Challenge 12

Challenge 12 was a little on the difficult side for me.  It was hard to think about what all that I have actually learned because I have been so unsure on all of the projects that I have completed.  I knew that having two kids and taking on a class would be difficult from the beginning, but having a newborn in the NICU was not expected.  I have fallen behind on some of my projects which is not usually in my nature.  I always like to have assignments turned in on time because that is what I expect of my students.  I am so thankful to have the group of classmates that I do.  Everyone of you have been so helpful and understanding.  After reviewing all that I have done thus far this semester, I realized that my mind has been so jumbled the entire semester.  I thought that Wordle would suit this project appropriately.  The layout that I chose resembles how I have felt as I have read through the chapters and attempted each project.  All of the key words have ran through my brain.  Luckily, through these past few weeks some information actually has stuck in my head.  I really have learned more about technology than I thought that I could considering the circumstances.  I am excited to see what else this course has to offer and what new teaching techniques I will learn to incorporate into my classroom.
 Here is my Wordle...
http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/6495159/What_I_Haved_Learned

Challenge 7

Almost everyone, students included, use the popular social media site Facebook.   Most people use it to keep up with the latest gossip, friends' activities, and communicate with people from all around the world.  Some teachers that I know use it to send out homework assignments and contact a mass amount of students.  Facebook is just like any other website.  All of the rules and regulations should apply when using Facebook.  When using Facebook, a person can communicate at the same time as someone else by instant messaging, or at different times by sending a post or sending a message.  The student that I interviewed name is Jordan.  Jordan told me that she really enjoys using Facebook.  She said that she checks her notifications multiple times per day.  The school that Jordan attends has recently received IPads.  She explained that this makes it much easier for her to check her Facebook updates while she is at school.  When asked about problems that she has encountered with Facebook, Jordan told me that sometimes her phone automatically updates Facebook.  She expressed that she has had some problems trying to get pictures to upload when her phone completes the automatic updates.  Jordan said that another problem that she has with Facebook is that most of her friends post relationship issues on Facebook for all to see, and then they complain that everyone is in their business.  She said that although Facebook seems to be private, it is not necessarily private.  Jordan said that she also does not like how Facebook is set-up now because when someone comments or likes a person's page that she is not friends with, it still shows up on her newsfeed the comment or like they received.  When I asked her if any of these problems would keep her from using this social media site, she said, "No Way!"  She said Facebook has almost become a way of life.  She in turn asked me what my generation ever did without Facebook.  I explained to her we called each other on the phone, or we met up face-to-face.   I also told her that we did not even have text messaging when I was in high school.  She was amazed.  From interviewing Jordan, I learned that today's generation of students rely heavily on technology to make it throughout the day.  Most of these students have never known a day without technology.  They are living in a digital society.  As a teacher, I have learned that students need to have technology incorporated into daily lessons and homework assignments so that they remain engaged in the class.  Also one important fact that I learned is that older generations need to listen and learn from today's technological society.  We can learn a thing or two from them as we teach them lessons as well.