Blog 10

What I found most interesting from reading other students' blogs was how different everyone is. Most of us want to be teachers, but all of us are different. It's cool because we're going to have a great diversity of teachers in the future.

The next technology related skill I'd like to learn next is how to make my own website. I have NO idea how to do this. All that HTML stuff... no clue. But I'd really like to learn because it's so important in today's times.

I have a few friends who are really good with that stuff, so I think I could ask them to teach me. They'll have to be patient though, because I really know nothing.

I'm glad this semester is so close to being over. I think I can speak for everyone when I say I am done with school. Good luck on exams everyone!!! Relax time is soon!!!! =D

Blog 9

I found a cool tool online. It's a gradebook online that students and parents can also access. You can even create grade reports using this resource. This is the link:
http://www.mygradebook.com
The only not-so-great thing about it is that is costs money. I'm sure there are similar things out there that are free. Or you could create your own thing like it. But for those who are not into making their own websites and such, this could be a good resource.

The next thing I'd like to learn relating to technology has nothing to do with this class really. I want to get a music program on my computer that allows me to record music and mess with it, but I need one that's really easy to use. All my motivation will be lost if it's difficult to use. Maybe I'll put it on my Christmas list..

My friend Cody is really into this music stuff on his computer, so he can probably help me. Over Christmas break, we want to get together and make a demo or something. It should be really cool.

Blog 8

Chapter 8 was about the security issues and ethics in technolgy. Viruses are always a problem in technology, so antivirus programs are a must. Also, authorization is a must to prevent problems. Filtering porgrams are necessary to prevent students from accessing objectionable materials.

I haven't really learned much since last class other than what I wrote in the last post. I guess I learned how to use the chatroom thing on blackboard. That was kind of cool.

Next month, I believe, Bonnaroo tickets go on sale. I went last summer and I cannot wait to go again. If you don't know what it is, it's a 4-day-long music festival in Tennessee in June. It's amazing. Totally different world. I highly recommend going if you love music and meeting some crazy people.

Blog 7

Chapter 7 was about evaluating educational technology. It's important for teachers to be able to determine what programs work for them. To evaluate software, you use a rubric. To evaluate a web source, pay attention to authority, affiliation, content, audience, and currency.

Last week we did the wiki project. It was cool because I learned how to make a class page. I could definitely use that as a teacher as a way for students to always know what's going on in class.

Tallahassee is getting cold again. I am not fond of the cold weather at all. I like cool, not cold. And that means I have to put real shoes on now, which I am also not fond of. The only good thing is hot chocolate. Oh and the semester is almost over. Yay winter break! I think I'm going to New York City for New Years. I cannot wait. It's colder there.. but I'll suck it up to see the ball drop. =)

Blog 6

Chapter 6 was about technology integration in the classroom. To accomplish what you wand in the classroom using technology, you have to know what you are actually trying to accomplish within your curriculumn. Also you have to know how to use technology that allows a diverse populatioin of students with many learning styles to be able to learn.

I didn't learn much since my last post because our class has been crazy. So yeah..

Halloween was really depressing for me. I had to work. We got out really late. And I didn't get any candy all day. =( The only thing I did for Halloween was watch the movie Halloween on mute when I got home with my roomie. I guess I'll just have to make up for it next year.

Blog 5

Chapter 6 was about curriculum and technology. It talked about how a teacher has to adapt to different learning styles and be a facilitator of learning. I think this is a really hard part of being a teacher. You may think you are doing everything right, but some kids just can't learn when you teach a certain way, and it's your responsibility as a teacher to recognize that.

I haven't really learned much since last class. I have gotten better at Word, which is always good. Today in class we'll probably learn how to do something I don't know how to do already.

I went Halloween costume shopping this weekend and now I'm really pumped for Halloween! It's my favorite holiday. I'm going to be a gypsy. Sweet, I know. =p But really, Halloween is the best. This weekend I'm going home and going to Howl O Scream. Awesome! Ahh! And all the scary movies are going to start playing on TV! Awesome! I hope I'm not the only one pumped for Halloween. I wish I could still go trick or treating. =(

Blog 4

One thing I found interesting in Chapter 5 was when they were talking about e-books. I had never heard of such a thing, and I think it would come in handy being a teacher. It also talked about using computer games to help kids learn, which I think is a good idea. Visual things are helpful for a lot of kids.

