Infographic

I definitely like the idea of using infographics in the classroom. Both as means of presenting information to the kids and as a classroom activity.To me, they look like advertisements for information. The information itself is presented in a visually stimulating arrangement alongside images that beckon the eye to pay attention (maybe a little bit over the top, but I thought it sounded poetic). Even more than the visual appeal, as an assignment, creating an infographic would require students to organize their information in a relevant and eye-catching manner.

While I was using Pinterest on my computer for the first time (I never realized how much I strained my eyes looking at the small pictures on my phone, however, I blast through pages way faster now that it's on a bigger screen, information overload?), I came across an infographic that could be used in an ed class. I actually had some trouble understanding the exact point of formative assessment my first year of ed, having never been exposed to it before. Maybe something like this could have helped me?

Social Media: Phone vs. Computer

As much as I claim that I want to change, I'm innately resistant to technological progress. I have come to release that there are a certain number of social media sites that I use exclusively on my phone. Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest are the main ones. I think part of that probably has to do with the fact that I don't remember my passwords and, at one time, I did think that Instagram was an exclusive phone-only app (oops- my ignorance is showing).

There are a number of reason to use these apps mainly on your phone (convenience being the main one). However, I often have my computer near me and I have NEVER looked at Pinterest on my PC. I am active on Pinterest (although, admittedly, there was a period where I wasn't exactly sure how it worked and had no knowledge of the fact that I had followers.

I have pinned 1000 items, mostly things that I find funny and rarely go back to, DIY projects that I sometimes do, recipes that I sometimes make, and workouts that I sometimes try. I usually just browse the general search topics and rarely look at my followers feed. I'm still learning technology, but my pace is way too slow to keep up with the Jetson's.

High Tech Teaching w/ Low Tech Resources

 

I found it extremely beneficial to hear from Kristen, Tyler, and Tiffany about how they use technology in the classroom. It doesn't necessarily matter how big or small a division is, there may still be issues with getting your hands on those valuable technological resources. 

I think we will be establishing our careers at a challenging transitional time and we truly do need to be active in upgrading our teaching styles and being persistent regarding keeping technology in the classroom. It is necessary for us to be vehicles of change, overcome obstacles, and find solutions to using technology in the classroom. To me, it feels like a big move for us, because I did have a pretty old school classroom styles of instruction given to me as a student. Overhead projectors and television sets were the extent of our technology in the class. 

Be the change, my teaching comrades, be the change

Skype

I have never really been one to enjoy phone conversations. To me, Skype/Google Hangouts are akin to phone conversations where you have to care at least a little about your appearance. I find myself fairly distracted by myself in these conversations. I never see myself interact or converse with people and it's very strange to me. 

That being said, I enjoyed using Skype while I was in Mexico as a means to communicate with friends and family. I enjoyed seeing the faces of my family and friends, but on a day to day basis, I don't think Skype/Face Time is for me. Skype always had its connectivity issues when I was using it, which I found equally distracting and frustrating. 

I actually hate phone conversations too, but for an entirely different reason (My hearing is crap and I have the most awkward 'goodbyes.' I was born in the right era for me in terms of making social connections. I'll text, msn, or 'chat' you into the ground. I have always found writing easy. 

The massive amount of technology out there can be overwhelming, but I believe it is a matter of educating ourselves about what is out there and available to be used and choose which tools apply to us. By finding our strengths in technology and coupling them together we, as educators, will be able to best execute our knowledge of technology in the classroom.

Going Pro

I feel that I have identified that I am weak in the area of technology. Identifying your weakness is key to success. I want to be good with technology. I like knowing things. To be frank, I enjoy knowing more than other people. A good quality for a teacher to have, I suppose. I enjoy teaching high school, because I enjoy the challenge that it brings me. Specifically in science. Science is ever-changing and being a teacher of science demands constant self-education. I find that in teaching high-level science, I research more in depth than I would for my own benefit. I try to prepare myself for potential questions- because I don't like not knowing something that I'm expected too. 

I need to take this same approach to using the internet and technology. I want to be the teacher that wows kids with my technological abilities, rather than rely on them to help me utilize technology in the class. I have numerous memories of teachers struggling with overheads, VCRs, and TV sets and relying on students to help them. We have to be on our toes with this constantly changing technology. 

So suit up, Ms. Deremiens, you're going Pro on the Techie front.

Get more smarter

Where to begin?

With regards to this blog, I don't know. With regards to the internet, I don't know. My capacity to use the internet is fairly limited and I can't seem to find good websites on my own. I can only do what I have been instructed about. I've enjoyed using all of the websites that I've learned about in ICT and feel that this course is necessary for me to keep up with the techies (next generation). The technological revolution is rapidly progressive and non-ending. The amount of change that has happened in the last 8 years (when I graduated) is absurd. From my parents generation to mine, we had advancements such a typing, basic computers, and dial-up internet. I never used the internet more than 5 in my high school career, at least for the purposes of research. Now, I don't know how I would get by without it!

When I was in high school, cell phones were strictly for the purposes of calling and most of us didn't waste our 'pay-as-you-go' minutes, so most conversations took place on the phone or via msn. I wrote letters to old friends from camp in high school. I was there for the birth of those spammy chain forward letters (which, even then, I was skeptical of- though I'm sure I still sent them... 'just in case').

In addition to me needing to improve my internet skills, I really enjoy impressing my students. I don't want to be a 26 year-old dino of a teacher that needs help turning the google machine on. I'm pretty sure that I thought, at one point in my life, that I would come to a point in my life where I would stop learning and instead pass on my wisdom.

I've come to realize that that point does not exist.
With regards to technology and the internet, educators must change with the world or have the world change without them.

The Final Post

                I honestly do not think that I ever would have expected two months to fly by as quickly as they have. Nor did I have any idea when the next time that I would read two books in two months. My perspective and conception of time and the world has entered into that world that I never thought would happen to me. As a child, I remember declaring to adults that I would never do the following things:

11.       Run out of energy.

22.       Feel as though time was passing too quickly.

33.       Go to post-secondary school for more than three years.

Being the stubborn mule that I am, for a few years I refused to be a hypocrite and burned the candle at both ends, working nearly full-time and attending school full-time. Well, that took care of childhood belief #2. Wow, does time fly when you are constantly busy! After a couple years, my wick grew short and became tired and turned twenty-one. That’s when I realized that I preferred Biology courses over my English courses and switched degrees. “I could never be a doctor/lawyer/etc., that’s way too much school.” That thought crept back into my mind as I made the transfer and signed up for 3+ more year of school. I guess people change and I am no exception.

I even submitted to the thought of being stuck in my old ways for a while, especially in terms of technology. All of the new tools and gadgets out there scared me right into my shell. I'm so thankful to have been a part of the Nantais ICT class- none of these tools are half as scary as they seem!