To Do Lists are Dwindling..

Finally my to do lists are getting smaller. Our first semester of Cadre will be officially over tomorrow. It has gone by so fast. When I think about this program as a whole, I cannot imagine how much faster the school year will go as well. We will be so busy with getting through our first year, paired with night class...it is going to be a whirlwind. I remember complaining about work that we were assigned and not being as proactive as I usually am. I have realized that everything we have done has been worthwhile. Everything I have read, completed, and created has taught me so much more than I came in here with.

I was thinking today how sad it will be to not see everyone everyday once August comes. I love, love seeing everyone. I have been relating Cadre to a better version of a sorority. These people will truly be the ones to get me through this experience. They make me think, laugh, and connect.

With research coming up I need to be sure to keep up on my organization and pro-active work ethic. Before I know it, this class will be done just like this one and my very own school year will begin!!

From Research to Dancing

Last night we had our first night class...research. I will say that it wasn't as bad as I expected. I am happy that its more about how to carry out research rather than looking up research. I found that to be challenging in the last class sifting through things, trying to find out whats important, and putting everything into one cohesive report is difficult. In this class I am excited to "act" like a researcher and look at the effects of research. I know it will be a challenge, but I think it will be a little better than what I was expecting.

Today was a great day, we got to DANCE!!! I love dancing :) In our presentations, I learned so much that I can implement in my classroom. I love Kristin's presentation on sign language. I had never thought about using sign language as a classroom management tool, awesome idea! Her website for an online dictionary was www.lifeprint.com. I will definitely be practicing!!

Tomorrow is our presentation. I know people will be sick of the presentations by the end of the day tomorrow so we have spiced it up a little bit! Get excited!

Blackboard Brings Mobile Learn to Smart Phones

http://thejournal.com/articles/2010/06/15/blackboard-brings-mobile-learn-to-smart-phones.aspx

This article explains how iPhone and smart phones now have a ability to install a mobile learn application. Mobile learn is designed to act as the full functionality Web-based Learn platform. This will allow for communication between students and teachers, access to grade books, blog access and commenting, discussion board participation, and student-to-student e0mail communication. There will be an annual license that will support all device platforms or a no cost option. Blackboard has jumped on this opportunity and Mobile Learn will soon be available for international users.

This article is just more proof that technology has begun it's takeover. A grade book used to be done by paper and pencil. It then advanced to word processing, and then to the world wide web for other users to view. Now the power within cellular phones will allow grade books to rise to another level. Communicating via word wide web has been a possibility for many high school and college students before this application became prominent. But what seems to be appealing is having everything relating to a specific class all in one place.

As someone who has a smart phone, this would be an application I would most definitely use. I am not big app person. If I want to check something out, Iw ill just go to my computer. Sometimes having things on your phone can be just as big of hassle as typing in a web address. One thing I would find beneficial with this application is that I often want to check out something for school or check an e-mail from a professor, when I am off campus. Instead of navigating through the web browser on my phone, getting through the website and finally logging into my page, I could have an application that does all of that for me. I think about school even when I am out and shouldn't be. If something pops into my mind I want to be able to check it before I forget. The other thing I see as beneficial is having communication between classmates at your fingertips. Working in groups or pairs, this application will make it easier to work together if your not all in the same place.

I think universities taking off with technology in order to better serve their students, is a great idea. If they want their students to stay engaged, incorporating what speaks to them is key.

Does your teen need a break from all that technology?

http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/family/sc-fam-0603-parenthood-multitask-20100603,0,2724881.story

This article is about multi-tasking. But not just any multi-tasking...multi-tasking with endless amounts of technology. The article begins with a question of when does it become a cause of concern? Someone is watching T.V. and texting, someone is on the computer and her cell phone. When is enough, enough? The article goes on to consider the positives before we bash the fact that technology is taking over. "Multitasking is skill just like focusing is a skill." Determine whether people can do both. Many times people can separate multitasking and focusing. If thats not the case, thats when concern may set in.

