In the beginning of this course, I dreaded every assignment. I have never heard of any of these tools or websites and to be honest i cried a lot because the instructions seemed a little vague to me. I couldn't figure out exactly what the teacher wanted, but then i figured out that what he wanted was for us to just become familiar with all these tools and gadgets. Perfection and cool effects can come later, before you learn any of the fancy stuff you have to have the basics down, right?
I enjoyed watching the youtube videos a lot more than I thought I would. My favorites are still the 20 minute speech about creativity and the last lecture. I also like "The Lost Generation" video a lot because it reminded me of the hope and future I want all young people to chase after.
Despite disdaining a lot of the assigned work in this class, in the end, I realized I wouldn't be a good teacher to anyone if I, myself, wasn't a teachable person. I want to help teach people about Yeshua all the time, I'd be a hypocrite if I wasn't willing to learn myself. I didn't understand the need to know all this computer stuff. But most people don't feel the need to learn about their Messiah either. In the end we can see the reasoning why we went through all this stuff. In the end, we all need a Savior and in the end I needed to learn this stuff to use for His kingdom. There are a lot of people who live in the world of blogs and internet networks. I want to reach them too.
I've been playing with a few of the tools I learned about in this class. And I'm beginning to like to use them a lot. I appreciate them a lot more now than I did in the beginning of this class. I'm still not for a no-text book classroom and virtual homework assignments. But I do know that incorporating these tools in my future classroom is necessary. I don't go against the flow for argument's sake. But I don't fault myself or other teachers who truly want to instill other values into their students that don't have anything to do with technology. Technology isn't the answer to everything and I don't want young people growing up believing that lie. I'm not saying it's not useful. It's very useful and people can do and create many things with it. But in the end, a screen isn't a replacement for a true flesh and blood companion. Despite all these networks loneliness and depression are still at an all-time high. What am I supposed to teach teenagers about that aspect?
I don't hate technology; I use it every day. And now thanks to this class, I can use it more effectively. But no matter how many techniques I learn to keep up with the information age, my heart won't ever be convinced that technology is the answer to everything.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
My PLN
I used Symbaloo to do my PLN. It's really easy to use one you get the pattern down and you have lots of rooms for lots of sites.
CliCk HeRe to StArT your OwN PLN wiTH SyMBalOO
CliCk HeRe to StArT your OwN PLN wiTH SyMBalOO
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Blog Post 12
What I Learned This Year (Year 2)
Hi. I'm a student in Dr. Strange's EDM 310 class. I've read your first blog post about what you have learned during your first year of teaching.
After reading this one, the one thing I can see is that your are consistent. Does it make sense when I say that you are consistent in being flexible?
And I totally agree with the other lady who said you were perceptive in the difference between 6th and 8th graders. I work more so with older high schoolers and I have to admit when a jr. high or middle schooler gets thrown into the mix, I'm at a lost sometimes. But being flexible is the key, right :)
The one thing that he stresses is that he is always willing to learn and to network.
I watched several of the other videos from the fablab4teachers. The only thing I can say is that I'm not quite sure what I'm watching. But I do know that whatever these young kids are doing it looks very complicated and math-based. Not my forte. But I don't think I have the right to complain about getting frustrated with the new things I'm learning for this class after seeing young kids do all this.
Hi. I'm a student in Dr. Strange's EDM 310 class. I've read your first blog post about what you have learned during your first year of teaching.
After reading this one, the one thing I can see is that your are consistent. Does it make sense when I say that you are consistent in being flexible?
And I totally agree with the other lady who said you were perceptive in the difference between 6th and 8th graders. I work more so with older high schoolers and I have to admit when a jr. high or middle schooler gets thrown into the mix, I'm at a lost sometimes. But being flexible is the key, right :)
The one thing that he stresses is that he is always willing to learn and to network.
M-Cubed: ISTE Presentation Video
I watched several of the other videos from the fablab4teachers. The only thing I can say is that I'm not quite sure what I'm watching. But I do know that whatever these young kids are doing it looks very complicated and math-based. Not my forte. But I don't think I have the right to complain about getting frustrated with the new things I'm learning for this class after seeing young kids do all this.
