Blog Post #10

An Open Letter to Educators
In Morgan’s post she tells us how she was tired of her teachers just lecturing and nothing else. She stated they were not pushed to get together with other students and help or anything like that. All that they had to depend on was the teacher. The world is changing daily and if our teachers are not somewhat changing with it, then how are we supposed to learn new stuff so we can teach our future children in our classrooms? I totally agreed with Morgan and everything she had to say. I also loved Brains video; I am glad someone has chosen to make a stand and try and make a change. You know that those teachers have to know that they are boring as anything why don’t they try and get with the 21st century? I agree with both of them they both had very good points. I agree that sitting in a classroom for countless hours is worthless. After about fifteen minutes every single student in that classroom is thinking of something totally different than what the teacher is lecturing! I believe that if the teachers do not get with the program our future is not going to go anywhere!
An Open Letter to Educators
Two Questions That Can Change Your Life
My Sentence: She is there to help no matter what or when! I loved this video this really made you think, it made you think not only about yourself but about others around you. It also made you think wow was I my best yesterday and what can I do for tomorrow to make it my best I can be!!
Two Questions That Can Change Your Life

Smartboard Project #13

Interview

Capture your screen in seconds

Blog Post #9

Mr. McClung had a good point about knowing the audience, and if they do not understand you are wasting your time and theirs. I loved the fact of keeping a smile on his face when a lesson or project did not go well for Mr. McClung. If you let the children realize you are upset about how something went on in the class they are more than likely to get upset as well. I love his note about be reasonable, “don’t”. He says don’t set your expectations too high and that you get upset when the children do not do exactly what you wanted them to do. We as teachers really cannot be scared of technology; technology is everywhere we look especially in the classroom and in our children’s lives. I loved the comment the child made about knowing when the teacher cared about them. Some children might not be able to be themselves or express themselves anywhere but school, and when they are at school they need all the attention they can get.
At the Teachers Desk

Blog Post #8

This Is How We Dream Part 1 and 2
Mr. Miller was right about not even having to go to a single library to do a bit of research. He said he did a report on the shooting at Virginia Tech and he did not leave his computer to get information. It is amazing what kind of information we have at our finger tips. We just need to know how to do adequate research and amazing presentations. Miller tells us also that we can go look at the news papers online and see the article and the picture moving; it is a news cast on the news paper. It makes for a more interactive documents.

We need to use publication as well in our multimedia writing. When we use multimedia images and videos around the world we are helping spread education all over the world. We need to use the web to also inform others of events in our our town or country, these multimedia videos might be the only way some people know about what is going on across the world.

I believe that I will be prepared to write with multimedia! This class has been beyond helpful, and has actually been fun. It is always fun to learn new stuff and I believe our future students will enjoy learning how to write with multimedia. If we teach our children this kind of technology we will have a bright future in this world.

Project # 11 Short Movie

Project #9b First Colleges in the United States

Blog Post #7

At the beginning of Randy’s speech he introduces himself then breaks the news to us about his illness! This illness does not stop even though he does not have much longer to live. He demonstrates to us that he is healthier than a lot of other people. He seems to be very strong and he is not trying to get sympathy he is still trying to live his life as normal as possible.
He then tells us he had a bunch of childhood dreams. I don’t remember having any certain childhood dreams. Maybe I was too busy running around and I didn’t have time to think about these things. Never the less this list Randy had he accomplished about every dream. Who can say they have accomplished just about all of their childhood dreams.
He talked about his football coach as a child who taught him a special lesson. His coach taught him not only football; but he taught him how to work with others and team work. We as future educators need to work these kind of lessons into anything and everything. We think lessons like this will not make an impact on children; but I think they are listening to us more than we think.
This speech was wonderful! Not only did he have so many inspiring things to say it was touching. He gave this speech for his children. He wanted them to have something to look back on and to inspire them and to give them some tips on life. He never tried to make us feel bad for him, he was just giving his speech for his children. He is probably the strongest person I have ever seen, to act the way he does and live the way he dose to be in his position. The whole time during this speech I couldn’t help but think why him? I am glad we watched this video, it was very good and very touching!

