Final Project: What did I learn?

Well this course seem to just fly by! I have truly learned so much from this class and from all of you! I cannot believe that it is already the end. Thank you all for commenting on my blog and for many of your great posts.
Here is a video of my final assignement I did upload it on a mac so I hope all of you can open it. If not my apologies. Again its been a blast!

Technology in the classroom

I found this video about the importance of incorporating technology in the classroom. I thought it was interesting. What are some of your thoughts?

What are your fears about technology in the classroom?

http://www.pbs.org/about/news/archive/2012/teacher-survey-fetc/


I found these two images today and thought both were very interesting. Clearly there are tons of reasons/benefits for teachers to use technology in the classroom. However from this survey teachers lack the right level of technology/information. I have seen this in my pre-internship, where my co-op wanted to use technology in the class, but did not have access to the right level of technology. This resulted in her not being able to complete that lesson.

I have also seen other teachers not use technology in the classroom because they did not feel comfortable implementing/using it in the class. I have seen teachers not use certain technology because they do not want to branch away from something that they already know and understand. I was concerned about trying technology in the classroom because I did not know how to do it. Yet I tried it out with the class and it was a  great learning experience for the students and myself. I believe we need to push our boundaries/comfort zone and not be afraid to try new things. That is how we learn and see if something works, by trying it out and making mistakes.

Was there any type of technology you were afraid to use when teaching? Please share :)

When Was the Last Time You Did Nothing?

As I reach the final stretch of my classes I can't help but feel stressed with the amount of school work I have. I get caught up in working two jobs, going to school full time, playing sports all while trying to maintain relationships with my friends and family. I feel that I am constantly on the go and I am finding myself saying "I'm too busy" or "I don't have time for that". I feel when I start my internship I will become even more busy, and that will be amplified when I become a first year teacher!

Yesterday as I was going to sit down and do homework my dogs distracted me. I decided to take them both to the park. It was a gorgeous day, I sat in the park with them and just watched the clouds turn into things. I spent majority of the afternoon just lounging outside and doing nothing. After enjoying my afternoon in the park I felt happier, relaxed and less stressed.

I truly believe we need to take time to just do things that make us happy. Take a break from being so busy and slow down. Especially as we are so close to becoming teachers we need to take care of our personal health.

When was the last time you did nothing?

No Child Left Behind Pros and Cons

http://www.people-press.org/2007/06/13/no-child-left-behind-gets-mixed-grades/

I found this image today about the no child left behind act implemented in the states. As I read through the pros and cons of government involvement in education, I couldn't help but think who is left behind in schools today? Are students who are at risk, have exceptionalities, disabilities, or are very diverse left behind? Who falls through the cracks and how can we ask educators fill them?

The Real Polar Bears

Some of you may have seen this video. I think it speaks strongly to the rising percent of obese children in Canada. Working in a summer camp I have seen the negative effects of children eating junk food. Our camp foster healthy living and being physically active, yet children come with pop, chips, candy and a ton of other junk foods. It is hard for children/youth to eat healthy when they may come from families that cannot afford anything but fast food. Also with all of the advertisement of junk food making it attractive to people. I am very concerned with how healthy children are. Research has shown that if children have these bad eating/physical habits that will carry into adulthood, and are more likely to become obese. These habits are detrimental to their health. What are some of your thoughts to these issues of children eating junk food and not being physically active? Thoughts or comments?

Great Teaching!

I found this image and it made me smile.  I think all of us should print this off and tape it on our desks to remind us why we became teachers.
Why did some of you want to become a teacher? I would be interested in hearing your stories.