Eagle’s Nest Radio and Class Blog
This was several different podcasts that were done by a third grade class. These were very interesting podcasts. The first one was the third grade class teaching us about Rome. I learned many facts I didn’t know about Rome like the fact that Cleopatra was not Egyptian, she was actually from Rome. I thought the music in the background went well with each kid and their tone of voice. I really enjoyed listening to this.
The second podcast this third grade class created was called Totally Terrific Time Travel with Explorers. I liked the effects in this podcast. When Lizzie went on to give her vocabulary lesson there was an echo. It was just enough to make effects, but not too much to annoy the listener.
The third podcast created was called Take a BITE Out of Shark Facts. I love how enthusiastic the kids are and they keep me listening. Most third graders are shy, but these kids seem very smart and mature. I really love their podcasts and I will be using theirs as examples.
Lastly, the final podcast was an interview called A Shark-tastic Interview where she interviewed a shark expert named Mr. Ward. The little girl doing the interview asked many great questions and the class responded well to Mr. Ward’s answers. These kids are very intelligent and I learned so much from all of their podcasts.
Podcast Collection by: Judy Scharf
This information from Judy Scharf was very informative and helpful. She tells what a podcast is exactly and it is a combination between a “broadcast” and an iPod. I have seen the podcast option on my iTunes and I never really knew what it was. Not only does she tell us what a Podcast is, she gives links to show how to use it as well as tips. Not only is this helpful for everyday knowledge about Podcasts, it will be extremely helpful when making the Podcasts for this class.
100 Ways to Use you iPod to Learn and Study better
I found this extremely enlightening because I had no idea you could do all this with your iPod. My group’s topic for our Podcast is using an iPad in schools. This list of 100 ways to use it to learn and study from is so helpful. Even though Sparknotes was number one on the list it really grabbed my attention. The women that wrote this is right when she says Sparknotes are a student’s best friend. I used Sparknotes more in high-school than I used my textbooks. I loved this because I now know so many new things about the iPad.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Additional Assignment #1
A. and B. Google Squared and WolframAlpha provide so many educational implications. My biggest pet peeve is when I search for something and I get thousands of results that have nothing to do with what I searched for. These two search engines were so helpful in that they were quick and found exactly what I was looking for. Research papers obviously require research, with these two search engines the stress of finding results you’re unsure of or can’t trust doesn’t exist anymore.
C and D. Before this assignment I did not know either of these search engines even existed. I’ve never heard of them and I’m actually thankful for this assignment because I really like using these search engines.
E. My thoughts didn’t really change about the “Did you know?” video. I thought it was insane about China and India but I did take into consideration the sizes of the two countries.
F. I learned that when you look at statistics you can’t just look at, for example, population numbers. You have to look at the size of the location as well. You have to take all numbers into consideration, not just the certain number you’re looking at.
Food for Thought Post: I think it is pretty amazing that a 6 year old was able to use an iPad. I think iPad and iTouches are great for learning and easy to use, obviously.
C and D. Before this assignment I did not know either of these search engines even existed. I’ve never heard of them and I’m actually thankful for this assignment because I really like using these search engines.
E. My thoughts didn’t really change about the “Did you know?” video. I thought it was insane about China and India but I did take into consideration the sizes of the two countries.
F. I learned that when you look at statistics you can’t just look at, for example, population numbers. You have to look at the size of the location as well. You have to take all numbers into consideration, not just the certain number you’re looking at.
Food for Thought Post: I think it is pretty amazing that a 6 year old was able to use an iPad. I think iPad and iTouches are great for learning and easy to use, obviously.
Blog Post 4
Don’t teach your kids this stuff. Please? By Scott Mcleod
After reading Dr. Mcleod’s blog about “not” teaching your kids or students to use technology, I completely agree with him. I love how sarcastic he is because I too am very sarcastic. Kids need to learn these crazy things about technology and they need to learn as early as possible. This is because technology changes so fast, when something new comes out kids should immediately start to use it. Technology is the key to the future and without learning about it, kids will not be as successful as they are capable of being.
