Monday, November 1, 2010
Sunday, October 31, 2010
BLOG POST 10
Yes, I am glad to see that Morgan commented on the most important and concise message in the Dan Brown video. She reminds us that education is not only "free", it's liberated. Knowledge doesn't necessarily cost money to have and it's everywhere!
This is most important for educators to keep in the front of their minds because students live in this fact every day. I am a student who is becoming a teacher. Yes, I want to be liberated and I want to liberate. So, I have to remember that facts are easy to come by. I, as an educator, must provide motivation and a forum for idea sharing.
Morgan says that she has felt cheated in the classroom. Well, I completely understand. I don't ever want any student of mine to feel that way. And that is why I will keep in mind that I am not just a bank of facts for students, but a healthy example of someone who is hungry for knowledge.
DON'T LET THEM TAKE...
This blog post confronts an issue that is, to me, an even bigger one than people not using technology in the classrooms. Mr. Johnson wants to speak candidly about how testing leaves certain people behind within our education system and it is like a Pandora's Box that every one avoids. If it weren't for a lack of money that the less dominate cultures and classes suffer from then they may have better access to the internet that we hold so dear. If, say, low-income societies had REGULAR access to the internet, they may be able to generate enough ideas to aviod poor test scores. I know this statement takes a little thought. And it probably won't do you much good if you have not taken "Education in a Diverse Society" (sorry, I forget the course number), but this issue of poor people suffering in the classroom is bigger than no technology in the classroo.
Don't worry reader. I do understand that fancy things in the classroom won't make things automatically better. I did read "Why I Hate Interactive Whiteboards". I don't think that money is the answer. I do know that without this thought provoking thing we call regular access to the internet, low-income societies are suffering. And, I'll say it again, they don't have it!! They don't have the money for it. The teachers don't have it. They don't have the money for it. I have one hope. Now that there is a revolution that involves the liberation of education - the liberation of knowledge, maybe there will be a real liberation of the people on this Earth; maybe people will see how access to education isn't the only thing that has been and is being hoarded by dominant cultures. It will, no doubt, be a slow one, but it might be one that is starting.
2 QUESTIONS...
A good person is summed up in one sentence? Notice the people who had sentences were already passed away. I am guessing it would be very easy to think up a sentence for someone who is no longer active. But if I am put to the challenge and it is insisted upon, then, here it goes: "I am, first a mother, second a wife, and third a student, who takes all of her roles extremely seriously, even though she likes to play." And I already ask myself on a daily basis if I had done more, got more accomplished, or feel better than the day before. So, I guess I don't have to tell ya what great advice I think that is.
This is most important for educators to keep in the front of their minds because students live in this fact every day. I am a student who is becoming a teacher. Yes, I want to be liberated and I want to liberate. So, I have to remember that facts are easy to come by. I, as an educator, must provide motivation and a forum for idea sharing.
Morgan says that she has felt cheated in the classroom. Well, I completely understand. I don't ever want any student of mine to feel that way. And that is why I will keep in mind that I am not just a bank of facts for students, but a healthy example of someone who is hungry for knowledge.
DON'T LET THEM TAKE...
This blog post confronts an issue that is, to me, an even bigger one than people not using technology in the classrooms. Mr. Johnson wants to speak candidly about how testing leaves certain people behind within our education system and it is like a Pandora's Box that every one avoids. If it weren't for a lack of money that the less dominate cultures and classes suffer from then they may have better access to the internet that we hold so dear. If, say, low-income societies had REGULAR access to the internet, they may be able to generate enough ideas to aviod poor test scores. I know this statement takes a little thought. And it probably won't do you much good if you have not taken "Education in a Diverse Society" (sorry, I forget the course number), but this issue of poor people suffering in the classroom is bigger than no technology in the classroo.
Don't worry reader. I do understand that fancy things in the classroom won't make things automatically better. I did read "Why I Hate Interactive Whiteboards". I don't think that money is the answer. I do know that without this thought provoking thing we call regular access to the internet, low-income societies are suffering. And, I'll say it again, they don't have it!! They don't have the money for it. The teachers don't have it. They don't have the money for it. I have one hope. Now that there is a revolution that involves the liberation of education - the liberation of knowledge, maybe there will be a real liberation of the people on this Earth; maybe people will see how access to education isn't the only thing that has been and is being hoarded by dominant cultures. It will, no doubt, be a slow one, but it might be one that is starting.
2 QUESTIONS...
Friday, October 29, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
POST #9
WHAT I'VE LEARNED THIS YEAR...
