Friday, September 28, 2012
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Blog Post #5
Travis Allen has started the iSchool Initiative which would severely change the look of education today. In his nearly six minute video, The iSchool initiative (Mobile Learning), he discusses how the iTouch could save school upwards of four to five hundred dollars. He explains numerous iTouch applications that already exist and numerous other applications that could be created. According to Travis Allen, these applications could help students and teachers.
I do not agree with this educational approach. I believe that the use of this kind of technology in the classroom must be limited. If this kind of approach did come about and remove writing utensils and paper from classrooms, I believe this would hinder students and their abilities. Abilities such as penmanship could become nonexistent in a school setting. There should be a controlled blend of the use of technology and traditional teaching techniques in the classroom. I have recently seen what the good and bad are when using technology in the classroom and I do not like it.
Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choir
Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir is an amazing and incredible compilation of voices.
Teaching in the 21st Century by Kevin Roberts (John Strange version)
The video Teaching in the 21st Century by Kevin Roberts describes how the new and improved technologies in the 21st century are impacting students and teachers. He describes ways in which an educator can use the technology and the different programs that students use to their advantage. Roberts provides the viewer with situations in which this technology cannot provide someone with the knowledge and skills that would remedy them. He continues to explain that problems such as plagiarism needs to be explained and taught. I feel that the positions expressed in this video are well thought out and productive. The examples that Roberts gives in his presentation, provide educators a significant amount of information to solve the issues of technology in the classroom. If Roberts is correct about the changes in learning and education, then all present and future teachers will have to mold their teaching abilities around the technology that has been produced and the technology that will be produced.
In the first video,
Why I Flipped My Classroom, Katie Gimbar describes her process of flipping her classroom and the reason why she flipped her classroom. I saw this process and as a interesting and effective way of involving each and every one of her students. I could definitely use this approach in my classroom if I find that my students are not being challenged and if they are not absorbing the material. Katie Gimbar's approach is very efficient, because she places herself in the middle of her students, instead of her being in the front of the class.
In the second video, Dr. Lodge McCammon's FIZZ - Flipping the Classroom, Dr. Lodge McCammon describes the process of FIZZ and how to implement it into the classroom. Students are now focusing on applying what they have learned while in the classroom, rather than that class time being used primarily for lecture. Students are able to see videos that are offered by their educators as many times as needed to learn the concept. This can cause them to come into the classroom with questions to be answered immediately. This challenges the students and engages them in the learning process.
In the third video, Flipping the Classroom - 4th Grade STEM, by Ms. Munafo, describes FIZZ or Flipping the Classroom to the outside world. This presentation is a great way for parents to see how their children are learning and the process of FIZZ. This new process is a great way to include technology in the classroom.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
C4T #1
For my first post for comment for teachers I was required to read and comment on two blog posts. The blog I was required to read and comment on was the blog of Ms. Lara Bishop, Ms. Lara's Jungle.
Reaching out in the community, even in K - 4!
In Ms. Bishop's post, Reaching Out In The Community, Even In K - 4!, she discusses the importance of reaching out into the community and helping those who are less fortunate or those who are having hard times. She notes the importance that at having children at young ages help, the lessons they learn then will follow them throughout their lives into their futures. She discusses ways in which parents and teachers can get children involved and show that giving is meaningful. Most important, Ms. Bishop's discusses what her preschool class achieved during the holidays. Her class provided much needed food to a family who would not have had it otherwise.
After reading Ms. Bishop's blog post I commented on what she had achieved and her idea of having the children active in the community. To summarize my comment, I agreed with Ms. Bishop on the importance of having children help their community and that they would learn lessons that would follow them into their futures. I personally involve myself in my community, whenever I can, and find it very fulfilling. I applaud Ms. Bishop and her students on their outstanding contribution to the community and their dedication to provide food to a family during the holidays. After I finished my comment I included my contact information.
Dr. Strange I Owe It To You
The second post that I read and commented on was Lara Bishop's post, Dr. Strange I Owe It To You, in which Ms. Bishop discusses her thanks for Dr. Strange and his teaching. This post is very important because I am currently enrolled in Dr. Strange's EDM 310 class at the University of South Alabama. She has taken a lead from Dr. Strange by including desktop computers and laptop computers in her 4K classroom. She continues to explain how much she learned and the fact that she was wary in the beginning. She has brought technology into her classroom with one desktop and four laptop computers and her school is now taking donations to provide the school with a computer lab. Ms. Bishop is excited about having her 4K students learn in this way.
