Blogfolio

1. Introduction Video

- This assignment was really difficult for me. I really hate being in front of a camera and I especially don’t like talking about myself! 30 seconds doesn’t seem like a long time but it felt like forever! I think this would be a helpful thing to post on my website for an introduction to my class. I thought this project was worthwhile and I am glad that I got out of my comfort zone to do this! This assignment goes along with the NETS-T standards 2c and 3b because this is a great way to collaborate with parents and students from your website and it is also a unique way for each student to use technology and digital tools for diverse learning styles. 

2. Concept Map

- The concept map was one of my favorite projects. This was my first time to create a lesson plan and it helped a lot to do it in such an organized and unique way! I will use what I learned from this assignment very frequently as a teacher because I have to make numerous lesson plans each day! This was one of the most useful projects of the semester! This assignment meets the NETS-T Standards 2a, 2c, and 1a because it is all about engaging students and allowing them to use their creativity through technology!

3. Kahn’s Academy

- Students sometimes struggle to understand a normally taught lesson and Kahn’s video provided them with a alternative and more effective method of learning. He gave the students a chance to watch the video of the lesson and it allowed the students to learn at their own pace! This activity met so many of the NET Standards because children are using technology to learn. This lesson used NET-T Standards 2(a-d) and 3(a-d)!

4. Voki

- This assignment was a lot of fun! I have never one something like this before! I think that this is something that will interest my students and I could use this to collaborate with my students as well as the parents if I update it regularly. It is a way that parents could check to make sure that their child is doing the correct homework assignment! This project meets the NET-T Standards 3b, 3c, and 1a.

5. Gapminder

- I think Gapminder is a great technological tool for students who are in the upper levels of school. It is not something that I would use in my classroom regularly but if we were doing a project or researching for something then this would be of great use to my students and myself! This sit met the NET-T standard 3d.

6. World Peace Games

- This Video really showed me how creative a teacher can be when it comes to teaching a lesson! Students tend to learn better in a creative environment because it allows them to interact and think for themselves! This technique will be very beneficial for me to use when I begin teaching! This video met the NET-T standards 1(a-d) because it requires students to think creatively and interact with each other to create a real world situation.

7. Movie Maker

- This was extremely useful because I have always wanted to know how to make a movie/slideshow like this! This will be extremely useful for me as a teacher because this is a unique way to teach a lesson or use as a part of a lesson! This will also be useful for my website because I could use it as an introduction to my class. I could also use this to as a monthly class update to have a slide show of pictures and information on what we have done so far in class! This assignment met the NET-T Standards 2a and 2c.

8. XtraNormal

- Being able to create a public service announcement will be very useful for many different things! It is something that will benefit my teaching greatly! It is a fun and unique way to teach a basic lesson to children. It is also fun and easy to create one so my students can get involved with the lesson by creating one themselves! This assignment met the NET-T standards 1b and 3b.

9. Software & Hardware Terminology

- This assignment was more helpful than I expected! A huge weakness of mine is that I am very limited when it comes to technology skills and this assignment allowed me to become familiar with the basic technology skills that every adult should know! Now that a lot of the teaching techniques have been slowly moving towards technology, it is extremely necessary that I know all that I can about it! This met the NET-T standards 2a and 5d.

10. Website

- This is the assignment that I most looked forward to. I thought it was very useful but I wish I had more time to get help and more time to complete the project! I am still confused on a lot of things having to do with it but it helped so much! This will allow me to directly collaborate with my students and well as their parents! This technique of collaboration is much more affective and proficient than what has been used in the past. Technology is the way to go and this is just proof of how beneficial and easy it is! This assignment uses the NET-T Standards 2a and 4a.

Course Reflection:

 I didn’t know what to expect in this class. I signed up late and I can honestly say that this was one of my favorite classes here at southern miss! I have learned so much because of the unique style of teaching that was used throughout this semester. We were challenged to use our creative thinking. We weren’t lectured to and instead we were asked our opinions and learned so much form each other! These assignments will be so helpful to my future teaching career! My strength lies in my creativity but my weakness lies in my lack of confidence in myself. I am a smart girl and I know how to figure things out myself but I always second guess myself and assume that I don’t know how to do it. All I have to do is trust in myself and work hard to understand it on my own before I ask for help! I need to trust in my own knowledge! I hope to continue to further my learning of the ins and outs to technology because it is something that I lack the most confidence in. Instead of avoiding it, I need to face it head on with the “I can do it” attitude! I really want to use technology in the classroom because it encourages students to use creativity and explore! I will obviously utilize my website and give numerous assignments that students will have to use technology to research, present, or create. I think blogs are a great idea because it is a way that a student can express himself or herself. In this class we used blogs as a way to respond to each assignment and that is something that I definitely want to use in my classroom! 

