Sunday, July 13, 2008
Blog 6: My Final Reflection
My favorite two assignments in this class were the blogging and the lesson plan unit. I liked the blogging because it helped me to feel connected to my classmates since we were not in the classroom at all. The lesson unit assignment was very hard, however, I was able to use everything that I had learned in one assignment which is what I wanted from this class. My top 3 technology tools that I hope to use in my future classroom will include my del.ici.ous account because I like to have what I need at my fingertips without having to search for them. I would love to use podcasting with my classroom because I feel like it is a great way to introduce my students to more advanced technology and keep their families connected to the classroom. I also would like to incorporate a wikispaces perhaps so that my students' parents can have a quick way to access me and what is going on the classroom. All seem like they will be useful. I would like to get better at my podcasting skills because I think that has the most potential to keep me updated on technology. Podcasting intimidated me terribly at first but I think that there are more benefits to it than most people think. I already installed it on my personal computer so maybe by playing around with it and all of audacity's capabilities I can be comfortable using it when the time comes. All in all I am pretty pleased with what I have learned in such a short semester!
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Blog 5 DHMO website
Blog 5--DHMO
1. Explore the DHMO website.
--Who wrote or produced the information?
The information and website was copyrighted by Tom Way and was sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Assessment Center.
--What authority or special knowledge does the author have? If the site is credited to an organization, what do you know about that organization?
The author has information from the U.S. Environmental Assessment Center and also from other organizations such as cancer research websites and also industries such as dairy and other environmental organizations. I did learn that this organization is trying to stop the use of scare tactics while accurately informing others about the dangers of DHMO.
--What bias or slant do you detect in the source? What does it say that indicates a bias?
They try to inform people of the true dangers of DHMO without using scare tactics. The bias that is indicated is the fact that they call out all of these companies that dump the substance in the oceans and rivers nearby as being harmful, however, it did also say that this is not illegal.
--Should DHMO be banned? Why or why not?
Not neccesarily. I think that there are a lot of chemicals that we come in contact with everyday in our foods, medicines, and our cleaning products that won't be banned any time soon such as Hydrogenated Oil in foods, Aluminum Nitrate in preservatives, Fructose Corn Syrup in juices, harmful cleaning agents, and others. All of these can be very harmful to us if we are unaware of what they do to us. If we spend the time educating people on the dangers and alternatives to these products, we won't need to try to ban all of them. Also, in the time it takes the government to actually follow through in banning all the harmful products from our lives and environment, we could be educating society on how to use products and eat foods that won't be so harmful and helping more people in the mean time.
2. Listen to a News Report on DHMO: Dihydrogen Monoxide Sparks Global Concern (in WebCT).
1. Explore the DHMO website.
--Who wrote or produced the information?
The information and website was copyrighted by Tom Way and was sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Assessment Center.
--What authority or special knowledge does the author have? If the site is credited to an organization, what do you know about that organization?
The author has information from the U.S. Environmental Assessment Center and also from other organizations such as cancer research websites and also industries such as dairy and other environmental organizations. I did learn that this organization is trying to stop the use of scare tactics while accurately informing others about the dangers of DHMO.
--What bias or slant do you detect in the source? What does it say that indicates a bias?
They try to inform people of the true dangers of DHMO without using scare tactics. The bias that is indicated is the fact that they call out all of these companies that dump the substance in the oceans and rivers nearby as being harmful, however, it did also say that this is not illegal.
--Should DHMO be banned? Why or why not?
Not neccesarily. I think that there are a lot of chemicals that we come in contact with everyday in our foods, medicines, and our cleaning products that won't be banned any time soon such as Hydrogenated Oil in foods, Aluminum Nitrate in preservatives, Fructose Corn Syrup in juices, harmful cleaning agents, and others. All of these can be very harmful to us if we are unaware of what they do to us. If we spend the time educating people on the dangers and alternatives to these products, we won't need to try to ban all of them. Also, in the time it takes the government to actually follow through in banning all the harmful products from our lives and environment, we could be educating society on how to use products and eat foods that won't be so harmful and helping more people in the mean time.
2. Listen to a News Report on DHMO: Dihydrogen Monoxide Sparks Global Concern (in WebCT).
Monday, June 30, 2008
Blog 4 Podcasts
The educational podcast that I listened to first was a WillowWeb podcast about ants. I thought that it was a great way for the students to get involved with more advanced technology and also a great way for family members to hear their younger student's progress. I thought that it was so creative to make the podcast into a radio station atmosphere and to include a number of students in each podcast made. The jokes about ants made the podcast so kid friendly and fun to listen to. I would like to do a project like that with my students if given the ability and materials to do so. This is a great way for students to show their parents their hard work in a more technology driven and upgraded way.
The second podcast was ColeyCast by Mr. Coley's classroom. I loved the podcast #26 that was a spotlight on poetry. The music in the background made the podcast seem like it was a poetic atmosphere like at a poetry slam. The "Fortunately/Unfortunately Poems" were so funny and the students read with great expression. It was clear that these students are older than the students in the WillowWeb podcasts because of the poetry element. I loved this idea too and would love to incorporate this idea into my classroom. These were both such creative ideas.
