Blog Assignment 7

Randy Pausch's Last Lecture

At first I did not want to really take the time to sit for an hour and watch a man talk on YouTube, but I am very glad that I did. When he started out and showed the cat scan of his liver which had ten tumors in it and that he only had 3-6 months to live, I felt plenty of sympathy for him.  However, after seeing his take on it I was truly amazed that he was so positive and yet was not in denial. His first point is very inspiring and that dreaming is okay and important and that anything is possible and we can not loose sight of that. 
He also states that fundamentals are very important, because if you can not get those fundamentals of anything in life then the other stuff just really is not that important.  I really enjoyed his second story about the football coach, when he kept ragging him all practice and pushing him hard.  The whole time the coach was doing that, it meant that he never gave up on him, because if the coach would have stopped ragging him then he would have given up on him.  To me, this a lesson to use in a classroom as a teacher and to never give up on your students.  These children now days already have so many people who give up on them, the last person they need to give up on them is their teacher.  I love his humor about the Encyclopedia and telling the freshman what they were, because these are the students who grew up with technology. 

Randy and family

He goes on to state that learning indirectly is very important. Like his example of football.  Yes playing football is great and learning how to play is also great, but learning sportsmanship, teamwork, fairness, among many other things are the true reasons we get our children to play sports. These are very important qualities that our children will need and use for life.
He also talks about leadership for a brief moment, which I find strange that he did not talk more about it.  I think leadership is very important, especially as an educator because we have to lead these children in the right direction. They need boundaries and guidelines to follow, it gives them structure. 
As he goes throughout his speech his continuously talks about brick walls, which we all run into when trying to achieve our dreams which are there to see how badly we want something and how many times we will try to aim for a goal.  Therefore, if we give up on the first brick wall, we obviously did not want it bad enough.  This is another technique that I find important.  Our youth have to see us, as educators, constantly strive even when we get shot down, so that they will do the same. They learn by leadership and showing them what is right.
He also thinks that being a professor was one of best ways he could help enable people to reach their dreams.  I wish I could have heard him lecture in person.  He is truly an inspiring person and I am sure that he has touch the lives of millions.  I hope to become a teacher and implement these same skills into myself to inspire my students to be better individuals and students.   

after watching the video, you will know what these stuffed animals mean. 

C4T Summary #2

I commented on Mr. David Warlick's blog about a new piece of technology which he has researched, called Vizit.  This "appears to be a digital picture frame with broadband (3G) capabilities, enabling the sharing of photos across the wireless net". It is going to be used, for example, to show how students in New York learn as opposed to learning in a classroom here in the south.  While Mr. Warlick thinks that this is a new way of learning and that many creative teachers will use it wisely, this piece of equipment is nothing more than what a child will have on their cell phone and can not even compete with a laptop.  So, I am assuming, in his point of view many teachers will find it useless.  I can definitely see his point of view and understand where he is coming from.  I also think that the price is outrageous for something so simple. 

I also commented on Deneah Galloway's blog, who is currently living in Bangkok, Thailand. She is also required to keep her blog because of a class that she is in. The post in which I read of hers is called "Magic Wand" which talks about the fact that technology has come so far.  She makes a point to show how it was just in 2002 that DVD players outsold VCRs.  It is definitely amazing how far we have come.  She talks about a list called "21 Things That Will Become Obsolete in Education by 2020", which I also took a look at.  I have to agree with her that it is very hard to think that all of this can take place in ten years, but it is a possibility that it could happen. She claims that if she had a "magic wand" she would just go ahead and fast forward to those changes, however, I'm glad that she does not have that magic wand because I want to see how it evolves. 

Blog Assignment 6

The Networked Student
After watching this podcast, I would have to say that this video is telling educators what they need to do to keep up with technology.  It is important that we show these children how to work the internet to their advantage and further their education.  I enjoyed hearing what the teacher was there for like supporter and a person to cheer the students on.  I also secretly think that what the teacher hoped her students would take away from the class....."in her heart she hopes he maintains his learning network and use it to navigate his future", is exactly what Dr. Strange wants us to do with his EDM310 class. 


A 7th Graders PLE
I definitely think that she has a great outlook on this class.  She gives great outcomes of using so much of  the internet in her science class.  Her positive outlook on this is amazing and it will continue to help her grow.  In all honesty I think she knew more about the computer and internet than I do.  I feel as if we here in Mobile are lacking teaching all of this technology to our kids.  Our students should be active on the internet also so they can get as much knowledge as possible.  My question is where do we begin with our students? Do we start from the beginning, or will they always lack in technology literacy?

The Machine is Changing Us
I would have to agree with Mr. Wesh in stating that our youth now is so involved with themselves.  I love his take on "whatever", hence my picture.  He also took a great look at the fact that 99.9% of the stuff on YouTube is really irrelevant to us.  It really does make you think about what all is on the internet.  He also makes us aware that we are talking to a camera and really ourselves.  He says that we are self conscious about ourselves and being on the internet for everyone to see, and us to look back on at ourselves and a chance to be self reflective.  Does it have effects on us as people, as students, teachers, parents? I am not sure, I guess it just depends on the person.     

