Thursday, July 31, 2008

BBQ Time.


As of tomorrow (after our wonderful little technology course) we will be done with our summer term!! ...sort of. Two research papers have to be written in August, but nonetheless, it's Friday and time to celebrate!!! Our class is having a barbeque, and I love that everyone is so optimistic and friendly! It is definitely important to get to know each other because I know that over the next year I will definitely need the support of my fellow students.

We talked to the previous MAC cohort today (aka last year's class), which was a nice change in the normal schedule. There was one language teacher that talked to us, and I actually learned some good info from her conversation with us!! I was really happy to hear that she actually used what we are learning in technology class with her students! I didn't think I would be able to apply a lot of the complicated online/web systems we're learning about. My brother was always the "computer whiz" and I never thought I could actually utilize what is out there. Well, watch out!! I plan on using some of the tools learned in our class with my own students. I know that it will engage them, and I should utilize the technology course while I have it!!

I just have to figure out how to remember all the steps, instructions, and sites we get in our tech course.... zut alors!

On a side note... I'm happy Chloe is bringing veggie burgers to the BBQ :) MmmmMMM.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Confusion...


The summer segment of our program is almost over and it's hard to believe. The past few weeks have been filled with lots of change, meeting new people, new information, deadlines, and technology (oh, and chatzy! ...how could I forget).

I feel that I am on a system overload and need to process all the information being given to us in order to finish the August deadlines, and start the new school year with a bang! I'm excited to see where it will lead me...

As for the technology, all I can say is that I am really, really glad we have a Mac computer for school related business (and its so convenient to carry around). Also, I am intrigued to see what kind of technology I'll be using during student teaching at Pioneer. But... I am a big promoter of forming personal relationships and the human connection. I hope that I'll be able to utilize technology in just the right amount to promote learning, but going overboard.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Voici mon secret. Il est très simple: on ne voit bien qu'avec le cœur. L'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux.


Le Petit Prince quotation in the title explains a secret, that one can only see rightly with their heart....

I think that it's really important to remember this idea while going through my year intenstive program. A lot of my classes have talked about helping students achieve both academically and personally. Therefore, opening my heart to my future students and my present MAC classmates and teachers is going to help me have more fulfilling experiences. I believe that academic and personal gains result not only from a good work ethic, but from getting to know the people around you. You must try to understand a person's background, viewpoints, passions, values, and areas of difficulty in order to develop a mutually beneficial relationship.

Also, our technology class discussion on the thoughts of John Dewey really impacted me. He believe that education is a process of living. The value of education is a concept that should be applied to the present, children have knowledge that is worth something and should be built upon. Building connections between people is very important, and it should most definitely be applied to our students. You need to meet a student half way and connect with them in order to produce meaningful results.

How scary it is to think that a teacher has the future of a child in his or her hands! Nevertheless, I have decided that I am not scared. My passion devours the terror.
I have decided this is the only way to move forward. I am going to embrace the challenges and the changes that I have experienced during the start of the MAC program. By doing so, I feel that my life lessons will help me somehow connect with my students and positively influence their lives.

On a lighter note: Remember to enjoy life, do a little dance, and travel the world.
This video may help guide you: click here!

Saturday, July 12, 2008

School Days: My thoughts on the first day of "Teaching w/ Technology"

Oh my goodness! What an incredible class... we get to learn how to utilize technology that I can use in my everyday life and towards my teaching career. Our instructors, Mr. Stanzler and Mrs. Keren-Kolb, seem like very talented and kind people. I feel that they will be able to teach us a lot, while keeping the course fun and interesting. For example, we started off with introductions and had the opportunity to create a drawing of our ideal classroom. I really liked that activity and I think it got our imaginations going. There were some amazing drawings out there! I believe that if you can imagine something, then anything is possible! The introduction to the course made me feel that if we learn how to correctly use technology, then our students will truly be able to benefit in their course. So... I am looking forward to the new school year and the new possibilities that the technology course will provide.


Before I forget, the chatzy backroom conversation site is pretty outstanding!! I love that we can chat/clear up our confusion about the class while class is going on! .... wonderful :)

And this is my new kitten.... (she is pretty wonderful as well!)


Friday, July 11, 2008

My First Blog!


Learning how to become a teacher....