Voicethread

I think that voicethread is really cool. I like it better then wiki, because you can have discussions with voice audio or type a comment. I like how you can click on different peoples comments and listen to their audio clip. I would use it in my lesson pland or in the classroom for outside of class discussions.

personality types

I think that students have different learning styles according to their personality types. For example; a person with a really extroverted personality will be more prone to asking questions in front of the class while a person with an introverted personality will more then likely keep it to themself rather then talking out loud. I think it would be very helpful to know your students, because you want them all to be in a comfortable environment in your classroom, and by asking a person whom may have an introverted personality a question in front of the whole class may put them outside of their comfort zone.

Inspiration

I have never heard of Inspiration before, but I think the video was really cool. It seems like it could be very helpful for students and educators as well. The amount of technology incorporated into the program is amazing. My favorite thing about the video was the brainstorming diagram and how the program actually helps you with ideas. I also like how you can insert pictures, videos, music, and basically whatever you want into a diagram you are working on. Inspiration would be very convenient in a classroom. I have no idea why I have never heard of it before. I would use the program to make my lesson plans and help my students learn with the aid of technology.

There are several writing activities that would make good use of technology. One of the best activities would be powerpoint presentation where the student has to create a powerpoint based on a certain topic. Students can help each other with writing assignments by working in groups to brainstorm over their topic. I would assign groups and allow a few minutes of class time for students to get together and help one another explore different ideas. You can also give your students access to Inspiration to provide feedback and ideas. Last semester in one of my kinesiology classes I had to teach a lesson over ancient nations dealing with the foundation of kinesiology. Before the assignment I knew absolutely nothing about the assignment, but after researching on the internet and reading the chapters I had a good understanding of the topic. I also used a powerpoint to help outline and better understand what I would be teaching. After I taught the lesson to the class I knew the information a lot better.

Blogs

Before this class, I have never had a blog or even used one before, but I think it's cool and will probably keep up with one even when the class is over. I think blogs are useful for education, because it is a way for educators and students to get a message out there and discuss their own opinions. It is also a good way for students to connect and get to know other classmates whom they have alot in common with that otherwise they wouldn't know or talk to. Everyone has their own opinion, but I think that using blogs is a great idea and would not be a waste of students time at all.

I would use this technology to post assignments just as a reminder for the student learners. It is also a good way to get in touch with your students if class is going to be cancelled or if there is something you need to tell them. Instead of sending an email to a hundred or so different students, you can just tell the students to check your blog on a daily basis to know what is going on and if their is anything important happening.

A little about me...

My name is Derek Stanley. I'm 21 years old. I'm from a small town called Leonard, Tx where I graduated highschool from in 2006. After graduation I attended Grayson County College in Denison for a year in a half before I transferred here last fall. I'm a huge sports fanatic and I love to watch and play any sport. I'm also one of the biggest Texas Rangers, Dallas Cowboys, and Dallas Mavericks fans that you will ever meet. My major is kinesiology and I plan on coaching basketball and teaching at the secondary level. : )