Final Reflection

Self Reflection

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Hello my name is Elo.

Final Project

We did our Final Project based on EDM 310 and how it demanded a lot of work, just like a bootcamp.

EDM 310 BootCamp

Final Report on PLN

I haven't used Symbaloo as much as I thought I would. This is because I have everything I need on my bookmark and click on it, instead of going to my PLN. However I must admit that it is very useful and should be introduced to other people. It might end up using Symbaloo with my class as they have all their website and work organized at one place and can access it from any computer.

This is a screen snapshot of my PLN.

Summary Post C4T Teacher #4

I was assigned to comment on John Spencer's blog. His post talked about "Race and Reform." After reading his post it made me realize that sometimes we don't give student's a chance to prove themselves. He was pointing our that we tend to stereotype but we need to think about it again, because people might come from poor communities but that does not mean that they are not supported by their families. This also doesn't mean that they can't learn how to fix a car, cook or even read a book. We should not underestimate poverty.
John also said something very true about reform- it cannot ignore the issues of ethnicity, social injustice and race. It cannot ignore the reality of life however "Reform has to begin with listening. It has to start with a conversation.".

Summary Post C4K Comments Nov and Dec

C4K #8- I had to post a comment on Grace's blog. She is in 3rd grade and that week she had earn her new blog and had just created it. She was telling us how excited she was about it and how she achieved it.

C4K #9- I was assigned to comment on Alice's blog, but the link didn't work so I chose a different student but I cannot remember who. :(

C4K #10- I had to comment on "Pennsylvania Skype" which was about how the students used Skype to talk to other classrooms around the world. This Skype session was about a class learning the 50 States and they came up with hand movements. They were teaching it to another class through Skype.

C4K #11- I posted a comment on Dairon's blog with was about "The Great Pumpkin Project". In the post the students describe what they had to do, and how fun it was. While posting my comment I told him that hands on projects are always fun and interesting, and I asked the student what he thought about having more project like these in different classes.

Project #15

Additional Assignment #4

Additional Assignment #5

John Spencer has a very good way to get his readers attention as he writes in a way that is easy to understand. In his posts he uses the metaphor of pencil for technology. It makes his posts interesting and unique. After reading his posts, I understood that there were different ways of teaching, and everything is not about technology. We have a brain and we need to be able to use it without the help of any materials.
He also reminded us that as future teacher we need to build a relationship with our students and show them that we are here for them. We are there to guide and help them. And he also reminds us that we have to keep our students engaged and motivated as it will keep us motivated and willing to work.

Additional Assignment #2

1. What do you think? If learners are motivated, can they teach themselves?
I think that if students are motivated they want to learn more, and will be able to teach themselves some stuff. However, I believe that students still need a teacher to guide them, and if they have any questions the teachers can help them figure it out.

2. If those motivated learners are kids, can they teach themselves?
Like I mentioned before, kids can teach themselves some things but teachers are still needed as they don't know everything and need some guidance.

3. What conditions are necessary for kids to teach themselves? For anyone to teach him or herself?
They did to be motivated and interested in the subject area, because they will want to know about about it; and therefore will probably do further research to learn more.

4. What role do computers and internet access play in the process?
Computers and Internet is now part of our everyday life. A lot of people now, rely on Internet for research and to learn more about a topic. Technology is now part of our lives.

5. What role does motivation, a desire to learn?
This makes the student/person want to know more about the topic. They are like a hungry dog who just wants more and can't get enough.

6. What roles do a problem, a question or multiple problems or questions play in the process?
It makes you realize that you don't know everything, and sometimes you need to work harder to get to the answer. Everything is not as easy at it seems.

7. How do you motivate someone to learn?
I think that you can motivate someone by relating the work to them and their lives. Or even choosing a topic they are interested in. Then you can also get their attention by doing some fun activities concerning the work, and you could also give them rewards afterwards when they've done the work correctly.


8. How are you motivated to learn?
I try to relate the work to my life. I also set goals and try achieve them which keeps me motivated.


