Post #6

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A paragraph discussing your thoughts about the use of Web 2.0 technologies in K-12 education. Would you use them? Why or why not? How? Use online resources.

A paragraph discussing your thoughts on Wikipedia as a learning resource.

A paragraph on new skills you acquired in the last week that you think will be especially useful to you in your educational career and why you think so.

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Again, I know that the world is headed towards a technology-controlled classroom, but I believe in good ol' teaching. By that, I mean an educated teacher, standing in front of a group of willing learners, and teaching them. Explaining situations, and formulas, and scenarios, and theories. Aside from allowing my students to use the advanced search engines to research assignments and passing out links to youtube videos that relate to the current lesson plan, I don't expect to get much use out of Web 2.0 or 1.0 or anything. I don't mind the students using these resources to make their learning easier, but, I find my practical, old-world teaching methods to be efficient. It's not what you say...it's how you say it. Remember -that-, kids. :-)

As far as Wikipedia goes, I don't think anyone should trust it as a "live by, die by" resource for facts. But, it is organized well and if the actual fact you are looking for is cited, it could be worth using or at least following up on. Wikipedia can lead you to some pretty awesome links; web sites, images, videos. Wikipedia is good for gathering initial information for a topic, so you know which areas to focus on. But, double-checking the information's truth with other sites is imperative.

I have used Powerpoint to teach classes in the past and also sat through classes where the teacher used Powerpoint. I have found it too distracting for the students and, in some cases, for the teachers. If you can make it work for you, then great but, not my style.

Post #5

A paragraph on your views about using the Internet to support student research. When is it useful? Not useful? Look to Chapter 3 for ideas and inspiration.

A paragraph on other ways you might use web-based resources to support student learning. Share a few resources that are of interest to you. Use your book and online resources.

A paragraph on your concerns about being a teacher who supervises students in a technology environment. Be sure to mention the age/grade level of your students.

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The internet can be useful for backing student research when they use legitimate websites and information to support their already formed ideas. But, a website should not be used as the basis for a student's work. It should support it. Sometimes, though, students have a tendency to be naive and a little mischievous and they might find themselves in trouble doing things on the internet that they aren't supposed to.

Sparknotes.com can be useful for helping students understand underlying themes within stories. Granted a student should be able to discover the themes for themselves, but, if a student is struggling or just needs a little help, this website can be a great resource. But, use should be monitored. Also, dictionary.com and thesaurus.com are two great, quick, and reliable resources that students can use.

My biggest worry applies to generally all grade levels. Children, even at young ages are much more computer-savvy nowadays than they were when I was in grade school. I worry that students will take advantage of all the wonderful resources on the internet. I'm afraid they'll read summaries or reports of books without actually reading the books.

Post #4

A paragraph on how you, as a teacher, might make use of the concepts presented in Chapter 7, and what technologies you would like to use to achieve these goals.

A paragraph addressing why or why not you would encourage or require your students to develop outline, idea map, and storyboarding skills.

A paragraph on new skills you acquired in the last week that you think will be especially useful to you in your educational career and why you think so.

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Having taught classes before, I have found that creating an outline prior to giving a block of instruction helps keep you on track and also helps you start thinking about each talking point so ideas start bubbling in your head. I will also teach my students how create idea maps using Inspiration to collect their ideas during a brainstorm session before they attempt to write a paper.

Again, these ideas are useful for me as a teacher, as well as for my students. As I said, the could use the idea maps during brainstorming sessions before they write their papers. Outlines are good for keeping the students on track while giving speeches, or presenting material, or preparing study sessions.

I wish I could say I learned something over the past week. I have been proficient with search engines for some time now. If we went back to two weeks ago, I would say that learning how to use the Inspiration program has marked an advancement in my teaching skills.

Post #3 or Minimalist teaching with a pinch of salt...

A paragraph describing a lesson plan you might create that uses technology in some way. Be sure to mention how you will use technology, what technology you would use, and what subject matter and grade level the lesson is for. (See Chapter 2 for ideas)

A paragraph in which you provide a visual critique of a web site using the rules presented in Chapter 6. Be sure to link to the site. If you’re up to an extra challenge, include images (screen shots or other sources) in your blog post.

