Summer Time!!

It has been a long road from Auburn University to the University of South Alabama. During the semester I dealt with illness, family issues, personal break-ups and much more. I think that going through so much as really made me a stronger and wiser person. My pastor, Rev. Walter G. Bracy, always taught us to ask the Lord to bless our mess. It's a difficult concept to understand and nobody can explain it like he can. I am so blessed to have gone through because now I have a testimony to tell. I am too blessed to be stressed and nothing is going to stand in the way of myself and my future students. Being an educator is what I want more than anything and once I set my mind to this goal, I knew in my heart that I was going to accomplish it. This semester, I do not feel as though I did as well as I could have, but I have all summer to recuperate and I am going to "grind" even harder in the fall to bring my GPA make to par.

Now as far as my summer goes, I don't know what to expect. I just recently adopted a 3 week old kitten and named him Tiger. He is a mixed Tabi. He is beyond cute. I have a few friends whose birthdays are during the summer so celebrating with them is going to be AWESOME! My family reunion will be held in Birmingham, AL during Father's Day weekend. Unfortunately, my dad will not be attending this year. He is going to his biological dad's reunion this year in Michigan. I sort of want to go myself considering I have not seen my granddad since my graduation in May of 2009. I have not had any communication with him since, but hopefully that will change soon. AUGUST IS GOING TO BE THE MONTH TO REMEMBER BECAUSE I WILL BE CELEBRATING MY 21ST BIRTHDAY!!! My birthday falls on a Sunday so I will most definitely be in church and possibly cooking dinner afterwards.

I can really say that EDM310 and the rest of my courses challenged my this semester but I really think that is what students need...A CHALLENGE. Opening the mind to new possibilites is what the educational sector should be about but sometimes it just does not work out that day. Well, I will keep you guys posted on the mild stones in my life and I pray that everyone is successful and keep God in the number 1 spot. Tiger is calling :) Later good people!!

Blog Post #14: Final Reflection Spring 2012

Project #13

It was unfortunate that my group lost one of our member towards the end of the semester. Jason Lynch was a great group leader and member. Constance and I carried on with our required projects. We used so many different ways of collaborating. We mostly used text messaging, considering it was the fastest way to contact the other person. Prior to texting, we used GOOGLE (G-mail). We started using another collaborative tool that was found on the EDM310 site, but never went back after it was set up. I think that Constance sent me something, but I am not sure.

Final Project!!!

Project #15: SMARTBOARD

Project #15: SMARTBOARD

I'm having some issues uploading my videos from youtube. My part of this project can be found on Constance Dixon's Blogger. I am going to try to the best of my ability to get this video uploaded.

Blog Post #13: NO TECHNOLOGY

I can honestly say after completing this assignment, I had never realized how much I depend on technology. It was interesting because earlier this week someone hit a light pole and knocked the power out that supplied an entire city block so we were without power for a day and a half.  Going without my computer was the most difficult for me because IT'S FINALS!!! As a college student, finals is a do or die moment for your GPA and that day and a half gave me a chance to study my textbooks for my Biology and Government class. My grandfather is a very passive individual and seeing him go to laying on the couch in the den reminded me of when Hurricane Katrina powered through the Gulf Coast. That was one of the most scariest times in my life. I felt like I was on a lone island all alone with my thoughts, studies and mixed emotions about my relationship.

Margarett Lockett, my great-grandmother

When I first read the assignment, I thought to myself, " Daphney, there is no way that you can do this because you use too much technology everyday for personal and educational use. What is Dr. Strange thinking? How are we supposed to do this assignment and study!!!" As the experiment progressed I began to realize that it was not as bad as I thought. I paid my great grandmother a visit. She is 87 years old and has been living on Magee Street in the Prichard community for 68 years!! She told me stories about her childhood and I got to learn loads about her childhood. She even told me stories about how my uncle and grandmother would get into trouble. They would hide in her Cedar Robe when they knew they had done something wrong. I found myself laughing as hard, I almost came to tears because my sides were hurting from laughing so much. He told me the story of her parents and her grandparents. Considering that I am in training to be my family historian, this was an epic event. To end my time there, great-granny and I went to the park for a walk. 

I think that not having my cell phone was the hardest part of my experience. My boyfriend is out of town and not being able to talk to him was the hardest part of all this. Even though it was hard, I think that the separation was best for us because it allowed us to miss one another. After the 24 hours was up, I received a text from him saying, "Bae, I miss you so much. Why haven't I heard from you?". It almost broke my heart, but I could not reply right then. I was refusing to start this experience over so I had to be strong.

My friends called and text me like crazy!! This experiment almost was not completed when my sister came to my house telling me about her and her husband's fight. He was going to get a call from me and get an ear full. If you can tell, I was not pleased with him. I composed myself and talked her into going to our mom and letting her handle the situation. The next evening when the lights returned, I text my boyfriend and checked on my sister.  Experiment complete!

Self Reflection

I think that this has been an eye opening experience. I have been gone a day and a half without any type of technology. I learned so much from my visit with my great grandmother about my family history. I can see that I am greatly dependent on technology for communication, school and just entertainment. I AM A FACEBOOK ADDICT! Going without updating a status or posting a picture was so hard for me but now that I have gone without it, it is not as difficult staying off the social site now as it was in the past. I can say that I am going to take another day away from my cell phone, computer and television. I have always wanted to go sit by a body of water and reflect on my life and just get away from the everyday hustle and bustle of life. I need a break from all the drama and my relationship and family sometimes. I want to thank Dr. Strange for setting this experiment as an assignment because it was a great exercise of getting to know myself.  

