C4K summary post 1,2, &3

C4K has been my favorite thus far! I truly love reading what these kids have to say. It's so much more interesting than reading adult information (for me) because, although not quite as informative, it is vulnerable, genuine and passionate. They haven't been quite as tainted by the world yet and blog just to blog for fun, as opposed to blogging for purpose, to let out steam, to inform, to make money, etc. Not that any of those reasons for blogging are bad, they're just not as enjoyable for me to read. For example, my 1st child to comment on was from Canada and she talked all about her pet pug Petri. The love she shared for Petri exuded through the text on the computer screen that I found myself smiling while reading it. My 2nd post was to a girl who got a Netbook and spoke about how responsible she was going to be with it. I was flabbergasted by her commitment to taking care of it and only using it in positive ways. My me happy. Finally I got to comment on a kid's post who was writing about cooking for a king and how he would go to great lengths to find the perfect and correct ingredients for this particular dish. His hard work ethic was all over this post and I even felt compelled to say to him that it would take him very far in this world!

Instructional Timeline

Timetoast Timeline

Blog Post 6

The Networked student was cool because it showed everything students can do in the 21st century with online learning and educational media! I loved it! I also thoroughly enjoyed how at the end of all the resources and informative ways kids learn and everything they can do, the creator answers the question "why does he even need a teacher?" Perfectly followed by all the countless ways technology can never replace a teacher such as, "guidance, proper communication, helps to organize and manage lost or confused thoughts. Brilliant!
A 7th grader's PLE was a pretty nifty video as well, showing media savvy ways to involve blogging and glogsters, skyping and online support programs in the classroom for learning. It's so cool to see the extent at which technology has developed and how far it can take the student in the classroom. My favorite part though was when the student mentioned the "inclination of responsibility it gives her, and how it allows for more freedom." I believe this to be a good thing and if negatively misconstrued, that is where a teacher uses disciplinary actions to step in and mediate! I don't necessarily think there are many differences from her PLE to my PLN except that her's is used to learn about her subjects and high school level classes, and mine is used to teach me how to become a better "techno-teacher!" (I just made that term up, how'd you like it ;)
http://www.edweek.org/persona.html?U=312150&plckUserId=312150 Was a post from "JackJ" who didn't necessarily disagree completely but made some very opposite opinions about smartboard/whiteboards such as being "great visual aids or noting the students' questions and comments on powerpoint presentations and publishing them to the class webpage," etc. I have never used a smartboard but I dont think they are a complete waste. Yes, expensive and could probably be easily replaced with less expensive yet equally efficient tools but if affordable then why not? I know a lot of teachers who adore their smartboard and wouldn't know what to do without it. I suppose this debate is just like any other contraversy: it all depends on the person and the circumstance. Everything is just an opinion.

Blog Post 5

I just had the opportunity to witness ultimate classroom education! The "Eagles Nest Radio and Class Blog" was phenomenal! These students not only learned countless facts about Ancient Greece/Rome and famous Greecians but they also got to incorporate technology in there by doing this radio podcast. At the same time of giving and presenting their information properly and professionally (something I'm sure they had to learn), they also spoke very well publicly. A form of media and entertainment training and technique went into this as well to make it a success; not to mention a little creativity for the costumes : ) Loved it!
The next podcast I chose was "Benefits of Podcasting in the Classroom" which was very informative. I learned that a podcast can deliver easily accessible criteria that can be listened to anytime and where. Yes it can be used as a learning tool to do fun projects with and create innovative ways to go about things, but what I was most interested in is how convenient and accessible it is for the students AND parents. If a child is sick- don't worry just have her listen to the podcast from class today! If a parent is curious about what the child is learning- they can go online and hear actual audio or video clips straight from the classroom! It's such a great tool!
Last but not least I really appreciated "100 Ways To Use Your Ipod," probably because I'm a student myself, whose life revolves around studying! It had so much to offer for students such as notes, lectures and study guides or tutorials and classroom help. These things are crucial for students and their progress. Some more of what it has to offer are things like actual podcasts, applications to download with tools that you can use for whatever need you're trying to fill. These tips and techniques are very helpful, useful, convenient and easy to manage. If I can use them, anyone can!

