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

I thought Mr. McClung had a great deal of advice to give. I am sure I will learn a lot during my first year of teaching as well as the years that follow. I learned to focus on the students and make sure that they understand the materials that you teach. I also learned that I should not get mad over the mistakes that I make. I like what he had to say about lesson plans: “NO LESSON IS EVER PERFECT. THE LESSON YOU TEACH AND THE ONE YOU PLAN ARE ALWAYS DIFFERENT.” No matter how prepared you are, you should be prepared to expect different outcomes. The next thing he talked about was communication. I feel that you can learn better when you communicate. I learned that you should not always be hard on your students. Our job is to help them to better. Another thing he stated was to use technology while in the classroom. He told us to listen to our students because not all students have someone to talk to. I feel that this is very important for the student as well as for me. Lastly, he stated to never stop learning. Learning is an important aspect of life. I feel that this is a great self-reflection on Mr. McClung's first year of teaching. The post helped him and many others be prepared for their teaching career.

Week 4: Comments4Kids

In week 4, I read and commented on Esrah, Howard, Caroline, Jessica and Ramona's post. They retold the story of the Three Little Kids. I told them that this story used to be my favorite story when I was their age. I really enjoyed reading and commenting on their post.

Week 3: Comments4Kids

In week 3, I commented on Studamyer, Logan and Ahsin's post. They attended PT England School. Their post title was “The Lion and The Mouse 2”. I loved the story of how the mouse helped the lion because he was small. I told them that they did an excellent job retelling the story. I also told them to keep up the good work!

Wikipedia

Wow! Most of this information amazed me. I knew that Wikipedia could be edited by anyone, but I didn't know that people and even companies went as far as they did to edit the information. I think that is great that the people who edit the information can be tracked down. I do think it is funny how some people go over the edge to make their company look good. I also think it is crazy how people go over the edge to criticize other companies, people, places, and things. I guess that this type of behavior on a “website that anyone can edit” is expected.

As far as Wikipedia being a trusted source, I would not rely on it completely. I would probably use it to get the gists of certain information, but I would probably start going to another reliable website.

Week 2: Comments4Kids

In the second week of Comments4Kids, I read a post by Justin. He was talking about Super Mario Brothers. He said that he like Mario but not Yoshi. I told him that I loved all of the characters on Super Mario Brothers. I think it is something how kids come up with their own perception of how they look at the way things and people are. It was interesting to see kids opinions on things!

Randy Pausch’s Last Lecture

I thought Mr. Randy Pausch was very enthusiastic from the start! He let us know that his cancer was not going to stop him from doing his job. Although I felt so sad for him, he did not want us to have pity on him. This was a very brave statement. He let us know that anything is possible. He was able to achieve his zero gravity dream. I thought it was funny how he was not allowed to go to zero gravity because he was a faculty member but he somehow got an opportunity to still go because he was a web journalist.

Next, he talked about his football dream. What stood out to me was the quote: “Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted”. This quote really made me think. The next dream he was able to achieve. He was an author in the World Book Encyclopedia. I feel that being an author in an encyclopedia had to have been the best thing ever! Winning a stuff animal was one of my dreams as well. Although I was not as passionate about it as he was, I still always wanted one. I did win a few but they were no where near the size as his were.

As far as Mr. Pausch teaching methods, he was able to explain, model, and demonstrate many of his dreams. This let others know that they could achieve their dreams and anything is possible.

This video is probably the most interesting and heart-touching video that I have seen in the EDM 310 class thus far. This was something that I and many others could relate to. May Mr. Randy Pausch rest in peace.

Did You Know? 4.0

Wow, this video is even more surprising that the last one I watched. I think that it is amazing how technology is advancing so much in the world. Yes, I do still read newspapers and magazines but I know that in a matter of years they will not exist anymore. It is really overwhelming to me how technology is increasing and upgrading.

I know that when my 10 month old daughter ask me what a VCR is and what it is used for, I will be amazed; Amazed that the popularity of VCRs have come and gone in a matter of decades. What amazes me even more is the fact that she will probably encounter the same experience with her son or daughter about DVDs. In my opinion, I feel that the word is moving way too fast for me and I am struggling to keep up! I don't think I am ready to move on just yet.

All About Little Miss Madisyn

"It's Not About the Technology" by Kelly Hines

I do not think it should be all about technology. I agree with Mrs. Hines when she said "technology is not the first things we need to initiate change in the classroom". I do agree that technology can be very helpful but as she said change starts at the teaching and learning level.

Mrs. Hines list of four things to have a positive impact on students was very helpful and informative. The first statement on the list is the one that stood out the most to me: Teachers must be learners. There are new ways of learning new things each and everyday. We must learn how to teach in new ways. Now I know where Dr. Strange is coming from when he stated that he does not consider himself to be a teacher.

Michael Wesch: A Vision of Students Today

I agree with this movie 100%! Until now I thought I was just one of the few college students that have encountered some of these situations. I guess almost all college students have similar situations. I always feel that there are not enough hours in the day!

I would have to admit that I am the queen of procrastination. This is maybe why I feel the way I do sometimes. It is amazing how much we sometimes take for granted the time that we have. One thing that I would add to the movie to make it more accurately represent my experiences would be being a full-time mother. I don't always complete my work in a timely manner because I have to tend to my child most of the time.

The Benefits of Podcasting in the Classroom

After viewing this blog and videocast, I did feel that podcasting will be very beneficial for my students. I like the fact that absent students can catch with their schoolwork in the comfort of their own home. I also liked how the students and the teacher could interact with one another outside of the classrooms. It also allows for students to be creative.

One of the main reasons that I would enjoy creating blogs with the students in my classrooms is because it would actually get the students involved with what they are doing. I say this because when I was coming up in school many of my classmates did not find working with pencil and paper very helpful. I feel that using blogs, podcasts, and vodcasts would show students a different way of learning!

Last Semester's Podcast: Shift Happens

I listened to the podcast “Shift Happens”, I actually think they did pretty well. I actually understood what was going on. Their topic was also interesting to me. They actually sounded better than the previous podcasts that I have listened to before and I believe they were somewhat professionals.

Although I know they were more than likely reading a script, they kept their conversation and ideas going so that we did not pay much of that attention. They gave examples of how technology has shifted over the years. Other than that, I actually believe they did an awesome job! I have nothing bad to say about their podcast!

Comments4Kids

I really enjoyed viewing the Comments4Kids blogs. I thought the kids were very creative and they put in their own thoughts toward their stories. I commented on Jennifer's, Japati's, and Calvin's post and they told there story in such a wonderful way! I also told them that I look forward to viewing more of their post!