Additional Assignment #3

Sir Ken Robinson presented a very good argument in his video. I think one of the most important points that he says in his presentation was about students learning and its connection to ADDH. In essence, we are drugging our children when they don’t learn the way we think they should learn. That was a very interesting point of view. I tend to agree with most of the points he made in his video but I disagree with the point of view that you can’t sell students in today’s world in order to have a great job; you must go to college and get a degree. Yes, it’s true that some students do not find a job after they obtain their degree. On the other hand, I think students who do not get the job they want after they graduate still have a better chance for economic mobility compared to the student who does not go to college at all.

To address some of the issues that Sir Ken Robinson’s video present, I think I will forward this video to all my peers and bring up the issues with every person that I come in contact with when the topic arises. Overall, I thought the presentation was very entertaining and very well made. If I had to create such a presentation, my role would be the Idea Generator. I’m not much of an artist but I’m always coming up with great ideas to support projects.

Project 9b (late)

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Blog Post Assignment 10

After reading Morgan Bayda post “An Open Letter to Educators”, I agree with her that North America is using a model of schooling that was created hundreds of years ago by the dominant culture thus cheating us out of our education. Because of this, I think the quality of education in America is far behind what it’s capable of being.

Much like Morgan, sometimes I feel like I am being cheated out of my education. Most curriculums in the public school systems are not student-centered. Public schools seemed to be focused only on standardized testing rather than allowing students to be creative and free to explore their education. Moreover, the curriculum is very limited and is centered on the dominant culture and its point of view. For example, almost in every public school in America, the only time the curriculum is devoted to learning about African American history is in February because it is so-called “Black History Month”. I believe African American history should be learned along with every other aspect of history during the entire school year. A well rounded education would declare history as history, it’s impossible to cram the entire history of African Americans in to one month when African Americans have contributed and help set the foundations of this country.

Next, the way the teachers are conducting and teaching their classes are affecting the education experience as well. I agree with Morgan that it’s frustrating to be in a class where you can only discuss the topics openly with your teacher rather than your classmates. In a class where blogs, open discussions, PLN, and other kinds of effective communication tools are used, it’s more rewarding for the student. I hope that most new generation of teachers will be willing to integrate technology into their lessons to help improve the education experience for the student. As a result, this would give the students the opportunity to be creative and to explore their ideas among their peers using many different forms of communicating. For example, a student may feel uncomfortable commenting on topics in class but if the teacher used blogs, that student may feel more comfortable responding online because it’s less intimidating.

All in all, I think there will always be improvements needed for education in America. I think it’s up to the individual to feed off what they are being taught and educate themselves to get a well rounded education. It’s important to know how to critically think for yourself because knowledge is power and one could never have enough of it.


I really was inspired by the video “Two Questions That Can Change Your Life.” I’ve always been a person to try to reflect on what I did yesterday and how I can improve on that. So I think asking the question “Was I better today than I was yesterday?” is something that I will continue to do to achieve my goals in life. My sentence would be “He motivated his students to achieve their highest potential and devoted his entire life inspiring others.”

Skype Interview Project 12

The purpose of this project was to practice using Skype to interview someone and practice recording the session so i can reuse it in other classes. Well i did a great job using Skype and i know how to conduct an interview. The problem i had was getting the audio correct and i think the programs suggested did not do a great job at all of doing this. I tried Screentoaster and followed the instruction but the program did not record the audio correctly and crashed numerous times. Furthermore i tried Screenjelly and Screenr and had problems as well. I know with a reliable problem, this project could have been better.

Blog Post Assignment 9

“What I’ve learned This Year” by Mr. McClung was a very informational post for beginner teachers about what to do to become an effective teacher. First Mr. McClung talked about how to read the crowd. Many teachers are concerned with how they are doing based on what their superiors think but forget that it’s all about the students. Mr. McClung reminded us that in order to be effective, we have to let the audience drive the instruction. I totally agree with this point of view because if the teacher has the students engaged, the students would be very attentive and interested which creates an environment conducive for learning. I remember the teachers I had that refuse to engage me and just stood up there and taught like they were reading from a book rather than actually teaching.

