In this post, Eric Langhorst discusses "Building Your PLN". This presentation is very helpful. I would recommend this video to EDM newbies. Since students in EDM must create most of these accounts he discusses, it gives you an idea for what each site is for. For example, Skype is "an audio and video conferencing tool".
This video was very informative and helpful. Since I will be a teacher, this gives me new ways and ideas for how to communicate with parents, teachers, and students. Some of the tools presented will also be useful in the classroom. So, thank you to Eric for taking the time to make this presentation.
Post 2 Social Media and The History Classroom - 2011 MCSS by Eric Langhorst
My Reply to Eric's Post:
Hey, Eric! I think this was a wonderful video. I always like watching and reading about new ways to incorporate technology into the classroom, specifically Skype and You Tube. I also like seeing the difference between Twitter and Facebook because although Facebook is more personal, Twitter is more professional.
With getting a degree in Education, it is my career goal to teach each subject in its own way, yet incorporating technology. I'm always open for suggestions and new ideas. Thanks for your post!
The Networked Student is an excellent video for current and future teachers to watch for why they should be computer and technology savvy. The world is coming to the point where teachers are beginning to be seen as baby sitters, yet if the teacher is prepared and understands the world as it is, they can make a tremendous impact. Before this class, I didn't think being "networked" was all that important, but now I understand why it is.
It's up to teachers to teach children to live in this world by the current means, which means using and promoting technology. One day, the teachers' students will go and graduate high school then some will go on to college; however, whatever choice they make, we as teachers, must know we did everything we could to prepare them for future jobs and a life style filled with technology.
In the video, the question, "Why does the networked student even need a teacher?", is asked. I feel everyone needs someone to learn from, whether they have the title teacher or not. In this case, the teacher taught the kids how to use technology to their advantage and pushed them on to graduation.
This video shows students and teachers how to and what to put on your PLE or PLN. I think PLE's are great; however, I still like having to read and write inside and outside the classroom. If we can find a way to pull the two together, I think that would be the most useful teaching style.
For example, if I can teach students algebra in class using the chalkboard, but instead of making them do problems out of the book, allowing them to research algebra and see what they can bring to class by using other teacher's blogs and advice. Teaching is fun! I like having technology, but I don't want to skip over pen and paper.
The top two blogs give reasons why SMART boards should not be used in the classroom and the last two give the benefits for why every teacher and classroom should have one. In Ferriter's post, he clearly states his hate for SMART boards. After having a group discussion on Twitter, he says, "the majority of participants recognized that without time and training, they quickly become nothing more than really expensive overhead projectors." I agree with him here. But then he goes on to say even with time and training, the interactive white boards still wouldn't be worth what you pay for them.
Radcliff, who likes using SMART boards, says, "Institutes should make sure that they train the teachers in the right way so that the use of the boards is made effectively." I, personally, agree with Radcliff. A teacher cannot expect to receive a SMART board and automatically know how to use it. They have to learn how, maybe by going to a demonstration meeting or watching videos online. There are many different options, but it's up to each individual school to decide how they want their teachers trained.
Each blog gives excellent points for why we should or shouldn't use IWBs. I think they are a great tool for children. I think if all the other schools have them and if that's what they will be using throughout their school career, then it's fair to the kids to learn how to use them as soon as possible. Sure, you could use an overhead, chalkboard, or whiteboard, but what is going to benefit the children the most?
Logan's Blog Post:
Logan chose to write about his "Top Five Things To Do With Bacon". I found the topic unique and very interesting. He ends his post very well. He asks the commenter to add any other ideas of what to do with bacon and suggests trying the ways he listed. I thought Logan did a good job plotting out his post with a picture, points, and an ending.
Robert's Post:
Last week we room13 got our net books.Before we got our net books, we signed a form saying that we would look after our net book and take charge of it.Then Mr Burt talked,Then finally the moment arrived to hand out the net books.I was waiting and waiting,And waiting more,then finally we riped open the box and enjoyed it.
Our net books are really cool,we can play games on it,view blogs,and other fun stuff.We have our own e-mails,it is called Google docs,we are allowed to chat,and comment to them.
My reply:
How exciting!Hi, Robert! I am a college student at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama, United States. I absolutely love my net book. I have had mine for a few years. It's very cool that you received it from school. Do you get to do homework on it? I am going to be a teacher in a couple of years. Let me know how the net books work for your class. What do you want to be when you get older?
ts2011's Post:
I hope this heart may brighten up your world or somebodies world or my world. Share joy, love, peace, happiness, friendship, and loyalty. We need to make sure that you spread friendship loyalty
My Reply:
I am a college student at the University of South Alabama, in Mobile, majoring in Elementary Education. I really enjoyed reading your post. I, to enjoy hearts. I like to understand people’s feelings, and show people I care for them. You did an excellent job on your post!
