Today is the last day of class. EDU 653 has come to an end and I have learned so much about using technology in the classroom, I don’t know where to begin to start. Working with my classmates to complete our Class Wiki Discussion Topics assignment had been a very interesting experience. I used to think that social interaction when using educational technology was limited, I no longer believe that. I have learned more from my classmates in the cohort than sitting in any classroom. I am excited about taking more classes in the New Year and adding to this learning experience. To all of my classmates, enjoy your holiday and hope you all have prosperous New Year.
Until then,
Michelle Dawson Francois signing out.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Friday, December 10, 2010
More Cuts on the Way
In response to: Deal Says More Education Spending Cuts Likely in Ga. by Associated Press/ Published December 8, 2010
I don’t teach for the money. I knew when I started I would never financially be rich, but I’m rich when my students reach new heights. However, if I wanted to be a volunteer I would go to the Red Cross.
Education seems to be SOOOO important but it gets more cuts that cutting board at Olive Garden. I don’t know how this makes sense. If we want to keep our highly-effective teachers we have to pay them. We’re not asking for thousands of dollars because we realize that it’s not going to happen but one expects me to come to work, be successful, educate students, be mom, dad, counselor, friend, mentor and so much more than I have to know that I can take care of my own well-being and that of my family. That cannot happen if education continues to take cuts. Many effective teachers will be lost because we continue to raise expectations, increasing paperwork, duties and responsibilities and yet decrease pay.
I mentioned in an earlier post that parents should start to pay for public schooling, I starting to think it may happen if we continue to cut like we do. Either that or we will be back to one room schools with one teacher educating 30 students on completely different levels. The fundamentals are what Deal wants than that is what he will achieve, if we continue to cut.
I don’t teach for the money. I knew when I started I would never financially be rich, but I’m rich when my students reach new heights. However, if I wanted to be a volunteer I would go to the Red Cross.
Education seems to be SOOOO important but it gets more cuts that cutting board at Olive Garden. I don’t know how this makes sense. If we want to keep our highly-effective teachers we have to pay them. We’re not asking for thousands of dollars because we realize that it’s not going to happen but one expects me to come to work, be successful, educate students, be mom, dad, counselor, friend, mentor and so much more than I have to know that I can take care of my own well-being and that of my family. That cannot happen if education continues to take cuts. Many effective teachers will be lost because we continue to raise expectations, increasing paperwork, duties and responsibilities and yet decrease pay.
I mentioned in an earlier post that parents should start to pay for public schooling, I starting to think it may happen if we continue to cut like we do. Either that or we will be back to one room schools with one teacher educating 30 students on completely different levels. The fundamentals are what Deal wants than that is what he will achieve, if we continue to cut.
Video Cameras in the Classroom
In response to: Teacher Ratings Get New Look, Pushed by a Rich Watcher By Sam Dillion. The New York Times: Published: December 3, 2010
Bill Gates wants to spend $335 million dollars to help out America’s education system in several large school districts. The article states “The effort will have enormous consequences for the movement to hold schools and educators more accountable for student achievement.” For the record: Teachers CAN’T teach student everything they need to know if parents are taking responsibility in their child’s academic success. So instead of spending the money on new technology and ways to get people who want to educate out off the classroom, we should be looking at ways to educate parents so they can help their child(ren). We need a system that holds parent’s accountable.
The article also stated that one ways Gates would like to check teacher’s performance is through using video cameras in the classroom. To me cameras in the classroom show a lack of trust of the educator facilitating. As an administrator it is their job to come in the classroom and observe. If you simply say it would save time that would go against what we stand for.
Having cameras in the classroom would also says that I’m not competent enough to be an educator. Despite the fact that I went to school, got my degree and have been doing it for X amount of years. I would feel totally belittled if asked to put a camera in my classroom to make sure I’m teaching.
Data drives instructions. It speaks for itself and it never lies… (At least that what some experts would like you to believe) However, if that is so, than the fact that my students are showing gains should be enough to prove I am doing my job effectively.
Another point is: Who would want to be watched on their job all day long. I know there are some companies that have to due to high levels of security, however it you didn’t trust me to do my job, why did you hire me? Bosses shouldn’t have to worry about employees doing their job correctly, no matter what their profession. We should expect all employees to complete the task at hand without micromanaging and my job is to educate. Which is what I do every day I step foot in the school house.
