Blog Number 5- Week 14

Wow I never realized that schools were obligated to offer online courses for students who wanted to take; them let alone elementary schools being obligated to offer these different online courses, I always thought if a school offered them it was an advantage I did not know that it is mandatory for schools to offer them.  I have not heard of any schools that publicize this information to its students, I even asked my nieces and nephews and they said they have never had any of their teachers bring up an online course. Districts are already so overwhelmed with all that is going on in the education system right now I do not see how schools/teacher will be fully equipped and trained on these different online courses that need to be offered, teachers already have so much on their late it will be difficult to make the time on getting them prepared for it. Let alone many school districts have a very low budget for spending especially for technology, if a school provides an online course they are required to provide enough computers  for the students and have the latest technology on their device, I’m not sure how lower income schools will provide these features for students.  These changes are going to take at least a couple of years for districts to start following, I feel as if schools will not provide these services until they get in trouble a few times for not providing students with this opportunity.  If schools are not advertising and promoting these courses how will students even know they are allowed to enroll in these courses?   The school I am at right now is a K-8 private school and offers no such courses even if a student was to ask to be enrolled in an online class our school would not provide that for the student, being a private school we are not funded by the government so rules and regulations might be different I’m not quite sure.  

Post Number 2- Online Learning

Based on the readings we were required to read, I feel as if I covered a basic amount of what online schooling actually is although, I did miss a lot. I researched deeper then the articles that we were required to read and saw that many different places offer a full-time online program although an article we were required to read talks about cyber learning, I never felt as if there was certain times you were required to be participating in a online program. 

When starting college in 2006 I was super excited to take an online course because I always heard about the number seven myth that online classes were much easier. With it being my first year of college I was super excited to have an easy class, but that defiantly was not the case my online course was a million times harder and required a tremendous amount of participation and interaction with classmates, I definitely agree number 7 is a myth. 

I've always said I would never want my children to participate in a online school because they would be socially awkward especially at such a young age, with that being said I am totally wrong. I know agree with the truth about number 4, now that I have been taking more and more of these online course I feel as if I have gotten to know my classmates way better then I've ever gotten to know any of my classmates in a class setting, you are required to interact much more with students in a online course.  Also, I believe with the fact that typically most students only take 1 or 2 classes this allows students to focus and give their fully attention to these courses. 

Online schooling has come a long way and follows all state standards and requirements, I definitely have changed my views about online schooling and would consider having my children take online courses in the near future, they are looking to build a future for all different types of students. 

Post # 1- Online Learning

Online Learning is a bit new to me; I know very little about the topic but am not even sure if that is actually what Online Learning is, I hope to learn more about this topic in our upcoming unit. With  that being said I am eager to learn more about this topic due to the increase of schools advertising online learning, many programs and schools advertise receiving a diploma without even stepping foot in a building seems pretty impressive ugh.  I actually feel as if our Instructional Technology Program at Wayne State University could be considered an online schooling, we are able to receive a degree without even having to attend classes at the university we are able to complete all assignments virtually and electronically.


Also, if I had to explain what online learning with the knowledge I have I would say it's done of your computer or anywhere you are able to receive wireless internet,  I don't believe there is a school you actually attend. A variety of students are able to attend online schools; parents who want to home school their children, students who failed to receive a high-school diploma or students who are to busy supporting a family and are unable to attend classes. I feel as if online schools are a good thing for our upcoming future it still allows children and adults to receive an educational background incase they are unable to attend school due to certain circumstances, as long as that individual is willing to strive higher to receive the knowledge they are looking for.

Post #2 - Judging the Quality of Wikis and Non-vetted Sites

As far as using Wikipedia as liable sources for research that I am conducting I would have to say that is a negative, I do not use it as a reliable source nor do I use it when I am teaching my students.  I have never really been a fan of Wikipedia because all through my educational years all of my teachers always instilled it in my head that Wikipedia was not a reliable source, and is considered to have bias opinions towards different issues. Dr. Siko mentions that anyone including myself can upload things to Wikipedia, I’m sure some individuals have strong views on a topic and will write what they believe and then you have some people who would never even think to upload something.  With that being said I would not let my students use Wikipedia as a valuable sources, I will remind students that if they find something on Wikipedia they will have to verify this information through a liable source to make sure this information is reliable.