Next, he talked about how to be flexible, he made the point that we are performing in front of a crowd who tend to forget their lunch so we should be flexible if students does not do exactly as we plan. This was a great point that he made because nothing will go completely as planned and as teachers, we must be willing to accommodate some students.



After that, he stated that we should be reasonable. He wrote as teachers, we sometimes hold high expectations for our students and sometimes they do not meet those expectations. I agree with this because not every student will excel in what we expect than to do. We must not make the mistake of being too unreasonable because it could hurt the learning process.

Next, he stated that teachers should not be afraid of technology and that we should listen to our students. I agree with this as well, there are many current teachers who are afraid of technology and do not incorporate technology into their lesson plans. I believe that the new generation of teachers will not have this problem as much as the older teachers because we are more technology literate. Furthermore, listening to students is an important ingredient to becoming an effective teacher. Teachers who fail to listen to their student will lose them and will not be an effective communicator.

Finally, he stated that teachers should never stop learning. In my opinion, one could never have too much education and each class we have will be different from the other. For example, the way one class learns one year may be not work for next year’s class so it’s important to learn different ways to teach the lesson. Most importantly, we should be expanding our knowledge about our content area and other areas. All in Mr. McClung post was an excellent piece of work.

Blog Post Assignment 8

This was a very good informational video put together by Richard Miller. He made many good arguments about how we can change from a reading/writing culture to a listening/watching culture. Overall, I think I am prepared to write with multimedia and I think my students would also be prepared. I believe that children growing up in today’s culture are very technology literate and would welcome using these methods to learn.

On the other hand, I do not think we should completely do away with books are taking the focus off of learning how to hand write things. I think the book is a beautiful thing. Now we have electronic magazines, kindles, eBooks, and other devices that seem to be taking the place of the book. Personally, there is something about actually having a book in my hand and flipping the pages.

All in all, I like the ideal of writing with multimedia but I do not think it we should totally do away with books and the pen. Books have been around since the creation of human kind and it has gotten the human race to amazing places. The Bible is one of those books that I think should always be available in book format. There are electronic bibles but there is just something about just holding a bible in your hand that gives a different effect than reading it on a computer screen.

ED310 is different were very creative videos. I am not sure of what kind of videos I would like to create but I think maybe “Getting through College While Raising a Family” could be a good one. I think we all need to know to how to balance raising a family, work, and school. It can be very difficult and rewarding at the same time.

Very good comparisons in the Smartboard videos. I had a chance to see Smartboards in action at a middle school this past summer doing my observation. I was amazed at how well the 7th and 8th grade students knew how to use it. It was very useful for the teacher and students and made the lecture go very smooth. I plan to use a Smartboard in my classroom when i begin teaching.

Project 11

Additional Assignment #2

1.What do you think? If learners are motivated, can they teach themselves? I agree that if learners are motivated, they can teach themselves.If a person has a desire to learn something, I believe that person would do everything in their power to teach themselves. A motivated learner is more capable than an unmotivated learner.


2.If those motivated learners are kids, can they teach themselves? Yes, kids can teach themselves and they do it every day. For example, a kid can learn a very complex video game with no help. No one teaches that kid how to play, he is simply motivated and interested, as a result, he masters it.


3.What conditions are necessary for kids to teach themselves? I think the most important condition is that the child must be interested in what is being taught.


4.What role do computers and internet access play in the process? I think computers and internet access play a huge part in the process. First, kids are interested in new technology; they are simply fascinated by computers. Furthermore, information is easy to access and different ways of presenting that information accessible which makes learning fun.


5.What role does motivation, a desire to learn? I think motivation can create a desire to learn because you simply want to know more. For example, a child may be fascinated by the internet so that child is motivated to learn about the internet. As a result, that child desires increase every day.


6.What roles do a problem, a question or multiple problems or questions play in the process? Tests reveal progress in learning.


7.How do you motivate someone to learn? You motivate someone to learn by telling them about the benefits of what they have learned.