I completely understand where parents or educators are coming from with concern for their children and students using several modes of technology all at once. I find myself using my cell phone when I'm watching T.V. or sitting on the computer. The article is absolutely right in that we are digital natives. Technology has been infused in us since we were born and things are only getting more complex. I like how they called it media meshing instead of multitasking. Everything we are learning most recently is to enable us to incorporate technology into our classrooms and daily lives. There is no hiding from it.

Believe me, there is a time and a place for technology. But when things can be incorporated and its appropriate, its our job to make it happen. I don't think using multiple means of technology at one time is cause for concern as long as they are taught how to use them correctly. Now we will have to include technology expectations within our expectations already set. We need to make room for technology, it's not stopping and neither should we.

Schools Ban iPods to Prevent Cheating

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,268903,00.html

This article, stemming from Idaho, is speaking out about what many administrators and educators fear. The use and availability of technology that younger students now have, creates easier opportunities for students to cheat. First they ban cell phones because people can text answers, now they are seeing iPods used as a means to cheat. By hiding under clothing, with just an earbud and a wire snaking behind an ear and into a shirt collar, it's that easy to download podcasts or songs to help improve their test scores. Part of the article refers to the huge generation gap that hinders administrators and educators "withitness" in the classroom.

I would have to agree that the opportunity for people to communicate with others during something that requires their independent thinking is on the rise. But I am also a part of the generation in which technology has become the norm and sometimes a necessity to my daily life. Our top priority as educators is to connect with the students. One way we have found to connect is through technology. School districts are already incorporating the use of iPods for the language arts curriculum. Students are being introduced to technology at school if not already at home. Granted its hard to find that balance between meeting the students on their level and keeping things professional and as academically incline as possible. But things are changing and we have to keep up if we want to stay connected and make a different in our students.

I foresee a time where the boundaries will become foggy and it will be a challenge to make decisions on whats right and wrong, acceptable and not acceptable. My thought is to treat our students thoughts of high value. If we listen to them, hear them out, teach them to listen and hear us out, and finally compromise..these decisions may not be so ugly to sort out. We don't give our students enough credit in guiding their learning. Now that they are at the forefront of technology and we are now living in their generation, its time to let them take a stand, and hear them out!

CWS: College's Worst Setback

I went to the CWS this week and had a blast. Although I had many thoughts like "oh I should really be at home working on my research" I let loose and enjoyed the weekend. I will say I think it helped to get out and do something. I came back today ready to work! I am 5 pages down with my paper and feel pretty good about that start. I know I have a ways to go with the citations and sources but I do have a large chunk of my information down.

I got to thinking...I'm putting alot of energy and thought into this paper when I am totally forgetting that I have three choice projects to do for technology!! I feel like I am cheating on my tech class. I better learn to balance my time with both, otherwise one might boot me..cant have that.

I will probably be staying after most days this week to stay on campus and avoid the distractions of home. If anyone wants to join...the more the merrier!

Research Paper

Before today I was feeling no pressure about this research paper. I felt really confident in my topic. Writing is something I enjoy but want to learn more about. Especially with fourth graders and the state writing assessment, I wanted to learn how to incorporate writing across the content areas. So I have created a list of problems I have encountered along the way.

Problem #1: As we went through the databases today I was beginning to see how touchy these systems were. It just cant be as simple as to type in your topic and walah..100 peer reviewed journal articles. Im struggling with how to rephrase my topic without loosing the central idea.

Problem #2: I love writing. But I write with lots of voice and description and love to help people create mental images. But research...totally different ballgame. I want to be sure I am writing in the style that I should be. Maybe a class outside of class would help..Kelly are you reading this?? :)

Problem #3: I am still unsure of the layout of the research paper. I like to create outlines and know what subtopics I need to hit and where they are best fit. When taking all of this information down, I would like to know how I need to organize it.

Ok I will stop with those. Im sure there will be more to come. Comment if you have any answers or even more questions :( Good luck with all your searching!