Sunday, May 5, 2013

Blogfolio


1.      Introduction Video

This activity meets 1a Nets Standards for teachers because I am promoting creative thinking.  Also, I am meeting standard 3c by communicating information and ideas to students and parents by using digital media formatting introducing myself.  I can use the introduction video for my future classroom so the children and parents have an idea who the teacher is.  I like the introduction video because it is a great way for people to see who the teacher really is.  Being able to watch and hear the teacher talk will allow the parents to know the teacher’s fluency and vocabulary level.  This video also gives parents the chance to see what the teacher’s goals, expectations, and past achievements are.  Parents like to see who their child’s teacher is and what they are like.

2.      Concept Map

This activity met a lot of Net Standards.  The concept map met the following standards: 1a, 1c, 2a, 2b, 2c, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d.  Concept maps are a great way to get children involved.  The standards were met because everyone is able to get engaged in this activity; it allows children to reflect on what they know.  Also, everyone should be able to orally discuss their concept map face-to-face to their classmates.  Students will not only be learning by reflecting their knowledge, but they will be learning thru technology as well.  Students should be able to demonstrate their knowledge about technology by using digital tools.  The concept map gives student’s the chance to customize their own maps, which address students’ with a diverse learning style.  Concept maps can be used in the class because it addresses students’ with different learning styles.  Being able to reach every type of learner is important in the classroom because everyone learns differently.  I enjoyed this assignment because everyone’s concept map is completely different.  I love how everyone can express their ideas and be creative with this assignment.

 

3.      Khan’s Academy

Khan’s Academy met a good bit of Net Standards.  The following standards include: 1a-d, 2 b-c, 3b-c, and 4b.  All of these standards are met because they give students the chance to think independently.  A lot of times children do not understand what they are being taught and Khan’s Academy gives student’s the chance to watch a video of the lesson and also allows the student’s to work on their own pace when learning something new.  Also, the Net Standards mentioned above are met because children are learning thru technology.  Addressing the needs of all students by using learning-center strategies is met.  Some of the pointers from Khan can be used in my future classroom.  I will be sure to post tutorials on how to work out problems on the class website so every student will be able to learn how to do something on their own pace.  I will also find videos (with my approval) that show children how to solve a problem because sometimes it is beneficial to hear how to do something from somebody else.  I like the fact that children are able to stop the video and watch it again if they do not understand a problem.  Everyone learns at a different pace, therefore having an instructional, educational video will give students the opportunity to learn at their own pace.

 

4.      Voki

Voki meets the standard 1d because I will be modeling information to the class, as well as, engaging students in virtual environments.  Voki can be used in the classroom for an introduction video.  I like it because students are allowed to personalize their Voki based on their preference.  I love when students are able to be creative and have some choice in the classroom.

 

5.      Gap Minder

Gap Minder meets Net Standard 3d because it gives students the chance to analyze information using digital tools.  Gap Minder can be used in the classroom to show students how long people live.  I personally would not use this in my classroom because I did not find it to be valuable information.  I did not like Gap Minder because I do not find it beneficial in any way. 

 

6.      World Peace Games (TED videos)

Net Standard 5b is addressed for the World Peace Hunger Games because everyone is able to show leadership and are required to collaborate together to make decisions.  This is great for the class because it really teaches children about the world and how things work.  I loved learning about this because it is so creative and the children love playing this game.  However, I would not use this in the class because it takes just about the whole school year to play this.  However, if I had a gifted class that met for about an hour every day, I would consider teaching this game in depth to the students so they could learn from this.

 

7.      Movie Maker

Movie Maker meets standard 2c because the students will be asked to create a movie of their choice.  Addressing this standard gives children the opportunity to be creative and personalize their video to their interest.  Movie Maker can be used in class just like we used it in IT 365.  I will ask everyone to create a movie about what they would like to inform the class.  I like this activity because it allows everybody to work on the same thing, but everybody’s outcome is different.  This is a great activity to learn more about classmates.

