The middle school debate is basically the concept of getting rid of middle schools completely and creating either just a K-8 school or a 6-12 school. The argument for getting rid of the middle school completely is that it is already a traumatic time for kids that age and they do not need another change. Also, that they can excell in an environment with older kids especially in sports. Another argument is that if the kids are in the K-8 school it is more of a comfort zone for them. The argument against this is that reconfiguration is costly and is not really taking into consideration what kids really need. Adolescents really need smaller class sizes, an engaging curriculum, personalized attention, and well-perpared teachers.
Personally I do not believe in this at all. It is not the correct solution for the middle school program. Middle school children need more attention which does not help to blend them into an even large crowd. Middle school in miserable for everyone, it is an awkward time but it is best for them to be all together going through it together. I do not believe keeping them in the "comfort zone" of elementary school will help them at all with the changes they are going through nor the real world. I do not believe that putting them in with high schoolers is a good idea because high school is terrifying enough for a freshman let alone dealing with 18 year olds when you are only 12. If I did become a teacher of these grade levels it would impact me in I was in a K-8 school because it would put me in a completely different environment than what I have been trained to be in. Being in the 6-12 school would not be that different but I think it would take away from the middle school experience. Middle school kids deserve their own attention and I believe the best way to do this is to have their own transition school. This age is a transition and it should be recognized and treated as one.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Friday, January 26, 2007
Podcast Long Response
Define what a podcast is and compare/contrast it to one other technology:
A podcast is basically a combination of an ipod and broadcasting put together. So you can broadcast from any place to many people. You can but do not have to use an ipod, it is most listened to on the computer. She compares it to Tivo in the way that on both machines you can record the shows you want to (watch/listen to) so that you will not miss them. She also compares it to radio in the same way that you can record the shows you want to hear for later. With podcasts you can pause them at any point with radio you cannot. Also, radio shows are cheap and podcasts are not.
Three examples of useage in the classroom:
-Gives you the ability to connect your children with the entire world, from students from all over the world.
-Put their homework assignments on the podcast, it makes the students more willing to do it.
-The work students do can be easily shared with parents, family, friends, and people all over the world instantly.
Why would a teacher want to use podcast in the classroom:
It seems as though podcasts would be extremely engaging. They have the ability to connect students with students all over the world. Students could be more into the lesson and the homework if there is some involvement of the podcast. You can use just audio podcasts, audio and pictures, audion and "flashcards." If it's so easy that a kindergardener can do it then it seems as though it could be easy enough for a teacher to learn it as well.
Why would a teacher NOT want to use podcasting in the classsroom:
Some teachers and people in general do not believe that technology like this is going to be useful in their lives. Teachers have been at this for many many years being successful without the help of podcasts so I'm sure there are some out there who do not believe they need it. Possibly as well they do not really have the patience to learn or are not good at learning new technology, being technology immigrants and all. Maybe some teachers do not believe they have the time to create or work with podcasts.
What do you really think about podcasting now that you know more about it:
I think that it soounds really interesting. Podcasts sound like a tool that I would love to learn how to do and hopefully like it enough and feel comfortable enough with it to use it in my classroom. The podcast, though long, was actually very helpful. The only problem is that I wish it had been a video one as well so I could have seen her examples during her speech. It was a little frustrating to sit and listen to something, trying to understand, and not being able to comprehend because there is no visual example. I am very excited to actually SEE podcasting because that could really be the break through point for me.
A podcast is basically a combination of an ipod and broadcasting put together. So you can broadcast from any place to many people. You can but do not have to use an ipod, it is most listened to on the computer. She compares it to Tivo in the way that on both machines you can record the shows you want to (watch/listen to) so that you will not miss them. She also compares it to radio in the same way that you can record the shows you want to hear for later. With podcasts you can pause them at any point with radio you cannot. Also, radio shows are cheap and podcasts are not.
Three examples of useage in the classroom:
-Gives you the ability to connect your children with the entire world, from students from all over the world.
