I had originally hoped to do some research on the way my students are using technology at home and at school. However, as my schedule continues to change and concerns about using students arise, I am having trouble seeing this as a viable project.
My second thought would be to work with Shade Gomez (since we work in the same building), but what? Is there anyone out there with a suggestion?
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Podcast letdown
I am feeling kind of discouraged about my podcast. While working on it, I felt that I had a good sense of where I was going. I felt like I was learning to manipulate the applications fairly well. I even started to feel like I was ready to move on to iMovie to make something more dramatic. I found pictures and music that I thought fit well together, and I felt pretty confident overall with my finished product. It was amusing to me, but still, I thought it showed that I had learned something from Friedman and was gaining some facility with the iLife '06 applications.
Then, I saw what other people did.
Now I think my podcast is - in a word - lame. I'm frustrated because I actually worked hard on trying to get things right and make it engaging. But, as I see from what other people have done, there was so much more that could have been done. I guess the upshot is that my students will only need a teacher who allows and supports the use of technology, not one who's good at it.
Then, I saw what other people did.
Now I think my podcast is - in a word - lame. I'm frustrated because I actually worked hard on trying to get things right and make it engaging. But, as I see from what other people have done, there was so much more that could have been done. I guess the upshot is that my students will only need a teacher who allows and supports the use of technology, not one who's good at it.
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
My Mood Podcast
Check out my podcast here
You should be able to open this file: MoodPodcast.m4a
Please let me know if this works for you and what you think.
Thanks.
You should be able to open this file: MoodPodcast.m4a
Please let me know if this works for you and what you think.
Thanks.
Wired article
I was reading an interesting article about eBaumsworld. It's basically a site with funny videos and pictures that one guy (and his girlfriend) compile together on the site. Not surprisingly, the site is popular and has started to make him a lot of money. He hasn't been giving credit to the originators of the videos. Some have resorted to threatening him until he finally took down their video, and others have just been complaining LOUDLY.
I made two connections to this. First, it once again brings to the front of my mind the challenge of always staying current. I read this article because I had seen some of my students on the site. One of my undergraduate professors frequently instructed us on the importance of what he called "with-it-ness." I don't think he was even thinking about any of the things we're talking about in this class, but the concept still seems to be relevant.
Second, this reminded me of Natalie's post about posting on the class wiki. Alex's replly discusses the difference between authority and authorship. How do you think this applies to ebaumsworld?
I made two connections to this. First, it once again brings to the front of my mind the challenge of always staying current. I read this article because I had seen some of my students on the site. One of my undergraduate professors frequently instructed us on the importance of what he called "with-it-ness." I don't think he was even thinking about any of the things we're talking about in this class, but the concept still seems to be relevant.
Second, this reminded me of Natalie's post about posting on the class wiki. Alex's replly discusses the difference between authority and authorship. How do you think this applies to ebaumsworld?
Monday, September 18, 2006
Cool Web Site
Will the wonders of Flash never cease...
Check out this Japanese hatmaker's site.
Has anyone ever seen a site that is navigated this way?
Check out this Japanese hatmaker's site.
Has anyone ever seen a site that is navigated this way?
Teacher vs. Teaching Assistant
I had an interesting day today. As a certified and experienced classroom teacher, I wondered how I would do with being in a support staff position. Would there be conflict? Would I disagree with the teacher I was working with? Would I find good teaching practices in the classrooms I was working in? I have seen some good teaching and some great teaching. One of the teachers I work with has been particularly open to my input, and I feel like I am truly part of a teaching team in her class. In other classes, I have been clerical/errand girl, which is what I expected in part. Even that aspect of the job has been okay.
However, today I had a situation where - without thinking about the implications - I did not do what the teacher asked me to do. She asked me to remove a student whose cell phone rang during class (and the kid had answered it!) and bring him to the office. I removed him from the room, but instead of taking the disciplinary measures she wanted me to take, I talked with him. Without getting into too much detail, this student is having some trouble with school (not doing homework, missing class, coming late to school, not getting enough sleep, being bullied to the point of having his thumb broken, being generally out of it). I don't know all the details of what's going on with him, but I just thought there was a better way to handle the situation. So I did it my way.