9. Can anyone who is not motivated to learn learn?
Yes, I think so. All classes are not motivating nor interesting and student still manage to learn because they pay some attention.


10. Do you teach yourself? When? Why?
Yes, I do teach myself sometimes. For example throughout this course I had to teach myself how to use blogspot.com, and if i had difficulties I would ask for help.


11. What role does a teacher (either answer generally or use a specific example) play in your learning?
Teachers are there to teach us how to succeed in life. They are also present to teach us basic knowledge that will help us achieve our goals later on in life. I see a teacher as being a role model.


12. What is the most important idea, question or emotional response you take away with you as a result of watching this video?
It makes you realize that Technology has reached every country in the world and that it's becoming more and more important to us.


13. What other questions or issues are raised by this video that should be considered and discussed by aspiring teachers?
Teachers should not be scared to use new methods to teach, they should use technology to motivate the students and themselves as it's something new.

Blog #13

After exploring ALEX, I thought it was a very useful tool for us, future teachers to have ideas of what to do with our students to keep the class fun and interesting. This website helps you narrow things down, and get straight to the point. It also shows you the different ways of approaching a subject matter as we are all different and we learn using different tools.

ALEX is a website that helps teachers with the different areas a teacher must be familiar with such as, Course of Study, Web Links, Lesson Plans, Search, Personal Workplace, Professional Learning, Podcast Treasury and ALEXville. You can click on either ones and follow the instructions given, and it will ask you questions about what you want to obtain and it will narrow the results down and you can click on the one you like and see if it fits what you are looking for.

Project #6

I have been having some problems with my questionnaire. I sent it to everyone when it was due, but I still have no responses. I sent it again this weekend, and now I’m waiting.

Final Project- Progress Report

I decided to do my final project with Heather Bright, and she came up with the idea of an “EDM 310 Boot camp”. It’s going to be about how EDM 310 is not the thing we appreciate the most, but after this semester is going to be over we will realize how much we learned and how it’s going to be useful in the future- just like in boot camp.

Blog #12

After accomplishing several projects and blogs, you have surely learned a lot and most likely used the tools learned in other classes. Write a paragraph or two explaining how you used the knowledge you gain with technology in EDM310 and how you used it in other classes.


EDM 310 made me realize that there is a lot of tools that can be used and facilitate our lives but we are just unaware of it. For example, in my EDF 315 class, I have to do a PowerPoint presentation. Instead of doing it at home and saving it on a flash drive, I did it on my Google account so I was 100% it was going to work and that it was saved properly and I wouldn’t run into any technical problem.
I am also able to take pictures of my screen, without having to go take my camera and take an actual picture. I used it the other day when I was studying for my SPE class, and couldn’t copy paste the picture. I just took a snapshot, saved it and then dragged it into my word document to I could use it.

Teach Someone

Smart Board Instruction

Summary Post C4K Comments 4-7

C4K4, I was assigned to comment on Max’s Blog. In his post he talked about how we got help with RuneScape from his cousin. He also talked about how this game was addictive, as you always want to know what happens at the next level.

C4K5, I commented on Marnii’s blog. This student wrote a very interesting post about being Constructive and not Destructive. Then she asked questions about, what would be the best solution to approach a problem.

C4K6, I had to comment on ToriM post but at the time the student had no post, so I commented on another student’s post. However, I went back to ToriM’s blog and saw that she posted something, which was about herself. The student is given a brief introduction about them.

C4K7, Once again the student I was assigned to didn’t post anything so I commented on someone’s blog. As I went back to see Devin’s blog, I realized that he posted something yesterday about “1st Guarter Reflection”. In this post he talks about how he did during the first quarter and what he liked about his teacher.

