ED 205 Blog

My plan for professional development in regards to technology includes getting as involved and informed as I possibly can. Before taking this class, I never knew how many tools for helping teachers with technology actually existed. I have saved all of the helpful links and resources that have been given to me throughout the duration of this course, and plan to use them as resources when I have my own classroom.

One goal I have set for myself is to be well educated on the newest technologies available for classroom teachers. I plan to achieve this goal by constantly researching the ever changing technology field, and encouraging my school to be leaders in technology. Any form of technology committee, or team that my future workplace might have, I plan to be on! I want the school I teach at to be ground breakers in trying out new technology.

One thing I have recently considered doing in the future, is taking more classes to get some form of degree that would enhance my knowledge of technology as a teacher. After I teach for a few years, I believe I would go back to school and acquire another degree.

Another goal I have set for myself, is quite unusual. A friend of mine’s mother is a high school Media Specialist, and is one of the most educated people I have ever met in my life. She has a vast supply of resources at her fingertips, and is constantly encouraging her high school to believe that technology in their school is the best investment for the students. My goal is this: to somehow, someday, be able to be as knowledgeable as she is. I know she will help me along the way, and teach me things that I probably will not learn in college. I am very thankful for this extra resource I have to aid my accomplishments as a teacher.

Something I feel weak in right now is my ability to use technology properly in the classroom, so that it aids the curriculum. I feel that I would get so excited about some new form of technology, that I might be tempted to make a whole lesson just about all the things you can do with it! Although there is nothing wrong with learning about new technology, it should first and foremost enhance the curriculum. I hope that after several more years of school, and some student teaching, I will have a much better grasp on this.

1. The website is .org, which usually represents a more reliable website. At the bottom of the website it lists “stormfront” as the host, which is apparently a white nationalist organization. The domain does not seem to correspond to the content of the website.
2. There is no designated author, just the stormfront organization listed, and there is no date as far as I can tell, although some links do claim to be “new.” I can not truncate the website anymore, since it is a .org site.
3. The sources seem to be well documented, and it is unclear to me whether or not they have been altered. All of the links I clicked on were up and running, and all of the featured links support one main bias.
4. There are 630 other websites linking to martinlutherking.org. I googled MLK and the site showed up 2nd. I also googled stormfront, and it revealed many websites about “white survival and pro-white activism.”
5. It does NOT add up! The website seems to be put up to knock down MLK, not provide unbiased information about him. The web name “martinlutherking.org” seems to be a bit ironic to me.

I don’t believe this website is appropriate for use in schools because students shouldn’t necessarily be looking up information about white activists. Maybe if they’re older students, but most student who visit this website would be looking for information on MLK and the positive influence he had on our nation, not white activist information. Kids could learn to be less trusting by being required to complete a website evaluation, just like the one we completed before getting information off a website. If they know what to look for, they will be able to find unbiased information.

Please detail your impressions of online learning in this class thus far? What do you like? What would you change? How does it compare with live sessions and with other online classes you may have experienced — e.g., are there things that worked really well or not so well online that compared to face-to-face? Give me the scoop on your online learning perceptions. Would you take another online class? Can you think of other classes that might now facilitate online learning like this class has done?

When I first signed up for an online class, I honestly had no idea what to expect. I was pretty excited, because it felt like a very tecnnological, new age thing to do. One thing I really love about it is that I am getting credit for a class that I do not technically have to attend each week. It has worked out wonderfully for my schedule, and I am able to still get a lot of hours at work each week, which is very important.

Something I did not like, was that even on weeks where I really stayed on top of things, did everything on time, I often felt that I was falling behind a little bit. It’s not that I actually was, it’s just I realized I really do value and enjoy time spent in a classroom, face to face with a professor. I felt this the most with our discussion board. The online thing is great, but it just doesn’t quite take the place of a class discussion for me. I like to hear what people have to say, see who is saying it outloud, and if I have something to say right away in response to that, have the opportunity to say it. The online discussion board felt different to me.

I believe I would definitely take another online class someday. One thing I would do differently is set aside one particular time, each week and designate it, “do your online homework time.” Some weeks get busier than others toward the end, and I find myself running out of time. As much as I love being able to work at my own pace, it often is my downfall, because I have so many other things going on too.

I really don’t know of any other class Ithat would facilitate as this one does. Perhaps it is just because I have never experienced another online class, or maybe not. I would definitely be willing to sign up for another one, if my schedule ever allowed me too.

