Anticipation Guide...It WORKED!

I chose the Jim Valvano ESPY award speech http://www.americanrehetoric.com/speeches/jimvalvanoespyaward.htm for my topic to complete this week's assignment.  I was able to pull the video up and show it to my health/wellness classes.  The students didn't know who Jim Valvano was (made me feel old) and didn't have a clue about who Arthur Ashe was (the person for whom the award is named.)  At least some of them (mostly the boys) had heard of the ESPY's and knew they were awards given by ESPN.  It surprised me that they listened with attention, and seemed moved by the speech. After showing the video to the classes, though, I decided that they needed some background information, so I made up a "Prior Knowledge Questions" page.  It had 4 questions that I knew they would be able to quickly find the answers to during computer lab. I think by adding the Prior Knowledge Questions, it made the Anticipation Guide more effective, and watching the video a little more meaningful. If you haven't seen this speech, I encourage you to do so. 

Purcell: Wary of the technologically aware - Aurora Sentinel: Columnists

Purcell: Wary of the technologically aware - Aurora Sentinel: Columnists: My new cell phone calls people on its own.

Using Anticipation Guides in Reading - PrometheanPlanet

Using Anticipation Guides in Reading - PrometheanPlanet

Anticipation Guide | Classroom Strategies | Reading Rockets

Anticipation Guide | Classroom Strategies | Reading Rockets

Just When You Think You've Got Things Figured Out....

This week's assignment was to work on the delicious.com site.  I have been looking for websites that will further my knowledge of using technology in the classroom. I've also bookmarked sites that just plain interest me. Some have to do with health, physical education, and coaching.  Some have to do with other areas of education.  Then there are the sites that I bookmarked just for fun.

I have no idea if what I've done on the delicious.com site is what is required for this class.  Is anybody else confused with delicious.com or with this web blog we're supposed to be doing?  I have no problem understanding the quizzes. You read the chapters, then take the tests.  Straightforward.  It's the assignments that I don't completely "get."  I'm frustrated.  And if this blog is not the place to vent my frustrations, then I don't know where it would be.

I've begun to work on the anticipation guide - our next assignment.  I've chosen the speech, and it is one that I can use in my class.  I've got some questions in mind, and I think this assignment shouldn't be too hard.

 I looked on the classroom blog and there were 21 comments.  Seven of them - one-third - of the comments are from me. I haven't seen anybody else's blogging on here - just mine  Guess I just talk (or type) a lot.  I come by it honest, though. My dad is one of the best yarn spinners around.  Just ask anybody in Carter County.

This is Old Eagle saying happy fall y'all...as it will officially be autumn on the 23rd.

Power Point Assignment

I had never created a power point presentation before completing the one assigned for the technology class.  I would like to have had a lesson on creating a power point, though...something I could read rather than look at a power point to learn how to create a power point.  It would have been helpful if I'd seen what each of the buttons would let you do.  My project was very simple.  I put in some features that made each slide come in at different angles.  It was confusing trying to find the correct format for how I wanted to place text and clip art on the page.  I didn't include a self-test or questions at the end, so I had points taken off for that.

Some teachers, though, get too carried away using power points.  It's just like using anything else...overuse kills the effect.  I had a college teacher tell our class, "If you come into the class and stand on your head, the class will pay attention to you.  But if you come into class everyday and stand on your head, then it becomes mundane and BORING."  It's no longer something new.

This is Old Eagle telling you that I'm gonna be keeping both feet on the ground.  I'll not stand on my head, but I might try to fly.

iPods, iPhones, and IPads...OH MY!

iPods, iPhones, iPads.   Kindles, Nooks, Tablets, and Readers.  While looking through the weekend sales papers, I noticed that CVS had a Craig Wireless Touch Screen Tablet for $99.99.  It is described as a 7" mobile internet device.  There's also a LookBook Wireless Reader for $59.99. It has a 7" full color screen aned comes with 150 FREE books.  CVS?  Isn't it a drug store?  Since when have they gone into the electronics business?  While Walgreens didn't have any electronic items on sale, a check with the local store confirmed they carried the items.  So I continued my search for more "hot deals on top tech."  Toys R Us has any MP3 Players @ 50% off their original price.  For $49.99 you could get the Polaroid 8GB touch Screen MP3 Player with Video AND a $10 gift card..  A Kindle Wi-Fi could be had for $114.99 also a $10 gift card with purchase. If you buy an ASUS Eee Pad with Android 3.0 Honeycomb for $399.99, you'll get a $30 gift card for free.  And we all love things that are FREE.

While you might expect to find these electronic gizmos in an electronics store, the availability of them at drug stores, toy stores, and department stores is a testimony to the availability and affordability of products either not invented or was only used by hi-tech or wealthy people.  

We have been studying how technology has changed the way people receive information and how schools use such technology in the learning process.  Most of these devices weren't available when the textbook was published, so they are not included. 

 The one thing that bothers me with all this new technology is the small size of the screens.  The tablets are a little better, but once you hit 40, your iBalls just don't see as well as they used to.

TGIF

A "week" in Technology for Educators goes from Monday to Sunday, with most assignments being due on Sunday night.  The second week of class (officially named Week 1) will end on September 4, and our assignments will be due on that date.  I finished taking my test.  Didn't have a perfect score, but I did pretty good.  Some of the questions were confusing - I think that's how they're supposed to be.  I do not like doing true/false questions, and there were a lot of them on Test 1.  I am almost finished with my Theorist paper.  Hope to finish it tonight so I can upload it, and be finished for the weekend.  While I'm still unsure if I'm doing things the way Dr. Rubin wants it, I'm plugging along....This is Old Eagle wishing you a safe and happy Labor Day weekend.  See ya on the flip side.