Smartboard Project

Blog Post #9

What I've Learned This Year

Mr. McClung was a new teacher at a Junior College, he had no real experience and did what he could to be the best teacher he could be. In these blogs he posted his thoughts about his year and new ideas that came to him that would future benifit teachers and help him reflect. In the first post he wrote about his first year over there. The main point was to "stay positive." He wrote down several different bullets explaining key points he wanted to discuss. First he talked about reading the crowd. When he first started teaching he said he was very focused on himself as a teacher and really did not consider how the students were taking his lessons. He learned that he needed to be more student focused and take into thought their reactions to his lessons. In the next few points he highlights "being flexible, and communication," These go rather well together because he found out how to be flexible through communicating with his students. He learned that there was no such thing as the perfect lesson, however, I would disagree and say there definitely could be. However, through this he learned that it was okay if a lesson did not go as well as he thought, he could learn from it and better correct it next time. His last note on this page was to "never stop learning." He makes sure he is always taking in new experiences and learning from his mistakes.

What I Learned This Year (year 2)

In his second post he starts out by explaining that he has moved up to junior high students. It is again his first time, however, with more experience in his background and a new teaching method/mind set I believe he was off to a better start already. He starts off by talking about "Adapting." I would argue that this is not his frist time with this new lesson to learn. He had to adapt also in the previous section where he was transfered to his first school. In this new scene Mr. McClung had to learn new ways of teaching and communicating. It was almost like he had to just dig deeper on what he learned in his first term. he also makes a great point about needing/finding a Class Mom. I thought this was the best point he made. If you need help, ask for it. A class mom has been around and knows the ropes. She would be a great person to go to if rules are managing needed to be done. In the end he closes with the same point he closed with in his first term. Never stop learning, however, he words it as "It's what you learn after you know it all that matters." This is the same concept of never stop learning. He makes sure to inform us to always keep our minds open to new lessons and experiences.

Blog Post # 8

1. Richard Miller: This Is How We Dream Parts 1 and
After watching both of these videos, I would argue that I really did not get too much out of it. I understand that the way we write has changed throughout the years and that now we can do a whole lot more stuff from out living room couch sitting on the computer, but besides that I do not really know. I do admire this man for the accomplishments he has done and the status he has achieved over the years.
He also talks about the artist behind all the visuals used online. I liked the part about the whale hunt. I liked the pictures used even though they were a little graphic. He goes on to say that the things we can do with the computer are limitless, which I would agree with, however, I do not plan on spending very much of my time trying to stretch my boundaries with the internet.
I would argue that when I am in the class room, I will be able to find things that are natural and God created to bring into my lessons. Although I know the computer and internet will be a great deal of help, with my class I really do not plan on using the computer all that much. It just is not for me. However, I am sure that for some the use of the computer will be a great necessity.
2. Blog Post #12 by Carly Pugh
I would argue that Carly thought up a great assignment. I am sure that Dr. Strange would agree. I think this allows a student/teacher the opportunity to show their true colors and express their self. When she is talking about her assignment mentions "Creativity to the Rescue" and I think this is a quality point. Creativity is the key to learning and developing as a human.
I also really liked the video she has on her post. The music goes along very well with the scene and adds to the emotion in the video. The questions really make you think and want to be better. I would argue that she did an excellent job putting this post together.
In comparison to the Richard Miller, I would argue that Carly's was much more entertaining, however, the way she wanted to construct the lesson went about the same way as he did prior to hers. She saw a vision and made it a reality. I really liked what she had to show.
3. The Chipper Series, EDM310 for Dummies:
I really enjoyed watching these two videos. I like the first one done by chipper about procrastination. I believe I could do an idea similar to this. In edm310 for dummies I also liked the way the video was constructed. I think that I would try to do a project on excelling in your classroom.
4.Learn to Change, Change to Learn
I really do not think this video is saying anything new. Even though students are in a new age of technology I do not think the way we are teaching them needs to change. I believe that students can grow regardless.

The Start to my PLN

With the first semester of South Alabama getting half way done, I have seriously considered thinking and planning My PLN. This is what I have for a start. I really do not have too many friends right now, however, I definitely am going to make more throughout this semester as well as for the rest of my computer filled life. Twitter is a great way to get into communication with the world, and communication is one of the greatest ways to achieve what you want in the world. I have a great skill of communication and if I can then combine that with this whole internet thing, I truly believe I can develop as a student and future teacher.

Blog Post #7

After watching the Randy Pausch's video I would argue that he is a pretty brilliant man. Throughout his video we see a man who believes in inspiring his students and teaching them methods that not only are useful for the classroom, but for real life as well. He is a very selfless man who really goes out of his way to help others.
At one point in the video, I heard him talking about a football coach who told him that once everyone stops helping you, they stop caring. I completely agree with this and hope that we have better teachers and care givers out there that do not let the situation get this bad. I have screwed up a few more than several times in my life and I am very grateful that my parents, teachers, and youth pastors never gave up on me.
When Randy Pausch really dedicated himself to teaching, he did it all the way. He came up with the Brick Wall Theory. This consisted of a wall in an individuals path. The individual has the choice to either charge at the wall and get by it in hopes of living out his/her life, or hitting the wall and falling down, never achieving anything. I feel like I have conquered many brick wall throughout my life, however, I know I have many more still to climb.
Lastly, I really admire Randy Pausch's passion for fun in his workplace. He knows that in order for kids to want to learn they must have fun. He brings laughter and joy to the classroom so the kids do not have to strain to concentrate, instead they just let the learning come to them.
All in all Randy Pausch is a quality guy.

Comments For Teachers

I have had the pleasure of sharing my thoughts with two very interesting teachers using my new blog. Since I have just now finished writing to the second, I will share with you my thoughts because they are still fresh. I read a note that was written in response to the 9/11 attack that happend 10 years back. She wrote for patriotism,

passion of one's country, and the love for learning. She felt that it was necessary that all students be educated about the sacrifices our soldiers are making to keep this Country going. I completely agree and wish that I would have been more up-to-date with the world I'm living in.
I also went back to check out my first CFT. I was encouraged to see that this teacher is still writing her thoughts and that the thoughts were great ones. I really enjoyed a blog she wrote recently on Rober Frost. It was on one of his poems, Fire and Ice. She wrote about how she really did not know what way she would choose. She also explained that she felt Frost was talking about the world behind the poem. How the world is either going to do too much (fire) until we ruin it and it falls, or the world will do nothing (ice) and we will fall as well. Frost is an extremely darkly intellegent writter.

Thanks for letting me comment Ladies.

Keith Tardibuono