Relay for Life Video

Sharing is Caring Video

Sharing is Caring
by: AlexWaldrop

To (All) the Colleges That Rejected Me

I believe that Ms. Weiss is right and wrong on different levels. Students should know in advance what it takes to be in a school of your dreams. If my mother hadn't told me or pushed me to excel in every way possible I would not be where I am today. In high school I never understood and always gave her grief for making me be involved in everything, have many different leadership positions, start community service projects, and have excellent grades. For a student who was never told this, it sucks but its the way it is. So many students work their butts off in every aspect of their high school careers so why is it fair for someone who has just done the bare minimum to be accepted into the same school? What does that teach high school teens today? If everyone was just average how could you decide who deserves it more? When I received a certain scholarship and my friends, who DID NOTHING in school, received the same one I was livid. I just asked myself what was the point in everything I did.

Lalee's Kin

I was extremely surprised by this video. I honestly had no idea that this was occurring in our own state. Children couldn't go to school because they didn't have pencils or paper, where as, here we have both of those items laying around being wasted. The school district is struggling to educate these children because of their lack of funds. The children want to attend school and their parents want them to get an education as well but it is a constant struggle. Another issue is the amount of children that each person has. The mothers dump their kids on Lalee and expect her to take care of all of them when she barely has anything. We didn't see any male role models because most of the chidlren never knew their dads. I believe that that is a major issue because the man of the house is supposed to provide and set an example for their children. These boys see that the women are raising them all on their own so they are raised to believe thats the correct way to live. This video shows just how much we take for granted. A child would be so grateful for a pack of pencils, where as, we would think nothing of it and it would end up staying in our desks never to be used. Most people think that these people are "lazy" or "ignorant" but they are the complete opposite. You can see the extent they go to for their children and family. They work so hard without complaints to the point where they are worn down so that their children will have a better life.

Gapminder.org

Gapminder.org is a web service that allows you to keep up with many different data tables of world trends. These tables were created from years of research to establish the most accurate data. It also shows you the time lapse view of the changes!! I thought that this cite was very helpful to anyone person who is curious about the world around them. Some of these statistics were surprising and extremely interesting! This cite is also extremely useful to anyone who is researching or trying to find statistics for any project, presentation, or school assignment. It allows students to look at patterns of change over time just by clicking play. They are also able to select certain countries in order to follow its trail. I believe that this cite is extremely useful in any attempt to collect numerical data! This is an easy way for one to obtain accurate data as well!

Teacher Introduction

Article Debates

Sequestration cuts will shortchange students, universities say

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2013/03/02/cuts-will-shortchange-students-universities-say.html

This article discussed the issue of  across the board spending cuts. The government is planning on cutting millions of dollars from university’s fund that they usually receive. I believe that cutting money from universities is one of the worst possible ideas. Those places are where the future world leaders are learning everything they will need to know in life and we definitely do not want to take away from that.

K-12 student database jazzes tech startups, spooks parents 

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/03/us-education-database-idUSBRE92204W20130303

This article discussed a new database that different school districts in the U.S. have given their students’ information to. The information is so personal that its scary to think about. We as teachers have so many limits on how to teach and how to act around students. We must get permission for almost anything personal. Many parents have contacted the school districts expressing their concern as well.

Ken Robinson Says Schools Kill Creativity

Ken Robinson made some very good points about why he thinks schools kill creativity in his speech. He believes that creativity is as important in education as literacy. He also believes that if you ar enot prepared to be wrong then you will never come up with anything original and by the time they are adults most kids have lost that capacity because they have become frightened of being wrong. We are now running national education systems where mistakes are the worst things you can make.

Picasso once said "All children are born artists." Ken believes we do not grow into creativity but we grow out of it. Growing up, children are constantly discouraged of creative dreams so naturally they begin to block it out in order to be accepted by teachers, parents, and their peers.

I agree with Ken because children are extremely creative and they automatically think outside the box. Most of the people that changed history were obviously leaders and took risks. They all obviously came up with original ideas with the possibility of being wrong. We are a better place because those people took the risk. I believe creativity builds character as well as helps a child discover who they are, which they can't do when learning math or science.