Dr. Mcleod is an Associate Professor of Educational Administration at Iowa State University and the Director of the UCEA Center for the Advancement Study of Technology in Education (CASTLE). He also is the creator of the “Did you know?” video we watched in a previous blog assignment. I actually really enjoyed that video, it had some crazy facts.
The iSchool initiative
Travis Allen is a 17 year old at a public high-school in Georgia. He starts off by saying he has a solution to the problem in public school systems. He asks the question of “Does technology belong in our classroom?” I think he answered his own question as yes and thoroughly explained why. He says it will change the face of public education which is much needed in Mobile County.
He made some extremely ideal points for the idea of an ischool. His estimated amount of money saved is $600 a student. I believe an ischool would actually save more money than $600 a student. All the apps he mentioned on the itouch are great for the classroom. The problem I have with this is that there are thousands of apps that aren’t good for a classroom, but students who are easily distracted can make use of them in the classroom, which wouldn’t be a good thing. Another problem about apps like Calendar or Classics is that many students, like me, are more of hands on. I like to write my assignments and write my notes. I could bring my laptop to class and take notes and I would probably get a lot more written down or typed if I did this, but writing it is a study method as well. The same goes for when I write an assignment down, I tend to remember it more so than when I type it. I think the ischool would be great for many students, but like I’ve said before in other blog posts, not all students learn the same. And to answer the question of “Does technology belong in our classroom?” I believe it is yes, to a certain point. Not an entire school though.
The Lost Generation Video
I agree completely with this video. I think when people tell us things and we don’t try to argue or give a rebuttal, and we just go a long with what they say, that’s how things will be. If we reverse what they say and prove them wrong, we can live our lives how we want rather than how someone else wants us to. I found this video to be very cool. I loved how when she reversed what she said the words stayed the same, but the statements were reversed. Genius.
Eric Whitaker’s Virtual Video
I actually hated this video. I don’t believe this use of the internet is good. If I want to hear this and see this I feel like it would be much more rewarding actually going to a theater and hearing it. Don’t get me wrong, this is intelligent and amazing that technology can actually do these things, but again, I didn’t like it. This reminds me of watching a music channel on TV and seeing your favorite artist in concert. It just isn’t the same actually getting tickets and going to see your favorite artist LIVE in concert. This was interesting, but I don’t believe this is what technology should be used for.
After reading Dr. Mcleod’s blog about “not” teaching your kids or students to use technology, I completely agree with him. I love how sarcastic he is because I too am very sarcastic. Kids need to learn these crazy things about technology and they need to learn as early as possible. This is because technology changes so fast, when something new comes out kids should immediately start to use it. Technology is the key to the future and without learning about it, kids will not be as successful as they are capable of being.
Dr. Mcleod is an Associate Professor of Educational Administration at Iowa State University and the Director of the UCEA Center for the Advancement Study of Technology in Education (CASTLE). He also is the creator of the “Did you know?” video we watched in a previous blog assignment. I actually really enjoyed that video, it had some crazy facts.
The iSchool initiative
Travis Allen is a 17 year old at a public high-school in Georgia. He starts off by saying he has a solution to the problem in public school systems. He asks the question of “Does technology belong in our classroom?” I think he answered his own question as yes and thoroughly explained why. He says it will change the face of public education which is much needed in Mobile County.
He made some extremely ideal points for the idea of an ischool. His estimated amount of money saved is $600 a student. I believe an ischool would actually save more money than $600 a student. All the apps he mentioned on the itouch are great for the classroom. The problem I have with this is that there are thousands of apps that aren’t good for a classroom, but students who are easily distracted can make use of them in the classroom, which wouldn’t be a good thing. Another problem about apps like Calendar or Classics is that many students, like me, are more of hands on. I like to write my assignments and write my notes. I could bring my laptop to class and take notes and I would probably get a lot more written down or typed if I did this, but writing it is a study method as well. The same goes for when I write an assignment down, I tend to remember it more so than when I type it. I think the ischool would be great for many students, but like I’ve said before in other blog posts, not all students learn the same. And to answer the question of “Does technology belong in our classroom?” I believe it is yes, to a certain point. Not an entire school though.
