Instructional Video on Smartboard Project #14

Short Movie Project #11 "Hidden Feast"

Blog Post #8

This is How We Dream Parts 1 and 2
By Richard E. Miller

Dr. Richard Miller, an English professor at Rutgers School of Arts and Science. In his video, "This is How We Dream" Part 1 and 2 he talks about how writing has changed and improved in our workplace,our daily lives,the classroom, and our culture. I felt this video was informative and refreshing to listen to and watch. Dr. Miller states the importance of how we gather our information and then how we relay our information to one another through technology. He believes there are two different types of change, which are incremental change and fundamental change.

Dr. Miller talks about incremental change in part 1 of the video. Incremental change is our workspace, or where we work now. Pens, pencils, and paper have been eliminated by word processors. More than likely you will see a student or a regular Joe carrying a laptop around instead of another utensil to gather information. Times are changing and our workspace because simple our laptop or desktop. Dr. Miller discussed how he wrote a response in an article on the Virginia Tech shooting by just the use of his computer and internet. He did not have to open a book or step foot inside of a library. I think it is convenient and wonderful that the internet and technology has come this far. We have an endless supple of information at your fingertips within seconds!

In part 2 of Dr. Millers video, he tells us about fundamental change and how we should use it. "We as educators need to be in the business of sharing idea with one another freely." This particular quote stood out to me because it is a true statement. I personal think it is such a great thing to be able to post ideas and share with fellow colleagues, classmates, and your teachers. He talks about how fundamental change is how we use our technology with writing, researching, and publishing information. Individuals need to embrace one anothers' ideas and share because it can easily be someone else' next resource. There are so many tools than enable us to learn and pass on our own ideas. Dr. Miller states that change needs to be beautiful and compelling so it inspires curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. I think he made a bold and honest statement. We need to work and learn together by sharing ideas and resources that may be helpful. I enjoyed this video and I would definitely re-watch it the future and pass it on.

Carly Pugh's Blog Post #12

I think Carly Pugh is such an inspiration for many students. After I read the first paragraph I though she was an excellent writer and very dedicated to her work and major of education. Her Blog Post was witty and kept me engaged throughout the entire post. She tells us about her playlist and all the benefits of it. I am currently working on my own playlist because I would like to incorporate multimedia into my future classroom. I like how she includes different topic in her playlist, it makes thing so interesting. You can use music and YouTube for more than just entertainment, and I know I am easily distracted so using these techniques in my classroom will help tremendously. Carly is right when she says that good teachers teach by example. Carly is going to be a fantastic teacher and I look forward to speaking with her after she begins her journey teaching.

The Chipper Series and EDM310 for Dummies

The video The Chipper Series,
may seem far fetched for some but in all actuality many students behave exactly as Chipper did. I know I use to be like Chipper before I entered into the world of college. I agree with her that juggling school, work, and a social life can be tough but you have to learn to make the time, especially in EDM310. I have definitely figured out that procrastination does not lead to success. I unfortunately suffer from the awfully curse of procrastination, but I know I am learning to be a better planner and organize my time more wisely. I feel blessed to be required to take EDM31o because I know by the end of this course, I will have wonderful tools that will help me manage my time and get things done in a timely fashion. I have always been the student who waits until the last minute, but now I do try and begin my assignments many days in advance to ensure myself the time and the help if I need it. I thought the movie was very informative and it was witty and entertaining as well.

EDM310 for Dummies

I liked the movie EDM310 for Dummies because it paints a perfect picture of how the course can make one feel at the beginning. I would be lying if I did not admit to feeling a little overwhelmed in the beginning of the semester. I began feeling much better when I used my resources (Google Docs, EDM310 blog page, and the detailed instructions that were provided by Dr. Strange) that were mentioned in the video. I love that I constantly am learning more and more and day after day because of this class. I feel accomplished after completing an assignment for EDM310. I have learn some very valuable tools that I will carry with me into my future career in the educational field. Like I said earlier, I feel blessed to have this class because I have gained a stronger capability of learning on my own and I know once I become a teacher I will enjoy helping my students learn on their own as well.