As I come into the classroom as an educator, I know that my students will be heavily dependent on technology because it is what they have become accustomed to. The cell phones, the computers, the video game systems, etc., are evolving everyday and this is going to pull students more and more into technology but the question is, "Is that such a bad thing?" Technology is becoming educational and I feel that as an educator, you have to use the tools given to you to help your students attain knowledge.

Creativity and Curiosity: My Thoughts - Special Post #12A

Creativity and Curiosity 

I can honestly say that the United States Department of Education uses textbooks to put a child's imagination and creativity in "chains". Textbooks are a crutch for teachers. Do you really think that the teachers themselves are learning from these books? Can these teachers really educate these children and   these children retain the information required to pass standardized tests and beyond? The people who sit in Washington, D.C. making these lesson plans to hand out to educators are not thinking about what kind of learner a child is, rather they are thinking about how to get that child out of that classroom so that the next child can take his/her seat. I do not feel like they care if the child really learns the subject. The course curriculum can be altered to increase curiosity. I think that a study or survey should be done on students in each grade level, asking what they like most about each subject and what they would change about each subject. This is to get the students' input on how they feel the curriculum is affecting their learning abilities and how it should be changed. This gives students a voice in their education. The way an educator presents the information to the students can either grab their attention or put them to sleep. I believe that a child will have better retention with hands-on work rather than book work. As an educator,  I feel that you must be enthusiastic about what you are teaching. Make the student feel excited to walk into that classroom Monday-Friday. Teachers can incorporate things that the students enjoy in everyday life such as using their smart phones, computers, music that they listen to, social sites, collaborative exercises, etc. I say social sites because Dr. Strange taught us in EDM310 to push the bar to see what  we can do to make sure that child investigates what he/she wants to know. In my honest opinion, educators' hands are tied by the "red tape" of the school system. By "red tape" I mean the regulations that each teacher has to abide by among being employed by the school system. I can not list these rules because I do not know them as of yet, but from what I have been told by actual educators these rules hinder them from doing a lot of what they want to do in their classrooms. When I was in high school, there were certain field trips that we could not take, their were certain websites that we could not access because they were blocked, their were certain books that were not present in the library because the school system thought they were inappropriate for high school students. "Red Tape" is all around education and until we cut this red tape, the children are going to suffer.

I know that parents want the best for their children. They want the best lives and education for their little ones. The question is can educators really give these children a better education when they can not always release their own creativity? 

Blog Post #12

My name is Daphney McFadden and I am a secondary education/social sciences major. I know many people believe that history is a boring topic, but it does not always have to be so allow the students to rap a researched topic.

Rap Battle: History Edition

This blog assignment requires two students. The instructor will assign an era in history, such as the Industrial Revolution, the American Revolution, the Civil War, the Civil Right Movement, the Black Panthers, past presidents, the Constitution, etc and the students will compete for bonus points added to his or her final grade. If you have ever watched 106 & Park on BET then you know what I am talking about. If not, here is a video of a Wild Out Wednesday segment.

Basics

*1. The instructor will pair (2) or group students randomly.

2. The instructor will choose an era from history or allow the students to choose for themselves.

3. The students will have until the next class meeting to create the rap.

4. The rap has to be original. 

5. The rap will be done in front of the class upon the next class meeting.

Rap Rules

1. The rap can be on the topic of choice or what the instructor assigns.

2. The rap has to contain a hook, consisting of at least 6 bars (bar=1 line).

3. The rap must contain 2 verses.

4. The rap cannot contain profanity or you will be eliminated.

5. The rap must be recorded and posted to Youtube. It must also be embedded in your class blog.

6. The rap can rhyme, but this is not a requirement.

7. The rap should be at least 2-4 minutes in length.
8. The rap is allowed an instrumental. An instrumental is a song without lyrics.  

HAVE FUN AND BE CREATIVE WHILE STAYING WITHIN THE GUIDELINES.

Rap Presentation

1. The students are called to the front of the class

2. The students face one another

3. The students will shake hands
4. Each student goes one at a time.

5. The audience is be quite for each student's presentation. Anyone talking WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.

6. The winner will be determined by applause from the class.

7. Participants will be respectful of the other.

8. Students can wear a costume, imitating his or her favorite rap artist.
*9. The will be 3 rounds (in total). The winner will be determined in the 3rd round. 

Here is an example, but it does not have to be this poetic

* the rounds depend on class size.

Comment for Kids: April

I have had some really great kids for the month of April. I ran into the issue of my kids not blogging, but the ones that did blog had some great blogs. I can't remember them all but the one that sticks out to me the most would have to be Dylan, not because he was the last "C4K". He stated that he went to an Art Museum with a friend. I thought about it and I came to the conclusion that I have not been to an Art Museum, ever. Dylan has inspired me to go so when I have some friend time in Birmingham this summer, I think I will treat myself to the Art Museum.

The Global Blogging Challenge

Unfortunately, I have not gotten any information from the challenge. I have not received any assigned student or teacher. I E-mailed Dr. Strange about it, but I never received an E-mail back from him either. I was wondering why my name was highlighted on the checklist for the blogging challenge as well. I guess I am going to have to send my E-mails out again. 

Blog Post #11

Little Kids...Big Potential 

This is the most adorable video of children that I have ever come across. Ms. Cassidy's First grade class explains what they have learned about using technology in the classroom. These first graders demonstrate the use of SMARTBOARD technology as well as using computers in there "down time".This video really pulls at your heart strings. It is truly amazes me that children this young can absorb so much!

Technology In The Classroom

Education has rapidly envolved from what it was 10 or 20 years ago and the reason is mainly the students and technologies introduced in the classrooms. The students of today are a lot more technology savvy than the teachers in the classrooms. Ms. Cassidy, who is a Canadian 1st grade teacher, has her own opinion about technology in the classroom. This is what I gained from her interview with Dr. Strange back in 2010.

