Another Video

The Role of Technology in Education and Learning

Using technology in the education world is critically important for teachers and students. There is so much more to technology than just the Internet and I have enjoyed learning about all of the tools that are available. Students are so excited about using technology and usually know how to use it better than most adults. The great thing about technology is the fact that it can be used to reinforce almost any lesson learned in the classroom. Technology can be used to teach any school subject from math to art. It allows students to use their imagination and be creative. Tools such as the Smart Board are innovative ways to get students to interact with technology. Using tools that the Smart Board will make students want to share with their parents what they did at school. I also believe that it will give them something to look forward to. Although I am all for integrating technology into the classroom, I think there is a balance that must be made. J.K. Rowling once said, " Never trust anything that can think for itself if you can't see where it keeps its brain." Technology will fail every once and awhile and we should not become completely dependent on it. That doesn't mean we should not use it at all. We have a duty to teach our students skills that they will need for life- and being able to use technology is one of those skills. Technology is a great tool, one that I hope to learn more and more about as time goes on.

Class Reflection #10

I was thinking about my time in the second grade classroom I realized that I never really saw them interact with technology at all. I never got to see their computer class. I walked by the lab once, and they had fairly new computers but I never got to see them work with technology of any kind. Next year I am going to make it a point to observe the computer lab and to see what kind of programs the students are using. Maybe because of this class, I can help students discover new technology that is available to them.

Class Reflection #9

My final day in the classroom was sad and rewarding at the same time. I did not realize how much I enjoyed being in the class and watching and interacting with the students. I wish that I could stay with this years students for the remainder of my student teaching! They were a really well behaved class and I enjoyed watching them. At the end of the day, the students said blessings over me and said a really sweet prayer over me. It was one of the best things that has ever happened to me. I am forever changed by my experience in Miss Hill's second grade class!

Class Reflection #8

Today during class, I heard about the flip camera. I looked it up online and I think it would be an amazing tool for the classroom! It is a really small video camera that has a USB plug in. Students could make videos and easily download them onto school computers. They are affordable for a video camera and have endless uses. I'm thinking of investing in one and applying it to my new learned knowledge of iMovie.

If you want more information on the flip camera, click here

Class Reflection #7

I know that I've said it before, but I really am glad that I got to student teach in second grade. Looking back at this semester I know now that I want to teach second grade. I always thought that I wanted to teach kindergarten, but after doing my student teaching in the second grade I think I would like to teach it someday. Since they already know how to read, the teacher is able to do fun activities with the students. I love working in reading groups with the students and the fact that I don't have to work on their reading with them but their comprehension of what they are reading. I also find that the second graders are able to control their behavior (for the most part) and are able to sit still for a longer period of time. I'm just glad that I had this opportunity to see what goes on in a second grade class!

Assignment #5

Learning to use iMovie was one of the hardest things that I have done. Going in to this project, I had never used iMovie and was looking forward to becoming familiar with it. Before I had made the final decision to do iMovie for my final project, I went on the Apple website and found information on how Apple is designing programs, such as iMovie, that can be used in the education world. In addition to programs like iMovie, Apple has downloads available to anyone that can be used for students in the classroom.
Although iMovie is difficult to use without previous instruction, it can be a really useful tool. I researched ways in which it had been used in the past and I was amazed. Students have been taught how to use this tool and have created movie projects on famous people or issues. Students have also written and illustrated their own stories and have created a video of their story. Students can import film from a video camera or record audio clips to add to their presentation.
As I learned to use the program, I had to learn to use other applications as well. To import a YouTube video, I had to learn to covert it to a movie file. I used a website that allows you to covert files for free (www.vixy.net). In iMovie, I had to learn to use different features such as media (music, photos, animation, etc.), editing tools, audio recording and importing, and creating and importing video taken by iSight. The project I created by using iMovie does not cover half of the things that iMovie can do.
This project took many hours and caused a lot of frustration. I feel much more comfortable using iMovie now that I’ve worked with it. There is still a lot to learn, and with technology that will always be the case. We can’t know everything. But I feel that it is important to make the effort, especially for those of us who wish to become teachers. We are going to be expected to teach our students technology and to include it in our teaching lessons. I feel that this class has helped me to become more comfortable using technology. At the same time, it is hard not to feel overwhelmed. Each day there are a million more things to learn- and it won’t ever stop.
I’m glad that I chose to do iMovie for my final project. It was definitely a learning experience that required a lot of hard work and a lot of hours. I really think that if I have the opportunity, I could put it to great use in the classroom.

