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Cyber Bullies

If it isn't enough for students have anything more to deal with the threat of a faceless bully is lurking in the shadows on the Internet.  After reading this last chapter in our book on student safety it brings to light a problem that has gotten way out of hand.  No longer are students just afraid of being harassed at school in front of friends and peers.  This is being done in the privacy of their own homes.  Through social media such as facebook, instant messaging, and even texting students are being bullied to the point of true fear.  I'm passionate about this topic have done alot of research and have found some disturbing facts.  I even created my digital story on this topic.  If interested please click on the link and watch the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvqQK3x2MNc

6 of 6

Through the past several weeks I've been visiting and observing several schools. Like other education students these observation hours were for many other classes on different subjects. As I visited these schools Ikept in the back of my mind all of the technology tools that I have been learning about and coming across. One thing began to stick out I say no technology being used at all. Now it's only been a half a dozen od classes but 6 out of 6 seems to be a trend in the wrong direction. As I being to explore this topic more and ask questions I realized that I just wasn't visiting on the wrong day but non of the teachers used technology but just a few times a year for major projects. Wow what a wasted opportunity for these kids. I'm trying to find the common link between these teachers and their non use of these tools but haven't found anything yet. I hope it's not just a case of being lazy or overwhelming feelings of prossure from TCAP scores.

Now that I have that off my chest I continue to descover more tools in technology. Two things I have discovered are tools by Microsoft and their office products. The first is "mischief mouse" which is an interactive game which uses PowerPoint and gives a game atmosphere to the class and gets every student involved by using a mouse. The other by Micrsoft is incorporating presentation and office one note. Both these tools I have played with and find them very Esau to use and very intertaining. I hope you find these too,s as useful as I do.

If Your Bored With Powerpoint.

         While being swamped with all this technology assignments I came across something that I thought was very cool.  Its a site called Prezi.com and it is an alternative to powerpoint.  This is really cool and will keep the attention of your students.  Check it out below.  This is an example that someone made on Google.  Thought it was appropriate for the class since we have talked about all of these.  Wait for it to load and by putting the mouse over "more" you can autoplay or full screen.  Or click the arrow hope you enjoy.

Google For Educators on Prezi

All the help I Can Get.

I come the realization that having a great support team and ones you can count on is going to be my greatest supporter. Using all these resources that are available to me is what I have realized. Using a blog in the classroom is one of those support tools that needs to be utilized. No longer can a student say I don't remember you saying that or I didn't hear that for an excuse. I can use a blog to repeat lessons that students need help on or have missed due to illness.

Finding a way though to make sure the student visits the blog could be a challenge. One way is to have the answers to some bonus questions listed in the blog could work. For those students can visually see the lesson might benefit from it more as others. This, blogging it just one of those tools that should be utilized in a classroom.

Blogs What Are They Good For?

While creating this blog it never occurred to me the uses that could come from this tool.  The only thing I know about blogs was they are a place to write whats on your mind.  It suddenly became apparent to me the power of the blog and its use in the classroom.  If you only use a blog for one purpose it should be used as a communicator between you, the parent, and your students. 

No more have the student saying, "I didn't hear you say that."  Or a parent try to explain that they didn't know your classroom management.  It is all right there for them to read at their will.

To Use or Not to Use?

I like to think of myself as a person who is fairly knowledgeable about technology.  I that guy in my family that when there is a computer problem or question I get the call.  This class, tech 3300, definitely has pushed my creativity to a level that it has not been at in a while.  At first I didn't understand why teachers didn't want to take the time to learn this new technology and what it can do for them and their students.  Now I can easily see how senior teachers can shy away from this tool and not take full advantage from it.  It very much so takes a dedication of a teacher to education themselves on this tool which is not easy to learn, especially when the students know more than the teacher.

This class has helped me, so far, in showing me all that is available and what this technology can do for my class.  I've made a commitment to rededicate myself to this new technology and embrace it and not to leave it just sitting on the shelf.  I look forward to the up coming assignments and the things to learn.

Tools for Success

A carpenter uses a hammer and a saw to complete his job.  A baseball player uses a ball and baseball bat for their job. There are many professions that require tools to be able to successfully complete the job.  Even teachers use tools to do their job but I never thought of students using tools to successfully go through school.  As I read this chapter the potential of the Internet became very apparent to me.  The Internet has such potential for the success of students that it would be silly not to use it as teachers.  The numbers that are presented in the chapter on how many students are using the Internet is growing every year.  It is very important for us as teachers to keep up with this technology and keep our knowledge up to par.  To use this technology as a tool for learning is key for success its also important to use it as a communicator between students.  This was a great chapter to help me create a web page for my classroom.

How will you walk the fine line between traditional teaching and Internet incorporation?  I look forward to the challenge to finding ways to help my students succeed. 

Its a New World

As I was driving in my car this morning I heard a news clip of a local school going high tech.  This school just handed out 300 laptops to its students. The move to technology and traditional learning is evolving quickly. The principle was quoted that "I'm excited to be moving away from a paper school to a non paper school". Not a mention about the benefits the students will have at their disposal. Oh well I'm sure he was thinking that, but anyway a great story for education.

As more students get access to this technology a new world is opened for them. To be able to reach so many is a positive thing. Do you think this switch to a more technological atmosphere is moving to slow or to fast?

It suddenly Hit Me.

While going through all of the Tech assignments it suddenly hit me. There is an endless amount of tools for teachers to use to help teach and inspire students. If I wasn't excited before about incorporating technology into teaching I sure am today.  It is an overwhelming feeling though on just how much there is at our finger tips. How do you know what is the most effective? I guess trial and error will be my best friend.

As I talk to some teachers that I am close too its amazing on how little they know or have heard of some of the things we have learned in just this one class.  The teachers that know what I'm talking about just don't seem excited about these tools.  I wonder why?  The few tools that I have learned about so far portaportal, blogging, and web sites I view these tools as a way to help my make my job easier and much more efficient. 

The sky's the limit is something I'm figuring out about the amount of resources that are available to me.

Blogging to Learn

Finding ways to reach students in today's time is a tricky and hair pulling experience.  Everyday has been such an eye opener and got my thoughts stirring.  Being able to use blogs as a communicator to my students is a great tool.  Having a place were they are always up to date on assignments or announcements is a powerful thing.  I have not thought of using blogs in this way and it makes so much sense to do so.  I see my classroom using this tool on a weekly basis for reminders of what has been learned during the week.  Even classroom management of rules and procedures can benefit from using blogs.  If I think I have forgotten something very important from a lesson plan I could just post a blog and the students can be instantly informed. 

Parents will also have a place to go to find assignments or events.  Communication with parents to me is very important and with every one's busy schedules blogging can come in handy.  While reading over this weeks material to me this has been the one tool that I will use.