8.How are you motivated to learn? I am motivated to learn because I have a desire more. Knowledge is power and it’s important to absorb as much knowledge as possible to become wise.


9.Can anyone who is not motivated to learn? I really don’t think so; one must be motivated because that motivation creates desire. If a person is not motivated, there will be no desire, no fun, and no learning.


10.Do you teach yourself? When? Why? I teach myself on a daily basis, I teach myself because some things you have to learn for yourself. Learning is not just about learning what’s in the classroom; it goes way beyond the classroom.


11.What role does a teacher (either answer generally or use a specific example) play in your learning? The role of an effective teacher is to guide the student in the right direction. In other words, the teacher’s role is to make sure the student is on track. The teacher's role is not to hold the student's hand throughout the entire process.


12.What is the most important idea, question or emotional response you take away with you as a result of watching this video? Children can do amazing things if the desire to do so is there.


13.What other questions or issues are raised by this video that should be considered and discussed by aspiring teachers? How can parents motivate their children to learn?

Timetoast

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Progress Report On PLN

My progress on my Personal Learning Network is going pretty good. I am really enjoying making my PLN and it’s becoming very helpful. Once I finish making my PLN, I plan to introduce all my friends and my family to the site to make their own PLN. Overall, progress is going pretty good and I’m adding to it daily.

Summary of C4T #2

I had the pleasure of reading Mrs. Lee Kolbert’s blog and I commented on her post about document cameras she posted on September 26, 2010. Mrs. Kolbert explained her love for document cameras and how she uses document cameras almost every day in her classes. A document camera usually costs around $500 but she was introduced to the IPEVO document camera that only costs $69. She went on to explain the many advantages this camera has and how important document cameras are in the classroom.

I posted a commented about how I was introduced to document cameras and how having document cameras helps enhance the learning experience for students. I also pledge that I would try one of those $69 document cameras and use them a lot in my classroom as well.

Blog Post Assignment #7

Randy Pausch’s “The Last Lecture” was a very inspirtrational video to watch. First, Pausch was very courageous to give a lecture after being diagnosed with cancer and told that he only had 3-6 months left of good health. Pausch made a point that he was not going to talk about cancer or spirituality and that he did not want pity from the audience.

Pausch presented a very dynamic personality on stage that really captured my attention. For example, I found him completely hilarious when he stated that he was probably in greater shape than most people in the audience and dropped down to do push-ups. His funny personality had the audience completely mesmerized.

Pausch’s lectured focused on a couple of points, how to achieve childhood dreams, how to enable the dreams of others, and the lessons learned from helping others achieve their dreams. First, Pausch’s talked about how to achieve childhood dreams. He gave a list of his childhood dreams which included playing in the NFL and winning big stuff animals. He explained how he achieved his dreams even though some may have seemed impossible or silly. For example, he wanted to defy gravity and later in life he had a chance to have an experience without gravity.

I also liked the concept of the “head fake”, where you learn what learn indirectly. For example, one of his dreams was to play in the NFL. Although he did not get a chance to play in the NFL, he learned a lot of things from playing football as a child. He learned how to be disciplined, how to work with other people, and many other concepts. In essence, parents who have their children join little league football or not trying to have them learn football, but are trying to help them learn other things that being on a team teaches.

Finally, the way he communicated how to enable people to do their dreams and how you can accomplish your dreams by enabling people was very effective. Pausch made some interesting points throughout the lecture. I think it’s important that we all have dreams and try to accomplish those dreams. Most importantly, by accomplishing dreams, you become more confident to set higher goals and achieve bigger things. All in all, Pausch’s entire lecture was very enjoyable and motivational.

Blog Post Assignment #7

Randy Pausch’s “The Last Lecture” was a very inspirtrational video to watch. First, Pausch was very courageous to give a lecture after being diagnosed with cancer and told that he only had 3-6 months left of good health. Pausch made a point that he was not going to talk about cancer or spirituality and that he did not want pity from the audience.