Dance ~ Concept Map

I.       Ballet

Ballet is considered a type of performance dance, which originated in the Italian Renaissance courts and later formed into a concert dance form in Russia and France. This genre of dance is very hard to master because of its high demands for technicality. Ballet requires much training and practice. Even though different styles of ballet have emerged over time, it is still viewed as a graceful and poised style of dance.

A.    Classical

1.    Plie- meaning "bent". Bending of the knees.

2.    Tendu- Meaning "stretched". The foot will extend from its position with a pointed toe.

B.    Contemporary

II.     Tap

Ballet is considered a type of performance dance, which originated in the Italian Renaissance courts and later formed into a concert dance form in Russia and France. This genre of dance is very hard to master because of its high demands for technicality. Ballet requires much training and practice. Even though different styles of ballet have emerged over time, it is still viewed as a graceful and poised style of dance.

A.    Irish Step Dance

B.    Rhythm Tap

III.    Jazz

Jazz Dance is a style of dance that takes on many different forms. Before the 1950s, jazz dance referred to dance styles that originated from African American vernacular dance. This form of dance was developed along with Jazz Music in New Orleans in the early 1900s. Jazz dance transformed from a vernacular form into a performance form of dance that required a highly trained dancer during the beginning of the 1930s and continued through the 1960s.

A.    Jitterbug

B.    Charleston

IV.    Hip Hop

Hip hop- hip hop dance is primarily performed to hip hop music. This type of dancing was created recently. Hip hop is a combination of many styles of dancing such as jazz, funk, street, and modern dancing. This particular style of dance is very popular today. 

A.    Popping & Locking

B.    Krumping

V.     Modern

 Usually referring to 20th century concert dance. Modern dance centers on a dancer's own interpretations instead of structured steps of traditional dance. The movement of modern dancers rejects the limitations of classical ballet and uses movements derived from the expression of their inner feelings. This particular style of dance is derived from a dancers feelings, thoughts, and creativity. It is a style of expression.

A.    Interpretive Dance

B.    Contemporary Modern

VI.    Street Dance

Street dance refers to any type of dance that evolved outside of dance studios in places such as parties, parks, the streets, schoolyards, raves, and nightclubs. Most of the time they are improvisational and encouraging of interaction and contact with spectators and other dancers.

A.    Break Dancing

B.    Folk Dancing

John Hunter's World Peace Game

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_UTgoPUTLQ

Questions:

1. What does John Hunter mean when he says, "I'm standing on the shoulders on many people." 
- This means that he is representing all of those teachers that taught him and how he is a product of all of their teaching.

2. Why did he use a game?
- I believe he used a game because that is the best way to get younger students to be involved in the learning process. It allows them to have hands on experience plus they will look forward to the lesson.

3. What are some of the positions or roles that the kids play in the game?
- Defense minister, prime minister, etc.

4. What did John Hunter call himself?
- John's role was to relinquish power.

5. What role did the condolense letter play?
- it just meant that they had to be prepared to write a letter to the family of a soldier that may die during the war

6. Describe John Hunter's Character.
- He is very peaceful, loving life, appreciative of life, and all knowing.

7. "Self Evident" "spontaneous Learning"
- If this type of learning were to happen in my class i would feel extremely accomplished and excited because I feel like the best learning cannot be tested.

Technology and Software Advice

I personally am not extremely familiar with the inside tips on technology. I know a little more than the basics but still struggle with the different codes. What I have found: Ctrl + Z= undo; Ctrl + P= Print; Ctrl + A= Select all; Ctrl + E= opens Explorer; Ctrl + Print Screen= screen shots.

Other Classmate Tips:
1) Ctrl + F = Find
2) Ctrl + 1 = Single space
3) Ctrl + S = Save
4) Ctrl + Z = Undo
5) Ctrl + Alt+ Dlt = Shut down programs, menu
6) Ctrl + 2 = Double space (no highlight)
7) Alt + Tab = Switches between open programs
8) transferbigfiles.com= transfer big files for free! Up to 2gigs
9) Ctrl + C = Copy
10) Ctrl + T = New tab in internet
11) Ctrl + V = Paste
12) Ctrl + B = Bold
13) Ctrl + I = Italic
14) Select hard passwords with letters, numbers, and special characters. Use different passwords for different things
15) Ctrl + W = Closes tabs
16) Ctrl +R = Right align
17) Ctrl + L = Left align
18) Ctrl + E = Center
19) Ctrl + A = Select all
20) Ctrl + U = Underline

