Final Reflection!!!

          I learned many valuable things from this class. I most enjoyed learning how to make a website. I have always wanted to be able to do that and now I know a quick and easy way. I will definitely utilize a website when teaching in the field. I think it is an excellent way to relay information to the students. Among other things I really enjoyed making and editing videos for the public service announcement. I feel confident making videos for other purposes as well, including demonstrations for class or student performance for assessment purposes.
          It was kind of frustrating at first to only be given short instructions and then be let loose on assignments. Now I appreciate it more than ever. The technology we used this semester is not all that complex. It just takes some time and tinkering to figure out most programs. It is not practical to expect someone to be at your beckon call to show you how to use every new program that comes out. I have a better appreciation for figuring things out on my own.
          I have always enjoyed using technology, but I have never been proficient with any one thing by any means. After listening to all of the gospel insight presentations I am excited about what technology can do for the spreading of the gospel. I feel like so often we hear about the evils of technology, and the presentations were a weekly reminder of all of the good things that technology has to offer.
          I plan to be a PE teacher, but I never even thought about using technology in a PE setting before this year. I was schooled in a non-technology setting for PE, and it will be interesting to integrate it into classroom learning for future students.
Thanks for a fun and useful class!!

App Appreciation Day

I have a feeling like somewhere along the way I will end up using an app for class work. In all honesty though, i really don't want to! I enjoyed learning about them in class and I am truly amazed at what technology allows us to do in the palms of our hands. But I think kids need to step back and have some good old fashion class instruction. A piece of paper to take home is a good thing every once in a while. You have to be responsible for where your assignments are, and heaven forbid we should have to learn proper hand writing. I realize that some study tools can be very helpful and so much more accessible through apps, but I don't think an app should replace traditional teaching means as the primary vehicle for learning. Giving the option is a fine idea, hence why I think I could end up using an app.
One app that I found that I think is pretty cool is called "gotomeeting." This app allows people to video conference very easily and in good quality without use of a computer. I think this could be perfect for broadcasting class for those who cannot be there(though this might actually encourage students to stay home and not come to lecture) or for parent teacher conferences. Instruction in person and conferences in person will likely remain my preference in the future, but this app allows for some leeway for both parties involved.

I Don't Like Studio Code

This whole project has been a mess! First of all, I am not enrolled in the class that takes video of student teaching. As such I ended up using Hayley M's video to edit with Studio Code. It was really hard to hear what was going on much of the time, and the sound quality was not so great until the end-- where it cuts off early.
In terms of what I learned, I suppose my circumstance is an unusual one. Since I was not the one teaching I cannot reflect on what I have learned about my own management and instruction. I will, however try to highlight things I will implement or steer clear from in my own teaching.
I think it is important when teaching younger children to set very clear guidelines at the beginning. Hayley did a great job of this when explaining what the whistle means. If the kids know you have expectations they will probably behave better, and because they were well informed you can hold them accountable. When they do act out, it is essential to hold them accountable. Josh did a great job of this when Rodney was talking at the same time as him. There must be some level of allowance given when working with so many kids. But sometimes "letting things go" can reinforce bad behavior by the kids. So with allowance comes patience. Not everyone will be on task all of the time, and sometimes you have to keep working through it the best you can. Hayley does a great job of continuing instruction while reminding th kids over and over again to stay seated.
Praising students for their good works is an excellent way to encourage them to continue with good works. Motivation is often driven by praise, so it is important to let the kids know when they are doing good things. Proper demonstration is key for students to excel. Clear demonstration from a teacher gives a non-verbal  reinforcement of instructions, usually making it easier to duplicate performance. As long as the class and teacher's instruction are organized the class will run smoothly. In the video the class was most on task when the teacher was clear in their instructions and involved in the demonstration process personally.
All of the aspects of teaching that I listed are important for me to implement into my teaching next semester when I begin student teaching. They are all crucial to creating a effective teaching environment.

Web 2.0?

