In reflecting back on articles read, video clips watched, and writing definitions about technology I have really started thinking about my high school education in the 80's and my experience as a teacher and I believe education has come a very long way! It is so much better and gets better everyday! I do think we are on the right track and I see students everyday do tasks on the computer or on their phones that I have never seen before and I am in awe of how much they know. My own kids google all day everyday any questions they may have, help on their homework, research colleges, jobs, movies and so much more! They also watch You Tube videos all of the time and sometimes they surprise me with an educational video they want to share with me. Students are now connected to the entire world and they are making presentations daily which means they are learning which equals richness.
One of the videos watched made the point that if we can't beat them we should join them and that is so true! We should stop playing school and get the students engaged and technology is just the way to do that. I never thought to use a cellphone as a class assignment "it's brilliant" and I can't wait to share that idea with a few teachers. I did let my students use ipods in class during independent work and it is a wonderful way to keep the noise level down and keep them working.
As advanced as education has come the video clips showed that we are still so far behind other countries. We are missing something. The technology is here and we are improving but..... Could it be families, homes, priorities, focus, discipline, or WHAT that holds America back? Have we lowered our standards which keeps us from reaching the higher levels?
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Technology Project 2
My definition of technology is working on a task better and faster with endless and unlimited possibilities.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Blog #1 To Be Continued
This assignment is the most eye opening experience and I have already learned so much! As a teacher I went to many workshops on blogging and wanted to blog with my students so much and now I am actually learning how to make that possible. I am a history major and I have always felt students and the general public would or could become passionate about history if they could find some magic opening and blogging may just be that magic. I see this exercise leading to a history project full of exciting history information or my dream would be a history project that helps students prep for the TEXES HISTORY EXAM!
I must say writing my philosophy down (actually it is just a good start to my philosophy) helped me remember everything that makes me so passionate about education. I really want success to be possible for all, I really want everyone to feel like they are so important to me when they are in my classroom, and building relationships is the best tool to engage students and blogging is a great way to build relationships.
While reading Stephen Downes article I can not help but feel excited about the direction that classrooms are going, but it is also very frustrating to read what is going on in some areas and almost impossible in others. The reason I feel we are not meeting this potential is based from my own experience. Not all students have computers at home, not all schools have enough computers to serve an entire class or too many classes to meet all the needs. I also believe this potential is not completely possible due to the fact that we have become a society that requires teachers to protect their students at all times and though blogging with the community would be a great lifelong learning and very engaging experience students realistically are reduced to just blogging with the teacher which Downes mentions in his article.
In November's article the area that stood out the most for me was number four and his focus on relationships. My favorite part of the article was when he mentions that technology planning should not be the focus and that what was flowing through the boxes was more important than the wires and the boxes. November states that an information communication plan should replace the technology planning and that we should focus on the quality of the information and the quality of the relationships.
My expectations for this class are to learn how to better serve students with a more modern approach. Downes and November both mention how kids can blow adults out of the water with their technology knowledge and skills and I want to get as close as possible to their level.
I must say writing my philosophy down (actually it is just a good start to my philosophy) helped me remember everything that makes me so passionate about education. I really want success to be possible for all, I really want everyone to feel like they are so important to me when they are in my classroom, and building relationships is the best tool to engage students and blogging is a great way to build relationships.
While reading Stephen Downes article I can not help but feel excited about the direction that classrooms are going, but it is also very frustrating to read what is going on in some areas and almost impossible in others. The reason I feel we are not meeting this potential is based from my own experience. Not all students have computers at home, not all schools have enough computers to serve an entire class or too many classes to meet all the needs. I also believe this potential is not completely possible due to the fact that we have become a society that requires teachers to protect their students at all times and though blogging with the community would be a great lifelong learning and very engaging experience students realistically are reduced to just blogging with the teacher which Downes mentions in his article.
In November's article the area that stood out the most for me was number four and his focus on relationships. My favorite part of the article was when he mentions that technology planning should not be the focus and that what was flowing through the boxes was more important than the wires and the boxes. November states that an information communication plan should replace the technology planning and that we should focus on the quality of the information and the quality of the relationships.
My expectations for this class are to learn how to better serve students with a more modern approach. Downes and November both mention how kids can blow adults out of the water with their technology knowledge and skills and I want to get as close as possible to their level.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Zearlene
I believe that everyday should be better than the day before, every moment should count, no time should ever be wasted, and every experience should be a learning experience. We are all life learners and should do what ever it takes to make this happen. Our lives should always be an example for others to follow.
Educators should always be positive, always promote the power of knowledge, and always demonstrate enthusiasm of learning. Educators should always be inovative, relevant, and always set the highest of standards for all.
I believe that education is for everyone. I believe that we are all equal and all have the right to learn, exceed, and achieve. I believe that educators make opportunities and creat futures for every student that enters the classroom.
Educators should always be positive, always promote the power of knowledge, and always demonstrate enthusiasm of learning. Educators should always be inovative, relevant, and always set the highest of standards for all.
I believe that education is for everyone. I believe that we are all equal and all have the right to learn, exceed, and achieve. I believe that educators make opportunities and creat futures for every student that enters the classroom.
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