Summary Post C4K comments 1 & 2

My first C4K was for Kenyas at Noel Elementary. His blog assignment was on judging others. He said that he would try to get to know someone before he judged them. He said, "in his opinion he thinks people judge others because people are jealous by the way you look or dress". I commented on how it is very important not to judge others.
My second C4K was for Katy and her blog was titled: Confessions of a future Kindergarten Teacher. Katy spoke how younger children have so much technology in their classrooms. She said that just because they are young does not mean that the student's do not use technology. I commented about my son, who is in kindergarten, and how much technology is in their classroom and how I was amazed at how many of his classmates know how to use it.
My other C4K was for WM Chamberlain and her blog titled: Reflection on Teaching in 2.0. He listed several goals that he made for himself that he felt he needed to achieve. He briefly spoke about student teaching and taking charge. He also shared his goals he had planned for his himself for the upcoming week. I agreed how important it was to have goals and something to build on.

Podcast

Google Presentation

Blog Post 5

Eagle Net Radio & Class Blog
As I look through all the ways of making a podcast, I found this one to be a great way to communicate a story, similar to this class. The class made their presentation fun and informative.

The Benefits of Podcasting in the Classroom by Joe Dale 

I enjoyed watching this podcast. I liked to see how Joe Dale used podcasts in his classes and to see and hear how the students reacted to it. I think podcasting is a great way for children to interact with each other. I loved his idea of getting other teachers involved to record a story via podcast to share with the class. The students seemed to enjoy it as well.



Judy Scharf Podcast Collection
I loved how this video showed instructions on how to do a podcast and what types of software to use. This was very informative.

Blog Post 4

Don't Teach Your Kids this Stuff, Please? by Scott McLeod
Dr. Scott McLeod is an Associate Professor at the University of Iowa. He believes in public schools and the advancement of technology. His concern is that the public education system (teaching) is not advancing as quick as the technology making it a danger to our students. Dr. McLeod is on a mission to create a new paradigm that works.

I enjoyed his blog and his sarcastic positioning of his post. His post expresses that parents, teachers, administrators, and board members should not teach their children technology. He points out the danger of technology and the incorrect use. Although there are people that share these views I believe in the advancement of technology. I believe we should teach our students and children the importance of the internet and technology and the proper use of it. We need to educate our children and students of the dangers and be more proactive in their viewing and create more restrictions to help ensure their safety.  I posted as a future educator, I will do my part in making the learning experience of technology as safe and healthy as possible.

The iSchool Initiative 
The video and the age of the creator is impressive. Developing the iSchool Initiative is an interesting concept. Having an entire school literally in the palm of your hand would be amazing. Using aps to assist with everything from talking notes, reading books, and doing scientific calculations is great.

Although the idea is impressive, I have to wonder if our society and schools are prepared to make such a drastic transformation. I don't agree that this would be a great concept to embrace. Although I believe in the advancement of technology and the use of technology in the classroom, there are several aspects that are important in the development of humans. It is necessary to socially interact with each other (body to body). It is important to embrace and experience different cultures. It is important to learn teamwork by working hand in hand (physically). An individual's character is determined by what he or she experiences in life in which the majority of these experiences arise in school. I also feel that everyone learns differently. Not every student will have the determination to be self started. While technology may come second nature to one student it may also choose to be an impossible feat for another. Having our whole world be virtual may be the future but I hope not.

The Lost Generation
Bravo!! I loved this video! The imagination of not only the unique technique that was used but the most powerful words spoken. I have shared this with my family and friends and all agree with the message that was presented. The delivery was brilliant!!


Eric Whitaker's Virtual Choir
After watching this video I was speechless! It amazes me that people believe technology is not our future. Jennifer Chamber's post was even more impressive because it provided a brief history of the video. It is astonishing to me how 185 people that have never met or preformed together put a youtube video together that sounded remarkable.

Additional Assignment #1

Google Squared and WolframAlpha
I have never heard of Good Squared or WolframAlpha until this assignment. I think both have an amazing educational implications. I love with Google Squared that you can add cells of information and compare several items at once. I think this will be a great tool to use when finding almost anything.
I was playing around with types of medications. In seconds, there were about 20 that popped up with everything you wanted to know about each. I compared aspirin, Tylenol, and Ibuprofen. I instantly found formulas, breakdowns and best of all I could add side effects. I also pulled up several populations of countries and was amazed at the amount of information.
WolframAlpha is another great tool. I like the instant search it provides. I typed in National Parks in the United States and instantly every National Park was provided. I found that this saved so much time and gave some accurate information for what I researched.
I read The Fischbowl: "Did You Know?" and I still agree with my comments that were made. I am constantly amazed at the amount of information and things available on the internet. Virtually, anything imaginable can be found.
Here is the Pitcarin Island's map I found on WolframAlph

Summary Post C4T Teacher #2

Ann Carnevale - Bits 'n Bytes

I loved reading Ms. Carnevale's blog. She has some great tips for large PDF files, open new tabs and great "ice-breakers" for a new class. She gave instructions on how to bookmark pages on large pdf files. She also shared how to open new tabs when researching information without losing the tab your on. I enjoyed reading her presentation about "14 New Ways to Get to Know Your New Class". There were some creative and helpful ways to break the ice and get children to intermingle with each other on the first day. I will plan on using some of these in my own classroom.

