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Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Petcha Kutcha: I Love Shoes Presentation

I did my Petcha Kutcha presentation on shoes. I chose shoes because like most women I love shoes! I love shopping for shoes and I can't stop. Its almost an addiction. Whats really sad is that I don't really like wearing heals that much. I don't know why I put myself through so much pain. I know for a fact that there are many other women in the world that feels exactly the same as me...





Saturday, April 24, 2010

My Screencast: Embedding a video

I did my screencast over embedding a video....It's long over due but, better late than never right....


Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Week #10 Constructive Feedback

This week we had to put togehter a screen cast of how to do something that we learned in this course, i.e. embedding, voice threading, google maps, etc. However I have not completed mine as of this moment. On teh other hand I commented on two classmate blogs. Those blogs includes: Natalie's Second Life: Confusion blog and Sarah's 2nd Life: Good or Bad for learning? blog.

Monday, April 12, 2010

A second chance for "Second Life"

In the video, "Orientation in Second Life" it discusses an online program that allows people to create an avatar and how they can navigate through the program as well.






My most significant take away from this video is how confusing the orientation of second life was. Apparently people don’t even get past the orientation before they just give up. However they are trying very hard to find a way to make second life easier to navigate, so that is one great factor. I have never used second life but who knows, once al the kinks are worked out, it might prove to be a useful educational tool.



I Guess I could try to employ second life in my classroom in the future. Of course, I would only use it if I could teach it in an educational way. Students could gain social dexterity, cognitive intensification, and even problem solving skills. Overall, the video was good. There are people who are actually trying to find various ways that they could improve second life. Remember there is always room for improvement.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Week 9 K-12 blog comments (Create a Survey)

This weeks classroom blog is late, but of course... Hey better late than never... This week we created a class survey it was quite interesting. I did mine over cruise vactaions. the results as of today are as follows: Six people took the survey and out of those six only 2 people have been on a cruise and the other 4 have not been on a cruise. Four people said that they would prefer Ocho Rios & Grand Caymen Islands cruise and the other two said they would prefer a Half Moon Cay & Nassau Bahamas cruise. For the last question Three people said they would want to go with their family, one said a special someone, another said her boyfriend and close friends and the last one said a significant other.

For my classroom blog I commented on New School Year, New Job, New Responsibilities and I also commented on "Adding A Little Twist To An Old Experiment"

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Sam's Digital Youth Portrait

In the video Sam's EduTopia Digital Youth Portrait, it’s about a 13yr old girl who has basically learned about technology on her own. Also she uses technology in her everyday life to solve many of her everyday problems. It’s a great video for teens to watch, because it reflects on all the technological possibilities that are out there.





Given the fact that I am not technologically savvy, I actually value people who are out in the world treating technology as a another everyday tool. I remember one time that I had to have my sister show me how to embed a video because I forgot what Professor Fryer said to do. I was about to email him but she told me that she knew how to do it.

I will never underestimate what the mind of a younger person can perform. Just when I think I know something about Technology, I learn something new. In most case, outside of this Technology class, the technological things I have learned is from someone that’s yonger than me. I think that’s quite valuable because the youth of today are our future.

In my class, I will try to give my students every possible chance to use technology. Even if it is as simple as having them to make a digital 5 – picture story. I believe that today’s Teachers need to use every beneficial, technological avenue possible in their classrooms.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

A Peek for a Week in a Kiwi Junior Classroom

A Peek for a Week in a Kiwi Junior Classroom

My biggest take away from this video was how she said that even 6 year olds could utilize the site. I thought it was neat whenever my 5 year old nephew came home from school telling us about the fisher price sites he got to play on that day. It still just concerns me that maybe younger kids are getting on computers too early. I'd like to take science outside and teach real life mathematical experiences.

I do like the idea of kids having kind of a syllabus to go by day by day like we do in school. Some kids like to work ahead and that could enable them a bit more.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Week #7 Constructive feedback...