Blog Post 11
Little Kids...Big Potential
Ms. Cassidy's classroom was a joy to watch. She incorporated a lot of technological tools in her classroom. I noticed that the young children were interactive with a smartboard, as well as had time to work on laptops and even use flip cameras. They seem to really enjoy having access to all these things. My favorite part was skyping with the geologist. I do want to teach science at the high school level and I think it would be awesome to communicate live with some people in particular fields of science.
Having them blog encourages their creativity. They're young, so their blog probably consists of stories from their imagination. While they are communicating their lines of thought they are learning how to make sentences flows and practice their spelling.
I watched the video conversation also. She did point out that "technology" from 10/20 years ago isn't the same thing as "technology" today; I never really thought about it that way, but now that I think about it, she's right.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Blog Post 10
Welcome to My PLE!
I have to say that I was very impressed by her PLE. So far I'm only following two people on my PLN. Her PLE reminds me of my friend's iPhone with all those little colored squares. What stuck out most to me was the fact that she said she feels a sense of responsibility. It is also said, "to whom much is given, much is required." They are given all the freedom in how they do things and in which order they do things, as long as they do them. I work mostly with older teenagers, but I do have to repent for not thinking that a younger teenager in middle school could be that responsible. Truth be told, I just need to sit down and play with all these tools so I can get it. She could mark her bookmarks using delicious, I'm still confused about that tool and that's probably one of the easier ones that I've attempted. Her access to information and experts who can respond to her assignments are quite eye-opening.
Two questions that can change your life
Everyone wants to leave a legacy, but how will they remember me?
There are a lot of things that people are remembered for: singing hit songs, ending wars, inventing things, passing helpful laws, being the favorite teacher, etc..., the list goes on.
In the video they kept using the word "sentence," but in my mind, the more appropriate question is, "What's your legacy?"
All of us have goals, the question is will we be remembered for actually reaching our goals? It doesn't matter if the whole world remembers you are not, all that matters is if the people you were supposed to leave an impression on remember you or not.
My sentence: Destiny without discipline lacks purpose: my purpose is to be the Menorah who Elohim has created me to be, never growing weary of doing good and always remembering my first love, which is Him.
My question: Did I put more effort in today than the day before to encourage people to chase after the Hem of His garment?
I have to say that I was very impressed by her PLE. So far I'm only following two people on my PLN. Her PLE reminds me of my friend's iPhone with all those little colored squares. What stuck out most to me was the fact that she said she feels a sense of responsibility. It is also said, "to whom much is given, much is required." They are given all the freedom in how they do things and in which order they do things, as long as they do them. I work mostly with older teenagers, but I do have to repent for not thinking that a younger teenager in middle school could be that responsible. Truth be told, I just need to sit down and play with all these tools so I can get it. She could mark her bookmarks using delicious, I'm still confused about that tool and that's probably one of the easier ones that I've attempted. Her access to information and experts who can respond to her assignments are quite eye-opening.
Two questions that can change your life
Two questions that can change your life from Daniel Pink on Vimeo.
Everyone wants to leave a legacy, but how will they remember me?
There are a lot of things that people are remembered for: singing hit songs, ending wars, inventing things, passing helpful laws, being the favorite teacher, etc..., the list goes on.
In the video they kept using the word "sentence," but in my mind, the more appropriate question is, "What's your legacy?"
All of us have goals, the question is will we be remembered for actually reaching our goals? It doesn't matter if the whole world remembers you are not, all that matters is if the people you were supposed to leave an impression on remember you or not.
My sentence: Destiny without discipline lacks purpose: my purpose is to be the Menorah who Elohim has created me to be, never growing weary of doing good and always remembering my first love, which is Him.
My question: Did I put more effort in today than the day before to encourage people to chase after the Hem of His garment?
Blog Post 9
Read An Open Letter To Educators
Hello, I'm a student in Dr. Strange's EDM 310 class.The video was a breath of fresh air, that's for sure. A lot of my experience in my college classrooms have been lectured-base with powerpoints and very little interaction with my peers. I have to say that in my smaller classes I was blessed to have teachers that were motivated in learning our names and mingling and encouraging class participation. The last 1.5 years of my college education I can honestly say that there have been at least 6 or 7 text books I've never read or studied from. Most teachers just test off their powerpoint slides anyway which chops a lot from the book.
