C4K #1,2, and 3 Summary

C4K #1: Alexis
On February 6, 2011, I had the pleasure of reading Alexis C.'s blog post. She is in Ms. Naugle's 5th period math class. Alexis' post was on angles. While geometry was never my best subject, she discussed angles, which I could actually keep up with. What I thought was so great was after she explained each type of angle thoroughly, she added an illustration of all of the angles she had discussed. This could really help someone who is more a visual learner understand better. It also attracts more attention to her post. Overall, I was very impressed with her post. I even told her that when I commented on her post.

I told her that she had made it very easy for her classmates to understand angles through her definition and illustration. I also told her that I really enjoyed reading her post. I really can't wait to read another one. I like to watch young children grow in knowledge and then be excited to share it.


C4K #2: Subika
I have really developed a soft spot for Subika, as well as the other children. She is in Mr. St. Pierre's class. Subika's post was about her love for poetry. She loves poetry so much that she even wants to become a poet. She talked about more of her dreams. In the future, she would love to be a lawyer, reporter, and author. She reminded me of myself when I was younger. I think we could all relate to her. She has such a great love for the world and literature. Also, she is so excited to have her own career and make a difference in the world. She continued on to reveal a little bit about herself. She loves to help others, especially with poetry. She sounds like such a sweet girl!

I told her that I enjoyed reading her blog post. I told her that she sounded like such a nice person and she made really good career choices. I told her about how I like to read and write. I asked her if she had a favorite poet or author. I also asked if she had written anything herself.


C4K #3: Zyrin
Zyrin is very new to blogging. His blog looks great! He is in Mr. Chris Marks' 5th grade class at Pt England School. His first blog post is a picture of himself. He looks like such a great kid.
For my comment, I told him that I was happy to meet him and looking forward to reading his future blog posts. I also asked him a few questions. I asked him if he was excited to blog, what his favorite subject was, and what he liked to do for fun. I can't wait to see what he does with his blog!

Black History Month Project

After a few hours of work in the lab, my trailer is complete! I'm so excited about the final product. Due to the late delivery of my book, my trailer could not be used in Anthony's project. It is very unfortunate because I wanted to "be a part of history", as Dr. Strange put it. I would have also liked to say that my project was one of many great projects that established change in a classroom. I saw some of the other trailers and I think everyone did a fantastic job. I really could go on and on about this project. It was so much fun and I learned so much. Thank you Dr. Strange, for the projects you assign, and Anthony, for this wonderful opportunity you thought of.

Without further ado, here is the final product!

Project 9: Timetoast Timeline

Hey everyone! I found a small typo in one of the events, so I decided to revise and repost the timeline. I don't know why I missed such a silly mistake because I looked over it so many times. Oh well, nobody is perfect!

Project 8: Podcast

My Sentence Movie

     After much thought and a few technical difficulties, I got my video to successfully post on my blog. It was really difficult to narrow down all of my thoughts into just one sentence. I had quite a few other sentences, but as I thought about this sentence more I saw the power behind it. My sentence was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's statement, "Be the change you want to see in the world." In the my future career and even now, I want to inspire people to be the best they can be. I want to help myself and others make a difference in this world. To accomplish this, I have to start with myself. I have to go through these wonderful classes offered at the university to know what I need to know. I have to go through life experiences and classes like EDM 310 to put this knowledge to work and be the best I can be. Only then, can I truly help others and the world. 

Blog Assignment 3

Michael Wesch: A Vision of Students Today

I would say this movie represents my college experience pretty well. It isn't 100% accurate, but it is very close. After observing fellow students, I believe that it is an accurate depiction for most students. The picture we get from the video is one that most college students see through their whole college career, a huge auditorium. The chairs and walls are pretty worn down and the distance from the front of the room sometimes seems like miles. The distance and technology helps distractions take over the students. Technology can better our learning, but we need to learn to use it to help us. Most students, as depicted in the video, get on Facebook or other entertaining websites during class. They are simply using technology for their enjoyment and not to further their learning. This is the one difference between the students in the video and me. I no longer make the mistakes that a lot of naive students make because I've seen the consequences.

