I feel that some children will be at a disadvante when it comes to using technology in our classrooms. Not all students will have access to computers, internet or phones outside of school. Not only does it limit the things they can do at home but it also gives the students who have the technology a chance to learn how to use these things better then those who do not have.
I feel that it is extremely important for us as teachers to use as much technology in our classroom for the simple fact that it may be the only time some students will get a chance to use computers or the internet. One thing that we need to be carefull about is making sure all of our students have enough class time to finish their assingments at school using the computers.
If a I am in a class that does not have much computer or technology access I will just have to fight for what little technology we have. I will also becomean advocate in getting a budget just for computers and technology.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Power Point
Some of the things I liked about the other power points that I saw was some of the graphics that were used. Some people took the time to really make their graphics look professional. I also liked how some people put personal videos into their presentations.
There were a few things that I saw on a couple of power points that I noticed made it hard to view. One thing was the text color blending into the back ground and making it hard to read the words. Another thing was putting way to much information on one slide. It was still just one idea but a lot of words instead of just using bullet points.
To improve my power point I would make an answer sheet for my questions to make sure I knew the correct answers. One thing that did not work was my sound clip and I practiced it a few times and it worked at home, not sure what went wrong but that is something I need to learn.
I enjoyed using power point. I feel that I know enough about it to use it but I dont know if studnets like it? I really enjoyed learning how to create a jeopardy game with it. Once I started I realized how easy it was but how effective it can be in the classroom.
There were a few things that I saw on a couple of power points that I noticed made it hard to view. One thing was the text color blending into the back ground and making it hard to read the words. Another thing was putting way to much information on one slide. It was still just one idea but a lot of words instead of just using bullet points.
To improve my power point I would make an answer sheet for my questions to make sure I knew the correct answers. One thing that did not work was my sound clip and I practiced it a few times and it worked at home, not sure what went wrong but that is something I need to learn.
I enjoyed using power point. I feel that I know enough about it to use it but I dont know if studnets like it? I really enjoyed learning how to create a jeopardy game with it. Once I started I realized how easy it was but how effective it can be in the classroom.
Cell phones
I dont think cell phones should be used in the classroom. My biggest reason for it is because not all kids are going to have a cell phone. If we are teaching how to use and and allowing students to use it to complete their work then those who have phones would be at an advantage to those who do not have cell phones.
The texts states that we need to be connecting our teaching to the real world and what better way for us to do that then to teach them how to use their phones. First thing that we as teachers would be battling is learning all the different types of phones so that we would be able to help all our students. Second, what can I teach a teenager about a cell phone that they do not already know. The teens that I know are teaching me how to use my phone. I feel that it would be a bigger distraction then a helpful tool.
The side for using cell phones did have some valid points such as utilizing the tools on the phones for practical things, but until the schools are able to provide the same phone and services for all students it will never work.
The texts states that we need to be connecting our teaching to the real world and what better way for us to do that then to teach them how to use their phones. First thing that we as teachers would be battling is learning all the different types of phones so that we would be able to help all our students. Second, what can I teach a teenager about a cell phone that they do not already know. The teens that I know are teaching me how to use my phone. I feel that it would be a bigger distraction then a helpful tool.
The side for using cell phones did have some valid points such as utilizing the tools on the phones for practical things, but until the schools are able to provide the same phone and services for all students it will never work.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Cyberbullying
Online harassment is considered to be cyberbullying and can be extremely dangerous to teens and child. Cyberbullying can take place on the computer, phones or any other electronic devices that has communication capabilities. Thankfully I have never been cyberbullied and have never had to deal with issue personally YET.
I stress the word yet because going into teaching I know it is going to happen within in my school and even to some of my students. Schools have a hard time dealing with cyberbullying since it does not always take place on school grounds so there has been the issue of free speech. It is easier for the schools to take action if the cyberbullying takes place on school grounds where there are set rules and guidelines for using the computers. I think education is key for the schools. Students, parents and teachers need to be educated on what cyberbullying is and what it can do to a person. If teachers know what signs to look for in their students they will hopefully be able to stop it before it gets to far.
In my classroom I will do what I stated above, I will educate my students and parents on cyberbullying and the consequences for doing it. I will also let them know that I have a no tolerance policy for it in and out of my classroom and if it does happen there will be consequences. I know that I will not be able, legally to do as much if it takes place off campus but I can still warn them about it.
