Saturday, May 17, 2008

PLN 20- "Making Kids Googlable"

I finished reading a post by Will Richardson, titled "Making Kids Googlable" . The post talked about the information people put online that can be found within searches. And of the dependent technology we use for about everything.
Here was my response:
"Mr. Richardson, Having that chance and risk of being "googlable", can be openly dangerous. Depending on the information we put online, it can be positive or negative. On myspace and facebook, students put out a open profile of personal information or they share their work on the internet. If colleges do search your work, it can be a good opportunity to show yourself and who you are by the details you show online. It is just a matter of perspective that comes to mind when it comes to good or bad. We all post things online, but being smart about it is essential. We must be careful what we put, where we put, and why we put it. There can be good and unconvincing reasons we post specific knowledge/information on web pages. The thing is, technology has advanced and will advance even more. And the internet certainly is reliable, but we cannot believe everything in our naivve presence, that is put on the internet. The fact is, many things of our own can be accessible."

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

PLN 19- Learning to Change a Video

I read a post in the Thinking Stick by Jeff Utecht titled "Learning to Change a Video". I watched this video and found it very interesting. It talked about making our generation of learning improve, while it deals with the new technology and student uses. Each message included great ideas of our community and learning network.

Here was my reaction:
"As a student, I very much enjoyed and liked this video as soon as I hit the play button. I agreed with each of those messages and is something I certainly can relate to. In this generation, everything outside of the boundaries of school collides with learning. As technology advances, myspace and facebooks increase, number of texting and cell phones are used, everything is a essential tool of learning. The astonishing thing is, not only do we learn at school, but outside in the real world as we grow throughout the years. Little details of this century will pertain to our learning network and create who we are as a person. It is ironic that the knowledge students know the most about is supposedly shut off from school. I believe this knowledge should not be put aside, but may be helpful to us in the near future. There are many subjects we learn about in school, but seems like some may not apply to us in the future. Yet we have no idea what the future holds in our education. In college, we will learn with the aspects of creativity and opportunities. Doors will open to the real world and this generation's content of knowledge will be applicable and useful."

Saturday, May 10, 2008

PLN 18-"Clueless in America"

I finished reading a aspiring blog to learning by Will Richardson in Weblogg-ed titled "Clueless in America." It was about the many students dropping out of school every 26 seconds and the way that many wrong paths contribute to the society.
This was my response:
"This is a great blog to make me realize that America does need a wake up call at times. It is quite astounding the many of students dropping out of school. I believe that those students are wasting a part of their education life, while many out there do not have such a opportunity to even pick up a book. Education is so essential in the world, it applies to about everything. Education helps you realize the important aspects and personal styles, the chance to make your life out of a strong passion you desire, and generally to make a living. Students need to really open their eyes to the control they’re giving to their life. Parents as well must pay attention to what their sons/daughters what may be doing, or nobody else will. Wondering about these young adult’s dropouts of school is much more then the work they refuse. There could be many possibilities of dropouts; peer pressure, friends, family, depression, etc. This blog is certainly a good reminder of having the great importance to learn and creating your own life the way you choose."

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

PLN 17-Dare the Schools Build a New Social Order?

In the learning network blog, I read a post called Dare the Schools Build a New Social Order? by Diane Ravitch. The post talked about the general violence and unsuccess schools must deal with, but seems like there is always something much more to that.

This was my reaction:
As a student, I would have to concur with some points you have made. Violence is certainly not the main and particular reason that is destroying the success and curriculum of schools. Higher expectations will always be made about all schools, but will eventually be let down. All schools will always have the same problems with drugs, alcohol, guns, etc. Some schools depend on the neighborhoods students come from. Sometimes, their life at home may influence the way they are as a person and as a learning student. Some come from broken up families that may influence their perspective of school and generally life. It could also eventually deal with and relate to many school's problems. Schools' curriculms and environment will always affect the learning portion, but not everything.

Saturday, May 3, 2008

2nd PLN Presentation Reaction

For my second PLN presentation, I thought I did pretty well. It was better then my first one in my opinion, because I did not read from my notes so much and I made much more contact. The things I needed to work on would be not to pause so much or to say "um". I made my notes into points this time, rather then full sentences. Overall I think I did well.

PLN 16-"Imagine"

I saw a article in the Fischbowl called "Imagine". This post particularly talked about the celebration of Pangea Day, in which countries enter a contest of videos they put together for another part of the world.
Here was my reaction:
"This post was very intriguing to read about. Hearing about Pangea Day seems like it has a great outlook on the world. The idea of this is very interesting and inspiring to all countries. I think this is a good way for countries to connect with another country around the world and to come together. It gives a different perspective of those who have not been to those places or experienced their cultures. The videos were very nice and unique to watch, I have never seen anything like it before. The world has many problems, but once in awhile, it can be amazing to be reminded that we all can be able to come together."

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

PLN 15-The Need for textbooks

I found an article in The Fischbowl by Karl Fisch titled "the Need for Textbooks ". It basically explained how textbooks have no use nowadays.
Here was my response:

Mr. Fisch, I can surely comprehend this idea that had a sudden run through in your mind. Nowadays, technology is a big part of education. As a student, we use computers to blog, research, type papers, etc. Computers are so much more efficient and easier to use as a part of education. Technology is advancing more and more, I can not possibly imagine what it will be like later in the future. Textbooks seem old and forgotten, it is a classic way to learn, but also very inconvenient. It seems impossible for me personally to sit still at a desk and read straight through a textbook for more then half an hour. They are also quite a burden to heave in backpacks. And surely I agree, that it seems that the only uses of textbooks are probably to only seek the protection from tornadoes. The trigger thought of education only seems to create new ideas or problems.