Lastly, One can say an educator doesn’t want cameras in their room because they don’t want administrators seeing what’s actually going on, but the truth of the matter is that if camera are put in the classrooms someone will then have to take in consideration the behavior and social/emotional issues that disrupt learning and all the classroom management in the world can’t fix. More issues would arise if video camera were in the classroom, whether for a day or a whole school year; issues that would conflict with educators, administrators and politicians.
Bill Gates wants to spend $335 million dollars to help out America’s education system in several large school districts. The article states “The effort will have enormous consequences for the movement to hold schools and educators more accountable for student achievement.” For the record: Teachers CAN’T teach student everything they need to know if parents are taking responsibility in their child’s academic success. So instead of spending the money on new technology and ways to get people who want to educate out off the classroom, we should be looking at ways to educate parents so they can help their child(ren). We need a system that holds parent’s accountable.
The article also stated that one ways Gates would like to check teacher’s performance is through using video cameras in the classroom. To me cameras in the classroom show a lack of trust of the educator facilitating. As an administrator it is their job to come in the classroom and observe. If you simply say it would save time that would go against what we stand for.
Having cameras in the classroom would also says that I’m not competent enough to be an educator. Despite the fact that I went to school, got my degree and have been doing it for X amount of years. I would feel totally belittled if asked to put a camera in my classroom to make sure I’m teaching.
Data drives instructions. It speaks for itself and it never lies… (At least that what some experts would like you to believe) However, if that is so, than the fact that my students are showing gains should be enough to prove I am doing my job effectively.
Another point is: Who would want to be watched on their job all day long. I know there are some companies that have to due to high levels of security, however it you didn’t trust me to do my job, why did you hire me? Bosses shouldn’t have to worry about employees doing their job correctly, no matter what their profession. We should expect all employees to complete the task at hand without micromanaging and my job is to educate. Which is what I do every day I step foot in the school house.
Lastly, One can say an educator doesn’t want cameras in their room because they don’t want administrators seeing what’s actually going on, but the truth of the matter is that if camera are put in the classrooms someone will then have to take in consideration the behavior and social/emotional issues that disrupt learning and all the classroom management in the world can’t fix. More issues would arise if video camera were in the classroom, whether for a day or a whole school year; issues that would conflict with educators, administrators and politicians.
Monday, December 6, 2010
NAACP wants to extend school day
In response to: NAACP Panel Supports Longer School Days By The Associated Press Published Online: December 6, 2010
This article speaks of several concerns but the one that stuck out the most to me was extending the school day from 8am to 6pm. 2 hours longer than a 9 to 5 job. First off, governments can’t seem to afford to pay teachers now; extending the day should definitely increase pay that no one can seem to afford.
Schools are not day cares. Are we looking for a safe, educational place to drop our kids off before going to work and not have to worry about after-school childcare?
Extending the day would also have to include mandatory recess because students shouldn’t be expected to stay in a structure setting for such a long period of time.
If children are expected to get between 8- 10 hours of sleep and then spend 10 hours at school, that only leaves 4 -6 hours to be a kid, spend time with family and friends, or learn social and life skills outside of the school environment.
I don’t know any adult that wants to spend that amount of time in a structured learning setting, so why would we put that on our kids. Again it seems like people who don’t have any connection with education what to make changes that hurt kids more than it helps them.
I don’t know what the NAACP is trying to do in North Carolina or what’s about to happen with education for American but I don’t like the sound of it. Year round school is something I can deal with, extended day school is ludicrous.
This article speaks of several concerns but the one that stuck out the most to me was extending the school day from 8am to 6pm. 2 hours longer than a 9 to 5 job. First off, governments can’t seem to afford to pay teachers now; extending the day should definitely increase pay that no one can seem to afford.
Schools are not day cares. Are we looking for a safe, educational place to drop our kids off before going to work and not have to worry about after-school childcare?
Extending the day would also have to include mandatory recess because students shouldn’t be expected to stay in a structure setting for such a long period of time.
