Presentation

Can I just say the non-linear power point is not a great tool. I could only come up with three slides and I have smart notebook as a hyperlink. I truly I hope I did okay. I think I put way to much thought into it. Maybe it was easy and I just didn't feel like it. I am stressed out beyond belief with all the stuff I need to complete for my four wonderful classes. I can do a lot of the projects that was expected of me. I just think I get anxiety and it takes control of me.

I did try to do my best if it's not a 100% at least I gave it a shot.

Audacity

Last night we made a short 30-60 minute podcast. I made my on my son who I grew-up with. He has made me  realize that life is to precious to give up. I literally came from no where and turned my life into something.
 



Yes, I have had some major ups and downs in the past five years. I mean he has given me the hell I don't wish on my worst enemy. I went through things that you only see on TV. But I came through it and plan to be a better person.


I like the podcast and it would be great to use in the classroom. Especially for students who like to use their ipods. I am intrigued by using this for learning. I could use it on my website and talk to the parents instead for writing everything down
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I had a thought with presentations for students. What if I had students make a podcast for a presentation to get comfortable in speaking to others. I know what it is like to talk in front of my peers and I still get nervous. Speaking in front of people has not been easy. Using a podcast could be a stepping stone for my future learners. This is just a thought but I thought I share it with you all.

Website

This past Tuesday I learned how to make a website. I think having a website for the classroom is a great way for parents to see what is going on. Today most people can access the Internet through their cell phone. So why not do something that is quick and painless for parents to access.
 
Parents are on the go more then ever. Especially if they have one or more children. Having a website is great because then you don't have to waste paper. I know some people may not have a computer but they could go the library if need be. That shouldn't be an excuse not to have a website. I am truly for this time of interaction with parents. I want a classroom that has the endless possibilities in it.
 
Thinking outside of the box is the way to go. Having a website could be beneficial to everyone. I would update mine every Friday. I love that I learned how to make a site for parents and students.

Apps for the iPad

I looked into five different apps for the iPad. I am pleased with what I found and I think all five could be useful and be considered meaningful learning. My apps I downloaded were for the core subjects and one for art.
 My first evaluation is the: Critical Evaluation of a Content Based Mobile App-Art Puzzles 2-it has great colors but there is only 5 puzzles on it. This would be good for curriculum connection, feedback, differentiation, user friendliness, student motivation that would be the (yes) part of the evaluation. The (no) part would include reporting, sound, support page I didn't find it helpful. Bloom's Taxonomy this would fall into remembering. The summary of the app is that there should be more puzzles. I think students would benefit more from a variety.   It has a 3 star rating.

Second evaluation: Rubric for iPad Apps-Hangman defiantly under the all the domains. I think it would be great for students to learn the definition of words through this game. It is also good to reinforce words. I think if you pair up students they would get more use out of it. I was thinking even making a worksheet to go along with the words and definitions. It has 3 stars.

Excel

Excel is not a bad program to use. I could see myself use this in my future classroom. Right now I don't get to do to much with these programs. I do look forward to using them though.

Today I made a classroom arrangement. I'm sure it could be better then it was but I tried. I am pleased I can figure the programs out. Now if I could get a grip on research papers I would be GOLDEN!!! HAHAHA!!!




 

Research Paper (Cyber Bullying)

My paper was on cyber bullying and college students. I found out that cyber bullying doesn't go away when you get to college. It can  actually can get worse for students. College students report it less than middle school and high school. Being in college you are considered adult so why report it.

I feel like colleges and student have a miscommunication. No one wants to say any thing for the fear of the after math. I can understand that but it's sad for students. I want college students know that their voice counts and they should be heard.

There is not much research on the effects college students have with cyber bullying. I don't think people actually think it's a problem. Because college students are adults now. I am worried how many students will leave college because of cyber bullying. We should have an open communication with college students about this issue.

I had a hard time finding information on college students and cyber bullying. I think I did okay with the paper. But not wonderful with it because I never wrote in APA style and researching. 

Movies and Websites

First I have to tell you that I had to watch that in a professional development training class. I used to work for BOCES II for about 5 years. They had us watch the movie because we were teacher aids. What I liked most is the adults understanding what it meant by learning disabilities. Most adults have no clue what that term means. Yes they joke and kid around in the video but it made since to do so. I worked with students who felt like outcast and had no way of communicating. I liked the one exercise about learning disability with no volunteers. LD's don't like surprises.

Take a bunch of people not in education and see how they do. What do you think would happen today? I don't they could handle it. Being a teacher aid and now a teacher I understand children and disabilities better. I would love to try this same exercise and see what happens. The 21st century still has the same taboo around LDs.

I just finished my 40 website interactions. It was long and grueling. I think it's wonderful we get the chance to explore these sites. Some I heard of others NEVER would have. Now I can see why enjoy stumble upon.com so much. I always go to sites I would never look for.

