I began this week by listening to the assigned podcasts provided by itunes. I have to admit this was initially a frustrating experience, being new to itunes and my new computer. After navigating around the program, I was then able to understand how itunes could be used as a powerful teaching instrument.
First of all, I listened to "SMARTboard lessons" podcasts with Ben Hazzard. From listening to this podcast, I hypothesized that this was done through a small microphone. The audio isn't amazing and sounds as though it is being held close to his mouth via headset. When Hazzard made an order through the drive through, it sounded as though he was still talking into the microphone, which again takes me back to my hypothesis that he's wearing a headset or bluetooth.
Next, I listened to KidCast "Some thoughts on Video Podcasting". From the title and the content of the podcast, I was able to conclude that this podcast was actually done via video podcasting. The clarity of the audio also contributed to the idea that this podcast was done through a video and then the audio was downloaded.
Then, I listened to David Warlick's "Connect Learning"- episode 90. I believe to create this episode, Warlick passed around a microphone to his crowd . He also had a microphone he was talking into the entire time.
In addition to this, I listened to "Ed Tech Talk". This podcast was in the form of a conversation between two people. It sounded as though, they were each talking into something different. By this I mean, that each person had their own computer and was conversing online through a medium.
Along with this, I listened to "MacBreak Weekly" with Leo Laporte and Alex Lindsay. From the start of this podcast, it sounded as though it was done in a much more professional manner. The equipment and quality is impeccable. I think they used square space, go to meeting, and audible.com, because these are the sponsors they acknowledged in the beginning of the podcast.
Finally, I feel like the podcast "This Week In Photography" was also done through a video podcast. However, it kind of sounds like it was done in the same fashion as a radio show. After further listening, I am going to settle on the radio show idea. The way in which they mention there sponsors rather then just showing something through a video tells me that this is just like a radio show.
1.Media Literacy in the First Grade
http://classblogmeister.com/blog.php#comments
It's crazy how advanced kids are now days. I think I am ready and I am doing all I can to get prepared.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Week 2
1. Michael Wesch: A Vision of Students Today
I found Michael Wesch's video "A Vision Of Students Today" to be so very accurate that it actually made me laugh. Things such as, "I buy hundred dollar text books that I never open", "I will be $20,000 dollars in dept after graduation" and "I'm a multi-tasker, I have to be" are the details of my life.
Last semester, I got a 3.5 and I sold back all of my text books for thirty percent of what I paid for them. I believe that's the reality for myself and many of my fellow classmates. In addition to this, I qualify for financial aid but it doesn't quite pay the bills like my loans do. I'm already at least $14,000 in dept but hey, what's another six grand or so right? As for being a multi-tasker, how about writing a blog for class, bouncing the babies chair with my foot, chatting to my friends on facebook, texting my mom, and eating dinner; that would be my life at the moment.
If I were to be holding one of the signs in the film, there would be many things mine might say. "I could have wrapped up the entire lecture in two sentences", "I'm here by choice, please teach like you are as well","Believe it or not I have obligations outside of school" are all examples of what I might contribute to the video.
2. Read the post "It's Not About the Technology" by Kelly Hines
Kelly Hines writes about the importance of having teachers who are willing to learn in her blog entitled "It's Not About the Technology". She recognizes the importance of technology in the classroom but argues against this being the focal point of teachers. Preparation of the teachers and well rounded learners is what Hines feel are some more important aspects of teaching.
There are several reasons why I would have to agree with Hines that technology is an important tool in the classroom but not the most important tool. Slide shows and gadgets aren't effective if the instructor doesn't know how to correctly implement them into the learning experience. If all the future educators are only taught how to use technology to teach, I would hate to be that teacher during a thunderstorm. I think that one should rely on their skills of teaching and use technology as an aid not a necessity.
3. Karl Fisch: Is It Okay to Be A Technologically Illiterate Teacher?
I found Karl Fisch's blog to be sort of scattered and it was as if he couldn't quite gather his thoughts. In addition to this, I didn't fully agree with everything he stated and I felt as though he was a little over the top. "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." Fisch asks for the readers comments on the preceding quote. Well, I think we both should be able to agree that this is a little bit of a stretch. A teachers primary job 30 years ago was to teach children to read and write, this is still probably the number one expectation of a teacher. Teaching kids how to use technology wouldn't be a teachers first priority, so they aren't equivocal.
On the contrary, I feel as if Fisch did make many valid points. There are so many people and even teachers that are proud of their ignorance. It should not be socially acceptable to not be able to get around in the world using basic technology. Even this very semester, I have a teacher who has no idea how to use the smart board in her classroom and would rather use the whiteboard. She continuously points out how technologically illiterate she is. I can see how myself and my fellow classmates are often astonished and annoyed with this. What's even more frustrating is how she still hasn't managed to work the computer and class has been in session for awhile now.
