Happy Leap Year :) I think that it would be so weird to only have a birthday every 4 years...must be one heck of a party! There are so many traditions and celebrations that go along with leap year. Here is a link to an article I found pretty interesting...
http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2012/0229/Leap-year-why-we-have-a-need-for-the-occasional-Feb.-29
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
Dear Nana,
I know you have a hard time just connecting to your email. I also remember the countless hours I have spent explaining how the internet works. So, I would like to tell you about what one of my grad school classes is all about. The class is called Web 2.0. Web 2.0 connects people to people. No matter where you are in the world you can be connected with others. It can be with people that you know or even people those you don't. The internet has become this world where you can interact with people just as you would face to face. Web 2.0 is simply the programs that allow you to do that. It lets you do every day things like journal, instantly communicate with friends, shop, pay your bills, or even see people face to face!
Love,
Jen
Love,
Jen
impromtu2.0
Web 2.0 is connecting the world through the web. When I
think of web 2.0 things like blogging, facebook, youtube, & schoology come
to my head. It allows people to connect and talk through the web much like what
would happen in a face-to-face interaction.
Human Computation Reflection
I really enjoyed this video! It was very insightful and pretty funny. I think the idea of crowdsourcing is great. I have actually seen the "Life in A Day" movie that is made up of youtube posts. I thought that it was genius. It was a great movie and great way to get the shots to put it together.
The speaker Luis Von Ahn's idea is very intriguing. I really enjoyed how he opened his presentation. He mentioned the captcha's that are so often used when creating accounts and how these are used to make sure one is human. This then lead him to point out the importance of human computation. I believe his creation of using a game to get people to do things is genius. I mean why pay someone when there are people willing to do it for free? A lot of times when people play games on the internet it is for pure enjoyment. So, on the contrary why not use people who are already going to play games for nothing anyway do something positive. I feel like people use the internet to rip people off all the time. People everywhere pirate music, movies, or can even steal someone's identity. So, when we look at an idea such as crowdsourcing why not use it. I have come to find out two things that people tend to do when they contribute knowingly to the internet. The first is that most people will submit things that they work hard on or want to show off. The other is it is going into something larger. When people play Dr. Ahn's game they are not just winning the fake points they see but essentially, they are helping the internet!
I think overall the positives out way the negatives. Yes, there will be people who cheat or submit crap but that is true when any type of experiment or survey is done. I think that using the people who use the internet is the best way to build it up. I am curious now and want to find these his games and play them!
The speaker Luis Von Ahn's idea is very intriguing. I really enjoyed how he opened his presentation. He mentioned the captcha's that are so often used when creating accounts and how these are used to make sure one is human. This then lead him to point out the importance of human computation. I believe his creation of using a game to get people to do things is genius. I mean why pay someone when there are people willing to do it for free? A lot of times when people play games on the internet it is for pure enjoyment. So, on the contrary why not use people who are already going to play games for nothing anyway do something positive. I feel like people use the internet to rip people off all the time. People everywhere pirate music, movies, or can even steal someone's identity. So, when we look at an idea such as crowdsourcing why not use it. I have come to find out two things that people tend to do when they contribute knowingly to the internet. The first is that most people will submit things that they work hard on or want to show off. The other is it is going into something larger. When people play Dr. Ahn's game they are not just winning the fake points they see but essentially, they are helping the internet!
I think overall the positives out way the negatives. Yes, there will be people who cheat or submit crap but that is true when any type of experiment or survey is done. I think that using the people who use the internet is the best way to build it up. I am curious now and want to find these his games and play them!
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Into the swing of things..
I am working on getting more into the habit of blogging and tweeting. It has still been hard doing videos but I am working on that too! This week has been crazy at school. I have a lot on my plate but I feel like I am handling it pretty well. Teaching, coaching, taking 2 grad school class...yes it could be worse, I know :)
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Tweeting
As I complete more of the tasks under the modules, I am finding out more and more of what web 2.0 is actually about. I think that this current module brings everything to it's basic meaning. Defining words, tools, and companies has helped to put this into a better perspective. It also allows me to see what my classmates have found and used to describe web 2.0. I am slowly getting into a routine with blogging and tweeting. Tweeting has been interesting. Before this class, I had never even visited the twitter site. I have enjoyed "following" people and seeing what they have to say. This has been an interesting experience so far!
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Coach
So, this is my first year teaching at the high that I graduated from. While I was a student, there I was involved in quite a bit including playing volleyball and softball. I never played any sports in college at least not seriously anyway and it has always been a dream of mine to coach at the high school level. Well this week has started this dream of mine coming true! This season I have the opportunity to coach along side my old softball coach. It has been such a great experience and its only been the first week! As a player, I never imagined all of what actually goes into coaching a team. I have not gotten home before 7:00 any day this week....and this is only try out week! I understand and really appreciate even more what all of my coaches did for me. I cannot wait to see what the rest of the season has in store!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Teaching follow-up
I really enjoyed the first video about student learning! The whole idea
about questioning student’s misconceptions makes a lot of sense. I often times
find this true in history. My students do not learn theories or formulas but
events and stories. I would 100% agree with the fact that students tend to zone
out if they feel like they know the material already and actually miss learning
the truth.
