Blog Assignments Feb. 28

-Writing With Multimedia-

"How could we not be interested in this attempt to make sense of the world we live in?" A quote by Richard Miller on the use of technology and the networking capabilities of the Internet.
Many people are in awe or even frightened by the rapid advancement of technology and the ever growing capabilities of the Internet. I welcome technology and the Internet with open arms. There is so much that can be done that its mind boggling. Can we be changed from a reading/writing culture to a listening/watching culture? Yes it's possible. Should we shift to a listening/watching culture? Yes, but slowly. Should we completely change to a listening/watching culture, leaving behind reading/writing completely? No we should not.

I can see where some future and current teachers would be reluctant to first learn writing with multimedia, thinking it would be a long and arduous process and the time to learn it would not be worth the effort. However, it seems that writing with multimedia has so many benefits, who would not want to learn to use it? You can produce lectures, study guides, notes, pictures, video, and even bring up your produced items at the touch of a mouse button. The benefits are well worth the time and effort it will take to learn writing with multimedia. However, this tool should be used judiciously. I have had experience in classes were a professor relied too much on the technology to teach the student. The professor did not use the tech to teach, but rather had the tech teach the student. Use technology with caution! To see how not to abuse tech see the film "Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla II."

We have so much at our fingertips, and all we have to do is push the button to open the virtual door.

-Networked Student-

I suppose after watching this video I could be a teacher to a networking student. Though after teaching exactly what to follow on the syllabus my interaction with the students I (unless they have questions about how to use or download certain programs, applications, etc.) would be limited to simply a guide. I would, of course, have to learn how to use all of the materials in the course work myself in order to "teach" the student how to use them.

If I were to use networking, I promise you, I would NOT be just simply a guide, I would talk with the students, see if they are having any problems, teach them proper Internet conduct, and allow them as much flexibility as possible with their work, because I am sure the instructions for the course work would be a bit confusing, especially with students who have not had much interaction with computers or the Internet.

Networking should NOT take precedence over conventional teaching methods. Lecture should NOT be thrown out completely (boring as it may seem it helps trust me). I have a feeling that several teachers that teach networking students will make the mistake of thinking, "Oh well, they will figure it out sooner or later." This scares me, because it happens even today in classes with out a heavy technological influence. Please teachers, don't make this mistake!

-Toward a New Future of Whatever-

After watching Michael Wesche' video I find myself thinking about all of the people I have met that were raised in my generation, and it seems he is so pinpoint about the whatever/me generation, that if he were more right about it, his word would be holy doctrine. The media's suffocating grasp has had its hand around my generation's neck influencing us with sleezey reality television and so much mind numbing garbage that it has us desensitized and ignorant of all that it is around us; except for maybe ourselves and what ever badly written show we can get a quick fix of entertainment out of. Reality television and the trash that the media pumps out, through almost endless outlets, are going to be some of the reasons many of our children and future generations are going to be self-centered, ignorant, and shallow. I am being a bit radical in saying this but I have seen it all around, and frankly it sickens me.

I am glad I was not influenced as some of my peers were so easily influenced. Truthfully I have been caught in the media tar pit, but I was quick to get out of it. Go to a t.v., find a reality television show, and watch about 5 minutes, then sit back and think about what you saw. Think carefully about the show now. Do you want your child to watch it?

Comments4Kids

-Week 7-

Kyle B. of Mrs. Goerend's Sixth grade has some advice for those of us who cannot seem to overcome the case of the "Mondays."

http://mrsgstudent.blogspot.com/2010/02/have-you-ever-wondered-why-you-are-so.html

Blog Assignments Feb. 21

-Ipods In Education-

It seems that technology is finding its way rather easily, more so as time progresses. Even mainstream entertainment devices such as an ipod can be used now as an educational tool. At Duke University, ipods were being used to create new flexible alternatives to conventional means of study. Students would use ipods to store or recieve notes, lectures, and other useful items.

I welcome technology in the classroom, especially if it allows the student not to be burdened with many different items that could be used at the touch of a button. However, the ipod should not be completely depended on as the ultimate storage unit and database for the student (if the teacher does implement it). Students should have back up materials on hand or at the ready if the ipod, or other device, fails.

Here is some good sites to read more about ipod usage in the classroom:

Duke University
http://cit.duke.edu/pdf/reports/ipod_initiative_04_05.pdf

A macuser.com article about a school in Arlington, Virginia
http://www.macuser.com/ipod/ipods_as_teaching_tool_making.php

Blog Assignments: Episode 3

-Can Wikipedia Be Trusted?-

I am not very surprised that Wikipedia articles were being changed by corporations, political parties, religious organizations, etc. In fact, I am rather amused. I find it laughable that corporations, etc. would stoop so low as to edit and change (if true in the first place) facts and figures to save face or make themselves look like paragons, victims, etc.

Is Wikipedia 100% reliable? Is the base of an active volcano a reliable place to live? The answers are no and no. Yes Wikipedia is known for having users maliciously edit articles; Yes it is known to have facts and figures so in error that they make 2+2=fish a more reliable fact than what is written. Wikipedia offers articles with facts that may or may not be true. Sometimes wiki articles hold water, but always remember to double check your info before believing Wikipedia to be an infallible source of information.

-"What I've Learned This Year"-

Mr. McClung's post perfectly summarizes the methods and traits needed in the classroom. I was nodding my head in agreement as I read each paragraph thinking, "Yes of course that's exactly right." As McClung said in his post, "I truly believe that teachers do not know enough about the students they are teaching. In order to build the respect that we all seek in a student teacher relationship, it is important to take interest their the lives of our students. It's that important." He is right, it is that important. Too many times students are brushed off or dismissed when problems or needs are brought to teacher's desks. This sickens me personally. LISTEN to your students. You need their input just as much they need yours!

Blog Assignments: 7 February

-Langwitches Blog-

Preparation is the key to any presentation or production. As I have read in the Langwitches blog, you must prepare your students or staff and lay the ground work for the podcast. Once the preparations are made the students or staff can have a few practice sessions, to polish off the presentation. Once there has been preparation and practice, then the podcast can be done.

The Langwitches blog also discussed not only how to do a podcast, but the educational aspects of it. The author discussed how parents or administrators become uneasy and attempt to change the subject when blogging, etc. is brought up. I must say that it is quite disappointing that the parents or administrators do so to, just because they are unfamiliar with blogging, etc. The parents or administrators seem to, as the blog suggest, direct the subject to the teaching of basic, reading, math, and science skills. Learning blogging, etc. is just an extension in which the basic math, science, and reading skills are taught.