Ms. Cassidy was supplied with 5 computers that began her technological adventure. She consider this a "center" for her first graders. From here, she began allowing her kids to safely search and use the internet. She only uses the first names of the students, which is a great way to protect the identity of minors.  Her students have connected with many students around the country. I love how she describes the children's reactions to getting new comments on their blogs. 

BLOGS

I have said in previous posts that blogs are a way of expressing ones emotions and feelings about something. Through Ms. Cassidy's interview, I have also confirmed that blogs can be used to connect with others and exchange ideas. Because I am teaching 6-12 graders, using blogging in my classroom is going to range. This is a huge age gap so my students opinions will vary, but nonetheless I will be using blogging in my classroom. Social Sciences (History) does not have to be all boring with dates, times, and historical events. My students' blogs would probably be about their own history and how they plan to make a difference in the world. It can be about more than that but for the most part, history will be a main focus.

PERSONAL LEARNING NETWORKS

This is an incredible tool for students of any educational level!!! I do not think that Ms. Cassidy uses these in her classroom because her students are not really old enough to understand the concept of what they are used for, but I could be wrong. Children today are being born with teeth these days so I do not put anything past the intelligence of a child. I can say that my students will HAVE to learn this technology in my class. For my lesson plan, my students will be require to write at least two important papers in a semester and using PLNs with monitor what websites they use for these assignments.

TWITTER/FACEBOOK

In the Mobile County Public School System is a deemed inappropriate to befriend a student on any social networking site. With this being said, using Twitter or Facebook would have to be out of the question. Upon graduation those rules change because that student is no longer a part of the school system in which I will be teaching. I have personal  experience with teachers and befriending them on Facebook. I actually, til this very day, am friends with my math teacher from high school. Mr. Clifford Allred is one of the best math teachers that I have ever had and he has continued to help me even while taking college math. According to Ms. Cassidy, Twitter is a great way to network with people who share the same ideas as you. I have my own personal Twitter, but I will be setting up a more professional account as I progress in my career field. Follow my on twitter: xoDaphyDuckxo!!

This Interview is a great way for education majors to get some great advice for their classrooms and how to get involved in a more "hands on" environment. In my honest opinion, "hands-on" is the best way for a child to retain information and information retention is what education is about. Technology is becoming more and more intertwined in our educational systems and as educators WE MUST KEEP UP WITH THE TIMES.

"Technology isn't going anywhere, it's here to stay" -Ms. Cassidy 

Timetoast: Mi y Mi Familia

Blog Post #10

Do you Teach or Do you Educate?

My first reaction to this video was "WHAT KIND OF MUSIC AM I LISTENING TO?!" but when I began reading the message within, I began to see what the video was about. There is a great difference between being an educator and being a teacher.

Being an teacher basically means you are standing in front of a group of about 20-30 students, depending on what level of education you are teaching, and feeding them information that is stems from a book. Teaching is what most "educators" do and really do not realize how they are hurting the students in their classrooms. Students should be able to come into the classroom and be interact with their teachers, not come in and have to listen to someone drag on a lecture for 50 minutes to an hour. I know, personally, that I absolutely hate going to one of my night classes and have to sit there and listen to this woman talk until 8:30 at night! It drives me crazy!

Being an educator is more focused around what the student wants as well as needs to know. Educators find ways to make the material being studied worth the student's time and money. As I have said before, EDM310 was a brand new concept to me before I came into the realm of education. I knew that there was a different way to educate a student with boring them to death or "homeworking" them to death. I know what I want to be and what I am going to be. I am going to be an EDUCATOR!

My classroom is going to include the SMARTBOARD technology. My students will be required to have a "G-MAIL" address so that when projects are assigned and group assignments are present, they can have the technology needed to complete assignments as well as ways to collaborate with one another. I want to attempt to bring the iSchool into our school system. This is an idea focused around using apple technologies in the classroom to improve student retention. Retention is IMPORTANT! How else are the students going to learn information on the Alabama High School Graduation Exams? The passing of these 5 parts are the key to a student actually graduating high school and going on to college. If I can just get one of my students to the collegiate level, then my job is worth the struggles that I know are going to befall me.

Tom Johnson's Don't Let Them Take the Pencils Home 

Tom Johnson

I agree that this is a must read for instructors as well as students working to become instructors. Johnson is a very witty character in this scenario. When the woman comes in the room with the argument about the pencils and the students taking them home, I was a little confused. As I continued to read I saw how instead of arguing the problem, Johnson was coming up with solutions to the issue. He sat down with the parents of his students and talked about activities that can be done so that their children did not think of the pencil as a tool of entertainment but a tool of education. 

As an educator, issues are on how you wish to run your classroom is always going to be there. If you are smart, you will figure out solutions to these arguments made by others. If you feel as though your students are going to benefit from what you are doing and it is showing in the student's test scores, then keep doing what you are doing. Education is all about working with the future generations to ensure that there is a future to look forward to. Enable them to think on a much broader scale then just a textbook. Teach your students how they can advance in this ever changing world. Teach them how to take and give criticism. Teach them how to set goals. Teach them how they can make a difference. BE AN EXAMPLE! BE A MENTOR! BE A COUNSELOR! BE AN EDUCATOR!

