This is the final week of class and I have one assignment left...the Technology Presentation. Ugh. I was looking over the assignment list and because of the shift and with having Thansgiving week off (which I really appreciated since we traveled out of state!) it looks as though our instructor has dropped several assignments in order to fit the remaining material into the time left. Part of me appreciates the revisions, but part of me is interested in what valuable information we may have missed out on. The changes to the assignments and due dates at the end of the class have been a bit frustrating, but hopefully future classes will benefit from the confusion that we have had to endure!
So, one more assignment and then it's time for a couple weeks off before we're back at it with Dr. Lichau. I am amazed at how fast this first semester has gone by. Twelve months from now we'll be ready for our Practicum and Student Teaching assignments. I know that some folks in the cohort are having difficulty balancing this program with the rest of the demands they face and while it's difficult, nothing worthwhile is easy. I hope that they all hang in there! I know that without the support of my husband and friends, this would be a much more difficult journey.
I've enjoyed blogging and I think that I'm going to continue "as time permits". Until next time, I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday break!
Friday, December 12, 2008
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Week 6-A or B?
This online class is almost over and I must admit that I am missing the social interaction that takes place in a classroom setting. I was able to visit with a couple of folks at the ORELA test on Saturday and that just made me realize how much I enjoy being in class. While its been nice being able to work on assignments at my leisure as well as not having to commute to Concordia, I'm looking forward to being back in the classroom in January.
Speaking of the ORELA...for those who haven't taken it yet, the test (sections 1 & 2) is four hours long. Not two. I'm warning you so that you don't make the same mistake I made. By the time the test was over, I was STARVING! Fortunately, my husband was patiently waiting to take me to dinner so it all worked out fine.
Speaking of the ORELA...for those who haven't taken it yet, the test (sections 1 & 2) is four hours long. Not two. I'm warning you so that you don't make the same mistake I made. By the time the test was over, I was STARVING! Fortunately, my husband was patiently waiting to take me to dinner so it all worked out fine.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Copyright? Copyright?
So, one of the topics for this week was the issue of Copyright and what constitutes "fair use". Anyone from EDU501 want to weigh in on Deb's use of media? Does a bootlegged, home taped copy of 20/20 qualify as "fair use". Well, perhaps if we had actually learned something from it. Gimmeee a break! All kidding aside, the rules around copyright are grey. You can show Rudy to your PE class (instructional), but not to your football team before the big game (motivational/inspirational). What??
Second topic for this week...PowerPoint. I currently work at Intel. I don't think a decision (major or minor) has been made in this company without a PowerPoint presentation supporting it. The irony is, we (at Intel) break almost every Powerpoint sin out there. Too much data, too many bullets, too many words on a page, etc. The point is that while there may be guidelines on how to effectively use a tool, it's effectiveness is ultimately dependent on a variety of factors-audience, purpose, and method of delivery.
Second topic for this week...PowerPoint. I currently work at Intel. I don't think a decision (major or minor) has been made in this company without a PowerPoint presentation supporting it. The irony is, we (at Intel) break almost every Powerpoint sin out there. Too much data, too many bullets, too many words on a page, etc. The point is that while there may be guidelines on how to effectively use a tool, it's effectiveness is ultimately dependent on a variety of factors-audience, purpose, and method of delivery.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Reflections
What follows is the "script" from a podcast assignment in which we are to explain why we want to become a teacher and what our philosophy of teaching is....
My name is Michelle Keizer and I am going to tell you why I have chosen to go back to school and pursue a career in teaching.
I am the oldest of three girls by a margin of five and fifteen years. Because of the large age differences between my sisters, in many ways I feel as though I have always been a teacher. I am quite comfortable in this role whether it be at home, as a teacher’s aide in high school, as a youth basketball coach, in my children’s school, or in a variety of work settings. While still in high school, I considered becoming a professional teacher, but in the naiveté of youth, dismissed it for various reasons. Teachers work long hours, they don’t make a lot of money, there isn’t much prestige, and certainly no fame or fortune to be had from becoming a teacher. I was too immature and selfish to recognize that the immaterial rewards of this career path might just out weigh the cost. So, directly after high school, I went to college and majored in Business Management believing that was the path toward my happiness and reward both spiritually and financially.