The one thing I would change/add to this video is the time statistics the students show. Sometimes, I get far less sleep than 7 hours a night and I find myself studying more than 3 hours a day. I have to! One statement really hit home for me: I'm a multitask-er. I have to be. This is so true of me and other college students. Right now, I think most college students don't know anyway to juggle all the work that they have without multitasking. We would drown if we didn't.



"It's Not About the Technology" By: Kelly Hines

Kelly Hines' "It's Not About the Technology" was a truthful argument that technology isn't what is going to save our classrooms. The technological tools installed in classrooms would be nothing without innovative teachers to use them in the best way they can. The combination of a good teacher and technology works wonders in the classroom. Teachers can't just rely on technology. They have to become the best teacher they can be and then use technology as a tool to help children learn.

Included in Kelly's post is a list of things that teachers must know to truly impact their children. In this list she made quite a few significant points that I want to reflect on.

1. Teachers must be learners.
Once we graduate college and start our job, learning isn't over. As teachers, we must be open to thought of always learning. We're in a time where technology and other things are improving. New things are coming out that we couldn't have imagined would exist when we were younger. When we become teachers we need to stay on top of all of the new things. These new things, what ever they may be, could be vital tools for our classroom. Not only do we have to keep learning about new things, but we have to constantly stay on top of teaching our children. Perhaps, we could learn a better way to help students understand a concept of a math problem or any other problems they have in school.
2. Learning and Teaching are not the same thing.
Part of being a great teacher is knowing the difference between the two words learning and teaching. As I went through school, I always heard certain children saying that they didn't learn a thing. Yes, this student could have been a trouble maker or just someone who is slow to learn, but perhaps the teacher could have learned a new angle to try with this student. Maybe he/she could have gotten through to the student just by trying a little harder. I'm not saying the teacher didn't try at all because I know that I learned a lot from most of my teachers, but teachers of the future are going to have to learn to break through to all of their students. Like Kelly said, "If an object does not move, no matter how much force has been applied, no work has been done". We can teach something, but we need to help our students truly learn it.
3. Technology is useless without good teaching.
This is vital for everyone to know. We can't just install a Smart Board into a classroom and think all of the problems are solved. The Smart Board isn't going to start talking and magically make all the students learn. Nor is it going to help students learn if there isn't a teacher using it to effectively teach students. This point kind of connects to the first point. As teachers, we must learn about the technology, find an innovative way to use it in the classroom, and effectively teach students. We have to want and train to be a good teacher to become one. When we have become the type of teacher that is needed, technology will only continue to help our classrooms.
4. Be a 21st Century Teacher without the technology.
It is better to be a great teacher and have minimal to no technology, then to have amazing technological tools that you aren't using in the way you should. A 21st century teacher has to be smart, creative, and willing to learn. We have to strategize on how to reach out to every student in ever class we ever have. When we have become what a 21st century teacher, we should use technology for all of the benefits it has.



Karl Fisch: Is It Okay to Be A Technologically Illiterate Teacher?

Even though Karl claims that this post was kind of a rant, he made some really good points. During some parts of his post, I was reminded of Kelly Hines' post. This post also made me think and reflect on the things that Dr. Strange has already taught me through these assignments. As extreme as his ending statement may seem to be, I believe it is correct.

I think Karl made the perfect analogy. Many years ago reading and writing was to people as technology is to us now. If a teacher didn't know how to read or write, then I would say they wouldn't have a job. I think if teachers don't learn to be technologically literate, they soon won't have jobs either. I have observed the changes that have taken place at my mother's school. First, they got a whole new school building. This building, compared to the old Booth Elementary, was state of the art. For example, my mom went from a portable to a huge classroom with automatic lights and three computers for class use. She has her own closet and sink area. She has a ton of shelving space and even a window. I know having a window sounds like a small change, but if you had seen her first portable you would understand my excitement. Now after this wonderful new school building, the school is slowly getting technological tools to help students in their career and teachers more effectively teach their students. In the past year, the school has provided my mom with her own personal laptop and a Smart Board. It may not sound like a lot, but she had to learn to use the laptop and all of the applications that the school is going to use on there. Also, she learned about the Smart Board. Her learning didn't stop at the workshops. She would bring books home about the Smart Board and I see her working on her computer all of the time. My point is, schools are going to improve and technology is going to be introduced more and more. Teachers need to embrace it and learn it or they won't have the effective tools needed to help their students or they'll be lost in their job. I've witnessed first hand teachers that don't understand the technology given to them. There are some out their that don't know how to use it or don't wish to learn. My fear is we will never break through to them and they could lose their job.

