WEEK #12: Videos

WHAT:

We talked about all the great things that can come from video sources such as YouTube and TeacherTube.

SO WHAT:

YouTube is something that I know I will use a lot in my life. It quick easy access to a countless number of videos. I can find videos for school homework, presentations, or even for personal enjoyment.

I can use YouTube and TeacherTube when I'm a teacher. I can use if to find educational videos. I think that using the fun educational videos like School House Rock or Mr. Duey's videos can help bring excitement to some of the more boring subjects. And then the concept is put to a song it makes it easier for the kids to remember.

NOW WHAT:

Now that I know all of the great things that videos can do for a classroom, I need to find more. I can search these websites for videos that will teach different subject matters and make a list of them. Then when I'm a teacher and I need something to spice up the subject of math, history, etc I can simply just refer to the list of videos.

Also I need to continue practicing with splicing videos. I get the general idea of how to do it but I need more practice so I don't forget. I can then splice all the videos that I wrote down and burn it onto a CD or save it to my computer so that I'll never lose it if the link gets deleted or something.

And last but not least I can look for videos that are simulations. The simulations are a fun way to learn and can make learning more interesting. Rather then just lecturing to your students all day you can teach them with simulations that teach about rain forests, under the sea space, etc. You can even take them somewhere like Space Camp that allows them to not only see the simulations but actually be able to act it out and feel like they are a part of it. I think that this can be some of the best ways to learn!

VIDEO:

The video demonstrates all the great things that we are now capable to do on our phones. I think its amazing how you are now able to check e-mail, use a GPS, listen to music, watch TV, etc all on your phone. Its great how far technology has come, but at the same time there are consequences. Now that a simple phone can do almost everything people are constantly on them. People are on their phones while driving, trying to check out at a register, in class, etc. I think technology is great and the potential it has is incredible. But if people don't become more careful and realize how much they relying on technology, then people are going to start forget how to function as actual real live living human beings because they will be to caught up in their world of technology.

WEEK #11: Podcast/Vidcast

WHAT:

This week we talked about what podcasts and vidcasts are and why they can be useful.

SO WHAT:

Podcasts are neat because I can use them for many things. My biology teacher posts his lectures as podcasts. Now that I actually know what a podcast is I can listen to any lectures that I have missed. Also it can possibly be a great way to research things (assuming that you find it from a creditable source). If I have the option to listen to a research article, rather then read it, I think I would get more out of it. I am the type of person who looks at the words and my eyes move back and forth, but I don't actually read and comprehend the words, so this could be very helpful to me.

Vidcast are great for many of the same reasons as podcasts. With research and learning I definitely would get much more out of it if I could not only hear it, but see it. You could even use vidcasts as a way to do a presentation. You could get together with your group and make a video of some sort and then publish it on line. I have learned that there are endless possibilities.

NOW WHAT:

Now that I have a small understanding of what podcasts and vidcasts are, I need to continue using them to strengthen that understanding. I need to learn the ins and outs and find all the great benefits and tools that it offers.

Vidcasts and podcasts are things that I could use in my classroom as a future teacher. I could use them to explain instructions for students who might have been absent that day, to record field trips or class activities that the kids might want to remember, etc. Like I said before, the sky is the limit!

VIDEO:

I agree with the video that blogging in the classroom can be a great idea. The video mentioned many great reasons why you should blog in the classroom, but my favorite were when it said that it extends the walls of the classroom, gives students a voice, and gives them an audience. Students can develops a better understanding of who they are by writing. It also gives them a safe way to express themselves. Another reason that blogging could be a good idea is that you can give the parents the link to their students blog and that way they can hear in their child's words what they learned today, how they feel about certain things in life, etc. It will give them a chance to learn and hear from their child about things they probably never would have thought to ask them about. In a nut shell, it opens the door for many new possibilities.

WEEK #10: PowerPoint Activities

WHAT:

We discovered the different PowerPoint Activities that the "50 Quick & Easy PowerPoint Activities" book offered.

SO WHAT:

I think that this can be helpful to me as a student because I can use it to make lesson plans for my classes more fun. Also they activity book has quick easy PowerPoints that are fun.