I really enjoyed seeing the "interviews" on the questions that we
had to answer. When asked the questions on the first day of class I honestly
could not recall the information. I felt like it was familiar but I could not
really pin point the exact answer. I see that I was in fact wrong with my
guesses. I can definitely relate to the people in the video, which means I am
not the only one. Not only am I not the only one in the US but apparently in
Australia too! I think that questioning the misconceptions is a great place to
start. I just do not know how this would be achieved successfully. I guess a starting
place is to know what misconceptions they have and go from there I will most definitely keep this in mind as I am creating lesson plans!
Monday, February 13, 2012
Thoughts about 1st video
This was very interesting and I can only see this getting more interesting! This had to be the hardest task to complete. It was weird and I felt awkward. Even though no one was in the room with me while I was recording myself I was still in a way nervous doing it. Of all the tasks we have to complete this will be the most challenging for me.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Thinking Differently, Doing Differently
The teacher inside of me was touched and changed by what I saw. The last
video (seminar) was very touching. What a great way to be honored as an
educator. I think the best part was the student in the beginning introducing
him because his teacher had clearly touched him. Being a teacher myself it is
very rewarding to have students say positive things about what you are doing.
It is essentially what "makes it all worth it". Teaching has been one
of the hardest jobs I have ever done. I definitely did not go into this
profession thinking it would be easy but I really did not understand exactly
what I was getting into. It is hard work. It is not only physically tiring but
also mentally exhausting. I am challenged everyday by my students and even
though at the end of the week I feel like I could sleep for a week every
minute is worth it especially when you have positively influenced even just one
child. I LOVED the advice his wife gave him before he started "Love your students
and they will love you". It is something that I will take with me and
share with my fellow colleagues.
After watching the second video, I felt a mix of things. It would be typical to say I was shocked but I am not. Some of the facts presented have been true about me at some point in my life. I also think that my students could agree with some also. It is so easy to get caught up in our own little worlds. Having the opportunity to go to school or buy a $2,000 laptop and not think anything about it. What about the world around us? Those that do not have nor will ever have the opportunity to spend 3 hours a day on facebook. And what about those that make less then $1 a day? How are we going to solve problems like poverty or war? After watching this and thinking about it I feel sad. Sad that this is the world we live in. I really enjoyed watching this clip because it has got me thinking. I mean I probably will never have the answer to solving poverty or world hunger but at least I can become more proactive about things that should matter. Maybe spend less time on facebook and more time helping those in need. I will be re-showing this video to my students. Most will probably not be affected but it may just get them thinking. And even if it only touches or changes the life of one student it would be time well spent.
Words are extremely powerful. Whether written or spoken they make the world in which we live go round. The second and third videos are prime examples of influencing the world through spoken and written words. This leads me to mention the first video, which was a great testament to words especially as they relate to this class. Not only is it a testament to words but also how we use the Internet all together. It has reminded me to be more cautious as to what I write and do especially on the Internet. These videos have been simple reminders that computers are machines but can be very influential especially noting how they have already changed the world.
Some sites worth exploring:
1) Schoology.com or edmodo.com...For any teachers that want to get their class online. This is set up so that the student can submit and see assignments. Schoology has an amazing gradebook and edmodo is set up very similar to facebook! It is simple and a great way for kids to keep up with their work.
2) Box.net...if you are looking for a flash drive online this is a great site. I use this for kids who do not have a flash drive. t holds their information. You get about 5 GB free and you can pay to use more!
3) Glogster.com...If you want to give your students a new way to present information (or if you want to prevent information) this site is a neat source. You can design and create pages that are colorful and creative.
After watching the second video, I felt a mix of things. It would be typical to say I was shocked but I am not. Some of the facts presented have been true about me at some point in my life. I also think that my students could agree with some also. It is so easy to get caught up in our own little worlds. Having the opportunity to go to school or buy a $2,000 laptop and not think anything about it. What about the world around us? Those that do not have nor will ever have the opportunity to spend 3 hours a day on facebook. And what about those that make less then $1 a day? How are we going to solve problems like poverty or war? After watching this and thinking about it I feel sad. Sad that this is the world we live in. I really enjoyed watching this clip because it has got me thinking. I mean I probably will never have the answer to solving poverty or world hunger but at least I can become more proactive about things that should matter. Maybe spend less time on facebook and more time helping those in need. I will be re-showing this video to my students. Most will probably not be affected but it may just get them thinking. And even if it only touches or changes the life of one student it would be time well spent.
