What would you do differently if you could do it all over again? Are these changes based on feedback that you may have received from friends, peers, family members, etc?
What is your reaction to the video recording/editing process? Please discuss any positive and negative reactions.
Do you think it would be possible to have students in your current/future classroom create a movie? Do you (will you) have the resources, time, and skills necessary to include such a project in your classroom? Please explain.
Did you learn anything new from the video editing/recording process? Please explain.
I think if I could do it all over again, I would definitely NOT stress about this project! I was so worried about not being able to do anything with IMovie because I am typically not good at things like this. However, once I began it was pretty much smooth sailing minus a few seconds of frustration here and there. Overall, I had a lot of fun filming this project and editing it! I can honestly say that I cannot wait to use this in my classroom and just being able to use it for fun and possibly future gifts. I haven't shown this video to anyone yet so I'll have to wait and see how others like it! I think the most tedious part of this whole process was just stopping constantly to try to edit it all out. I couldn't find the exact spot that I wanted and it would take a few million tries until I got it. However, once it all came together it was great! The only negative aspect was the voice over. I liked the idea of it but I couldn't really find a space to put it in because I didn't want to ruin other aspects. I did end up finding somewhere but I could have done without it on this particular video. I definitely think it would be possible to have my students create a movie. I could certainly see my students creating commercials or small skits while learning about television programming and other aspects of languages. I just think right now while we are dealing with such difficult economic times it might not be possible for schools to actually have the technology to complete a task like so. I would like to think that I could be teaching in a school with this type of technology a year from now but by the looks of the economy and lay offs it might be hard. If my school does have this I will certainly make time to include a project like this. Students would most certainly benefit from something along these lines rather than just learning from a book! I think this project truly opened my eyes to the endless opportunities to incorporate technology and fun and exciting ways for students to learn!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
My Wiki Reflection
Do you plan on using your classroom blog/wiki in your future classroom? If so, what types of modifications do you envision? Please explain.
Do you plan on having your students create their own blogs/wikis in your future classroom? If so, please explain.
Discussion of how your view of instructional technology has or has not changed over the semester
Discuss the quality and appropriateness of what you have learned and created this semester.
Evaluation of your comfort moving forward with technology
Yes, I actually do plan on your my classroom wiki in my future classroom. I would definitely have to update my information and change a few things around here and there however; I believe that a lot of what I put on my wiki can be useful in the future. I included a ton of links and pages that I could actually see being wonderful resources for students and parents. I can definitely see having my students create their own blogs. I think it would be an excellent tool for them to be able to practice their written language skills and it would be a fun and exciting tool for them to personalize. I do not see myself having my students create their own wiki. I think that if I were to use a wiki in the classroom it would be more of a class wiki for me to control. I would like the students to post work and be able to refer to it out of school. I like the idea of having the class wiki for the teacher to post information and to have the students post their projects. I think that it is a great tool to stay in touch with parents also. I think before this course, I was much more timid when it came to incorporating technology into the classroom. I always had envisions of creating e-mail exchanges with other students and classes in other countries but that was about the extent of it. Now I know so much more and there are so many more possibilities to explore. I actually can see myself creating the ideas and setting up new forms of technology for my students. Whereas before this class, I think that the only way I could have approached anything technology related would be through another more skilled teacher. I feel much more confident and aware now! This semester i have learned so many diverse tools for using technology. I think one of the most important was learning how to teach students to be cautious of what they read and see on the internet. As an educator, I think that is the first thing that I will address while approaching the use of technology with my students. I definitely feel comfortable moving forward with my uses of technology. I feel like I have the ability to be comfortable while using it and I feel like I have acquired an abundance of knowledge that I can share with my students. I just think it might take a little while for me to become comfortable with teaching and using the technology. I know I will have to work hard at getting used to both but I am very excited to do so!
Do you plan on having your students create their own blogs/wikis in your future classroom? If so, please explain.
Discussion of how your view of instructional technology has or has not changed over the semester
Discuss the quality and appropriateness of what you have learned and created this semester.
