Doug Johnson's List

1. Thinking technology in schools will go away.- This one mistake that took a personal jab at me. Although I know technology will never leave the school, but only become a much larger aspect, I am hoping it either disappears or my knowledge increases. Many teachers make the mistake of thinking it will disappear instead of educating themselves further.

2. Not supervising compute-using students.-This is why computers in schools have such a big block on them. Our teachers are not doing what it is they need to do. They are allowing students to search a web full of danger freely.

3. Accept the role of co-learner.- When interacting with children, they can almost always tell when you are being honest with them. It is not our jobs as teachers to know everything, but to make sure we learn what we don't know.

4. Creatively find and use resources.- As a high school student I remember having to sit through some of the most boring history classes. After graduating, and still having a passion for the subject, I promised myself that I would always keep my students alert and involved. It is one thing it assign assignments out of a book, but it is another to actually have your students say they have truly learned from your teaching environment.

5. Do not cheat, but remix, re-purpose, and sample other people's work and ideas and give them credit.- Just recently plagiarism has become more of a big deal. With new technology it is much easier for students to use the work of others and not give them credit for it. My first reaction to the increasing numbers of plagiarism was that they do not know exactly what it is they are doing, but after listening to the youth today, I came to the conclusion that they just do not care. It is very sad to have to say this about a generation that will be taking care of me, but this only drives me more to be that one teacher that makes a big difference.

6.Know what you are suppose to be learning, why, and what you will do with the knowledge.-I think the most frequently asked question in schools is "Why do I need to know this"? There has even been charts designed to deal with this question. This only means that students think they are wasting their time learning fluff, and in return, this deters them from ever wanting to further their education. Lowing the rate of this happening in my classroom could ultimately depend on my creative level.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO VIEW DOUG JOHNSON'S LIST
CLICK HERE

At The Teacher's Desk

"http://attheteachersdesk.blogspot.com/"id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407774063267786834" />
This kind of blog gives me a new meaning of what blogging can be. I have never thought of having a blogging community where several people could participate in the post. I am sure all of them find this to be a helpful tool.
The most striking thing on this website is the "Scary Statistics". What sadness me the most is that this is becoming more and more of out reality. When single sex education is spoken of in this context, I found myself being for it. One other thing that stood out was the Fundred Project which allowed students to design a hundred dollar bill in awareness for lead contaminated soil.
This blog can be helpful to all kind of educators. Imagine if every school district made daily post in which they provided creative ways for parents to interact with their children, and also provided teachers with a encouraging word for the day. I would love to see something like this in my future school district.
TO VIEW THIS BLOGCLICK HERE

Toward A New Future Whatever-Michael Wesch

I have never thought about YouTube as being a "movement". After watching that video, I realize how much I actually use the site. Although it is mostly for music video searches, it can also be an educational site. YouTube can not only be used in a classroom as a research tool, but also a learning tool. Helpful videos such as the one just watched can be viewed by a high school class. As an educator, I could encourage my students to upload educational videos. One could definitely expand their learning network with this technique.
Mr. Wesch is not the first person I have heard call my generation narcissistic and vain, but he is the first to explain this claim in a way in which I can understand. With moderate technology, it is so easy for us to get the smallest task accomplished ten times faster than before. With a mind set that things will always come easy, it is not hard to get wrapped up in a narcissistic personality. This lecture is very thought provoking and has me thinking of ways I can turn my negative narcissistic energy into some positive.
TO VIEW MR. WESCH'S VIDEOCLICK HERE

Why is it Important for Students to Post Their Work to Blogs?

Before entering this class, I had never heard of blogging. This new trend is still all new to me. After watching some of the required post for this class, I can better understand some of the benefits of blogging. Blogging in schools can not only expose students to a different was of learning, but also allow them to improve certain skills such as reading and writing. The mundane lessons from a book can become more and more boring for the youth of today. The youth are more involved with hands on activities, and as educators it is our job to keep up. Blogging is a great way of doing exactly that.
TO WATCH THIS BLOG POSTCLICK HERE