Bullying!

It seems that there are constantly more and more teen suicides related to bullying in schools. This is an unfortunate but intriguing issue. Have you ever stopped to think about what forms of bullying you participate in?

What about www.ratemyprofessors.com ? I have heard fellow students say that they need this website in order to pick their classes and profs. The website sensors the really bad comments, but there are still some very bad reviews of profs.

Sure, most of the posts may be truthful observations by individual students, but isn't this a form of bullying? The concept of the site is "now it's your turn to grade your teacher," but it's out there for the whole world to see, not just the one prof.

Any comments?

ECMP 355 Discussions

I've noticed that people are going crazy with adding to the discussions in ECMP 355 now that the semester is basically over. Have you ever wondered as to why we wait to the last minute to do some things? Almost everyone does it, but in different ways. I wait until the last minute to write papers, but finish an art project right after I get the assignment. I'm sure that there are people that are completely the opposite, and I imagine that it depends on the interests that a person has. Generally we procrastinate with the most "painful" or time consuming thing, and get the other things out of the way first. It doesn't really make sense logically but perhaps we should each individually formulate a better long-term or short-term plan!

Comment!

Sometimes, it feels like no one is reading my entries! *sniff* I wish I had a counter to see how many times my blog was accessed. AND it would be cool if people would leave comments... Come on, agree.. or disagree with me, I dare ya! It is my goal to get one comment before the semester is over! What do I have to do, write about provocative controvercial stuff?

Time Management

I've discovered that in order to be a teacher, I'll need to figure out ways to complete tasks in more of a time-efficient manner. Okay this is an obvious thing, but I might as well start while I'm still in university.

I figured that it would be great for me to brush up on my html, so that is what I used to create my major ECMP assignment (www.educationaltechnology.ca/giroux/webquest1/index.html), and E-Portfolio (www.educationaltechnology.ca/giroux/EPortfolio/index.html). If you're not familiar with HTML coding, right click on a webpage, go to "View Source" and you'll get an idea of what it looks like.

Anyway, after I completed my assignments, I came to the realization that it is probably a good idea to use already made templates for time-management purposes (for example: when making a webpage). Oh well, I guess I can teach my students html sometime in the future? Learning Experience!

Teaching Quotes

Discovering a quote by a famous teacher is a very easy way to learn about teaching. Google for quotes from people like "Mark Twain" and "Albert Einstein", or even just for "Teaching Quotes."


“The object of education is to prepare the young to educate themselves throughout their lives."
Robert M. Hutchins
http://thinkexist.com/quotation/the_object_of_education_is_to_prepare_the_young/11903.html

Tech Task 7: "Tapped In" Session

http://tappedin.org/tappedin

I attended a session in "Tapped In" entitled "Lyrics from Learning." I was able to get a very handy resource in the form of a website. The resource address is: http://www.learningfromlyrics.org/Introduction.html (Just scroll down past the advertisement).
We talked about teaching student activism and responsibility with the use of song lyrics. Visit that website, scroll down to the song titles, and click on them to learn about their backgrounds.

In the session the leader told of ways to connect the resource to film and literature. It was a very useful experience.

The discussion seemed to move very slowly, one of the reasons being that "Tapped In" sessions are conducted in a chat room. It also seems like the visitors should talk to discussion leaders with more respect, but the fact that it takes place online makes people think that they can act more casually.

I recommend that teachers experience at least one tapped in session, and then check out the calendar regularly to see if there are any sessions that will be useful in your classroom! The URL is at the top of this post.

Remembrance Day Video

Here is a music video dealing with Remembrance Day. Watch this. Amazing

Click on " Soldier (Windows Media Player file)"
Found on this website: http://207.195.51.1/teachMJohnston/home.html

Tech Task 6: Software Review - aMSN Versus MSN

When buying new hardware, for example a computer, it is important to use evaluation criteria to make sure that you make the best choices. Therefore, it only makes sense that if you decide to add extra software to the computer, you should also use evaluation criteria to decide which program suites your needs (as there may be several programs that will do the job).