Also I can use it not just in my education classes, but also in my general classes. I can use it when i have to do presentations. Obviously I will have to tweak it to make it more age and curriculum appropriate. But I can use the general idea and make it work for me to make the presentation fun.

NOW WHAT:

Now i need to continue looking though the book and find some that I like. Once I have some that I like I should make them and see if I like that and if they could actually work in a classroom. I think that once I make them and practice with them and it will allow my creative juices to flow and I will be able to come up with my own.

Also I can have my students learn about PowerPoints and how to make one. The PowerPoints in the book are very user friendly and they have simple step by step instructions. I can have them choose from a couple of PowerPoints and have them create one. There are many possibilities!!!

VIDEO:

I loved this video as much the second time as I did the fist time. You were right, it was a great way to help me feel re-motivated and become focused again. It's a good reminder that EVERYTHING that I am doing to prepare to become a teacher all comes down to the fact that I'm doing it for the kids. I need to remember that!!!

WEEK #9: Picasa...again : D

WHAT:

We played with Picasa this week and discussed some of the different things that can be done with it.

SO WHAT:

Like I said last week, Picasa is something that I am very excited about. .I am all about photography and exploring the cool affects you can create on your digital photography. Picasa offers a lot of these tools and affects that I can use to edit and make my pictures more fun.

Picasa can also be used in my schooling right now and also once I become a teacher. I can use it to edit pictures for presentations and slide shows. Not only does it let you edit pictures, but you can also set up on-line albums, slide shows, head shots, and SO much more. Basically I think we are learning it to make our digital lives easier.

NOW WHAT:

I feel like I have so much more that I can learn about Picasa. I just need to keep practicing with it to be able to obtain that first had experience. By practicing not only will I get better at editing my pictures but also and finding new tools and techniques that the program offers. That way I will be able to truly know the program so I can teach it/use it in my classroom when I become a teacher.

I know there are countless things I can use Picasa for once I learn it. I could use it to do head shots of my class, make a collage or slideshow for my desktop that has my students faces on it, make name tags with their pictures on it so I can learn the students names and they can learn each others, and so much more. The thing I really just need to do now is continue using it and practicing with it so I can truly take advantage of all that it offers.

VIDEO RESPONSE:

None. Commented on it last week.

WEEK #8: Picasa

WHAT:

Because we didn't have an actual lesson on Picasa we were supposed to play around on it and get a feel for it. I think the reason we are supposed to get to know Picasa is because it can be a one stop spot for all of our digital picture needs.

SO WHAT:

Picasa is something that I am very excited about. I love taking pictures. So learning the cools Picasa offers and how they can affect my pictures is really neat. I like how there is the "I'm feeling lucky" button for quick fixes, but then you also have the option of going in and editing bits and pieces of detail. It will be helpful and fun to continue playing with.

I can also use Picasa when doing presentations as a student or slide shows as a teacher. Not only does it let you edit pictures, but you can also set up on-line albums and slide shows. Basically I think we are learning it to make our digital lives easier.

NOW WHAT:

I feel like I have only touched the surface of Picasa. I'm sure there are endless things I can learn and find on it. What I need to do is continue to play with it. I should switch to using it as my editing photographs program. That way I will obtain first hand experience with it and be able to teach it to others, like my future students.

I had a lot of fun last week when we were learning about using digital cameras in the classroom. That idea was very appealing to me and I think I could come up with some fun lesson plans using it. As I go through the education program and have to write these lesson plans I will make sure I have the students use Picasa to edit the pictures. I feel like Picasa is a safe and fairly simple program to use, so I think it would be great the use in the classroom.

VIDEO RESPONSE:

http://teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=6102&title=How_NOT_To_Use_PowerPoint

I loved this video! I love when people teach but having fun. Not only was the video fun and funny to watch it made great points. There are things I found that I need to work on. I am one of those people who like to have everything I am going to say on the powerpoint. It makes sense how that could be very boring and could make for a long powerpoint. This is something that I really need to improve on before becoming a teacher. If my powerpoints are word for word what my slides say it will be very dry and the students wont learn anything. I need to remember to use powerpoints a a way to show the dry skeleton of what I want to teach, and use that skeleton as a guide to add detail and elaborate.