Additional Assignment #2

I believe that if learners are motivated they can definitely teach themselves anything they put their heart to. As Sugata Mitra shows us in this video children can teach themselves. They were very interested in what they saw in the computer and they learned how to work it. The computer and internet were both very new to these village people in India; they learned so fast how to work the computer. When we got a new toy as children, didn’t we try and learn how to work it and didn’t stop until we could do it just perfectly? This computer is just like us having that new toy on Christmas morning. They were determined and anxious to get this new toy working. Motivation plays a huge role in a desire to learn, if a child has no motivation, then he or she will not be willing to learn new material. If we do not have problems or questions then how would we get to the source of the problem. It was all trial and error in this experiment Mitra did. In order to motivate someone you have to first catch their interest! I do not think anyone who is not motivated to learn will learn. They might remember something for a few days but it will not stick. I believe that we do teach our self daily! We teach ourselves daily because we are around different and new stuff every day, but only if we are interested will it probably stick with us. A teacher is there as a guide to help us along our intellectual journey. This video was amazing; children are brilliant! Children are not given all the credit they should be, they can figure out most anything you put in front of them. I was amazed at how much the children learned month after month that Mr. Mitra came back to see them. I think that we as aspiring teachers should take into consideration that our children can be very prominent self learners and that we need to use computers and technology in our classrooms.

Project #10 PLN

My personal learning network has grown tremendously, more than I could have ever imagined! I am now on twitter and following many teachers and I have opened my horizons to look and do more research on my own. At first I thought I would never use this class as a teacher; but now I am so amazed at how all of these tools Dr. Strange has introduced is going to be so helpful in my classroom. I am so thankful now to have someone that will teach me how to do my own research! I have never been in another classroom that has taught me so much. This is the only class out of my whole college career that has thought me so much I already did not know.

Time Toast Individual Project #9a

Summary Post C4T #2

 

 Mr. Crosby says that children are not being taught about what is outside of most kids little town so they know nothing about anything other than what is in their town.  He says we need to open their minds and let them explore.  I responded by saying I totally agree and that with the technology we have today there is no excused for not letting them learn and explore what is out in the world.

In “learning is messy” Mr. Crosby  shows us some things to do for Thanksgiving and to teach the children the history or Thanksgiving.  The children and their teacher all brought together authentic foods the pilgrims ate on the first thanks giving.  Some of the children had never even had a thanksgiving meal.  The children learned a lot from this the watched videos on this occasion about the first Thanksgiving and learned so much.  Most of all they enjoyed the active learning.  I responded to his post by saying; this is a wonderful activity to do with all ages groups.  I  would have enjoyed this project so much in school.  The kids learn so much more when they are actively involved.  I will definitely use this in my classroom.

Blog Post #6

The Networked Student

A teacher is still needed for a networked student.  They are needed if the student gets stuck and needs some help finding something or gets lost in the process of researching a certain topic.  She also helps her student organize all of their information they have already acquired. 

I love the thought of connectivism.  Connectivisim can be used in so many ways not just online.  It keeps you actively looking for answers not just looking in a certain book.  I love the idea of not having a text book; number one books cost too much and number two it is eco friendly!

I wish I had a teacher like Mrs. Drexler when I was in middle school.  I believe that all teachers should encourage their students to become active learners and to expand their social network.  But, teach them how to use she social networks in a safe and beneficial way.  Online blogging and research is what our society is coming to these days, so we need to teach our children as much as possible!
A 7^th Graders Personal Learning Environment

This 7^th grader just blew my mind!  She is amazing in my book.  I cannot believe kids that young know how to do this kind of stuff that we as college students are just now learning.  These children are going to be our future leaders, they are going to be brilliant!  Her PLE is way more broad than my PLN.  I wish i was as wise as this little girl and had as much insight as she does on how to enhance her PLE.
 The Machine is Changing Us

The speaker brought up several good points.  He also used several funny videos.  One thing he talked about was making an identity for yourself in the classroom.  If you want to have a relationship with a teacher you have to make an identity for yourself. 

Summary Post C4K comments 1 and 2

In Kiley M.’s “It’s All About Me!” Kiley tells us about her family, she has two brothers and two sisters, she is the youngest of all of them. She is good at asking questions in class when she does not understand what is going on. She likes to draw and would die if she did not have her cell phone! I commented her back and said that I am not a fan of math either. I like to paint so I guess that is kind of like drawing as well. And that if I did not have my cell phone I would die as well.
Kiley’s Manifesto was about being a better student. She said she will pay more attention so she will understand what is going on at school. She will use what she learns at school in everyday life. She is determined to get her education to get a good job. I replied to her post by saying; you are a very smart girl to stay focused on your school work. You can still have fun with your friends and do your school work. I believe if you keep your mind set the right way you will have a very bright future.

Useful websites for elementary teachers Podcast

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