Some important criteria to consider:
-Cost - The best software for your needs may not be the cheapest or the most expensive.
-Features and performance - How well does the software work?
-Support - Is a telephone or web helpdesk available?
-Ease of use and navigation - How easy is this software to use?

aMSN versus MSN

If you are one of those people that get annoyed with the constant mandatory MSN upgrades and just want a simple messenger free from the annoying advertisements and cluttered features, aMSN may be perfect for you. Both programs are free and offer useful features, but MSN has all of the features of aMSN and many more. MSN is very aesthetically simple and easy to navigate while MSN seems to be way more cluttered with new features being added all of the time. Sometimes the new features are good , and other times they are advertisements and features that seem to only cause visual clutter. You can't really blame a free service for advertising, but aMSN doesn't.

aMSN doesn't require you to upgrade, and although MSN is the same, it mysteriously begins to have very annoying gliches. MSN does have some, perhaps useful options that aMSN does not, such as an optional saved history.

Both programs are user-friendly, but it takes a bit more time to figure out all of the features of MSN since there are more. Additional features that can be considered as clutter are optionally added to aMSN with plugins. Both aMSN and MSN users alike can completely change the look of the program with different customizable skins.

Both programs have help screens and a place to contact with feedback, comments, bugs, and suggestions. aMSN requires a separate download and installation for help menus. MSN help options seem to be way more useful and complete, while aMSN seems more personal.

Tech Task 5: Telecollaborative Projects

"What is a telecollaborative project?

A telecollaborative project is an educational project that involves sharing information with another person or group of people over the internet. Telecollaborative projects range from setting up simple keypal relationships between your students and another class to involving many classrooms and experts from around the world in an information-gathering project that requires a collaborative effort."
http://scilnet.fortlewis.edu/edtech/telecollab/intro.htm

I researched a telecolaborative project that is an "Electronic Postcard Exchange Around the World." This is a very interesting idea that allows students of any age to better understand their school, and the other schools around the world. I would use this telecollaborative project with grade four, since that is what I plan to teach. The students would benefit by gaining knowledge of social studies, language arts, ESL, and communication skills. This will be accopmplished by by exchanging Electronic Postcards with schools from around the world. This project will engage the students and enable them to develop various important skills. It is a new (and free) form of the traditional "pen pal" senario.
http://www.qesnrecit.qc.ca/cc/projects/06-07/postcard.htm

Can terms of endearment be sexist?

( "Is it considered sexist to call someone of the opposite sex "hun" or "babe" even if it is said with affection?" http://www.physicsforums.com/archive/index.php/t-106896.html )

I'm having problems telling whether or not it is sexist for someone to talk to me using different terms of endearment. The concept has been something of a small issue for me and I have done some reflecting on it in the last while. It seems that in some circumstances, it feels appropriate for someone to use a term of endearment , such as "hun." However, sometimes it makes me feel downright uncomfortable and awkward. I think that it has to do with wanting to be an independant person (not just an independant woman), and to have the utmost respect from everyone regardless of my gender. I even find it awkward when someone that is attempting to flirt with me calls me, for example "princess," or "honey." I know that I have conformed with most females by, for example, making sure that my hair is always fantastic. I still don't appretiate being called "sweetie" in most situations, and I'm not entirely sure as to why this is.

Maybe it's because I am working hard to build my future and believe that I deserve the uttmost respect, free of sexist behaviour. But, sometimes a "hun" will slip out of someone's mouth in an everyday conversation, which is occasionally seems to be okay.

Anyway, in dealing with education, how do we decide if terms of endearment are appropriate in a school setting? Do they make situations too personal? Sometimes the use of a term of endearment really annoys me. Any comments?

