Project #13

For our Project #15 we dicided to do letter recognition according to the Mobile Pacing Guide. Of course we wanted to do something that would keep our students attention and also educate them while having fun. The lesson included interactions with the board with things like writing with the pens and videos that we found on letter recognition. We used Google docs and texting as a means of communicating our ideas and setting up times to meet. We would write back and forth on the Google Doc about the ideas that we had for the presentation. The technology tool, helped us stay in touch and communicate in a better way to achieve what we wanted for out presentation on letter recognition.

Project #16

My group The Accomplishers decided to do an iBook for our final presentation. My group members included Tina Behel and Giorgio Lymon. Included in the iBook are our individual projects, my sentence video, book trailer, and technology tool videos. The development of this was a learning experience along with the class. We were also required to have 10 pictures of Mobile, USA campus, or personal friends and family photos. Twitter was also a technology tool that was discussed in the iBook. For more details watch on EDM 310 Class Blog.  

Final Reflection

Last Update on PLN

My PLN is going great. PLN's are very helpful. I will definitely use my PLN in my future. I think that the PLN is good for school and personal uses. It makes it very easy to access things that I may need, even things outside of school!

C4K for November

My first C4K for November was for Vitulli & Santoli: Eyes on Ireland. the post I commented on was entitled On Our Way.. This post was brief and just told how excited they were to be traveling to Ireland. This is the comment I left:
Hello,
I am also a student that attends the University of South Alabama. I think that its great that you get to travel to Ireland, especially with a friend. I hope that you have fun and learn much at the Ireland International Conference on Education. Make lots of memories and be safe!
Kayla Johnson

My next blog post was to Bryar R. from Iowa in Mr. Boylen's class. His blog was a story he made up entitled "The Woods".  I left one comment, but it didn't post, so I left another one, here it is:
Bryar,
Hi, my name is Kayla. I really enjoyed reading your story. I think you have a really great imagination. It was really smart for Robin Hood to give his ticket away after what happened to the teenagers. I really like the artist 2 chains as well. Great Job!

Next comment was for Alyssa M. at the School of Rock. Her post was about her thought about the 2012 presidential election, and to let people know that her class voted as well. My comment was:
Hello Alyssa,
My name is Kayla and I attend the University of South Alabama. I think you did a really good job on your blog post. I like that you stated your opinion in your blog post. Keep up the good work!
Kayla

My last C4K was to Jennifer Zavala, who is in the 10th grade. Her blog post entitled, Alienation informed people about people who may want to comment suicide. She talked about her friend who struggled with wanting to commit suicide, but did not. My comment was:
Hi Jennifer,
My name is Kayla Johnson. I attend the University of South Alabama. I do agree with your blog post that there has been so many problems in the world. I grew up in a really small town and I have never had to deal with a friend contemplating suicide before. I'm glad you were a great friend and informed people and got help for your friend. Keep up the good work on your blog.
Kayla 

Last C4T

My final C4T was for Dr. John Strange. I left a comment on one of his blog post entitled, "Facts". I really like his blog post and thought it was very interesting. In his blog post, he make the argument of it facts that you learn about in school (like dates of wars or amendments) are relevant in a student's life. It really made sense to me, and I think everyone should check it out here! Here is the comment I left:
Hi Dr. Strange,

I really like this blog post! As I was reading it I was agreeing out loud. I remember when I was in high school, having to memorize dates just so I could pass a test and then forgetting them within the next week. I do feel that it is important that students be able to gather information about a particular date instead of having to know that date. I really enjoyed this post. Thanks for sharing!
Kayla Johnson

Project #15

Blog Assignment 13

A Vision of Students Today

I found the video A Vision of Students Today very interesting. This video was made at Kansas State University by some college students giving their opinions about the progression of technology in the college classroom. The students use paper to show different facts about it is like being a college student. Although this video was made about 5 years ago, students today are still asking the same questions. This only proves that our questions are just being ignored. Why is technology improving daily if we're not utilizing it? As a college student, I definitely can relate to this video. Most of the opinions in the video are true. Buying all the expensive books teachers require use to buy, but yet we are not using them, and also paying for those expensive classes just so the professor can put you to sleep with their boring lectures.

It is the 21st century, it really seems like everything is converting to a more technology based system, except for our classrooms. People who believe in a more traditional way of teaching should really think about it. The classroom is where people learn! If everything else around use, but the classroom is technology based, then the learners are really learning nothing. Technology is definitely apart of our everyday lives and it is very important that we start incorporating it in our classrooms immediately.