I feel like many of the web 2.0 tools we talked about are already being used to promote education. Facebook, for example, is being used by schools, teachers, TA's, and other academic institutions to relay important information to students. Teachers can post assignments or resources/links on a class facebook profile. BYU uses facebook in conjunction with the tool Blackboard. Blackboard itself is a web 2.0 tool! It really is all around us, even the lowliest of internet users. The internet is becoming more and more necessary for education, and it has also become a popular form of leisure. Education facitlities around the world are realizing that they can be more effective in teaching if they link all of these tools together. If the student will already be on the internet looking up information for a project, why not post additional information on something like Facebook which will inevitably be visited in the course of research?
Other sites like Youtube are also being used already. Many of the teachers of dance classes at BYU record dance performances and assessments with a camera and post them to a special channel. The student is then able to view their dancing and listen to the feed back of the teacher to better know how to improve. This could be applied to any subject in a variety of ways.

Video: Finished Product

           Overall I would say that the video making process was very positive. I have always been hesitant to make videos because I don't have good equipment and software. The I-Movie program we used was simple and very accessible. I also enjoyed the creative aspect of the project. Sure, the editing and visual quality might not have been the best, but it was an opportunity to make a meaningful, original statement about how I feel about physical education/activity.
           I would definitely be able to create another movie if i had to. It would be a simple thing to integrate into the classroom as well. I also feel like I could teach someone the basic elements of the program we used.
           If I could change one thing about the project it would be having more time to make the video a quality presentation. I understand that the goal of this assignment for this class was to learn how to make and edit a simple video. I would have liked to focus more on the idea and meaningfulness of the video content.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLtEqcCevLs

You can watch the other video at: 
http://www.youtube.com/user/hayleybeth17#p/a/u/0/N1QtHQoRwto
 

Video: Week 2

Problems and Fixes

Well, the biggest problem I am facing is getting my actors together. I was hoping to work on the movie this weekend with my brother's family in Pleasant Grove, but his entire family got sick. Then I got sick on Sunday. I wanted to modify my original idea to include more interaction with people. My first idea allows the purpose to be displayed in about 15 seconds. I figure that since the video should be 30-60 seconds I ought to change it. So the new idea includes a short interaction between mom and a child before the child runs to the sofa and magically morphs into a potato.
I haven't had any other problems yet. I think I understand how to use the software well enough to scratch something out...

My Video

The theme I have selected for my video is "Don't be a couch potato." The idea is to encourage young people to get off the couch and exercise, whether with friends, family, or by themselves. The stage is a simple living room with a couch facing a TV. The only thing on the couch is a large brown potato. You can hear the TV in the background. After a few seconds a father walks into the room and says "Hey Timmy! Let's go play catch!" After a few seconds of waiting for reply the father will say "Timmy?" and lean over to get a better look at the potato. Then text will appear on the screen saying something like "Don't be a couch potato. Go out and play." I haven't decided if there will be music yet. I will not need any pictures or props. Just a living room and potato. The idea is simple, but uses a common enough reference/expression that it will be remembered.

Hayley M is my partner for the project and her video brings attention to how lazy people can be in everyday settings. A person will be on their way to work and will find that the elevator is out of service. After seeing this the person will refuse to go to work because the elevator is not working and maybe go home. Hayley found some elevator music she wants to use for the video. Sounds like a fun idea!

Internet Safety!

My Opinion on internet safety:

I think that the internet is an amazing tool. Amazing in both good and bad ways. It can be used for so much good, and so much can be learned/taught using it. On the flip side it can take people’s identities, ruin families, and cause addictions. In spite of the dangers associated with the internet I think there is no reason to be afraid if we are properly educated about how to use it. Not all scammers, inappropriate material, and viruses can be prevented—I think there will always be a risk involved with using the internet. But most of those problems can be avoided by an informed user.

Changes I Will Make:

From now on I will be more careful to make sure that the website name matches up with the URL heading. I did not know that some scam are based around creating clone websites with different names in order to steal your information. I will also be more careful about what kind of links I will click on. I will likely stick to the major websites that I know are safe.

Application to Those I Will Teach:

Young children, in my opinion, are the most at risk for problems related to the internet. This generation of young people use technology for so much, whether it be for leisure, assignments, work, etc . Kids are curious. They want to know what the pop up add is about. They want to find out why that sight claims to have I-pods for only 10 bucks. In teaching it will be very important to make sure that my students are educated on the potential risks involved with internet use, and how to reduce those risks.

Teaching Experience:

I taught my wife about internet safety. Soon we will be parents faced with similar concerns about our children’s internet use. My wife listened intently for about a minute and then it became more of a discussion that a traditional teaching. We talked mostly talked about what to do to avoid scams or inappropriate material. I mentioned what one of the Google sponsored safety videos said concerning safety. Much of it was similar to what church leaders have been saying for years. “Keep your computer in an open area where others can see what’s going on. Monitor the sites your children are using. Use them yourself to screen the material they are surrounded by” and so on.