The Classroom in 5 Years

To be honest, I haven't a clue of how the classroom will look in five years. It seems to me that the education world is changing daily and more and more technology is being brought it. I know for sure that Smart Boards will become a common thing- and I guess that they already have (for schools that can afford them that is). You hear people talking about creating schools where the lesson is broad casted through some sort of media device so students can access it from any location. I hope that this does not happen. I think the student to teacher interaction is still really important. Technology is a great tool, but I do not believe that it should replace the teacher completely.
As a teacher, I think it would be great to have all of the fun technology tools that are available. I love programs like Kidspiration and tools like the SmartBoard. There are so many great resources for teachers and for students on the Internet- and it would be so great to have a computer for every student. Again, I still strongly believe that students should be able to survive without help from technology. However, the direction we are headed in appears to be one that relies fully or mostly on technology. My fear is, what if it all fails? There will always be malfunctions and we need to have the skills to be able to function without our computers or cell phones or the like. What kind of teachers would we be if we did not prepare our students for real life?

Internet Safety

A lot of problems can arise from Internet use, especially in the classroom setting. Although students may not intentionally visit some sites, often inappropriate sites will pop-up. Sources such as Google or other search engines often bring up these sites if you do not enter your search accurately. For younger students, they most likely are not aware of all of the harmful things on the Internet. Still, teachers should take the responsibility of teaching their students Internet safety. At the beginning of the year, students should be given a short lesson on Internet safety and be given ways to steer clear of unsafe sites or pop-ups. Students should be expected to be responsible for themselves and for one another.

Kidspiration

I love this program. It is so easy to use and has so many possible projects. I know that students would love to use it because not only does it make learning fun but it allows them to use a computer for classwork. The only issue with this program is availability. If a school has a low budget, it may be too much to ask to get it installed on multiple computers. Also, many schools do not have multiple computers available. But for schools that do use this program, it is an amazing tool. I used Kidspiration to create a time line that outlined previous events in my life and used pictures and creative text to make it colorful and exciting.

Here is the project that I worked on.

Assignment #4

Click here to view my lesson plan.. Students will go to an online Mad Libs resource and create their own Mad Libs. They can print out their completed story and the teacher could post it on the wall. Click here for the link the online Mad Libs.
I based this lesson on tools that are available in my classroom at Northshore. It would be great to have a Smart Board for this lesson-but Northshore does not have one. The tool that I would need for this lesson are computers for each student. There would not be a need for any programs and previous set up would not be required. Students would simply need to go to a website to do the activity.
Using technology for this activity would give students the opportunity to do a fun activity online. Mad Libs is a fun activity but it is still educational. It changes the learning environment in that students take responsibility for their learning. They decide if they are going to do their best at the project or not. The lesson becomes learner-centered because they are not sitting and listening to the teacher but are discovering things for themselves. The teacher will be watching the students interact with the material.
The challenges that I could see happening are that students may have difficulty finding the websites and following directions. This does give students the opportunity to work on their listening skills and learn how to follow directions. The teacher could hand out typed directions so that she would not have to keep answering the same questions over and over again. The teacher should circulate the room and ensure that students are doing what they are required to do.
This assignment covers NETS for grades PK-2:
1. Illustrate and communicate original ideas and stories using digital tools and media-rich resources. This fits in to my lesson in that students are using their own adjectives, nouns, etc to complete an online story. Students can also print out their work when they are finished.
4. In a collaborative work group, use a variety of technologies to produce a digital presentation or product in a curriculum area. This can be applied to the lesson because students will use the provided website to produce a "digital presentation" or what has been taught in class- the role of adjectives in a sentence.
7. Demonstrate the safe and cooperative use of technology. Students will be responsible for going the website provided and will earn the teacher's trust by following the rules for proper Internet use. Students will be expected to cooperate and follow regulations instilled by the computer lab and by the teacher.

