March 28, 2010 Morgan Bayada -
I am reading this post as an assignment for my EDM 310 class at the University of South Alabama. I am majoring in Elementary Education and this is a very interesting piece as we battle this debate on a daily basis. It seems as if our school would already be on board with actually educating the students. We are being “schooled” to tell the truth. Well, not all classes, but most of mine now are just “burp back” classes. It is very true that when you are forced to memorize facts and burp them back, odds are you will forget them. The Educational Media class I am taking now has forced me to try, explore and research new things about new opportunities being offered to us. Yes, I do realize I said forced, because if I had not been obligated to take this course I probably would never had known. However, I am thankful now that I have become a more critical thinker. If I do not know the answer, I will find it for you. It has really opened my eyes to a new way of life. I can only dream that you can change the way we are all educated and the generations to come. I thoroughly enjoyed the post as well as the video. I am very thankful for people like you trying to change the way we teach, therefore changing the way we learn.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Comments for kids week 10 -
This week the students wrote a fiction story. Here is Kristen's.
The Perfect Family
By Kirsten M.
It was 10:30. The lights just went out. We rush back to "the house" which is really just an old tool shed with broken windows, and half a door. The rest of the door is made of old sheets. We slip in and trip over blocks of wood, and I hear Arien squeal at the puncture of the wood. Kira and Karly are breathing in my ears. One on each side. Their hair is whipping in my face. So is my long, red, auburn hair. Ian is right on my tail helping Arien up. Ryan is silent, as usual, in the back of the crowd. Everything goes quiet. We're safe...for now.
Comments for Kids week 9 -
I read a blog from Waylon and it was about the NBA. It could not have came at a better time with March Madness going on. My husband and I are big basketball fans so I had a particular intrest in this one. Great post Waylon!
Comments for kids week 10 -
Macy got braces! Brace face, metal mouth as she called it! She talked about her experience at the orthodontist and described how she was a little scared at first but she knew it would be well worth it. I have also worn braces before so I reassured her it would be worth the wait. :)
This week the students wrote a fiction story. Here is Kristen's.
The Perfect Family
By Kirsten M.
It was 10:30. The lights just went out. We rush back to "the house" which is really just an old tool shed with broken windows, and half a door. The rest of the door is made of old sheets. We slip in and trip over blocks of wood, and I hear Arien squeal at the puncture of the wood. Kira and Karly are breathing in my ears. One on each side. Their hair is whipping in my face. So is my long, red, auburn hair. Ian is right on my tail helping Arien up. Ryan is silent, as usual, in the back of the crowd. Everything goes quiet. We're safe...for now.
Comments for Kids week 9 -
I read a blog from Waylon and it was about the NBA. It could not have came at a better time with March Madness going on. My husband and I are big basketball fans so I had a particular intrest in this one. Great post Waylon!
Comments for kids week 10 -
Macy got braces! Brace face, metal mouth as she called it! She talked about her experience at the orthodontist and described how she was a little scared at first but she knew it would be well worth it. I have also worn braces before so I reassured her it would be worth the wait. :)
Mrs. Cassidy -
I was not in the class that skyped Mrs. Cassidy, however, I did watch it. I was impressed with the conversation. It made me feel like I grew up in the dinosaur age. When I was that age, I barely knew what a computer was. She has been blogging for 5 years and has had a class web page for 10 years and teaching video cast for 2 years. This says a lot for her. The parents of her students really enjoyed the idea of how much the kids are learning. I am very motivated by this teacher.
Mrs. Kelly Hines -
The one thing that stood out in this video to me was the fact that Mrs. Hines says she chooses her lessons based on goals and objectives, not technology first. I am a firm believer in this pedagogy. Not many teachers work this way. Mrs. Hines is pretty much doing the same things that Mrs. Cassidy is so I don't want to sound redundant. But I am very motivated listening to both teachers and what they are able to do with their students and in the classroom.
I was not in the class that skyped Mrs. Cassidy, however, I did watch it. I was impressed with the conversation. It made me feel like I grew up in the dinosaur age. When I was that age, I barely knew what a computer was. She has been blogging for 5 years and has had a class web page for 10 years and teaching video cast for 2 years. This says a lot for her. The parents of her students really enjoyed the idea of how much the kids are learning. I am very motivated by this teacher.
Mrs. Kelly Hines -
The one thing that stood out in this video to me was the fact that Mrs. Hines says she chooses her lessons based on goals and objectives, not technology first. I am a firm believer in this pedagogy. Not many teachers work this way. Mrs. Hines is pretty much doing the same things that Mrs. Cassidy is so I don't want to sound redundant. But I am very motivated listening to both teachers and what they are able to do with their students and in the classroom.