The Lost Generation Video
I agree completely with this video. I think when people tell us things and we don’t try to argue or give a rebuttal, and we just go a long with what they say, that’s how things will be. If we reverse what they say and prove them wrong, we can live our lives how we want rather than how someone else wants us to. I found this video to be very cool. I loved how when she reversed what she said the words stayed the same, but the statements were reversed. Genius.
Eric Whitaker’s Virtual Video
I actually hated this video. I don’t believe this use of the internet is good. If I want to hear this and see this I feel like it would be much more rewarding actually going to a theater and hearing it. Don’t get me wrong, this is intelligent and amazing that technology can actually do these things, but again, I didn’t like it. This reminds me of watching a music channel on TV and seeing your favorite artist in concert. It just isn’t the same actually getting tickets and going to see your favorite artist LIVE in concert. This was interesting, but I don’t believe this is what technology should be used for.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Blog Post 3
Michael Wesch: A video of students today
I think this video was quite intriguing. It definitely captures my college experiences. If I bring my laptop to class I usually do other things on it than take notes. When I’m sitting in an auditorium like the one in this video, it is much harder to learn. A classroom with, at most, 30 people is a better learning environment. Coming to South was a major wakeup call because my high-school was small and the classes only had 25 people in them. Every teacher knew my name and still knows who I am after being gone for 3 years. My teachers at South didn’t/ don’t know my name and it’s easy for me to skip class. I will graduate with more than $20,000 in debt. I spend way more time watching TV and playing on the internet than I do studying or going to class. I really enjoyed this video and I can relate to those students in many ways.
Its not about technology by: Kelly Hines
I have to agree with Mrs. Hines for the most part. We definitely don’t NEED these technologies in classrooms, but I do think they will make things run smoother and more can be taught. Mrs. Hines had some valid points in her argument, but the major point I agree with is that learning and teaching are not the same thing. Educators need to realize not all students learn at the same speed with the same techniques. Many students are visual learners, while others are not. If one student understood a concept one day but another student did not that does not mean the student that didn’t understand didn’t learn; it just wasn’t taught to he or she the right way. I agree with the fact that it is not all about the technology, it is about the teacher. If the teacher knows how to use the technology then the students will be ready for the future. As long as a teacher is using technology, but does not know exactly how to use it they are doing the students no good. Mrs. Hines had very good arguments and I can see why she believes it is not about the technology.
Karl Fisch: Is It Okay to Be A Technologically Illiterate Teacher?
Mr. Fisch’s blog really made me realize some things. I never really thought about the equivalence of a teacher today who is technology illiterate and a teacher 30 years ago not able to read or write. After hearing what all Mr. Fisch had to say, I completely agree with this statement. No one has ever been proud that he or she couldn’t read or write and today no one should be proud if they are technology illiterate. I have a lot more to learn when it comes to the world of technology, but I am willing and ready. Most teachers think they are very smart and know everything. I’m not saying teachers aren’t smart, but there is always room to learn. Teachers who are in their late 50s early 60s are usually the ones that really think they know it all. The truth is, they are probably the most technology illiterate than anyone. If a teacher is too stubborn and not willing to learn, they will never be successful at what they do.
Technology can seem scary and I think most of the problems for teachers who aren’t willing to learn about it are just scared. I think they are scared they will be unsuccessful at learning about things a student could teach them. In their minds, they are the teacher not the student so why should the student teach them? Who cares who is teaching who? My grandmother is 81 years old and knows how to text. I taught her and she was not scared of not being able to do it. She tried it and succeeded (Let’s just hope she doesn’t text and drive). The point is, if teachers aren’t willing to learn about technology, it’s not because they don’t think it is necessary for the classroom, they are just scared that they won’t be able to do it. Over all I really enjoyed Mr. Fisch’s post and I do agree with him for the most part.
Gary Hayes: Social Media Count
These numbers are changing at a ridiculously fast rate. These changes mean I need to constantly learn all the new things that come from technology so I will not be far behind as an educator.
