Goodbye for Now!

Make Education Fun!

Dear Mr. Sullivan and EDM Classmates,
It has been a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I feel more empowered to become a teacher today, than ever before, and I know that this is partly due to all of you! The wonderful atmosphere of our class, coupled with the warm and encouraging manner of our teacher made this class most enjoyable.
Mr. Sullivan I wish you and your dear family all of the best in life! I pray that you will complete your endeavor to place a title of Doctor to your name. You do most adamantly deserve to accompany the title to your education, as your spirit already endures your status to be of great admiration to many.
To my fellow classmates I wish each of you joy as you continue your journey though life. I believe your intentions toward teaching to be noble and honorable and pray you find reward in your career.
May your hearts be filled with love and compassion, may your dreams be peaceful and fulfilled, may your worries be few and above all may you feel blessed throughout your life, as I do to have crossed your path during my journey.
God Bless,
Mrs. Angel Padgett

Final Post EDM 310 “Teaching Technology Overview”

Technology is the Future!
I must admit that my initial ideal of the content matter of this class was significantly separated from the actuality of the course material. My expectations were to further refinement of acquired computer skills to enhance my professional development as a future teacher. At the completion of this course I find that I have done just that but not in the way that I had expected. My role as a teacher will undoubtedly make me an exemplary model for my students thus I must have the ability to navigate technology easily. I will use what I have learned in this course and continue my journey of the exploration of the evolving technologies while also interpreting their best uses in my class.

Particularly the information I acquired in regard to Blogging, Goggle Applications, Wiki Spaces, Questionnaire Implementer, Google Earth, Delicious, Google Wave, tagging a photo, alt tag, Gmail, IGoogle, Twitter, what a technology literate teacher may be, PLN Usages, the future of schools, the dangers of some of these technologies especially social sites, and the obligations of a teacher to be knowledgeable in all of these matters, has for me sparked further interest in investigating all modes of technology. I do believe the use of many of these applications will assist me in the classroom in regard to communication with parents and students, as well as reinforcement options, introduction to new materials and organization. Some of the options I did encounter this semester however have as of yet left me without a definite opinion of their functionality in every classroom. Though I find Podcasting and Vodcasting a stimulating idea in reference to teacher usability for course material, I am still unsure of their immediate transportation methods through ITunes and YouTube. As a teacher I would be interested in accessing course material pertaining to lessons, but am consciously unsure at this venture whether I feel confident in the safety of the modes for my own personal class uploads. None the less I am pleased to have been made aware of this avenue of teaching and learning and look forward to how the future will refine this avenue of education.
To reiterate my earlier statement about my expectations of this class, I had hoped to become more familiar with Smart Board applications, database depth, and or current programs being implemented in schools systems. With all of this said I do understand that Google is one accessible program of sorts which I have learned just what I had expected to learn from this class, though it has not taken off in schools to my knowledge to date. The most stimulating and intellectually challenging aspects of this course on the other hand, was the many options to become inspired and then analyze the information by posting to my blog. This process of critical analysis and self evaluation of thoughts for me was the most important of all material combined.
I would not say that this course was not stimulating or that I found it boring. The course from my understanding set out to do what it was designed to do, introduce upcoming teachers to various forms of technology as well as implementation of these sources. Therefore if I understood the curriculum correctly I feel its design and implementation was adequate. I cannot say I would recommend changes if my understanding of the purpose of the course to be correct.
In conclusion, I find myself to be more aware than some of the extensive possibilities of technology usage in the classroom. I am not certain this makes me technologically literate, though I would suppose compared to some I would be considered so. My definition of someone who is literate is one who has understanding, comprehension, and application of a skill. Therefore from that definition I feel competent at this time. In order for one to maintain literacy in a changing market then, one must continue this competence with ongoing training, which I plan to commit to while I complete my studies at USA. The ability to maintain adequate implementation of the newest technology advances as I graduate and begin teaching will no doubt be made possible by my constant quest and practice of all available resources. I believe myself to have gained awakening from this course in the task of furthering my quest for this knowledge and I do intend on the continued journey.

