31 January - Google Part 1

Google Part 1 Thoughts by John Haws

What

There is an amazing amount of information contained in what was presented in those few minutes.  I signed up for engrade.  It was an amazing straightforward approach to scores. I had worked with documents since last semester.  I had shared documents and learned to work on group projects with the program.  What I knew was just a very trivial amount compared to what was shown in the class and what I am able to work with.  Forms, Calendars, and spreadsheets can also be used in my classroom someday.  I appreciate learning control c for copy and control v for paste.  These are simple things but they make all the difference in the world.  I have never made a power point presentation in google.  It was great to point that it can be done.

So What?

This is going to make all the difference to me as a teacher.  The exercise today of learning how to do questionaires and to get the results back is a major accomplishment to learn.  It can be a simple way of students doing homework and accessing it.  Blogging can also be a great way to have students type up their homework responses and a great way students can use technology to do their homework.  I am excited to have all these options at my fingertips in Gmail.  I am amazed at the amount of information I learned in those two hours.  Teaching students in this world needs to have a technology flair.  Students have conditioned themselves to learn by technology.  The classroom function needs to be envisioned to include technology.  I want to be thrilled to learn and not be the old fat guy that is trying not to be always innovating and learning.

Now What?

I have to practice and incorporate all these items into my plans for my classroom.  I have to practice them enough so they are a part of me.  I need to completely use the web site and calendar.  I need to make possible the use of the internet for homework and students and parents access to the website and pertinent information.  I am slow and it is hard to keep up with the movement in the class.  I have to practice each week on my own so I won't be inferior and will be able to fully learn the information of the classroom.  Thanks for giving me this vision

17 January Introduction

My Educational Hero

    When my mother was in her 50's, she went back to Universtiy to finish her degree and become a teacher.  She became a elementary education teacher.  She taught 5th and 6th grade.  She did not need the job or the money.  She went back to make a difference.  She was only able to teach for 10 years before getting cancer and dying.  When we had the funeral, the church was full of students and parents who came with stories of how my mother made a difference.  Her favorite students were struggling students.  Her goal was to make a difference.  

    She would have the whole family helping her to prepare the extra effort items to ensure successs.  Many a night I would have to go with her and leave underwear, backpacks or a certain toy on the porch for one of her students and then run.  She saw a need of physical, mental, emotional help.  She would always give the students hugs like a grandma would and always said when you are fat, they never worry about child abuse.  She believed that hugs made the world a better place.

    Before cancer invaded her body, she was honored for her teaching methods by the State of Utah.  She never told any of us kids about her award.  She only told us when she saw success in one of her students.  We knew her students and followed their progress over the years.  I know that whereever she is she is still watching over them and the progress they made.   I want to be this kind of teacher.