Final Post- Blogfolio

I really enjoyed posting in this blog during this semester.  I had truly believed that this class would be a waste of time and that I had better things to do.  Now, looking back, I am so glad that this class was a requirement, and I learned much more than I had anticipated.  Dr. Beedle was an excellent, enthusiastic instructor, and He made me want to incorporate technology in my classroom.

Our first post in the blog was an introduction of ourselves.  The assignment was alright, but I was a little unsure how to navigate and decorate the blog.  Blog post number two was about an article that we read saying that I WILL tell my son he is smart, although the article said not to.  The third post was about the NMC Horizon Project that is all about technology in the classroom.  It consists of reports over the years and highlights trends in technology that are effective with students.

My 4^th and 5^th posts were about technology and privacy.  Both articles were based in the school system, and discussed the rising concerns with children’s privacy while using technology and how social websites such as Shutterfly and Facebook can leave children vulnerable to hackers.  My next post was some poetry that I love, one by Robert Frost and the other one was out of the movie “Dead Poet’s Society”.  The next post was the debate between the effectiveness of podcasts versus print articles in learning.  Both sides presented strong debates, but surprisingly I came to the conclusion that I enjoy podcasts much more than I thought I would.  I am a visual, print learner; however, I really enjoyed the effectiveness and convenience of the podcasts on my phone.

Our first lesson post was our lesson plan that we got to choose our own topic.  I chose Number the Stars, and I taught a fifth grade lesson incorporating history, English, and Mathematics.  I really enjoyed this assignment, as it was both my first lesson plan to ever have written and also my first experience publishing anything online, especially in a blog.  I really liked the concept of the blogger, and now I can use this blog for teaching as well as keep records of whatever I want online, such as this lesson plan.  I can also post others for people to see.

Post 8 discussed cyber bullying, and had some interesting facts in it.  My post 9 was about Common Sense Media, a really interesting app that allows people to play games, report on books, and even watch television all from a phone or tablet.  I enjoyed this app so much that I downloaded it for my son!  Our next assignment, post 10, was my favorite of the entire semester.  We have to make videos with transitions and music on Movie Maker, so I made a movie about my son and our life together (he is two).  I loved the end result, and making it was pretty fun too- got my creative juices flowing!

My video reflection post discussed 6 videos from a website called 21^st Century Learning, a website that teaches the importance and downfalls of technology in education.  I thought they had so many good points.  My final post, post 14, was article reflections from an educational article.  I notated on 4 strategies, describing positive ways to get the most out of learning and your education.

Post 14, Articles

Article Discussions

Article 1:

1.     Strategy 1: Do Your Homework

I definitely agree with being prepared for the class technology lessons, including making sure the mouse is correct for either the right or left hand and having the appropriate programs downloaded.  I definitely believe that us teachers have just as much homework as a student does!

2.     Strategy 2: Identify Learning Goals

I agree that learning goals are definitely important for a teacher to establish at the beginning of class.   I believe that by telling students goals and encouraging them to act on them will heighten their focus on the assignment.

3.     Strategy 3: Step Away from the Computer

I have definitely learned that sitting in front of a computer for hours at a time can give you a major headache!  I know that technology is expanding and can greatly enhance the learning environment, but there is a time to step away from the computer.

4.     Strategy 4: Capitalize on Their Desire to Explore

Although technology provides much more options in teaching, teachers are still not perfect and neither is technology.  I agree that teachers must learn to be ok with making mistakes and letting human nature show.

Article 2:

I know my problem with the inability to sit still in school was one of two things: either boredom or socializing.  I know that there is a rise in the diagnosis of ADHD; however, I honestly do not know if I believe every case is appropriately diagnosed.  I understand that as in the article reads, children are developing low self-esteem because they do not understand why they cannot sit still, but I simply do not believe that every energetic child truly had ADHD.  However, some of the problem is how much sitting and not moving time students must endure, and the amount of time is still increasing!  Children should be provided the opportunity to get up and move around. Testing of some students and their inability to pay attention and increase of fidgeting proves that maybe they do not have ADHD, but maybe they simple need to get rid of some energy and burn off some steam!  Children should be allowed hours of outside stimulus a day.

Kathleen Saunders

IT 365

Jon Beedle

6 November 2014

Video Reflections

Video #1: Classroom of Tomorrow

This video seemed to simply portray the many ways technology is integrating classrooms.  iPads, smart boards, resources, and other advancements are becoming more prevalent in schools.  Although this video had no narration it was inspirational.

Video #2: The Voice of the Active Learner

By 2019, half of all high school courses will be online.  This video talks about the pressures and struggles of some schools and the lack of technology.  She also encourages other students and teachers to band together and make sure schools get the most resources available to them as well as the highest technology.  She talks about study abroad and hybrid classes, and how all classes are converting to new technology.

Video #3: The Future Starts Now

The girl narrating discusses how with the world’s such advanced technology, while schools are not using these resources.  Why schools and cities have the hardware, but do not know how to use or integrate it?  When oil and other industries are gone, we will all be dependent on knowledge, and students and educators should become motivated to be our future (knowledge-based society).

Video #4: Designing Schools for 21^st Century Learning

The man in the video videos his narration describing a how innovation and creativity are our future keys to success, and security is also very important.  Stimulus rich environments prevent failure to thrive situations.  Some of his topics included windows for solar energy, sunlight to the brain, and stimulation of students.  He discusses many schools in at risk neighborhoods with graduation rates of 25%, and shows the viewer the new school site designed for the most technological utilization.

Video #5: Tools and Resources for 21^st Century Education

This video is all about tools, resources, and brands important in schools and education.  Although none of them again have verbal narration, it is still a creative way to get the point across.

Video #6: A Vision of 21^st Century Teaching

This video would not play.

This slideshow is for my son, Noah.

Here is the link to my new classroom website!  Links to educational resources, classroom policies, contact information, and much more!

Dixie's Classroom

Common Sense Media - Post 9

Common Sense Media is this really cool app that screens, reviews, and reports on books, games, television shows, movies, and much more! I think it is a very efficient and important app for both parents and children to help us make sure we know and approve what our children watch, read, and play.  It also helps children see what each topic is about and read the reviews to determine if they may or may not be interested.  Here is the link:

https://www.commonsensemedia.org

Post 8 - Cyber-bulling

This is just another example of how both adults and children hide behind the internet and apps to bully other people or portray themselves under a new identity.  This student used another anonymous app  used for posting photos and voting for them determining popularity.  However, this one child, a 14-year-old from Norwalk, CT bullied his teacher by posting creep shots of her at the high school and posted them with captions implying that she was sleeping around.  The teen has been charged with harassment and has been referred to the Juvenile Review Board. 

See the official article here:

http://jezebel.com/teen-arrested-for-cyberbullying-teacher-1642110303