What?
At the current time, we are beginning our Webquest assignments. We are in our groups discussing what we are going to do our Webquest on and getting everything organized.
So What?
I have never really thought about Webquest till today. I didn't even really know what they were actually. The more I think about it though, they could be very useful if done correctly. Touching base with our students, our digital learners as we might call them. They could find this very useful. If there is a topic that you would like your students to learn more about, a webquest is an interactive that they could use to help them learn. Depending on the subject, you could even be used as an informative virtual field trip of sorts. In a professional setting, you and your colleagues could even get together and create one for a particular department.
If used well and if the students know how to work, then this is a very useful. Webquests could be used anywhere form Elementary to Secondary education. It would be a useful tool that every educator should learn how to use.
Now What?
By learning how to create and use Webquest in my curriculum, I can become a more effective educator to benefit my students. For my content area, Music, to help them understand more of the pieces we are playing, I can create a webquest to help them understand the composers thoughts and why composers do what they do. I could use one as a Music History lesson to help the students better understand music in general. I feel that webquest could benefit students in general because it makes learning interactive. They are doing rather than just receiving the information and falling asleep at a desk. It will be more meaningful for them.
Video Reflection
What can I say? That was one cool video clip! The surface computer interface looks like something I would definitely get my hands on. It would be a very fun and interactive way to teach. At school defiantly, but more so at home. It would be a great teaching and learning tool for my baby boy when he gets older. Whether it be learning his ABC's, numbers, how to run certain applications, etc. In a school setting, can you imagine your white board being an interactive surface computer? How cool would that be? You can use them for training staff, new teachers in a way that brings all types of technology together. All I can think of about these surface computers is how cool!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
My Beliefs
My feelings on technology in the classroom, I would say are pretty strong. Personally, I love technology. It has benefited my life greatly, and I feel could greatly benefit the lives of my students. Though, I do feel that students must be taught correctly, educating them about not just the benefits technology could, but also the dangers that surfing the web could bring. The Millenial clip pushed "Media Mobility." People, want everything to be readily accesible to them on the spot. Students have iPods, smart phones and computers. I feel that you should integrate a website of sorts so that you students can refer to if needed. Complete with websites, reminders and other items of importance. Now, the students we educate, will not only have to compete for jobs on the national level, but I feel on the world level as well. The the clip "shift happens," it states that very soon, China will be the #1 english speaking country in the world! Now, when you stop to think that in the Asian countries, there is a great deal of technology. Most of the students in Asian countries I feel will be competing for jobs in the United States. If we do not prepare our students properly, it is my belief that our students will lose their jobs to international students with better qualifications. As educators, I feel that it will be to our benefit, if we stay in accordance with the NET and UNI Standards that have been put in place.
Now, as a music educator, I feel that my music classroom could benefit greatly! Recording rehearsals, performances to be able to hear how much the ensemble has progressed. You can teach composition using programs such as Finale and Sibelius. You can even use a program entitles, SmartMusic. Most importantly, if you use technology in the classroom, you help you students learn the way that they want to learn. Remember, these kids javascript:void(0)are digital learners. Teach them in ways that will benefit them and their education.
Now, as a music educator, I feel that my music classroom could benefit greatly! Recording rehearsals, performances to be able to hear how much the ensemble has progressed. You can teach composition using programs such as Finale and Sibelius. You can even use a program entitles, SmartMusic. Most importantly, if you use technology in the classroom, you help you students learn the way that they want to learn. Remember, these kids javascript:void(0)are digital learners. Teach them in ways that will benefit them and their education.
Lessons Learned
By completing this assignment, I have learned many new things that I did not know, I care to realize before. For one, I had know idea that there were actual standards out there. Though, the video that talked about the Harrison County high school opened up my eyes. That school district understand what its students need. Now, I say need vs want because yes, they may want it. But, those students need that technology. They need to learn how to use technology any many different ways. If not, they will not be able to find jobs in the future that they will need to support their own families. One of the students in that particular clip said that, "Doing makes it fun." Now, I completely agree with his statement. How many of us have fallen asleep in a class when the teacher is just going on and on about what the book says. Who cares?!? Though, if you incorporate technology and the student actually has to do something, that student is not falling asleep. The are being very interactive. They are not just learning, they are learning very important analytical skills.
