Homework Time

Technology Downfalls

2004-12-13T10:42:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I love technology in the classrooms. They make teaching and learning more interesting, they make a lot of the work quicker and easier, and it's fun; however sometimes I feel like it is just not worth it when things go wrong. I have experienced a frustrating situation with my second project example. I worked on it in the lab and could not save it (no disk drive on the computer), I couldn't print it because the computers weren't hooked up to a printer, and my email attachment that I sent to myself and professor from that computer wouldn't even go through. So now I'm stuck. Sometimes I think that technology is only good if you have all the parts and access to everything. There are particular programs or websites that won't run without computer programs like flash, if your computer doesn't have the program that you worked on another computer in you can't save it to your own computer, and there are so many types of computers apple, dell, ect that it feels like every time you sit a computer you have to learn everything all over again because it is so different. Maybe it is just me, but I feel like in this class I have learned a lot about technology, and it is frustrating that I can't figure things out, I just wonder what people that are less knowledgeable about technology are doing. There has got to be a way to fix this problem. Whether it is standardizing everything or just making a standard program that is transferable to many other types of programs I'm not sure; but I do know that when situation like mine occur people are less likely to choose to use technology because there is no guarantee that their hard work will work out.

To the Future Home Ec Teachers

2004-12-10T23:48:00.000-08:00

Now I know that I'm not a home economics teacher but I do teach a cooking class at BYU in the Home and Family Living department. Lately I have been playing around with powerpoint and I came up with this wonderful idea for a class project using powerpoint. It's a technology cookbook. You could separate the class into groups and have them choose a particular category to come up with recipes to contribute to a class cookbook. An example could be: a poultry section, casseroles, family meals, kids recipes, etc. They can be totally creative. Then each person in the group needs to come up with a recipe that they have made or that is a family recipe and the group can create their own powerpoint slides for that category. Then at the end of the semester the students could choose one recipe from their category and make it for the class. When each group does this they could present their section of the cookbook with their recipe and the class can have a huge potluck dinner. The teacher could take all of the slides and create cookbooks for each person in the class with every groups categories in it. It would be fun and educational for the students while implementing technology into their presentation and learning.

Webblogs in Classrooms

2004-12-08T19:09:00.000-08:00

I was reading Brother West's blog today and was intrigued by the examples of classroom blogging. When I was reading the examples I was thinking about ways that I might use webblogs in my own classes in the future. Some of my ideas include:

1. Groups: At the beginning of the semester I would assign the class into blogging groups (similar to what we did in class) and have them share thoughts and study tips throughout the semester. The requirements would be they had to set up their own blogs, they have to blog once a week, and they have to comment on each other's blogs once a week. They can talk about class discussions, upcoming assignments and tests, or anything else they want to.

2. Blogging on the net: This is where they would have an assignment of looking at other people's blogs outside of our classroom and evaluating/reporting on what they found. I think that this will show them the good aspects of blogging and let them see other people and their interests. The students might even find information for reports or projects that could be useful.

3. Connecting to Internet resources: If the class is doing a research paper they can look on my blog and discover resources that I think are appropriate that I found on the net. If they look at my blog they will have an upper hand in the research project.

4. Communicating with the teacher outside of class. I think that blogging is the most effective way to express concerns with the class and allow other students to comment on the same concerns. That way I won't have twenty students asking me about the same situation.

These are just a few ideas, and I'm sure that there are lots of other ways. If anyone has other ideas I would love to hear them if they want to comment on this post.

Blogging Info

2004-12-07T20:05:00.000-08:00

I am actually shocked at how many people actually use blogs. I was going through some of the blogs on the internet outside of our class and I just can't believe how many people blog and all the different issues they use their blogs for. It is each individuals' own webpage without having to go through all the steps to create an actual webpage. Before this class I had never even heard of blogs. I guess it just shows that blogging is a very good idea and can be used in many situations. Problem though. . .if I did do blogging in my classes as a teacher in the future I would be worried about some of the stuff that is posted on blogs. It's just like the rest of the internet and how some information should not be seen because it is not appropriate. I can see why teachers and parents hesitate to use the internet in their classrooms and homes because it is hard to monitor even if you aren't looking for inappropriate websites and webpages. Maybe I am just naive but I never realized what a huge problem the unedited info is, and it is a large problem.

Survey Results

2004-12-06T23:01:00.000-08:00

I have to admit that when I began taking this technology class I thought that it was going to be a total waste of time because I was pretty confident in my computer skills and I just thought the class would be more of a hassle than actual help. But as I was taking the end survey I realized how much the class has helped me. I have learned a few new programs like inspiration that will be very helpful for me and fun for the students in my classes. I also learned more about programs that I already had experience in like excel and photoshop. Overall I think that this class is a very good idea but I have a few recommendations to make the class even better.

