Blogfolio

1. Intro Video: The first day of IT 365 the class took a part in an activity that used NETS-T standard II, which is to “design and develop digital-age learning experiences and assessments.” We did so by filming a classmate using the video function on our IPhone and uploaded them to our newly created blog. By using our IPhones we were using contemporary tools we were used to in order to record ourselves and upload them to our new blog, which maximized our learning and developed new knowledge, skills, and attitudes. This beginning project lead us into the many new skills we would soon learn about using technology. This project showed us many different forms of expressing ourselves in creative ways. This assignment taught me that a video can be just as meaningful as words. The most difficult part of the video project was giving information that explained myself in thirty seconds. This taught me that there are many different ways to express yourself with different medians. I’ve learned through this project that I can incorporate an informative video of myself or anything else to help explain to my students different information that may not be allowed inside the school.

2. TED Video: NETS-T standard V, which is to “engage in professional growth and leadership,” explains the TED Videos we watched in class. The videos that were shared on TED offered advice from different teachers. The teachers offer examples of ways we can engage in professional growth and leadership through there speeches that have been shared through TED. But the thing I did not necessary like is that it offered their specific point of view and opinion. But I also I learned that TED can be a very useful tool for teachers. I will use the knowledge I gain from TED videos and incorporate them into my classroom in order to have a wide variety of options and lessons.

3. Concept Map: NETS-T standard II, which is “design and develop digital age learning experiences and assessments” was used during our concept map project. We used a program called inspiration to produce a concept map for our future classroom. We chose our own lesson plan that allowed us to search for our own topic. We created our own digital aged learning experience. I learned that there is a lot more that goes into the lesson plan that just an activity or information. As future teachers we have to get used to integrating the common core standards into each lesson and insuring that our students get the proper education they need to move onto the next level of education. It was difficult to learn how to incorporate different lessons with the specific common core state standards and make an interesting lesson for the students. But I learned that you can modify your lesson to meet the standard. I gained knowledge form this project that I will be able to use in my future classroom as far as inspiration, common core state standards, and concept maps.

4. Do Not Track Me: Do Not Track Me was a download we installed on our computers that referred to NETS-T standard IV, which states, “promote and model digital citizenship and responsibility.” We were informed that our actions online are being monitored for the benefits of different businesses. Websites monitor our internet usage to aid their company by displaying certain things on our web pages. I learned how important internet safety is. Do Not Track Me blocks websites form tracking your usage online. I did not know that you could be tracked and monitored by different Websites. But since I have downloaded Do Not Track Me I have been able to stop sites from monitoring my internet use. I will be able to share this information with my class and ensure that they get the proper information on trackers. They will be able to be digital citizens correctly and resist the chance of being tracked for the benefits of different programs online.

5. Augmented Reality: Augmented Reality was an app that incorporated NETS-T standard I by “facilitating and inspiring student learning and creativity.” Augmented Reality apps offer information about the environment around you at that time. I downloaded this app that offered me information about objects in my vicinity. This app offers a different way of obtaining information. It differs from just being taught out of a text book or from an oral discussion because it allows the student to interact with the information as the choose. There were problems that encountered with the app I downloaded sometimes it would just list objects around me and not the information. This may be able to be fixed with a more expensive version that I could download for my classroom, but I would have to become familiar with the program before I would let my students use it. But it would be a great way to incorporate a different type of hands on activity in the classroom.

6. Voki: Voki allowed us to create a virtual character that followed the NETS-T standard I, which is to “facilitate and inspire learning and creativity.” By creating our own virtual teacher that can be used in a virtual environment. Voki website allows you to interact with parents and students through the internet as well as staying connected with the students. Voki website can be difficult to follow or understand. It was difficult to add actions and different backgrounds without the help of others. But this can be easily avoided if you are patient enough to learn how to navigate the website. This website offers a since of connection for everyone and can be easier to stay in contact with different people. I will be able to include my class and their parents in an internet friendly environment by using this tool.