My Week :(

This week has been stressful beyond words. I have been suffering from a horrible sinus infection. I have been to the hospital twice this week. I have a doctor's appointment next week and I got a bad review on my last blog post. This is my blog so I feel like I can free lance a few times. I have been working on a research paper for my American Revolution class and I tell you this...DO NOT TAKE PROFESSOR HAMILTON! She is extremely too picky with her grading technique. This is just my opinion. While at the hospital, the nurse mixed up my blood work with someone elses and for all of 20 minutes, I thought I was pregnant. I have never cried so hard in my life. I thought my dreams of becoming an educator was going to have to go on the back burner. When the doctor came in and told me what happened and corrected the problem, I was beyond relieved. Upon my release, the doctor never came back to give me an excuse for missing class this week. I was feeling a little better about Wednesday so I decided to do a little yoga. Well, that was a very bad idea. I ended up straining my abdominal muscles. I have been bed written and on pain meds since then. Lord knows that I am feeling attacked spiritually and physically so I have been just praying and praying. Today I have finally been able to get up and reach for my laptop to get some school work done. I have missed my biology test this week and I'm hoping that I can make it up. I hope that everyone has had a better week than I have. Oh, there was a few good things that happened. My boyfriend came to visit me. He took off work for last two days to come tend to me. He is extremely sweet. I really did not want to put any of this on Facebook, but I did not want everyone in the world in my business. I blogged about it instead. Facebook is not my diary or journal and some of those people can be so judgemental. Well, I guess I will start on my late assignments. God bless and I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Blog Post #9

In Mr. McClung first year of teaching, he had to learn a how to read his audience. He could not focus on how his students looked at him as he taught; instead, he had to focus on the deliverance of his message he was trying to give and make them understand.  Communication with fellow instructors as well as your students were also a factor he encounters to make his self a better teacher. He had to learn to take in advice from more experienced educators and troubled students in order to become a better person and instructor. Also, Mr. McClung had to become aware of all the technology he could use to help him in his lesson plans and communication. Overall, his main general aspect of his first year of teaching was to stay positive.

        In his third year of teaching, his agenda has changed tremendously. He was couching cross country for the first time as well as first time head coach; also, he began as a computer applications teacher. It has been times where he has gotten caught with trying to please others so much till he often had to refocus his attention on what made him what he has become, the students. Throughout this year, he has become aware that most people do not share the same beliefs in teachings methods as he does. Therefore, this made him come to a conclusion that it is natural to be an outsider to your fellow peers. As long as he connected with his main objective, the student body, he was happy with the decisions he made; however, he did have one teacher that gave him a few positive learning methods to help him grow.

        In conclusion, I have learned that being a teacher is not always fun being a teacher but you have to learn to stay positive and be willing to learn new methods. Also, I have learned that I have to make sure that I have the right focus and make sure it applies to my objective.  I can help students succeed but I also have to allow them to struggle a little to fully reach accomplishments in themselves and in their future. Never get comfortable in routines and never be afraid to be your own person. Keep your eyes on the prize and always strive to better yourself and others around you.

Project #14: Smart Board Presentation

C4T #2

My assigned teacher is Mrs. Caren Carrillo. She is an elementary school teacher of History. I can relate, the only difference is that I am in Secondary Education. She has not blogged since 2011 but the bulk of her blog was about Halloween party that she was throwing for her students. Some of the parents did not approve of the idea of the children celebrating such a holiday. Mrs. Carrillo put the parents' minds at ease by explaining that Halloween is a celebration and not something to looked down upon. I personally liked the way she handled it. It was professional and showed a great sense of character. The last post on her blog is something one of her co-workers sent to her as a joke. If you want to check out what she is referring to then click on this link --> http://carencarrillo.posterous.com/ and just click on the link entitled the newyorker. It is not that hard to find considering the post is only about two to three sentences long. Well, until next time bloggers.

Personal Learning Network: Progress Report

My PLN  is coming along pretty well. I decided to use Symbaloo. At first I thought it was a funny name for a website but I watched one the the videos suggested by Dr. Strange and it became clear. It was a tool for learning, personal learning. I have not really done much to it but logged into my facebook and twitter accounts. I have used it in research for another course. I have sort of arranged the icons in a certain order and in certain groups. For instance, the group to the bottom left are the icons that I use on a day to day basis. I'm not really sure how this is going to help but I will say that I will just wait and see how this plays out. I want to make a goal to see how organized I can make it. If you want to check out my Symbaloo, click on this link http://www.symbaloo.com/ and type in my name: Daphney McFadden. I hope that you find me. Until next time bloggers.

My Reaction to the Evaluation

Since this is my blog, I feel I have the right to vent in a respectable manner. Personally I am mad at the fact that I missed my evaluation. I did not receive the email that the evaluation was even up until 2 days after it was closed. Slow as crap school email but Dr. Strange did make the announcement in class, I guess I just failed to write it down. So I am going to grade myself via my blog. If I was to give myself a grade in this class, it would have to be about a C-. I give myself this mark because a lot of my work has been submitted late here lately. To be honest, my work load has doubled and almost tripled in some of my other classes. I'm not sweating the small stuff though. The way I learn is to have a daily routine and since this class is no longer that, out of sight out of mind. This is a mistake that I am going to have to deal with and just take the outcome. I don't know if my grade will improve since I may be down to a D or F...but I am going to work to get a higher grade (whatever it may be). My mom always told me that if I failed to plan then I planned to fail. So I guess in this case, i failed. Honestly, I forget about some of the work in this class because for some reason, my organization in this class is a little off. I am trying my best to get back on track before I fail again. Hmmmmm...but what can I do? My computer trips when I try to print out the check list and writing down the assignments tend not to do me any good....I got it! I will download a planner app from the Droid Market to organize all my assignments! Add a little reminder the Wednesday before the assignments are due! Yea!! Now I just have to figure out which app to download. Well that's my vent for the night or morning or whatever. I guess I need to start my search and get this organized before Spring Break is officially over.