I must say I am a huge fan of YouTube and use it on a daily basis inside and out of the classroom, although I do not use it when conducting a research projects I use it more as a guide to what I already know.  Anyone can post videos on YouTube that’s right but before I play a video to my students I watch the video to make sure what I am trying to teach them is accurate and appropriate. When working with Pre-K students it’s very important to use visuals and I feel as if YouTube does just that for me, also when teaching my students letter sounds and numbers YouTube have many educational videos that teach just that.  I wouldn’t mind if my students used YouTube as guide for the research they are conducting, it could be a good recourse for them. Also, I encourage my students to watch these educational songs with their parents are home, students love singing and following along and these videos on YouTube allow them to do just that. 

Post #1 - Building and Refining your PLN

RSS Accounts

I have chosen these 3 different bogs to talk about because I feel as if they could benefit me as a teacher.

http://www.pre-kpages.com/blog/

I selected pre-k pages as a blog because of the way the blog is designed the owner Mrs. Levin has done a very well job proving details and making it easily accessible. If you are searching for a certain thing she has a search box that will direct you straight to it, her tabs are always very well organized making very easy. 

http://catholicblogger1.blogspot.com/p/to-z-pre-k-k-bible-stories.html

The second blog I've chosen to add to my RSS reader is the catholic blogger, this blog provides me with many different religious activities to do in  my pre-k class. I tend to have a very hard time finding religious activities and crafts to provide in the classroom and this blog not only does that but also provides me with many amazing prayers to go with the crafts. It also helps me find religious books that will go with the content we are learning about. 

http://blogs.preknow.org/insideprek/technology/

The third blog I've chosen to add to my RSS reader is the Pre know, this blog provides many different ways to include technology into a lesson and different read along to provide with a lesson.  Being new to the IT program I am still learning a lot about technology and the amazing tools the web 2.0 provide also the amazing apps that can integrate in the classroom, this blog provides me with additional knowledge on IT. 

Twitter Accounts 

@KidsStudying

I have chosen to follow kids studying because I believe reading is the number one fundamental to learning and this twitter focuses a lot about the importance’s of reading.

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@MattBGomez

I’ve chosen to follow this Kindergarten teacher because he tweets lots of motivating quotes as well as beautiful pictures. He speaks a lot about his day and is very honest about it.

@shannonmmiller 

I’ve chosen to follow because she is a K-12 Liberian and has lots of knowledge on different topics; she also does a lot of chats through her twitter.

@coolcatteacher 

Cool cat teacher is a great tweeter account to follow I actually also follow her blogging around. She tweets lots of different motivational articles as well as different student centered activities. She reminds us that it is important for the students to interact with one another and how the mind works.

@MomSpark 

 

Is a mom who knows a lot about children and working with the young ones this twitter account really helps, she always tweets a lot about arts and crafts which is great for Pre-K.

As far as using these different tools in my classroom so far has been a little tough because my co teacher and I set our calendar a month in advance, so this have made it very difficult to use the different information I've been provided with from twitter and my RSS reader account. Although I have seen a few different crafts on pointers that I have included in my classroom.

Unit 2 Web 2.0/ Blog Number 2

I am a Pre-Kindergarten teacher at Our Lady of Refuge and with the growth of technology around our world I try and connect technology into as many lessons as I could. With my students being so young it is sometimes a little tough to connect technology into a lesson, but then at times I am happy my students do not have access to the different web 2.0 applications that are available to our society.  I sometimes believe the different applications that are provided through web 2.0 cause low self-esteem in students; they are trying to live in an image that they are seeing on the internet.  If I was a 4^th grade or older teacher I would definitely use the different web 2.0 applications that are provided for us, it is very beneficial with communicating with parents as well as students. With this being said since I am a Pre-Kindergarten teacher I am going to step back into time and think about my student teaching experiences a second grade teacher and think about how I could adapt web 2.0 using the RAT method in my different lessons.

            R (Replacement) – I am a 2^nd teacher at McGregor elementary and today we will be focusing on writing to our pen pals through our blog board. Although we use to hand write our letters and send them off to our pen pals, I have decided to switch things up and have the students enhance their keyboard and computer skills. With the beauty of web 2.0 students are now able to communicate quickly and efficiently with their pen pals through google blogs, students in the past have seemed to really enjoy writing to their pens pals using the blog. Let’s be honest who wouldn’t with the students being part of the Gen-Edge generation they were born into a technology world and enjoy using these different types of features.