I stress the word yet because going into teaching I know it is going to happen within in my school and even to some of my students. Schools have a hard time dealing with cyberbullying since it does not always take place on school grounds so there has been the issue of free speech. It is easier for the schools to take action if the cyberbullying takes place on school grounds where there are set rules and guidelines for using the computers. I think education is key for the schools. Students, parents and teachers need to be educated on what cyberbullying is and what it can do to a person. If teachers know what signs to look for in their students they will hopefully be able to stop it before it gets to far.
In my classroom I will do what I stated above, I will educate my students and parents on cyberbullying and the consequences for doing it. I will also let them know that I have a no tolerance policy for it in and out of my classroom and if it does happen there will be consequences. I know that I will not be able, legally to do as much if it takes place off campus but I can still warn them about it.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Me Myself and the Internet
Searching for me on the internet was not as fun as I thought it would be. Not because I was shocked or surprised at what I found but more from the lack of what I did not find. The only thing that related directly to me was on Pipl and that gave my address and the names of some of my family members. If you wanted to pay a fee the site claimed they would give you more detailed information about me, but for free it was nothing that you could not find in a phone book.
I decided to use “all” of my names when my first search of Christina Inman did not produce much. I searched Christina Arlene Inman, Crissy Inman, Christina Arlene Brooks and Crissy Brooks. I found a lot of information about a Christina Inman who lives in CA and is in the real estate business. There is also a Christina’s Ice Cream in Inman square in Boston, which is kind of cool since my in-laws live in that area and we visit once a year. The ice cream shop is definitely on my list of things to do the next time I am visiting the East Coast.
There was one disturbing thing that I found when I did a search using Christina Brooks (my maiden name). Apparently there is an adult film star named Christina Brooks. I can reassure you and anyone who may read this or come across a site containing this information, that it is not me!! I don’t think that it would cause me to not get a job, but if my students were to ever find out my maiden name and did a Google search on me they would find this. It was all over Google and there is really nothing I can do about it. In this profession a bad rumor can ruin your career or at least put doubt in people’s minds.
I don’t think that it is always fair that people are held to a higher standard because of their profession but it is the way it works in this country. It almost seems that the more important job you have the higher you are held and the less you get paid. Maybe not in every situation, but in my case it seems that I keep finding myself in a place where I am held at a higher standard and not paid very well. I am not complaining about that because I have chosen to be where I am and I would not have it any other way. I do think that it is very important to keep your private life private and completely separate from your professional life. Especially with children, who tend to exaggerate and blow things out of proportion.
I decided to use “all” of my names when my first search of Christina Inman did not produce much. I searched Christina Arlene Inman, Crissy Inman, Christina Arlene Brooks and Crissy Brooks. I found a lot of information about a Christina Inman who lives in CA and is in the real estate business. There is also a Christina’s Ice Cream in Inman square in Boston, which is kind of cool since my in-laws live in that area and we visit once a year. The ice cream shop is definitely on my list of things to do the next time I am visiting the East Coast.
There was one disturbing thing that I found when I did a search using Christina Brooks (my maiden name). Apparently there is an adult film star named Christina Brooks. I can reassure you and anyone who may read this or come across a site containing this information, that it is not me!! I don’t think that it would cause me to not get a job, but if my students were to ever find out my maiden name and did a Google search on me they would find this. It was all over Google and there is really nothing I can do about it. In this profession a bad rumor can ruin your career or at least put doubt in people’s minds.
I don’t think that it is always fair that people are held to a higher standard because of their profession but it is the way it works in this country. It almost seems that the more important job you have the higher you are held and the less you get paid. Maybe not in every situation, but in my case it seems that I keep finding myself in a place where I am held at a higher standard and not paid very well. I am not complaining about that because I have chosen to be where I am and I would not have it any other way. I do think that it is very important to keep your private life private and completely separate from your professional life. Especially with children, who tend to exaggerate and blow things out of proportion.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Digital Immigrant
I think I would fall more into the category of a digital immigrant. I remember getting my first computer in middle school but I think it only had DOS on it. Then a year or two later we got a newer computer with the internet. Still I do not remember using it much for school. We still did our research papers the old fashioned way at the library using books. I do remember using it a little more in high school but still not as much as I see my nieces and nephews using it. However, with that said I don’t feel that I am completely I the dark about computers and technology I do know how to get around most things enough to use them effectively.