I think this video was quite intriguing. It definitely captures my college experiences. If I bring my laptop to class I usually do other things on it than take notes. When I’m sitting in an auditorium like the one in this video, it is much harder to learn. A classroom with, at most, 30 people is a better learning environment. Coming to South was a major wakeup call because my high-school was small and the classes only had 25 people in them. Every teacher knew my name and still knows who I am after being gone for 3 years. My teachers at South didn’t/ don’t know my name and it’s easy for me to skip class. I will graduate with more than $20,000 in debt. I spend way more time watching TV and playing on the internet than I do studying or going to class. I really enjoyed this video and I can relate to those students in many ways.
Its not about technology by: Kelly Hines
I have to agree with Mrs. Hines for the most part. We definitely don’t NEED these technologies in classrooms, but I do think they will make things run smoother and more can be taught. Mrs. Hines had some valid points in her argument, but the major point I agree with is that learning and teaching are not the same thing. Educators need to realize not all students learn at the same speed with the same techniques. Many students are visual learners, while others are not. If one student understood a concept one day but another student did not that does not mean the student that didn’t understand didn’t learn; it just wasn’t taught to he or she the right way. I agree with the fact that it is not all about the technology, it is about the teacher. If the teacher knows how to use the technology then the students will be ready for the future. As long as a teacher is using technology, but does not know exactly how to use it they are doing the students no good. Mrs. Hines had very good arguments and I can see why she believes it is not about the technology.
Karl Fisch: Is It Okay to Be A Technologically Illiterate Teacher?
Mr. Fisch’s blog really made me realize some things. I never really thought about the equivalence of a teacher today who is technology illiterate and a teacher 30 years ago not able to read or write. After hearing what all Mr. Fisch had to say, I completely agree with this statement. No one has ever been proud that he or she couldn’t read or write and today no one should be proud if they are technology illiterate. I have a lot more to learn when it comes to the world of technology, but I am willing and ready. Most teachers think they are very smart and know everything. I’m not saying teachers aren’t smart, but there is always room to learn. Teachers who are in their late 50s early 60s are usually the ones that really think they know it all. The truth is, they are probably the most technology illiterate than anyone. If a teacher is too stubborn and not willing to learn, they will never be successful at what they do.
Technology can seem scary and I think most of the problems for teachers who aren’t willing to learn about it are just scared. I think they are scared they will be unsuccessful at learning about things a student could teach them. In their minds, they are the teacher not the student so why should the student teach them? Who cares who is teaching who? My grandmother is 81 years old and knows how to text. I taught her and she was not scared of not being able to do it. She tried it and succeeded (Let’s just hope she doesn’t text and drive). The point is, if teachers aren’t willing to learn about technology, it’s not because they don’t think it is necessary for the classroom, they are just scared that they won’t be able to do it. Over all I really enjoyed Mr. Fisch’s post and I do agree with him for the most part.
Gary Hayes: Social Media Count
These numbers are changing at a ridiculously fast rate. These changes mean I need to constantly learn all the new things that come from technology so I will not be far behind as an educator.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Summary for C4T 1
The first blog I read by Jen Deyenberg was about a video game on WII called Endless Ocean 2: Blue World (Adventures of the Deep in the UK). She talked about how she uses this video game to help teach her 5th grade class about the wetlands. She says how the game can be used to study measurements, ecosystems, food web, history, and a comparison of freshwater vs. saltwater. The game doesn’t use real locations, but the places used are real in that the animals, context, and ecosystem fit with the Aegean Sea. One thing I learned from her blog was that she noted polar bears and penguins do not live together and this is a common misconception. She explains how the game portrays this and it is a great game to use in the classroom environment.
The second blog I read by Jen Deyenberg was very interesting. It was titled Using Twitter in the Classroom. She talked about how she uses Twitter in the classroom. This seems crazy because everyone believes Twitter is just something you follow famous people on, which is exactly what I use my Twitter for. She has been able to connect with teachers all over the world through Twitter. Once she met the teachers on Twitter, they were able to connect their classrooms through Skype. She says Twitter “created an audience for their projects”. Because I only used Twitter to follow famous people, I’m glad to know I can use it for more practical things. I really enjoyed reading Ms. Jen Deyenberg’s blogs!
