Chapter 1: Realm of Creativity Quest

     This short chapter is something that I think every single teacher on this planet needs to read. This section does not discuss complex teaching psychology or procedures or even how to deal with students. It is very simple and black and white, which I am a HUGE fan of. Teachers have a choice to either have their class be inviting or engaging, or let it be a lifeless jail cell. Many teachers I have had over the years don't understand this concept, or they simply don't care. A classroom should be a place for fun and creativity (to a certain extent), and not a place for students to dread. I understand that going to class isn't always paradise, but seeing a teacher even attempt to provide an engaging learning setting motivates students. I believe that it is a teacher's duty to create a positive and inviting learning environment, no matter how they choose to go about it. Having a plan and a vision of exactly what you want for your students as well as your class' experience as whole can not be more important.

Classroom Netiquette Guidelines

Classroom Netiquette Guidelines:

Post-Primary Students Guide to Successful Internet Manners and Etiquette

When Emailing: Keep messages short and to the point (people, especially teachers, have many more emails to go through!

Try to avoid slang and improper grammar. (You never know who might view your stuff. Future Boss?)

If you’re not ok with the whole world seeing it, do not post it.

Do not take someone else’s work and say it’s your own. Cite your sources and don’t plagiarize.

Be careful with humor and sarcasm. Some people may not understand it and will take it the wrong way.

Only send personal information to sources and organizations you know you can trust.

Don’t be afraid to express your opinion. However, do it in a respectable, well-mannered way.

Try to respond to emails as soon as possible. It will show people you respect their time, and can help you avoid forgetting about it later.

Do not use foul language. No exceptions.

Creative Technlogies

     It is very common for me to question the new advanced technology that is constantly being introduced into our world, whether it connects with education or not. When I see a new technological tool for the first time, I'm afraid to use it because of how foreign it may seem. However, I have already been exposed to SmartBoards throughout high school, so a new and improved SmartBoard, an "8070i" SmartBoard to be exact really captured my attention. This new SmartBoard allows for things like multiple touch technology as well as a much clearer screen with more features. I would happily use this new technology over the others shown in the video simply because it is not completely foreign to me. Whether that is a fair or smart way to think, who really knows. But I do know that frankly, I would rather try something out that I have some insight on first instead of trying a completely foreign tool in which I have had no experience with whatsoever. This SmartBoard would allow for multiple students to interact and write at the same time in my classroom, which wasn't possible before. Competitive games are also more available with this tool as well, but the old SmartBoard would not allow for that. With this new technology, students will now be able to collaborate and complete group or team assignments more effectively, as everyone has the ability to document their specific input.

Fitness: Fitness Tracking App

     First off, my app of choice was the "Nike Training" app, as I felt that this app would include a well-rounded training regimen which would include more than just a simple run. However, this app would not work for whatever reason on my phone, so I had to refer to my second choice, which ended up being the "Nike+" app. This app just focuses on running, which I normally do, so I figured that this app may help me see my workout patterns and/or running specifics. I was completely new to this app, so I just figured I'd go for a run and see what it tells me afterwards.
     I proceeded to go on my first ever monitored-run in my life. Having to have my phone on me was a hassle, as it ended up being extra annoying bulk that distracted me. All I did was run from my home to the capital building and back. I had a successful, strenuous run, so I was curious what exactly it would tell me afterwards. I checked my phone once I had walked in the door to my house, and pushed the "Finish Line" button, which tells the app that i was done. For some reason I assumed that this advanced app would be able to tell when I was done, but that was not the case. This app proceeded to tell me exactly how far I had gone (3.4 miles) and how long it had taken me (26 minutes and 44 seconds). These numbers seemed about right, but by the time I figured out how to check my heart rate, I had already been done running for some tine, so that didn't seem to give me any help.
     This app was convenient, as it had a built in GPS which can sow me exactly how far I traveled, but other than that I wasn't particularly in love with it. It timed me, but that is something I can easily do on my own without having to have a bulky block in my pocket. The heart rate feature could have also been helpful to some people, but not me. Until I am older, I won't worry much about my heart rate. I have had multiple blood pressure tests and physicals done, and I know that everything is "aye-OK". In terms of my future use, I can admit that I will not likely use an app like this until I am older to monitor things like heart-rate and mileage. I can, however, see an app like this being useful as a teacher in the future. This app could possibly allow me track how much walking I did throughout my school day, or maybe it could help one of my students who wanted a detailed log of their runs. Overall, I can see how this app can be helpful to many different types of athletes, but for me it wasn't a game-changer.

