The Final Learning Journal!!!

Final Learning Journal Prompt:

Based on your work in this class this semester, tell me

1. What three things did you learn about teaching and learning that you did not know before?

     Throughout the course of this class, I've been introduced to a number of things that served to teach me quite a bit about education. I believe that one of the most valuable things I've learned in this class is that as educators, we are not simply teachers, we are "designers." We are architects that must build upon the minds of our students, and help to fashion and design a curriculum that fits each of their individual needs.
     In this course I also learned how to create lesson plans, and how to mold my lesson plans to not only teach a subject, but to also make connections to 21st century skills while still making sure that students learn what is needed based on Sunshine State Standards.
     Last, but definitely not least, I learned that there are a vast number resources out there for teachers that can be used to make the facilitation of teaching more effective and easier. Resources such as course wiki's, blogs, delicious networks, among other things, can all be used to enhance teaching and make it easier to meet the needs of your students.

2. In what ways has the content in this course effected your views of teaching and learning?

     This course has definitely served to broaden my view of teaching. Often we think that there is only one way of teaching. We see teaching as having to be so structured that we can not deviate from the standard. We think that there is no way to possibly make it interesting, or fun and help our students to be motivated. This is NOT true. I learned that there are many methods to teaching and learning that can prove to be very effective. Its ok to step outside the norm and dare to do something different. While before I viewed teaching as just a way to deliver "need to know" information, I now view teaching as a way to build upon creative spirits and draw on interests to create novel ways of recieving information. One of the best ways to do this is by allowing students to become active participants in their learning. Catering to student's needs helps to assure that information is being passed along to them effectively.
     Also, my view on the use of technology in the classroon has changed. Technology plays a huge role in education. I don't think I realized quite how important technology was for teaching and learning purposes till I took this course. It enhances education in ways that simple methds of teaching can not. Also, because technology is always evolving, it leaves ground for education to evolve with it, helping methods of teaching and manners of learning to remain fresh and innovative.

3. What questions do you have about integrating technology into the curriculum?

     I guess the main question I have, regarding the integration of technology into the classroom, is how do I make sure that it is avaiable to eveyone, and that no student is being left behind? I know that their are some resources out there that can help this cause, such as social media, but how can I guarantee that? Will the divide between those who have access to the necessary forms of technology, and those who don't, ever truly be bridged? I doubt it, so how do I work around this without having to slow the pace of my class?

4. What did you like most about this course? In what ways can the instructor improve this course?

    What I liked most about this course was all the new resources I was introduced to, specifically google. I love google! It has so many dimensions to it that I never even bothered to explore. I have only ever used google for its search engine and its images, so to discover all its other functions like presentations, documents, sites, RSS, among other things was truly fascinating for me. I also enjoyed the atmosphere of the classroom. The class was very relaxed and therefore not tense; it allowed for respectful dialogue between teacher, students, and peers. There was quite a bit of work, but all managable. Another great feature of the class was the feedback! I enjoyed getting feedback on my lesson plans, it was very encouraging and reassuring, and also effective in letting me know what I maybe needed to improve on. Dr. Sessums is great! Very approachable, which is good for someone like me who's not big on asking for help (Find many teachers intimidating, even when they're nice). The one thing I would've liked is maybe having a record of my grades somewhere where I can see it, only because I get really paranoid otherwise, even when I know I'm not doing bad. Other than that small insignificant note, I enjoyed everything about this class! I actually learned something, and gained resourses that I can use beyond the boarders of this class! Yay!!!

Social Media for Social Change

You work in a school where only half of your students have high speed access and computers at home. What could you do to bridge this digital divide? How might you use social media to change this situation and get kids and their families decent computers and high-speed access?

