Friday, November 14, 2008
VoiceThread
VoiceThread was the most confusing for me out of all of these three options. I didn't quite understand how to get the voice activation to work (I also do not have a microphone on my laptop). so I only used the written comments.
I feel that this is the most relevant to a mathematics class. It would be very easy for a student to follow how to graph a function or follow how to solve an equation using this program. Actually, in high school, my Calculus teacher had a smart board, and whenever he had to miss class, he would tape his voice to the slide shows so that it was basically a normal class. It was really cool that he was that up on technology at the time, and it was great not having a 'blow-off' day whenever we had a substitute. I definitely see the importance of this program in a math class, though I would have to explore more to know how to better apply this.
I feel that this is the most relevant to a mathematics class. It would be very easy for a student to follow how to graph a function or follow how to solve an equation using this program. Actually, in high school, my Calculus teacher had a smart board, and whenever he had to miss class, he would tape his voice to the slide shows so that it was basically a normal class. It was really cool that he was that up on technology at the time, and it was great not having a 'blow-off' day whenever we had a substitute. I definitely see the importance of this program in a math class, though I would have to explore more to know how to better apply this.
Animoto
The animoto was by far the easiest one of all of these to create. To be honest, however, I don't really see the point of this in the classroom. Especially in mathematics, there really isn't a need for a slideshow of pictures. The concept is really cool and I really like how the pictures go with the music and such, but I don't really see the relevence in a math classroom.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Scrapblog
For the scrapblog, I think that it is a great visual aid. The already created themes made creating the virtual scrapbook much easier to handle. I really don't know exactly how I would be able to use this for teaching a math lesson, however. I think this is a great way to make a more creative slide show for other subject areas (biology, literature, art, etc.) but I feel that in math, unless you are working on an elaborate word problem, it would almost be more of a waste of time to create something like this. I probably will use this for my own personal scrapbooks, though!
Monday, September 29, 2008
Growing Up Online
Read several posts from Group B, and refer to them in your response.
Video:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/kidsonline/
Reference to:
http://sashafajerstein.blogspot.com/
http://jmudrock.blogspot.com/
This video was somewhat eye-opening. I was aware of the prominence of internet in students lives these days, as previously being one. I do understand their feelings (I used to have a myspace and I currently have a facebook). High school is about finding yourself and expressing yourself. The internet has become the latest fad in doing so. It allows kids to be creative, meet new people, and yes, can ultimately put kids in situations they might not be ready for.
The thing is, prior to the internet, kids were doing the same things. The internet just makes everything more visible: kids are documenting their adventures and posting them to webpages. Before this, girls were going to shopping malls and meeting older men. Kids were still participating in alcoholic activities. Kids will be kids. I feel that the internet is just helping to expose what these kids are actually doing. What kids used to get away with years ago without parental knowledge, is now being exposed because of the children posting it on online websites.
I do understand Sasha's feelings of the impact being scary. The internet is worldwide and therefore kids can possibly get into more trouble than if they were just roaming around their town (depending upon location). More people can view what these kids are doing, and you never really know who all is looking at your website. Privacy settings are important and all parents should enforce the necessity of them. I personally wish that facebook was still only a college student network because I feel it would be much safer to keep out younger students and those that don't attend college. I personally keep up all of my privacy settings on the highest possible and my profile name is not even my full name.
In high school, webshots was just coming around. This was a website designated to uploading photos. I understand Jeff's feelings towards numerous members of his basketball team being suspended for posting pictures of drinking at a party. I personally never had to deal with this issue, but there were numerous instances of kids at my school being called to the office because of inappropriate pictures posting on webshots. Even after I graduated, my younger sister would tell me stories of how teachers would create fake facebooks to try to see what their students were like outside of the classroom. I feel that this is inappropriate and that what a child is like out of the classroom should not change the teacher's opinion on how to grade the child in class. I understand wanting to get to know your students as people but going about it in this was is wrong and should not have occurred.
