Monday, March 14, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Journal 5 NETS-T 3d
Boehmer, C. (2011, February). Brain training with video games. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-february-march-2011.aspx
What a great article to read! It seems as though this information is shocking news to some, however, I was thinking it was more like common sense finally coming out in people. I grew up playing Nintendo and Sega, which seem all too ancient these days. I was feeling like I could take on the video games and the even more complicated controllers. After attempting to keep up with my younger cousins on the cool video games out today, I was quite emberassed. I had my 7 year old cousin telling me how to make moves and which routes to take and weapons to use.
The article focuses on developing the underlying mental process. Some of the skills mentioned are: attention skills, visualization, sequential processing, ability to see patterns an understanding relationships. Why not incorporate video games in schools? Seems like a no brainer when you ask me. Tests were done and results showed significant improvement in students who were "falling behind" and scoring low on tests. Video games help students think and solve problems as well as overcome difficulties. Great Article! Loved it!
Q1: Why do you think some would be hesitant to let video games in schools?
A1: I think some would be hesitant because they assume that video games mean nonsense. It is those people who need to sit down and actually try to play a video game that involves strategy and problem solving. I think most would be amazed at how developed these games have become.
Q2: How can video games help students who struggle?
A1: As I mentioned before, I think that there is more thinking involved when playing games. Students would be able to practice their underlying mental processes such as, attention to details, taking notes if need be, and understanding relationships. These skills are transferable into other areas such as math, science and reading.
What a great article to read! It seems as though this information is shocking news to some, however, I was thinking it was more like common sense finally coming out in people. I grew up playing Nintendo and Sega, which seem all too ancient these days. I was feeling like I could take on the video games and the even more complicated controllers. After attempting to keep up with my younger cousins on the cool video games out today, I was quite emberassed. I had my 7 year old cousin telling me how to make moves and which routes to take and weapons to use.
The article focuses on developing the underlying mental process. Some of the skills mentioned are: attention skills, visualization, sequential processing, ability to see patterns an understanding relationships. Why not incorporate video games in schools? Seems like a no brainer when you ask me. Tests were done and results showed significant improvement in students who were "falling behind" and scoring low on tests. Video games help students think and solve problems as well as overcome difficulties. Great Article! Loved it!
Q1: Why do you think some would be hesitant to let video games in schools?
A1: I think some would be hesitant because they assume that video games mean nonsense. It is those people who need to sit down and actually try to play a video game that involves strategy and problem solving. I think most would be amazed at how developed these games have become.
Q2: How can video games help students who struggle?
A1: As I mentioned before, I think that there is more thinking involved when playing games. Students would be able to practice their underlying mental processes such as, attention to details, taking notes if need be, and understanding relationships. These skills are transferable into other areas such as math, science and reading.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Journal 4 NETS-T: 4a
Schaffhauser, D. (2010, December 01). It's time to trust teacher's with the internet: a conversation with meg ormiston. Retrieved from http://thejournal.com/articles/2010/12/01/its-time-to-trust-teachers-with-the-internet-a-conversation-with-meg-ormiston.aspx?sc_lang=en
I really found this article interesting. To have technology boundaries and limits is important but, as Ormiston says, "blocks learning". I would agree that we shouldn't have to block everything on the internet except for of course the obvious, pornography and maybe some social networking sites such as Facebook, that could be very distracting to students.
We must teach our youth to be smart decision makers and learn how to choose right from wrong. Ormiston also points out that these kids aren't being protected like we would like to think they are, they don't live in a bubble people. These kids are still being exposed to things outside of school, however, we can at least teach them how to make better decisions even when there is temptation around. By allowing kids to explore the internet at school, in a supervised environment, raises the chances of these kids learning how to explore other interesting and learning tools offered by the internet.
I would also agree that as Educators, it is important to get a better understanding of the internet and not relying solely on the IT dude. Educators should take further classes to explore the great things technology has to offer without feeling like they will be shut down for the efforts and not given a chance to use the new tools they have learned in their classrooms.
Q:1:What are some things offered by the internet you would use in your classroom?
A:1: The article mentioned You Tube as having some cool learning videos. I would create a project where students could make a video, that would teach the rest of the class something. It could be anything from building, to cooking, or painting.
Q:2: What are some ways you could help students make better decisions on how to use the internet?
