Journal 4: Its time to trust teachers with internet (NETS-T I, III, V)

Journal 4: Its Time to Trust Teachers with Internet

Schaffhauser, D. (2010, December 01). Its time to trust teachers with internet. Retrieved from http://thejournal.com/articles/2010/12/01/its-time-to-trust-teachers-with-the-internet-a-conversation-with-meg-ormiston.aspx?sc_lang=en

The author of this article gives very interesting ideas. Where most schools and even in colleges blocks out social networking websites such as facebook, youtube, twitter, etc. Where most teachers would find no use to these social networking websites, D. Schaffhauser differs. When schools are more restrictive, teachers tend to sway away from technology and not learn new technology that has changed our generation on teaching. No matter how much the schools filter out social networking, students are still somehow able to get around the loop hole and still use these sites. Teachers should be able to somehow use their creative minds and use these wonderful social networking websites to their teaching advantage.

Question 1: How would you, as a teacher use social networking websites to incorporate it in your teachings? 

As a teacher I would try and collaborate with other teachers and school to see how we can incorporate social networking in our teachings. I believe that if every teacher gives their ideas, we will be able to figure out a strategy in order to minimize the use for personal purposes and maximize educational purposes. For my idea, I would try to incorporate social networking websites such as blogger.com and twitter where students will get homework assignments and projects to make a positive educational experience.

Question 2: Why do you think social networking websites are blocked in most schools?

I believe social networking websites are blocked in most schools because students use these site for their personal enjoyment rather than educational purpose. Teachers and schools would only see the negative aspect of social networking websites rather than collaborating together and figuring out how they can make social networking a positive aspect. Many students stay at the library or on computers and the first thing they will check is their facebook pages or twitter pages to see who has responded to their blog or page.

Technology Self-Assessment: School 2.0 (NETS-T IV)

Upon taking this assessment I realized that I am not as integrated with technology as I assumed. There were 2 interested topics that I researched furthermore.
The first topic I researched was "Help your class go Global." This is an interesting article because going global can expand a students learning an a teachers teaching. This article gives couple tools to expand the global learning such as "skype," "google earth," and "TagGalaxy" which can further enhance a teachers lesson. Technology these days has been crucial compared to back then when I was in school. Being able to do a simple video chat from a teacher from another state or even another country is going to change the world of teaching using different aspects/opinions and using a collaborative lesson.
The second topic I researched was "Top ten web 2.0 for young learners" I choose this article because I believe in this technological world we should learn how to use these tools. I believe traditional teachers who rarely use technology or teachers that does not want to participate in using technology hurts the next generation of students in their learning. I believe these tools will enhance our teaching and can only create a positive atmosphere in the classrooms. This article is a basic teaching of certain websites out there to get us started.

The nets that I researched was:

4. I involve students in opportunities to develop cultural understanding and global awareness through digital-age communications and collaboration projects with students from other countries.

Journal 3: 100 Things That Make You Happy

100 Things that make you happy:

1)                     God

2)                     Wife

3)                     Family

4)                     Church

5)                     Friends

6)                     Co-workers

7)                      Playing basketball

8)                      Playing golf

9)                      Playing football

10)                  Listening to music

11)                  Playing drums

12)                  Playing keyboard

13)                  Playing guitar

14)                  Writing lyrics

15)                  Making beats

16)                  Writing songs

17)                  Recording songs

18)                  Watching basketball

19)                  Making incredible shots

20)                  Making amazing passes/assists

21)                  Winning

22)                  Watching football

23)                  Catching impossible catches

24)                  Watching favorite television shows

25)                  Dancing

26)                  Singing

27)                  Swimming

28)                  Lifting weights

29)                  Partying

30)                  Alcohol

31)                  Beer pong

32)                   Cooking

33)                  Grilling

34)                  Smoking meat

35)                  Eating

36)                  Creating Foods

37)                  Watching movies

38)                  Working on my reef tank

39)                  Buying new corals

40)                  Buying new fishes for my tank

41)                  Upgrading my tank

42)                  Getting new equipment for my aquariums

43)                  Looking at other peoples aquariums

44)                  Spending time with my wife

45)                  Snowboarding

46)                  Doing extremely sports

47)                  Fishing

48)                  Kayaking

49)                  Going to the beach

50)                  Spending time with friends

51)                  Reading the bible

52)                  Learning about the bible

53)                  Spending time with Church friends

54)                  Playing ps3

55)                  Playing wii

56)                  Playing sports games

57)                  Helping others

58)                  Driving my car

59)                  Watching youtube

60)                  Going to bars

61)                  Going to clubs

62)                  Going to LA

63)                  Traveling

64)                  Drawing

65)                  Painting

66)                  Getting good grades

67)                  Making money

68)                  Having money

69)                  Tutoring

70)                  Teaching Math

71)                  Co-Teaching at EBS elementary School

72)                  Learning new things

73)                  Learning new techniques

74)                  Trying new foods

75)                  Making my wife happy

76)                  Buying clothe

77)                   Receiving compliments

78)                  Achieving my goals

79)                   Deep sea Fishing

80)                   Tanning at the beach

81)                  Playing volleyball at the beach

82)                  Making other people happy

83)                  Drinking espresso

84)                  Drinking Boba

85)                  Meeting high school friends

86)                  Having a late night snack

87)                  Helping others succeed

88)                  Running/walking

89)                  Watching UFC

90)                  Watching any FINALS sports

91)                  Watching my Favorite teams win

92)                  Sleeping In

93)                  Having nothing to do

94)                  Nobody bugging me

95)                  Relaxation

96)                  No exams

97)                  No homework

98)                  Driving nice cars

99)                  Paintballing

100)              Yoga

Journal 2: Enhance Your Twitter Experience (NETS-T I, III, V)

