Final Reflection!

Reflection Question: What did you get out of this class? Will you use tech in your classes? How will you use tech in your classes? How has this class changed the way you think about teaching? About technology?


Probably the most important things that I got out of this class were my knowledge of Studiocode, film editing, and website design. I will be able to use Studiocode for the rest of my college career as a tool to evaluate my teaching. The point of my degree is to become the best Physical Education teacher I can be and I see this program as a good tool to do that. I think it will also be cool if I can use a database within Studiocode to make a highlight film of sorts to send to future employers. 
Since we made our advocacy videos I have made one other video. I took video of my little cousins indoor soccer game. I made an introduction, and organized the clips so that it showed him doing all the good things he did during the game. The highlighted moment being when he scored a goal. I put it to music, an instrumental version of a popular hip-hop song. My little cousin loved it. He thought it was so cool that he has a video on Youtube. Granted the program I have on my PC is not as good imovie for apple but it was still pretty cool. I wouldn't have had the ability to do that had I not taken this class.
I do see myself using these programs and technology in my future classes. I think a class website is a great way to distribute information and promote activities. It can also be central place to share information I want students to learn. When I think of all the possibilities for technology in my classes it's just awesome. Games, videos, Google docs, and more. Students today are very accustomed to learning with technology and my classes should appeal to them in that way.
I have always wanted my classes to be interactive and not just a lecture. The things I have learned about this semester I think will help me involve students in ways I didn't know about.

Mobile Apps, the textbook of tomorrow?

Would you use mobile apps in your class, why or why not?


I honestly don't know how big mobile applications could be in my future teaching. Right now a lot of apps are just for fun. Apps for games, music, and TV stations. I know they have apps that help you study, they come in the form of flashcards by subject. Just like Brother Randall said, "In the next 10 to 15 years students will probably all have a smartphone or ipad, so they might as well be using it to study." Which is a good idea. Forms of media and ways of presenting information are always changing, and in order to be at the forefront we have to be changing and taking advantage of these new technologies. I think it could be very affective if at some point textbooks were all in apps. That way I always have my textbook with me, I could study at any time. Also it saves resources, and costs significantly less. This situation would only work if the class had this technology or someday when all students have it.
 One thing that I really did find interesting was the QR codes. I had heard about smartphones that could scan a bar code and find the price, or other shops that had the same product and its price, but I had never actually learned about them. One thing I thought about was that you could use QR codes to link to a class website. For example, a student walking down the hall sees the bulletin board and it has information about an upcoming event. They scan the code, which takes them to find more info and the page to register for the event. A second example could be, If I posted pictures of athletes or specific lifts, the students scan the QR code next to the picture of that athlete or exercise to see it in action. It could significantly cut down on the size of flyers and bulletin boards because you just need to have the main title or small picture to attract attention and then the code, not everything about that specific subject. So I see a lot of potential in QR codes today.

Studiocode Project!

I really enjoyed the studiocode project for a few simple reasons. Firstly, it was something totally new, I have never done a technology project like this before. Secondly, I think it will really improve my teaching in the future as I can analyze, organize, and review how I teach. That is really the most important thing, that my teaching improves.
Here are some of the things that I learned about management and instruction in my teaching through this studiocode project. You have to teach really simply and show exactly what you want younger students to do. The younger they are the more this applies. Also kindergarteners don't really understand the concept of turns, so if I did something like have them touch the next person in line so that person can go, that would eliminate a lot of chaos in running relay formations. I also learned that having them sit down close to you can help them stay focused and keep them from causing trouble. When their legs can't move they are less likely to go places or get in trouble. It's also fun to have them close where you feel like you are really teaching them and you are building a positive relationship with them.
I have learned that I don't have to have management issues if I run my class a certain way. When I am positive and upbeat, students are more excited and willing to participate. When I am friendly and helpful students are willing to try. When I give positive feedback and share success, students feel good about themselves for the little successes they are achieving. These things help alleviate management issues all by themselves. That is why I want to be this type of teacher.
These are the changes I want to make to my teaching next semester so I can improve. I feel that I should use my whistle more frequently. That way I don't have to yell and lose my voice. I will gain their attention quicker and the class can function better overall. I also want to make sure that I give more positive feedback which is specific and personal to each student. I'm pretty good at doing general feedback, but I would like to be more specific. Lastly, I want to make sure that class is fun for all my students. If fitness is fun then they will have a desire to do it on their own and live a healthier, happier, more productive life.

Web 2.0

Reflection Question: Were there any Web 2.0 tools that we talked about today that you feel would help further education? How might you use them in your teaching? Also, how might Facebook be utilized in education?


