Healthy Thoughs for Dr. Waters....

What? It’s been a very interesting week Dr. Waters cancelled class for the first time in nine years. That’s amazing! I wish her a speedy recovery, but I have to admit it’s given me a chance to get caught up in my other classes. Since field work is approaching fast and there is a lot to do before I start. I got through my first psychology case study that was a lot of fun. (right)

So What? The fun has just begun! In my curriculum class today, we talked about lesson plan objectives that were really interesting. I didn’t realize there were so many aspects to an objective. I’m excited to write a lesson plan, well will see after I’m done. I will probably be sick of them by the end.

Now What? I just continue the journey and work as hard as I can. Even though there are a lot challenges ahead I’m excited to learn. A teacher is lifelong learner and is in constant reflection of what’s working and not and makes the proper adjustments. So as a student I have to do the same. Easier said then done! I look forward to next week class.

Why let our student's blog?

This short video gave a brief overview as to why blogging might benefit kids in a classroom. Some of those benefits for your students are; everyone in the class can participate, be engaged, it’s exciting, they can be creative, and it allows them to reflect.

Blogging is another tool that can be used in the classroom that can extend the walls of the classroom it gives student a worldwide audience. The video mentioned that blogging is available 24/7 so there is flexibility. Also blogging is another tool that prepares kids to be ready for the digital world. I think most importantly it helps kids improve their writing skills, which can help them in all their classes. So I think blogging is a tool that I can see using in my classroom.

My Website Creation.....

What? It’s been an exciting week I’ve learned to create my own classroom web-site. In class we created a “classroom rules” presentation in a group setting which allowed us to collaborate together. I’ve learned how to better use Google Calendar which I found really neat. Google Documents has been great to use in other group projects that I’m involved in.

So What? Well it means that I’ve been given tools to use in my classroom as a future teacher. So I can work more effectively. I think initially it will be a lot of work to set-up your web-site, but once you have it done you just have to maintain it. I’m also trying to use my Google Calendar for personal use to help me keep up with my busy schedule. My favorite part of this week was in class, I felt I could keep up with Dr. Waters. The pace was at my level. I was learning but I was not overwhelmed. Of course I feel more comfortable now navigating through all the Google stuff than I did a week ago.

Now What? These tools will only be helpful if I continue to use them so they become part of my norm. So far, I think I will since all my classes require some group work. These programs are especially useful when you need to share information with others and you need their input. I see how having your own web-site could be very useful for parents and students. I know for me as parent I find it frustrating that some of my children teachers don’t take advantage of all this great technology. I realize it takes time and patience to set-up a website but boy it can sure keep parents and students better informed. So I will continue to learn and discover!

Video: Web 2.0

This was an interesting video. I didn’t like the format, but I did learn a little about what is Web 2.0. As describe in the video it’s a “set of tools that allows users to collaborate ideas through new mediums of expression”. Some of the tools we use to express our ideas in the internet are: Blogger, Edubloger World, Edtech talk, Flicker, Technorati and Twitter. Until I took this class I did not know about “blogging” now I know that it’s part of the Web 2.0 tools. Blogging allows people to publish their personal thoughts and opinions for any internet user to read. You have different mediums to pick from as mentioned earlier.

Also the video talked about collaborative websites which can be used and edited by anyone who has been given access to it. They called them the “Wiki Website”. Such Websites like: wikispaces, Pbwiki and The horizon project. The video also mentioned tagging which is a “group of page definitions coded into a website that provides information to the search engine to describe content”. Such sites are: Hitchhikr, Librarything, and del.icio.us.

Another topic the video talked about was Podcast, which is a form of distributing digital audio and video files over the Internet. You can obtain a Podcast by using some kind of portable media such i-Pods or MP3 players. I’m a little familiar with Podcast from my last computer class. I thought it was kind neat I could see myself using it in the future. The last term this video talked about was the RSS (Rich Site Summary) which was defined as “a format for delivering regularly changing Web content. It allows the retrieving of content of interest”. Such websites are: News Gator, Net vibes, igoogle, google reader, and My Yahoo.