1. I really liked the individual projects because it gave each student a chance to learn a technology that they were interested in and therefore would probably use in the future. I only wish that there were more of them. Maybe one more, because it gives the student a chance to learn, at their own pace, and be creative in their assignment.
2. It is sometimes difficult to teach technology because everyone is at different levels. I think that it would be beneficial to have one more TA to assist in explanations of technology and give more one on one help.
3. In the beginning I think the instructor should make sure that everyone understands blogging maybe by setting up blogs in class so that nobody gets behind from the very start and therefore gets frustrated. And make sure that the students understand the importance of checking the teachers blog often because that is where most of the information is obtained.
4. It was frustrating that the lap tops in the classroom didn't have all of the programs on them like photoshop. And a lot of times not every student in the class even received a laptop.
5. I think that it would be beneficial to explain the differences in computers at the beginning of the semester and what particular computers are better for ie. apples vs dell.

Overall I think that this is a good class for every teacher and maybe even every student to take because it modifies not only your teaching techniques but also your personal knowledge about technology and how it can help you.

Interactive Learning

2004-12-05T23:28:00.000-08:00

When I was reading Brother West's blog today I was intrigued by his latest edition concerning split learning between actual classroom teaching and online classes. I have really enjoyed the aspect of the online class this semester because it gives the student the freedom to complete the assignments on their own time while discovering new technologies as they go. However, this idea only works if the student is self-disciplined enough to complete the assignment on their own. Many middle and high school student don't have the technology or the enthusiasm about learning technology like college students do and so the key to interactive learning is to get the student interested which can be difficult at times. The other problem is that technology can sometimes be very unreliable. I know that assignments get lost or sent to the wrong place and then what do you do? Can the teacher always trust that the student actually did the assignment because in most cases you have to give them the benefit of the doubt. Maybe this problem could be solved if you give the students a deadline but they can turn the assignment in before the deadline and should receive a confirmation that their assignment was accepted. If the student chooses to turn in their assignment on the day of the deadline they are choosing to run the risk of having it be late. Overall I really enjoyed exploring and receiving information from the classroom and outside the classroom.

2nd Lesson Plan Overview

2004-11-29T15:28:00.000-08:00

This project is directed toward high school students (9th grade and up). The students will be creating either an anti-smoking or anti-drug advertisement using the internet and photoshop. This project is in the Utah Cirriculum under benefits of living a healthy lifestyle, specific illnesses that are diet related, and my personal lifestyle. The students will need to create an advertisement, and include statistics, origin of drug, and effects (direct and indirect) that they will hand in with their advertisement to ensure there is no false advertising. Some ethical issues that teachers shoudll be aware of with this project include copyright laws on phrases or images that are already used for anti-drug campaigns as well as students copying each other's ideas. The students may brainstorm together but they will each need to create their own projects. I will provide an example of what a finished advertisement should look like and some information on the drug I did.

The Future of Teachers

2004-11-28T22:15:00.000-08:00

Over Thanksgiving I was discussing with my family members what my plans for the future are. I told them that I wanted to teach high school, splitting my classes between history and health and maybe even one culinary class. Then they asked where I wanted to teach and I said I didn't really care. They then proceeded to inform me that I should not teach in Washington (my home state) because of the legislation laws against teachers there. Apparently my aunt who has taught 4th grade for 15 years just got some of her benefits revoked for her family including medical and dental coverage. Plus she is making really low money, even though she has been teaching for so many years and unfortunately she has reached her salary cap for education. My uncle was very outraged at this and it started to make me think about why the government would do such a thing. I mean it only makes since to me that teachers should get paid reasonably well. I mean let's face it they are brain surgeons however they are educating the future doctors, lawyers, and business men of America. Shouldn't they get something for their efforts and their commitment to making this country a wiser place. I know that many of you agree with me but I just wanted to get my opinion out there and vent a bit.

Technology Reflections

2004-11-11T13:39:00.000-08:00

WOW, I never knew there were so many rules for teachers regarding resources and integrating them into teaching methods. There are so many regulations on teachers, even when they are using the resource for educational purposes. I just think that it is really sad that a teach can't use the same video or article for several years in a row. I guess it is somewhat good because it forces teachers to find and research the latest information on particular subjects, but sometimes a person will come across a really great resource and they won't be able to use it over and over again. It seems like you have to ask for permission about everything. One particular subject that I though was very cool and would be useful in a classroom setting was the Creative Commons website for open copyright. I like how each person can set their own regulations on when and who can use their work and it is easy to find resources on practically any subject which keeps the classroom interesting. Another portion of this project that I found surprising was the privacy issues and how easy it is to track someone on the internet. I knew that all of your searching and purchases could be tracked but it is almost scary how easy it is and if that information got into the wrong hands. I found it really beneficial to have the guidelines and suggestions given on their wiki page like not giving your credit card number or social security number over the internet. It is common sense but a very good idea. Overall I though this project was very informative and made me a better consumer as well as a better educator.

Technology Cheating

2004-11-04T16:01:00.000-08:00

While I was looking up information on students using cell phones to cheat in their classes. I am very disturbed at the fact that students use their phones in the classroom to text answers or taking pictures of the tests on their camera phones. But I am even more disturbed to hear that teachers are allowing students to have their phones during tests or in classes. I know that cell phones were not allowed in my high school, and if the teachers saw one they would turn it into the office to be picked up after school. I am not against cell phones or people having them (I have one) but there is no need to be talking on your cell phone at school. Who are the kids suppose to be talking to? All of their friends are at school with them and their parents should be at work. I just think that cell phones do not belong in a classroom setting and if the teachers and school district make this a policy there shouldn't be any problems with cheating through cell or camera phones.

