Webquest

I enjoyed looking at the "where is My Hero?" I liked the concept of the website in which it was inferring to a hero and who you could see as a hero. I'm not saying anything bad or trying to start a political conflict, i just don't think putting Barack Obama on the front of the introduction was a very good idea. I'm cognizant many believe he is a hero but that could be portrayed as a political message to persuade someone to believe in him rather than a child's actual super hero. I guess really the only thing i liked was the young kid ideal of how a hero comes along and saves us but alot of it seemed highly political and could be taken either way.

I loved "W All Scream for Ice ream." The animation was great, i felt it could keep students interested because the topic was what many kids can relate to enjoy eating. I also liked how the whole project encourages teamwork considering it deals with ice cream. I could definitely want to do this project with the kids!

Software evaluation tools

Software evaluation tools are key components, in my opinion that help to make sure programs and certain type of education activities are full proof. The 5 things that I think are important to keep in mind are these: Site license, installation, standards, active learning, hardware compatibility. Some people may not think it would be a hassle but their are some programs that haven't been known for their status that you need a license to keep from being billed by the admin or caught for using their information. I personally think its stupid having to pay for an educational activity like that or needing a license to do that. It's own step-by-step manual on how to install it would be nice as well. I have had some gaming programs (even though they are gaming programs) i have had some that didn't tell me the whole picture and didn't install all the way. Standards of the program are on a need to know asap basis. I want to know if the the program I am using is well known or has many other teachers referrals behind it. The number one aspect that needs to be known and tested is if the teachers and students will have fun learning from it. Active learning is a key for a child in kindergarten to learn. The last thing that is important is the software's compatibility. It ties along with installment somewhat, but I shouldn't have to worry about updating the software for the program to work, that is too much, plus how do I know if the program is worth that much.

Educational games- Engage the learner in something other than paper work. They don't even have to be on a PC.

Simulations- Have students go through physical model environments and point out things they remember from the lesson previously.

Special needs- Have certain activities for children that need more attention for their learning process.

Digital Tools

I'm not much of a fan of being to obsessed with technology to teach a child new tricks. I know many of you would say that back then we didn't have what we have today but the fact stands for itself sometimes technology cannot be relied on to teach a child.

I suppose though if i really wanted to think about it the 5 types of digital tools i would use would be as follows: e-books, flat-bed scanner, graphic tablets, head phones, touch screen. An e-book though its more of a college students material to use, in my view it would help a student keep track of their stories their on, and provide a bit of a explanation about the story they are reading. A flat-bed scanner some teachers would classify as a life saver. I remember my elementary teachers used as a last minute home copier just in case they forgot to in the night before or morning of they could get it done real quick. Graphic tablets would probably work fairly well for math lessons. Head phones when i was in school worked well for students when they wanted to focus by themselves on homework assignments or listen to lessons. Now the one piece of technology that i would use in my class that i would question its effectiveness is the computer touch screen. I didn't use it when i was school but i would still use it because it has been ranked to useful. I'd use it as a special needs asset. I could see many special needs students getting a kick out of touching characters or playing an educational game on it.

personal theoretical frame work

My view on how students learn is how anyone that knows me and understands how i was raised would say, "Make learning fun for kid but keep he or she guessing and thinking. I don't try to be something that I'm not and be legit with teaching. In my opinion a child will learn if you get down to their level of thinking and take something of their interest and put it into the lesson. I believe the best way i can get my class room to stay with me during the lesson and not even scratch the day dreaming world is by giving them a reason to want to listen to you. When i was in elementary school many of my teachers rarely caught my attention. it wasn't just cause i was a little kid wanting to go out and play. It was because they went through the motions way too much. They also acted like they had better things to do and being there was just for the pay check not the want-to. I like teaching in a creative but active way. Some big shot professional well-mannered teacher might say that's to liberal but if you really want the kids attention give them something they want to learn about that connects to the lesson. Most of my teaching will be mainly hands- on but occasionally I'll throw in movies on the wide screen. Have the kids type up there responses so that they can get familiar with typing on a computer. Who knows? maybe some of my science lessons or math lessons might connect to video games and explain how it works. My biggest strength is being able to connect with a child that has trouble with his or her learning abilities because thats the way I used to be in elemantary school. My weakness will probably be my inability to be patient with bullies because it will remind me way too much of my elementary years of being bullied.

Digital Generation

I have always thought that i have been a bit of a brainyack at technology. Many of my friends know how to run technology and be productive with it but i've always strived to be more specific. When i was in 5th grade i hacked my first pc in the computer lab. Ever since then i have been and digital and techy wiz all the way. I have quite a few college friends that are superior to me now in this field of education and technology but i still can handle them on occasion. Now if you want to take my experience into older peers i am probably more educated. My dad is better than me by far but he still doesn't know how to hack. I can't say anyone back at my old highschool knows more either because my friends in highschool that i graduated with were the pc wizzes. There maybe a few geeks left that know alot about computer and technology but not very many. The portraits of these kids i could probably out hack more than anything else. The gamers if i knew what games they played or what server I.P. s they were at i could probably crash them but i havent done something like that in 5 years or more. I can't say i didn't know how to do alot of the power points and excel workouts because i generally knew how to just never really was put into the position to have to do it. But i have learned a little more than i what i did before so yes i can say to an extent i am renewed in my education.

woot

My first blog for classes!