C4T Post #3

For the past 2 weeks I have been assigned to Jennifer Brokofsky's blog. Her blog is called A Work in Progress.
Last week I commented on a post entitled Purposeful Practice. In this post, Jennifer discusses her children's sports practices and how often they are required to practice. Jennifer suggests that if children practiced school work as much as they did sports then they would not have as much difficulty in school. Also, she says that children should be encouraged, even when they make mistakes. She also says that there is no such thing as perfect practice and children need to understand that no one expects them to be perfect.
In my comment I said that I agree with her post. I also said that I feel it is very important to encourage children and make sure they understand that it is okay to make mistakes. I hope when I become a teacher I can motivate my students and encourage them to always do their best.

This week I commented on a blog post called The Mad Minute-A Tragic Tale of Defeat and Remorse. In this post, she tells the story of a young preparing to take a timed math quiz and feeling defeated in the end because she did not do well on the quiz. The girl asked the teacher why they have to take the timed assessment (called the Mad Minute) and the teacher responds by saying the Mad Minute makes the kids learn their math basics. When the young girl grows up, she becomes a teacher and has her students do the same Mad Minute exercise. She realizes that the Mad Minute is not a good idea because it leaves the students feeling defeated and frustrated. She goes on to say that teachers need to assess children, not just use one tool to evaluate them. She also says that teaching math (or any subject for that matter) is about developing student competence as well as confidence.
In my comment, I said that I had a similar timed assessment when I was younger and I was always the student who left feeling defeated. I said I also feel that teachers need to make sure their students leave the classroom every day feeling motivated and confident in their work.

C4K Summary #2

C4K #6- Last week I commented on Dylan's blog. Dylan is a fourth grade student. His post was very short because he was sick and stayed home from school. He made up a poem about how sick he was and how much he hated to be sick. In my comment, I told him that I hate being sick too. I also told him that his poem was very creative and I hope that he was feeling better.

C4K 7- This week I commented on Emma's post. Emma is a seventh grader from Canada. In her post, Emma lists "7 Random Facts" about herself. Among her facts are her favorite colors, her favorite animals, how many animals she has, and what she likes to do. Her favorite colors are blue, brown, turquoise, and aqua. Her favorite animals are panda bears, giraffes, and bunnies. She said that she has a ton of fish and she has 2 chickens and 2 bunnies. She also said she has 2 forests in her backyard and 1 forest in her front yard. She also said that she has a trampoline.
In my comment, I told Emma that I have a goldfish named Roger and I used to have a black and white rabbit named Oreo. I also told her that I love the colors turquoise and aqua too. I told her that I have a trampoline as well and I love to jump on it. I also told her that my dog even likes to jump on our trampoline. I asked her what kind of fish she has and told her to keep up the great work.

Project 14

Project 11

Blog Assignment #8

This is How We Dream, Parts 1&2:
In this video, Dr. Richard Miller gave an amazing presentation on how technology is being used and how it could be used in teaching. I was amazed while watching his presentation. So many fascinating things can be done with technology; the possibilities truly are endless. Technology opens so many doors for teachers and students alike.
In the video, Dr. Miller talks about eliminating paper and pens altogether and having the students complete everything on the computer. This has already happened in many college classes (such as this one), but it is not so common in elementary/middle/high schools. I believe the elimination of paper and pen is a good idea, but will have to be introduced slowly. I think I am prepared to write with multimedia. I also think that once children get used to writing this way, they will be able to do it with little problems.
This new way of writing and learning also changes a teacher's role in the classroom. The internet holds any information a student might need; teachers are no longer a source of information for students. A teacher's role should be teaching students what is good information and what is bad information. Although the internet has endless information, not all of it is reliable. Students should be able to differentiate between reliable and unreliable information. That is where teachers come in.
I really enjoyed Dr. Miller's presentation. It was fascinating to watch him quickly demonstrate numerous possibilities that technology allows. I look forward to continuing to learn about technology and to one day bring it to my classroom.

Carly's Post
Carly's idea was very creative. I think that she really embraced Dr. Miller's idea of writing with multimedia. I really like her youtube playlist idea. Her post is well-written and grabs the attention of the reader immediately. I agree that some people are visual learners and do not like to read as much as someone else might like to. By using videos, it will get the children interested in the stories and make them want to learn more about them. Like Carly said, videos are not the only thing out there, we could also use podcasts and blogs as tools to motivate the students.

EDM310 is Different
I really enjoyed watching EDM310 for Dummies. The video was funny and entertaining. I have to admit, I have felt like the girls in the beginning of the video. EDM310 is a very different class than what I am used to taking. However, I am proud to say that I have learned so much from EDM310. Before this class, I thought Twitter was just a site that self-absorbed celebrities used, but now I see that Twitter can actually be used for educational purposes. I think the video was a great idea. It was a creative way to show us that if we stay positive and use the resources that have been provided to us, we will not have as much difficulty in this class. I would like to create a funny and entertaining video as well.

