Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Blog Post #2

I watched the video "Did You Know?". The video gives different information on various subjects. The video wasn't very long. Most of the information was newly known on my behalf. The video was very interesting and gave immense information.
The author gave statistics on technology, jobs, and populations. The information on population was very interesting, India has more children with high IQ's than the U.S. has children. It told information of jobs that were non-existent in 2004 being the top 10 in-demand jobs in 2010. Technology is now used more than ever.
The next video I watched was "Mr. Winkle Wakes". This video described a man waking from a 100 year slumber. The video described the changes he witnessed in the world. The world he awoke to was much different. Mr. Winkle explores the world around him.
The author of this video is also talking about technology. When Mr. Winkle visits a workplace, fax machines and computers were new technology. He then visits a hospital that has new technology, such as, x-ray machines, laser healing technology, and other new machines to assist patients and doctors. He lastly visits a school that seems to be the same, except for the computers. We have advances in technology, but not all advances in schools.
The third video was "Importance of Creativity". This video is made to make the viewer think about creativity. Why is it important? Who has creativity? Why do we focus on creativity as much as academics?
The author spoke about children being "educated out of creativity". He made a note that all kids have creativity or talent. This video gave interesting information on academics vs. creativity. Society tends to believe academic ability is a better thing than creativity. We should have both, understanding children are different and learn different, offering the information we academically have to teach and bringing out their creativity.
The next video I watched was from a Scholastic article. This video was an interview with a young student and Sir Ken Robinson. The young student ask him different questions about education.
One of the questions was about the myths of creativity. Sir Ken Robinson responded "only certain people are creative, creativity is about a certain thing, and either you are creative or not". Creativity comes in many different forms and can't be put in a box. Creativity is thinking outside the box. If creativity can't be put into one particular standard, it can be many different things to many different people.
The last video I watched was "Harness Your Student's Digital Smarts". This video was about teaching students in the digital classroom. It was about showing the student a different tool for learning. This video was very interesting. It brought new knowledge to light.
The author talked about getting to know each other student's strengths and weaknesses. Learning opportunities do not have to come only from the teacher, let the students be thinkers. The students were able to use the internet for new ways of learning. They were also able to do projects and videos based on their new ways of learning.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Blog Post # 1

Hello everyone my name is Rebekah Burleson. This is my first blog ever and I am blogging for my EDM 310 class. I am a 28 year old wife, mother, and student. I am returning to South after seven years and feel I am more ready to take on the work. I am looking forward to this semester, although I do have some reservations. I want to make good grades and make sure to dedicate myself to my studies. My reservations stem from wanting to be a good mother and wife, while also being a good student. I plan on graduating in May 2013 with my Elementary Education degree. I would most like to teach third or fourth grade. I want to enter the field of education because I want to make a difference in children's lives. This field also allows me to be with my children more than another field would.
I am a christian. My interest's are spending time with my family, ALABAMA football, and going to the beach or creek. I have always lived in Mobile, I don't know that I would like living anywhere else; although it's hot, it's home. Besides being a student, I am also a substitute teacher. I love being a substitute and can't wait to have my own class one day. I have been married six years to my wonderful husband. I have two beautiful children, a boy and a girl. My family keeps me busy but the rewards are worth it for sure. Life is a gift and I try to remember that everyday. I want to be a good student for myself first but also to show my children, whatever you put your mind to do it. I took a break from school for seven years and now I am returning, it's never to late. I believe that it will be a great thing for me because I am a much different person than the first time around. I am excited for this new chapter in my life!
I watched the Randy Pausch video. The thing I learned from the video was making the list. I knew making a list was important but didn't think it would be necessary. When Randy said, "what will happen if I don't do it", I thought that was a good question for me. If I think about that question, it reminds me why I am doing what I am doing and also what the reward is for working so hard. I was unfamiliar of Randy Pausch until this video.

Practice post

This is my practice post