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Blog 6

This class has taught me so much about integrating technology into the classroom, and showing me there are lots of things that can be done. This goes with my first take away which is that technology is advancing, and is used a lot now in education. I have learned so much about the different apps, websites, and servers that can be used to enhance the way a teacher makes things for their classroom. I was really against a full technology classroom, and I wanted to make sure there was a way that I could balance it. This class has shown me different ways to use the technology while also teaching without relying so much on the internet. My second take away that I got from this class, and was really demonstrated in the powerpoint renovation. I found out that it is important to make sure your slides are clear, and colors are not meshed together. Appearance is really important in all that people do and I feel that when putting a more professional look to things helps sell what you are presenting. I also learned that pictures are good, but there also needs to be a balance and they should not be overused. This can again cause something confusing for the viewer. My third takeaway is that a professor does not need to be strict to get students to do their work. When there is a professor that cares about her students, and allows the students to be responsible for their grade I think it demonstrates many assets all professor should have. I felt that there was not pressure to get things done, but a sense of understanding to get to where the student needs to be on their own time. My fourth take away from this class is that it helped me realize the importance of all the work teachers do outside of class. I never knew how much work teachers actually did outside of class until I started creating stuff for the students to do. Teachers put a lot of time and effort into their work, and this class really showed me that. I think that this helped me gain more respect for teachers, because it takes a lot to do it. I think putting the effort into all theses assignments helped me realize everything teachers go through and then some. The time that it took to do assignments gave me pride in my work, because at the end of the project I had a lot of good work. This gave me the satisfaction of class, and showed me all the beauty in the work someone does.  My fifth take away from this class was that time management is a big deal, and should be worked on. I think that this was not talked about directly, but more so indirectly. Even Though everything was online we still had to make sure we set aside time to do all the work. I think this shows me as a student when I should work on things, and when I should work on something else. I think this showed me how I use my time, and where I can improve on the most. Overall, I think this was a great class and it has taught me so much. I think that this showed me everything a teachers has access to.

#keepthedreamofteachingalive

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Teacher page suggestions

Getting insight and feedback from peers is a great learning tool for people. A a student, I respect the opinion of my friends and the advice they give to me. One of the things about my teacher page was to make sure I get my video on there, and also make sure I get due dates and time on there. I was able to do this in a timely fashion with the difficulties of downloading. However, I was able to complete the website. I think that creating a teacher rage is a wonderful idea for students, because they are able to get on there and see what is going on. I also think this is great way to share your ideas with other teachers, and you can get ideas from other teachers too. #sharingiscaring

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Powerpoint renovation Justification

When I was doing the powerpoint renovation I was really stressed out to look at the original. THe colors were the saem the background made the words blend in, and there were way too many photos on one slide. I think the statement a picture is worth a thousand words means, hey you only need one picture maybe two if you want. There was also a lot of inconsistency. I thought that when I was renovating that I wanted there to be somewhat of a theme. Even though I created it I wanted to make sure it looked nice. I also used font color that would show up at a far distance on the screen. Sometimes the fun colors are nice, but the student in the back row can see that. I also limited myself to one picture per page, because when there is to many it becomes over crowder. I felt like there was to much information on some slides, and then other sides there wasn't enough. I broke it down and put emphasis on the slides I felt were important, and then left the basic information on the other slides. I made sure all the information was useful, and that context clues could be used if not understood. However, I feel I picked the good stuff to really go in depth with. I really felt I brought together my powerpoint with unity. It wasn't all over the place, and it was not too much information. I think that it was well balanced, and everything had a spot. I think it is really important to get all the important stuff down, and get your point across and then if elaboration is needed it can be discussed. However, no one wants to just read a slide that has tons of information. It helps to break it down because the less makes it simpler.