From a teacher's point of view, I see students begging for new and improved classrooms. Almost all the videos that I have watch in EDM 310 include students wanting a more technology filled classroom. A classroom that actually utilizes the technology that is developed and improved everyday. I believe as educators it is our jobs to make this happen, to finally stop the every flowing videos on YouTube begging educators to improve their teachings and classrooms with technology. I believe if teachers start using some technology, that the bore that they see from their students will change. It will give them some excitement to know that they are not about to get lectured for an hour and 15 minutes.

This video really shows how far we have come with incorporating technology in the classroom, which is sadly nowhere. I hope that in the next five years, videos like these will just be something we look back on as mere memories.

Final Project Progress Report

Progress Report

For my groups final project, we will be doing an iBook. We all agreed that we would work on our individual iBooks first. My iBook is coming along great. I plan on putting photos of the people that matter the most to me and things that I enjoy. As far as the group work, we work together pretty good. We have done 3 projects together and they have turned out great, and I believe that this one will have the same outcome!

Blog Assignment 12

Assignment:
Watch the video Engage Me!. Do you think the students have a valid point? How do you feel about technology in elementary classrooms? Are you going to incorporate technology in your classroom?
Write two or more paragraphs about your thoughts of this video and how you will conduct your future classroom.

I really loved this video! The video show students of elementary grade level holding cards that challenge teachers to incorporate technology in the classroom. In the video they are explaining the technologies they use in their everyday life, such as, laptops, PSPs, email, iPods, blogs, and podcast, and wondering why these technologies can't be used in their school. They explain that lots of things, like writing stories on the internet can be done and seen by not only their teacher but by thousands of people. These students are explaining that they want to participate and be involved in their own learning. They want to become apart of students that learn and communicate globally through film, blogs , and wikis, and to also be taught to think, analyze, and be creative. They want their classroom to become apart of the many classrooms that are conforming to become more technology friendly classrooms.

I most definitely will include technology in my classroom. I think it is essential for a 21st century classroom. I think it is important that technology be taught in elementary grade levels because, they will remember it and they will become familiar with being surrounded by technology. I think it is the teachers job to teach the students how to use each item that may be used in the classroom and explain what the uses are. Starting to teach students the importance of technology in elementary schools is doing nothing but preparing them for the future to come.

C4T #3

My two comments for C4T #3 were to Mr. Burrows blog. His blog was only pictures of drawn portraits. There was no words, only drawings. My two comments were left on post that had multiple drawings, tat looked like they came from different people, I was thinking that they were probably drawn by his students. These are the two comments I posted:

• Hi Mr Burrows,
  My name is Kayla Johnson. I attend the University of South Alabama. I really like the pictures you have posted. Are these portraits drawn by you or your students? Is this blog strictly for portraits? I really wish that I had the talent of being able to draw.
  Kayla Johnson
• Hi again Mr. Burrows,
  Once again I really admire your blog fascinating. You really make me wish I could draw. The portraits drawn are beautiful and unique in their own way. I encourage your students to keep up the good work.
  Kayla Johnson

Check out Mr. Burrow's blog here!

Blog Assignment 11

Little Kids... Big Potential

I really like the title of the video Little Kids... Big Potential. In this video the students of Ms. Cassidy's class show how they use different technology in their classroom. I think that it is great that the students who are only in the 1st grade are learning what I am just now learning as a 3rd year college student. In Ms. Cassidy's class, the students use blogs, a classroom webpage, wikis, videos, Skype, and Nintendo DS to connect with other people and classrooms around the world. Throughout the video the students talk about each form of communication and explain how they use it in their class. The students stated that blogging was their favorite. They enjoy blogging the most because people all over the world can read them and leave comments. The students also added that they can see and sound out words better on their blogs. The students even had a tip on how to be safe on the Internet, "just put your first name, not your last name". The students enjoy using their webpage to help guide them to places on the Internet to learn things. Videos are used to add to their blogs, and Skype is used to talk to different classrooms and also experts.

As for the Skype interview with Ms. Cassidy, I found the interview pretty helpful. Ms. Cassidy explains that she began using technology in her classroom when she was assigned five computers and decided to make a center. In the interview she explains how she set up the video, "Little Kids... Big Potential. She talks about how some teachers feel that they don't have to change to teaching with more technology, they feel like their way of teaching is just fine. She states that she does think that all teachers must be technology literate. Teachers must keep up with what is developing in technology, because as she states, "it isn't going anywhere". Along with teaching her students how to use technology, she teaches them rules on how to be careful on the Internet. She also teaches them proper etiquette for leaving comments on others blogs. I love the way that Ms. Cassidy conducts her classroom. I think that it is the way to teach in the 21st century to prepare students for their future!

