Additional Assignment #3

Changing Education Paradigms 

Personally my favorite thing about this animation was the fact about ADHD. I reason I find this so interesting is that teachers would rather say that children have ADHD so that they do not have to deal with him/her. Yes, I agree that SOME children need to be on medication, but not all. I could not agree more that children are used to technology and how it works and then you put a board in front of them and a lecture. What can educators expect, these children want to learn new things they just do not want to learn it through note taking and sitting in a desk for hours. Do I disagree with anything? Not really, I feel that he is making a great point about the world and school today. The standardized test are killing our teachers. These "test" that are suppose to help our children/ students are hurting them in the long run. You may ask how? Well teachers have to drill this material and the creativity is lost because the school is so worried about test scores.I feel that to some degree we are taught this in the College of Education. The College of Education tells you that you will have to give these test but they do not tell you that you can loose your creativity because you are to busy preparing students to pass the standardized test. I feel that the college of Education does not prepare teachers for the real world. I feel that the College makes teaching out to be this job filled with creativity and helping students. Yes, it is those things at times but not always. When you get the opportunity to go into a school and volunteer you will notice that teaching is not all peachy and that it has its challenges. Sometimes these challenges test you to your limit, college forgets to tell you the reality. (I am not trying to scare you, I just volunteered and it was a real eye opener for me, but the good days made me want to teach even more, I can't wait!!!) Back to the film... I liked the film I found it very neat... however, I was confused on how the drawing works. I think that I would want to be the one directing (I like showing my creative side). Over all, I liked the film it got me to thinking about a lot of different things and it enlightened me about the schools.

Blog Post #10

 An Open Letter to Educators

This was a very interesting post and video! I felt that some of the facts where true and others where questionable. Yes, technolgy is growing faster than most people can learn the information. However, it is the teacher's responsibility to try and stay caught up on technology. I on the other hand do not agree that going to College gets in the way of an "Education" that is the craziest thing I have ever heard. School has taught me how to use and understand technology. Yes, I do feel that schools all around the world are worried about their creditably way more than they learn about their students ability to learn. Should we give up? No, we must show and encourage students to learn and want to learn. Every student learns differently and every child or adult succeeds in different areas. For instance, in this class (EDM 310) you must have time management skills and always be alert and ready for a challenge. I personally have enjoyed all the hands on work. However, some students may hate learning on their on and having to manage their time without someone encouraging them and reminding them. I have to agree that Lecture is REALLY boring and can get old. I realize that as a teacher I may have a subject that I must lecture on, but I hope that I can make that lecture entertaining and worth listening to. 

Tom Johnson's Don't let them take the Pencils Home!!

I think that this post was very interesting and worth reading. I feel that Tom makes a good point. The take home message that I got from reading this article was that we often get stuck on a problem. When we get stuck on a problem I think that we find a solution and that solution is the only solution we except. Maybe I am completely wrong about Tom's post. But I took home that we must be opened minded and learn from others and be willing to except correction. What message did you get?



Two Question's that Can Change your Life 

I really liked this video... I guess I never thought of motivation in one sentence. So...
  
What's my sentence? 

 " I will finish my education so that I can be an example and a teacher of children."

Was I better today than yesterday? 

  
To answer yes to this question. I must go to school everyday. I must work hard on all school work given and I must show willingness to learn new things about becoming the best teacher I can be.

Skype Interview

Short Movie

Blog Post 9

                   "What I've Learned this year" by Mr. McClung
  
This post was very interesting and motivating. I felt like Mr. McClung learned a lot from his first year of being a teacher. I love the fact that he said that we must always continue to learn. Learning new things is the best way to be a good teacher. I also agree with him that you are there for the students and how they learn. I feel that often time we forget that the students are still children and it takes time. I also agree that teachers should not be afraid of technology, but they should learn new and interesting ways to include technology and new ways to teach students new ideas. The one and only thing that I am not sure about was the fact that he said that we set our expectations to high. That one does not make a whole lot of since to me. The reason I say this is because I feel that if we expect less from our students than we are not pushing them to be the best that they can be. I feel that we should expect the HIGHEST out of our students and if they fail we pick them up and encourage them to do better and help them do better. I believe every student is different and every student should have their own set of expectations.http://attheteachersdesk.blogspot.com/2009/05/what-i-learned-this-year.html

Blog Post 8

1.This is How to Dream
I really enjoyed this film. It showed how technology has changed our world and the things around us. He tells us that he did a whole paper and research without ever entering a library. He feels that technology will take away the library and that there is no longer any reason to have the library. To an extent this is true, but at the same time children need to experience a library. Children may not do research in a library but I think that they love the experience of having a library.

