CLRN

This website is awesome! What a great way to end the semester with having access to such a useful website for teachers. Nevermind google and searching the web for information on education anymore. This site allows us to narrow down exactly what we are looking for, especially info on the state content standards eventhough they are for California. I am definitely using this site to help me develop my own lesson plans during the course of the year and I'm sure I won't be the only one.

Lesson Plans

When I decided to become a teacher, I would always hear from others how annoying lesson plans are. Throughout college, many of my friends went to become teachers and I would always hear them dread over it. "I have to do lesson plans all weekend", "Don't ever become a teacher", "I hate doing lesson plans". Those were some of the things that were said. What can possibly be so bad about them? I think there's some importance that goes along with lesson planning. But I also think there's alot that is a waste.

I think lesson plans are great for structure and organization for a teacher. It gives them something to go by and it's a great practice tool before the school day begins. Although it's great for organization, you really can't plan how long something can take. Every class is a different group of students and we sometimes get caught up in a discussion that may take up more or less time than originally expected. Therefore we sometimes don't get everything in that we have planned for the day and alot goes to waste.

Social Networking

I think Social networking can be both beneficial and risky at the same time. Sure it's great to keep in touch with those who you lose contact with over the years. Or even communicate through blogging on friend's walls. They just have to be careful with what they say because there's many people who have access of seeing what someone has wrote. Problems sometimes may occur and that can lead to serious conflicts. Its important to set your page to private so that only the one's that you know can view your page. But then again, are you positive that you can trust if its really that person or not?

Videos

I watched and enjoyed all 4 videos from modules 8 and 9. The first one on "introducing the book" was my favorite and really funny. It's crazy to think how people deal with things related to this video, especially nowadays. We live in an era now where technology has taken over. It's funny to be around older people trying to use cell phones. Most of them have no idea how to use certain feature available with cell phones such as texting and taking picture, or even how to use voicemail.

The last video on special education and social networking was very insightful. I think it's important for children with special needs to have a purpose for their future. It gives them a way to learn at their own pace, be productive, and most importantly gives them a future. Some kids have great difficulties communicating with others in this fast paced world. Technology gives them that chance to communicate in their own way and at their own pace.

School Web Pages

I think that school web pages are such an important tool for teachers, students, parents, and visitors to have access to. Most of these web pages are well structured, organized, and reliable. There's tons of information that the visitor can gain upon viewing such as access to contact information, staff directory, calendars, schedules and all sorts of other news. The overall presentation of the website can also be viewed as a general representation of the school. I've seen many school websites and the biggest difference is that some are more up to date than others.

In regards to personal web pages, I believe that every teacher should have one for their own classes. In this day and age technology is beginning to take over as we see many teachers creating their own pages. It also creates relationships with the parents as they are also informed on any events, announcements, assignments, etc..

Web Page Building

As I started to work on my web page on the free scholastic site, I found some good and bad that went along with it. In general, I love the idea of creating and having a web page so that students can have the access to check up on day to day assignments and use helpful resources that will help them do that. Not only is it useful for students, but also their parents will have the ability to go on and see what their child's assignments are everynight instead of it being a hassle for them to ask their kids. Hopefully, this will keep students on top of their game especially knowing that their moms and dads know what's assigned to them.

I didn't have many problems going on the site and actually working on the webpage as I did when I was in class where we first started. When I was working on it in class I had some trouble going back and forth editing and being logged off at times which was very frustrating. Ever since I started working at home it hasn't been a problem. The graphics and picture images aren't too creative either. Besides that, there isn't much that I am concerned with regarding my subject field. Does anyone have any suggestions on the scholastic site corresponding to their area of teaching?

Web-Based Educational Resources

In today's world, web based resources are the key to learning. The chalk and instruction days are starting to make their way out in today's modern era. And why not, since most of our students are already fluid in computer technology. This gives them the opportunity to use those computer skills and adapt them into learning.

There are so many useful web based resources for educators to take advantage of. One of them that I thought can be helpful was BrainPop for K-3rd grade. What a wonderful program that will keep students' attention as well as their improvement in critical thinking. The games and activities that go along with the movies were great. If I ever get into teaching in the lower grades, this will be a necessity.

Creating a Web Page

After attending yesterday's class, it makes this blog much easier to talk about. Before yesterday I really never got into the whole web page building thing. For one, I thought it would be too complicated to get into. Yesterday proved me wrong as we started creating our own homepage with the Class Homepage Builder. It was easier than I thought. It was a very user friendly process as well and inspired me on creating my own web page.

I am planning to create a Web Page for the high school Golf team that I coach. I will post various information including schedules and rosters. Each player will have posted their personal biography along with a photo. I will keep up to date stats after each match for every player so that they can see their progress as well as how they compare with other teammates. I am looking forward in building this site and so is the team!