This is exactly the kind of reading that I need to do. This blog is a list of lessons a new teacher learned about himself during his first year of teaching. I have to say that it is refreshing and encouraging to be reminded that I am not the only one with fears. I am scared to think about the possibility that I could be less than excellent to my employers and my students. I am scared of computers. I want more than anything else in the world to be a good listener, communicator and team player. Mr. McClung's blog has helped to get my perspective back in check.
He tells teachers to be focused on student comprehension and in order to do this we must be flexible with, have an open line of communication with, and have the utmost respect for all of our students. I truly believe that if this advice is not taken, teacher could do more damage than good. If we can't make changes on the fly opportunities for learning can be missed. If we don't know and respect our students how do we expect for them to know and respect and learn form us?
I felt as if he was speaking directly to me when he advised against a fear of technology. I have made it no secret that computers and other gizmos scare me. They make me wonder about the very direction of humanity (that's no joke), but I have to admit, computers and the concept of a PLN are potentially unmatched by any other methods of learning that I am aware of. This blog reminds me that this is a fear that has to be completely overcome.
Finally, and most importantly, Mr. McClung tells teachers to never stop learning. We, as, not only professionals, but people, must learn and grow. Without a fresh mind we cannot advocate our students.
This is exactly the kind of reading that I need to do. This blog is a list of lessons a new teacher learned about himself during his first year of teaching. I have to say that it is refreshing and encouraging to be reminded that I am not the only one with fears. I am scared to think about the possibility that I could be less than excellent to my employers and my students. I am scared of computers. I want more than anything else in the world to be a good listener, communicator and team player. Mr. McClung's blog has helped to get my perspective back in check.
He tells teachers to be focused on student comprehension and in order to do this we must be flexible with, have an open line of communication with, and have the utmost respect for all of our students. I truly believe that if this advice is not taken, teacher could do more damage than good. If we can't make changes on the fly opportunities for learning can be missed. If we don't know and respect our students how do we expect for them to know and respect and learn form us?
I felt as if he was speaking directly to me when he advised against a fear of technology. I have made it no secret that computers and other gizmos scare me. They make me wonder about the very direction of humanity (that's no joke), but I have to admit, computers and the concept of a PLN are potentially unmatched by any other methods of learning that I am aware of. This blog reminds me that this is a fear that has to be completely overcome.
Finally, and most importantly, Mr. McClung tells teachers to never stop learning. We, as, not only professionals, but people, must learn and grow. Without a fresh mind we cannot advocate our students.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
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Sunday, October 17, 2010
POST #8
THIS IS HOW WE DREAM 1&2
Dr. Richard Miller of Rutgers University tells the Presidential Forum about the fundamental change in the way we must teach. Today we have to be tech-savvy. As teachers and learners we are forced to share and discover ideas by way of the world wide web.
Dr. Miller refers to the web as a rich store of knowledge. This knowledge is at our finger tips. The way we compose our work and our thoughts is changing. The way people share ideas is transforming into something we can hear, see and read instead of just one or the other. And this is the way teachers and learners are, before long, going to be expected to produce their work all of the time. This way of composition is going to be the common way.
He goes on to say that it would be the common way if we only had more inspiring pedagogy and resources. But I believe there is plenty of that. He is inspiring and there is more where that came from. I just believe that since we are in the middle of a transformation, it's going to take some time for everyone to catch on. All in all, I understand that this speech is an example of the way teachers today must be thinking and doing in order to help the students of today be all that they can be. We have to offer them our imagination.
THE CHIPPER SERIES AND EDM310 FOR DUMMIES
Who knew the key to my success in EDM 310 is to watch a bunch of tutorials. I don't operate quite like that which is why you see me in the lab often. Coming to the lab plus watching the tutorial might get me through this and good enough to teach my kids.
Chipper is a perfect example of someone who has to learn the hard way that procrastination is not worth it. When a person finally realizes that taking care of business ahead of time ensures you plenty of goofing off time later, then that person will try to avoid procrastination at all costs. Although there is a difference between me and someone who has their parents paying their tuition, I don't feel that anyone should be allowed to procrastinate. However, being forgiven every once in a great, great while is different in my opinion.
I would love to create something at least as impressive as The Chipper Series or EDM 310 For Dummies (ha,ha). I think a revised version of "Dummies" would do all students some good and then require it to be watched, like, the night of the first lecture.
WHY SMARTBOARDS ARE DUMB AND WHY I HATE...
