Friday, November 20, 2009

Voicethreading

The use of voice threading would be a great tool to use for secondary education classes. I would use voice threading in my classroom to help my students stay in contact with each other and to make projects much easier. In college, it would be nice to use because some classes only meet once a week. So by using the voice threading to do assignments teachers and other classmates can help out fellow classmates.
I also like the idea of voice threading because it is a program that can help encourage students to be more interested in class. People today flood the world of myspace and facebook so while they are on the computer they can check their status with the class. If class is interesting and easy to relate to, students are more likely to participate.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

PPT Project

The power point project that my partner, Vicki, and I will be submitting is over Digital Literacy. We will be talking about Blogs, Digital Storytelling, and doing our main focus on Wikis in the classroom.

I like Vicki as a partner. She has a plan in her mind and once we put both of our ideas together, we move very quickly. She loves to put her ideas out there which makes it easier to communicate. I like doing this project as a team better than I would alone.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Technology in Education


I believe educators should use technology in the classroom but I do not think it should go as far as video games. That could get very expensive especially how fast video game consoles change. I do like the ideas of computers and blogs and I also like the idea of using cell phones in some classes because almost all students already have one.


I like using chats and instant messaging in classrooms. However I believe that there is a time and a place for it and it should not over power the class. I think it should be used at the end of the class or when the classes are doing projects. When there is a time for it I believe it is a great tool to use.


I believe in college it has great benefits. We are using it now as we work on our projects. It allows people to keep in contact no matter what their schedule is. I also think it is great for parents to keep in contact with teachers. Many times teachers and parents have different schedules and they can’t meet up together. By allowing them to use asynchronous a parent can stay better involved.


I like the use of podcasts. They give people a new look on a subject. Apple has a lot of podcasts that they even allow people to put on their ipods. I think this would be great because a student could have it on their pod right in their hands.


I do not think that video games help develop or studying. Video games should be a reward for students doing their work. I do not like the fact that homework and studies are done on them. The skills that you can gain from a video game are hand and eye coordination. However, you can also get those skills by playing basketball outside and get exercise in the process. I will allow my children to play video games but it will me monitored and limited. I think children should run and play and use their imaginations.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Human Personalities


As people we are all different. We do our daily routines different, write different, and think different. This is what makes our personalities different. I do believe that our personalities make our learning styles different. People learning by seeing, writing, or doing. We all have different lives and routines and this makes up how we learn. Some people are use to hands on while others were taught to simply read something and learn it. This comes from our different personalities. I like to be hands on and really get into the subject while my sister can spend most of her day alone, read a book, and take in the same amount of information. We both have different personalities which effects our different learning styles.

I do think that the test will effect how I help my students. I know that I can not just send out an email and really understand the students needs. I need to be able to talk face to face with the student and really get introduced to the student to learn what is going on. For a person that has a different personality score they might have the ability to simply send an email and help the student but I really need to be face to face. I am a people person, which is why I want to be a speech teacher. I want to hear the students speak on topics that they chose so I can relate to them on a more personal level. I'm glad that I am an ENFJ person because it says that my best job would be a teacher or counselor and that I really love to be with people. This test is creepy in how well it read me, but I answered the questions. I believe that all people need to take this test so we can truly learn who we are.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Spreadsheet

I like to use a spreadsheet. I use them for my classes, keeping a budget, balancing the checkbook, and eventually I will use it in my classroom. I believe it is very useful because everything is in order and has a place. An outline can be made using word but a calculations outline is hard to follow. By using spreadsheet all the data is nicely organized in on spot.

Many teachers use spreadsheet when they make a grade book. A lot of teachers have to use a manual book so if files are lost of if the computer crashes, but by using a spreadsheet the teacher can quickly put in grades, tally them up, and if needed email information to parents or other teachers. By using a spreadsheet to calculate numbers users can simply add a formula to the columns and the computer does the tallying. With a calculator, the user would have to go in by hand and add all the number together and calculate them together themselves. I agree with the three points from the textbook. A spreadsheet can have more uses but those are the main ones that I too use it for.

Friday, September 18, 2009

Inspirations


I love Inspiration! I wish we had used Inspiration when I was in school. It looks like a great way for students to really get their ideas down on paper and begin a project. Many programs only have one or two templates, but inspiration had so many that every child with every kid of learning technique could do a great job. I will definitely push to use it in my classroom. Not only for the students but also for me when I give my lessons. It looks like a very clear and easy program to use that can clear up discussions and ideas a lot better than most textbooks or by simply using the white boards.

I like to do groups projects. Studies have shown that interaction is the best way to learn. I think that by using group projects and by allowing the students to move around and get help and ideas from their peers it will make my time easier as a teacher. I love all the formats and layout ideas for students and teachers to use and I would defiantly stress that with each project a different layout be used so we can explore our abilities and the different ways we can learn.

I have gone into many situations where I had to teach and came out knowing more in the end than before. Especially at church when I work with the little kids. Their minds are full of so many questions and the need to learn that some the things they ask, retain, and say just blows my mind. When dealing with young children I learn so much more than with older people who have a tendency to believe they know more than the person next to them.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Blogs in the classroom

I like the idea of using blogs in a classroom. Blogs seem to be very useful when it comes to groups projects. The students can communicate with each other and with the teacher in an easier manor. It also allows students to be more creative. They can set up how they like things on the blogs and use their own techniques to learn. I do not think that a blog is at all a waste. A blog might not make as much since in a math class like it could in an English class, but used wisely, I believe they are a great idea.

In the classroom, a teacher could use a different blog for each class and make it easier on themselves. Teachers can blog between each other and stay in contact as well. When working at a college this could be a really great things for deciding test dates and assignments. Having the ability to talk to the other students and teachers is a great learning advantage. Many students are afraid to speak out in front of people during class. Having a blog gives the student the chance to put their opinions out more freely. Blogs are the new and coming things in schools. I am very excited about using blogs in my future classrooms.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

It's Me


Hi Ck and everyone,

I getting pretty good at writing ice breakers for the first week of college. :) As for my education, this is my second year at college and only my first year to be at Commerce. I never thought I would be at Commerce but that's what happens in life. I hope to graduate by 2012 and then move on to become a graduate student. I can not wait to be a teacher. It is the only field of study I have ever had an interest in.

My family is GREAT! My dad was a single parent raising my brother and me alone until I was 5. My grandparents really stepped in and helped raise us and I think them every chance I get for all they do and still do. Just recently my grandparents bought me a camper. I love it. It is not a top of the line deal but it is very roomy with lots of storage space for me to live in while in college. I don't get to see a lot of my family now. I guess that is what happens in life when people grow up. I am the second of six children. There is Elizabeth, Erika, Ethan, and Eli. I also have two half siblings, Alexis and Hayden. We range in ages 24 to 7. My dad took a job in Victoria, which is close to Houston, and being nearly eight hours away I don't see a lot of them except some holidays. However, that is life and we make the best of it. I love my family with all my heart and would not be the same with out them.

Well that's all for now,
Erika Ham

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