Reflection Over The Semester

• Three “Wow/AhHa” Reflections
• Letter Pop – Letter Pop was one of the neatest tools that I learned about that is just out there and if free. I think it is a great tool for teachers to use. I think if more teachers knew about it, they would utilize it. It is so simple since the format is all set up for you, and you can customize it however you want. This is definitely something that I plan to use in my classroom and will share with other teachers that I meet.
• Learning how to make a website – I really think that learning how to make a website was one of the most valuable things that I learned in the classroom. I really liked using eZediaQTI, because it is so simple to use. I am very excited about keeping my website up, and changing it around to use in my classroom. I hope that I can share my knowledge about how to make a website with fellow teachers if they ever need help.
• Learning how to make a podcast – When I first entered the class, I hardly knew what podcasting was, nor did I have any idea of how to make one. I thought that you had to have an iPod. I’m so happy that you can make a podcast on either a Mac or a PC. I hope to do some podcasting in my classroom. I think it would be really helpful to do a podcast in the classroom if there are a bunch of students absent.

• Six Classmates Website Reflections
• Jennifer Meyer

Great website! I love how it is so colorful and fun! I really like the fonts! I’ve got to find out where she got them from. The whole site is very kid friendly. I like how there is a professional tab; I think I will do that on mine too, next semester.

• Nikki Moody

I like how the website is so simple. Very easy to navigate around. I like the idea of putting a quote on the first page; I have noticed I few people have done that. I think I will too sometime.

• Kerri Sherman

I think there are a lot of buttons on the first page. This would probably be okay for a personal website but not for an elementary classroom. Also, I would make all the buttons the same size and same font for consistency.

• Kayla Juenemann

I like the idea of having photos, which I do have. I really like how she split her photos into two categories, classroom photos and personal photos. I also like how easy it is to navigate around her website. There are not too many buttons, so it is not overwhelming.

• Sheila Harvey

Another fun website. I like how it is not appealing to either boys or girls (it is not pink or blue), they are very neutral colors. I think the only thing I would change on this one is to get rid of some of the buttons.

• Jessie Deines

I love her first page! It is so colorful and inviting! I think this is another well put together website. It is very easy to navigate around. I really like the colors of the first page, that is what made me look further into it.

• Reflection Over My Own Website
• I really like my website. I think that maybe over the summer or next fall I will change a few things before I start meeting various schools. I know I will put a professional tab on my website, that way I will have a better place to put my resume, classroom management plan, and things like that. I also like the idea of having a quote that inspires me on the first page. I know there are tons of good ones about teachers out there, so I plan on putting that on the first page instead of information about me. I also may change my fonts. I found a lot of really neat ones on my classmate’s websites that I would love to use, ones that are really kid-friendly. Another thing that I may do is change my photos around. I think it would be a great idea to have a section for classroom photos and then a separate section for personal photos. The last thing that I know I will do before I start teaching is change the background of my website. I will need to make it less “girly”. I really like my website for now though. It fits my personality, and is more about me then the classroom that I do not have yet. I think it will be easy to change because I feel confident in working on it by myself.

• Cyndi – I had a great time in your class this semester. I have learned so much. If it wasn’t for this class, I do not know what I would do when it came to technology in my classroom. I am also so happy that I was with Shannon last fall with the Smart Board. Through you two, I have definitely gained so much knowledge about technology. I don’t know what I will do if all of my students don’t have their own laptops in my classroom, and if I don’t have a Smart Board (or something similar). Thanks for being such a great teacher this semester! - Ashley

Blogs Are Not The Enemy

Blogs Are Not The Enemy

I have to admit...I am completely new at blogging. In one of my other classes at FHSU, we had to do a blog thing..and now I have to do it in my instructional technology class. When I was interning, the students did their daily journal writing in blogs. Personally, I do not know if I will use a blog in my classroom. It depends on what grade level I am teaching. I did like the idea of using it for journals..but I think that checking them would be much more difficult. I'm not sure what other uses I could come up with for using blogs in my classroom.

The One-to-One Tsunami

The One-to-One Tsunami

We are seeing in schools everywhere, that each student has their own laptop. The school furnishes these, and of course the students are required to give them back at the end of the school year. This is not something that is happening in big towns. It is happening in Hays, Kansas...and also in my hometown which is a 1A school. It is a great idea for each student to have their own laptop/tablet computer. I think this will spread through every school soon.