Everything Worth Knowing

     How can we actually be able to distinguish who is smart and who is dumb? People may have many different ways of viewing these two ideas. Some people may have no opinion, and may even agree that there is no one way to tell. Haskell points out that smarts might be categorized as people who have the ability to problem solve. I agree with this statement, but there is one more statement that I think couldn't be more true. In my opinion, being smart is simply being able to make good decisions. Being able to put the idea of being"smart" in such a focused and short statement may be vague, but I believe it is true. Anyone can be book-smart. Anyone can read a book and become knowledgeable in a certain subject. I believe being smart and being book smart are two completely different things. The ability to make good decisions in life is the most powerful tool anyone has ever had, and many people don't realize that. Good decisions lead people in the right direction, and allow for success. For example, a student may CHOOSE to not do the assigned homework. He made the decision to not put in the effort to do it. He could have made good decision, like completing what was asked of him, and he would have a better chance at success towards what he is doing. Being dumb is making bad decisions. It really is that simple to me.

Reflections of Assistive Technologies

     The first person I learned about was a young girl named Ella. She was diagnosed with cerebral palsy,which extremely limits much of her motor functions. Communication is also hard for Ella. At a young age, she had used different types of technology, such as a tablet and a laptop to help her communicate what she was thinking/feeling. However, these technologies had their downsides regarding their effectiveness and their accessibility. Eventually, her mother helped her acquire what is called a Dynabox, which allows for easy communication and was easies for Ella. This Dynabox allowed Ella to convey her thoughts through eye tracking and selection of different words and ideas presented in this technology. Ella could now quickly and fluently communicate to other peers without actually having to move or talk.
     The second person I learned about was a young boy named Mason. Mason is completely blind in one of his eyes, and only has 20/100 vision in his other eye. Because of Masons visual limitations, learning can be hard for him. He has own personal typewriter called a "Mopad Brailler". This personal tool allows Mason to type in braille, and also allows him to hear exactly what he is typing. This technology literally announces the letters he is typing at such a young age. The keyboard is also a much more simple version of a regular English keyboard. Less buttons and gadgets makes the typewriter much more simple than a computer, but allows for so much more. The braille that Mason produces can now be read easily by not only his teachers, but Mason himself. Mason is now able to write just like other students.
     The last person I was able to learn about was a young man named Lukas. Lukas has beaten the odds of a disease that limits the use of all of limbs. Limited arm and leg use forces Lukas to find new ways to do things. This disease is called Amioplaysia. A special wheelchair equipped with a sort of joystick with mechanical properties allows Lukas to do he loves, like playing an instrument, which is a huge accomplishment for anyone, and he is able to do it even while being affected with his condition. This Joystick assists Lukas in controlling the valves of his instrument and play the notes he wants to play. Lukas can now play a big part in his school band due to the help of his specialized joystick.

Blow Up the Grade Book?

     First off, the idea of learning with a game was scary to me at first. Learning in school has always presented itself as a serious, concrete, and inflexible manner. Therefore, to hear how learning could be achieved through a game was very foreign to me. Honestly, I just didn't trust this new method. But after  being shown the facts and ideas behind this idea, I felt completely at ease. My teacher did a great job of showing not only how it works, but why it works, which helped me the most. Students are able to work around their schedule in any way they want to, which allows for a fair approach to learning. One idea of this approach is that homework doesn't exist. I still haven't quite figured this one out, but I'm getting there. This program is homework. Time is spent outside of class to complete these tasks, which I look at as homework. Homework is simply unavoidable in today's education system, which is OK. But I am still confused as to why this idea of learning claims to be homework free. Lastly, like many others I agree with Haskell's explanation of learning is changing and how it needs to change. People just want good grades, which is completely expected. However, i think that more learning to happen, and more focus needs to be directed at self growth instead of an "A" being recorded in a transcript.