-Put their homework assignments on the podcast, it makes the students more willing to do it.
-The work students do can be easily shared with parents, family, friends, and people all over the world instantly.
Why would a teacher want to use podcast in the classroom:
It seems as though podcasts would be extremely engaging. They have the ability to connect students with students all over the world. Students could be more into the lesson and the homework if there is some involvement of the podcast. You can use just audio podcasts, audio and pictures, audion and "flashcards." If it's so easy that a kindergardener can do it then it seems as though it could be easy enough for a teacher to learn it as well.
Why would a teacher NOT want to use podcasting in the classsroom:
Some teachers and people in general do not believe that technology like this is going to be useful in their lives. Teachers have been at this for many many years being successful without the help of podcasts so I'm sure there are some out there who do not believe they need it. Possibly as well they do not really have the patience to learn or are not good at learning new technology, being technology immigrants and all. Maybe some teachers do not believe they have the time to create or work with podcasts.
What do you really think about podcasting now that you know more about it:
I think that it soounds really interesting. Podcasts sound like a tool that I would love to learn how to do and hopefully like it enough and feel comfortable enough with it to use it in my classroom. The podcast, though long, was actually very helpful. The only problem is that I wish it had been a video one as well so I could have seen her examples during her speech. It was a little frustrating to sit and listen to something, trying to understand, and not being able to comprehend because there is no visual example. I am very excited to actually SEE podcasting because that could really be the break through point for me.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Quick Response Podcasting
Today I went out and found my own podcast to suscribe to. I did have a little trouble finding one that looked really interesting but I finally settled on a short one but it was a subject I could see myself legitamately keeping on my iTunes. My podcast that I suscribed to was "Royston's Jokes of the Day" and why I thought it would be good for me is because I love listening to people tell jokes and I always want to participate but I can only remember ONE single joke that I've EVER been told. So I figure this could give me a couple of laughs and definately elevate my social status at the same time, haha. The joke for today was, "A snake slithers into a pub and went up to the bar. The bartender says, 'I'm sorry but I can't serve you.' And the snake says, 'What?! Why not???' And the bartender says... [dramatic pause] 'Because, you can't hold your drinks.'" My response- I think I could make that work in a social setting.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Copyright and Fair Use Long Reponse
The one that I had the strongest reaction to was question number 14 which dealt with the Disney movies and the PTA. I was surprised that it was not allowed to show Disney movies at a Back-to-School night to the younger children simply because there is no real financial reward and the concept of entertainment seemed kind of silly to me. I believe that every movie shown in class is essentially about entertainment because that's simply what learning is. Also, Disney movies in particular can be considered educational. I feel that I am missing the big point on this one because it just seems wrong to disallow this to happen.
Copyright and Fair Use Quick Response
1. I was surprised with number 7 because I would have figured you would need student permission to post their work on a website, after considering it as long as the website is protected it makes more sense.
2. Number 11 surprised me because it seems as though you promoting messing with someone else's work.
3. Number 12 surprised me because of the word "digitizing" but apparently I don't know what that means, I suppose it was the same reaction I had one number 11.
4. Number 13 surprised me as I was not aware that you could use other people's intellectual property for educational purposes without permission.
5. Number 14 surprised me as I that was the question I was 100% sure I had write and I was quickly proven wrong, I did not forsee a problem with showing kids a Disney movie whatsoever.
6. Number 15 surprised me as I did not see a problem in compliling movie clips to start off a lesson I actually am pretty sure I had a professor here at UMF do that every class.
7. Number 16 surprised me because this one just simply seemed wrong.
8. Number 19 surprised me simply because I did not realize there was a difference between playing part of a song and playing the entire song.
2. Number 11 surprised me because it seems as though you promoting messing with someone else's work.
3. Number 12 surprised me because of the word "digitizing" but apparently I don't know what that means, I suppose it was the same reaction I had one number 11.