7. Web 2.0 Sites: As a class we able to discuss different programs on the internet that could be used in today’s classroom. This met the NETS-T standard III, which states “collaborating with student’s success and innovation.” We offered examples of how to use different sites to our classmates and gave different ideas on how to incorporate them into different lessons. This encouraged us to model to each other how to navigate and use different Web Sites. I learned that there are many child friendly programs that can be used in today’s class although some examples were not effective there were still a lot that could be useful. I will be able to use these different websites in my future classroom and have many different resources to refer back to.
8. Our Website: NETS-T standard IV was met by producing our own webpage. The standard states to “promote and model digital citizenship and responsibility.” We were able to create our website correctly and avoid copywriting someone else’s work and share our own. I learned how to be a digital citizen by citing and stating where the information I used was from. I learned how to use graphics and google sites. Although I encountered a few problems with glitches and programs, I was able to navigate and learn how to fix the problems myself. I will be able to incorporate creating a website in my classroom to help teach my students how to be a digital citizen and the correct way to cite online material as well as explore and express themselves in different ways.  

9. Movie: In class we created our own movie using a program called Movie Maker on our desktop. This involved using NETS-T standard I, which is to “facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity.” We were offered the chance to express ourselves through pictures that told a story. I learned that computers can be difficult to use when saving you have to be specific and make sure that you are saving to the correct place and uploading it correctly. This is a good way to teach students creative expression how to give credits to those in the movie as well as the songs used. This would be an interesting way to get students to meet each other in a different way.



I have learned how to better use technology from this class. It has taught me different ways to incorporate technology into the classroom and how important it is for the future. With technology evolving and growing it is important to keep the technology in the class room up to date. It allows children to become involved in a different way of gaining information rather than just listening to a lecture or reading a text book. I’ve learned how important technology can be to incorporate the Common Core State Standards into the classroom.  It is another way to get the students involved with the lesson an allow them to get hands on learning. It can offer freedom of research and teach them the importance of being a good digital citizen. I hope to be able to teach my students the information about technology I have learned from this class. I believe it is important to incorporate technology into the classroom because children can easily interact and gain different benefits from researching of aiding fin motor skills. It is important not to overpower yourself or the students with the use of technology in the classroom but find a happy medium. I will be sure to incorporate technology into my classroom thanks to the different things I have learned for IT 365.

26. "Kids Can't Compute And That's A Problem" and "A conversation with a 'Bad' Teacher"

Mike Elgan explains in his article why he thinks kids are not as good digital natives as people make them out to be. He argues that just because a child has grown up using computers doesn’t mean they know what it takes to make the different programs they are using. Elgan discusses the different types of computes he has used throughout his work career. He explains how these computers required him to know different operations and commands in order for the computer to work. Today’s computers do all of the dirty work for us. With technology evolving it is more important for us to remain up to date with the different types of programs that are being used in technology. Elgan believes that since technology has evolved it has actually caused us to be less familiar with computers than they were when computers first came out and required you to enter the different programs manually.

John Owens, worked for a magazine company decided to return to school to become a teacher. He had his own opinion about the school organization he began to work for soon after getting his education degree. The schools focus was mainly on the statistics and keeping their students passing. They did not seem to care about the people inside the organization. Owens reached out to others by writing a piece online. He receive a lot of feedback and was even asked to do an interview for MSNBC. This inspired him to write a book and express the truth behind the South Bronx public school. I believe that Owens makes a good point. Education is not only about ensuring that students pass but becoming a part of their life. Anyone whom a child meets with everyday becomes a big part of their life. Students should be able to confide and trust their teachers. Just as teachers should care about the benefits of their students. When choosing to become a teacher one thing that inspires you is being able to touch each student’s life in some way, shape, or form. Education is not just a job it is not just based on the statistics of passing students but being able to offer your time and help to see your students benefit from your lessons and your advice. Being a teacher is much more than just a job. You must strive to be a good role model and idol to students, not just solely on making them just another statistic.

