Thing # 5

My first reaction to reading the perspective for teaching websites was utter confusion.  It was not necessarily the idea behind it; it was all the technical terms thrown at me.  The Horizon Report for 2008 was a lot of reading, but I skimmed it and discovered some technologies that are emerging into classrooms: Grassroots videos, collaboration webs, mobile broadband, etc.  Technologies such as these are effecting the way we learn, teach and express ourselves.  Knowing this we now move to the term called School 2.0 and what it means for the future of schools.  I hate to be redundant but technology is being more and more implemented in the "real world" and it is time that schools take advantage of these everyday tools to benefit student's learning.  What School 2.0 means to me is technology being responsibly used for the full benefit of student learning.  For example, youtube is a grassroots video.  To successfully implement this into students learning, the teacher could have the children make videos of projects on the internet or videos explaining a difficult concept.  Also, grassroot videos cost practically nothing, and therefore are a good tool to use if on a budget.  Collaboration webs are another interesting concept.  These include things such as blogs and social networks (Facebook).  It is a place for people to join together and discuss common interests.  Self created blogs for educational purposes lead the future for homework assignments, announcements and discussions. It is here that a teacher can post homework assignments that students can view anytime and that means no more losing homework instructions or the dreaded "I didn't know what to do" or "I didn't know we had homework."   Also, the announcements can clear up any confusion someone may have about certain activities, such as the time of the parent teacher conferences or field trip days.  The most beneficial aspect of a classroom blog would have to be the discussion board.  It is here that students can help each other and brainstorm.  The teacher would be able to see the students explaining concepts from class, and the overall atmosphere of how students understood the material.  The last technology I found interesting was the mobile broadband.  It seems that everybody has a cell phone now.  Sometimes I wonder if kindergartners are already using them.  It's inevitable.  Cell phones are here and they are staying.  With that said why not make some educational use out of them.  The most common use of most cell phones for education is for security measures such as text alert for the weather and immediate campus news.  After reading the Horizon Report I found a mobile broadband website that is amazing.  It is called Pocket Virtual World which allows the student to use their cell phone to go on virtual field trips like the Amazon.  It uses location so students could even explore outer space or locations in history.
     With all this information, I wanted to see this technology in action so I visted the Teacher 2.0 link.  Creator and teacher Aaron Smith used a podcast (a type of collaboration web) to use his blog where people contribute their tech tips or discuss things that they have done new in the classroom lately.  It is a place where teachers can come and talk about ways to help their students learn more or just to vent.  Remember; teachers are people too and they have feelings.
     With all this said, education is taking a more technological approach.  We have the tools to make learning more innovative and fun, but most importantly we have students who can use them and benefit greatly from them.    

Thing # 3

     Blogging has proven to be a web sensation for those who have gathered together to discuss similar interests.  Blogging can be used for almost anything, especially teaching.  We live in a technologically advanced society where most people acquire their knowledge from the internet and what better way for educators to stay in  contact and get up to date information than from blogging?  Blogging allows teachers to discuss different tips and techniques that are used in the classroom to maintain issues such as the student's attention or behavior.  Another useful benefit is to be able to give advice to incoming teachers and share stories about the early experiences of teaching and what they have learned to do and not to do.  Also, planning lessons or discussing activities for lessons is another way to communicate with fellow teachers via blogging.  Not all blogs have to be a place of brainstorming.  It can also be a place for reflection on one's self as a teacher.  It could be somewhat of a diary where you track and examine what teaching skills you are doing right as a teacher and what you are doing wrong as well.  Teachers, especially, value the importance of critique because it is a way to improve for the benefit of the students and not necessarily viewed as an attack on one's character.
   Blogging doesn't have to be for just the teachers either.  It can be used as a classroom tool to aid in learning.   Putting the class scheduele, homework, project assignments and notes online is not only eco-friendly, but it also prevents the students from permanently losing their notes and homework assignments.  A majority of students have a computer or have access to one in today's times.  Blogging would be a useful tool where the students can do online activities and discuss classroom topics and lessons.  There are so many places that technology can take students and teachers both socially, intellectually and academically.

Thing # 2

     Every time I see my posting name and blog name (both are the same) I giggle.  My name, Gryfindonald, is based on my favorite series, Harry Potter.  I grew up reading this series and always viewed myself as a Gryfinndor.  I am an adult now, but my passions and habits die hard.  My avatar on the other hand is honestly the best I could do with what I had.  If anything I was determined to incorporate my favorite drink, which is coffee, into my avatar's appearance.  My hair, eyes and skin tone are pretty spot on, but not the fashion choice.  It was the best that was offered.  Maybe one day, I'll make a better one.
     I believe when creating a blog coming up with a unique username and an avatar was the hard part.  So far, and I knock on wood as I write this, setting up my blog has been fairly easy.  I am definitely grateful for that because I have been stressing about it.  Overall, I am excited to be doing something new and expanding my technological horizons.

Thing # 1

     The lifelong learning habits were an eye opener for me in determining what my easiest habits are and what my hardest habits are.  I'll begin with my easiest lifelong habits.  The first easy habit was beginning with an end in mind.  I found this easy because as a student, I am constantly thinking of finishing my goals and thinking of how the outcome will be.  My next easy habit is the ability to accept responsibility for my own learning.  No matter what I do in life, I have to accept the responsibility of what I do.  In my academic life, if I fail a test, I know that it is my fault because I could have studied more or asked for clarification in areas I didn't understand.  Having confidence in yourself as a competent and effective learner is mostly easy but can be hard.  For example, making an A on a test boosts your self esteem in their studies whereas a bad grade can make you feel horrible.  The important thing to remember and practice is to always be confident, especially as a teacher, because the confidence that you emit will no doubt have a positive impact on your students.  Creating your own learning toolbox was an interesting habit but one that is no doubt easy and efficient to use.  I essentially see it as the Web 2.0 tools, which everyone can benefit from by using blogs and brainstorming together for a common cause.  I hope to master the basic skills that Web 2.0 has to offer in the forms of blogging and sharing articles.  Teaching and mentoring others is a great habit to always have.  Learning and obtaining knowledge is one of the greatest gifts to give and receive.  As a future teacher, it will be my job to ensure the success of my students by how much they learn from me and even how much I learn from them.  Lastly, the easiest habit is to play, and who doesn't love that!?
     I found that my hardest habits were with viewing problems as challenges and using technology to my advantage.  To begin with the first part, I can't help but think of my fear of solving math problems when I see the words "problems" and "challenges" in the same sentence.  I suppose when this comes to me in a classroom setting I will have no other option but to confront it, instead of walking away.  So to that I say challenged accepted.  My most embarrassing and also my hardest habit is in general the use of technology.  I have no problem admitting that I am not good at anything technological and quite frankly it makes me nervous.  However, through my time in this Education course I plan to conquer my fear and use technology for my advantage. 
      Essentially the thought of setting up a blog scared me to death.  I thought it would be difficult and I would not understand it to the point of being embarrassed to ask the teacher.  However, I was wrong and found the process to be relatively easy and actually enjoyable.  As I write this blog and do my assignments, my confidence is increasing because I'm able to do this and not be embarrassed about it.  I look forward to learning new and innovative ways to keep learning fun!