My EDM 310 Blog Assigments are Now Complete

well....... we did it! Through all the breakdowns and panic attacks, we made it! YAH! bye... I will see yall around!

blog: week 16

Throughout this semester, I have learned quite a few things. I have become more effective using Microsoft Word since I learned new tools as well as faster steps to creating word processing pages. I also have learned a great deal about spreadsheets. I have never been introduced to the payment table concepts and since I understand them now, I will be much more prepared when I get ready to purchase a car, house, etc. I have also learned a lot of new tools for the future by doing these blogs. I know of quite a few more resources that I will be able to use in my classroom to better educate my students!

blog: week 14

As I read through the information about NPR blogs and wired news, I realized that Wikipedia tends to create these things in effort for their own advancements. I dont think that the program should allow for changing of information by random other people. So many people use this program for research and count on its contents to be factual. I definitely do not like the idea of Diebold being able to change Wikipedia information. This only brings concerns for the public and shows much weakness in their system. It's very scary that the information that is being fed to the public could very well be a lie.

As far as my opinion and feelings toward Wikipedia and its components, I do not think that I fully trust the information. I have used this as a resource in the past and now that I am understanding all the kinks and mishaps of the system, I dont know that I will ever use it again. Its not fair for Wikipedia to put information on the web about educational topics since so many people use this as a resource in their own studies. There is no way of truly knowing what has been altered, so I will most likely stay away!

blog: week 13

Dr. Carol Dweck, of Standford University is studying and observing new psychological concepts throughout learning in K - 12. Studies show that students are pre-destined to be in a certain skill category and it will stay that way until they are finished with school completely. Dr. Carol Dweck does not understand this concept and has her own concept called Growth Mindset that helps students to breat mental barriers that usually hold students back from learning and allows them to learn with different learning styles.

As a future teacher, I would be able to better educate my students by using this resource. The Growth Mindset concept will help students to branch out of their normal learning style and learn differently. Using these videos, I would have discussion and even blog topics or journal topics about them so that students can express what they have learned. This is always a good way for students to explore new ideas.

blog: week 12

As I visited The Teachers domain, I realized that it has a lot of great ideas and programs about history and discovery. The videos were very clear and easy to understand. Its a great idea to put these topics on audio and video because they are more interesting to watch. Students dont fully understand this type of information unless they can see it.

I watched a Space Science video on the Earth and the enormous amounts of life on Earth. This is rare since Earth is the only place in the solar system with life on it. I know that this would be a great tool for me as a teacher because it would allow for different learning styles for my students. It would be much more fun and interesting if I could show my students videos instead of reading from a textbook.

I would definately take part in The Teachers Domain and include its materials in my everyday teaching. Hopefully, I could tie in a video with most every lesson. I know that these concepts are hard to grasp without a visual, so I know these videos would be great!

week 9 post: iTunes University

A great advancement was made by iTunes recently. They have constructed a new program known as iTunes University where there are ample amounts of audio and video lectures from universities around the United States. The program allows viewers to see actual audio and video clips from university classrooms like Stanford, Duke, Arizona St., etc.

In my classroom, I know that these resources will be of great help if I need assistance on planning a lesson. Also, I will be able to show audio and video clips using the iTunes program to better educate my class. Since I will be in an elementary classroom, I will not require my students to use this program on their own at home. Although, while in the classroom, I will have the program on the computers for students to use while I instruct them.

week 8 blog: iPods in classrooms

As I read the study from Duke University about their use of iPods in the classroom, I began to realize that this tool is a great asset to student involvement. Duke's academic uses of the iPod were for course content dissemination, classroom recording tool, field recording tool, and a study support tool. The study showed that students felt comfortable with the device and thought it was easy and effective. One of the biggest challenges included inability to incorporate multiple iPods due to lack of instructor tools to combine text and audio.

On the second site I visited, I found that there are many tools on the web to help teachers integrate the iPod into their classroom and lesson plans. There are study guides as well as interactive activities on the web for teachers to use. Robert Craven stresses his opinion that "Video, audio, and images can be loaded on the iPod and provide an excellent manner for bringing a student who missed a day up to speed". I think that it is a great idea for teachers to bring iPods into the classroom to give students a new outlook on new material. This will keep the classroom lively and intersting.

One web site I visited was:
http://www.schoolcio.com/showArticle.php?articleID=196604276

week 7: Fischbowl February 2007 Blog

In this issue, Karl Fisch discusses his views on testing students, especially in mathematics, and what is considered to be a "right" answer. I agree with a lot of his points as he said that students should be taught methods that help them relate math to the world and real world situations. He states that students need math knowledge to correspond with daily life so they will know how to use the many formulas they are taught once they leave their math class and go into the world.