The Great Educators Presents The Freedom Writers Diary.mov

Blog Assignment #6

Wow! Watching this video, was beyond amazing. During his life as a professor, he encouraged his students to follow his/her childhood dream. After overcoming many "brick walls" it is safe to say that Randy Pausch lived an incredible life. I will say that I am glad that Randy Pausch went into teaching and not singing. *laugh*

In this youtube video of his last lecture Dr. Pausch, teaches what he learned over the years to be effective teaching methods:


Break Walls
Brick walls are not there to keep you out or slow you down. They are there to encourage you to continue to fight for what you want to achieve. These walls are only obstacles that can be overcome. I felt as though, that was an awesome expression. As an up-and-coming educator, my path is difficult. With all the classes, assignments, exams while trying to have a personal life is crazy but my goal is to be a teacher. I have to get passed wanting to always have a social life for the sake of what I am passionate for and that is TEACHING.

Don't Bail
As I have previously said, I have to get passed wanting to always have a social life. It is hard not wanting to give up when times get hard but that is where I do my best work. Pushing myself to do what I think in my head can't be done. I plan to pass this trait on to my students. I will not pass a lazy child. Bailing out on something that you need for something that you want will get you nowhere and fast.

Get A Feedback Loop
Feedback is always important! How else would you know what you are doing right or what you are doing wrong? For instance, the comments we make on each other's blogs about what we like and don't like and what we can improve on is AWESOME feedback. If I told a classmate or student that his/her work was great and it was crap, what good am I doing them? I can answer that...NONE! Be truthful with people

Show Gratitude
Pleas know that you did not get where you are today without the help of someone. That someone could be a parent, teacher, friend, sibling, cousin, whomever. The point is, you didn't do it alone. I know that if it were not for my grandparents and aunts that I would not be as successful as I am today. I show them gratitude by continuing to thrive to get my degree in Education. Give credit where credit is due.

Dr. Randy Pausch was a great example of what a humble person looks like. He was an enthusiastic person when it came to speaking. He spoke with a comical, yet clear point. He didn't mind making fun of himself. He was a very bold, fun-loving person. I can say that I greatly admire him. I thoroughly enjoyed watching this video. It was worth the hour out of my day.



If you have not watched this video, here it is...View at your own enjoyment!!

This Is My Sentence

Blog Assignment #5

Dr. Scott McLeod is an Associate Professor at The University of Kentucky and an author. He is also a regular blogger and in his blog, "Don't Teach Your Kids This Stuff PLEASE" (Which was posted on my 17th birthday but that is neither here nor there ) he expresses his thoughts on technology in life of kids. I love the sarcasm in this post, it almost sounds like he was serious. He basically said that technology was too dangerous for children to use and all the negative things that technology can cause. For example, he uses the phrases "Sexting" and "Cyberbulling" which are both HUGE issues for underage kids. This I can agree with but in the same breathe, I can disagree with some things so I guess I can say that I am neutral. McLeod founded The Center For The Advanced Study of Technology Leadership In Education which is dedicated to the technological needs of needs of school administrators. Oh the irony!! I enjoyed reading his blog post because it actually made me really look at the dangers of the Internet and other technologies. I know that when I become a secondary educator, I am really going to have to monitor how my students do with technology and remind them about the dangers.

Travis Allen
WHAT AN EXTREMELY ACCOMPLISHED YOUNG MAN!! I totally enjoyed his youtube videos and I even joined his initiative!! After listening to iSchool, his solution to massive budget cuts, teachers being let go and the increase in class sizes affected school systems I was floored. He was only 17 years old when he came up with this solution. iSchool is basically teachers and students using Apple based products to interact with one another on an educational basis. I am so in love with this idea and I see myself using this in my own classroom.

I know that school systems have to be persuaded to use certain technologies but I think this initiative is worth the hard work and butt kissing. This solution is going to not only have the school systems money but also decrease the carbon footprint facing the world today...TEAM ECO-FRIENDLY! I have a question: WHO WOULD NOT WANT TO SAVE $450 per student per year when you have well over 10,000 in your school system?! It's beyond amazing! I'm so excited to be apart of the technological educational revolution.

I just have one concern: Although, technology is the new innovative thing, but how often will the technology have to be upgraded? How will all the progress be backed up? How is all the students' and teachers' information being protected? Maybe I can just email Mr. Allen and see what his solution is.

Eric Whitacre
This is an amazing work of orcestrial art. I have never in my 20 years of living heard something so beautifully composed. I was astonished to read Jennifer's comment saying that these people never met and are from all over the world. The harmony was beyond incredible. I thoroughly enjoyed that video!

Kevin Roberts
After watching this video, I can say that Mr. Roberts was very informative but very boring at the same time. I would have rather a video of him talking about these issues than having to read at a fast pace like that. Now to the task at hand, Roberts expression about 21st century teaching leads back to technology. Using the social sites, search engines, etc. that students use on a daily basis outside of the classroom. He does have a point, but he is basically making the same point as the rest of the "modernizers". Keep in mind, this is just my opinion. Also keep in mind that this is my blog as well. His position is ABSOLUTELY CORRECT! As educators, we have to be filters to the internet. Anything can be posted to Wikipedia so as an instructor, it would be my job to make sure that my students had the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Reading Rocket:
The first thing you notice when you go on the Reading Rockets website is that fact that the website is not just for teachers but for principals, librarians, parents and other professionals. This lets me know that this is not just a site for teachers but for EVERYONE! I know that this website will most definitely come in handy when I begin my teaching career.

Right off the bat I saw so many resources that could be used in my classroom. As a student who has an issue with comprehension, I have to read over something more than once to actually understand what is being asked of me. The comprehension apps caught my attention. With applications such as Aesop's Quest (teaching students to memorize that elements of the story), MiniMod's Reading for Details ( instructing students on the 'who, what, when, why, and how' rules of reading a story), and Opposite Ocean ( teaching students antonyms) would be great for 6-8th grade students. Apps like these would give middle schoolers the tools needed to build a good academic school record.