Journal 2: Enhancing Your Twitter Experience

Ferguson, H. (2010). Enhance your twitter experience. Learning and Leading with Technology, 37(8), Retrieved from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/20100607#pg1 


Hadley Ferguson gives a brief description on the importance of twitter and how we can apply this tool in our teachings. She explains that we have to get out of our comfort zone in order to get optimal success in using twitter. She also gives us examples on how a teacher across the world was able to teach her 7th grade technology class, and how far you can go with a simple tweet. She states that one can learn a tremendous amount of learning if that person is able to step out of their comfort zone and share ideas. Hadley Ferguson also gives us a tiny tutorial on using hashmarks to identify which groups to tweet to and the importance of this.

Question 1: Why doesn't ALL teachers use twitter in their classrooms?

I believe many teachers do not use twitter in their classrooms because it is another technology they have to learn. Within the last few years, technology has taken over the classroom and this can cause too much learning to a teacher. I also believe that many teachers who have taught an extensive amount of time is very traditional to their teachings and is annoyed or scared on learning new things. Why change something when the old is still working?

Question 2: How can you also enhance your teachings using twitter?

Using twitter there are many options that are available that wasn't there before technology. I think the best way for teachers to use twitter is joining groups that relate to their teacher. For instance, if you are teaching history, join a famous historian. This way, the teacher and the classroom can ask questions to the historian and gain up to date answers in a quicker manner than via email.
Being able to write only 120 characters per tweet works well because whoever tweets has to get to the point and not wander off tweeting about something not irrelevant to your question or tweet.

Journal 1: DO WEB 2.0 RIGHT (NETS-T I, III, V)

Journal 1: Do Web 2.0 Right

Light, D. (2011). Do web 2.0 right. Learning and Leading with Technology, 38(5), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/issues/Feature_Article_Do_Web_2_0_Right.aspx

Summary:This article is about the beginning of using certain technology in the teaching classroom. The two D. Light talks about are Wikis and Blogs and the pros and cons of using certain technology in the classroom. D. Light gives multiple of examples on problems that occur when using Web 2.0 and success using Web 2.0. Teachers give examples of how using Web 2.0 helped in the classroom environment and also in the individual environment and the importance of audience matters. Another interested topic that D. Light talks about is that because you are using Web 2.0 does not mean that the classroom environment has to be always "on". Students can do offline work as well and go back and forth.


Question 1: Would you use Web 2.0 as a teaching tool in your classroom? why?

With they way the teaching environment has changed, technology will be a key component in everyday teaching. With this said, I would use Web 2.0 as a teaching tool in my classroom. The reason to this is that technology is what inspires everyone in this era. Who has the newest ipod, or the newest computer is a necessity in every day society. I believe using new and creative Web 2.0 programs will change the methods of teaching and make a positive impact on students wanting to learn. Getting the students attention is key and I believe using fun and new technology will motivate these students to learn at a higher rate than reading books and taking notes.

Question 2: What is the best way to motivate students using Web 2.0 such as blogs and Wikis?

To motivate students to use Web 2.0 I believe that the teacher is responsible for doing so. Teachers must have interesting topics and also be able to integrate the Web 2.0 to the topics. A teacher should not use the Web 2.0 because they have to. Instead teachers should be able to use Web 2.0 to enhance their teaching and students learning. Web 2.0 is designed to help implement teachers lessons and should only be used if it will give a positive learning experience.

INTRODUCTORY!!!!

Dear fellow Colleagues


My name is Samuel Sohn and I just wanted to give a brief introduction of myself! I was born in the Windy City AKA Chicago and moved to San Diego after finishing 2nd grade. My whole education was gone through the Poway District. Went to Tierra Bonita Elementary School, Twin Peaks Middle School and finally Poway High School.


I then went to U.C.L.A. and received my Bachelors in Math Applied Science (Actuarial Plan).


With the economic crisis that decreased our employment rate, I decided to go back to school and pursue my education and become a math professor.

I have a few hobbies which I'd like to share. The first one is Basketball. Been playing this sport all my life and still play whenever I get the free time to. The second is my addiction in the reef aquariums/saltwater tanks! Lastly, my other hobby is playing instruments. I have played pretty much every instrument available such as: violin, piano, oboe, clarinet, english horn, piano/keyboard, drums, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, base guitar,  etc.

I was fortunate to help out as a student teacher at EBS elementary school for 6 months and counting. I was helping out Mr. Shobar who is the 5th grade math teacher there. Being able to teach lessons and help students on a one on one basis helped me tremendously on wanting to pursue my career as a math professor at a higher extent.


Some technology that I used in the classroom are overhead projectors. Not the old school ones we used to have when we were in school, but the ones that shoots a camera from the top and projects it to the projector. We also used mac books and clickers were important. Having a clicker helped us to walk around the classroom instead of always being in front of the classroom.
I have used a mac book for the past 4 years. Still a learning progress but would say I am in the intermediate/expert level. I love how technology is shaping the world of education. Hopefully this course will give an insight on learning new technology as time goes on!


The mission statement at COE interested me the most when they talk about collaboration. I like this because our generation can collaborate to change the future of the educational world instead of listening to only professors and becoming like how they teach or what they teach. I know CSUSM is a top school for the credential program and cannot wait to grow and be molded to an amazing teacher next year!