I have worked in the business world for several years now and as an adult I have come to realize that there is more to a career then making money. There’s the satisfaction that comes with knowing you have done a good job and knowing that what you did made a difference in the world in some small way. In my current career, I don’t feel as though what I do makes a difference in the world. I have often pondered what would satisfy and challenge me. I realized that I am most content when I am in the role of teacher or mentor whether it be helping others learn a process or procedure or teaching a training class to co-workers. I long for more then just financial rewards from my career. I want to know that what I do makes a difference to people.
When my children began school, I started volunteering in their classrooms on a regular basis. One of the tasks assigned to me was to help administer spelling tests. Although challenging and at times down right difficult to keep the kids focused on the task at hand, I would leave feeling enriched and satisfied. No spreadsheet or power point presentation has ever allowed me that feeling of accomplishment. I began to understand how much I love learning, aiding in the process of learning, and being part of a school community. With this in mind, I began my journey to change careers and become a teacher.
My philosophy of teaching centers around the concept that ALL children can learn. I want to have a classroom where all youth feel safe to be who they are.
I believe in the educating of young minds to establish a foundation for becoming life long learners and thinkers.
I am sensible enough to know that this is not an easy profession and that there will be many tough issues to deal with. But when I pause to reflect on my life, I want to know and I want my children to see that I pursued and achieved that which inspired me. And with any luck, I might just inspire a young adult to pursue what really inspires them.
My name is Michelle Keizer and I am going to tell you why I have chosen to go back to school and pursue a career in teaching.
I am the oldest of three girls by a margin of five and fifteen years. Because of the large age differences between my sisters, in many ways I feel as though I have always been a teacher. I am quite comfortable in this role whether it be at home, as a teacher’s aide in high school, as a youth basketball coach, in my children’s school, or in a variety of work settings. While still in high school, I considered becoming a professional teacher, but in the naiveté of youth, dismissed it for various reasons. Teachers work long hours, they don’t make a lot of money, there isn’t much prestige, and certainly no fame or fortune to be had from becoming a teacher. I was too immature and selfish to recognize that the immaterial rewards of this career path might just out weigh the cost. So, directly after high school, I went to college and majored in Business Management believing that was the path toward my happiness and reward both spiritually and financially.
I have worked in the business world for several years now and as an adult I have come to realize that there is more to a career then making money. There’s the satisfaction that comes with knowing you have done a good job and knowing that what you did made a difference in the world in some small way. In my current career, I don’t feel as though what I do makes a difference in the world. I have often pondered what would satisfy and challenge me. I realized that I am most content when I am in the role of teacher or mentor whether it be helping others learn a process or procedure or teaching a training class to co-workers. I long for more then just financial rewards from my career. I want to know that what I do makes a difference to people.
When my children began school, I started volunteering in their classrooms on a regular basis. One of the tasks assigned to me was to help administer spelling tests. Although challenging and at times down right difficult to keep the kids focused on the task at hand, I would leave feeling enriched and satisfied. No spreadsheet or power point presentation has ever allowed me that feeling of accomplishment. I began to understand how much I love learning, aiding in the process of learning, and being part of a school community. With this in mind, I began my journey to change careers and become a teacher.
My philosophy of teaching centers around the concept that ALL children can learn. I want to have a classroom where all youth feel safe to be who they are.
I believe in the educating of young minds to establish a foundation for becoming life long learners and thinkers.
I am sensible enough to know that this is not an easy profession and that there will be many tough issues to deal with. But when I pause to reflect on my life, I want to know and I want my children to see that I pursued and achieved that which inspired me. And with any luck, I might just inspire a young adult to pursue what really inspires them.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Week 3- Blogs, Podcasts, YouTube, OH MY!
Has anybody else noticed what a time sucker YouTube is? I just spent over an hour watching songs posted by political satirist Roy Zimmerman. Check out his song "To Be a Liberal". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3qgiNPVpSM
This was time I should have been on Teacher Tube looking for videos and completing the assigned review. I love that my Masters in Teaching program is introducing me to the wonders of technology. Wonders that frankly, I never made time for in my regular daily life. I'm curious if after this class is over if I will continue blogging. Will I have time? Will anyone find it interesting enough to read? Does that even matter? I do know that once I'm a teacher, I will not hesitate to utilize the resources out there, like Teacher Tube to help make learning more interesting and relevant for my students. I'm still on the fence about Podcasting, given that I haven't completed that assignment, yet....
