Project 9b- Instructional Timeline

Blog Post 6

Network
The video was very insightful. It was about how the modern day student uses connectivism to learn instead of having a teacher lecture with a textbook. In "connected learning," the student creates his or her PLN through valid websites, blogs, and online documents. Then, the student shares the information they have gathered and bookmarked with other students who are learning the same topic. Through all of this, students learn through each other using technology. I feel that I am prepared to be a teacher of a networked student. I would love for my class to have a blog or podcast. The video also hit the importance of an iPod. I thought this was great, because the iSchool initiative convinced me iPods are the future for schools. The video showed that with an iPod, the student can watch educational podcasts about the topic they are learning from accredited professors.

PLE/PLN
I was impressed by the student's "personal learning envrionment." The student organized all of the bookmarks by placing the ones she uses for school at the bottom. This could come in handy for so many students, it's a way to stay organized without having the cluttered mess known as paper. I was also impressed that her science class uses a blog to tell them what they will be learning that day. I think this is a great way for students and parents to stay up to date on material. The blog also has video clips for the student to get a better inside grip on what they are learning. I too plan on doing this in my classroom. The only major differences between her PLE and my PLN is that my links are more advanced. However, I still have links to facebook and music just like she does.

Smart Boards
After reading the two critiques of why SMARTboards aren't a great thing to have in the classroom, I found a blog explaining why they are great to have. This blog is a blog about why teachers love SMARTboards: Michael Staton wrote that SMARTboards are dumb, because the teacher still is in front of the classroom, and learning with a SMARTboard doesn't "enable social feedback." However, in the pro-SMARTboard blog, the writer explains why teachers love using SMARTboards. They write that including animations and videos in a SMARTboard presentation does in fact enable a social feedback, and gets students interested in learning. The second critique of the SMARTboard, written by Bill Ferriter, claims that SMARTboards are too expensive, and are useless. However, in the pro-SMARTboard blog, the writer states that SMARTboards are very useful in engaging students to learn, and get into the lesson.

C4K:1,2,3

C4K-1
My first c4k assignment was post by a 5th grade student in Mr.L's class. The student described how wonderful Mr. L is, and how much fun he makes learning in the fifth grade. The student also wrote that Mr.L makes every day special because he is funny. I replied that the student is lucky to have such a wonderful teacher and that it is also neat because I didn't have a male teacher until I reached high school. I also wrote that you will always remember your favorite teacher because they leave such a big impact on your life.

C4K-2
My second c4k assignment was on a classroom at Point England School in New Zealand. There school was awarded for the computerworld excellence award in 2006. This school has google sites for every classroom, as well as a schooltv which keeps parents up to date with information. My assignment was to watch episode 331 "The Princess Test." Mubasshira and Jarna from room 17 created a video about the story "The Princess Test." The girls did a great job of summarizing the story and included pictures in their video.

C4K-3
My third c4k assignment was the Room 13 Kings at Pt. England school, and my assignment was to post on Lorenzo's post. He wrote about how a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly. He was very detailed, and included a picture of a butterfly in his post.

Blog Assignment 5

Langwitches
I was very impressed when I heard the podcast. I agreed that every student learns differently, and not every student may need the same tool to help them succeed. Mrs. Tolisano also made very good points at how she gives different students different jobs that best suit them. She also went on to explain that students get to do interviews through face-time conferences and she has other students who document the interview. I thought this was a great idea to get students involved while using technology at the same time.
Pod-casting Benefits
I like that he showed how if you record lectures, students have them on hand so that they can review for a test. I also agree that by using podcasts get students excited to learn. They made many great points. For example, they showed that through podcasts, a student who is sick can still be up to date on information in the classroom. I also liked the way they actually asked students how they felt about podcasting. I was surprised to hear all of the students who like podcasts in the classroom.
Scharf's Podcast Collection
Judy Scharf's post had many tips on how to create a podcast. She not only included what a podcast is but links to understanding the benefits of using a podcast in the classroom. She also posted a list of topics to get started on a podcast. This was very helpful creating my groups podcast because she showed how valuable time is during recording of a podcast. Her post was also helpful in showing how to submit a podcast on iTunes. I will now be able to use podcasts successfully thanks to her post.