C4K for October

My first C4K for the month of October was to a student who's blog name is ellnas954. The class blog is for Mr. Wirth's 4th grade class. The blog I commented on was entitled Cats & Dogs. This blog discussed the differences and similarities of cats and dogs. Here is the comment I left;
Hi Ellnas954,
My name is Kayla Johnson. I am a student at the University of South Alabama. I loved reading your blog post about dogs and cats. I do not have any dogs and cats at all. How many dogs and cats do you have? I really like how you used big words like “affectionate” and “solitary”. Your blog post was very informative on telling people how dogs and cats are alike and different. Keep up the good work!
Kayla Johnson

My next comment was to KW who's post was entitled "Moderation to the Extreme". KW's post talked about his hatred for extremist and how he is always agreeing or disagreeing with both sides of a conflict. He says instead of him being an extremist for either side, he calls himself an extreme moderate. I really enjoyed reading this post. Here is the comment I left;
Hi KW,
My name is Kayla Johnson. I attend the University of South Alabama. I really enjoyed reading your blog post on “Moderation to the Extreme”. I enjoyed it because that is how I am in most cases. Being moderate in my case is “playing it safe”. I am a very safe person, I really don’t express myself much, that is why I am always agreeing with both sides. I would have liked to hear more about you being on the fence with gay marriage and abortion. With those two I would have to say I agree more with the Church, how about you? It was also nice that you had a working link and two pictures to go along with your blog post topic. Keep up the good work.
Kayla :)

My last comment was to Anna Kate who is a student in Miss Mac's Outstanding Owls. Her post was just of a picture of a polar bear and a question about the polar bear. The fact was "Did you know that polar bears have 42 teeth?" You can see her blog here. This is the comment I left;
Hi Anna Kate,
My name is Kayla Johnson. I attend the University of South Alabama. I like the picture of polar bears you have posted. I did not know that polar bears have 42 teeth. That is so cool! Thank you for posting that interesting fact along with the cute picture. Do you like polar bears? Do you know anything else interesting about polar bears?
Kayla Johnson

Project #14

Blog Post Assignment 10

Honestly, when first seeing the drawing I didn't understand it. I then looked up what Ticonderoga was and I found it was a more expensive type of pencil. After reading the comments about the picture, and the explanation left by Mr. Spencer, which explained that the picture was a mock toward the Mac and PC commercials. In the picture, the papermate pencil would be the PC and the Ticonderoga would be the Mac.

Why Were Your Kids Playing Games

This blog post written by John T. Spencer is very interesting. In this blog post, Mr. Spencer's boss, the principal, calls him into his office, to address him about playing games in the classroom. The principal is questioning Mr. Spencer about the reasoning behind him playing games in the classroom. He basically is telling Mr. Spencer that he should not be playing games, that he should be teaching. In my opinion playing games could definitely be considered teaching. It is very important, as educators that we keep our students engaged, and games are definitely a way to keep them engaged. In this case, the principal is not focused on if the students are actually learning anything. If students are bored in the classroom, it is less likely that they will learn or remember anything the teacher is talking about. Students want learning to be interesting. Things like games, speeches, etc. make learning more fun, and allows the students to not only memorize content, but actually understand it.

The additional blog post I read by John Spencer was Should Schools Be More Boring? I totally picked this blog post from the title. It really made me think. You can read it here!

Scott McLeod

Scott McLeod is known mostly as one of the nation's leading experts on K-12 technology issues.He currently holds position as Director of Innovation for Prairie Lakes Area Education Agency 8 in Iowa. He is also the director for UCEA Center for the Advanced Study of Technology Leadership in Education (CASTLE). In 2003, he and his co-worker of CASTLE created the country's first graduate program designed to prepare technology-savvy school leaders. He has received many honors and rewards. Source:(http://dangerouslyirrelevant.org/bio)

Like in the comment left on Mr. McLeod's blog post Don't Teach Your Kids This Stuff. Please?, I feel that technology is not going anywhere, and it is always improving, therefore we need to prepare students for the technology to come. By students being able to use technology, it is preparing them for future jobs that do not even exist yet.

Project #11

Project #12

Blog Assignment 9

What I've Learned This Year (08-09)

In this blog post Mr. McClung writes about his first year experience as a teacher. I really enjoyed reading this blog. You can read it here! I love the way he provided his personal experiences to gives advice to new teachers. His first point was "Reading the Crowd". With this he was explaining that it is not all about the teacher, but the students. As a first time teacher, I would think, it would be easy to get caught up in thinking that it is all about you, the teacher. He explains that it is not so much about the delivery of the content, but about the student comprehension. His next point was "Be Flexible". His point was that no lesson is perfect. As educators, we must realize that most of the lessons we plan will not go6 exactly the way we want them to. He gives advice by stating that when things are not going the way you plan, just work with it and better the situation, and to always do things with a smile. He also talks about communication and being reasonable with our students. As teachers, we must realize that students sometimes reach our expectations and sometimes they don't. When they don't reach our expectations we must not get upset or discouraged, but understand that we are working with children. We also must stay open to new things like technology, always listen to our students, and accept new experiences as learning opportunities.