Evaluation of your comfort moving forward with technology
Yes, I actually do plan on your my classroom wiki in my future classroom. I would definitely have to update my information and change a few things around here and there however; I believe that a lot of what I put on my wiki can be useful in the future. I included a ton of links and pages that I could actually see being wonderful resources for students and parents. I can definitely see having my students create their own blogs. I think it would be an excellent tool for them to be able to practice their written language skills and it would be a fun and exciting tool for them to personalize. I do not see myself having my students create their own wiki. I think that if I were to use a wiki in the classroom it would be more of a class wiki for me to control. I would like the students to post work and be able to refer to it out of school. I like the idea of having the class wiki for the teacher to post information and to have the students post their projects. I think that it is a great tool to stay in touch with parents also. I think before this course, I was much more timid when it came to incorporating technology into the classroom. I always had envisions of creating e-mail exchanges with other students and classes in other countries but that was about the extent of it. Now I know so much more and there are so many more possibilities to explore. I actually can see myself creating the ideas and setting up new forms of technology for my students. Whereas before this class, I think that the only way I could have approached anything technology related would be through another more skilled teacher. I feel much more confident and aware now! This semester i have learned so many diverse tools for using technology. I think one of the most important was learning how to teach students to be cautious of what they read and see on the internet. As an educator, I think that is the first thing that I will address while approaching the use of technology with my students. I definitely feel comfortable moving forward with my uses of technology. I feel like I have the ability to be comfortable while using it and I feel like I have acquired an abundance of knowledge that I can share with my students. I just think it might take a little while for me to become comfortable with teaching and using the technology. I know I will have to work hard at getting used to both but I am very excited to do so!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Week 6 Reflection EDCI 5825
What is your reaction to the 10 Big Shifts in Education? Which shift(s) will be easier and harder for your to integrate in your future teaching/classroom? Please explain.
I have to admit that this chapter was rather inspiring. In my opinion, the author did a wonderful job of tying all the previous information into an excellent final chapter. The ten big shifts were: open content, many many teachers and learning 24/7, the social, collaborative construction of meaningful knowledge, teaching is conversation, not lecture, know "where" learning," readers are no longer just readers, the web as notebook, writing is no longer limited to text, mastery is the product not the test, and contribution, not completion, as the ultimate goal. I believe that the easiest shift to integrate in my future classroom would be number two. It is essential to connect to other teachers whether that be educators or experts. I can certainly see myself learning from others who are willing to share their ideas and experiences. In turn, I can see myself as a person that is willing to share and inform others of new ideas. I also believe that number four would also be easy to implement. I think that it is important for students to develop a sense of self-empowerment and self-fullfillment. In order to do so, I would love to allow my students to post blogs and projects on websites for others to view and respond to. Richardson mentions, "On their own, our students are learning that their voices matter, that people are listening and responding, and that their ideas count" (Richardson, 2010, pp. 151). In language learning classrooms, it is vital for educators to provide students with resources where they can share their knowledge and learn through the revisions and ideas of others. I hope to be able to set up some sort of collaborative exchange whether it be by allowing students in other country to view our class wiki and projects that were posted or setting them up with some sort of e-mail exchange. Both situations will allow students to post ideas and materials and allow others to expand upon those ideas and help them learn through the knowledge the other acquires. This will truly show students that their work is meaningful and will not just be throw away. It will be used to enhance other's knowledge and they will actually see the results and ideas flourishing right in front of their eyes.Using the web as a portfolio (number 7) is also essential in language learning classrooms. That way teachers can share their students work with various different audiences and students themselves can track their progress over the year. This is yet another way to go green and save paper!
I believe that all ten shifts can be easily integrated in my future classroom so it is hard to say which would be most difficult. I would have to say that if I had to choose one then I would pick number six. I believe that it is important for readers to be critical of the information that they are consuming. However, much of the reading that takes place in a language classroom is done in the student's second language which they have not quite mastered completely. I think that it is important to instill the idea of critically analyzing others writing and not believing everything you see on the web. However; these students are going to be reading in a different language and just processing the language itself may be one of the hardest tasks for them.
