The Best & Worst of Tech & Topics!

Well I am going to be a little backwards and start with the worst of the class first! Just like ripping off a bandage! :) There are not that many anyway! I hope this helps many others

THE WORST!
The worst thing about this class is actually the amount of work it takes to put into the portfolio when my portfolio is actually not due until next semester when I student teach. I found it hard to relate to any of the standards because I have yet to spend 15 weeks in the classroom!

The next thing I found quite annoying yet amusing was the upkeep of my blog. I enjoyed creating the blog but I doubt I will keep up with it at the end of this class :(

Other than that I thoroughly enjoyed this class so lets skip down to the BEST part of this class!

THE BEST!
 Becoming more tech savvy! I enjoyed this class the most because I know how popular technology is becoming not only in society but INTO OUR CLASSROOM! I cannot stress the importance of technology and how as an educator how important it is to state updated so that you may reach your kids in the classroom! I purchased an Ipad because of this class HA!

I loved the level of respect and genuine like Mr. Becksfort has for technology and hey he's also an ELA teacher!

I was surrounded by great colleagues as well that made this experience the best! I hope if you have to take tech and topics that you take it with Mr. Becksfort!

WEB TOOL 2.0 Suggestion

The WEB TOOL 2.0 That I tested out in my clinical experiences class was called "Create Your Own Myths or Legends" I used this for a ninth grade class who were heading into a Greek Mythology lesson. I asked students to create a short myth or legend using the elements that complete the story. For additional points I had the students add vocabulary words. On this website students are able to do voice overs, add pictures, music and even appropriate graphics that come along with the site! I find this too a great way to connect with students and make literature exciting!

Below is the website
Create Your Own Myths and Legends!

PLN (ENGLISH COMPANION)

I decided to join the PLN (personal learning network) English Companion. I have not been a member that long but I found it a while ago before this lesson and just decided at the time not to join. Because I am an ELA (English Language Arts) content area  I find this website very useful. I am sure this will be my best friend when it comes to student teaching in the fall. The PLN gives numerous methods on different lesson plans for novels like To Kill A Mockingbird, Scarlet Letter and many more classics that educators struggle with when it comes to teaching! I suggest all other ELA Secondary Ed or Middle school ed hook up to this website and become a member

Thank me Later :) below is the website

English Companion

GRADING THE DIGITAL SCHOOL In Classroom of Future, Stagnant Scores

In this article featured in the New York Times, journalist and digital expert Matt Richtel explains the pros and cons that technology has in our classrooms in today’s society. A middle school classroom at Kyrene School district in Arizona is decked out in technology. When the phrase “decked out” is present that usually means that a classroom has numerous computers visible, smart boards and electronic books all available for student’s use. Matt discusses in this article that this particular school district in Arizona has spent some thirty million dollars on installing technology into the classroom with the main reason being hopes to raise state test scores. The school district has purchased not only laptops for the classrooms but software that is driven to push students mentally in all subjects (math, reading, writing, science, history). “The digital push here aims to go far beyond gadgets to transform the very nature of the classroom, turning the teacher into a guide instead of a lecturer, wandering among students who learn at their own pace on Internet-connected devices” (Richtel 2011) . With this amount of technology teachers rarely have to teach students and it shows because although the district can afford technology in all of its classrooms, test scores in reading and math are still low.

I do not see how a student can learn math and writing fundamentals through a computer. Certain districts push for technology while other districts chose to not include technology in the classroom. I feel that technology should be used in the classroom but not for everyday use. I feel like technology should be used as an asset and not become another teacher in the classroom. Technology in the classroom is a common argument, especially when South Korea schools which is the world’s leading state test scorer for high school assessment tests has their children leave all electronics at the door. If technology is used properly I feel like it would become a great tool and asset to help students achieve their full potential. This article illustrates the pros and cons of technology and just how much certain school districts spend to make this amenity available to children. 

Below is the link to this article

GRADING THE DIGITAL SCHOOL: In Classroom of Future, Stagnant Scores - Article

Other People's Blogs!

I felt a personal relationship with the writer when I was able to comment his/her blog. It made me take time and  make sure everything was spelled correctly, and formatted correctly! The fact that its not going to a publicist or a general email but directly to the author gives it a personal feeling. They may not respond to every comment but to know that they'll actually view it if they please is fascinating! It has not always been that easy to give a response to an author but with today's technology we are now able to. It does has its pros and cons when people begin to post negative things causing arguments but they are able to delete and remove comments as well.

Portfolios as valid Assessment Tools

I am indecisive when it comes to using portfolios as a valid assessment tool. I could easily feel that portfolios are tedious assignments for graduate students because I'm in the process of creating my own which is more work than I thought it would be and it actually reminded me that I am not as tech savvy as I imagined myself to be. I do understand on the opposite end on why it may very well be a valid assessment because now every job I apply to or Xavier itself can see first hand that I have mastered what I have been taught in my Secondary Education program. This helps in seeing if I am fit enough to be an actual teacher and that I actually know what I am talking about or doing when I'm teaching others lol! I will also love having the feeling of looking back at my portfolio and seeing the progress I have made when I actually begin to teach from when I was just a student. The ability to update your profile is also beneficial I believe. So I guess I can honestly say after writing this post I must say that Portfolios are a great way to assess a teacher to be, because it is also helpful for the teacher in the future! I just don't like the process of making mine!! :)

Am I a 21st Century Teacher?

Am I a 21st Century Teacher?!?! Of course I am! I think I am apart of that generation where the technology boom hit hard. I have always had a little bit of tech in my background. I love to keep my gadgets updated whether it be my phone, laptop or just recently the iPad. I feel I am a 21st century teacher because I use all of the gadgets that I know the majority of my students will have. I feel like taking classes like tech and topics where we become acquainted with recent technology ideas in the classroom also helps. The WEB 2.0 Tools I think are really beneficial and helps keep educators like myself creating lessons for students that will capture their attention.! Staying on top of technology will always make an educator a 21st Century Teacher. I believe most schools are doing a great job helping teachers fulfill this task, with classes, curriculum changes and staff mtgs. I feel like the most important thing an educator can do is to just stay updated on the outside world and the new technology and apply it to a lesson in the classroom in anyway possible!