Reflection #5

I have to agree with the Con position with Social Media being used in the classrooms.  The reason why I am agreeing with the con position is because in October I attended a Digital Citizenship In-Service,  where I learned many new things.  One of my sessions that I attended were for us teachers who really haven't used an iPad.  We learned about different apps that we can use to incorporate in the classrooms.  We talked about some educational goals on using technology in the classroom such as: *Learn *Experience *Create * Develop * Collaborate. When I walked out of this session I was really sold on how important it is for us teachers to really incorporate technology into our classrooms.  My second session, was an EYE OPENER for me... I couldn't believe what I was learning...and frankly it concerned me.  I know that Digital Citizenship includes internet safety, responsibility, and ethics.  It also is about values and morals. However, I highly doubt that our youth really understand that whatever they put on the internet stays on the internet forever.  Cyber Bulling has been a big concern.  It seems as though it is a virus. I also learned on how it is important for us as teachers and parents to be aware of what teens are doing to get a "high". If you're curious on what I'm talking about....just You Tube these key words *I-Dosing *Choke Out *Salt and Ice *Car Surfing * Eye-Balling *Skittles Party.  
Even though I do agree that we need to keep up with technology, I also think that we need to educate our parents on the bad things of the internet and how to protect our children by talking to them and educating them as well on the choices they make that can leave a negative imprint  on their lives.

My Animoto Video

Technology in the Classroom

Reflection #4

This is what I captured from Thursdays class.... (with a bad migraine and all...)

I learned that a PodCast is a way to broadcast on the internet without having a radio/news station.  My aaaahaaa moment was when I learned of a website called mathtrain.tv in which kids are teaching other children how to do math.  I wish I had this when I was growing up. I also learned about Khan Academy which offers free educational resources to anyone in the world.  I found this website interesting, informative, and I would like to further explore it.  We also talked about an Animoto video....but because I was concentrating on my migraine....I'm hoping to be able to figure out this tool without a problem.

Word Cloud!

 my word cloud.... this is so neat!!

Reflection #3

Ok....so somehow I got a little confused and didn't realize that I was suppose to write a reflection on every class.  On November 13th, we covered a great deal of information.  I was given the tools to make a word cloud.  We also watched a video on Singapore 21st Century Teaching Strategies.  I was amazed on how Singapore is teaching their students   Here are some points that I wrote down from the video... *when kids are interested, that's when learning takes place

*we have to find new ways to engage the students

*teachers have to adapt to the new ways of teaching (It kind of intimidates me on how fast technology is taking over the classrooms.) 

*The most important point that stuck out from this video... We need to teach students how to use technology to learn and not to find out what people are doing on a Friday night. 

*Which also goes along with Digital Citizenship....(which I know we will be covering in class)

 This also brought up some questions... Will the schools be able to keep up with the changing world of technology?? Will money be a factor??

Reflection #2

Digital Natives vs. Digital Immigrants.... which one are you??

Marc Prensky stated in his article that Digital Natives are those students who speak the digital language of computers, video games and the Internet.  And the rest of us who are still trying to figure out the digital language and keep up with the fast paced change in technology are referred to as Digital Immigrants.

I consider myself  both Immigrant and Native because even though I might not fully understand or for that matter speak the digital language I have the motivation to want to learn the new technology that is changing the way we engage our students in active learning. Technology offers wonderful resources...I am finding helpful teacher resources from fellow teachers who teach the same grade, from getting useful teaching tips to amazing ideas!

Reflection #1

My 'aaahaa' moment was when I learned how easy it was to create a blog.  In these past few months, I have looked at other teacher blogs to get creative ideas on how and what other teachers are doing to engage students in learning, but never actually looked or tried to create my own blog. This is neat!!  I also learned the differences of Digital Native vs. Digital Immigrant.  Digital Native refers to the children who are born knowing how to use technology.  Digital Immigrant are those of us who are introduced and are learning to adapt to the changing world of technology.  I have no doubt in my mind that I will learn new tools to include in my teaching!

November 6, 2012
First day of class! I learned how to create a blog! This is neat!