Blog Post 6

The Networked Student by Wendy Drexler
I didn't think this video would keep my interest for very long when it first started but then I couldn't stop watching because I wanted to know what picture would come up next. Also, the guy speaking had personality and interest in this topic so it was hard not to listen to him. When it first started I kept thinking isn't this what I'm doing right now? By the end of the video, I knew for sure it is describing classes such as this one. I like that he said, "The tools provided are not as important as the connections provided by them". That is true in many reasons. Teaching does not depend on what you have, it's how you use what you have. Just by having more materials for something does not mean you will get more out of it than the person with barely any materials. It depends on the way it is taught and how students make connections to it. I learn more from this class just by using the internet and figuring things out on my own than I have in most classes with textbooks, lectures, handouts and notes. Teachers can give you all those things but what good does it do if you don't connect to it and learn how to use and apply it, just as this classes teaches. In all, I think this video is a great overview of this class and maybe should be shown at the beginning of the semester to help students understand more of what they can do with technology and will be doing throughout the class. If I would have saw this video when this class started, it would have cleared up some confusion and I know I would have understood what the point in a lot of this was. Assignments probably would have been easier to understand why I was doing it, as well because this video shows all the cool things technology can do. Now after each assignment, I seem to always think how cool it is that I know how to make a YouTube video or that I can talk to people across the world. And I had no idea kids were using all this technology in classrooms already! It did become more clear after each assignment, which I believe is the point, and now I totally understand and think students should be exposed as early as possible to this type of technology and how it can be used educationally.

A 7th Grader's PLN
This is a video of a Personal Learning Network made by a 7th grade student. The first thing I thought was wow, she's super organized and really smart to know how to do all this, especially being in the 7th grade. Even the way she talked on the video did not sound like her age, she sounded very mature and professional. She also said having this PLN gives her more freedom of how to do her assignments, which I agree. It helps students to learn in a way that's best for them. I also liked that they blocked out her name and school. That's one of the things I have wondered about, if parents realize their child is all over the internet with these blogs and videos. I'm assuming they had to have their permission, but I liked the fact that this girl kept her information private. It seems from watching this that creating a PLN takes a lot of time, even though in the end it looks like easy access to everything you use daily. I guess I'll see when I create my own!

Critique's of Smartboards
Both of these articles are bashing Smart Boards in a classroom. Mainly saying they are a waste of money for what they are talked up to be. Especially in the first article, the cons she listed, I seemed to have a pro for each. In other words, I could find an easy argument off the top of my head for the points she was trying to make. She mentioned things like it doesn't help teacher planning, the kids get bored still, etc. From my experience in a classroom so far, the kids love it! They love it because they are involved in it, being they can write on it and play games with each other. Teachers even use it as a center for the students to go to. It also is used as a DVD player, which is great because everyone can see the screen and it cuts back on a TV taking up space in your classroom. Teachers also use it as a whiteboard by writing assignments on it or teaching new lessons, instead of a chalkboard or white board, and having to stock up on markers and chalk. They are expensive but once you have it, it's one of those things you won't need to keep spending money on. Of course, I'm not a real teacher in my own classroom yet, so I'm not getting the experience of using one everyday, but as much as I'm in classrooms teaching from them (which is almost everyday), I can say they are positive for both teachers and students. I found this article backing up some of my points: Click here.

Project 9b-Timetoast Timeline

C4K Summary Post 1

C4K 1: View Blog
I was assigned to Dairon, a boy in Ms. Naugle's 5th period Math class. His blog was about measurements and the three types they learned in class: capacity, weight, and length. He gave examples of what you measure with these three types. He also added a picture of a tape measure. I commented on his blog saying,"Hi Dairon! My name is Mary-Katelin. I'm from Dr. Strange's EDM 310 class at the University of South Alabama. I'm majoring in Elementary Education. That's great how much you know about measurements, they come in handy everyday! I like your picture you added on here. I also think it's wonderful you get to have a blog for school! Keep up the good work!"