I have to admit that this chapter was rather inspiring. In my opinion, the author did a wonderful job of tying all the previous information into an excellent final chapter. The ten big shifts were: open content, many many teachers and learning 24/7, the social, collaborative construction of meaningful knowledge, teaching is conversation, not lecture, know "where" learning," readers are no longer just readers, the web as notebook, writing is no longer limited to text, mastery is the product not the test, and contribution, not completion, as the ultimate goal. I believe that the easiest shift to integrate in my future classroom would be number two. It is essential to connect to other teachers whether that be educators or experts. I can certainly see myself learning from others who are willing to share their ideas and experiences. In turn, I can see myself as a person that is willing to share and inform others of new ideas. I also believe that number four would also be easy to implement. I think that it is important for students to develop a sense of self-empowerment and self-fullfillment. In order to do so, I would love to allow my students to post blogs and projects on websites for others to view and respond to. Richardson mentions, "On their own, our students are learning that their voices matter, that people are listening and responding, and that their ideas count" (Richardson, 2010, pp. 151). In language learning classrooms, it is vital for educators to provide students with resources where they can share their knowledge and learn through the revisions and ideas of others. I hope to be able to set up some sort of collaborative exchange whether it be by allowing students in other country to view our class wiki and projects that were posted or setting them up with some sort of e-mail exchange. Both situations will allow students to post ideas and materials and allow others to expand upon those ideas and help them learn through the knowledge the other acquires. This will truly show students that their work is meaningful and will not just be throw away. It will be used to enhance other's knowledge and they will actually see the results and ideas flourishing right in front of their eyes.Using the web as a portfolio (number 7) is also essential in language learning classrooms. That way teachers can share their students work with various different audiences and students themselves can track their progress over the year. This is yet another way to go green and save paper!
I believe that all ten shifts can be easily integrated in my future classroom so it is hard to say which would be most difficult. I would have to say that if I had to choose one then I would pick number six. I believe that it is important for readers to be critical of the information that they are consuming. However, much of the reading that takes place in a language classroom is done in the student's second language which they have not quite mastered completely. I think that it is important to instill the idea of critically analyzing others writing and not believing everything you see on the web. However; these students are going to be reading in a different language and just processing the language itself may be one of the hardest tasks for them.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
PPT EDCI5825
Brief description of the lesson/topic presented on the PowerPoint
Brief description of the features used in your PowerPoint. Did you use any "challenge" features? Why/Why not.
Did you learn anything new in the process?
How can a lesson be enhanced with Presentation Software (e.g. PowerPoint, Google Docs Presentation software, etc.)
The topic presented throughout this PowerPoint presentation is Que hora es (what time is it)? I would use this as a background visual while presenting the material for the visual learners within my classroom. I also have an interactive portion in which the students will few a few clocks and try to figure out what time it is using the spanish language then they will hear a recording of my voice to display the correct answer. Students have already seen the material so this is somewhat of a review/practice session.
I enjoyed using transition and affect animations. It was neat to be able to allow one portion of the slide to come in before the rest. I thought it was essential to allow the students to view the clock first and then have the answer transition in next. This allows the students to view the clock, analysis it, formulate an answer and then double check to see if they got it right when the answer pops up. I also found it interesting that I was able to incorporate the narrative "challenge" feature. I had never used this aspect of PowerPoint before and at first I was a bit weary of it. I think with more practice I will be able to use it in many different manners. It is extremely helpful for auditory learners to hear the expression of time after seeing it written out!
The thing that was new to me was using the narration aspect. I had never even seen anyone use it before therefore, I had no idea that that tool existed. I can definitely see myself incorporating this into my future PowerPoint Presentations because it is an essential tool for language learners. Hearing the language over and over again will only enhance the learning process!
A lesson can be enhanced with a PowerPoint because it allows the visual learners to key in on their learning style. While using the narration tool, auditory learners are being provided with more of the Spanish language. Certain slides from the PowerPoints can also be used as a reference point for the students throughout the lesson. If the students were working on something new, I could leave up a slide that would help them and they could constantly refer back to it when they needed. It is also nice to include because it can be changed or added to in an instance. If students have come up with a question or a new idea, it can be added in a flash and they can even do it themselves. It also is a way to go green. There is absolutely no need for wasting paper! I must say that I am a big fan of saving paper! :)
Brief description of the features used in your PowerPoint. Did you use any "challenge" features? Why/Why not.
Did you learn anything new in the process?
How can a lesson be enhanced with Presentation Software (e.g. PowerPoint, Google Docs Presentation software, etc.)
The topic presented throughout this PowerPoint presentation is Que hora es (what time is it)? I would use this as a background visual while presenting the material for the visual learners within my classroom. I also have an interactive portion in which the students will few a few clocks and try to figure out what time it is using the spanish language then they will hear a recording of my voice to display the correct answer. Students have already seen the material so this is somewhat of a review/practice session.
