In class viewing of project presentations

In class we had the opportunity of viewing other's project presentations. I was really impressed with the project presentations I saw. I learned about different ideas for incorporating technology; for example, I learned that recording voices can help children increase reading fluency. I learned that a teacher can basically take any learning objective from the state core curriculum and use technology to enhance the lesson. Technology is a great way to get the students excited about learning. I learned from the other presentations that technology can be used for good; we have learned so much lately about internet safety but through these presentations I have been able to focus on the good technology can do. Technology can enhance a student's learning experience and raise teaching to a whole new, exciting level.

wk14, s4, cole

Watching Other's Project Presentations

I learned that there are so many great and different ideas for incorporating technology into the classroom. Technology is easy to incorporate as long as a teacher plans ahead and ties the technology to the curriculum. It is vital that the curriculum is more important than the technology. After viewing other's project presentations I also read a lot that the students truly enjoy the excitment of bringing technology into the classroom. Students loved the use of technology because it was new and exciting. I also learned that there is never enough time! Teachers always wish they had more time, and in this case the teachers wanted more time because the technology provided great opportunities for teaching that they do not use on a regular basis.
I learned that technology is a great way to enhance a lesson. Other's project presentations pointed out that the curriculum came alive in the student's eyes through the use of technology. Curriculum coming alive is priceless to a teacher.

Internet Safety

I talked with my mother who is fifty years old. With her I shared what I had learned about cyberbullying.
I told her that cyberbullying is much more prevalent than the world think it is. Often times, parents are completely oblivious to the fact that their child might be suffering from some cyber harassment. Children hesitate to reveal their pains and sufferings cause by the internet to their parents. They are embarrassed and ashamed of the comments that are given to them online. Instant messaging programs are often the means by which cyberbullying takes place. It is one thing to be bullied at school, but at least the bullying stops once a child reaches home. Well, that is how it used to be. Now, students are bullied at school and then return home where they sign in online and receive more bullying.

Sharing these thoughts with my mother went well. It was easy to talk to her about the negative affects cyberbullying has on children. It was easy to let her know how I feel about cyberbullying, which is I ultimately despise it and wish it would never happen. The talk was positive, but at the same time sad because we both expressed our wishes that cyberbullying would never occur. The talk was valuable because I opened her eyes to what can happen over the internet. To be honest, she was not aware that cyberbullying even happened, but I was able to call her attention to the fact that it happens more than she think it does. My mother was able to learn about a new problem that occurs on the internet. Internet safety is vital to a child’s well-being; the internet can destroy a person and we must be careful to protect the ones we love from its destroying effects.

Slideshare-Technology Powerpoint

Technology Powerpoint

View more presentations from kristenlc21.

Internet Safey: Reading Resources

1. What article did you choose to read for your fourth article?

I read An Ensign to the Nations, a Light to the World by Gordon B. Hinckley Ensign, November 2003.

2. What were the most important things you learned from the readings?

Media does present many positive and uplifting options, but at the same time media has the power to destroy individuals and families. Media has more influence and power over us than we realize. This is a scary thought that cautions me to be careful of the music, television programs, and literature that I listen to, watch, and read. I learned that I need to stand up against degrading programs and let my voice be heard about how I disagree with the evil that is coming into the homes and influencing the families of today. “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing” (Ballard, M. Russell). If I sit idly by and let negative media influence the ones I love then negative media will win. I must not sit idle and let evil triumph.
I also learned that the media we view shouldn’t be what is up to our standards, but what is up to Heavenly Father’s standards. I really like the thought of only viewing media that is worthy enough to be in the presence of Heavenly Father. If we have the power of the spirit with us at all times and in all things and in all places then I believe we will never fall short and become victims of the harmful effects of media. I have learned that if we hold to the gospel of Jesus Christ we will be wise in the media we choose to view and listen to. Only if we are aware of the dangers then can we resist them. We must be wise.

3. How will what you have read influence your actions as a parent and/or teacher of children and youth?

As a parent I will sit down with my children and discuss what our home standards will be regarding media. We will make the standards and stick to them. Teach my children what dangers can come from technology (addiction, risk of safety, idleness). By informing my children of the dangers they will be more receptive to staying away from them. I do not want any evil or degrading thoughts or feelings to enter my home on the account of media. I want my home to be a place of refuge and safety where the media’s affects will never enter. As a parent I will only allow media that uplifts and inspires into my home. I will protect my family from the potential dangers that come from the internet by placing filter systems on my computer and putting the computer in an open public area. As a parent I will also teach myself about the technology my children are using; I must become familiar with the technology they are using in order to determine whether it is safe or not.

As a teacher of youth I will warn the youth of the dangers that come when the media uses them. I will teach them that media can uplift and inspire, but they must avoid and dispel media that is negative or evil. Ultimately, it is an individual choice each person must make of whether or not they are going to choose media that is “virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy” (Articles of Faith 1:13).

For both my future children and the youth I will preside over, the most important thing in protecting them from the evils of technology is to let them know I love them. When they know I love them they will more fully trust my teachings regarding technology. They will heed my counsel better. Showing them I love them will prove to them that I only want what is best for them.

4. How can you use what you have learned from the reading to have a positive influence on family and friends?

Having read the readings, I will have a positive influence on family and friends by sharing the positive things that can come from media (uplifting music, books, movies), but I will also share with them what dangers can come from the media. I will warn family and friends of possible dangers and encourage them to set their standards right now regarding what they will allow and will not allow when it comes to media. There must be a clear line that people recognize what is safe and what is not safe. Pick where your line is and stick to the standards that you set for yourself.

I have learned that men are weak, but through Christ men can become strong. Through living the gospel and keeping our eyes on eternal things we will be able to stand strong against the negative effects of media and rather choose media that only inspires and uplifts us and brings us closer to the Spirit, Savior, and Heavenly Father. We must be strong and stick to the standards that we know are expected of us as members of the Lord’s church. I will express my feelings to my family and friends that when they choose uplifting and positive media they will be uplifted and inspired as well. They will find joy in their lives because they have the inner knowledge that they are doing what Heavenly Father would want them to do.

Technology Enhanced Lesson

I am planning on teaching my technology enhanced lesson this week, Wednesday. Last week I videotaped the play my class performed for all the other first grade classes. I burned the movie on a dvd. My lesson plan starts off with reading a book about a play to the students. I can't remember the title of the book but I do have it at the classroom already. Then I will show the students their class play by projecting it on the wall with an LCD projector. A laptop will be hooked up in which I will place the dvd. The students will watch their class play. After the video the students will write a journal entry; they will write about their favorite part of their class play and also what they enjoy most about plays in general. This lesson is a celebration lesson for the students to be proud of what they have accomplished. It will be fun for the students to watch themselves and see how their hardwork practicing for the play actually paid off.

Technology-ehanced lesson

An idea I have for my technology-enhanced lesson is a digital storytelling. My first grade class is putting on a play this Thursday for the other first grade classes. I would video record the class play. Then I would upload, edit, and add to the video using digital storytelling.

My lesson would start off by reading a story book about a play. Then the students would watch their class play on the wall projected from a LCD projector and laptop cart. Then the students would have a journal write about their favorite part of the class play and what they like most, in general, about plays.

The students would enjoy watching their class play and this would be a reward to them for working so hard on practicing and performing their play. This idea is manageable for my classroom because we have a laptop cart and LCD projector available to the class. I feel that this project would be fun and rewarding for the students.

However, I am waiting for parental approval to go ahead with this project. I need all parents to agree that the video recording of their child during the class play is okay. I would turn this project in on a dvd to ensure privacy of the students.