I am yet once again late on commenting on classmate blogs. However, better late than never right. I will catch up one day. Well I read and commented on Ardrian Rosado's blog titled "Adrian's Survey". Also I read and commented on Kara's blog titled "13 Going on 30!".

The wiki I never knew!

Paula White's video "Parallel Play or Collaboration--Leveraging the Wiki Platform for High Quality Work" was extremely educational. It basically illustrated the process of using Wiki in classrooms. As well as how it is believed to be beneficial when it comes to students collaborating. It discusses how students use wiki and how it’s helped them.



I never really know what a wiki was and nor had I heard of it prior to watching this video. I think that I am a little more conversant; nonetheless I’m still a bit overwhelmed. The examples given by Paula White helped me some. I also explored it, on my own, a little more on the Internet. I feel it would be a great tool for planning family reunions, church events, and even little league sporting events. It is hard when you’re trying to plan something and you’re trying to communicate with so many different people. Using a wiki would definitely minimize the confusion.

Also just as Paula explained in the video this is a great way for students to pool resources with one another, besides working solely in a classroom setting. Time and again there are some students who are timid about giving their input and this could assist them in voicing their opinions. The more information I discover regarding technology the further importance I see that it has as a role in today’s and the future’s teaching environment.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

The Wizard of Apps...

So I was required to watch this video titled The Wizard of Apps. Basically it showed different websites and tools that people can use online. In doing so they used the theme The Wizard of Oz. They used the same characters from the movie; in which they all have an issue that they need to deal with. So they all need to meet up with the wizard for help with their various problems. For example, the Tin-Man is writing a paper, but does not know if the sites he is going to are appropriate for his topic or if the blogs he reads are a suitable resources. What he needs is a research app. This video features answers to the Tin-Man's problem, as well as the Cowardly Lion, Scarecrow and Dorothy. There is also a site you can visit were you will find the slides that the creator used in the film.



The creator did a great job in introducing the various problems that can arise when a student is attempting to work on a project. The video covered Creative Commons and Flickr, information regarding copyrights of work published by others, as well as how someone could use those two sites to share their photos and still have it copyrighted to them, so that it can’t be misused.

This video reflects into my life I could really use some of the website sources that the creator mentioned throughout the film. So, it was really informative. When it comes to posting pictures; knowing exactly what type of site Creative Commons and Flickr are and what they do helped me. I was scared to share pictures of my daughter but now I know I can without being to worried.

I really believe that this is something that will be beneficial to show my future students. I feel like we should teach this type of awareness early on. I know I wish I learned it prior to venturing the digital world.

I used the http://www.pipl.com and http://www.123people.com to check to see exactly what I would find. It was funny though, because I was on sites that I forgot all about; such as bebo.com and hi5.com. Needless to say I deleted them since I don’t use them anymore. It also showed where I was on facebook, myspace, and ALL the sites that I have signed up for since I started this Technology for Teachers course.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Week #4

I know this post is a little late, however I really enjoyed week 4 assignments. I liked doing my 5-picture story. I never knew that I could tell such a detailed story with merely pictures alone.

I alos enjoyed looking at my fellow classmates post. I view and commented on these post;

Prepare to Jump a Ramp & Changing a Lightbulb

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

My Very Own & 1st Voice Thread

So, I created a voice thread for the first time today. It was titled "Cruise Vacations: For Everyone".

Creating this voice thread took more time than it should have however it was not because it was difficult. I am a very particular person and I like things to be a certain way. When it came to recording my voice I must have re-recorded like 5 times and that was not just for one picture it was for all 5 pictures that I used in my voice thread. It was fun and I can't wait to do it again.


The url for the pictures in this voice thread are as follows:

Picture #1: Step-mom & the Birdman
Picture #2: Mommy & Baby's 1s cruise
Picture #3: Carnival Cruise Ship Destiny
Picture #4: Saniya & Mommy in Cozumel Mexico
Picture #5: Me and the girls (2nd cruise)


Monday, February 15, 2010

Model to Mommy: My 5 Picture Story!...