     Sadly to say, even now in a society that is so technologically advanced  and aware, there are still a number of individuals who lack access to one of the most basic of technologies; a computer. It is often hard to even comprehend how one can live in this day and age and not own a computer. Many Americans can't even fathom not owning a computer in their homes, however we fail to realize that this is a privilege not always accessible to lower income families. I remember my family finally owning a computer when my older sister reached middle school and we deemed it absolutely necessary to our parents, but not actually getting internet till I was about in the eighth grade. I felt like all of my peers owned a computer except me, and my family was considered middle class. I can understand firsthand how difficult it can be to do coursework that demands the use of a computer, and not have it readily available for you at home. Fortunately for me however, the local library was a hop and a skip away from my house, so completing assignments were never a true inconvenience (which is probably why my parents felt that the computer could wait). For those however who are not lucky enough to be so close to a library, something needs to be done. There has to be a way to make sure that students who do not have high speed access and computers at home, are not hindered in their education, or left behind.
     As a teacher, the best way to somewhat bridge this digital divide is to make sure that school computers are readily available for students. If an assignment requires the use of a computer, allow students to check out one of the classroom computers to do their work, or maybe stay a little bit after school to allow students a chance to use the computer. Another option could be to create digital assignments that can be completed during class and reserve the computer lab for your students so that each student is able to be at their own computer station to complete the assignment. If students are unable to complete the assignment during the time given, then schedule a time for that student to be able to come in and work on the assignment. I would not advise that assignments requiring the use of computers be eliminated all together, because technology has such an important role in the classroom and aids in enhancing education.
     After reading the last required article, we see that there are many mediums through which social media can be used to evoke change. These mediums include such social sites as twitter, facebook, myspace, youtube, blogs, etc. For the purposes of this cause, awareness of this issue can be advertised through a facebook group which solicits money and donations to help obtain computers and high speed access for students who don't have it. Donations can be sent to the schools, and in turn, be distributed to qualifying students.

Examples of Social Media for Social Change include:

Keep a Child Alive

Video

Here we see Alicia Keys trying to raise money for her charity "Keep a Child Alive" by encouraging fellow stars to take time out from the digital world (i.e. twitter, facebook, etc.), and then asking fans to help bring them back to life by donating to the cause and raising $1,000,000 to go to HIV/AIDS victims in Africa and India.

Oil & Water Do Not Mix

Video

This is a video used to encourage viewers to purchase posters made with oil that was spilled into the gulf coast so that the proceeds can benefit the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, or crcl.org, an environmental cleanup group based in Baton Rouge.

OCEF (Overseas China Education Foundation)

Page

This is an example of social media being used for social change on facebook. Through facebook's "causes" application, this organization seeks to raise money to fund education in China and improve education conditions.

Participatory Divides

What would your ideal school look like?
My ideal school is one in which students are able to reach their intellectual heights and highest potential. One in which creativity is not hindered, but rather encouraged through nurturing, and exploration. A school where truly no child is left behind, but every child has an equal opportunity to learn and to grow.
Would your school have a specific focus like a magnet school?
My school would have a focus option for those students who know what they want to do and are dead set on going after it, and are seeking a means to prepare them to take that step. For those not knowing what path they desire to go towards there would be an exploratory focus in which they would have the opportunity to explore different options and see what best fits them, like college.
Who would be in charge of the school? What would their role be?
There would be a principal, but they would just be there to oversee things and make sure everything ran smoothly. Overall, the governance of the school would be a collaborative effort between staff and parents. By working together we can make sure that all the child's educational needs are met.
Is it big or small? One room? Two hundred?
Not too big, so that students still have the opportunity for that teacher student relationship, and teachers are able to know all the students names, but big enough for students to have ample opportunity to network with other peers.
Where would it be located?
Not sure, maybe in a low- income neighborhood since studies show that they're usually the ones that struggle the most.
Would it be year-round?
No, there would be at least one month of break so students can relax and recuperate before the next semester. 
What would a typical day for students be like?
Structured activities that emphasize knowledge of basic skills and concepts, but also those that encourage creativity and self motivated learning.
What criteria would you use to hire people to work with the students?

• Faculty must be very knowledgeable of the subject matter they will be teaching.
• Has prior experience working with young people (i.e. children, adolescents, etc.)
• Able to produce well organized lesson plans, but necessary deviation from actual plan will not cause the classroom to turn upside down.
• Patient, and shows concern for students, but is still viewed as an authority figure.
• Possess a creative spirit, but also knows how to maintain structure.