 

8.      Xtranormal

Xtranormal addresses Net Standard 1b.  1b states that students are engaged in real-world issues using digital tools.  I will use Xtranormal in my class because it is a great way to get students aware of real life issues.  Also, using Xtranormal will give students the opportunity to watch public service announcements.  I really like Xtranormal because it is great for almost all types of learners.  This is another approach to teaching, versus lecture teaching. 

 

9.      Software and Hardware Terminology

I will be meeting Net Standard 2a because I will be teaching students how to properly use digital tools and resources to promote student learning.  Knowing shortcuts and terminology will give students the opportunity to become faster and more efficient with their online assignments.  I like this activity because it is very beneficial and gives everyone the opportunity to learn shortcuts.

 

10.  Web Site

Creating a website meets standard 4a because I will be demonstrating how to safely use digital information.  I will also use my site as a model and get the students aware of how to respect copyright.  Websites can be used in the classroom to keep the student(s) and parent(s) aware of what is going on in the classroom.  Also, a class website can be used for assignments and open discussion boards.  I love having a class website because it is a great way to get children engaged with activities at home.  It’s also available for parents to check out if they have any questions about what is going on in the classroom.

Overall Course Reflection


 

I have learned so much from IT 365.  In this course I have learned how to integrate technology into the classroom.  Some of the things I learned include: how to make a website, how to use Voki and Xtranormal to create a video to get students aware of real-world issues, I learned different methods how to introduce myself, and even different ways to get children thinking creatively to express their ideas by using the computer.  Children are able to think creatively, while using a computer to help them express their ideas.  Students love technology so why not bring it to the classroom to keep them engaged?  I will definitely integrate technology in my future classroom because it is a great way to get everyone participating.  I also learned some shortcuts to use on the keyboard while typing.  I will have to teach my students shortcuts on the computer because it makes typing quicker if they are familiar with a computer (which they probably are).

Just like everyone else, I have strong and weak points.  I feel like I am strongest with creating concept maps and making videos.  I love expressing myself and being creative when given the opportunity.  However, I feel as if my weak points would have to be saving a movie file.  Although I have learned how to do it now, I found it difficult to save the file under the right format.  I will improve my weak area by practicing how to save the movie file the correct way.  That way when I get ready to teach my class how to create a movie that informs the class about something, then they will know how to properly save a movie file.

I plan on integrating technology into the classroom by using technology as much as possible.  Today, children grow up using technology.  However, a lot of teachers try to remove technology in the classroom by making students put up phones, keep laptops at home, etc.  I will use the promethean board, as well as allowing a student to walk the classroom through the lesson by being the “driver” of the promethean board.  Also, there is a plethora of great technology to use in the classroom for students with learning disabilities.  Not only do I want to address the students with disabilities in the classroom, but everyone else as well.  Some days I will allow the students to use their phones for pop quizzes; they will be asked to submit their answer via text message.  Also, I can use barcodes for the children to scan to assign every one different reading prompts.  There are just so many great ways to integrate technology in the classroom.

I never thought I would like blogs in education, but they are actually very beneficial to learning.  I like the fact how when you submit an assignment, it is easy to access because it is only a click away.  I also think it would be great to use blogs as a way to submit quizzes.  I could easily use blogs in the classroom to get the students opinion on the lesson.

Overall, I feel like I have learned a lot of ways to integrate technology in the classroom.  I will definitely carry on what I have learned in this class, to my future class.  Children love learning by using technology, therefore I will try my best to use technology as much as possible to promote a better learning experience for my students.

Monday, April 8, 2013

Atlanta Cheating Scandal Reverberates

http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2013/04/04/28atlanta.h32.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%253A+TeacherMagazineStudentsAndCommunity+(Teacher+Magazine+Topic%253A+Students+and+Community) This article is very disturbing because it is about a superintendent, Ms. Hall, whom allegedly cheated and made standardized test scores of students look better than what was actually scored. Schools are anti-cheating and to have such a bad role model in the school district goes against everything schools educate students. I was told by a great teacher "Cheating is stealing and lying." To cheat is terrible because not only are you stealing their work, but you are lying about work you did. Ms. Hall supposedly fired principals that disagreed with the way she ran things because she wanted her district to look like they were making major improvements on their standardized tests. Ms. Hall, along with 34 other educators participated in this scandall. These educators made thousands of dollars in performance bonus, that they did not even deserve to earn. At least Ms. Hall turned herself in though. However, was she threatened to turn herself in or did she do it based on the fact that she felt bad for cheating.