Model To Mommy!


Pictures belong to: Felisha Seward


















Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Digital Citizenship: It's a Right not a Privilege

The video Digiteens: Digital Citizenship by Digital Teenagers, basically talked aboutstudents that researched the element of digital citizenship; such as cyber-bullying, security, etc.









One of the key elements that I got from this film is; there are many dangers in having a digital citizenship, there are also some measures that you can take in preventing them. For example, you can start by implementing Technological Awareness for (DWT) Driving While Texting or Cyber-bulling.

I can relate to the video everything that they are discussing pertains to me and anyone else that uses the internet. You never know if the picture that your posting in inappropriate. At the time you post it, you might think that it is innocent but there are people out there that will turn around one way or another. In addition, I remember a time at my aunts’ funeral one of my cousins’ vehicles was hit. The person that hit her car was using her phone, not paying attention and ran into my cousin’s car. Had she not been on her phone then she would have seen that it was a funeral tail passing.

Be the change that you want to see! I think that is the basic premise of this video. When it comes to having digital citizenship there are guideline just like a regular citizenship. However, some individuals like to misuse their citizenship by doing things that negatively affect others. Then there are some who are simply naive to what those dangers are. We can protect others and ourselves by teaching digital awareness.

The Great PBL Approach

The video, Project Learning: An Overview, included various age group of students who were working on different types of research projects by analyzing it and finding a solution by using problem solving skills.





One of the things that I took from this particular video is that each individual has the right to pursue whatever they want as a career. By teachers, implementing (PBL) Project-Based Learning in the classroom it will broaden students’ perception to exactly what those options are all because they had a chance to experience them early on.

I can relate to this video because when it comes to learning new things, I cannot always catch on that quick when I just sit and listen to someone lecture. Being able to be involved in (PBL) Project-Based Learning, or what I call hands on approach, makes it so much easier for me to grasp the concept. In addition, it gives me that extra boost of confidence because I’m not secretly thinking, “I’m completely lost”.

I think that this video was implying that having (PBL) Project Based Learning is a great tool to use in all types of classroom setting with various age groups. Not only will it help to make the learning environment more appealing, help student gain further knowledge on that particular subject, but it will also give students the notion that there is a huge world of options out there for them when it comes to deciding what career they want to pursue.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Week #3

I quite enjoyed this weeks assignments. It was fairly easier due to it not having as many assignments to complete. Not that the assignments are hard, they are just time consuming. But hey, this is college afterall. However I'm excited to start the voice threading assignment, it should be very interesting. Also, I'm happy to say that I finally got the embedding process down. I think I made it seem harder than it actually was... Well T4T goodnight and see you in class.

Slaves of Stereotypes? The Modern World and Gender

In the video, Slaves of Stereotypes? The Modern World and Gender, Alix talks about how from birth we come into this world filled with gender stereotypes and society expects us to follow them. Stereotypes such as how boy should act and dress verses how girls should act and dress. However we need to find out our own identities for ourselves and she goes on to give examples of people who steered away from societies stereotypes.






This was a great video. I was pulled in the whole time by her use of word play to the music she choose. There are so many people struggling with their identity. We have our parents, teachers, classmates, and even church members setting the standards as to whom we should be as a person. Alix is absolutely correct we can use the internet to see that there is a whole new world out there and we shouldn’t and don’t have to follow society’s guidelines regarding OUR identity.

How Luis Embraces Technology

This blog is in response to a video that I watched titled, Digital Generation Project Youth Portrait: Luis






The most significant takeaway for me was that Luis he uses technology for multiple purposes (i.e. connecting with family & friends, to improve his studies, and to find & use information for his community and his self). Having technology can help to improve a presentation and make it a lot less intimidating.

I connect with Luis because I not only use facebook quite often just as he does, but also I can chat with friends all while doing home work. Plus the fact that I can send someone an email verse sending a letter is quite comforting because the turnaround time on a response is much more rapid.

