Is the weekend here yet?

What a week it has been for me! I am so ready for the weekend. I got my nerve up today and resigned my position from Faculty Senate chairperson. I contemplated it for days, but I finally decided it was best for me as well as my students. With college and teaching along with all the other hats I wear daily, being the chairperson was making me on overload.

the end is here

I finished my class tonight..What a learning experience it has become..I have learned so much in such a short time..My next class starts tomorrow night..Six more to go and I have my masters..YES!

Piaget discussion

This week I realized that the philosphy of education lies in how the educator presents the material to the learner. In the past, most classrooms were taught in a lecture setting. Students were passively learning  material through rote memorization, repetitions, and drills. Today, the educator actively engages the students through various strategies and technological advancements. The challenges lie in making a well balanced approach to learning and still convey to the learner the necessary skills to be an effective 21st century learner. As a teacher, I have used a variety of styles and strategies in my teaching throughout the years. One thing I have tried to stress to my students is the importance of learning for tomorrow.  Students need to develop lifelong learning strategies to achieve success.

week 5 summary

Wow, what a week of learning! I was able to see various sites such as Facebook, Ning, and PBworks created  from my classmates. Reviewing each site gave me insight on how to tweek my individual accounts. I was impressed with the various wikis. Also, I joined several groups created by my class on Facebook. I  had created a Delicious account earlier in one of my other classes. I am truly impressed with the possibilites of this site. It makes life easier for usage of great internet favorites. Plus, I get to save some of the classmates choices of bookmarks that I feel will benefit me in my job.  The article I had to read about brains being rewired really made me think about how my life has evolved throughout the years.  I don't believe my brain has been rewired. I think it has just been upgraded to the next level of learning. Multitasking is definitely becoming my friend.  When I had to write a letter to my principal about social networking sites, I had some reservation about the assignment. I don't believe in young children being allowed on such sites. Consequently, I wrote my assignment on younger versions of such sites that are safer for internet privacy. Finally, I had to answer some questions pertaining to microblogging. For this class, I have discovered that Twitter can be useful somewhat, but for me I just feel it is another way to have short conscise blogs.

Week 4-summary

During this week, I found that I was becoming overwhelmed with the various sites I had to upgrade for my assignments. My Facebook account is utilized daily. I often sign on to my Facebook account to keep up with my friends and family daily postings. I also enjoy the various applications such as Quiz Monster and playing the various games. As for educational applications, I have to admit not until this class, I had not realized how many there are on this social bookmarking site. I plan on reviewing several of them more.
I wasn't impressed with Ning. It turned me away immediately when it required a credit/debit card.  After I gave in to signing up a trial account, I reviewed some of the applications it offered. I did like the ability to add videos differently than Facebook. I also found some good educational tools. However, both sites are blocked in my school. So it is needless for me to use with my students or further investigate applications that will help my students' learning.
PBworks impressed me with its various pages to add. I can see this being a great site for me to continue to use with my students. Wikis are definitely an educational tool that I feel will benefit student learning.
After reading the article, Minds on Fire, I thought about how a car drives off a lot and depreciates its value. Educators need to be up to par when it comes to providing the learning and skills needed for our todays' students. Multitasking is everywhere. When I was younger, I never thought I could work on an assignmnet on the computer using the internet as a reference, answer the cell phone, watch television, and still bounce back and forth to Facebook chatting with my friends. Today, as a 48 year old woman, I am learning to become successful in doing these tasks somewhat. Such places as Second Life, allow for social learning for individuals without ever leaving their living room. Times have changed. Evolving into the future means willing to accept the changes and adapt to them. As an effective teacher, I must be better prepared to do this and most importantly willing to do this as well.

Ning Account- Week 3 Assignment

This week I started a Ning account for my class. This social bookmarking site has some similarities like Facebook, but for the most part it is somewhat different. I am still exploring the various applications to add to my page. I really like looking for educational applications to use with my students or fellow teachers. I am curious if this site is blocked as well at school. I hope not. It seems like it might be better to use to share with my parents. However, with it requesting credit/debit card information then it is highly unlikely that I will be able to get parents to create a page of their own. I would like to look for a good social bookmarking site that is free and great to use with my students and parents.