If children are expected to get between 8- 10 hours of sleep and then spend 10 hours at school, that only leaves 4 -6 hours to be a kid, spend time with family and friends, or learn social and life skills outside of the school environment.
I don’t know any adult that wants to spend that amount of time in a structured learning setting, so why would we put that on our kids. Again it seems like people who don’t have any connection with education what to make changes that hurt kids more than it helps them.
I don’t know what the NAACP is trying to do in North Carolina or what’s about to happen with education for American but I don’t like the sound of it. Year round school is something I can deal with, extended day school is ludicrous.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Google's Talking Computers
In response to: Google Wants Talking Computers, Acquires Phonetic Arts By Mike Melanson / December 3, 2010/ ReadWriteWeb
Google is moving towards talking computers and though I am excited about this wonderful change, I also frightened about where we are going in the technological world. As Google points out, "In Star Trek, they don't spend a lot of time typing things on keyboards--they just speak to their computers, and the computers speak back." Maybe I’m a little paranoid but I have seen too many movies when the computers take over because we give them too much power.
As I sit with my three-year old and watch the Disney movie, Wall-E. I can’t help but think that so much technology is making us lazy. What will be my son’s life be like when he is my age? He won’t have to do anything. Computers will not only talk but do. We will all have our own Rosie’s (maid robot from the Jetsons) to clean our rooms and make dinner. But hopefully our iRobots won’t come up against us and try to take over.
I like to see the evolution of technology. We all know that shows like Star Trek and The Jetsons’ were way beyond their years but will all this technology be helpful or harmful?
Google is moving towards talking computers and though I am excited about this wonderful change, I also frightened about where we are going in the technological world. As Google points out, "In Star Trek, they don't spend a lot of time typing things on keyboards--they just speak to their computers, and the computers speak back." Maybe I’m a little paranoid but I have seen too many movies when the computers take over because we give them too much power.
As I sit with my three-year old and watch the Disney movie, Wall-E. I can’t help but think that so much technology is making us lazy. What will be my son’s life be like when he is my age? He won’t have to do anything. Computers will not only talk but do. We will all have our own Rosie’s (maid robot from the Jetsons) to clean our rooms and make dinner. But hopefully our iRobots won’t come up against us and try to take over.
I like to see the evolution of technology. We all know that shows like Star Trek and The Jetsons’ were way beyond their years but will all this technology be helpful or harmful?
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
PowerPoint Love!!!!
In response to: Hate PowerPoint? Here Are 5 Web-based Alternatives By John Paul Titlow- Published on November 27, 2010 on ReadWrite Biz
I love PowerPoint!!! I have been using it for a long time and I’m familiar with most of it features. Though I don’t plan to stray away from PowerPoint for completing presentations anytime soon; I like to see that there are alternatives that give presentations a different look.
Prezi, SlideRocket, 280 Slides, Google Docs Presentations, and Zoho Show are the five alternatives the article talked about. Prezi looked the most interesting to me the way it zooms in and out of the presentation. It really caught my eye and I know it would also catch the eye of any audience I presented to.
One of the problems with these alternatives is not all the features are free like on PowerPoint. Prezi allows you to make the presentation for free however you must have internet service. If you would like to work offline you would have to purchase the $159 a year Pro license. This upgrade also gives you 200 times more storage space.
It’s always good to have options and though I might try out some of these alternatives; PowerPoint is my safety net and I’m sticking with it.
I love PowerPoint!!! I have been using it for a long time and I’m familiar with most of it features. Though I don’t plan to stray away from PowerPoint for completing presentations anytime soon; I like to see that there are alternatives that give presentations a different look.
Prezi, SlideRocket, 280 Slides, Google Docs Presentations, and Zoho Show are the five alternatives the article talked about. Prezi looked the most interesting to me the way it zooms in and out of the presentation. It really caught my eye and I know it would also catch the eye of any audience I presented to.
One of the problems with these alternatives is not all the features are free like on PowerPoint. Prezi allows you to make the presentation for free however you must have internet service. If you would like to work offline you would have to purchase the $159 a year Pro license. This upgrade also gives you 200 times more storage space.
It’s always good to have options and though I might try out some of these alternatives; PowerPoint is my safety net and I’m sticking with it.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Parents are the Key!!!!