To teach children to use the technology for their future. We must be technological literate. As suggested in Kelly Hines' post, we must be learners, too!



Gary Hayes Social Media Count

This isn't the first time I have seen the Social Media Count. Before school had started, I was exploring the EDM 310 Class Blog and saw it. I was astounded. I knew that people used technology, but I just never really thought about it like it's presented in the Social Media Count. Right now, someone is buying an IPad or getting a Twitter. It's not even one person that is doing those things. As I type these very words, hundreds of people are doing that and other things with technology. Looking and the Social Media Count is a perfect closing to Blog Assignment 3. It puts everything I just read and watched into perspective. It kind of ties everything together because it causes me to think, then I reflect on what everything I have done for this assignment, and then I start making connections.

This count is proof that technology is growing, more people are using it. Since it is growing so quickly, we need to become technologically literate teachers like Karl Fisch suggests. Part of becoming technologically literate is learning. Like Kelly Hines' said, teachers have to be learners too. She also makes it clear that we must become great teachers that use technology. We can't just depend on it. Technology can be used to further education or distract us. This was shown in the video, "A Vision of Students Today". In class, a lot of students use technology to distract themselves.

Besides helping me form connections, the Social Media Count has made me think about my future career. People are using so much technology at this very minute right now. I could approach technology several different ways. I can say that I could use a student's love for technology to help them grasp a concept in a subject they don't understand. Technology could help me break through to every student. I could also say that since people are using so much technology right now and it seems like little time is passing, different forms of technology could start being created at an astounding rate. I need to remember to stay technologically literate and to be a learner. I want to learn to use this technology to effectively teach my students.

C4T#1 Beth Still

For the first C4T assignment, I was assigned to Beth Still. I really enjoyed reading her first two posts. She introduced me to ISTE, the International Society for Technology in Education.

ISTE11 Newbie Project
By: Beth Still

In this blog post, Beth tells readers about her Newbie Project that she started in 2009. Beth had such a wonderful experience at ISTE, that she decided she would pick a different educator new to ISTE every year and start fundraising efforts for this person to attend ISTE. She asks for donations to help this "newbie" reach the goal. Most donations come from individual readers, while the rest comes from corporate sponsors. Throughout the course of her project she has run into some criticism. People don't fully believe in the power of her network. They also question sending an administrator, George Couros to ISTE11. She proves the critics who doubt her power wrong because she is "a teacher in rural western Nebraska" and she is "able to raise over $1500 in a matter of weeks using Twitter". In regards to sending George she states, "I cannot emphasize enough that I really believe in George and his ability to have a positive impact on education. He is a role model for both teachers and administrators. He is passionate about sharing, learning, teaching, and communicating and I believe he deserves the opportunity to attend ISTE".

In my comment I introduced myself to Beth. I told her about how recently I had become so passionate about teaching and learning to be the best teacher that I could be. This passion increased with the more I learned. I told her that she had taught me something. She had introduced me to ISTE and made me interested in finding out more about it. I admire her for starting the project and helping teachers and administrators attend such a beneficial conference. As the saying goes, she is being the change she wants to see in this world. She is actively taking part in a positive change for education.



So What is ISTE?
By: Beth Still

I went a little backwards due to some confusion on my part, but I'm glad that I did. I found more information about ISTE. Beth paints a clear picture of what ISTE is. She even talks about her first experience with ISTE and what led her there. ISTE stands for International Society for Technology in Education. It was founded in 1979. Beth wanted to find more ways to incorporate technology into her classroom. Her principal suggested that she attend a conference outside of her area. After much exploring, Beth found ISTE. She saw that it was held in San Antonio, the city she grew up in. This made her even more excited to attend. The rest of Beth's post explains the benefits she sees members of ISTE receive. She tells readers that through ISTE she has acquired an abundance of resources that will help her with technology in the classroom.

