Friday, March 30, 2012

Blog Post 9

Mr. Joe McClung's Reflections

Mr. McClung chose to start writing reflections each year explaining what he had learned the year before. He explains certain tactics he used and what worked and what didn't. In the future, this would be a great resource for any teacher in any part of the country and because of technology, reading his experiences is possible anywhere. Now teachers can collaborate and create a better learning experience for the student.

After reading his first reflection, I realized that I could really relate to him because I, like him, like things to be a certain way. I could see myself making the "perfect" lesson and getting frustrated when things don't go as planned, much like he did. This really opened up my eyes to think about the way it will be when I am actually placed in front of my own class with my own students. We all are forever learners and I think that writing a blog of what you learn each year is an excellent way to not only share your experience with others to possibly help them, but learn from the mistakes you made yourself and provide the best learning experience possible for your students. He also talks about listening to your students and making them feel like they matter. I remember in high school I felt like the teachers thought I was really stupid and they knew it all and I hated that. That is one of the reasons I want to become an educator. To show students that each and every one of them is special and they have something to offer the world. The student needs to feel like the teacher is listening to them in order for them to respect the teacher. I think that if the student feels cared about, then they will be more apt to listen to what the teacher is saying and become engaged in the classroom.

Next, I read his last reflection. First he starts by saying that several things have changed for him this year including taking on several new responsibilities. He says that instead of focusing on pleasing other teachers/adults, we need to make sure that we keep the students our #1 priority. In the modern day world, there are distractions everywhere and it is very easy for us to get caught up in our own lives and forget about the reason why we became educators. When we step inside the classroom, everything else should disappear. Just like Rafe Esquith says, make the classroom an escape and safe haven for the students so that they can have the best learning experience possible. This is what I want to strive for as a teacher. Of course I will make mistakes and of course I will learn from them. I plan on keeping a blog just like Mr. McClung so I, too, can reflect back on what I have learned and continue to get better and better each year.

One thing I really liked that he said was to let the students do the work even though it is easier for us to take over and do it for them if they are struggling. This can be applied to any job, or any learning experience and it is absolutely true. Even today, when I am trying to learn something new at my current job, I tell my boss, let me do it and tell me what to do step by step otherwise I won't remember it. That is the best way to learn. Having the students do things for themselves may create struggles for them in the beginning but will definitely be worth it in the long run.



Overall, I believe that in order to be a successful educator, one must be passionate about teaching others. We must strive to see the understanding in the child's eyes and strive to create an outstanding learning environment for each and every student. We also must be able to include up to date technology with our lessons so we can better prepare our students for the future. This means we must constantly be learning and trying to improve each year, much like Mr. McClung. Thank you Mr. McClung, and yes, I believe this is an achievable goal.

reaching your goal

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Blog Post 8

This Is How We Dream: Parts 1 & 2

These videos are about how instant communication occurs with modern day technology. He shows how one can collaborate, learn, and teach with live chats, online lesson plans, and interactive websites. With this technology, the student has access to much more information about the subject they are learning about. They can watch videos, read articles, look at maps, and use other interactive tools to help them learn about a certain subject.

Without the technology that we possess today, none of this would be possible. It is forever changing, and the teacher must be prepared to teach in the modern day classroom. The teacher must be made aware of these advances and be able to use the tools appropriately in order to give the student the best learning experience possible. Instead of standing at the front of the classroom, the teacher can take a step back and watch and see how each student learns and view what they are struggling with from a perspective that was never possible before.

Now, as educators, we can share videos and alternative teaching tips with others around the world. There are virtually no limits or restrictions. We, as teachers, can connect with one another to better the student's experience. The author's ultimate dream that he reveals at the end of the second video is to compose technology that can foster creativity and collaboration and inspire teachers to use it and collaborate with it as well. The goal of the technology is to make things possible that were never possible before. It starts with the teacher. We must be able to use the technology and teach our students to use it effectively. This dream should be every aspiring teacher's dream: to better the student's learning experience and give them access to endless possibilities via technology.

Carly Pugh's Blog Post #12

Carly's blog post amazed me. I was speechless for a few moments after I read it. After everything I have learned in this class, she has definitely taken it to a level that can be applied in the classroom easily. As I was reading her post, I could see a lesson plan with links to related websites and videos to benefit the students learning experience. It took the technology, and put it into a real life example of how we are supposed to use it. She made Dr. Miller's dream come alive with her assignment.  It all made sense, all flowed. To be honest, I was jealous of her creativity and passion for making the student's learning experience the best it could possible be. She really was thinking about her future as an educator and showing how we can use our creativity and voice to motivate and help our students. We should all strive for this. Because, like Carly said, our students DESERVE it.