Summary of C4K 1 and 2

David L
About me Blog
David is in the eighth grade at Noel Elementary. He comes from a big family with four brothers.  He also has a lot of cats. He points out that he has a weakness as a student with his homework, but I did provide him with some tips that I hope help him.
Manifesto
In this activity the teacher told the students to write a manifesto of what would make them a better student.  The teacher even gave his manifesto of how to make himself a better teacher in 2010 as an example. David wrote his own manifesto and set some very attainable goals for himself.  They were mainly about his homework and actually doing it, doing it correctly and turning it in on time so he will be able to participate in school activities.  As long as he keeps his mind set, I think David will do great this year with his goals.

Blog Assignment 5

Kids in a classroom, having fun

Eagles Nest Radio and Class Blog

I watched the third grade's audio podcast and they seemed to be very informative for their classes.  They pretended to interview old historians and different things like that.  This was very useful because it showed me that everything to do with technology does not always have to be complicated.  It also showed me a way to use this in my classroom.

The Langwitches Blog

This blog is telling a how to use the podcast in your classroom and make it interesting.  I definitely found it helpful in using it as an example for creating my own blog.  However I chose to go with just audio. This blog does try to get the parents involved and show them how to do it also to keep them up to date with the technology. 

The Education Podcast Network
This is where a bunch of different educators get together and talk about different podcast that may be helpful and useful in all areas of teaching. They also talk about the difference that teaching with a podcast and what it can do for the classroom.  I never realized how much podcast can help and assist in teaching, but it does appear to be a helpful incentive.  

Project # 8

Additional Assignment #1

I never used Google Squared or Wolfram Alpha before this assignment.  This is a very neat tool to use in order to compare statistics to one another.  I has completely changed the way I look at "Did you know".  This video gave very useful evidence about technology, but left out the entire truth in everything they used.  When dealing with statistics from now on I will think about what is being said and if they have taken all information into consideration, rather than just using what they want to.
The educational implications are numerous with these searches.  Students can use this for every class they have and can edit what they look at on the internet.  It can be their choice of what information they use.

Blog Assignment 4

Don't Teach Your Kids This Stuff. Please!

 I love the sarcastic approach he took with this. I have to agree with him on his take, because whether we like the technology or not is really irrelevant, because sooner or later our children are going to learn about technology.  I would rather my children be safe at being online than careless.  I think it is important that our youth know about technology and use is wisely and safely.   Mr. McLeod is an Associate Professor and live in Ames, Iowa. 

                                               

The iSchool Initiative

This student basically has an plan to save his school system by using the iTouch.  He shows that by using this one tool teachers, parents, and students can keep track of all assignments, get to any formula for math and science, see any book they need to read among many other things.  Then he says that the school could customize it by an application just for that school, showing the lunch menu, each teachers attendance records and the activities for that school. 

I think he has a great approach to our school systems budget cuts. He makes great points about how it will save money and that it keeps up with all due dates.  One of the best points he makes is that the parents can stay up to date with what their child is doing.  This alone can make a huge difference, because by keeping the parents so fully involved then it may even help these children to stay participated because their parents are continuously keeping track of the student. 

However, I think the worst part of this, is that what happens if something quits working. These students will not know how to use just the basics.  That is my only concern for this option.  But I definitely think this student has a great idea about what to do to save the teachers' jobs and could even help the economy.  

Lost Generation

When I first started to watch this I was absolutely shocked at what was being said.  However, I do believe that is how some people think.  On the other hand once it reversed and showed everything being said backwards, it revealed a more positive side.  A side in how I like to think about my life also.

I love the approach she gave of this presentation.  I thought it was so neat that everything was negative, until she read it backward and it made everything positive. 

Eric Whitaker's Virtual Choir

My first thought and last thought was "WOW!"  It is truly amazing what technology has brought us to do.  I think this is a great way for people who can not leave a place to get involved in something they make like to do.  However, what about the need for actual physical human interaction? I think that is something that can not be replaced by a computer and something that is so very important. Don't get me wrong, I think what he did was wonderful; I just think that actually being with another human being is also very important and critical to our children as they grow. 

Presentation Project #5

Blog Assignment 3

A Vision of Students Today
I do think that my college experience was pretty much the same as these students depicted it.  In the spring of 2010 I bought a textbook for a class and never opened it, not even once. Some may view this as a bad thing, but instead she used lectures, images, and power points to help us learn. However, I was aggravated that I bought a book and never used, and when it came time to sell the book back they made a new edition. Go figure.  I believe that she incorporated some technology, that helped me personally visually learn, rather than just reading the textbook.
If I could change one thing about this video it would be that he add in when I graduate college I will owe more for my student loans than I make in a year.  That would hit more close to my experience.