Thursday, April 4, 2013

To (All) the Colleges That Rejected Me

I agree with this article. I remember teachers telling me everything is fine, don't stress out, make good grades and graduate and you will be able to go to whatever college you'd like. However, if the college is out of state and you have not been playing sports because you have had to work since you were 15, then it is difficult to go to the college of your choice. I made high grades, still do. If I were told in high school to do everything great you can and that will look good on your college application, then I would have tried harder. However, dreams change and you do what you can. I am happy to be in such a great college now. Although, I am not in LSU, I am happy to be at a great school that is close to home and by my family. I have met a lot of great people and am going to be an awesome teacher because of the education I am getting here at Southern Miss.

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

LaLee -- Life in the Delta

The Delta is one of the poorest places in the state of Mississippi. It is hard to get good teachers to teach in the Delta because the pay is not that good compared to other locations in Mississippi. The children in the movie did not have high expectations for themselves because they did not get the proper education they needed. I feel as if they were to industrialize the Delta and set up more companies so people could get jobs, then the district would not be so poor. If people had more money than that money could be going to the school for better education. In order to get a better school district, the area needs to grow and make more money. Also, I feel as if educating the children before they go to school is important. The children are obviously not being read to or taught at home before they enter school because the parents are illiterate. Children have no reason to excel in school because it is not enforced in the home. In the movie, the mother seemed like she did not really care if her children made it to school or not. The grandmother, on the other hand encouraged her grandchildren to wake up and go to school even if they did not have pencils and paper. The grandmother did everything she could to send the children to go to school. This goes back to a money problem. If the district were to industrialize, then the district would have more money to provide for their children to get a better education.

Voki

Sunday, March 31, 2013

Gapminder.org

This website allows people to discover life expectancy and income of countries all over the world.  You can easily compare countries from the past and/or present day.  It is so much quicker to look up any year and check out the life expectancy and income on Gapminder.org rather than having to search over the internet.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

TED -- Salmon Khan

Salmon Kahn explains how people prefer to watch videos on educational tutorials rather than being taught in person.  Putting yourself in someone's shoes, it makes sense because they can easily pause videos and re-watch them if they do not understand.  Salmon posted some math tutorial videos on YouTube and people stumbled upon them.  These videos are able to penetrate a classroom and home school students.  KhanAcademy is an online math tutorial that allows students to solve problems that have the same concept.  It starts out doing simple math problems like adding and subtracting single digit numbers.  KhanAcademy is a scaffolding approach; whenever you show achievement in a certain concept, then the problems will gradually get harder.
I also like the fact that students can solve the problems however many times needed.  KhanAcademy allows students to work on their own pace until they can grasp the concept.  Every child learns at different paces and this site allows children to work on their own pace without skipping out on important steps they need to know.

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

2 Education Articles

Sequestration cuts will shortchange students, universities say
Can President Obama be any worse of a President? I mean really.  How do you fail to reach a deal for spending cuts?  Schools have lost $4 Million dollars in 2013 and supposedly $8 million in 2014.  Obama and his wife are too worried about publicity and taking over the world.  It looks like communism and total control is all Obama wants.  President Obama is a man that wants to put microchips in everybody's right hands to keep personal financial information as well as everything else.  Without this chip no one will be able to sell or buy.  In order to buy or sell anything your right hand will have to be scanned.  It is the end of times as we know it and hardly anybody is noticing.  I do not think our country has been in worse hands until now.  So for all of you who voted for Obama be ready to have to cough up money for school and have everything you do tracked by the goverment.