What I've Learned This Year- Volume 4

This blog post is also written by Mr. McClung. This is his fourth writing on what he learned at the end of every school year he has taught. He only had two points to share with us in the particular blog post. his first point was "You Gotta Dance With Who You Brought to the Dance". In this point he writes about how he struggled with being concerned with what his peers thought about him as a teacher. I always find myself thinking about what other people think of me as a person and a student. The advice that Mr. McClung gives is to not change yourself based of other's perception. As an educator, we must always make sure that our students are having fun. He writes that regardless of what his peers were thinking, he asked himself, "Are the kids having fun?" As long as this question was answered for him, he knew that he was doing what it was he was supposed to be doing.

His second point in this blog post was "Challenge Yourself". In this point McClung enlightens us about him becoming too comfortable in his teachings. He advices teachers who have been teaching the same subject for awhile, to switch up things. He writes that you should never get complacent in your teachings, because with this, your students get bored. I love this advice, because the last thing I want, as a teacher, is for my students to dread my class. I will always remember this advice that Mr. McClung has given.
Check out this blog post here!

Project #10

My PLN (Personal Leearning Network)

The process of my PLN is going well. I decided to use Symbaloo to organize my PLN. It allows you to group different tiles together in categories. Symbaloo is free and you will have it forever. With this I can organize material for different subjects to make lesson plans in my future classroom.

C4T #2

I was assigned to leave a comment on Mr. Jarred Kruse's blog post. His blog post consisted of a picture of the back cover of a book by Kevin Kelly entitled "What Technology Wants". These are his two thoughts about the book based on the back cover "1) To think evolution has an inevitable nature is a gross misunderstanding of evolution. Given the flaw in what seems to be the basis of his argument, 2) he is going to have a hard time supporting even a neo-determinism. Given the large scale dismissal of simple determinism, he already has an uphill battle without faulty premises." This post can be read here. This is the comment I left:

Hello Mr. Kruse,
My name is Kayla Johnson. I am a student at the University of South Alabama. I decided to comment on this blog post because we have been blogging about technology in the classroom. No, I have not read the book, “What Technology Wants”, but have seen many videos and read many blog post (for my EDM 310 class) that deals with supporting technology in the classroom. I am one that agrees in technology being included in the classrooms in the decades to come. How do you feel on the subject?

My second comment was also addressed to Mr Kruse. This post was titled "Flipped Class – a student perspective". The post consisted of the thoughts of one of Mr. Kruse's former middle school students about the flipped classroom. This blog post can be read here. My comment was:

Hi Jerrid,
Again my name is Kayla Johnson. I attend the University of South Alabama, where I am in EDM 310, a classroom focused on teaching and familiarizing future teachers about the technologies of the 21st century. We recently had to watch a video on YouTube about the flipped classroom, and it doesn’t really match what your student was describing. The video on YouTube did mention that students did watch videos. In my opinion, it may be difficult for some students to comprehend videos, like your student said or the students may not have any form of technology in their home to watch videos. I think that there are many versions of the flipped classrooms and various opinion to go along with each one.
Thanks for your thoughts,
Kayla

Blog Assignment 8

This is How We Dream Parts 1&2: By Dr. Richard E. Miller

Part 1
Dr. Richard E. Miller tells us that writing has changed in our culture, and how great this change is. He tells us that this may be the greatest change in human history because we have the capability to communicate instantly and globally. With the means of technology that we have today, we can do any research without stepping into a library. He states that writing is a solitary activity. Writing is something that we use on a daily basis, and now writing has taken on a new meaning.He says that the writing that we do now, is usually with our laptops and computers, opposed to pencils, paper, and libraries. With the technology we have today, writing is becoming strictly computer based. Meaning there is hardly and letters being mailed, because people are sending emails. Dr. Miller says that with the desktop as our workspace we can find research from all over the world. With technology not only can we use text for collaborate, but we can also use photos and videos.

In this video Dr. Miller is basically saying that the purpose of libraries are quickly becoming extinct. With the technology we have today there is really no need for books, pencils, and papers because that all can be accessed on our computers and laptops. With the internet there are countless ways that things can be learned and created. As educators we must stay ready to learn and teach new ways that technology is developing everyday.

Part 2
With the digital environment that we live in, we have a new kind of material, the type of material that is updated instantly and changes right in front of our eyes. iTunes U helps compose videos and access lectures. Dr. Miller states that "ideas don't belong to us individually, but belong to us as a community". I agree with this statement, because as educators we must always be open to sharing new ideas that we have with the world. Not only can we share our ideas, but we can also learn something new from the shared ideas of others. Dr. Miller believes that in the future students will not be using word processor anymore, but technology that he is just learning how to use. Watch the video here.