Video:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/kidsonline/
Reference to:
http://sashafajerstein.blogspot.com/
http://jmudrock.blogspot.com/
This video was somewhat eye-opening. I was aware of the prominence of internet in students lives these days, as previously being one. I do understand their feelings (I used to have a myspace and I currently have a facebook). High school is about finding yourself and expressing yourself. The internet has become the latest fad in doing so. It allows kids to be creative, meet new people, and yes, can ultimately put kids in situations they might not be ready for.
The thing is, prior to the internet, kids were doing the same things. The internet just makes everything more visible: kids are documenting their adventures and posting them to webpages. Before this, girls were going to shopping malls and meeting older men. Kids were still participating in alcoholic activities. Kids will be kids. I feel that the internet is just helping to expose what these kids are actually doing. What kids used to get away with years ago without parental knowledge, is now being exposed because of the children posting it on online websites.
I do understand Sasha's feelings of the impact being scary. The internet is worldwide and therefore kids can possibly get into more trouble than if they were just roaming around their town (depending upon location). More people can view what these kids are doing, and you never really know who all is looking at your website. Privacy settings are important and all parents should enforce the necessity of them. I personally wish that facebook was still only a college student network because I feel it would be much safer to keep out younger students and those that don't attend college. I personally keep up all of my privacy settings on the highest possible and my profile name is not even my full name.
In high school, webshots was just coming around. This was a website designated to uploading photos. I understand Jeff's feelings towards numerous members of his basketball team being suspended for posting pictures of drinking at a party. I personally never had to deal with this issue, but there were numerous instances of kids at my school being called to the office because of inappropriate pictures posting on webshots. Even after I graduated, my younger sister would tell me stories of how teachers would create fake facebooks to try to see what their students were like outside of the classroom. I feel that this is inappropriate and that what a child is like out of the classroom should not change the teacher's opinion on how to grade the child in class. I understand wanting to get to know your students as people but going about it in this was is wrong and should not have occurred.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Chicago Public Schools: Green for Grade$
Original Article: http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/content/education/chi-money-for-grades-11-sep11,0,4916582,print.story
Do you think this is a smart idea? Why? Why not? Does your position change depending on your viewpoint as a parent or a teacher or a taxpayer?
Two additional articles:
http://www.cps.edu/News/Press_releases/2008/Pages/09_11_2008_PR1.aspx
http://www.suntimes.com/news/education/1157373,CST-NWS-skul11web.article
Two additional opinions pieces:
http://media.www.dailyillini.com/media/storage/paper736/news/2008/09/16/OpinionColumns/Chicago.Public.Schools.System.Should.Not.Turn.Into.Chicago.Public.Money-3432432.shtml?refsource=collegeheadlines
http://www.pe.com/columns/steverosen/stories/PE_Biz_S_kidsandmoney14.19c0668.html
I first heard about this topic from our teacher, Pr. Williams, during office hours and immediately went home and googled the subject. I read the Chicago Tribune article then, and I was completely dumbfounded. I could not believe that a school system would think it would be beneficial to pay students for their grades. (I do have to admit that one of my thoughts was, "Where is my money for all those A's?") Anyways, this is now going to cause a great deal of controversy.
I do fully understand that a lot of the students in the Chicago Public Schools do not come from families of economic wealth and that maybe money will be a motivator to keep the kids in the classrooms instead of on the streets, temporarily. Yes, the key word there is temporarily. The students may find that they are motivated in the first couple semesters of high school to be attentive, strive for good grades, and get that money. Now, money is usually a big motivator, especially in the United States, but I just do not see students' attitudes changing so significantly over money.
Now what happens if these students use that money in inappropriate ways? How does the administration know where this money will be spent? Could the school district actually be funding drug, alcohol or gun possession? I believe that this money should be limited to a voucher system. Maybe a student can buy more books or a computer to expand their knowledge as opposed to sole freedom of spending the money on anything. Better yet, put the money into a college fund for the student and try to motivate the student to want a higher education.
Another point of interest: why not just give this money to the schools to improve their resources? I believe that students are more motivated by a positive environment and attitude of the classroom. With more resources and more staff to aid the students, the overall disposition towards school will be significantly more positive for both the students and teachers.
