Blog Post #5

The Benefits of Podcasting in the Classroom by Joe Dale
This particular video is one that I found to be interesting. One particular thing that stood out to me in this video is how the little girl was at home sick, but was still able to keep up with what was going on in class. With technology like this, one can no longer use the dog ate my homework excuse!
100 Ways to Use Your iPod to Learn and Study Better
This particular article was very informative. It explained a lot of things to me about how to do just the basic things with your iPod. This article also reminded me of how much more I have to learn as it relates to technology.
The Education Podcasting Network
In this article, the most unique thing about it that stood out to me, is the fact that the information is shared by actual teachers. I've always believed that two heads are better than one. Getting another person's perspective on any subject is always a plus.

Blog Post #4

Don't Teach Your Kids This Stuff. Please? by Scott McLeod
Dr. Scott McLeod, who is an Associate Professor in the Educational Administration Program at Iowa State University and also the Director of the UCEA Center for the Advanced Study of Technology Leadership in Education(CASTLE), posted very interesting comments in this blog.The first reaction that I had when I began to read this post by Dr. McLeod is whether or not he was serious. Then, I began to think that there had to be a message in the end. I was correct. The way that Dr. McLeod began this post definately got my attention because of the way it was worded. But in the end, his point is well taken. I agree with what he was trying to say because I believe that as parents and teachers we must expose our children to all walks of life, good or bad. It is our job to monitor the good and bad while explaining the differences.
The iSchool Initiative
The student in this video makes some very compelling arguments. One good point that he makes in this case is how cost effective using this iSchool program would be. In today's economy, saving a little money can go a long way in terms of how families live. For those who are enviromentally conscious, he also makes a good argument on how using this iSchool will help to preserve precious resources.
However, I also believe that using this iSchool program can have its challenges. For starters, I believe that this program will cut down on the amount of teacher/student face to face interactions. Since we all learn differently, many students perform better when there is personal interaction between the teacher and student. Also, I believe that another challenge that would be faced in this type of schooling is the parental support because in many areas, the parents would be unwilling to learn this type of technology.
The Lost Generation
This particular clip contains a message that I totally agree with. In my opinion, the simple message here is that the life that you live will be based on the choices that you decide to make. You can either accept what the world say you should be, or make the decision to be what you want to be.
Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir
This is really amazing. I am in awe of how one can choreograph a performance by so many who live so far apart. Technology is alive and well in this world.

ADDITIONAL ASSIGNMENT #1

Before this particular assignment, I had no knowledge of google square and wolfram alpha searches. I must say that this particular assignment opened my eyes to something new. As far as the educational implications of these searches as I see it, we as a country must pick up the pace in educating ourselves before the rest of the world pass us by. After doing this assignment, it confirms what I always believed, which is the fact that sometimes statistics do not always tell the whole story. Using sports as an example, I have always believed that a quarterback who throws for 350 yards in a game with three turnovers and his team loses the game, is not as valuable as one who throws for 200 yards with no turnovers and his team wins the game. To a person who is simply caught up in statistics, the quarterback who threw for 350 yards would be considered the better quarterback even though his team lost the game.
Food For Thought
My response to this article is that looks can be deceiving. Never make any assumptions about anything.

Google Presentation

C4T Summary Post

I was assigned to read posts by Mrs. Ann Camevale. The first post of Mrs. Camevale that I commented on, was in regards to bookmarking. Mrs. Camevale gave some very insightful information as it relates to bookmarking a certain page in a pdf file. Anyone who gets frustrated with trying to remember what page certain items are one when going through a pdf file should probably reading this post.

