Project #11

Project #12 Book Trailer

Blog Post #9

What I Learned This Year – Volume 4

Mr. McClung made some very good points. I was surprised to read that he was worried about what his peers thought about him as a teacher. I feel like we all tell each other not to worry about what others think of you, but that's easier said than done. I don't think he's the only teacher that's worried. I know that I'll probably struggle with that, too. I want everyone to think I'm a great teacher and I sure don't want anyone to be mad at me. I have that problem now where I get stressed if I know someone is mad. I think it's best to just stick with being concerned of how you're viewed by your students and the people above you. I like that his question was always, "Are the kids having fun?" That's a great way to be and I will probably always carry that question with me wherever I go. I never want my students to be bored or not want to come to class.

I wish more teachers would learn their lesson about becoming too comfortable as a teacher. I had so many teachers like that growing up. Even in middle school, I could tell when a teacher had been teaching the same stuff for a million years. It was boring and I hated going to class. I'm sure it gets to be a routine and you stop having to study up on everything for your students. I want to be the kind of teacher that has something new every year. I'll be exhausted I'm sure from all the planning, but in the long run it will be worth it. I know now my friends have tests from people that took the same class and they use those to make good grades on the test. The teacher never changes the test. I definitely don't want to be like that. I'm glad he's going to challenge himself to become a better teacher. Hopefully all teachers do that.

The update on his blog said that he was going to move to Woodland Jr. High School and be an administrator. I hope we continue to hear about his learning experiences there!


What I've Learned this Year 2008-2009

I really like this teacher's way of thinking. He points out that most teachers do not make their lessons student-focused. I believe that's true for the school I went to. I hope to be the teacher that everyone loves and I want to have my lessons student-focused so that they actually learn and don't just memorize everything to pass and forget it when they leave. Communication is the best medicine. Period. No matter what situation you're in, it's always good to talk it out. I'm TERRIBLE at communicating. I'm getting better though. I like that he said, " Our job as teachers is to simply pick them up after they fail, dust them off, and encourage them to try again." I agree 100%. We're supposed to be supportive as teachers and guide them in the right direction. As technology continues to advance every day, I don't think many teachers will be as afraid of it as they were back in 2008. I like that he did a survey at the end of the year. I want to do that with my students. I want to be the teacher that listens to my students. Every kid needs someone like that. Lastly, he says to never stop learning. How could we stop? The world is changing everyday so we must be willing to adapt.

At The Teacher's Desk

Blog Post #8

Dr. Richard E. Miller

I liked how he started the video with explaining how far we've come. A book that used to mean so much to us is now only .59 on Amazon. That's crazy talk! He explained that some of the changes were just incremental instead of fundamental. That confused me a bit, but I finally understood what he was talking about. The actual work isn't changing, just how we distribute it. It's funny that he said he article would slowly end up in the trash. He's probably right about that because some people just don't want to take the time to read anymore. Some people don't have the time, either. I like that everything is more web-based now. It can be a problem though when everything is on the internet or computer and we depend on them 100%. What happens when something prevents the computers from working or something? That's already happened to me and I was completely lost. I don't like depending on a computer so much.

Dr. miller also told how he works with his collegues to collaborate over the internet to make projects and things. That's pretty cool and it takes time. I know it's a very convenient way to work together on something. I didn't know we could go on the internet and find how senators voted. I will be checking up on that in the next election. I don't see how that will do me any good, but it's still nice to know the information. You never know when you might get asked to be on "Who wants to be a Millionaire." Also, I like he said we could use videos from YouTube or somewhere to make movies. Like with the Obama election and everything. That's a really good idea.

I've never really known what Itunes U is. I must go check that out at some point. It sounds like it would do me some good because of all the books and movies out there for school students. I'm not sure how I feel about the whale hunt. That makes me sad. It's cool that we can get behind the technology and see how something on the internet is created. I've always wondered how someone makes a website.I hope we do start using FinalCut in our classes. That would be cool. It's crazy to think that if something had been sent to computers for publication that it would take 2 years and there's no telling who would read it and where it would go. But with the internet, people can see and read it instantly. That has definitely been a huge influence in our society. I believe I am ready to write with multimedia. I'm not sure I'm ready to start making whatever that guy was making right before we had to cut the video off. That looked difficult. But using Pinterest and Twitter, Google, blooger, and all the great websites for teachers and students, will not be a problem. My students will use some form of technology. I'm not sure which kind. I'm sure it depends on the school system.