WEEK #7: Digital Cameras

WHAT?

In class we discussed digital cameras and how they can be used in the classroom.

SO WHAT?

I think we are learning how to use digital cameras and how we can use them in the classroom for many reasons. First off there is the obvious reason which is to teach your students how to use them and the endless possibilities they offer. Also in a way I think it is taking education to the next level. It seems like the world today is becoming so dependent on the technology aspect of things. This allows the students to embrace the education this new technology crazy but to still be creative and think independently while they do it.

I can even use digital cameras in the school work I am doing right now. I can use it to make my presentations and homework assignments more fun. Also after researching web sites that talk about using digital cameras in the classroom, i have many new ideas. Also, while going through the elementary education program I can make my lessons plans fun and creative .

NOW WHAT?

If I choose to incorporate digital cameras into my future classrooms it could be a lot of fun. It will allow the students to think in a more creative way. To learn how to use this new technology. And to have them think outside the box on assignments. Also I think it will be very beneficial to students who are visual or hands on learners.

It will be good for me as a teacher also. I can use it to make my presentations more fun, to relate curriculum to real life things, and to not have to worry about copy right issues that I might run into when using someone else's photographs.

VIDEO REFLECTION:

Honestly I really didn't like video. It seems loud, chaotic, and unimportant. I'm not really sure what we were supposed to get out of it and comment on. I think the point we are supposed to get from it is seeing the creative things you can do with technology. In that regards its true, there was a lot of talent that was put into making that video. However I honestly don't see what this has to do with digital cameras or teaching.

WEEK #6: Internet Safety

WHY WE SHOULD USE THE INTERNET IN OUR CLASSROOMS:

-Using the internet in the classroom is a benefit for both the teachers and the students. It benefits the teachers in that is it a quick resource, they have access to lesson plans, it allows them to collaborate, and much more. It is great for the students because it helps them learn deductive reasoning by have to filter through the hundreds of links brought up by one search. It also is a quick resource they can use to answer basically any question they have.

WHY WE SHOULD EVALUATE THE SITES WE USE:

-We should evaluate each site we use so that we can make sure that the information we are presenting/teaching is accurate and creditable. We also need to make sure the content is safe for the students to be viewing.

THE QUESTIONS YOU WOULD ASK YOURSELF WHEN EVALUATING A SITE:

-Who wrote it and are they an expert?

-What is the author’s purpose for this site?

-When was the site created and last updated?

-Where does the information come from? Is there a link or information about where I can look up this information for myself?

-Why is the information that I found useful for my purpose?

-What organization is the author affiliated with?

-Is the content easy to find, read, and process? Is the spelling and grammar correct?

WAYS YOU CAN KEEP YOUR STUDENTS SAFE WHILE SEARCHING:

-I could try to keep my students same in many ways. I can give them specific sites to view and use for research that I have previously viewed and made sure are safe. If a students wants to access a website that I have not approved they can tell me which website it is and I can then view it and determine whether it is safe or not. But most of all if i educate my students on how to prevent getting into an unsafe situation and what to do if they do get into one of these situations, that is where I will have the most success in keeping them safe.

WEBSITES I COUL USE TO TEACH MY FUTURE STUDENTS:

- http://web.ebscohost.com/srck5/search?vid=1&hid=102&sid=442768d7-0bc4-4245-ac72-ead37b054360%40sessionmgr110

- http://web.ebscohost.com/sas/search?vid=1&hid=102&sid=63dc84fb-4a38-4dbb-8b12-0ab3e0ee6464%40sessionmgr110

- http://www.worldbookonline.com/student/home?null&gr=Welcome+Utah+Education+Network

- http://discoverer.prod.sirs.com/discoweb/disco/do/frontpage

- http://sks.sirs.com/cgi-bin/hst-portal-res?id=SUT0568-0-6007

VIDEO RESPONSE:

http://www.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=9965&title=Internet_Safety_Movie

I think this would be a good video to show in your class. I feel it is less cutesy, and would a good reminder for the upper grade levels in elementary. I felt that all of the rules they gave were good. However, I think the very best part is when it said that the parents need to be aware of what their children are doing on the internet. If the parent knows what the child is doing on the internet I feel the child will be less likely to come across something that they shouldn't. Also if the parent knows who the child is talking to or what website they are on, if something happens the parent now knows where it happened and can try to take care of the problem permanently.