I enjoyed using transition and affect animations. It was neat to be able to allow one portion of the slide to come in before the rest. I thought it was essential to allow the students to view the clock first and then have the answer transition in next. This allows the students to view the clock, analysis it, formulate an answer and then double check to see if they got it right when the answer pops up. I also found it interesting that I was able to incorporate the narrative "challenge" feature. I had never used this aspect of PowerPoint before and at first I was a bit weary of it. I think with more practice I will be able to use it in many different manners. It is extremely helpful for auditory learners to hear the expression of time after seeing it written out!
The thing that was new to me was using the narration aspect. I had never even seen anyone use it before therefore, I had no idea that that tool existed. I can definitely see myself incorporating this into my future PowerPoint Presentations because it is an essential tool for language learners. Hearing the language over and over again will only enhance the learning process!
A lesson can be enhanced with a PowerPoint because it allows the visual learners to key in on their learning style. While using the narration tool, auditory learners are being provided with more of the Spanish language. Certain slides from the PowerPoints can also be used as a reference point for the students throughout the lesson. If the students were working on something new, I could leave up a slide that would help them and they could constantly refer back to it when they needed. It is also nice to include because it can be changed or added to in an instance. If students have come up with a question or a new idea, it can be added in a flash and they can even do it themselves. It also is a way to go green. There is absolutely no need for wasting paper! I must say that I am a big fan of saving paper! :)
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
T2pP week five
If a teacher the teacher is unaware of the many teaching theories and pedagogical approaches within in the educational system then when the students are presenting behavioral problems and lack of enthusiasm the teacher will not know how to fix the problems in order to enhance the learning process for all students involved. Teachers must constantly be re-evaluating and re-visiting their approaches in order to create an enriching learning environment for all involved.
I think the most notable thing that I took away from today's class was the idea of scaffolding. When I was first placed in a small group situation with amanda and provided with a task to complete, it was rather confusing. We worked together to try to come up with ideas and solutions however, we were not sure as to where we were heading. Once we came together as a class, I was able to see the layout of the ideas and thought processes. I think it was essential that the information was placed in the front of the room in order for all students to refer back to. I also really benefited from the large group discussions. It was beneficial for me to have each person have a role because they each took it seriously and we remained on task. I think overall, this was one of the best classes because I could actually see the learning process unfolding right in front of my own eyes.
I can definitely see myself using large groups in my future classroom. I will definitely "steal" your idea of assigning tasks to everyone because overall I feel like most people want to be included and show what they can contribute to the classroom. I don't think anyone really wants to let their teammates down. I also will use the idea of scaffolding within my future classes. I think it is extremely important to scaffold within the language learning environment. Giving something to my students that they are unaware of and that is difficult would only scare them away. I want to make sure that I teach them accordingly and help them learn certain materials that leads up to an end piece. Overall, I really enjoyed this clas!
I think the most notable thing that I took away from today's class was the idea of scaffolding. When I was first placed in a small group situation with amanda and provided with a task to complete, it was rather confusing. We worked together to try to come up with ideas and solutions however, we were not sure as to where we were heading. Once we came together as a class, I was able to see the layout of the ideas and thought processes. I think it was essential that the information was placed in the front of the room in order for all students to refer back to. I also really benefited from the large group discussions. It was beneficial for me to have each person have a role because they each took it seriously and we remained on task. I think overall, this was one of the best classes because I could actually see the learning process unfolding right in front of my own eyes.
I can definitely see myself using large groups in my future classroom. I will definitely "steal" your idea of assigning tasks to everyone because overall I feel like most people want to be included and show what they can contribute to the classroom. I don't think anyone really wants to let their teammates down. I also will use the idea of scaffolding within my future classes. I think it is extremely important to scaffold within the language learning environment. Giving something to my students that they are unaware of and that is difficult would only scare them away. I want to make sure that I teach them accordingly and help them learn certain materials that leads up to an end piece. Overall, I really enjoyed this clas!
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Week 5 Reflection EDCI 5825
Should all teachers be encouraged to create online activities for students within traditional classrooms? Please explain.