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Blog 5

The first thing about theses videos is that they are not straight technology classrooms. The teacher still gives a lecture, and then practices with the children. The practice includes the students writing on whiteboards, and then checking it with the teacher. The teacher then can dismiss them when the students have at least grasped the concept. Once the children are dismissed they are asked to get their device out, and start practicing the lesson. They have specific website they can go to, and what they should do on theses websites. Then at this time the teacher becomes more like an observer, and walks around the classroom making sure the students still understand and can ask for help if needed. . The technology is used as the “main lesson” and the teacher walks around to help the students. Technology can be used to substitute a lesson when the teacher feels they can not reach every student by lecturing. I also noticed that there are still requirements the student needs to reach in order to move on. The technology is nice because it can track your progress instantly, and this takes away the grading process from the teacher. This is a nice to use, because the teacher can spend more time with the students and his family at night verses grading papers all night, and figuring out where the students are at. The technology also separates the students into groups based off of scores. This way the teacher can see where the students are at. The other thing that the technology benefits is that the students are still using white boards while on the computers. This way they can work out the problems on paper and transfer the answer in. A couple of take aways for me on this is that technology is a useful tool that should be used. In this classrooms I feel there's a good balance with the technology which is my biggest fear as a teacher. I still want to be a bit old school because technology breaks. I really like how the technology tracks the progress of the students, because that takes a lot of time away from the teacher. This way the teacher gets more time to him/herself, or even with their family. Technology is a nice tool to use for teachers that helps out greatly. As a future teacher I still think I will balance technology use in my classrooms. I don't want students to start relying on their devices, and then one day not have it and them be lost. I think it is the teacher's responsibility to make sure theses students are educated in both.

#Keepabalance

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Blog 4

One to one technology in schools is becoming more prevalent. As technology advanced so doe the use of technology in education. While it is a costly thing to do in the schools education communities are adapting and investing in the idea of technology. With technology teachers have an aid in helping their students learn. They can use technology as a resource for activities. Technology also helps safe paper, and eventually the cost of technology will be paid off. Technology can be used to check the progress of the student, and to look to see if they are on task. The websites help the teacher, but the student can easily get distracted and end up on another website. Monitoring the students can also be difficult, because a teacher can not watch over the students every move. The other aspect that happens with technology is it takes the place of a teacher, and eventually it will just be supervisors in the class. This is because the internet can do it all that a teacher can. It just eliminated the asking for help concept. While there are so many positive aspects to technology their is also the faults. Some of the faults of technology is the internet connects, and how fast it will run. Technology also breaks down, and the students no longer have a device in the classroom. So, what do we do? We give the student a textbook, and tell them all the information is in their hands. Students no longer understand how to search for a book in a library, look things up in the dictionary, and they even don't understand the concept of searching for something to find the answer. While the internet is instant a book is not, and looking for that information can be difficult. Students rely to much on the internet, and getting answers instantly. Sometimes searching for the information helps the students learn. In my classroom there is going to be a huge balance in books to technology. For everything done on the technology piece twice the time will be used with a book. Students are not going to get away with relying on the internet. Bringing your own device to class can eliminate the cost factor for the school, but there are still manything that can go wrong. For example, the usage can not be monitored as well. It is also difficult if a student cannot afford to have their own device. Theses are all factors that should be considered when switching to a one to one with technology.  Technology is a great thing, but it also has it downfalls. I think everyone has different view on it, but as for me it is not my favorite tool to use in a classroom. It will be used some, but I will definitely rely more on books, paper, and a writing utensil.

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Blog Three

Thinking about my future classroom is one of my favorite things to do. When I picture my classroom I see decorations all over the wall that was created by my students. A lot of positive affirmations and a lot of colors. I want my students when they walk in on day one to feel positive energy just feeding off of everything, because there is so many decorations. I wish to have several computers in my classroom; however, I do not plan to have technology in everything I do in my classroom. One of the things I feel is very important is that technology is not overused. Therefore, I will keep my students away from unnecessary use of the technology. This is a big distraction for students, because there are so many things a kid can do that does not deal with the topic. THe internet allows students to lose focus, and that is why books are more beneficial. Students can look through the book, but they are still learning. They could end up anywhere when searching the web. To keep the attention of my students I plan to have things all around the classroom to help with sensory ideas. Different colors represent what type of day it is, and that will be where the students can sit for the day. I think it is easy to pay attention when there is a plan for the day. I think students should not be given the freedom to do whatever they want. Distractions come when students are given so much freedom they can do whatever they want. This puts extra ideas into their head, and they lose focus. I think that students should be encouraged to do what best suits them, but there also needs to be some structure. I see my classroom as very structures, and very organized. I see it this way because students need to have some sort of structure to keep from getting lost. I think it is important to give them tasks to do, and keep them accountable. Students need to be given credit for their actions of doing well, amd be disciplined for having the wrong actions. However, in my classroom it will also be judgment free and a safe place to discuss how you are feeling. Sometime, it is just a bad day and if that's the case my class will be a good place to turn the frown upside down and make it a great day no matter the circumstances. A classroom is a place to feel safe, and that is exactly what I am going to make of it.