Class Reflection #6

Lately I have been feeling that I am pretty useless in my classroom. I know we are there to observe and soak up as much as we can, but I'm ready to do more. However, today I felt so encouraged. We have a new student who has just recently begun attending Northshore and has been really struggling in almost every subject. I usually administer the spelling test and I when I grade this student's spelling test, I have to correct almost every single word. Today was different. Before the test, my teacher had me work one on one with the student- going over the words and helping them to remember tips for spelling the tricky words. When I went to grade their spelling test, I was so excited to see that they were all correct! 100%! I know that this is such a small feat, but I feel like I was able to help. I couldn't help but be extremely proud of this young student. It's amazing how God gives us encouragement when we need it the most!

"Web 2.0 Share the Adventure"

Here is the link for the video by Sylvia Martinez.

This video was really interesting to me. I found it helpful because it focused on ways to keep yourself from becoming bogged down the the endless features and tools of Web 2.0. I know that I get overwhelmed just thinking about all the possibilities, but this video gave me some helpful hints. The main message of this video stressed the importance of involving students with the process of integration technology into the classroom. As the president of the organization Generation Yes, Martinez encourages teachers to dive in to the world of technology and not to be held back because of a fear of failure. She notes that although the metaphor of digital natives and immigrants may be true, it should not be used as an excuse for teachers to refuse to get involved with technology. Students still need teachers to help them with technology, even if students are probably more capable and more comfortable with the tools.

Technology enhances the classroom experience for both teacher and student. Martinez stresses the fact that nothing will ever change in the classroom if you choose not to try new things. If a teacher starts a technology based lesson plan, there must be a specific goal in mind for there to be success in the lesson. Students can even be put in charge of organizing and monitoring one another to ensure that proper and moral policies are being followed.

This video helped me to realize that I will never be able to do it all- but that is ok! As a teacher, I can direct my students in the way that they should go and allow them to discover the wonderful tools and opportunities that lie within technology. Technology has the power to give each student a voice- whether that is through blogging, wikis, student made videos, or the like. If I am afraid to use technology, I will be keeping my students from the very thing that is pushing our society toward a bigger and better future.

For more information on Sylvia Martinez and Generation Yes you can click here....

Microsoft Features

Microsoft Word- I honestly only use this program to write papers and never really took the time to check out all of its features. I looked through some of the features and I found:

text direction
watermark
columns
auto summarize
graph paper

Excel- I took a class in high school about this program and I don't remember any of it. I think that this program is most useful for business majors or office jobs. The features that I played around with are:

calculator
flag for follow up
hide
sample documents

Power Point- I really like using this program especially for class presentations. I've used it for almost every class. Here are some features:

record narration
set up show
slide transition
duplicate slide
guides
comment
insert sounds

I realize that all of these programs have an infinite number of tools and features that can be used. I'm looking forward to learning about more tools.

Technology Standards I Would Like to Work On

There are many, many things that I need to work on. I want to become more comfortable with the SMART Board, but that is only the beginning. I am a new Mac user and am just beginning to realize all of the cool things that is has to offer. I can make my own videos, record music, and much more. I want to work this semester on using my Mac to its full potential.

SMART Board Presentation

Phases of the Moon- SMART Board Activity Link

NETS
2. Communication and Collaboration
b. communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats
4. Critical Thinking, Problem-Solving & Decision-Making
c. collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions.
d. use multiple processes and diverse perspectives to explore alternative solutions.
5. Digital Citizenship
b. exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity.
c. demonstrate personal responsibility for lifelong learning.

