Bullying Video

If I could do this video again, I would definitely talk slower and louder.  While we were recording, members in my groups pointed out that I was talking fast and softly.  I think due to my nervousness, it was hard for me to talk slower and louder.  However, now that I have more experience being recorded, I am improving on this aspect.  I had a lot of fun editing this video.  I have never used iMovie before and after this experience, I would definitely use it again.  In regardless to having my future students create a video, I believe it will be possible, however, they may not be able to use iMovie, but I am sure the school I will teach in has a basic cam corder if I should require my students to make a video.  Once again, I have never used iMovie before, but I had a positive experience with it and would use it again soon !

Reflection...

This class showed me a few new technologies I have never thought of before.  One thing I never knew about was the flipped classroom.  I think this idea is a really good start to making the classroom about the students and not about listening to a lecture all class.  It engages the students more in the classroom, and it uses the knowledge they gained from the night before, instead of lecturing first, and then the students apply what they know by themselves at home.  I think this can involve more students and I think it can be very beneficial.  Let's see where else technology takes us !

I found that some of the websites we created accounts for, I will not use.  As much as I love technology, I believe it should be an asset to learning, not the whole learning process itself.  I still see nothing wrong with using a pencil and paper when students want to figure out a math problem.  However, I see where technology can be useful, especially when students might work in groups.  Wikispaces can be a easy and effective way for students to work with each other without having to coordinate a common meeting time.

I feel tech savvy going forward.  I know that if I do not know how to use a piece of technology or a new website, I will be able to figure it out, given I have a wide tech background now.  I do not have a lot of fears when it comes to technology.  I used to be a PC girl all the way, but about three or four years ago, I was converted to Apple products, and I am now able to use both systems.  I feel I have worked my way through both products, and I am ready to tackle anything :)

I am still unsure whether I will use this blog, or other blogs in my future classroom.  I so see a class blog beneficial, I do not want to take away a lot of class time to show my students how to create a blog, and how to use a blog.  However, I can see a benefit to having a blog, especially when the students are at home and have a question on homework or a concept they do not understand.  As long as students do not use the blog as a way to just get answers, it can definitely be an aide in the learning process.

uh-oh.. quiz time !

Now that you remember all those fun tricks for multiplication... take this quick quiz on your knowledge !

Quiz

Times Table Tricks (TTT)

These are some cool tricks all bundled up in one website !

I hope they help !

TTT

annnnd....

More Tricks !

Good Teacher

This is an essay I was asked to write during my first week of the TCPCG program.  It is about what I think a "good" teacher consist of, and I hope I will implement these practices in my future classroom.

Good Teacher

Netiquette

Here are two websites for students to help keep the cyber space safe...

If everyone abides by these rules, no one will get hurt, bullied, or teased.

Please read these sites, and take the short survey at the bottom of the post.  Thank you !  Let's help keep cyber space happy and pleasant !

Boston Public Library and Netiquette

It may be it's Australian, but they have good ideas


Survey

Algebra !

This is a Algebra Geometry book done by Robin Hartshorne... enjoy

Algebra Geometry

Anti-Bullying Law

Bullying is an issue in most schools and seems like it just continues to get worse and worse... here is the bill that has been passed in 2011 against bullying.

Let's hope this helps cut down on the bullying that our students go through...

Anti-Bullying

Translator

I have also used this free translator during my schooling as well... it is very helpful !!

Translator

Dictionary

I have used this website many times in my school days... it is very helpful while I read articles, or even books for pleasure when I come across a word I do not know.

I hope you use it too !

Dictionary ! Dictionary !

Calculator....

Ever need a calculator handy ?  This calculator has everything you need on it !  Hope it helps !

E-Calc

Ever need a calendar handy?

This calendar lays out the year for you, and lists the holidays !

Year Long Calendar

Pi

Every student knows what Pi is... and usually when they are younger, they have a whole day dedicated to Pi.

Pi is used in relation to a circle's radius and diameter.  Most calculators say Pi is: 3.1415926535.... and it continues.

This is a cool shirt of Pi... it is the symbol of Pi, and if you look closely, the symbol itself is made up of the actual digits of Pi...

Enjoy !

Unit Circle

The Unit Circle is a very important concept to understand during Trigonometry and Calculus.  Even if one does not memorize the Unit Circle, it is critical to understand how it works... it will make your life a lot easier when using sine and cosign !

Check out this video !

Check out this awesome video on how lattice multiplication works... it shows how people traditionally learn how to multiply, then the lattice method.  I myself learned the lattice method about a year ago and I find it to be very helpful when someone does not understand multiplication all that well.

I hope you enjoy it !


Lattice Multiplication

Guidelines

Blogs can be a big help for students... they can give the student a chance to voice their opinions, frustrations, thoughts and knowledge for others to read.  For the future of this blog, I hope to post helpful tips and tools for my future students that may help their through their journey of my classroom.  Students will use appropriate language while on the blog, and will stay on topic and focused as well.  I hope I will accomplish this in the near future :)

Five Future Technologies Article

Some of the technologies talked about in this article are a little scary... Knowing that there will be a machine that can detect if a student is retaining the information they are told, although may be effective, can be potentially intimidating for the students.

Although I believe all the technologies that are discussed in this article have the intent of helping the students succeed, I also believe there is nothing wrong with the basics, and pen and paper.  I think technology should enhance the classroom, not be the whole classroom.

Flipped Classroom Article

This article brings up a good point on the flipped classroom idea.  I agree with the concept behind a flipped classroom, especially since that means the teacher has more time during the school day with their students to work with them, do activities with them, etc, not every child will have access to a computer, with internet, at home to watch the lesson.

Also, if a teacher does not provide some kind of scaffolded notes, the students are not going to have any idea on what is important during the lecture.  I think the idea of a flipped classroom is pretty awesome, but it is not perfected yet.  I'm not sure how we can solve the issue of students not always being equipped with the technology needed for a flipped classroom, especially since schools cannot mandate students having a lap top or computer.  Even if that was possible, the students may not have internet in their home.

Overall, I think this is a step in a good direction on trying to make the classroom less lectures, and more hands on activities or more teacher-student time.  However, I believe there is still a lot of work that needs to be done in order to perfect this to the best of our ability.

Survey

TaskStar !

Okay, I was finally able to get my TaskStar to save.  Here it is !

http://trackstar.4teachers.org/trackstar/mts/manageTrack.do

Alan November Article

This article has a lot of truth behind it.  Technology is something that is constantly growing exponentially and if we do not keep up with all the changes, then the younger generations will continue to know more than their parents, teachers and mentors.

A challenge students and educators face today is knowing if what they have found on the internet is true or accurate. When we teach staff and students how to use the technology that has been given to them, they should be taught how to find valuable sources online as well.  This would help the students when they do research online and help the teachers help the students find good sources when they are doing research.  I also think that older generations should be open to the younger generations knowledge on technology since they know just as much as the older generations, if not more.

I am not sure how I feel about parents being able to watch and talk to their children while they are in a classroom.  Parents were never sitting in on classes, and helping their children out while their children were in school, they were helping their children at home after school.  However, if a parent would like to watch their child in the classroom, and see what they are doing throughout the day, I also agree that should be able to be done.

I think the big thing with technology now-a-days is having everyone work together learning all the different aspects of technology, from young to old.

TrackStar

I have been having a lot of issues with my TrackStar ! I'm not sure if it saved today when I submitted everything, so hopefully it will be up soon !

First blog post !

This is my first day of TCPCG, and this technology class is my first class.  This is also my first blog, ever... I am looking forward to this program in preparing me to become a teacher !