I know plenty of smart, inquisitive and creative people. Most of them don't have a degree. I am paying to go to school and learning under professors, but my friends know pretty much the same things as I do. They google and research and learn, the only difference is that I'm paying someone to give me a grade about what I google, research and learn.
ALEX (Alabama Learning Exchange)
I checked out this website. I have to say that it is way easier to navigate than the Mississippi Board of Education website that I had to familiarize myself with at my old university. I think this website is definitely more user friendly and better organized.
Blog Post 8
What I've Learned This Year
Hi Mr. McClung. My name is Pauline and I'm a student in Dr. Strange's EDM 310 class this summer.Your blog was really introspective. It's easy to forget to self-examine ourselves when we've trained so hard just to get to the playing field to start the race. And now that we are all running in hopes to create a better tomorrow, we have to still double-check ourselves. A lot of students aren't aware of the expectations that we place on them, so when we get frustrated with them, they are just as bewildered. I think most teachers have a little bit of a perfectionist in them, but it's like how you say, well-planned lecture don't aren't always executed perfectly. Sometimes we need to let ourselves off the hook, students too, and when life gives us lemons - we just have to do our best to make lemonade.
Thank you for sharing your experience.
I enjoyed reading his reflection on his first year of teaching. His heart really is to be there for his students. And it's said that we are to be all things to all people. So depending on your audience is how we are supposed to be. Not putting on shows or anything like that. When I'm hanging around teenagers I'm the fun, cool, young adult that doesn't necessarily act her age. When I'm teaching teenagers, I'm still funny, but I take on an authoritative air. Sometimes I'm their friend and other times I'm their teacher. But even with my peers. All parts of the way I act are all still me, but whomever I'm with, it depends on their need how my behavior is played out. Overall, I agree with Mr. McClung, that we need to be in-tuned with our students as individual people as well as their academia persona.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Blog Post 7
There is a lot to say about Mr. Randy. The things that stuck out the most were that he lived life fun, he was more than able to catch other people up in his enthusiasm, he never gave up on people and while doing all those things he was able to teach more than what met the eye.
As a teacher, I believe it to be a good thing if your students think you a fun person. Fun, but still able to guide and teach. Most people probably find it more easier to listen to, or even put their trust into someone who they know loves life and loves them in a way vs. someone who hits the desk with yardstick rulers. It's like what he said, it's now what you say, but how you say it. The technique of having a good attitude towards your students as well as your own life can not only help you walk the extra miles but encourage other people to keep treading along side with you to help them reach their ultimate goal as well.
A lot of people always looked at walls in a bad way, when you look at them as a challenge that separates you from the rest, they don't seem so ominous anymore, but more like a hidden purpose. The way he taught seem to have a lot of hidden purposes. But that gold nugget of truth is never just laying open is a field somewhere, we have to find it. I believed he helped a lot of people become good treasure hunters in pursuing their dreams.
I heard it said this way, "Praise G-d that the people before me were linked into their purpose, because if they were not linked into their purpose, I would have never been able to unlock mine." I believe that Dr. Randy was linked into his purpose, and in turn, helped numerous people unlock theirs. Not accomplishing dreams to just check off a to-list, but accomplishing dreams that carried a legacy for generations to come. His legacy was one that will be remembered by thousands of people.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Blog Post 6
Dr. Richard E. Miller
As I watched this presentation I couldn't help but think: Why do people insist on thinking that technology is the only way to be creative? How many times have we seen movies based off books and had the unanimous vote that the book was better? Of course that only pertains to certain genres I guess. I know I'd rather watch a documentary than read a biography. But all that is factual stuff which can sometimes be boring and visual effects can definitely help. At the same time, I still don't believe computers or their graphics caught up to the human imagination just yet. Whether something is boring or not is totally subjective and I can vote that I'd rather watch something boring than read the same boring something. Heroic tales of epic adventures never cease to amaze me and there has been maybe one movie that almost played out a book the way I thought it actually looked inside my mind while I was reading it.
