Best and Worst of Tech/Topics

I really enjoyed the class and learned a lot.  Before the class started, I looked at the syllabus and was more than a little worried that the things we had to do would trip me up pretty good.  I wasn't terribly confused throughout the class and feel more confident using technology as a teacher in my classes.

The best part of the class surprisingly for me was blogging.  Writing is difficult for me to say the least.  It is a difficult and time consuming process for me to write.  I know that it is a critical skill, particularly in social studies, but have and continue to struggle in my writing ability.  That's why I was surprised that blogging was enjoyable.  Maybe it was the less formal structure, but I found myself able to have thoughts come pretty clearly, and transfer them to the blog with less effort than I normally face with writing.  I will certainly use blogging as a tool to help my students with improving their writing abilities.

My least favorite aspect of the class was the standards section of the portfolio.  While I understand the standardized rules that govern education, it seems to me that this requirement was a little more than necessary.  Our opinions for these standards will probably change somewhat as we go through the program, so I'm glad that at least they can be changed.

Personal Learning Network

The personal learning network that I have used and will continue to use is called teachinghistory.org.  The website is a useful and valuable resource in many ways.

The website brings together history teachers in a learning forum.  The site goes further by categorizing information for elementary, secondary, and college level teachers.   There is a spotlight section where current events are related to historical events as a tool to teach.  I really like this part of the site the most because it can be really useful in a lesson. As an example, the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic that just occurred is being discussed right now. The site has a lesson plan available to use this much talked about current event as an opportunity to teach about the sinking of the Titanic.  Some students have seen or heard coverage of the anniversary, so the interest level in learning about the Titanic may be a little higher than normal.

There is a blog included in the site which gives teachers the opportunity to ask questions of a master teacher, or a historian in the subject matter that you are teaching.  Also, there is a good section that evaluates historical websites that would be good for both students and teachers.  With so many historical websites that exist the ability to filter through them and pick out some of the best saves a lot of time and is an especially valuable part of the website.  There is really a lot to use in this website to help teachers and also is beneficial for students as well.

Commenting on Other People's Blogs

It feels a little strange to comment on other people's blogs.  I have to get over the concern that I am invading people's privacy, especially since they are the blogs of fellow classmates.  But, I did learn from doing this and I think it is a good way to monitor the writing of students.

I paid particular attention to looking at other opinions on the legal concerns of teachers.  Some real good insight out there, and frankly kind of scary about the future of the profession.  Almost all of the posts had similar legal concerns that I have so it is refreshing to know that you are not alone with your worries about teaching.

Portfolio Assessment

I have mixed feelings regarding the portfolio assessment in regards to teaching.  While the portfolio is important, the ability to teach in front of a classroom and reach students is still most critical for a teacher.  Standards are so dominant now, and combined with the increasing presence of technology, on-line portfolios are becoming more important as assessment tools. 

While encompassing a lot of work, a good portfolio does show a commitment of wanting to present yourself in a good light and the ability to complete a long-term task.  I'm glad that we are able to edit the portfolio as our education continues.  Thoughts regarding educations and the standards that make up the field will most likely change as we progress through the Xavier program.

Am I a 21st Century Teacher?

My best answer to this important question is not yet, but hopefully I am making some progress.  I do think it is very important to be technically proficient as a teacher these days.  Technology is such a big part of adolescent life now, it would be really difficult to get through to them without applying it in an educational sense. 

I do worry that students get overly involved with technology.  It seems at times, they don't know what to do without it.  There is so little down time in the life of a student that does not involve technology in some fashion.   I believe it is important for students to also have the skills to entertain themselves and learn without technology being directly involved.  My own kids ask for computer or iPad time quite often, and it can be frustrating to watch them be bored without technology.

In my own school experience, I do find classes that involve technology much more interesting, so I understand the importance as a teacher.  This class has expanded my horizons concerning technology which is making me more optimistic that I can become a 21st century teacher.

Video Lesson Plan Critique

The video lesson plan was challenging but rewarding.  It is awkward to hear or watch yourself speak on video, and this situation was no exception.  After listening to the lesson several times during the editing process, I gradually became more comfortable with the presentation.   Please click here to see the full review.

Free Write: The iPad 3

The big technology news last week was the unveiling of the iPad 3 by Apple.   

The debate is beginning as to whether the iPad 3 is much better than the iPad 2.  Is there enough new technology with the new product to spend hundreds of dollars on an upgrade?  Is Apple simply giving people a reason or an excuse to buy a new product (smart business) that may or may not benefit their lives to a greater degree than the iPad 2?  USA Today likes the iPad3.  The final verdict will come in the sales figures for the iPad3, and I'm guessing they will be pretty good. 

Video Lesson Plan

My video lesson plan is on the subject of Following the Financial Markets which would be used in a social studies curriculum.  Specifically, the lesson would be tailored for a history, economics, or general business class.  The introduction and the lesson plan itself involves using a prezi presentation along with two websites that I find very useful in following financial markets both in the United States and throughout the world.

The introduction of my plan was done through the website, Screencast-O-Matic.  This site is very interesting as it gives the ability to voice record over a presentation given through your computer.

The goal of my lesson plan is to give students some general ability to follow the financial markets and also impress upon them the importance of this knowledge. Most people at some point in their adult working lives will have money invested in the markets through retirement plans or their own personal savings. 