25. "From Advisees" Reflection

The advisees offered several tools that can be used in a classroom that would benefit both the teacher and students. How to work an LMS was the first tool they mentioned. This tool ensures that students are both college and career ready. Smartboards are another form of technology that should be used in the classroom. Teachers also need to be able to incorporate the concept of BYOD in today’s classroom. Finally, being familiar with the SAMR model is important in order to integrate technology into the classroom. Teachers are expected to use these tools to teach their students in a variety of different ways. It is important to remember that the teachers must learn the specific ways to use these tools as well as making them meet a variety of grade levels. These tools will keep technology growing in the classroom and offer the students different hands on and interactions throughout the lessons they are being taught.

24. "Educause Sprint 2013 beyond MOOCs: IT Creating a New, Connected Age?"

This article informs us about how technology is evolving and that most higher education programs are changing to massive online classrooms, known as MOOCs. These classrooms will strengthen the learning experience, provide greater connection and interaction, and deliver more personal learning. They want students to take full advantage of technology. These programs will allow students to personalize their learning and allow them to participate in visualizations and simulations. They provide immediate contact with a professor and the ability to work at your own pace. Students can access a university’s resources from any location at any time because they are not restricted to a physical place. This article defines the transition from being the “informational age” to the “connected age.” Being able to work at your own pace can benefit a person tremendously. The only downfall is not being able to contact a professor and meet them face to face. Many people learn in different ways and prefer different types of lectures. I believe this program could be beneficial to some people at the same time it could ruin another student’s education.

23. My Movie

22. Web 2.0

Madison: Mind Meister is a website like inspiration to make your own concept map and it allows you to show your information in a slideshow. It is a limited version but allows a free thirty day trial. Spiderscribe.net is a free trail that gives an example of a concept map that allows you to add locations and pictures that aid buisiness information. It also allows you to insert a word document whicn can help you prepare you information before adding it to the concept map. Erika: Bubbl.us is a website that allows you to build concept maps where you can insert picture to add to your information. It is easily usable for students. Lino.com is another free website where you can post notes such as word documents, pictures, and videos. There is an app that you can download on your phone and this website also offers a customization to the background. Madeline: Photobucket.com allows you to upload photos to store them. It also gives you the choice to share your photos or view others. It is free up to a certain amount of storage until you have to purchase more space. Quinturakids.com is a kid friendly search engine that allows the inforamtion to be directed to students. Rebecca: padlet.com is a website where a whole class can be on one screen and all leave a respons to the same question. text2mindmap.com is also a concept map that allows you to easily customize the information in a format that you prefer. Brittany: Stormboard.com allows you to invite others and they can post feedback such as voting or answering questions. Ally: Instagrok.com allows you to personalize the information that is being searched. It allows for a journal as well as quiz tool that can be used and shared. Victoria: Slimekids.com is a search engine that lists other possible search engines that may be useful for students. Wikisummarizer offers a visual summary of infromation such as a tree view or keyword cloud. The information is from wikipedia. Tommi: Pearltrees.com allows you to search a topic that you can later come back to by placing a pearl on the link. Netvibes allows you to be organized and gain multiple different forms of information. MaryKatherine: glogster.com offers a timeline that allows you to add information to classify different ideas in an organized way. Audacity is a free open source for software for recording and editing sounds. Lauren: Vimeo.com is a website where you can create and share different videos for different purpouses. Wordpresser.com is a blog spot where explore different topics as well as post your own. Deanna: Evernote allows you to take notes and search your documents for specific topics which makes it easier to stay organized and share your folders to different locations. Nicole: Compfight allows you to locate different images from the web to place in other documents like a blog with creative commons that allows you to use those images for educational purposes with correct copyright usage. Diigo is a multi tool to store information such as documants and images. It also provides a group of people to share different articles with each other. Emily: Blabberize allows you to record sound to place on an image. It could be used for informational purposes to help students get a better idea about the content. Easelly allows you to create and share visual online vhemes. You can create your own templates and add your own information in different ways. Brittnei: Animoto allows you to customize different slides using different backgrounds which you can add your own images and text too. Bookbuilder allows you to create, share, publish, and read digital books accordning to individuals specific needs and interests.You can save and edit your books and images as well as specify the language type.