Social Media Counts
I think it is astounding at the rate things are happening. It is also crazy to thing that I am contributing to all of it. As a future teacher, this means that my students will most likely have Internet access and instant communication. This can mean more drama on the playground. Not only will students have to deal with bullying face to face, they may also experience some of it via social networking. However, this also means students will have access to many sources and there research will greatly benefit. But, only time will truly tell how technology will advance and change the education of our future generation.
I found Michael Wesch's video "A Vision Of Students Today" to be so very accurate that it actually made me laugh. Things such as, "I buy hundred dollar text books that I never open", "I will be $20,000 dollars in dept after graduation" and "I'm a multi-tasker, I have to be" are the details of my life.
Last semester, I got a 3.5 and I sold back all of my text books for thirty percent of what I paid for them. I believe that's the reality for myself and many of my fellow classmates. In addition to this, I qualify for financial aid but it doesn't quite pay the bills like my loans do. I'm already at least $14,000 in dept but hey, what's another six grand or so right? As for being a multi-tasker, how about writing a blog for class, bouncing the babies chair with my foot, chatting to my friends on facebook, texting my mom, and eating dinner; that would be my life at the moment.
If I were to be holding one of the signs in the film, there would be many things mine might say. "I could have wrapped up the entire lecture in two sentences", "I'm here by choice, please teach like you are as well","Believe it or not I have obligations outside of school" are all examples of what I might contribute to the video.
2. Read the post "It's Not About the Technology" by Kelly Hines
Kelly Hines writes about the importance of having teachers who are willing to learn in her blog entitled "It's Not About the Technology". She recognizes the importance of technology in the classroom but argues against this being the focal point of teachers. Preparation of the teachers and well rounded learners is what Hines feel are some more important aspects of teaching.
There are several reasons why I would have to agree with Hines that technology is an important tool in the classroom but not the most important tool. Slide shows and gadgets aren't effective if the instructor doesn't know how to correctly implement them into the learning experience. If all the future educators are only taught how to use technology to teach, I would hate to be that teacher during a thunderstorm. I think that one should rely on their skills of teaching and use technology as an aid not a necessity.
3. Karl Fisch: Is It Okay to Be A Technologically Illiterate Teacher?
I found Karl Fisch's blog to be sort of scattered and it was as if he couldn't quite gather his thoughts. In addition to this, I didn't fully agree with everything he stated and I felt as though he was a little over the top. "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." Fisch asks for the readers comments on the preceding quote. Well, I think we both should be able to agree that this is a little bit of a stretch. A teachers primary job 30 years ago was to teach children to read and write, this is still probably the number one expectation of a teacher. Teaching kids how to use technology wouldn't be a teachers first priority, so they aren't equivocal.
On the contrary, I feel as if Fisch did make many valid points. There are so many people and even teachers that are proud of their ignorance. It should not be socially acceptable to not be able to get around in the world using basic technology. Even this very semester, I have a teacher who has no idea how to use the smart board in her classroom and would rather use the whiteboard. She continuously points out how technologically illiterate she is. I can see how myself and my fellow classmates are often astonished and annoyed with this. What's even more frustrating is how she still hasn't managed to work the computer and class has been in session for awhile now.
Social Media Counts
I think it is astounding at the rate things are happening. It is also crazy to thing that I am contributing to all of it. As a future teacher, this means that my students will most likely have Internet access and instant communication. This can mean more drama on the playground. Not only will students have to deal with bullying face to face, they may also experience some of it via social networking. However, this also means students will have access to many sources and there research will greatly benefit. But, only time will truly tell how technology will advance and change the education of our future generation.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Week 1
1. Did You Know? 3.0 and Mr. Winkle Wakes
After watching the YouTube film entitled "Did You Know?", I found that there was many facts and figures I had never truly put into perspective. For example, "India has more honor kids, then America has kids". This fact at first seems alarming and may seem as though India student are overwhelmingly smart, which may be true however it really means India has a very large population to contribute to the academic achievements.
In addition to the other intriguing facts, "I found that today's learners will have 10-14 jobs before the age of 38." This statistic makes me laugh because one year I had 7 jobs, trying doing taxes for that! So far I have worked 12 jobs and I am only 20. However, you should keep in mind that I often worked two jobs at a time and move frequently. So, I honestly feel like this number estimate is even lower than actuality. In conclusion, I found the film to be very enlightening overall.
Along with the previous film, I watched "Mr. Winkel Wakes", an animated piece that depicts the journey a man goes through after finding himself awake 100 years later. Initially, I thought it was a little weird and then it got towards the end and I understood the point they were trying to convey.
Mr. Winkel went through the town and saw how things had changed as time elapsed. There were machines, computers, and big hospitals; All of which astounded Mr. Winkel. When the character finally makes it to a classroom he finds everything to be just how he remembered it. I believe this to be a little embellished, but I understand what they were getting at. Technology can be found all across the town but it hasn't made a large impact in the fashion in which children are taught.
