Final Blog

So this is my final blog for the year. I don't think that it's a tool that I will use in the future for anything other than personal use. I think that it does have its benefits, and could be helpful for teachers to keep in touch and share different teaching techniques, however, I don't believe that I will use it for when I become a teacher. My advice to any future bloggers is to blog about what you are interested in, never share personal information (unless your blog is private) and just have fun with it! I think that the blog added to our class in the way that it taught us more about the different options available online, which was nice, but I don't think that this is something I will continue to keep. Happy Holidays!

Gotta love technology. I've been trying to get onto moodle to figure out what I'm supposed to do for class and the website isn't working. This is the problem with depending on technology, because it isn't always reliable!! I think that there needs to be a good balance in classrooms, and that if the technology that they want to use isn't working, there needs to be a good backup plan.

So I was playing around with my computer and trying to figure out new things on it for the students as expert piece, and I found the program IMovie which is where you can make your own movies or slideshows. It's a really neat program that I never even realized I had, and I've had this computer for 2 years now. I made a slideshow, and was able to put music to the background of it. It's a program that could be used to make a present for someone, which is kind of neat, and a different way to keep a hold of memories.

technology

The technology that I use most in my everyday life are my cellphone, laptop, ipod, and camera. These four things make my life so much easier and help me keep in touch or capture memories. However, the biggest technology penalty is not bringing my laptop everywhere and being able to get on the internet whenever I want to. I'm actually going to be getting a ipod touch for christmas, so this will be very beneficial for me to be able to go online, check email, etc. when I don't have my computer with me.

Sexting

 A few weeks ago, people were talking about sexting and how it's an actual crime now to do it. I was so surprised by this, and I think it needs to be talked about more, in the news and even in schools. I don't think children realize the dangers of having camera phones because they don't know exactly what they can and can not send with them. I think that before children and teenagers get into any trouble, they need to know the consequences clearly. People are becoming sexually active and sexually curious more and more younger and if they don't know the troubles that can come with that, then a lot of people will be getting into hot water.

computers run our life

So I'm pretty disappointed in our dependency on technology. An example? I'm trying to write the paper for class that is due tomorrow, and the rubric for it will now download to my computer. I'm fairly good with computers, and have searched throughout it for the rubric and it just isn't saving to my computer, and I'm not sure why. So where does this leave me? Writing a paper without knowing what it's supposed to be like, and it's rather annoying. I'm not sure where we will be technology-wise ten years from now, but hopefully if the world turns to computers to basically live, situations like this won't arise, because everyone will be in trouble.

Class

Okay, so I don't have a problem with our class, but I do find it a little ironic. A lot of us have talked about how technology is taking over and we can't really function without it etc. etc. However, we have a 3 hour class that involves using our computer the entire time? I know that personally, I feel like I'm getting lazier and lazier, and sitting for 3 hours feels like such a waste sometimes. I wish that we could be more interactive sometimes, getting up and doing something because I just feel lazy. I enjoy the class, and I think there is a great dynamic, but I would like to get up more often.

Efolio

So what's the point of the efolio? I understand that it's important to document our progress through school and  to do the week in the classroom, but so much emphasis is put on this project and I think it's ridiculous. I don't think that whether or not I can be in a class should be determined by this. It puts more stress on students then is needed. I don't think it needs to be something that is made to be as big as it is.

Teaching Process

Today I was talking with a friend of mine, who is also an elementary education major, about the process that we are currently going through to become a teacher (classes, praxis, etc.) and really, neither of us think a lot of it is very necessary. I understand the education classes and praxis exam - but the gen eds? I think they are completely unnecessary and a waste of money. Half the time we take the classes because they are going to be an easy "a" or because there's just nothing left to take. I know that I haven't taken any to challenge myself and it just seems really foolish that we spend so much money on these courses that don't have anything to do with me becoming a teacher. It's just really annoying.

1st Entry

So here is my first blog entry. Not completely sure what to write about but I suppose I will talk about my future career as a teacher and what I hope to accomplish in it.

I want to teach kindergarten, and even though it is a young age, I want to incorporate theatre in the classroom. I have always had a passion for theatre and I think that it can be very helpful when learning new things. Lots of children are hands-on learners, making this teaching style very useful. 

My hopes are that by using theatre in the classroom as a way to teach, the children will be more involved and interested in learning. This will make the classroom fun and exciting, and let the children use their imaginations and creative sides, ultimately helping them with more then just the subjects that they are being taught.