21. Cyberbullying Website

https://sites.google.com/site/learnmoreaboutcyberbullying/

20. Common Core in Action: How Two Science Teachers are Implementing Common Core

Math and English Language arts are the subjects that use Common Core Standards. It may be challenging for other subjects to implement the use of Common Core State Standards because they aren’t as easy to accommodate. They use reading and writing standards in other subjects. Skills like the use of graphic organizers, outlines, revision, and direct instruction can be integrated into different subjects. It is important to understand the content in other subjects and the reading and writing standards aid student’s skills and well as involving hands on activities. We use reading and writing in every subject. It is important to use these skills to help you learn in other subjects as well. In order to fully understand science you must be able to read and learn the content. Teachers can use different reading standards in the science subject as well as writing. It is important to have good writing skills in order to explain your point of view about different subjects.

19. "Evolving Classroom Education: Where Is K-12 Technology Headed?"

Classrooms have been utilizing the use of technology in their lesson plans. They understand the importance of technology in students’ education. By allowing students to use the technology that the students already own helps the cost of technology more affordable. They also are encouraging Natural user interfaces, NUI. These devices use the body’s movement to provide outcomes and includes devices like the Nintendo Wii, Xbox Kinect, and Iphone’s Siri. The advantage of this technology is that is reaches the blind, deaf, physically disabled and autistic who learn better through still evolving technology that is more recent. Personal learning environments allow sudents to choose resources through different types of electric formats. This allows individuals to use a style and type of learning that is best for them. Each type of technology that is used in the classroom builds on the previous device that came before it. It is important to keep the technology up to date. By allowing tablets, apps, BYOD, NUI, PLEs it helps the schools from falling behind and allowing the students to bring their own devices that they learn best with. Technology is important to integrate in today’s classroom.

18. Voki

17. Bully

Bullying is a serious problem. From the internet to the playground to the classroom, bullying can happen anywhere at any time. There is no one thing that can stop bullying completely, but there are things you can do to lessen the amount of bullying that is happening around you.  One thing we can do is be aware of the problems and stay informed about the students and the bullying. Students aren’t the only ones who need to know about bullying. We can be informed by being aware of the anti-bullying programs, newsletter, meetings, and conferences that are offered by the school. This will allow closer relationships with the students and more likely to notice bullying. It is important to have a relationship with the students to aid the students that are being bullied as well as the students that are causing the problem.

16. "Augmented Reality Snags A Coveted Spot In Classrooms"

Laura Devaney talks about the use of augmented reality apps in the classroom. Her article informs people about how this app can aid students inside the classroom with extra information and enhance their content. While looking through mobile devices, students can experience elements like landmarks in first person as well as receive important historical facts and videos to further inform the student about a specific topic.

Augmented reality apps are very interesting and I think they could do wonders inside the classroom. It gives students such a fun way of learning new facts and in ways they will actually enjoy. It allows them to interact with the facts as well as other students and gives them a chance to learn from something other than the teacher. These apps could be very useful for students as well as teachers when performing lessons.

15. "Five Essentials To Create Connected Students"

Vicki Davis is a full time teacher and Administrator who writes about the importance of students being connected to the internet. She believes that being connected isn’t just about socializing, it is a life skill that is needed in the classroom. Davis lists five essential to be a well connected student. She believes that students need to use the internet for things like personal websites and personal networks.

I like how positive Davis is about the use of the internet in the classroom. She believes that schools shouldn’t block websites or keep students from using them to communicate with. She has a good point about using twitter to communicate with authors. I also agree with her when she says some students do not know how to use technology when they are expected outside of high school. High school should be integrating all forms of technology and college readiness in the classroom.

