Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Journal 10- 100 Things That Make Me Happy:)

100 things that make me happy
1. Learning 2.Shopping 3.Praying 4.Traveling 5.Decorating 6.Dancing 7.Swiming 8.Baking 9.Scrap booking 10.Cooking 11.Partying12.Sleeping13.Helping14.Exercising 15.Juicing 16.Camping 17.Riding quads18.Cleaning 19.Gardening 20.Celebrations 21.Music 22.Vacations23.Roller coasters 24.Tacos 25.Salsa 26.Mexico 27.California 28.Ocean 29.Looking at the Stars in the sky30.Nature 31.Pictures 32.Movies 33.You Tube videos. 34.Food Network 35.Eyeshadows 36.Mascara 37.Eyeliner 38.Soccer 39.Tennis 40.Volleyball 41.Family 42.Friends 43.My significant other 44.Co-workers45.Kids 46.Flowers 47.Crusing 48.Watermelon 49.Oranges 50.Grapes 51.Strawberries 52.CornTortillas 53.Pinto Beans 54.Lasagna 55.Restaurants 56.Religious retreats57.Videos 58.Purses 59.Foundation 60.Potatoes 61. Hair do’s 62.Comedy shows 63.Dark chocolate 64. Gummy bears 65.Flowers 66.Gifts 67.Giving 68.Computers 69.Milkshakes 70.My camera 71.Art 72.Hugs 73.Kisses 74.Cell phone 75.GPS system76.Homemade foods 77.Teaching 78.New clothes 79.Money 80.Health 81.Concerts 82.Opportunities 83.Video Games 84.Swings85.Organizing 86.Smiles 87.Massages 88.Holidays 89.Good Grades 90.Playing on a sports team 91.Ballons 92.Looking at the clouds 93.Positive thinking 94.Picnics 95. Spending time with loved ones 96. When someone tells me they love me 97.Cartoons 98.Theme parks 99. Live Music100.Completed Goals101...just life it self

Journal 9 NETS-T I,II, & III

I can see me: webcams in the classroom

Frey, T, Houlton, A, & Gruis, E. (2010, November). I can see me: webcams in the classroom. Learning and Leading with Technology,38(3) 36-37.

The article I can see me: web cams in the classroom discussed the benefits that webcams can have on learning. Webcams can be useful in developing reading skills, reflection, and social skills. The webcams can allow students to practice independently at their own level of comfort so that they can later apply what they learned to the classroom. It talked bout two successful examples of student and how it improved their learning. One was a bout a boy who increased his reading speed and improved his oral reading who before the web camera idea was having difficulties in reading. The other example was about a girl who with selective mutism that rarely spoke with peers and teachers. Through the use of this new technology she was able to record her ideas and thoughts and have a say in her IEP.

How can web cameras be beneficial?

Web cameras are beneficial in many ways. It allows student to practice and see their errors and correct them for the second time around. Doing so allows them reduce their anxiety levels as opposed to having them practice with others, that for some can sometimes be intimidating.

Apart from learning use why would I want Web camera in my classroom?

Web cameras are not only beneficial for student learning, but the cameras are also relatively inexpensive, come already integrated in some computers, and are usually small. This makes web cameras, affordable, accessable, and useful, and space savers. In addition I could even use it to communicate with other educators.

Journal 8 NETS-T II,III,& IV

Scribble Maps Help Students Visualize Their World

Hill, W. (2010, November). Maps help students visualize their world. Learning and Leading with Technology,38(3) 40-41.

Scribble Maps is a site that lets users create and share maps with others. It’s an awesome web tool that helps students learn about geography and helps them develop spatial skills. Students can create their maps by adding pictures and text in the information box. They can also view their maps through different options such as satellite, hybrid, map, or night views. Another great aspect is that they can save their creation through different formats such as a jpeg, Google map, or KML file. The author believes the use of such program helps educators teach students to research, collaborate, and present to others.

How can using this program with student be helpful?

It’s a great tool to use with visual learners. It seems like fun and will probably have students more engaged than reading from a book. It sis also helpful in making connections to their prior knowledge and therefore things they learn can be stored in their long-term memory. It is also a free web based tool meaning that it can be accessible to students from school, libraries, and at home.

What would be one way I can implement this tool in my classroom?

Since the article mentioned that 5th grade students did a biome and geography projects it gave me a great idea for possible future use. For example, I think it would be great tool to use when learning about California history like the Missions and things like that. Students can be put in groups and each group can research the region of one of the mission. Then groups can present to their class what they found. In this form students can learn both about geography and history while also learning about the many uses of technology.

Journal 6 NETS-T V

Change Agent

Change Agent (2010, October 12). In Education Week Teacher PD Sourcebook. Retrieved, from http://www.edweek.org/tsb/articles/2010/10/12/01richardson.h04.html?cmp=clp-edweek&intc=bs&sms_ss=delicious&at_xt=4cb7dc75d0303b73,0

Change agent was an article about an interview with a former school teacher who is now a technology expert. One thing that Mr. Richardson talks about is the googable teacher. He refers to the teacher presence on the web and its importance. There are two reasons given, one is that teachers need model to students on how to learn and share with technology. Secondly it is important for teachers to be part of a learning network.

Why are some teacher not googable or not really engaged with technology?

It’s unfortunate that many teachers in this day and rarely use web tool or are part of Professional Learning Network’s. I think its not that they don’t want to, it might be that they don’t know how to. That’s why it is important for the school officials to stress the importance of new technologies and its use, maybe through professional development or mandated classes because it the end it will be beneficial to all.

How do I feel towards this shift towards technology?

I definitely agree with it and whether people agree with it or not, it’s inevitable. I think that since we live in a global society we need the skills to compete in it, but most importantly we need to teach these skills to our students so that they too have the skills and opportunities to succeed. If we don’t tech them since a young age it will only make it more difficult when they are older. I definitely think PLN’s are crucial in the development of becoming a good educator because it is a great resource from educators from all walks of life that are there to share and help each other.