How would student work be assessed?
A combination of summative and formative assessments.
What role would digital media play in your school?
Digital media would be used to enhance education and learning through creativity and positive interactions. It would aid in reinforcing what is taught in the classroom, and help to consolidate learning.
What role would parents and community members play?
It is important for parents and community to remain active in their child's learning, making sure they attend class regularly, complete assignments, and is not falling behind. Parents would be highly encouraged to join the PTA to ensure that their voice is being heard, and their child's needs are being met.

5 Questions on the article: Teens, Video Games and Civics

1. Who are the most prominent gamers, and why? How can we use this knowledge to    create games that attract gamers, but also have positive effects on learning and education?

2. If monitoring does not have an impact on whether or not teens are exposed to anti-social behavior or words in the gaming context, or if parents of gamers are generally neutral on the effect of games on their children, then where does the line get drawn between acceptable and unacceptable game play? When is it too far?

3. Why is gaming such a major component for most teenagers overall social experience, and how can this be incorporated into positive social interactions within the classroom?

4. How can one encourage more civic gaming experiences in the games that teens play?

5. What factors contribute to the equal distribution of civic gaming experiences that may be lacking in other forms of civic learning, and how do we change this?

Curiosity, Imagination, Creativity, and Play

What do I know about these 4 elements?
     I know that these four elements co-exist in many ways. They each support each other in some way. Curiosity inspires imagination, and in the same way, imagination inspires curiosity; these things inspire creativity, which can in turn inspire play, but it does not have to be necessarily in that order. Curiosity requires one to ask questions. One can't be narrow minded and take everything as final; you must be willing to be confused and seek understanding. Imagination allows you to take different perspectives, and think beyond the boundaries you are given. Creativity is thinking of new innovative ways to approach, or do, something. Creativity does not always have to be something big, or outlandish, it can be finding a new way to do something practical as well. Finally, play is when you put the results of your curiosity, imagination, or creativity to work. In play you mess around with different things as a result of the previous three elements, or even as a means to inspire those three elements. Everyone exercises these four things, or is capable of exercising these four things, though some people may say that everyone is not creative, or that creativity is "hard." These elements make life more interesting. I t makes it less dull, and less redundant, and rather more exciting and new!
     In terms of these four things, I'd like to know how to best inspire these things in a classroom. How do you inspire someone who is content with accepting everything you say to be curious and ask questions? How do you inspire someone who is narrow minded to think outside the box and use their imagination to see something different? How do you inspire someone who thinks creativity is "hard" to at least try and maybe surprise themself? How do I inspire these elements in myself? How can tapping into my inner creativity maybe encourage someone else's?
     After watching the videos, they pretty much reinforced how I felt about curiosity, imagination, creativity, and play. Previously I said one must be willing to be confused; however I must quote Sir Ken Robinson in saying "If you're not prepared to be wrong, you'll never come up with anything original." As he said, creativity is all about taking a chance, so in order to take a chance you must be willing to be wrong. I thought that this idea of creativity was very insightful and made a lot of sense. The idea that we are taught out of creativity was also a very interesting way of looking at it. We get so used to accepting what our teachers of professors say, that we chose not to question, or dare to go against what is said, and in this sense, we are stifling our creativity. I also learned that "play," based on Stuart Brown's research, isn't just about having fun, it doesn't only serve to make us happy, but rather can also increase intelligence and aid development. There are different forms of play like body play, rough and tumble play, imaginative play, spectator play, ritual play, etc. I also learned that curiosity and self-exploration are all a part of play, and that play is very important, and actually does a lot for the brain. All the videos I watched were very insightful and even taught me things that I had not known before, and helped me to look at these elements in a more educated perspective.

Learning Journal #3- RSS Activity Reaction

1. What sites are you following?

I am following various news sites, some science sites, as well as some sites referencing my major (Speech-Language Pathology).

The news sites I am following are:

• ABCNews.com
• CNN.com
• FoxNews.com 
• University of Florida News
• Technology News
• New York Times.

The science sites I am following include:

• The American Association for the Advancement of Science
• Elementary Science Education
• Middle School Portal- the network for middle school math and science
• Science for All Children
• Science/ AAAS| Scientific research, news and career information.