Not only does this site give resources for teaching students, it also provides resources for first year teachers (i.e. ME upon graduation). Clicking on the First Year Teacher's link, then clicking on "Become A Teacher: A Survival Guide for New Teachers", it leads you to The US Department of Education. Here you will see titles such as, "Working with Veteran Teachers", "Working with Parents" and "Working with Principals". In more common words, this guide takes you step by step in dealing with the people that you are going to interact with on a daily basis in your 1st year and however many years that you plan to teach. GRRREAT RESOURCE for teachers.

Blog Assignment #4

Langwitches Listening-Comprehension-Podcasting
One word to describe this video: EFFECTIVE. This video basically focuses on grade level instructors who utilize podcasting and vodcasting. These two terms may seem the same but vodcasting involves video. In the video, I learned that podcasting can be beneficial to students whether he or she is in class or not. Teachers can put these voice recordings of the lecture that day online for students to go back and listen to. I recall while at Auburn University, one of my professors used podcasts via iTunes for students because he was going on a conference trip and would not be in class. I recall a history professor doing the same.

Although they are effective, podcasts can make a college student lazy. If a student knows that podcasts or notes are available online, then classroom attendance will most definitely be on the decline. I would sugest that instructors be careful about how much information they put in these podcasts so to avoid the decline in classroom attendance. Podcasting and Vodcasting are exceptional ways for students to really learn because they can be used in projects! Projects can be quite boring sometimes but with the pod and vodcasting technology, students can bring projects to life! I honestly believe that they would be able to retain more information like that.

Podcasting with 1st Grade
O-M-G, these kids are adorable. This teacher took an idea and ran with it and it was beyond successful. Podcasting with 1st graders can be a tad difficult because 1st grade is the level where most children are just learning to read. My 7 year old brother is in the 1st grade at Fonde' Elementary School and he has difficulty reading and learning. I'm not saying that all students are like that but I do feel as though that is something to take into consideration when thinking about using technology at this age. As I have said many times in my last posts, using something that children can familiarize with will help them learn more effectively. For example, if a football player is having trouble in math, maybe some football lingo would help him or her (yes, there are female football players) to understand the material. The children were eager to record and if you go to the page and listen to them read....THEY SOUND AMAZING!

Flat Stanley Podcast
Well, there isn't much to say about this particular article other than the children used it to learn, not only to speak Hebrew but also to learn a history lesson. The teachers and students used podcast technology to teach students about "writing scripts, listening, comprehension, collaboration, speaking skills and frequency in the target language".  These are skills that these kids are going to take with them throughout their lives. As I have said before, children can lose interest in things fast but by the looks of how technology is integrating into classrooms...Well, those days of boring chalkboards may be over.

Blog Assignment #3

Effective Peer Editing
I can honestly say after watching the "What is peer editing?",  "Writing Peer Reviews Top 10 mistakes", and reading the "Peer Edit With Perfection Tutorial", I now have a better understanding of how to evaluate a classmate's work. These videos and slideshow takes peer editing step by step.
 Step 1: Compliments
 Compliments are meant to be positive remarks about a student's work. Stay Positive about it, but be honest with the student at the same time. Examples would be "I love the topic you chose" or "Your vocabulary usage is excellent!". Motivate him or her to keep up the great work.
Step 2: Suggestions
Suggestions are also meant to be positive while being specific about what should stay or be change in your peer's work. The key to this is to be as specific as possible!! Things like word choice, sentence structure, organization, topic and details are what make a student's work. Please don't cheat your classmate out of a good grade.
Step 3:Corrections
Corrections means exactly that...CORRECT what is wrong with the work. That includes grammar, sentence structure, punctuation, and spelling.

**My reaction to the kids video is that is was priceless. I have known a few students to really be like that when it came to peer editing in high school, especially the "Social Sammy". I had a friend who would always choose me to help her with her paper and her cousin was in the class as a class helper. They would talk and talk and talk and by the end of the class period, she had nothing done. I loved how accurate the kids were about those different situations. I would so watch that video over again just to listen to the interaction!!!
**My classmate's name was Jonathan Freeman. His blog post was interesting. Although, I found some grammatical errors and some interesting sentence structure, it was pretty on point. Unfortunately, I didn't let him know that so I failed in what I should have done to begin with. I can make this promise though, I will do 1000% better on my next classmate blog while keeping in mind these steps.

Part II:
Technology in Special Education
This is an awesome video created by a special education teacher to show how using technology benefits her special needs kids. The use of technology in the classroom isn't always a bad thing. Some teachers don't like computers in the classroom for fear of a student getting distracted by the world wide web.

Ms. Cook has taken what some teachers see has a distraction and turned it into an educational tool. Her students communicate using technologies such as computers. She interviewed 3 different student about using the computer and asked them if it made their assignments easier. All 3 answered with the same answer: Yes. The students even got a better understanding of the assignments as in the case of the student using the iPod Touch to listen to his book. She also stimulated the students' eagerness to learn with interactive video. This, I would think, helps the student to visualize what he or she is attempting to understand. As I have said before, not all students are auditory learners. Most are visual.

I see myself using computers in my classroom in order for my students to do presentations, check the class blog that I'm going to create, allow them to communicate with other blogging students, etc. I want to also teach them about "Internet Awareness". They would learn what is and what is not safe information to put out into the cyber world. As for my special needs students, I would try to get funding for iPads so that they could use them to better communicate and understand what is going on in the classroom. This would require me to find different apps for them but I know that it would be worth it, just to know that the student learned at least one thing in my class that day.

