Just another Edublogs.org weblog
June 17, 2008 at 10:01 am · Filed under Uncategorized
During my first year here in Edgemont, I truly was fortunate. Not only did I arrive from teaching for five years in Washington Heights, with no parking ever, a fight for a contract, no parental involvement, and limited resources. I also arrived from having 29 students in my class in the city to having 15 students in Edgemont. Obviosly, I was in my glory and felt so incredibly fortunate (as I still do). In reflecting back to this year, I can also say that with this small number, I was able to effectively rotate my students on the computers every single day. Despite my attempts, I have not done this as effectively since this time (four years ago). I have tried with the laptops, however, using them carries many difficulties, especially for young children. I am hoping for next year with the use of the projector to be able to demonstrate lessons to the whole class that they (and I)can then transfer to the computers so that I am able to rotate them each day. We will see what happens.
June 17, 2008 at 9:53 am · Filed under Uncategorized
I am currently in the process of looking for a new car. I currently have a lease on a car that will be up on July 1st. In my attempt to purchase a new vehicle, I have learned of so many ways technology is being integrated into cars (bluetooth and ipod capabilities, OnStar, XM Radio, seeing your dashboard in your windshieled, etc). It is quite amazing and cumbersome to learn about. I can even remember the invention of power windows and how spectacular that was. In all of this, I have also discovered that there isn’t a vehicle out there that is less than $500 a month which includes a ton of money down. This includes vehicles such as Saturns and GMCs, certainly not high end cars. Along with many other things, I am seeing first hand the results of supply and demand. To say that we are in a recession is hard to believe. Especially if you live in Westchester!
June 3, 2008 at 8:59 am · Filed under Uncategorized
I love the RSS page and think it is was an ingenious idea to come up with….whoever did that??##$$ To have all of your favorite web sites at your fingertips all on one page is priceless. I could only hope that one day someone will create a sight similar to the rss page that allows you to readily view all of your emails at once. I have three email accounts. It is time consuming and inconvenient to go in and out of all three. Perhaps this has already been created and just a matter of me finding the particular tool that allows me to do this…
May 29, 2008 at 3:55 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
I have recently learned that I will be getting a projector in my classroom. I must tell you that since the time I received this fantastic news, I have been rethinking the way I teach. To have access to the internet, writing, programs, videos, music, games, etc. where all of my children can readily view it and interact with, is invaluable. I can recall hundreds of times this year I wished that I had such a tool to assist my students in seeing a topic at ONE TIME! Most recently I was left to print out six pictures of corn snakes, madagascar hissing cockroaches, mourning doves, and chinchillas because most students couldn’t recall their exact color or body texture and wanted to include it in their writing task. I will continue to ponder ways that I will utilize this new technology in my room and develop lesson plans over the summer (and beyond) in a whole new way!
May 29, 2008 at 3:43 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
Vicki Davis’ sight is quite interesting and admirable to say the least. She includes information and links that are both informative and thought provoking. I certainly know for sure that I don’t fall under the category of “fear” when it comes to blogging. For me it is two things. First, I am at a loss for what to write. Secondly, when would I write and maintain my sight??? If I could get over these two obstacles, I would be a more confident blogger.
May 22, 2008 at 4:31 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
Wondrous
Online
Web
(Yes, this is my simple acrostic that reflects my opinion of today’s class – simply amazing the endless amount of possibilities there are in the world of technology.)
May 21, 2008 at 8:49 am · Filed under Uncategorized
In response to Sandy’s blog, YES, the child did “cheat”. I stand by that 100%. Was the child able to solve the Rubix Cube independently? No. He used the computer as a means of getting an answer. Not as a “support” system. If the computer was not there, would he have been able to successfully complete his goal. No. Here is where the problem lies in technology. Children (and adults) are becoming (too) reliant on technology. Therefore, we are loosing our ability to problem solve. This is the perfect example of that. Had another student gone home and sat there for two days, on their own, and figured it out independently, who would you give more credit to? I know my answer.
April 26, 2008 at 6:06 am · Filed under Uncategorized
Do you remember the blackout of 2003? I clearly do because I had a two month old baby and it was a scorching hot night when “the lights went out.” We sat in my husband’s truck with the a.c. on to get some relief from the heat for a couple of hours. We waited, as everyone else did, for the lights to return not knowing what had REALLY happened and how many people were affected. I think of this situation and wonder what if the “computers went out”. How would it effect us? I think as we all know, the answer is deeply. We are so dependent on computers that we would not know where to turn or what to do, at least some of us. There would be drastic and dramatic repercussions if this situation lasted for more than a day. Most people today who are taught “how” to do a job are taught using a computer. Think of a job with the use of a simple form of computer, a cash register. Half of the individuals I have encountered that needed to calculate change couldn’t do it. Again – RELIANT. Just as I tell my students who beg me to use their calculator to compute math problems “you must be able to do it INDEPENDENTLY and with MASTERY before you can use any type of “machine”". Our world needs to (re)learn this mastery and sense of independence. Especially in a world of terrorists who are very smart. We had better be prepared for such a situation and have back ups and back ups for the back ups.
April 16, 2008 at 12:32 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
Have you been to the doctor’s office recently? Recently I was there and was informed that they were transferring to a “new system” that was going to be “paperless” so I wouldn’t have a “file” anymore. I simply said “okay” not fully understanding, nor caring, about this as I just wanted to see my doctor. Soon after, I took great interest in this “paperless”, “new system”. When I was called into the doctor’s room I was ready for the typical EYE TO EYE, FACIAL EXPRESSION, “uh-huh” visit. Well, this did not happen. The doctor’s back was to me the entire time, with the sparatic, “I’m sorry this is a new system for us.” comment. The typing, the clicking, the ”I’m sorry, I can’t type that fast can you slow down.” comments all slowly took over the visit. It was agony and torture and so impersonal. I talked to a BACK and I was interacting with a COMPUTER. What’s happening? I wonder if this was my four year old daughter at the doctor, would she understand? Would she wonder why even the doctor ”plays” on the computer while she’s visiting him/her? Would she take offense? Where are computers taking us? What’s next? We can now go to the drive through and talk to a computer and not a person. I can learn who’s calling on the phone by looking at my televsion. I’m not sure that I’m against it…my I’m not sure that I’m for it either.
March 17, 2008 at 6:21 am · Filed under Introduction to Blogging
Unfortunately, I missed my first introduction to the world of “blogging”, due to the flu and horrible vertigo, so now I am left to explore this “new” world on my own. So far, I must say, it has been an easy and inviting experience. Signing on, creating a password, etc. were all without fail. To me, it is quite amazing that I will have a page that others can see and I am able to voice my opinions. At this point, I’m not sure when, where, or how I would use my personal blogs but I guess that is an avenue for me to ponder – why blogger?
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