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Blog 2

The one thing that helps me remember is writing things down. No matter how much I tell myself to remember if it is not written down I will not keep the information. I know I am at a disadvantage for my memory due to several brain injuries; however, this does not stop me from finding new ways that help me remember. One thing I would like to implement in my classroom to help students remember is by having the students keep a planner. The planner will be there for the student to write down notes, homework due dates, test dates, or even special events. The student will also have the responsibility about taking ther planner home and having it signed by a parent. This way the parent is also on track. When it comes to studying and remembering concepts I would like to use the repetition of a lesson to implant the information into their brains, and get the information stored to their long term memory. Depending on the student, and where they are academically will determine their cognitive ability. The cognitive ability is the capacity of the brain in a way. It is the brain processing the information, and deciding how to store the information. Knowing the students abilities to do so will change the teaching style at hand. If a student has a hard time remembering how to do multiplication tables then it is possible they need more repetition with this concept. However, if the cognitive ability for the student lacks in reading it is possible the student may need to read outloud n order to breakdown the thoughts of what is being read. Technology is putting a hold on the capacity of the brain to grow. While it is a good resource to use it is not forcing students to use their brain to develop their own thoughts. All the information is at their fingertips, However, that information is also limited, because students are only learning what the internet wants them to see. The students no longer have to process the information they are learning, because they can just look the information up. While the internet is helpful it is putting a hold on the education of the student. It is also harmful to memories, because kids no longer have to renamer, because the information is already there on the internet. The only thing they have to do is a google search and bam. Students should use the internet as a resource, buy books always need to be implemented into the classroom. Technology is really taking off now more so than ever, but we can not let that limit our students brain power and capacity. We should still be pushing our students to learn more, push more, and remember more. #brainpower

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My goal is to teach everyone around me, and I can also learn from them. My main focus is fourth or fifth grade students. However, I also would like to start writing books then I will be able to reach and teach older people. This is part of my end goal too, because I want to reach more than just one group of people. As a teacher when I am in the classroom I hope that my students are able to grab the concepts, and drive themself to keep elaborating on their knowledge. I want to be able to give them a great foundation so they can start putting ideas together. I also like the idea that the students teach each other, and I can be a bystander to this method. I will choose to do this in my class, because 97% of what we can teach will be stored in or brain. I think fourth grade is when students start to develop more in depth thinking also. I also want teach this age because they are starting to develop their personalities and attitudes. I also like the concept of allowing kids to take a pre test, and passing that allows them to skip the real test. This would not be used every single time, but I think it is a good rewarding method to students on occasion. I think this would make the students work harder. Another concept that I would like to use in my classroom is that I want to be on the same level as my students. I think this will help, because students will not feel looked down on. I think that students will do better if this is the case in the classroom. I really like the idea of station work too in the classroom. This way I can focus one smaller groups, and I can reach more students, because I will know their learning styles better. I really liked that Dirksen talked about students that are highly motivated will learn regardless of who is teaching them or the quality that is being taught. I also gained the insight that there are many different types of learners, and I am going to have to work really hard to reach all of the students. I like the concept of using manors or repetition phrases to get students into the habits of saying or doing things in the classroom. I think this is important to emphasize, because students need the structure to keep doing well in school. This also goes hand in hand with not making your students feel like they are stupid. Students should always be encouraged to do better, but never belittled or picked on. I think this all comes from the teacher. Using open ended questions or giving the student a hypothetical scenario will help the students greatly. The teacher should be doing everything possible for the student, because their next teacher will be building off the knowledge you gave them. #classroomstyle