K-12 student database jazzes tech startups, spooks parents
This whole system is a load of bull.  It is not fair to the parents or the students for the department of education to freely share social security numbers and addresses to "school officials".  This is by far one of the stupidest things I have ever heard and I can not believe that the government is allowing this to happen.  Since when did the US become a communist country?  People need to open their eyes and see that the President and the government are wanting total control.  Keeping complete track of somebody is creepy.  No one needs to know such personal information except for the children and the child's family.  This is not right and should banned.  I will personally be homeschooling my children if it reaches the state of Mississippi because I will not allow my child(ren) to be tracked.  It's okay to keep progress of a student's school records but does the government really need social security numbers, the child's output on school, and such personal information?  This disgusts me.

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Ken Robinson says school kills creativity

Since mistakes are looked down on as adults, children slowly lose their creativity because they are no longer prepared to be wrong.  Public schools prepare students' to be professors and the education system is teaching only academics.  Creative people think they are not creative because they are told growing up "you will never make it as a musician", "you will never become a great painter" and it discourages children from putting their creativity on the table.  Often times adults hold back their ideas because they do not want to look or feel stupid.  Intelligience is distinct.  Everybody has their own talent that somebody else lacks.  Education should not only be about academics, but creativity as well.
I agree with what Ken says because children need to be pushed to be creative because everybody is intelligient in their own way.  Not everybody learns academics as well as others.  Perhaps the students' having a hard time learning academics excel in arts.  People need to be encouraged to do what makes them happy because anybody can do anything they set their mind's to.

:)

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

John Hunter's World Peice Game

1.  When John Hunter said he is "standing on the shoulders of many people", he meant that he is over all these children and he wants to guide them in a way to better their future and education.  If John was to stumble and mislead his students then it would cause the whole classroom to stumble and fall apart.

2.  John Hunter used a game because he wanted the students to learn using their whole bodies.  John is shooting more towards kin-esthetic learners.  He said that he never liked lecture-based learning and he wanted to make learning fun.  Hunter wanted to get his students fully engaged and challenge them to think in a way to add on to their current knowledge and form their own opinions.

3.  All of the students play different roles in the game.  A few of the roles include: weather goddess, prime minister of a specific country, somebody to sabotage the game (saboteur),  and a person who controls peace in the game.

4.  John Hunter's role is a friend.  He likes to sit back and observe the children and let them make their own choices.

5.  The students write condolence letters to families because in any war people will be lost and John Hunter is trying to make the game as real as possible.  It also give the opportunity to add writing in this game.

6.  John Hunter is a very passionate teacher.  He wants his students to learn independently so they can build on their current knowledge.  John is not the type of teacher to stand in the front of the classroom and lecture, but a teacher that wants his children to learn more on their selves and through their own experiences.

7.  I would feel successful as a teacher to see that the students actually understood what they was being taught.  The students are showing content understanding by performing tasks in the game and carrying on the activities and taking care of their own countries.



Ted - John Hunter

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Technology tip & software I want to learn more about

Technology tips:
  • If you have a file to large to send by email then go transferbigfiles.com.  You can send large files for no charge. (Up to 2 Gigs)
  • Ctrl+F finds words on the page.
  • Ctrl+S saves your document
  • Ctrl+V pastes
  • Ctrl+C copies
  • Ctrl+Z undoes
  • Ctrl+A selects all
  • Ctrl+ALT+delete is a task manager
  • Ctrl+2 double spaces (only works in office program)
  • Alt+Tab switches between open programs
  • Ctrl+B bolds
  • Change passwords on a regular basis and don't have all the passwords the same (letters, numbers, capital leter, and special character).
  • Ctrl+W closes tabs
  • Ctrl+L left line
  • Ctrl+R right align
  • Ctrl+E centers
  • Ctrl+1 single spaces
  • Ctrl+P prints
  • Ctrl+tab opens a new tab
  • Hold down print screen takes a screen shot on Windows
  • Ctrl+I italicizes

 
Software I want to learn more about: Antivirus Software

Thursday, February 7, 2013

RainForest Animals Concept Map




Rainforest Animals

I.       Mammals

Mammals are warm-blooded, have a vertebrae and a four-chambered heart.  They also have hair, in which covers the skin.  Also, all mothers produce milk for nourishing their young; milk is produced by mammary glands.  Mammals range from an inch and a half (bumble bee bat) to 108 feet (blue whale).

