Project #15

Progress Report on Final Project

Our group includes Courtney Block, Jessica Mose, Stephanie Tisdale, and myself. We have met twice to work on our project, and we have completed most of the video for our movie. We communicate mainly through text, and that seems to work well with all 4 of us and our busy schedules. We will get together again after Thanksgiving to work on finishing it up.

Blog Assignment #13

Back To the Future     

The first video for this blog that I watched was Back To the Future. Mr. Cosby talks about all the different activities that he does in his 4th grade classroom. My favorite part of this video is the balloon experiment. Mr. Cosby let his kids help design and engineer the balloon so they are all involved and having fun while learning. I thought it was so interesting that he had a camera in the balloon, and they could see the view from the top. I really  liked how Mr. Cosby used this as a way for his students to be creative, and turn an ordinary day at school into something exciting.

My other part of the video that I enjoyed was the experiment with the soda can being crushed. I like how each student got  involved and was able to film themselves doing the experiment and then embed the clip into their blogs. It was great to see the kids get excited and eager to participate, and not just sit there looking bored.  I  thought that was great how Mr. Cosby using video chat  to include Celeste in the class.

A Vision of Students Today  was the second video I watched for this blog assignment. This video was very enlightening of a students point of view. Some of the students were holding up messages, and I felt  like I could  relate to most of what they were saying. Each semester when I go and buy my books,  I feel like I have been taken to the cleaners afterwards. One thing I don't agree with or understand is students who pay for these book, classes, and then don't show up half the time.

From the point of view of a president or dean of a college or university this video is probably a little disturbing. If I was someone in that position I would feel really horrible knowing how much the dean makes, and then see signs being held up about how expensive college is, and how much debt students are graduating with. Many of the messages suggested that no matter what was going on they weren't paying attention in the classroom. I think if some of the teachers would get out of the same repeating lecture, make it more interesting, then some of the students might pay more attention and get more involved.

Blog Assignment #12

Our blog assignment for this week is to create an assignment for a blog post that Dr. Strange should have created. I am an Elementary Education major, and I really love the idea of my future students blogging. I think they can learn so much, and learn to express their self in a creative way.

The Assignment                        

Watch the video Randy Pausch Inspires Graduates . Write 2 or more paragraphs discussing the video.


My Post

Randy Pausch  gave a very inspiring speech to the graduates of Carnegie Mellon University on May 18, 2008. All the videos that we have watched  in EDM 310 this semester, Randy Pausch is my favorite. In This video he speaks about finding your passion in life.  He says that you can't wait until your on your death bed, because then it's too late. Life if full of experiences, and  you should always do what makes you happy.

Randy Pausch was a very inspirational person, and I think his advice is worth taking. I look back over the last ten years and I think of all the time I wasted not finishing my education. If  you don't make the most of it, one day you will look back, and think where has the time gone. As Mr. Pausch says " find your passion, and follow it." Your passion comes from the things that fuel you from the inside, not the materialistic things.

C4K October Summary

C4K3                      

On October 4th I commented on a students blog named Aurduc954. He talked about the difference between cats and dogs. He stated that they came in different sizes, colors, and that dogs are more popular because they are playful. He also listed some other things like dogs bark, cats meow, dogs play a lot, and cats like to sleep. I agreed with him about the differences, and told him that cats are friendly when they want to be, and it's usually on their terms.

C4K4

On October 12th I commented on a students blog named Mike Gwaltney. His blog post was called "Our Final Project," The final project in The Age of Exploration. His challenge was to create a video about the American Revolution. He did a great job making a video pointing out the facts on the Battle of Bennington.

C4K5

On October 18th I commented on a students blog named Sponge-bob.  Sponge-bob is a sixth grader from Canada. She wrote about things that she likes, and her hobbies. a few of her hobbies include photography, doodling, knitting, and swimming.
C4K6

On October 28th I commented on Molly's blog. She summarized Johnny from The Outsiders. She did a really good job describing Johnny's character. From what I read Johnny has had a hard life, and went through a lot. His character reflects that it is important to truly be who you are.