Carley's Blog Post

While watching Carley's blog post, I was thinking, "wow, I wish I was that creative". I really like how while reading her blog post I could see her personality through it. It was not your average blog post. I really liked the way she included her own playlist, in her blog post. I liked the way she said that she would incorporate research in her classroom, and give her students variety instead of giving them the same assignments everyday.

I think that variety does make a classroom successful. Getting the kids out the norm makes them excited to learn about new things. Carley's blog post and videos are full of information and motivation to become a better learner and educator.

The Chipper Series/ EDM 310 for Dummies

These videos made me laugh. I really felt the same way when watching EDM 310 for Dummies. This videos were fun to watch and were relatable for me. This is also a concept I can use in the classroom. Regardless the subject I am teaching, videos like these two make learning and understanding fun. These types of videos keeps the students engaged and supports visual learning. These videos were great ideas that maybe will be used in my classroom in the future!

Learn to Change, Change to Learn

To think that education is ranked below coal mining in the IT Intensive scale. This video highlights that students have a much more stimulating environment outside the classroom then they do inside the classroom. As educators, we must accept that technology is not a choice, technology has developed into a environment. There is no such things as a traditional classroom anymore. Students not only learn in the classroom anymore, but in museums, libraries, magazines, and of course online.

I agree with this video. Students might become they place where students come to do group projects. As educators, if we want our students to make global connections we must first make global connections first with other teachers around the world. With the technology today and the technology that is definitely coming we as future educators must learn to change, and change to learn.

Scavenger Hunt 2.0

1.) A Twitter/ Facebook type website that provides social platform for teachers, students, parents is Edmodo.com. This website is twitter like and allows you to make mini communities for students and parents. It also gives assignments, reminders, and updates. Websites like this allows parents and teachers to have direct communication with each other online.

2.) I have never used Prezi before. Prezi may have been used to make this video presentation. Teachers and students can enjoy using Prezi license free through the Edu Enjoy subscription. It comes with 500 mb storage, private presentations, and your own logo!

3.) A video tool that I have never used is Photo Peach. Photo Peach is a free site used to make slideshows quickly. Teachers can use Photo Peach to make slideshows and then incorporate polls and quizzes that are related to the slideshow. The website is easy to use for students.

Blog Assignment 7

Wendy Drexler: The Networked Student

This video, The Networked Student, was very interesting. This video by Wendy Drexler covers the experience of a student in his contemporary issues class. He attends class three days a week physically and two days online, and his teacher hardly lectures when in class. It is also interesting to know that high school students are now taking classes that are offered online, which was not the case when I was in high school.

Through the video the student explains that his teacher is a student of connectivism, which is the "theory that learning occurs as part of a social network of many diverse connections and ties". Connectivism is also how the student in the video is taught. The teacher teaches the student to take control of their learning and to also use their peers to strengthen the learning process. The teacher is there to encourage the students on building their own networks and to take advantage of learning opportunities. The teacher is also there for the student if they are having troubles with anything and also reaches out to experts if other help is needed.

This video taught me a lot about wanting to teach to 21 century students. In my opinion, if children in the future are going to be doing most of their work, inside and outside the classroom, online then they do need a person to distinguish good and bad information, that they may find on the Internet. I like the concept of the 21st century classroom, because that type of classroom can be compared to our EDM 310 class.
Being enrolled in a course where class is not required weekly makes a student independent. It does not handicap the student into being lazy and not finding the answers to questions in which they are capable of finding themselves.

A 7th Grader's Personal Learning Environment (PLE)

This video is amazing. It really surprises me that this type of learning goes on in a 7th grade class. If students are learning and mastering what we are learning, as college students, in the 7th grade, just think about what the future will be like. It is amazing that children are enjoying and are excited about learning new things dealing with technology. Videos like this gives me butterflies to think about the job that awaits me in the future of education.

Project #8 Podcast

Blog Assignment 6

Randy Pausch Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams
Randy Pausch was a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon University. Paush was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in September of 2006. After finding out that he only had about 3 to 6 months to live he delivered a remarkable speech called "The Last Lecture: Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams". I really admire Randy Pausch's attitude, especially for him to act with such positively in his predicament. This speech that he delivered was very inspirational and full of useful advice. In his speech he talked about his childhood dreams, enabling the dreams of others, and lessons learned.

Dr. Pausch begins his speech by listing his childhood dreams and explaining how he achieved some of them and some he didn't. His first pointer came when he was explaining how he hit his first "brick wall" in trying to achieve his childhood dream of being in zero gravity. He explained that "brick walls" are there for a reason, to prove how badly we want something. That statement in itself is so inspirational and that was only in the first 5 minutes of his speech. Pausch did not give up on his dream just because he hit a brick wall, and because he never gave up his dream was fulfilled. This is a great theory to use when facing challenges in life and also in the classroom as a future teacher.