We discuss many types of educational software in class this week from broad categories to specific titles (see PowerPoint files before doing this blog). We talked about drill and practice, tutorial, problem solving, educationl games, etc. We looked at specific kinds of application software from word processors to spreadsheets to presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint). Many educators feel that students should be taught the software applications they will have to know to succeed in their lives beyond school (e.g., work or college). Please make a list of five specific applications you think every student should learn, from more important to less important (you can name the application or just give the title — e.g., Word or word processors).

Explain your ranking in your blog entry. At what level in school do you think each application should be taught? Why?

I think the 5 most important software applications a student can learn are as follows. Word processors, Presentation software, Spreadsheets, Image software, and Databases.

I ranked them by how relevant they would be to a student’s life beyond school, thinking mostly how they would apply to their future job or career.

I chose Word processors as the most important because nearly every job position a person might have would require them to prepare a Word document at some point. Whether it be an application or submitting a resume, or even typing a letter to someone’s boss, knowing how to use a Word processor would benefit nearly everyone. I believe it should be taught to students as early as 1st or 2nd grade. A student at this age would not need to know all the in’s and out’s of the program, but at least develop familiarity and some basic skills. As a student’s capabilities mature and their typing skills develop, a complete lesson should be taught to students in late elementary school, or even early middle school.

Next, I chose Presentation software. A program such as PowerPoint has so many capabilities, that a person could personalize a presentation that would work perfectly for their needs. Many people are visual learner’s and by developing something that is easy to understand, they would really help people understand the thing they are trying to teach. Although I was not taught how to use PowerPoint until 6th grade, I feel as if I could have learned how to use it at a much earlier level. Therefore I believe it should be taught to students around 3rd grade. Once students are taught a few of the basic things, it is quite easy to experiment on your own and teach yourself many of the capabilities of PowerPoint.

The next software application listed was spreadsheets. Spreadsheets can be used for an infinite amount of things, from keeping track of your budget to compiling sports statistics. As an adult, MS Excel could be so helpful to a person who had a real understanding of it. I believe it should be taught to students any time before high school, preferable early middle school. I didn’t know anything about Excel until about 10th grade, and once I did learn about it, I was amazed at how much it could have helped me in earlier years. One of the most important things I think students should know about Excel, or any spreadsheet software for that matter, is how to create graphs and tables. These things are used so much throughout a student’s education, and having knowledge of a program that helps you create them would be indispensible.

The software application I believed was 4rd most important was Image software. Digital camera’s are just as common as regular cameras nowadays, and being able to edit and alter your photograph’s is something people should know how to do if they are the owner of a digital camera. If someone were to have a digital camera and not know how to edit their pictures, they would not be fully taking advantage of the technology. I believe Image software should be taught early in high school, in 9th grade. Some students take an interest in editing and by starting at the beginning of high school, instead of at the end as so many students do, they could have a chance to fully utilize the technology and programs the school may have access to.

The final software application I believe should be taught in school is Databases. Databases are excellent ways of organizing information, and could be used not only in school, but throughout a person’s career. Since Databases tend to be a little more difficult to understand, I think it is fully appropriate to teach students about them late in high school, perhaps 11th grade. This way, a student should have many years of experience with the other programs and be ready to learn a completely new software application at the end of high school.

We discuss many types of educational software in class this week from broad categories to specific titles (see PowerPoint files before doing this blog). We talked about drill and practice, tutorial, problem solving, educationl games, etc. We looked at specific kinds of application software from word processors to spreadsheets to presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint). Many educators feel that students should be taught the software applications they will have to know to succeed in their lives beyond school (e.g., work or college). Please make a list of five specific applications you think every student should learn, from more important to less important (you can name the application or just give the title — e.g., Word or word processors).

Explain your ranking in your blog entry. At what level in school do you think each application should be taught? Why?

I think the 5 most important software applications a student can learn are as follows. Word processors, Presentation software, Spreadsheets, Image software, and Databases.

I ranked them by how relevant they would be to a student’s life beyond school, thinking mostly how they would apply to their future job or career.

I chose Word processors as the most important because nearly every job position a person might have would require them to prepare a Word document at some point. Whether it be an application or submitting a resume, or even typing a letter to someone’s boss, knowing how to use a Word processor would benefit nearly everyone. I believe it should be taught to students as early as 1st or 2nd grade. A student at this age would not need to know all the in’s and out’s of the program, but at least develop familiarity and some basic skills. As a student’s capabilities mature and their typing skills develop, a complete lesson should be taught to students in late elementary school, or even early middle school.