14. "21st Century Skills: Why They Matter, What They Are, and How We Get Them"

Ken Kay is the president of 21^st Century Skills and the author of “21^st Century Skills: Why They Matter, What They Are, and How We Get There.” His book discusses the vision for the 21^st century learning view of how we can conceptualize public education, and bring together all the elements the 21^st century students’ need. Kay’s main focus for the 21^st century students is to revert from the average subjects that are taught to teaching things like creative thinking and problem solving instead. He believes that this is the type of information that will make a student successful after graduating high school.  

I can agree with Ken Kay’s ideas because some of the most important things we need to know are not taught in the everyday classroom. Yes, it is important to be able to read and write and have proper grammar as well as being able to add and subtract, but things like being professional and how to obtain a successful job are not taught by our average teachers. I believe that it is important for individuals to be able to properly address an email and different types of documents in order to be successful. But often times we are left to figure it out on our own, sometimes even by trial and error which could easily be avoided if we were just taught the correct things in school. Student main focus is on receiving good grades in order to pass a grade level. But what good does that do us after we graduate when we are left with decisions such as obtain proper insurance, down payments of cars and houses, and planning for your future such as retirement. Not everyone has a correct answer to every question or the best advice but I believe that if things along this line were taught in school as well as the necessary subjects students would be more prepared for the developing future.

13." Why Tough Teachers Get Good Results"

Joanne Lipman discusses a past orchestra conductor of hers, Mr. K. Who is remembered for his blunt and fierce ways of teaching. He often referred to his students as "idiots" when they messed up. When compared with the way teachers are suppose to act today, Lipman says, "..he'd be fired." Lipman argues that Mr. K's way of teaching actually gets better results. It encourages students to do their best and continue to practice until their product is the best it can be. Lipman believes that the stronger methods of teaching are better and instill confidence in students.

All in all, I agree with what Lipman is discussing, but there are a few things I disagree with. I do believe that being a little more stern will encourage students to do their best in fear of failure. But we should not categorize them as failures, we should help them understand that their are challenges sometimes. The main idea for a teacher is to get the student to do their best and this may be different for each student. I do not think it is possible to have a specific way to teach a class, but more importantly teach to the students individually in ways that better them.

12. Inspiration Comments

Erika Calamari: I like the fun activities you incorporate

Jacqueline: I like the freedom you give the students to be creative with their vocabulary and making their own tall tales.

Mary Kathryn: Your activities incorporate the standard well and I like the idea of the backup plan.

Jennifer: Good lesson plan I like the group work and how you let them use their imagination a lot to complete the work.

Amanda: You incorporate a lot of fun activities that will keep the students involved.

Jordan: I like how you use real life situations to help the students better understand hurricans and the experiment.

Jonathan: I like how you plan to incorporate the students emotions about WWII to help them better understand the topic.

Victoria:

11. Do not Track Me

Do not track me is definitely a necessary download. It really helps put into perspective that you are being tracked by the cite you are visiting. After I downloaded do not track me I surfed the internet and was shocked at the number of followers that were being blocked. I accessed sites like facebook and got three followers that were also being blocked by the download. This download is useful for the people who spend a lot of time on the computer. It keeps followers away from your information and makes your computer safer.

10. Concept Map Johnny Appleseed

Johnny Appleseed

RI. K. 7

With prompting and support, describe the relationship between illustrations and the text in which they appear. (ex. what person, place,thing, or idea in the text an illustration depicts.)

I.      Read Johnny Appleseed
by Jodie Shepherd
illustrated by Masumi Furukawa

1.The students will listen while read the story.
2.They will participate by answering questions that explains what is happening in the illustration? By looking at the picture what do you think will happen next
A.    Read Johnny Appleseed

1.    Answer Questions

II.     Depict the illustration

1.First the student will decide the correct sequence the illustrations should be in and correctly number them.
2.Then they will add color to the worksheet.

A.    Sequence Worksheet

1.    Color the Worksheet

III.    Become the Author

1.As a class we will review Johnny Appleseed.
2.On their own the student will cut out the sequence worksheet and glue it to a piece of paper.
3.The student will then write their own book by telling what is happening in the picture.

