The Internet has a huge impact on kids today. It is the way they keep in touch with their friends via Myspace, Facebook, and AIM. It is also the way they learn. For example, the video shows a girl who is anorexic. She explores on the internet way that she can stay thin and tips to make purging burn less. She also finds support on the internet. Other anorexic girls praise each other on their progress of becoming thing. Likewise, the video explains the story of a boy who committed suicide. He found websites that taught techniques for suicide, and he even made an online friend who was supportive. I believe the internet can have a positive impact on kids today. It is a way they can keep in touch with their friends. Also, it is a way for them to learn things that kids are afriad to ask their parents. Topics such as dating and sexuality are very sensitive. Some kids might feel uncomfortable talking to their parents about these topics, so they can go on the internet and find more about it.
I sometimes worry about the internet's impact. I worry that kids do not know how to monitor and control themselves. Kids need to realize that the Internet is very open, and anyone will be able to see what they post. Some people do not realize that their action may hurt them in the future. For example, the video tells the story of a girl named Jess who has the online identity of "Autumn". She posted what some consider provacative pictures online, and people on the school community found them. I like how the video showed students how to handle cyberbullying. Since Internet is a huge part of the world today, teachers must teach students at a young age the consequences of their decisions online. They should also teach them how to avoid sexual predators and bullying online.
Personally, I love social networking websites because it helps me keep in touch with people I meet. For example, I had a best friend in the 5th grade. But due to the change of school boundaries, we were placed into different schools after the 6th grade. We still tried to keep in touch, and we even hung out once in a while. By high school, we were placed in the same high school, but after freshman year she was transferring to another school because she was moving. I didn't talk to her for about 3 years. Then suddenly she found me on Myspace. She told me "we used to be best friends, what happened?" Then we decided to meet one time. It turns out she still lived really close to me, but we just went to different high schools. She then told me she was moving to Italy in 2 weeks. I was so grateful that we found each other, and I got to see her before she left.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
$$$ For Grade$
Blogs read:
http://rachelsedreflections.blogspot.com/
http://angeladodge.blogspot.com/
http://johnlundy.blogspot.com/
After reading the three blogs, I have mixed feelings about paying students for grades. I believe that it can motivate students to do well and school and strive for good grades, but at the same time students will study for the money rather than the for learning itself.
Rachel made a good point that money may influence students temporarily. Perhaps if they decide to cancel this plan halfway through a student's high school career, students may no longer be motivated to study hard. Also money may influence students to study hard in high school, but it may not influence them to study higher education. Rachel also made the point that this money can be used to improve resources in the school. Many of the poorer schools cannot afford the technologies that richer schools have. Many students benefit from technologies such as Smartboards and dynamic software. Technology can engage students in active learning.
Angela also pointed out that paying students for grades may result with "greedy and spoiled kids." I know my whole life I was taught that money does not make the world go round. It seems that paying kids contradicts this moral value. Also, Angela made the point that the money comes from private donations now, but it might end up coming from taxpayers. What if the taxpayers vote against this? Like I said before, students may lose interest when that incentive is gone. Also, the future taxpayers of America are the students of today. If students learn to become greedy and soiled, are they willing to pay taxes to pay students in school? It seems like the system is flawed.
John also brought up my concern about students falling back when they have no incentives. But I really like the point he made by stating that $25 might be too much. One concern I have is, how much is enough to influence students? I bet that students will not be motivated if they were only paid $1 for a C. But $25 is still a good amount of money per grade. Perhaps students will strive for a C rather than an A with the notion that he or she will still get paid as long as he or she gets a C. Money may provide slight motivation, but maybe not motivation to achieve one's fullest.
After reading an analyzing the blogs, I believe that money may not be the best way to motivate students. There seem to be a lot of flaws with this system, and it contradicts with some moral values.
http://rachelsedreflections.blogspot.com/
http://angeladodge.blogspot.com/
http://johnlundy.blogspot.com/
After reading the three blogs, I have mixed feelings about paying students for grades. I believe that it can motivate students to do well and school and strive for good grades, but at the same time students will study for the money rather than the for learning itself.
Rachel made a good point that money may influence students temporarily. Perhaps if they decide to cancel this plan halfway through a student's high school career, students may no longer be motivated to study hard. Also money may influence students to study hard in high school, but it may not influence them to study higher education. Rachel also made the point that this money can be used to improve resources in the school. Many of the poorer schools cannot afford the technologies that richer schools have. Many students benefit from technologies such as Smartboards and dynamic software. Technology can engage students in active learning.