Summary Post C4T Teacher #1

Kelly Hines wrote an inspirational blog on Reflecting on Reflection. She states the need for reflection and how important it is in order to grow. Using blogs and other internet based tools are a great way to share ideas and inspirations. Assessing what we know and what our students need are crucial. I enjoyed her blog and look forward to reading more.

Blog Post 3

Michael Wesch: A Vision of Students Today

After watching this short video I pondered over the message. Our current classrooms are transforming. We are taking what we have always known to what we are starting to understand. Most classes around the world operate under the basic setup of students in desks or table and chairs and the educator in front usually teaching from a text book. Sure we have added more computers and computer based classes. Some schools have started using smart boards.

I think our society is going through an awkward stage. We know we have to advance and embrace through technology but we have been taught the same for centuries. I think teachers are trying to find ways to mold both ways. Understanding what is beneficial in life and knowing how to apply it in the classroom is becoming a more difficult task. The basics are important: reading, writing, arithmetic, history, science. Life lessons: balancing a check book, paying bills, understanding insurance and mortgages are also important. Learning how to operate on a computer, use basic computer functions are also important. Our society is calling for the advancement. We must now add more in depth ways of using technology in the classroom because it is being demanded and it is the future whether we want to personally believe it or not.

"It's Not About Technology" by Kelly Hines

I enjoyed reading Ms. Hines post. Most everyone knows that our world is moving toward the "space age". Technology is advancing at a pace that is inconceivable. Ms. Hines makes an interesting point that no matter how much and how fast things change we must present a strong and educated way to effectively teach our students. Teachers are finding out that they have to learn how to adapt in this fast pace world we live in. As an educator it is cognitive to take the initiative and learn to use the tools available to produce successful students. The students depend on us.

Karl Finch: Is It Okay to Be A Technology Illiterate Teacher?

Mr. Finch makes very valid points in his post. We as educators and as a society we have to move forward. The basic parts of life that we are accustomed to has changed. By holding back and holding on to the past by the ideas and way things were done will hinder our future outcome. We can no longer bury our head in the sand and pretend our world is not changing. It is. Sure, it's okay to be technology illiterate...for now. Society, the world, is changing and the need to be technologically savvy will be as important as reading and writing, I believe. The mass sales of products such as computers, ipads, iphones, cell phones, etc. prove it.

Gary Hayes: Social Media Count

This was an amazing blog. The Social Media Count is a great way to comprehend the growth of technology and the direction, we as a society, are heading. It proves that our school systems require massive changes in curriculum and advancement in technology. Educators will be forced to improve in their own skills as the world demands it.

Blog Post 2

Did You Know?
I was amazed at the information shared during this short movie. It's almost scary to know how much our world is growing and the rate of which it's growing. After watching, I immediately thought of my children and the information and technology that will be available to them. What is difficult for me to do on a computer will be second nature to them.

Mr. Winkle Wakes?
I enjoyed this short movie. I think it is very important that society needs to adapt to new technology and embrace the growth of it. The days of teaching out of a book or lecturing in front of a podium are coming to an end. It's true some people, if not most, do not like change but change is happening faster than most realize. I think educating our children in technology is only preparing them for the future.

Sir Ken Robinson: The Importance of Creativity
There is just one thing to say about this movie. I AGREE, I AGREE, I AGREE. I believe Sir Ken Robinson hit the nail on the head by stating how important creativity is and how we ,as educators, should support and encourage our students to express what comes natural. Creativity is so important. I can't imagine what the world would be like without someone's creativity and imagination. Ancient tribes and the Egyptian's as well as thousands of other cultures all around the world have left their fingerprint on the world by their creative expressions. A reflection of life is simply through creativity. No one person sees any one thing the same. Besides the basic needs of food, water and shelter, I believe that education, creativity and imagination are all equal components that is needed to sustain life.

Vicki Davis: Harness Your Student's Digital Smarts
Vicki Davis has become my new inspiration! What an amazing woman!! I would love to adopt her way of teaching. I believe the children in "her classroom setting" learn more and work more than in the traditional classroom setting. Her students seemed more engaged, learned more about teamwork and learned more about different cultures by visiting people from all around the world without leaving their classroom. The students were able to express their creativeness in so many different ways. I thought this movie was a great combination of all of the other three movies. You are able to visualize how fast the world is changing through technology by just seeing their classroom. You are able to see the non-traditional way of teaching. Most importantly, the students are able to be creative and express themselves more than just staring at a book and note pad.

Project #2 My First Wordle