Time Toast Project

My Sentence Movie

Blog Post 4

Dr. McLeod
After reading Dr. McLeod's post I do agree with him to an extent. Yes, I do believe that our children should learn how to fully use the internet as well as blogs and hyperlinks because they can be very useful and educational. However, today because of technology, identity theft has become easier to do because we leave a full biography and pictures about ourselves on the internet. Also, there are sex offenders that are online predators. I think that while we should educate our children we shouldn't completely let go and allow them to do whatever they want on the internet. Also, after reading Dr. McLeod's post I read his bio. He works at Iowa State University and also is the director of CASTLE. CASTLE is the only organization that educates schools and teachers about technology.
"iSchool
Throughout his video, he made very valid points about the benefits of using iTouch technology in schools. He stated that the "iSchool" would have apps that are designed specifically for the schools. This would be great for schools because everything the student needed would be on one handheld device. For example, in his video he stated that instead of carrying around books, all of the students book could be accessed through the iSchool. Also, every student has to have a notebook in order to keep up with homewoork, with the iSchool notes and homework could all be stored without paper. He also made great arguments about the cost of books, maps, paper, and other supplies needed for each student in a school system. He estimated around 600 dollars per student. He stated that the iSchool would replace all materials needed for only around 150 dollars per student. He made great arguments about the iSchool and I think this would be a great idea for any school.
"Lost Generation"
At first, I wasn't sure were the video was going other than to warn the dangers of not doing anything about the way the US is heading. Then when the video started in reverse I was amazed. I love the approach of saying the same thing in reverse but having a totally different meaning. It was an interesting technique that catches the attention of its audience. I think it would be a great way to present other material as well.
"Virtual Choir"
I thought it was amazing to produce a song that sounded beautiful when not a single person making it have ever met. It is astonishing to realize that people who haven't met and aren't from the same places can produce something so clear to listen to. It makes me wonder that if it can be done with music, what else can be accomplished.
21st Century
This video made a great point in saying that if the only thing teachers are teaching is information and facts then we aren't really teaching anything. I loved the quote "we are the filter" because it is so true. Technology provides students with information so if they have technology then sitting in a classroom hearing the same thing is useless. I agree that teachers in the 21st century do need to concentrate on teaching students what to do with the information. If we focus on critical thinking and problem solving, I believe our students can accomplish anything. Teaching in the 21st century means not so much teaching, but guiding. I think that teachers need to be seen as coaches and assistants in helping students reach their full academic potential.

Google Presentation

C4T-1

Creating Safe Environments
On the first post I commented on his post was titled, "Creating Safe Learning Environments." In his post he included a wonderful slide show presentation with slides that explained the importance of maintaining the classroom a safe place. His slides explained that a safe learning environment will motivate students to learn as well as get them to trust you as an educator. He also made a great point that the classroom isn't just the teachers, it is everyone's classroom and together with praise, responsibility, and working together then all goals can be accomplished. I responded to his post and told him that I loved all of his points and that if a learning environment isn't safe, then how can we expect students to learn if they are fearful. He replied back to my comments and thanked me for commenting and liking his post.
"Blended Instruction"
In his next post he was just stating he will be sharing how to use wikis and blogs and how to use them in the classroom. He also wrote that blogs can be used for parents as well as teachers in keeping track of their student's learning. I replied that before EDM310 I didn't understand how useful blogs could be.

Blog Assignment 3

A Vision Of Students Today
After watching this video I was so surprised to realize that almost every single sign that was being held up is relevant to my life. My average class size is somewhere around 50-60, with 100 level courses being somewhere around 80-100 people. The video gave great insight into what college life is like. It is hard to learn and absorb information sitting in a classroom staring at a chalkboard. Just looking around a room, at least 1/3 of the class doesn't show up except for test days. They did an excellent job in capturing what college life is really about. However, I would add how life is living on campus. Like how often crime happens at the dorms on campus. I would also add percentages about student fees and tuition costs rising. For example, at South our tuition rose 14%. However, my class sizes aren't getting any smaller, the majority of my teachers don't have Dr. in front of their name, so where is the increase in money going? Overall, they did a great job, especially showing the statistics of college student life, it shows how much all of those facts truly hit home.
""It's not about the Technology"
Ms. Hine's wrote a fantastic post about how teachers should be learners not just teachers. She stated that teachers should continuously study and learn more about the field or area they are teaching. I completely agree, if a teacher doesn't keep their knowledge and material up to date, then what is the student taking from their class that they can't find for themselves in their textbooks? In my opinion that's the whole point of having a teacher. A teacher is supposed to guide students with the right tools and materials to teach effectively. She also made another point that although a teacher may be teaching the lesson over and over again, the students aren't getting it. In Ms. Hine's words..."no teaching is being done." If this is the case, then the teacher needs to re-evaluate and come up with a better solution to teach the material in a way a student can understand and learn. She also made great points that technology isn't just about having the technology that will improve the schools, it's how and who is using it. If a teacher doesn't use the technology to full capacity then money is wasted. She made excellent points throughout her post.
Karl Fisch
I was actually surprised at how forward Mr.Fisch was in stating that that "teachers who are technology illiterate now are the equivalent to teachers who couldn't read 30 years ago." However, his statement is completely true. After reading his list my first reaction was simply WOW. After further thinking about everything he wrote I came to the conclusion that it is 100% necessary for a teacher to be up to date with technology in his or her classroom. If the teacher shuns off technology, how will the simplest tasks be completed? All of grading in Mobile county is done through a computer program called iKnow. If a teacher doesn't want to take the time in learning about computers and technology how will grading be accomplished at the least? Not every student learns through sitting at a desk and copying notes the teacher produces on a screen, that is merely regurgitation. Wouldn't class be more interesting and exciting if the teacher added clips or websites where more could be discovered in different ways on the topic they are teaching? After all, studies prove that if a child is interested, they will hold the information. I think his post was brilliant.
Social Media Count
After looking at Gary's media count I felt completely overwhelmed. As a teacher, it means that the world (technologically and socially) are always changing. This means that as a teacher who is responsible for our future generation, it is our jobs to stay as up-to-date as possible. If we as teachers stay informed we will learn to communicate and relate to students better.