I would make a video that would be based around a world that has a no technology law. The use of technology has been abolished and all chaos has broke out. The society then realizes how detrimental it is to use and understand technology. I think this video would be important for those who do not have a need to use technology and those who feel it is not worth learning about. I would cast Dr. Strange as the super hero who breaks the law restraining technology!
Learn to Change, Change to Learn

I strongly agree with this video and all of these individuals beliefs. I think the school systems should be more focused on teaching their student the growth of technology rather having a strict standard basis for learning. It is important to have change in the classroom because the world around us is definitely not slowing down and new things are constantly arises in technology. School and teachers tend to sway away from social networks and electronic devices in the classroom. I think teachers should uses these devices and resources with their students. You can do and learn so much from one another by using these things. The main focus is definitely to turn the old fashion ways of teaching and learning into a new and up to date way of learning. Incorporating things like: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, blogger, and other social networks will help with communications between student and teacher and will also keep students engaged. In my future classroom, I will definitely bring technology along with me. There is no harm in doing so.

SCAVENGER HUNT

I was assigned to do a scavenger hunt and I began by watching Discovery Education Web 2.0 video posted by Justin Cometti. WEB 20.12 is where the actual scavenger hunt begins. This site is filled with technology and tools for teacher and eager learning student.

1.) Locate a tool that is similar to Twitter/Facebook and provides a social platform for teachers, parents, and students. Create an account as a Teacher and write a paragraph or two about how you could use this site in your classroom.

Edmodo, is a secure, social learning platform for teachers, students, parents, and districts. I like this platform because it is safe way for teachers and students to connect and collaborate, share content and access homework. I like it how teachers and put grades up in an organized way and also post notifications. This would make it easy for those who miss class for numerous days in a row. This is a wonderful tool to establish social media in the classroom. I am excited to use this in my classroom, such an awesome way to stay organized!

2.) Find a video tool that you have never used. Summarize some it's special features.

I was browsing the website and I found the tool, Animoto. I thought this was a neat tool because you can sync your Facebook, flickr, picasa, and other sites with it and your photos can be uploaded in just seconds. You can add phrases or links to the photos. I liked how you can add music or even connect your mp3 player to it with a playlist. You can watch your video in HD and once you are done, you can upload it easily to Facebook, your Blog, YouTube, and much more. I will definitely use this tool in my future classroom.

3.) Find a tool to create a poll anywhere and at anytime. Create your first poll and post it here.

I found the tool Poll Everywhere. I thought this tool was really easy to use and it is FREE! I decided to ask a question with two multiple choice answers. My quetion was, "Do you prefer hot coffee or iced coffee?" I would definitely use this in my classroom. I think it would become useful for math and history, but I could always find a use for language Arts and science.

Get a free sms student response system at Poll Everywhere

Project #12 Book Trailer

Blog Post # 7

The Network Student by Wendy Drexler

The video I watched, the network student, by Wendy Drexler explains what the criteria is to be a network student. I enjoyed this video because I am currently a networking student and I like how the teacher encourages her students to use social networking to learn. To have a network, one must create a PLN so their specific site and daily resources will be at their fingertips. I think networking is both important for teachers and students. The video also shows how the teacher "teaches" in the network. The PLN (Personal Learning Network) is made up of websites for learning, friends, classmates, new, etc. I think it is neat how students can connect with one another to find out how to figure out assignment. Also, teachers converse with one another to discuss what they are learning and also they talk about lesson planning.

A Seventh Grader's Personal Learning Network

After watching this video I thought to myself, "I definitley can create my very own PLN (Personal Learning Network)." I liked how organized her PLN was. Her PLN was similar to mine. We both had many tiles that are associated with our studies. My PLN has tiles for the news, my EDM310 class, my email, my blogger, resources for my future classroom. I have my PLN organize in order to the things I use the most on the top left corner to the bottom left corner.

Project #9b Transportation Technology

Project #10 Personal Learning Network

My Personal Learning Network

For my My Personal Learning Network I decided to use Symbaloo. I really like how easy Symbaloo is to to use and how easy it is so set up a Personal Learning Network. This is a wonderful tool to allow one to have their basic daily networks at their fingertips. I decided to start my PLN by adding the EDM310 class blog as a tile. I think it is very important to have that on my desktop. I set up the rest of my PLN as social, news, shopping sites, Blogger, music, and mail. I definitely needed to have blogger on my PLN because I am constantly viewing my own blog and my fellow classmates blogs. I have also my my C4T's blog on my PLN so I can stay connect with them. I also decided to put "Reading Rockets" on my PLN because I know I will continue to use this resource in my future classroom. I am continuing to look up different resources because I want my PLN to grow much more. I know when I am a teacher, having a PLN will benefit me and make my planning and teaching so much easier.