The second podcast was ColeyCast by Mr. Coley's classroom. I loved the podcast #26 that was a spotlight on poetry. The music in the background made the podcast seem like it was a poetic atmosphere like at a poetry slam. The "Fortunately/Unfortunately Poems" were so funny and the students read with great expression. It was clear that these students are older than the students in the WillowWeb podcasts because of the poetry element. I loved this idea too and would love to incorporate this idea into my classroom. These were both such creative ideas.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Blog 3 Digital Story Response
The first digital video that I watched in class was the Rainforest video that was made by a classroom of young students. In this video the teacher had the students draw illustrations for the video and narrate the video with various facts that they had learned about the rainforest. I think that this is a great idea to include various different forms of media along with technology to showcase what my students are capable of and what they are learning. I also think that it is a great idea to make this into a video for the parents and families of my students to have access to. The second video that I watched was a video called "Home" about soldiers in the War on Terrorism. This was a more personal video made about someone's personal opinions and appreciation for what they consider to be home. This is something that I feel can be beneficial to a person or a group of people who want to portray an opinion, however, I don't feel that this would be an appropriate or beneficial way to use technology in an early elementary class.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Blog 2 Martin Scorsese Interview
A lot of new and interesting points were made by Martin Scorsese in his interview. I found it interesting that as a small child he noticed differences that could be made by what type of lens a director shot in or the angle that was used that impacted the movie so much. I agree with him that these tools (i.e. angles, lenses, movement, distortion, etc.) are important to a movie or film in the same way that vocabulary is important to literature. The more tools/words you have the more meaningful your work will be. This discussion reminded me of how I could approach my classroom in the near future. Scorsese believes that a student should be "trained" to look at a video or story told in visual terms and interpret what they see as something else. I agree with him because in my opinion students should learn that there is hidden meaning and symbolism all around us in our world and by teaching them to pay attention to how many different ways something such as a scene in a video can be portrayed or viewed they can learn how to appreciate symbolism around them. I can teach this in my classroom through forms of literature or also videos in all kinds of subjects.
I did not agree with Scorsese that it is ok to portray violence in a "reap what you sow" sort of way because I believe that in a classroom that can be harmful to younger children. But I think that he had a lot of good ideas to offer.
I did not agree with Scorsese that it is ok to portray violence in a "reap what you sow" sort of way because I believe that in a classroom that can be harmful to younger children. But I think that he had a lot of good ideas to offer.
Day One Technology Perceptions
1. Who are you and what are you going to teach/do as a result of the degree you're currently seeking?
My name is Nikki Garmany. I am going to be a early childhood educator with my degree from the University of West Georgia. I would love to continue my education and earn my master's degree in either gifted or hearing impaired education.
2. Why are you taking this class and how do you feel about that?
I am currently taking this class because it is required. However, I hope to learn a lot of new ways to incorporate various forms of technology into my classroom to better serve my students.
3. What do teachers/others need to know about supporting learning with technology and why do they need to know it?
It is important for teachers to understand and be familiar with new forms of technology in the classroom that can help their students learn better. Today students are growing up learning technology from an early age and it is important that you as a teacher stay up to date on what your students are familiar with as far as technology.
4. What do you hope to get out of this class?
From this class I hope to learn new and interesting ways to teach my students using technology in my classroom efficiently. I would also like to make an A.
5. What are your strengths and weaknesses when it comes to using
technology?
I like to use the internet and technology to keep in touch with my family and friends that live far away. I feel like my strengths are mostly in how to use things such as my digital camera and my iPod. My weaknesses are mostly in areas of software that I am unfamiliar with because I do not know how to incorporate new software beyond using it for school purposes only.
6. Anything else you'd like to add?
This is my first time taking a summer class. I am excited about getting this semester over with so that I can have a smooth semester and graduate in December! I am also currently debating on whether or not I want to stay in and earn my Master's Degree.
My name is Nikki Garmany. I am going to be a early childhood educator with my degree from the University of West Georgia. I would love to continue my education and earn my master's degree in either gifted or hearing impaired education.
2. Why are you taking this class and how do you feel about that?
I am currently taking this class because it is required. However, I hope to learn a lot of new ways to incorporate various forms of technology into my classroom to better serve my students.
3. What do teachers/others need to know about supporting learning with technology and why do they need to know it?
It is important for teachers to understand and be familiar with new forms of technology in the classroom that can help their students learn better. Today students are growing up learning technology from an early age and it is important that you as a teacher stay up to date on what your students are familiar with as far as technology.
4. What do you hope to get out of this class?
From this class I hope to learn new and interesting ways to teach my students using technology in my classroom efficiently. I would also like to make an A.
5. What are your strengths and weaknesses when it comes to using
technology?
I like to use the internet and technology to keep in touch with my family and friends that live far away. I feel like my strengths are mostly in how to use things such as my digital camera and my iPod. My weaknesses are mostly in areas of software that I am unfamiliar with because I do not know how to incorporate new software beyond using it for school purposes only.
6. Anything else you'd like to add?
This is my first time taking a summer class. I am excited about getting this semester over with so that I can have a smooth semester and graduate in December! I am also currently debating on whether or not I want to stay in and earn my Master's Degree.
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