Project 9b Timetoast Sister Elizabeth Kenny

Blog Assignment 6

1. I think this video is a perfect depiction of what education is becoming in the 21st century. Thanks to technology, students no longer need to learn straight out of a textbook. Instead, they can search countless places on the Internet to find information. Also, they can connect with experts on subject matter and learn directly from them. Students can gather this information and share it and communicate about it with others. It is very appropriate that they are called networked students.

I think that I would be prepared to be the teacher of networked students. If all of my students were out researching information, they would find many different views and opinions. This would help to instigate stimulating discussions and debates in my classroom. Students would expose themselves to multiple viewpoints rather than one side of the story as provided in textbooks. I would love if this kind of learning could take place in my classroom.

As for the question of why the networked student needs a teacher, I think the teacher has one of the most important jobs. Teachers are there to teach the students how to set up this type of learning environment. They help the students communicate effectively with others, including experts, and they teach them how to organize the good and bad information they receive. If it weren’t for the teachers, students may not get involved in this type of networking.

2. This 7th grader’s PLE is extremely detailed and set up very well. It is a lot like my PLN. Her PLE keeps her connected to her schoolwork, teachers, classmates, and various others. She communicates with people from around the world. Her PLE givers her freedom and makes her responsible for her own work that she is assigned. She doesn’t get to choose whether or not she has to do it, but she can choose when and how she does it. Some of the differences between her PLE and my PLN are the fact that she does not use Twitter to stay connected, whereas I do, and she is far more advanced with her PLE than I am with my PLN.

3. The authors of the two articles we were given to read criticized smartboards. They believed that they were wastes of money because you can do the same thing on a smartboard that you can do using other tools. One of these authors suggested that smartboards don’t allow students to cooperate in their learning if all the teacher does is lecture using the board. One blog I found that favored smartboards is the RSA Blog. This blog states that smartboards engage students more than regular chalk boards because teachers can liven up lectures with colors and fonts. It says that the smartboards are tools that are beneficial for both the students and the teachers. One main point that all three of these posts share is that unless teachers are trained to successfully use their smartboards, they are nothing more than expensive and useless equipment.

C4K Summary Post

C4K 1
Vernon is a 4th grade student in Ms. Naugle’s math class. He attends Bissonet Plaza Elementary, which is located in Metairie, Louisiana. The blog he wrote that I commented on was about a project that his class did with apples. He explained that the class was given red, green, and mixed colored apples, and that they cut the apples and counted the seeds inside. They made a chart to keep track of how many seeds were in each colored apple. Afterwards, the class was able to eat the apples. I told Vernon how I did a project like his when I was in elementary school and that I hoped he could do more fun projects in the future.

C4K 2
Two girls, Terina and Tauwhare, shared a report on a book called Caught by the Sea. It was about a woman who went diving with a friend, and then how everything went wrong. She and her friend were separated and the only way she survived was because she was wearing a life jacket. The two girls explained the importance of water safety because if something goes awry, the knowledge can save your life. I told them that I enjoyed listening to their podcast and they did a great job explaining the novel. I also thanked them for sharing the author’s message with us.

C4K 3
Dante is a 9 year-old boy at Pt. England School. His most recent post was about the Christchurch earthquake and the damage it had done. He included a few pictures of the destruction caused by the catastrophe as well as a link to a video showing the damages from a view in a helicopter. I first commented on Dante’s entire blog, which is quite impressive. Then, I told him that it was very kind of him that he wished he could help the people affected by the earthquake.

Project 9a Timetoast Timeline

Project 8 iPads in Education Podcast

Blog Assignment 5

The Eagles’ Nest Radio & Class Blog is a nicely put-together website. The students were very professional in each podcast and it seemed like they had a lot of fun while learning. The instructional podcasts were very informative and detailed. What I learned from these podcasts is all the ways I can present a topic through a podcast. It can be either formal or fun and casual.

The Benefits of Podcasting in the Classroom by Joe Dale is very helpful when it comes to podcasting. The video was great at explaining the advantages of having students use podcasts. It also described how to go about making your own podcast. Links were provided for step-by-step instructions which are always helpful. It taught me how I can use Audacity to make a podcast instead of using iMovie on a Mac.

Podcast Collection by Judy Scharf is a wonderful site to help people get started with their podcasts. It provides links to videos to show someone how to make a podcast. Also, she breaks the process down into steps and describes what to do, in detail, in every step. Furthermore, this site is a bonus for teachers who want to introduce podcasting to their students. She explains the steps students can take to learn how to use a podcast. She even provides an approximate amount of class periods it will take to completely learn about and create a podcast. Once again, this site taught me how to make a podcast using Audacity.

Blog Assignment 4

Don’t Teach Your Kids This Stuff. Please?