WEEK #5: UEN Response

I think UEN will be a lot of fun to use in my classroom. It will be nice in the fact that I can have all the links and resources I need all in one place. I do think I will need to learn to understand it better before I'm going to try to use it for everything I do in the classroom.

Also I can upload the link for all the curriculum that I need to teach in my class for the semester. I can also up load lesson plans and leave notes about what I like or don't like. Hopefully it will become my one stop for all that I need and do as a teacher.

UEN will also be helpful to my students. I can teach them how to use the internet for things like searching or even just for fun. UEN will be great for this because all the links are safe for children's eyes.

I'm still not totally sure if I like UEN but I haven't given up on it. One of the reasons I don't like it is because it times you out every other second. It times you out even if you are in the middle of typing something (like it did while I was typing this the first time). Another thing I don't like about it is that you have to sign in again every time you go to a different page. I do like UEN because it is a one stop resources for basically everything that I am going to need.

VIDEO RESPONSE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG9CE55wbtY "If your not prepared to be wrong, you will never come up with anything original." I think this statement it bold. Students need to come up with ideas and be able to understand and handle the fact that their idea might not work. However, when 'correcting' these ideas we need to make sure that we are not crushing their creativity. If the idea and concept they came up with is impossible, then rather then telling them "no that wont work", we need to try to redirect their thinking to a possible new solution that will work. We need to give them constructive criticism, without cruching their creativity.

Week #4: UEN

WHAT:

This week I learned how to create a UEN account. I also learned how to customize it to reflect myself.

SO WHAT:

I not sure yet how this will benefit me as a student but I know for a fact that it will help me as a teacher. I think the reason we are going to all work of each creating our own website is so that we will have these tools and resources available to us once we become teachers. Also so that we can learn where all the resources are on the website and how to use them.

I can use it as a quick place to keep data and find lesson plans. I can find ideas, lesson plans, links, etc that I like and save them to my personal page. That way I don't have to worry about writing it down and potentially loosing it. It will be there asked on my web page and I can go back and look at it any time.

NOW WHAT:

As a teacher it will be great because I can give my students and their parents the URL to my web page. There, they can go see messages and up dates that I post about the class. They can see the links that I showed in class. It will be a way that I can let the parents know what exactly is going on in the class and what their children are learning.

The students can use it in many ways also. If they didn't understand something we talked about in class they can review the links I used. They can also use it to access homework that they lost or missed getting in class. There are countless possibilities that can be done through this website.

VIDEO REFLECTION:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZZ6GrzWkw0

I liked the part where President Obama said, "It's the teachers responsibility to inspire students and encourage them to learn. It's the parents responsibility to make sure you stay on track and get your homework done. It's the governments responsibility to set high standards and supporting the teachers and principals...but at the end of the day we can have the most educated teachers, most supportive parents, and best schools...but none of it will matter unless you (the students) fulfill your responsibilities." I really like that and think it is true. The student can have the very best teachers, parents, schools, etc. but if the student doesn't take responsibility for themselves none of that will matter. The student needs to have the dedication and determination to take their education into their own hands. There should be people there along the way to help the students in their education, but none of them can give the student that education. The student has to get that on their own.

Week #3: Google Presentations

WHAT:

I learned about Google Presentations this week. I learned how to create them and how convenient they are.

SO WHAT:

Google Presentations will be very beneficial. When I have to make group presentations in school we can create them through Google Presentations. That way (just like with Google Documents) the group can work on it when they find the time. You don't have to figure out when you all can get together to work on it. The project can be divided up and then each member can work on it when they get the chance.

Also, when you have to present you can bring your presentation on a flash drive, but if for some reason it doesn't work you will ALWAYS have a back up. All you need is a computer. With Google Presentations you are able to pull up your presentation on any computer that has internet access!! That is a great comfort to me. When I am preparing for a big presentation I'm trying so hard to make sure everything goes right, so just knowing that if my presentation wont come up, or I forget it, then I will always have that backup.

