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.

PLN 14

I found an interesting article in 'Drape's Takes' called "Becoming a Better Teacher" by Darren. The summary of this article put out a message of many points of failures of the teaching styles of teachers.

Here was my reaction to this post:

"Being a student, I would have to agree with almost every detail you pointed out in this blog. Many of my teachers go into the same, old routine each and every day. I admit, this very much bores me. I don't think a student will be ready to learn with a single thought of enthusiasm as this regular teaching style keeps up. Many details, even the slightest ones, affect students. The way the environment of a classroom feels, the personality of a teacher, the type of work, the seating arrangements, and the amount of shown care a teacher gives kicks into the effect of school. Being able to have a teacher that breaks down their teachings to a minimal amount each day, gives me the opportunity to engage and wanting to learn more. I would want to have the excitement in comprehending new things, as wanting to hear the enthusiasm in a teacher's voice doing what I hope they love; teach. This is a very inspirational post to those teachers who feel lost in their teaching path and career. And it is a great way to inform teachers or adults of the emptiness they have been wondering about."

PLN 13- "Home with the kids"

I found an article in the Learning Newtwork called "Home with the kids..." by Kitch. This blog talked about her 4 year old being able to learn quickly and work with technology at such an early age. I was very suprised with this informaton the article provided.

Here was my reaction to the blog:
"After reading this blog, I was truly amazed with the fact that a four year old is able to work a computer. As our generations grow, technology will advance even more. Every individual is different, and your four year old seems quite intelligent having the knowledge to perceive technology at such an early age. This shows that as she grows older, she is capable of absorbing any new knowledge being thrown at her. Fast learners have many benefits; in school, sports, activities, etc. Observing kids from a young age tells you their personality and abilities. It may also say something about their purposes in the future or what they may become of. Reading from this, it may seem that your daughter could have a future in technology or relations to it."

PLN Presentation Evaluation 1

In my presentation, I think that I did good overall. At the beginning I came off a little shaky, but I got pretty comfortable after. I really need to learn not to use my notes and read off of them, to be able to make eye contact. I spoke pretty clear most of the time, but a few of my classmates commented that I need to speak up a bit. I think next time, I will try to do better by not using my notes, and to speak clearer.

PLN 12- 37 DU Students Get Mysterious Illness

I was looking at the Denver Post blog when a blog titled "37 DU Students Get Mysterious Illness" caught my attention. In this blog, it talks about a illness going around the University of Denver. It has reported that 42 total of students have been sick, 13 were treated at the college's health and counseling centers, and 24 had been taken to a hospital. The symptoms of the illnesses include: vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, dizziness and dehydration. The sickness has been a mystery to whether or not it is viral or bacterial.

I thought that this had been strange that many students had gotten some kind of illness, but nobody is quite sure what it is. It is very important to keep alert of your surroundings and keep healthy and clean of any sickness. I have heard a case similar to this in the past, at CU Boulder. I think it matters to stay healthy during all seasons. The case of the illness could be common, or could be a specific one. Students should restore full health before going back to school, or it will just spread around even more.

In the world, many people are dying of illnesses, like in Africa. Children in those areas are surrounded by a non-healthy environment and these sicknesses will always spread. The families in poverty, don't have any medical help or supplies to be able to heal. I think it would be very important for missionaries around the world to supply them with medicine and water, which some already have. I also believe that many of us should be thankful for the health and environment we have, also being able to have water, medicine, and any other needs that many do not.

PLN 11- Who's Controlling your Profile?

I was looking through The Thinking Stick blog when I saw an eye-catching article titled, "Who's Controlling your Profile?" by Jeff Utecht. This blog is about basically being able to control the social presence you have online. Throughout the internet, there will be many websites that might create of reputation of who you are. Some websites include myspace or facebook in others' profiles. This not only applies to students, but also to teachers too. Schools attempt to control social presences online, but blocking them will not help.