Mrs. Camevale's second post that I commented on, gave some tips on how teachers can save money when going on vacation. In today's economy, saving a few dollars here and there can go a long way. Anyone who is interested in reading Mrs. Camevale's posts can view her blog at http://anncamevale.edublogs.org/

Blog Post #3

Michael Wesch: A Vision of Students Today
This particular movie has a lot of information that relates to my college experience. After ten years removed from being an undergraduate student at my first university, I see that not a whole lot has changed in terms of what students views are as it relates to college. I often found myself wondering how some of the courses that I was taking was going to benefit me in the real world. As far as the point goes of leaving college in debt, I feel that the reward of getting a good job after college outweighs the risk of being in debt. In contrast to this video, my first college experience only had approximately 30 students per class instead of 115. The only addition that I would make to this video, would be to discuss why textbooks cost so much and you get so little when you resell them.
"It's Not About Technology" by Kelly Hines
In this review by Mrs. Kelly Hines, it confirms what I believe about teachers in this ever changing world. Teaching students today is much different than thirty years ago. As times change, so do the students and the things that they are exposed to. I can recall being a high school student 15-18 years ago and never having a thought in the world about owning a cell phone. Today, it is nearly a must to own one in order to communicate with students via texting. As a person who loves college football and follows recruiting, a coach who is not technologically advanced is usually behind when it comes to recruiting top athletes. As educators, we must be willing to not only learn about new technology, but also how to apply it in the classroom.
Karl Fisch: Is It Okay to Be A Technologically Illiterate Teacher
This article by Mr. Fisch is one that I think will cause a lot of conversations in the teachers' lounge. In this article, Mr Fisch pointed out one main fact that made a lot of sense to me. When he stated that we should be preparing the students who will enter the real world in the year 2020 with the year 2020 type instruction, I totally agree with him. As teachers, we must keep up with the changing times while still enforcing the basic principles of teaching. In my personal opinion, I feel like it is okay to be technologically illiterate. The problem arises when a teacher is technologically illiterate and refuses the necessary instruction that it takes to become technologically literate. If we as teachers have a willingness to continue learning new technology, then we are capable of teaching it to our students.
Gary Hayes Social Media Count
Wow! It is often said that no one has any privacy in their life anymore. With all of the various social outlets out there today, anything that you post about yourself can be seen by many in a matter of seconds. As a teacher, I would have to say that it is probably a good idea to stay educated in the technology field. In other words, don't post anything about yourself that you would be ashamed of when other people read it. Heeding to this advice will probably ensure that you have a long career in education.

Blog Post #2

Did You Know 3.0 by: Karl Fisch
This short movie clip was one that contained many interesting facts. I find it amazing how our world changes from day to day. My personal belief is that learning is always continuous, and the facts presented in this short movie supports what I believe. Just the mere thought that nearly all of the technology that we learn about today will be obsolete within a few years is frightening. As educators, we must meet our everchanging world without fear. In this world, things will never stay the same. Either they will get better or they will get worse. The bottom line is that change is going to happen and we must adapt to it.
Mr. Winkle Wakes by: Matthew Needleman
This particular movie clip addresses a problem that many people throughout the world have today. Mr. Winkle, who is the character depicted in the short clip awakens one day to a world that is different from the one that he is familiar with. Just like many of us today, Mr Winkle is not thrilled with change. As humans, we have a tendency to stick with things that we are familiar with. Personally, I am one who believes in upholding tradition. However, I also believe that one can stay grounded in their traditions while changing at the same time. Keeping up with changes in this world can be frightening, but also rewarding. As educators, we must be willing to step out of our comfort zone for the advancement of our students.
Sir Ken Robinson: The Importance of Creativity
In this movie clip, Sir Ken Robinson gives us what I feel is a different approach to how children can reach their full potential. In most educational setting, children learn by listening to lectures from their instructors. Even though I feel that giving students lectures is a tried and true method of teaching, it is also my opinion that it can cause students to become complacent and uninterested in what is being taught. I feel that by allowing students to be creative in the educational setting, their hidden potential can be unlocked. I also believe that by allowing students to be creative, their self-confidence will increase dramatically. As educators, we need to be open-minded and not so quick to judgement just because an idea seems to be different from what we believe.
Vicki Davis: Harness Your Students Digital Smarts
This particular movie clip is one that I can relate to. Growing up in a small rural town, I understand firsthand the challenges of having access to many different kinds of technological advances. These challenges are caused more by economics than by having proper instruction. One thing that really stood out to me in this clip is the fact that the teacher is willing to instruct her students while at the same time learning from them. Often too many times, we get caught up in titles and having authority. I feel that in order to teach others, you must first be willing to learn from others.

my wordle