NETS- Student Profiles Grades 3-5/ Ages 8-11
7. Conceptualize, guide, and manage individual or group learning projects using digital planning tools with teacher support. (4,6)
10. Apply previous knowledge of digital technology operations to analyze and solve current hardware and software problems. (4,6)

This activity would directly follow a unit on the moon and its phases. Because this SMART Board interactive activity requires prior knowledge of the phases of the moon- this would be great to use to check for students’ understanding and to reiterate what has just been taught. The activity provides helpful teaching hints and worksheets that can be printed out to be done individually or can be done as a class on the SMART Board. This interactive activity is short but covers the phases of the moon and tests students’ knowledge about the position of the moon. The preparation for this activity would simply be to ensure that students understand the phases of the moon. I would use this activity after teaching the students about the moon and allow one student to come up to the SMART Board and lead the class as they work on the activity provided. That way, I could check to see if they comprehend the subject matter while allowing them to interact with technology and with one another. This activity would also be great to use before a test, as a review of what the test will cover. I also think these types of technological activities make the subject matter more exciting for students and encourages their participation. Learning would be assessed by a follow up quiz or test that checks to see if students understand what has been taught previously and re-taught by the SMART Board interaction.

Blogs for Educators

I decided to focus on The Tech Savvy Educator and specifically the topic of Kidpedia. I'm really interested in preparing myself to incorporate technology into my classroom. Also, I want to encourage student interaction with different facets of technology. This topic is discussing a wiki created by a teacher and her 5th grade class. Something that I noticed right away was the fact the website (although not completed... coming this February) has a "pledge." Their pledge is to keep the website safe and appropriate and also "report abuse by bullies." This caught my attention in light of the fact of how online bullying has caused suicides in many school situations. Although this website was not completed, I think that it would be fun to do a class project and have students design a class wiki maybe concentrating on a certain subject or topic. This way students can show their parents, grandparents, guardians, or whoever, what they are doing at school. This will allow them to develop a positive relationship with technology early on.

Class Reflection #5

I always thought that I wanted to teach Kindergarten... but after working in a second grade class, I've discovered that I really enjoy working with kids that age. They all know how to read, and understand the basics of education, and are excited about learning more. They are in control of their behavior, for the most part, and have an immense respect for their teacher. I would like to observe different classes to see what I like the best. As for now, I really love working with the second grade class.

Class Reflection #4

Today was my favorite day in the classroom by far. All of the students were so excited because of their Valentine's Day party later in the afternoon. I wasn't expecting to receive any Valentine's but to my surprise most of the students had made me special Valentine's. It was one of the most amazing feelings I have ever experienced. I know it sounds odd, but I felt that had finally made a connection with the students. Today I also had an opportunity to sit back and watch the students as they interacted with their teacher. I started picking out unique characteristics that the students have. I realize how different each student is and understand why our teachers are constantly telling us to get to know our students. By doing this, I believe we can become more affective as teachers. Just a few of my thoughts!

Class Reflection #3

Something that I've noticed as I've been in the classroom is that Miss Hill, my cooperating teacher, does not talk down to the second grade class. She doesn't baby talk to them or act like they aren't able to comprehend certain language. Miss Hill doesn't talk above or below her students, but right at their level. I know that is something that I struggle with, especially as I nanny. As a teacher, I want to encourage my students to work on their communication skills and strive toward improving their language.

I love this...

My mom, who was a fifth grade teacher sent this to me... it was really encouraging... hope you guys enjoy!....

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?"

He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers: "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach." To stress his point he said to another guest; "You're a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?"

Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, "You want to know what I make? (She paused for a second, then began...)

"Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.

I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor winner.

I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube, or movie rental.

You want to know what I make? (She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table.)

I make kids wonder. I make them question.

I make them apologize and mean it.

I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.

