Today, in EDT 211, we went over our "research" projects on technology and what students want and wish and have and hate in terms of technology in schools. I think one of the biggest things we went over, which wasn't even the main part, was how hard it is to keep up with high school students and with new technology.
We learned today that it is important to not hold all the power in "your" hands as a teacher and to remember that students truly lead how the class is taught--sort of. Your lesson is structured over how much students are learning or how they are learning and often times you need to change your lesson plan to compensate for your students.
In that line of thought, teachers should also be able to use technology but only to the benefit of the students, not because the technology is there, therefore you should "use" them.
Which, if you think about it, can apply to anything teachers will eventually use.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Friday, January 13, 2012
Quick (strange) update
So I was looking at my stats and, of course, a majority of whoever looks at this blog come from the USA since it is most probably people from our class.
Except there is somebody from Africa as well.
Africa.
Africa
I am somewhat amused and in awe of the internet.
Except there is somebody from Africa as well.
Africa.
Africa
I am somewhat amused and in awe of the internet.
A List of Sources
Aha Moments: 0
Looking through your bookmarked pages and finding useful links: 1
Which means, in any case, I have a list of useful links that I have accumulated over the years and I hope help with whatever it may be you are doing. Some of them are English-y, some are Language-y, some are just kind of fun, but they should all help in any case. I like being organized (although my bookshelf won't tell you that), so each set of links will be under appropriate headings, should you wonder what that link would be useful for.
Oh, oh and each link opens in a new window.
Language
Word Reference
Blurb: This site is an online language dictionary and it is REALLY good. You can put in phrases or simple words and it will give you a standard definition, as well as principal translations, additional translations, and will have the word in a sentence in the various forms (plural, present, past etc...) Languages vary greatly.
Vocabulary
Knoword
Blurb: Knoword is a vocabulary site that really helps you expand your vocabulary. It provides definitions and you must fill in the word. There are levels and it really helps you get a handle on what words you "know" and don't, etc..
History
EyeWitness to History
Blurb: This site provides a lot of interesting primary sources (such as letters) as well as explanations of the events surrounded the primary sources. It can be a little confusing to figure out (the site, that is) but it can provide students (and history buffs) with interesting sources.
Terry Jones' Medieval History
Blurb: (Straight from the website) Terry Jones' Medieval Lives is a BBC documentary series presented by Terry Jones, looking at the Medieval world with the intent of finding out what it was really like. The series consists of eight episodes, each of which examines a particular Medieval personality: the peasant, the monk, the damsel, the minstrel, the knight, the philosopher, the outlaw and the king. The series reveals that what most people believe life was like in the Middle Ages is totally wrong. For example, the medieval knight were far more interested in the fine arts of killing people and profiting from war than romantic notions of chivalry.
Super Sizers Go...
Blurb: This youtube video is the start of an episode of the Super Sizers, a British Television show that explores the history of food from Ancient Rome to (almost) Modern times in Britian--by eating it! It's a very entertaining, certainly more then simply reading about it since there is something slightly stomach turning about watching a grown man and woman eat a pig snout (among other such delicacies).
English
Tone/Attitude Words
Blurb: The name pretty much says it all.
Other Words For Said
Blurb: Again, title says it all.
Internet Shakespeare Editions
Blurb: Everything and anything Shakespeare. Plays, you got it. Explanations, even odd artifacts. This site has saved me when I've forgotten my Norton Anthology.
There will be more to come later!
Looking through your bookmarked pages and finding useful links: 1
Which means, in any case, I have a list of useful links that I have accumulated over the years and I hope help with whatever it may be you are doing. Some of them are English-y, some are Language-y, some are just kind of fun, but they should all help in any case. I like being organized (although my bookshelf won't tell you that), so each set of links will be under appropriate headings, should you wonder what that link would be useful for.
Oh, oh and each link opens in a new window.
Language
Word Reference
Blurb: This site is an online language dictionary and it is REALLY good. You can put in phrases or simple words and it will give you a standard definition, as well as principal translations, additional translations, and will have the word in a sentence in the various forms (plural, present, past etc...) Languages vary greatly.