How the iPad works with academics for autism???
Technology in the classroom is an awesome idea, especially for those students with special needs. As I have said in the previous post, students have different learning styles. In most classrooms, a teacher will encounter students with disabilities similar to Autism. What is Autism? According to http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism, autism is defined as a child's inability to communicate and interact in social environments.

"These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors"

There are applications provided by the Apple Store that can help students who live with Autism. Since I will be teaching secondary education/ social studies, I think that finding an app for my subject would be a little difficult. Although, there was one application that caught my eye as I searched through the iTunes Store. The application is called Virtual History ROMA. This app sends students on a virtual tour of ancient Rome. In my mind, a student can learn more by seeing history, instead of just reading about it in a textbook.

Gary Hayes Social Media Count
Basically this site is a counter for how the world is updating on a second by second basis. Even as I type this blog, the counter is increasing more and more. The more the counter increases, the more technology is going to change. By the time that I am a professional educator, numerous of new improvisions are going to be made.

For my future profession, this may also mean that I am going to have to become more creative with my teaching techniques. I have always thought outside the box when it came to almost everything that I have done in my life. Now the question has become: "What am I going to do with the time I have now?" Basically, technology builds on top of one another. I feel as though if you know how to operate past programs then you will be able to operate the newer models based on basic knowledge.

Michael Wesch: A Vision of Students Today
This video was astonishing. The statistics (percentages and ratios) were mind blowing. I can actually relate to this video, considering I am included in those statistics. Many students, not just college, suffer from bordem in class because all the professor is paid to do is talk, talk, talk, talk, talk and did I mention TALK. The homework or assignments, in my opinion, are good practice to learn the material but by the same token, can be a complete waste of time. Come on, we only read (not learn) enough to get through the next class discussion and sometimes the information that you are reading is NOT EVEN RELEVANT!!! It can sometimes be a complete waste of time and money used to pay for the books. It is beyond important to obtain a diploma and degree in this day and age.

I agree that technology is a more effective way to get work done. When using technology, a teacher can combine the assignment or homework with what the student tinkers with all day, everyday...HIS OR HER COMPUTER. Most, if not all, kids these days are technologically savvy and will be more than happy to get up to a computer. I, personally, loved this video. I think I am going to post it to my facebook page to see what my fellow students actually think.

A DMAC Production

TechIntersect by Bill Genereux

To be honest, I have only commented twice on Mr. Genereux's blog. He has some interesting stuff posted. I saw the latest post about the father that shot his daughter's computer 7 times because of the note she posted on Facebook. On the social site, individuals are allowed to post notes. Well this little girl did just that. She posted a note on how she didn't like the way her father worked her. I responded to that by saying that I thought he could have handled the situation better than shooting the girl's computer. That was a total waste of money spent on the computer. The computer was an HP and I know from experience that an HP computer is well over $1000. All I could do was shake my head.

Another post that I commented on was a post about the "cat posters". If you know anything about this, then you know the famous "Leaving Me Hanging" poster with the kitten hanging from the clothes line. I just want to say that I am an animal lover! I wanted to be a vet for the longest. That was my whole reason for attending Auburn University was for the vet program. I still want to work with animals but it may be on a voluntary basis now.

I want to say that I am going to keep checking in on his blog. As I said before, he has some very interesting blog posts.

Blog Assignment #2

Did You Know? 3.0- A John Strange Version

I will say that this is an entertaining yet very informative youtube video. The background music sounded like it came from the "Star Wars" or "Lord of The Rings" soundtrack. I can say that I was shocked at some of the statistics in the video. For example, I did not know that over a million people can watch ONE youtube video in ONE minute. 

That is mind boggling and the cell phone statistic just blew my mind. 85% of high school students own a cellular phone. Please keep in mind that high schoolers range from 13-18 years of age, maybe older. I will say that I'm not surprised though because my father just bought my 10 year old sister a cell phone for her 10th birthday. I just hope that this doesn't distract her from what she is supposed to be concentrating on, which is school.

It is a scary thought about how much information we put into the world wide web unknowingly. Facebook is the hottest social network to hit the web since myspace. On Facebook, individuals give personal information, even though they are instructed not to. The web, although very helpful, can turn very dangerous if not used with wisdom. For example, a child meets someone on the internet and think it's okay to go meet this stranger in person. I feel as though internet use should be limited by parents when it concerns children. It doesn't just have to stop at the internet; computers, cell phones, cars, television. Just tonight my 7 year old brother asked me could he do his black history report on Kevin Hart. Kevin Hart is a famous actor/comedian. He can sometimes use inappropriate language, not suitable for children. There lies the question: Is it the fault of the entertainer or the parent of the child watching? 

Mr. Winkle Wakes

This is a "cute" modernized version of the classic story about Rip Vanwinkle, a man who slept for 100 years and awoke to find that things in his word had changed drastically. This mini movie shows the technological innovations of the 21st century in comparison to other centuries past. For example, when he entered the office building and found the computers, phones, and fax machines. It would have surprised me as well if I had woken up after 100 years and found that I could take to someone across the country on a TV screen. As Mr. Winkle ventures out into the new world, he is a little disturbed that he could not find any familiarity until he came across the school. 

The school is where Mr. Winkle was more comfortable because the teacher was using the same format of teaching as the teachers did back in his day. The instructor would stand in front of the class and lecture to his/her students. In today's world or should I say in Dr. Strange's world, this would be a "burp back" teacher; which we are all striving not to be. Although, what the modern-day teacher is teaching is the same premise as the teachers back then. The modern-day schooling has added more to the course of study for the students. It's not just reading, writing and arithmetic anymore. It's Reading, Literature, Social Studies, Sciences, Math, Physical Education, etc. 