Blog Assignment # 11

Little Kids...Big Potential       

Ms. Cassidy is a first grade teacher from Moose Jaw, Canada. I really enjoyed watching this video, but I was a little surprised that the students were writing blogs. I'm in college and only created my first blog because of EDM 310. The students also use the smart board, create web pages, wikis, and Skype. She also has a class website set up to keep the parents informed.  The students really enjoyed this type of learning environment, and personally I think they learn more when they are enjoying what they are doing.

Skype Interview with Ms. Cassidy

In the interview, Ms. Cassidy talks about how she got involved in technology with such a young age group. My experience this semester has been a huge stepping stone, and I have learned a lot. Technology is here to stay, and as I have said before, we might as well embrace it. Before EDM 310 I haven't thought much about using technology in my classroom, and now it definitely gives me something to think about. I think the younger you start teaching them the better.

For me the # 1 thing I look forward to using in my classroom is blogs. I think it is very important for students to learn and using their writing skills. It also can help them learn to be creative and express there self. As a parent of a two year old, I see how he picks up on the little things, and he is always so eager to mess with the computer, or try and use our cell phones.

A world where grades will be left behind   

Sebastian Thrun, A Google Vice President and research professor, founded an education company called "Udacity." Thrun's Udacity is neither the first nor last high-tech experiment seeking to revolutionize education.  Thrun thinks that education should be as fun as a video game, and free to anyone who is interested. I agree that making learning fun is a way to keep the students interested. I also feel that there should be structure and routine involved with children's education.

Grades is what Thrun calls "the failure of the education system" won't exist. He thinks that students should be able to move at their own pace, and take as much time as they need. Personally I think that is a mistake, because all that does is teach them that they can take their time, and not excel at the pace they should. Not all students have the discipline to work at their own pace and work online. I do not agree with him, and as a future teacher I want to be able to help my students succeed.

Blog Assignment 10

This cartoon by John T. Spencer is a mock of the I'm a Mac and I'm a PC commercials. The point that is being made in the cartoon is that Mac computers are more expensive, but they are worth the money. I have never used a Mac until this semester, and now I'm quite fond of them. I have a PC at home and it does not compare to the Mac.

Why Were Your Kids Playing Games?   

                                                                                         

In this post, Mr. Spencer writes about being called into the Principal's office. He gets in trouble for allowing his students to play games in the classroom.  Mr. Spencer tries to tell him that the games were educational, and the children were learning.  The principal tells him he needs to prepare his students for the rote memorization test. Mr. Spencer adds that even doctors and soldiers play games and do simulations as a part of their education.  The principal tells him that games are not allowed, period.

I don't agree with students playing games that do not benefit what they are supposed to be learning, but I see nothing wrong if it promotes learning.  If you do something that sparks an interest with children, they enjoy learning. The fact of the matter is, their will always be that teacher who believes in what Dr. Strange calls the "Burp- Back" way of teaching. With the memorization method they do not gain anything, and what they memorized is usually forgotten soon after. As a teacher, you should not want your students just to memorize something to get by.

After reading the Con Academy it made me wonder why are there teachers? Teachers are there to teach and help students learn. You can't give them a bunch of worksheets and packets and expect them to be engaged. students need to interact, and you need to have their interest. If you just give them a stack of worksheets, they are not going to take it serious, and the students are the ones who will be left behind and not get the education they need.

Don't Teach Your Kids This Stuff. Please?         

Mr. Mcleod's post was saying go ahead and keep your kids away from technology, but he will use it to his advantage. He was pointing out how important technology is, and learning it gives you a bigger advantage. The Internet is a great place to learn  as long as it's used properly. The Internet is also filled with things that children have no business seeing, and that's why parents should always monitor what their children are doing online. Technology is advancing constantly and there is nothing we can do about it. The ones who are at a disadvantage are the ones not  keeping up with the changes.

Project 14 Smart Board Part 1

Project 11