Learning More About Software

1. McAfee
2. Access
3. RAM
4. Smart Board
5. Adobe In Design
6. Photo Shop
7. Anti Virus
9. Windows 8
10. Inspiration 9

Seven Technology Tips for Younger Elementary

After researching several articles that discussed the use of technology in a classroom of elementary setting, I came across an article that described how to introduce it rather than ways it is used. I believed this article was useful because it could be used as a guide to many teachers! This article gives 7 tips on how an educator can introduce technology in an elementary classroom. Apparently educators of lower grades want to bring technology into the classroom but are scared about the children not being able to understand how to use it. The a few of the tips are, before introducing a new tool, play around with it enough to figure out where you think your students will struggle the most, don't try to teach too much at one time, let students who master the goals quickly help others, and use your students as a resource. After each tip a brief description is given as well. I believe this article is useful because it can help teachers introduce technology to their students, who may be hesitant to do so because of different reasons. The link to this article is below. 

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/technology-tips-younger-elementary

The Machine is Using Us

Question:
What was the point to this video exactly? Was it about how a simple text can create so much more?

 Digital text is much more useful than writing and easily edited like writing with a pencil. Elements in a document define content not form. The title the Machine is Using Us basically refers to how the computer is picking up so much information but we need to "teach the machine what we think is important" because the machine needs us just as much as we need it. We are all basically feeding the machine and using the machine as a "go to".  Everything you put on there you no longer own yourself. Internet is not really safe and we need to be cautious what we decide to share. Written text is more difficult to manipulate than typed text. All websites can be created from text like HTML doc.

The Dirty and Dangerous Side of Technology

Who knew technology was dangerous? I know I certainly didn't. I honestly had no idea about this concern until reading this article. I have never heard of this issue and I know most people have either. Like most other people, technology completely blows my mind to the point where it is like it is made of magic. I would have never believed that technology was composed of arsenic, lead, or mercury. People need to be aware of this issue. Obviously for economic reasons this issue hasn't been brought into the light because people would stop buying technology which is basically a "have to have" now a days. It scares me to even use my cellphone or my laptop (which I am currently using:/). I am worried about what this will do to our future and especially to our environment, which is already at such a delicate state.

Manti Te'o's fake girlfriend

Manti Te'o, Notre Dame linebacker and runner up to the 2012 Heisman Trophy, recently claimed his girlfriend, Lennay Kekua, died of leukemia on the day he had one of the best games of his college career. After interviewing Te'o about his girlfriend, it was discovered that she never existed and as a matter of fact, she lives in Torrance, California and claims to have never met the star athlete. She also does not suffer from leukemia. When they began researching they could not find anything besides the stories linking to her death, but they used the picture to trace it back to the actual person. Apparently a mutual friend between the two helped Te'o construct his virtual girlfriend. Te'o denies any involvement in the hoax.

I personally believe that he is lying because his story simply does not add up. According to news stories he apparently met her after a stanford vs. Notre Dame football game in November 2009. After meeting each other, they continued to communicate via phone, email, and meeting up in Hawaii. He also claims that after a car accident in the summer, she was hospitalized for leukemia and didn't survive. If he had nothing to do with this, why did he claim all of these things to be true? He clearly did not have an actual girlfriend because the real Lennay Kekua had no idea she was Te'o's fake girlfriend and she obviously did not die of leukemia so where did he get that idea from?

"Pay Attention"

I was very interested in the video "Pay Attention" because I never really thought about such a create style of learning. I believe that since technology is being modernized so should our way of teaching. Everything is changing around us and rather than trying to preserve the past we should embrace the future. I believe that children are more interested in what is now rather than what used to be before they were even born so we should use that to our advantage as teachers. We need to stop complaining about the "youth of our generation" and how they don't understand what it was like before we had technology but really adults of our generation were children once and at that time adults were probably thinking the same thing.

I was very impacted by the statistics of how much technology we use as well as the amount that a child uses. Something that intrigued me was how we could use technology to our advantage in the classroom such as texting or emailing. An example of using technology to learn is using this blog for my IT 365 class! Another point is that if you cannot beat them, join them. Students are going to try to use anything and everything technology while in school so we might as well take advantage of that. This makes students think in such a different way. It also makes them enjoy school rather than resenting it.

Technology will have a place in my classroom in the future. I will not depend only on technology but I believe there are plenty of ways to use it in a way to get students interested. I will personally have to learn how to use technology to a greater extent in order to impact my children.