The SLP sites I am following are:

• ADVANCE for Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists
• American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology
• Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research
• Speech Language Pathology Sharing

2. Why did you choose those sites?

     I chose to follow the news sites in order to stay up to date with what's going on around me. It's a quick way to keep up with current events. I also chose to follow the campus news site because I figure since I make up a part of this campus, it would be good to know what's going on, in terms of events around campus, ongoing research, and whatever other updates they provide. This way I can stay in the loop! I am also following a technology news site because I thought it would talk about the latest technology and so on, but it mainly references what's going on in major tech companies, and talks about a few new additions.
     I chose to follow a couple science sites, because I have an interest in the subject. I especially like elementary and early middle school science, and a couple of the sites I'm following talk about science for these grade levels. If I were to become a teacher, I'd probably choose to teach science to late elementary-early middle school students. These sites give a lot of scientific information and also some helpful things for teachers.
     Finally, I chose to follow some Speech Language Pathology sites because that's my major, and I plan to go to grad school for it. These sites had a lot of helpful information, not just for those going into the career, but also for clinicians in the field.

3. What was challenging (or not) about this activity?

The hardest part of this activity was becoming familiar with RSS, and then deciding what sites I wanted to follow. There are so many sites to choose from, and looking through everything was quite tedious. I'm actually not completely sure whether I set it up correctly, but it does show the sites I am subscribed to, so I guess maybe it's correct.

4. As a teacher, in what ways could you use a feed reader in your classroom?

As a teacher, the feed reader could be used to find some helpful suggestions from other teachers on how to enhance learning. You can also use the feed to find articles that could be used as additional resources for your students. The feed can also be used to discuss current events with your students. The feed gives you quick access to many helpful resources, and I'm sure both my students and I could benefit from this.

5. What more do you want to know about feed readers?

I'd like to know if there's a less tedious way of finding sites to follow. I know that there's a search, but sometimes I feel that even when I've made my search topic as narrow as possible, the sites that show up aren't really what I'm looking for. There's not much else that I'd like to know about the feed. While it is a helpful tool, I can't honestly say that I'd continue to use it outside of this class.

Learning Journal 2: The Role of Technology

What is the role of technology in the classroom?
The role of technology in the classroom is very important and aids in enhancing education. It allows students to gain perspective through various techniques that serve to enlighten them. It broadens the scope of what you can do in a classroom by introducing new and innovative ways to teaching and learning, thus encouraging creativity. It can help make resources more easily accessible to students, and help the class run more efficiently. From using computer based tutorials to clarify subject matter, or Microsoft Office for various writing, graphing, or other purposes, to course websites like the "wiki" to make course materials more accessible to students, technology truly plays a great role in the classroom. 
What is the role of technology outside the classroom?
Outside the classroom, as in inside the classroom, technology plays a big role. Technology is all around us, and can be used in various forms. Technology provides practical ways in completing many tasks. It allows you to complete certain tasks more efficiently and more quickly. Technology can be used to help one relax, or be entertained, such as the use of music or the media. Technology can allow a person to work from home, if that is their choosing. Technology even lets you do things on the go (i.e. receiving emails through your phone, portable laptops, etc.). The use of technology is limitless, as it takes on different forms, completes different tasks, and essentially makes life a whole lot easier.
In what ways can these two worlds overlap? In what ways should they be avoided?
We live in a society where technology has consumed our lives. Technology is literally everywhere, so undoubtedly the role of technology inside the classroom, and the role of technology outside the classroom will cross. These worlds overlap because education does not simply occur in the classroom alone, but outside of the classroom as well. With technology you can now work on assignments from home. You can do further research on the course material you are learning in order to increase your understanding of it. If a student is asked to complete a project, technology allows them to do their project where they chose, and at their own pace. It also allows them to find various resources that can aid them with the project. While the overlapping of these worlds can have many uses, there are some things that should be avoided. With the overlapping of these worlds, proper classroom etiquette can be threatened. When one allows the outside personal use of technology to enter the classroom, it may serve as a distraction and hinder the learning atmosphere. So when choosing to overlap these worlds, it is important to set boundaries. Certain activities cannot be brought into the classroom (i.e. texting, phone calls, video chat, etc.), and when allowing assignments to be done outside the classroom, guidelines must be set to ensure that this does not become an excuse to cheat, or to procrastinate. Technology has helpful roles both inside and outside the classroom, but you must keep in mind, where, when, and how, to use it.