Vocabulary
Knoword
Blurb: Knoword is a vocabulary site that really helps you expand your vocabulary. It provides definitions and you must fill in the word. There are levels and it really helps you get a handle on what words you "know" and don't, etc..
History
EyeWitness to History
Blurb: This site provides a lot of interesting primary sources (such as letters) as well as explanations of the events surrounded the primary sources. It can be a little confusing to figure out (the site, that is) but it can provide students (and history buffs) with interesting sources.
Terry Jones' Medieval History
Blurb: (Straight from the website) Terry Jones' Medieval Lives is a BBC documentary series presented by Terry Jones, looking at the Medieval world with the intent of finding out what it was really like. The series consists of eight episodes, each of which examines a particular Medieval personality: the peasant, the monk, the damsel, the minstrel, the knight, the philosopher, the outlaw and the king. The series reveals that what most people believe life was like in the Middle Ages is totally wrong. For example, the medieval knight were far more interested in the fine arts of killing people and profiting from war than romantic notions of chivalry.
Super Sizers Go...
Blurb: This youtube video is the start of an episode of the Super Sizers, a British Television show that explores the history of food from Ancient Rome to (almost) Modern times in Britian--by eating it! It's a very entertaining, certainly more then simply reading about it since there is something slightly stomach turning about watching a grown man and woman eat a pig snout (among other such delicacies).
English
Tone/Attitude Words
Blurb: The name pretty much says it all.
Other Words For Said
Blurb: Again, title says it all.
Internet Shakespeare Editions
Blurb: Everything and anything Shakespeare. Plays, you got it. Explanations, even odd artifacts. This site has saved me when I've forgotten my Norton Anthology.
There will be more to come later!
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Alright, so here this is. Another blog, hopefully not one that ends up in the oblivion of a thousand (but really five) other blogs, which have been successfully taken over by Tumblr, which, in reality, only subsists of a bunch of reblogged pictures and an occasional rant. But this blog will be different, partly because it's for a grade and partly because, hey, I need to succeed at something, and since National November Writing Month didn't pan out the way I wanted it too, I get a second try.
Honestly, I'm not sure where I am going with this post. There was never an 'aha' moment yet, but I suppose that's just writing in general. I mean, you slave over a hot computer for hours, go back and read it and think to yourself "what is this crap?" Since I don't have much to say, I will relay my "hopes and goals" for this blog.
1) To be able to reflect about what I really enjoy about the subject I want to teach
2) To be able to figure out exactly the best ways/times to integrate technology through my own learning and reflections. Not every way to "use" technology will fit me OR the subject I teach so hopefully I'll have a clearer view of methods that would be useful because I could have fun with them or use them effectively.
3) ???
4) Profit.
(OK, I only kid on the last two, but as an aside--literary term #1-- let's hope I get this right and not forget that it exists).
Literary Terms
Aside: An actors speech, directed at the audience, that is not supposed to be heard by the other actors. It is usually used to tell the audience what the character is about to do or what he/she is thinking.
Honestly, I'm not sure where I am going with this post. There was never an 'aha' moment yet, but I suppose that's just writing in general. I mean, you slave over a hot computer for hours, go back and read it and think to yourself "what is this crap?" Since I don't have much to say, I will relay my "hopes and goals" for this blog.
1) To be able to reflect about what I really enjoy about the subject I want to teach
2) To be able to figure out exactly the best ways/times to integrate technology through my own learning and reflections. Not every way to "use" technology will fit me OR the subject I teach so hopefully I'll have a clearer view of methods that would be useful because I could have fun with them or use them effectively.
3) ???
4) Profit.
(OK, I only kid on the last two, but as an aside--literary term #1-- let's hope I get this right and not forget that it exists).
Literary Terms
Aside: An actors speech, directed at the audience, that is not supposed to be heard by the other actors. It is usually used to tell the audience what the character is about to do or what he/she is thinking.
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