Angela also pointed out that paying students for grades may result with "greedy and spoiled kids." I know my whole life I was taught that money does not make the world go round. It seems that paying kids contradicts this moral value. Also, Angela made the point that the money comes from private donations now, but it might end up coming from taxpayers. What if the taxpayers vote against this? Like I said before, students may lose interest when that incentive is gone. Also, the future taxpayers of America are the students of today. If students learn to become greedy and soiled, are they willing to pay taxes to pay students in school? It seems like the system is flawed.
John also brought up my concern about students falling back when they have no incentives. But I really like the point he made by stating that $25 might be too much. One concern I have is, how much is enough to influence students? I bet that students will not be motivated if they were only paid $1 for a C. But $25 is still a good amount of money per grade. Perhaps students will strive for a C rather than an A with the notion that he or she will still get paid as long as he or she gets a C. Money may provide slight motivation, but maybe not motivation to achieve one's fullest.
After reading an analyzing the blogs, I believe that money may not be the best way to motivate students. There seem to be a lot of flaws with this system, and it contradicts with some moral values.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Vision of Students Today
Both videos show that technology is growing rapidly, and many of the hobbies students do today are not the same as their parents. For instance, students spend several hours a week going on Facebook, blogging, talking on their cell phone, and listening to their ipods. And they do these things while they are studying or doing homework. Students are spending more time on the internet than reading a book. Also students in the first video admit that they buy textbooks they never read, teachers don't know their name, and students don't come to class. These statistics shows that technology is changing, and they need to be used in the classroom. Students are learning differently than they were 40 years ago, but teachers are using the same methods of teaching. Therefore, I believe that students are not striving to meet their full potential.
I believe it is my responsibility to be an agent of change in the classroom to meet student expectations. I admit that I myself fall asleep in class when the teacher lectures for 50 minutes and does not actively engage students in their lesson. I believe that it is my responsibility to keep my students interested in the subject, and one way is to relate to them. Many students learn by doing, so I should have them actively inolved in the classroom rather than passively sitting while I lecture. When I was in high school, calculators enhanced my understanding of different functions by representing them in different ways: graph and table. I know this technology was not around when my calc teacher was in school, but my teacher encouraged us to learn additional features of the graphing calculator on our own. One of the videos states that many students will have jobs that don't exist yet. I feel the same way about educational technology. I will be using things in my classroom that have not been invented. Since students spend a lot of time on the internet, I think it would be beneficial to have a clas website. If a student is sick one day and misses class, they can see what they missed on the website. Also, I can put up links to other interactive websites related to the lesson. Then students can view these websites to enhance their learning. Technology is a great way for teachers to relate to and communicate with their students.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Creativity and Schools
Blogs I read:
http://acttwointermission.blogspot.com/
http://jzhang7.blogspot.com/
http://angeladodge.blogspot.com/
From the blogs I've read, it seems that schools are preventing creativity in students. Many schools focus on grades and put emphasis on math and science rather than the fine arts. Schools emphasize the importance of grades, so students feel that there is only one right answer. Students are also afraid to answer questions because they are afraid of being wrong. Therefore, students cannot use their creativity to find a new or alternative answer or way of doing something. Schools do not encourage the fine arts, which include music, art, and dance. Many high schools require 4 years of mathematics, but they do not have a music requirement. Thus, schools praise each student's individual talents.
I agree with my classmates' opinions. I knew many students in high school who did not take art classes or band/choir because there is no honors section. These students state that art and music will drop their GPA because they are not weighted. Also when I was in high school, my parents discouraged me from doing band because they thought that taking more math and science will benefit me better. Many students believe that intelligence is defined by the grades they get. However, there are many types of intelligence. Some people are good math, while others are good at music. Some people are good with interacting with people, and some people are good at understanding their own feelings. Schools should nurture all types of intelligence rather than place emphasis on grades.
