I really liked this blog post. To summarize, a teacher must learn a lot of things in his or her first year, and reading his experiences made my anxiety relax a little bit. He emphasizes the of the classroom being more student centered, rather than teacher centered. Mr. McClung also spoke of his lesson plans and how he struggled over writing the perfect lesson. It was only later that he realized that he didn't have to be perfect, and that one must just go with the flow, because things do go wrong no matter how much you prepare.
Furthermore, Mr. McClung, spoke of the importance of being reasonable, knowing that you are working with children is the important thing. He stated that teachers usually lose sight of what is being taught instead of what is being learned. Finally, Mr. McClung spoke of four more important things for a teacher; learn to communicate, listen, learn, and do not be afraid of technology. In each case, being reasonable is the most important lesson.
This was a very interesting blog post. I like the fact that he uses his classroom blog to promote this information. His thoughts on being reasonable, expect the unexpected, keep learning, and listen, have to be at the top of my list as the most important things. As a future teacher one would be wise to listen to words of wisdom from others that have been through what you are about to go through.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Wikipedia; Fact or Fiction?
After listening to the NPR website and reading their post I have come to the conclusion that this site is not a very reliable website for any type of research. According to the blog/site, that anyone can go into the site and make changes regardless of intentions (good or bad). Also, they stated that individuals can go into a business and log into their wireless internet and post comments with the business' IP address. Therefore, businesses can have information altered by anyone trying to ruin the reputation of the business or individual for that matter. According to the NPR site, Wikipedia is trying to eliminate the problem of fraudulent postings, by teaming up with a student, from CAL TECH, that had designed a program that tie edits to the sources.
Hopefully, this new program can fix or eliminate the problems with Wikipedia. Unfortunately, however I do not find this site to be very informative. Its reliability is zero. Without definite, visible, sources I think that this really is a waste of space and time. Why not just search with Google and its application for scholar searches, at least there you have reliable sources and documented research.
Hopefully, this new program can fix or eliminate the problems with Wikipedia. Unfortunately, however I do not find this site to be very informative. Its reliability is zero. Without definite, visible, sources I think that this really is a waste of space and time. Why not just search with Google and its application for scholar searches, at least there you have reliable sources and documented research.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Randy Pausch; Last Lecture
To begin I must say that it is a shame that we had to lose someone so inspirational and talented at such a young age. Randy's use of humor and his love of life showed in everything he set out to do ( I can only assume without reading his work). The projects he has worked on and the advancements that will come from his work, will inspire many and teach others to further his creations.
Where to begin to choose from his words of wisdom; brick walls, head fakes, having FUN,loyalty, and never losing the childlike wonder. Each one more inspiring than the other. If I were to choose just one it would be his brick wall analogy, that brick walls are there for a reason, not to stop you but to stop other individuals that do not want it bad enough. The second thing that Randy said that really stuck with me was that if someone makes you mad or you are unimpressed, give them enough time and the will end up impressing you later down the line. I can only state that as close to the actually saying as possible because Randy himself was paraphrasing from "Snoddy" a friend of his that told him the same thing.
I also liked his ideas on indirect learning. The presentation was letting individuals know that there are other methods of teaching. That it doesn't have to be about book learning. Different individuals learn differently. To show that you can teach someone something through an indirect path encourages prospective teachers to think outside the box, and to try new techniques to help their students succeed. As he stated in his seminar, " It is all about the Fundamentals." I can also appreciate how he threw in failure is a part of life as well, meaning that you may not always get what you want in life, but it will lead you on a different path, there again the brick wall. If you practice at something long enough you can succeed.
Finally, I can say that Randy threw me for a loop, when he told the audience that the entire presentation/lecture was a "head fake". I can see how important these things are. The presentation was to his children, and for his family. He made us believe we were there for something else and then he taught us about his family. The best "head fake" there was. His dedication and loyalty are proven by his actions here on earth, and many have and will benefit from his life's work.
Where to begin to choose from his words of wisdom; brick walls, head fakes, having FUN,loyalty, and never losing the childlike wonder. Each one more inspiring than the other. If I were to choose just one it would be his brick wall analogy, that brick walls are there for a reason, not to stop you but to stop other individuals that do not want it bad enough. The second thing that Randy said that really stuck with me was that if someone makes you mad or you are unimpressed, give them enough time and the will end up impressing you later down the line. I can only state that as close to the actually saying as possible because Randy himself was paraphrasing from "Snoddy" a friend of his that told him the same thing.
I also liked his ideas on indirect learning. The presentation was letting individuals know that there are other methods of teaching. That it doesn't have to be about book learning. Different individuals learn differently. To show that you can teach someone something through an indirect path encourages prospective teachers to think outside the box, and to try new techniques to help their students succeed. As he stated in his seminar, " It is all about the Fundamentals." I can also appreciate how he threw in failure is a part of life as well, meaning that you may not always get what you want in life, but it will lead you on a different path, there again the brick wall. If you practice at something long enough you can succeed.