Yes, I do believe that all teachers should be encouraged to create online activities for students within traditional classrooms. Technology plays a vital role in this generations lives and it is a tool that is constantly changing and evolving. Although, it is essential to have in class experiences, it is also important to incorporate a more hands on learning tool that many young people of today are accustom to. "The debate is no longer about if we will have online learning; it is too late to stop it because there is a massive movement by universities and colleges to build entire degrees online" (November, 2010, p.84). Online activities have become a reality and it is the duty of the educators to keep up to date with the evolving educational process. Online learning is an essential part of the 21st century learning environment.
Providing online activities for students has many various benefits and only enhances the learning process. Some students actually feel much more comfortable expressing their thoughts and opinions online. "Students have the time to respond, so they can be more thoughtful in their answers, and they cannot see other students rolling their eyes or laughing at something they said. (November, 2010, p. 88)" This enables students to reach their fullest potential without the fear of others opinions. Online activities also improve student-teacher relationships. "Many students reported that they received more feedback from their online teachers. (November, 2010, p. 89)" Also, students develop a stronger sense of community while working online. It is safe to say that students are not provided with the opportunity to develop cliques or groups within the online atmosphere. Students are continually sharing ideas and are aware of the thoughts and opinions of others.
Student responsibility also becomes a large part of the online learning process. The students are given the responsibility of taking their education into their own hands and in turn it empowers them to reach their highest learning potential. "With online learning, students can do their work when they are bes prepared mentally and physically do to it, whether that is 9 a.m., 8 p.m., or 2 a.m. Furthermore, if they need more time to do a particular task, they can take as much time as they need" (November, 2010, p. 91). This can be a saving grace for many students. Some students do not learn well in the morning because they are still sleepy therefore, online learning would allow them to complete the assignment at a later time if necessary and they would be able to perform to the best of their ability.
Lastly, online activities improve the teacher's ability. Many teachers have reported that after completing online activities, they realized that their students have much more to offer then they might have seen in the regular classroom setting. Therefore, I believe that online activities provide an abundance of learning opportunities for ALL involved in the learning process.
Envision the role of social networking in 21st century learning environments. Write a brief description of this vision.
Social networking has been continually growing throughout the past few years and I only see it expanding over the years to come. Social networking allows for students to take on the responsibility of their own work and also to allow those interacting with it such as readers or critics to take part in sharing responsibility for that work. "Learning is a continuous conversation among many participants" (Richardson, 2010, p.86). By allowing social networking to grow, learning will be in the hands of many different people and allow for multiple ideas and opinions to be shared across various different areas.
The social networking tool, Twitter, can be useful throughout education. "Following other educators on Twitter creates a network at my fingertips phenomenon where people ask questions and get answers, link to great blog posts or resources, or share ideas for projects as they go through the day" (Richardson, 2010, p. 86). I was actually lucky enough to experience the power of Twitter through my Educational Psych class with GNA. She happens to follow many other educators through Twitter and they are constantly sharing ideas and philosophies. We were instructed to watch a video that was created by a fellow Twitter educator and then respond to questions on our blog. This woman then was given each of our blogs and commented on our ideas and questions. It was an amazing connection!
Another form of social networking is social bookmarking services. The two most important sites that I have read about were delicious and diigo. These are two bookmarking services which allow the educator to organize the information for others to view and use freely. "The idea that we can now use social networks to tap into the work of others to support our own learning is an important concept to understand" (Richardson, 2010, p. 99).
Most people these days have tapped into Facebook in order to keep close ties with friends both near and far. Children these days are now using social network, such as Facebook, in order to explore interests that may not necessarily have the opportunity to encounter in a school environment or within the community. Within this stie, they are connecting with people they may not know but who may share similar interests. "They become at once teachers and learner in these spaces, and, in the process, they learn about the things that school can't or won't teach them" (Richardson, 2010, p.132). Throughout these interactions, students are engaging in responsible self intended and collaborative learning. Networked learning presses the idea of cooperation, interaction and social relations and communication.
Yes, I do believe that all teachers should be encouraged to create online activities for students within traditional classrooms. Technology plays a vital role in this generations lives and it is a tool that is constantly changing and evolving. Although, it is essential to have in class experiences, it is also important to incorporate a more hands on learning tool that many young people of today are accustom to. "The debate is no longer about if we will have online learning; it is too late to stop it because there is a massive movement by universities and colleges to build entire degrees online" (November, 2010, p.84). Online activities have become a reality and it is the duty of the educators to keep up to date with the evolving educational process. Online learning is an essential part of the 21st century learning environment.
