Cell phones

A couple weeks ago I attended the cell phone workshop, which was neat. I especially liked the idea of 1-800-2chacha. For those who don't know, you can call that number and ask any question you want, then they will text you back an answer. I have thought of a number of practical applications for this. One, if you are on Cash Cab or Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and you need a shout out, call cha cha. Instant money. And two, a more relevant application is a debate in the classroom, which you don't know the answer. Even though you're the teacher and you are supposed to know everything, it's okay to say, "I don't know, lets check with cha cha." For example, you forget which countries in Europe don't use the Euro as their currency. Cha cha to the rescue. The students will get to see technology in action and you give them the right answer. win win.

Alas, cell phones are strictly forbidden at my placement. I'm not sure about the rest of the grades but for the freshman (they have their own rules) if a teacher sees their cell phone it is taken and kept in the office for the rest of the semester. So implementing some of the ideas we learned might be difficult. Nonetheless, I have witnessed many students texting under their desks. So this brings up the point that no matter what the rules are, some students are still going to use their cell phones. Should teachers embrace them or do everything they can to keep them out of the class?

Personally, I think it would be difficult to incorporate cell phone use in teaching. It would have to be in a class with a lot of trust and respect between the students and teacher. Otherwise, I think texting would be rampant and take away from learning. And it might be only a few students who are abusing the privilege. I guess their cell phones could be taken away but I think for a lot of students the temptation to get off track is too strong. Regardless, I hope I can skirt around the rules a little and try out some the things we learned in my own class, if only just for a day.

Meeting with previous SMACers

Overall, I think it was a really positive experience talking to the previous MAC students today. One piece of advice I noticed that they all stressed was getting to know your students before the winter. To paraphrase what Bob said, "Don't be a lump of clay in the corner." I think it is important to establish yourself in the classroom from day one. That way when full-time student teaching roles around, it will be easier to manage the class.

Another idea that was mentioned is keeping your camera set up all the time, even if its not turned on. The kids get used to it and when you actually tape, the result will be more authentic. I know from the limited experience we have been taped, it can mess with your head a little. Might as well make it easier on yourself and the kids and leave it up.

Hope everyone enjoys the rest of the summer:)

Which question?

So I was thinking as the summer ran down that this session was the end of the beginning. But then I thought or maybe it's really the beginning of the end? Are we going to be so preoccupied with school for the next year that we will barely see the light of day? Is this the end of our social lives for a year? Maybe that is just overreacting but I think the program will (and has) pushed me already and don't see an end anytime soon. Maybe the best way to look at is I've already jumped through one hoop so the rest can't be that hard either. Probably best to stay positive.

My Morning Jacket

This band rocks literally and figuratively.



If you have ever wondered if Cousin It could play in a four-piece band...well I guess this settles it.




Photo taken from http://www.jameskelsey.net/mistymorning.html

From what we learned in class, I think posting the video is legal but the picture isn't. But as long as we credited the photo and took it down if requested, then it is ok.

My Dream Classroom

It’s blog time…

My dream classroom is actually somewhat similar to the ones we have here in the School of Education. With projectors, laptops, wireless Internet, cameras and desks facing each other. Maybe this is what I want because I don’t know what else is out there. It’s kind of hard to implement new technologies and learn about them when you don’t know they exist. Certainly, there must be some sort of robotic teacher invented by now that I can program to be my teaching assistant. But if I don’t know about the robotic teacher then I cannot use it and the kids can’t learn from it. I guess my point is I would like to see a catalogue of the different technological tools that teachers can use. Maybe there is a company that specializes in selling such equipment that produces a catalogue. So after I have thought about it, my dream classroom includes the above list and also a robotic teacher with a built in automatic grader and microwave.