I feel that this 'bribe' is simply a band-aid. Instead, I believe a new outlook needs to be adopted. A student should want to learn for the sole purpose of learning- not to gain an extra twenty dollars to go to the movies. The idea of getting cash for your grades is too short-term. If we want students to do well in school, it has to be a change in attitude, actions, and motivation that can carry on for the rest of their lives and not just for that $50 for that one A they received.
Do you think this is a smart idea? Why? Why not? Does your position change depending on your viewpoint as a parent or a teacher or a taxpayer?
Two additional articles:
http://www.cps.edu/News/Press_releases/2008/Pages/09_11_2008_PR1.aspx
http://www.suntimes.com/news/education/1157373,CST-NWS-skul11web.article
Two additional opinions pieces:
http://media.www.dailyillini.com/media/storage/paper736/news/2008/09/16/OpinionColumns/Chicago.Public.Schools.System.Should.Not.Turn.Into.Chicago.Public.Money-3432432.shtml?refsource=collegeheadlines
http://www.pe.com/columns/steverosen/stories/PE_Biz_S_kidsandmoney14.19c0668.html
I first heard about this topic from our teacher, Pr. Williams, during office hours and immediately went home and googled the subject. I read the Chicago Tribune article then, and I was completely dumbfounded. I could not believe that a school system would think it would be beneficial to pay students for their grades. (I do have to admit that one of my thoughts was, "Where is my money for all those A's?") Anyways, this is now going to cause a great deal of controversy.
I do fully understand that a lot of the students in the Chicago Public Schools do not come from families of economic wealth and that maybe money will be a motivator to keep the kids in the classrooms instead of on the streets, temporarily. Yes, the key word there is temporarily. The students may find that they are motivated in the first couple semesters of high school to be attentive, strive for good grades, and get that money. Now, money is usually a big motivator, especially in the United States, but I just do not see students' attitudes changing so significantly over money.
Now what happens if these students use that money in inappropriate ways? How does the administration know where this money will be spent? Could the school district actually be funding drug, alcohol or gun possession? I believe that this money should be limited to a voucher system. Maybe a student can buy more books or a computer to expand their knowledge as opposed to sole freedom of spending the money on anything. Better yet, put the money into a college fund for the student and try to motivate the student to want a higher education.
Another point of interest: why not just give this money to the schools to improve their resources? I believe that students are more motivated by a positive environment and attitude of the classroom. With more resources and more staff to aid the students, the overall disposition towards school will be significantly more positive for both the students and teachers.
I feel that this 'bribe' is simply a band-aid. Instead, I believe a new outlook needs to be adopted. A student should want to learn for the sole purpose of learning- not to gain an extra twenty dollars to go to the movies. The idea of getting cash for your grades is too short-term. If we want students to do well in school, it has to be a change in attitude, actions, and motivation that can carry on for the rest of their lives and not just for that $50 for that one A they received.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Vision of Today's Students
Review fellow students blogs and synthesize the positions. Discuss whether you agree/disagree with the position, and how this might shape your future classroom.
Reference:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGCJ46vyR9o&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A-ZVCjfWf8&feature=related
Blog posts read:
http://jjachym2.blogspot.com/ (Jacqueline)
http://stephmatook.blogspot.com/ (Steph)
http://rsister2.blogspot.com/ (Rachel)
After reading these blogs, I agree with all three of these girls. The teacher has to be the agent of change within the classroom and the learning environment. Technology is the future. As future teachers, we need to embrace and understand these advances in technology instead of fearing them. We are responsible for incorporating technologies into the classroom to aid in each student's understanding of the topic at hand. Jacqueline made a very interesting point in her blog. She stated that "The students of today are digital learners." This is something new. We have learned all about Gardner's Multiple Intelligences: verbal, visual, musical, kinesthetic etc. I have never heard that a student is a digital learner. This, however, is the direction that education is going. Everything is becoming interactive. Students in the early grades are going on the internet, watching lots of television, and listening to music. They know just as much, if not more, about technology than their teachers. This is scary.