The Chipper Series and EDM310 for Dummies

These two creative videos inspired me. These students went above and beyond what they were asked to do to show that they were passionate about learning the technology required to teach students in the modern day world. I would like to create or participate in a video that explains how I am going to incorporate the things I have learned into this class into my classroom. I would have students in the video and I would be the teacher using the information I've learned to better their learning experience. Maybe in the video I would show how I use blogs to help them collaborate or I would use videos to help them understand. This would truly show that I can use the tools and show my students how to use them as well.

Learn to Change, Change to Learn

This video is about learning to change, and changing to learn, just like the title says. As time goes on and more and more advances are made, students have more opportunities than ever before. Not only can they collaborate with others, but they can also have a better understand of what they are learning and be more prepared for not only college, but life after that as well. The video suggests that the standardized testing in schools today doesn't provide students with the information they need to be successful in the modern day world. Teaching the students of the future needs to change just like the technology has. We must be the change we wish to see in the teaching industry and we, as educators, must be able to use the tools provided for us and set the example. Instead of just memorizing facts, the technology allows the student to incorporate the information into real life circumstances that they can use in the future.



1. I used Edmodo because I felt that it would be a good tool to use to remind students of upcoming deadlines and so that parents could see what we do in the classroom. I could post any changes to any assignments and keep students and parents updated on the material they are learning. I could post links to videos or other material that could help students who are struggling with certain assignments or subjects. It would make communication very easy for me and my students and it would help them succeed. I also liked how I could post quizzes and poll students to get feedback on how I am doing. This is such a neat website and I look forward to using it in the future!
2. Dr. Strange made this presentation with the help of Prezi. For teachers, the software is absolutely free for the basic package and only $59 for the Pro. We have no excuse to not use this incredibly user friendly software to help the student. The Prezi basically paves the way for the student to understand the material better. I'm so glad that I know about this because I will definitely be using it in the future!
3. Here is my Comic: http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/Comix/?comix_id=33176283C677957
4. Animoto would be a great video tool to use because it could bring the things I am teaching about to life. It would allow me to take a step back as they watch the video so I can observe my classroom from a different perspective. It not only lets you include text and spotlight certain images, but it also allows you to collaborate with and learn from other teachers. You can share your video and download other teachers videos to get ideas. What an amazing and interactive website I can use to help my students.
5. Poll:

Friday, March 23, 2012

C4K# 5-9

C4K# 5

The fifth student I was assigned to was a student who is in the 4th grade in the UK. This was different for me because I couldn't believe I was interacting with a child so far away! That is so neat to me and amazes me. I hope that when I have my own classroom we can communicate with other classes across the world like this. He wrote about watching other classes watch the movie Titanic. This is the comment I left:

Hey Dylan! My name is Sarah and I am a student attending the University of South Alabama to become an elementary school teacher! What an interesting post! I also think it is awesome that they are learning about the differences of 1st class and 3rd class. The Titanic movie is an awesome movie and I'm glad to hear that you are learning about it. What they went through is so horrible! I hope it never happens again! That is very cool that you get to watch other classes as well. I will have to do something similar when I have my own classroom. Thanks for sharing your ideas and thoughts and I wish you the best of luck in the future.

titanic

C4K #6

Emily was the next student I had the privelage to comment on. She lives in Vermont, likes country music, and loves the scenery around her. She talked about how there was a lot of mud in the town she lived in which was good for fourwheeling. She also mentioned that she had to go to the next town to get groceries! That is really interesting! I can't relate to that because I live in a large town where there are grocery stores on every corner! What a different world that must be. I hope that one day my students can have the opportunity to connect with other students their age who live in completely different climates and atmospheres!

Here is the comment I left:
Hello Emily! My name is Sarah Clever and I live in Mobile, AL. I am currently in school to become an elementary teacher and I love learning about other students that live across the country! Vermont sounds like a very beautiful place to live. Have you lived there your whole life? You mention there is a lot of mud for fourwheeling. Do you like to go fourwheeling? Do you own your own fourwheeler? My parents have one and they are so much fun! I also read in your biography that you like country music. That is my favorite type of music as well! Who is your favorite artist? The mountains are definitely a very beautiful sight to see and you are very blessed to see that every day! Do you ever get a chance to go hiking? I can’t wait to read your next blog post!

vermont natural beauty

C4K #7

The next post I read by Emily was about how she has the opportunity to go hunting with her dad for food and about how some people in the world are starving because they don't have money to feed themselves or their families. This is the comment I left:

Hey Emily! That is so neat that you and your dad go hunting for food! I wish I lived in an environment where I could do that! I will have to try it sometime. What do you like the most about hunting? Unfortunately, the last thing you said is true. People around the world are starving because they don't have enough money for food and that really makes me sad. I try to donate and help out as much as I can and I really want to go on a mission trip someday. How can we help these people? It's hard when we live so far away and our worlds are so different. I enjoy reading your posts. Keep up the great work!

vermont hunting


C4K #8

The third blog I read from Emily was about cutting down trees and how that is bad for the environment. I find it fascinating that someone as young as her is concerned with such an issue. I really think it's amazing that she is writing about it and how we should all plant more trees to save the environment. I was so thrilled to hear her thoughts about the issue and I am so glad I was assigned to her. She is a very smart girl and I'm sure she will be an amazing young lady. This is the comment I left:

Hello again! I completely agree! I am so thrilled that you have thought about this issue and written about it. Recently, I have planted some small trees and flowers in my back yard because I feel the same way about the environment. I also feel that my neighborhood doesn’t have enough trees and I want to show my neighbors how beautiful they are. You have the opportunity to see such amazing landscape where you live and I am jealous of that! You are such a great writer and I hope you continue to blog. Thanks for sharing and I wish you the best of luck in the future!

vermont trees being cut down

C4K #9

The next student I had the pleasure of commenting on was a little girl named Serenity. I love that name so I was excited about reading her post. As it turns out, she made a video for her post so I got to watch her talk about her weekend! How exciting and fun is that for her! I hope I have the opportunity to show my classroom that one day. This is the comment I left:

Hey Serenity! My name is Sarah Clever and I am a student at the University of South Alabama currently studying to become a teacher! I am so excited that you posted this video! I am excited because I went to the beach this weekend as well. That is so much fun! Do you get to go to the beach a lot? I'm so happy that you had such an awesome weekend and I loved your video! Thanks for sharing!

beach

C4T# 3 & 4

C4T# 3

The third teacher I commented on was named Beth Knittle. She is "the sole K-12 Technology Integration Specialist for a pretty big district." She loves her job and loves where she lives and that is reflected in her writing. I enjoyed reading her blog and her ideas were really outstanding. I think that we should all strive to do our jobs in the way she does hers. Technology is a difficult thing to grasp because it is ever changing. With this class, we can have a small idea about how to use it to teach our students more effectively.

This is the comment I left:

Hello Beth,

My name is Sarah Clever and I am a student in EDM 310 at the University of South Alabama. I just read the article below and I completely agree. It is hard to teach our children with up to date technology when it is constantly changing and getting better and better. Each new advance that is made makes it a different learning experience for the children growing up in the world today. Instead of the teacher lecturing at the front of the class, he can show a video that makes more sense to the children and he can take a step back and look at the class from a different perspective which would maybe help him see the students who are struggling more. I hope that when I am a teacher, I have the opportunity to provide the best learning experience for my students. Thanks for your articles and for taking the time to write them.

C4T# 4

The next teacher I had the privilege to comment on was Diane Krause. Diane's entire blog researches technology and tools and she posts about new things and discoveries she finds to educate other teachers. There were so many neat things on her site that could help me with my future students. I was really impressed with her most recent blog which discussed feedback from educators across the nation. They spent hundreds of hours researching technology and partenered together to develop a site that gives feedback to other educators around the world. This was very interesting to me and will definitely help me with my future classroom. I am also including her site in my personal learning network.

This is the comment I left:

Hey Diane! My name is Sarah Clever and I am a student in EDM 310 at the University of South Alabama. I read several posts on your blog and went to the links and I was very intrigued by the sites and tools that you have found. They will definitely help me with my future students as I go through my teaching journey. I am so thankful that you take the time to write this blog for people like me who are learning about the tools that technology has to offer. I will definitely use you sight as a reference in the future and it will be included in my personal learning network! Thanks so much for sharing!

The second post I read from Diane was about keeping families safe online and also teaming up with Google to develop a curriculum for educators when it comes to technology. This way, we can become "responsible digital citizens" and help our students do the same. There will be workshops teachers can download that can help them incorporate technology into their classroom. I think this is such a wonderful program and I can't wait to use it myself. This is the comment I left:

Hey Diane! My name is Sarah Clever and I am also a student at the University of South Alabama in EDM 310. Recently, I did a blog post on this exact same thing! I think that a curriculum DOES need to be developed so that teachers can become "responsible digital citizens." I really love the way that you phrase that and I'm so glad and thankful you posted this! It will definitely help me in my future classroom!

apple

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Project 9B Timetoast Instructional Timeline

I did my Timeline on the history of Television.