Learning is something that is personal. If the students can connect their education to something in their lives, they will also pay more attention because they know that it is going to affect them in a very personal way. As educators, I have learned that we must rise up to the standards and realize that we are no longer teaching in paper/ pencil and text book world. We are teaching in a very digitally interactive, media based world that literally has the technology to put the world in everyones fingertips at the click of a button. This is the type of world that our students will be going into, the is the type of world that we need to educate, and prepare our students to go into.
Learning is something that is personal. If the students can connect their education to something in their lives, they will also pay more attention because they know that it is going to affect them in a very personal way. As educators, I have learned that we must rise up to the standards and realize that we are no longer teaching in paper/ pencil and text book world. We are teaching in a very digitally interactive, media based world that literally has the technology to put the world in everyones fingertips at the click of a button. This is the type of world that our students will be going into, the is the type of world that we need to educate, and prepare our students to go into.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Video Reflection
The Connected Classroom
The video is very enlightening to the way education was, to what education is and how it should be now. There is nothing wrong with the way that people were educated in the past. In our current time, we are still learning this way. Though, the difference, is that we are learning technologically. We are in a world of electronics, the internet, TV and much more. Our world, is currently changing and becoming more technologically advanced. As this happens, it is imperative that we as a society also change the way we educate ourselves to keep up with technology. I strongly feel that if a person is not technologically savvy, that they will not be qualified for many jobs and get passed over for someone who is technologically savvy.
I am grateful for the education that I am getting that is teaching me to be even more technologically savvy than I already am. I am excited to keep learning as new things come out, I feel that I I do this, I will keep myself in the loop and thus able to compete for future jobs that will be created in the future.
The video is very enlightening to the way education was, to what education is and how it should be now. There is nothing wrong with the way that people were educated in the past. In our current time, we are still learning this way. Though, the difference, is that we are learning technologically. We are in a world of electronics, the internet, TV and much more. Our world, is currently changing and becoming more technologically advanced. As this happens, it is imperative that we as a society also change the way we educate ourselves to keep up with technology. I strongly feel that if a person is not technologically savvy, that they will not be qualified for many jobs and get passed over for someone who is technologically savvy.
I am grateful for the education that I am getting that is teaching me to be even more technologically savvy than I already am. I am excited to keep learning as new things come out, I feel that I I do this, I will keep myself in the loop and thus able to compete for future jobs that will be created in the future.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Strengths & Weaknesses
In accordance withe the UNI and Net standards, I feel that I am pretty well rounded with technology, though I do have some weaknesses that I personally need to work on to be better. I feel that some of my strengths according to the UNI standards I am pretty savvy with, "Basic Technology Equipment Operations and Concepts. I am pretty good with installing software, troubleshooting, basic terminology, operations and operating other technologically based equipment. Though, I do need to study up on the ethical and legal issues such as copyright laws and learning how to provide equitable access to software for all of my students. I feel that I also have many weaknesses with items that are mentioned in the NET standards. When it comes to teaching and the curriculum, I need to learn how to apply certain technologies to develop the students congnitively, and how to manage the learning activities in a technology-enhanced environment. We learn about classroom management, though I feel that we also need to learn about technological classroom management. Also mentioned in the NET standards are the Social, Ethical Legal, and Human issues. Not I feel that I do know about these things, though I feel that I need to better understand the laws that go along with technology, such as copyrights and such.
Now, taking a look at my weaknesses and how I could improve them, I have thought of a couple of goals that I could work on to improve those weaknesses. For one, to improve my knowledge, or lack of knowledge about the laws and copyrights, I need to research them and bring myself up to date with the current laws and realize, that well..... hacking into things is not the way to go. Also, I would like to set a goal on how I, could better incoporate and apply certain technologies to help educate mys tudents to be in better accordance with the UNI standards that have been put forth. I strongly feel that if I can complete these two main goals, I can better myself and become a better educator for my future students.
To help me complete these two goals that I have set for myself. I have found, what I feel to be a very valuable resource at the Teacher's Network. This site has many articles, tutorials, videos, all geared to help the educator become better at using technology to reinforce instruction. This is important to me. Because, if I can use technology, to help my students who will be and already are digital learners, than I can teach them in a way that they will find fun and interesting. By doing this, they will also grow cognitively. To help me complete the other goal I have set forth, on becoming better aquinted with copyright laws and the laws in general. I have found an online tutorial to educate myself on the copyright laws in the United States. The tutorial can be found at Bitlaw. Now, if I complete these goals of mine, and in the future stay up to date with this information, I feel that I will be a much more effetive educator as well as being able to provide my students with equitable technology for all and educate them in a way that will prepare them for their future.