Overall the tools available in the internet can be useful since it can be used and viewed by many at one time and at their own convenience.

Everything Google-Blog

What? It’s been a great week! Yes, it’s still busy and crazy, but I’m starting to feel more comfortable with my technology class. I feel like a kid at a candy store and I don’t know which candy to pick from because everything looks great. There were so many good technology tools introduced to us this week like: Google docs, Google calendar, Google presentations, and Google spreadsheets. These programs all have different abilities that can help you stay organized and keep your colleagues and parents informed.

So What? Well the program that I’ve used the most so far is Google docs. I’ve like it so much, that I’m using it for group projects in my other classes. A Google doc is such a great tool since many people can collaborate on any given document. People can edit your document at any time, from anywhere in the world. That’s just amazing to me! I will definitely be using it as a student as well as a future teacher. As a teacher I could see myself using it to create lesson plans or newsletters, or creating a presentation and having my colleagues review it at their convenience. I can see how that alone could eliminate another “meeting”. I’ve not yet learned all the” tricks of the trade” but I’m excited to do so. I’ve tinkered with the Google Calendar a little and so far I like it especially that it will text my events straight to my cell phone. I look forward to learning how to better used these programs as I complete my homework assignments.

Now What? I need to learn how to use all these programs, more effectively so I can get the most out them. These tools will be a great asset in my daily and professional life. I’m excited to learn more about them and share my information with others. I looked forward to reporting back next week after I’ve finished my assignment on “Everything Google”. Hopefully it will continue to be a positive experience.

Mr. Duey's Video..

I watched Mr. Duey’s three minute fraction video. I thought it was hip! For me personally, I found it to be annoying and hard to keep up with. Of course math is not my strength so the thought of fractions scares me. However, I do think some kids could find this video fun and catchy. Especially when he says “I can teach you everything you need to know about fractions lights camera action.” This video could be used to introduce math concepts that are “scary” for students. The catchy phrases used in this video can help students remember how to solve fractions. I could see myself using something similar in my classroom in the future.

Tech Watch Video 2-Technology in the classroom..

This video was about the value of technology in the schools. Cheryl Lemke is the head of Educational Technology Research with the firm The Metiri Group. She gave a brief overview of how technology when used effectively in the classrooms can improve learning. This firm has done substantial research that math and reading software if used effectively can increase test scores. This especially helps struggling readers. Ms. Lemke emphasized the use of the software effectively, meaning you must allow the student to use it within the recommend time. Many educators are quick to dismiss the effectiveness of certain software programs. For example, a reading program called “Fast-Forward” teachers did not like. When asked teachers how long students were allowed to use the program, they found the time subscribed was not been used accordingly. Therefore the “reading program” was not working. So it’s great to have the technology but teachers and students must have access accordingly to be effective.

According to the research, if technology is used wisely it can help students thinking and become more engaged in their education. Ms. Lemke gave an example of students learning to dissect a frog which can be done in animation and then it can be followed by dissecting it in class. This kind of engagement helps students think and reflect on what they are learning.
I found the video to confirm what I already believe, that technology should be used in the classroom. As long as it’s used wisely and effectively it should be used as another tool available to the teacher and not as a cover for teachers who are not prepared and just want to fill in time.

My reflections for week three..

What? It’s been a crazy three weeks. I‘ve felt all sorts of emotions happy, sad, frustrated, confused, inadequate and overwhelmed. I’ve been given so much information all at once that my brain hurts. Managing my household of four busy boys, a husband and my 78 year 0ld father that lives with me, two cats and twelve chickens it’s been quite interesting. Trying to keep up with four different schools, sports and scouts schedules it’s had its challenges. Oh, did I also forget to mention I’m trying to go school for myself and keep up. I’m not sure I’ve been able to manage my time wisely. But then again I only have 24 hours like everybody else. I’ve probably gained a few pounds since I ate a whole bag of cinnamon chocolate bears and I had bowl of ice cream (which I never eat since I’m lactose in tolerant) and my caffeine intake has increased, but boy it sure tasted good. So besides that it’s been a great week.

