C4K Summary Post (September)

C4k #1

For my first comment for kid I was assigned to Victoria. Victoria attends school at the Pt England School. Victoria's class did a Multiple Intelligence test and posted their results on their blogs. I commented on hers saying that taking a M.I. test is really neat and can give you a different look on things. Her post has given me an idea of something I can do in the future as a teacher.

C4k #2

For my second comment, the class did a project where they discovered how many words they could type in one minute. I did the project and I typed 70 words per minutes. I commented telling them my score and that I thought it was a creative project.

C4k #3

For my third comment for kid I was assigned to Vatzana. Vatzana goes to school at St. Elmo. Her class did a video called "We are Similar Because..." In the video each student said how they are similar and how they are different from others. Vatzana said that she was respectful and creative. I commented to her saying that being respectful and creative are great things. I also said that respectfulness and creativity can take you very far in life!
In the video, the kids seemed to have really enjoyed making the video. They all showed their creativity and did a great job.

C4k #4

For my fourth comment for kid I was assigned to Max. For Max's blog assignment he was to create an avatar that was like him. His avatar looked like him, wore a hat representing a baseball team he likes, is holding a cat, and wearing a baseball glove. His avatar represented several things that he himself enjoys. I commented on his post saying that he did a great job with his avatar. I also told him that I too like cats and baseball. His avatar really showed his creativity.

Blog Assignment 6

The Networked Student
By: Wendy Drexler

This video explains how a student at the 21st Century Highschool uses the internet for learning. This student uses Google Scholar to collect data and information from credible websites that he will need for class. He has a blog that he uses for class (like our blogs for EDM310) that his fellow classmates can comment on and share thoughts.
"Why does the networked student even need a teacher?" He needs a teacher because a teacher is there for guidance and support. Teachers are there to help their students learn.
I feel that I am fully prepared to teach a "networked student". However, I do not wish to be a teacher of a "networked student". I think that students need to learn in a classroom setting, not at their own convenience using the internet.

A 7th Graders Personal Learning Environment (or PLN)

This girl seems to do a really good job in school. She seems to know how to navigate through the internet and apply it to her school work. I have not completed my PLN yet so I can't really compare her PLE to my PLN. I think that her PLE is neat. It seems to be very beneficial to learning and she seems to enjoy it.

Audio Podcast Project #8

Timetoast Timeline Individual Project #9A

Blog Assignment 5

Don't Teach Your Kids This Stuff. Please?
By: Scott McLeod

I really enjoyed reading this blog post. Scott McLeod makes a very good point. I completely agree with what he had to say. Parents need to realize that technology and the internet can help their children learn. They need to realize that yes, there are bad things out there, but with proper instruction and teaching their children can learn what to stay away from.
Dr. McLeod is an Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Kentucky. He recognized as one of the nation's leading academic experts on K-12 school technology leadership issues. Dr. McLeod has been awarded with many honors such as Leader in Learning by the cable industry, an Emerging Leader by Phi Delta Kappa International, one of the National School Board Association’s 20 To Watch, and many more.

The iSchool Initiative
Zeitgeist Young Mind's Entry
By: Travis Allen

Travis Allen's the iSchool is a very neat idea. I'm not sure if I completely agree with the idea but, I do think it is a good one. I think that there should still be books, paper, and pencils in school. Part of leaning is taking notes and reading books. Yes, you can read books and take notes with the iSchool but, staring at a small iTouch or iPad all day can not be that good for your eyes, it certainly bothers mine. I personally think that actually writing notes down on paper is beneficial to me because it helps me remember them if I write them.
One thing I really liked about the iSchool was that you can store everything on one device. No backpack filled with heavy books and binders, no lockers, and no planners. The more I think about the iSchool the more I think that it is a good idea. I am still torn though because I feel that the traditional methods of teaching should still be used. With the iSchool there are many benefits such as low cost and the saving of paper but, I do not think that the iSchool is the solution to the education system's problems.

Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir

After watching this video, the first thing that came to my mind was WOW! This is an amazing use of technology and the internet. For someone to be able to use technology and the internet in this way is just awesome. In a way this brings each of the 185 people together. Even though they are not in the same place, they are all participating in this epic movie that tons of people will view. This video just goes to show that with technology and the internet, just about anything is possible.

Teaching in the 21st Century
By: Kevin Roberts

Kevin Roberts thinks that to teach in the 21st century means that, books, paper, and pencil should be replaced by laptops, iPads, and e-books. He also thinks that Students should learn skills, not just information such as history and science. He suggests that students be taught how to do things and what to do in certain situations. I am not so sure that I completely agree with him. I think that students should still have to write down notes and read actual text books. I think that students should also be taught all of the main subjects. I believe that everyone should have a good well rounded knowledge of history, science, and other subjects. If Kevin Roberts is correct, it will effect teachers in many ways. Teachers will be using podcasts, computers, iPads and other technological devices to teach. Books, paper, and pencil will not be used anymore.
I think that technology is great and I think that it can be very helpful. However, I do not think that it should take over education. As long as it is used the right way, it can certainly be beneficial to students and teachers.

