no failure school

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Blog Post #10

                                                                 John T. Spencer

     I think this cartoon is explaining how the difference in the quality, and assurance. I think Mr. Spencer is saying that pencils are useful in the classrooms, but technology is needed as well. Just because something is less expensive doesn't mean it is the best. The paper mate pencil may be useful for a while, but eventually it runs out. It may not be enough for a long while. While the other expensive item will last a long time.
playing games


                                              Why were your kids playing games?

        I liked reading Mr. Spencer's blog post "Why Were Your Kids Playing Games." I think this is a great example of how teachers get frowned upon. the teacher was simply trying to make this lesson fun. Teachers are expected to go by guidelines that are step by step. The principle simply didn't understand why the teacher did what Mr.Spencer was trying to do. Teaching should be fun. Teaching students shouldn't always be so strict and step-by-step. Students need to stay interested in what is going on in the classroom, if they get bored, they will not listen as well. I see Mr. Spencer's side completely. He was just trying to grasp the students attention while teaching them the lesson. I see where the principle may run a strict school and may want his teachers to be on a strict schedule, but at the same time he has to see where Mr. Spencer was bringing out creativity as well as fun into his lesson.

                                      Dont teach your kids this stuff, please?
      I have to admit that when I first started reading this post I was getting upset. After a few minutes, I seen the sarcasm. I liked the point that Dr.McLeod made. Its funny to me how people these days do not see the advances that technology brings to education. In Dr.Mcleod's post, he definitely expressed his feelings on the situation. Today, technology in classrooms makes for a smarter, easier, and more efficient learning environment. Students are learning more and more through technology. It keeps them interested and stable. I enjoyed reading this post. I feel many people out there who believe that technology in the classroom isn't good, should definitely read this post. Thank you Dr.McLeod.