Providing online activities for students has many various benefits and only enhances the learning process. Some students actually feel much more comfortable expressing their thoughts and opinions online. "Students have the time to respond, so they can be more thoughtful in their answers, and they cannot see other students rolling their eyes or laughing at something they said. (November, 2010, p. 88)" This enables students to reach their fullest potential without the fear of others opinions. Online activities also improve student-teacher relationships. "Many students reported that they received more feedback from their online teachers. (November, 2010, p. 89)" Also, students develop a stronger sense of community while working online. It is safe to say that students are not provided with the opportunity to develop cliques or groups within the online atmosphere. Students are continually sharing ideas and are aware of the thoughts and opinions of others.
Student responsibility also becomes a large part of the online learning process. The students are given the responsibility of taking their education into their own hands and in turn it empowers them to reach their highest learning potential. "With online learning, students can do their work when they are bes prepared mentally and physically do to it, whether that is 9 a.m., 8 p.m., or 2 a.m. Furthermore, if they need more time to do a particular task, they can take as much time as they need" (November, 2010, p. 91). This can be a saving grace for many students. Some students do not learn well in the morning because they are still sleepy therefore, online learning would allow them to complete the assignment at a later time if necessary and they would be able to perform to the best of their ability.
Lastly, online activities improve the teacher's ability. Many teachers have reported that after completing online activities, they realized that their students have much more to offer then they might have seen in the regular classroom setting. Therefore, I believe that online activities provide an abundance of learning opportunities for ALL involved in the learning process.
Envision the role of social networking in 21st century learning environments. Write a brief description of this vision.
Social networking has been continually growing throughout the past few years and I only see it expanding over the years to come. Social networking allows for students to take on the responsibility of their own work and also to allow those interacting with it such as readers or critics to take part in sharing responsibility for that work. "Learning is a continuous conversation among many participants" (Richardson, 2010, p.86). By allowing social networking to grow, learning will be in the hands of many different people and allow for multiple ideas and opinions to be shared across various different areas.
The social networking tool, Twitter, can be useful throughout education. "Following other educators on Twitter creates a network at my fingertips phenomenon where people ask questions and get answers, link to great blog posts or resources, or share ideas for projects as they go through the day" (Richardson, 2010, p. 86). I was actually lucky enough to experience the power of Twitter through my Educational Psych class with GNA. She happens to follow many other educators through Twitter and they are constantly sharing ideas and philosophies. We were instructed to watch a video that was created by a fellow Twitter educator and then respond to questions on our blog. This woman then was given each of our blogs and commented on our ideas and questions. It was an amazing connection!
Another form of social networking is social bookmarking services. The two most important sites that I have read about were delicious and diigo. These are two bookmarking services which allow the educator to organize the information for others to view and use freely. "The idea that we can now use social networks to tap into the work of others to support our own learning is an important concept to understand" (Richardson, 2010, p. 99).
Most people these days have tapped into Facebook in order to keep close ties with friends both near and far. Children these days are now using social network, such as Facebook, in order to explore interests that may not necessarily have the opportunity to encounter in a school environment or within the community. Within this stie, they are connecting with people they may not know but who may share similar interests. "They become at once teachers and learner in these spaces, and, in the process, they learn about the things that school can't or won't teach them" (Richardson, 2010, p.132). Throughout these interactions, students are engaging in responsible self intended and collaborative learning. Networked learning presses the idea of cooperation, interaction and social relations and communication.