Carly Pugh

I wish I was as creative as Carly. That gene skipped me and went straight to my sister. I am working on it though. The videos in her playlist will come in handy someday and I will probably go back and watch them. I love how everything will stay on the internet so that we can use this as reference when we become teachers. I like the video that is of the schools that children deserve. It's true. We do need schools that are filled with creativity and encourage kids to be their own person instead of trying to make everyone the same. The video that said those that are crazy enough to think they can change the world, do, is probably the best quote ever. I completely agree with that. I wish schools encouraged students to try new things and to think outside the box. I know I will. No more than ever there is diversity in the schools. Parents aren't really used to having such diverse populations in the schools and sometimes I think children pick up on that. We may be from different parts of the world and have different cultures, but we are all humans. Kids don't know any different so we don't need to let them know that we do. I just wish kids could continue to see beyond the skin color and accents. We all want the same things in life. Let's work together instead of fighting.
The "When I Grow Up" video is precious. You don't realize how much influence you have on kids until you see how they act and hear what they're saying. I hope no teacher ever says they want to be a hobo. No matter how cute the kid is saying it, it still scared me. Teachers need to stay positive and always have good things to say. You might marry the wrong person, but there's a right person out there and you'll find her. Eventually. The little kid with all the questions for his teacher about computers and the internet is great. All teachers need to know how to use one and be able to teach kids how to use them correctly and safely. I think a teacher's job is broadening now as the world is learning new things.

The Chipper Series and EDM310 for Dummies

I think a good video for this class would a normal person does throughout the day and doesn't spend 9 hours a week working on this class. And then at the end show what happens.. they probably fail or don't make a good grade. Then would just tell some things that helped me get the grade I got for this class. Number one would be to always be on time!!! It's hard to get that in people's heads these days. Especially mine. Once someone gives me an idea for a video, I can come up with more ideas. Right now I'm completely blank!

Learn to Change, Change to Learn

I agree with what the people in this video are saying. We need to step it up as teachers. One man said that technology really isn't a choice anymore. He couldn't be more right about that. It really is about the relationship and community you build with your students. I like the way these people think. Everyone needs to think like them! However, I'm not sure I like the community system idea all that much. I think we should still have a classroom setting. That works for must students. I like the idea of having field trips and all that fun stuff. That's what keeps in interesting and fun. I hated the boring essays and book reports. It made me hate reading. But when I was in 5th grade I had to write my own story. I had to illustrate it and bind it. I had to put a cover on it like it was a real book. I love crafty things like that. That made me want to read. Not those book reports. I agree with that one man that said the jobs these students now will have when they are older won't require the right answer type of approach. They will definitely be called on to use their creativity and synthesis skills. The world is changing so, we, as teachers, must change with it. Our ways of teaching have to change to prepare the kids for the future.

Web 2.0

Animoto- it's free for Iphone and Droid users. That's a plus! It has high definition everything. So your pictures will be looking GOOD. It's not so free if you want to go Pro with it. If you're really picky about pictures and whatnot, this probably isn't the way to go. But on the plus side is has over 1000 commercially owned songs that you could put with your video. This specifically says there are no "cheesey templates." We're good to go now. It also has lots of different text fonts to use. There are testimonials from previous users. There are commercials done with this. That's pretty cool if you ask me!

Comic: Orange by Emily Barnes:

Poll:

C4T #2

I commented on a blog titled, Keeping Kids First by Kelly Hines. She recently changed her blog's title and it's at a whole new website. It's now called, In the Trenches: Thoughts and Ideas from a Classroom Teacher. Her blog on February 10 talked about her using a video read aloud in the classroom for students. She gave reasons why it was a good idea to use it. I agreed with some of them, but I do not agree with her on others. I do not agree with her about everyone loves being read to no matter how old you are. I have never enjoyed that and I always hated when the teacher did that. I probably liked it when I was young, maybe 2nd grade and younger, but after that, no thank you. She said it was a good way to monitor the kids' listening skills. She is right about that. You can definitely tell who pays attention and who doesn't. She also said it was a good built-in make up lesson plan. That is true. I commented and just said I agreed with her reasons why it was good to use the video read aloud books. I didn't say I didn't agree with her about everyone liking it though. I also thanked her for the links to some cute videos that I can show one day when I'm a teacher.