( "I don't know about (terms of endearment being) sexist, but (they) can be offensive. A guy who was supposed to do some painting for me lost the job after calling me "hun" and "sweetie" on the phone (of course he was also calling to make excuses for missing the appointment for the estimate and not returning my calls, but when he called me "sweetie", I made it very clear I was not doing business with someone who acted so unprofessionally, for all of the reasons...I've had contractors show up late or miss appointments before, and realize they sometimes get stuck on a job that takes longer than planned, and usually can reschedule, but this one lost the job altogether)." http://www.physicsforums.com/archive/index.php/t-106896.html )

The Internet and Our Health

OR
???

There is an obvious issue dealing with children (and adults) over-using computers, over-using video games, and watching too much T.V. Using the computer and other forms of technology too extensively is very bad for your health if you aren't getting enough physical activity. Obviously, a good balance needs to be achieved between inactivity, activity, and how much is food is consumed.

However, the computer can promote healthy living in many ways, you just need to know what to look for. There are many websites about getting active, creating running programs, stretching, weight training, etc. There are also many websites that promote healthy eating, with FREE healthy recipes and ingredient alternatives. Think that calorie counting is silly? You should still figure out how to read the "Nutrition Facts" label. Google for this kind of information, and you will be very surprised and intriguied with what you find! Even if you think that you have achieved a balanced lifestyle, it is beneficial look into this kind of information for your future students.

You can also look up symptoms of sicknesses, although you should still see a doctor if you suspect you are ill. You can look up mental illnesses, phobias, read up on major and minor physical disabilities, and the list goes on and on!

Everyone (in this case teachers) should learn to use internet to find information that promotes healthy living. You can then tell students where and how to find the information, and students now-a-days need to find ways to learn about healthy living.

Blogging theme # 3

Can Robots/Computers Ever Replace Teachers?

I think this concept is kind of silly, and I hardly think that teachers will ever be replaced by robots. To do this would probably doom man-kind (excuse the lame expression). Robots might be able to replace some forms of instruction, but teachers are needed to create the instructions, lessons , and adapt things for different students.

"Playing a robot is possibly the most difficult role you can have as an actor, because you have to take all your innate emotional responses and completely suppress them. Even the way you walk is affected." Kristanna Loken
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/k/kristannal214618.html

Robots can't understand emotion, compassion, and empathy. Students look to teachers as role models. If students grow up with robots/computers as instructors, they will begin to think that a lack of emotion, compassion, and empathy is normal. This is way too scarey and a horrible idea.

Cultures are very different, and curricula is very different in different places. Can a robot address the different intelligences effectively? I highly doubt it. How much time and how many teachers would it take to create a one-year class that is taught by a robot? Do we really want one teacher, or one group of teachers to control the learning experiences of everyone?

Teachers have a curriculum to follow (as a guide!!!), and computers will be able to understand this. However, teachers are the creaters of curricula, and we are also the ones that bring it to life!

Popular Science: Could Robots Take Over the World?http://www.popsci.com/popsci/science/0e0c0b4511b84010vgnvcm1000004eecbccdrcrd.html

How early should computer technology be introduced in a classroom...?

Let me ask you this: Should we be using it much in the classroom at all? Of course, one could argue that we need to give our students relatively the same learning experiences as students of other schools, but do we? Should we follow their lead, or should we create our own? Or should we have kids learn about computer programs, after they have learned to do something manually? Or do we want students to completely rely on computers in the future? Instead of having our students learn their timetables, should we just teach them about the process of mathematical equations?

Computers are supposed to make tasks easier to accomplish, not to mention faster. Hello all of you innovators of computer technology, did any of you ever foresee that this might be a bad thing? There are many plus sides to computer technology, however, it makes people lazy, unknowledgeable in some ways, and willing to rely on the computer way too excessively. Thank you oh so much Bill Gates for trying to raise awareness and fix the fact that the U.S. school system is going downhill. Maybe you were a part of the problem?