C4T #2 With Ira Socol

...in which I may suggest that I oppose literacy

Ira Socol is the second professor that I was assigned to. In his blog post, "...in which I may suggest that I oppose literacy", on February 9th, he wrote about the dangers of humiliations from teachers in the school systems. He begins his blog post by quoting R.D. Synder. He says that he thinks that the quote is a funny way to begin his post but then begins to say he likes to think of himself as a "prophet" of literacy and he likes to bring the love of stories and books to those who have grown up without them. He discusses the fact that not everyone learns on the same level and teachers should encourage their students instead of merely scolding them. Ira is the type of person who likes to argue his point and if he feels strongly about his blog post he will use as many resources as he needs to back it up. I told Ira that I am on the road to fulfilling my goal as a teacher and I asked if he had any advice on students who struggle with reading. I told Ira Socol that I agreed with his quote by James Gee about learning and how remediation can ultimately turn into a lifetime of humiliation for these students. As a future educator, I do not want to steer my future students away from learning and reading, but focus on their strengths and try to guide them on the road to success. We so often find teacher expressing the failures of their students instead of embracing the strengths.

if learning is to be constant, space, time, technology, pedagogy, Curriculum must be the varibles

In Ira Socol's second post, he discusses the mere fact that if students are meant to succeed then schools must be more flexible. He says we should use education as variables and make each aspect of the system work together to provide success among students. He says we should make the learning experience a comfortable place so students will enjoy learning. I agree with Ira 100%. The old fashioned chair and desk does seem to sway students away from wanting to embrace there education. So in my future classroom I am going to use Ira's advice and allow my students to become comfortable in their environment so they will be willing to learn. Ira also goes into discussion about how time should change. He feels that we as educators should not put deadlines on assignments because it can negate the purpose of having your students do their best. Most of the time when students are not given the stress of a deadline, they tend to excel in the work they are doing. The second blog post of Ira's was my favorite. Ira wants to turn the "teaching places" into contemporary "learning spaces" that cross over to the realm of the educational experience. I am pleases to have been assigned to Ira Socol because he has enlightened me onto new teaching concepts and most importantly the significance of uses technology to better the educational experience. I told him that I planned on continuing to view his blogs and follow him on twitter.

Blog Post #6

Randy Pausch Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams

Randy Pausch was a professor of computer science and human computer interaction, and design at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Pausch gave his last lecture about Achieving Your Childhood Dreams just a year before he passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2008. He begins his upbeat lecture by introducing the "Elephant in the room", he does this by spending just a few minutes discussing his pancreatic cancer. He tells the audience that he is still very much in good health, and he shows this by doing pushups. I thought that was a great way to begin his lecture and to get rid of any issues or distractions the audience may have. He then lists what he will be addressing in his lecture and what he will not be addressing. He wants the audience to know that he will not be talking about cancer, things more important this childhood dream:his wife and kids, spirituality and religion (his death bed conversion). He tells the audience he will be talking about childhood dreams, enabling the dreams of others, and lessons learned:how you can achieve your dreams of enable the dreams of others.

Randy Pausch was entertaining, energetic and upbeat throughout the entire video. Even though he had a terminal diagnosis, he still had a positive outlook on life and a glow on stage. I felt like I could watch him over and over, and I often found myself re-listening to different parts of the video. I am pleased that I was assigned to this video because of how inspiring Randy Pausch is. Through his lecture he gives many individuals the courage to achieve anything they set their mind too. He talks about his dreams and how he achieved some of them and the ones he didn't achieve allowed doors to open onto other opportunities. He achieved being in zero gravity, he dreamed to be in the national football league, authorized an article in the world encyclopedia, he dreamed of being captain Kirk, he won A LOT of stuffed animals, and becoming a Disney imagineer. He has a lot of inspiring quotes but the one he put the most emphasis on was the one about "Brick Walls". "Brick walls are there for a reason. They let us prove how badly we want something. The brick walls are there to stop the people who do not want them badly enough. They keep all the other people out." I believe this is telling us that we are going to encounter hurdles that will try to prevent us from achieving our goals and dreams. Whatever it is that is in the way, as long as you truly want it, you can achieve dreams and reach your goals. Pausch talks about how sometimes you have to take a different roads to get to your dreams but they are always reachable if you want it bad enough.

"Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want". This is such a powerful and inspiring quote. This quote is a good one to incorporate into daily lives. In most cases the first time we go after something, we do not always get what we want or it sometimes turns out not as planned. We do not always get what we want, but during that journey we learn and experience new things.We learn that we should probably re route our journey. Also, when we are trying to figure things out, we do not always find the answer but find out new information that we never knew.

My favorite part of Randy Pausch lecture was about weather or not you are a tigger or an eeyore. He firmly states that you must be very aware of the tigger/eeyore debate. He says you should NEVER lose the child-like wonder because it drives us. You should always find the fun in everything you do. I need to find the fun in everything because I sometimes focus on the negatives in life and that is no way to live, especially with life being so sort. I want to learn as much as I can, be able to say what I want to say, and teach how I want to teach to get my points across. I want to always remember to have fun in all I do and keep a positive outlook on life and my future as an educator. I know I will take these wonderful skills Pausch as spoken of in his video with me through the rest of school and in my career.

Here are a few of my favorite quotes of Randy Pausch: "Tell the truth." "Be earnest." "Apologize when you screw up." "Focus on other people, not yourself." "Find the best in everyone"... These are wonderful quotes that I want to post in my planner or on my bathroom mirror so I can remind myself of simple yet forgetful statement I should live by.

Randy Pausch enlightened me and taught me many new ways of learning, becoming the best individual I can be, and achieving my dreams no matter what I encounter. I like that he said you should always try to be good at something so it makes you valuable. I believe he is an amazing teacher, and a profound individual. I want to be a dedicated teacher and hopefully spread the positivity and motivation onto my future students. We only have one life here on earth so we must embrace it and take any positive opportunity that happens to come our way because it might just change your life, for the BEST!

C4K Summaries for February

My first comment for kids was for Youssef. I commented on his post about his school. Youssef shared about how much he enjoyed his school. He talked about the great activities his school offered. He mentioned Crayola Day and Twin day. I had never heard of either so I asked him to explain them to me. Youssef stated that the school incorporates Islam into the curriculum. He seemed to really like that. He mentioned how he loved going on field trips to Catalina Island and Big Rock Creek.
I commented back on Youssef's blog by telling how I thought it was wonderful that his school allowed the students to practice and learn Islam. I also asked him if he would explain to me what Crayola Day was and what twin day was. Those seemed really interesting to me. I told him that when I was younger I liked to go on field trips also. I asked him what his favorite place was that he visited on his field trip.

My second comment for kids was for Jordi. She talked about her new baby cousin in her blog post. She wrote how she already loved her new cousin so much and how holidays were so much more special with a new member to the family. Jordi talked about how shopping for her new cousin is a lot of fun and new to her. She also asked weather or not the viewer of her blog post has a baby cousin. Jordi also included a very well put together video of her cousin.
I began commenting on Jordi's post by telling her that I do not have a baby cousin but that I do have a baby niece. I asked her what all she bought her baby cousin when she went shopping. I also complimented her on her well made video of her baby cousin. I told Jordi that I thought she would make such a wonderful role model for her cousin and a great babysitter.

My third comment for kids was for Aliyah in Ms. Eppele's class. Aliyah talks about sportsmanship in her classroom and how she feels that her class is currently lacking it. She said that some of her classmates liked to rub it in the other students faces that they won.
When I commented back to Aliyah, I told her that I agreed with her about sportsmanship. I told her that I felt everyone should lose once in their life to prevent them from becoming a permanent sore loser. I told her to continue having good sportsmanship and being a good leader. I told her that her classmates would most likely follow her mature lead.

My Forth comment for kids was for SP7 CK. This student is in Mrs. T.G.'s class and from Iowa. The blog post that I chose to read and comment on was titled "Why we deserve stickers." This student listed five reasons to why she believed her class deserved stickers. The student said that the class worked quietly during tests, got good grades because they all studied hard, listened in class, respected the teacher, and read diligently.
I commented back telling the student that stickers were always my favorite in school. I mentioned to the student that stickers always made me and my fellow students feel like were were being the best students we could be. I told this students that the reasons listed for receiving stickers were really good ones. I would definitely want a class as motivated and hard working as the one Mrs. T.G has. I think positive reinforcement is a great way to produce successful students.

Project #8 Podcast