2. Sir Ken Robinson: The Importance of Creativity
Sir Ken Robinson's speech on "The Importance of Creativity", was not only filled with humor but a lot of important information. My two favorite stories he told was how Shakespeare was even once a child, and the girl drawing God.
I believe that we tend to forget that every genius, surgeon, and engineer was first a student and a child. Even Shakespeare was taught to read at one point, and educators aren't given nearly enough credit. Maybe we should praise or even thank the ones who encourage and inspire the genius for once.
I also loved the story about the child that sat in the back of the classroom drawing during an art lesson. When the teacher inquired about what she was drawing she stated that it was God. The teacher then informed the child that no one knows what God looks like, and the child cleverly replied that they would in a minute. I loved this story because there is nothing I admire more than the wit and cleverness of a child. It's when they make statements such as that without being a smart alack and just as innocent as can be. Which is the reason I'm choosing to spend my days around the positive energy of children.
In conclusion, Mr. Robinson's speech was filled with many good points and stories. I enjoyed the two in particular for the reasons previously stated. Creativity is so important and vital to the growth and development of children.
3. Vicki Davis: Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts
Vicki Davis's video "Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts" told the tale of how Mrs.Davis as an educator was able to use the electronic interests of her students and allow it to form into a teaching tool. She saw the window of opportunity and the interests of her students and combined this to capture the attention of her class.
Personally, I would have to agree that the techniques she was using seemed to be working. While watching the video, all I could think about was how I wished I had classes like that when I was in school. Being fairly young, this tells me that most students would feel the same way. There has been so many times where I have just been burnt out on the lecture and craving for some other way to learn.
Honestly, I can't tell you what I learned from hardly any lectures in high school but I could tell you what I got out of activities where I was engaged with assignment. I believe that if teachers focused on how to best convey the knowledge to the students and not the most convenient way, learning would be a lot more fun and it might actually even occur.
After watching the YouTube film entitled "Did You Know?", I found that there was many facts and figures I had never truly put into perspective. For example, "India has more honor kids, then America has kids". This fact at first seems alarming and may seem as though India student are overwhelmingly smart, which may be true however it really means India has a very large population to contribute to the academic achievements.
In addition to the other intriguing facts, "I found that today's learners will have 10-14 jobs before the age of 38." This statistic makes me laugh because one year I had 7 jobs, trying doing taxes for that! So far I have worked 12 jobs and I am only 20. However, you should keep in mind that I often worked two jobs at a time and move frequently. So, I honestly feel like this number estimate is even lower than actuality. In conclusion, I found the film to be very enlightening overall.
Along with the previous film, I watched "Mr. Winkel Wakes", an animated piece that depicts the journey a man goes through after finding himself awake 100 years later. Initially, I thought it was a little weird and then it got towards the end and I understood the point they were trying to convey.
Mr. Winkel went through the town and saw how things had changed as time elapsed. There were machines, computers, and big hospitals; All of which astounded Mr. Winkel. When the character finally makes it to a classroom he finds everything to be just how he remembered it. I believe this to be a little embellished, but I understand what they were getting at. Technology can be found all across the town but it hasn't made a large impact in the fashion in which children are taught.
2. Sir Ken Robinson: The Importance of Creativity
Sir Ken Robinson's speech on "The Importance of Creativity", was not only filled with humor but a lot of important information. My two favorite stories he told was how Shakespeare was even once a child, and the girl drawing God.
I believe that we tend to forget that every genius, surgeon, and engineer was first a student and a child. Even Shakespeare was taught to read at one point, and educators aren't given nearly enough credit. Maybe we should praise or even thank the ones who encourage and inspire the genius for once.
I also loved the story about the child that sat in the back of the classroom drawing during an art lesson. When the teacher inquired about what she was drawing she stated that it was God. The teacher then informed the child that no one knows what God looks like, and the child cleverly replied that they would in a minute. I loved this story because there is nothing I admire more than the wit and cleverness of a child. It's when they make statements such as that without being a smart alack and just as innocent as can be. Which is the reason I'm choosing to spend my days around the positive energy of children.
In conclusion, Mr. Robinson's speech was filled with many good points and stories. I enjoyed the two in particular for the reasons previously stated. Creativity is so important and vital to the growth and development of children.
3. Vicki Davis: Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts
Vicki Davis's video "Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts" told the tale of how Mrs.Davis as an educator was able to use the electronic interests of her students and allow it to form into a teaching tool. She saw the window of opportunity and the interests of her students and combined this to capture the attention of her class.
Personally, I would have to agree that the techniques she was using seemed to be working. While watching the video, all I could think about was how I wished I had classes like that when I was in school. Being fairly young, this tells me that most students would feel the same way. There has been so many times where I have just been burnt out on the lecture and craving for some other way to learn.
Honestly, I can't tell you what I learned from hardly any lectures in high school but I could tell you what I got out of activities where I was engaged with assignment. I believe that if teachers focused on how to best convey the knowledge to the students and not the most convenient way, learning would be a lot more fun and it might actually even occur.
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