Summary Post C4T Teacher #3

I was assigned to read Jerrid. W. Kruse post about “Teaching as a dynamic activity”, and this post included a passage about “What is the purpose of educational technology?”
This post was very interesting because it actually showed you that technology is a very useful tool and can help you a lot. For example if you have a student who have difficulties reading you can use audio books, and this will help the student. It opens a lot of doors and gives students self confident as they are still able to do the work assigned.
He also talks about how as a teacher you try to make the class fun with creativity relating to the subject matter. But then when asking the students what they have learned they are unable to respond. As a teacher you need to make sure that you teach them the concept and why you are doing this activity.
Jerrid. W. Kruse states that, “the use of technology is to gain greater access to student’s ideas and interpretations.” He is able to go on his student’s blog and post comment, see the class discussion and make sure they are staying on track.
However his conclusion was very interesting as all he said was “So as far as student learning and thinking are concerned, it really isn’t about the technology”, which leaves the reader thinking.

Blog #11

After watching the first video “First Graders in Ms. Cassidy’s Class”, I realized that a lot could be done with technology in classrooms today. Often I tend to think that students will get distracted and not learn as effectively; well I was wrong. The students were able to have Skype conversation with experts and learn a lot.
Through the Skype conversation I realized that it was very useful and efficient for parents to be able to see their children’s work on Internet. They do not have to see it only during interviews.
When using blogs students gain a lot from it, as other people are able to comment on it and give them advices. Through blogs you can meet people throughout the world and this is very interesting for the students.
I also realized that being technology literal is more than just using word processing and spreadsheets. You have to be able to use the Internet and pages such as Twitter. I learned that if you were interested in something such as Photography you could use a site and share your photos and learn from others. This is very interesting and it expands your knowledge. With this they can help you get better and improve your techniques.
To protect the student’s identity they do not include their last name, and they also post positive comments to one another so it doesn’t create fights. It’s all about teaching and what you do on the Internet, Ms. Cassidy says.

In my classroom I hope that I can have Skype conversations with experts so they can teach my students, as they will have much more knowledge on the topic than me. I also think that it’s very efficient to have blogs so that parents can see their child’s work when they want; and it’s easy to post an announcement. However, I want to go teach in a third world country so this might be a challenge.

Additional Assignment #3

Changing Education Paradigms

After watching Changing Education Paradigms by Sir Ken Robinson, I learned a lot. At first I must admit I was a little distracted with the drawings but after it helped me understand what the narrator was talking about. Having animations to go with the text helps you grasp all the information said.
I completely agree with Sir Ken Robinson when he said that today's kids are literally being fed with medicine to solve all their problems. This shows us that we rely on other things way too much, and we forget about simple, easy things. It takes much more to motivate a student in a classroom, as it’s boring for them. Like the presentation showed, they are much more interested by technology and everything, which is evolving around them.
If I had to do something like this with other kids, I would like to do the sound effects.

Blog #10

After reading Morgan Bayda’s post and watching Dan Brown’s video it made me think about my freshman year when I used to have big lecture classes. I did find it challenging trying to keep focus for an hour or more. The lecture classes were easy to get distracted and to use your laptop or phone to go on Internet and play, or do other work. I would also have to agree with Dan Brown when he said that we waste money buying textbooks for these types of classes as we hardly ever use them, and most of the information and be found online. I also think he made a very good point when he pointed out that when it comes to examinations, we learn/memorize the facts and spill it all out, and then a few months later we forgot all about it.
Then as the years went buy and I started taking my major classes, the number of students in a class decreased and the professor was actually addressing us by names and we were able to have discussions and interact with one another. Like Morgan Bayda says “ I compare this to my Ed Computer class, where I am encouraged constantly to collaborate in multiple ways with my classmates and other widespread members of my PLN through blogging, Twitter, videos, photos, the sharing of articles, and through our class Nig site. This kind of learning is actually relevant to me, and it has already improved the way I research and communicate about various topics.” When have class discussion you grasp more knowledge and understanding, as you are able to discuss and debate and hear arguments you didn’t think of before. I also feel much more comfortable asking questions to the teacher in a smaller classroom than a big lecture class.
However I do not totally agree with Dan Brown, for his reason to drop out of college. He maybe does not yet realize that a lot of people will stay old school meaning, they will ask for a University Certificate or some kind of degree before hiring a person; and Dan Brown will not have one. What is going to happen to him? When we’re young we often want to rebel and think we can do better and make a change, but we must not forget that some people will never change and some things are going to stay the same, for example; going to school to get an education and then going to college getting a certificate and then getting a job. Usually people who drop out do not tend to achieve much in life. We should remember that life is not always easy, we need to work hard to succeed.