I teach them to write and then I make them write. Keyboarding isn't everything.

I make them read, read, read.

I make them show all their work in math. They use their God given brain, not the man-made calculator.

I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know about English while preserving their unique cultural identity.

I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.

I make my students stand, placing their hand over their heart to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, One Nation Under God, because we live in the United States of America.

Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life.

(Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.)

Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, with me knowing money isn't everything, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant. You want to know what I make? I MAKE A DIFFERENCE. What do you make, Mr. CEO?"

Class Reflection #2

I've noticed that my classroom does not do a lot with technology. Since it is a private Christian school, I'm sure that there is not a lot of funding for technology tools. While the classroom has a TV/VCR combo, the only other piece of technology is a computer on the teachers desk. I have seen the computer lab, and they do have very nice computers in there. However, I wish that the classroom I am in could have more technology tools. I think the students would love to have a tool such as the SMART Board.

Class Reflection #1

Going into this whole student teaching experience, I was extremely nervous but excited. I knew that this was the beginning of something great, but was still apprehensive. Walking into my school, they already had a name tag ready for me, a phone list, and other essential information that I would eventually need. I honestly felt so much better because they were excited to see me and invited me into their school. The second grade class that I am in has 19 amazingly smart kids who all appear to be excited to be at school. The room is decorated with bulletin boards, posters, and artwork by students. I am really excited to see what the future holds while I am here at Northshore Christian Academy!

Web 2.0 Tools Application

I never realized that there were so many resources available to anyone who is just willing to take the time to look. It's overwhelming at first. I really like the idea of podcasting. Although it could be very time consuming, it would be a helpful tool- especially for students who missed a day of class or need a little extra help. It would also be fun to use some of the online picture tools to post pictures of class work online for parents and students to view. The image generators are really cool also, especially for use on class websites and the like. I'm really excited about getting acquainted with these new tools!

Assignment #2

1) Online Student Learning...
I think that it is really important for students to be using a computer in and out of the classroom. However, there are a lot of things on the Internet that are not appropriate or valid. That is why I think it is really important for teachers to be aware of what is online and provide a list of websites for their students. Teachers can provide students with websites that have educational games, poetry, activities, and the like. For example, websites like Students of the World provide great activities for students. Students can sign up for a pen pal from a different part of the world or study about the different countries of the world. There are games and even blogs that the students can use. Another great website that I found has tons and tons of online games. It is a safe website and has games that test students on their reading, math, science, and life skills. I feel that websites like Primary Games are so great for students because they can play games while learning new things.
2) Student Resources: Social Studies...
It is important for students who need to do research to be provided with resources that are teacher approved. Students need to know how to do research online but a lot of the sources that they may come upon may not be valid. Websites like Social Studies Sources and Social Studies Online provide accurate information for students and easy to use websites. A great project to have students do would be to give them a notable person from history and have them write a short research report on that individual. They would have to find online sources and then successfully cite the sources that they do use. This way students will learn to utilize one of the best resources and tools that is available- the Internet.
3) Student Resources: Reading...
Reading is one of my favorite things to do. However, I realize that for many students reading can be a frustrating activity. Being able to use sources online may change that fact for many students. Children like to use computers, and now with sources such as Awesome Library students can find almost any book that they want online. Another great source that I found online is TumbleBooks, they have animated, taking picture books that can be viewed. However, you have to have a membership to view this site. A great way to use these types of sources would be if you had a SMART Board. The teacher could pull the book up onto the screen and the students could read from it together. I think this would be a great way to utilize available technology and to get students interested in reading.
4) Student Resources: Art...
I think art projects are really fun to do in the classroom. A lot of students are artistic and do not get an opportunity to work on their art in school. School should be fun and not just concentrate on math, science, and history, but should include art as well. Art for Kids is an interactive art website that has art games, art history, and art galleries for students to explore. This website even has lesson plans for teachers as well. Artsonia is an online art museum for kids. I really liked this website because schools can actually post art from their classrooms on this website. I think that would be so great- not only can their art hang on the walls of their classroom but can be viewed online as well.
5) Helpful Resources for Teachers...
Since technology is becoming such a huge part of society, it only makes sense that teachers utilize it to the best of its ability. There are so many great resources online for teachers that no one even really knows about. Elementary Homeroom is one of those helpful resources. This site has links to hundreds of other sites for teachers. They have lesson plans and ideas for every aspect of the curriculum. They even have an online museum and online library. Another site that I found is Teacher's TV.com. They have tons of clips and videos for teachers and for students. I found videos about domestic violence and other issues that students may be dealing with. Since many teachers don't have time to read a lot of articles on these types of things, they can stay aware of issues by watching short movie clips online for free.

