Sunday, March 23, 2014

Blog Post #9

What can we learn from Mrs. Cassidy?

The first video we were to watch, Little Kids... Big Potential, was a look into Mrs. Cassidy's first grade class. This video showed how her students incorporate technology in their learning. The kids learned to use blogs, wiki, Nintendo DS, and videos. The students liked to blog because it helped their writing skills and other people could read what they wrote and respond.

Mrs. Cassidy began using technology in her classroom because she was trying to find a way to incorporate computers. After watching the interviews between Mrs. Cassidy and Dr. Strange, if I was going to use one of her techniques in my future classroom I think I would use blogging. The children really seemed to like being able to write blogs and they really liked people responding to what they write. I think the children writing for an audience is very important. Writing blogs also helped the students gain writing skills and they also learned the proper way to respond to someone else's blog. Overall, blogging seemed to be very beneficial for the students and I would love to use it with my own students one day.

two children on computers

Friday, March 14, 2014

C4T#2

I was assigned to post comments on Jeff Delp's blog title "Molehills Out of Mountains." He is the principal of Willis Junior High School in Chandler, Arizona. His most recent blog post "6 Things on My Education Wish list" was a short list of six things he wished for his chosen profession.
The list included:
1.) Teachers treated as professionals
2.) Recognition that good teaching is not just about curriculum
3.) Provide adequate resources
4.) Stop talking about the tests
5.) Recognize that poverty is a HUGE factor in education
6.) Less fear, more adventure
For each item on his list he goes into detail about why that is on his list. I agreed with every want on his wish list and that it was very understandable for anyone in the field of education. I stated that on my own personal wish list I would add that teachers should be more appreciated. I have always felt that sometimes teachers are taken for granted and people do not really see all the jobs a teacher really takes on.

Another one of Jeff Delp's post was titled "5 Things I Want My Daughter to Learn in School." This too was a short list of things he wished was emphasized in his daughter education. He had to set aside his profession as an educator and really be a father while making this list.
This list included the following:
1.) Thinking
2.) Empathy
3.) Purpose
4.) Creativity
5.) Difference Making
Again, for each idea on his list he explains into details why he wants each of these things in his daughter's education. I stated how I also wished those things for my future children and even my future students. The post was very well thought out. I agreed that children can start making a difference now in their lives.

wish list

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Blog Post #7

What can we learn about teaching and learning from Randy Pausch?

The Last Lecture given by Randy Pausch was very significant because it was actually going be the last lecture he would ever give. Pausch told how he had ten tumors in his liver and was given three to six months to live. Even knowing all this, you could still see his enthusiasm and passion for his job. He faced the destiny of his life with no fear. I got the pleasure of actually reading Randy's Pausch's book The Last Lecture in high school and I absolutely enjoyed reading the book. After reading the book, we watched his last lecture as a class and it was very touching. It really hit home for all of us because we were all seniors in high school about to go to college and try to pursue our dreams.

One point that Randy Pausch made that really stuck out to me was he talked about brick walls. He discussed how we are always going to run into a brick wall when we really want something. "The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something." Things do not always come easy in life, but brick walls help us fight for what we want and never give up. Another point Dr. Pausch makes is about time. "The key question to keep asking is, are you spending your time on the right things? Because time is all you have." I think as a teacher time is a very important element. Teachers only have one year with their students before they have to either repeat the grade or they move on to the next grade. Only one school year is given to teach the students everything they need to know before they can hopefully move on to the next grade. I think in that time teachers can also learn a lot from the students as well.

Shortly after giving this lecture, Randy Pausch died from liver cancer. After reading and watching the last lecture, I will definitely use some of these life lessons as I continue to strive to become a teacher one day. I will also use Pausch's wisdom in my classroom when I become a teacher.

Randy Pausch giving his speech