After reading this post I left Ms. Bishop a comment. I explained that I am enrolled in Dr. Strange's EDM 310 class and I concur with Ms. Bishop on the fact that it was intimidating when first beginning the class. I had heard good and bad things and that would make anyone worried. I stated that the student would like to learn by using the computers. Once again, I closed my comment by leaving my contact information.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Blog Post #4
Listening-Comprehension-Podcasting
In Silvia Rosenthal Tolisano's blog post, Listening-Comprehension-Podcasting, she uses podcasting to teach students a language. She discusses what a podcast can provide in terms of learning a language. She discusses an example of how she provided a group of students learning Hebrew with the technology of podcasting. Silvia Tolisano stated that these students were able to "see their voices, read the sounds, [and] manipulate the sequence of sentences." I can see how using podcasts is a great way to teach student a new language. They can interact physically and mentally with a podcast, giving them the ability to absorb the information much easier than the traditional way of reading and writing repetitively.
The Benefits of Podcasting in the Classroom
The video posted by Joe Dale, The Benefits of Podcasting in the Classroom, describes the benefits of podcasting in the classroom. These benefits provide differentiation in the classroom which allow for creativity and innovation. Podcasts can be used as a project based learning approach, where the student write the scripts. Podcasting in the classroom is a new way to excite students and allow them to demonstrate higher thinking skills. Podcasting can enhance instruction by uploading lectures and lessons where students who have missed material and/or give them the ability to get the information while on the go. This process of learning and educating is interesting and different.
Podcasting With the First Grade
Silvia Tolisano achieved great things by having the first grade at her school make a podcast. In her blog post, Podcasting With the First Grade, first grade students made a podcast with the help of Silvia Tolisano. She stated that these kids had a blast. These students had fun and were happy to help edit and memorize the script rather than read it. I found that this use of podcasting is a great way to teach students a particular story or any lesson. I was happy to learn that the students who were quieter, became more outgoing and interactive than before. I hope I can achieve this in my classroom when I begin to teach!
After watching Listening-Comprehension-Podcasting, The Benefits of Podcasting in the Classroom, and Podcasting With the First Grade, I am excited to do a podcast with my EDM310 classmates at the University of South Alabama. I found that the use of podcasting in the classroom can benefit teachers, students, parents, and anyone who witnesses this. Students can use this technology to learn new information easily, because they would be interacting with something rather than sitting and listening. I believe podcasting can be a wonderful source to teach in a classroom.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Blog Post #3
For my third blog post I was required to view three different sets of information and write responses consisting of two or more paragraphs describing what I learned from each. I was told to watch What is Peer Editing?, Peer Edit With Perfection Tutorial, and Writing Peer Review Top 10 Mistakes. Each video, obviously, pertains to peer editing.
What is Peer Editing?
The youtube video What is Peer Editing? gives instructions on how to peer edit. According to this short video a rule is to "Stay Positive." There are three steps to peer editing. Start with compliments, then give suggestions, and last is corrections. This video gives much help when beginning to peer edit papers or blogs. The author of this video states that in each step you need to stay positive. No one wants to be embarrassed by their mistakes. I learned a great deal of information from this video. As a future educator, I can use this information to practice giving suggestions and corrections.
Peer Edit With Perfection Tutorial
The slideshow, Peer Edit With Perfection Tutorial, explains to the reader what peer editing is and how one goes about doing it. This slideshow allows the reader to practice their peer editing kills on some examples given by the author. This slideshow pretty much reiterates What is Peer Editing?.
Writing Peer Reviews Top 10 Mistakes
The short video,Writing Peer Review Top 10 Mistakes, is very cute and funny! This video describes ten situations where someone does not execute peer editing correctly.
In addition to the information on peer editing, I was required to watch three videos about adaptive technologies and write about what I learned from them and how I could use them in my classroom. These three videos are Technology in Special Education, How the iPad Works with Academics for Autism, and Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts.
Technology in Special Education
This video focuses on the class of Lace Cook who teaches at Campbell Collegiate. Technology in Special Education focuses on the different technology and uses of this technology in the classroom to help Special Education students progress. Some technology is an iPod touch, a laptop computer, projectors. The technology used in classes give the students a chance to participate more, gives them the ability to communicate easier, and the ability to learn more quickly.
I agree with Lace Cook. Using technology in her classroom has been positive and helpful for her students. She has achieved the task of gaining her students attention, which gives her a chance to teach more effectively. If I have the pleasure of teaching a child who needs special education, I intend to use whatever means necessary when teaching him or her. I will use overhead projectors for power points, videos, and any type of information that needs to be taught.
How the iPad Works with Academics for Autism
The video, How the iPad Works with Academics for Autism, shows how using iPad applications can help a child with autism learn. A child can use iPad applications to learn to write, count and read. This video shows Braden, an eight year old with autism, doing homework.
One iPad application that I found that I could use in my history classroom is, "Whole Wide World". This iPad application is fun game that is colorful and interactive. It will keep the child's attention. This application shows places on the clobe, give math problems, and information about aspects of a specific region.
Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts
The video, Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts, focuses on the technology that students can use to communicate with people all over the world. Vicki Davis who teaches students about blogs, google docs, twitter, and avatars. Vicki Davis expects her students to learn by taking advantage of a dictionary and google.
Students learn how to blog and this gives the students the ability to communicate with students and teachers in different parts of the world. Vicki Davis teaches in a rural Georgia school and she uses the technology that we come into contact with everyday to open her students up to a large world and a web community.
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Blog Post #2
I recently watched Dr. John Strange's Youtube video, Did You Know? 3.0 - A John Strange Version, which is based on the Youtube video, Did You Know 3.0, by Karl Fisch and Scott McLeod. Dr. Strange's video focuses on technology and the monumental growth of technology. Many of the statistics that Dr. Strange mentions in his video does not surprise me and yet some others do.
The information describing the population in India is very interesting. The fact that 25% of the population in India with the highest IQ's out numbers the entire population of America is startling. With the monumental difference in population I can see this being possible along with the outstanding number of honors students in grades K - 12, who outnumber the K - 12 students here in the United States. The information is amazing any way one looks at it. I did find the projected amount of english speaking Chinese in 2025 rather disconcerting in a way. China is a large country who deals with America in many ways and the knowledge of the English language is necessary. This information makes sense in a way, because of the relationship between the U.S. and China.
Throughout the past few years I have not heard about much of the advancement in India as these statistics provide. I have primarily been occupied with the overcrowding and malnourishment issues surrounding India. This video provides me with new information that opens my eyes to the growth of technology in countries on the other side of the world. The information about China does not surprise me as much. I find it rather interesting, however.
Technology is becoming more and more pronounced. The past few years has seen leaps in the development of new technology and the improvement of existing technology. I could never imagine not having access to the internet to assist me with many parts of my life. This information and statistics provided to me through Did You Know? 3.0 - A John Strange Version opens my eyes to a greater picture of how technology has effected countries other than my own.
Along with Did You Know? 3.0 - A John Strange Version, I was required to watch Mr. Winkle Wakes by Mathew Needleman. At the immediate opening of this video I was taken aback. The story follows a old man who had slept for 100 years, to awake to a modern city. In this city he came across a business building where he saw the numerous technological machines. Seeing this difference Mr. Winkle left and went to a hospital where he, once again, come into contact with these machines. He left once more only to find himself at a school. Here he was comfortable, because of the lack of technology.
I would agree to some extent with Mr. Winkle. I believe that there should be a middle ground in school when dealing with technology. As a future educator, I would like my students to have access to computers and such, but only to a certain degree. Learning should not consist only through technology, but through old-fashioned lecture. A blended course is the best way to go in schools. Students learn in so many different ways that by blending lecture and technology, students would get the best of both worlds.
I find Sir Robinson's video, The Importance of Creativity, quite amusing. He makes interesting points about the future and the knowledge that we lack about the future. His belief in creativity compared to literacy is amazing. I would agree with him that we, as adults, "squander" the creativity of children. They look at the world in such a beautiful and different way from adults. I believe that children deserve respect.
We are meant to teach children and provide them with the best way to channel their minds and talents. Sir Robinson states that "we are educating people out of their creative capacities." We should not crush the creativity of children. I agree with Sir Robinson that we should alter the educational system from taking the creativity from children and let them express who they are. The hierarchical educational system, Sir Robinson states, does not offer enough time and ways for students to express their creativity.
The educational system needs to become more dynamic. I find Sir Robinson and his ideas to be a serious issue that needs to be reconsidered. Children deserve more from the adults that surround them and teach them. I believe that many people want to mold children and include in those children what they want. I personally believe that the medications and diagnosis' that doctors and psychologists put on children hinders who they are. I have seen children change because of these. Children should not be medicated or diagnosed with something that will take away from their natural playfulness.
Could you imagine having the technology that is described in A Day Made of Glass 2? The innovative and interactive technology that the Corning company provides in this video is amazing. I found it hard to focus on the descriptions of the many interactive types of glass technologies shown, because I was focused on the ways it was used. I was blown away by the way technology could provide us with so much. The technology I come in contact with everyday is a grain of sand compared to what is described in this video.
The future has always been a subject of continuous debate. Whether it is a small or large issue, the future holds the answers. This post focuses on technology and the amount of technology that is out there for us to use. Our knowledge of technology grows every second and this knowledge molds our futures. Mr. Winkle awoke into a culture he did not know. We know what is around us and we know how to use the technologies that invade out lives daily. We want to learn more and develop new technologies to help in fields of science, education, and art. Technology has become a part of daily life and in the future, I believe it will become even more embedded in our lives. We as an innovative society welcome change, knowledge, and the future.