2. The Chipper Series 
This video is inspiring and heart felt. I feel that Chipper took the long way around before realizing that school was the way to go. I think that we all go through this and all want to give up. I feel that Chipper finally realized that she needed to work hard and she would appreciate what she accomplished in the long run. I think that the point of this film was to show that we all loose that motivation and want things to be so easy but there not always that way. Chipper encouraged me to stick with it even if you want to give up and take the easy way out.

3. EDM310 for Dummies
This video was  produced well I felt that the music and the background made it realistic. It was like I was watching a commercial on television. I know there have been times when I felt like this class was driving me crazy and there was no way to finish the all the assignments. However, like the film said I started using the valuable resources like Google docs to help me succeed. I feel that this film taught me that you can make a film interesting and a film that people want to watch. I also feel that this film showed me that EDM310 becomes more and more interesting as we go through the class. I have already learn so many new things, I can not wait to be able to share this technology with my family and students.

 4.  Critque of Smart Boards

Why I hate Interactive Smart boards by Bill Ferriter

Bill Ferriter feels that Smart Boards a waste of money and a way to bring in parents and students. He feels that also technology should not come through an expensive piece of machinery but rather come through time and research. He also states that training is necessary for the Smart Boards to be used in the classroom. With this point I can and will agree. I feel that a lot of schools are lacking when it comes to the smart board because the teachers are not being taught the correct material and uses of the technology.

Why Smart boards are a Dumb Inactive by Michael Staton

Mr. Michael Staton feels that Smart Boards are just as useful as any other technology that is already in the classroom. He feels that the same things done on smart boards can be done on an over head projector. He also sees buying smart boards as a way to get the school system to agree when it comes to spending money. He makes a statement that the children are learning the same way. I often wonder if this is not the teachers fault. Often times I feel that the fun has been taken out of education. I personally love the idea of the smart board. I believe that it is an interesting and more useful way for students to learn material. I feel that some students need hands on and this is a great to help students learn.
After reading these two articles I started searching for a blog that have a completely different outlook on the Smart Boards. The blog that I found "Interactive Whitedoards in the modern classroom (Sam and Nick)" shows me the great ways that a smart board can be used in the classroom. This website shows everyone the pros and the cons. Personally, I like to see both sides of the story.
http://www.slideshare.net/sjbaseggio/interactive-whiteboards-in-the-modern-classroom-sam-and-nick

Additional Assignment #2

I liked this video, I felt that he was very compassionate about his mission and that he was out to help students all around the world learn. I feel that like he stated that if the learner is motivated than he/she can learn and enjoy doing. We always learn better when we enjoy the subject and like learning new things about the subject. I also think that if a person is motivated about a subject than they are capable of learning and remembering the information and also teaching themselves. In order for someone to teach themselves the person has to interesting and desire to know more about the subject. Learning a new subject can include using the computer or internet. Personally, I use Google to learn a lot of new things. I like to learn new things by using my hands or even the internet. For instance, during the Alabama football game I wanted to know why there was a palm tree on South Carolina's field so I Google the information and found out that it was their state flag. Learning is all about encouraging students and getting students motivated about a subject. The message that I took home from this film was that children can teach themselves and that children can do anything when they are motivated.

Instructional Time Line

My PLN

I have learned a lot in this class. I have learned that small children are capable of learned things on the computer. I also have been learning how to blog on blog spot. I honestly did not think I would like blogging but it is interesting to see what others have to say. I have learned that technology is useful and very helpful in the classroom. I learned how to use time toast I found that time toast was really interesting and that it can help you o be a better teacher in the classroom.  For me the best thing was the podcast that the groups did and had to post them to you tube I thought that was a learning experience. I had never had to use you tube so I learned how to edit and upload videos to you tube.