C4K 2: View Blog
For my second comment, I listened to a podcast while watching a video that two boys, Kade and Matthew, created. They are from New Zealand and attend Pt England School. The blog is called Korero Pt England: KPE Episode 334: "The Witches". The story was based on a theme of a little boy who runs into some real life witches. I thought the boys did an awesome job. It showed so much personality and enthusiasm.
My comment to them: "How cute, boys! My name is Mary-Katelin, I am a student in Dr. Strange's EDM 310 class at the University of South Alabama. I think it is great how you are already learning how to make podcast and videos. This will come in handy for your future! Great job, guys! I enjoyed watching and listening to you both!" I also left them the link to my blog.

C4K 3: View Blog
Last, I commented on a short story written by Silas at Pt England School in New Zealand. He wrote two paragraphs on a boy called, Super Kid, which is also the title of his blog. In his story, the boy woke up with super powers and used them to rescue people from evil villains. The story ended with Super Kid killing the villain, 'Doctor Evil'. He added a picture of a cartoon guy standing in flames who I'm assuming is Super Kid. I left him a comment telling who I was. I told him he had a great imagination and I enjoyed reading his story.

Blog Post 5

Eagle's Nest
I think it's awesome that these little kids are already using podcast and all the things we are learning now. I also think it's great we can leave them comments on their post. I know if I was their age and college students were commenting on my post telling me how great I was doing, it would make my day! These kids doing these videos and podcast have so much enthusiasm. You can really tell they like using technology, especially knowing everyone around the world can listen or watch! I guess any kid would though, it beats sitting in a desk all day!

Benefits of Podcasting in the Classroom
This video tells you different ways you can use podcasting in the classroom. Podcasting allows for creativity and focuses on Bloom's taxonomy. It also tells us how it can be used for the teacher, student, and parents, either in the classroom or outside class. Meaning, if a student is absent, they can always listen to the podcast of lectures from that day to see what they missed. Using podcast in classrooms can be very educational and meaningful and it keeps the students involved.

The Education Podcast Network
ESP is a network that allows teachers to post podcast of teaching ideas and topics for other teachers around the world. It gives ideas for podcast topics you can use in the classroom for student activities. I was once told, "You're not a good teacher unless you steal and give." Meaning, take other teachers ideas and give out your own. We're all doing this for the kids, so why be selfish with our ideas? The more I'm in schools and getting into the education program, the more it seems I hear this phrase!

Project 9a-Timetoast Timeline

Podcast

ACCESS- Program for Distant Learning for High School Students

Click here to listen

My Sentence Movie

Blog Post 4

Don’t teach your kids this stuff. Please? -Scott McLeod
To find out who Scott McLeod was, I went to scottmcleod.net/bio and found out he sure is a lot of things! So, before I mistakenly rewrote something about him, here’s a little of his bio found on the website, “Scott McLeod, J.D., Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Educational Administration program at Iowa State University. He also is the Director of the UCEA Center for the Advanced Study of Technology Leadership in Education (CASTLE), the nation’s only academic center dedicated to the technology needs of school administrators, and was a co-creator of the wildly popular video, Did You Know? (Shift Happens). …widely recognized as one of the nation’s leading academic experts on K-12 school technology leadership issues.” Check out that website for more info on him!
Like everyone else it seems, I too, had to read this several times. I think that might be the point? When I finally understood it, I thought, “Wow! He is so right!” He wasn’t bashing technology, he is all for it. Just as he says, he allows his own kids to use it. What he is saying by this sarcastic, truthful, funny post, was what those against technology say as their excuse for not allowing their children to use it and he nailed it! Those are exactly the reasons parents don’t allow their child to use the internet. They say there are stalkers, predators, porn, and cheating that go on when using the internet. Well yes, but that stuff is everywhere. Which is why they make privacy settings. Do they think there children won’t get online at friends houses or school?
They don’t realize how educational it can be and that’s why so much of it is used in classrooms today. Technology is advancing so extremely fast, if you don’t expose children to it, they will be completely lost and miss out on opportunities in the future, such as jobs. Of course, I wouldn’t allow my 8 year old to have their own Facebook or twitter, but what is wrong with the educational or even just fun games and things for them to do online? If you have control of what your children are doing on the internet and looking at, you shouldn’t have to worry. Bad images are everywhere!! You can’t not allow your children to do things in life because they might run into something bad or dangerous. They need to learn and be exposed to such things. Blocking the internet or other technology because you’re afraid, is the same as taking away educational learning. I loved Dr. McLeod’s attitude throughout his post.

