Friday, June 15, 2012

Light at the end of the tunnel.....

Okay, so finally, I felt a little more with it in class today.....Dr. Dunn discussed software that I am more familiar with.  I am so excited to try some of these tools with my students.  As a special education teacher, these tools provide event more alternative methods for instructing and assessing my students.  I also like that the tools provide differentiated methods for the students to showcase their skills and talents.  I will be trying out some of these next school year.

On another note, in all of the positiveness of learning about these multimedia tools, I hit a bump on the emotional road.  My spirit is tired and in need of renewal and the tears came.  Two weeks of school and being away from my family.  I am looking foward to seeing them this weekend!!

Neodesha Hendley

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Excuse me, are you speaking another language?

Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday....oh what a looong day!  The information overload was in full effect.  Qualitative
Quantitative
Second Life
Prezi......stop this merry-go-round, I need to get off! 

This day, I felt the most overwhelmed with knowledge.  I felt my mind drifting alone on a sea of technology - depths yet to be explored.  I know that I need time to process a lot of this information and some will make better sense after I've completed a few more classes. 

As my mind is adrift, I look off to the right and spot what looks like a life saving device......oh despair, it is simply an avatar in Second Life.......alas, my journey continues.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Now that's SMART!

Yeah, well this morning started in a raging panic....planned to wake up early to finish some work and blog, but my hotel neighbors decided to have some kind of 'episode' at 2:30 AM!!  Gracious...needless to say my sleep cycle was interupted and I did not get up early.....hence the raging panic.

So, I try to use the wireless at the hotel and it's down and I have to wait until I get to class...bummer, but alas, it is completed before 8:30 AM.

I am completely impressed with the SMART technology!  Oh how I long for one in my high school classroom....we have CPS clickers.  The interaction capabilities are wonderful and I think it lends itself to more student engagement. It also is a great way to get them up and moving in a controlled manner. 

Neodesha Hendley

OMG, Really?!?!

Can you believe this?  I am here in the first day of the technology class, EDUC 730 and my school-issued computer is "possessed'!!  Everything worked fine last week, but this week - umm NO!!  Unfortunately, I did not bring my anointing oil to anoint said laptop.

But hark, what do I hear, the hooves of Dr. Randall Dunn on his white horse!!  Hooray!!  Dr. Dunn provided me with a loaner-laptop and I could here the angels singing "hallelujah!"

We discussed in the class a lot of information - including the assignments due for the week. Yes, it's a little overwhelming to wrap my head around it all, but the journey has begun and Dr. Dunn, my hero of the day, promises that by Wednesday, we will achieve clarity!!

Neodesha Hendley

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

My View on Technology

Technology has had a HUGE impact on education.  Our children are growing up in a technologically advanced society and I believe it is important that we support and encourage them.  They need to be able to integrate technology in their everyday life.

That being said, I do believe that in our diligence in teaching them about education, we have overlooked the necessity of teaching them to use technology in a responsible and ethical manner.  This is why in high school environments we deal with so many issues that began on Facebook, Twitter, etc.

I also believe that we have to remind our children that just because you can have 'instant' access to almost everything, you still have to be engaged with real, live, living and breathing humans.  Nothing will ever replace the human connection.