Project #6

Blog Post 4

Scott Mcleod's post "Don't Teach Your Kids This Stuff, Please" was great! My position on his arguments go right along with his. I mentioned in my post to him that I'm not necessarily as passionate about using technology for teaching but that it's growing on me because of people and posts like him! I could feel his passion and intensity through the computer screen as I was reading along, and he didn't even say that much. I'm developing this passion slowly but surely and even though it will probably be an infinite growth I'm willing to accept it with open arms! Scott McLeod was surprisingly an Associate Professor in the Educational Administration program at Iowa State University. He also is the Director of the UCEA Center for the Advanced Study of Technology Leadership in Education (CASTLE), the nation’s only academic center dedicated to the technology needs of school administrators, and was a co-creator of the wildly popular video, Did You Know? (Shift Happens). He has a bunch of awards for his technology brilliance and everything he has contributed to technology and learning and funding etc. and so forth. In Spring 2011 he will be a Visiting Canterbury Fellow at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. Dr. McLeod seems like a very exuberant, creative, innovative, passionate, and ingenious man who I am proud to say I learned some good tips from.
The "iSchool Initiative" was a pretty sweet video by a high school student who also shares a similar passion for increasing technology in school systems. It was a pretty overwhelming video but very informative on how much we can do with the technology today and how it can SAVE MONEY! Hearing about that part was my favorite because it truly does seem realistic that after purchasing all that technology, it would save money used from natural resources, time and effort. The easy accessibility was another part I liked because it showed how everything from the National Constitution, to parents' being able to track their child's progress and stuff like that, can be right at your fingertips! Love it! I'm a proud supporter of this kid and all the success I'm sure will follow him!
"The Lost Generation" has been my favorite video yet! Starting off by capturing you with the depressing sentences being read, it is definately an eye opener. Then once you're in it the speaker turns it around by reading it backwards, leading you to a completely different meaning! The concept was unbelievable, how they read the exact same sentences while at the same time giving you a totally opposite meaning than the first go round! Totally captivating, enticing, and enthralling I loved spending my time watching that one!
My reaction to the Virtual Choir is still full of questions. Did one person send out a mass email with explicit instructions on how to go about doing this or is it all just random people that made videos of themselves singing? Are they all singing the same tune/key or humming the same thing? I'm so confused but regardless it was neat to see all the possibilities of virtuality.
"Teaching in the 21st Century" was an interesting video as well. How do I feel about the positions expressed in this video? Well, I feel very grateful to have encountered these questions and concerns and for them to have been brought to my attention. I agree with there being virtually limitless information, so we must teach children how to properly use the internet. Because believe it or not, I was never exactly taught how to google, etc. I think my friends showed me and I just kind of picked it up along the way. Teaching them to properly ask the right questions for research, and what to search for, using the tools in engaging ways instead of solely for entertainment, is crucial. From this video it was crystal clear what to take with me and always ask: "What Does It Mean?!"

C4T #1 summary

So in my 1st C4T summary, I read about a somewhat newer program called "student led conferences" where parents can come and watch their child give a presentation on their learning and what they like about it, which then shows the teacher and parents where the child's interest is and what the child enjoys, as well as what he/she should work on and the weak areas that may be present!
Such a cool concept! There were some parents that preferred the old fashion method of teacher/parent conference without the student, I guess to get in deep conversation with the teacher without any interruptions from the child and handle it on an adult level. But for the most part I think this new program was a hit and successfully carried out the purpose it was intended for.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading on this topic and I love this new method! When I'm a parent I believe I'd much rather hear what my child has to say than solely go off of what the teacher says. Then if I have any further questions or concerns I will take the necessary preparations or precautions to fix the situation. So I'm all for it and all about the student led conferences! That pretty much sums up what my comment said to Ms. Cassidy!

For my second post on Mrs. Cassidy's blog I mentioned how exciting it must be for the parents to get to see this level of involvement into what their child's learning experience is like. If I were a parent I would be thrilled! It is such a great opportunity for the children and parents as well. It seems this kind of involvement would bring a new outlook on parent teacher relationships and I love how this concept has evolved. I wrote to Mrs. Cassidy about how magnificent I think her ideas and progressions have been. Hope my children have a teacher like her and hope I can be one too : )

Blog Post 3

The "Vision of Students Today" video was right up my alley! That is EXACTLY how I feel my college experience is and I can completely relate. I spend hundreds of dollars on books that I don't even open too, but I'll take all the blame for that. I spend money to eventually, hopefully make more money one day; kind of makes me sick to think about it like that. I wish I had better ideas of how to make the college experience less dramatic the way it seemed/can be, but at the same time I don't know if I even believe anything can be done or fixed. The school board directors, head honchos, big wigs and people with all the authority and power know what they're doing and how to make things work and I believe they're doing the best they can. Plus college does a pretty good job of getting you ready for the real world... sort of.
"It's not about the technology" was really great too. I loved the part about teaching in the 21st century is going to be about working smarter not harder! One can only work so hard but if that work is made "smarter" such as using your time better and with quality instead of quantity (trying to speak from a teachers' perspective and not a students') then it seems life for everyone would be made easier in the long run.
"Is It Ok To Be A Technologically Illiterate Teacher" brought up such great points. I must first admit that I run close to being one of these technologically illiterate people, but thanks to Dr. Strange and his staff I believe that come May 2011 I will have changed, what I thought was my destiny, into a technologically savvy future for me and the children in my future! As long as you have the audacity to try and to care, that is all that matters (with technology and teaching in general)! "In order to teach it, we have to do it" was my FAVORITE quote from Mr. Fisch.
The "every second counter" thing is insane. I literally cannot even fathom that and it is absolutely mind boggling. For my teaching career it is somewhat a wake up call to realize that as an educator, things change that fast. Being on top of your game and staying up on what's new and the futures development is utterly important and cannot be stressed enough! I think that did an amazing job of showing us.

Project #5