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Blog #9

What Ive Learn This Year By Mr. McClung

I believe that most of us feel the same way about being a first year teacher. We’re all nervous about starting as we’re a not exactly sure how to handle everything. However I do think that a teaching internship will help each one of us, as we will actually see and experience things in a classroom. And when it’s going to be our turn to be the teacher, we will know how to deal with unexpected situations.
Often we think that our classroom is going to be perfect and go as planned but we have to remember that, “No lesson is ever perfect. The lesson you teach and the one you plan are always different.” And when things do not work out we have to learn how to work around it.
After reading this essay by Mr. McClung, it emphasized that communication is one of the hardest skills to develop, and I also believe that it’s a golden key to a lot of doors. If you know how to communicate with your students and co-workers you will gain a lot of support and positive feedback.
As future teachers we should also be reasonable and not go over the limits, and set high expectations but we have to make sure that the students can achieve them. Because sometimes if the students cannot achieve their goals they are disappointed; and as teachers we have to “pick them up after they fail, dust them off, and encourage them to try again.”
We also need to listen to our students, as sometimes we are the only people that actually take the time to listen to them. As future teachers, we need to understand that we need to know about our students and where their background to be able to build a relationship with them.

TimeLine #2

Short Movie

Blog #8

Richard Miller: This Is How We Dream Parts 1 and 2.
This video talked about how technology is changing our way of writing. Before the invention of technology people used to write on paper and do their research in libraries. Now it’s becoming less and less common, as we are using technology more and more. As Dr. Miller mentioned in the first video, when he does research he uses Internet and finds everything online and can write his article on Google Docs.

Technology wasn’t a big part of my life until I moved to East Africa in 2000. This was the first time I actually really had hands on a computer and learned now to navigate it. During my Computer classes I was required to use Word, Excel, Access, Power Point for all the assignment that were due. I also had to be able to use the Internet and create a website. After my years in East Africa I was prepared to use Technology pretty well.

I believe that my students will definitely be able to use multimedia. Today, children know how to manipulate technology better than their own parents. They are growing up in this technology world and are upgrading as time goes on. They will have no problem using multimedia.



The Chippper Series
This video reminds me of how a lot of students think about EDM 310 and how they feel like we should meet as a class instead of doing all the work on our own. However while watching this video, Chipper reminded me of myself in some parts. Sometimes I just want to procrastinate and not do my work or do it late, but I soon realized that it’s not going to get my very far. Chipper had to try out several jobs and go through many experiences before realizing that dropping out of school was maybe not the best thing.
Even if it’s challenging sometimes to do all the work alone I realized that I learned a lot on my own, and maybe if we had to meet every week I would rely on my peers and not learn as much.

EDM for Dummies
This video was created my Jamie Lynn, and it shows you that you’re not the only one who goes crazy in EDM 310. It’s a normal reaction. However you learnt that purchasing the book “EDM 310 for Dummies” can help you understand how everything works.
The message here is that students should be afraid of asking for help. The lab assistants are here for us.


Smartboards
In the two articles we were assigned to read it critiqued the smartboards saying; how it only kept the students entertained for an hour, how it was a waste of money and how you could use other tools such as a projector instead of a smartboard.
I think that a smart board can be very useful and you can make your students learn very effectively and get them involved. A smartboard provides colored images and writing with different effects making it look more interesting.
Here is a video that is in favor of using the smartboard and how it is an effective tool for the classroom.