Assignment for March 7, 2010
ALEX website -
I have used this website many times before this class. It is a very helpful website foe future teachers or teachers. It seems pretty easy to navigate in also. You can review lesson plans, podcast, ideas or basically find out almost any inoformation you need to regarding studetns and teachers.
You can search for nearly anything concerning teaching or learning. The website also gives you links to other helping sites to further your learning. It is a very resourceful tool and I am sure I will be using much much more of it.
ACCESS -
Short for Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators and Students Statewide. This website is for Alabama public high school students. It was built to provide equal learning opportunities for everyone. It allows students to complete online courses during semesters similar to those in college. They aim to improve students' achievements through this method of distance learning.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
March 28, 2010
"An Open Letter to Educators"
I am majoring in Elementary Education and this is a very interesting piece as we battle this debate on a daily basis. It seems as if our school would already be on board with actually educating the students. We are being “schooled” to tell the truth. Well, not all classes, but most of mine now are just “burp back” classes. It is very true that when you are forced to memorize facts and burp them back, odds are you will forget them. The Educational Media class I am taking now has forced me to try, explore and research new things about new opportunities being offered to us. Yes, I do realize I said forced, because if I had not been obligated to take this course I probably would never had known. However, I am thankful now that I have become a more critical thinker. If I do not know the answer, I will find it for you. It has really opened my eyes to a new way of life. I can only dream that you can change the way we are all educated and the generations to come. I thoroughly enjoyed the post as well as the video. I am very thankful for people like you trying to change the way we teach, therefore changing the way we learn.
PLN midterm -
For my PLN, Ive been following Morgan Bayada and Karl Fisch. I have most enjoyed Morgan Bayada. She is such an inspiration. She is a new teacher in Saskatchewan with Bachelor of Education with a specialization in Early Childhood Education. We have a lot of the same beliefs when it comes to students and teachers and their eager to continue learning.
Educational Technology -
I Believe…(Philosophy) by: Morgan Bayada
♦ I believe that effective use of educational technologies can:
• Help me to stay current and constantly learn within the field of education
• Provide an authentic, international audience for student writing and voice
• Bring experts into the classroom
• Engage students
• Open the door to alternative forms of assessment
• Create a learning environment that goes beyond the four walls of the classroom
• Promote collaboration and inquiry
• Help students become independent, intrinsically motivated, lifelong learners
• Take students from “knowledgeable to knowledge-able” (Michael Wesch)
http://morgbayda.wordpress.com/belief-statements-philosophy/educational-technology/
"An Open Letter to Educators"
I am majoring in Elementary Education and this is a very interesting piece as we battle this debate on a daily basis. It seems as if our school would already be on board with actually educating the students. We are being “schooled” to tell the truth. Well, not all classes, but most of mine now are just “burp back” classes. It is very true that when you are forced to memorize facts and burp them back, odds are you will forget them. The Educational Media class I am taking now has forced me to try, explore and research new things about new opportunities being offered to us. Yes, I do realize I said forced, because if I had not been obligated to take this course I probably would never had known. However, I am thankful now that I have become a more critical thinker. If I do not know the answer, I will find it for you. It has really opened my eyes to a new way of life. I can only dream that you can change the way we are all educated and the generations to come. I thoroughly enjoyed the post as well as the video. I am very thankful for people like you trying to change the way we teach, therefore changing the way we learn.
PLN midterm -
For my PLN, Ive been following Morgan Bayada and Karl Fisch. I have most enjoyed Morgan Bayada. She is such an inspiration. She is a new teacher in Saskatchewan with Bachelor of Education with a specialization in Early Childhood Education. We have a lot of the same beliefs when it comes to students and teachers and their eager to continue learning.
Educational Technology -
I Believe…(Philosophy) by: Morgan Bayada
♦ I believe that effective use of educational technologies can:
• Help me to stay current and constantly learn within the field of education
• Provide an authentic, international audience for student writing and voice
• Bring experts into the classroom
• Engage students
• Open the door to alternative forms of assessment
• Create a learning environment that goes beyond the four walls of the classroom
• Promote collaboration and inquiry
• Help students become independent, intrinsically motivated, lifelong learners
• Take students from “knowledgeable to knowledge-able” (Michael Wesch)
http://morgbayda.wordpress.com/belief-statements-philosophy/educational-technology/
Monday, March 8, 2010
Randy Pausch - Last Lecture
Randy Pausch begins his last lecture by telling a little about himself and what he has been through. He has pancreatic cancer and has been told he will only live a few more months. In this lecture, he not only gives advice, but, more importantly, he gives inspiration. At the beginning of the lecture, he gives a list of quite a few of his childhood dreams. Throughout the first half of the lecture, he gives examples of how he accomplished each of these dreams. This man has managed to accomplish so much of what he wanted to do in life because he was persistent.and had much inspiration.