The lesson itself will begin by comparing how financial markets were followed both 50 years ago and today, and highlighting the great world changes that have occurred in this time period.  Next, we move to some specific sectors of the financial markets necessary in my opinion to have some ability to understand what moves the markets up or down.  Finally, a discussion of specific financial websites that can help students both understand and follow the financial markets.

I would conclude this lesson by giving students an assignment to find and review three financial websites.  The review would include why they did or did not like the site, and what specific knowlege regarding the markets they were able to obtain from each site.

Legal Concerns of Teachers

My legal concerns of teaching involves the financial aspect of education as a whole.  The leaders of the country have correctly stressed the need for increasing the numbers of teachers to keep the United States competitive with the rest of the world.  Yet, the legal concerns involving lack of money for teachers only seem to increase, which creates uncertainty for the future.

I've spent my post-college years employed in the financial sector.  Questions have come to me from family members and others working in education concerning their financial future.  The common question concerns the ramifications of reduction or eventual elimination of deferred compensation plans or pensions.  My common answer unfortunately is, "I don't know".

Regardless of the future uncertainty of education, so many still view the profession as a very worthwhile and necessary endeavor.  It is very encouraging to see so many motivated students in the classes that I am taking.  Personally, I'm excited to pursue a career in which having to do something combines with the excitement of wanting to do something.  I hope that the increasing legal questions that coincide with financial concerns aren't stopping others from pursuing teaching at a time when the country needs them in increasing numbers.

Prezi Presentation on Engle v. Vitale

Engle V. Vitale on Prezi

Redefining Instruction with Technology - Article Review

The article entitled Redefining Instruction with Technology:  Five Essential Steps was written by Jennie Magiera in the magazine, Education Week Teacher, published in January 2012.  In the article, Magiera who is an elementary teacher in the Chicago Public Schools describes her experiences when iPads initially became an integral part of her class.  She goes on to highlight the problems first encountered with the new technology, and the challenges faced in the implementation.  The class eventually began to thrive with the iPads, and Magiera narrates how the technology eventually benefited her students to a high degree.

I found the article interesting and helpful.  Magiera stressed two things that really stood out for me which were the importance of not being rigid, and embracing failure to improve teaching methods.  Fear of failure and wanting to do things the same way are personal characteristics of mine.  Everyone makes mistakes, and learning from these mistakes is an important education tool for students and should be for teachers as well.  Technology can be intimidating, but looking outside of the box for different teaching methods can go a long way in improving the educational experience for everyone.  My family purchased an iPad for ourselves as a Christmas present just this past year and the opportunities presented with the technology regarding education and beyond are quite impressive.  I was initially lukewarm to the idea, having been skeptical as to the importance of the iPad.  In these past two months, I have come to really enjoy the iPad and am glad we took the step and engaged with this new technology as we have all benefited.

Please click here for a link to the article.

Giving Prezi a Try...

As someone who only a few years back had not yet used PowerPoint, learning a new way to present material can be daunting.  I have decided to go all out in trying the website Prezi for my upcoming presentation on the legal case Engle v. Vitale.


At first Prezi was difficult to understand, and caused myself some frustration.  While having some similarities to PowerPoint, it really is quite advanced in comparison.  After getting more comfortable with Prezi,  advantages are becoming apparent.  Prezi allows you to present the material in a different, more interesting manner.  As a teacher, Prezi gives students additional opportunities for presenting individual work, and especially group projects.


A great benefit of Prezi is the ability to change material in the presentation through the internet.  I find myself as a student coming up with ways to change or improve my own presentation at different times and locations throughout the day.  With Prezi, simply log on to your account, and make the changes to your presentation.  I think this especially benefits students in a group setting.  A student can come up with an idea outside of a formal group meeting and implement the change onto the group presentation site.  This gives a student who may feel uncomfortable in a formal group setting the chance to make significant contributions in a less structured situation.  After all, secondary school students come up with many interesting ideas during non-school hours, and Prezi gives them the opportunity to place these thoughts into a presentation at any hour, day or night.


Here is the link to Prezi:  http://www.prezi.com/

Full Journal Article Review

Click here to read my full review of Laura Christine Rochette's article regarding technology in the classroom.

Journal Article Review

The article that I found is What Classroom Technology has Taught Me About Curriculum, Teaching, and Infinite Possibilities by Laura Christine Rochette.  It appeared in The English Journal in the November 2007 edition.  This is a very interesting article that details Rochette's experience regarding the implementation of technology in her English class. After strong initial concerns, Rochette eventually became comfortable with the new technology.  She became an advocate for the use of technology, and goes into detail explaining the benefits that it brought to her classroom.  This article will help teachers who may be intimidated by using technology in their classroom to relate with someone else who had similar concerns.  The benefits of using technology should become evident after reading the article.


http://www.jstor.org.nocdbproxy.xavier.edu/stable/pdfplus/30046787.pdf?acceptTC=true

My Reasons for Teaching

Part of me has wanted to be a teacher for many years.  The opportunity for teaching was not available to me for several years, but now that has changed.  I really enjoy both history and working with teenagers, so have chosen to pursue licensure in secondary education in the field of social studies.  Hopefully, I can transfer some life experience to help in teaching.  I hope to show students how important history is to their entire lives.  Teaching students the past and most importantly how it shaped us as people goes to the core of why I want to teach.  Understanding the work, sacrifices, and mistakes that have made us who we are today should be essential for all students.

My Very First Post!

Blog testing to see if this works.