Voice Thread

This is like the ultimate blogger. This has it all. A blog is a great way for people to communicate on the web. Especially when you are doing group projects, its an easy way to communicate at each persons connivance. It is a great way for teachers to work with their students if they have a question about assignments or if they are struggling with a certain thing. Now, as for voice thread, it just blew blogging out of the water. This has 5 different ways to communicate? This is one thing that I will definitely use in my classroom. Especially because I am teaching P.E.. The video allows me to demonstrate different techniques if a student or group of students misses a day of class. This would be so beneficial to those students and we wouldn't have to waste class time when they got back to get them up to speed with the rest of the class. I look forward to using voice thread in my classroom.



Taylor

Power Point

Our power point is going well. We are integrating technology in the classroom. My partner does a great job. I feel like I let her down on Wed. because I was not there due to illness. However, I am sure we will bounce back and it will be top notch next week.

Taylor

week 7

How far should educators go in matching the technology used in instruction and classroom activities to the technology their students use?

This day in age it is vital to all students to include technology in the classroom. It seems about everyday there is a new break through in technology and something else is discovered. Therefore, as educators we need to look for creative ways to include technology in their lesson plans. With that being said, I do think teachers could potentially over-use technology and it would have a negative result. Students still need to be able to work on things like penmen ship and working with others.

Are online chats and instant messaging of value in the classroom? Do they add to student learning, or do they distract from “real” instruction?

I do not support the idea of online chats and instant messaging in the classroom. There are so many networks out there that allow for online discussion, I think it is a waste of time to use class time on it. Instead you can have a real discussion with a class and help your students overcome the common fear of speaking in front of their peers.

Are there benefits to asynchronous, text-based communication over synchronous, face-to-face communication? In what situations?

The answer is yes. All students learn in a different way. Some are more hands on, some are more visual, and some are more audio learners. Personally I really enjoy synchronous, face-to-face communication. I feel like it is more meaningful for the people who are communicating. However, I think asynchronous, text-based communication is beneficial too, especially with information regarding dates or important information. Having the text allows you to read and think before you have to respond. Both ways are needed for your students to be ready to get out in the real world.

Does using podcasts with students really enhance learning, or is it simply a newer version of passively delivering information?

I am not a fan of podcasts. I believe they are a newer version of passively delivering information. There are to many other networks out there that are already proven and accomplish the same goal.

Does videogame help develop your studying? Why or why not? Explain. What skills can you gain from it? Do you agree with the article? If you have children, would you let them play videogame every day? Why/why not?

I do not agree with this at all. Video games are just that… GAMES! Skills people gain from video games include time management, and completing goals in a certain time. This is WAY too much for me. When I have children there video game time will be very limited. There are many more important things kids can do to improve studying outside of playing video games. Especially in a country that is so Over-weight. We need to find more ways to support outdoor activities and limit time playing with video games.

My Personality

I definitely think that students have different learning styles based on their personality types. Some prefer to read, others prefer to be hands on and learn that way. These learning styles are directly relating to a persons personality. I am not 100% convinced that the test is accurate. However, it does make me feel confident as I pursue my goal to be a teacher. The test does point out what you are good at, and it also tells you what you need to work on. This could be beneficial in the classroom so you can make a conscience effort to have a lasting impact on all students and all types of personalities.

Spreadsheets

I absolutely love Spreadsheet. I was not very familiar with spreadsheet, but after reading the textbook and having the grade book assignment in class I am a huge fan. Not only is the spreadsheet very easy to keep organized, but also it does the calculating for you! What more could you ask for as a teacher? It is all there for you with one application. I will definitely use spreadsheet in my classroom and I look forward to doing so.

As a teacher we use spreadsheet as a very organized efficient grading method. The advantage of using spreadsheet over a calculator is simple. With a calculator, you have to enter each student’s grade my grade to calculate the average. With a spreadsheet, you can type in the formula and it will do the calculations for you. The three primary functions of spreadsheets are: storing, calculating and presenting information. Like I have already mentioned I think thing spreadsheets are great for grading. It is very organized in storing the grade. It is a very simple process to calculate the grades and averages. On top of that it is well organized and easy to read and work with.

Inspirations blog

Inspirations in my opinion is more of an organizer for a teacher, as opposed to a student. I think the program is very well organized and can really help ones organization. I do not see it being very beneficial to high school students. The program in my opinion is to detailed. I really like how you can make different bubbles to branch off each topics, and how it organizes your thoughts into note format. This gives very organized notes, while also allowing a more visual picture for visual learners. However, I think this is a great way for a teacher to type a lesson plan, or to help the more visual learners in the classroom see the bigger picture with certain topics. I can definitely see myself using this program when I become the head of my own classroom, but more for myself as opposed to my students.

I do agree with writing being an important aspect to a students education. I think the best way to enhance someone's ability to write is by repetition. In my opinion having the students first write a rough draft, then have a classmate check to see that the thoughts make sense. I would not advise the students who are writing or the ones reading to pay attention to spelling. This day in age everyone has spell check and a dictionary so there is no need to dock points for this mistake. After the students have an outline, and a rough draft read and edited by their peers I would like the students to type the paper. This is when students can take advantage of spell check. This also lets the students work on their typing skills. With limited time in the classroom I think it would also be beneficial for the student to have one or two people from outside the classroom read and edit the paper as well. This will allow for the students parents to have a chance to see what the kid is doing in school, and to let the parents help them if it is needed.

Taylor Fore

(Not totally sure if I understand the second question)

Week 2 blog - taylor fore

Blogs can be very beneficial if people use them correctly. Like the video said, blogs allow everyone to be their own instant reporter. This is a good thing in my mind because often you only here one side to a story and with an opportunity to blog, you can read perspectives from both sides. Blogs can be useful in education to help students step out of their comfort zone. Sometimes students may not feel comfortable asking a question in front of their classmates with the fear of being laughed at. With an opportunity to blog, students can ask these questions and become more comfortable. In my opinion people who consider using blogs in the classroom as a waste of time are ignorant. Like I mentioned before, blogging can help students get out of their comfort zone and could potentially bring out the best in more students.

I am going in the teaching field of physical education or health. I think blogging can be very productive and I would love to try it out when I become a teacher. I think it would be very beneficial to the children to have a daily assignment to go home and write a blog about what they learned. This would encourage students to pay attention during the day, while also allowing them to point out what they enjoyed and did not enjoy that day. Another beneficial tool that will be practiced daily by having a daily blog by all students is the increase in computer literacy. Students will become better users of the computer if they are used daily. One other beneficial tool that the students could use the blog for is to ask questions without the fear of being made fun of in front of their peers. No question is a dumb question, especially when you do not have to ask it out loud.

taylor fore

about me

My name is Taylor Fore. I am from Fort Worth, Texas. I am one of four. I have a younger sister, a younger brother, and an older brother. We are fortunate that our parents are still together. I graduated from Central High School in the Keller Independent School District. When I graduate from here I look forward to being an educator of our youth with an opportunity to coach athletics.