Sir Ken Robinson and The Importance of Creativity


I want to start by saying wow! That video was so entertaining and profound. Sir Ken Robinson is a very entertaining character. He presents important information with a comical kick. His theory is that education is dulling out the art of creativity. Some of the best minds in the world stem from creative thinking. He is saying that most students hide their "creative capacities" because they are scared of being wrong. In a sense, the phrase "there are no wrong answers" is null and void.

I love how he makes his point with the story about the choreographer for the stage play "Cats". As a child she was active and couldn't remain still. She felt as though she didn't fit in at school because she moved so much. Her mother thought something was medically wrong with her but her counselor showed her mother that all the little girl wanted to do is dance. So the little girl was placed in a dance academy and she fit right in.  Question: What if her counselor had never shown the little girl's mother that she was a dancer? My verdict is that we would have missed out on the wonderful world of a broadway hit.

Students have different ways of learning. Some of those ways may not be traditional. I am a auditory learner, meaning that I learn by hearing things over and over again. I am also the "hands-on" type. I think his point is that if you want a child to thrive in the classroom, figure out a way that will fit his or her learning style but also do it in a way in which the child doesn't have to lose his/her creativity.

A Vision for  21st Century Learning


I would say that the arguments of this video is based namely upon how students are being instructed in the classroom, in that they are not really getting any instruction at all. The student comes to class 5 days a week and a teacher crams information into their brains. The student only absorbs enough for the test and then forgets the valuable information. In all actuality, this argument is quit accurate. I, myself, used this same method in high school.

The makers of the video talked about making learning more entertaining to children by producing educational video games. In my opinion, this would be a great way for students and teachers to interact without the student getting bored. For example, my cousin plays "Call of Duty: Black Ops" for hours a day. If a child, as shown in the video, had something similar to the Black Ops video game then they would be more likely to retain that information.


Vicki Davis: A Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts

Vicki Davis is doing and excellent job in taking children from a rural city in Camilla, GA and connecting them to other student half way around the world. She doesn't restrict her students just to textbooks. She teaches the same course material but she teaches it in a way that students can explore outside the text. She says that going into education, teachers shouldn't think that they have to know everything. They should allow the students to teach them sometimes.

Mrs. Davis has created an award-winning blog and introduce students to "Digi Teen" which is a site for students to post their writings and research on the subject of "digital citizenship". Her students seem to enjoy it very much. In 2009, Mrs. Davis was able to take her students the Middle East!!! How awesome is that?!?!?!?! I don't know too many teachers that have that ability.

My Wordle Creation

This was a fun exercise!!! The Elements of My Introduction

Blog Assignment 1

I can be somewhat of the model type when I want to be :)

I want to start off by saying "WWWWAAAAAARRRRR EAGLE, HEY!" I'm Daphney McFadden and I'm a transfer student from Auburn University. I am originally from the beautiful city of Mobile, Alabama. I have lived with my grandparents since the age of 5. My parents were never married but both have played vital roles in my life. My dad married when I was about 5 or 6. Together my dad and step mom have two daughters, Destiny and Derica. My mother is now divorced after 8 years of marriage. Together, my mom and stepfather have three children; Melaine, Michael and William. My passion is Education because I want to be an inspiration to a student as some of my teachers were to me.

 I attended Auburn University for 2 years, majoring in Liberal Arts/History. My original reasoning for attending Auburn was the university's vet program but I was too late turning in my application to the vet school. Unfortunately family issues moved me back home. My mother's divorce, my grandfather's health and my great grandmother's continuing medical issues. The divorce completely wrecked my mother, financially and emotionally. This among other things I would rather not speak on at this time. When I arrived at USA, I found the opportunity to enter into the College of Education. Education is in my blood...literally. My paternal grandmother was a math teacher at Tuskegee University and Blount High School. Her daughters followed suit. My Aunt Griselda, who is the eldest of three, is a Speak Pathologist for the Mobile County Public School System. My Aunt Alesia, who is the middle child, just recently received her PhD in African American Studies (I think). My mother always told me that if I failed to plan then a planned to fail.

When I was thinking of what I wanted to do with the rest of my life, I thought about my high school years. My freshmen year of high school, my class totalled at about 800+ students. By 2009 (my graduation year), my class size was 153. I found that to be astonishing and unacceptable. I felt as though the students did not have enough positive attention home and "vented" his/her frustrations out at school. This caused the student to get into some kind of trouble at school. I made up my mind that I wanted to start a mentoring program between upper and lower classmen; juniors and seniors mentoring freshmen and sophomores. This is still my plan but, as I said before, I still would love to be an educator. I can be a bit of a "hard butt" (censorship) but I feel as though children need it with a mixture of love and attention. This is what my former Cisco Instructor, Mr. Andrew Large, would call "tough love".

What being an educator means to me is being a child's second parent (minus the physical punishment). To me, being an educator means being a counselor. To me being an educator means presenting useful information to a child in a well-organized manner and then having that child to be able to SHOW me that he or she has learned that concept. I know that I am going to be the hands on type of instructor because that is how I learn. An educator is not just a teacher of academics but also of life skills. As my mother taught me, I will teach my students "If you fail to plan then you plan to fail". I plan on teaching them time management skills as well to better prepare them for the next level. As presented in "Randy Pausch on Time Management". Dr. Paush was a young, enthusiastic college professor who lectured about how to set goals and manager time. He was very entertaining when he spoke which, in turn, made people interested in what he had to say. Unfortunately he lost his battle cancer and died at the age of 47. As I watched the video, I learned the steps to Time Management: Make a plan. Set a goal. Achieve that goal. (this is the summarized version). I am going to have my students to set a goal for themselves and I want them to have it done by the end of the semester.

I hope to become an EDUCATOR, not a "burp back" teacher.