Now, taking a look at my weaknesses and how I could improve them, I have thought of a couple of goals that I could work on to improve those weaknesses. For one, to improve my knowledge, or lack of knowledge about the laws and copyrights, I need to research them and bring myself up to date with the current laws and realize, that well..... hacking into things is not the way to go. Also, I would like to set a goal on how I, could better incoporate and apply certain technologies to help educate mys tudents to be in better accordance with the UNI standards that have been put forth. I strongly feel that if I can complete these two main goals, I can better myself and become a better educator for my future students.
To help me complete these two goals that I have set for myself. I have found, what I feel to be a very valuable resource at the Teacher's Network. This site has many articles, tutorials, videos, all geared to help the educator become better at using technology to reinforce instruction. This is important to me. Because, if I can use technology, to help my students who will be and already are digital learners, than I can teach them in a way that they will find fun and interesting. By doing this, they will also grow cognitively. To help me complete the other goal I have set forth, on becoming better aquinted with copyright laws and the laws in general. I have found an online tutorial to educate myself on the copyright laws in the United States. The tutorial can be found at Bitlaw. Now, if I complete these goals of mine, and in the future stay up to date with this information, I feel that I will be a much more effetive educator as well as being able to provide my students with equitable technology for all and educate them in a way that will prepare them for their future.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Internet Safety Reflection
The internet could be a very useful, and effective educational tool. Though, at the same time, it could also be a very harmful tool if misused and abused.
Educationally, no matted what suibject you are stuyding, you could find a plethora of sites that will give you information on what you would like to know. Though, when looking and researching on the internet, I strongly encourage that you research your topic elsewhere, before you research it on the internet. You want to have a basic knowledge of the topic before so that you could start to form and idea of what you are looking for. Also, this will help you in deciphering whether or not, the site that you are looking at is a reputable one.
It is very important to evaluate the site that you are researching for information. Be very carfeful, you do not want to be mislead with your information. Remember, you want to have a quality education, be smart of where you get your information from. When, deciding whether or not the site you are reading is reputable, ask yourself a few questions:
1. Is the webpage authentic?
- Check the date it was created or updated.
- Are there citations or a bibliography?
- Are their scholastic reviews for this particular site?
2. Do you have prior knowledge about the topic that you are researching?
3. Is the site you are visiting, "Fact-based" or "Opinion-based?"
4. Is the grammar & spelling of this site correct?
5. Have you applied the, "5 W's?"
6. Is the site information detailed?
7. Is there contact information for the author available on the webpage?
8. Where was this site published? (URL)
Asking these questions will help you decide whether or not you want to use this site to learn more about your topic.
As parent and teachers, we need to be on top of what our chidlren are surfing on the web. The web is a very powerful influence, whether it be good, or bad. I would assume that we all prefer it being a good influence on our children. As educaters, and parents. Be aware of the tools that are available to you on your computer and internet browser. Especially the parental controls.
It is very important that we teach our young students how to use the internet properly and how not to abuse it. To be able to do this effectively, we need to make sure that we are up to date on the in's and out's of internet safety ourselves. Also, we must not forget to be a good example for our children when it comes to our internet usage as well.
Personally, I love the internet. I have been able to use it to advance in my education and career. It helps me to be able to visit and chat with my brothers and sisters, and parents that are thousands of miles away. It has many, many good uses. As long as the internet is used to benefit your education and personal life in a good way, it is a very useful resource.
Educationally, no matted what suibject you are stuyding, you could find a plethora of sites that will give you information on what you would like to know. Though, when looking and researching on the internet, I strongly encourage that you research your topic elsewhere, before you research it on the internet. You want to have a basic knowledge of the topic before so that you could start to form and idea of what you are looking for. Also, this will help you in deciphering whether or not, the site that you are looking at is a reputable one.
It is very important to evaluate the site that you are researching for information. Be very carfeful, you do not want to be mislead with your information. Remember, you want to have a quality education, be smart of where you get your information from. When, deciding whether or not the site you are reading is reputable, ask yourself a few questions:
1. Is the webpage authentic?
- Check the date it was created or updated.