So What? To all this madness. I’ve actually enjoyed a couple of my classes this week. My art & literature class was very calming and enjoyable. Yes, there was a lot of busy work I had to turn in but the concepts taught in our lecture were very beneficial. Our professor taught us how movement is so important to integrate in teaching that I felt the benefit personally. Dr. Escalante had us pair-up and do an exercise called “mirrors”. It’s where one of you can be the leader or follower of movements without speaking and your feet have to be in place at all times. You take turns being the follower or the leader. I enjoyed this activity because it made me feel calm and focused after an intense weekend of homework. I see how that could help a class after a frustrated math session or a concept that is not being accepted well. Also, in my curriculum design class with Dr. Simmerman it was very enjoyable since she clarified backward design lesson planning. I really like Dr. Simmerman’s ability to explain in a calm and honest way. I also liked reading in my Physch Ed book that our “brain remain adaptable throughout life” so there’s hope for me and my brain.

Now What? Well I’ve decided that I’m going to have to learn to delegate some of my tasks to my children starting with helping mom make schools lunches and have my eleven year old read to my eight year old. My eight year old loves to read but he still loves to be read to. Overall, just communicate better with my family so they can help me more. In regards to my school, I’ve joined the UVU-Wasatch Cohort facebook site to help me keep my assignments straight. Most of all try to keep the Scout Motto: Be Prepared.

Video

There was no video for the Holiday weekend.

My Ideal Classroom!

I currently picture a room that has twenty desks and walls that have been freshly painted in a light taupe. So when I walk in I have a clean slate to work with. I would arrange the desks in groups of four’s. It would have a reading center, a listening center, a rug area and a computer work station. Also instructional area where I would have a lap-top set-up that could be viewed through a projector, so I could use as needed when teaching a lesson. The ideal students assigned to my class would have a mix of abilities as well as culture differences. I don’t want vanilla ice-cream flavor classroom diversity is important to me. And mostly I would love parents that regardless of their circumstance would support their child in their educational success. Because I strongly believe that in order to be the most successful you need the parent and teacher support and together the possibilities are endless for the child.

As a first year teacher I would love to have colleagues that are willing to give me some guidance or suggestions or simply just be kind and supportive. In respect to teaching techniques I have not yet studied much of the “technical” parts of teaching. But so far, my approach will be to have good classroom management so kids can feel safe and secure and be ready to learn. My expectations will be high since I believe every child can be successful. My goal is to eventually work with English Language Learners (ELL) students to help them be successful in their educational journey. I would like every student that walks into my classroom to know and feel that they are loved, respected and that their potential is endless.

Tech Watch-Video 1

This video was concise and to the point. It touches on the current technological trends. One of them being tested in Texas is the “metering” of Internet use. Certain Internet providers are giving their customers a monthly usage plan similar to cell phone plans. If you go over your agreed plan then your service will cost more. Of course, companies are always looking for ways to make more money. I feel this idea could easily become a financial burden on all Internet users and especially on Educational Institutions. For example in my family placing a monthly usage limit would definitely cause a financial burden. I have four boys from ages eight to fifteen and it seems were always competing for access to the Internet since we have different needs for it. A couple of my teenagers need the Internet to complete their homework assignments. My husband needs it for work and I need it to complete this assignment and the list goes on. I think internet charges should not be based on the amount of usage. Most students today, even if they don’t have a computer, might have access to the Internet through school or public libraries.



I also learned that Microsoft is introducing “touch interfaces” which allow users with a touch of finger to navigate anywhere on their computer similar to the technology used on the iPhones. This might be fun since my kids and I like to sometimes use the self check-out stand in the grocery stores. Also it mentioned that iPhones are becoming more affordable to consumers without comprising the product. Another great resource that is going to be available to schools this fall is a computer game called “Our Courts”. The Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Conner was involved in this project to better educate students about our judicial system. This would be something a teacher could really use when teaching social studies. Finally the inventor of Sugar Interface is working with Intel to created low cost lap-tops for kids. I am not sure I am ready to see little kids get engrossed in another tech toy. As a parent I’m always trying to keep my boys in balance with all the “technology” toys we have.