Being an Optimist

I enjoyed reading Mr. McClung's blog about being an optimist, I for one was a very below average student I have always had a difficult time studying taking test. In high school my freshman year we had around 65 students by graduation we had around 32 all from drop outs, students were encouraged to drop out if they failed the graduation exam. I hope to be more of an optimist with my future students, I know how if feels to not have anyone backing you up. I was not expected to graduate according to my teachers and fellow classmates but I have graduated and went on through 4 years of college so far. I agree with the fact most students are sold short of what they can really accomplish which is sad. Every student should have the same opportunities what they chose to do with those opportunities is there choice, but no one should ever be told what and who they can be.

What we would do...

I enjoyed the three blogs I read, all the ideas the teacher had was very interesting and I agreed with most of them. I think the three questions are great questions for all educators to think about and possibly make there own list.

If I were brave I would do the same thing many teachers would do I would stop all the testing, true learning does not necessarily come from a test but more from experience. I know that personally I have a very difficult time with test and many students are the same way, and I do not think it is fare because many of the students that have a problem with a test actually know the material. Most of the time you can ask a student a question about something and they can talk about it all day but if given on a test they forget completely, so if I were brave I would find more ways to help students learn than by giving test.

Ways I would make my school unique is I would try to have more educational field trips and activities for the students, to stimulate them. Also I would try to organize ways for educators to be more connected with one another, most teachers go to work and then go home. I think more teachers need to interact with one another even if its outside the school. By doing this they can share thoughts and ideas and better their own teaching skills.

Why I love teaching I am sure once I start teaching the reasons will grow, but with my experience as a substitute I have developed a bigger love for teaching than before. I love the look on a students face when he or she accomplishes something and they are so proud of what they have done. Also from another outlook, kids now days have it hard so many parents are busy working, getting divorces, or many on drugs that the children have no one to turn to and school is there only outlet. As an educator I want to be fully aware of these situations so I can better help students. I recently had the opportunity to substitute a second grade class where a child was just removed from his school because of being taken away from his parents the child was reserved and kept to himself. The day I was there the class was to practice counting money, and as everyone finished he was still sitting and trying to figure it out. I asked the boy to come sit with me that I would help him, and as we worked he slowly got the hang of it and he was the happiest child to be able to count money! At the time of helping him I did not know his situation but it goes to show always be sensitive because you never know what a child faces at home, that is why I love teaching!

6 C's

I agree with Dr. Stranges article on the six C's, to often teachers use the quick way out for example giving you the information you need to pass the set curriculum for the class, it makes it easier on the teacher and also on many of the students. By doing this students are not forced to be creative or interested in learning more, Students should be encouraged to want to ask questions to learn more. Also the use of technology needs to be incorporated into classrooms more often, technology is advancing everyday and not only the students but also teachers should be more interested in keep up with the advancements. Teachers should try to become more creative with lesson plans to stimulate the students and connect other classrooms as Dr. Strange said "classrooms without walls" , more teachers should encourage the use of the six C's

No "Burp Back" Education

I completely agree with Dr. Strange's article about "burp back" education, I went to a small school where teachers were old fashioned and used old fashioned teaching methods. Even into high school I remember the teachers were more concerned with the class being quite and doing a test or handouts so they could do what they wanted, rather than the teacher standing and having a real discussion with the students. The high school I attended had a drop out rate of half of each class because students could not pass the graduation exam, simply because teachers did not want to teach. Now as a student at a University I see what I missed in elementary school and even into junior college. As a future teacher I hope to bring new teaching methods to my class so that I may help others learn more and actually retain the information. I had a history professor explain to me one time the importance of history is not exactly being able to tell what event happened, when and where, but rather why is happened and the outcome of it. After hearing that I realized how often facts are pushed into students heads and what good are facts if you know nothing about them?

Blogging Internationally

The international link that I found was for room 18 Point England, this blog page has recently posted the announcement for a new teacher with her video on it. This is a group of 6th graders who are part of a cluster school that focuses on digital storytelling, blogging, and podcasting, for literacy. I thought it was neat that the students actually posted a video for advertisement of a new teacher, and the teacher that was hired posted her response on the upcoming position. I can tell that blogging is a very important tool in there education which I think is great. http://pesroom18.blogspot.com/2009/05/room-18-are-hiring.html

School Blogs in U.S

The first page I found was Barber Middle School teacher web blogs, which has allows all teachers and staff at this middle school the opportunity to post a blog describing there position, and a little about them. You can click the links below each teacher and go to his or her personal blog page where they have updates of there classes posted and you can also email them. http://barber.typepad.com/

The other website I found was Gaggle Blogs which are a way for students and educators to interact with each other this site is safe and filtered. Students sign up with free and can post blogs or search teachers blogs. There are also useful links to popular blogs, this is a safe convenient way for students to expand there knowledge and interact with others. https://gaggle.net/gen?_template=/templates/gaggle/html/blog/index.jsp

LINK

Google Drops the Other Shoe, Plans to Sell Online Books
http://government.zdnet.com/?p=4884

Changing the Way We Think

This article discusses how the use of computers change the way our brains work, it is argued how the visual stimulus we get from screen-based information differs from that of paper or books. Over time books are becoming less and less used as sources of obtaining information. Children in schools are learning more from online programs and sources. Nick Carr states that his use of computers have changed the way he thinks, that he does not think the way he used to. I believe the use of computers has had this kind of effect on everyone in some way or form. It is stated that through the internet we are only receiving bite size bits of information, which is true but through the internet you are able to gain information that you may not have access to any other way. The argument between the use of internet and books has both pros and cons, it depends on the individual and there learning style.

GDrive

Google is working on creating the GDrive which will replace the desktop computer. I think that in many ways this is a wonderful idea it will be free to all people, and you can retrieve your information on any computer with out having a jump drive or cd to save it on. I guess the main down fall would be if the main server through google crashed everyone would be with out, but you have the same chance with a desktop and a jump drive failing also. I am interested to see how everyone accepts this change and if it will really hold up to support the whole world.

ACCESS or Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators, and Students Statewide is an online way for students to further there education with classes that might not be offered at there school. This website finds very qualified teachers to teach a subject in there local area or even over the computer to students who are registered for the class. This program is beneficial in many ways it allows teachers and students to be come more up to date with new technologies and further there acknowledged. It is also very good for school is more rural areas that may not have particular subject or even teachers to teach them. This program is a guarantee that all students will have the same opportunities as others. I look forward to being able to show expose students and parents to this program and how it can help.

ALEX

ALEX or Alabama Learning Exchange is an online tool for teachers, parents, and students. This website is free, and a great way to keep up with new teaching methods and curriculum. This website is very well organized with easy to use links, ALEX offers links and information on any subject for all grade levels. Teachers are able to create an account on ALEX and create lesson plans to store and save for future reference, or for other teachers, this is a great way for teachers to share teaching methods and ideas. There is also a link for other websites that can be targeted for a teacher in one specific area, or even a student to find other options of learning, or help they may need. As a future teacher I look forward to using this website to further my knowledge and skills, and also sharing this with my students, it will be a great way for me to collaborate with other educators.