Voices of Youth Today
Technology, and Learning: Opportunities for Educators and Future Employers
If educators demonstrate excitement in including technology into the classroom then students will develop an interest in the learning process and become willing to connect the classroom materials in many relevant ways. While using technology, students will become empowered and have the opportunity to become autonomous, competent, and related. For example, in the video "Technology, and Learning: Opportunities for Educators and Future Employers" High School freshmen speak out about how technology is a main aspect of their life and how they view learning in the formal school setting. One student stated, "You're texting, you're listening to music, you're watching tv, you're listening to background noise. If they are lecturing a lot it kinda really sucks because your used to doing ten things at once. Everything is in slow motion. The day could be so much quicker if we emailed the information or texted it." These students are providing educators with the insight as to how this generation of students learn. This generation of students can be referred to as Generation Net or Generation X. These students do not know a life without technology and multi-tasking is vital part of their lives. Due to their dependence on technology, these students mentioned that lecturing is boring and slow. They also discussed the importance of having visual and live examples that provide meaning and relevance. One girl even said that "You memorize things a lot easier when you have a happy memory behind it." "Students are more likely to pay attention, to learn, and to remember events, images, and readings that provoke a strong emotional response such as excitement, sadness, or anger (Alexander & Murphy, 1998; Cowley & Underwood, 1998). As these students are provided with the technology that they are used to and relevant materials, they will be able to reach the "big three" described by Deci and Ryan. Students will be provided with the opportunity to become autonomous by opening an environment of choices, they will be able to become competent by enabling them with the skills to access the knowledge and they will be able to relate by connecting with others either in the classroom setting or through using technology. As an educator, I believe it is extremely important to become aware of each generations interests and talents because they are constantly changing. Educators must not be afraid to relate with the young people within their classrooms and they must be able to incorporate their interests into the learning process. Educators must also key into student's learning styles and provide some meaning behind the material. It is essential to allow the students to relate and make meaning out of the content which in turn will create emotions and hopefully enhance the learning process.
Is Anybody Listening? A testament by Village Academy High School students on the economic crisis
If educators provide an outlet for students students who are being affected by the economic crisis then the students will be able to come together as a community and work in a group environment towards solving the problems that exist and to build a better world as a whole. For instance, throughout the video "Is Anybody Listening" students at Village Academy High School are sharing their own personal stories and discussing the difficulties that they have to face day in and day out. Educator, Michael Steinman, has provided these students who are facing terrible struggles to speak from their hearts and let their thoughts and emotions come out truthfully and freely. One student, Martissa, said "I see my mom struggling, and I can't do anything about it. I want to help her but she just wants me to focus on school. I can't focus on school when I know that she is struggling. It's just really hard." Steinman stresses the importance of allowing these students to come together in order to work collectively in order to defeat these problems and build for a brighter future. In reference to these students, Maslow would recognize that their basic needs of safety, security, and belonging are not being met. Therefore, they are not able to reach the needs higher in the Hierarchy of Needs. Outside of the classroom environment these students are continually struggling and their basic needs are not being met at all. Therefore, they are unable to achieve a high rate of success within the classroom. As an educator, I believe that it is essential to become aware of your students life outside of school. Students are not always facing a picture perfect reality and it is our duty to recognize the struggles they face are real. I also believe that is is important to provide students with an outlet. Students need to come together and realize that they are not in it alone. Often times, it is comforting to come to the realization that you are not the only one facing a set of high obstacles. It is vital for educators to provide some sort of support group for students to work together and try to find a solution for these tough times.
Gay Camp: Helping Youth Feel Safe and Supported
If educators provide students with caring and safe relationship and learning environment then students will have the opportunity to build confidence and feel good about themselves and realize that they can be who they are. The video "Gay Camp: Helping Youth Feel Safe and Supported" describes the Camp Fryerfly for Gay Youth. This camp is located in Canada and allows gay youth to build esteem, confidence and network throughout their summer stay there. The founder, Kris Wells, mentions that the youth is provided with the tools to "make their own inner light shine bright in dark times." The youth are able to share their common experiences that they have encountered while growing up. The camp brings in prominent community leaders to share their own experiences and become a role models for these youngsters. Carl Swanson, a camper, said, "It's incredible to see these people in person and realize that they have become successful and used their sexual identity to do some good with it." Noddings would recognize that this camp is providing relational and idealized caring. The camp is providing an essential framework for learning and in the end the community leaders and camp leaders are increasing their own competency. As an educator, I must always remember to develop a caring relationship with my students. It is important for me to realize that I cannot just say that I am going to do so but I also must express my concern and desire to understand my students. It is essential that my students respond in to my actions in some sort of observable manner in order for me to realize that it is indeed a true caring relationship.
