Thursday, February 16, 2012

Project # 6 "This is My Sentence"

Blog Post 4

Podcasting




The Benefits of Podcasting in the Classroom

Harry Dell talks about the benefits of Podcasting in the classroom. This is mainly for students born after 1980, which he refers to them as “Millenials”.It is amazing how many hours children spend on Games(10,000), Phones(10,000), TV(20,000), IMs(250,000). It seems so unreal, until you actually think about it. As stated, Podcasting allows differentiation in the classrooms. Podcasting is a student-centered activity and allows for a project-based learning approach. A Podcast is relevant info on-the-go. I think Podcasting is a great idea, because it is accessible to children anytime, effectively. Especially, if they happen to be out sick from school.

Judy Scharf Podcast Collection

Judy Scharf’s website on Podcast Collection had valuable information, such as the Benefits of Podcasting, Tips to Succeed, and a Time Schedule for Creating a Podcast. The idea of allowing students time, and choice of topics as necessary, for their podcast gives them a sense of development. As far as how to use a Podcast. I also learned the definition of Podcast, which is Broadcast and iPod put together.

Langwitches Podcasting with 1st Graders


This blog about Podcasting with first graders was interesting. The children seemed to enjoy the fact that they had an audience. The skills addressed throughout their Podcasting assignment were: listening, speaking, presenting, comprehension, storytelling, performance, voice acting, oral fluency, media, and technology. Allowing the children to work in group allows for them to open to their peers and share ideas and/or examples. In my class, I would also use music, editing, and sound effects.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Blog Post #3

Smartboard

Technology In Special Education
As Lacey Cook stated "Technology is an essential tool in the classroom, because it facilitates students participation". I totally agree with her statement, because with the way technology is being widely used throughout the world, everyone should have knowledge of how to use computers, iPods, iPads, and other gadgets. For example, the child Corbin in the video was using the iPod touch as an enhancement tool. He used to have to get someone to read aloud to him, where as now it is a silent reading tool and he is able to keep up with his classmates.

I would technology for special needs students as an enhancement tool.  Technology can be an asset in plenty of ways. I never knew special needs were able to use computers as a learning tool. After watching the video I was in awe! The students basically type out what they are trying to say which allows for easier communication at a faster pace. My vision for my future class is to incorporate technology. I will need to know how to use it effectively and make sure my students understand as well.

How the iPad Works with Academics for Autism
I chose the My First Words app helps autistic children with their vocabulary. The app will keep the autistic child's attention, because they are able to keep repeating what appears on the screen. This app is great, because it helps with a wide range of vocabulary for the kids, making way for expansion.

Gary Hayes Social Media Count
What does the changes mean to me? As a future educator, I am aware that I will be efficiently using technology throughout my classroom. The way that technology is growing, I will need to be up-to-date with it. The astonishing rates amazed me!! I did not know that such things were happening at the rate they were. I'm almost afraid to even get certified as a teacher, technology may take over!! Lol

Michael Wesch: A Vision of Students Today
After watching this video I was just shaking my head. Seem like every thing they showed was true, or atleast I thought it to be true, because I am a college student. The one thing that really stood out was the fact that the teachers rarely know any of their students names. I have been in college for quite a while and I cannot count on one hand how many teachers knew who I was without looking at the roll or simply calling upon me to participate. I must admit that I text, tweet, get on Facebook, and other internet sites during class. I know this is wrong, but it's just something that is done. The fact that some students are going to school for a certain field and it possibly won't be a job for them in the future is a bit disturbing.

