Group Collaboration and Problem-Solving

When working in a group, I enjoy seeing my group members really get into the subject and coming up with great research. I think being in a group over the internet is the aspect that I enjoy the least. I think if we could all get together and do our research at the same time, we could come up with a great product in the end. I know that my group members wanted to get on google chat and I think it is a great idea. That solves the formal meeting problem because we can have an ongoing conversation and shares links instead of emailing and waiting for responses.

Reading is Essential

Reading should be a part of everyone’s life on a daily basis; whether it's a text book, fiction story, or non-fiction story. Reading can expand your vocabulary as well as you imagination.

I read for many reasons. I read because I have to study for my classes, I read as a hobby to do on my lunch break, I read because I am a pre-school teacher and I'm always looking for new things to excite them, and I also read because I read to my children. Whenever it is my turn to do the lesson plan in my classroom, I go to library and get a bunch of books to relate to my theme. I will sit in an inviting area and read the book and interest my children to come and read with me or grab a book of their own and they sit quietly and read books as well. Most of them can not read the words but children CAN read pictures. They look at the pictures and describe what they see and try to guess what the story line can be. Setting an example for these children is very important because I am learning that the children in these schools, children are suffering because they cannot read.

I would like to think that I am an avid reader. Sometimes I may go two weeks or more without reading a book other than my text books because I have to much studying to do. Most of the time I try to keep a fiction novel ready in case I am done with my school work. After I spend as much time as my brain and patience allows on school work, I curl up in my bed and read my book until I fall asleep.

How People Learn

I think in order for a teacher to improve their students learning, they need to give them a small assessment just to figure out what they already know. Once they know what their children know they can figure out where they need to begin instead of starting from scratch. Teachers can present new information by allowing their class to do their own research. Having to just jot down notes doesn’t allow many people the opportunity to actually really learn what they are being taught instead of just drilling themselves on the information. Doing research allows them to get into character and deliver the information firsthand which actually allows them to learn it. They could always try a learner centered perspective in the classroom. To me this is trial and error because you can see your own misconceptions of things. Some people take what they are familiar with into the classrooms instead of doing full on research to figure out what they actually need to do. Letting them make that mistake actually allows them to see what they need to do from there on out. There is a type of tool that you can use to organize your instruction and plans. The star legacy was built for teachers to use to help create their lesson plans and it helps you to have a creative learning environment. Teachers can also use bubble maps, spreadsheets, and lessons plans that can help them sort things out. There are also other charts you can make on the computer to help sort out materials. IRIS has dedicated its’ time to perform research for college students and professors on activities and other information to do with students with disabilities. They increase the students learning by knowing what to do in case they have a child hard of hearing, hard of seeing, or immobile. The faculty can use them by allowing the students by providing the interactive trainings online in the classroom.

My goals

I have very simple goals that I wish to attain this semester. I have always thought that I was very computer Savvy until now. Lol. I know my way around the computer which now I know is very basic.  When doing the student survey that my teacher asked us to do. I had no idea what a wiki was as well as a podcast. So two of my goals are to learn what those are and how to use them effectively so that I may begin using them in the near future. Atleast I won't look crazy should the topic of them ever surface :-). Another one of my goals is to be more familiar with assistive technologies for people with special needs. I know of some of them but for my own sake I will have to get out and learn more about them and how to utilize them. My dreams are to open a shelter for run away girls as well as a daycare specializing in helping children with special needs. That is something that is going to be beneficial to me for this class as well as my future.