We as teachers owe it to our students to use as much up to date technology as possible and to be fully educated in how to use it. We need to keep our students interest and engage them in our lessons as opposed to using rote learning methods. It is very important that students understand WHY they are learning what they are learning as opposed to just spitting back the information they have memorized. Technology is a great way for students to interact with the material, manipulate graphs, and absorb a greater understanding than just the "this is the way it is."
This ties into a major point in one of the videos. As Steph mentions, a little boy held up the camera and asked how the topic he was learning was going to help him in his future. I find this of vital importance as well, because I asked myself that question numerous times throughout my years in school (sometimes I still do!). Showing your students how the material relates to them and why it is important in the future will give them the understanding needed to carry forward. I know that if I am told that something will be useful for a specific reason in the future, I will take more time to understand it, and not just memorize it, because it applies to me. A good teacher will do her best to make every lesson apply to every student. Technology can help the teacher to engage the students to want to learn the lesson as well.
Reference:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGCJ46vyR9o&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A-ZVCjfWf8&feature=related
Blog posts read:
http://jjachym2.blogspot.com/ (Jacqueline)
http://stephmatook.blogspot.com/ (Steph)
http://rsister2.blogspot.com/ (Rachel)
After reading these blogs, I agree with all three of these girls. The teacher has to be the agent of change within the classroom and the learning environment. Technology is the future. As future teachers, we need to embrace and understand these advances in technology instead of fearing them. We are responsible for incorporating technologies into the classroom to aid in each student's understanding of the topic at hand. Jacqueline made a very interesting point in her blog. She stated that "The students of today are digital learners." This is something new. We have learned all about Gardner's Multiple Intelligences: verbal, visual, musical, kinesthetic etc. I have never heard that a student is a digital learner. This, however, is the direction that education is going. Everything is becoming interactive. Students in the early grades are going on the internet, watching lots of television, and listening to music. They know just as much, if not more, about technology than their teachers. This is scary.
We as teachers owe it to our students to use as much up to date technology as possible and to be fully educated in how to use it. We need to keep our students interest and engage them in our lessons as opposed to using rote learning methods. It is very important that students understand WHY they are learning what they are learning as opposed to just spitting back the information they have memorized. Technology is a great way for students to interact with the material, manipulate graphs, and absorb a greater understanding than just the "this is the way it is."
This ties into a major point in one of the videos. As Steph mentions, a little boy held up the camera and asked how the topic he was learning was going to help him in his future. I find this of vital importance as well, because I asked myself that question numerous times throughout my years in school (sometimes I still do!). Showing your students how the material relates to them and why it is important in the future will give them the understanding needed to carry forward. I know that if I am told that something will be useful for a specific reason in the future, I will take more time to understand it, and not just memorize it, because it applies to me. A good teacher will do her best to make every lesson apply to every student. Technology can help the teacher to engage the students to want to learn the lesson as well.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Analysis of Ken Robinson's talk
Please view the talk at http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html Embed it in a new blog post on your blog, and review and analyze his position, and how it may manifest itself in your future classroom. After posting to your blog, please submit the link to your main blog (not just the post itself) to the Blog wiki in your Moodle section.
One of the initial points that struck me was when Ken Robinson made a reference to the fact that we do not even know what our world will be like in two years, yet we have to teach these students for the future. I had never really considered the impact of this before now. With the significant changes in technology occurring in shorter time intervals, who knows what will be going on in the world in a few years. This makes education so vital for these children. Even more importantly, teachers need to keep up with the increasing technology to make sure these students are as well-informed and using the most up-to-date technology as possible to feed their brains.