Next, I chose Presentation software. A program such as PowerPoint has so many capabilities, that a person could personalize a presentation that would work perfectly for their needs. Many people are visual learner’s and by developing something that is easy to understand, they would really help people understand the thing they are trying to teach. Although I was not taught how to use PowerPoint until 6th grade, I feel as if I could have learned how to use it at a much earlier level. Therefore I believe it should be taught to students around 3rd grade. Once students are taught a few of the basic things, it is quite easy to experiment on your own and teach yourself many of the capabilities of PowerPoint.

The next software application listed was spreadsheets. Spreadsheets can be used for an infinite amount of things, from keeping track of your budget to compiling sports statistics. As an adult, MS Excel could be so helpful to a person who had a real understanding of it. I believe it should be taught to students any time before high school, preferable early middle school. I didn’t know anything about Excel until about 10th grade, and once I did learn about it, I was amazed at how much it could have helped me in earlier years. One of the most important things I think students should know about Excel, or any spreadsheet software for that matter, is how to create graphs and tables. These things are used so much throughout a student’s education, and having knowledge of a program that helps you create them would be indispensible.

The software application I believed was 4rd most important was Image software. Digital camera’s are just as common as regular cameras nowadays, and being able to edit and alter your photograph’s is something people should know how to do if they are the owner of a digital camera. If someone were to have a digital camera and not know how to edit their pictures, they would not be fully taking advantage of the technology. I believe Image software should be taught early in high school, in 9th grade. Some students take an interest in editing and by starting at the beginning of high school, instead of at the end as so many students do, they could have a chance to fully utilize the technology and programs the school may have access to.

The final software application I believe should be taught in school is Databases. Databases are excellent ways of organizing information, and could be used not only in school, but throughout a person’s career. Since Databases tend to be a little more difficult to understand, I think it is fully appropriate to teach students about them late in high school, perhaps 11th grade. This way, a student should have many years of experience with the other programs and be ready to learn a completely new software application at the end of high school.

As a teacher, you are faced with helping your students deal with a lot of issues. Many issues are easy to handle and you know where to go to get advice and help. Helping students cope with tragedy, disaster, and loss is probably the most difficult. A child could die from your class or school. On September 11, 2001, the tragic events that unfolded affected parents, children, friends, fellow Americans, and people around the world. More recently, we had the devastating natural disaster called hurricane Katrina. Many agencies and Web sites exist that can provide you with information to help your students deal with this and other types of tragedies. Should you talk to your students about these issues? Where do you locate resources? How do people learn from a tragedy such as this one? Do you turn this into a teachable moment? Or do you ignore the issue? What precautions should you take to ensure that the information you provide is age appropriate or unbiased?

In the event of a tragedy, I believe it is best to talk to your students about these issues. No matter how old the students are, they will hear about it, and some of them will not understand. I believe that, as a teacher, you can be a great help to them in gaining an understanding of what is happening. If nothing else, at least let them ask questions, and do your very best to answer them. When their questions are answered, the fear and uncertainty they may have will subside. If it is a very difficult, or touchy situation, outside resources could be of great help in talking to your students. If they are age appropriate (high school), watching the daily news broadcast daily can help answer questions, and open up opportunity for discussion in the classroom.

I do not believe that every tragedy needs to be turned into a teachable moment. Some things are better left explained by the parents. I believe the role of a teacher in these times is to keep the students informed, and let their parents teach them from it, if necessary.

My senior year of high school, I participated in the BASIC program. I would spend the last 3 hours of my day at the elementary school, as a teacher’s aide to the Spanish teacher. I worked with students K-6 on a daily basis. Around Christmas time, one of the younger students, a 1st grader, passed away due to cancer. It was a tragedy that affected the whole school, as the girl had several brothers or sisters, in different grades. As the student aide, I witnessesed the teacher discuss the tragedy with all different grade levels. It was such a learning experience for me, and I believe she did an excellent job changing the amount of details she gave, with each grade. The kindergardeners wanted to know if Hannah was in heaven now, and she reassured them that she was. The 6th graders wondered about her family, and how they were holding up. I think that this teacher handled the situation wonderfully, given the circumstances, and I would hope that I as a teacher, would be able to follow her example.

Hello…this is my blog…and I’m testing it out!
So far, I’m really enjoying the online class thing. It’s nice to have an entire week to get assignments done.
Okay..I guess that’s it!

-Sarah

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