Running smooth…

This semester I started to value my computer skills and felt privileged having educational access. When I read posts about the conditions in some Kentucky classrooms and some classes not having computers, I was extremely bothered.  Having easy access to educational technology should not be a privilege for children. I still can’t believe some schools do not require computer classes!?! People need to embrace the modern technology because it isn’t going anywhere. Everyone should be taught computer fundamentals /basics because the technology is advancing so fast.  Technology will eventually reach a point where some people will be afraid to use certain technologies because they seem too complicated.

I’ve finally realized that technology is everywhere! Technology is a vital part of culture and plays a very important role in our society. Technology is able to change the way we teach lessons and communicate with our students. When children are exposed to modern technologies these ideas will carry over to society and our culture. This class has helped me appreciate and explore a variety of software and social networking tools. I’m just starting to realize how important social networking is for personal and professional development. I just started working for a Fortune 500 company and the company created a site that resembles Facebook. Blogging gives me the opportunity to share my ideas and projects with my coworkers in other states.  Prior to this class I was against Facebook, but I must admit that I’m finally changing my ways.

Final Project

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I’m not sure how I feel about doing the ethnography of my SNS. I don’t really enjoy SNS, but maybe after the project I would see it in a different light. I’m open to doing just about anything, so I’m still thinking and looking for suggestions.

A response video? I’m not sure about that one I would like that assignment to stay as extra credit.

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I really want to learn more about HTML, LMS and Flash. I’m just not sure what I would create, because these things can be extremely difficult. I want more exposure, because it would help me tremendously at work.

Good Instructional Video Review

Here is a tutorial about developing Social Bookmarks. Before this video I had never heard about this sort of thing. Delicious.com is a free website that allows users access to share their favorite bookmarks. It would be great for any teacher who enjoys sharing web content that has improved learning in their classroom. This site isn’t only for teachers, but anyone who enjoys sharing material they find on the web.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x66lV7GOcNU

Bad Review!

I’ve never seen so many bad instructional videos before! I gave most of the videos an A for effort, but most of them really sucked. People have no idea how to design or manage the technology they use in the classroom.  Users had bright backgrounds and way too many sounds problems to mention.

Education plays no role in preserving culture. The education system needs to be totally changed and the culture that we live in needs a makeover. Traditions and ways that worked in the past are totally irrelevant to today’s society. I’m currently substituting at a school that has children with various cultures and socioeconomic levels, which is difficult.  These children are not permitted to speak any language besides English and will be punished if caught doing otherwise! How is that for preserving culture? The children that are different are punished for trying to preserve their culture and heritage. If the education system doesn’t allow other cultures, then how does a teacher explain people who are different?

My video is finally uploading to youtube.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3dbjJtA33A

Be sure you watch it in HQ. (Some font is hard to read)

I decided to discuss Global Warming and the impact it has on Earth. I started this project using Moviemaker and found it impossible to use!   I took some advice from a classmate and download Camtasia Studio, which proved to be user-friendly! Enjoy! This movie has taken  a lot of time.

Education coincides with tolerance, order and rules, which are the essential to create high moral standing citizens. A higher level of education doesn’t always mean you’ll be successful. Sometimes formal learning isn’t the best way for students to express themselves artistically or promote free thinking. I was never taught that much in school, because the majority of my learning was taking place outside of the classroom. I learned more about the world during the 4 years of undergrad than the entire 18 years prior.  We teach such useless knowledge in school and required to follow state guidelines; we forget to teach the basics. At times I feel like my students are not allowed to think for themselves. Education doesn’t always come from the school house! Unfortunately, most employers require a diploma and the school of hard knocks does not count. Now it seems everyone has a degree and the Bachelors is the new high school diploma.  

Homeschooling has several pros and cons, but I would never recommend it in Kentucky.  Most of the children homeschooled that I’ve worked with lacked social skills and basic knowledge. Most of the parents lack the formal education and needed to let the child attend public school. If you live in a larger city that provides social contacts for these children and the parents are qualified, then I have no problem with it. Maybe these parents should be required to pass a test given by the state…  These children eventually end up in public school and score lower than their peers.

Pros- Individual learning, no behavior issues, religion.

Cons- Social skills and parent not qualified.

People don’t understand how crucial socials skills are for development. If a child engages in extra circular activities it teaches them about sharing and accepting others.

Yes, I’m one of the few people who had no interest in using a SNS. I’ve heard too many horror stories and problems that develop while using these things.  So I “secretly” created a Myspace page and almost instantly started obsessing over it.  I was amazed to find so many classmates that are married with children. I don’t plan developing my own page or adding personal photos. I enjoy finding out where my friends from elementary school are now and how many children they have.  

Using different technologies for teaching is something that is relatively new to us. Technology adoptions are usually slow and painful for most. Technology is so much a part of our lives it scares me to think what I would do without it. We have various technologies that are designed specifically for enhancing learning that are awesome! Technology has the ability to disguise itself as something “fun” for students and make the student unaware learning is occurring. Technology provides additional activities for students when practice is needed and the teacher isn’t available. Most people enjoy using technology and try to stay current.