Dr. Scott McLeod is an Associate Professor at Iowa State University and the Director of CASTLE, which is a program dealing with technology in education. He has won countless awards for his work with technology leadership, and blogs about it regularly.

In Dr. McLeod’s post, he informed us of the importance of technology in a humorous manner. I have to agree with his message, that we should teach children about technology, rather than keep them away from it. Even though technology can be dangerous when used improperly, we should not eliminate it from our lives entirely. If we embrace technology and use it the right way, we will be better off for it.

iSchool Initiative

This student from Georgia offered a suggestion on how to solve some of the problems in the school system. He proposed the iSchool Initiative, which would cut out about $450 spent per student. Every student would receive an iTouch that would basically be used in every class because of the numerous applications programmed into the device. Also, the iTouches will have approved websites, so the students won’t be able to stray from their work.

I think the iSchool Initiative is a wonderful idea and should start being used in all schools. I like the fact that it will save paper, especially because too many classrooms end up wasting unfathomable amounts of it. Furthermore, I think it’s a great way to get students accustomed to technology, and they will probably enjoy school more if they have modern materials.

The Lost Generation

In the first part of this video, the words being read were depressing. It made me feel like there were no morals or any hope for this generation. But when the words were reversed, it completely changed everything. It was inspiring and hopeful.

I think the technique used in this video was very successful in getting the point across. The reversal of the words made the message entirely different. It shows how a full 180 degrees can change something so dramatically. I also thought it was interesting how the words weren’t even moved around, yet they still made perfect sentences backwards. Overall, I liked this video and the positive way of thinking that was expressed in the end.

Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choir

I thought this piece of work was absolutely beautiful! They all did such an amazing job. I wonder how long it took for them to put this together, since they never met. This presentation was performed perfectly and if all you could do was hear the music, you never would’ve been able to tell that not one of them was in the same room!

I think it’s so amazing what can now be done with technology. This was just done with the Internet, which I think is incredible. I never would have thought that something like this could be put together in this manner. Like I said before, they arranged a remarkable performance!

Teaching in the 21st Century

To begin, they are completely accurate that students can get information on any topic at anytime. Nearly everyone has the ability to find any fact they want anywhere they go. Resources are everywhere we go, mainly because now you can get on the Internet with your cell phone.

I think the video redefined “to teach” in the 21st century very well. They said that it is a teacher’s job to filter, which is appropriate because there is so much information available by other sources. But I think it still keeps its original meaning of actually teaching. Just because students can get the information elsewhere, it doesn’t mean that in reality they will go out to find it on their own.

My Sentence Video

Project 5

C4T

Summary 1

Mr. Burke is a physics teacher and I was assigned to follow his blog called “Quantum Progress.” My first comment was on his post about momentum conservation and long chains of reasoning. He posted a numbered list of an example of a chain of reasoning that his physics class was going to look at. It was about two cars colliding and what would happen in the aftermath with the forces.

In my comment to his post, I first introduced myself and gave him my contact information. I told him that his assignment sounded like a good one for his students and that the second part of it was a great, thought-provoking addition to the problem.

Summary 2

In Mr. Burke’s latest post, he described a project that one of his students became very interested in and took it upon herself to participate in it. The project is to design a weather balloon that can be sent into space. He goes on about the progress his student has made and the plans she has to finish the project and get others involved.

In response to this post, I told him how this coincides with the last EDM310 assignment, where we learned about encouraging creativity in the classrooms. I said that it was a perfect example of using creativity in schools. I wished him and his student luck with the project.

Blog Assignment 3

A Vision of Students Today

I think this video accurately depicts the lives of most college students. Or, at least, it seems about right compared to my college experience. I have to agree with many of what those students had to say. I spend a great deal of time doing things that have nothing to do with school, like watching television, listening to music, checking Facebook, etc. Also, it is true about the textbooks, spending hundreds of dollars for them and then barely opening them. However, it is also true that we are very fortunate for being able to get an education in order to better ourselves and our futures.
As for adding to this video, I cannot really think of anything in particular. I think the video gets the point across very well. I think the information was truthful and put together in a great way. It was a smart idea to have real college students providing the information in a classroom setting.

It’s Not About the Technology

I have to agree with what Mrs. Hines had to say in her blog. I agree that learning effectively does not have to come from technology. Although technology is currently playing a major role in education, it sometimes is not being used properly in order to get the best results. Just because the technology is available does not mean that it is helping students learn.

Mrs. Hines was correct in that teachers need to continue to learn with their students. They need to stay on top of new tools and technology, and they must know about their students and what is going on with them. Teachers need to learn how to successfully use new technology in order to teach their students. They must be open-minded so they can help their students learn the material they need to learn. So, without the proper teaching strategies by teachers, technology will not be useful in the classrooms.

