Sunday, February 26, 2012

Blog Post #5

dangerously irrelevant


Don't teach your kids this stuff. Please? by Scott McLeod and many more post by this wonderful innovator in education. I found his take on education to be bold and front running. His attempts to inspire the leaders in education, will hopefully create the necessary foot hold required for education to move forward in technology. Dr. McLeod stated "If the leaders don't get it, it's not going to happen." I believe this sums up Dr. McLeod and his philosophy. We need technology in our schools, so we can compete with the rest of the World.




Ischool Initiative by Travis Allen was an eye opening piece on how easily a simple touch device could be integrated into our education system. Using an iPod Touch he was able to show how we could replace a large portion of what we currently use as required materials for school, by this simple device. The applications on these iPod Touches that are currently available and the applications that could be available would make this device more viable for up and coming students. This in turn could really drive U.S. schools into leadership positions of education in the World community. Mr Allen even came out 3 years later with an update on his progression called Travis Allen's Zeitgeist Young Mind's Entry which he states that, "his program has gotten worldwide attention" and has led him around the the US promoting his program.

My reaction to this is development is simple. If we can save money in education. Cut cost to parents. Alleviate the pressure faced by teachers from parents on the progress of students. With a device that cost a 1/3 of the current classroom budget for students, then I say lets go. Standing around and waiting for something to shift or for the right people to get on board is tragic. Each day, each moment lost is another student left behind in the technological development of our changing world.



virtual choir


Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir - 'Lux Aurumque' was amazing. I have never seen anything quite like that display. I was in awe, upon watching all of those beautiful voices singing together from all over the World. And to think, all of that was done by the technology we are currently depriving our young minds from having in our schools. A virtual choir, what an amazing gift, they were able to share with each other and the almost 3 million views on You Tube. This revolutionary way of communicating is just the beginning. Just by this display alone we can see the huge benefits with this type of interaction each and every student and educator could achieve in our schools. Technology can improve our classrooms, our interactions, and our level of comprehension. classrooms. Lets sing out our move forward together.


Robert's Teaching in the 21st Century seems to be a call to teachers to do more than regurgitate facts and dates to students. Instead we should be growing socially in this technological environment, reaching out to people around the world to help education grow in our students. Using the internet as a tool, as well as, other free programs offered through the internet such as; Google, Wiki, Facebook, Twitter, etc. This are readily available for students and teachers outside the classroom, as well as, inside the classroom. We the up and coming educators need to take this opportunity and act. Create engaging classrooms. Inspire students to want to learn instead of feeling like they have to learn.

Friday, February 17, 2012

Blog Post #4

podcast image




The articles I read fir this blog post were as followed, "Integrating ICT into the MFL Classroom" created by Joe Dale, "1st Graders Create Their Own Read-Along Audiobook" found on Langwitches's Blog page, and "Curriki - Podcast Collection" created by Judy Scharf. Each of these articles opened my eyes to the immense potential of Podcasting and/or Vodcasting.

In Joe Dale's article "Integrating ICT into the MFL Classroom",  I was able to see the benefits of Podcasting in a classroom as well as out of the classroom. For example, children in the classroom were much more in-tuned with the lecturing part, because of the use of Podcasting in the power point lectures. At home, students could get their assignments when they were sick. Parents could even follow along with their children on what they were doing in class with the use of these Podcasts uploaded by the teachers.

On the Langwitches's Blog Page I was able to see the impact a simple book had on children and how they made the book more interactive with Podcasts. The students that were listening were utilizing scripts to follow along with Podcasts. The whole endeavor seemed to bring new life to story time.

As for  "Curriki - Podcast Collection", this page gave me the basics. What Podcast/Vodcasts were and how to implement them. Tips to succeed in rolling out Podcasts in our classrooms. The programs students would use when creating a Podcast/Vodcast and how to use them.

This post was exceptionally difficult for me because I saw no real value in Podcasting or Vodcasting in relation to education, before reading those articles. Of course, I have never used Podcasts or watched Vodcasts, so my knowledge base on the subject was low. After reviewing these sites I was wrong. Listening to these young students using Podcast and/or Vodcasts to create projects seemed to evolve the process. Opening new doors and giving students better experiences in the classrooms. Hearing themselves recite a reading they did on a Podcast or watching themselves on a Vodcast brought out a certain look of accomplishment and joy. It is so great to see those students absorb the material in such a way as to promote success not only in themselves, but also in future learners.

Each of these writings has ample material I can now use to do and improve my Podcast and/or Vodcast. I really enjoyed the script, which I believe draws the readers in, presented in the Langwitches's Blog. I liked how students can read different parts and overlay them into one Podcast. This allowed for a more interactive listening experience, instead of a monotone lecture on the material. This was presented in Joe Dale's article. As for a reference I have Judy Scharf's post to refer back to, when I need help on the technical side of setting up and actively creating the project. I feel all three of these post will attribute to my Podcast and/or Vodcasts the best, because of what they will bring to my teams project. These in-turn will allow me to succeed in a greater magnitude even on my future Podcasts and/or Vodcasts.