NOW WHAT:

Google Presentations are fun and seem like they will make life a bit easier. For instance, by using Google Presentations I will be able to work on lessons anywhere, at any computer. Doing this will also allow me to show many different people my presentation and get their feedback on it.

Google Presentations will also be a great help when I become a teacher. I can teach lessons using this kind of presentations. Also when the students need to do a class presentation I can have them do it using Google Presentations. That way I can grade their presentations by pulling it up on line, rather than having to have them all give me a flash drive.

VIDEO REFLECTION:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIV1CTWS7vY&feature=player_embedded

I thought this film was pretty good. I really liked the fact that he related the importance of education to future careers. He used famous people such as Steve Spielberg and George Lucas as example. Most youth look up to famous people and think they want that same life style. I feel that they just assume those people walked into fame. I think its important for them to note that even famous people have to get an education to become successful!

Week #2: Google Calendar & Google Docs

WHAT?

I learned about google calendar, and google docs this week. I learned how to create and use google calendar and google documents. I learned why they can be beneficial while I'm still a student in school and once I become a teacher.

SO WHAT?

Google calenders are a great tool to have because I can create many different calendars. I can have a calender for family events, personal events, birthdays, work, school, teaching, etc. Not only can I have it all organized into these individual calendars, but I can also have them show all on one calendar so that I can see a full outline of everything I need to know and do each month.

Google documents are something that I can see being very beneficial both as a student and as a teacher. As a student I can do group projects through google docs. The group can create the project and then we all can work on it when we get the time. That way we don't have to try to figure out how to make it so a bunch of busy college student's schedules can match up so we can get together to work on the project. As a teacher I will also be able to use it to work together with other teachers if we are planning to team teach a concept. I also can have one for the parents. It will allow me to let them know of up coming events, homework, or things we are learning in the class.

NOW WHAT?

I need to keep practicing doing this with these new tools. Once I am able to "master" them it will make life as a teacher a lot easier. For example, using google docs, will allow me to be able to work on lessons anywhere, at any computer. By doing this i can also send my lesson plans to other teachers and have them critique it and add to it if they have an ideas.

Google Calendar will be a great help when I'm a teacher because I can create a course calendar and send it to all the parents. So not only will the students have a paper copy of their assignments, field trips, etc but their parents will also know. I think this will help me get better parent involvement. It will also allow the parents to know everything we will be doing in class and hopefully but back on e-mails and phone calls from parents that would other wise be wondering.

VIDEO REFLECTION:

I think he made a great point in saying that you are not stuck in a certain situation unless you choose to be. You can always find ways to better your situation or change it completely. I feel this is very important to apply to your teaching. You will have students that come from a variety of different backgrounds. You need to help them realize that if they have a dream and will power, then they can achieve and become anything.

Week #1: My Ideal Classroom...

My ideal classroom will be full of color and excitement. I will display pictures, quotes, student's work, and resources for the students on the walls. It will be bright and vibrant. It will be an atmosphere that enhances learning and creativity. It will be a safe place for students to express themselves.

I will teach either first, second, or third grade. The class size will be about 20 students. This smaller class size will allow me to get to know my students on an individual basis. It will also allow them to build a "team", meaning they will work together, establish friendships, and feel comfortable performing tasks and asking questions.

My students will be full of excitement and eager to learn. They will be sweet, well mannered, polite, and respectful. They will learn to be organized. Their behavior will resemble "perfect angels", but they will still be able to be silly and act like kids.

I will have great parent involvement. The involvement will be exemplified on many levels. It will range from the parents helping the students with reading and homework every night, to parent participation in the classroom.

I will be excited to go to work everyday. I will make friends with the staff as well as the students. It will be a safe haven. It will be a place where not only can I teach, but I can also be taught!

Video Reflection:

I REALLY liked this video. In fact after watching it I showed it to my fiance and Mom (who is also a teacher). This video reiterated why I want to be a teacher. It also reminded me how important being a teacher is. I really liked the part where he said something to the affect of, "If the teachers don't believe in the students, then how are the students supposed to learn to believe in themselves." Also I agree with the idea that by teaching one student you are potentially teaching two future generations. It was a good reminder that teaching isn't just a career, it's a way of life!