The SNS that I decided to go with is Twitter! From what I can gather so far is that you make short comments about what you are doing throughout your day and read short comments about what others are doing. I have been trying to locate others on Twitter but I have not been very successful. I saw where Jsarnett posted that he was also having the same type of problems. I thought that by using someone’s e-mail address that you should be able to find them but this is not the case. I am going to have to do a little more investigating into this matter. Also, I don’t really like the fact that you can only use so many characters – I guess this is to keep long winded people like me from rambling on and on! 
Solomon – Chapter 11 Sunday, Mar 30 2008
EDUC 628 Post 2:09 am
In reference to Jsarnett’s and Solomon Chapter 11 « Ennaxor314’s Weblog, I have to agree that I too, have not been exposed to many good PD in my seven years of teaching. But the comment was made in Jsarnett’s blog:
For me, PD would be so much more meaningful if it was based on my core content, or else teaching strategies in my discipline that actually present an effective “how to” that could be used, evaluated and modified if need be.
And I have to agree totally; last year, I did attend a professional development session that was designed just for my program (Information Technology) where they began the training with a panel of professionals from the industry that discussed what they looked for in an employee. This provided better insight into concepts that I should be teaching my students. The whole day was packed with valuable information that I was able to take back to my classroom and in some way implement. This was the first time that I actually felt good about a PD and was “excited” about trying some of the topics discussed.
Why Teach? Sunday, Mar 30 2008
EDUC 628 Post 1:48 am
I have really been giving this some though after Dr. Lowell presented the question and at first I provided an answer as to “why I teach” but apparently, that wasn’t what he wanted. So I have been thinking in larger terms and I am still not sure I can answer this question.
I just finished reading a good article regarding teaching and the large turn over in my NEA Today newsletter (http://www.nea.org/neatoday/0804/coverstory1.html) and after reading the article, it is a wonder that anyone would ever try to teach. When one thinks of the pressures that are placed on educators today in relation to the amount of education they must have and the salaries in which they get paid, it is a wonder that there are any teachers. But yet, there are thousands of educators that get up early every morning, grab their bag of graded papers and head for their classroom which is usually over populated with students that really don’t want to be there and could care less about what knowledge you possess.
Why does one do it? Education is an important aspect of culture! Learning is even more important! Without teaching and learning, where would a society be? The answer is simple; a society without teaching and learning would be a society without advancement. As one looks throughout history, it is important to understand that if the world didn’t exist with self-directed learners with the help of teachers, electricity would probably never been invented along with the phone, water treatment plants, etc. It takes an equal balance of both teachers and learners for the world to keep advancing and growing. It is my personal opinion that the reason that those that do “stick” with teaching want to ensure that this type of growth continues throughout history!
Homeschooling – Does or doesn’t it work? Friday, Mar 28 2008
EDUC 628 Post 6:03 pm
I believe that this topic is just like any other topic in education; it depends! Anything can be effective if it is done correctly but as with everything else, this is usually not the case. Jsarnett’s weblog (http://jsarnett.wordpress.com/) made a great point when he stated that in most situations, it is just a way to drop out of school at an early age. I am a firm believer that one person can’t teach an individual everything they need to know and/or be introduced to. It is my opinion that life needs some form of structure and organization for the majority. I am not saying that applies to all; it is very rare that an individual will be self motivated to learn and succeed on their own. Usually throughout a lifetime, the knowledge you possess comes from those that you encounter. This concept even applies to social skills.
I feel that students may not be getting all the knowledge that exist in the world because they are in a structured classroom and/or school environment, but I do feel that being placed in this type of environment, individuals learn how to behave according to what will be expected of them in society. As an educator and a parent of two, I know that there is no way that I could teach my boys all the things that they need to be successful. I also know that I am not a structured individual and would not be disciplined enough to provide a good and consistent learning environment for my children. But I can be an addition to all they are learning and/or experiencing.
