EDM310 FINAL REFLECTIONS

AA # 5 Tom Johnson

I read the blog just teach them to solve for X, because it said for EDM310 students. Just like before, I had to read it more then once. In just solve for X, I figured out the metaphor faster, because I was looking for it. I think that the use of sarcasm and metaphors together helped me to see the metaphors more after being brought to my attention by Dr. Strange. The use of math in this reading shows students that just because you are taught one way to do something, its okay if you find a way that is better for You.

AA # 3 Sir Ken Robinson

After watching Sir Ken Robinson's video on Changing Educational Paragigms, I must say that he made some valid points, but the most important one is about children and ADHD. I have always thought that most of the children with this diagnosis are really just hoping for attention, but were put on medication to solve a problem thats really not there. I do believe that ADHD exists ,but must of the children are misdiagnosed. I really don't disagree with anything that he says. I strongly agree with his thoughts on today's school systems. It is time for the schools to change and the students should be more independent. Over all I think the presentation was great, and I think that I would like to be the narrator.

Summary Post C4K 8-11

My 8th C4K was Grace from Mrs. Yollis 3rd grade class. Grace has just earned her very own blog. I expressed to her that it was great that she had earned her own blog and  hope that she has a wonderful experience with blogging. The name of her blog was Grace on the Go which I thought was  creative and says a lot about her character . She also created a Voki. I  think that it is great that students her age get to experience blogging at such an early age. I have really enjoyed C4K this semester. I think that all students should experience blogging and  I wish I had experienced it earlier and I plan to introduce it to my daughter who will be in the fourth grade next year. I choose to reflect more on Grace, because she was the one student that I was assigned that actually had her own personal blog. She was given her own blog along with 2 other students in her class as a reward for being so creative with the class blog. Being able to have their own blog motivates the students to write more and be more creative in their own unique way. I enjoyed commenting on the different class blogs as well, but just think that a student with their own blog will get the full experience of blogging and will enjoy it more, especially when they are getting positive feedback on how good they are doing on their blog posts.

Final Project # 16

Final PLN Post

My PLN has been a great access. Since my first post, I have added several useful sites that are not helpful in the classroom, but also my everyday life. I was able to add my bank, shopping sites and learning sites for children. By just access my PLN, I can do lots of different activities just by clicking on my tiles. I can check my bank account, the news, shop, and log on to the University site all from my PLN. I think that the PLN is a great for tool for any type of profession and will suggest it to my family and friends who access the internet.

Summary Post C4T Teacher #4

I was assigned Lisa Thumann for C4T # 4, and I really enjoyed exploring her blog and found some very interesting and informative information that I think will help my with my studies. I had never heard of hashtags, which are a community-driven convention for adding context and metadata to your tweets. Metadata helps describe an item and allows it to be found again by browsing or searching. You create a hashtag simply by prefixing a word with a hash symbol, ex. #education.  So I actually learned about something that I had no clue of what it was. To learn more about hashtag go to Hashtags.org
That was the first post that I read and commented on, the second one was about Facebook and receiving friend request from people who you don't know. I have also been receiving an abundance of friend request from people that not only have I never seen before, but also they don’t speak English. I personally don’t accept any request from people that I don’t recognize and that don’t have a profile picture. I feel that if you don’t have a profile picture, that means you have something to hide. One man even said that he only requested me because we had mutual friends, but just because you are a friend of a mutual friend doesn’t mean that we should be friends on facebook.

Blog Post # 13 ALEX

The ALEX website is a very informative site. ALEX stands for Alabama Learning Exchange Program and it is created and maintained by the Alabama Department of Education. This website is not for educators along, but also very resourceful for parents and students. It offered different ideas for me as a future educator and provided different ways to help with classroom activities. It had numerous ideas for hands on activities for the classroom and the podcasts shows how much new technology and ideas are being incorparated into the classroom.
As I mentioned before, ALEX is a very informative website and as a student majoring in elementary education, I will visit this site n a regular. Exploring this site gave me the opportunity to see different ideas of present educators. I learned a lot of valuable information and think that it is very neat how the website is set up to allow me to explore different tabs that will be beneficial to me now as a student and when I finish school.