I think it is such a good idea for teachers to be aware of what the Internet has to offer. Sometimes teachers need inspiration and there are so many great ideas that can be found online. Students should also be taught how to use the Internet and should be made aware of all the fun things that are available.

My thoughts on SMART Board

To be honest, learning to use the SMART Board seems to be really overwhelming. However, I'm really excited about all the neat things that teachers can use the board for. I'm really hoping that when I begin teaching, I will have one in my classroom or at least one available for use. Like we saw in class today, you could easily design a math lesson that would allow students to interact with the material. You could easily take any subject and create an interactive lesson that could involve all of your students. Using the SMART Board could allow the teacher to get students involved instead of just "talking at" them all day. Another interesting way that a teacher can use the SMART Board is to make an interactive geography lesson. I noticed that they have images of different countries and you could easily label key locations. There are no limitations to the way the teachers can use the SMART Board in their classrooms.

Integrating Successfully

I chose this article because I am interested in how to integrate technology into the classroom. I know that more technology is needed but I want to know how to bring it in and make it a part of the classroom. I am also interested in the SMART Board and so this article caught my interest. It sounds as if they are extremely successful in schools- not only for students but for teachers as well. It appears that students and teachers are more excited about school and look forward to the school day. It was also a way for teachers to connect with each other on a technological level, helping each other and teaching one another new things. Even the parents had a positive reaction to the SMART Boards and saw that it had a positive affect on their children. Reading this article makes me want to learn more about the SMART Board and learn how it can be affective in the classroom.

Making a web site...

My Web Site

I really enjoyed learning how to make a website (even though I'm not really good at it). It is amazing what you can do within a matter of minutes. Trying to design a website using HTML code was really frustrating and can take a really long time. Using Google to design a web page took a matter of minutes and was really easy. I think it is great that Google makes this available to everyone who wants to make a web site. I can use this source to design a website for my students and parents of students to inform them of what is going on in the classroom.

Assignment #1 Technology Literacy

I have always been interested in the different avenues of technology. Ever since I can remember we have always had a computer in our home. Out of my family, I was usually the one who was on the computer the most and usually was the one who could fix any problems that we were having with it. I have always been comfortable using a computer and can usually fend for myself. As far as using other sorts of technology I would consider myself to be an average user. I know how to use items such as an iPod, cell phone, and other items that society can't seem to live without these days. However, I am well aware of the fact that I don't know it all and that there is a lot left to learn.

There are many areas that I would like to improve in this semester. I would like to learn how to use the smart board and hopefully be able to use in my classroom someday. Since technology is so essential, I really want to incorporate it in my classroom and allow my students to become comfortable with technology. It would be interesting to find out ways to incorporate technology into all areas of the curriculum. Making all of these things accessible to students may be a challenge but it is so essential. Another issue that I would like to learn about is how to incorporate technology and students who have special needs. I don't know anything about this and would like to learn the most beneficial way to get students who have special needs involved in using technology.

I believe that technology belongs in the classroom. As teachers, we are supposed to be preparing our students well- and to do that I believe we need technology. Technology is such a large part of society today that we would be harming our students if we did not teach them how to use it. In addition, most children today are already familiar with technology and are able to learn better when their teachers use computer games and other technology in the classroom. I think it is really sad that most students know way more than their teachers do about technology.

