Feb 14th Blog Assignment

Can Wikipedia Be Trusted

I never thought of Wikipedia as a reliable source of information: The idea of a free encyclopedia where information can and is shared by anyone: "Wikipedia calls itself "the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit,". In a world where Internet access is available to everyone: Who's checking the facts?It is no wonder company's have been caught changing information in there favor and that it is the number one used search engine for fact checking. Why wouldn't huge conglomerates want there consumers going to a search engine where they can edit the facts. Taking this into consideration when checking facts I would stick to .edu's, .gov's, and proven companies and sources such as Webster's, and Encyclopedia Britannica.

To Wikipedia's credit they never claim to be factual. Even Webster's definition of an encyclopedia: "a work that contains information on all branches of knowledge or treats comprehensively a particular branch of knowledge usually in articles arranged alphabetically often by subject." or any other definition of an encyclopedia I could find, claim to be 100 percent factual without error. In any case be careful of information perceived factual displayed on the Internet or otherwise. Being a sceptic is sometimes beneficial, especially when dealing with information mass displayed to a huge audience.

Response to "What I've Learned This Year"

Mr. McClung after his first year teaching in Noel, Missouri makes seven distinct points about what he's learned to be a better educator after his first year.

Point 1.) How to read the crowd, McClung discuss's the importances of when giving a lesson plan how important the crowds reaction is. When giving a lesson it's pointless to ramble on about the information if the students are not focused on or understanding the material. As educators during a lesson we must be able to judge how effective the lecture is being (according to the crowd) and be able to deviate in order to secure positive retention and understanding.

Point 2.) Be Flexible, When teaching we can not hold our lesson-plans and ideas to one unchangeable plan. Every student is different so we must be able to change to be the most effective.

Point 3.) Communicate, As in life communication is key. You have to be able to communicate with your students. If there not doing well; why not? and are you conversing with the student on how they can do better or why they are doing poorly. Knowing the problem is have the battle, once you know what the problem is, its usually easier to fix, communicating with your students will allow more understanding which will promote learning.

Point 4.) Be Reasonable, Lofty expectations lead to crushing failures. Educators want the best for their students and want to teach them as much as possible, by setting realistic, reasonable goals, students and teachers will both be successful and more excited about learning.

Point 5.) Don't be afraid of Technology, Technology is vast becoming the most effective way of teaching. We must embrace these new ideas and teaching tool's to promote the most effective learning environment. We cannot be afraid of thing 's we don't understand, as teachers we must adapt to things that are new and might be scary to us in order to be the best educators we possibly can be.

Point 6.) Listen to your Students, Knowing how a teacher is perceived by a student is key. Yes the teacher teaches but the student learns. If a teacher is not listening to the students learning needs and desires there not being fully effective. Student opinion is so important in regards to there motivation, interest, and excitement towards the material being taught.

Point 7.) Always keep learning, Probably the most important idea Mr. McClung makes. Educators have to always continue learning, if educators fail to learn everyday, how can they expect there students to.

Mr. McClung makes vary astute points on becoming a better educator and I look forward to reading more of his ideas.

Presentation

Comments For Kids Assignment 2

I read Raheel's blog; he talks about how his class is learning how to make cartoons. He list the tool's he used to create his cartoon "bloat, pucker, warp, hue/saturation and selection brush tools". I think its so great that kindergartners are able to use this type of technology. It promotes creativity and learning in today's youth, a issue that is not addressed enough.

February 7th Podcast What I've Learned

Pod casting is one of the newest uses of multimedia to further education. Teachers now can upload lesson's, lectures, and curriculum plans relatively easy on the Internet. This feature allows students access to vital information they may have missed. Parent's now can listen to what their children are being taught on a day to day basis; enabling them to discus what their children are being taught, make sure they understand the material, and make learning at home more effective.

Using podcast and blogging in the classroom promotes innovation, creativity, and interaction. Students who are absent from class can listen to or view assignments missed with ease. The skills learned from using multimedia in the classroom provides a skill set that is now required in our society. Technology will continue to advance. Students must be taught the uses and capacities of such technology so their knowledge does not become obsolete. We must change the views of parents and educators that do not understand the capabilities and benefits that blogging and podcast have.

First Post Comments 4 Kids

I read Taylor's blog for my first assignment. Taylor talks about a good week. Taylor was able to watch surviorman in class. Taylor seems really excited about school and the influences of technology in the classroom. I am interested to read more blogs from students in this class, it's kind of neat to realize even though were so different in age were both doing the same type of assignments.

Response To 3 additional videos for Jan 31 Blog

Response To "They Are First Graders! Are you ready?"

Kathy Cassidy with her first grade class shows the value of creativity to improve literacy in the classroom. Creativity an aspect that is lost when most educators create their class structure. In this video you have first graders who 3 weeks ago were more technological savvy then myself (and still might be). To be honest I could have cared less 3 weeks ago. EDM 310 has changed my views dramatically in a short time. Never really being exposed to technology, multi media, and it's uses. I did not fully understand the advantages. I am just beginning to get my proverbial feet wet with the amercement of technological advances. I am willing to push aside preconceived notions to be able to become the best educator I can be. Any advancements that will promote creativity and learning must be fully exploited by educators to fix the miserable excuse for school systems in the U.S.A.. I applaud the efforts by educators now realize creativity and interest level are the keys to education.

Response To "Little Kids...Big Potential"
This movie shows the benefits of exposure to technology in today's children. First graders are shown blogging and using multimedia tools in the classroom. Not only are the students learning about the influences of technology at a young age they are excited about learning. I remember being in grade school and being excited about a pen pail in another state. Now at such a young age students can connect to all over the world instantly with a click of the keyboard. These students are at an extreme advantage; Not only are they furthering there education at such a young age but their being allotted the uses of inner creativity. Students being excited about learning, teaching, and being creative is the key for education.

Response To "iPhone Used By One Year Old Part 2"
As new uses of technology becomes more prevalent in our ways of lives it will impact today's youth as well. As i grow older technology grows more advanced. I remember when Nintendo was the end all be all of gaming systems, Since the technology outbreak we now have smart phones, Skype, and numerous advances; To many to name. A one year old will never know about Nintendo (dead technology) and the iPhone hes playing with will be outdated probably by the age of 6. Today's youth must be exposed at a early age to technology if they ever hope to stay in times with technology.