Learn to Change, Change to Learn
Learn to Change, Change to Learn  showed experienced educators discussing how much education has changed. Whether we like to admit it, change in education is necessary. Children need to be taught more about technology and social media networks because that is all that is around them. If they are not taught how to use social media networks and technology at school, they will have to learn it elsewhere. Isn't the purpose of going to school to learn? Children should not have to learn elsewhere, technology and social media should be incorporated into school so they will be prepared for the "real world" when they complete school. One of the teachers on the video said that kids are getting a more stimulating experience outside of school than they are at school. This should not be the case, but unfortunately it is in so many circumstances. By bringing social media networks and other technology to school, children will learn so much more and have a stimulating experience inside of the classroom. When I become a teacher, I want my students to enjoy learning and I want to encourage them to be creative and have fun.

Scavenger Hunt
Using Discovery Education Web 20.11, we were assigned to do a scavenger hunt. Here is what I found:
1) We were asked to find the tool that was used to create Teaching in the 21st Century. The website I believe was used is called Prezi. Prezi can turn ordinary presentations into something that is more enjoyable to watch than just plain slides. The pricing that Prezi offers to teachers is free for a package called EDU enjoy or $59 a year for a package called EDU pro. The free package only offers 500MB worth of storage space, while the 59 dollar package offers 2 GB worth of storage. Also, the 59 dollar package offers Prezi desktop, which allows you to work on presentations without an internet connection. If a teacher wanted to use Prezi for several projects, I would highly recommend getting the 59 dollar package.

2) We were asked to find a video tool that we have never used. I have never used Gizmoz.com. The website looks very interesting. You can upload a photo of your face and create an online avatar with it. You can decide what kind of body and clothes your avatar has. It looks like a lot of fun to create and avatar.

3) We were to create a poll. I used Polleverywhere.com. Here is my poll:

Build television sms voting polls at Poll Everywhere

Project 12-Book Trailer

Project 9B

My PLN...

I have to be honest and say that before I watched the assigned videos, I was not exactly sure what a PLN was or how it could be useful. However, after watching the videos, I see that a PLN can be a very useful tool. I like that all my information can be so organized and on one screen. So far, I have created my webmix and I am in the process of adding contacts and websites to it. My PLN is not as advanced as the 7th grader's is in the video. However, I am looking forward to learning more about the PLN and how to use it.

C4T Post #2

David Wees 
David Wees' blog is called 21st Century Educator. The blog post I commented on was entitled "What is the Purpose of Social Media?". In his blog post, David discusses different social media websites, such as Twitter, and their use in the classroom. He goes on to say that the #edchat channel has been overtaken by advertisements and off topic links. He refers to this clutter as "noise" on the internet. David continues by saying computers are a very powerful tool in the classroom. However, he believes people should use social media networks for their intended purpose and not as a source for advertisement.
In my comment, I said that I agree that the links and advertisements on the internet have gotten out of control. I also agreed that computers can be powerful tools; however, I also believe that students often get too distracted by social media networks. I also agreed that people should use the social media networks for their intended purposes and do their best to cut back on making too much "noise" on the internet.

Blog Assignment #7

The Networked Student    
I enjoyed watching The Networked Student, I like how the video was set up. Before taking this class and watching this video, I had never heard of a Personal Learning Network (PLN). At first, I was not sure if I would like the idea of a PLN, but after watching Wendy Drexler's video, I see why a PLN is so useful. The internet opens up so many possibilities for students today. I do not think about how much technology has changed learning because I am so used to it. However, even though I have grown up with computers and technology, there is still so much I do not know.
The video asks "why does a networked student need a teacher". The video does a nice job in answering this question. I networked student needs a teacher to show him/her how to create his/her PLN. Also, the teacher can provide guidance and advice. The video also points out that a teacher is there to help the networked student learn how to differentiate between good information and propaganda. I think that is the most important job of a teacher of a networked student because the internet is full of false information.
I believe I am ready to be a teacher to a networked student. However, while I think the PLN idea is useful, I also believe it should be toned down a bit for elementary students. I agree that elementary students should know how to use the internet. I also agree that they should learn from other resources-not just books. I just think that the Personal Learning Network should start in middle or high school. Overall, I really enjoyed Ms. Drexler's video and I look forward to creating my PLN.