I'm a science major, and I understand that the publishing process is long and sort of annoying. I don't know if other subject materials have to be peered reviewed and tested over and over again before getting published for the public to read, but isn't it safer that way? Some people find things off the internet and run off a cliff with it. Sometimes untrained people in particular fields of information can stir up a whole mess of cascading chaos. There is a reason why there are thousands upon thousands of cults out there nowadays. I don't mean that in a judgemental way. All those ideas that don't supposedly belong to anyone that he spoke so much about, initially belong to someone. It's necessary to understand and know the origins of things.
On another page, it's great to get ideas out there quickly and to share them. But whenever the idea is getting promoted, credit is given where credit is due. As much as he said these ideas belong to no one and how they are everyone's, I bet you anything when he goes to speak at conferences about this free idea, it's his name on the paycheck.
If a student can create something in their imagination and display the same effects on a computer using digital technology, more power to them; I just don't want them to think they are limited by whatever programs they have on their computer is all.
Wendy Drexler: The Networked Student
In some subject areas you could get away with doing that. I'm not saying not to have a wealth of information neatly organized, you can do that with any subject. But as far as strictly learning that way? He is basically paying hundreds of dollars to take a class where someone teaches him how to organize free information of the internet? Having social networks is nice. There are a few online science journals I can keep up with. But I don't see myself telling high schoolers to keep up with online science journals and blogs and expect them to understand everything they are reading.
Yes, it is important to be able to distinguish between good resources and bad resources when your researching off the internet; and yes, it's important to see other people's view points when it comes to humanitarian issues, but I can't promote paying someone to teach me how to Google things. Specifically how to do and use things, like in this class, I'm learning how to make movies and use different tools to make recordings and things like that, but I can later extend those tools for whatever topic I like. But learning how to use tools is not the same thing as learning actual subject matter about science, math, history or any other subject.
And to be honest, when researching certain topics, sometimes it's a blessing to have it all in one books instead of searching for hours and hours on end to find that one particular nugget of truth that you wanted to share with someone. Finding something within a couple hundred pages is easier than sifting through hundreds of thousands web pages.
Toward a New Future of Whatever: Michael Wesch
People nowadays are linked in all over the places using different tools, but the truth is, if your not linked into your purpose, you still have this void of loneliness that you can never fill, no matter how many youtube videos you make or how many complete strangers follow you on twitter. And in agreement with putting forth a new definition of WHATEVER:
As I watched this presentation I couldn't help but think: Why do people insist on thinking that technology is the only way to be creative? How many times have we seen movies based off books and had the unanimous vote that the book was better? Of course that only pertains to certain genres I guess. I know I'd rather watch a documentary than read a biography. But all that is factual stuff which can sometimes be boring and visual effects can definitely help. At the same time, I still don't believe computers or their graphics caught up to the human imagination just yet. Whether something is boring or not is totally subjective and I can vote that I'd rather watch something boring than read the same boring something. Heroic tales of epic adventures never cease to amaze me and there has been maybe one movie that almost played out a book the way I thought it actually looked inside my mind while I was reading it.
I'm a science major, and I understand that the publishing process is long and sort of annoying. I don't know if other subject materials have to be peered reviewed and tested over and over again before getting published for the public to read, but isn't it safer that way? Some people find things off the internet and run off a cliff with it. Sometimes untrained people in particular fields of information can stir up a whole mess of cascading chaos. There is a reason why there are thousands upon thousands of cults out there nowadays. I don't mean that in a judgemental way. All those ideas that don't supposedly belong to anyone that he spoke so much about, initially belong to someone. It's necessary to understand and know the origins of things.
On another page, it's great to get ideas out there quickly and to share them. But whenever the idea is getting promoted, credit is given where credit is due. As much as he said these ideas belong to no one and how they are everyone's, I bet you anything when he goes to speak at conferences about this free idea, it's his name on the paycheck.
If a student can create something in their imagination and display the same effects on a computer using digital technology, more power to them; I just don't want them to think they are limited by whatever programs they have on their computer is all.