Next point that I thought was very interesting was when he referenced that kids are not frightened of being wrong. Through babysitting, teaching swim lessons, and tutoring, I have definitely learned that this is a true statement. When kids are young, they believe that everything they do is right. It is his toy, regardless of whose it really is, and therefore, he can take it from his playmate. She can run down the center isle of a wedding because that is what she wants to do. Kids believe that what they do is correct until they are told they are wrong. Thus begins the process of second-guessing themselves. This becomes an issue in schools, especially when it comes to discipline. If a teacher is too strict, does she keep a child from being himself? Does she hold back his creative mind? Yet if she is too lenient, does she allow the child to adopt the feeling that he is above and beyond the rules of a common society? All of this should be going through a teacher's mind when he or she is cultivating the philosophy for which to teach by. To be successful, this philosophy shall be ever-changing to include experiences of what methods work and those that do not work regarding encounters with children of different personalities and learning styles.
As children grow up, they begin to "grow out of creativity" or "be educated out of it." This is a fearful thought. Are we educating these students to follow a streamline mentality as opposed to exploring and creating who they wish to be as a person? Children should embrace their differences and learn to follow their dreams, not be cultivated into a narrow-focused future of right versus wrong.
I believe that incorporating technology can be both positive and negative in the future of education. If students use the technology to its fullest extent, they can create elaborate projects, expand their knowledge of the subject matter, or even develop new or different programs to increase their learning. Some technology, however, actually makes it easier for a child to not have to actually perform any work. For instance, I tutored at in a seventh grade math class at Jefferson Middle School. During a practice exam for their ISAT exams, the students were asked to calculate fractions. These students were typing in simple fractions, such as 2/3, into the calculator to find the decimal. Students should be able to calculate these simple fractions on their own, without a calculator, but they did not seem to have the confidence or knowledge to do so. This astonished me!
I feel that as a teacher, you have to be constantly aware of the amount of emphasis you put on the "right versus wrong" mentality. Especially in the field of mathematics, a student should be able to calculate a problem in his or her own way to achieve the answer. Some students may use graphs, while others may work the problem out by hand. Either way should be allowed to embrace each child's creativity.
One of the initial points that struck me was when Ken Robinson made a reference to the fact that we do not even know what our world will be like in two years, yet we have to teach these students for the future. I had never really considered the impact of this before now. With the significant changes in technology occurring in shorter time intervals, who knows what will be going on in the world in a few years. This makes education so vital for these children. Even more importantly, teachers need to keep up with the increasing technology to make sure these students are as well-informed and using the most up-to-date technology as possible to feed their brains.
Next point that I thought was very interesting was when he referenced that kids are not frightened of being wrong. Through babysitting, teaching swim lessons, and tutoring, I have definitely learned that this is a true statement. When kids are young, they believe that everything they do is right. It is his toy, regardless of whose it really is, and therefore, he can take it from his playmate. She can run down the center isle of a wedding because that is what she wants to do. Kids believe that what they do is correct until they are told they are wrong. Thus begins the process of second-guessing themselves. This becomes an issue in schools, especially when it comes to discipline. If a teacher is too strict, does she keep a child from being himself? Does she hold back his creative mind? Yet if she is too lenient, does she allow the child to adopt the feeling that he is above and beyond the rules of a common society? All of this should be going through a teacher's mind when he or she is cultivating the philosophy for which to teach by. To be successful, this philosophy shall be ever-changing to include experiences of what methods work and those that do not work regarding encounters with children of different personalities and learning styles.
As children grow up, they begin to "grow out of creativity" or "be educated out of it." This is a fearful thought. Are we educating these students to follow a streamline mentality as opposed to exploring and creating who they wish to be as a person? Children should embrace their differences and learn to follow their dreams, not be cultivated into a narrow-focused future of right versus wrong.
I believe that incorporating technology can be both positive and negative in the future of education. If students use the technology to its fullest extent, they can create elaborate projects, expand their knowledge of the subject matter, or even develop new or different programs to increase their learning. Some technology, however, actually makes it easier for a child to not have to actually perform any work. For instance, I tutored at in a seventh grade math class at Jefferson Middle School. During a practice exam for their ISAT exams, the students were asked to calculate fractions. These students were typing in simple fractions, such as 2/3, into the calculator to find the decimal. Students should be able to calculate these simple fractions on their own, without a calculator, but they did not seem to have the confidence or knowledge to do so. This astonished me!
