School 2.0

So basically we need to get ahead of technology and use it for our advancing eduaction instead of lettign it hold us back. The internet, or the web is it is called, has stepped up it's importance by going from a place to simply just look-up information to a place where people all over the world are communicating with one another and they are creating information to share with everyone. So it has gone from being a spectator sport to being on the field and interacting. To me web 2.0 is an amazing aspect that we as future educators must get on board. So, what is school 2.0 you might ask. Well in my opinion it is taking all of the ideas from web 2.0 with social networking and collaborations tools, and using them in our classrooms or even for the students to use at home. It is simply to integrate the technology we are given to expand the students' knowledge, input, and interaction with the world around them. It means that schools in the future cannot be afraid to use techonology to their advantage. If it fails then learn form the mistake and move on, but we have to at least try or else we will never know. All of the articles I read completely back up the importance of web 2.0 and how education needs to get on board.

Oh Comments

Blogs are made for communication and interaction. The vital function of the blog is that people from all over the world can communicate ideas and opinions from different cities, states, and countries. This interaction creates a sense of unity and intimacy between the blogger and his or her followers and this interaction centers around commenting.

One of the key ideas I learned about commenting was on Cool Cat Teacher’s blog, and it was simply the fact that by commenting on an important idea or fact you are casting your vote. That it is raising a flag saying that this is an important piece of information to notice, and that by commenting on it you are drawing attention to the subject. I think that this is an amazing aspect to remember because everyone’s opinion should be heard. The other blog I read about commenting was 10 Techniques to Get More Comments on Your Blog. The idea I liked the most was tip number 4, it stated that you should interact with the comments that are posted on your blog. By doing this, you are helping create that closeness to your followers and you are making them feel important to the process.

For our class I chose to follow Kayla Satterly’s 23 Things ksatterly, Shannah Youngs’s 23 things, Darryl Haislip’s CourtofHaislip, Erin Beifuss’s Mrs. Beifuss, and Rebecca Sloffer’s Sloffer: Education 3040-01. I selected to follow Kayla because she has so many great ideas on how to incorporate what we learn through this experience to our future as a teacher in the classroom. I commented on hers to let her know how much I appreciated her ideas and the new concepts she brought to light. As for Shannah I thought she had a great way of stating her information. I commented on hers because I was intrigued by the idea that blogs could be so much help to an ELL student. Darryl’s blog is so much fun to read, and honestly that’s one of the main reasons I want to follow him. In all of the blogs that have been made I definitely enjoy his as one of the best. I love the way his has personality and character and how the words seem to come to life. I commented on his blog to tell him to keep up the good work, because I was really looking forward to what he had to say next. Erin’s blog was precious and I loved the way it was set-up! It has so much life and character in the formatting that I do not know who would not want to read it! I commented on hers because I loved the way she brought a personal touch and because we had a lot in common. Finally I chose to follow Rebecca because I feel like she has so much to offer. She had personality, spunk, and great information. I commented on hers to let her know that I loved how she brought a new side to the touchy subject of social networks.

For my two other blogs I decided to follow You Shall Know the Truth at http://passionateforchrist12.blogspot.com/2012/01/worship-and-leading.html, and also to follow The Teacher Wife at theteacherwife.blogspot.com. I followed the first one because I am passionate about my faith in Christ and I lead worship at a few local gatherings. This blog had great tips and reminders about how to be a great leader, and I commented on the fact that I loved how the tips really brought it back to the main focus, worship.  I chose the second blog because she seemed like just an ordinary woman living her life as both a teacher and a wife, and I loved the different ideas she had to offer. I commented on hers just to tell her how much I loved her ideas.

Thing Three :)

       So if making the blog was hard, at least the registering process was not too complicated. All I had to do was click the link and fill out the form! Easy as pie! This was mostly due to the fact that I paid attention to the directions the first time.

       Blogs are a growing part the internet today, technology, and can be of great assistance in keeping the parents updated on what is going on in their child’s classroom. I will definitely try my best to use a blog when I become a teacher. I think that it would be a great place for the parents to view a calendar about the upcoming month’s activities, ask questions, and even read stories about how the students are participating in the learning process. It would also be a great way to get parents involved with each other. If one parent wanted to start a book club or something for all of the students and parents to join, the blog would be a great place to let others know about it. Also, it is a fantastic way to get comments back from the parents on what they think of certain things.

       I say that technology is growing and changing and we need to use the instruments given to us to make a way for a stronger education system and classroom. So with that, why not use a blog?

Thing Two!!! Oh My Blog :)

I would say oh my goodness but now I have decided “Oh my Blog!” is a better phrase. I have had a blog set-up before for updates on when I was in and out of the hospital, but honestly my mom did all of the work so this was a completely new experience for me. I got frustrated really quickly because technology is not always my friend. When I was making my blog I did not really want to use my full name for the title so I just went simple and titled it 23 things SRogers. I did this out of the fact that srogers is the first part of my email and is the easiest thing for me to remember and for others to recognize.

Like I said technology is not my friend so setting up my blog was not easy for me. I would miss read the directions or simply not understand so I would have to restart from the beginning. What did make it easier was when someone from the class offered to help me. Once they walked me through it, I found the whole process easy.

My avatar looks pretty similar to my lifelike appearance. When I made it I tried to just stick to the basics and my favorite colors. Other than that I did not really go into a lot of detail. I wanted to stick more towards how I really look because I don’t really want to change myself.

Thing One :)

       After I watched the video about the seven and ½ habits of successful lifelong learning it took me a few minutes to think about whether or not I actually used those habits. Turns out that I did not realize how much work should be put in to being a skillful learner. I was always the student who went to class, took notes, did my homework, and that was about the extent of my habits. I always took advanced courses but never really had a hard time in any of them. I recognize now why that was true. I always had a system for accomplishing tasks and staying on track, and I definitely always had a plan to get ahead so that I would never fall behind.

       For me, I would say that habit 2 was easiest to me. Like I said, I took responsibility to have systems and get ahead. I hated when people thought the teacher was supposed to do everything for them. Part of learning is to go outside of the assignments and learn things for oneself.  Learning is work and work takes diligence and practice. This is where my faults lie. I am the world’s worst about all work and no fun when it comes to my own learning style. I am great about having fun for others when they are learning, but when I am doing something myself I have no time for play. Habit 7 and ½ was something I never allowed myself to have. I realize now that I must make time for play or else I will overexert myself and have a hard time keeping up the pace.

       This video was eye opening and will be of great use to all of us as future educators. These habits are something that not only can we instill in ourselves but in our future students. Such habits will deem useful for strengthening our mind and learning.