Project # 15

Progress on Final Project

I will be doing my project with Carrie Tucker. As of now we haven't came up with a concrete idea, but we are leaning toward a video discussing how education and technology coming together and changing how teachers and students are learning. We may also talk about how technology in the classroom gives teachers and students the opportunity to communicate with each other outside the classroom. I must say that this class has really required a lot of thinking to come up with originally ideas, so until next time back to brainstorming.

Blog Post # 12

Assignment:
Watch this video. Post your response about the benefits of social networking and education.


Response:
Social networking can have a positive impact on education. I think that it give teachers and students more opportunities to communicate outside the classroom. Students can interact with their classmates and share with each other things that they may have missed during class time. I think that social networking and blogging help student with their communication skills. It also gives them the opportunity to express themselves daily and get positive feedback from their teachers and fellow classmates.

Project 14 Teach Someone ( How To Make Baked Spaghetti Casserole)

Ingredients: 
1 package (16oz.) spaghetti noodles
2 pound of ground beef
1 package (8oz.) pepperoni
1 package (16oz.) Mexican four cheese blend
16 oz. of sour cream
1 container ( 26oz.) Ragu Traditional Spaghetti Sauce


Boil spaghetti in large pot (using enough water to cover noodles)
Drain noodles and stir in (13oz.) of spaghetti sauce.
Brown ground beef in large skillet; drain. Stir in (13oz.) spaghetti sauce

In a large casserole dish layer ingredients:
1.Spaghetti noodles (half)
2.Ground beef (half)
3.Pepperoni (4oz.)
4.Sour cream (8oz.)
5.Sprinkle with some cheese
Repeat steps 1-5 
Bake in (350 degree) preheated oven for 15-20 min.

Great with four cheese garlic bread

Summary Post for Project # 6

After recieving all the data, I concluded that most patients arrived by private vehicle, to different hospitals in th surrounding area. Most patients were satisfied with their visit, except one that had to wait over 4hrs. in the waiting area. Most stated that their doctors were very helpful and that they were updated on a regular about their treatment. Overall, they all would return to the same hospital if necessary.

Summary Post C4K 3-7

I have really enjoyed the C4K assignments. It gives me a chance to see how motivated students are and their will to learn. I have commented on some wonderful kids who have actually motivated me to want to learn more. They have been introduced to many thing s, that I have just been introduced to within the last 2 yrs. I also feel that blogging gives kids a chance to express their feeling and get positive feedback that will help them continue to grow in their learning and writing experience. I also have enjoyed the videos that the students have made and think that it gives them a chance to loosen and come out of their shell. It prepares them for the future, when they have to speak in front of crowds. It gives them the confidence to know that they can do whatever they put their minds to and that if you don't try, you will never know if you can achieve it.

Blog Post # 11

Little Kids.... Big Potential
Mrs. Cassidy's students are very excited to learn. The students are proud of their blogs and the way they sit at their computers is so fantastic. They seem to be very motivated students who love the fact that their family and friends comment on their blogs. I love the way that they take pride in their writings, one student even stated that he learns to write better with every post. Mrs. Cassidy is teaching them how to work in groups and they are learning how to solve problems and share their thoughts. All of these skills will help them later in life, especially on their jobs. These 5yr old students are inspiring, by observing them I have realized that the younger you introduce children to new things the better they will grasp it. I really want to use blogging in my classroom with my students. I would like to see each one of my students with their own pc at their table. I know that it will probably take some time to make this happen , but I really want this for my classroom and I'm going to do every thing that I can to make it happen. I look forward to having my own classroom and implementing some of Mrs. Cassidy's ideas.

Summary Post C4T Teacher #3

I was assigned Primary Preoccupation by Kathy Cassidy, a grade one teacher in Canada. I am so glad that I was assigned Mrs. Cassidy's blog, because I spend a lot of time thinking about how I’m going to set up and decorate my classroom for my students. I will most definitely be using the paper blueprint, I think that is a wonderful idea and will cut back on moving stuff around if it’s not how you planned it. I also liked her idea of being a teacher gives you a chance to start fresh each year. You can learn from the previous year, which will help you make the new year better. And at the end of each year when it’s time for your students to move on, you will be proud to know that you made a difference in their lives. Mrs. Cassidy's second post was announcing that her class had been chosen to participate in the 2010 K12 online conferences. It is great for students to get so much technology experiences at such a young age. I think that she is preparing them for a bright future and I hope that I’m just as successful with my students when I become a teacher. I have really enjoyed enjoyed her blog and have got some interesting ideas that I want to use in my classroom.