PLN Progress & Final Report

I created my PLN using a website called Symbaloo. It was very easy and helpful and I am amazed that there are sites out there such as this one! I used websites I will use every day and resources I can use forever. Not only could I add things I will use personally for every day affairs, but also things that will help me with my teaching and learning experience. After all, we are forever learners!

Blog Post 7



This video is about learning in the 21st century. The student has no text books and takes several classes online. The teachers he has rarely lecture and he has several connections online in order to learn more about the subject he is studying. He can connect with others via blogs and comment on their posts so they can learn from each other through the Internet. His classmates can be virtually anyone in the world because the technology at hand allows him to communicate with other students that have the same major as him and they can collaborate and study together. The reason he needs a teacher is to show him these tools he has at hand and help him use them and understand them so he can succeed.

As we go through life, we are constantly learning things through experiences and connections we have with other people. As teachers, we not only need to be able to teach our students the material they need to know to succeed, but also to be better people and to learn how to treat others. In order to do this, we must have people that we can relate and collaborate with in order to help us through our journey. If we have the connections like the student did in the video, we have access to limitless information and connections.



This video was about a student who created a page where she could organize everything that she had to learn. She could click on things that tracked what she was looking at so she could get credit for assignments and keep up with her work. It organized everything and everyone she was learning from into a network so she would know where all her resources were.

This was very interesting to me. It takes the work out of having to file papers and keep a notebook. It solves the problem of cutting down too many trees and using paper. It allows students to have a page where they can see everything they need to be studying and learning about and makes it easier for the teacher. Illegible handwriting wouldn't be a problem here because everything is connected online and available to see. The student can connect with other students and teachers and have access to more information. For students who struggle with being organized, this could definitely benefit them in so many ways. I definitely think this is something I will use in my classroom so the students can learn in the most efficient way through technology.



Friday, March 2, 2012

Project 8: Podcast



Here is a link to it on YouTube:Team Fantastic Podcast

Blog Post 6

Randy Pausch's Last Lecture

This video is about what he would talk about if it was his LAST lecture of his life. His explains that he was given 3-6 months to live due to liver cancer and that was a month ago. He explains that he isn't depressed, he is in great shape given the circumstances, and that he wants to talk about his childhood dreams and not about natural remedies or religion. He explains that he had an amazing childhood and couldn't find a picture of himself not smiling. He says that anything is possible and the inspiration and the permission to dream is huge. He then lists his childhood dreams.

One of his dreams was to be in zero gravity. He was able to accomplish this dream by manipulating the system and bringing something to the table for NASA and having the media there for them. He shows a video of his students and him in zero gravity. His next dream was to be in the NFL football league. He explains that he was the smallest boy on the team when he was 9 years old and even though he didn't accomplish this dream, he got more from it than from some of the dreams he DID accomplish. He says his coach showed him that he loved him by showing him what he was doing wrong and being his critic. He also says that he feels most comfortable on a football field and sometimes when he is wandering the halls thinking about something he usually has a football in his hand because it has become a part of him. Football got him where he is today and a great quote he has is "Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted."

This really hit home with me because one of my childhood dreams was to become a singer. I know I am still young and I have a lot of life ahead of me and we never know what could happen in the future. At the same time, I may never become a singer but singing passionately at church and even at home with my little sister has become a part of me. It has helped get me where I am today and even though I may never be famous or a rock star, I still sing when I am feeling down, when I am stressed, or when I am trying hard to figure something out. I love this quote and I will have it in my classroom someday.

He goes on to say that football, soccer, or any sport is a "head fake" which means that when we send our children to play football, we don't necessarily want them to learn football, but we want them to have experiences. He says the best way to teach someone something, is to make them think they are learning someone else. I also believe that children need to play sports and/or show their creative side to help them become who they are.

His next dream was to be like Captain Kirk. When he got older, he realized he didn't want to be him, but rather meet him. He says that it is such a cool experience to meet your childhood idol but it's even cooler when your idol comes to YOU to see what you have been accomplishing. What an amazing feeling to know that someone you have looked up to your whole life has come to you to see your accomplishments. I hope that we can all strive for this and want this for ourselves one day.