It's Not About the Technology 
This teacher is absolutely correct.  Unless we lay the ground foundation of learning, these children will not even be able to use the computers correctly and efficiently. However, I do know and firmly believe these children need to be educated in technology or they will never make it in the world as teenagers or adults. Her best point is without good teaching habits and our teachers constantly growing their own knowledge, our children are going to be in some kind of trouble.  Our teacher have to be willing to take in all of this technology then they have to make the initiative and go full force into learning about it, then teaching our youth about it.
If our teachers are not willing and open about their technology mishaps; how can we expect our students to be ready for the technology. Even her ending statement basically says that, we can give all the technology in the world to teachers, but unless they are willing to constantly learn it will do no good in the classroom.  On the other hand, you give these technological devices to a teacher who constantly keeps in her mind that they are learners, then there are endless possibilities that can happen.

Is it Okay to be Technologically Illiterate Teacher?
Mr. Fisch has an extremely open way of telling his point of view, yet it is the truth.  We need teachers in our schools who are willing to learn new tools to teach our students.  I do understand that teachers have a lot on them, but every job is stressful in some sort of way.  These students will be the ones who suffer if we as future educators don't pick up on the technological advances we have in front of us.
I do feel that sometimes, it is our own choice to learn more than what we may need to know about technology, but it is important that you know how to function correctly with technology.  Technology is a huge world waiting for us to explore it, and I am sure that our future students will be teaching our teachers about this technology.  So therefore, that is another reason to be open minded about constantly learning as educators.

Gary's Social Media Count
For me this means I better stay in tune with technology as it is very apparent to me, especially now, that technology will be a part of my classroom.  Our students and our very own children will suffer if every educator does not stay up to date with their technology.  We have to be educated in it, so that our students will take interest in it, because if they don't they will not make it in the "real world". It seems that our entire world is revolving around technology.

Summary of C4T #1

After reading Mr. Hadley's first blog about a conversation that was on Twitter the night before school started I knew I had an interesting teacher.  He commented on how that is the day filled with anxiety and fear for teachers, yet there were still those great teachers out there talking about how he they were going to make this upcoming school year filled with greatness.  He realized that there were other teachers out there just like him, striving to do the best for their students, which is what probably moved him to make his second blog. 

His second blog was a list of 12 items that he is going to be sure to do to make this a great school year.  These 12 items were simple things, but very important for our children.  I have printed his list and hope to use it every year as a teacher, so I can make the best of every year for these students. If you have time check out his list at the website below:  

http://hadleyjf.wordpress.com/ 

Blog Assignment 2

Did You Know
I think that this blog shows how far technology has come and how smart the human race is to create something that is so effective.  By effective I mean, it only took Facebook 2 years to reach a huge capacity to the world and that Bermuda is the number one most technological country in the world.  The internet, such as Google, is an amazing and life altering invention which most everyone relies on daily.
However, while I do enjoy the convenience, access, availability and several other factors, it is very scary to me what the internet is capable of.  It is also frightening that "predictions are by 2049 that a $1000 computer will exceed the computational capabilities of the entire human race", according to www.2curio.com.

Mr. Winkle Wakes
This video makes a very valid point that computers and technology are not being used enough in our classrooms at schools across this country.  These computers, which most everyone of these students will be using at their jobs one day, are an important part and the children do not get enough time on them.  I see and understand the point, however, these children are learning to use them at a much younger age. For example, I am 24 years old and I think I was introduced to a computer when I was in third or maybe even fourth grade.  My step-daughter is now in the second grade and she was using a computer in Kindergarten.  She came home from school one day and asked to get on starfall.com, which is website that helps young children to read, and I thought was astonished.
While I do agree that introducing computers and technology at a young age is a great thing, I also think that lecturing is a very vital part of an education.  Not every student learns in the same manner, so having a computer just gives that student another way of getting an education.  However, that does not mean that everything that we as teachers teach them should be connected to the computer, because there is life beyond technology that is just as important and sometimes even more important.

The Importance of Creativity
Ken Robinson has an amazing point of view on this which I completely agree with.  It is very important that children get out and are able to play and pretend because this is what keeps their minds active. He states that our education system puts are at the bottom of the importance list in our schools, but children need those creative arts to keep their mind constantly wandering.  He states that children are not afraid to be wrong, however, our education system is built around the idea that being incorrect is a bad thing.  In all actuality being wrong is originality.
His ideas about allowing children to use their creativity and activeness to expand who they are is a great thing.  We should not assume that putting them on medication, isolating them, or constantly telling them that they are wrong is a solution. As future educators, we have the lives of these children in our hands to nurture and support, so they deserve great teachers who can do all of that and more.

Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts
This teacher has a great outlook on her students.  I definitely believe that she takes her students' creativity and allows them to channel it into the classroom.  She even allows them to teach their fellow classmates, as well as herself.  She had a great statement about teachers thinking that they have to know everything before they begin teaching, when the truth is we are constantly learning.
To constantly learn is a creative measure also because it keeps you alert and up to date with new materials.  This is especially true when the student's are giving us information, because it keeps the teachers updated with what the students are involved in.  These videos have given me a different outlook on technology, however I still think that our lives should not be led or lived by a piece of technology.  Life is something we should experience for ourselves and let the technology help to improve it, not make it.