I feel that as a teacher, you have to be constantly aware of the amount of emphasis you put on the "right versus wrong" mentality. Especially in the field of mathematics, a student should be able to calculate a problem in his or her own way to achieve the answer. Some students may use graphs, while others may work the problem out by hand. Either way should be allowed to embrace each child's creativity.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Technology in the Classroom
"Given the realities of our modern age and the demands of our children's future, is it really ok to allow teachers to choose whether or not they incorporate modern technologies into their instruction?"
Teachers should be incorporating modern technologies into their instruction, as long as they are knowledgable and comfortable with the technology they plan to use. I believe that teachers should be required to take classes or attend seminars to inform them of the advancing technology and how to properly use the material.
In a high school, teachers should be up to date on the technology they are using. This does not mean that they should resort to their comfort zone of using only powerpoints and overheads, however. Teachers should work with the technology department at their school and attend conferences outside of the classroom to learn up on the new technologies.
For instance, my AP Calculus teacher researched and applied for a grant that would allow him to use a SmartBoard as part of a test trial. After the trial, he was allowed to keep the SmartBoard, free of charge. This board was incredibly helpful in fully understanding the 3D aspects of Calculus, which Mr. Murray knew ahead of time and worked so hard to have one in the classroom.
All teachers should be choosing to incorporate knew technology in the classroom. I feel that if a teacher is not comfortable with the technology they have, they should get the help they need to understand how to use it as opposed to sticking with their comfort zone.
Therefore I feel that teachers should not be able to choose whether or not to use technology in the classroom. Teachers should want to incorporate modern technologies into lessons and be fully aware of the capabilities of the technologies they are using.
Teachers should be incorporating modern technologies into their instruction, as long as they are knowledgable and comfortable with the technology they plan to use. I believe that teachers should be required to take classes or attend seminars to inform them of the advancing technology and how to properly use the material.
In a high school, teachers should be up to date on the technology they are using. This does not mean that they should resort to their comfort zone of using only powerpoints and overheads, however. Teachers should work with the technology department at their school and attend conferences outside of the classroom to learn up on the new technologies.
For instance, my AP Calculus teacher researched and applied for a grant that would allow him to use a SmartBoard as part of a test trial. After the trial, he was allowed to keep the SmartBoard, free of charge. This board was incredibly helpful in fully understanding the 3D aspects of Calculus, which Mr. Murray knew ahead of time and worked so hard to have one in the classroom.
All teachers should be choosing to incorporate knew technology in the classroom. I feel that if a teacher is not comfortable with the technology they have, they should get the help they need to understand how to use it as opposed to sticking with their comfort zone.
Therefore I feel that teachers should not be able to choose whether or not to use technology in the classroom. Teachers should want to incorporate modern technologies into lessons and be fully aware of the capabilities of the technologies they are using.
A Little Taste of Rachel
Hello, everyone! My name is Rachel Barry, and I am a junior at the University of Illinois. I am from Arlington Heights, IL and attended Rolling Meadows High School. I am studying to be a high school math teacher. I like to dance, run, hang out with my friends, play sports (volleyball, soccer, football, basically anything), listen to music and watch movies.
I am really excited about becoming a teacher. I chose math because it has usually come easy to me, and I think that math is a very important part of every day life. Whenever I tell someone my major, they always as "Why would you ever want to do that? I hate math." I think that if math teachers made learning more fun and approached it from multiple perspectives, high schoolers would better understand the material. I hope to change students' feelings towards math.
I have wanted to be a teacher since 2nd grade, though through all of my experiences, I don't know if I would ever pursue administration or becoming a professor. Only time will tell.
I am really excited about becoming a teacher. I chose math because it has usually come easy to me, and I think that math is a very important part of every day life. Whenever I tell someone my major, they always as "Why would you ever want to do that? I hate math." I think that if math teachers made learning more fun and approached it from multiple perspectives, high schoolers would better understand the material. I hope to change students' feelings towards math.
I have wanted to be a teacher since 2nd grade, though through all of my experiences, I don't know if I would ever pursue administration or becoming a professor. Only time will tell.
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