"You can either allow them to create your social presence for you or you can
take control of it. "

I do agree with the information this blog informs, because many people nowadays rely on the technology. Examples like: texting instead of calling, researching online instead of reading, etc. People go online so much that they should be able to judge a person by their profile and online presence. It does not define a certain person or rule over peoples' social presence.

The world can be so caught up or obsessed with technology that it is very reliable and compatible with just about everything. It relates to school, friends, researching, and anything else that may be part of the daily life.

PLN 10-Drivers will see more yellow at camera intersections

I was searching throughout the Rocky Mountain News blog and found an article titled, "Drivers will see more yellow at camera intersections". This article is about Denver having the opportunity to give drivers more time for yellow lights they tend to stop, and rush at. This also will include a pedestrian countdown that identifys how much time will remain until yellow lights. These lights will go up to 4.3 seconds at the most with red light monitoring cameras. The purpose of the monitors is to witness red light runs and accidents. It is to increase the safety of others and decrease accidents.

This article seemed to matter to me because many drivers will get into several accidents. The rush of yellow lights tend to cause these risks. I thought the purpose of this new idea would be very good for drivers of the road. It will be able to monitor and witness, but also give a longer time limit of those yellow lights.

In the world, most teens get into accidents around the age of 16/17, and is one of the leading causes of teenage death. Putting more rules and precautions out on the road will be able to create safer risks for all drivers.

PLN 9-Video Games Drive Me Nuts

I was looking through the area of the Thinking Stick when one in particular blog titled, "Why Not Take A Risk?" by Jeff Utecht caught my attention. This blog is about these five technology sessions offered to teachers about many new things. The sessions brought up programs of: Photoshop, blogging, Netvibes, and Beginner Basics. The purpose of these meetings were to inform teachers of teaching with technology but also showing these tools in a classroom. This blog basically summarized up teachers to take a risk in their teaching.

At school, there are always going to be limits in the classroom or on class work. Trying new things will keep others from knowing that they had not missed any opportunity, but instead to chance it. You will never know what you might learn, experience, or like if you do not try new risks. And I believe taking risks matters a lot in a lifetime. It defines who you are as a person and what you believe in.

No matter what in the world, taking risks are important. You might never know what you might have missed or gained. This includes school, sports, new activities, new jobs, a different perspective of living, or goals.

PLN 8-Boy, 8, suspended after sniffing Sharpie marker

I recently read an article that caught my attention called, "Boy, 8, suspended after sniffing Sharpie marker" in the Denver Post blog area. This article talks about a 8 year old boy being suspended for smelling a sharpie and the stripes he drew on clothing. The 50 year old parent 'overreacted' because of this situation. The Harris Park Elementary School Principal Chris Benisch, thinks that this shows a safety risk if a sharpie is misused. The boy was suspended for 3 days after not stopping the situation of inhaling the fumes of the sharpie.

At first, I thought this article was a bit strange and ridiculous to make something like that case such a big deal. After thinking more into it, I do think it is important. It is very necessary for this boy to immediately stop the habit of sniffing the dangerous fumes of the sharpie. The fumes can be very risky to his health and already addictive. More and more kids are curious enough to touch anything, smell anything, or eat anything. This habit needs to be broken and parents need to be more cautious of what their children may do.

In the world, I think things that may seem little can reoccur and become bigger. Many small issues can turn into larger ones while people would not have a second thought of what may come out of it. And the future of small events could become more dangerous or uneasy to handle.

PLN 7-Alamosa water still iffy

I recently finished reading an article, titled Alamosa water still iffy in the Rocky Mountain News section by Ann Imse. This article talks about the people cutting down on water shortage until tests of tap water come back. Many tests have shown that salmonella is involved in this tap water from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Citizens are banned from it temporarly. It reported 326 cases of salmonella poisoning and 13 hospitalizations.

I thought this was important because this case seemed serious, reading from the article. The water has already poisoned many people and it is essential that the Colorado Department clears this problem.

Everybody drinks water and is part of everyone's health. I thought this related to the poor people in Africa, because many of them die because they don't have enough drinking water or because it is not clean.