A.    Review Johnny Appleseed

1.    Make a Book out of the Worksheet

a.    Write a Sentence

IV.    Become the illustrator

1.The student must finish their book.
2.They will be allowed to use the computer to complete a coloring sheet online.
3. Add the coloring sheet to the book as a book cover.

A.    Online Coloring Sheet

1.    Print and add to book cover

V.     Watch Johnny Appleseed

1.The student must listen and pay attention to the movie.
2.Take notes and compare and contrast the book and movie.
3.Tell what they liked or disliked about the story.

A.    Compare and Contrast

1.    Pick a favorite part of the story

 

9. Safe Practices for Life Online

1. Instagram, facebook.com, twitter
2. Ruin a reputation, guilt and regret, ruin chance for a job
3. Sexting- sending scandalous pictures and text through the phone, Cramming- false
    assumptions, Cookies- track your movement online, Trojan horse- virus that allows access to
    information, Phishing- false identity, Spyware- gain information form someone else's computer
    activities, Rootkit- gives unauthorized  access to computer without being detected, Zombie
    computer
    connected to the internet that has been hacked (Wikipedia)
4. These screen names are not professional and give off a bad reputation.
5. These screen names can be judged quickly because of what they may mean to someone else.
6. Too much info can be seen in screen names like someone's name or location.
7. All of these screen names are poor choices. They are not professional and can give an automatic
    poor judgment. They make the person non recognizable and less likely to be remembered or
    prioritized.
8. jhnsmt@yahoo, j.e.l@yahoo.com, ls@yahoo.com
9. My score was a six and this activity lets us know how simple it is especially with hacking software 
     to access someones password.
10. Most common is student gives their information to another friend, least common is somone
      seeing you enter your password.

8. "Bloom's Taxonomy"

Bloom's Taxonomy contains different objectives used for developing higher level thinking skills. It is a model used by teachers to present ideas and concepts to a variety of students on different learning levels. There are six levels to Bloom's Taxonomy: knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. His Taxonomy can be used for all grade levels and content areas. Teachers can asses students on different learning levels. Within each level of the Taxonomy, there are various tasks that the student must overcome. A list of verbs  are provided for each level of Bloom's taxonomy for teachers to use when creating their lesson plan that focuses on the specific level. Bloom's taxonomy is useful because it extends learning from simply remembering to more complex cognitive structures, like analyzing and evaluating students in the classroom.

 

7. "Common Core State Standards for ELA and Literacy"

What is the purpose of college and career readiness standards?
All states have the same standards



what are the benefits and challenges of the shift to reading and writing non-fiction text?
Understanding informational text and literature to be able to write and apply their knowledge




what are the benefits and challenges of having standards for Science, Social Studies, and technical subjects?
Benefits to having standards for these subjects is all knowing the same thing.
Challenges to having these standards is that some schools may not reach all the levels.

6. "Use Arts Integration to Enhance Common Core"

Integration can teach everyone something. Integration is hard to find in todays school. Often because it is difficult to make happen. Teachers must collaborate, research, and spend most of their spare time bettering their lessons. This is asking a lot from our teachers who take on this challenge. Integration is a great way to learn. It allows different contents to be combined in various ways to make learning fun. Students are more likely to want to participate and learn if these different activities are approached. This gives teachers a way to make their own additions to the Common Core Standards. The Arts Integration allows all students to learn in their own ways through music, movies, and different visuals.

These are great ideas that allow teachers and students to have their own input on learning. The teachers are enabled to stay a little from the Common Core State Standard. It also allows for children to learn in various ways. Not all students learn simply through being lectured. Some are visual, some are auditory, and some are hands on learners. These ideas allow for each students needs to be meet on different levels. These ideas should be practiced in the classroom. 