A.    Bengal Tiger

B.    Gorilla

II.     Reptiles

All reptiles are cold-blooded and lay eggs.  They are covered in leathery, like skin, such as, horny plates or scales.  Reptiles are able to breathe by means of lungs.  This group of animals transport by slivering, crawling, and creeping.

A.    Boa Constrictor

B.    Anaconda

III.    Amphibians

Amphibians are cold-blooded animals that have smooth skin.  They hatch an aquatic larva to produce their young.  When amphibians hatch, they transform and have gills.  After full development, amphibians are capable of living on land or water and have both gills and lungs.

A.    Poison dart Frog

B.    Red-eyed tree Frog

IV.    Arthropods

Arthropods can be found in every environment; land, trees, water, and the ground.  Arthropods have an exoskeleton and segmented bodies, as well as jointed appendages.  Arthropods happen to be the largest animal group.  This group consists of: insects, arachnids, and crustaceans.  All arthropods have six or more legs.

A.    Blue Morpho Butterfly

B.    Leafcutter Ant

V.     Birds

Birds are bipedal, meaning they have two feet.  All birds are warm-blooded and lay eggs.  All birds have feathers, as well as wings to help them fly.  Birds can range from 2 inches to 9 feet tall.

A.    Parrot

B.    Toucan

1.    This bird lives in holes of hollow trees.

2.  Toucans are located in Central and South America in
tropical and sub-tropical rainforests.








***Activities***
- Color sheets to remember the colors of the animals
- Make an ant farm
- Guess the Rainforest animal sound
- Bingo
- Create paper plate animals

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Using Freely Available Resources to Promote the Study of Science and Technology in the Elementary Classroom


As a future science teacher, I find it important to one day promote the use of technology in the classroom. Today's generation is clinging to technology, so what better way to get the students involved than to introduce computers into education at an early age. Elementary teachers should allow students to gain access to fun websites to engage in science. ScienceKids.co.nz/ is a great resource that contains fun games, experiments, quizzes, videos, and lessons that elementary students will enjoy and learn from.

The US has tried to improve the use of science and technology in Elementary, but their main priority is Middle and High School. Elementary students are fully capable of learning higher levels of science, but are not given a chance because they have limited access to resources. I find it very important for Elementary schools to have available internet because they can start working on their scientific reasoning at early age; this also allows the students to be prepared when entering Middle and High School.

Engaging Elementary students at multiple levels of reasoning is wonderful.  This is why allowing computers for this age group is very beneficial.  Providing computers for Elementary students is a great way to promote the use of science and technology in the classroom.  The internet has a wide range and variety of solid resources that allow children to engage in science in a fun way.

Like I said, it is important to introduce science and technology as an Elementary teacher.  Allowing the students to have access to available resources, such as Science Kids, will build a solid foundation of science.  This website has a lot of games, activities, videos, experiments, and quizzes that will allow the students to interact with.  I believe this website will prove that science and technology is fun and will even promote an interest in science later on by taking advanced science courses later on in life.

http://ehis.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=a7b3b434-3a64-4ac3-9406-69a97601eb17%40sessionmgr10&vid=2&hid=3

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Post 6

1.  Software is applications and  games.  It gives instructions on how to interactive with the person.

2.  Hardware is what  you can physically touch on the computer.  Such as the mouse, keyboard, and the monitor.

3.  CPU stands for centeral processing unit.  CPU carries out instructions from the keyboard to the motherbaord of the computer.  The CPU can also be considered the brain of the computer.

4.  RAM stands for random access memory.  The more RAM the faster your computer runs.  Everything that was stored in the computer is lost when the power goes off.

5.  ROM stands for read only memory.  It helps boot the stystem up and it does not erase when the power goes off.

6.  A hard drive saves information so that you can easily get access to it from any computer.

A server sends out information.