The second blog I read by Jen Deyenberg was very interesting. It was titled Using Twitter in the Classroom. She talked about how she uses Twitter in the classroom. This seems crazy because everyone believes Twitter is just something you follow famous people on, which is exactly what I use my Twitter for. She has been able to connect with teachers all over the world through Twitter. Once she met the teachers on Twitter, they were able to connect their classrooms through Skype. She says Twitter “created an audience for their projects”. Because I only used Twitter to follow famous people, I’m glad to know I can use it for more practical things. I really enjoyed reading Ms. Jen Deyenberg’s blogs!
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Blog Post #2
Did you know?
I found this video really interesting. I liked all the information it gave and the title works really well considering I didn’t know almost all of what it told me. It’s crazy to think how fast technology is changing and it makes you wonder why you’re learning about technology now when in two years it will be changing and what you learned will feel like it is pointless to know.
This video is also saying that basically China and India will be taking over because they have more honors kids than America has kids, period; which is insane. The fact that 1 out of 8 couples that were married met on the internet is also insane. I think a lot of it has to do with where you are from because being from the south, I like the old fashioned way of dating and meeting a guy, not the internet. The internet is scary because of how much it can do and know.
The facts about text messaging didn’t surprise me too much. The increasing amount of internet devices is crazy in such a short amount of time. The part about the supersmart computer in 2013 is weird because it says it will exceed the human brain…who will be able to use it if this is the case and who invents it? Another computer? Over all, this video was very cool and informative. I really enjoyed it.
Mr. Winkles Video
This video is different because I never really stop and think like 15 years ago when I was 5, things were so different when it comes to technology. My dad had a cell phone but it was a bag phone that stayed in the car and year after year the cell phone became more detailed. I remember in 8th grade going from the Nokia phone to a color screen. Then touch screen, video, and internet. This video makes you really think about how fast technology changes and what stays the same and what doesn’t.
Ken Robinson says schools kill creativity Video
Obviously I am not working in education yet, but when he talks about talking to people about education I get the same reaction. When I tell people my major is education they look at me like I’m crazy and ask why? You have to look at the big picture; it’s rewarding. The fact that you can teach a child or help a child to learn something and that child really takes a liking to it. He or she will eventually go on in life to do great things with that one thing you helped them learn about. This has to be one of the most rewarding things in life.
“If you’re not prepared to be wrong you will not come up with anything creative”. I like this quote because I firmly believe that and agree. If a teacher asks a question that you’re not sure about just answer anyway because being wrong is being creative. You can never be scared to answer a question.
Ken Robinson says everywhere you go on earth the education pyramid is the same. Math, science, English, ect, but the arts are always at the bottom. Educators start educating from the waste and move up to the head and eventually just focus on the brain. I agree with this and I think it is wrong. Not only should they focus more on your whole body for creativity reasons, but it would help with the obesity problem we have in America. Most high schools and colleges require a Physical Education class, for one semester. This is nothing. They require two or three sciences, two or three math classes, but one semester of a PE. Dance is only one example of the arts, but dancers are some of the most talented people on earth. Not only did they, in most cases, go to school for an education (because like he said that’s the only way you’ll get somewhere in life) they also stayed with what they believed in which was dance. So, there are the people who went to school and became a doctor. Smart people, right? Their brain is smart, but their creativity is dull.
I really enjoyed this video and agree with it completely. His jokes were pretty funny too!
Vicki Davis: Harness your student’s digital smarts video
This video was interesting because it reminded me a lot of this EDM 310 class. Vicki Davis said she often assigns things for the students to do, but she doesn’t know how to do them herself. This is cool because this forces the student to actually learn, not memorize just for the one class period, to really learn how to do to it to where he or she can teach it. Our class is a lot like that because we only meet 3 out of 16 weeks of school and although our assignments haven’t been extremely difficult yet, I still have had to basically teach myself. Yes, there are people to help me, but they don’t show me what to do, I am learning.
It’s cool that even though these students are in a small part of Georgia where not many people come or go, the students are all over the world through technology. They were talking and sharing things with students in India. I do believe the increase in technology is great, but at the same time I hope it never completely takes over to where people quit traveling to see the world and quit exploring because they can just get on the computer and see and hear all they need to.
