Final Video Reflection

Final Project #16

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Final PLN Report

Symbaloo receives two thumbs up
Wow what an awesome websites I've learned about while taking EDM310. One of my favorites is Symbaloo. Symbaloo is a Greek verb that means assembling and that's what this website is all about. It makes having a life, career, and being a student a tad bit easier.I recently added ItunesU, Khans Academy, and TED. In addition, I've added  a column for social networks such as Skype, Facebook, Twitter, and others that I will come across in the future. Overall, awesome experience utilizing Symbaloo.

Comment 4 teachers #4

Integrating Art and Social Studies by Bill Genereux(June 29,2011)

In,Integrating Art and Social Studies, good education is being taught beyond traditional boundaries. So many teachers are stressed over standards and outcomes. However, a Social Studies teacher and Art teacher decides to collaborate together. It seems natural for both subjects to be paired together since their Humanities. It would be more exciting to teach if two unrelated subjects were paired together. Finally, the teacher leaves present teachers and future teachers with this, try teaching two different subjects. Next, make sure they(teachers) have a little interest in the subjects, then create an integrated lesson. I love this idea because it makes the teacher really think. They can't rely on the standards the School Board assigns to them. It's all about their knowledge of the subject and how they connect them both.

Area Superintendent Advocates Social Networks

In,Area Superintendent Advocates Social Networks, Dr.Hall seems to really enjoy Facebook and Twitter. He uses it for promoting the school system and keeping people informed. He is highly appreciated for he's approachable and willing to answer any question about the school. Instead of a parent contacting him through e-mail or letter, they simply write him on these social networks and he responds instantly. Now, school principals and teachers that utilize Twitter and Facebook have a tremendous advantage over other districts. This is an awesome way for educators to utilize the web. With professional behavior, adults can model the correct way to use social networks.

Blog Post #14

Option 2: Khan vs. Karplus
Karplus is a huge critic on Khan Academy. There's so much negativity on this website, yet I read it to see what he had to say. In Khan Academy Criticism, Karplus first displays his video and Sal Khan's video on the subject of Elevators. Khan's video is of course an illustration and explanation of forces in an elevator. Karplus's video is of his students(voices) constructing the mathematical models themselves. Following is a video and directions of Karplus' invention, the spring scale up and down. Lastly, is an application phase where he asks the students to design an experiment to address the concerns about the school's elevator acceleration. In my opinion, his applications are actual lessons, while Khan's are simply examples for back up and reassurance.

During Karplus's final remarks, he gives a link to MIT OpenCourseWare. Here he tries to point the finger at Khan for copying and not being original. However, after observing, I wasn't impressed. First, there's only 39 videos. Next, the topics were on a much higher level. In fact, majority of the topics were titled engineering. Next, he tries displays two videos he feels explains exactly why Khan Academy is wrong. I chose to explore Dan Meyers' Math Curriculm Makeover. In the video, Meyer explains that teachers shouldn't rely on a set of sample problems to explains abstract concepts. By doing this, it fosters students' creativity. He doesn't actually say Khan Academy is the result of this, yet we all know Karplus believes so.

Lastly, he argues that today we can catch students in classrooms staring at a laptop for hours, being drilled, and watching videos. I agree there are some teachers like that, however they only teach. There are many others that are educators and they will only utilize Khan Academy as a reference or to enhance their students' learning. I plan on doing the same because Khan Academy has a broad selection on various subjects and quizzes that follow.

Blog Post #13

This was a very educating assignment as far as the video. However, I was not able to view Jose's educational bog. Top ten tips for using technology in the classroom by Jose Picardo should be watched by all present and future teachers. It's educational and inspirational for those who have given up on their students. Thanks to Jose's top ten tips, teaching can be relevant to your students.