Using Techology in My Classroom

Technology Student Association Check it OUT!!!
Read Doug Johnson's complete list of both Stupid a Brilliant Classroom Management Skills
Two Stupid Mistakes Teachers make with Technology that I find the Most Ridiculous!
1. Treating a school computer like a home computer. Teachers who use a school computer to run a business, edit their kid's wedding videos, or send tasteless jokes to half of North America (including that fundamentalist math teacher down the hall) are being stupid. Teachers who take their computers home and let their kids hack on them are being stupid. Teachers who don't own a personal computer for personal business deserve to get into well-deserved trouble.
*I believe this is the most important aspect of a Teacher's Classroom Management abilities. I have viewed teacher's who seem to in my opinion disrespect the classroom by doing personal activities during school time, on their school computer. I always found this so distasteful due to the fact that a person cannot give full attention to their job obligations when they are thinking about personal business. It is human nature for your personal life to be of utmost interest to you and therefore you will not give your students the impression that they are as important as your own life.

2. Not supervising computer-using students. It is really stupid to believe Internet filters will keep kids out of trouble on the Internet. If they choose to do so, even the slow kids who can't get around the school's filter, can still exploit that 10 percent of porn sites the filter won't catch. They can still send cyber bullying e-mail -- maybe even using your e-mail address. Or they can just plain waste time.
*Again, this is and has always been a pet peeve of mine in relation to seeing others allowing students to get on their school computers and they are not monitoring what these students are doing. I believe teachers should be a good example to these students and model appropriate behavior. There is a time and a place to view personal sites and at school or your job is not the place to use a computer in that manner. I feel strongly that students should be taught to use personal computers wisely yet, but that when you are in a professional setting you use that technology in a professional way.

Two Great Things Teachers do with Technology!
1. Accept the role of co-leaner. One of the best signs of intelligent people is that they tend to willingly admit when they don't know something. Brilliant teachers not only accept the dismal fact that they will never know all there is to know about technology, they also turn that condition into a classroom advantage by having their brilliant children teach them how to do something techie now and then.
*I TOTALLY agree and have been saying this for years. Why do adults need to be so insecure as to not admit they just cannot know everything? Are they afraid someone will find out they are just not OZ? I have always felt that students tend to shut down or withdraw from teachers who are so dominant in their beliefs and give little room for other possibilities. When you try and force your ideas on someone else without any regard for their thoughts often they stop listening.

2. Use the kids’ own devices to teach them. Brilliant teachers understand the old Arab proverb, "It's easier to steer the camel in the direction it is already heading." Students are increasingly and unstoppably bringing in personal communication devices -- cell phones, cameras, game devices, iPods/mp3 players, netbooks, laptops, and PDAs. Brilliant teachers know how to use cell phones to poll their classes; create podcasts of lectures for later review; use games to teach difficult concepts; and make "Google-jockeys" of student wireless laptop users. Read the report, http://www.joanganzcooneycenter.org/publications/index.html?tr=y&auid=4393966 Pockets of Potential for a great overview of this topic.
*The kids have them, they want to use them, and they’re going to hide them and bring them anyways, so why not make the best of it. I also believe by showing the students we are interested in the things they are doing it will open lines of communications rather than causing underground activates of tech use to peruse. Let's just put it out on the table, you have your phone? Great, let's see it, and see what it can do!

New Classroom Rules: View all 15 New Classroom Rules for the Technology Savvy Classroom of the Future
1. Leave your seat only when necessary, which should be often to go collaborate with others or demonstrate something to the class.
*I really do like the idea of a classroom becoming more mobile. Students learn in different ways, so why do we all have to sit down, are quiet, listen to the lecture, and only speak when spoken to. Do adults think students just don't have opinions, or do they just not care to hear them? I am sure that is what students think. I believe students would blossom with the opportunity to be themselves in school, collaborate, innovate, be creative and show they are learning not just sit there!
2. Do not cheat, but remix, re-purpose, and sample other peoples’ work and ideas and give them credit.
*Telling a toddler not to touch the stove because it is hot does not work any better than telling students not to cheat. So, why not allow them the opportunity to collaborate and learn how to use resources properly, listen to others ideas and become aware of the world. Teaching students to use information correctly is much more important than cramming down their throats not to plagiarize!

