Module 3 blog

Wow I knew that Google was amazing to begin with, but I never really put that much thought into it. It's amazing to me that the company was started in someones garage as an idea. I don't think the two guys that started Google ever imagined that it would be what it is today. The computer advancements and everything that you can do with Google truly amazes me. It really seems like there are almost no limits in this new world of Google. I can remember the first time I ever tried Google and again it has sure come a long way in a short amount of time.
The video we had to watch for Module 3 was interesting. It was also very fast. I had to watch the video several times to really catch all that was being written. I gathered that writing or text is no longer linear or confined to a sheet of paper, it is entirely global and connects thousands of people to each other. We can live and learn from each other through the ability to click on a button, ask a question, text a friend or even go further with video connections. I've always wondered myself where is all the information stored that makes up the Internet. This video in a way answered that question when it said we are the web. And in a way I think the web is becoming who we are. This makes me worry because I've learned that nothing lasts forever. And what will our kids do in the future when they no longer know how to pick up a phone book or have a real conversation with a real human being, just a thought.

I especially liked reading about how to maximize Google as a teacher and to use it in my classroom. Again it is neat that you can find about anything anywhere and that Google has programs designed specifically for your needs. For example spelling programs/spell check. I laughed when it mentioned that there was no need for a library when you have a cybrary. I like that the students can use Google for online research when UEN has its limits. It is amazing that you can get photos of just about anything. And practically travel the world without ever leaving your home.

Reflection #3

I mentioned in my previous blog what I think about UEN but I'll mention a few things again. I think that UEN is a great way for me to organize myself as a teacher and get my students involved with a safer online system then some of the other web site options out there currently. I really like how I can organize my UEN site the way that I would like it to run. I do like the general set up of UEN and noticed that it offers an html format view and edit so that if you know a thing or two about web page design you can really personalize it! Not that I am nearly that skilled as of yet but who's to say I wouldn't take a class or two on that later. :)
I can see myself organizing my classes using my UEN site to post up my lessons, useful pictures, and power points for in class use. For instance, I plan on using power points as a visual aid in most of my future teaching. Thus UEN becomes incredibly helpful because I can pull it up on any computer at hand and not have to always use the same personal computer everywhere I go. Plus it backs up class info that might get lost due to breaking down of the same said personal computer.
I really like that I can use the UEN site to have my students and their parents both stay up to date on class activities, class curriculum, as well as posting homework. I can direct my students to sources such as Pioneer Library which is full of hundreds of useful sources for students and parents. I think that parents being involved with their children's education encourages education at a far higher level then me as just a teacher to them alone.
All in all I still am struggling with how to use and design my UEN site. There seem to be lots of glitches in the program its self which makes it time consuming but worth it once its completed!

As an added humor to how you think everything is just going your way sometimes. . . then you find out it isn't. I'm linking a funny video called marshmallow murder! Please Enjoy!

Reflection #2

The, about me tab, on the UEN page home work assignment was cool. I like having a place on the net that is just all my stuff. It is going to be way cool to personalize it and use it as my own web page. I see it as a very good way to organize my assignments and home work for students. It is a grate way to back up personal files and documents for the classes that I teach. I think i am going to work on a few more lesson plans and then put them on as well.
I love the whole idea of class web pages and think that a good web page makes all the difference in the world. I have had teachers hear at UVU that did not have class sights and it is so hard to keep up. I have a sister that teaches and she created her own web site and it is amazing. She posts all of her homework assignments, grades, scores, announcements and all that. I think that UEN will just have to do for know. It is a good sight and seems like a good way to learn for someone like me who is not so hot with computers .
In the end its all about the kids. I am so excited to finally teach, and any thing that will help me do that is fine by me. I guess i just wish i could have a chip implanted in my brain with knowledge so i didn't have to learn all this stuff. Learning gives me a headache.

Reflection # 1

Weekly reflection #1

The week has been a little overwhelming for me. I got a little behind by transferring in from a different class. The topics are all very new but very interesting to me. I have been working in the woods shop at a high school in Murray. Yes the very same that David Archaleta was from. And yes I thought him all that he knows, just kidding. Working in the woods shop we haven’t really integrated a whole lot of the technology that you would use in other classes. So I have to admit that it has seemed a little overwhelming to me to find out that as a teacher I will have to stay on top of all the newest trends and advancements in technology so that I can better teach my students.

I am aware that as a teacher technology makes my job easier like grading and roll taking. But the idea of getting the students involved by podcasting, texting, on line class sights and group activities are some things that are new to me but very exciting. I am a little afraid and feel a little intimidated by being required to learn so much about computers in general. But it also is something that I have been looking forward to.

I can’t help but think of all the cool stuff we could do. For example making music videos about Course related subjects would be a blast and hilariously funny. I hope to be a good teacher and who doesn’t. I also want to be a very fun teacher and to me using new technology and multimedia is going to help me hopefully learn how to speak to the kids in there own language. Which can for some be the only language that they speak. Hopefully learning can become fun again and they can learn more about what they want and need to survive in the ever so present future.

The video seemed to be hopeful for the future on how computers will become smaller and easier to use and on how they will save time for family and other things. Teens love to have the mobility of taking their songs and movies with them wherever they go. I guess I'm just old fashioned. And I see only more headaches, and I can’t help but wonder that teens today have all this technology and seem to be getting lazier and lazier. And I wonder if it’s good. I think technology is good but our human nature gets the best of us and we get lazy. If we can use technology in a good way then I think that the future is looking better and better.