This video implies that students his day and age is very much into technology and the use of technology is great when preparing for and giving presentation. Most peole are nervous when they give a presentation and doing something with your hands can take some of the edge off. With technology your not just standing there looking into the faces of a large crowd. Instead of disregarding it, we as current and future educators should embrace it and incorporate it in our lesson.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Constructive Feedback is always inspirational

Well, week 2 is practically over and I must say it was quite interesting. I enjoyed giveing constructive feedback to Room 4's Blog. I never new how much you can do for a person by simply giveing the some positive reinforcement. We should never be too busy to give someone a little positive reasurrance.

Here are the links to my comments for K-12 Student Blog Post:
Comment to Room 4’s Blog “Skipping For The Heart Foundation"


Comment to Room 4’s Blog “Planting Day”

Monday, January 18, 2010

Blogging?...Like it or love it

In the video “We Like Our Blogging Buddies: The Write Stuff with Blogging Mentors” children express both their likes and dislikes of the use of blogging in their classroom. The system is set up similar to a pin pal relationship only there is a younger child who acts as the blogger and a pre service teacher who acts as the blogger mentor.



I realized that children using blogs can benefit in various ways. The most important thing that I took from this video is the fact that the students using blogs will not only improve there computer / technology skills but, they will also improve their language / writing skills. When it comes to having a mentor it will make it a little more exciting for the students when they are able to sit at a computer and read and then respond to what those mentors are writing them.

Growing up when I was in school, hearing a teacher always nagging or giving criticizing would make me draw back a little. Some times it the way or even the person giving the criticism that would cause me to have a positive or negative reaction. So the idea of having someone besides a teacher telling me what I’m doing wrong (time and time again) would have been much more appealing to me. Kids using this blogging buddy system have a great advantage. I believe that the students will respond differently to someone that is a classmate, or just someone around the same age.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Cameron's video

To view the video that I'm discussing in this blog you can clike on the following link. www.edutopia.org/digital-generation-profile-cameron-video

Question #1: What is your most significant "takeaway" or learning point from the video? Why? Elaborate in detail.
Answer #1: What I took from this video is that there are times when students can teach the teachers a few things or two. That it's okay to allow students to teach the class. The reason being is that each student is our future and they will all have something different to offer.
Question #2: How does this video / the ideas of this video relate or connect with your own experiences from your life. Elaborate.
Answer #2: When it comes to technology it is always changing and I find it important to continuously keep myself current. Just like Cameron, the young boy, in the film he has his hands in every piece of technology. Technology is constantly drawing him in. Now I might now be as technology savvy as Cameron is but I know that it's a necessity if I want to keep up with the flow things.

Question #3: What are some of the implications of this video / the ideas of this video for your own teaching practice and pedagogic creed as a educator?
Answer #3: I believe that this video was implying that technology is a major component in our ever changing society and it's something that we should all enjoy familiarizing ourselves with. Also that it's absolutly nothing wrong with allow students teach the class, because they might be able to offer the class something that the teacher wasn't able to offer and it will also keep them excited about learning.

Who Am I?

My name is Felisha Seward, and I am a disabled Army Veteran and a single mother of a two year old little girl. My daughter's name is Saniya Chanel London Seward. I served in the reserve from 2000 to 2001 and then I went active duty in 2001 and I deployed to Iraq in 2003 with 3rd Infantry Division out of Ft Stewart, GA for 6 months. Then I received a Honorable Medical discharge in 2005. I completed my Associates degree at Oklahoma City Community college and this is my semester at the University of Central Oklahoma. I want to become a teacher because I love kids. I know that kids are the new tomorrow and by teaching them just maybe I can play a vital role in shaping tomorrow. I would like to teach in a public school setting or for this program the the DODEA (Department of Defense Education Activity). I would love to teach 3rd or 4th grade and eventually go on to get my masters in Literature or administration.