Is It Okay to Be a Technologically Illiterate Teacher?

I liked what Mr. Fisch had to say in his post and I agree with him completely. Teachers should be technologically literate in this day and age. They must take responsibility for becoming proficient with technology.

It may have been okay in the last century to be technologically illiterate, but it is a necessity these days. With all this great technology coming out constantly, it can make learning so much more fun and interesting for both the students and the teachers. There is no excuse for a teacher to be technologically illiterate. Just because he or she is now a teacher that does not mean that they get to stop learning. They should keep up with the new technology and continue to educate themselves about it.

Social Media Count

It is amazing how much is being done on the computer every second by people all over the world. That just goes to show big of an impact technology has had on every person’s life. Whether the reason is for work, school, or fun, we spend so much time dealing with technology, especially computers.

I believe that, as teachers, we must find ways to incorporate this new technology into our teaching while still keeping it a learning environment. We should find techniques to use the technology to help our students learn as well as keep them interested in the material. With technology being as useful as it is in all other aspects of life, there is no reason that it can’t be just as helpful in education when used properly.

Blog Assignment 2

Did You Know
This video was shocking to me. Every piece of information that came up on the screen simply left me in awe. To start, it is sad that children in the United States are so far behind children in other countries academically. That just goes to show that America needs to put more of an emphasis on quality education. America should place a bigger importance on education, especially in the fields of math and science, which is what the other countries are excelling in.

Furthermore, the growth of technology is just phenomenal. Technology has been able to reach so many people in many different forms, bringing tons of new information across the globe. Society has come a long way since previous centuries. It is amazing how fast new technology is popping up and how we keep finding new uses for it in everything that we do.

Mr. Winkle Wakes
I have to agree and disagree with this video. I agree with the part that things have changed significantly in the last hundred years, which is quite obvious. It can be a little overwhelming to see how technology has affected every aspect of our lives today. I think it would interesting to see what would happen if we could not use the technology for one day. It would probably be pretty chaotic.

The major point that I have to disagree with is the fact that education hasn’t changed. I believe it has changed greatly. I do not believe that computers are rarely used in education and are gathering dust in the back of the classroom. I think that computers are being incorporated more and more in most of the classrooms. Even when they are not in the classrooms, computer labs exist in the schools where teachers are able to bring their students. Especially in college, it is nearly impossible to attend school and do all the work without the use of a computer.

Harness Your Students’ Digital Smarts
I think what this teacher is doing with her students is a wonderful idea. It seems like such a great program to participate in, especially when you are still in high school. It helps the students learn about all types of digital systems and programs so they will be more proficient when they go out in the world.

The other thing I found interesting about this class was that it connected students from around the world. So, not only did the class introduce the concepts of all types of technology, but it also taught about other cultures and gave the students an opportunity to explore the other cultures by traveling for conferences. This class was a marvelous addition to the Georgia school, and should be implemented in many more of the schools across the country.

Cecilia Gault Interview
In response to this article and video, I would have to agree with Sir Robinson. I think it would be beneficial to encourage more creativity in schools. If creativity was emphasized in schoolwork more often, then perhaps students would be more intrigued and interested in learning. This could then influence them to stay in school rather than drop out.

In my classroom, what I can do is try to find different ways to teach math that are more creative. I can find ways to encourage my students to be creative. Even with math, teachers can be creative with assignments and teaching methods to make sure the students succeed. I can make the subject fun so that my students don’t get bored or sick of doing math.

The Importance of Creativity
Sir Ken Robinson gave a wonderful lecture on the importance of creativity. He made a very convincing argument, in my opinion. Not only did he deliver his speech to make his point, he also made the speech enjoyable and entertaining. However, I do not completely agree with all that he had to say.

I do agree with him that creativity is important, and that some people are just born to do something in the arts. I also agree that it should be an important aspect in school curriculum. However, I disagree with the idea that it should be just as important as other subjects. I think that, because students in foreign countries are already surpassing us academically, subjects such as math and science should be stressed more than the arts.

Wordle Post

Blog Post 1

My name is Alexandra Maniaci, but everyone calls me Alex. I am twenty years old and was born in Cortland, New York. I lived there for fourteen years until my family and I moved to Titusville, Florida. I lived in Titusville for about two and a half years until we moved to Athens, Alabama. I chose to attend USA because I was offered a scholarship. I am majoring in Secondary Mathematics Education, but being a teacher is just a backup plan.

I have two older sisters, a twin sister, a step-sister, and a step-brother. My twin sister also attends USA and is majoring in Computer Science. Some of my interests include watching television and movies, reading, spending time with family and friends, eating, shopping, and wasting time on the computer.