Week 3 Facebook Summary-EDU 651

Facebook has become a world wide social journal.  With daily postings, updated status, uploading pictures, various links and applications, and keeping in contact with family and friends, it has become my favorite place to go online. When I was younger, a key locked away personal feelings and daily activities. Today with social bookmarking, the only key is joining and accepting friend invitations. I have found a major setback with this site. It often becomes a gripe session, pity outbursts, or "drama" queens.  On a personal note, I try to not be negative on my postings. There have been times I will make general comments about how others say inappropriate or negative remarks about an issue or status. I have always had a way about showing my feelings in unsarcastic tone. Another negative problem I feel is the allowance of young children to have accounts and be exposed to a number of adult applications not suitable for them. Without careful supervision, allowing your child on this site under the age of 13 is asking for major problems in the long run. Alas, in my opinion, no child under the age of 18 should be given full privileges to the internet for any reason without parental involvement.  I would not be saying this comment if I hadn't experienced the dangers of children on the internet.
This week we read an article about a teacher being in trouble for making a remark about her school. This type of incident touches a fine line of freedom of speech. In my opinion, a teacher needs to be careful what she says or writes when it comes to school related issues. However, Facebook is a site where you can voice anything that you want, whether good or bad, job related or personal matters. I believe that she could be reminded of this from her administrator, but I don't believe she should have been disciplined or even fired. Just about any teacher I have ever known one time or another has said something about school related issues or children.  I can't remember a time any of them were fired, but I do remember some being reprimanded for some severe instances.  While a teacher is at work, his/her job is to effectively instruct students to better prepare them for the 21st century. When he/she is at home, that is for the most part their private time.
On a positive note, Facebook can be very moving and encouraging for others. Prayer groups have seen great miracles of God. Looking at pictures of your family and friends that you haven't seen in many years allows you to keep up with the growth and changes in them.  Keeping up with the accomplishments and daily lives can make you feel like you are a part of their lives.
The wide variety of applications offered on Facebook is amazing. The beauty with these choices you are not obligated automatically to use them. I like the fact you can pick and choose what fits your personality and interests.
All in all, in every internet site, there will be pros and cons to the usage of them. It is up to the individual whether or not they feel it suits their needs or enjoyment.

Edu 651: Week 2 summary

What an amazing, busy week! I was stressed Sunday and Monday last week worrying I wouldn't be able to complete my assignment for week 1. Then I came home to my books and was able to do my assignment staying up to the last few minutes of the posting timeframe. On Tuesday night, I realized I had to read the entire book for week 2's discussions. As I read page to page, I saw the vast amount of information was getting me excited about setting up my wiki to be completed for week 4. The biggest concern I had besides actually creating the wiki was what the wiki was going to be about. I bounced from one idea to another. Then when I took my students into the lab Wednesday and had them to log on to coolmath-games, I knew what the wiki would be. One main thing the students always ask me about computer lab is, “Can we do a fun math site?” Often I will search online myself for a few days before computer lab for a site or sites that focuses on the needs of my students. What better ways to meet those needs than to have the students look for the sites themselves? Let’s face it! They are the ones who will be playing them. So I decided to create a workplace for the students to add online math sites to use based on their level.

When I read Using Wikis for Online Collaboration: The Power of the Read-Write Web by James and Margaret West, I found that wikis are great tools to allow students not only share information but describe it and collaborate with other classmates. After listing their math sites, the students can edit, add, or delete information pertinent to the assignment. While reading about wikis, I realized that there are pros and cons to using them. I believe the biggest concern of any online activity is the security and copyright issues. Also, a wiki needs to be created with careful planning and organization. Along with guidance of an instructor, balancing workload, and developing trust will produce an effective, engaging wiki.