Jsarnett’s Weblog Tuesday, Mar 25 2008
EDUC 628 Post 9:29 am
I just read Jsarnett’s weblog after writing my previous post “Why do we teach?” and I felt that the comment he made in his post really made an excellent point:
Jsarnett’s Weblog: Before you hop on your soapboxes, remember….just becuase you or I think something is important DOES NOT mean everyone else places the same value on it. And as we said in the beginning….if someone wants to learn, they will…so if the mechanic who services my car wants to study opera….he’ll find a way…..I just don’t think he should be forced to do so because you or I think it is important!
I am also a firm believer that students should be able to learn about subjects that interest them or can help them become successful in a job/career. A very good point was made in the blog entry above; students who fail math and science maybe getting excellent grades in classes that interest them. I know, because I teach elective courses, and a student that is failing some courses will more than likely be passing mine because they want to be there. I have also seen the other side of the coin — sometimes students are placed in my class because we are a small school and they have no where else to place them and because they hate what I teach (computers), they fail my class! Learning should be about choice! And thank goodness that we all don’t want to learn the same thing; how would the world continue to function if everyone wanted to be doctors or lawyers? Who would design and build the buildings where the doctor’s offices are located?
Why do we teach? Tuesday, Mar 25 2008
EDUC 628 Post 9:10 am
This is a question I ask myself everyday I go into the classroom and there before me sits 20 to 30 kids ranging in ages of 15 to 18 years that have NO interest in hearing what I have to offer them! As an educator, you are bound to educate students based on a certain criteria (set forth by the state) and yet, I really wonder how much these students, that are setting before me, are actually learning.
I really didn’t want to be a teacher! I set out to get my Bachelors in Business Administration and actually wanted to be an accountant. When I signed up for my program, my husband recommend that I “might” want to pick up my teaching certification as a back-up; so I did. Never say never! I always said I would never be a teacher and at the ripe age of 38, that is exactly what I am “trying” to do; teach. The ironic part of the whole thing is I really enjoy teaching! I enjoy the relationships I build with my students and the fact that I keep learning and growing as I try to impart knowledge for my students to (hopefully) absorb.
So back to the question: Why do we teach? I am not sure I can provide an explanation for the world but I can answer based on: Why I teach. I teach because I enjoy interaction! It also helps that I really enjoy the subject in which I teach. I hope that my students walk away from my classes knowing just a little more than when they came through my doors for the first time. I must admit, I was a “little” innocent in the fact that I thought I “could change the world” by teaching; that was when I first started! But I have since learned that when you are in a classroom (depending on age level) what the students take away is strictly up to them. What I mean by age level is that in the elementary level, most of the students are “pleasers”; they want to make mommy, daddy, teacher, etc. happy with what they know. But at the middle and high school level, those “pleasers” begin to develop their own identity. At this particular stage in the “education game”, is when I think the question really comes to light: Why do we teach? I believe that we teach in hopes that at some point in an individual’s life, they will want to become an “active” learner!
Boys’ And Girls’ Brains Are Different: Gender Differences In Language Appear Biological Tuesday, Mar 11 2008
EDUC 628 Post 1:30 am
In reference to the following blog entry: Boys’ And Girls’ Brains Are Different: Gender Differences In Language Appear Biological, I am glad that research is being conducted in this particular area because for anyone in education, it is apparent that there are major gaps that exist in how boys’ and girls’ brains actually function and process information. I feel that eventually, there will be actual brain scans that will be able to look at how the brain is functioning during the learning process for the purpose of developing individualized learning plans. (At least I would like to see this type of technology someday)
I am currently taking a class in the area of special education and I happened across a website the other day (it was a resource in my textbook) called the Amen Clinic (http://www.amenclinics.com/) which specializes in SPECT brain scans for the purpose of helping individuals with disabilities and determining ways in which they can make their brains healthier based on information obtained from the SPECT scan. It provided information for those with ADHD, anxiety & depression, aggression, substance abuse, etc; this site even addressed the issue of the correlation between brain function and marital issues. It really got me thinking as to how individuals learn and barriers that can exist for individuals. We like to think that everyone can be a 21st century; and they can be but it has to be based on individuality. Because learning is individual or at least it should be. And as I viewed Dr. Lowell’s video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NzQqPH3JRw&eurl=http://durandus.com/phaedrus/) on the things that he has accomplished throughout his 35 years (which he has REALLY been busy in just the last few years) it was apparent that all his accomplishments were individualized for him; probably much like the learning that has taken place in his life. The way in which Dr. Lowell learns may not be what is best for someone else. And what someone else has learned may not lead to the accomplishments that Dr. Lowell has been able to achieve; but it doesn’t mean that what others have learned and accomplishments they have made are any less important, they are just different!