4. Number 13 surprised me as I was not aware that you could use other people's intellectual property for educational purposes without permission.
5. Number 14 surprised me as I that was the question I was 100% sure I had write and I was quickly proven wrong, I did not forsee a problem with showing kids a Disney movie whatsoever.
6. Number 15 surprised me as I did not see a problem in compliling movie clips to start off a lesson I actually am pretty sure I had a professor here at UMF do that every class.
7. Number 16 surprised me because this one just simply seemed wrong.
8. Number 19 surprised me simply because I did not realize there was a difference between playing part of a song and playing the entire song.
Monday, January 22, 2007
Quick Response Blog
So far blogging has been relatively painless. I have never really done this before so I was a little hesitant at the beginning but I have not had a problem yet and have my fingers crossed that it will remain this way. I always sort of thought that blogging was like an online journal and that turned me off toward the idea because I am more of an internal person. However, I can see how this process could help me in learning technology in the classroom and also how it can keep me organized with the label function.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
NetDay Results
Are you a digital native or a digital immigrant?
I think that young adults of my age are in a particulr situation of not quite being on or the other. I would say we certainly lean more towards digital natives we definately cannot hold this title with certainty. Technology as we know it has been completely revolutionized since we were young. Kids today do not still play the game pong nor do they know what it's like to write a document on a computer without a mac. Young adults of my age all remember what it was like to not have a computer in our homes as well as not having a single one in the classroom. We do however have the advantage of in a way, growing up with the innovations. We remember the switch from Windows 98 to Windows 2000. In a way I think it makes us comfortable with the idea of new technology but at the same time appreciate it even more than the young digital natives.
What impact will this have on you and your teaching?
Technology will have a large impact on my teaching. It seems that every time you turn around there are new systems or products being created to help education improve. The results of the survey helped me to realize how important students deem that technology is. I never really took into consideration how technoloy was taking over my life, let alone how it dominated the lives of the people who are growing up knowing nothing else. This survey has helped to give me a good understanding that my teaching methods must include technology because students find it more interesting and the most helpfull tool that they have. At the same time I do hold in esteme traditional methods such as library research. I think that you really can find almost anything online but there is a certain reward in diving into a library and finding the information yourself and reading it in an actual book from a credited source.
What are your reactions?
I think the thing that most surprised me was the responses from the K-3 kids. It literally shocked me that 30% of kids in these grades have their own email account. I just find that so hard to believe. And the fact that 39% of these kids had their own cell phone was absolutely fascinating to me. I, myself did not even have my own cell phone until I went to COLLEGE. To me this part of the survey certainly showed me the difference between my own age group and the children who are being born into this new era of technology. My biggest reaction was simply the fact that this survery certainly reinforced the fact that technology is super important in the classroom. No matter what age or grade you intend to teach technology needs to be a part of your lesson plan. It helps keeping kids engaged and it is what they have been raised with.
I think that young adults of my age are in a particulr situation of not quite being on or the other. I would say we certainly lean more towards digital natives we definately cannot hold this title with certainty. Technology as we know it has been completely revolutionized since we were young. Kids today do not still play the game pong nor do they know what it's like to write a document on a computer without a mac. Young adults of my age all remember what it was like to not have a computer in our homes as well as not having a single one in the classroom. We do however have the advantage of in a way, growing up with the innovations. We remember the switch from Windows 98 to Windows 2000. In a way I think it makes us comfortable with the idea of new technology but at the same time appreciate it even more than the young digital natives.
What impact will this have on you and your teaching?
Technology will have a large impact on my teaching. It seems that every time you turn around there are new systems or products being created to help education improve. The results of the survey helped me to realize how important students deem that technology is. I never really took into consideration how technoloy was taking over my life, let alone how it dominated the lives of the people who are growing up knowing nothing else. This survey has helped to give me a good understanding that my teaching methods must include technology because students find it more interesting and the most helpfull tool that they have. At the same time I do hold in esteme traditional methods such as library research. I think that you really can find almost anything online but there is a certain reward in diving into a library and finding the information yourself and reading it in an actual book from a credited source.