The following period, I was pulled from another class and asked to find this student and bring him to the assistant principal's office, which I did. As we walked to her office, this student and I spoke a little about his bullying situation. It was clear that he knows who is bullying him, but doesn't want to tell the administration the person's name. He says, "It's no big deal. It's funny how important he thinks this makes him." When this student spoke with the AP, he changed his story (unconvincingly). His parents were called (not exactly sure of the parent situation). I worked with him on some homework 8th period and went over what he needed to do at home that night.
So, now I'm worrying about this student, and I'm worrying about me. Did I do the right thing? Am I allowed to make that kind of decision? Are there consequences for this? Will there be tension or conflict between me and the teacher? Does this impact my reputation? Is he doing his work? Is he going to get a good night's sleep? What are the repercussions of a phone call from the AP? What exactly is the extent of the bullying? What is the best way to hanndle bullying? What is my role in a situation like this?
Looking for advice and an unbiased opinion...
However, today I had a situation where - without thinking about the implications - I did not do what the teacher asked me to do. She asked me to remove a student whose cell phone rang during class (and the kid had answered it!) and bring him to the office. I removed him from the room, but instead of taking the disciplinary measures she wanted me to take, I talked with him. Without getting into too much detail, this student is having some trouble with school (not doing homework, missing class, coming late to school, not getting enough sleep, being bullied to the point of having his thumb broken, being generally out of it). I don't know all the details of what's going on with him, but I just thought there was a better way to handle the situation. So I did it my way.
The following period, I was pulled from another class and asked to find this student and bring him to the assistant principal's office, which I did. As we walked to her office, this student and I spoke a little about his bullying situation. It was clear that he knows who is bullying him, but doesn't want to tell the administration the person's name. He says, "It's no big deal. It's funny how important he thinks this makes him." When this student spoke with the AP, he changed his story (unconvincingly). His parents were called (not exactly sure of the parent situation). I worked with him on some homework 8th period and went over what he needed to do at home that night.
So, now I'm worrying about this student, and I'm worrying about me. Did I do the right thing? Am I allowed to make that kind of decision? Are there consequences for this? Will there be tension or conflict between me and the teacher? Does this impact my reputation? Is he doing his work? Is he going to get a good night's sleep? What are the repercussions of a phone call from the AP? What exactly is the extent of the bullying? What is the best way to hanndle bullying? What is my role in a situation like this?
Looking for advice and an unbiased opinion...
Thursday, September 14, 2006
My Time is Precious
This may not come across the way I want it to, but...here goes: My time is precious - don't waste it.
Hooray for this class. Students are treated to a fast-paced class with high expectations from our professors who are also available to help and they've set up a way for students to help other students. I feel a range of emotions when I feel my time is being wasted in class - frustrated, annoyed, agitated, bored, underestimated and angry. In 506 I am learning new things all the time, building on what I learn, applying what I learn, becoming more comfortable with what I learn.
Being a teacher of teachers (or soon-to-be teachers) is an incredible challenge in my opinion. You are dealing with people who are out there in the trenches. They know what it's like and they want real solutions. They can be resistant to change, and they are certainly tired. Thank you for rising to the challenge every week in class and throughout the week on our blogs.
I really feel like I am learning about technology in the English classroom, but also learning about good teaching practices that have little or nothing to do with technology: Keep students engaged. Provide opportunities for creativity and success. Make yourselves available, but give students ways to be responsible for their own work. Model effective collaboration with others. Know your subject area curriculum. Have high expectations for your students. Differentiated instruction (we read, we write, we talk, we listen, we do).
Hooray for this class. Students are treated to a fast-paced class with high expectations from our professors who are also available to help and they've set up a way for students to help other students. I feel a range of emotions when I feel my time is being wasted in class - frustrated, annoyed, agitated, bored, underestimated and angry. In 506 I am learning new things all the time, building on what I learn, applying what I learn, becoming more comfortable with what I learn.
Being a teacher of teachers (or soon-to-be teachers) is an incredible challenge in my opinion. You are dealing with people who are out there in the trenches. They know what it's like and they want real solutions. They can be resistant to change, and they are certainly tired. Thank you for rising to the challenge every week in class and throughout the week on our blogs.
I really feel like I am learning about technology in the English classroom, but also learning about good teaching practices that have little or nothing to do with technology: Keep students engaged. Provide opportunities for creativity and success. Make yourselves available, but give students ways to be responsible for their own work. Model effective collaboration with others. Know your subject area curriculum. Have high expectations for your students. Differentiated instruction (we read, we write, we talk, we listen, we do).
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