I feel that math is a hard subject for students to grasp because they don't fully understand why numbers "do what they do" if you will. Students must be taught how the math concepts relate to their life just like we teach history lessons because those topics are the reason for the way the world is today. If we did not approach math as a topic that requires mastery and perfection to be successful and made it seem more meaningful in the eyes of students, they may feel the need and desire to learn the material.

image with title and alt tags

week 6 blog: Fischbowl

The Fischbowl blog in September about teachers and technology was very informative. I feel that teachers should be required to have a basic knowledge of technology used in their classroom. Although, you cant fault teachers that are of older generations for not understanding newly developed technology. But, they should step up and try to understand the new technological items because they are going to be around it since they are teachers! On the other hand, it is hard to understand advancing technology if you have never learned or understood the simpler versions.

As far as parents that do not fully understand a concept or how to work new technology thinking that their children do not need to learn these things I say that you are not an effective parent. Students as young as kindergarten are learning how to operate computers and other devices and parents are left in the dust. Frankly, this is how generations work...new things arise and older persons are left behind. It is their responsibility to update themselves as new things arise, but many fall behind because its not important to them. I can understand that they have already been in their career for many years and have learned all they desire but it is important to make sure that younger generations are advancing and progressing along with the world.

week 4 blog: classroom web sites

The second web site I reviewed was a third grade classroom in Corona, California. The teacher of this site did a great job of giving plenty of information to parents and students. This site, unlike the other site, has a lot of information about the teacher and her personal information from as far back as her birth. The teacher also has homework assignments posted as well as weekly and monthly goals and objectives. She has each subject sectioned with details for each activity including web site links. She also has great information for parents about their role in homework and in their third graders life in general. This site is excellent!

week 4 blog: classroom web sites

The first web site I reviewed was created by 2 kindergarten teachers on one combined site. These teachers used their site to show pictures and information about each event that the students are able to participate in. Also, the teachers included their weekly schedules and what would be happening in the classroom in the a.m. and p.m. The teachers even added the names of visitors that were to come into the classroom. The site also gives a monthly view of what concepts will be covered for the entire school year. The site was very kid and family friendly.

week 3 blog: ACCESS

ACCESS is a state owned program to further students knowledge and abilities. The program helps students to take additional courses as well as online advanced courses. The courses allow for many practice tools for students to do remediation in any subject or content area that they need extra help in. The program is designed to help students get the knowledge and skills they need to be prepared for the workforce and/or college.

The program furthers learning by using web based instructional tools for students to learn from. Also, the program uses videoconferencing, which is two way audio/video between two sites, for students to become more prepared with using computer skills. Another great tool used in this program is the online face-to-face sessions with additional virtual field trips to enhance learning.

a picture for you!

This is a great hand painting!! Bet you didn't even know it was a hand!!

Week 2: blog # 2

As I begin to teach in the future, I will be able to use the Alex website in several ways. I will use the site to advance my knowledge and gain ideas for my daily teaching plans. The lesson plan tab on the website allows you to view all grade levels as well as all subjects. The site will allow me to find specific lesson plan ideas that I can either use or I will be able to incorporate the ideas into a lesson plan that I have already created.

The website will also be a great tool for me as I begin to teach because it will allow me to go beyond the knowledge I am learning in school. The ALEX site will enable me to have fresh, new ideas for my classroom. Also, the site gives great details for things to do outside of the classroom in the library or media center. I feel that I will be able to use this site to find many ideas and instructions as I begin to teach.

blog: week 2

On the website, ALEX, I noticed a lot of good resources for upcoming and returning teachers. A big resource is the course of study which will allow you to view the guidelines in which you should base each school day on. Also, the lesson plan tab is a great resource for teachers to use as they gather new ideas as well as make their own adjustments to previous lesson plans.

The website is a great resource especially since it has a lot of information in one single site. The site allows teachers to brainstorm and use the information to better their teaching style. Another huge part of the ALEX site is the tab that offers web links. The tab will allow you to further your research using other site ideas.

movie blog

This movie reminded me that there have been many positive changes in the world as the years have passed. On top of higher education being presented to students, technology has enhanced the minds of everyone. As new technology is becoming easier and easier to get involved with, many people around the world are purchasing these technology enhanced machines. The movie expressed that many new babies are born each day and an idea that was brought up was about how the world is like for newborns. In my opinion, it is probably a scary place for them. Also, the use of cell phones was astonishing as the facts of how many minutes and connections between persons is through the roof. The data is said to grow to new heights every six months. Also, the video expressed that most 21 year olds have had plenty of access to technology. The movie states that 21 year olds have had around 10,000 hours of each phone use, playing video games, and watching t.v. Although this numbers seems to be extremely high, I feel sure that I fall under these same categories.

blog #2

just making sure that my blog is working properly!!!

my first post!

This is just a test!