Tech pals

When I was in grade 3 I remember my teacher wanted us to commect with someone that we did not know and that was not from Saskatchewan. To do this she wanted us to find a Pen Pal and start writing letters back and forth. As we began to do this of course it seemed that is lasted for only a few months, basically during the school year then diminished. I feel that in my future classroom I would like to do this with my students but we will call it Tech Pals, meaning I would try to have my students connect with another student through the internet. Of course this will be something that I as the teacher will look into and find other schools that would be interested in connecting with us. Through the tools that we have learned in this class I think it would be interesting to try some out and help my students investigate and find that tech pal that they could possible be friends with the rest of their lives.

Cell phones in the classroom

After reading this article I am still on the sides of using cell phones in the class. Yes there are benefits especially collaborative learning among your students which I feel is extremely important in the classroom also it is very easy for your students to look information up on the internet if needed. But how do you regulate the use of them. As a whole class you all may be working on an assignment that requires them but your students may also be texting their friend’s at the same time. Do you think this is ok?? In the other sense I do feel that by allowing the use of cell phones, can lead to respect and trust that you will gain to and from your students. Using cell phones can help teachers relate to their students.

Cell phones belong in the classroom

Tech Task 7

For me technology has always been something that I need to work at. I am not the #1 person you would ask to help you navigate you through something on the computer.Before this last session the thought of using technology such as cell phones in the classroom was not at the top of my list. I have always felt that technology is taking over our lives, especially socially. I miss the days when after supper I would spend all night talking to different friends on the phone until it way my bedtime. I have 2 younger brothers, 16 and 12 and I am 31 so there is a huge difference in what types of technology was available from when I grew up to now. I would be money that neither of my brothers has ever talked on the phone to one of their friends, this is so sad to me, and one of the reasons why I am in a way anti technology. I know it is beneficial and useful now but lets just think about video games. Like seriously kids are addicted to these things. How about you get your butt outside and ride your bike and play with your friends instead of sitting in front of the television playing these mindless games. No wonder the majority of the population is becoming obese.

Ok back to the assignment, I did indeed find a site that I thought when I have a classroom of my own I would give a try, of course this is dependent on the grade and even if all the kids have cellphones. The site is http://www.schooltown.net. School Town is a free program when you have 30 students or less, it’s a digital portal for teachers and students and can be accessed through your cellphone or on a computer. This tool engages blended learning, builds community, and enable differentiated instruction. It is a place where you can share files, links, videos, presentations and much more. Your students will be engaged through the use of collaborative assignments, discussions, chats, and portfolios in an engaging social learning environment. I think this would be awesome to use in and out of school. Some kids are not the most comfortable in the classroom sharing ideas and engaging within the class. This online tool will in a way hide the face of the person sharing and can build confidence in someone who may not have been the most confident student in the classroom.

UMMMM ANOTHER VIDEO PLEASE WATCH

Oh boy!! here is another video worth checking out, Please give me your thoughts!

PLEASE WATCH very interesting!

UMMMMMM!! I do not really know what to say about this video, I am sort of lost for words, do now know if I agree or disagree/ Tell me what you think???

Collaboration

The other day I read an article called Collavorative Strategic Reading for one of my other classes. It talked about how teachers are using collaborative reading strategies within their classrooms and the benifits of doing this. It showed that it was most benificial in students with reading difficulties, and english language learners. I totally agreed with the article. I feel that working collaboratively with peers is extremely benificial and can meet the needs of different learners. Some children are more comfortable working and voicing opinions in a smaller group setting rather than as a whole class. What are your thoughts, and experiences with collaborative work?

Tech Task 6 Five Card Flicker

---

Five Card Story: The Road To Come

a Five Card Flickr story created by Nicole Helland

flickr photo by bionicteaching

flickr photo by krutscjo

flickr photo by Serenae

flickr photo by hummingcrow

flickr photo by Serenae

These photos describe the road that is ahead of me becoming a parent for the first time. In the first photo, this shows my reaction to the news of finding out that I was pregnant. This was a very exciting day for my boyfriend and I. The second photo reminds me to look into the future. The picture shows a far distance of the unknown, something that cannot be expection becoming a parent for the first time. The third photo is the playfullness in which we will soon encounter with our new son or daughter. The fourth photo describes the challenges we will have and the fifth is the excitment when our baby arrives.

---

Through the eyes of a teacher

So for one of my other classes my partner Kelly and I developed a Diversity File based on people who are deaf/hard of hearing. Our focus for the assignment was to gear it toward having children in your classroom who are deaf/hard of hearing and the implications and strategies needed to help them be successful in the classroom. I really enjoyed this assignment because it got me looking at specific exceptionalities through the eyes of a teacher.

Before I decided to come back to school I worked as and interpreter for a boy who is hard of hearing. It was my dream job, I have always wanted to interpret for someone in a school. I learned a lot about working with children and my time spent there was the reason I decided to become a teacher. While working on this particular assignment I learned a lot about deaf students in the classroom that I never really thought of while I was and interpreter. I guess my job was to just interpret information from the teacher and other peers to the student. I never thought about positioning, strategies, background noises and all other aspects of the classroom that could disrupt his learning. Anyways I will not go on and on about it but Kelly and I did do our assignment on a wordpress blog I posted the link below for anyone who is interested in checking it out and possible learning more about deaf/hard of hearing students.

Deaf/Hard of Hearing Blog

Vent Session!

So today I feel I just want to do a little venting. Things are chaotic lately it seems. My life has been a whirlwind in which I feel I have been stuck in the middle. I am currently working full time 7-4:30, 27 weeks pregnant and for those of you who have been pregnant can relate, taking 3 classes one of which is a night class 2 days a week, plus prenatal classes one night a week. I feel that I have not had any time for myself of my family. The spring/summer session is coming to an end in 2 weeks which freaks me out even more. I feel that I haven’t put the effort and time into my classes as I should and would like to do. UGH!!! I am tired! Who else is feeling this way, any tips or advise for me! On the other hand I just found out a good family friend of mine has been teaching for 25 years. She is a French immersion teacher which is her love and passion. For the past 3 years she has been teaching in and English classroom which she liked but was not her true love. Today she found out she will be heading back to French immersion in the fall to finish off her final years of teaching. How lucky to end your career doing something you love. I hope one day I will be as happy teaching as she is! Congrats!

Tech task 5 part 3

So I finally created my about me page hope it works!