When he was younger and went to an amusement park, he would see all these big buff guys carrying these huge stuffed animals that they had won. He wanted to win those too and made that one of his childhood dreams. He then goes on to show picture after picture of all of these HUGE stuffed animals that he won and proceeds to bring them out onto the stage with him. He also went to Disney World when he was young and loved the environment so much that he decided he wanted to work there one day. Once he graduated with his PhD, he sent his applications to Disney World and they turned him down and told him they had NO positions available for him. He explains that these brick walls (such as Disney World completely turning him down) that we come to in life are there for a reason and that reason is to let us prove how badly we want something. They are also there to stop the people who don't want it badly enough. After meeting the right people years later, he was able to have lunch with a man named Snoddy who was the top imagineer for a top secret Aladdin project that was going on at the time. The lunch turns into a two hour ordeal where Snoddy says he will try to work something out to get Pausch on the project Snoddy was doing. He explains that he learned so much from Snoddy but one of the things that really stuck with him was Snoddy told him that if he waited long enough, people will really impress and surprise you. Snoddy says that if you are really mad at someone, you just haven't waited long enough for them to come around and surprise you. Finally, a contract was made that he could work with Snoddy for 6 months on the project until it was published. He says he loved the project and working there so much and it forever changed him. They ultimately asked him to stay but he explains it was so stressful that he said no. Be careful what you wish for. :)

The one thing that Randy Pausch wanted to share with the world is accomplishing one's childhood dreams. He decided to teach a course on it. He took a class of 50 students from all different departments and put them in groups of 4 and gave them assignments to build virtual worlds. He says that the students amazed him with their first project but instead of telling them how awesome it was, he told them they could still do better. He explains that is the the best advice he could give them because they did just that... they got better and better. Because of how interesting it was and how passionate the students were, it became a campus phenomenon and people lined up to see their ideas. He explains that it was such a privelage and an honor to teach this class for so long (about 10 years).This was done at Carnegie Melon Univeristy and it is the only place this is offered. He created a masters degree program that does away with book learning and the entire degree is comprised of students getting into groups and making things virtually. He created the Alice program where students can make movies and video games which tricks them because what they are really learning is how to program. This helps millions of kids have fun while learning something hard. He says that he will live on with the Alice project. This is so amazing to me. The fact that he wanted students to feel the same passion and accomplishments he felt by giving them the oppurtunity to give these childhood dreams a chance. He allowed them to show the world what they were capable of by letting their creativity flourish and proving they could create their own worlds. He also created a way for students and kids to learn difficult something in a fun atmostphere so they could understand it better.

Another thing Pausch talks about is parents, teachers, mentors, and colleagues are the people that can help you accomplish your dreams. He explains how blessed he was to be born to two amazing people who were passionate and helped others every chance they got. They allowed him to be himself and be creative and he encourages parents around the world to do the same. He explains that his friend/boss Andy told him he was such a good salesman and any company that gets him is going to use him as a salesman and he may as well sell something worth while such as education. What an awe inspiring thing to sell! Education and experiences make us who we are, and he has the privelage of helping make young people who they are. One day, we all will too and I hope that we are all as passionate and wonderous as he is.

The best things about this lecture in my opinion are the last things he says. Never lose the child like wonder. This really fills my soul with hope. I hope that we can all keep this awe and wonder we have when we are children because he is right... it is just too important. Help others. The people that have helped him along the way are the memories he cherishes the most. If we all lived with love in our hearts and helped others the way he does the world would be a better place. In order to get people to help us, we must live our lives by setting the example: telling the truth, being earnest, apologizing when we screw up, and focusing on others, not ourselves. When we choose to do the right thing and have gratitude, good things have a way of happening to us. Never give up. There are always going to be things that get in the way of us accomplishing our dreams. We must remember that these things shouldn't stop us or weigh us down, we have to keep going. We have to remember that these things are there to show us that we can prove how much we want them and to prove our dedication to getting them. His ultimate advice: get a feedback loop that you listen to and use, be good at something, work hard, find the best in everybody no matter how long you have to wait for them to show it, and be prepared because luck is simply where preparation meets oppurtunity.

Close to the end of his presentation when he was talking about focusing on others, he explains that his wife's birthday was the day before and he felt bad because he wasn't able to give her a proper birthday because he was doing his "last lecture." So he brings out a cake with a candle and has the audience of around 500 sing happy birthday to her. This brought me to tears. What an amazing man to give his one moment that he has for himself to her. It was so selfless, and I believe we should all try and live our lives this way. Even though he was only given a certain amount of time to live, he still wasn't thinking only about himself, he wanted to make the people he cared about happy and show them that he loved them. At the end he says, the talk wasn't for us, it was for his kids.

The thing that really amazes me about this man is that no matter what was thrown his way, he never gave up. Similar to Rafe Esquith, he is passionate about what he does and he wants to show the world that anything is possible. I think the purpose of this lecture is to show that no dream is too big. Everything that stands in your way on your journey to making your dreams come true is just to weed out the people who don't want it bad enough. If you perservere and are passionate about the things you want and try to get them, they will happen for you. You make your own path, and YOU are the only one who can make your dreams come true for yourself.