freedom...

So I guess it's about time that I started using this space to write things that might actually interest my friends and family. I guess the problem was really that I had no idea what to write about and no time to come up with things to write about. Well, here comes my first real summer in quite some time when I won't have the pressure of homework weighing down on my time. Bam! Time is no longer an issue. If only I had something good to write about. So I guess if you are reading this you must know a little bit about me. Get ready for some randomness. The kind of random that busts out of you in song when you least expect it. And not the kind of song that someone else could join in on, but the kind where it is just you letting your thoughts wander out in the form of a tune. Yup, that kind of random.

Yesterday it hit me. It was a kind of strange thought, but powerful enough to make me think "I guess I could blog about that."

Why I LOVE springtime in Provo:
Notice the beautiful color on those trees. Although the smell can be kind of intense, these trees are one of the most pleasing parts of my walks home in the spring time.

While I was enjoying that pleasing sight right outside my window it was interrupted by this:Notice that is in fact a parking enforcement vehicle. It drove by our apartment more than three times yesterday. This is one of the reasons I always dislike Provo no matter the season.

Final Assignments

I have checked my grades on blackboard and completed the Course Feedback Survey. However, I was misinformed about the due-date of the Route Y evaluation. I believed that today was the deadline, but they have all closed. I planned on taking this evaluation today because I do not do school work on Sundays.

Internet Safety

1. What article did you choose to read for your article of choice?

I chose to read under the "Internet" section on the church website. There were great websites that I found. This one is especially useful for teaching children. It is fun for them to navigate.
http://www.kidsmart.org.uk/

1. Describe the video resources you watched?

I watched BYU's animation department's video on internet safety. It was cute and fun, and kids would enjoy watching it. It taught about not giving personal information online and not meeting in person people you met online.

Next I watched Katie's Story on WebWiseKids. They talked about how she encountered an internet predator. Her parents were worried about her conversations with this supposedly nice man and they got advice from an officer. They gave the family a game to play called "Missing." While playing the game Katie realized the similarities of the situation and was able to have the man convicted after further investigation. There were also lots of videos of internet predators. They are scary and so sad. They manipulate these poor young girls who are searching for comfort. Finally, I watched a video about how easy it was to track people online. These videos were really informative.

Next I went to the netsmartz website and watched several videos. I have heard there has been a problem with cyberbullying. I watched these videos to understand the problems that are out there. This is definitely a problem that needs to be addressed.

1. Write a paragraph describing what your most important "take-aways" were from the readings and video?

My favorite part was reviewing Elder Bednar's CES talk. I remember the feeling I had after he gave the talk, and it was great to recall all that he shared. He made some wonderfully bold statements about cyber life on the internet. It can be dangerous and addictive. It has destroyed families and skews morals. We need to keep ourselves and our families safe.

1. Write a paragraph or more describing the details of your "doing" experience (you don't need to include any names).
   

He knew about how it was important to protect yourself by being careful with the information you place online. He also talked about protecting your software from internet viruses. He believes that for children it is absolutely crucial that you keep the computer in a public place and have proper filters built in. It surprised me that he already knew so much about internet safety. He has obviously been taught well from his family, church, and school.

My Technology Lesson Plans

http://docs.google.com/present/view?id=dd25jrrn_1cffbs7gt&autoStart=true

Technology Lesson Plans

One of our computers isn't working and this one does not have Word. I saved my lesson plans as a PDF from my Mac program.

http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0Bw_kbhTI6FBcYjkyNDFiNWEtODEyZi00MGJlLTlmMjgtNDQ1MTU4N2VjMTI1&hl=en

The most important reason I can see for technology in the classroom is that it inspires the students. I have seen this time and time again. They are attracted to technology because it is so much a part of their culture. This week the Promethean Board was set up in our classroom and it has made such an improvement. The students love it. It is new and exciting, so they will do anything to get a chance. I have never seen them so quiet and attentive before during math! Technology makes them want to learn. And unfortunately, our class is geared to a math program that has a strange set-up. It has been hard to get students to grasp the concept in a way that prepares them for their tests and workbooks. Now we are able to set up our lessons to be taught in the way that they are being assessed so students better understand the material. Technology is a great motivating tool in the classroom.

We got our Promethean board today. I am really excited, so now I get to figure out how to use it alongside my mentor teacher. She was showing me a little bit of what she has created for it, and we are almost as excited as the students to use it in class. They were oohing and aahing as soon as the peered into the classroom and saw it replacing the white board. As soon as the cables are all wired safely into the wall, we will begin using it for instruction and I will get to experiment with it.

I did all of this week's assignment.