Blogging Experience

I am trying not to be negative as I revisit my blogging experience this term.  Although, I am still a little apprehensive about the whole blogging concept I can see the pros and cons of the experience.  I have repeatedly tried to become involved and post comments; however I am still unmotivated and have no desire to post comments on the World Wide Web.  My lack of blogs isn’t because of my lack of desire nor my irresponsibility to complete my assignments; however it does stem around a lack of time. In a different world when I had no job, family, four other classes, and a life I believe I would have eventually enjoyed the concept of blogging with my classmates.  When looking back at some of my past blogs, I feel I have grown as an individual and professional. Some of the assignments and questions forced me to apply, what I was learning from week to week.  As a student and a professional who is striving for excellence I can appreciate that concept.  Honestly, I have enjoyed the challenging assignments and even some of the late nights on the computer trying to figure things out.  Overall, I think the blogging helped with my written communication.  Consciously and sadly, I held back at first in my writings.  Mainly out of fear of making grammar mistakes and broadcasting it for everyone to review.  Yeah…I too am guilty about reading other’s material and passing judgment.  Knowing that writing is one of my weaknesses, I regret that I didn’t write more.   As an educator I understand that written and oral communication is essential and being a blogger can help.

Phonics Song

I found the “ABC Phonics” video fun, colorful, educational and interesting for young children that are ready to read.  The song and animation adds a flavor that is helpful and can be use as additional tool for recognizing letters and sounds. I believe this visual will support and add excitement to the classroom, as the children are learning.

Youtube is great in the classroom back you should always have a back up plan when you are dealing with the internet.  Youtube only works when the internet is up and running. Another issue users might be faced with is, if the publisher decides to take the video of the site.                                                               

Going Wireless (Podcast)

http://news.cnet.com/8301-30977_3-20020643-10347072.html

"Safety first" a statement that is repeated several times during the course of a day.  Although, my # 1 reason for being fascinated by WiFi is the ugly wires that hang off of the desk and go across the room.  “Integrating Technology Into the Classroom” talks about integrating computers and laptops into the classroom.  Computers and/or laptop are great to have, however you will never recieve maximum use if you don’t have access to the internet?  WiFi in the classroom will enable the children to conduct research immediately  but also supports incorporating technology in the classroom. In the podcast “WiFi Direct let Devices Talk to Each Other ,” Larry Madrid discusses with Kelly Davis-Felner the updated version of WiFi connection.  WiFi Direct allows you to use a WiFi Direct device as a modem to acccess the internet. I thought this concept was very interesting because I have seen how people are buying several data plans to accommodate their internet use. The amount of money a household spends to have internet accessibility is outrages. If you were to calculate the average cost a household spends on data plans for their phones, wireless games, ipads, mobile hotspots and in their home broadband internet the dollars keep going and going and going. God forbids you to go over on your data plan the extra charges you will accrue. This concept is great, however I found this information to be slightly disturbing becauses in order to save money you are forced to buy "newer" updated equipment because of the compatibility. WiFi Direct is that piece of equipment that a lot of people will be interested in using, however you must now go out and by a new device that has this capability.                                                                                 

Software Eval (JumpStart)

JumpStart Reading KaraokeSoftware is designed for children age 4-7 that are intrigued and interested in taking that step to learn how to read.  Software allows the children to have fun as they learn, by singing and dancing to the music. The sing along software introduces the children to sight words and phonics increasing their vocabulary and confidence as they learn.  Program also records and reports the child progress allowing the teachers to monitor the child’s success. Unlimited access to the website is available for $700 and other offers are also available.  The reviews for the software were great. On a scale from 0-5 the software received a 5.0 for educational value and ease for use. It received a 4.5 kid appeal.   For additional information visit JumpStart Review.

WebTool Evaulation (Vocabulary.co.il)

Vocabualy.com.il website is designed for all ages that are interested in increasing their vocabulary by playing different word games. Vocabulary.co.il is a fun educational website dedicated to helping you build reading, phonics, or English language skills. The site offer over 100 Free Online Word Games which are specifically designed to build vocabulary skills and to motivate people to learn through fun practice in spelling, phonics, and vocabulary. This site doesn’t appeal to older professional people that are looking to increase their vocabulary. During some of the reviews it was said that the word choices are not useful for casual conversation. 