Project #5- Google Presentation

Project #3

I was assigned to read and comment on Aviva Dunsinger blog posts.  Luckily my assigned teacher updates her blogs regularly and she also replied! The first blog I read and commented on was about the use of Twitter in the classrooms.  My comment was "Hi, my name is Derkesha Dale and I am currently enrolled in EDM310. As an assignment, I was assigned to read your most recent blog. After reading your blog, I found it to be very interesting. I like the way that you are incorporating social networking, such as Twitter, within the students and in the use of classrooms. This is a great way to enhance the students learning abilities. This makes the students eager to learn and not get easily bored with just book assignments.
My twitter address: @CHIK_WIT_BRAINS
My URL: http://dalederkeshaedm310.blogspot.com/" and her reply "Thanks for your comment! I’m glad that you found the post interesting. I think that social media can make learning engaging, but it is also great for differentiation: allowing students to have choice with the tools that they use and how they use them, so that they can all experience success.Enjoy your course! Aviva"  The second blog posts I had to read and comment on dealt with the students being able to efficiently demonstrate subtraction with the flip camera and the use of building blocks. My comment was " I enjoyed watching the videos on how the students learned to subtract. I think that the students using the Building Blocks as a way of learning is fun, instead of the traditional way “counting your fingers”. When I was a child I did not have the advantage of using Building Blocks, I had to draw however many lines there were and then cross them out as indicated. For example, if the problem was 12-8=4 , then I would draw twelve straight lines cross out eight, and count the remaining lines and I would have four left. Therefore, I think incorporating new ideas and especially technology into students learning environment will be a big help." Aviva Dunsinger reply: "Thanks for your comment! I think that having various tools to use is great, and giving students a chance to explain their thinking is even better. Aviva"

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Blog Post 2

Did You Know? 3.0- A John Strange 2002 Version

Originally this video was by Karl Fisch and Scott McCleod. Did you know ? 3.0- A John Strange 2012 version implies that the world is changing, and The United States is behind in education. The crazy part of it, is that china has more honor students than we do people. One fact that I found interesting was that the first text was sent in 2002. The increasing numbers were incredibly shocking. Although others may disagree, but in my opinion, to think that China would be the number one English speaking country in the world, is an embarassment to us as United States citizens. Essentially the question is Are You Ready To Be An Educator? I think what the video implies is that as an educator, you have to be willing to accept and adapt to the rapidly changing technology around us today.

Mr. Winkle Wakes created by Matthew Needleman

After one hundred years of sleeping, Mr. Winkle wakes, and finds that technology is being widely used in office buildings, hospitals, and schools, just to name a few. Mr. Winkle notices that amongst all of the places that technology was being used, the school was the least to occupy the computer. Schools should be one of the main environments where computers are used, due to the fact that the “real world” is constantly changing. This video stresses the fact that technology is changing, and being used basically everywhere around the world today. Books get you through school, where as computers get you through life. If you are technology literate it gives you more of an opportunity to expand in the classrooms and outside of schools.

Sir Ken Robinson: The Importance of Creativity

In this video Ken Robinson compares creativity to literacy, saying that it is just as important. He stated that “You have to be prepared to be wrong, or you will never be original”. As a society we are so focused on doing what we think “ we know” is right and are afraid of making mistakes. We are growing out of creativity, which I find to be true. Anyone working in the education field should want to be creative and making mistakes should not be an embarassment, more so a learning experience. As well as Math and Language, Art and Music should be at the top of the list. Some children learn through movement and are able to focus and learn more.

A Vision for the 21st Century Learning by TEDS

I think that the students should be taught through technology, as well as books. In today’s society, kids being computer literate, enhances their learning. By doing this students would be more interested and their learning skills would be efficient. Students would want to participate more and not just focusing on memorizing from books. With that being said, I strongly agree with teaching children of the future through technology.

Vicki Davis: Harness Your Students’ Digital Smarts

Harness Your Students Digital Smarts’ is about a school in rural South Georgia, where Vicki Davis is a technology-based teacher. She believes every child should learn in a comfortable environment. She makes sure that they are able to teach her and their fellow classmates new lessons. She incorporates software, Wiki, and blogs into their learning experience. I feel that it is good for her to mention new words into the lecture, and the students automatically know to Google the words to find out what she is talking about. I like Mrs. Davis’ teaching style, because it allows the students a wide range of learning, not just in classrooms, but using computers also. I love the fact that the students have certain projects that they must present, this allows the students to open up to each other.