A:2: I would try to look up as many cool games and interesting things that would interest kids. There are many fun learning games such as the freerice game, available online that serve a great purpose. I think that kids could learn a lot and feel connected to other students around the world by accessing those tools and games. So my goal would be to really expose my kids to as much information as possible to get them interested in all kinds of things.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Journal #2- NETS-T: 2a
In the article, "Join the Flock!", Ferguson uncovers the advantages to joining the "twitter" team. I personally strongly agreed with the part focused on creating a community of individuals who are learning together. I will admit that before taking this course and reading this article, I wasn't very impressed or too excited in joining twitter. I was trying to avoid being "sucked in". However, I must say that now I am beginning to see the advantages of such a system if used the appropriate way. I also like the 140 character limit so that "there isn't much room to make a fool of yourself", that is genius. It allows people to not beat around the bush with nonsense and get straight to the point. We are all busy and sometimes, often times, less is more anyway. Especially when leaving a link to something cool you discovered. It allows for others to form their own opinions rather than just reading about yours. I think hash tags are pretty useful. It creates an even more intimate community where a certain group can talk even deeper about a particular subject. I have become a fan of twitter and have already come across some pretty cool information and links. I am excited to possibly use this as a tool in the classroom =)
Q:1: How would you incorporate Twitter into your classroom?
A:1: I would let students share any cool videos, pictures or ideas on a particular subject covered in class during that time. I think that it is a great way for students to share information and learn from each other.
Q:2: In what ways could your teaching be improved through Twitter?
A:2: By using hash tags, I could have groups work together. For group projects this would be most helpful when passing information between only a selected few students rather than having the entire class receive information that is not relevant to a particular project.
Journal #1 NETS-T: 2c
Light, D. (2011). Do web 2.0 right. Learning and Leading with Technology, Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Libraries/Leading_and_Learning_Docs/February-2011-Do-Web-20-Right.sflb.ashx
The article on Learning and Leading with Technology was interesting. I think it would be a "no brainer" to most in determining if technology is helpful to have in the classroom.
The article talks about daily practice in the classrooms. I think with technology these days it is important for students just to get aquanted with a computer and how to work with it. Teachers did stress that it was difficult to get meaningful blogs from students, but I guess some of that would depend on the age group you are working with. If students are less likely to post something because of emberassment or fear, then a solution would be to leave the posts anonymous which leads to the next topic of, appropriate audience. I like the idea of giving students the option, but not forcing them to post their blogs so that all can see. This creates a sense of trust, that in my opinion, would help the student open up and write his/her thoughts exactly how they feel without most of the fear of judgment from other peers. Appropriate behavior is a concern. Because of the access to internet, student must be supervised and stay on task when using technology.
Q:1: What would be key in keeping students engaged and interested in projects and blogs?
A:1: I think that no matter what, it will be challenging to keep students on task and interested, especially at a younger age, however, I think that by creating an environment of individuality and creativity and uniqueness, would help tremendously. I would like to incorporate a lot of creativity into the classroom and go outside of the norm. I would encourage students, and hold a classroom environment whose focus, on embracing differences.
Q:2: In what ways is technology a powerful tool to have in class?
A:2: I think that by incorporating technology and blogs into the classroom, could successfully result in a better connection and bond with teacher/student and peer to peer. I think that we forget that part of the learning process is not only the various subjects we must learn like math, but also the social aspect. We must learn how to communicate with each other effectively and learn from one another. In other countries, peer to peer bonds are highly focused on. I believe that with the help of technology, it can encourage some to come out of their "shell" and begin the communication process, even if through a computer, it is a start in the right direction.
The article on Learning and Leading with Technology was interesting. I think it would be a "no brainer" to most in determining if technology is helpful to have in the classroom.
The article talks about daily practice in the classrooms. I think with technology these days it is important for students just to get aquanted with a computer and how to work with it. Teachers did stress that it was difficult to get meaningful blogs from students, but I guess some of that would depend on the age group you are working with. If students are less likely to post something because of emberassment or fear, then a solution would be to leave the posts anonymous which leads to the next topic of, appropriate audience. I like the idea of giving students the option, but not forcing them to post their blogs so that all can see. This creates a sense of trust, that in my opinion, would help the student open up and write his/her thoughts exactly how they feel without most of the fear of judgment from other peers. Appropriate behavior is a concern. Because of the access to internet, student must be supervised and stay on task when using technology.
Q:1: What would be key in keeping students engaged and interested in projects and blogs?
A:1: I think that no matter what, it will be challenging to keep students on task and interested, especially at a younger age, however, I think that by creating an environment of individuality and creativity and uniqueness, would help tremendously. I would like to incorporate a lot of creativity into the classroom and go outside of the norm. I would encourage students, and hold a classroom environment whose focus, on embracing differences.
Q:2: In what ways is technology a powerful tool to have in class?