Three of the chapters in this book, discussed three different projects that can be created as a workspace for wikis. They are Knowledge Construction, Critical Thinking, and Contextual Application. I have chosen to do the resource bank under knowledge construction with my math wiki for my students. I told my students today that I needed them to start searching the web to help me create a great resource site for us to use at school as well at home. At the present, our school TIS has created a portaportal site which is similar to a wiki resource workspace. Teachers have password access to add to this site. Check out the site when you get a chance to see some great online tools to use. http://guest.portaportal.com/newriverelementary

All in all, I have found that with any tool to use whether it’s textbooks or wikis, the only way to successful learning is to make sure it is user-friendly and relevant to the learner’s needs.

Reference:

West, J.A. and West, M.L. (2009). Using wikis for online collaboration: The power of the read-
write web. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

wiki confusion

Today I tried to do my wiki and I felt like I was getting no where.  It upsets me, but I can't let it defeat me.  I am going to get some rest tonight. Get up early to go to teach at summer school. Then I will come home and after supper get ready for some serious homework.  I really want to continue to keep my 4.0.  However, I must think rationally and know that as long as I do my best then I am doing 4.0 regardless.

Troubles

i learned something very important this morning..i need to praise the Lord for my troubles and not complain..Amen

new twitter account

Check out my twitter:  I am getting so tech savvy..lol..im lovin it..
http://twitter.com/fulloflovetogiv

pray for my friend

Sad day for a friend of the family..his son was killed the other day...only 19 years old..was hit head on by a coal truck driver..the driver said he was distracted when he went in justins lane..and now his parents and the rest of the family have to say goodbye to him..please pray for them..tough situation..

Summer school starting

Well through college classes, spending time with family and friends, and working on my home, time has flown by for me. Tomorrow starts summer school for two weeks. Then one week off the first of August. A content academy class from August 9-13th. Then back to work for the year on August 18th. Where has the summer gone?! I have to find some time to get away for some R&R with my man. Any suggestions?

Father's day

Tomorrow will be Father's Day. As I think about my father, I remember so many things he said, he did, and most importantly, he gave. You ask me what did he give? He gave me times of happiness, times of sadness, times of hope, times of despair, times of love, and times of hate. Each time I felt these things, I knew that I would learn something through them all. And now that he is gone, and I miss him so much, I know he is still with me watching over me and I pray he is proud of me and my accomplishments. I pray only that someday when I leave this earth that I may be with him enjoying the love of our Savior together. I love you Dad!

end of the year

Well, school's out! The kiddies are home for the summer and I'm doing spring cleaning in my classroom. After 25 years, I have accumulated so much "stuff". I finished my first class of college too. I made a 99 and I am so happy about that. Now I am working on my next class, and I seem to like pretty much so far. I can't believe this time next year I will be receiving my masters at the end of june, 2011. That is so great!

very long day!

Today has seemed so long. Thank goodness, I am off tomorrow. It's primary election day. It's hard to keep the student's attention these last few days. I feel they are excited about school coming to an end for this year. We only have 18 school days left. This year has went so quickly. Tomorrow, I plan on sleeping past 5a.m. Then get busy on this week's assignments and grade some papers.

half way there

Well this is the end of the third week of school. I can't believe it has went so fast. I have learned so much as well. I am anxious to use some of the great learning technologies my classmates have shared. Here's hoping a great weekend to everyone!

Busy Monday

Today has been so busy! It started at 5am and it hasn't slowed down yet. I didn't get to be outside very long and that was depressing. I must get outside tomorrow and spend time unwinding.

Working on my masters

Well it's a Sunday. The wind is blowing, the sun is peeping out of the clouds every now and then, and the smell of rain is in the air. Got to Love It!

As I look out my big picture window I see the beauty and thinking wish I was out there enjoying it, but alas, I have decided to go back to college and get my masters. I'm excited but it has kept me busy with my teaching career and doing homework. Balancing act has become my friend the last week and I'm praying I haven't bit off more than I can chew. I do so want to succeed and further my horizons, but hopefully soon I will adapt more with the load of college work and school work. Amen!

What a beautiful day!

Today has been beautiful here in my home town. The sun is out and its green everywhere. I just love spring! So what my allergies bother me! I'm enjoying the beauty of my surroundings. God has created a masterpiece!