Not all students are going to be interested in technology, but I do believe it’s important for everyone to learn all they can while they can. Like I said before, although I don’t want technology to take completely over, it is going to be a major component needed to survive in this world. In order to get jobs, in order to become educated technology is a necessity and learning it is a good thing.
I found this video really interesting. I liked all the information it gave and the title works really well considering I didn’t know almost all of what it told me. It’s crazy to think how fast technology is changing and it makes you wonder why you’re learning about technology now when in two years it will be changing and what you learned will feel like it is pointless to know.
This video is also saying that basically China and India will be taking over because they have more honors kids than America has kids, period; which is insane. The fact that 1 out of 8 couples that were married met on the internet is also insane. I think a lot of it has to do with where you are from because being from the south, I like the old fashioned way of dating and meeting a guy, not the internet. The internet is scary because of how much it can do and know.
The facts about text messaging didn’t surprise me too much. The increasing amount of internet devices is crazy in such a short amount of time. The part about the supersmart computer in 2013 is weird because it says it will exceed the human brain…who will be able to use it if this is the case and who invents it? Another computer? Over all, this video was very cool and informative. I really enjoyed it.
Mr. Winkles Video
This video is different because I never really stop and think like 15 years ago when I was 5, things were so different when it comes to technology. My dad had a cell phone but it was a bag phone that stayed in the car and year after year the cell phone became more detailed. I remember in 8th grade going from the Nokia phone to a color screen. Then touch screen, video, and internet. This video makes you really think about how fast technology changes and what stays the same and what doesn’t.
Ken Robinson says schools kill creativity Video
Obviously I am not working in education yet, but when he talks about talking to people about education I get the same reaction. When I tell people my major is education they look at me like I’m crazy and ask why? You have to look at the big picture; it’s rewarding. The fact that you can teach a child or help a child to learn something and that child really takes a liking to it. He or she will eventually go on in life to do great things with that one thing you helped them learn about. This has to be one of the most rewarding things in life.
“If you’re not prepared to be wrong you will not come up with anything creative”. I like this quote because I firmly believe that and agree. If a teacher asks a question that you’re not sure about just answer anyway because being wrong is being creative. You can never be scared to answer a question.
Ken Robinson says everywhere you go on earth the education pyramid is the same. Math, science, English, ect, but the arts are always at the bottom. Educators start educating from the waste and move up to the head and eventually just focus on the brain. I agree with this and I think it is wrong. Not only should they focus more on your whole body for creativity reasons, but it would help with the obesity problem we have in America. Most high schools and colleges require a Physical Education class, for one semester. This is nothing. They require two or three sciences, two or three math classes, but one semester of a PE. Dance is only one example of the arts, but dancers are some of the most talented people on earth. Not only did they, in most cases, go to school for an education (because like he said that’s the only way you’ll get somewhere in life) they also stayed with what they believed in which was dance. So, there are the people who went to school and became a doctor. Smart people, right? Their brain is smart, but their creativity is dull.
I really enjoyed this video and agree with it completely. His jokes were pretty funny too!
Vicki Davis: Harness your student’s digital smarts video
This video was interesting because it reminded me a lot of this EDM 310 class. Vicki Davis said she often assigns things for the students to do, but she doesn’t know how to do them herself. This is cool because this forces the student to actually learn, not memorize just for the one class period, to really learn how to do to it to where he or she can teach it. Our class is a lot like that because we only meet 3 out of 16 weeks of school and although our assignments haven’t been extremely difficult yet, I still have had to basically teach myself. Yes, there are people to help me, but they don’t show me what to do, I am learning.
It’s cool that even though these students are in a small part of Georgia where not many people come or go, the students are all over the world through technology. They were talking and sharing things with students in India. I do believe the increase in technology is great, but at the same time I hope it never completely takes over to where people quit traveling to see the world and quit exploring because they can just get on the computer and see and hear all they need to.
Not all students are going to be interested in technology, but I do believe it’s important for everyone to learn all they can while they can. Like I said before, although I don’t want technology to take completely over, it is going to be a major component needed to survive in this world. In order to get jobs, in order to become educated technology is a necessity and learning it is a good thing.
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