- Are there citations or a bibliography?
- Are their scholastic reviews for this particular site?
2. Do you have prior knowledge about the topic that you are researching?
3. Is the site you are visiting, "Fact-based" or "Opinion-based?"
4. Is the grammar & spelling of this site correct?
5. Have you applied the, "5 W's?"
6. Is the site information detailed?
7. Is there contact information for the author available on the webpage?
8. Where was this site published? (URL)
Asking these questions will help you decide whether or not you want to use this site to learn more about your topic.
As parent and teachers, we need to be on top of what our chidlren are surfing on the web. The web is a very powerful influence, whether it be good, or bad. I would assume that we all prefer it being a good influence on our children. As educaters, and parents. Be aware of the tools that are available to you on your computer and internet browser. Especially the parental controls.
It is very important that we teach our young students how to use the internet properly and how not to abuse it. To be able to do this effectively, we need to make sure that we are up to date on the in's and out's of internet safety ourselves. Also, we must not forget to be a good example for our children when it comes to our internet usage as well.
Personally, I love the internet. I have been able to use it to advance in my education and career. It helps me to be able to visit and chat with my brothers and sisters, and parents that are thousands of miles away. It has many, many good uses. As long as the internet is used to benefit your education and personal life in a good way, it is a very useful resource.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Video Reflection
Internet Safety
Internet safety is a big deal! A really bid deal! Many don't really think about. They just go online, do whatever they want and don't even give it a second thought. The hard reality is that you need to be careful with what you put online. You may think that whatever you do online is private, but it may very well be fair game with people that have the knowledge how to hack into databases, etc.
You need to be careful with what you post on blogs. When you enter credit or billing information, be careful and make sure that it is a secure site. If not, DO NOT do it! Make sure that it is a reputable site that you are buying from and not some 3rd party site that seems shady. If it seems shady, then it probably is.
Parents need to monitor what their children are doing. Children need to be taught about internet safety and how important it is. They need to understand the dangers that are out there.
Nowadays, the internet is just as dangerous as walking down the street. The internet could be a very, very educational too, though it could also be a very dangerous one. Lets be cautious out there folks!
Internet safety is a big deal! A really bid deal! Many don't really think about. They just go online, do whatever they want and don't even give it a second thought. The hard reality is that you need to be careful with what you put online. You may think that whatever you do online is private, but it may very well be fair game with people that have the knowledge how to hack into databases, etc.
You need to be careful with what you post on blogs. When you enter credit or billing information, be careful and make sure that it is a secure site. If not, DO NOT do it! Make sure that it is a reputable site that you are buying from and not some 3rd party site that seems shady. If it seems shady, then it probably is.
Parents need to monitor what their children are doing. Children need to be taught about internet safety and how important it is. They need to understand the dangers that are out there.
Nowadays, the internet is just as dangerous as walking down the street. The internet could be a very, very educational too, though it could also be a very dangerous one. Lets be cautious out there folks!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
UEN Reflection
UEN is a wonderful tool for any Educator in the State of Utah. It is a tool, that if used correctly could be very effective in the classroom. For example, students could use it to look up certain definitions pertaining to what they are studying. Or, Or, look up educational sound/ video clips that they could use to further their understanding on the subject matter at hand.
When I first took at look at UEN, I really didn't know what to expect. Though, once I really got into it, I was just amazed at all the tools that were available to me to use with my students.
The Pioneer Library is full of wonderful tools such as, eMedia, Theme Park, Ebsco Host, and much more. It also has interactives for students of different ages. It has games, trivia and other resources to help them study. UEN also has tons of lesson plans that teachers can share and adapt to their own classroom. This I feel is a great networking tool. On UEN, you can also find all of the Core Curriculum for the State of Utah.
A couple of other things that I found interesting on the UEN site was the Culture Grams area along with the links to other Utah State & National resources to use for our benefit. Over all, I feel that UEN is a very beneficial tool for any educator, student, or parent.
When I first took at look at UEN, I really didn't know what to expect. Though, once I really got into it, I was just amazed at all the tools that were available to me to use with my students.