Pausch presented a very dynamic personality on stage that really captured my attention. For example, I found him completely hilarious when he stated that he was probably in greater shape than most people in the audience and dropped down to do push-ups. His funny personality had the audience completely mesmerized.

Pausch’s lectured focused on a couple of points, how to achieve childhood dreams, how to enable the dreams of others, and the lessons learned from helping others achieve their dreams. First, Pausch’s talked about how to achieve childhood dreams. He gave a list of his childhood dreams which included playing in the NFL and winning big stuff animals. He explained how he achieved his dreams even though some may have seemed impossible or silly. For example, he wanted to defy gravity and later in life he had a chance to have an experience without gravity.

I also liked the concept of the “head fake”, where you learn what learn indirectly. For example, one of his dreams was to play in the NFL. Although he did not get a chance to play in the NFL, he learned a lot of things from playing football as a child. He learned how to be disciplined, how to work with other people, and many other concepts. In essence, parents who have their children join little league football or not trying to have them learn football, but are trying to help them learn other things that being on a team teaches.

Finally, the way he communicated how to enable people to do their dreams and how you can accomplish your dreams by enabling people was very effective. Pausch made some interesting points throughout the lecture. I think it’s important that we all have dreams and try to accomplish those dreams. Most importantly, by accomplishing dreams, you become more confident to set higher goals and achieve bigger things. All in all, Pausch’s entire lecture was very enjoyable and motivational.

Blog Post Assignment #6

The Networked Student

The Networked Student was a very good video. So why does the networked student even a teacher? I agree with some of the points in the video about why a networked student needs a teacher. First, the student needs the teacher to help determine what good information is and what bad information is. The internet is full of information and if the student is not careful, he could be exposed to bad information thus hurting his learning experience. Second, the student needs the teacher for a learning architect.

Although the networked student may be well informed about how to use the internet, the student must have some sort of guidance. The teacher will be there for guidance to make sure the student will look in the right direction and to find the information in the most efficient way. Finally, the networked student needs the teacher for encouragement. The networked student may be technology advanced but the student will need the teacher to encourage a deeper learning experience.

All in all, I think I am prepared to be a teacher to the networked student because I am a networked student. I think most teachers are from my generation (Millennial Generation) of teachers will be prepared because we are a socially connected and internet based generation unlike our parent’s generation.

7th Graders Personal Learning Environment

The 7th grader’s personal learning environment was really cool. My PLN isn’t nearly as organized or even remotely like what she has created. In fact, I think I need to do the same thing. It’s really amazing how so much information out there and she has created a PLE to access all this information in a quickly and timely manner.

The Machine Is Changing Us

Mr. Wesch video was very interesting and informing. I agree with a number of points he made in the video. We have changed as a society and have become easily influence by machines. The problem I have is that people in today’s world always have to be occupied with something. Take for example this scenario of a family driving to their destination. The father is driving, the wife is texting on her phone, and one child is listening to his iPod and the other child and watching a DVD with headphones in her ear. There is no communication going on, everyone is busy although they are all together they’re in a separate world. In all aspects of my life, I find myself sometimes doing sort of some of the same things. I think this will only increase in my future as a teacher and for the entire human race.

Summary of C4K 1 & 2

I was assigned to comment on ColbyC’s blog, a student from Noel Elementary School in Noel, Mo. The first post I commented on was his “About Me” post. In Colby’s post, he described how he wasn’t too excited about going back to school, his hobbies, and that he didn’t have many goals but he wanted to be successful. I responded to Colby’s post by telling him that he should make being successful his goal. Most importantly, I told him that he could achieve anything that he wanted to do if he became determined to succeed in every aspect of his life.

Next, I commented on Colby’s Learning Manifesto. The Learning Manifesto is a written statement declaring publicly the intentions, motives, and views concerning learning. Colby commented that he would not spend his time watching television and playing video games instead of working on his assignments. Furthermore, he stated that he would become more organized in his work by organizing his locker. Also, he talked about respecting his teachers and never questioning their authority.
I response to Colby’s post, I talked about the importance of being organized and dividing his time appropriately. I told him that there will always be time to have fun and to place the most important things above everything else.