In my comment, I told her how I had once again enjoyed hearing about her experience. She had mentioned in one of her posts about getting to meet certain teachers face to face at conferences just like this. I pictured myself attending ISTE, eager as always. It would be so awesome to meet these amazing educators that I follow on Twitter or that I will continue to meet through this class. Beth has inspired me to look up more information about ISTE and even look at the resources she provided in her post.

Project 5: Google Presentation

Blog Assignment 2

1. Did You Know? 3.0
This video was so interesting and a little scary to me. It was really fascinating to see the differences in technology through the years. The video further proved to me that technology is very important in the classroom. To me its important for two reasons. The first reason is that it will further the students learning.

The second reason plays on the first reason. The video stated that we need technology for the problems and job opportunities that are going to appear that we never imagined. The world is growing. With technology, students will be prepared to fix problems that may appear in the future. Also, the technology skills they acquire could help them with a new job or even help create a new job that didn't exist. The video blew my mind and kind of made me nervous for the future. I'm nervous about the unknown. So much has happened in the years, things that we never really thought could happen. History is going to repeat itself. Things are going to happen in the future that will surprise us. My job is to educate and prepare children, our future leaders.

2. Mr. Winkle Wakes
Mr. Winkle Wakes was not what I had expected it to be. Before watching the video, I wasn't sure what I was in for except a small cartoon man. Mr. Winkle Wakes is a humorous story about Rip Van Winkle waking up after one hundred years. He feels uncomfortable in the technologically advanced business building and hospital. Unaware of the good technology can do, he feels at home in a boring, basic classroom.

After watching this video, I realized that I could compare myself to Mr. Winkle. No, I didn't just wake up from a one hundred year "nap". However, I did have my eyes opened to technology in classrooms. My whole life, I have seen the benefits of technology in business and hospitals. The only technology I have known in school is the 30-minute computer class I was fortunate to have once a week. When I was in elementary school, I loved that one day that I got to go to computer class. What Mr. Winkle needs to realized and what I have realized is that school doesn't have to be the way we have always known it. Not only will technology help students academically, but it will also help the bored, sluggish kids that we see in the vide enjoy learning! They will be excited to go to school and have a will to learn.

3. Sir Ken Robinson: The Importance of Creativity
Ken Robinson has become an inspiration to me because of his message. Simply put, Ken Robinson believes in children. He sees the importance of creativity and their imagination. He also notices that schools tend to discourage the creativity of children, while strongly emphasizing the importance of strict schooling. I agree whole-heartedly with Ken Robinson.

I believe, that as a future educator I can't discourage my future children from using their imagination and creativity in the classroom. I know that along with incorporating technology in my classroom, I need to use my imagination and the imagination of my students to make their learning experience the best it can be. I need to help them develop their talents more, rather than discourage them. I don't want to be the teacher angered by the girl drawing God or a teacher that just writes a student off as someone with ADHD. I will play on their personal strengths and help them to come over their weaknesses.

4. Cecelia Gault Interviews Sir Ken Robinson
First of all, I am so impressed with Cecelia. She seems to be such a smart girl and she carries herself so well. When I was her age, I probably would have been so intimidated interviewing a man like Ken Robinson. I wish to have students like Cecelia in my classroom.

Again, Ken Robinson interests me with his important information. This video brings me back to the points I made when talking about Ken Robinson's talk about creativity. Cecelia found a way to show her talents. I am going to help my students show theirs. I am going to incorporate the lessons I learn from this class, especially, as well as my other classes into my future classroom.

5. Vicki Davis: Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts
Vicki Davis presents two points that I think are very important. The first one is that only certain students will learn when school is broken down to just pencil and paper. I completely agree with this. This point reminds me of the argument for creativity by Ken Robinson. Only certain children will be able to learn in the basic format of schooling. Most students today are going to need technology and creativity to further themselves in their academic career. Like Ken suggested, Vicki pays attention to each student's particular talents and helps them learn through their talents.

The other important point to me was that new teachers make the mistake of thinking that they must know everything before they can teach their students. I connect with this thought because I have felt so overwhelmed about my future career. I did think that I had to know everything to effectively teach my students. When Vicki said that I had a sigh of relief. I think that its cool that she lets her students show her things that she didn't even know. She gives them basic training in technology, teaching them somethings and then letting them take the reigns. I am going to do this when I become a teacher.