PLN Post #1

When I first went on the Symbaloo site I was a little confused on how to use it and set it the way I wanted it. This site is wonderful as you are able to keep all your bookmarks in one place.
Using Symbaloo enables the students and teacher to be creative and set up there works the way they want it to look. Technology is becoming more and more important in classrooms and Symbaloo helps everyone to be organized and have all your work in one place.
In my PLN I started adding my email accounts such as my Gmail, Facebook and Skype. I’m still learning how to use it properly and set up more interesting things. I am very glad that we get to use site such as Symbaloo in EDM 310 as your learn a lot about website you had no idea existed.

Summary Post C4T Teacher #2

I was assigned to comment on Paige Baggett’s blog. She wrote a very interesting post about “Mistakes” in classroom, especially in Art classes. This post talks about how children often start something, and they think it’s a mistake and asks for another piece of paper. They need to understand that it’s normal to make mistakes and sometimes instead of start from scratch again, they should keep on working on their “mistake” work and it may turn out to be a great piece of work. Like Elizabeth Peterson said in one of her posts “There are no mistakes in art, just surprise ideas.”

Blog #7

I have seen this video before in one of my classes last semester. This lecture really inspires people and makes them want to achieve theirs dreams. Randy Pausch’s has a great way to keep his audience interested.

During the first part of “Achieving Your Childhood Dreams” the audience is informed that Randy is suffering from pancreatic cancer. This didn’t stop Randy Pausch from having an extraordinary spirit and share his dreams and teach us all a lesson.

Throughout his lecture we discover that Randy achieved all his childhood dreams, somehow, he didn’t give up at the brick wall he fought for what he wanted.
As a future teacher I personally learned a lot from this lecture as it inspired me to tell my students to chase their dreams and not give up. Mr. Pausch was a professor before becoming an Imagineer at Disney, and he always made his lessons creative and fun for his students. This helped the students to get motivated and learned at the same time.

I think that everybody should see this lecture, as it is very inspiring. After watching it I wanted to go out there and start achieving my dreams. Life is short and we should get to most out of it. I also believe that this lecture should be shown to people who are ill as I think it will give them hope of achieving some of their childhood dreams or even make then think positive about the few months left of their lives.

TimeLine

Blog #6

Watching The Network Student video, made me think about what will happen to schools in the future. It really makes you think about your future as a teacher and how things might be very different from what we are expecting. I am also asking myself questions such as, how will the special needs students be able to work with networking? Who will teach them how to work it?
After watching and listening to this video it is clear that teachers will still be needed as they are the ones who will teach them how to create the network. They are also going to be here for guidance; the teachers will show/teach the students how to communicate properly; how to differentiate good information from propaganda; how to organize their information, and much more.
There is much more to networking than what most people think. Students are able to network with other students and share information and help each other out. The scholars can record courses and lectures on their MP3s and listen to it when they have a chance. They can also videoconferences and have discussions with their networking friends, and there is also a wide range of connections and each one of them are a new learning opportunity.


Watching A 7th Grader's Personal Learning Environment (or PLN) was very interesting as you see how it works and which tools to use. This is going to help me navigate the network a bit better, because I often get confused.
So far I cannot compare hers to my PLN as I haven't put it all together. I just have everything I want to put on my project on paper. However as soon as I start putting it all together I will compare our PLNs and see how it differs and how similar it is to mine.


Listening to The Machine is Changing Us by Michael Wesch, I realized how much we are influenced by others, television and YoutTube. He made me realized that we do spend a large amount of time watching TV or on the computer watching things that are not relevant to us, but we are curious and want to know about things. We also tend to copy what we see or do something very similar to things we appreciate. In other words we take a bit of everything that influences us, put it together and that’s who we are today.

Summary Post C4K Comments 1 and 2

On my first C4K blog I had the option to comment on a blog- About Me or a Manifesto. After reading all the instructions, I was assigned to go to Valeries blog and see her posts.
I decided to comment about the student's Manifesto because I personally believed he/she had very good goals to become a better student. I believe that setting up goals at the beginning of the year is a very good idea as you set targets to end up achieving them. Looking back at his/her Manifesto, it will remind Valeries what he/she has to do to improve.

