Sunday, March 6, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Blog Post #6
1. The Networked Student by Wendy Drexler
The Networked Student is a movie by a high school student that shows how students can now learn by using technology and networking. They explore and learn by building their own PLN or personal learning network. Although I think this is a good idea and may work for some, I do not fully support this learning initiative.
As a future educator, I would not want to use this technique as a child's sole source of learning. There is no textbook used and barely any need for a teacher. The student seems to be fully responsible for what they decide to learn and include in the PLN. This is fine but I think this technique would be better used as a supplemental form of teaching and learning. I do not understand the point in learning how to become an affective teacher, only to teach students how to manage information online. Maybe I just do not fully get the entire concept of a student being networked, but from what I see, I do not like it.
As stated before, I can see this being used as supplemental instruction. In addition to using a textbook and the traditional way of teaching and learning, students could be responsible for a PLN to keep the information fresh and updated. This could maybe be a project grade for a student, but do not think an entire semester should be filled with this type of instruction. It seems kind of similar to Dr. Strange's EDM 310 class, and this is definitely not a good way for me to be taught or learn things. I can imagine younger students struggling with the concepts of managing a PLN.
2. A 7th Grader's Personal Learning Environment
I liked this video much better than the previous one. It shows the PLE from a student's point of view and makes it seem more appealing. I would love to have everything for Dr' Strange's class all in one place like the student has all of her work instead of having to go to several different pages and shared documents to find assignments.
3. Smartboards
The two blog posts that we had to read were against using Smartboards in the classroom beacuse they are "basically useless". These two bloggers have valid reason for being against using smartboards in classrooms but I found some that make the opposite argument. The link is http://www.waukeshaschools.com/WIT/smartBoard/benefits.htm. The main downside to using the boards is that they are expensive and have no real meaningful purpose. The upside is that they are more attention grabbing for students and allow teachers to present lessons in a new way.
The Networked Student is a movie by a high school student that shows how students can now learn by using technology and networking. They explore and learn by building their own PLN or personal learning network. Although I think this is a good idea and may work for some, I do not fully support this learning initiative.
As a future educator, I would not want to use this technique as a child's sole source of learning. There is no textbook used and barely any need for a teacher. The student seems to be fully responsible for what they decide to learn and include in the PLN. This is fine but I think this technique would be better used as a supplemental form of teaching and learning. I do not understand the point in learning how to become an affective teacher, only to teach students how to manage information online. Maybe I just do not fully get the entire concept of a student being networked, but from what I see, I do not like it.
As stated before, I can see this being used as supplemental instruction. In addition to using a textbook and the traditional way of teaching and learning, students could be responsible for a PLN to keep the information fresh and updated. This could maybe be a project grade for a student, but do not think an entire semester should be filled with this type of instruction. It seems kind of similar to Dr. Strange's EDM 310 class, and this is definitely not a good way for me to be taught or learn things. I can imagine younger students struggling with the concepts of managing a PLN.
2. A 7th Grader's Personal Learning Environment
I liked this video much better than the previous one. It shows the PLE from a student's point of view and makes it seem more appealing. I would love to have everything for Dr' Strange's class all in one place like the student has all of her work instead of having to go to several different pages and shared documents to find assignments.
3. Smartboards
The two blog posts that we had to read were against using Smartboards in the classroom beacuse they are "basically useless". These two bloggers have valid reason for being against using smartboards in classrooms but I found some that make the opposite argument. The link is http://www.waukeshaschools.com/WIT/smartBoard/benefits.htm. The main downside to using the boards is that they are expensive and have no real meaningful purpose. The upside is that they are more attention grabbing for students and allow teachers to present lessons in a new way.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Blog Post #4
1. Don't Teach Your Kids This Stuff. Please? By Scott Mcloed
I agree with Dr. Mcloed's point of view in this blog post. Children should be taught to efficiently use today's available technology to their advantage. Parents should first educate themselves and get acquainted with blogging and social networking, etc., then proceed to educate their children. Parents should not be afraid of what ills of the world the internet may expose their children to, but be more afraid of the vast amount of knowledge they are missing out on. It will benefit them in the long run.
2. The ischool Initiative
In this video, a high school senior claims that using iSchool is a solution to our country's education problems. The i School initiative is a program that eliminates all school textbooks, paper, pens, calculators, and other miscellaneous materials by using classroom ready apps on an iTouch, thus cutting a school's education cost per student. It allows students, parents, and teachers to all be more connected and aware of what's going on in the classroom on a daily basis.
I personally think this initiative is a great idea. It is a wonderful way to save money and the environment. It also allows parents to be more involved in student learning because it gives them an easier way to keep up with their child's progress. In a world where most people already have either an iTouch or smartphone glued to their hand, this program would be perfect for schooling. The question is, how do we get most schools to adopt the program?
3. The Lost Generation
I absolutely love this video! When it first started I was thinking to myself how much I disagreed with most of statements that were being made. But then when it began to go backwards I fell in love with it! I thought it was brilliant and the message of it was beautiful!
4. Eric Whitcre's Virtual Choir
Nice. I think I would have found this more captivating if the song were more interesting. A brilliant showcase of how the internet can be used none the less.
5. Teaching in the 21st Century
In the 21st Century, to teach has a whole new meaning. With the amount of information readily available for students to absorb at any given time, the role of a teacher has to evolve just as the role of the student must. Teachers used to be a student's primary source for facts and knowledge. Now facts can be found anywhere, and teachers must be able to teach valuable life skills to students, otherwise there is no real need for a teacher in the future.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Blog Assignment #1
My name is Ashley M. Gibson and I am currently a junior at the University of South Alabama, where I am majoring in Elementary Education. I am a full time student and also work part time. I am a second year member of the fabulous USA Jaguar Marching Band Colorguard. Being in the marching band is a lot of hard work and is very time consuming, but I absolutely love it!
Work and school keep me very busy but in my spare time I love to spend time with my friends and family. I have an older sister and a younger brother. My very best friend is named Jessica and I spend most of my weekends with her or I just chill at home. I am currently single but the love of my life is my puppy Prince! He is an adorable miniature schnauzer and I love him to death! I think that pretty much sums me up, but if you have any questions feel free to leave a comment!
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