A:2: I think that by incorporating technology and blogs into the classroom, could successfully result in a better connection and bond with teacher/student and peer to peer. I think that we forget that part of the learning process is not only the various subjects we must learn like math, but also the social aspect. We must learn how to communicate with each other effectively and learn from one another. In other countries, peer to peer bonds are highly focused on. I believe that with the help of technology, it can encourage some to come out of their "shell" and begin the communication process, even if through a computer, it is a start in the right direction.
Technology Self-Assessment: School 2.0
I chose NETS-T #1. I chose this particular standard to investigate because I strongly believe in finding different ways outside the norm to help educate children. I think we are becoming to robotic in our ways and need to refocus on individuality of a child and not take that away from him/her style of learning. I also believe that we need to make more things available for the child to explore his/her talents and shine in something that they are good at.
What a powerful speech about creativity. Sir Ken Robinson made some interesting points that I strongly agree with.
“All kids have tremendous talents and we squander them”, public education holds math and humanities at the top and art and music in the bottom. Some children may not be the best at any one of the subjects so highly focused on in the system, but that does no mean that they must have a learning disability. I liked the example he used of the woman who had choreographed Cats, back when she was in school around the 1930’s her teachers had spoken with her mother concerned that she had a learning disability. She went to seek help, when the counselor noticed there was nothing wrong with her other than she learned in a different manner than other kids. Some people have to move to think. Her mother stuck her in a dance class, and she later became a multi-millionaire.
I agree with Robinson in that there are many gifts of human imagination and we must learn to educate our children’s “whole being”.
Kids are not afraid to be wrong or make mistakes, until it is “educated” out of them. The system has taught us as adults to be afraid of making mistakes, which in turn, hinders human creativity. We need to rethink the view of intelligence.
Loved this video!!! I recommend all future educators to watch =)
Monday, February 14, 2011
Journal 3 100 things that make me Happy! =)
1.sun
2.beach
3.waves
4.sunsets
5.sunrises
6.sand between my toes
7.running on the beach
8.happy hour
9.avocado crab salad from Dini’s
10.macaroni dish from Elephant Bar
11.mango iced tea
12.mom
13.dad
14.sisters
15.niece Alaina
16.niece Natalee
17.Marc future husband
18.Bruno the pet dog
19.australian cattle dogs
20.bulldogs
21.mastifs
22.snow
23.snowboarding
24.the beach bar at Big Bear
25.live music
26.amos lee
27.jack Johnson
28.dave matthews band
29.sleeping in
30.clean sheets
31.new socks
32.new sweatshirt
32.new sweatpants
33.ice cream sandwiches
34.mint n chip ice cream
35.hot fudge sundaes with brownies
36.froyo
37.traveling
38.thailand
39.monkeys
40.elephant riding
41.baby tigers
42.new foods
43.thai food
44.yellow curry
45.coke
46.skinny vanilla latte
47.black ice tea
48.soy chai latte
49.brownies
50.chocolate chip cookies
51.oreo cookies
52.girl scout cookies
53.thin mints
54.somoas
55.peanut butter
56.peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
57.movies
58.warm blankets fresh out of the dryer
59.slippers
60.smiles
61.walks on the beach
62.hiking
63.wake boarding
64.laying out in the sun
65.brigantine taco Tuesday
66.buffalo tacos from the Brigantine
67.fish tacos from the Brigantine
68.hot tea with honey
69.tamales
70.cupcakes
71.sprinkled cupcakes
72.BJ’s restaurant
73.Dessert from BJ’s with cookie and ice cream
74.beer
74.new castle
75.negro modelo
76.corona
77.merlot
78.cabernet
79.field hockey
80.coaching
81.tutoring
82.teaching
83.learning
84.working with kids
85.road trips
86.Palm Springs
87.lake tahoe
88.las vegas
89.encinitas
90.strawberry smoothies
91.twix
92.chococolate kisses
93.snickers
94.almond joys
95.almonds
96.craisins
97.icees
98.hot dogs
99.nachos
100.churros =)
Monday, January 24, 2011
Meet Rosie B.
Where am I on the technology continuum? Well, I would say I can get by or find a way to figure things out, however, I know my life could probably be a little easier if I learn to take full advantage of what technology has to offer. I have been using Mac for a few years now and am really happy I made the switch. I look forward to learning how to be more computer savy.
After reading the College of Education Mission Statement, I strongly agree with it all. I especially like the part about transforming public education by preparing thoughtful educators and advancing professional practices. I believe that as future Educators, we must constantly grow and be willing to adapt and remain open-minded. I feel that technology will bring many helpful ways/ideas/methods to teach and learn. I look forward to working with technology services in the future as a Speech Therapist.
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