C4T #1

What Students Want Us to Know

I commented on Mike Prater’s blog post regarding feedback he received about the needs of his students while he was teaching. According to his experience, more emphasis during the feedback process was directed toward the parents and the school system and not directly to the customers of the education, which are the students. The students were able to provide the most direct and honest feedback but some teachers were not that interested in the results.
Mr. Prater was not surprised by the results of his student’s feedback towards him as a teacher. If you know about self-refection you’re comfortable with your strengths and weaknesses and the feedback results should be not a total surprise to you. The following are some of the common responses that he received in his evaluations. First, students want more individualized attention. They do not learn at the same level and want to be taught at their level not everyone else’s. Secondly, standardized testing did not meet their demands because students felt that their emphasis was on underlining the quality of the school and teachers instead of the students themselves. Furthermore, the students wanted to create a link regarding the knowledge they are learning in school and the relevance in a practical environment. They are also enthusiastic about the technologies they can use as tools to accomplish tasks and results required. Regarding this matter teachers need to be open to new technologies and tools since there is a constant change, which requires adaptation from both students and teachers.

I agreed with Mr. Prater on receiving feedback from students because all students learn at different levels. Students learn valuable information from teachers so teachers should learn from their students. Teachers should lead by example and continue learning something new every day even if it’s from some one younger than you.

Group Students for Effective Learning

Mr. Prater describes in this blog the importance of addressing the students on an individual level rather than using a collectivist philosophy. It has been proven that an individual approach is much more effective and produces higher quality of outcome. Teacher collaborate in professional learning communities (PLC) to evaluate solutions for the following questions:
1. Which are the goals we want students to reach?
2. How can you verify the achievement of these goals?
3. How are we going to monitor progress?
4. What are the consequences if the outcomes differ from desired level?
It is essential to establish PLC groups in your school and share information regarding methods and results with other schools. Mr. Prater suggests developing a rubric and having examples that are clear to the teachers and students on the desired outcome of a certain tasks. When students are placed in flexible learning groups it is important to have regular interventions between the students and the teacher to re-evaluate the progress and the outcome of the tasks.
Mr. Prater,
This was a very informative blog with a good approach how to address common challenges in the school environment. The outlined tools make sense and the verification methods to check results are proven to be successful. I’m excited to implement and adapt these tools as a resource of continuous improvement in my own environment.

Presentation Project #5

Blog Post #3

Peer Editing

In this particular assignment I had to watch Paige Ellis’s Blog Assignment #12, What is Peer Editing, Writing Peer Review Top 10 Mistakes, and Peer Edit with Perfection Tutorial. These were all informative on how to correctly peer review a classmate’s blog. There are three steps to editing. First, compliment, and always stay positive. Second, make suggestions, for example advise student on word choice. Are the words being used interesting? Lastly, corrections, is punctuation correct, is grammar correct and is spelling correct. Then I was given a classmates assignment to critique. I had to decide whether to publically or privately critique the student’s paper.
I was assigned Chanel Ellison’s blog post #3 to edit in this assignment. I have chosen not post comments publically on my blog page or hers but will instead send her a private email. I feel that to correct errors that everyone can see is not the best way to handle corrective criticism. I feel that personal one on one is better for the student’s self esteem and confidence not to humiliate or embarrass them in front of their peers. Contrary to compliments, which need an audience, critiquing needs to be done privately involving the only one it is intended for.

Technology in Special Education

This video shows examples of how technology has assisted students with physical disabilities in a classroom. Lacey Cook shows how technology had helped several of her students to blossom because of technology. Chris, a disabled student in her class, who use to point at letters before he got his computer. Chris now can use the computer to communicate more efficiently. Ms. Cook believes that with technology, students are more eager and willing to participate in class.
I actually can relate to Ms. Cook as I have a daughter with both learning and physical disabilities. I can see how technology has helped her blossom as a student and as a person. I would use computers to help students be the best that they can be. To see a child with a disability to achieve something that they normally could not do is remarkable. There are several programs available such as zoom text that was mentioned in Lacey Cook’s video, that could be used to assist students.

How the iPad works with Academics for Autism

This video was about a family who uses an iPad to help their autistic son to be motivated to learn. Brandon is able to count using the iPad. Brandon is in the third grade and is also using the iPad to help with reading. He uses iPad to recognize sight words. The iPad has also helped Brandon with his writing. His father would write a word and Brandon would write the word on his iPad. It is obvious in the video that Brandon is highly motivated to learn using the iPad.
I was unaware that at iPad had so many capabilities to assist students with disabilities. This is a GREAT tool for students. I would highly recommend the use of an iPad for a student. The only problem I would see is the cost for the families. This is an expensive piece of equipment and a lot of families would not be able to afford the iPad. Brandon’s parents were highly motivated to work with Brandon and his autism.

Gary Hayes Social Media Count

The social media count is amazing! This is a running count on several areas of technology and how many people use them every day. I had no idea how much people rely on technology on a daily basis.
Technology is continuing to grow and will affect the future as it is already changing mine. I now see how it is being used in classrooms in several different areas. I believe that technology will continue to grow and continue to play an important role in the classroom.
Michael Wesch: A Vision of Students Today
This video was very informative and very true on a students view. I love the way the video was presented in a classroom setting. This video should be used as a tool to help identify problems that college students face today. Students should be able to share their views with facility as well as the universities presidents. Students, including myself have spent hundred of dollars on books and do not even open them once during the whole semester.
We have technology at our fingertips and could be using it in the classrooms and students are not using their computers for class but for social sites in class. What does that say? Teachers need to participate in using technology as a tool instead of letting students being bored in class. It should be interesting why students pay for a class and do not attend. Is it lack of interest in subject or no motivation to go to class?