I haven't really learned much since last post. I learned that there is a google video search that I have apparently overlooked for forever. The Word practice test was kind of hard for me because I don't know how to do any fancy things on word. Oh well, hopefully I'll do fine.

I've been looking into doing Teach for America when I graduate, and I've pretty much decided I'm going to do it. It looks like a great opportunity to help a lot of kids that need it. I was wondering if anyone else was interested in doing this. If you haven't heard about it, you should look into it. I went to Kentucky for the first time this past weekend. It was really pretty and really nice. I hope I get to go back soon.

Smile! =)

Blog 3

The World Wide Web, along with e-mail, voice mail, videoconferencing, etc, is an example of a program that relies on communications technology. A local area network covers a limited area, such as a building an office, or a group of buildings. The internet is worldwide, and allows people to communicate from anywhere there is internet.

I learned how to use Insiration last week. I thought it was really cool and really useful. It'll be great for making study guides and stuff like that.

I'm taking a poetry class this semester. I thought I wasn't going to like it very much, but it has won me over. It's a lot of fun and I am actually learning a lot. It has inspired me to teach a section on poetry when I become an English teacher. I really think kids can get a lot of out of it if it is taught right. Hopefully I'll be able to do that.
As a complete side note, if you are reading this and have never listened to a lady named Regina Spektor, you should. Her music is fantastic. I haven't stopped listening to her for a couple of weeks now.
Have an awesome day. =)

Blog 2

Chapter three was cool because it talked about all the different kinds of programs you can use on a computer. It talks about what programs can be used for education and how to use them. The chapter talked about different kinds of software, such as productivity software, word processing software, graphics and multimedia software, and educational software, just to name a few.

I am probably the only one, but I was really excited to learn how to wrap text around a picture. I never knew how to do it before, and it always bothered me so much how a picture always messed up my words! Now I can successfully incorporate pictures into my text and it makes me happy.

So I'm taking a vampire class, which is really cool, and it makes me want to write vampire stories. It's fascinating how the vampire has developed through different cultures over time. Maybe when I become an english teacher I'll force my kids to read creepy vampire stories. I'm sure they would love it.

Blog 1

The first chapter of the book pointed out how different kids today are from the generation before when it comes to technology and computers. Because kids use technology so much more than adults, kids today multitask much more and also are more visual learners than in the past. The ARCS Motivational Model was created to motivate kids to WANT to learn instead of just learning to pass school. It talks about the following: Attention- Teaching techniques should stimulate a student's interest, which includes digital media because that is what kids are interested in. Relevance- Using digital media in lessons brings familiarity into the classroom, which makes students more interested. Challenge/Confidence- Digital media allows students to challenge themselves with something familiar, and they will feel confident when they succeed. Also, using digital media allows more of the imagination to be used. Satisfaction/Success- Digital media allows students to show off their work, which makes them do better work so they get better feedback from fellow students.

I don't think I've really acquired any new skills that would help me in my educational career. However, I did realize how much kids use technology today. Kids are constantly on the computer, playing video games, or doing something technology-related. I've never really thought about how kids would be excited to do more digital activities because it is what they are more familiar with. It makes sense.

I know I want to be a high school English teacher. I don't know what I should major in, though. I can't decide if I should major in English Literature, Secondary English Education, or just try to double major. So, if anyone has any input, it would help a lot.

Blog 0

I am not exactly good with technology. I once made a powerpoint, went to present it to my class, and none of the pictures worked. Needless to say, I was pretty embarrassed, and my presentation was pretty boring because of it. I know next to nothing about computers, making websites, all that jazz. I know a little about digital cameras (that's technology right?) only because I love mine. I wish I knew how to record and edit music on my computer. BUT, I don't.

In this class, I am really hoping to learn the little things I don't know about computer programs. My friends make fun of me because I take the long way to do things. It would be nice to be able to show them things they don't know for once.

I'd like to think I'm an interesting person. I like to travel and do things I don't normally do every day, but I also like to just sit around and do nothing. I play piano, a little guitar, and I sing. I would LOVE to start a band, but it just hasn't happened (yet). I have a cat named Satan (don't ask) and he's the love of my life (for now). I live with my best friend and I love it. We have a lot of fun, probably too much. I want to go to Italy one summer and take a photography class. I want to be a high school english teacher. I love reading. Harry Potter is my personal hero (call me a loser, I don't care). Music is what makes my world go 'round. And that's pretty much it. =)