21st Century Learner Monday, Mar 10 2008
EDUC 628 Post 8:05 pm
What exactly is a 21st Century Learner? What do they look like? What type of knowledge, do and/or can they possess? Can you identify one just by looking at them? Is there certain information or techniques that should be used in order to help them advance to a higher level of knowledge?As I viewed the presentation that Dr. Lowell showed in the blog: http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2008/03/05/21st-century-learners/; it really demonstrates that 21st century learners come from a wide range of individuals and how and/or what they learn is different for each. No truer words were spoken than “learning doesn’t just happen in the classroom”. As educators, this fact is sometimes forgotten and is creating (in my opinion) a failure in the educational system. The constructivist theory believes that learning is enhanced based on current knowledge and through current knowledge, it allows individuals to build and develop future knowledge. I have to agree with those particular concepts because how one learns is really based on the environment in which one exist. I know that those in charge of developing an “educational system” really wouldn’t want to agree with these concepts because those that are “in charge” of creating the laws, assessments, etc. demonstrate through “core content” that all children should be learning the same concepts at the same pace (at least that’s the way it is in Kentucky). WAKE UP! Anyone who is in the classroom knows that children and/or adults learn based on their prior knowledge base. Now don’t get me wrong, I am not saying that some individuals can’t learn; what I am saying is that individuals learn at their own pace and based on their own interest. I understand that those in the educational system are probably right in that students need to be introduced to basic concepts for the purpose of building upon their knowledge base but does it really matter how the students obtain the necessary information. So many educators feel that if they are not the one up in front of the classroom spitting out the “necessary information” then students will never “learn” the concepts they need to know. I used to be one of those educators because I was a product of a college that taught those going into teaching all the ways to be a good educator so your students would be prepared for state assessment and accountability! There are many flaws that exist in education and the more I “learn”, the more I can identify problems. One of the biggest problem is that those “in charge” can’t get past the “old school” of education and realize that learning doesn’t just happen in a classroom but can be a global event if they would open the flood gates to the sea of information that exist beyond the four concrete walls that children are “trapped in” each and every day.
Mary had a little lamb…. Monday, Mar 3 2008
EDUC 628 Post 1:59 am
Much like the nursery rhyme, I feel like one of Mary’s lost sheep. When we talk about culture and the role it plays with education, I honestly have to say that guidance from our teachers would be part of my culture. I am not sure what has happened to Dr. Lowell (if you are out there in the cyber world and can read me…) but I am not receiving much guidance as to where he wants us to go with this class. I also am having difficulty with the information provided in the text and quite sure how to respond to some of the concepts. I have tried to make a few statements in previous blogs but I am not receiving much feed back. I really miss Dr. Lowell’s intellectual comments regarding the world of technology, education, etc. and I like to think about the comments made because it helps me to develop my own perspective on topics I didn’t know was out there. One of the biggest downfall to being an educator, parent, student, etc. is the lack of time I have to research new concepts on my own. I really depend on my college classes for this type of guidance!
SNS – not to be confused with SNL! Saturday, Mar 1 2008
EDUC 628 Post 2:14 am
Well, I began my social networking site search and oh what I found! I found that MySpace and Facebook are blocked at my school — so therefore, if I want to be able to do anything for my class, I would have to look for another site. So I went to www.twitter.com because I receive an e-mail from a classmate where he had joined and it looked like to me it was somewhat boring – similar to a message board! I will have to let you know more when I investigate a little further.