iSchool
iSchool is a YouTube video made by a 17 year old named Travis, from Georgia. He believes he has a solution to America’s education problem. He talks about budget cuts, larger classes, and ask the famous question, “Does technology belong in our classrooms?” His short five-minute video is very interesting and well put together. The way he makes it sound, there will be no need for schools and classrooms in the future. Everything we need is on phones and computers. Very scary to us future educators! The upside is we would save a ton of money and the environment. Which to those of us who “go green”, this is a plus. I saw a comment on this video from someone in Utah saying their school is starting this iSchool program already. Wow! Travis says in the video, “Together we can and will make the iSchool a reality.” I’m all for technology but when it comes to having school through a phone, computer, etc., it scares me. These children need to be at school to learn and teachers need to be there to teach them.


The Lost Generation

I LOVE this video! It showed how just reversing things, like your attitude, can change everything.
People get so carried away with what the future will be, and how important their work is. Most don’t stop to live in the present, or to take a day off to be with your family. Your employer should know your family is first and it shouldn’t be a hassle to take off work for a short time to see your kid’s school play, etc. I understand all jobs don’t work this way but if people made their family their number one priority and not work and money, it would be.
I don’t like the way people view our (my) generation. As this video said, they think of us destructing the environment. I don’t know how many times I’ve heard people say, “This generation with all their technology will ruin the world”.
I understand the assumptions with families that don’t stay together these days, but what about the families that do? This goes back to my point of making your family first in your life. I think it’s so expected to get divorced, people think it’s the only option and quit trying, because they listen to the media and the rest of the world talking about divorce rates.
I do believe technology plays a big role in losing our generation. Although I’m for it, I do think there’s a fine line to be drawn. For example, iSchool. No one communicates in person anymore; it’s all done through text and email. I can’t stand seeing someone in person who you talk to online, and not saying a word to each other, acting like you don’t know one another. I also hate when you know your going to see someone, so why send them an email or message and expect them to respond when you don’t say a word to them in person?!


Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choir
I think it’s really neat they were able to take that many people and combine them just by using technology to make the choir! When I first found out a lot of singers who do songs together have never meet, I was amazed! This is similar, but of course much more intense. You have to really know what you’re doing to be able to put that many people’s voices and director together and make it sound as good as it did.

Teaching in the 21st Century
Of course, teaching is different now and will be different when I start teaching on my own shortly. It seems like it’s advancing each year. Kids have no idea what projectors are or what it’s like to not have a smart board or computers in the classroom. I hope that teaching doesn’t come to involve so much technology that kids are not using books and pencils and paper. I don’t understand how you expect them to learn to write if they’re only writing on smart boards and typing on computers. It’s not near the same as writing on paper. Like I keep saying, I’m all for technology especially in classrooms, but when it gets to the point of no books, etc. is when I turn against it. I think people are getting carried away with all it can do and forgetting to add in the basics of learning, such as writing and hands on activities. You have to know how to combine the two equally. I believe there is a strong need for both in classes.

Google Presentation

Blog Post 3

Michael Wesch: A Vision of Students Today
I couldn’t agree more with this video. When I first started college, I was overwhelmed with class sizes, schedules, and times of classes. I didn’t take college serious at first, which was a big mistake. I never understood why I had to take all those basics. Even now I don’t remember anything about the class so why did I take them then? I wasn’t into learning something I didn’t need to know, so I didn’t try my best. I just wanted to skip all that and get to where I’m at now in the Education Department. Of course now, I know that everything I do matters. I take college more serious because I’m so ready to be done and start teaching. Also, because it’s way more interesting to me than those classes I was required to take. I mean, this is what I want to do with my life, so of course I’m more interested and motivated in school now. But before, I’m on the same page with the people in the video. It definitely captures college life.
At the end when the teacher wrote on the board about what good a chalkboard does, I think the same thing. We need technology in classrooms, it is essential to learning. Most classrooms now have smart boards which to me are the greatest things. When I’m subbing, I can see that the kids love being able to have carpet time and do work and activities on the smart board. It’s entertaining and educational. There behavior is always much better during carpet time because they are doing what they like to do, it’s very hands on. Sitting down in a desk and doing workbook pages makes them bored and cause behavior problems. In a lot of classrooms now, they have eliminated chalkboards and whiteboards by covering them up with charts and making them some what bulletin boards. Some say if they have a smart board in their classroom, they don’t need anything else.

