Well I hate to say it, but sometimes I dislike being the one that understands and can tolerate technology. Yesterday was one of those days that I can say I wish I was technology illiterate. I was super frustrated with everything technological at my site. First of all, we adopted a new Social Studies series that is more technologically savvy. The only downfall is, many of the teachers are not as technologically savvy. Therefore, I am left to do much of the work. Once problem--our series comes with a dvd to introduce lessons. The DvDs don't work correctly in classrooms because many of the remotes to the dvd players are missing. Thus, we cannot skip past the intro. Some teachers tried to solve that problem by purchasing a universal remote. The problem does not stop here though. Apparently, we can program these dvds onto our schoolwide DUKANE system, however I was only trained for one hour in the system last year and since then forgot about it. I tried emailing district tech people, but was not too successful in getting a response. I did end up putting a bug in their ear and it was some how magically fixed. I was about ready to send out an email to everyone to explain how to access the video on demand but then found out that it runs for 5 min and shuts off. I hit another dead end. I cannot wait 'til this is fixed.
Other problems included helping people search the web to installing speakers. Gosh..Maybe I should get a part time job in the technology field. I think I could make a pretty penny.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Monday, August 27, 2007
New Website!
This past weekend I visited Todd and he helped me to create a website with a more professional look. Initially I went to visit him so that he could show me how to use editable regions, but let me tell you I learned a whole lot more. First of all I completely scrapped my inital site...I learned that things have changed from when I initially took a web design class--- tools (like a table ). What I can say is now is that tables are a thing of the past and CSS is the latest trend in the Internet. While all I really know about CSS is that it stands for Cascading Style Sheets, I know that it is probably something important for me to learn in the future. The main lesson I learned is that technology is hard to keep up with because it is constantly changing.
Well I've been talking about my new and improved site so check it out!
Well I've been talking about my new and improved site so check it out!
Practicing embedding
Don't worry....this has nothing to do with our class....Our first story that we read in school was called Akiak. The story is about a dog who runs in the Iditarod race in Alaska. I was looking for a Youtube video to supplement a lesson and this was my effort to embed. :)
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
First Day Back
Well I am going to have to admit that this will be a challenging year and it will be about finding balance. I started school yesterday! How can I achieve balance. Well I think that the first month will be about trial and error finding what works for me and what does not work for me.
As I reflected yesterday, I realized that I have a very different group from last years class. This year they put me with the GATE cluster. It shall be interesting because this is my first year teaching a class with GATE students. I'm up for the chalenge though.
We began our day with the usual beginning of the school year routines and procedures. It was not until the end of the day though, that I realized, the assignments completed yesterday were all about reflection of themselves. I thought that this was cool since it is something we are working on in OMET. The students reflected on why they were important, identified their strengths using Gardner's multiple intelligences and how they could use that strength to contribute to our class, as well as creating a ME bag. I'm looking for more ways for the children to reflect!
As I reflected yesterday, I realized that I have a very different group from last years class. This year they put me with the GATE cluster. It shall be interesting because this is my first year teaching a class with GATE students. I'm up for the chalenge though.
We began our day with the usual beginning of the school year routines and procedures. It was not until the end of the day though, that I realized, the assignments completed yesterday were all about reflection of themselves. I thought that this was cool since it is something we are working on in OMET. The students reflected on why they were important, identified their strengths using Gardner's multiple intelligences and how they could use that strength to contribute to our class, as well as creating a ME bag. I'm looking for more ways for the children to reflect!
Monday, August 20, 2007
Edutopia---reflection
After reading much of Edutopia, I further investigated the technology system within our district. I thought we were really far behind, but in actuality, we have the capability to do be technolgoy--savvy. I realized that we have a technology plan (I thought was non-existent), that is to be implemented over the span of 4 years 2006-2009. I also realized that much of our School District tries to implement many uses of technology, however, teachers do not follow through back at their sites or within their classroom. I really question what we can do about it. It is truly sad to say that we have the resources to be one of those schools in Edutopia, but we don't utilize them.
One other realization, one of the fifteen schools within our district is like one of those listed in Edutopia. I did not realize this, but some of the uppergrade classrooms at this school had handhelds with wireless keyboard attachements. How cool is that? Wow, I think I might have to pay a visit to this school. Apparently, they just won a grant to go visit Mircrosoft's headquarters to see how technology is implemented in that school. I dream of making my school like that!
One other realization, one of the fifteen schools within our district is like one of those listed in Edutopia. I did not realize this, but some of the uppergrade classrooms at this school had handhelds with wireless keyboard attachements. How cool is that? Wow, I think I might have to pay a visit to this school. Apparently, they just won a grant to go visit Mircrosoft's headquarters to see how technology is implemented in that school. I dream of making my school like that!