The machine is using us

Digital text is a lot more flexible than writing.  Text can easily be edited with just a click of a button.  A word can easily be bolded, italicized or underlined.  The web is no longer just linking text together, but it is bringing people together by using links and videos.  We are putting all of our information into a machine;  It is crazy how much the internet can do for people.  People depend on google search for finding answers to practically anything.  The machine uses us to sell off personal information that we put on the internet.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Pay Attention

After watching Pay Attention, I would use the information in numerous ways to engage my students.  Using technology allows visual and audio learners to stay focused and enjoy what they are being taught.  It is important to teach children with different methods because lecture is not allowing reaching out to all students.  The goal is to keep children in school, not to let them drift away because they think school is a no fun zone.  Education should be made interesting by using technology that kids already know how to use.  Technology such as ipads, cellphones, and kindles are valuable and can be used to help educate the classroom.  Ipads and cellphones can be used to access blogs, twitter, and the internet.  Ipads and cellphones have scientific calculators on them so there is no excuse for children to put up their technology.

The statement that made an impact on me is "if you can't stop them, join them".  Teachers are not allowing students to use their technology in class.  If you can not stop them, then why not allow the students to use it?  Allow students to do a pop quiz using their cellphones to text the answer.  Even updating blogs on the students reflection of the class.  Technology can be used in several ways.  So why not allow the child to use it to learn with?

I will definitely be using technology in the future in my classroom.  Children obviously do not want to put up their technology.  I can see where it can feel like jail coming to school for them.  I will find ways to bring in computers and cellphones to engage students into the lesson I am teaching them.  Not all students learn from lecture and hands on.  It is important to allow all students to participate.  Also, technology will make the classroom settings different.  Different is always a good thing.

The dirty and dangerous side of tech

I had no idea that cellphones and computers are hazardous!  It kind of makes me scared to use my cellphone now.  I have always known about microwaves being dangerous because they gave off radiation, but I am completely blown away that cellphones and computers contain mercury.  What upset me even more is the fact that the people in other countries are the ones being harmed by the toxins we use on a daily basis.

Apparently it is important to dispose your old cellphone properly.  I am happy I read this article because I am guilty of just throwing away old cellphones in the trash.  Also, the article stated how you should hold off a year before purchasing a new cell phone.  The way cellphones are made today, there is no way a cellphone would last three whole years!  I have always taken really good care of my cellphones, but they always just quit working after about two years. 

Monday, January 21, 2013

Te'o's Fake Girlfriend Hoax

Star athlete Manti Te'o had an online relationship with a woman name Kekua.  Kekua suffered a car accident and supposedly had leukemia in which she died from.  However, there are no birth, death, or school records of Kekua.  The pictures used as Kekua were stolen from another woman in California.  The pictures are kept anonymous to protect her identity and privacy.  The woman in charge of this fake account is Teo's friend Ronaiah Tuiasosopo.  Teo is denying any involvement with this hoax.  This hoax is a reminder of the imposter at Virginia Tech.  The man from Virginia Tech lied about his name and age so he could play football.  McKelvey's real name was Weaver.  Weaver stole a man's identity and social security number so he could go to school and have another shot at football.  Weaver was found guilty for misusing a Social Security number, but somehow dodged jail time.
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It blows my mind how somebody so gifted can do something so stupid.  Te'o was such a gifted football player, he had no reason to make up a girlfriend to bring attention to himself.  Te'o is a linebacker and was runner up for the 2012 Hesiman Trophy.  Te'o already had so much attention on him because of how well he played.  It is understandable to lose your grandmother and be upset about it, but why would he create a fake girlfriend and pretend like she died from cancer.  Either Te'o is wanted sympathy from his fans and team players, or he just wants to remain in the spotlight.

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Introducation

My name is Jaci Aymond and I am a Junior at Southern Miss.  I am majoring in Elementary Education and minoring in science.  I work at Strick's BBQ part time and have been employed there for about six years; I am somewhat a bbq expert.  I attend First Hattiesburg.  I enjoy being active in the church.  I am a Sunday School teacher, I currently teach second graders.  Last summer I was a team leader for Zapped (vacation bible school), I watched the third graders.  I plan on working with preschoolers soon at my church, I am looking forward to that because I have never worked with children that young.
Last year I graduated from PRCC with an Associates in Art.  I am so much happier to be at USM.  USM has a lot of resources that are beneficial to me and all of the teachers I have had are wonderful.