Randy Pausch Last Lecture : Achieving your childhood dreams

Honestly, I did not want to watch this film surely when it was mentioned that it was an hour long. I was discouraged and not motivated. However, I must say that Randy has made an impact on my thoughts and my life. I feel that he made his family very proud. I am privilege to have gotten the opportunity to listen to such an inspirational speech. His speech was heart felt and compassionate. I could truly feel the love that he had for his past and the things that he accomplished. I can only imagine how proud he made his parents. He accomplished his dreams and never gave up.

Randy taught me that giving up is not an option... We must push forward even when we do not want to! He taught me not to let "brick walls" stop you, but keep pushing and get passed the walls. He taught me that those "brick walls" are for the weak and the people that choose to fail. I do not want to fail because a "brick wall" try to take me down. I want to be strong and determined like Randy.

Randy also taught me that you can not give up on your dreams! I feel that often times we forget about our dreams and stop our imagination from working. I feel that failure (brick wall) stops us from dreaming. Randy did not allow that to stop him or hold him back from what he wanted. He taught me to learn something from everything I encounter in my life. I know that there have been many times I have wanted to give up on different things and this film taught me not to be discouraged but to work harder.

Watching this speech by Randy taught me to dream big... and not only to dream but accomplish my dreams. Randy learned from every event he encounter and I would like to look back one day and say I did the same. Randy made a way when most would have seen the impossible. For example, having zero gravity- he got his journal license just so he could experience this with his team, imagine rs- was rejected but pushed forward and showed Disney that he was capable. He pushed his students to achieve and asked them to be and do their best. I am thankful that I had an opportunity to watch this film. I believe that Randy would have been an amazing man to meet.

Time Line

Summary of Teacher #2

Summary of Teacher #2 (Mrs. Cassidy)
I think that Mrs. Cassidy has great ideas. I feel that I could learn a lot from her. I never would have thought that it took that much work to lay out a classroom. I was amazed when I read about the many times she had rearranged the classroom. However, I feel that she has a great point and that good classroom management comes from a good learning environment. Mrs. Cassidy also made a comment about "Making Movies" and I thought this was very interesting. She gave me a new way to look at how much a parent would enjoy this activity. Parents could even feel more involved in their children's school day if they to watch and see their child's enthusam. Over all she had fantastic ideas and news ways to view the classroom.

Blog Post 6

The Network Student

This clip was helpful and informative. However, I felt that the information could have been presented in a different way. I am not saying that I could do any better at representing the point, however, I feel that there has to be a more interesting way to tell be about technology and how it connects people. Yes, the drawing where good and fun but just not enough to keep me interested. I honestly felt as though I was staring at the pictures and not listening to anything else that was said. Another reason that I may have found this film boring was because I feel that I have already learned this information in our class.
In saying that, I feel that EDM310 along with any computer class needs an instructor/ teacher. I feel that teachers can be very helpful in these environments. The reason I feel that these classes need a teacher is because students need direction and guidance. Having a teacher in the class can reassure students that it is okay to mess up because someone is there to help you get through the problem. When learning a new task we need guidance and help when we mess up. We look to teachers for help and instruction.





A 7th Grader's Personal Learning Environment

I think the 7th grader did an excellent job on this film. I love the pictures and the technique much better than the one before. I feel that this one was a good example on how to bring people in and get people to watch your video. The colors and even the students  voice made you want to listen and find out what the 7th grader was saying. I feel that someone with a mono tone is hard to listen to and hard to concentrate on what they are saying. The 7th grader states that he/she has freedom to research and find new and interesting things using technology. I agree with The 7th that the the Internet holds so many interesting and fun things! I also agree that the projects always look better with technology. My only concern is that students that are not as motivated as this 7th grader will get behind and not do well in the class.




The Machine is Changing Us

I could not agree more with this video. It is so true. Year after year our culture changes due to TV, computers, cell phones, cars, etc. I personally do not know what I would do without my cellphone. It is my life line and if you look around everyone has one... these days children 9 and 10 years old are getting cellphones. Crazy!!! Family time is fading away because of technology. Culture in the United States changes everyday and with every new piece of technology.