What are your reactions?
I think the thing that most surprised me was the responses from the K-3 kids. It literally shocked me that 30% of kids in these grades have their own email account. I just find that so hard to believe. And the fact that 39% of these kids had their own cell phone was absolutely fascinating to me. I, myself did not even have my own cell phone until I went to COLLEGE. To me this part of the survey certainly showed me the difference between my own age group and the children who are being born into this new era of technology. My biggest reaction was simply the fact that this survery certainly reinforced the fact that technology is super important in the classroom. No matter what age or grade you intend to teach technology needs to be a part of your lesson plan. It helps keeping kids engaged and it is what they have been raised with.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Quick Reponse: Chapter Two
Chapter Two Response
The thing that stuck out to me most in this chapter was the concept of respect. Whether it is earning respect or giving respect both are equally important.
Respect is something that is very important to me because I have always been taught it is the most important thing in a relationship between any two people. After being in school for 15 years I realize it is extremely important in a learning environment because students rarely react positively to a teacher who does not respect that. At the same time respect is not something that is demanded it is something that is earned and I am eager to learn tools that will help me do this successfully.
The thing that stuck out to me most in this chapter was the concept of respect. Whether it is earning respect or giving respect both are equally important.
Respect is something that is very important to me because I have always been taught it is the most important thing in a relationship between any two people. After being in school for 15 years I realize it is extremely important in a learning environment because students rarely react positively to a teacher who does not respect that. At the same time respect is not something that is demanded it is something that is earned and I am eager to learn tools that will help me do this successfully.
Quick Reponse: Chapter One
Chapter One Response
What stuck out to me in the passage is the idea of a “get to know you survey.” The survey was suggested to give to students on the first day in an attempt to recognize them as individuals.
This is because it was something I had thought about before and a subject I am very passionate about. Students are unique individuals and this seems as though a great way to appreciate that. Teaching a subject like history can be hard because many students find it dull, by reaching out to the students and understanding them better I will be better able to relate history to them.
What stuck out to me in the passage is the idea of a “get to know you survey.” The survey was suggested to give to students on the first day in an attempt to recognize them as individuals.
This is because it was something I had thought about before and a subject I am very passionate about. Students are unique individuals and this seems as though a great way to appreciate that. Teaching a subject like history can be hard because many students find it dull, by reaching out to the students and understanding them better I will be better able to relate history to them.
Quick Response: Introduction
Introduction Response
Though this section was practically five pages long the one thing that stuck out to me was the excerpt from the quotation at the beginning of the introduction. The part that was detailing what would make a good teacher and then stated, “If it is a lady, it would be good if she is pretty.”
Though I understand the comment was not meant to be degrading it did stick out to me because I am a woman who takes pride not on being good looking but on being intelligent and assuming this is a profession that will be rewarding because of that.
Though this section was practically five pages long the one thing that stuck out to me was the excerpt from the quotation at the beginning of the introduction. The part that was detailing what would make a good teacher and then stated, “If it is a lady, it would be good if she is pretty.”
Though I understand the comment was not meant to be degrading it did stick out to me because I am a woman who takes pride not on being good looking but on being intelligent and assuming this is a profession that will be rewarding because of that.
Quick Response: Preface
Preface Response:
What caught my attention was simply the fresh approach to education. The fact that teachers would sit down and collaborate the work with students was a unique and intriguing idea.
This particular idea spoke to me because I feel my educational experience, though it was rewarding, could have benefited from this and I am eager to incorporate some of these ideas in my own teaching.
What caught my attention was simply the fresh approach to education. The fact that teachers would sit down and collaborate the work with students was a unique and intriguing idea.
This particular idea spoke to me because I feel my educational experience, though it was rewarding, could have benefited from this and I am eager to incorporate some of these ideas in my own teaching.
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