The part of his lecture about brick walls is neat. He basically tells us the brick walls are not there to keep us out. Instead, they are there to show us exactly how bad we want whatever it is they are keeping us from. If it is really important to us, we should do whatever it takes to break this wall down. This is true in so many instances--relationships, school, and careers. Anything is possible if we set our mind to it, and I truly believe God never shuts one door without opening another. We should fight for what we believe in and what we want if we truly believe in it with all our heart.
The middle was mainly about how he had accomplished many of his childhood dreams. Some that were far fetched. He inspires you to never give up on any dream you may have. To break through the brick wall and you shall achieve your goal. I have so much respect for this man and I have never even met him. He teaches you to take criticism well and use it to your advantage. To listen and learn from it to prevent making the same mistakes twice.
Overall, this guy is life changing. He is such a gentleman. I loved at the end he takes his wife's hand kisses her and bows with her. I love moments like that. He is an inspiration to all of us and we definately need more teachers like him to give aome oerserverance to those who are lost or who become lost as they grow up. So many children need a "pick me up" such as this type of thing and a motivational speech such as this one to keep them on their journey to dream. Child hood dreams do come true!
Randy Pausch begins his last lecture by telling a little about himself and what he has been through. He has pancreatic cancer and has been told he will only live a few more months. In this lecture, he not only gives advice, but, more importantly, he gives inspiration. At the beginning of the lecture, he gives a list of quite a few of his childhood dreams. Throughout the first half of the lecture, he gives examples of how he accomplished each of these dreams. This man has managed to accomplish so much of what he wanted to do in life because he was persistent.and had much inspiration.
The part of his lecture about brick walls is neat. He basically tells us the brick walls are not there to keep us out. Instead, they are there to show us exactly how bad we want whatever it is they are keeping us from. If it is really important to us, we should do whatever it takes to break this wall down. This is true in so many instances--relationships, school, and careers. Anything is possible if we set our mind to it, and I truly believe God never shuts one door without opening another. We should fight for what we believe in and what we want if we truly believe in it with all our heart.
The middle was mainly about how he had accomplished many of his childhood dreams. Some that were far fetched. He inspires you to never give up on any dream you may have. To break through the brick wall and you shall achieve your goal. I have so much respect for this man and I have never even met him. He teaches you to take criticism well and use it to your advantage. To listen and learn from it to prevent making the same mistakes twice.
Overall, this guy is life changing. He is such a gentleman. I loved at the end he takes his wife's hand kisses her and bows with her. I love moments like that. He is an inspiration to all of us and we definately need more teachers like him to give aome oerserverance to those who are lost or who become lost as they grow up. So many children need a "pick me up" such as this type of thing and a motivational speech such as this one to keep them on their journey to dream. Child hood dreams do come true!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
1st post for Comments for Teachers -
Concerning the salaries of teachers. The base pay for a teacher in Iowa is $48,000. The are number 26 in state rankings. He argues that the assistance from the government should not be involved with the schools. If so they should take words of wisdom from those who have stood on the front lines and actually know a thing or two about teaching and what truly goes on. Not someone who does not have a clue and has never been a teacher before.
I do, however think we need a little assistance from the government, just maybe after they have taken advice from those on the front lines. They are the ones that know what is going on and the ones doing the job. This is a bittersweet situation I guess. However, in Alabama I would be happy to receive that salary as opposed to our teachers now.
2nd post for Comments for Teachers -
This post was about a teacher from Arizona. This is her fifth year teaching and she is teaching computer classes to her students now. She mentions she has many hobbies other than playing on the computer. She enjoys being in the kitchen and hiking, camping and other outdoor activities. This makes me happy because a lot of teachers just sit behind the computer with no daily exercise. We always need exercise.
3rd post for Comments for Teachers -
Yes! I for one do not want to be unfairly graded either. I dont think the test scores should depend on the evaluation of the teacher. Like you mention, give me exactly what will be on the test and let me prepare them to the best of my ability. Then if I do not suceed, we need to change certain styles of teaching.
Concerning the salaries of teachers. The base pay for a teacher in Iowa is $48,000. The are number 26 in state rankings. He argues that the assistance from the government should not be involved with the schools. If so they should take words of wisdom from those who have stood on the front lines and actually know a thing or two about teaching and what truly goes on. Not someone who does not have a clue and has never been a teacher before.
I do, however think we need a little assistance from the government, just maybe after they have taken advice from those on the front lines. They are the ones that know what is going on and the ones doing the job. This is a bittersweet situation I guess. However, in Alabama I would be happy to receive that salary as opposed to our teachers now.
