What is it? Since we don't have to post this week, because it's Thanksgiving, I thought I'd go ahead and post something pretty awesome. Something I find phenomenal. Something worth sharing.
I dare say culture most definitely has something to do with the video posted below.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Powerpoint 101
Well, I now understand why we had to do our PowerPoint stories last week. Because this week we get to create and assignment for our "class" to fulfill using PowerPoint. What better way to learn how the program works than to have to use it, thoroughly?!
I think PowerPoint is a great tool. Some of the pro's about using the program are obvious.
1) Organization
2) visually appealing (hopefully)
3) Keeps the conversation/presentation focused
..among other things.
However, with every good thing there is the not-so-good. I currently have a professor who uses PowerPoint to the degree of over-kill. Big time. Not only is he totally predictable in class each day, his organization of bullet points is beyond confusing. He briefly highlights the bullet points and moves on, rather quickly. It's a hard class to get through. Every day, for an hour, the class gets to stare at the PowerPoint presentation.
I think PowerPoint could be used in a such a way that would benefit a classroom. It's a great way to mix things up. I know I have thoroughly enjoyed these types of presentations when pictures, poems, etc are present. When there's more to the presentation than horrid bullet points. This is a great way to present a research paper. It could be titled "my PowerPoint research paper" where so many slides are required, so many pictures are required, etc.
When students submit their work it would be done through PowerPoint rather than typed out and submitted. This would be a great tool because after the students finish their "research" and creating of the PowerPoint, they could combine the two and do an awesome presentation. This is how I, as a teacher, would really be able to determine how thorough they were in their research - through their presentation. I'm excited about the idea!!
I think this will be a fun assignment. I think it will be beneficial for us to really get a good feel for the PowerPoint program.
I think PowerPoint is a great tool. Some of the pro's about using the program are obvious.
1) Organization
2) visually appealing (hopefully)
3) Keeps the conversation/presentation focused
..among other things.
However, with every good thing there is the not-so-good. I currently have a professor who uses PowerPoint to the degree of over-kill. Big time. Not only is he totally predictable in class each day, his organization of bullet points is beyond confusing. He briefly highlights the bullet points and moves on, rather quickly. It's a hard class to get through. Every day, for an hour, the class gets to stare at the PowerPoint presentation.
I think PowerPoint could be used in a such a way that would benefit a classroom. It's a great way to mix things up. I know I have thoroughly enjoyed these types of presentations when pictures, poems, etc are present. When there's more to the presentation than horrid bullet points. This is a great way to present a research paper. It could be titled "my PowerPoint research paper" where so many slides are required, so many pictures are required, etc.
When students submit their work it would be done through PowerPoint rather than typed out and submitted. This would be a great tool because after the students finish their "research" and creating of the PowerPoint, they could combine the two and do an awesome presentation. This is how I, as a teacher, would really be able to determine how thorough they were in their research - through their presentation. I'm excited about the idea!!
I think this will be a fun assignment. I think it will be beneficial for us to really get a good feel for the PowerPoint program.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Picasa & Digital Camera's
This week in class we went over a newer program called PICASA. It's pretty cool. I'm able to change my pictures colors, textures, focus, etc. It's been fun to play and become acquainted with.
I really had a good time working on the scavenger hunt this week. What a great way to get familiar with the UVU Campus! All the items on the checklist were fun to hunt down! I almost wondered if I was going to run into any of my fellow classmates...but I didn't.
To be honest, I feel this weeks assignment is a bit of busy work. I typically enjoy creating the "assignment of the week" but it's been hard this go-round. I feel it is important to learn how to take pictures, import them into Picasa, and adapt them as necessary. But the idea of importing them into PowerPoint, after messing with them in Picasa seems pointless. I know stories are fun to write/read...but why are we doing this??? What's the point, exactly?
Picasa is a great tool to be familiar with. I think it will help mix things up when I'm a teacher and am posting pictures on the classroom website. I know I'll have to get student consent to post pictures of them, but after taking care of that mountain, it'll be loads of fun to create collages! I'm thinking choir tour, choir performances, choir parties, choir meetings, etc. How fun will it be, for all involved, to relive something so fun through pictures, accessible to all?!
Great, great program!
I really had a good time working on the scavenger hunt this week. What a great way to get familiar with the UVU Campus! All the items on the checklist were fun to hunt down! I almost wondered if I was going to run into any of my fellow classmates...but I didn't.
To be honest, I feel this weeks assignment is a bit of busy work. I typically enjoy creating the "assignment of the week" but it's been hard this go-round. I feel it is important to learn how to take pictures, import them into Picasa, and adapt them as necessary. But the idea of importing them into PowerPoint, after messing with them in Picasa seems pointless. I know stories are fun to write/read...but why are we doing this??? What's the point, exactly?
Picasa is a great tool to be familiar with. I think it will help mix things up when I'm a teacher and am posting pictures on the classroom website. I know I'll have to get student consent to post pictures of them, but after taking care of that mountain, it'll be loads of fun to create collages! I'm thinking choir tour, choir performances, choir parties, choir meetings, etc. How fun will it be, for all involved, to relive something so fun through pictures, accessible to all?!
Great, great program!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
CYBER-ETHICS
Wow. I was in complete shock last week when we discussed cyber-ethics. There's so much that goes on with this topic. I was especially shocked about the sexting epidemic. It makes me sick. I was also shocked about cyber-bullying. I have no tolerance for bullies, I don't care how old or young the bully may be. It's uncalled for.
After having our class discussion I facebooked many of my family members and friends. I told them all about the subject, what we had discussed, and I included a link to some of the statistics and facts we read. One of my cousins responded to my facebook email and stated his phone wasn't capable of receiving picture texts (his parents made sure of this before purchasing the phone) but he had seen sexting on his friends phones. He said it happens a lot. How pitiful. How sad.
I believe knowledge is empowering. I believe this is something we need to look at, head on, as technology isn't going anywhere. We need to stop the bullying. We need to stop the sexting. We need to stop the bullying. We need to keep our children and students from being informed incorrectly when researching ideas, topics, and questions.
I hope to find the time to really research cyber-ethics so that I will be more empowered as a future teacher and mother. I hope to find ways to explain the seriousness of these issues, while keeping the atmosphere comfortable and respectful. It seems many people laugh this off. It's not funny.
I also hope to find ways of avoiding potentially ugly situations. I want my class website to be safe for all my students. I want everyone of my links to be correct in the information posted.
I guess I'm naive about a lot of things going on in the world today. I assume people are good. I assume people are genuine. This was a big eye-opener for me.
After having our class discussion I facebooked many of my family members and friends. I told them all about the subject, what we had discussed, and I included a link to some of the statistics and facts we read. One of my cousins responded to my facebook email and stated his phone wasn't capable of receiving picture texts (his parents made sure of this before purchasing the phone) but he had seen sexting on his friends phones. He said it happens a lot. How pitiful. How sad.
I believe knowledge is empowering. I believe this is something we need to look at, head on, as technology isn't going anywhere. We need to stop the bullying. We need to stop the sexting. We need to stop the bullying. We need to keep our children and students from being informed incorrectly when researching ideas, topics, and questions.
I hope to find the time to really research cyber-ethics so that I will be more empowered as a future teacher and mother. I hope to find ways to explain the seriousness of these issues, while keeping the atmosphere comfortable and respectful. It seems many people laugh this off. It's not funny.
I also hope to find ways of avoiding potentially ugly situations. I want my class website to be safe for all my students. I want everyone of my links to be correct in the information posted.
I guess I'm naive about a lot of things going on in the world today. I assume people are good. I assume people are genuine. This was a big eye-opener for me.
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