It is important that teachers are aware of the NETS standards. I had never heard of them before and I found them really interesting. For students who are in pre-K through second grade, it would be interesting to have students get a pen-pal from a different country, using e-mail. This way students can learn about people from different countries while learning how to use e-mail. This will allow children to learn about multiple cultures through technology.
Pen Pals International

Another way that I could help my students meet the NETS standards for their age would be to have them do a project on a historical figure using the internet. Since this could be difficult for younger students it may be necessary to send home a newsletter and have parents help their child do research on the computer.

I think it would be really interesting to have the students practice reading on the internet with electronic books. There are some really great resources online with good children's literature. If I had a smart board in my classroom I could pull up electronic books and have students read out loud from it. This activity would familiarize students with the internet and cause them to realize how much is available on the internet and through technology.
International Children's Digital Library

There are so many great things that we can use as teachers to enhance our students' understanding of technology. I realize that I have a lot to learn about how technology can be used in the classroom but I'm looking forward to learning as much as possible.

Northshore Christian Academy Website Analysis

http://www.northshorechristianschools.org/

This website is really helpful for people who are interested in Northshore Christian Academy. As soon as you pull up the website there is a really nice picture of the school campus and some of the students. Right off, viewers will notice that the students wear uniforms because the picture indicates as much. The site lets viewers know what is happening by providing a current calendar. There is also a news section that lets viewers know about open houses and the like.
Probably the most useful aspect of this website is that the viewer can look up the educational standards for the grade level they wish to investigate. The viewer can read about the curriculum of any given age group- what is expected from students, what goals are established, and many other aspects.
The website does a good job of providing directions and the number of the school office. However, I would have found it more useful if the website would provide e-mail or phone numbers of faculty members. If a viewer wants to get a hold of a teacher, they would have no way of doing it. Otherwise, I feel that this website is really helpful and complete.

Engage Me or Enrage Me: What Today's Learners Demand

This article drew to my attention the fact that the education system needs to be revolutionized. Considerable changes need to be made so that students can be successful and engaged in the classroom setting. As I future teacher, I realize that if I want to be successful, I need to integrate technology into my subjects.
As a nanny I have already begun to notice how children become enamored with technology even at a surprisingly young age. One of my girls, age 6, showed me her new iPod today and expressed her wishes for a cell phone on her next birthday. To be honest, I was completely shocked. However, after reading this article, it only makes sense to me that children are becoming attached to technology and a younger age. As educators, we need to realize this phenomenon and do something about it.
One of the questions this article raised in my mind was how we can incorporate more technology into the classroom. What tools do we need? I realize that the education system needs a group of leaders and managers to make this happen. The leaders must devise a plan, and the managers must implement and execute the plan. I do believe this change in education needs to take place sooner rather than later.

Why I want to be a teacher...

If you would have asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up when I was younger, I doubt I would have answered teacher. However my dreams of being a ballerina ( I lack the coordination) or a doctor (I have a severe fear of blood and needles) have faded and I now pursue a new dream. I want to be a teacher. I began college as a business major, mostly because I had no idea what I really wanted to do. Halfway through my first semester I decided that I wanted to become an elementary teacher.
Why? Perhaps one of the most important reasons why I desire to become a teacher is that I have a passion for working with children. I could think of nothing better than to spend a day "at work" interacting, teaching, and essentially learning from children. I also believe that God has called me to be a teacher and has been preparing me for that occupation my entire life.
I am looking forward to getting into the classroom and experiencing what it is like to be a teacher. I am not completely sure what grade I want to teach when I begin my career. I do feel that I would be the most effective teaching students in lower grades, such as kindergarten or first. However, the grade level I wish to teach is not priority. My desire is to be in a place where I can be involved in the journey of learning with a group of young people and be able to have a front row seat as students begin to learn and discover on their own.