What I Learned

Reflection 6

 In working on this website I feel like I have learned a valuable lesson for teaching. It's not that hard to make a website! It doesn't have to be a fancy, high tech thing. The project was definitely useful. Sure, we made these websites for the class assignments, but with a little modification I don't see why these same websites couldn't be used when we are actual teachers. I could definitely make another website if asked to. Like I said last time, I already made another website to display my ties that are for sale. Google makes it easy not only to make a simple website, but also to learn how to make them more complex.



https://sites.google.com/site/pewithmrp/
PE website

Still Pluggin' Away!

Reflection 5

The website is coming along slowly but surely. I added a Google Calendar, and it seems like it could be a useful thing for the website. In terms of everyday use I think that taking the time to fill in and color coordinate an online calendar would actually make my life harder. I also added a page called "The Star Student." This is a special page that will highlight the efforts and accomplishments of students each week. This week I will add a page including a short profile of myself. I have no questions and things are going just fine.
Any suggestions from you girls??

the impossible website just became possible

Reflection 4

          I started creating my website for this class and I felt very overwhelmed. There is so much you can do with Google Sites and it seems like too much at first. The learning process is not very hard, but it can be time consuming. After messing up my initial website a few times and not know how to revert back to what i had originally I decided that i should make a practice website. Then I remember something I have wanted to try for a while but never knew how. My practice website became a prototype tie selling business. I spent a few hours putting it together this past week, and I feel like I have a decent grasp of how to use Google Sites now. Here is a link to the website I created:   https://sites.google.com/site/provoties/home
I am excited to work more on the website for the class. I did not use any tutorials, and my only advice is to experiment with more than what is listed in the assignment.

Copyright...

I think copyright laws are a great idea. People deserve recognition and payment for their works. Most normal people don't expect handouts such as groceries or new shoes... but somehow we expect music and books and pictures to be handed to us on a silver platter. And to a certain extent they are. Copyright laws will never stop EVERYONE from stealing material, especially with the internet providing a medium that almost anyone can steal with. I don't think that copyright laws can ever be harmful. It's kind of like speed limits. Speed limits will never harm anyone. Nobody keeps them, but they surely can't hurt. Copyright laws, as I understand them at least, can only provide protection for people and their works.
I see no reason for changes to be made. Some people will continue breaking the law and others will continue creating works that need a copyrights. Stronger copyright laws might be a positive change, but the enforcement of those changes seems impossible to me, especially since so little is being done right now.

What Would I Use?

Reflection 2
IPT 286

I enjoyed reviewing the use of Google Docs. I think it is a splendid resource for group work. I started a new job working with the LDS motion picture studio the same day we talked about it, and we frequently use Google Docs. I like that a host of people can be working on something at the same time and you can watch the text change right before your eyes in real time.
Of the other resources we talked about I think Diigo seemed to be the most interesting and helpful. I always find myself returning to websites and not knowing where that tidbit of information is that I need. Diigo is perfect for doing research and keeping interesting readings within the touch of a button.
As a teacher the Google Docs resource could be important because it allows  for total class involvement in things. Just as we signed up for gospel insights using a class document, individual or group input can be compiled in any classroom setting. Students can "share" documents instead of turning them in. No more excuses for where the paper assignment is. Teachers can comment on the assignment electronically and there is no traditional waiting for assignments to be handed back. Google Docs is quickly becoming my favorite resource for teaching and learning.

Technology?

Reflection 1
IPT 286

           I have always felt like I was in the dark in terms of technology. I know how to do simple stuff like email, or using Microsoft Office. When it comes to installations, repairs, and downloading things I have always relied on help from friends. My brother is a computer genius, and he typically chuckles me and then kindly fixes my computer problems.
          I have an old phone. I know how to text and make phone calls. On occasion I am able to set the built in alarm clock as well. As old as my phone is, I know that I am able to do so much more with it... I simply choose not to. In fact, I try to avoid new things because I am quite content with the technology I have right now.
         Every new piece of technology I discover means more time spent with gadgets and less time spent enjoying things I hardly have time for right now.True, some programs or gadgets can actually save people time and reduce stress. These are the things I want to learn about in class. Nothing specific-- I just want to learn how to save time!