Class so far..

I'm enjoying the class so far, because it is opening me up to SO many programs that I have never even heard of. And the thing is, they are able to be used in classrooms in so many different ways !

The thing is, I'm not very creative. I understand that the class does not revolve around being creative, but it does not make it any easier for me. It's nice being able to try to think of different ways that the programs can be used - but I just have a hard time trying to come up with them, because of my lack of creativity, :] But like I said, the class is opening me up to different things, so that's definitely a start.

Aside from that, I'm enjoying what I'm learning. I can see the techniques as definitely being useful in the classroom in the future. I guess so far the class is pretty much exactly how I pictured it going. I just pictured it to be more focused on giving lectures and using different strategies for teaching that way - but instead we're learning how the students can use technology in a more hands on sense to learn. I actually think this will be more beneficial, because it will involve the students in a more in depth level, which is great !

Kindergarten Technology

I really enjoyed this clip, mainly because it shows that learning can really be enjoyable for children. Watching it, you can see how excited the children are. They work together, help each other and share what they know. Doing things that they are interested in was shown here, and it proves that they become more excited about learning. I liked the little funeral that they set up - because that is a real life situation. It was nice to be able to watch them learn on their own, as well as being taught.

There was different forms of technology, the most interesting one to me being the smart board. I think it was so cool to be able to teach the students like that, and I really enjoyed the part with learning to write their names on the board. But there was also the projectors and the microphone when they were sharing their stories. These technological aids seemed to have a big impact in the classroom in the clip - students seemed much more interested in the subjects. And the teachers were able to integrate different subjects together.

The learning with the technology allowed for students to teach themselves. With the microphone, I think it allowed the students to become more comfortable with each other - an early start for public speaking. It was a confidence booster, and help teach them that details are crucial in things like their stories in order for others to fully understand. The smart boards were the most intense, because they are able to do so much ! Really though, learning to write their names is such a creative way to use it. The students are able to explore and learn how to research, instead of just asking for the answers. They can find it themselves, and it will make them more interested overall.

Are schools killing creativity?

I have to say that I enjoyed Sir Ken Robinson's lecture - he was able to entertain while presenting facts that I believe are true. I agree with what he was saying, that schools are more focused with actual "fact based" learning. The hierarchy that he spoke up, with mathematics & languages on top, followed by humanities, and then arts, is very true. In schools today, we provide excellent knowledge for the higher "priorities," while leaving the arts in the dust. Now, I don't want to say that the arts are left out completely, but they are not as emphasized upon as the other subjects. Academics are strictly becoming the basis of teaching in today's schools. When he spoke of the little girl that was drawing God, the teacher's response was good proof. She basically was shooting down this girl's imagination, because she could not possibly know what he looks like. He is right to say that students do not recognize their own talent, because it was never preached to them. He also draws a valid point when he says that "creativity is being able to think of things in multiple ways." This is an excellent tool that everyone should experience.

When he says "if you're not prepared to be wrong, you'll never come up with anything original," it is so true. Students become so afraid of being wrong that they don't even bother trying anything that might turn out "wrong." Wrong can be classified differently as well, depending on the person. Students fear rejection so they stick to what they know will keep them "safe," and follow all the instructions without straying aside. He also points out that "education is meant to take us into the future that we can't grasp." This brings us back to the fact that we are getting students ready for things that we are not even prepared for ourselves. Students need to be able to think for themselves, and think FULLY for themselves - in whichever way that they please. It's basically showing that students need to have their own opinions, regardless of how others are going to look at them.

Finally, I agree with the statement that "creativity is as important as literacy." I believe that students need to understand that there is more to learning than just hitting the books. They need to be able to explore, to understand the world in ways that they feel comfortable. Creativity can make that happen - it allows for students to have a comfort zone. The ballerina that he speaks of is an excellent example - once she figured out that she was a dancer, her life made more sense. It is all about allowing the students to understand themselves and to be able to express themselves so that they can have a better understanding of their life.

Learning with Technology

All throughout my school career I have been introduced to technology in different forms, mainly computers. We have had computers in our classrooms ever since I was in kindergarten, so right from the start ! Of course, in kindergarten/first grade we mainly used the computers for games during free time - and we never really learned anything that was "of use" for schooling. In elementary school, we had chalkboards in every classroom - and I remember going into fifth grade and having white boards and feeling so much more advanced. Into middle school teachers started using projectors on the boards to teach different subjects to us. Once I moved on to college, every classroom has projector screens with more high tech projectors for power points. I have also never used a Mac until this class - and it is MUCH different than the Dell I'm used to ! So I have a lot of catching up to do in that department as well. Needless to say, the technology has increased so much even in the time span of my schooling.

In fifth grade, I again remember being very excited about having a class set aside for the students that was a full period of being in the computer lab. Here, we got to once again play games - but only for a part of the period. We started to learn basic skills of using a computer - like how to use the internet for research. In middle school, we again had computer classes and learned more advanced skills. We improved our typing abilities using Mario Teaches Typing, which I believe was a very helpful and entertaining process. We even had a program that taught us French when we didn't have a French teacher at school. In high school, we had access to a full computer lab again in the library, and learned even more advanced ways to research. Basically, the main thing that was emphasized was showing us the different strategies of research. We touched briefly on powerpoints and spreadsheets at times, but not enough to retain any of the knowledge.

My third semester in college I was required to do a powerpoint presentation as a group in my education class, and I had to wing it completely to get one together. I did learn from it though, with the help of my roommate and my partners. I now know at least some of the basics of putting together a presentation. My presentation was actually on technology in a classroom - so we researched some different ways that we have been taught - the main one being with the projectors and computers. I'm excited that this class is focused on how to use technology in different ways that can be fun for the students, as well as educational. I'm hoping to get a lot out of it - because I know it will definitely be useful for me, especially at the grade level that I'm hoping to teach, :]

Me, Myself, & I

I'm Ashley Ross, and this is my third year in college - though it is my second semester at Husson. I was originally a marine biology major at the University of Maine at Machias, and while I did enjoy my first year, I realized that it just was not for me. I spent my second year exploring different classes at Machias, and finally decided to take an education class. My practicum was at Jonesboro Elementary, and as soon as I finished my first day, I knew that it was what I wanted to do. I began missing my family even more towards the end of my second year, so I decided to transfer closer to home, which is in Levant.

For entertainment, I'm pretty much game for anything. I love watching sports, and I played field hockey all through high school. I absolutely LOVE the Red Sox, and I plan on marrying Jacoby Ellsbury ! ;) Whenever I have down time, I'm almost always reading - I'm addicted to Nicholas Sparks, and I only have one more book of his to read. My boyfriend and I are also addicted to multiple shows that we like to keep up with, so that keeps us entertained as well.

As for me as a learner, I can adapt to different environments. I would have to say that I learn best with hands on things, when I can actually see something being done. But I am also an excellent note-taker, so lecturing is not a problem for me - other than the fact that it gets boring. But it's better to be able to enjoy learning, which is one of the reasons that I'm so excited to become a teacher. And my experience with technology up to this point? Well, I can never seem to completely understand technology as much as others. But I am able to work a computer enough to get myself through what needs to be done. I'm used to being taught frequently in classrooms using powerpoints. I understand that technology is becoming even more of an everyday use than it already is, which is why it's important for me to be able to be one step ahead of my future students. I'm hoping this class will help me get there, :)