I was also assigned to go back to the same students’ blog and comment on the “About Me” post; however the student I was assigned to did not post a blog. I had to email my teacher and inform him about it, and I was instructed to comment on another student’s blog. I chose to comment on Trystan F’s blog.
This student seems to be a very happy person who is well surrounded and gets along with his/her family. Trystan F has some very good strength, which includes being respectful and helpful to others. I believe that this will take this student very far in life and will help him/her succeed.

Blog #5

Listening to the presentation -Eagle Nest Radio & Class Blog- about the Romans, reminded me that they are a big part of our history.
The Romans invented architecture, and they built buildings to worship their Gods.
In the ancient world people were a little strange. The Romans liked to watch people die; it seemed to be a game for them. They had gladiators who were slaves, trained to fight.
Then came Julius Caesar who was a wise leader of Rome. He won many battle and the people trusted him a lot.
Also in Egypt was the beautiful Cleopatra who was the queen. Many people think she is Egyptian but she is actually Greek. She was known for her beauty, charm and intelligence.

After watching this presentation, I had the idea for using music in the background so there will not be any silent parts, and it will keep the listeners interested.


Watching the video The Benefits of Podcasting in the Classroom I learned a lot about podcasting and how it works. It is very beneficial as it may be used/listened anywhere in reach of a computer.
Podcasting allow for differentiation in the classroom. It focuses on higher levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy, creativity and innovation.
Podcasting is a different way of learning and this excites the students, and it allows them to teach concepts to others.
After interviewing some students they think that podcasting is interesting and exciting, as it allows them to be creative and act.
Even the principal thinks it is an effective tool if it’s used appropriately, and it’s also an opportunity for parents to communicate and see what is happening in class.

This podcast was very interesting and gave me further ideas for my podcast; they used pictures, music and interviewed people. So there was a lot of variation and it kept the listeners interested and focused.


After reading, Judy Scharf Podcast Collection now I have a better understanding of its purpose.
I realized that podcasting takes time, it’s not something you can do if few minutes. This is why if you want to succeed you must give plenty of time to your students to accomplish their tasks. Also give the students various topics so they can be free to choose and be creative.
The link provided is very helpful if you are a first time user. It explains you exactly what to do and it gets you started so you are not completely lost.

This is very helpful as it will help me manipulate my podcast the way I like it and now I have basic knowledge on how to edit things such as background noise.

Blog #4

Link to Scott Mclead Post
I totally agree with Scott McLeod. I truly believe that our children should wait before they get access to a computer, phones, and blogs. How did we do it when we were kids? I personally didn’t have a phone, blogs or a computer, and I was fine. I think we’re losing the “pleasure” of writing on paper and using ink pens.
I believe that when you’re in elementary school you don’t really need to use technology- it’s not a big need. Students need it especially in high school and in college.

Who is Scott McLeod?
Scott McLeod is the co-creator of the video we had to watch for one of our blogs- Did You Know?
He has received several national awards for his technology leadership work.




After watching “The iSchool Initiative” video it makes you really think about the future and what will happen to your kids. It’s scary to think that nearly everything can be done through technology. In future years teachers will be cut down as a lot of classes will be online, for example look at this EDM class- I don’t have to go to class, I can just stay home and communicate with my teacher and peers through the blogs.
However he does state something very true, less paper will be used/wasted, which will help our environment, but what he doesn’t realize is that the manufacturing of iSchools may produce more pollution resulting to damaging the environment.




My first reaction when watching “The Lost Generation” was “is she crazy?” during the first half of the video I was against her. And then suddenly she had hope and everything made sense, and I started agreeing with what she was saying. I think that if our generation really wants to make a change we can.
In her video I really liked how her text made sense in both ways- you could read it from top to bottom or from bottom to top. I guess this shows that there’s more than one way of thinking, you have the negative or the positive side- it’s for you to decide which one you’re on.