Words are extremely powerful. Whether written or spoken they make the world in which we live go round. The second and third videos are prime examples of influencing the world through spoken and written words. This leads me to mention the first video, which was a great testament to words especially as they relate to this class. Not only is it a testament to words but also how we use the Internet all together. It has reminded me to be more cautious as to what I write and do especially on the Internet. These videos have been simple reminders that computers are machines but can be very influential especially noting how they have already changed the world.
Some sites worth exploring:
1) Schoology.com or edmodo.com...For any teachers that want to get their class online. This is set up so that the student can submit and see assignments. Schoology has an amazing gradebook and edmodo is set up very similar to facebook! It is simple and a great way for kids to keep up with their work.
2) Box.net...if you are looking for a flash drive online this is a great site. I use this for kids who do not have a flash drive. t holds their information. You get about 5 GB free and you can pay to use more!
3) Glogster.com...If you want to give your students a new way to present information (or if you want to prevent information) this site is a neat source. You can design and create pages that are colorful and creative.
Web 2.0 Job Advertisement
WEB 2.0 SPECIALIST NEEDED
Are you a web 2.0 guru?? Then we need you! Kannapolis City
Schools is currently in need of a web 2.0 specialist who is creative and ready
to bring new ideas to the school system. The position is alongside our IT team
and would require previous knowledge of:
· Using
social media sites like Wikis, Schoology, blogging, & youtube
· Web
developing/design
· Creating
and sharing videos
· Social
software
A degree in technology is required along with at least 5
years experience working with web 2.0. If interested send your resume to WonderITteam@kcs.k12.nc.us.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Working...Working...Working...
I have been working very hard this week to keep up with my
two grad school classes and three high school history classes!! It has been one
heck of a week....to say the very least! I am so thankful that I have only one
prep (US History) to worry about. For this class I currently have been working on my video. This I
believe was the hardest task to do thus far. I have recorded what feels like 500 videos
and like none of them. Even though it is frustrating, completing a task that I
am not very fond of has pushed me outside of my comfort zone. It is nice to reflect back and see that it may have been frustrating at the time but that it is rewarding too!
Friday, February 3, 2012
Web 2.0 Course Objectives
Some objectives I have for this course are....
1. Understand all the inter workings of what Web 2.0 is about. I would like to learn how to really use the web to interact through and not just as an information source.
2. Effectively use technology to reach my 21st century learners. Technology is such a huge part of children's lives and I want to be able to use it to effectively reach them in the classroom. I hope that this web 2.0 class can give me some great ideas to use in my classroom.
3. Get more experience with using social media sites regularly. I am very comfortable with sites like Facebook and Youtube. Through this course, I hope to become more experienced in using other forms of social media like blogging. I also hope to learn more about what other sites are out there besides the mainstream ones.
4. Experience and understand the positives and negatives to using web 2.0 and social media sites to communicate. I have an idea of some of these already. However, I feel that physically using these things will show something's that I might not have known otherwise.
1. Understand all the inter workings of what Web 2.0 is about. I would like to learn how to really use the web to interact through and not just as an information source.
2. Effectively use technology to reach my 21st century learners. Technology is such a huge part of children's lives and I want to be able to use it to effectively reach them in the classroom. I hope that this web 2.0 class can give me some great ideas to use in my classroom.
3. Get more experience with using social media sites regularly. I am very comfortable with sites like Facebook and Youtube. Through this course, I hope to become more experienced in using other forms of social media like blogging. I also hope to learn more about what other sites are out there besides the mainstream ones.
4. Experience and understand the positives and negatives to using web 2.0 and social media sites to communicate. I have an idea of some of these already. However, I feel that physically using these things will show something's that I might not have known otherwise.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Definition of Web 2.0
I really like the idea of getting the next person to improve the definition. I think the process itself was fine. You could also post on the first posters blog. I understand for the sake of this class that our input only counts but this would be a cool idea to do on a blog for anyone. Thinking of an idea or statement and having the next person improve upon it. I can imagine that people might get pretty creative!
First Week
I am so glad to be getting on track and "caught"
up. The problems I have encountered with technology this week have tested my
"roll with it" personality type! So far, I have really enjoyed
beginning this class. I can say that it had a very interesting start. One that that I am kind of excited about is getting out of my comfort
zone. As I have been completing tasks, certain ones have already been
challenging. The first thing that will be different for me is blogging. I have
NEVER blogged before. I do not think that I would say I am a private person but
not one that has never shared my life with the internet. I enjoy
reading them but I will most definitely have to get use to writing them.
I think doing videos will also be challenging but nonetheless interesting. I am
so very ready and willing to take on the challenges that will be set before me.
Web 2.0 here we go!!
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