Project # 13 Smart Board Instruction

In my smart board instruction video, I taught my class how to subtract and borrow. I provided them with different ways to help them such as using lines, circles, or even their fingers to get the answers.

Project # 12 Recorded Skype Video

I interviewed Janiqua Lymon a 4th year teacher in the MCPSS, who obtained her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of South Alabama.

Blog Post # 10

An Open Letter To Educators I agree with both Morgan and Dan. I can personally say that most of my University courses are just they way they described. While sitting in class during lectures , I'm almost always just taking notes only to put them down until the day before the test, which is when I cram. But on the other hand in EDM 310, I actually learn things that I know will benefit me and my career. I will use the things that I have learned in this class for years to come and I am so proud of myself for not giving up and continuing to strive to finish this semester, even though I have a couple of late assignments.
I think that education is also essential and without it a lot of us would be lost. One must have some type of education if you want to be successful in society today. I also agree that education is empowering students to change the world, but as teachers, we must make sure our students understand and comprehend what they learn in order to make a difference. And yes it is a must that institutional education keep up with time and adapt to new ways of learning. Technology play a big part in education today and we should always try to introduce our students to new ways of learning. Society has to move forward, instead of living in the past.

Don't Let Them Take the Pencil Home. I think that this made a good point about students who take what they learn home to their parents and the parents actually learning something from them. This gets the parents involved in their children education and it also gives them a chance to spend quality time with each other.

Two Questions That Can Change Your Life I think that these are questions that everyone should ask themselves. It give you the opportunity to be what you describe yourself as in the sentence and it lets you reflect on what you did yesterday and strive to change it for the better for today.
Whats my Sentence?
I strive to learn something new everyday, either from school, work, or home.
Was I better today than yesterday?
Yes, I do believe I was better today than yesterday, because everyday, I try to have a better day than before. I try not to dwell on what happened the day before. I learn from my mistakes and I stay positive about the days to come.

AA # 2 How Kids Teach Themselves

1. Motivated learners can teach themselves, because they have set goals and they know what they have to do to meet those goals.
2. Motivated kids can teach themselves, but they also need that extra push from adults to help them stay focused.
3. Kids need a comfortable environment that is positive and also have resources that they can use to help them. This also goes for others, you have to have the tools and the proper environment to succeed.
4. Computers and internet play a big role in learning. If a student has these tools, they can almost always complete all of their work with just the two. It also limits the time spent at the library.
5. One must be motivated to learn in order to succeed.
6. Problems may come along, but you must stay focused and try to solve the problem, while still continuing to complete your goals.
7. I will motivate my students by teaching them that they can achieve anything if they stay in school and pay attention and always do try hard.
8. There are a lot of different factors that motivate me to learn. The most important factor is that I want to be able to teach my children so they will never be behind in society.
9. Yes, you can learn if you are not motivated. You just do the work because you are required and you may not remember it all but you will grasp some that will stick with you.
10. Yes, i have taught myself a lot. Sometimes there is no one around to help me and I just have to keep trying until I figure it out. I do this a lot in my math class.
11. I will use my experience with MTH 110. This is my second time taking this course and my professor this semester is such a big help. He does every problem step by step and makes sure we get it before moving on.
12. I feel that no matter how much technology we have, there will always be a need for teachers in the classroom.
13. I really think that the statement, "If children have interest, then education happens" is so true. You have to keep the students interested for them to stay focus and understand what is being taught.