Firstly, he encourages us to utilize videos and music. Simply downloading music from iTunes will engage your classroom. From Elementary school to now, music still catches my attention. Next, teachers should incorporate Skype in order for students to communicate with students locally or across the world. Blogs are beneficial for they display student's work and their achievements. Social networking such as Facebook can be acceptable also. Teachers don't realize you can create a closed group in order to communicate with their students. Lastly, I liked the idea of creating your own assignments from game makers that tailor you students. Indeed, only we know our students' strengths and weaknesses.

Special Assignment #2

Part 1
Khan Academy is a great website with tons of videos for the public to view. There educational and plus they're free! Plus after learning from one of these lectures, there's hundreds of practice assignments that follow. You learn at your own pace and become educated, what more can you ask for?

Itunes U is an excellent website for Apple users. Itunes gives you free access to some of the world's best thinking—lectures from MIT, labs from Stanford, films from the MOMA, and more. It's very popular for over 800 universities have active Itunes U sites. From lectures to ePub, the options are endless. It's especially useful for teachers and students to work together.

TED stands for technology, entertainment, and design. This website has many great speeches that are inspirational and educational. Awesome site for speakers.

Part 2
The three websites are very beneficial to teachers. With Khan Academy, a teacher can use this website to reinforce a lecture they has for the day. Also, recommend it to struggling students. Itunes U is has great educational podcasts and videos. Lastly, teachers can utilize TED to motivate their students.

Part 3
Khan Academy- An Introduction to Biology, is a great video for Biology classes introducing DNA. In the video, it broke down DNA and explained what it's made up of. The key to this video was the great details it gave.

Itunes U-Math Flash Cards is an awesome app teachers and parents can download for children. Children use flash cards to learn addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. A very useful app I will utilize.

Ted-Michelle Obama Plea for EducationThe first lady speaks to a girl’s school in the UK on her first official foreign business. She speaks about the importance of strength, dignity, and compassion and the importance of applying these qualities to education. This video was very inspirational and I understood where she came from.

Part 4
Khan Academy would be the most useful site in my opinion. It would be the shoulder I would lean on when my students don't comprehend a lecture. Especially like the fact that it breaks down complex ideas into simple ones.

As far as Itues U, I don't think I'll teach from it often. I won't be a requirement due to the acts only Apple users can use it. Many homes still contain PCs and mp3 players.

TED would be my second choice to lean on. When parents, co workers, and students feel down I will utilize TED for inspiration. In addition, there can be educational videos founded. There's a variety of videos with a variety of purposes.

Part 5
All I can say is I'm very appreciated of this class. I never knew about so many websites that can benefit me! All three websites will be added to my PLN. I'm surprised the most by Khan Academy because so many people don't know anything about this website(including me before this class.) I will try my best to spread the word about this free, educational website. Hopefully, people grades will rise and achievements will be made.

Blog Post #12

Watch Change the World in 5 Minutes-Everyday at School created by: Tristan Bancks. This video should inspire you and your students to make a positive impact on the world. What is your view on this video? Do u feel it's able to be done weekly?

Change the World in 5 Minutes-Everyday at School is an awesome, eye opener video. The kids look so interested and proud of their impact they are leaving on the world. Monday, they collected cellphones and had them safely recycled due to the fact that they have poisonous substances in them. Tuesday, they used their grown veggies from their garden and fed the class. Wednesday, they went around the school turning off any electrical devices that aren't being utilized. Thursday, they had a mini garage sale. Friday was joke day where they entertained the class. This was an inspiring video that challenges my mind to change the world in five minutes. I feel it can definitely be done if well planned. Lastly, I would love to implement this is my future classroom for it can be educational too. I would allow my students to come up with three of the days and have them give a true explanation on how it would benefit the world.

Progress Report on Final Project

Recently, me, Bradley, Kashondra, and Clemente discussed random ideas for our final project. Many ideas were thrown out, however I wanted something fun and entertaining. Therefore, our best option at this moment is a game show theme. I've been watching " Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader?" as a review for the Praxiss and there our best option was. We decided to do "Are You Smarter than a EDM310 Student?" We will meet sometimes this week to further discuss the questions and positions each member will hold.