Blog Assignment #4

100 Ways to Use Your iPod to Learn and Study Better

After reading this article I found out that iPods can be used in many ways. Many people think that iPods are only used for listening to music; however, they can be used for studying, reading books, and learning. iPod' and iPad's are not only good for adults but for children as well. Young children can play games that help them learn their colors, alphabet, animals, and many more. Apple now makes a lot of different apps that can be very beneficial when it comes to learning.

Benefits of Podcasting
By: Joe Dale

After watching this video I realized that there are many benefits to podcasting. With podcasting, teachers can record their lectures so that their students can re-watch them for review. Podcasting can also be used as a good project for students. Students can come up with their own ideas and make their own podcast. Podcasts can be of great use for students that have to miss school because they are sick. Teachers can upload each of their lectures so that the student can listen to them or watch them from their home computer. Podcasting is also good for parents. If a child is having trouble with a certain subject, the parent can watch the podcast so that they can better help their child. Podcasting is also an opportunity for parents to get involved by seeing what goes on in the classroom.

Langwitches

After reading the article “1st Graders Create Their Own Read-Along Audiobook” I was very impressed. Each student in the class read a part of a story and was recorded. Once the entire story was recorded, she turned it into a podcast. The teacher then created a little booklet so that the children could follow along as they listened to the podcast. The students really enjoyed listening to the podcast and following along with their booklet. I thought that this was a great idea. It really gets the students involved and excited about learning. I plan to do projects like this in my class room when I am a teacher.

My Sentence Video

Blog Assignment 3

For the classmates blog that I had, I gave advice publicly on her blog. The blog post was very enjoyable to read. I agreed with my classmate on most everything that she had to say and she was very clear in everything that she had to say. I noticed very few grammatical and spelling errors. I chose to give advice publicly because I feel that there is no shame in making mistakes. We are all learners and we will continue to be learners throughout the rest of our lives.

It's Not about the Technology by: Kelly Hines

I am going to start off by saying that I completely agree with what Kelly Hines has to say. It most certainly is not all about the technology. Technology can be very helpful when it comes to teaching and learning however, technology is not going to solve every one's problems. I love when she says that "teachers today must be perpetual learners who are invested in their professions". This statement is very true. Technology is changing every day and so are current trends. As teachers we must stay up to date with technology and trends so that we can teach our students successfully. Kelly Hines says that technology is useless without good teaching. I agree with that statement. Schools spend thousands of dollars on new "teaching tools" because they think it will help the teachers teach however, if the teacher is unsure of how to use the tool and has not been taught properly then the tool is useless. As teachers we must accept the new technology and be eager to learn about how to use new things.
Technology can be great until it is misused. Some teachers may think that they can not teach and that students cannot learn with out all of the new technology. They are wrong. As long as we (teachers) encourage students to be creative and we teach them problem solving skills and critical thinking skills with little to no technology, students will be prepared for the future.

Karl Fisch: Is It Okay To Be A Technologically Illiterate Teacher?

I agree and disagree with what Karl Fisch has to say in this blog post. I agree and think that teachers should be technologically literate. Every class room in the school that I graduated from had a computer in it. If teachers do not know anything about technology, they would be lost. Technology has come a long way in the education system and it has many benefits. Technology can help students learn but, really it just makes it easier for teachers to lecture and teach. I agree with him when he says that we as teachers need to explore with our students and that we need to experience the tools that they'll be using in the 21st century. I think as  teachers we need to know what our students are doing so that we can better understand them.
Karl Fish states "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." I think that that is a bit extreme. I do not think that being technologically illiterate will hurt a teacher. Technology doesn't determine whether or not a teacher can teach. I think that technology can only benefit a teacher and their methods of teaching.

Gary Hayes Social Media Count

After watching the Social Media Count I was in shock. It is mind blowing how much the numbers change. I feel that in my future, as a teacher, I will be using the Internet a lot. I think that standards are changing that blogging will become more common and that social networking will be used in education. I'm still not on board with the blogging and the social networking being used in the classroom but I suppose I will have to come around eventually. These numbers are changing so rapidly and these days people younger and younger are using technology.
I would not be surprised if in the near future every student had a lap top or sat a computer in all of their classrooms. Each day more and more people are starting "journeys" on the Internet with Facebook, twitter, Google +, and many others. I feel that one day these things will become standards for every student to have
and to use on a daily basis.

Michael Wesch: A Vision of Students Today

This video was a very interesting video and I very much enjoyed watching it. This video has opened my eyes and made me think about how much things have changed over the years.
One thing that stood out to me was when one of the students held up a piece of paper saying that her neighbor paid for the class but never comes to class. I have seen this in all of classes at The University of South Alabama. I think that teachers should reward those that come class. Obviously we are adults and must make the decision to come to class on our own. If students are rewarded with bonus points they then have an initiative to come to class and may be more motivated to come. I also think that when students bring laptops to class it can be a distraction. One student said that she brings her laptop to class but does not do school work. This too is a problem that occurs in the classrooms at South. Yes, laptops can benefit those who bring them to class and actually do school work but, when they are not used to do school work it is a huge distraction. Technology and the way students are being taught has changed a lot over the years and is going to keep changing in the future.