Finally, I can say that Randy threw me for a loop, when he told the audience that the entire presentation/lecture was a "head fake". I can see how important these things are. The presentation was to his children, and for his family. He made us believe we were there for something else and then he taught us about his family. The best "head fake" there was. His dedication and loyalty are proven by his actions here on earth, and many have and will benefit from his life's work.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Mr. Fisch
Okay, here goes, I do not completely agree with this man or his thoughts. Do I think it is important to know how to work a computer yes. Do I think it is important to know how to create your own programs and create software, well no, if we could all do this then what would all of the computer technicians do. If we all knew how to fix all our own problems or products then why would we need anyone else? I know that is a little extreme, but that is how I feel after reading Mr. Fisch's post. Comparing this to illiteracy, is completely amazing. We still have many people in this world who are illiterate, so why move on to another issue when we haven't even fixed the first one yet. I guess those problems should be expunged from the software, with the use of CCleaner or RegCure. I understand that everyone must have their soap box for one issue or another. I am glad to know that he is worried about 2020, when the world is all technological, and its advances in computers.
Here is where I agree. I do think that it is important to learn how to use the computer and its components. It is important for this basic understanding when going into the business world. However, one point, most places will train you on some of the more complex computer programs that that company has or uses. Computers are a part of our world now, and have made life easier, I will agree with that. As to how the world will run in twenty more years, after many more advances, and probably a thousand more upgrades later(and that number is probably very short of what the actual number will be) I have no clue. However, teachers should take this time to instruct students on how to use the computer and what they will need to know for it. Computers should also help in the classroom as instructional aides. Therefore, teachers should keep up to date with the relevant software as it becomes available.
Here is where I agree. I do think that it is important to learn how to use the computer and its components. It is important for this basic understanding when going into the business world. However, one point, most places will train you on some of the more complex computer programs that that company has or uses. Computers are a part of our world now, and have made life easier, I will agree with that. As to how the world will run in twenty more years, after many more advances, and probably a thousand more upgrades later(and that number is probably very short of what the actual number will be) I have no clue. However, teachers should take this time to instruct students on how to use the computer and what they will need to know for it. Computers should also help in the classroom as instructional aides. Therefore, teachers should keep up to date with the relevant software as it becomes available.
Technology by Mrs. Hines
When it comes to technology, I am also on the fence, somewhat like Mrs. Hines. I also feel that the new technology is very helpful in the classroom as an instructional aide. The basics should be taught and mastered before new information is introduced. I have seen many students in the classroom, that can not read or write properly, but yet they can do more on the computer than I can. This astounds me, students rely to heavily on spell check and other tools to help them write because they cannot do it themselves. Technology is advancing at such an exponential rate that these skills are something that is outdated as soon most people have mastered them.
It is true that teachers must keep up to date with these new technological tools. They must be used as instructional aides though, to show children the relevancy of the information being presented. How it relates to the topic, and how it could give more information, beyond basic instruction. Without the basics though these technologies are pointless. I understand that times are changing. but we can't lose site that those inventors were once students in the classroom, and without their basic understanding of math , English (or whatever language), science, and history they would not have succeeded. I don't know who originally said it, but "if you don't know your history you are damned to repeat it." Well here is my point, if not learned what will the future hold, technology can not save us from the same mistakes over and over. I guess I am still a little old school.
It is true that teachers must keep up to date with these new technological tools. They must be used as instructional aides though, to show children the relevancy of the information being presented. How it relates to the topic, and how it could give more information, beyond basic instruction. Without the basics though these technologies are pointless. I understand that times are changing. but we can't lose site that those inventors were once students in the classroom, and without their basic understanding of math , English (or whatever language), science, and history they would not have succeeded. I don't know who originally said it, but "if you don't know your history you are damned to repeat it." Well here is my point, if not learned what will the future hold, technology can not save us from the same mistakes over and over. I guess I am still a little old school.
Michael Wesch
A Vision Of Students Today?
I really related to this video, coming from a larger school, there were all of these types of students in my classroom. There were the individuals that never showed up, and those that showed up but were doing something else. The classes were so large it was impossible for the instructors to focus on the students. Their goal was to discuss the topic, and it was up to the student, which was paying for it, to make the decision whether or not to do the right thing and go to class to learn. I have to admit that I was one of the students that didn't really go to every class. My general idea was the same as the professors, if I wanted to learn I should go to class and listen, if not it was my money I was wasting, cause the professor still gets paid.
