Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Completion of Wk 14 PLE

I completed the University ratings, the course feedback survey, and my grades in moodle look fine. My Internet Safety Reflection Post is one post down. Thanks!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Internet Safety

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

My article was under the Media tab and it was titled The Message: Mushrooms, Music, Movies, and Magazines. It was a New Era article and it discussed how media can be similar to mushrooms, some are delicious and good for your body. Others, though, are poisonous and are almost always fatal. He spoke of one specific mushroom that was delicious but very poisonous. You didn't realize that it was bad for you because of its taste until it was far too late. This can very easily be compared to the problems with the media. So often, we enjoy what we watch, listen to, or read until it is far too late.

2. Describe the video resources you watched?

I watched all of the PBS videos, the iKeepSafe video, and 2 of the Netsmartz videos. The iSafe videos wouldn't load. I think I received the most information out of the PBS videos . I found most of it horrifying and it kind of scared me into not wanting to have kids. Not really, but I can tell, it's just going to get harder and harder. The BYU cartoon was cute. I think that is a great tool for younger grades.

3. Write a paragraph describing what your most important "take-aways" were from the readings and video?

I was impressed by the first article about "Let our voices be heard". I know I struggle with this because I enjoy my dumb shows, like Greys Anatomy and I know that the type of things that are portrayed on that show aren't appropriate.

In the second talk by Elder. Bednar, I was inspired by the emphasis he placed on our physical bodies and how much Satan uses that gift to attack us. I find it interesting just how much that really can be connected to Internet Safety because issues with the internet so often relate back to immorality and addiction.

The third article of guidelines was helpful. I find myself thinking about how I will be able to be open with my children someday about their use of the internet. It's such a stressful thing because you want your children to be open with you but you just can never be aware of everything. Plus, you want them to make good decisions for themselves. Also, when we got married, my husband and I placed filters on our Internet and I feel safer just by having them there.

The fourth article from Dr. Graham gave good, solid advice for how to keep our homes protected from the problems with internet use. I found the "preside" paragraph insightful. We, as parents, need to lead our families into righteous choices.

4. Write a paragraph or more describing the details of your "doing" experience (you don't need to include any names).

I talked to my mom about Internet Safety. I think she was aware of the problems that are out there, but maybe not the best ways to protect. There are still two children at home with her and they are really young, 8 and 5. Both of them enjoy getting on game websites, like PBSkids.org or Nickelodeon's website. I think she feels that they are at a harmless stage when it comes to Internet, but as I learned, it's never too early to introduce them to Internet Safety. Granted, they don't do any form of chatting. Plus, the desktop at home is ancient, so most computer use ends quickly because its so slow. I talked to her about having an FHE that discusses being private about our information and about what to do if anything uncomfortable pops up on the screen. I also suggested she should get filters on the computer that block anything with certain words or images and that has times specified on there. I think she felt appreciative of what I learned and shared with her. My mom doesn't have a lot of knowledge about the computer and I think that frustrates her, but I told her that I was always available to help her and answer any of her questions.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Summary

5 Ways for Young Children to use Technology

Make & Display a Graph- spreadsheets
Explore with Digital Tools- digital microscopes
Tell a Story in Pictures & Words- Paint programs
Write, Record & Visit- Take pictures of a field trip
Share & document Learning- chronicle their progress with photos

Helps them to revisit back to their ideas and experiences
Digital Cameras are engaging and easy to use
Visual Representation is important because their written skills aren't quite there yet
Go from concrete to abstract thinking


Technology and Learning

Use small groups at computers, keep the physical setup so a few can sit at each computer
social atmosphere if they work with a few others

Technology and Curriculum

technology needs to interactive and open ended and lets them have ownership
work at their own pace and its a collaborative effort

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Videos

Bookends of War
Inside Kapunahala

While I watched these two videos, I found some great ideas for how to include technology in my classroom. I really enjoyed the Kapunahala video. I thought having children participate in a small TV broadcast show was absolutely adorable. I don't know how realistic it is for everyone, but it looked to me like the children were having a blast. I think they felt more mature and independent, like they had an actual part in something big.

With the Bookends of War video, I felt like the teacher seemed very aware of the reality of technology. I'm glad she mentioned that it was hard at first to really know what she was doing with everything. I also thought she looked very involved with her students and they seemed excited about their websites.

I just hope that I can be as creative as these teachers were with using technology. Also, you have to be willing to have your class be somewhat loud and messy so that your students have the freedom to discuss their projects. I know I'll have to work on that.

Lesson Plans

Science Lesson Plan- Whitney Winegar

Math Lesson Plan- Whitney Winegar

Language Arts Lesson Plan- Whitney Winegar

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

3 Videos

After watching the three videos, I found the most important thing was to have age-appropriate tools and technology resources. In all of the videos, I could tell that the programs they were using were appropriate for that age group and if the teacher didn't take the time to ensure that, the students would probably feel frustrated or bored. All of the students in these videos seemed very engaged in what they were doing.

Along with that, I found that the technology was used to enhance any unit or theme instead of becoming the unit or theme. I feel like it would be easy if you had technology readily available to just rely on it for most of your activities. But, these teachers in the videos used it to add to the lessons, not take over the lessons. Overall, I thought the story extension was the most enjoyable looking. I loved how it took ideas and illustrations directly from the students and allowed them to make a book.