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Similarities and Change
As I sit here thinking, I am finding some similarities with the layout of this program to those of my classroom. Right now I am feeling much frustration because only one of my assignments is complete. Each of these assignments is ongoing and I feel as if there are so many different places to check for "mail" in each class as well as add information to. I'm constantly checking my email, Moodle, and Blackboard, and Wiki, looking for things that I can add. At times I feel overwhelmed and don't know where to even begin with these assignments. I feel as if I have to be there to watch these changes take place and then promptly respond. I know that this is part of the learning process and it is my perfectionism that is in the way. If I had it my way, I would work on one assignment at a time.
How is this similar to my classroom? Well, it is just like the ongoing projects in the classroom. Students all finish at a different pace and there are often many projects going on at once. Even at work, this frustrates me. I have learned to deal with this part of my job, and will learn to deal and understand the process of the layout of my grad classes.
How is this similar to my classroom? Well, it is just like the ongoing projects in the classroom. Students all finish at a different pace and there are often many projects going on at once. Even at work, this frustrates me. I have learned to deal with this part of my job, and will learn to deal and understand the process of the layout of my grad classes.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Magic!!
It has been awhile since I have been able to post. Between all of the reading and checking the various places assignments are posted, I thought I lost my head. This past week was especially crazy because I had some difficulty with the program that I was using to create my webgift. Luckily, I worked it all out within a days time and proceeded to get things accomplished. I feel a lot better now that at least one assignement is completed and turned in. Also, I was able to post on wiki, blackboard, and moodle and feel confident with my posts. I think I am now beginning to understand this program a little better, but I still feel as if I am about to go bonkers if I am away from my computer for more than 10 min. Trying to find a balance is critical.
This past weekend I found some of that balance. My cousin was in LA on business and I stayed at the hotel with her to keep her company (She stayed in Beverly Hills) I told her that I would be staying in most of the time because I had work in both classes to complete. Well needless to say, I feel like I got more work completed and she even managed to get me out for a little fun!
On Saturday, my cousin invited me to attend an event on Rodeo Dr. that her company was participating in. This event was an AIDS awareness event and brought out many celebrities including Paul Pierce, Barron Davis, Stevie Wonder and Magic Johnson. Not only were these social icons here to have fun, they were here to raise awareness and money for AIDS cause. The event was very memorable and I will never forget the moment that I met Magic.
Magic Johnson has been living with AIDS for the last 15 years. He was diagnosed with the disease while playing for the Lakers. Unfortunately, the disease forced him to retire early. The media did not portray Magic in a good way once he was diagnosed. It took him awhile to "battle" their ridicule. This ridicule did not stop Magic from doing what was right. He decided to use his celebrity power to raise money and awareness about this life-threatening disease. Magic's persistence is a great model for today's society.
I really thought about how Magic Johnson related to the technical world. Yeah, it might be a stretch, but I see a correlation with technology. Some of today's society feels that technology is not beneficial and cannot be used effectively in schools. I think with persistence and stepping outside of the box and promoting awareness about its effectiveness will help change that opinion. Just like Magic was persistent with getting the word out about AIDS, We techies can get the word out about technology and change the opinions of the people.
)
This past weekend I found some of that balance. My cousin was in LA on business and I stayed at the hotel with her to keep her company (She stayed in Beverly Hills) I told her that I would be staying in most of the time because I had work in both classes to complete. Well needless to say, I feel like I got more work completed and she even managed to get me out for a little fun!
On Saturday, my cousin invited me to attend an event on Rodeo Dr. that her company was participating in. This event was an AIDS awareness event and brought out many celebrities including Paul Pierce, Barron Davis, Stevie Wonder and Magic Johnson. Not only were these social icons here to have fun, they were here to raise awareness and money for AIDS cause. The event was very memorable and I will never forget the moment that I met Magic.
Magic Johnson has been living with AIDS for the last 15 years. He was diagnosed with the disease while playing for the Lakers. Unfortunately, the disease forced him to retire early. The media did not portray Magic in a good way once he was diagnosed. It took him awhile to "battle" their ridicule. This ridicule did not stop Magic from doing what was right. He decided to use his celebrity power to raise money and awareness about this life-threatening disease. Magic's persistence is a great model for today's society.
I really thought about how Magic Johnson related to the technical world. Yeah, it might be a stretch, but I see a correlation with technology. Some of today's society feels that technology is not beneficial and cannot be used effectively in schools. I think with persistence and stepping outside of the box and promoting awareness about its effectiveness will help change that opinion. Just like Magic was persistent with getting the word out about AIDS, We techies can get the word out about technology and change the opinions of the people.
)
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