Link to Eric Whitaker's Virtual Choir
Eric Whitaker’s Virtual Choir- “Lux Aurumque” video gave me gooses pumps when I first heard the voices. I took me a few seconds to understand what was going on. This really made me think about the future and what are we going to do next? I think it’s fantastic to be able to take music lesson through technology, so a lot of people can afford it. But on the other hand it’s “ruining” the charm of a choir, and actually going to see real people sing. If everything is going to be through technology, what will happen to our social life? Are we still going to have one?

Alternative Assignment #1

After doing this small experiment I learned a lot. Google Squared is very handy when you’re doing researches on countries, mountains, music…etc. The information is shown very clearly and you can even add the information you need if it’s not there.
Wolfram Alpha is very useful when comparing things. The work is basically already done for you; you just need to type what you’re looking for.
Before this assignment I had no idea that Google Square and Wolfram Alpha existed.
After reading my comment about Did You Know, I did mention that I did learn a lot about countries. I could learn even more if I decide to use these two programs.
This exercise is very interesting, and I’m glad to learn about new statistics about different topics.

Here is a screen shot of the Pitcairn Islands.

I just read Food For Thought, and just smiled. It’s impressive to see young children using phones, computers, and ipods…etc even if they probably never used one before. Today's kids are growing up with technology, “it’s in their blood”.

Summary Post CAT Teacher #1

I was assign to read and comment on Morgan Bayda's blog. In the first blog – Pictures and Projects- she talks about her volunteering work and what she was doing. Ms. Bayda also talks about how fulfilling it is to be able to participate in different project that brings happiness, and health to a community. She also mentions all the things she was able to do such as, plant, grow, build, harvest, and teach and much more. One thing she wrote that I really enjoyed was “Work hard, play hard and keep your eyes wide open the whole time!”

In the second blog I read- Tranquillo, she talks about her experiences in Costa Rica. She tells the readers how it’s wonderful being able to eat natural fruits from trees. And she also tells us how amazing it is to be in a peaceful and natural environment. Morgan Bayda also talks about her experiences at night when she comes across surprising big, harmless bugs, and how it differs from home.

White African

Blog #3

After watching the movie of Michael Wesch- a vision of Students Today, I was surprised to see the student’s reactions. At the beginning you see students showing notes saying how they are in large classes, few teachers know their names, books are expensive, and how students pay for school but do not show up to class. And then as the movie goes on you see what each student does, for example how many hours they listen to music, watch TV or sleep…etc. Then towards the end students gives facts about how they are lucky to be in college, because so many people are able to pay for an education. And at the end you realize that maybe the only solution to our problem is technology.
This movie does cover a portion of my college experiences, there wasn’t a time were I told myself that what I am studying now would not exist when I’m done studying. I’m also aware that I am very lucky to be where I am today and being able to have high level of education.
If I were the producer of this movie I would also include that technology is a good resource and may solve a lot of problems, but I personally believe that it’s not the only possible way to solve our problems. We tend to rely on technology too much and we forget about all the great books that have been published with great sources and solutions.


Link to Mrs. Hines Post

Having read, “It’s Not about the Technology” by Kelly W. Hines” it makes you think about the future and where we are going. I really liked the way she started her post by saying “I am sitting here at my laptop, occasionally watching my Skype and Tweetdeck…” This makes me smile because this is exactly what I do when I get on my laptop; I log on and check if I have any notifications or new emails on facebook or hotmail.
I agree when she asks “what will our children need to know and able to do?” and a lot of people think about technology, well I don’t think it is the most important thing in life. As we go on more and more people are on their facebook, ipods and phone and do not have a real social life, it’s all based on technology. Technology is not the first thing we need in a classroom, there are other more important things that come first.
Teachers today should be willing to learn, they should be up to date. Educators should know about their students- what they are doing and where are they coming from. If teachers decide to use technology they must be trained and know what they are doing otherwise it is a waste of money.
I personally believe that students should be balanced between learning through technology and books.