Blog Post #2

Did you Know?


Did you know? 3.0 A John Strange version and did you Know 3.0 by Karl Fisch and Scott McLeod provided several statistics of how technology will be changing in the future. The rate that technology is reaching everyone is at an alarming rate. For example, according to the video 31 billion searches on google every month and 200 million on my space is just amazing information. Also technology is doubling every two years and for a student entering college the technological information will be outdated by the time the student is in their third year of college.
The video makes you realize how fast the world is changing and how fast we need to change and learn more so that we are able to keep up with the demands of the job market if we are going to be successful in our job search once we graduate college. I am amazed at the technology that we have today compared to when I was in high school. This video is just an eye opener to let me know that I will have to continue to advance in my technological experience and continue to learn.

Mr. Winkle Wakes


Mr. Winkle has been asleep for 100 years and when he finally wakes from his long slumber when he realizes the world had changed. He was amazed at the machinery he saw in a building he entered. He saw machines printing pictures and noticed how people were able to talk to each other from other areas of the world. Now he was getting sick when he witnessed all the new technology and went to the hospital. Mr. Winkle was shocked further when he noticed more technology at the hospital. Mr. Winkle then decided to leave the hospital and found himself at a school. Mr. Winkle notices the same things he remembered a hundred years ago and was comfortable there in the classroom with no technology.
I can relate to Mr. Winkles, unfortunately, because I was taught in class with not so much technology available to students. I find it a necessary part of student’s education today because it is all around us. Today we have cell phones, computers, and so many other things that are accessible for students. Its very funny that when I was in the sixth grade, my class had a field trip to the space center in Huntsville, AL and I saw a telephone that you could see the person you were having a conversation. I remember thinking that was in the future and it would never happen. I was wrong.

Importance of Creativity


Sir Ken Robinson said, “Creativity is as important as literacy”. This video was very enlightening because Sir Ken Robinson believes that all children are born artists and that children should be allowed to show their creativity without restriction from educators. He goes on to explain the hierarchy of our education system with math and language being on the top. Second, humanities and lastly art and music then drama and dance.
I fully agree with what he is saying because I know to many people who were not supported by teachers and parents on the passions of a child. I have seen the beauty in the art that my ex-brother in law painted, the clothes that were being designed by a fellow co-worker, and a man’s art that was drawn on paper napkins at McDonald’s. None of these people had the support of their families in their passion and was told you would not make money from painting, or making clothes. These dreams were killed for some but made others stronger to fight for what they believed to be their destiny. It is our job as teacher to encourage and nurture all students in their strengths and strengthen their weaknesses. Encouraging their creativity is one such task.

A Vision for the 21st Century


The main purpose of this video is to let you know that technology is useful tool in classrooms. Students easily get bored sitting still listening to lectures, memorizing text and just reading a book. Computers are a central role in our daily lives, so why shouldn’t this technology be in a child’s classroom. This is great hands on material for a student to achieve greater learning potential. We provide our children video games at an early age so we should continue to allow them to progress even higher in education with technology.
I truly wished that this technology was available when I was in school because using a computer while learning is easier and much more fun than watching teacher just standing in front of the class lecturing. I am looking forward to learning all I can in EDM 310 to continue my technology education.

Vicky Davis: Harness Your Students Digital Smarts


Vicky Davis is a teacher and IT director in a rural school in south Georgia. She teaches students how to use new software, how to blog effectively and how to be comfortable using technology. She feels that students who only use paper and pencil will not progress in the world with today’s technology. She enjoys giving her students new terminology so they are able to look up the definition. She wants her students to learn from other students all over the world gaining different perspectives from different cultures and sharing ideas.
I feel that technology will definitely need to be based on a grade level to correctly teach students and how to use a computer effectively and to teach students proper etiquette on a computer. Technology for the class room is definitely a must in all grade levels to continue to educate students for the future. I continue to learn how to use the computer in college and I’m sure I will continue to use it in the future.

Project #2

Blog Post #1

My name is Linda Garscha. I am a forty-four year old full time student at the University of South Alabama pursuing a degree in elementary education.
I married a very caring and supporting man in May of 2011. My husband, Greg, works at ThyssenKrupp in Calvert and will be attending U.S.A in the fall. I am the proud mother of two children, Stephen and Patty. I also have two beautiful grandchildren, Brooklyn and Christian.
I have a passion to teach others new things as well as being taught new things. I am convinced that I have always wanted to be a teacher since I was around six years old when I had my first student, my sister Aimee. My sister has been an elementary school teacher for about 10 years.
I enjoy reading, cooking and spending time with my family and friends, which is difficult when you are a full time student. I am looking forward to learning new and exciting things in EDM310 since I am not familiar with the technology that is being presented in class.

"Falling to plan is planning to Fail"--Randy Pausch

Randy Pausch has several examples on how to manage your time wisely such as having a written list. I thoroughly believe in written lists, because if you don't write it down you might forget what needs to be done and when it needs to be completed as well as it can be crossed out when an assignment is done. Planning ahead also can make life easier. Making a to-do list using a calendar will give you a visual to aide you in what appointments you may have or class assignments that need to be finished by a certain day. My mom used to tell me when I was younger, "You never have time to do it right the first time but plenty of time to do it right the second time". This is why I ALWAYS make lists.

Test New Post

Hi my name is Linda Garsha and this is my first test post in EDM 310... Happy blogging everyone!