Clase de espanol grabacion. Tarea #2

Maybe this will work and allow my profe to view it.

Bret

T3@ch3r$ c0mput3r L1t3r@t3?

Should teachers be required to be computer literate?  Should they be required to integrate technology into their classroom?  Provide rationale to support your stance.

I am completely for teachers having to be computer literate. We have to use the technologies that are available and that the kids will be using in the future. Obviously they will be using technology way more advanced than what they will see today, but they MUST be exposed to it. 

Three reasons...
#1- Its expected of the rising generation to know how to use the technology for work, not just play, where else is a better laboratory to show them how to use it productively.
#2- "No Child Left Behind" is a common and popular mantra among school districts, so we had better ensure the kids are up to speed on available technology.
#3- They can't be scared of the technology. They have to be proficient in order to compete in the future workplace.

I remember a handout my Junior English teacher handed out to us at the beginning of the semester. She was encouraging us to use the technology available to us, (I just think that she was tired of reading handwritten papers!)  It had some quotes from parents and teachers who didn't want certain "education enhancing" devices allowed in class. Those devices that were included were, the lead pencil, the pencil sharpener, the typewriter, and the computer. 

Check out this link of ads for a MAC, I am not condoning, I just thought they were funny! 


As you can plainly see these are all important and useful tools that do indeed enhance the educational possibilities of the students. Our teacher although she could have been catagorized as (old, or experienced) understood correlation of technology and better education.

Our students need teachers who talk their tech language and who are up to speed with the advancements that are being made. They don't have to be young, but they must be willing to learn.

Technology = Communication... or Not

How technology enhances and/or diminishes communication.

So does technology allow us to communicate better with our fellow human beings or does it let us reach a more expansive audience but only at a superficial level?

   PRO Argument A. The technology that we have today allows us to communicate with more than one medium i.e. just our voices and ears. There are phones, texting, video phones, online videos and so many more.

   PRO Argument B. The Online chat rooms, online social networking, twitter, FB(Facebook), instant messaging, gaming sites, the technology of cell phones is allowing us an ever increasing ability to transmit ideas and conversations with anyone and everyone, anywhere and everywhere. 
   I just read an article of a 22 year old woman who crossed the Atlantic on a solo row boat journey with 100 chocolate bars, 3 i-pods and the internet. Wait the internet? She was constantly in contact with people through e-mail and twitter. All in the middle of the Ocean!

   CON Argument A. Even though are many methods to communicate the human race is losing the ability to effectively convey ideas and thoughts from human to human. 
   Ex: We have idiot professional sports stars, music artists etc. who publish cop-out apologies and excuses for their actions on their blogs but who don't ever take the time to speak to those they have hurt to express regret or pain. That is NOT communication.


   CON Argument B. We are in what has been deemed the "I" Generation. You don't see people without headphones on, not even paying attention to others who are right there with them. We have "I" pod, "I" phones and only "I" matter attitudes. People don't care for others since they are so busy with their gagets.

   Teens texting and driving causing accidents because they have to know the latest gossip rather than paying attention to road and traffic conditions. 

   Did the woman who rowed solo across the ocean even realize the beauty and majesty of the world around her? Possibly not if she was "connected" through her Me-phone, I mean i-phone.

In conclusion there are definitely MORE methods in which that we can communicate, but the quality of the communication is lost. We should not diminish out means of communication by diluting it with the internet but we as a society aught to increase our ability to really communicate with others of the human race.

Post #2

What technology do you use on a regular basis? How has technology changed your personal or educational life?

What technology do I use on a regular basis? You mean besides my pencil shapener, electric lights, and computers? I really can't think of a single thing that I use daily that isn't some form of a technological advance. We have progressed quite a ways from charcoal drawing on cave walls, to transferring data through fiber-optik cable, (not to mention blu-tooth, etc.) I LOVE TECHNOLOGY

It seems that someone has tried to improve everything in someway or another. Either its stronger, bigger, lasts longer or just better.

This has given us so much more time to devote to whatever else we feel to do with it. We don't have to spend hours each day preparing and cleaning up meals for example, we have dishwashers that help with clean-up. We can then study about genetics or investments to save someone or just to make more money.

Really if you just sit and think about it there is nothing that technology hasn't improved, from out lighting needs to our ability to communicate with each other.

Educationally speaking there is so much more available, and so much more accessible, just the internet has opened up volumes of information (Its going to sound cliche) that is available to anyone with a connection.

Personally, I can listen to any song I want pretty much anytime I want. I just have to know its name, or the artist or just a line. gone are the days of waiting for the radio to play my favorite song, I can just find it, read the lyrics, listen to 6 different artist and even buy it online! Like this song under pressure, by a group of vocalists.

Technology allows me to post not just text but pics and videos! Awesome!

Blogging for beginners-

Blog #1 Topic:  Why do I want to be a teacher?  Who or what inspired me to pursure this career?  

Wow what a super broad subject! There is a real long story that goes with this. I guess I should just start at the beginning. I lost my job in construction 2 years ago in October. I began to think, "What would I do with my life (since I have to start over anyway!)? What is my dream? What will make me happy?"

Construction wasn't the answer, and I explored other options and finally came to the realization that I wanted to be a Track Coach. (Can you find me in the picture) At the same time I had to find a career that would be convenient for this, TEACHING! So then I had to figure out what subject I would love everyday...ESPANOL! 

So I am on the path that will take to me teaching. So what is it about teaching that I think will make me happy everyday?

The whole reason I want to teach is to situate me to help others. My goals are to become a great teacher and coach. I feel that I will be able to touch the lives of students and in turn their families present and future. I hope to help direct them in a very positive way. I love young people in general and have coached in a few opportunities and absolutely loved it! It has always been natural for me to look for opportunities to serve and help others anyway I can. My life will be dedicated to lifting those around me, family, church and community in all that I do.

One recent example is a student I help coach in track and field. He is very talented, active and has great intentions; but needs more structure during practice to accomplish his very lofty goals. I have tried to modify my coaching style to better suit his needs, while not neglecting the other athletes' needs. I am making that sound easier than it is!

The hard part about all this is that I will probably not know right away if I have done any good.