Project # 11 Short Movie

Blog Post # 9

What I've Learned This Year I have learned a lot this semester as a result of EDM310. I can do things with a computer I never knew existed. After reading Mr. McClung's post, I've also learned that my first year as a teacher will be what I make it. I know I will be nervous and trying to make a good impression that I will make some mistakes, but knowing that I will have the next year to come back and learn from those mistakes and do better is great. I have been doing some observing at an elementary school and I have notice that what Mr. McClung said about lesson plans is true. Even though she has her lesson plan ready for each day, there are things that seem to distract not only the students but also the teacher. So sometimes no matter how prefect you think your day will go things happen that you can't control and you just have to pick up where you can and continue.
Communication in the school and classroom is very important. Teachers must have good communication skills to work so many different people. Listening to your students makes a big difference and it also lets them know that you respect them and their feelings.I think that what Mr. McClung said about being reasonable with your students is food for thought. You should not lower your expectations, but you should put in more time with students who you see are having trouble and give them a little more time to grasp new material before moving on to the next lesson.
We never stop learning is something that I find to be so true. You are never to old to learn something new. I am so grateful for the new ideas and tools that I have learned in the 9wks of this class and even though it started out a little foggy, I can see my way now.

The Battle's Of The Civil War Timeline

Blog Post # 8

This Is How We Dream Parts 1 and 2 The videos were quite interesting and informative. Mr. Miller discussed a lot of issues that school systems are facing today. The way students are taught now is a lot different from when I was in school. The books are different and most of them come with more then one book or some kind of work book.

Technology also has a big impact on how students learn. You can find all types of sources on the internet. We use to have to go to the library for everything, now all you need is a computer with internet. The use of computers has really cut back on the time that people send in the library. It has also cut back on writing. Most students now type their papers and most of their work that is required.

As a future teacher, I think that technology will be a vital part of my classroom activities. I agree with Mr. Miller when he said that we will have to develop curriculum around technology. Students will need to know how to use computers to help them with most of their classroom activities.


EDM 310 is Different I enjoyed both The Chipper Series and EDM 310 for Dummies. I'm enjoying this class, but it is quite challenging and sometimes I feel like I just can't do it. I can truly say if it wasn't for the support of the lab staff, I would have given up a long time ago. I have learned how to really be an independent learner and figure out a lot by myself. I have come very close to the point of just screaming, but I'm glad that I have come this far to the finish line and I'm going to continue and try not to get behind on my assignments. For future students, I would encourage them to always stay ahead, because if you fall behind, it is hard to catch up.

Critiques of Smartboards. I would have to disagree with the two argurments, I have had the experience of seeing the smartboard first hand. It is a very useful tool. Teachers can use them as a whiteboard, projector, and play videos on it. They can also teach their whole lesson plan on the smartboard and the students like it because they get to hear sounds and it is also colorful. These are some sites that I found www.smartboards.typepad.com and smart boards are hands on minds on

Blog Post # 7

Randy Pausch's Last Lecture... I must say that this was very inspiring. I for one have put my childhood dreams aside for a long time and just recently decided to achieve them. I have always wanted to be a teacher, but seem to somehow let the brick wall that he talks about stop me instead of show me how bad I want it. When I decided to go back to school, I told myself that no matter how many obstacles I faced, I was going to get my degree.
I have learned a lot through my experiences throughout life, and have never heard "experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted." After hearing him say that it made me reflect on all the things I have experienced and learned. It also made me realize how much time I have spent doing other things, instead of achieving my childhood dream. It is so true that you can't change the cards you're dealt, but if you play the cards right and have a strong support system, the hand you are dealt becomes a little easier to play. That's why in the game of spades you have a partner, someone who is there to help you when the opponent throws a stumbling block in your way. We all need that extra push and for me I think that hearing this lecture was that push.
Anything is possible if you believe. You have to believe in yourself and set goals. I learned a lot from this lecture, but the main thing I want to teach my students is, not to complain, but work harder. Complaining doesn't change the situation, it only holds you back from finishing it. The more you complain the more aggravated you become and you are no longer focused on what you are trying to accomplish.
As a future teacher, I will definitely use what I learned from this lecture to inspire my students. Enabling the dreams of others is what teachers do daily. We should continue to encourage our students to aim higher, don't settle, continue to strive for the best. We have to teach our students to always be prepared, because as he said, luck is where preparation meets opportunity. And opportunity always leads to growth, which leads to success.