Inspiration

I really enjoyed the inspiration I did. I like that you can add pictures and shapes to whatever content your working on. I think students who have IEPSs and 504 plans would benefit from this kind of visual.

Having students make their own visuals in learning is also helpful. Students will remember much better if they do it themselves.  They could use their own colors, text, shapes, and how they feel it all connects to the main topic.  Students can print the imagine out and use it as a reference for a quiz or test. I once did a personality test with 5th graders and found most students to be visual learners. So I tried to make sure I made more visuals then talking at them.  

I don't like to be talked at either. Show me visuals and I will remember more. I also believe in hands on experience with myself and students. I have a hard time remembering everything a person tells me to do, if they showed me what they wanted. I am more then willing to catch on.  

 Example, It is like when you learn a job, the trainer needs to show you what to do.  Not have you read a book then go figure it out. I think school should be more hands on then sitting at a desk. Students want to be imersed in their leaning.  Using the inspiration I bet they would remember the steps to a math problem.  Showing is better then talking at them.

Webquest

1. The concept of a Webquest is one that is relevant for both students and educators.....

 I would agree with that statement. I think as an educator we should be involved and excited of the content we teach. If we don't like what we teach, how is our students going to enjoy it? I love to be creative and really think out of the box. I try different approaches before I find one that fits. I love the fact I went to school to become a teacher. I want that passion to be reflected in all that I do. Even this new webquest idea that is not something I am used to. Webquest can be the most exciting day trip in the classroom for students. If you call it adventure or journey, the students will be more interested. You can't say, "today we are going on the computer and find websites." Just saying that makes me want to roll my eyes. Students want excitement not mundane learning. I believe in being creative and innovating. I try to find stuff to use with lessons. You know the text-to-world, text-to-self, text-to-text we have learned in undergrad, use what you can to have students relate to the material. Webquest should be the same exact way. I want students to remember me when they leave my classroom. I want to know I touched one students mind and to question their world they live in. My motto in teaching: do what you love, love what you do. Always shine the brightness it doesn't matter if others don't notice. Students will notice and be happy you took the time. Like the students I can only do my best and keep working at it. My webquest: Ancient Sumer, my students have to look at the sites I give them and then make a scribe using clay and sticks. Then they have to watch floods from the past and present. Do a compare and contrast sheet and then give a presentation at the end of the webquest. I tried to include different avenues to explore.

Powerpoint

I am a advanced learner on powerpoint. So usuing all the cool little tools is great. It is really nice to add farle to boring slides. i do sometimes check and make it all works our for me. Because you know how technology can be. It has temperments that we can't control and will outburts when we are not expecting it. Reminds of having a child, haha. My powerpoint is on me learning how to use photoshop. Let me just say that was a task in itself. It took me so long to rememeber how certain tools were used. I am excited to be learning all this new technology. I have to say if I can overcome my undergrad I surely can do this. I don't want to say I can't do something because that means I'm a faliure and that is not me. I had fun writing my powerpoint. I am glad we get to show off the skills we have. I know I know more in word then photoshop but thats because htat is what I been using. I know it will be okay and the outcome is well worth it. I guess I should stop ranting for now. Talk to you later.

Learning Microsoft

This past week has been intresting with microsoft word. I have taaught myself how to use hyperlink. I did all the tutrioals I never used in my learning. I played aroung with things I never normally touch. But now I'm eager to learn more. It took me sometime with understaning all the ins and outs of word. I must have spent a few hours playing with word. I wrote a worksheet on "all about you' for students. this was so I can learn about each of them. I don't have my own classroom yet but someday I hope to have one. So I am pretty much making stuff for my future students. At least I kmow it will be useful in the end.

Social Studies

Hello All, I was looking at my twitter and found this cool website for students. . I went through it an teachers can create a class for the site. It also has the objectives you will be teaching. I liked the site and thought you would all too.

WEB 2.0

My thoughts on social media is fair. I'm not against it but I believe we should teach our children the proper way to use it. I myself use pinterest and twitter all the time. Those are my only real outlets I use. I think if we educating our childrenit would be so much better. Realizing that bad things can happen and we should always becareful. As foe Web 2.0 that is going to keep involoving no matter where we are. Having the internet is great but not everything is always true either. People make up stuff and most children don't know if it's false. The key is to educate. I recently ran across a site that teaches Kindergarteners online. The teacher is a virtual icon on the computer. She teaches through her charter school. The article is on teachers.net/gazzet under Yes, I teach kindergarten online. This a way we socially can use the Web 2.0 and interact with students. I thought this would be great for education technology. It is different to us and unconventinal but it works for her.

this website has an article called Yes, I teach kindergarten Online! by Alissa Smith. I thought this would be good to read since it would go along with educational technology. She also has a blog: CappiesCorner.weebly.com this worth looking into.

New to this

Hello I new to this blogging. Have a wonderful semester!