The Pioneer Library is full of wonderful tools such as, eMedia, Theme Park, Ebsco Host, and much more. It also has interactives for students of different ages. It has games, trivia and other resources to help them study. UEN also has tons of lesson plans that teachers can share and adapt to their own classroom. This I feel is a great networking tool. On UEN, you can also find all of the Core Curriculum for the State of Utah.
A couple of other things that I found interesting on the UEN site was the Culture Grams area along with the links to other Utah State & National resources to use for our benefit. Over all, I feel that UEN is a very beneficial tool for any educator, student, or parent.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Blog #5
What?
This week, we continued to learn more about UEN. Though, we went into more depth and talked about the Pioneer Library, eMedia, and much more. We learned about many more sources that pair up with UEN to better help us as educators.
So What?
Learning about UEN and all of its advantages, I feel has been very beneficial to me. I had no idea about all the things that I could do with it up until last week. I feel like we are learning about UEN so that we could become better educators and fully take advantage of the tools and resources that are available to us. It could very well help me network with other colleagues.
Also, with my life in general, it could help keep me a little better organized. Professionaly, I could have everything I need at my fingertips at this site...... contacts, information, tools, resources, etc. In my personal life, as an educator and parent, I can teach my son when he becomes of are & introduce him to all the resoruces that could help him learn and become a better learner and student.
Now what?
For my future students, I feel that if I incorporate UEN in the classroom, I could tap into "their world." We are in an age where kids are becoming very technologically advanced and they are becoming digital learners. Even though I will be teaching music, I can still tap into technology so that they can still learn music through technology.
It could also help me connect with collegaues and parents alike. Set up appointments, allow parents to know what and how their children are doing.
It's my wish that I will use technology in my classroom. I want my students to stay engaged. As I mentioned earlier, as a music teacher, I feel that you can still incorporate technology in the classroom. As well as being able to send assignments home with my students to work on to be able to become better musicians.
Video Reflection
A vision of students today
When I stop to think about it, especially after watching this video. I wonder, how many teachers know who they are teaching. Of course they know who they are teaching, but do they know what type of learners they have in their classroom? Do they care? Do they know their names? Most importantly, do they keep their students engaged?
I have had teachers, who sad to say, I felt like they just didn't care. I feel that this is sad and and educators, we must care about every student that comes into our classroom. Students are not dumb, they know what is going on and most of them realize if the teacher doesn't care, and like one of the students said in the video...... they realize that they are one of the lucky ones and not many people in the world have the opportunity to get a good education. As educators, we must not take this lightly.
This week, we continued to learn more about UEN. Though, we went into more depth and talked about the Pioneer Library, eMedia, and much more. We learned about many more sources that pair up with UEN to better help us as educators.
So What?
Learning about UEN and all of its advantages, I feel has been very beneficial to me. I had no idea about all the things that I could do with it up until last week. I feel like we are learning about UEN so that we could become better educators and fully take advantage of the tools and resources that are available to us. It could very well help me network with other colleagues.
Also, with my life in general, it could help keep me a little better organized. Professionaly, I could have everything I need at my fingertips at this site...... contacts, information, tools, resources, etc. In my personal life, as an educator and parent, I can teach my son when he becomes of are & introduce him to all the resoruces that could help him learn and become a better learner and student.
Now what?
For my future students, I feel that if I incorporate UEN in the classroom, I could tap into "their world." We are in an age where kids are becoming very technologically advanced and they are becoming digital learners. Even though I will be teaching music, I can still tap into technology so that they can still learn music through technology.
It could also help me connect with collegaues and parents alike. Set up appointments, allow parents to know what and how their children are doing.
It's my wish that I will use technology in my classroom. I want my students to stay engaged. As I mentioned earlier, as a music teacher, I feel that you can still incorporate technology in the classroom. As well as being able to send assignments home with my students to work on to be able to become better musicians.
Video Reflection
A vision of students today
When I stop to think about it, especially after watching this video. I wonder, how many teachers know who they are teaching. Of course they know who they are teaching, but do they know what type of learners they have in their classroom? Do they care? Do they know their names? Most importantly, do they keep their students engaged?
I have had teachers, who sad to say, I felt like they just didn't care. I feel that this is sad and and educators, we must care about every student that comes into our classroom. Students are not dumb, they know what is going on and most of them realize if the teacher doesn't care, and like one of the students said in the video...... they realize that they are one of the lucky ones and not many people in the world have the opportunity to get a good education. As educators, we must not take this lightly.
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