In my future classroom, I would like to show students there are more than one right answer. Although in math, sometimes there literally is only on answer, but many times there are multiple of ways of solving a problem. I want to teach students several approaches to solving problems and let the students choose which way they understand the best. I also want students to learn from their mistakes. In a math classroom, students can correct their mistakes, and it will show they can learn. I also want to encourage students to do other things, such as sports and the fine arts. I have had many teachers that were supportive of other activities I did, and I want to do the same with my students. I want students to explore their creativity outside of the classroom.
http://acttwointermission.blogspot.com/
http://jzhang7.blogspot.com/
http://angeladodge.blogspot.com/
From the blogs I've read, it seems that schools are preventing creativity in students. Many schools focus on grades and put emphasis on math and science rather than the fine arts. Schools emphasize the importance of grades, so students feel that there is only one right answer. Students are also afraid to answer questions because they are afraid of being wrong. Therefore, students cannot use their creativity to find a new or alternative answer or way of doing something. Schools do not encourage the fine arts, which include music, art, and dance. Many high schools require 4 years of mathematics, but they do not have a music requirement. Thus, schools praise each student's individual talents.
I agree with my classmates' opinions. I knew many students in high school who did not take art classes or band/choir because there is no honors section. These students state that art and music will drop their GPA because they are not weighted. Also when I was in high school, my parents discouraged me from doing band because they thought that taking more math and science will benefit me better. Many students believe that intelligence is defined by the grades they get. However, there are many types of intelligence. Some people are good math, while others are good at music. Some people are good with interacting with people, and some people are good at understanding their own feelings. Schools should nurture all types of intelligence rather than place emphasis on grades.
In my future classroom, I would like to show students there are more than one right answer. Although in math, sometimes there literally is only on answer, but many times there are multiple of ways of solving a problem. I want to teach students several approaches to solving problems and let the students choose which way they understand the best. I also want students to learn from their mistakes. In a math classroom, students can correct their mistakes, and it will show they can learn. I also want to encourage students to do other things, such as sports and the fine arts. I have had many teachers that were supportive of other activities I did, and I want to do the same with my students. I want students to explore their creativity outside of the classroom.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Modern Technology
In some situations, it is OK for teachers to choose to use modern technologies into their instruction, but in other situations teachers must use these technologies. There are many innovations that teachers can choose whether or not use. For example, many math teachers use "smart boards" in the classroom. It is an interactive white board in which teachers can use to display powerpoint presentations. Students and teachers can use some sort of stylus of pen to "write" on the smart board, and the writings will register onto the computer. Then, the teacher can save the work of the students. Although smart boards are a useful tool, they are not necessary. Many teachers still write notes with chalk on a blackboard, which still gets the content out to the students. However, there are many technologies that will influence the content a student learns. For example, in the math classroom calculators are used commonly. Although it is important for students to do simple math in their heads or with paper and pencil, calculators while make higher level math quicker and easier to do. If students have calculators, they spend more time grasping harder concepts than doing busy work with the "easier" math concepts. We are also living in a time where the Internet is used a source. Some teachers prefer for their students to go the library and use actual books then look up information on the Internet. However, the internet does valuable information, and teachers should spend some time teaching their students what are "good" and "bad" sources on the internet. I believe it is becoming inevitable for students to be looking on the internet for information. It is one of the quickest ways for students to find information. Technology should be used in the classroom, as long as it does not substitute for learning. Teachers should have the choice to use technology, unless a lack of technology makes content outdated.
Welcome
Hi! My name is Jennifer Santiago. I prefer to be called Jenny, but Jennifer is alright. Many people also call me Jen, and in rare cases Nifer. Get it? I really don't care. I am from a suburb of Chicago called Hanover Park. Sometimes I tell people I am from Carol Stream because I live near the border of Carol Stream and Hanover Park. In fact, my high school was in Carol Stream. So, if you've heard of either town, that is where I'm from. Why am I here? I am at the University of Illinois because I was destined to go here. Many of my "cousins" who are really friends of the family went to this school. Most of them are significantly older than me, but somehow they influenced me to go here with out literally saying "Go to U of I." Maybe its the orange and blue that influenced me. I am here to study Math - secondary ed, and hopefully I'm heading to become a math teacher. I never thought about becoming a teacher until my senior year of high school. I never knew what I wanted to do with my life. Many people tried to convince me to become a nurse because every Filipino is a nurse. I considered nursing for a while until my mom asked me, "Is that really what you want to do? You're good at math, maybe you can do something with that." I thought about, and I realized I love math. (At least, high school math.) And I enjoyed tutoring math. So hopefully I'm on the path to become a high school math teacher. I also hope to get married someday, have kids (not now), and have a decent salary so I can enjoy my retirement.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