When Digital Kids Rule The Clasroom

When Digital Kids Rule The Clasroom

I think that kids teaching the teachers how to use technology is not necessarily new. I remeber when my brother was in high school. He was, and still is, one of the really smart computer people. He worked on all the computers at the school, and knew more then the "computer guy" did. When somebody had a question pertaining to the computer, they would just go and get my brother. I see nothing wrong with students today teaching teachers how to use the technology. After all, they are the ones growing up with it, the teachers out there now, most of them have been in the field for a very long time, and all this technology is overwhelming to them. I think that it is also good for students to do this because they enjoy it!

Pod Show

Pod Show

I guess I'm really behind on cool new websites. I have never heard of this one either. Sounds kinda interesting. I will have to check it out and get back to you on what I think about it.

Ask Vox

Ask Vox

Has anyone used this new search engine yet???? I hadn't even heard of it. Seems like there are so many out there. Guess I always just google everything. Maybe it's time to change????

Teachers to recieve laptops

Teachers to recieve laptops

I think all teachers would agree with me when I say it would be great if districts would provide all teachers with a laptop for school and personal use, and a projector/elmo for your own classroom. These are two very vital things in a classroom. I guess I could say, if you haven't seen one used in a classroom, you need to get out more, and really talk to whoever is in charge at your school.

Scholastic teaming to offer more online

Scholastic teaming to offer more online

Scholastic already has an amazing website, with tons of resources. This makes me so happy that they are going to add more to it. I think this is a great website for all teachers! If you have never checked it out you definitely should. I think it is simply www.scholastic.com

Officials give free access to online tutors

Officials give free access to online tutors

It is great that the library and businesses went together so students could have free access to this tutoring site. It would be nice if all communities around the world would do that for their children. I have never heard of this site, but plan on checking it out!

Montreal district to focus on tech training

Montreal district to focus on tech training

I think this is something that all districts need to do when putting new technology into the schools. I know that Washington Elem. had work nights, or something for teachers to get together when they got new tech stuff, so they were kinda trained on it. It is important that once teacher get technology to use, they know how to use it...this is when training provided by the school/district comes in handy.

Schools should integrate more technology

Schools should integrate more technology

Hmmmmm.....I agree, schools should integrate more technology....But we have to have the money to do it!!!!! Which goes back to the article about Bush not putting forth money for technology for schools. So, I'm not so sure how it is supposed to happen. As for allowing cell phones in class - I'm not sure where to stand on the issue. Sure, they could be handy in the case of an emergency...but it is not handy for teachers when students are using them to text their friends during the middle of class, or students texting back and forth answers to a test. I think it is a toss-up. Maybe if there was a way to turn the texting feature off from say 8am-3pm, it would be great!

MySpace established election hub

MySpace established election hub

As I mentioned before, MySpace has become very popular. It is great that we will be able to view things about the 2008 candidates, especially for the young people like us, who don't always watch the news - but are always on My Space. Hopefully this will get more people to the polls to vote!

Video Games in the Classroom

Video Games in the Classroom

I think we had another article very similar to this one that we read. Video games in the classroom are great if they help the students learn. That is pretty much my main stance on that topic.

Sundance Comprehension Strategies Kit

Sundance Comprehension Strategies Kit

Who can turn down a free sample to something that may raise test scores and help your students read better!!!! This new method looks pretty neat. I think that by the time I really get into teaching and having a say as to what I use in my classroom, there will be more positive, or negative remarks about this product. I think I would let others try it out first before I positively implement it in my classroom.

Creating rap lyrics inspires young history students

Creating rap lyrics inspires young history students

Incorporating music like this into the classroom is a great idea. Especially since music seems to be one of the subjects being dropped in schools. I remember when I was in high school, we sometimes created raps in class to help remember things. It seems as though we did it more in English class, but any subject would be great! I think this is another great teaching tool to remember!

Battle With Electronics Still Rages

Battle With Electronics Still Rages

I think this is a battle we will face forever. Technology is becoming part of the classroom, however it is allowing cheating to become more prominent. It is going to be impossible to eliminate cell phones, iPods, games, etc...from school. We cannot do a full inspection on each child as they walk in the school door. Teachers will have to monitor their classrooms a little closer, especially during testing.

Amber Alerts to hit MySpace

Amber Alerts to hit MySpace

Another ingenious idea by somebody! Many many people are using myspace anymore, it is a great idea to put amber alerts on there! This will spread the word much faster in case a child goes missing! A Great Idea!!!!

Using games to teach

Using games to teach

How could a student enjoy school anymore then getting to play games. It's like a dream come true for teachers! Students learning, integrating technology, etc... I think it sounds like a great idea. However, I would want to see what kind of positive results it is providing before I used it in my classroom.