Comment and Post #2: Kelly Hines put the video of Mayim Bialik- Blossoming to Science on her blog. It was really inspiring. She talked about science was hard for her while she was on the set of "Blossom" and that her tutor taught the cell like it was one of Picasso's famous paintings. She said that's when she fell in love with science. She went on to get her PhD in neuroscience. Now she's Amy Farrah Fowler on "The Big Bang Theory." They go to her when they have questions about neuroscience since her character is a neuroscientist. I commented on it and said thank you for posting the video and that it was really inspiring. I said it helped me not to be afraid to admit that I'm a nerd and that I like English. I love to read. So what? I think it'd be great if more people weren't afraid to be themselves.

Comment and Post #3: Kelly Hines told how her students were learning how to divide whole numbers and making fractions. She told the whole process of how she gave them notecards and told them to make up their own problem. Then on another notecard write the answer. Then on another one they drew a picture. She put the girls'in a box and then the boys' in a box and switched them and then had them put them all together. It was really cool. She left a link on her page so we could see some pictures of the work. I commented and said that was really good idea and thank you for posting. Here's the link to her blog.
In the Trenches

Project 10

I believe I will be teaching elementary school children. I'm not sure if it will be Kindergardeners or 6th grade students. I found a site that is free and teaches kids math. It's called Math Blaster. I had the actual game on my computer when I was growing up and I LOVED it. I'm pretty sure I would play that game now if I could. I think I finally scratched that cd up so much it quit working. It's supposed to keep kids interested in math and help them learn. They also get to save the galaxy while they're playing. What kid doesn't want to do that? I would use it during class as maybe an incentive.I think it costs money to be a memember, but you can still play for free. If the student's did really well on a test or homework then they could play the game during class while the other students did work. OR if the school has enough computers then I'd take them to the computer lab and that's what we would do all during class. I like to mix things up and not make everything so boring and class-like. I'd expect students to know their multiplication tables faster or know how to add/subtract faster if that's what we were learning in class. I chose this because I loved it as a kid and I think other kids would love it, too. It may be a little different than when it was an actual game, but I still think it will be very beneficial to any student.

Podcast Project #8

Progress Report for PLN

I've started my PLN. It can definitely use some work. I've got to find some people to put on there. I'm still learning about it. I chose Symbaloo to use as my PLN. I might change it to the other one. It might be easier to understand. I just need a lot of work on mine and maybe get someone to help me. Otherwise, I think it'll be great and can use it in the future!

Blog Post #7

Randy Pausch's Last Lecture

WOW. That man was incredible. God certainly used him. Not only was he a great teacher, but he was a great father and husband. The birthday surprise and second head fake made me hae tears. Before watching this video, I was thinking it would be just another informative video for us all to watch and rewatch way down the road. I didn't think it would be so moving and inspirational. This is the kind of video people need to watch more often. It shows that hard work does pay off and that everything isn't just handed to you. I'm so glad we had to watch this!! Thank you Dr. Strange for sharing this with us.

As for teaching methods and learning, Dr. Pausch just talked about how he pretty much created classes to teach for students. He had that one class where they would have to create a world (the one with the scary bunny thing) and present it to the class. They started letting the public watch and even had parents come sit in. I think that is a great way to get kids to want to learn. There was also a girl that said if you teach something in a storytelling way, it helps them learn better, too. I agree. He took them on field trips and showed them real life scenarios that they could work with. He genuinely cared for his students and their success. How cool is it that EA guarantees that they will hire Carnegie Mellon's students? I think that's awesome. The student's gave feedback on other students when they had to work in groups. It would show each student what their peers thought of their group skills. ( Not sure how to word that.) I think that is a very useful idea and will probably somehow work that into my classroom. The more I'm learning about all this technology and the way things are going now, makes me want to teach a higher level so I can put all this to good use!

I think Dr. Pausch was a great teacher. I think he continued to learn about people and things throughout his whole life. That's what keeps a person well-rounded. You have to have an open mind and be willing to learn something new. One of the most important messages of his whole lecture was that he said in other words, never give up. He said there would always be a brick wall, but it wouldn't be there to stop you, just the other people. He never gave up on his dreams. He also said that we learn indirectly or by a head-fake. I'm starting to agree with that.

Dr. Pausch's lecture was about achieving your childhood dreams. He talked about his childhood. How he wanted to be Captain Kirk, play in the NFL, reach zero gravity, and work on the Disney team. He told how he set out to reach those goals. He told what he learned along the way and that yes, there would be a brick wall. He didn't let the brick wall stop him, though. He climbed over it and kept going. He talked about working at Carnegie Mellon and working with the staff and students. He was a pretty funny guy. He was always positive in everything he said and never had a mean thing to say about someone. A summary won't do his lecture justice. I think EVERYONE needs to watch that video. It will change your whole outlook on life. I know it did mine.