1st Progress Report for PLN

I started my PLN on  Symbaloo. It is so amazing how technology has influenced my learning since August. I'm so excited about all the new technology tools I am learning about and using. I think that a PLN is a great tool that I plan to continue to use. My PLN includes sites I visit regularly including my blog page, the class blog, and the USA home page. I hope to add more sites to my PLN throughout the semester.

C4T #2 Summary

My C4T#2 was Karl Fisch. I really liked a lot of his ideas and agree with his comments. My first comment was on Dear Denver Post: You're the Disappointment. The headline read "Summer is almost over and the disappointment about returning to class..." and I think that was such a negative thing to say, considering that we are dealing with adults who should know the importance of education. The media should always show excitement when it come to educating our students, they should realize that comments like that can discourage some students who already need that extra boost when it come to going to school and actually graduating.

My second comment was on parent/teacher conferences, in which he said should also include the students. I think it is great that schools still hold conferences with the parents, but I would have to agree with Mr. Fisch, the students should be involved. Mr. Fisch created a document in which his students were to answer the questions and share it with their parents before the conference which I thought was a very good idea. Having the students reflect on what they have done in the class and how the class can improve is an excellent idea that I will use with my students in the future.

CCL Google Earth Oceans Showcase Podcast

Lawanna's Timeline : ST. THOMAS VIRGIN ISLAND VACATION

Blog Post # 6

The Networked Student was a very interesting podcast. This new technology is an interesting and fascinating way to become an independent learner. Connectivism is a theory for the digital age, that helps students connect with a number of resources to help them become better students. It also enables students to connect with many different professors, to get insight on different subjects and ideas.
Some students will have a harder time then others when it comes to being an independent learner, because you have to be motivated and determined. Some students will always need that classroom environment to learn, they just can't seem to grasp the idea of not having someone to help them keep up with their work. As a student, I have learned that different approaches and personal skills are needed to learn effectively. I have learned that you have to use your time wisely and stay organized.
The idea of the networked student can be useful to some students, but I feel that we will always need a classroom setting. Students will need help from their teacher. They will need instructions on how to build their network and how to organize their learning. Teachers will need to tell students what to do when they are stuck, or be there just to give them that extra push to stay focused and keep up with the assignments. Teachers will also need to set example for their students and let them know that knowing where to find information is more important than knowing the information. So even though the networked students can do a lot on their own, I feel that we will always need some instructions from a teacher.

A 7th Grader's Personal Learning Environment  I find that a PLE is a very important tool for organization in the online learning environment. This seventh grader was very organized and seemed to be eager to learn new and interesting things. She showed ways to keep track of  her work and save it where it could be easily assessed. I think that she would be one of those students who would be responsible to work alone with little supervision.

The Machine is Changing Us This was a very interesting lecture. He talked about a lot of facts that made me think of how much technology and media play an important role in our lives. Media does change our conversations and the way we relate to others. Media also helps us cope with things that go on in our everyday lives.

Summary Post C4K 1 & 2

Kyle the Beast was the kid that I commented on, and he has an interesting blog. I commented on his manifesto which he made the first step to identifying the problem. I expressed to Kyle that he can do and be anything he wants to be. I told him that he will accomplish everything he stated in his manifesto, if he continue to stay focused and study hard and never give up on his dreams and always know that he can achieve anything.I also commented on his post "You can't judge people by their appearance". Some of the most well dressed people are the ones you have to really look out for. We should always be very careful and aware of our surroundings. You should not accept anything from strangers especially not rides, because once you are in the car with them you are under their control. So stay away from strangers.

C4T #1 Summary

For my first C4T I commented on Jenny's post We Should Listen To Our Kids. I agree with her comment that we should listen to our students. I'm a strong believer, that we are never to old to learn even if it's from a child. The video of the little girl is a good example, children are very intelligent. Just like adults, children can express themselves and just because they are children, doesn't mean that we shouldn't listen to what they have to say. We should encourage them to express themselves and never be afraid to speak their mind. My second comment was on Jenny's post, Are Task Boards useful in the classroom. I think that task boards are an excellent idea when it comes to organization in the classroom. I feel that when the teacher talks to a smaller group of kids, there are fewer interruptions and more one on one time with each student. The other students don't feel left out, because they feel that they are working independently and will want to have something to show to the teacher when their time comes to be with her. I think that it is also a great idea to let the students instead of the teacher change out the task. They will look forward to completing their task and starting a new one.