New tech guidelines for teachers

New tech guidelines for teachers

I'm not sure what you are thinking. However, I think that at this point in the world, technology is going to change so rapidly it is going to be hard to keep up to pace with new guidelines. I don't think we have to worry about most students not knowing alot about technology prior to graduation. It seems as though usually the students can teach the teachers about technology better then the teachers can teach the students.

Verizon Literacy Network helps give literacy a boost

Verizon Literacy Network helps give literacy a boost

I think it is great Verizon has put this portal up. I have not checked it out yet, but it sounds like a great place not only for teachers, but for parents, students, and volunteers as well. It is supposed to offer courses specific to learning English as a second language, which is greatly needed today. Sounds like a great place to check out!

Bush budget again would cut E2T2
President proposes $56B for education in 2008--but nothing for ed tech
From eSchool News staff and wire service reports

For the fourth straight year, President Bush has proposed cutting the Enhancing Education Through Technology block-grant program--the primary source of federal funding for school technology--from the federal budget. Advocates of educational technology say the move makes little sense, given the president's stated commitment to ensuring the global competitiveness of American students.

It is sad to say, but I'm not sure that there is much we can do about this. The president is going to do what he wants. We can say that it is horrible that he is going to but the Technology block-grant program, and it is horrible. I think that he needs to go out and visit some of the schools, some need alot more technology, updated technology. Maybe if he did visit the schools, he would notice this and not cut the program. It is hard to tell. I guess all we can do is hope and pray right now.

Laptops replace textbooks in Louisiana district

Laptops replace textbooks in Louisiana district

What a great idea!!! Think of how much money it will save the district in the long run! I think that we will eventually see this spreading across the U.S. as the world becomes more "techy". I don't have much to say about this article, other then the fact that I think it is a great idea, and I think that Louisiana district should give themselves a pat on the back for hopefully starting something great and new!

"Digital Decade" report outlines progress, future of technology

"Digital Decade" report outlines progress, future of technology
I think we have only began to see the beginning of technology in our lifetime. I'm sure that is what our grandparents said when the TV came out too, only they didn't know what the word was to describe it. Technology is taking over everything in the school systems, even standardized tests are completed on the computer. I guess this gives us quicker results. However, I think it will take teachers awhile to get used to all the technology, especially those who have taught for so long. There are also still some students at home who do not have computers. As teachers we have to realize this, and give these students extra support while they are using computers. While the education society worries so much about math and reading, we need to also be working on math and science. I think that those "high-up people" forget that these are also very important subjects, and you cannot go very far without being knowledgable in these areas. I think that we are going to see technology progress tremendously, especially in our teaching careers.

U.S.-born don't learn the language easily

U.S.-born don't learn the language easily

I'm not sure what to think of this article because right now we are discussing immigration in my Current Political Issues class. According to the data we are learning about in there, U.S. born immigrants are learning English as their primary language, because their parents want them to learn it. Don't quote me on this yet, but I think the article from that class said that 99% of children born in the U.S. from immigrants learn English as their primary language. Either way, I think it is important for anyone in the U.S. to be able to speak English fluently!

Article Reflection - $250 million proposed to lure teachers to New Orleans schools

$250 million proposed to lure teachers to New Orleans schools

I guess I think it is great that they are trying to get teachers to New Orleans. Naturally, teachers are going to think, wow that's more money then I am making at the school I'm working at now. However, I don't know if I think it is right for our government to be focused on New Orleans so much. Granted, the place was practically destroyed, but if a tornado hit Kansas and wiped out Kansas City, do you think the government would pay teachers to move there. For some reason I don't think so. I think there are places in the U.S. that the government could pay teachers to go to, especially good teachers where they are needed. Also, can't that $250 million be put to use somehow better for all the schools?

Ken Robinson Video PodCast

I thought that the Ken Robinson podcast was very good. I agree with his statement that creativity is as important in education as literacy. I think that if schools don't encourage creativity, then education will be very boring, especially for the students. Ken Robinson also pointed out the hierarchy of teaching, this puts a huge emphasis on math, science, social studies, reading, and writing. As you can see the arts are not in there. I think that in the arts, such as music, band, pe, etc... is when students have a great chance to be creative. This hierarchy is emphasized in every country around the world. We are currently getting a great look at it right now with state assessments going on. Teachers are really pushing their students to do more work in their assessment area, and cutting out on the arts. If we take creativity away from students, they will not try new things. We are teaching them not to try new things by taking this away from them, and they will not be risk takers when they grow up. How much fun is life without taking risks every now and then?