Lesson Plan Overview

2004-10-14T16:04:00.000-07:00

For my lesson plan I thought that it would be really interesting to see the effects of exercise on a person's diet. The students will use excell to measure the amount of calories they consume each day compared to the calories the use in exercise. This project will be a two week program, the first week consisting of keeping a food journal and not exercising. The second week the students will continue to keep the food journal, except they will add an exercise log. Then the students can use graphs to show their calorie intake/expenditure. They will calculate their calories using a calorie counter calculator found on the internet. For this project the students will be using the internet and excell to show the benefits of exercise which is a part of the Utah Standard curriculum under nutrition and healthy lifestyle for the 10th grade. I will participate in this project myself to show an example to the class.

Video Modeling

2004-10-11T15:27:00.000-07:00

Reviews of video modeling on Lindsay's blog. Link to her blog under my blogroll.

BYU

2004-09-24T17:23:00.000-07:00

So today I was observing a high school class for 276R and I was thinking to myself. . .do I really want to be a teacher? I was just wondering why all of you want to be teachers? It's hard work, but you get to help kids all day, there is low pay, but the internal and personal rewards of satisfaction surpass any amount of money. I just wanted to get some imput from others that are in the same place as me right now. By the way is anyone else lost in IP&T?

GO COUGARS!!

Technology Experiences of the Past

2004-09-16T16:27:00.000-07:00

Growing up I had many experiences with technology. I was fortunate enough to be in a school setting where all of my schools from elementary through high school had sufficient technology for the students and the teachers to use. My first experience was at Lake Tapps Elementary School where the students were required to use computers to assist them in learning reading and typing skills. I remember the teacher placing a piece of paper over our hands when we were learning so that we couldn't watch our fingers. It was difficult at first and the programs that we used were complicated and very difficult. I remember that I was struggling with the typing programs but fortunately the technology helped me to become fastering in my skills and when I achieved my goal I felt satisfied with the work that I put into it. The teachers also used technology to keep track of grades and handouts that benefited both them and the students in learning efficiently.

In high school technology was a much bigger part of my learning environment. It seemed that my high school career revolved around whatever technology project I was working on that week. I was really involved in a club and class called Vis Com (visual communications) which consisted of learning how to use computers for graphic design, screen printing, video production, sticker making, photography, and whatever else the student wanted to do. I was a member of the club all four years of high school. During that time I worked on many projects from designing and printing shirts for the school sports and club teams,
As I progressed in my schooling I remember more and more uses of technology in teaching. My teachers in middle school would use computers, video tapes, and other resources to broaden the knowledge learned, especially in areas like science and english. There was a technology club and a required computer literacy class that every student had to accomplish before graduating. In this course we learned the effectiveness of the internet, how to create a website, how to use particular progress like word, excell, and powerpoint. Unfortunately this class was the main course where we incorporated the technology that we learned, and much of the information was wasted and forgotten. If the teachers assigned projects or incorporated the programs that we learned in our technology class into their own classes I think that the information would have been a greater benefit to the students. We also used video morning announcements in middle school. The student body president and the rest of the ASB would create a video each week that was played every morning througout the week. This video consisted of small skits, announcements for the day, and major events that were occuring throughout the school and the community. It was a fun way to get the students involved in technology, and also a great way to remind the teachers and students of events happening that day.

All throughout high school I felt like my life revolved around technology. Whether I was writing a paper or working on a video for my spanish class, we used technology in almost every classrrom. I was very involved in the vis com (visual communications) club all four years of high school so I was constantly working on projects for the class. I designed and printed shirts for the sports and clubs in the school, created CD covers for local bands, produced my own snowboarding videos, shot and alterned digital pictures for several students senior photographs, and I worked on an hour long video for the senior class. This video was a memorial of the year and had footage from every event with music dubbed over it. The process took the whole year but in the end I think that the student body was happy with the results.

So as you can see I have had a lot of experience with technology throughout the last 15yrs of my life and I know that through technology I am able to increase my knowledge everyday.

Rules of Thumb

2004-09-16T16:24:00.000-07:00

1. When using technology you must always make sure that you as the teacher know how to effectively use the technology you are teaching.

2. Make sure that each one of the students is using what they learned through the technology rather than just finishing whatever project they are working on and throwing it away.

3. Have the students work together on technology projects so that they learn from eachother and avoid frusteration

Homework Time

2004-09-15T21:25:00.000-07:00

I think that I finally figured out this whole blog thing. I promiss that tomorrow I will be totally caught up on the homework so that you can comment and stuff. I have just been so busy this week, really hecktic for me. Is anyone going to the game on Sat.? I missed the ND game and I know that I am not going to miss this one. I just hope we don't get totally creamed. You never know though. I think that is one of my favorite things about sports, nobody knows what the end result is going to be. Go BYU!!