In response to: Strong Parenting Is Key to America’s Future By Joseph W. Gauld Published Online: November 29, 2010
I love and wholeheartedly agree with this article. Parents are definitely the key to education. Why do many parents believe it is the job of the teacher to teach their child everything there is to know about life? There is no way educators can cram all the knowledge our students need to know in, especially with the decrease in budgets and school days. Students must come to us with a foundation. You wouldn’t build a house in the mud without a foundation and expect it to last 60 years. Why do we expect the same of our children?
When I taught pre-kindergarten four years ago, I had students that could not tell you their whole name, let alone how to spell it. However I had several students that you could tell their parents put in work with them and excelled over the rest. I also had one (a teacher’s kid) who could read on a first grade level at the age of 4. I can truly say that that young man shocked me because I had never seen a four year old read like that, but why can’t all of our parents be held to that expectation? Why shouldn’t students come to school at least knowing how to spell their name and some site words?
Though this article was a great one, I notice one flaw, a solution. How can we get parents involved with their child’s education from birth? How can we make all parents realize it starts at home? I know my school does a lot to get parent involved and we try to educate them on way to be productive in their child’s life, but our parent simply don’t show up, no matter what incentive we give (free food, extra credit for their child, free tutoring and other programs).
So here’s my solution for American education, education cannot be free. NO public schools should cost nearly as much as private schools but I feel if parents had to pay even a small fee, they would be more involved in education. Plus we would have to continue to deal with budget cuts. I know a lot of people don’t agree with me on this one but think about your last trip to McDonalds. You order a double cheeseburger with no onions and extra pickles. Even though that double cheeseburger only cost $1.00 you want it the way you ordered it. If it was free you would just pick the onions off and enjoy it without the extra pickles, but because you paid for it, you want it your way. Our education system is the same. Parents who pay for their child’s education pay attention to it more but they want to make sure they are getting their monies worth. Because it is free they take it the way they get it; leaving our children to suffer.
If my strategy for increasing parent involvement was taken I think we could and would express the important of education to many parents and make them realize they are the key. If parents would start to understand how important they are to their child's success, we would succeed as a nation.However, without their help, guidance and assistant our education system is destined to fell.
I love and wholeheartedly agree with this article. Parents are definitely the key to education. Why do many parents believe it is the job of the teacher to teach their child everything there is to know about life? There is no way educators can cram all the knowledge our students need to know in, especially with the decrease in budgets and school days. Students must come to us with a foundation. You wouldn’t build a house in the mud without a foundation and expect it to last 60 years. Why do we expect the same of our children?
When I taught pre-kindergarten four years ago, I had students that could not tell you their whole name, let alone how to spell it. However I had several students that you could tell their parents put in work with them and excelled over the rest. I also had one (a teacher’s kid) who could read on a first grade level at the age of 4. I can truly say that that young man shocked me because I had never seen a four year old read like that, but why can’t all of our parents be held to that expectation? Why shouldn’t students come to school at least knowing how to spell their name and some site words?
Though this article was a great one, I notice one flaw, a solution. How can we get parents involved with their child’s education from birth? How can we make all parents realize it starts at home? I know my school does a lot to get parent involved and we try to educate them on way to be productive in their child’s life, but our parent simply don’t show up, no matter what incentive we give (free food, extra credit for their child, free tutoring and other programs).
So here’s my solution for American education, education cannot be free. NO public schools should cost nearly as much as private schools but I feel if parents had to pay even a small fee, they would be more involved in education. Plus we would have to continue to deal with budget cuts. I know a lot of people don’t agree with me on this one but think about your last trip to McDonalds. You order a double cheeseburger with no onions and extra pickles. Even though that double cheeseburger only cost $1.00 you want it the way you ordered it. If it was free you would just pick the onions off and enjoy it without the extra pickles, but because you paid for it, you want it your way. Our education system is the same. Parents who pay for their child’s education pay attention to it more but they want to make sure they are getting their monies worth. Because it is free they take it the way they get it; leaving our children to suffer.
If my strategy for increasing parent involvement was taken I think we could and would express the important of education to many parents and make them realize they are the key. If parents would start to understand how important they are to their child's success, we would succeed as a nation.However, without their help, guidance and assistant our education system is destined to fell.
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