       A (Amplification) - I teach 2^nd grade at McGregor elementary and am going to be teaching a lesson on science, students are required to do a science experiment at home by creating a volcano. The student goes home are realizes he lost his worksheet on what he is supposed to do, he starts to panic because the project is due tomorrow.  His mother reminds him that his teachers post all her assignments on her Wiki account and if he ever needs help his teachers provides everything on this website.  Jason screams with joy and accesses his teachers Wiki account, he is now provided with all the details about the project and what needs to be done, Jason now recalls his teacher reminding them to causes her Wiki account to see examples as well as steps by step instructions on how to create a volcano.  With the simple Web 2.0 applications Jason was able to complete his project and get the full knowledge he needed.

T (Transformation) - I am a second grade teacher at McGregor elementary and just assigned a group project on global warming, students have been working very hard but do not seem to have enough time to complete their projects in class, and they are also not able to get all the resources they need to complete their project.  The students are freaking out because they are not able to get together before the project is due; the students have come to me and asked if they can have an extension to turn in their project at a later time. I let the students know that they should not panic or be alarmed, with the beauty of web 2.0 I have created a blog where students can communicate and post their work at any hour of the day, with this blog group members can share their ideas and work at any time; we know longer have to worry or stress about not being able to work together. 

Unit 1/Blog Number 1

Over the past few decades our society has dramatically changed; some may believe it is for the better and others may disagree children are no longer the way they once were, children now a days try and act as adults and older than their age.  The video presentation and readings discussed the different cultural change and generational values of our society.  As a Pre-Kindergarten teacher at a private school I believe I have seen all the different characteristics that the authors have decried plus much more, children are now brought into a digital world and it’s the parents responsibility to allow it and monitor it; I feel as if my students who are 4 and 5 use a computer better than most adults I know. Students enter my classroom bringing in I-Pads and I-Pods and are fully familiar in how to operate these devices without any help, when presenting a lesson my students always ask if we can do it on the computer they love the technology aspect of teaching and always seem to be engaged more when using technology to teach. As for myself I feel as if I am very dependent on the on the internet as well, I live and dream Pinterest although Pinterest is not the only internet usage I depend on; it has become really bad even if I know something I still look it up, I know it’s not something I should be proud of but it is how I have become over the past 3 or 4 years.  The Gen-Edge generation has been described to have less trust and less of an opportunity, I do feel as if students are becoming even more less trusting with their peers but feel as if they have more of an opportunity to build as an individual.  Students now a days are very spoiled and pretty much have their parents wrapped around their fingers, I remember when I was growing up if my teacher had to talk to my parents about my behavior I got in trouble for it but, now a days when I talk to a parents about a student’s behavior I am the first one the parents blame; so how is the child going to build trust in other individuals if their parents are not demonstrating trust, I have lots of students who answer back and never feel as if they are wrong because there are no consequences when going home. Being a younger teacher helps me connect and build trust with my students; when students use certain slang or sing a certain song I am able to understand and connect to them this makes the student feel comfortable and open up to me. Although, I am able to multi-task pretty well it still does not compare to the  way the Gen-Edge population is able to multi-task, students could be playing on their I-Pads, listening to music, having a full conversation and  will still able to respond to you if you ask them a question. I believe it is already bad enough the way our new generation of kids are being brought up into this world I just honestly just hope it does not get any worse than it already is, my biggest fear of having children is raising them into this kind of world. 

Hello all, my name is Vanessa Zeer and this is my second semester in the Instructional Technology graduate program I look forward in adapting new techniques and strategies in my classroom.  I graduate from Wayne State University in 2013 and earned a bachelors degree in Elementary Education with a major is Social Studies.  I love being outdoors and take every opportunity I have to be outdoors, I especially love rollerblading, playing tennis and basketball. During my free time I also enjoy reading, scrap booking and cooking, I enjoy finding different recipes from Pintrest. My ethnicity is Chaldean and also speak it as a second language I also speak Arabic, at home I communicate with my family members by speaking Chaldean. I am currently a Pre-K 4 teacher at Our Lady of Refuge and have been here for two years now.  I've always wanted to be a second grade teacher and never thought I'd be able to be a Pre-School teacher, but I sure have fell in love with teaching Pre-K  my student surely make it so easy to fall in love with I wouldn't  change it for the world!! I look forward in getting to know and meeting all my new classmates; I hope everyone had a wonderful New Years and Good Luck in the new semester!!