Blog Post #5

I enjoyed this blog assignment, because it gave me the opportunity to learn about and listen to different types of podcasts. I never heard of podcast until this assignment. The Education Podcast Network stated that podcasting is essentially radio programming that can be produced with a standard computer, microphone, free software, and a website for posting. The EPN was a very informative site and I enjoyed viewing the elementary school kids podcasts. Judy Scharf Podcast Collection had a little more information then the EPN, on time management, examples, and topics. Time and topics are very important when doing podcast, because you should always keep the attention of your audience, so making them too long and boring can cause your audience to lose interest. The last site I explored was Langwitches, which I thought was the best out of the three. I love to see and read about children who are eager to learn. The first graders, were very excited to learn about and produce a podcast, because as we all know, young children love attention and praise. It talked about how the shy kids were not so shy anymore, they were just as excited and couldn't wait to see themselves in action. I think that podcasting is a great way to motivate children to express themselves and not be afraid of talking in front of an audience.
 

Blog Post # 4

Don't Teach Your Kids this Stuff I feel that at a certain age, children should be introduced to certain things. It is up to the parents to show them how to use it. They should be given the instructions, on what they can and can not do. Parents and teachers should monitor how children are using the internet. Children shouldn't not be given so much freedom, when it comes to all the new devices that are becoming more and more challenging and advanced. Dr. Mcleod is an Associate professor in the education administration program at Iowa State University.

The iSchool Initiative I was very impressed by the students effort to help improve the school system. I think that he made some valid points. But, who will be responsible for supplying the iphones. What will happen to the students, whose parents can't afford it. Even though it was a good presentation, I really don't think that will work out because students are irresponsible and most of them won't know where it is after the first week.

Lost Generation This video should be shared with students everywhere. It should be good for students who are having trouble figuring out what they want or want to be when they finish school. It should used to helping students with low self esteem, realize that just because someone said it, it doesn't have to happen.

Virtual Choir was so amazing. I think that the fact that they never met in person makes this video just awesome. This also made me realize that possibilities on the internet are endless. The internet is a very useful tool and people should take advantage of of and not abuse it. At first I couldn't believe that the choir never performed together until I watched again and payed attention to the different backgrounds.

Additional Assignment #1

Today as I explored the web sites google squared and wolfram alpha I found it very interesting that you can type in one word and get answers to a lot of questions. I thought that wolfram alpha was better because it gives you the facts from the first search. I also liked google squared because I can add things to see where they fit in what I'm looking for or researching. This was the first time that I used both google squared and wolfram alpha and I think that are important tools for educators. I'm so glad that I'm being introduced to so many new things in this class. After rereading the comments about "Did You Know", I would have to say that I still feel the same about how technology and how it advances over the years. I know that statistics are very important and I actually don't pay attention to them as much as I should, so I'm glad for this experience.

 Food for Thought: When I read this post I really wasn't that surprised, because a lot of children today can most of the time figure things out on their own if they are given the opportunity.

Project 5 Google Presentation

Blog Post #3

A Vision of Students Today I really enjoyed this video and it made me realize that most students sit in lectures and are not really paying attention to what  the lecture is about. Most students minds are on something totally different then school. They are thinking about what they are going to do when class is over or they are thinking why am I even here. I think that class discussions instead of lectures are much more informative and students are more attentive because they are interested in what their peers are thinking.
Students also tend to fall asleep during lectures because they are bored with the topic and the fact that some teachers voices are just the type that puts you to sleep. I think that all teachers should include more discussions in their lecture time so students can comment and listen to the comments of their peers.

It's Not About the Technology I agree with Ms. Hines. We as teachers must continue to be learners to help our students advance and cope with technology today. Technology is important, but the proper training and use is the key to providing our students with these skills. We should make sure we are using these new  tools and ideas correctly before they are introduced to our students.
With the advancing of technology, we should also encourage our students to be independent learners. Teachers should also challenge students to always use critical thinking and problem solving skills. They should always be able to function without the use of technology.