Kidspiration

After downloading the free trial on kidspiration, I was impressed to see how beneficial this learning tool can be for students. Students are able to create these graphic organizers as a visual way to help them learn. It also gives them confidence as they learn to organize information and recognize the connection between words and their meanings. They are also able to express and share their thoughts through the visualization.

I found Kidspiration to be both student and teacher friendly. It aids teachers in helping them to structure and organize their information and allows students to develop their skills in math, writing, and reading.

Blogging

I really didn't know much about "blogging" before I signed up for Dr. Luongo's class. Anytime I would hear the word "blogging", I always thought that it was some sort of communication such as an Instant Messenger or a Facebook account. Although I was somewhat on the right track, I didn't think blogging would be used as an educational tool where a class that has only met once would be able to share and post information about various topics and even learn from one another.

I enjoy commenting on other peoples walls as well as the suspense in reading what opinions others have of my postings. After the first class, I left thinking that the writings would be a pain in the neck. But after the first posting, I found it to be interesting and fun by comparing what others thought on certain topics in contrast to mine. I feel like I've learned alot from others and hope that they've learned something from me. I would love to use blogging in my future classroom so that my students will be able to express themselves and learn from one another the same way we do.

WebQuests

I have just finished viewing the four videos on WebQuests and it seems alot harder than I thought it would be. Although the videos helped by showing the structure and layout on how to create one, it looks like there's more to it than just that. I haven't started my own yet or even have an idea on what I want to create for a class. I do believe that once I choose a topic then the rest will follow. But then again, what do I want my students to get out of it? Are the tasks and processes going to be something so challenging that my students will dislike and dread doing or will it be something that they enjoy and look forward to do again and get the most out of it. That's the part that will be most challenging for me and I hope I can speak for the rest of us. Either way, I am looking forward towards creating my very first WebQuest and possibly using it in the near future and for years to come. Hopefully it will come out in a way that will be interesting for and motivate students to do a great job in completing it. Good luck to all on their WebQuests!

NJCCCS and NETS

After reviewing the NJCCCS I found that technological literacy is a great way to provide an alternate way of educating students and providing them with the skills needed in today's world. This will ultimately prepare them when they arrive to the next step in their educational journey through college. Ironically, I am planning on being certified to teach such classes as Keyboarding and Word Processing and found the NJCCCS to be structured in a way that will gradually make students successful in technological literacy after viewing these standards for the first time. I hope to be a contributing factor someday for students to develop these necessary skills which will be useful to them for the rest of their lives. Skills such as typing a report or making a power point presentation will be beneficial for them as they enter college. Unfortunately, some schools don't have the luxury to provide students with those technological needs. Those students are now at a disadvantage in their preparation towards the next level as opposed to those students who have access to such resources. I suggest that school districts who don't have these resources should make it a priority because it would be a shame to see our leaders of tomorrow fall behind in something so valuable. When viewing the NETS, I was surprised to see that there are national standards set for technology. I was actually pleased to see these national standards set because not only is technological literacy a must in the state of NJ, but should be a necessity throughout the United States.

INTERNET SAFETY

The internet has been one the most beneficial tools for learning today. When talking about Internet and Internet Safety, there are numerous of benefits and risks that come to mind. For example, as we already know, It is a great tool for teachers to use to make learning in their classrooms more productive. Also, a teriffic way of communication between relatives, friends, and co-workers. Social networking sites such as Myspace and Facebook have impacted the internet community with its popularity. People have the ability to create their your own profiles, blog with others, and have access to do other capabilities. With that said, many risks can also occur. What was once only available for people of age 18 and older is now available to teens at the young age of 13. Internet predators are looking to be heard from and for those who will accept communication with them. It is extremely important that parents know what is going on and carefully monitor their child's online activities to prevent any harm or danger. It is also important that they do not share any personal information such as street addresses, cities, or phone numbers for internet strangers who may have access to them.
I have just finished watching the three internet safefty videos. These videos talk about detailed information that is extremely important for children raging from middle school all the way up to teenagers going to their first year of college. The first one looked liked it targeted late teenagers. The person who created the video did a great job posting questions and answers to realistic situations that commonly occur. They also provided a list of steps of what to do if a stranger keeps taunting or bothering you and also some hints to know beforehand what type of users they are. Also, the websites listed can be useful for these teens that may be experiencing some of these problems. The second video was meant for a younger audience around the age of 13. The difference between the two was that the second video provided pictures and phrases along with a teacher typle monologue but still came across the same message as in the first one. The third one was more for children at an earlier ages with its cartoon type graphics and effects. It repeated the same 8 steps numerous types and was very appropriate for the young.
In conclusion, internet safety should be taken seriously. Most of the young spend countless hours on the internet along with being on these social networking websites. By viewing videos such as these, many of the young can gain the necessary skills on how to protect themselves on the computer.

Hey everyone! Posting for the first time. Just a test run to see if it works. I'll be blogging again soon.