Blog Post #3

Peer Editing

After viewingWhat is Peer Editing? , Peer Edit With Perfection Tutorial, and Writing Peer Review Top 10 MistakesI learned how to help fellow students edit their work the correct way. The correct way to help someone edit there work includes complimenting the work they have done so far, offering suggestions to help make their work better, and helping correct mistakes that may have been made. The incorrect way to would be to basically point out every little thing that may have done wrong. In order for someone to understand the errors they have made, they should be approached in a careful manner. Some people are easily offended and become very defensive of their capabilities. Others switch to a more offensive state of mind and attack the person who is trying to help with the editing by challenge that persons own intellect. Saying this, when asked if I would offer suggestions publicly (via blog) or privately (via email, etc.), I would have to answer with it depends on what the suggestions are about. If I am making suggestions about minor mistakes then I would be fine with making suggestions publicly. However, if the suggestions are major then I would more than likely make them privately because I know that it can sometimes be embarrassing.

Technology in Special Education

The video, Technology in Special Education by Lacey Cook is a documentary of her showing how much technology has helped her and her students. In her video, she shows how technology has made it easier for her to communicate with her students. Also, we can see that students are more eager to learn as well. She gives some of her students individual interviews asking them questions like "What do you think about computers?" Each student had nothing but positive say about how computers makes it easier to be involved in the classroom.
This video really shows how technology has changed the way special education is taught. I remember when I was younger, there were maybe four special needs children assigned to a teacher at one time. This was due to the fact that each one had their own individual ways that they had to be taught. However, by incorporating technology into the classroom, it makes it easier for each student to have their individual needs met. This allows for teachers to be able to tend to more students at a time. If I were to be over a special education classroom, I would probably apply similar uses of computers to my students as Ms. Cook did. Her method seemed to be very effective and popular with her students.

How the iPad Works with Academics for Autism

How the iPad Works with Academics for Autism is a youtube video uploaded by AutismEpicenter.com that shows how the use of an iPad has changed the way an eight year old boy named Braden learns. Before his parents bought the iPad, they never really saw motivation from Braden to learn. The iPad provides an instant feedback whenever Braden touches an object on the screen. He simply provides his answer first and then listens to the feedback of the iPad for correctness. He uses apps such as Toddler Counting and My First Words to help him develop his ability to count and to also speak and see words.
After browsing apps that I could use to help special needs children, I came across an app I thought would be very useful called Intro to Letters by Montessorium. Although this app cost $4.99, I think that the results that could come from its use far outweighs the cost. Intro to Letters is an app that helps teach letters to kids. It teaches them how to trace, read, and record letter sounds and names. By allowing students to trace and right letters, this would help them be able to recognize and remember this letters upon sight. By allowing students to read and record letter names, students will be able to recognize letters and words by sound and be able to speak those letters and words themselves.

Gary Hayes Social Media Count

After viewing the data that has been collected by Gary Hayes Social Media Count, it is astounding to see what all takes place on the internet in such a small amount of time. This data shows that people are constantly using social medias and other internet resources repeatedly. It's mind boggling to just sit here and think about how much we as people rely on the internet. The internet is an essential tool for everyday life without us even realizing it. It allows us to communicate and to gather information constantly in ways that weren't available before.
Since things are changing constantly with the use of technology, I feel that future educators will have to work even harder to acquire a steady job. Although, technology can be an educators best friend, it can also be our worse enemy. In order to excel in the education field, I believe that the educator should be technologically savvy. To accommodate the forever changing world of technology we as educators also have to be eager to learn and practice the new technology as it becomes available. Lastly, we as educators need to realized that we will never stop learning so BUCKLE UP AND ENJOY THE RIDE!

A Vision of Students Today

The video Vision of Students Today is a very insightful video into the minds of average college students. It really captures what students go through and how they view college. I see these exact same problems going on here at the University of South Alabama. I see people bring their laptops to class and spend more time on social media sites instead of following along with the professor. I can closely relate this video. They also show how students feel as if they are learning things that pertain to what they will have to use in their future. They also feel as though they are not learning things that can help with deal with thing like economic crisis and war. My favorite quote is that "I did not create these problems, but they are my problems."
From an educator's point of view, one might say that students do not really understand how valuable every piece of detail they are being taught truly is. Students may feel as though what they are learning now will never be used in their future, but what if it really is needed? What will they say when the time comes for them to use a tool that they ignored because they felt like it was not important? An educator might say that they would not teach a student some material that they would not need. It is not about what is important and is not important to learn. It is about the bigger picture. To obtain a flexible, well-rounded education with some foundation and not just focus on the important things.