Blog Assignment #6

Randy Pausch Last Lecture:
I really enjoyed watching Randy Pausch's Last Lecture. It is obvious that Dr. Pausch really enjoyed life; he only had a short time left to live and he was more optimistic than many people who are perfectly healthy. He said one thing at the beginning of is lecture that really stuck out to me, he said "experience is something you get when you don't get what you wanted". I like this quote because people often forget to look on the bright side when they do not get everything they want. The truth is, what we want might not always be what is best for us.
Dr. Pausch had three parts to his lecture: achieving his childhood dreams, helping others achieve their dreams, and lessons learned. He showed us how he achieved most of his dreams. One of his dreams was to play for the NFL. Although he never made it to the NFL, he said he learned so much more from football than he would have if he actually made it the NFL. He brought up the term "head fake", which means indirectly teaching someone something. I think "head fakes" are an extremely important part of education. Teachers can teach kids so many life lessons without the children even realizing it. In the end of his lecture, Dr. Pausch said the head fake of his lecture was that it's not about how to achieve your dreams, it's about how to live your life. His lecture did show us how to live an amazing life.
Dr. Pausch discussed a course he taught for ten years called building virtual worlds. He let the students have the freedom of coming up with their own ideas. He admitted that the students blew him away the first time he saw their virtual reality world, however, he also told them that he knew they could do better next time. This is a crucial key to teaching. Teachers should encourage children by telling them they did a good job, but at the same time, push them to do better. Dr. Pausch was pushing his students to take it to the next level and be even more creative.
I really enjoyed watching his last lecture. It is very sad that such a wonderful and inspirational man left the world so early. It is clear to see that Dr. Randy Pausch lived a very fulfilling life in his short time here. His last lecture has inspired millions of people since he recorded it. Dr. Pausch will continue to live on through that video.

My Sentence Video

C4K Summary

C4K #1- For my first C4K post I was assigned to an 8th grader named Haley. Haley goes to school in New Zealand. The blog post I commented on was a story that Haley has written. The story is about a girl named Michelle who loves to swim. Michelle's number one enemy is Miranda. Michelle and Miranda are both on the swim team at school. Michelle always comes in second to Miranda, until one day she finally beats her. Miranda does not believe that Michelle can beat her again, so she challenges her to another race. The girls agree to meet on Saturday morning at the beach. Once the girls start racing, a shark attacks both of the girls. Michelle is rushed to the hospital and later discovers that Miranda has died. After Michelle discovers that Miranda is gone, she realizes that she really did like having her around. Michelle also realizes that it was pointless for her and Miranda to always argue over swimming.
In my comment, I told Haley that this a very moving story and that it really makes a person think. I also said that I believe the moral is to always be nice to people because you never know when they will be gone. I also told Haley that I thought she did a great job with writing the story. I also asked her if she has written any more stories.

C4K #2- For my second C4K assignment, I was assigned to another 8th grader named Skinner. In his post, Skinner talked about what he did over the past weekend. He said he had to go to his brother's baseball game and his own swim meet. He said he loves to swim, play soccer, and play baseball. He said on Sunday, the whole family just relaxed around the house. He also said he read a few pages from a book that he was assigned to read. He said he really enjoyed reading because books can take you anywhere in the world.
In my comment, I told him that I do not really like sports that much, but I did used to be on the softball team at school. I also told him I like to swim, but not as a sport. I also told him I love to read too and that I love books because anything can happen in them. I also asked him what his favorite book was.

C4K #3- For my third C4K assignment, I was assigned to and 8th grader named Zack. Zack is from Canada. In his blog post, Zack described a video chat he had with an 8th grader from New Orleans. Zack said that the 8th grader from New Orleans told him about the tradition of Mardi Gras.  He said that they have king cakes and zulu coconuts for good luck. Zack also talked about the gold doubloons that are thrown. He said that eight million beads are thrown during New Orleans' Mardi Gras season! He aslo said that visitors come from all around the country to see New Orleans Mardi Gras.
I really liked commenting on this post because it involved Mardi Gras. In my comment, I told Zack that not many people realize that Mobile is the birthplace of Mardi Gras. I also told him that Mardi Gras is a big deal in Mobile, we just do not get as many visitors as New Orleans does. I told him about the king cakes we have here and how they hide a little plastic baby in them. I also said that people throw the gold doubloons here too.   I told him I was not familiar with the zulu coconut and that we do not have them here in Mobile. I also told him that some people even put up Mardi Gras trees during Mardi Gras season.

C4K #4- For my fourth C4K, I was assigned to a 5th grader from Iowa. The students use numbers to identify themselves instead of their names. Therefore, I do not know his or her name. The student I was assigned to posted a letter he/she wrote to his/her parents. In the letter, the student argues that kids should get an allowance. He/she says that it would be cheaper to give kids an allowance so they could pay for their own stuff. The student says that, according to kidsmoney.org, kids of different ages should get different amounts every week. The student goes on to say that a child under the age of 5 should get a dollar per week, a 12 year old should get six dollars per week, and a 17 year old should get seventy-eight dollars per week! The student also says it would save the parents money because kids could pay for themselves at the movies, at restaurants, and they could pay for their own field trips.
In my comment, I said that the letter was very informative and persuasive. I also liked that the student backed up his/her point with a reference. I told him/her that I thought it is a good idea to give children at different ages different amounts of money. However, I did say that I believe $78 a week for a seventeen year old is a bit much! I told the student that he/she did a good job writing the letter, and I hope his/her took the points into consideration!