Is It Okay to Be A Technologically Illiterate Teacher I think that all teachers should be technologically literate. Technology is advancing in many ways and we as teachers should learn all about it. It should start with us as students, because we are the future of teaching. I think this class is an excellent way to teaching technology, because I have learned alot in just a few weeks and look forward to learning more.
I also agree with Mr. Fisch when he said that the responsibility of illiterate teachers is that of the schools who let them graduate and the principles who hire them. The problem will never be fixed if the cycle isn't broken.

Social Media Count I thought this video was very amazing to know how many people are using some form of technology throughout the day. I do some social networking myself, but it very interesting to see the use of all different types of networking, phone calls, texting, emailing etc. This means that alot of people are posted in front of a computer or has some type of device in hand instead of  reading a book. Even though social networking is fun, it shouldn't occupy all of your free time, leave some time for thinking and learning.

Blog Post #2 Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts

I enjoyed this presentation and feel that more students should have this experience of creating their own blog and other activities through the power of technology. They will have more to do and become creative and motivated. It's gives them a chance to be independent and responsible. The kids in this class seem to be very excited about their experience. The classroom was filled with students who all seem to like they were ready for this challenge.
I think that incorporating computers in the classroom will help students when they are ready to further their education. They will already have experience and knowledge of the expanding world of technology. They will be ready for more challenges and will be prepared to advance their skills. This will also motivate more students to further their education, because they feel as if they are better prepared and have a better chance at success. 

Blog Post #2 The Importance of Creativity

According to Sir Ken Robinson, creativity is as important as literacy. Creativity to me needs to be nourished in young children. I also agree that children are educated through creativity. In schools there is so much emphasis on academic, that the creativity part is sometimes forgotten. This is where academic inflation comes into play.
Some children are born creative and are artists from the start. They express themselves better through different types of art, such drawing, dancing, or writing. They are very active children and some people think that placing them on medications will help, but it only hinders them from being creative and expressing themselves. I enjoyed this presentation and feel that some interesting points were made and we should always encourage our students to be creative.

Blog Post #2 Mr Winkle Wakes

My understanding of Mr. Winkle is that after waking up after 100yrs he finds that many things had changed. He really don't understand all the new technology and travels through the city to different places to find that everything is much more advanced. Mr. Winkles is somewhat confused and the thought of it all makes him sick. Mr. Winkle goes to the hospital and finds out that its even worst there.
When he decides to go to the school, he finds that it has not changed. The classroom setting is the same and the children are bored. There is a computer in the back of the classroom but they are not using it. This is an example of not using the tools that are given to you to help in the classroom. I feel that teachers should use all tool and new ideas that are provided. Prior beliefs of some teachers will hinder them from advancing the classroom experience for their students. I think this is unfair to the students and they fall behind other students who are given the opportunity to use new devices and ideas provided by their teachers.

Blog Post #2 Did You Know

Did you know was a very interesting and informative video. Technology has really grown over the years. It is not only for learning, but also entertainment. There are many things you can do and explore on the internet. I feel that the computer technology is expanding every hour but I don't think that it will take the place of people. Computers have to many problems and will always need repairs and someone to take their place doing those repairs.
Cell phones, ipods, and mp3 players are all examples of how technology has advanced throughout the years. I can remember when we only had pager. I can also remember when cell phones first came out, it was just that a phone. The social network is really on the raise also, and responsible for creating friendships and long lasting relationships. I really enjoy technology and all that it has to offer. I am a die hard fan of facebook and really enjoy keeping in touch with my family and friends. I have connected with alot of friends whom I have not seen or talked to in a long time. I am looking forward to learning new technology and teaching my children and students what I learn.

Project #2

Blog Post 1

     My name is Lawanna Hinton and I am 31yrs old. I was born and raised in Mobile, Al. I graduated from Murphy High one of the largest high schools in Mobile County. I am a mother of two, a full time student, and a part time employee at MIMC, where I'm a nursing asst.
     Even though I have always wanted to be a teacher, I let the thought of making more money motivate me to attend nursing school. It didn't take long for me to realize that nursing was not for me. I am now a junior at USA majoring in elementary education. I choose elementary education, because I feel that I younger students are more eager to learn and excited about school. I love working with children and I one day hope to open my own daycare center. The love children and feel that I can and will make a difference in their lives.