Monday, February 13, 2012

C4K#1

kids smiling and playing on a laptop


Mrs. Ripp's Class » A Trip Back In Time blog by Matthew was a really cool read. He mentioned really interesting points on what things would be like back in time without a lot of our amenities. He wanted to go back and see how things were before a lot of technologies that helped mankind were invented to see how humans lived. He also wanted to bring tools back from cave men times so scientists could study them. Matthew put all of time in his blog about going back in time.
He hit on several different points in history and made me think of what I would want to see if I went back in time. I responded with, going back to ancient Japan to see the Samurai. I told him I took Jujitsu and I learned about the Japanese culture. I thanked him in Japanese for his contribution to the blogging community. It was a really fun to see where elementary kids are at compared to when I was in their grade.


Mrs. Huebner's class had individual blogs for his/her students. I was asked to comment on  Kaylee's Blog. Her blog was on art and what it meant to her. Her first thought was she was not good at art, but that she liked it. She went on to talk about what she thought it took to make good art. She felt an individual should be "passionate, colorful, creative, spontaneous, and you shouldn’t care what anybody else says about your painting or picture". The last of her thoughts revolved around how nobody could steal art from you or make you change your mind on how you feel about it.
I told her in my comment that I felt the same way about art. I was not good at art, but I liked looking at art. I told her a story about how my mother took me to museums when I was a kid and I spent a lot of time looking at paintings. I went on telling her she should never care what people say about the art she creates. I thanked her for her contribution to the blogging world and sharing her feelings on art.

Friday, February 10, 2012

Blog Post #3

apple logo


The video Technology in Special Education uploaded by lacecook was an informative way at looking at special needs students, who without technology, would be unable to achieve any measurable accomplishments in their classroom. The teacher walked you through her classroom showing how students interacted without technology and then with technology. In the case of the special needs students in her classroom, you could see a significant difference in how they interacted in that environment. The achievements were measurable and there was a defined improvement in the students academic day.
I was moved after watching this video. When I was in school, special needs students were in a learning resource area, not included in the general education population. I did not realize how different it must be for a special needs student trying to use the same tools as general education students take for granted everyday. But technology evened the playing field, even made students with special needs increase by leaps and bounds. As a future teacher in general education I will definitely look at technology to improve the lives of my students, especially the special needs students.

How Apple-Education-Apps can be helpful in our classrooms. I looked through the education apps offered by apple and I was asked to find one I would use to help future students. All of the apps for education seem to help in each area of education and all had there places, but the one I liked the most was Virtual History Roma. The helpful interface of a virtual world set up in the past would be a significant help in understanding that time period. In the case of a special needs student this app would allow them to interact like other students in class. This would create an inclusive feeling for the special needs student. As for the general education students I believe the interaction with a 3d world of that time period would not only help those students grasp concepts, but also help them feel dynamic in their learning experience. 





The explosion of social media since the 90's is outrageous. According to that counter on Gary Hayes Social Media Count I would estimate by the time we are set as teachers social media will have touch almost all human life with access to electricity. This means we as educators must really take into account the impact that social media has on our future students. In order for us to not be left behind or surpassed by our students, we as professionals should invest ourselves in as many aspects of technology as possible. We do not have to be experts in social media, but we should be able to talk and work with it in an educated manner.


kid with laptop

The video A Vision of Students Today uploaded by mwesch an the cultural anthropology class of Kansas State U. opened my eyes to how students are being lost in our schools. In classrooms were there is 1 teacher and 115 students, teaching becomes very broad and general. This leaves a lot of the learning up to the students. Some students see the errors and try to overcome, but it seemed that most of the students just did enough of the material to get by in the class. I believe if we as future educators purse technology based education the students will be less apt to just do enough to get by. I believe we could reach all of our students, while teaching them the basics of technology in order for them to succeed in those future jobs that do not exist now.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

C4T#1

Education=Future



I was assigned a Blog post by Bill Ferriter and his current post is on an education system of  "Doing" instead of "Knowing".  He states we should be asking "What If" instead of  "Yeah, but....", when we approach teaching our future students. Bill Ferriter feels that we as educators should be moving into the future and growing with it and not being stagnant. He wants students to "...see themselves as living, breathing contributors to the world around them rather than simply as little people locked away behind our walls waiting to be released?Mr. Ferriter has explained in his blog that the education formula would have to be taken back to the beginning. To start to change the current process, even the purchases made in our schools would need to be reevaluated. His article pursues the concept of an ever changing educational system, with emphasis on current practices for teaching. Instead of relying on archaic principals that have been allowed to continue because of educators having the inability to move forward.
After reading his blog I left a comment. I explained who I was and what I was attempting to do, by reading his blog. I ventured to explain how our professors encourage us, the students, to make changes in our lifetime as educators, not to follow the status quo. I went on to say that in my experiences change is very hard to do, especially in a system such as this that has existed the same way for an extensive period of time. I applauded his efforts and simply said his hardest adversary would be his entrenched supporters of a current education system and that anything "Different" would be seen as a threat.