I have also wondered about how much technology we let our student use in class. For example, calculators were not used in classrooms until high school. Now our calculators are so advanced that they can do things in seconds that use to take people hours. The question I have is do we teach our students how to use calculators effective and efficiently or do we continue to teach them how to do everything by hand so they know how to do it. When I look at a graphing calculator I get a little confused. I know how to do all of the basic functions of it and even some of the more complicated but what I know about it only skims the surface of what they can do. So, if we spend more time teaching our children how to really use ALL aspects of a graphing calculator we might be doing them a bigger justice then by spending most of the time teaching them how to do it all by hand.
Another thing I found interesting about the first article is how the author talked about the difference in language.He states "As educators, we need to be thinking about how to teach both Legacy and Future content in the language of the Digital Natives Yes the language has changed and is different between the generations, but we as teachers need to find a way to bridge the gap between the two." We can still teach the same old information or what he calls the lagacy information, but we need to use different language to teach it. The Marine Corps knows how to do this perfectly. In boot camp the males and females are trained completely separate. We both learned and trained to do the same things but they approach certain things differently. When we are on the rifle range the instructors with the male recruits will focus on killing while with the female they use words like hurt or wound. They are teaching us the same techniques they just use different strategies. That is what we as teachers need to strive to do. We need to teach the important old information but we need new strategies to make it more appealing to this new generation.
In his second article he states that some feel that we are sugar coating learning with the use of games. But if that is what it takes to get our children to learn and retain it then I think it is something we should use. I think that it may even help our children make connections between learning and real life. Dont get me wrong, we should not use video games, T.V. and the computer for all learning but if we can integate it into our classrooms we will be doing our students a favor by letting them relate it to their lives outside the classroom. I think technology has a place and needs to be in the classrooms because it is not going away and is only going to become bigger and better. We need to be preparing our students for the future and technology is our future.
I have also wondered about how much technology we let our student use in class. For example, calculators were not used in classrooms until high school. Now our calculators are so advanced that they can do things in seconds that use to take people hours. The question I have is do we teach our students how to use calculators effective and efficiently or do we continue to teach them how to do everything by hand so they know how to do it. When I look at a graphing calculator I get a little confused. I know how to do all of the basic functions of it and even some of the more complicated but what I know about it only skims the surface of what they can do. So, if we spend more time teaching our children how to really use ALL aspects of a graphing calculator we might be doing them a bigger justice then by spending most of the time teaching them how to do it all by hand.
Another thing I found interesting about the first article is how the author talked about the difference in language.He states "As educators, we need to be thinking about how to teach both Legacy and Future content in the language of the Digital Natives Yes the language has changed and is different between the generations, but we as teachers need to find a way to bridge the gap between the two." We can still teach the same old information or what he calls the lagacy information, but we need to use different language to teach it. The Marine Corps knows how to do this perfectly. In boot camp the males and females are trained completely separate. We both learned and trained to do the same things but they approach certain things differently. When we are on the rifle range the instructors with the male recruits will focus on killing while with the female they use words like hurt or wound. They are teaching us the same techniques they just use different strategies. That is what we as teachers need to strive to do. We need to teach the important old information but we need new strategies to make it more appealing to this new generation.
In his second article he states that some feel that we are sugar coating learning with the use of games. But if that is what it takes to get our children to learn and retain it then I think it is something we should use. I think that it may even help our children make connections between learning and real life. Dont get me wrong, we should not use video games, T.V. and the computer for all learning but if we can integate it into our classrooms we will be doing our students a favor by letting them relate it to their lives outside the classroom. I think technology has a place and needs to be in the classrooms because it is not going away and is only going to become bigger and better. We need to be preparing our students for the future and technology is our future.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Introduction
My name is Christina but friends and family call me Crissy, you may call me Christina. HA HA just kidding, please call me Crissy. I want to teach math or science in middle school. I know that I will be able to teach high school and middle school when this is all said and done but middle school is where I want to be. My favorite animal would have to be an alligator. I spend about five years in South Carolina and I became fascinated with them since they were every where. One of my favorite things to do was to golf because they are all over the golf courses. I also like tigers but I can not tell you why I like tigers. When I was younger someone asked my what my favorite animal was and I did not have one so I just picked tigers and it just stuck.
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