Well, there is just no end to the knowledge I gain from these blogs and videos in this class!!! I was one of those easily dazzled parents who just got into a feel good frenzy when I saw the smartboards at my daughter's school. There are just some things in this life that I don't think twice about. I didn't think of a smartboard as being almost the same as a projector or chalkboard. I am being honest when I thought it was a miracle tool. But I have never used them, so I don't know why I thought that. Just naive I guess. I will learn.
It is so sad that a teacher can't just say to an administrator: "Hey, I need some money to work on this awesome idea I have for interactive learning that doesn't involve a physical object." But something is lost there. I guess it's trust. Whatever it is, I'm sure that any determined teacher could use the abundance of information on the internet either to use their smart board more effectively, or to get around having to spend money on one in the first place. Like, both the blogs said; it's not the money but the pedagogy that matters.
When trying to find a link to something positive about smartboards, I didn't find anything that seemed as informative as an article from Educational Leadership by Robert J. Marzano called Teaching With Interactive Whiteboards. It has the point that the other two blogs are trying to make laid out in it among the good and the bad; a good teacher plans ahead and becomes familiar with the materials they use.http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/nov09/vol67/num03/Teaching-with-Interactive-Whiteboards.aspx I hope you find it most informative. Thanks for reading. Oh yeah, one more thing. Isn't Jamie Lynn such a good, no, wait, great actress?
Dr. Richard Miller of Rutgers University tells the Presidential Forum about the fundamental change in the way we must teach. Today we have to be tech-savvy. As teachers and learners we are forced to share and discover ideas by way of the world wide web.
Dr. Miller refers to the web as a rich store of knowledge. This knowledge is at our finger tips. The way we compose our work and our thoughts is changing. The way people share ideas is transforming into something we can hear, see and read instead of just one or the other. And this is the way teachers and learners are, before long, going to be expected to produce their work all of the time. This way of composition is going to be the common way.
He goes on to say that it would be the common way if we only had more inspiring pedagogy and resources. But I believe there is plenty of that. He is inspiring and there is more where that came from. I just believe that since we are in the middle of a transformation, it's going to take some time for everyone to catch on. All in all, I understand that this speech is an example of the way teachers today must be thinking and doing in order to help the students of today be all that they can be. We have to offer them our imagination.
THE CHIPPER SERIES AND EDM310 FOR DUMMIES
Who knew the key to my success in EDM 310 is to watch a bunch of tutorials. I don't operate quite like that which is why you see me in the lab often. Coming to the lab plus watching the tutorial might get me through this and good enough to teach my kids.
Chipper is a perfect example of someone who has to learn the hard way that procrastination is not worth it. When a person finally realizes that taking care of business ahead of time ensures you plenty of goofing off time later, then that person will try to avoid procrastination at all costs. Although there is a difference between me and someone who has their parents paying their tuition, I don't feel that anyone should be allowed to procrastinate. However, being forgiven every once in a great, great while is different in my opinion.
I would love to create something at least as impressive as The Chipper Series or EDM 310 For Dummies (ha,ha). I think a revised version of "Dummies" would do all students some good and then require it to be watched, like, the night of the first lecture.
WHY SMARTBOARDS ARE DUMB AND WHY I HATE...
Well, there is just no end to the knowledge I gain from these blogs and videos in this class!!! I was one of those easily dazzled parents who just got into a feel good frenzy when I saw the smartboards at my daughter's school. There are just some things in this life that I don't think twice about. I didn't think of a smartboard as being almost the same as a projector or chalkboard. I am being honest when I thought it was a miracle tool. But I have never used them, so I don't know why I thought that. Just naive I guess. I will learn.
It is so sad that a teacher can't just say to an administrator: "Hey, I need some money to work on this awesome idea I have for interactive learning that doesn't involve a physical object." But something is lost there. I guess it's trust. Whatever it is, I'm sure that any determined teacher could use the abundance of information on the internet either to use their smart board more effectively, or to get around having to spend money on one in the first place. Like, both the blogs said; it's not the money but the pedagogy that matters.
When trying to find a link to something positive about smartboards, I didn't find anything that seemed as informative as an article from Educational Leadership by Robert J. Marzano called Teaching With Interactive Whiteboards. It has the point that the other two blogs are trying to make laid out in it among the good and the bad; a good teacher plans ahead and becomes familiar with the materials they use.http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/nov09/vol67/num03/Teaching-with-Interactive-Whiteboards.aspx I hope you find it most informative. Thanks for reading. Oh yeah, one more thing. Isn't Jamie Lynn such a good, no, wait, great actress?
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