Project #15 Book Trailer

Project #14

This was a very fun project. The funny thing about it is I just met the infant an hour before the video was recorded. Since she bonded so well with me, I decided to use her for this project. Anyhow, for an hour I showed her the three figures. I showed her the apple, ball, and teddy bear on the card. Next, I showed her the figures in real life. She touched them and listened as I kept repeating the words. Finally, it was time to record!By the way, she learned how to identify all three, but wouldn't stay stationed long enough to record.

PROJECT #13

Blog Post #11

First Graders in Ms.Cassidy's Class and Skype Interview with Ms.Cassidy

First off, I feel Ms. Cassidy is truly an educator. She has drive and you can tell she takes her job seriously. I love that about her! She teaches a first grade class where they use blogs, websites, wikis, and Skype to enhance their learning experience. Blogs are highly beneficial in her class because it allows students to work on their reading and writing. Indeed, they agreed it especially helped with their spelling. I especially love all the support they receive through this class. Without support, students lose the drive to succeed. Therefore, Ms. Cassidy allows her students' family to comment on their blogs.

Skype is also useful for students get the chance to communicate face to face with others like their supporters. They can even discuss what they've learned for the day with students across the world. As a teacher, I will definitely utilize blogs. I know first hand from EDM310 how a blog can enhance someone's learning. As far as complications, I'm sure I'll run into a parent that opposes using internet. I'll simply invite them into my classroom for a day, so they can see first hand that using blogs are harmless. As long as students are aware of the rules and have my guidance, the internet will be a teaching tool.

Blog Post #10

Do You Teach or Do You Educate
Do You Teach or Do You Educate was an excellent video and I understand why all teachers should watch it. Serious, determined people in the education field should only strive to be educators. Sadly, many represent teachers. Teachers are too worried about the required objectives for the year. Teachers simply lecture, give examples, and distribute tons of worksheets. They do not realize they have on of the most important jobs known to man kind. In my opinion, educators are just as needed and important as doctors.

Therefore, I strive to become an educator. Educators are engaging and help their students make valuable decisions. Indeed, they encourage their students to do problem solving, to think critically, and analyze. At times I will be discouraged, but there will always be that "teacher" that reminds me of my true calling, an educator.

Don’t Let Them Take the Pencils Home!By:Tom Johnson

This is a very interesting blog post for it uses pencils as a metaphor for technology. It's humorous like a previous blog assignment, where a teacher warns parents about the harmful acts their children can do on the web. In, Don’t Let Them Take the Pencils Home!,a woman complains that when kids use pencils, they play with them too much and lose focus. Indeed, pencils are the cause of students' low test scores. In return, Johnson decides to prove her wrong during with his engaging assignments.

Like stated before, he uses pencils as a metaphor for technology. Today, many parents fear technology and only see the harm it can bring to their kids. However, all it takes is an determined educator to bring them to the bright side of technology. Instead of leaving it on the side of the road, parents should embrace it. It's 2011, traditional schooling is out.

C4T #3

The Print Effect:If you printed @langwitches's entire twitter timeline...

The langwitches entire timeline includes tweets from their 3,062 friends, who collectively have around 3,860,006 tweets. Therefore, if their entire timeline was printed it would take 180,133 pages. This would require 300 cartridges of ink which requires $8,538. Surprisingly, that would take 4 days, 22 hours, and 38 minutes to print. Indeed, during those 4 days, 22 hours, and 38 minutes 1,856,942 babies are born worldwide. What cool facts one can receive from just visiting a website known as cartridge save. You see the benefits of embracing the web and technology are endless. In addition,by using the web,people become Eco friendly and save money. Just like the blog stated, the twitter timeline if printed would've been expensive and killed me trees, so the best option is to utilize the web.