Google Wave!

Go and See what this is all about!

Google Wave


Of all of the technology advancements we have learned about this semester the introduction of the GOOGLE WAVE system is the most fascinating to me personally. As I have stated before in previous blogs, I enjoy using technology and I want to use technology in my classroom, but I just do not have the time to search nor access everything. Google has truly taken the wonders of internet accessibility and combined user friendly applications for use with professional or personal networking at its finest! No longer will we need to blog at BlogSpot, twitter, facebook, email word documents, we can do it all right here on the wave. You can build your own Super Wal-Mart of social communication, collaboration, editing, planning, and much more.
I am really excited to see this idea become reality to view the true genius of programmers thinking out of the box. The use of the internet has encouraged society to be quick paced, on the go, clicking here and there, searching, and finding therefore we are ready to move to the next phase of using technology. Google Wave will be the future of connecting accounts in order to minimize time hassles of wondering around the internet. We will be able to mainstream our processing of both professional and personal tasks to create a more useful and productive management tool.

Michael Wesch's The Machine is Changing Us

Do You believe social networking avilability on the internet is changing you? Watch M. Wesch Presentation and see what you think?

This was yet again a very interesting aspect to consideration of technology and its effects on society. I am not a major social networker not like some of the people being discussed in this presentation. I do use Facebook and through this class have signed up for several other networking sites, however I do not as an average person have time to utilize all of these social sites as well as continue personal relationships with individuals. Manning these sites can prove very time consuming as anyone who has a social networking account can attest too. I enjoy having the option to connect with friends that I do not have a lot of time to usually speak with, but I am not able to communicate on such a wide variety of sites and stay on task with my everyday activities.

I do believe that the availability of social sites as recreational use are wonderful, however, I do think as with any activity that a certain amount of restraint is necessary. Of course some of these sites are wonderful to have as an option for teaching in the classroom. I fear though that some people who cannot control their behavior will eventually reduce the options of which sites may be utilized. It is very true that we as a society are becoming less capable of social interaction due to increased technological advancements that encourage a more individualized approach to communication. I still prefer one on one interaction for the most part, though I can understand the allure of communicating without having to leave your house or actually speak directly with a person.

Is this type of communication causing us to internalize our intrapersonal behavior with a more interpersonal approach? Quite possibly yes. If a human is given the option to communicate without the confrontations of some human interactions, of course why wouldn't they choose that option? Also when verbal communication face to face becomes too hostile again why not use the comfort of a computer, cell phone texting, messaging system, etc. to communicate your feelings without facing the consequences as severely. Can we then be evaluating who we are through ourselves rather than through the sometimes restrictive and judgmental eyes of others? Where this discussion will lead us is very interesting indeed. It may very well change the way teachers relate to students as the next generation of students develop personal skills.

Posting Work to Blogs

Pt. England

One obvious reason it is important to post student work to blogs is for recognition of their hard work. In the case of The class PS22 in New York their postings of their choir is very inspiring for other students and teachers to watch. Below is a Link to their Blog where you can view their journey to also experience their success.View This Amazing Group

We as teachers sometimes also need inspiration and some of the podcasts we have been able to view are wonderful for our direction as teachers. Attached you can view one of those videos I became very inspired over. Dr. Randy Pausch gave a lecture at the University he taught at and the Title of the Lecture was The Last Lecture. The point of the lecture was a tradition by the college that when someone was retiring they would give a last lecture, but in this case, Dr. Pausch was not retiring, he was dying. This video is so moving, inspiring and motivating it would have to be one of my most poinant reasons to post information to your blog. My friends who are teachers would also be inspired by Dr. Pausch's outlook in life, even in the shadow of death. Dr. Pausch

Lastly students like to see that we are concerned enough about their work to take the time to both show them how to post and manipulate technology, but also the parents benefit by being able to experience their children's lives when they are in school and the parents cannot always be there. The school I have been communicating with in New Zeland is a wonderful example of how the students, parents, other teachers, the school and even the community call all benefit from a little extra time to post student excellence for everyone to see.Pt England