Link to Karl Fisch's blog

After reading Karl Fisch's blog, I totally agree with him, when he said, “All educator must achieve a basic level of technological capability.” Today nearly everything involves technology and I think it’s important to have a basic knowledge on how to use the equipments.
It made me smile when I read the part where he says, that parents often said that “they were not good at math, and this is why their children are not good”. I remember my mother saying it to me when I had a hard time trying to solve a math problem.
I agree with Karl Fisch, that teachers can still be successful even thought they don’t know much about technology, but it’s getting harder and harder because now companies and schools are looking for people with good qualifications that can use technology fairly well. I think teachers should always be willing to learn new things and be open minded about it.


Link to Gary Hayes: Social Media Count

It put a smile on my face when I clicked on the link of Gary Hayes- Social Media Count. Not all of us realizes how much time we spend “wasting” on the Internet, we could be much more productive if those blogs, facebook, phones…etc didn’t not exist. We would not be distracted to see who’s online or who sent you a message. However on the other hand I do realize that we rely a lot on technology, a lot of people would not be able to “survive” without their phones or checking their twitter account.
As a future teacher I do worry a little, and wonder if teachers will be needed in the future as nearly everything can be done through technology. Maybe in the future students will be able to stay at home and to their schoolwork online, therefore fewer teachers are needed. We need to be careful with technology as it may help us a lot but eliminate a lot of valuable things.

Blog #2

After watching the video “Did You Know?” I learned a lot of facts that I wasn’t aware of. Everything seems to increase drastically as technology is advancing, and population is growing.
This movie is also giving you facts about different countries around the world. While watching this movie it made me realize that a lot is happening around me every second and I don’t even realize it. This shows that a lot of us are in there own world and are maybe not aware of what is going on in their environment.




“Mr. Winkle Wakes” which makes me think about my great parents. In this video you realize that the world changed from when you were a baby until now. After watching the video you see that Mr. Winkle Wakes is not comfortable with the “busy people” or the “strange sounds” that he hears.
He went to different places in the city and didn’t understand all the new things he was seeing but then he went to a school and realized that some things never change even after a hundred years.
This makes me think about the future and when I will be older. There will be definitively new inventions and I wonder how will I react to them.




In “The Importance of Creativity” I was reminded that everyone has a different and interesting education. I was also reminded that each one of us is talented but do not always show it. Picasso once said, “All children are born artists” and I think it is very true.
In schools we do have Art classes but it’s down on the hierarchy of education. Some of us think that Art is not as important as Mathematics and Languages. I don’t agree with this because I believe that through Art you can show your personality and be different from everyone else. Often when you tell your teacher or even your parents that you want to do Art or Music they tell you that you shouldn’t do it because you’re not going to become an artist or musician so there is not point. And this is not the best thing to do, as we’re not growing in creativity, we’re growing out of it, which I personally think is a shame.




“Harness Your Students’ Digital” makes you think about how you want to teach as there are several ways you can teach and make it interesting for the students and for the instructor.
Vicki Davis uses different type of technology to work with her students she uses computers and phones. She believes that every student can learn, but there are different types of teaching. You can teach through paper work or using computers like she is. Vicki Davis makes it also interesting for the student, as she is not only the one who is always teaching the students, she makes the class do presentations and learn from one another. I believe this is very efficient as it differ from all the other classes where most of the work is on paper. She also makes the students think, as she doesn’t give them the answers to everything, she lets them do researches and I think it’s a great way to learn. I personally believe that when you do some research for yourself you tend to remember it forever oppose to being told the answer.

Wordle Project

About Me :)

My name is Eloise Martin, but most people know me as Elo. I was born in Mauritius Island located in the Indian Ocean. I lived there for 10 years and then moved to Tanzania, East Africa, and lived there for 8 years. I speak French, English and Creole fluently and I am currently learning Swahili.
I am passionate about photography and rugby. During my free time I enjoy going outside to photograph interesting things that amuses me. This summer I had the privilege to play for Tanzania's Women's Rugby Team in Kenya for the Safari Sevens Tournament.

I am majoring in Elementary Education and would like to go back to Africa and teach, but first after I graduate in 2012 I would like to go travel around the world and discover awesome places.