Guide to 21st Century Skills, Literacy, Fluency Flyer

This post really caught my eye due to it being a guide and because it discusses literacy. The guide consists of 5 pages with five main topics. The first page explains what's it's like to be educated. In the 21st Century, the illiterate will not be the ones that can't read and write,but the ones who can't learn, unlearn, and relearn. As crazy as that sounds, I totally agree with this guide. We can't just learn information for the time being and refuse to take in new information.If we think in this matter, we will simply be holding ourselves back. Next, we must execute these skills of communication, collaboration, creativity, connectivity, and critical thinking. Finally, literacy is addressed. Before reading this post, I never thought about others besides reading and writing. There's global, network, digital, information, media, and basic literacy. In my opinion, it should be a requirement that teachers master network literacy. Will Richardson defines network literacy as the ability create, navigate personal learning networks in safe, ethical, and effective ways. If teachers achieve this literacy, learning would be more effective and interesting.

Project #12

Blog Post#9

"What I've Learned This Year" by Mr.McClung

In "What I've Learned This Year,"Mr.McClung discusses the things he's learned through his first year of teaching. In my opinion, it's like a mini guide to surviving the first year and not making so many mistakes like past teachers. First,he admits that a lot of teachers do not make their lessons centered around their students. Simply because they are too worried about the content they have to teach, rather than if their students actually understand the lesson. Next, he's discusses that it's okay for your lesson plan to not go smoothly. I feel more teachers should accept that because as a student, I can remember teachers rushing through lectures to keep us caught up with the other classes. Teachers have to understand that everyone isn't going to learn at the same speed. Patience is the key.Lastly,besides being patience,we must be good listeners. Many teachers think they know it all and will never accept suggestions from their students. Mr.McClung learned that his students felt he cared for them when he listened. Basically, everyone can learn from one another regardless of age differences.

Blog Post#8

Richard Miller:Part one and Part two

First off,Richard Miller's imagination is far beyond mines and I highly respect him for that.While everyone simply writes down their dreams through text,he wants to display them through the web.One day he hopes to change from a reading/writing culture to a listening/watching culture.The desktop will now be the workplace not the library.

Through incremental changes,Miller explains that our students can collaborate through text,images,and film on the web.Indeed,their final product will be documents that are printable,visual,and filled with sound.With multimedia,we can produce alternative versions and distribute them,globally.Lastly,Miller explains that there are three necessities in order for this to work.We need inspiring teachers,inspiring spaces,and inspiring pedagogues.

Personally,after watching this video,I feel rather intimated.I feel I won't instantly grasp the usage of writing with multimedia as Miller has.While this is rather scary,it motivates me at the same time to learn as much as possible about the web.I'm positive,once I receive guidance,my students will enjoy the assignments I will have them partake in through the web.It's useful to utilize the web because the material is updated constantly.In addition,with iTunes U,students can download lectures and information worldwide.By doing this,they can receive various knowledge on a particular subject.

Blog Post #12 By Carly Pugh

I personally love this Carly Pugh's ideas for her future classroom.I love her idea of utilizing YouTube by requiring her students to create a playlist.Many children may complain about the time it requires,yet in reality it's benefiting them.Indeed,it's intriguing and makes you really think.I went through her links that led me to a variety of videos that interest her.Many grasped my attention.One was "When I Grow Up."It's a video that has children state what they want to be.One child expressed that they wanted to spend money on wine and women as their dad did.Another child wanted to gamble their money away.Basically,this video shows that we have a huge influence on children.Carly Pugh's has a similar passion for using multimedia as Richard Miller possesses.They want their students to display their ideas through the web rather than through a five paragraph essay like most classrooms.

Chipper Series and EDM310 for Dummies

The Chipper Series and EDM310 for Dummies were two eye opening videos.While watching The Chipper Series,I though to myself "I definitely don't want students like Chipper."Chipper felt procrastination should mean that it's okay to turn lesson late as long as it's done.Also,Chipper complains because she doesn't want to do work,but to be taught.No student should view learning in this way.They should want to learn through work and a hands on approach.In the EDM310 for Dummies video,the message I received from it was anyone can make i through difficult classes such as EDM310.You just have to work hard,stay focused,and accept help/advice.I enjoyed both videos and I would love to contribute to a video that inspires students to accept others that may appear different.It would take place in a minority school like a Vietnamese school.Here,an American student would enter this school and be ridiculed for being different;not knowing the language.At the end of the video,the American student would discuss their experience and mixed feelings.Hopefully,this will help the dominant group understand what minority students are going through.