As for enabling the dreams of others, Pausch used the way he taught in his class as an example. He taught his class the exact way he delivered this speech. His teaching was enjoyable to listen to and while watching this video I did not feel like I was being lectured to. I think it is great that he is explaining how to enable the dreams of others. As future educators, that is apart of out job as well. We have to not only teach to our students, but also inspire them to accomplish their dreams. We have to reassure students that are filling down, that they can do anything that they set their minds to.

The last thing Pausch talks about is lessons learned, and the roles of parent, students, and mentors. He talks about how we should never lose our child-like wonder, to always have fun everyday. He goes on to ask are you a Tigger or an Eeyore? He also advised us to tell the truth, don't complain, be earnest, and to never give up. Remember, "the best gold is at the bottom of the barrels of crap".

C4K Summary for September

My first C4K was to Michu, her blog post was about how much she loves painting her nails. Michu is a fifth grade student at Chestnut Tree in Buenos Aries, Argentina. In my comment to her I encouraged her to keep doing what she loved. She commented back to me, saying that since she could not paint her nails in school that she paints her nails all day on Fridays. Here is the comment I left;
Hi Michu! My name is Kayla Johnson. I am a student at the University of South Alabama. I love the way you express how much you love painting your nails. I also love painting my finger and toe nails. I paint them often. How often do you paint yours? I have lots of finger nail polishes, maybe more than I really need! I also enjoyed the pictures you posted, especially the ones that look like sneakers! I wish I could do designs on my nails. Keep up the good work with your blog post.
Kayla

My second C4K was to Logan at Pt England School in Auckland, NZ. His blog post was about his favorite meal to eat, McDonalds. This is the comment I left;
Hi Logan,
My name is Kayla Johnson. I am a college student in the United States. I also love McDonald's very much. I wonder if our McDonald's in the U.S. taste the same as yours in NZ. I also am interested in knowing what Cow Juniors is? My favorite from McDonald's is a double cheese burger. I like the Big Mac but it is not my favorite. I really enjoyed reading your blog on your favorite meal. Keep up the good work.
Kayla Johnson

Project #9a

Project #6

Blog Assignment 5

The iSchool Initiative

The idea that Travis Allen expressed in his video The iSchool Initiative was excellent. It goes right along with what I have been saying in my past blog posts. It is definitely time for technology to move in the classrooms. Travis Allen also pointed out that by having technology in the classroom, it will cut the cost of education. With iTouch devices being used, there is no reason for pencils, notebooks, printer/copy machines,etc. Everything can all be done on this one device.
In the video Travis mentioned that the cost of school with iSchool would be around $150 a student compared to school without it would be $600. I liked what Travis said in the video Zeitgeist0YoungMind's video. He said "if we want to thrive in the in the information age we must rebuild our educational institutions to better prepare our youth for the digital world they were born into". I totally agree with this statement. From past videos such as A Day Made of Glass, we definitely see that technology is rapidly growing. If we want our youth to be able to function in a world filled with technology, why not begin to teach them how to use it in the classroom?

Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir
The video Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir was amazing. It just proves that almost anything can be done in the virtual world. I just think that is so cool that people from all over the world can come together to make a choir, and harmonize so beautifully, while sitting in the comfort of their homes. Amazing!

Teaching in the 21st Century
In the video Teaching in the 21st century, it points out that teachers are no longer the go to for information. The internet is what everyone uses when they need a question answered. Students are able to find out any information they want because technology and/or social networking sites. The video had some great points in saying how as educators we have to be on top of the ways that technology is changing. By staying on top of our game we, as teachers, can better corporate technology in our teaching as well as learn new ways of teaching.

Flipping Your Classroom

In the videos, Why I Flipped My Classroom by Katie Gimbar, Dr. Lodge McCammon's FIZZ- Flipping the Classroom
, and Flipping the Classroom- 4th Grade STEM by Ms. Munafo they explain what flipping the classroom means. Flipping the classroom is basically getting students out of the same routines of listening to the teacher teach, to getting their lessons online at home. I do like the concept of a flipped classroom, but some students to have low income parents and might not have a computer at home. Other then that maybe being an issue, I love the idea. I do agree that I would rather listen to a lecture via the internet opposed to hearing a teacher in a classroom setting.