Wendy Drexler: The Networked Student
In some subject areas you could get away with doing that. I'm not saying not to have a wealth of information neatly organized, you can do that with any subject. But as far as strictly learning that way? He is basically paying hundreds of dollars to take a class where someone teaches him how to organize free information of the internet? Having social networks is nice. There are a few online science journals I can keep up with. But I don't see myself telling high schoolers to keep up with online science journals and blogs and expect them to understand everything they are reading.
Yes, it is important to be able to distinguish between good resources and bad resources when your researching off the internet; and yes, it's important to see other people's view points when it comes to humanitarian issues, but I can't promote paying someone to teach me how to Google things. Specifically how to do and use things, like in this class, I'm learning how to make movies and use different tools to make recordings and things like that, but I can later extend those tools for whatever topic I like. But learning how to use tools is not the same thing as learning actual subject matter about science, math, history or any other subject.
And to be honest, when researching certain topics, sometimes it's a blessing to have it all in one books instead of searching for hours and hours on end to find that one particular nugget of truth that you wanted to share with someone. Finding something within a couple hundred pages is easier than sifting through hundreds of thousands web pages.
Toward a New Future of Whatever: Michael Wesch
People nowadays are linked in all over the places using different tools, but the truth is, if your not linked into your purpose, you still have this void of loneliness that you can never fill, no matter how many youtube videos you make or how many complete strangers follow you on twitter. And in agreement with putting forth a new definition of WHATEVER:
The Fellowship Committed to Doing WHATEVER It Takes
I am part of the fellowship committed to doing "Whatever It Takes."
I have the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit).
The die has been cast.
I've stepped over the line.
I am out of the comfort zone.
The decision has been made.
I am a disciple of His.
I won't look back, let up, slow down, or back away.
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure.
I am finished and done with low living,
sight walking, small planning, smooth knees,
colorless dreams, tame visions, mundane talking,
chincy giving, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position or popularity.
I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized,
praise, regarded or rewarded.
I now live by presence,
lean by faith,
love by patience,
lift by prayer
and labor by power.
My face is set,
my gait is fast,
my goal is heaven,
my road is narrow,
my way is rough,
my companions are few,
my G-d is reliable,
my mission clear.
I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away,
turned back, diluted, or delayed.
I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice,
hesitate in the presence of adversity,
negotiate at the table of the enemy,
ponder at the pool of popularity,
or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won't give up,
shut up,
let up,
or burn up
-till
I've preached up,
prayed up,
paid up,
stored up,
and stayed up
for the cause of Christ.
I am a disciple of Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus the Messiah)
I must go till He comes,
give till I drop,
preach till all know
and work till He stops.
And when He comes to get His own,
He'll have no problem recognizing me
because I have dedicated my life to being part of the
fellowship committed to doing...
WHATEVER IT TAKES!!!
~author unknown~
I am part of the fellowship committed to doing "Whatever It Takes."
I have the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit).
The die has been cast.
I've stepped over the line.
I am out of the comfort zone.
The decision has been made.
I am a disciple of His.
I won't look back, let up, slow down, or back away.
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure.
I am finished and done with low living,
sight walking, small planning, smooth knees,
colorless dreams, tame visions, mundane talking,
chincy giving, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position or popularity.
I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized,
praise, regarded or rewarded.
I now live by presence,
lean by faith,
love by patience,
lift by prayer
and labor by power.
My face is set,
my gait is fast,
my goal is heaven,
my road is narrow,
my way is rough,
my companions are few,
my G-d is reliable,
my mission clear.
I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away,
turned back, diluted, or delayed.
I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice,
hesitate in the presence of adversity,
negotiate at the table of the enemy,
ponder at the pool of popularity,
or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won't give up,
shut up,
let up,
or burn up
-till
I've preached up,
prayed up,
paid up,
stored up,
and stayed up
for the cause of Christ.
I am a disciple of Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus the Messiah)
I must go till He comes,
give till I drop,
preach till all know
and work till He stops.
And when He comes to get His own,
He'll have no problem recognizing me
because I have dedicated my life to being part of the
fellowship committed to doing...
WHATEVER IT TAKES!!!
~author unknown~
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