As I think back on my four years of University I can’t believe how fast it has flown by. I feel I have really grown as an individual as well as professional throughout my university journey. I am excited to take on the world full force as I start teaching in Melbourne, Australia for a year in July 2011. University is not only a place where I recieved a higher education but has also allowed me to meet some of the most amazing people. The individuals in education (specially section 20) has made my four years a breeze with their support and friendships that will last a lifetime. Until we meet again, good luck with all your future endeavours!
Today will go down in history for it is my last official day of university FOREVER… for now anyway! I am beyond excited as everything is being wrapped up – coming to a close. After a presentation about a “perimeter rap” in today’s ECMP 355 class I began to reminisce about my four years in University. One of my favourite memories is the FRACTION RAP in which a few girls in my class and I created a “fraction rap” for our EMTH 215 class to help students with fractions.
When I think back to my computer skills before ECMP 355 I am positive I was sitting at about a 3. After this class, as I reflect about the semester I have seen a huge growth in my computer knowledge in which I would say I am sitting at about a 7 now! This class has really given me the confidence and motivation to just try new and different things. I never felt I had the time to learn, but after taking this class I realize that the time invested in learning ways to incorporate technology in the classroom can actually be fun and well worth it in the long run! I am very excited to share my computer knowledge with other people such as family, friends and future colleagues. The tools and resources we have learnt during this semester have not only benefited me personally but professionally as well. Thanks Alec!
My Personal Summary of Learning was created using Screenr.com. Screenr is a free and easy screen-casting device online which I enjoyed learning about and using. The hardest part of using Screenr was the fact I couldn’t go back and edit. It was one take… good or bad. After many, many…many takes I am happy with my final summary of learning which gives a brief overview of the things I have learned from this semester in ECMP 355!
SOCIAL NETWORKING HAS A HUGE IMPACT ON ONE’S IDENTITY.
Today, social networking has become a large part of one’s life, which eventually creates and constructs ones identity. Many individuals connect with social networks such as FACEBOOK, TWITTER, MYSPACE and even online dating sites. These social networking sites if not used properly are responsible for altering and/or damaging ones personal identity. It is very important for one to monitor their identity online and understand that anything that is posted on the internet can be accessed by anyone as well as interpreted and altered by anyone. When one posts something such as a photo they must ask themselves,
What does this portray about me? Is this an image I want to be associated with? Will there be any audience online that may be offended by such an image, who is my audience?
Many young adolescents have created an identity online for themselves intentionally as well as unintentionally. According to Meredith Farkas, online identity is built upon all of the things users have put online and the things people have posted about them. The World Wide Web has the ability to contort many adolescences minds of what is truly reality. Greg, in the following article recommends that academic librarians utilize social networking sites themselves in order to provide current, relevant information to the relevant parties. I feel that this can play into teachers utilizing social networking sites as well, to create relevance and act as role models for their students. The World Wide Web can be a very informative place yet a destructive place when we are uneducated about its power.
When using social networking sites be cautious of what information you are giving out… your full name, birthday or family maiden name can be detrimental to your own identity or even your real life safety. Too much information is not a good thing for it leaves you vulnerable and accessible by anyone, which can be an open door to online predators.
Educate your students, educate yourself… you wouldn’t want to post the wrong thing and have your identity transformed like these people:
UCLA Girl (A university student posts a rant about asain’s at school which end up giving her a negative outlook in which she is labeled a racist, giving UCLA a bad rep.)
Star Wars Kid (A young boy’s footage was discovered, edited and altered which has affected his emotional well-being – footage that was never suppose to be found.)
Be aware of what you post… social networking has good intentions but can have negative effects on ones identity.
We always hear that teachers need to incorporate technology in the classroom… we need to connect with the students through technology… however, what do the students actually think about the technology in the classroom? I saw “21stprincipal” on TWITTER post this article in their tweet and I have decided to share it with the rest of you! Check this article out: “What Do Kids Say Is the Biggest Obstacle to Technology at School?”
Just a little food for thought… You realize that before people are hiring individuals if that be a police officier or a teacher they are known to do a google search on the individual.. which is why i say “Google is the new buisness card.” When people GOOGLE you… what shows up? What is portrayed? Is that an image you want to be judged upon? Is it something you want to be affliated with?
I GOOGLED myself out of curiousity –Brittney Blakley and had to say i was quite pleased with what came up. Try it for yourself… type your name into the google search bar and see if what shows up seems to be an accurate depiction of yourself.
What is your opinion on people making assumptions on what they come across about an individual online? Is it fair?
Today we had a guest speaker.. George Couros (Alec’s brother) who is the principal of a elementary school in Stony Plains, Alberta. George’s presentation was based on his entry “How to be a Master Teacher” from his own professional development blog. I found today to be informative in which i would like to relay some of things discussed today that really stuck with me.
Firstly, George said “A teacher is like a swiss-army knife” in which we learn to fill many roles as a teacher… we learn to adjust to numerous situations and even though we may not have the experience we try to adapt and meet the students needs the best that we know how to.
Building Relationships: This is something that i have known, but the importance of it never stops amazing me. Students needs to feel a sense of belonging in which they are able to connect with their students beyond the classroom. Once a teacher connects with the kids, the experience just naturally builds. Connecting with students in a positive way allows teachers to build on students strengths.
Consequences: Should all students have the same consequences for the same actions??? This question was discussed in which made me second guess my initial answer. All children should be treated equally, so it seemed common sense the answer was YES.. all students should have the same consequences for the same actions. However, after a minor class debate I soon realized I was challenging my own believe.. in which Elliot stated just right – that being fair in the classroom does not necessarily mean being equal… being fair is being equitable for each student has there own needs. Treating all students the same would be silly for each student is unique!
I enjoyed George’s speech today in which it has made me rethink and want to revise my teaching philosophy, for like he stated, society is forever changing and so should our teaching.
Today, after completing the Final Project Video I am able to put all of my energy into my Personal Summary of Learning! As i go through the lists of stuff we have learned my brain feels like it is going to explode! We have learned a ton of educational tools that have not only improved my presentations during my last semester in other classes but gave me so many ways to bring technology into my own classroom one day.
There are a number of things on the top of my head that i will want to use in the future such as:
Digital Storytelling
Sound Cloud
Twitter
Google documents/ spreadsheets
JING
Wordpress (blogging)
Flickr
Diigo
YouTube and pwnyoutube.com
Prezi
mooURL
Wordle
imovie (imac)
isquint (imac)
Skype and oovoo (allows 6 face to face chatting)
engrade/ learnboost (Gradebooks)
Voicethread
Animoto
aaand this is JUST the beginning; hence why my brain is about to explode. I do know one thing though, i want to film my Summary of Learning using screenr.com.
Now the question is… how do i fit all of this into a 5 minute presentation?
Today is a great day! After several long hours we have completed our final project video using imovie HD! Danielle Degelman, Vanessa Hipkins and I would like to present to you… THE SITUATION!
My beautiful neice Haylea… it’s amazing to think how something so little can impact a life so much!
This photo was taken in Amsterdam, Netherlands during my backpacking excursion (Summer 2010). I feel this photo is a gentle reminder to live in the moment, take risks and live life to its fullest.
Brittney's ECMP 355 Blog 