This was time I should have been on Teacher Tube looking for videos and completing the assigned review. I love that my Masters in Teaching program is introducing me to the wonders of technology. Wonders that frankly, I never made time for in my regular daily life. I'm curious if after this class is over if I will continue blogging. Will I have time? Will anyone find it interesting enough to read? Does that even matter? I do know that once I'm a teacher, I will not hesitate to utilize the resources out there, like Teacher Tube to help make learning more interesting and relevant for my students. I'm still on the fence about Podcasting, given that I haven't completed that assignment, yet....
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Week 2 of Technology Class
The past two weeks have been brutal. Trying to complete final journals, reflection papers, and a research project with presentation for EDU532 on top of ramping up a new class has been challenging. The MATe program is sold as being very manageable to complete even if you have a full time job and family. The past two weeks have been contrary to that, at least for me.
Perhaps if I was more of a "digital native", I wouldn't have found this overlap as challenging. But the fact is that I'm a digital immigrant and I need to adapt and quickly! I'm practicing by listening to my ipod, writing my blog and working on my website at the same time. All of this at 12:45 on a Saturday night, after I've cooked dinner, washed the dishes, had a glass of wine with the neighbor, read the kids a story and tucked them in to bed. Hmmm, maybe I can get this multi-tasking thing down after all!
Perhaps if I was more of a "digital native", I wouldn't have found this overlap as challenging. But the fact is that I'm a digital immigrant and I need to adapt and quickly! I'm practicing by listening to my ipod, writing my blog and working on my website at the same time. All of this at 12:45 on a Saturday night, after I've cooked dinner, washed the dishes, had a glass of wine with the neighbor, read the kids a story and tucked them in to bed. Hmmm, maybe I can get this multi-tasking thing down after all!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Using Blogs in the Classroom
At first glance of Mr. Harbeck's blog, I was overwhelmed with the amount of content. However, after further evaluation, I began to realize what an amazing tool blogs can be for communicating with students as well as teaching students through practical application how to use technology appropriately and respectfully.
In the article "Don't Feed the Trolls" the author asks, "How do we use it to help students understand that push-button publishing of any kind-discussion forums, chat rooms, blogs-requires constant reflection and self-restraint?" One way that Mr. Harbeck addresses this very issue is by having students provide feedback on their peers writing. In addition, he highlights a good example of appropriate feedback. In effect, Mr. Harbeck is teaching not only content, but also civil discourse.
In my future classroom, provided all students have access to the internet, I would like to use blogs to at a minimum, communicate a review of the material covered in class as well as homework assignments. I especially like how Mr. Harbeck involves the students in posting a summary of the material covered and daily homework. I believe that by delegating this to students, he has created a community of learning both online and in the classroom.
In the article "Don't Feed the Trolls" the author asks, "How do we use it to help students understand that push-button publishing of any kind-discussion forums, chat rooms, blogs-requires constant reflection and self-restraint?" One way that Mr. Harbeck addresses this very issue is by having students provide feedback on their peers writing. In addition, he highlights a good example of appropriate feedback. In effect, Mr. Harbeck is teaching not only content, but also civil discourse.
In my future classroom, provided all students have access to the internet, I would like to use blogs to at a minimum, communicate a review of the material covered in class as well as homework assignments. I especially like how Mr. Harbeck involves the students in posting a summary of the material covered and daily homework. I believe that by delegating this to students, he has created a community of learning both online and in the classroom.
Introduction
My name is Michelle Keizer and I am a first year MAT student at Concordia University. In addition, I am also a wife, mother, and full-time employee of Intel Corp. Once I've completed the MAT program, I plan to teach high school math and business classes.
As part of this first blog, we have been asked to identify our favorite animal and why. I don't have one particular favorite animal, but I do really like our pet cat, Snowball. She was a stray that we rescued just before Christmas four years ago. As you may have guessed from her name, she is all white and has the most beautiful gold eyes. What I like most about Snowball and cats in general is their sense of independence. Cats are who they are and don't seem to be affected by what anyone else thinks. I admire that about them. Here is a picture of Snowball perched in a Japanese Maple.
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