“It’s Not About the Technology” by Kelly Hines
Kelly Hines says if a student hasn’t learned, the teacher hasn’t taught. She also makes the same point as I have before; teachers must also be learners. We have to learn from our students, as well as them learning from us. We also have to know our students, and know how they learn best as an individual. I know I learn something better and faster when it is taught one on one, or if I can see it visually, as in using pictures. I’ve noticed students in my classes being the same way and since I learn like they do, it was easy for me to teach them because I understood where they were coming from and what makes sense to them and they understand it. I love the feeling when a student gets something because you taught it, they understand it from you.
I strongly agree that teachers must be educated in technology to teach it. Like Kelly Hines said, if not, it goes to waste. Without this EDM 310 class, I wouldn’t know half of what I’ve learned already. Without subbing and being in schools so much, I would walk into my first day of school not knowing how to work a smart board. I haven’t been taught how to use a smart board, but after playing around with it, it’s pretty self-explanatory. The problem is some teachers, mostly older ones, aren’t in to this technology stuff so it does go to waste. Having technology in a classroom can be good or bad, depending on the teacher and how well the teacher is educated in using it.

Karl Fisch: Is It Okay to Be A Technologically Illiterate Teacher?
Like I just said, I think all teachers should know technology and how to use it, especially or even if it’s just for the classroom, such as computers and smart boards. I do think it is ridiculous that kids so young have cell phones, their own laptops and what not. I think technology is taking over kids’ youth, but I do think in a classroom it is essential for learning.
I like this comment he made, “If a teacher today is not technologically literate - and is unwilling to make the effort to learn more - it's equivalent to a teacher 30 years ago who didn't know how to read and write.” It says a lot about how technology has grown and is now equivalent to reading and writing. It is kind of harsh, but in today’s society I think it’s very relevant because that’s how most young people view technology today. Although I say technology is very important in a classroom, which it is, but hands on activities can sometimes be even more important.

Gary Hayes Social Media Count
This social media count shows just how much technology is increasing over every second. That’s part of the reason I say every teacher should be educated on technology because in a few years, it seems like that’s all people will depend on. It’s kind of sad to see that no one uses books or CDs anymore, there’s all these iPads and iPhones that are used instead. I know it seems like I’m bashing this new technology or I sound hypocritical, because I have an iPhone and MacBook and all that too, but I still like the real books and magazines, I don’t want to read them on a computer type deal, I like having the book. It amazes me that all these young kids have all this technology and know how to use it better than I do.

C4T Summary Post 1

Post 1
I was assigned to post on Mr. Chamberlain's blog:Reflections on Teaching 2.0
The last thing he posted was a short SNL video about two minutes long, about politics. I don't watch SNL, so I don't know much about the videos, etc., but I did think it was funny and relevant for politics today.
He replied on another post: "Dear students, I know you have been assigned to leave a comment on this blog. Unfortunately I rarely post to it. If you would like to find newer posts to comment on you should try:
At the Teacher's Desk or Education Debate
Sorry about the inconvenience, I just don't use this forum that often.
Wm Chamberlain"

Post 2
I commented on At the Teacher's Desk: Can We Adopt a Master/Apprentice Approach to Learning? for my second post.
He makes three assumptions of becoming a master teacher. The third assumption was my favorite, "Assumption three: You model learning to your students." It's important that the teacher is learning as well. He talks about how it would be ideal for classrooms to become smaller. I agree, students would have more one-on-one and receive more attention. It would also benefit the teacher from spending more time with each student because they would learn more and it would help the process of becoming a master teacher. He questions if teachers of master learners can create master learners from their apprentices. I think they can. As we teach, we are modeling learning and encouraging to follow by example, as he says.