5. John Hunter and the World Peace Game

John Hunter was in and out of college, but finally gained a degree in education. He was inspired by his teachers and began to see them in himself. He designed a two dementional board game that allowed his students to learn in ways other than reading and being lectured. He wanted to see if fourth grade gifted students could solve economical problems in Africa. He wanted his students to be involved and be able to make decisions. The game developed into a multi-layer board game. This allows the students to learn spontanious compassion where they are able to determine whats right on their own and in their own way. He is teaching his students real life problems that cannot necessarily be tought how to slove. They are learning on their own and teaching themselves. They are thinking deeper and making decisions throughout the game based on what they believe. He is developing their ways of reasoning as people rather than asking concrete questions. He is letting their imagination teach themselves through a creative way of learning.

4. "The Biggest Fallacy of the Common Core Standards"

The Common Core promises that they are the most innovative advancement in education. The Common Core will convince you that they are necessary to prepare student for their life after high school. The Common Core will even ensure our national security. How can the Common Core assure us of these things? There is no evidence to base these assumptions off of. The Common Core’s standards are only setting students up for failure. This will not encourage students to further their education, but instead end it. The Common Core will be nationwide, which will not allow each state to do what is best for them. We have already discovered that MS moves slower in education than say, NY. So, why challenge the students in MS to meet the standards that are even too high for NY to reach. How will this better our nation’s education?

Common Core will be asking too much from even from the smartest students. How can we expect to benefit from this rigorous curriculum, especially by being thrown into it? The Common Core has multiple expectations and standards to offer, but how do you begin to change a school completely? Most people do not do well with change and this is asking people to completely alter the way education is in schools.  I think the Common Core is setting the country’s education up for failure.

3. "The Common Core's Fundamental Trouble"

Valerie Strauss wrote, “The Common Core’s Fundamental Trouble” which talks about schools presenting the Common Core as the next big change in education across the country.  The Common Core is raising the assessment standards for high school students. They say that this will allow the students to be better prepared for their future outside of high school. These assessments were written mainly by academic experts and testing companies.  Although these standards have not been used or tested in schools yet, they are already promising to improve education and prepare students for their future. After considering the No Child Left Behind trial failed because of its demanding curriculum, how will the considerably harder assessments benefit the country’s education? Not to mention the how costly the transition to Common Core will be. It seems the Common Core is pushing more students to failure rather than aiding them.

It seems to me that the Common Core will do the country no good. We are already not able to meet the standards NCLB experiment that is in play today. I do not see how an even more challenging curriculum is a step in the right direction.  How will failing be pushing students to work harder and prepare themselves for college and a career? I believe that the first problem with the Common Core is who designed the assessments. Instead of an assessment expert, it should be school administrators. Each state moves at its own pace, requirements, and laws. I don’t see why they cannot continue to do what works best for them. I think the Common Core is a step backwards in education rather than forward.

2. "How Teachers are Integrating Tech Common Core" Reflection

     Fred Sitkins' article, "How Teachers Are Integrating Tech Common Core" is informing others why he believes technology is important in education. Throughout his article he gives many reasons as to why he thinks switching from the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) is needed. Many schools around the world are incorporating technology into today's education. This allows each student to be more connected with others as well as the outside world. Teachers are able to share more information with students through technology. It also teaches students how to research and explore a topic on their own. This helps encourages students to learn on their own. This change in the common core is important in education because it allows students to investigate and express their learning's through the use of technology.

     I very much agree with Fred Sitkins. I believe that today's advancements in technology should be taken advantage of, especially in education. Schools should be developing and modifying to the outside world. Technology allows more information to be obtained. If students were allowed the use of technology in schools, they would be preparing themselves for the future. It would teach them how to research and how to be organized in today's world. Many of these skills are needed to aid you in college and in your career. I believe the use of technology in education is important and should be provided.

1. Introduction

My name is Callie Loveless I am 21 years old. I was born on June 11th, 1992.I am an Elementary Education Major at the University of Southern Mississippi here in Hattiesburg. I love working with children  and am looking forward to working with them in the future.  I am from Memphis, TN originally. Where I enjoy spending time with friends and family.