Project 5

C4T #1

C4T comment 1 on Karl Fisch's Blog, The Fischbowl

Karl Fisch assigned his algebra student's their first writing/blog assignment. They were instructed to talk about how their first week of school has been and any concerns they may have. The student's are also told to set three goals for themselves for this semester. One goal related to the school in general such as grades or sports, a second goal related to Mr. Fisch's algebra class, and a third goal outside of school.
I left Mr. Fisch a comment saying that I love the idea of his first writing/blog assignment. I said that it is a good way to learn about his student's and their goals. I also said that more teacher's should assign their student's to do the same thing so that the teachers can better understand their students.

C4T comment 2 on Karl Fisch's Blog, The Fischbowl

My second comment was on Mr. Fisch's blog post of a video called Iowa, Did You Know? This video is an Iowa specific verson of Did You Know? Mr. Fisch says that he thinks this could be a good conversation starter. I commented saying that I agree with him, the material in this video can be a good conversation starter. I also said that the video is very interesting and that all of the statistics are mind blowing. One of the statistics that really caught my eye was that 25% of american family's live in a house with only cell phones and I am one of those families.

Blog Assignment 2

Did You Know 3.0
By: Karl Fisch and Scott McLeod

Did You Know 3.0 is a very interesting video. It shows how much technology is growing. It also shows that we are constantly learning and opening out eyes to new experiences. One fact said that the top 10 in-demand jobs in 2010 did not exist in 2004. It also said that we are currently preparing students for jobs that don't yet exist.
The statistics in this video are mind blowing. Something that really caught my eye was how rapidly the earths population is growing. During the video 67 babies were born in the U.S., 274 babies were born in China, and 395 babies were born in India. This makes me wonder, where are all of these people going to go? Is there enough room on Earth for all of these people? This video helps us to understand that we depend on technology in ways we did not realize, it shows that we use technology to help us solve problems that will effect us in the future.


Mr. Winkle Wakes
By: Mathew Needleman

In the video Mr. Winkle Wakes, Mr. Winkle wakes up after being asleep for 100 years. This videos shows Mr. Winkle walking through a city and encountering many new things such as computers and machines in hospitals. The one thing that had not changed and that was familiar to Mr. Winkle was a school filled with students listening to their teachers lecture.
This video shows how much technology changes over the years. Mr. Winkle is uncomfortable with the new technology but, in my opinion, the new technology is a good thing. The fact that the methods of teaching had not changed was comforting to Mr. Winkle. I also like the fact that the methods of teaching has not changed very much. I think that to much technology can take away from learning.


Sir Ken Robinson: The Importance of Creativity
The Importance of Creativity

Sir Ken Robinson stresses the importance of creativity and education. I agree with what he has to say. He thinks that creativity is being done away with and that students are being told what to learn and what to do. Students are being told that without education, they can not be successful; but what about the students who have trouble learning in school? The students that want to use their creativity to become successful? Those students are being shut down. I think that creativity is very important and that schools should put more emphasis on creativity.
Robinson shows a concern of academic inflation. In today's society it is becoming harder and harder to find a good job with just a 4 year degree. Many students are going the extra mile and furthering their education which makes it easier for companies to require that their employees have more than just a 4 year degree. Students have grown to fear being wrong which leads to less risks being taken. If teachers could focus more on creativity and students could learn to not fear being wrong, many people might pursue creative careers such as art and dance.

Cecelia Gault (Young Student in Finland) Interviews Sir Ken Robinson
By: Cecelia Gault

In this video Sir Ken Robinson is being interviewed by Cecilia Gault. One thing she asks him about is the three myths of creativity. Robinsons response to the first myth that only certain people are creative is that the myth is not true. I agree with him and I think that everyone is creative in their own way and that different interests can spark different types of creativity. I also agree with his thoughts on the second myth of creativity that creativity can only be about certain things. Robinson says that creativity can be about anything. Robinsons response to the third myth of creativity that you are either creative or your're not is that you can teach people to be creative. I agree with him and I think that to help someone be creative all you need to do is get them to try new things and open up their minds to new ideas and perhaps spark to new interests.
Robinson states that he think that computers should be at the center of education. I disagree. I think that computers are very useful and can be of great help, however, I think that to much use of computers can take away from the learning experience.


Vicki Davis: Harness Your Students' Digital Smart
By: Vicki Davis

Vicki Davis has created her own method of teaching. She states that not all students can succeed with just pencil and paper, however, by using technology all students are encouraged to succeed.
I do not agree with her. She is teaching her students things that they can learn on their own. I think that students should learn about math, science, language, and the history of the world while they are in school. I also think students can benefit from knowing how to blog and how to do things on a computer, however, I do not think that those things should be taught in the classroom.