Running smooth…

If a student wants to cheat bad enough he or she will find a way. Taking classes online doesn’t making cheating easier, but more difficult. I’ve never taken an online that made cheating easy. Everything has been timed and random so you would have much more work than actually learning the material. If you engage yourself and participate in trying to learning cheating won’t even cross your mind. Of course, we can always tell when a student is cheating on their work. A student’s abilities are usually seen during the entire semester and shouldn’t spike up during the final project. I personally believe plagiarism can be done without you even realizing it. If you’re using references/citations, you could do it mistakenly

This article is similar to my know-it-all post this week. If a teacher can actually sit back and let students instruct sometimes they may learn a few things. I’m not familiar with the Smart Board so I always need student assistance with it. The article states “expect teachers to know the curriculum well and kids to be more comfortable with the technology.” I’ve never really thought about it that way. Teachers should be learning something from the students everyday that isn’t always technology related. Children are exposed to much more today than generations before partly due to technology. Teachers need to evolve just like their students do each year.

I don’t believe the role of teacher changes if the class is taught online. I think teaching online creates more work for the instructor if they don’t know what they’re doing. Although, when you’re teaching online you don’t have to put up with as much from the students like behavior. Prior to this class I never felt comfortable enough for online classes. But, over the past weeks I’ve developed the same relationship with our instructor online just like I was physically in class.

It should be within and never imposed. Those teachers who are passionate and enjoy teaching have always known what they should do professionally. Those teachers that teach within always love what they do. I had so many teachers that loved taking the summers off and hated the time spent with their students. The summers off are nice I’m sure, but you shouldn’t teacher solely for that reason. Often people major in education because they believe teaching is easy. Well, many of my friends realized this ¾ through the program then changed majors. It isn’t fair to the students if you aren’t 100% committed.

Due to the economy of the United States I lost my job. Don’t worry I wasn’t a teacher in our school system. I’ve been working as the head Software Trainer for a large company in Louisville.

Now I can focus more on 688 and 685 J

I’ll post something related to our class tomorrow!

 Just like the online classroom most things when used properly can be successful. Technologies tend to enhance the experience for students, but resources are limited especially in Kentucky. Each classroom in Louisville has a Smart Board, but only a few teachers know how to use them.  That isn’t fair to the students, but it shouldn’t be used if can’t be used properly. I think it could defiantly do more harm than good.

I was pleased to finally read something that discussed the positive impacts of gaming. I already knew that most teenagers game although, I did not. Gaming has really evolved and the civic engagement that it provides is extraordinary. Wii especially has reunited families again with some common interests. Social interaction is crucial in your teen years so instead of discouraging game we need to promote.

I have to admit I’m not really familiar with MUD, MUSH, & MOO. I’m not really sure what those words even mean. I’m sure I could really get into MUDs if I had the time to play because I really enjoy competing and solving puzzles. I checked out mudconnect.com and I was amazed to learn some of those MUDs had been around since 1994! I also visited pennmush so I could get a better understanding but, I don’t believe I could ever learn the programming language to the server.  I’m trying to get the MOO to work but for some reason http://www.lambdamoo.info/ won’t connect.

PowerPoint was the only software I used for presentation when I was working on my B.A. All of my professors used PowerPoint for our lectures and they typically had each slide full with information. I never had a professor that added voice to their presentations and I have to admit I found the slides helpful if I missed class. We all need to get a better understanding of the tools that we use for teaching.   

When I really think about it I don’t see much difference between the teacher & learner toolbox. They both have access to the same tools but, the teacher has the information. Even though you’re called “teacher” aren’t we all still learners? I think internally students crave knowledge and the teacher should know the tools so they may satisfy. Of course PLE change often and students in different areas have access to different tools.  Technology doesn’t always mean students will succeed; sometimes they just need pencil and paper.