If educators demonstrate excitement in including technology into the classroom then students will develop an interest in the learning process and become willing to connect the classroom materials in many relevant ways. While using technology, students will become empowered and have the opportunity to become autonomous, competent, and related. For example, in the video "Technology, and Learning: Opportunities for Educators and Future Employers" High School freshmen speak out about how technology is a main aspect of their life and how they view learning in the formal school setting. One student stated, "You're texting, you're listening to music, you're watching tv, you're listening to background noise. If they are lecturing a lot it kinda really sucks because your used to doing ten things at once. Everything is in slow motion. The day could be so much quicker if we emailed the information or texted it." These students are providing educators with the insight as to how this generation of students learn. This generation of students can be referred to as Generation Net or Generation X. These students do not know a life without technology and multi-tasking is vital part of their lives. Due to their dependence on technology, these students mentioned that lecturing is boring and slow. They also discussed the importance of having visual and live examples that provide meaning and relevance. One girl even said that "You memorize things a lot easier when you have a happy memory behind it." "Students are more likely to pay attention, to learn, and to remember events, images, and readings that provoke a strong emotional response such as excitement, sadness, or anger (Alexander & Murphy, 1998; Cowley & Underwood, 1998). As these students are provided with the technology that they are used to and relevant materials, they will be able to reach the "big three" described by Deci and Ryan. Students will be provided with the opportunity to become autonomous by opening an environment of choices, they will be able to become competent by enabling them with the skills to access the knowledge and they will be able to relate by connecting with others either in the classroom setting or through using technology. As an educator, I believe it is extremely important to become aware of each generations interests and talents because they are constantly changing. Educators must not be afraid to relate with the young people within their classrooms and they must be able to incorporate their interests into the learning process. Educators must also key into student's learning styles and provide some meaning behind the material. It is essential to allow the students to relate and make meaning out of the content which in turn will create emotions and hopefully enhance the learning process.
Is Anybody Listening? A testament by Village Academy High School students on the economic crisis
If educators provide an outlet for students students who are being affected by the economic crisis then the students will be able to come together as a community and work in a group environment towards solving the problems that exist and to build a better world as a whole. For instance, throughout the video "Is Anybody Listening" students at Village Academy High School are sharing their own personal stories and discussing the difficulties that they have to face day in and day out. Educator, Michael Steinman, has provided these students who are facing terrible struggles to speak from their hearts and let their thoughts and emotions come out truthfully and freely. One student, Martissa, said "I see my mom struggling, and I can't do anything about it. I want to help her but she just wants me to focus on school. I can't focus on school when I know that she is struggling. It's just really hard." Steinman stresses the importance of allowing these students to come together in order to work collectively in order to defeat these problems and build for a brighter future. In reference to these students, Maslow would recognize that their basic needs of safety, security, and belonging are not being met. Therefore, they are not able to reach the needs higher in the Hierarchy of Needs. Outside of the classroom environment these students are continually struggling and their basic needs are not being met at all. Therefore, they are unable to achieve a high rate of success within the classroom. As an educator, I believe that it is essential to become aware of your students life outside of school. Students are not always facing a picture perfect reality and it is our duty to recognize the struggles they face are real. I also believe that is is important to provide students with an outlet. Students need to come together and realize that they are not in it alone. Often times, it is comforting to come to the realization that you are not the only one facing a set of high obstacles. It is vital for educators to provide some sort of support group for students to work together and try to find a solution for these tough times.
Gay Camp: Helping Youth Feel Safe and Supported
If educators provide students with caring and safe relationship and learning environment then students will have the opportunity to build confidence and feel good about themselves and realize that they can be who they are. The video "Gay Camp: Helping Youth Feel Safe and Supported" describes the Camp Fryerfly for Gay Youth. This camp is located in Canada and allows gay youth to build esteem, confidence and network throughout their summer stay there. The founder, Kris Wells, mentions that the youth is provided with the tools to "make their own inner light shine bright in dark times." The youth are able to share their common experiences that they have encountered while growing up. The camp brings in prominent community leaders to share their own experiences and become a role models for these youngsters. Carl Swanson, a camper, said, "It's incredible to see these people in person and realize that they have become successful and used their sexual identity to do some good with it." Noddings would recognize that this camp is providing relational and idealized caring. The camp is providing an essential framework for learning and in the end the community leaders and camp leaders are increasing their own competency. As an educator, I must always remember to develop a caring relationship with my students. It is important for me to realize that I cannot just say that I am going to do so but I also must express my concern and desire to understand my students. It is essential that my students respond in to my actions in some sort of observable manner in order for me to realize that it is indeed a true caring relationship.
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