5 Things I've Learned 9.24.14

5 Things I've Learned 9.24.14

1. Education is more than what you read in a textbook

Students learn more in schools than what they read in the textbook. From the relationship they have with teachers and fellow students to the experiences they have in extra curricular activities, students learn from the environment around them. You hope they learn in a positive environment, but it isn't always the case.

2. Technology is everywhere

When I was in school, computers were found in the library and in the computer labs or classrooms. A lot has changed since I graduated High School in 2003. Every classroom seems to have at least a Smartboard, if not iPads and computers. Even in English class. The best teachers find a way to incorporate technology into their lessons.

3. Know your students

One of the most important elements of a classroom is that a teacher knows his or her students. If a particular student is smart but shy, you don't need to call on them randomly. If a student is a kinesthetic learner or has a need to get out of his or her seat, give them tasks like writing on the board or handing out papers. It's the best way to keep everyone engaged.

4. Not everyone can read very good

There are a lot of students, and people in general, who are not very good at reading. It is important to reach these people early, but if they are passed from grade to grade it is important to realize who needs the extra help. A wealth of intelligent, grown up people are marginally literate. Some people's reading ability extends to restaurant menus and headlines on the Onion. Teaching children to read from an early age can be the most important thing in their lives. 

5. Teachers need to adapt

Even if a student is a "difficult" child, comes from a broken home, has a bad attitude, or is past the point of being an exemplary student, they can be reached on some level. The key is to learn who the student is and how they learn. Every teacher needs to be able to adapt to his or her classroom and the unique challenges that lay therein. 

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September 10, 2014

In class we started learning about Google Drive, something I'm fairly familiar with. I've used it for a few years now. My main use has been doing the employee scheduling at work using Google sheets, which works well with excel. By using drive I could make the schedules from any computer, whether it be my own at home or the main computer at either of the theaters I've managed. Drive made my life a lot easier once I figured out how to use it. It's a lot easier than emailing the same document to myself over and over as an attachment and trying to remember which version has my latest changes on it.
It was really fun to learn about how collaborative you can be with Google. The in class activities were actually pretty fun, especially rewriting a lame story with a few partners all at the same time. I used to write for a crappy television show the first time I was in college and I've always enjoyed building on ideas with people while writing. I also think it would work well as a lesson plan for high school English. Working like that is a fun way to get students' minds active and would help to build their writing skills for sure.
I was happy that we got out of class a little bit earlier than the designated 9:50 and relieved when the professor told us we will have two weeks in a row where we can work from home instead of coming into the stuffy classroom. That will be a great two weeks, as long as I'm up to speed on what we're doing in class.
I still have to buy a headset with a microphone. This is a time where I still wish I worked at Staples so I could get a discount as well as use some type of coupon. It would also be useful to have the knowledge of what's in stock. I'll probably just wind up ordering the cheapest set I can find online, or maybe I'll go in to my old Staples and ask my former coworkers what the best option is.
I'm very happy with this class so far. I'm familiar already with a lot of what we've covered but I'm really building on my knowledge and ability to use the technology. I think it might behoove me to take the follow up class next semester, if the school permits me to. The more technology for teaching you are familiar with, the better it will look when you start applying for teaching positions.

September 3, 2014

September 3, 2014

The first day of my technology class started with the technology in the class not working. None of the computers would log in and it was apparently a school-wide issue. Eventually they got up and running and class began, but I will be very frustrated with Stockton if it becomes a chronic issue.
Overall it seems like it'll be a good class and it's going to prepare me with the tools I need to implement technology in my future teaching. The quiz we took on the syllabus was pretty easy. I think the hardest things in the class are going to be the creative aspects, which should really be the most difficult anyway. Designing a web page is something I've more or less done before in the days of myspace.com and I've always been pretty good with computers, it is all just a matter of making choices, finding pictures, etc. I am excited to learn about smart boards and things of that nature especially those things that I have absolutely no experience with. Even with my familiarity with computers,  I'm still relatively new to power-point and blackboard as I graduated from Northeastern in 2007, before those became the standard for classes of all types. It is amazing to think of how much the implementation of technology has grown since I was in high school or even my first go-round of college.
The downsides to taking this class are already evident and they have nothing to do with the actual content or delivery. The computer lab rooms at Stockton are always too hot and this is no different. To add to that, the class is four hours long (only once a week, though). Hopefully we get up and moving around once in a while because sitting in this stuffy room is going to inhibit my ability to fully pay attention at all times. I am excited to take this class, even with the room and the length of the class itself. I should be able to get a lot out of it. Here is my website, which will be built on weekly.