Website Evaluation (TeAchnology)

Name of the Website:  teAchnology

URL of the Website:  http://www.teach-nology.com/worksheets/early_childhood/nurse/

This website is designed for educators.  It offers numerous of tools that viewers can use in or out of the classroom. This website provides free resources intended to bring educators into the world of teaching with technology. It provides links to valuable and useful information relative to current and best practices in the field of education. A large variety of free classroom materials and support tools are also available. This website is designed for educators.  It offers numerous of tools that viewers can use in or out of the classroom. 

Collaboration Project AAR

My group was responsible for creating a wiki page on “Cognitvism”.  Unfortunately, my group got off to a late start and was unable to build as a team.  Communication was initiated by a member of our group by email trying to get all of our members to participate in the project.  No one responding beside myself so, we began our project with the objective of completing the project ourselves.  We split the work evenly, amongst the two of us and later relieved that we had a lot of work to do with very little time.   Our focus was to complete the entire project within the time frame that was allotted by the instructor.  With us starting late we did not get the feedback and assistance that the other groups received who started in-putting their information earlier on the wiki site. Procrastination, poor time management, minimum communication and a lack of assistance from other team members caused tension and frustration between my team.   Initially, assigning parts sounded like a great ideal but ultimately separated us because we took ownership of the part that we completed. We worked on the project but never really had a chance to collaborate our ideals into one.   

Personally, this experience was one that I will remember and reflect on in the future.  It wasn’t my best experienced, however I learned to edit, insert and use the “wiki”.  With the exercise being an online class, I believe that it takes more time and effort to get all members together. Relying on an email is not always acceptable. In a traditional classroom, coordination is simple and effortless because group members have a specified day and time that they will meet in the classroom.  Online group projects require additional time for coordination and this is essential when establishing communication amongst the group.

Mentoring

Sadly, too many kids lack the influence of a positive role model and consequently grow up trying to figure things out on their own. They look too the pro athlete, rock star, actor or actress as role models hoping that one day they would be like these stars.  Even with odds of becoming a star is against our children these are the individuals that our children look up too. By no means do I wish to crush anyone’s dream, but it is important that children know the importance of a backup plan, just in case that dream fall short. 

I wish that when I was growing up I had someone to take me by the hand and lead me in the right or another direction.  My parents did what they could by laying down a basic foundation. Their main concern was working on the farm and making sure I acted right when I was in public. Unfortunately, pursuing an education, being a home owner, having good credit, saving money and etc. wasn’t a priority. They taught me what they knew and I learned through them. Having an outside source like a teacher would have been great when I coming up.

Mentoring programs can assist with improving academics, reduced negative youth behavior, influence kids to stay away drugs, and helps with social skills. I get excited when I hear about different mentoring programs.  I am glad that it is National commitment and others are seeing the importance of having mentors.

Anyone can be a role model but it takes a special person to be a mentor. 

Group Collobration and Problem Solving

With the hustle and bustle of my everyday life, finding time to get together for a group project is a challenge.  My thought process when taking an online class is my schedule doesn’t permit me to commit to the time of a traditional classroom setting.   With that said, it has been difficult for my group to set a side some time to do a collaborated group assignment. I can’t point the finger at any one individual because I am equally at fault for procrastinating, reaching out to my team members and getting the assignment done.  Luckily, we get more than one shot to make this right. Although, I am not a fan of group assignment I am optimistic that we will iron out the kinks and make things less painful for next time.  It’s always a little rough the first time around.  Here is to….Good Energy!

Goals for Educational Technology

I have several goals for this course. 

1. Keep an opened mind to new innovative ways of communication.  

2. Establish networking capabilities with others who have the same interest as I do.

3. Build confidence and become more comfortable with the computer.

4. Incorporate what I have learned into my professional and personal life.

Like most, this course is a requirement for graduation.  On an honest note, I find technology to be slightly intimidating.  I am excited and hoping by the end of the course I will be comfortable and confident about innovating technology into my daily business operation.

I found creating my blog to be easy after reviewing the tutorial. I have some basic computer skills, like surfing the web, Facebook, email, and Micro Soft Office. My first impression of this course was the unknown.  I felt slightly better after reviewing the book.