Though this is posted late, I feel that overcoming my struggles this semester, I am just only beginning to tape into the potential I have in this class. I feel that I am not understanding not only the teacher, but the format of this class. Because there are so many confusing links, and bullets, and discussions, etc. it was hard to keep up with at first. I find now though that the tutorials are extremely beneficial along with reading the instructions and seeing the examples of other students. I am not afraid to ask for help, because I realize that this class is all about asking and learning, instead of trying to stumble through it til I find a shortcut.
I feel that I have a better appreciation for PowerPoint and how to use the many things on this program that make presentations both more exciting, and easier to use as a presenter. I have also come to appreciate articles about technology because it opens my eyes to both good and bad things about our advances in technology. I have also learned to love discussions with my classmates, because I see that other people feel the same way that I do, and it is an important tool for understanding.
Overall my progress have come through in my patience with using technology correctly. Though its hard to play catch up, using technology is a great aid to everything you do in life, if you know how to utilize it correctly.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
New York Times
When I read this article I am really torn. I know that our educational system needs to change, that's part of the reason I want to be a teacher, because I know the system is failing for our kids. So when I read this article and see the side that our President is trying to take, by trying to make some kind of change and embark on some tough rules, I think, at least we are trying something new.
Now there is the other side as I sit here, not yet a teacher, not in the position of getting fired because of this, and feeling like I have done my best for kids who do not care to learn. In this regard this email is conflicting because I supported a President to look at logical steps to strengthen our educational system, and instead of adding to the economic hardships plaguing so many, I would have encouraged him to do something else first.
I think that especially educators, are commit ed to learning, we have to be. Therefore I think the option of training or re-training teachers on the steps they should be making, is crucial. Teaching to students who are behind is hard enough as it is, then try to add the rigorous curriculum's that teachers face, and you have yourself some burnt out teachers.
This article leaves me equally hopeful and frustrated. I see both sides, I want change and I think maybe the time as come for some tough love, but I also think that not everything has been tried yet.
Now there is the other side as I sit here, not yet a teacher, not in the position of getting fired because of this, and feeling like I have done my best for kids who do not care to learn. In this regard this email is conflicting because I supported a President to look at logical steps to strengthen our educational system, and instead of adding to the economic hardships plaguing so many, I would have encouraged him to do something else first.
I think that especially educators, are commit ed to learning, we have to be. Therefore I think the option of training or re-training teachers on the steps they should be making, is crucial. Teaching to students who are behind is hard enough as it is, then try to add the rigorous curriculum's that teachers face, and you have yourself some burnt out teachers.
This article leaves me equally hopeful and frustrated. I see both sides, I want change and I think maybe the time as come for some tough love, but I also think that not everything has been tried yet.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Technology for now and the future
I think the most useful site that I accessed in class was the edutopia website. This site was instantly appealing and laid out very easy to acess and understand which is important for eduactors who dont have alot of tiem to sort through information to sources that are valuable.
I liked that this site had blogs that were easy to access and held so much valuable insights and information about teaching and technology!
I liked that this site had blogs that were easy to access and held so much valuable insights and information about teaching and technology!
Monday, February 1, 2010
Book to Movie...how do teachers make it work?
Sitting in the Movie, "When In Rome" this past weekend, watching the previews for the two new Nicolas Sparks movies, adaptions from his books; it occurred to me that teachers have to very carefully factor lessons around the books that are made into films.
Teaching novels in schools is something that will continue to happen as books continue to be the main building blocks of English teaching. But the film makers have also had an influence on the content, material, and understanding of many of these novels. The debate is still open if film supplements are good for teaching content or if teachers should just stick to the text. I know many teachers who brag that they didn't show a single film of a novel, and others who pride themselves on showing students all film, audio, and texts available for that subject.
As a new teacher in the training, you have to wonder where film and media will fit into our teaching curriculum in the future, are we being trained to include these new important mediums, or are we simply being taught to ignore them? I think students will always be on the cutting edge of things like media and film, and therefore teachers should be on the cutting edge too. Just as we are in this computer class, teachers in training should be learning how to include film correctly, how to teach students the benefit of reading, and then the benefit of supplementing with film or media.
Teaching novels in schools is something that will continue to happen as books continue to be the main building blocks of English teaching. But the film makers have also had an influence on the content, material, and understanding of many of these novels. The debate is still open if film supplements are good for teaching content or if teachers should just stick to the text. I know many teachers who brag that they didn't show a single film of a novel, and others who pride themselves on showing students all film, audio, and texts available for that subject.
As a new teacher in the training, you have to wonder where film and media will fit into our teaching curriculum in the future, are we being trained to include these new important mediums, or are we simply being taught to ignore them? I think students will always be on the cutting edge of things like media and film, and therefore teachers should be on the cutting edge too. Just as we are in this computer class, teachers in training should be learning how to include film correctly, how to teach students the benefit of reading, and then the benefit of supplementing with film or media.
Friday, January 22, 2010
How do I plan to use this blog?
I hope that maybe this blog will become my place to voice things about my career, about school, and the classes that I endure during the last of my college years.
I usually use blogs to voice things going on in my life to get opinions... so i hope that this blog not only helps me but someone else who may need something on here. =)
I usually use blogs to voice things going on in my life to get opinions... so i hope that this blog not only helps me but someone else who may need something on here. =)
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