One thing that I might change about the video would be to put some people in there that had their face covered with a black spot to indicate, that they are there but not participating, or give the general impression of someone being there but not seen. Some of the classes are so large there would be no way to notice everyone in the class. Indicating the absent, or the here but not here group. I would also add some of the professors, I know that many of them would not want to do it, but a lot of what students like and dislike about college are the professors. If there were some of them holding up signs saying something like, "I make class so boring many students fall asleep", or "I make the test more difficult by tricking you with one word differences on answers, thus making you miss the question, and failing the test". This would be some of the additions that I think every student could relate to.
I really related to this video, coming from a larger school, there were all of these types of students in my classroom. There were the individuals that never showed up, and those that showed up but were doing something else. The classes were so large it was impossible for the instructors to focus on the students. Their goal was to discuss the topic, and it was up to the student, which was paying for it, to make the decision whether or not to do the right thing and go to class to learn. I have to admit that I was one of the students that didn't really go to every class. My general idea was the same as the professors, if I wanted to learn I should go to class and listen, if not it was my money I was wasting, cause the professor still gets paid.
One thing that I might change about the video would be to put some people in there that had their face covered with a black spot to indicate, that they are there but not participating, or give the general impression of someone being there but not seen. Some of the classes are so large there would be no way to notice everyone in the class. Indicating the absent, or the here but not here group. I would also add some of the professors, I know that many of them would not want to do it, but a lot of what students like and dislike about college are the professors. If there were some of them holding up signs saying something like, "I make class so boring many students fall asleep", or "I make the test more difficult by tricking you with one word differences on answers, thus making you miss the question, and failing the test". This would be some of the additions that I think every student could relate to.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Next Generation Learning
I just have to start out by saying that it was amazing what that school is doing. If you don't know what I am talking about visit this site to see what technology is doing to enhance the minds of children, http://is.gd/2bYd6. After you reach this site just click on the link next generation learning to watch the video. OK now to tell you a little bit about what I thought of it. I have to say that I wish things like this ere done in our local school system. I know we are teaching certain things in school, technology wise, but nothing as extreme as this. I can only see positive things, that children actually look forward to doing.
Another thing that I was particularly interested in was that the children got to play with the Wii. I have always thought this is a good way to try and not necessarily trick children, but a good way to get them to do exercises without really thinking that they are exercising. Further more the way that children could upload/ download homework could do wonders. Especially now with the swine flu hitting the school system, children that are absent will not miss any instruction. I think this technology is very important and should be implemented in all schools.
Another thing that I was particularly interested in was that the children got to play with the Wii. I have always thought this is a good way to try and not necessarily trick children, but a good way to get them to do exercises without really thinking that they are exercising. Further more the way that children could upload/ download homework could do wonders. Especially now with the swine flu hitting the school system, children that are absent will not miss any instruction. I think this technology is very important and should be implemented in all schools.
Preparing For the Podcast.
After viewing several links, I found that the first link (http://langwitcheeeees.org/blog/category/podcasting/) to be very informative. I actually found information that I could print out and save on the proper steps to produce a podcast. Listening to some of the examples from Kindergarten and Third Grade, shows me that energy is required, as in energetic voices, to make the podcast exciting and entertaining.
The second site I went to was the Education Podcasting Network (http://epnweb.org/index.php?openpod=16). Now this site had some very interesting things to use in the classroom. It covered topics in all areas such as science , math, language arts, and many others. The few I looked had were not in a video cast, rather just voices. I have learned from this site that there are options available to teachers and others to use this site to enhance a topic in the classroom. I look forward to using this site in the future, as well as exploring the others to better help in instructing the students in my classroom.
The second site I went to was the Education Podcasting Network (http://epnweb.org/index.php?openpod=16). Now this site had some very interesting things to use in the classroom. It covered topics in all areas such as science , math, language arts, and many others. The few I looked had were not in a video cast, rather just voices. I have learned from this site that there are options available to teachers and others to use this site to enhance a topic in the classroom. I look forward to using this site in the future, as well as exploring the others to better help in instructing the students in my classroom.
Podcasts
Recently I watched the podcast from last years class. They were discussing technologically illiterate teachers. There are a few changes that I would make to the presentation. To begin with I would change the setting in which the podcast was filmed. I believe that if you are talking about the specific topic you should at least have some computers or some technology in the shot. I would also like to invite a variety of individuals from the computer expert to someone who is not so familiar with computers. (However, I know that this is just a discussion between classmates.)
Another thing that I would change would be to instruct our guest to look into the camera. I see where this may be difficult due in part to the microphone not picking up the voices. Other than that, it seemed to go pretty well, and the topic was interesting. I really do not have any other suggestions or thoughts on how to improve the video.
Another thing that I would change would be to instruct our guest to look into the camera. I see where this may be difficult due in part to the microphone not picking up the voices. Other than that, it seemed to go pretty well, and the topic was interesting. I really do not have any other suggestions or thoughts on how to improve the video.
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