Learn to Change,Change to Learn

In this video,teachers describe modern day where many students use networking sites,emails and instant messaging to communicate with others and express their thoughts.However,these are all banned inside the school.Learning is experienced through technology,museums,the community,and in the classroom.In addition,the video explains that standardized testing won't be useful with our students' careers.Simply because their careers will require them to be bilingual,find and validate information,and collaborate with their coworkers.

I personally feel students need to be shown the luxuries of using technology and the never ending information that can be founded on the web.However,it's going to take more than just the teacher to make a change.We need parents and the community to utilize technology and the web for the better.Once everyone hops on board,the benefits will be endless.

Summary Project#7

What did I learn?
Since I've had at least 7 jobs,I chose jobs as my form topic.My ten questions only scratched the surface about jobs,however I was able to come up with an analysis.I first started off asking how old were my team members when they first started working.Usually,students start working around 16.My assumption was close,however, my results show that 4 out of my 7 members selected age 15.Next,I asked how many prefer to work alone or in groups.As a result,four out of seven chose groups.When asked what was their favorite job.The responses varied from Financial Aid to City Council,surprisingly, no one chose fast food.Lastly,the trick question,if they had one wish,which job would they like to be employed by.Sadly,only four out of seven chose a career dealing with school industry.

In Conclusion,I am very proud of my questions and responses.I'm grateful that everyone responded honestly and even answered if they've been fired or not.Indeed,some questions were personal,yet they were helpful in my analysis.Therefore,I've concluded that it's acceptable for teens to start working around the age of 15 for many of my fellow classmates have done the same.Also,I realized that working in groups is more preferred.I feel four out seven chose this because it's more comforting and their less targeted.However,reality check,as teachers we will be on our own majority of the time.We will be one on one with at least 20 students.All questions will be directed directly to us.Lastly,the results of their dream job worries me.Because two others chose amusement park and car dealership,I feel they may need to change their major.If their going to be future teachers,they need to be serious about this career and be focused.As for working at an amusement park or car dealership that can be a second job during the summer.Overall,I enjoyed this project.

Blog Post #7

Randy Pausch’s Last Lecture

I truly enjoyed Randy's last lecture.Throughout his entire lecture he was happy, nothing was gloomy about him. From the time he admitted he had Cancer,he kept a smile on his face reassuring us he was going to be okay.He achieved his dreams and help enable dreams of others.The video was over an hour, but well worth it.

His last lecture was centered around achieving childhood dreams.Pausch had at least 6 dreams and achieved most of them or came pretty close.I'll like to discuss two that were pretty entertaining to me.First,as a child he wanted to play in the NFL.This didn't come true,however he was coached by Jim Graham.During the years of being coached,one day Jim rode his tail.While many would take this as an negative action,Pausch viewed it as a caring action.The coach actually believed in him and had hope.In addition,he learned fundamentals and hard work through football.

Next, his dream was to be a Disney Imagineer.Therefore,after graduating from college, he wrote Disney with interest.Sadly, he was shot down and told he didn't meet the qualifications.This was a brick wall placed between him and his dream. However,this did not hinder him.Instead he met with Jon Snoody,man who was working with the Alladin Project at Disney.They met for lunch and he questioned him about the project.Surprisingly,he became a member of the Alladin project after getting to know Snoody.Indeed,this project allowed engineers and artists to work together.Determination finally paid off.

Finally,Randy allowed life to teach him more than just a few life lessons.He learned that life has brick walls.Brick walls are there to prove how badly we want things.Some people conquer these brick walls,while others give up and remain behind.Also,it's up to us to always stay true to loyalty,helping others,and achieving our childhood dreams because you never know when your last lecture will be.