2nd post for Comments for Teachers -
This post was about a teacher from Arizona. This is her fifth year teaching and she is teaching computer classes to her students now. She mentions she has many hobbies other than playing on the computer. She enjoys being in the kitchen and hiking, camping and other outdoor activities. This makes me happy because a lot of teachers just sit behind the computer with no daily exercise. We always need exercise.
3rd post for Comments for Teachers -
Yes! I for one do not want to be unfairly graded either. I dont think the test scores should depend on the evaluation of the teacher. Like you mention, give me exactly what will be on the test and let me prepare them to the best of my ability. Then if I do not suceed, we need to change certain styles of teaching.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Assignments for 2.28.10
This Is How We Dream -
I was actually very impressed by this video. I seriously doubt I could do something similar without further training. This is where the problem comes in. Im wlling to bet their are middle school students who already know how to do this. Will we always be behind because of what we have not been taught?
As a future educator you will definitely have to be eager to continue your journey of learning, especially in the technology field. The students we will be teaching will continuously be learning the new and improved trends of technology.
I was way more interested in a video or presentation in this format. I'm sure anyone would be. It keeps your imagination longer. I'm really loving the whole creativity bit. It makes perfect sense, it is all about one being creative and it is "how we dream".
The Networked Student -
I can clearly see where this video is going. It is very innovative to our generation. The students could very well create PLN's for themselves and find out all the necessary information they need for their project. The teacher is always a great resource for many reasons.
I never want to think we do not need teachers because it scares me to think all the hard work I am doing right now in college may not even matter if that is the case. There has to be a way to use media as a plus without crushing the whole concept of school as we use to know it. Teachers are many peoples inspirations. When they touch your life, you never forget them.
The video was very neat, I will agree. But I am not one for subtracting the teachers out of our school experience. Or not so much as taking them completely out, but even the majority of the time is too much. Although, the teachers that hate their jobs, that may turn out to be beneficial to the students.
Michael Wesch -
Wow! This video was long but interesting. It had a lot of great facts. It seems so scary but true as to what we are becoming and how we are changing. I never realized certain things about myself and my social networking until I watched this video. We create the media is right. We talk about what we see from the media. He mentions the "whatever" quotes and how we as a whole distribute the term so lax. We need to change the slogan from " whatever, I don't care what you think" to the future slogan " Let's do whatever it takes, by whatever means necessary".
My Comments for Kids -
This week my student was blogging about how to make a best friend and the process and materials needed. The student was very informative and had a great "how to" format. She mentioned finding someone you can trust and feeling like you can talk to them about your problems at home or school. Also about finding someone you have a lot in common with. Cute post.
This Is How We Dream -
I was actually very impressed by this video. I seriously doubt I could do something similar without further training. This is where the problem comes in. Im wlling to bet their are middle school students who already know how to do this. Will we always be behind because of what we have not been taught?
As a future educator you will definitely have to be eager to continue your journey of learning, especially in the technology field. The students we will be teaching will continuously be learning the new and improved trends of technology.
I was way more interested in a video or presentation in this format. I'm sure anyone would be. It keeps your imagination longer. I'm really loving the whole creativity bit. It makes perfect sense, it is all about one being creative and it is "how we dream".
The Networked Student -
I can clearly see where this video is going. It is very innovative to our generation. The students could very well create PLN's for themselves and find out all the necessary information they need for their project. The teacher is always a great resource for many reasons.
I never want to think we do not need teachers because it scares me to think all the hard work I am doing right now in college may not even matter if that is the case. There has to be a way to use media as a plus without crushing the whole concept of school as we use to know it. Teachers are many peoples inspirations. When they touch your life, you never forget them.
The video was very neat, I will agree. But I am not one for subtracting the teachers out of our school experience. Or not so much as taking them completely out, but even the majority of the time is too much. Although, the teachers that hate their jobs, that may turn out to be beneficial to the students.
Michael Wesch -
Wow! This video was long but interesting. It had a lot of great facts. It seems so scary but true as to what we are becoming and how we are changing. I never realized certain things about myself and my social networking until I watched this video. We create the media is right. We talk about what we see from the media. He mentions the "whatever" quotes and how we as a whole distribute the term so lax. We need to change the slogan from " whatever, I don't care what you think" to the future slogan " Let's do whatever it takes, by whatever means necessary".
My Comments for Kids -
This week my student was blogging about how to make a best friend and the process and materials needed. The student was very informative and had a great "how to" format. She mentioned finding someone you can trust and feeling like you can talk to them about your problems at home or school. Also about finding someone you have a lot in common with. Cute post.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)