Final Learning Journal Prompt:

1. What three things did you learn about teaching and learning that you did not know before?

Three things that I learned about teaching and learning that I did not know before are: (1) the extent to which technology affects learning and teaching, (2) that the use of social media networks in classrooms actually makes learning fun and relatable for students of today's generation, and (3) that a lot of times you, as the teacher, are learning from the material that you are teaching just as the students are.

2. In what ways has the content in this course effected your views of teaching and learning?

The content in this course has affected my views of teaching and learning tremendously.  I feel more comfortable using technology and have even learned to create and manage web pages. Technology is becoming a vital part of our lives. Nearly all homes these days have computers and Internet connections. Technology is revolutionizing the way we think, work, and play, and when integrated into the curriculum, revolutionizes the learning process. This past semester, I have learned that technology integration in the curriculum improves students’ learning processes and outcomes. Teachers who recognize computers as problem-solving tools change the way they teach. They move from a behavioral approach to a more constructivist approach. This makes students more engaged in their learning.

3. What questions do you have about integrating technology into the curriculum?

Do you think there will ever be a time where school is exclusively online?

If so, what are some of the pros/cons of that?

Do you think it is possible to integrate technology into ever subject?

If so, would it be beneficial to do so?

At what age should students be introduced to technology?

4. What did you like most about this course? In what ways can the instructor improve this course?

What I enjoyed most about this course was the fact that I learned very tangible skills that I know I will be able to apply to my life, now, and in the future when I get into my career.  I was against social media networks, for the most part, until I realized just how useful they can be in this course.  Even though this course was probably my favorite course as an undergraduate, just like everything, there are ways to improve it. One way to improve the course would be to allow the students to teach a few more of their lesson plans.  I know that in the interest of time, every student teaching every lesson plan is a bit unpractical, but I know personally, I would have appreciated it if I had the opportunity to put a few more of my lesson plans into effect and see the fruits of my labor come into fruition right in front of my eyes.

Participatory Divides

• What would your ideal school look like?
• My ideal school would be very similar to a charter school.  By this I mean a public school but run on an admissions basis.  This way the students are there because they want to be there, not because they have to
• Would your school have a specific focus like a magnet school?
• Yes, my school would have a performing arts magnet or focus
• Who would be in charge of the school? What would their role be?
• I would be in charge of the school as the principal
• Is it big or small? One room? Two hundred?
• Fairly small, but not too small
• Where would it be located?
• Los Angeles, CA
• Would it be year-round?
• No
• What would a typical day for students be like?
• A typical day would begin around 7:45 am and students would rotate on a block schedule, meaning they would have 4 different classes every day, about an hour and a half a piece.  Students will have a 20 minute break time, and a separate lunch time.  The school day will end at approximately 2:45 pm and students will proceed directly to after-school or extracurricular activities.
• What criteria would you use to hire people to work with the students?
• The staff would have to undergo an intensive and very selective application process, to prove their potential.
• How would student work be assessed?
• What role would digital media play in your school?
• What role would parents and community members play?

Learning Journal

5 Questions based on article

1. Why do you think so many more males play video games than females?
2. Do you think that making video games with an educational purpose would be beneficial/successful?
3. In what ways can you make video games educational, yet fun and interesting?
4. What is you opinion on this statement? "62% of parents of gamers say video games have no effect on their child one way or the other."
5. Do you think children these days are playing too much video games?

Learning Journal #3

1. I am following a number of sites, but among my most preferred are: The Independent Alligator, CNN, New York Times, What's Hot in Google, Sun-Sentinel/Miami Herald, and many more.
2. I chose those sites because it makes it easier to keep up with with things that are going on at the University of Florida, around the world, and in South Florida.  It helps me stay connected.
3. Although Reader makes it a little more convenient to look for stories, I personally prefer to just visit the actual websites.
4. As a teacher, you could use a feed reader to keep your students aware of current events or even the latest news around school.
5. I want to get used to using feed readers, it is still a relatively new concept for me that I do not believe I have mastered yet.

Learning Journal #2

The role of technology inside the classroom is to enhance learning.  Technology outside of the classroom is usually used as a means to make things more convenient for the user.  These two worlds can overlap when technology is used in such a way that it not only enhances learning, but makes learning easier and more relatable to the students, thereby making things more conveninet.  This convenience comes at a cost when we begin to become dependent on technology and are unable to function and get things done the way we did before we integrated tgechnology into out lives.

Learning Journal

Advertisement Analysis

This message was made by Honda and featured a 60-person choir who sang the car noises as film of the Honda Civic are shown.  It was made to illustrate the beautiful sounds made by a Honda.  The target audiences are car buyers and potential Honda owners.  The ad was paid for by Honda and Honda will benefit from this message by a potential increase in sales.  Also, Honda owners, or any car owners, and anyone who can appreciate musicianship will benefit from this message. It is implied that driving a Honda is beautiful; it’s a piece of art. It was a very clever idea.  The message is communicated effectively in a cool and creative way.  If you have never driven in a Honda before, you probably will not appreciate it as much.  My interpretation of this is that it is very clever. Imagine the people that came up with this idea and then had to get a choir to practice making the noises until they sounded right. I admire the choir and the idea and can tell that it took a lot of work to perfect. It was made in 2006 and I found it on youtube.

Learning Journal

Expectations

My expectations for this class are: to gain the skills necessary to successfully integrate technology into a secondary curriculum and to learn how to motivate students to learn in high risk environments.  I hope to learn more about how to use the various online social networks and all of the things that the digital world has to offer and incorporate these skills into the classroom.