I specifically listened to Episode #3 about "Roamin' with the Ancient Romans". The children seemed very interested in the Romans they discussed. When the kids are into it, it helps the audience pay closer attention. I thought the class did a very good job. I wish schools would of had this when I was in elementary school. If the teacher takes something that could be found boring, and makes it into a fun activity, the children will not only be interested, but they will remember it for a long time.
All of the mp3 audios were very educational and worth watching. Children are so fun. Most kids don't care what they're doing, as long as they can have fun with it. If they get to play dress up and do the talking themselves, they're going to be excited and into it.
This is an excellent video for why teachers should incorporate podcasting in the classroom. I'm not sure if podcasting is right for every teacher or for all age groups. However, I think if your students have trouble getting into a certain topic, you should consider putting them into groups and letting them make their own podcasts.
The teacher and principal in the video recommend this for teachers, students, and parents. It's great for teachers to record their lessons or assignments so if the student misses a day or the parent wants to know what's going on in the classroom, it can be at their fingertips. If you take the time to invest in it, I think you will be well pleased with its benefits.
As teachers, how do we know what to podcast and what to keep in the classroom? How can we use podcasts without going overboard? The Education Podcast Network gives educators the opportunity to share and search for ideas on what podcasting is and how to use it to their advantage.
The website gives you varying age groups and subjects. From elementary to high school and from visual arts to healthful living, the EPN is here to help. Teachers can use this as a tool to show their children how a podcast works until he/she feels the students are ready to make their own.
All of the above sources helped me learn that when I teach something that is new to me and the students, don't be afraid to look for help. These websites are terrific for learning how to teach and perform podcasts.
"Don't Teach Your Kids This Stuff. Please?" by Scott McLeod
I really enjoyed reading this post. The sarcasm and tone Mr. McLeod created was wonderful. I want parents and future educators to be open to change. Whether we like it or not, technology is changing the world. There are good and bad things about it, but if you take advantage of the privacy options, then your kids will be protected.
In the post, McLeod seems to have a really negative attitude towards technology; however, at the end of it, he is very real with the readers. I think he is stating that since he allows his children to be involved in technology, they will have a leg up in the long run. I agree with him. Whether we want to be involved with it or not, if we want to keep up with the world, we are almost required to.
Scott McLeod, J.D., Ph.D., is a professor at Iowa State University. He is one of the nation's leading academic experts on K-12 technology leadership issues, the director of CASTLE, a program dedicated to the technology needs of school administrators.
iSchool sounds like a great program. I really like the idea that when I become a teacher, I can have access to them via iTouch outside of the classroom. I think all schools should turn to this program, including colleges. It will teach the kids all the basic skills they need, just in a much more technologically advanced way.
Travis, thanks for this idea. I hope school administrators worldwide see this video and run with it. What a great way to revolutionize schools. I can't wait to see the change!
"The Lost Generation" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42E2fAWM6rA
This video was very creative and inspirational. I like how what seems to be said today, can be reversed by this generation making a conscious decision. It's up to this era. How we choose to live, what we choose to believe, and who we choose to commit ourselves to matters. Our children will need to know that, "Money will make you happy," is a lie! And our employers need to understand that our family comes before our job.
Some of the comments after the video are inspiring. One said they want to "be that one person, one to change everything." I;m excited to know that there are people who don't want to just follow the crowd, but instead want to lead it. I think if teachers instill this leadership into the children, our country could turn this world upside down.
Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir - 'Lux Aurumque'
This video was awesome. What I found so profound about it was the age range. One time I saw a little girl and before that I saw a much older lady. I find it incredible that an experienced and an amateur can sing in the same choir, actually, one that had never met before. 185 people of all races, cultures, and ages found a way to get together and perform. Not once did this group of people practice together in person. It was all over the internet.
It's very exciting to know that with the internet, there are no limits. If you can sing, you can find people who want to sing with you, even from another country. I love that regardless of your passion, popular or not, the internet gives us more opportunities than we could ever of imagined.
"Teaching In the 21st Century"
I think this video is very real to teachers everywhere. Skills are of the utmost importance. Without skills, children will have a hard time gaining a job when they become adults. This video opens my eyes to why I want to be a teacher. I don't want to be a typical teacher, I have a desire to make a difference in the lives of children. I want to teach them in the best way I know how. If that means I have to "tweet" their homework or "comment" on their facebooks, I will have to keep up with them.
"To teach" in the 21st century means to present the children with questions and assignments that are challenging. Teaching kids has changed a lot since I was in elementary school and will continue to change. The teacher must find a way to stay up to date with the world.