In my second blog reading for Mr. Bill Ferriter he endeavors to take on the topic of Fewer Priorities Makes Schools MORE Productive.  His take on the subject is that teachers with fewer responsibilities are more likely to succeed than those who are overwhelmed. Currently teachers are set at the bottom of the hierarchy pyramid instead of at the tip of the diamond. In his eyes and others this is how the structure should be viewed. This would also lead teachers to better opportunities in the future on focusing on our youths, instead of dealing with our problems.
In my response, I agreed with his beliefs on the subject. I have heard horrible stories about over run classrooms and teachers having enormous amounts of problems. I believe that if we could cut down on those problems found in those classrooms and allowed the teachers to focus, we would see significant changes in our youths.

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Blog Post 2

Using Technology in the Classroom
Did you know 3.0 by Dr. John Strange which was based on the original Did You Know? by Karl Fisch and Scott McLeod was completely overwhelming. I was unaware of the complete inundation we are seeing of technology on our planet. The authors of the original Did You Know? stated that every "2 years technology changed" and "every vocational student would be out of date by their third year in school". Dr. Strange’s version states that "We are training children for jobs that do not exist now".
We are also seeing a huge population increase in India and China. There are currently more 18 million English speaking Chinese in China. There are 300 million "learners" in China for English, those learners will be more than the current population in the United States of America  by Dr. Strange. Along with the population explosion in India, you are seeing 25% of India’s population has the highest IQ, which out numbers the population of the United States of America. These changes are happening each and every moment of every day. Interesting enough we see technology change and populations increase and we think nothing or little about it. It is not until we see a video like Dr. John Strange’s Did You Know 3.0 that we begin to realize the ramifications of these growing trends.


Mr. Winkle Wakes is a PARODY developed by Mathew Needleman. It shows an old man waking up after 100 years of sleep. He ventures out into our world. He is immediately overwhelmed at how technology has changed over those years. He started feeling sick and found himself in the hospital. Even in the hospital Mr. Winkle was still overwhelmed at what he was seeing and experiencing. He left and began to wander around and found himself at a school. He entered the school and immediately felt at ease. This was the first place he had come to that he felt completely at home. Nothing was different, the structure was the same, teachers were the same, and students were placed and acting the way he remembered.

I found this PARODY to be a quirky way to state and obvious problem in our current world. In our everyday lives technology lives in every nook and cranny. But in our education system we still find a huge gap in technology. Even the structures in the classrooms have not changed. Classroom sizes have increased, technology has become more readily available, and knowledge is more easily sought, yet we have not exposed our children to these positive opportunities. 

The Importance of Creativity by Sir Ken Robinson  and the TED: Ideas worth spreading shows us, the teachers and students, other paths for teaching new and upcoming students. The future holds infinite possibilities and we are grooming our future educators, merchants, and artisans to grow in and be a part of these possibilities. Sir Ken explains to the audience that the Arts are lost in almost every educator's structure around the World. The "hierarchy starts with Math, Humanities, and then the Arts" according to Sir Robinson.    They are at the bottom of the hierarchy in every education structure around the World. He goes on to say that,"...we teach children out of creativity..." sighting that adults tell children there are no jobs for artists or musicians in the World. It is almost as if we push children out of creativity and in to a subject.

I listened to all 19 mins and 29 secs. of that presentation and I was really taken back. I had heard those same speeches from educators, parents, and other adult family members when I was young, about how you do not need to waste your time on the Arts. You need to focus on subjects that will get you a career. I honestly never thought much about how important Arts play in a child's and young adult's education. I believe with the right effort from teachers involved and the right push from the administrators we could really work on making the education of our youth a much more creative one.


A Vision for the 21st Century by a presenter at the TED conference is a short video, which bring ups current issues with the structure of the education system. How children learn in a passive manner and learning is still a memorization progress. It was compared to a factory, kids come in and pass one station (grade) to another memorizing and regurgitating facts. Just as an assembly line in a factory. We should have better standards for our youth. Other than just treating them like parts and pieces on an assembly line.

The response to this current structure by these individuals is turn learning into an adventure. Turning lessons in to video games that allow children not only to learn but interact in a dynamic model rather a static one. These games are set to teach languages and historical cultures. This avenue of teaching placates to the children strengths rather than their weakness, while still teaching important subject material.

The video Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts posted on Edutopia is designed to show the empowerment of kids through technology. A teacher in a rural Georgia town has her students working on a global scale, because of technology. She has empowered her students to not only learn new concepts, but to teach fellow classmates and herself these new techniques.

After watching this video on the effects of technology on such a small group in the South, I feel we should really pursue the aspects of technology in our classrooms. The picture drawn was quite different than what I would have expected from a technology class. I would have thought it would have trended in a classical way. Teach the material and the children regurgitate what they have learned. It was not anything like this, instead children were growing, teaching, and changing not only their lives, but those of the community around them.