Project #3 C4T

Instructions on using Creative Commons Images in Blog Posts
In this blog post Kathleen Morris explains why you cannot use any image from the internet in your blog posts. She goes on to explain that when just any image is used from the internet that the blogger is becoming open to copyright infringement. Copyright infringement is "a violation on rights secured by a copyright". You can get in big trouble for copyrighting. On her blog post she suggest Creative Commons which is an "organization that gives out licenses for people to share their work". When using a Creative Common license you have to still make sure you acknowledge where it came from by adding a caption under the picture. Kathleen Morris goes on to explain how to use a Creative Commons license and to show step by step how to get that image on a blog post. My comment was basically just thanking her for explaining the dangers of copyrighting. I also thanked her for showing in detail how to obtain a Creative Commons license and how to exactly to get the image on a blog post.

Tips and Topics for Student Bloggers
This blog post was just tips on what and what not to do on your blog post. The tips were very helpful and I advice everyone to go look at them. My favorite tip was to never give up on blogging. As I said in my comment I am going to try to continue blogging even after EDM 310. In my opinion, blogging can somewhat serve as a stress reliever. She also listed topic ideas, just in case a blogger cannot think of anything to blog about or may be feeling uninspired. In my comment I once again thanked her for her really good tips and topics. I also thanked her on the advice and inspiration.

Project #5 Presentation

Blog Assignment 4

Listening-Comprehention-Podcasting
In the reading Listening-Comprehension-Podcasting a second grade teacher by the name of Silvia Rosenthal Tolisano uses podcasting to teach her 2nd grade class another language. She explains how convenient a podcast is compared to a word processing program. She expresses how using podcasting help language learners understand the words better because they get to see, hear, read, and manipulate the words. I do agree that podcasting is a great way to teach new languages. It is more interesting and creative than the standard way of learning. It allows the learner to interact with the podcast and makes learning easier and interesting.

Podcasting with First Grade
Silvia Tolisano encourages teachers to use podcasts in their classrooms. In her blog post Podcasting with First Grade she teaches first graders how to podcast. She expressed how excited the kids were to use podcasting as a way to listen to a book being read. She found that the students were happy and excited to record and arrange the script of the book. Silvia also mentioned how students who are usually quiet started coming out of their shells oncepodcasting was brought into the class room. From what I have read I think podcasting is a great idea for the classroom. It gets students out the habit of a "normal" classroom setting. It gets students excited and ready to learn!

The Benefits of Podcasting in the classroom
This video, The Benefits of Podcasting in the classroom, was posted by Joe Dale to state the benefits of podcasting in the classroom. This video demonstrates how convenient podcasting can be for students that may be absent from class. The video also mention student based learning. The approach to learning allows the student to be more involved. The video also says how podcasting allows room for "creativity and innovation".

I have really learned a lot from reading and watching the video on podcasting. I really enjoyed learning all the new information. Using podcasting in my future classroom will be something that I will possibly do.It has so many positives and allows students to get out of their comfort zone and is also beneficial to the students! I'm excited to learn more on this topic and even do my own podcast!

Blog Assignment 3

Thoughts on Peer Editing

In my opinion peer editing is a great way to practice what we will be doing as our profession in the future. I think that students of all ages should learn how to peer edit because it is a very useful skill to have. It is especially important to know how to give and take peer editing in a positive matter. I think a person should always be open to constructional criticism. Teachers especially should always be open about their work being critiqued.

In the video What is Peer Editing? was really helpful. The steps that were broken down in the video (compliment, suggest, and correct) really helped me get a better understanding of how to effectively peer edit. The slide show, to me, said the same thing the video did, just in written form. I did like the way the slide show gave an example of a short paragraph with mistakes, and it gave opportunity for practice if you needed it. The video Writing Peer Review Top 10 Mistakes was really cute to me. I think that it is a good video to show to grade levels that are learning peer editing. I liked how they tackled different ways that students could react to peer editing and the also addressed how to not act while peer editing.

Part Two
I also had to watch Technology In Special Education, How the iPad Works with Academics for Autism, and Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts.

Technology in Special Education
This video was created by Lace Cook and explains the how technology has helped her students' progress. She is a Special Education teacher and shows how important it is for the classroom to keep up with technological advances. The video Technology in Special Education previews different students and they describe how much easier it is for them to use technology verses manual books and assistant readers.

I do also believe that it is important to have technology in the classroom, especially for special education. With the technology of today any disability can be tackled. As in the video, with audio books there is no need for a teacher to read out loud to an individual student, iPads have magnified text for students that have trouble seeing, and iPads and computer can be typed on for students that have trouble speaking. These examples would also be ways that I would use technology if I had the opportunity to teach in a special education class.

How the iPad Works with Academics for Autism
How the iPad Works with Academics for Autism is a brief video showing how helpful an iPad can be with helping children with autism learn. One iPad application I found that could possibly be used for a kindergartener was "Intro to Letters". This app helps the child learn to write their alphabet, by tracing them.

Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts
This video, Harness You Students' Digital Smarts Vicki Davis teaches her students how to electronically connect with different students around the world. She allows them to use blogs and avatars as a means of communication. I liked the fact the she doesn't stop the students from learning things, even if she doesn't know it. She allows herself to teach the students and also for the students to sometimes teach her.

Blog Assignment 2

John Strange: Did You Know
These videos was amazing. I watched both the original Did You Know? 3.0 by Karl Fisch and Scott McLeod and also the Did You Know by John Strange. Both the videos were equally full of information. What I liked most about these videos is that they made me think. Not just think, but imagine how the future will be. I did find it very informing to know that countries that don't originally speak english out number the United States. Some of the facts on this video literally left me with my mouth open!

On the video its says that jobs that exist today will not exist in future, meaning that we will be preparing students for jobs that don't even exist yet. That is just mind blowing to me! The video also asks "Are you ready to be an educator?". This video really made me ask myself that question. It allowed me to acknowledge that fact that educators have a lot to do for students to prepare them for the future!

Mr. Winkle Wakes: Mathew Needleman
Watching Mr. Winkle Wakes really made me think, and I have decided that I'm on the fence about technology in the classroom. I do find it interesting that, throughout the years, technology is advancing everywhere, but in classrooms, and I feel like there should definitely be more technology in the classroom. In the video, Mr. Winkle visited a business office and hospital to find more technology there then he found in the classroom. In my opinion,having more computers could only improve as opposed to worsening classrooms. I think there should be more technology, because the people that work in hospitals and business offices do start off in classrooms, and learning how to use and becoming familiar with modern technology while still in middle and high school is just a plus.

I also think the idea of students sitting in desk whil the teacher teaches is also a great method. As was said in the video, it has been done the same over the past 100 years. So if the same teaching methods are still being used and working today, why change them?

Sir Ken Robinson: The Importance of Creativity
Sir Ken Robinson is well known for his two famous speeches given in 2006 and 2010 at the TED conference. These speeches are famous for challenging the way we educate our children.

The video The Importance of Creativity was given to challenge people to think, "Do schools kill creativity?" When watching this video I remembered when my little sister wanted to major in art. When she asked my mother what she thought, my mom stated that she was not allowed to major in art, because she would never get a job in it. From society's standards, as Dr. Robinson stated, these type jobs, art and music, are frowned upon. I do also think that as we go through school, we are molded into what society wants us to be. I think that as we grow what we enjoy get thrown out the window because, "that doesn't pay enough" or "that isn't a real job".So, yes I do agree with Dr. Robinson. I believe that it is not so much of schools killing creativity, but society as a whole.

Glass, Teachings, Schools
When watching A Day Made of Glass 2 I was thrilled. To think that is how the future will be is amazing. When the scene of the classroom came on I was literally thinking, Wow, this might be the way I will teach my class one day". It is amazing how eveyone had these glass tablets to do everything with, even pick out the cloths they would wear. It is truely mind boggling how technology is advancing.

Also in the video it shows how hospitals could possibly look in the future. It was cool how the doctors in the video were in two sepreate rooms talking about a patient in the glass, and how the MRI was taken. This video just had me in awe thinking about how the future would possibly be.

Blog Assignment 1

About Kayla Johnson

My name is Kayla Johnson. I am 21 years old, majoring in Elementary Education. I was born here in Mobile, but I reside in Chatom, Al. I am a 2009 graduate from Washington County High School. After graduating from high school, I attended a community college by the name of Jones County Junior College. When my freshman year was over, I found out that I was expecting a baby boy! My baby's name is Zackary. When he was born I decided to sit out a semester of school in the spring of 2012. As the fall 2012 semester came around, Auburn University in Montgomery (AUM) was the school of my choice. As that year came to an end, I then again decided to transfer to USA so that I could be closer to home and my baby.

Upon transferring to USA, I changed my major from Speech and Language Pathology to Ele. Ed. I decided to enter the field of education because I love children and I love the feeling of a classroom setting. My mom taught 2nd grade and I personally see myself teaching the same grade as she did. Being around small children is definitely one of my passions.

Things that I enjoy doing also include shopping, spending time with my son, watching the Food Network, cooking, and doing makeup. I am very passionate about learning new things especially things that have to do with cooking. Although I might not be so good at cooking it is one of the things I enjoy doing and enjoy watching others do.



Randy Pausch on time management

This is the first time I have heard or seen anything on Dr. Pausch. I really enjoyed the video. Dr. Pausch gave great advice in things to ask yourself when you are dealing with procrastination. I will definitely use the question "What will happen if I don't do this task?" the most, as well as the rest of the questions he provided. I could really do better in the area of planning. I seem to always start my semesters off keeping things planned and I never stick it out. This video has encouraged me to change that and to be organized throughout this entire semester. I hope to start each day off by asking myself "What do I need to get done today?" and to fulfill each task.