A paragraph about your experience with copyright and fair use of materials in an educational environment. How would you deal with these concepts as a teacher, developing your own instructional materials and having students who may use other sources to create their own works?
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I may have said this before in an earlier post, but, if not I'll say it again. I think technology is a great tool for assisting in the education process. But, time and time again I have seen instructors rely too heavily on technology, depending on it to teach the class for them. Maybe in the future this will be possible, but for now, there is no substitute for an instructor who knows the material. If they can use the technology to better teach the material, then kudos. But, technology should not be a crutch. As of right now, I do not have any plans to use technology extensively in my instruction. Maybe over the course of this course (pun definitely intended) I will change my tune, but as it stands I only plan to use Microsoft Word to create syllabi and worksheets. I believe in the power of the human voice and its ability to convey -anything.-

As for pre-existing websites, there are some that prove useful. Let's break down one of my favorites, Sparknotes!
The site is easy to browse for visitors that are new to the site, with links to every section of the site located across the top of the screen. For those who are at the site for more than browsing and want to go to a more focused subject, there is a box with subject links located on the left of the page. And even still, for those that know exactly what they are looking for there is a search bar at the top of the screen.
The most impressive thing about this websiteis the way the many contrasting colors are used to keep everything on the site from blending together. Every individual link and subject and feature is in it's own creatively designed window.
And with text that distinctly contrasts with each individual background, I have no complaints about the site layout.
Content-wise, some students might take advantage of all that is available and not read the material for themselves from the actual books, but that's another post.

I plan on creating my own instructional materials, aside from perhaps novels and literature written by other authors. Students will not be able to infringe on any copyrights, thanks to a wonderful, little creation known as Turnitin.com!

Post #2 or What's the word? "MS Word." :-)

Post #2 Prompt
A paragraph on how you’ve used MS Word as a student and how you’ve seen your teachers use MS Word.A paragraph on how you might choose to use them as a teacher.A paragraph on new skills you acquired in the class so far that you think will be especially useful to you in your educational career and why you think so.


As I'm sure everyone else has said in their blogs, I have used Microsoft Word, as a student, to open documents sent by professors and to type papers. Since Microsoft has a monopoly (debateable, to be sure) on the PC industry, anyone who has turned in a typed assignment has more than likely used Word. I know people with IMacs and Macbooks who still use MS Word. It's a staple in the paper-writing process. As far as teachers go, they mostly use MS Word to create the syllabi for their classes, in addition to assignment directions, quiz handouts, and reading handouts.

I'll most likely follow suit, as a teacher, and use MS Word for those same reasons as my teachers have. It's convenient. It's easily accessible, as I am always at my computer. It assists with document-writing tasks that would otherwise be a chore. There is really no reason not to use MS Word, at least until something better comes along.

You know, I have used MS Word for years now, but the 2007 version has taken some "getting used to." It is by no means "bad," as I actually love it and all its features. I took the Computer Literacy course offered here at Florida State, during my first semester. I thought I had learned everything I needed to know about Word. But, there were still some buttons in the toolbar that I had never even touched. Until this class. So far in this class, I learned how to create lists with sub-menus. The first of many things, surely.

Post #1 or A Student and their Computer

A paragraph about why you think computers are an important part of the educational experience and critical concerns related to how teachers and students use computers. Use Chapter 1 to find appropriate terminology and get you thinking. Do you agree or disagree with issues raised in Chapter 1? Why or why not?

A paragraph on how you think you will use computers in your classroom. Use the textbook (Ch 1) to get ideas. What do you hope to learn in this class to help you achieve these goals?

A paragraph on anything you would like to share/discuss with your classmates, especially if it applies to this course, technology in general, or your future career. Just have fun!
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Ideally, every student in America would have a laptop that was linked to an account that was linked with their teacher's account at school. That laptop could be used by the student for everything. Students could type their assignments so they wouldn't be making excuses about not having pens or paper, e-mail the assignments so there is less chance for the work to get lost, and have access to a plethora of programs that a teacher could instruct the student to use to assist with the learning experience. But, as with anything, new problems would be created by the use of personal laptops. Students would leave their laptops at home or break them. So, maybe not a great idea. But, the general use of computers would benefit both students and teachers in the learning experience.

One of the issues raised in Chapter 1, computer literacy, is becoming less and less of an issue every day. Children are being introduced to computers at a very young age. Honestly, as we cross into a more technologically advanced classroom, I think training the instructors on how to use the equipment is more of an issue than getting the children to understand.

I don't plan on focusing my entire lesson plan on computer use, simply because I think that is a lazy way to teach. While Powerpoint presentations and the like are excellent tools for assisting with instruction, as I told my soldiers in a recent class I gave, "I'm not reading off of a Powerpoint to you guys like everybody else has today, because an amazing slideshow can't make up for a crappy instructor." The tools are definitely useful, but tools can never do a job, they just make it easier.

I've given a handful of classes... :-) I love technology and I know how amazing it can be. Things can be done today using technology and computers that were once thought impossible. But, never let yourself become dependent on anything but your own passion and talent for teaching. That should always drive you to help your students learn and be successful, but computers make a good "Vanna White." :-)

con·vul·sion

Just throwin' this out there. :-)

con·vul·sion

n. An intense, paroxysmal, involuntary muscular contraction. An uncontrolled fit, as of laughter; a paroxysm. Violent turmoil: "The market convulsions of the last few weeks have shaken the world" (Felix Rohatyn).