Monday, November 29, 2010

Additional Assignment #4

Additional Assignment #5

Bunch of color pencils

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.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Blog #13

Screen SnapShot of ALEX homepage

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.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

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.
Image of question marks

Final Project- Progress Report

Boot Camp


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.

Friday, November 12, 2010

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.

A cartoon man pointing at a globe full of pictures

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Teach Someone

Smart Board Instruction

Summary Post C4K Comments 4-7

Picture a smiley sticker with a 100% next to it


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

Cartoon picture of an audiobook


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.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

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.

Skype Logo