Since opening my twitter account last school year I have been able to network with a lot of PE teachers across the country and some advocacy groups for PE. I think that is an excellent resource for me especially as I finish school, begin looking for a job, and start work in my own program. I can ask others within my field how they do things and hopefully take good things that they do and add them to my own teaching. Blackboard and sites like it, might not be truly web 2.0, but they are a chance for the users to submit work online. I love the idea of using the many applications that google provides. Calender, docs, a link to blogs, and youtube, all through one google login. Just as we have been ask to do within the class I can someday ask my students to do similar things. 
Currently Facebook is the social networking website to be a part of. That means that generally all our students will be a part of it. Posting events, and sending invitations can be a good way to spread information. Also I could make a class webpage, ask kids to like it and then whenever I wanted to make an announcement it would come up on there newsfeed. That could be just one more tool to stay in touch with students. 
Technology is here to stay and will be becoming an even bigger part of our lives as time progresses. So I might as well make the best use of it possible within my life and the classroom.

Be Stronger, Live Longer

Here is Haley's Video!

Be Stronger, Live Longer!

It was a really gratifying feeling to complete my advocacy video. I've never done any type of video editing before. The overall experience was definitely a positive one. I think it could be a fun and interesting way to present material as I become a teacher. For example in the accounting program a lot of supplemental lectures are done on video by the professor. The professor doesn't actually have to be there to present the material, nor do the students. This could be  very applicable for substitute teachers, I could give them part of the lecture on a video I had done and they would more a less just have to direct the class through lecture, classwork and homework. I think that I could do another video if i was asked to, because even if I use different programs the process is generally similar. so even though I may not know exactly what do to, I think I have the basic skills to navigate through the process again. The prospects for technology within my classroom makes me really happy. Here is the link to my website advocacy page where my video is posted.  Be Stronger, Live Longer!

Advocacy campaigns!

Reflection Question: Talk about challenges or problems you have.  If you find solutions to them, include those as well.  If you find an easier way to do something or a tutorial or some other helpful resource, share that as well.  Read your group member’s PLE’s and if they have a problem and you know how to fix it, leave a comment and tell them!



So this morning I checked out a tripod from the SFH and I was excited to get to work so that I could begin filming my advocacy campaign. I new that if I filmed at work I would not be able to follow the script I had previously designed but I decided to proceed anyway. I was able to incorporate my theme of be stronger live longer into the video although I did not quote it directly. It took me several tries to get it the way I wanted. The first time I did it I stuttered on my words. The second time I moved to close to my camera and my head was cut off from view. The third time however I was able to go all the way through what I wanted to do. Now it is just up to the editing part. That is the part that I am most excited for but also that I worry about the most. That seems like the hardest part. We'll see how it goes in class. Wish me luck!

Outline for Advocacy Video

The theme for my video will be, "Be Stronger, Live Longer!" For the first part I'd like to flash "Be Stronger, Live Longer!" and say something like this public service announcement made by the Be Stronger Live Longer campaign. Then show an older person in the weight room lifting weights. The camera zooms from far away to closer as they finish their set. You hear a narrator say, "why is it important to work out?" The older person replies, "why is it important to work out?" then with more vigor they say "why is it important to work out?""because I know being stronger will help me live longer, and every day counts.""besides it makes me feel good." the older person gives a flex of the arm and walks away. Then it says again this public service announcement brought to you by the Be Stronger Live Longer Campaign. Then the credits scroll.

Internet Safety

Reflection Question: In about 1 page describe your opinions about internet safety, what changes, if any, you will make about how to use the internet.  How does this apply to teens or the students you would teach?  Also, tell about the internet safety lesson you gave – who you taught, highlights, etc.  


Growing up my parents always tried to be cautious of mine and other people's internet activity while in their home. They made sure that the computer was in a high traffic area where it could be viewed by a passer by at any moment. They also made sure the computer was turned off when everyone was supposed to go to bed and the rule was that it stayed off. They did these things to help prevent the infiltration of the filth known as pornography. They were smart, it worked.  They also didn't want me to release to much information over the internet with myspace or facebook. I have to say though I was more computer and internet savvy they they. So until they watched those news programs about how online predators search for information they would not have had any idea that those potential dangers existed. 


Learning about internet safety and the videos I watched didn't really change my view about internet safety. I have always tried to limit the amount of information I share on the internet and who I share it with. I don't even like having a bunch of pictures on my facebook that's how cautious I am about the information that I leave on my page. I make sure that my security settings are set in such a way that only people I approve can view my personal information and pictures.


Knowing how to protect myself on the internet is important because if I know how to be safe then I can also help my students and other youth. As we use technology my classes I think it would be very appropriate at the beginning of each class to have a short lesson about internet and computer safety. Sometimes that short lesson might be the only chance those kids have to hear that information. 


I was explaining to my friends some of the topics we discussed in class about internet safety and they mostly looked at me with blank stares. They all agreed with me and they said that they were currently trying to be safe on the internet. It occurred to me that college students probably know pretty well about internet safety but younger students, my potential students, may not. So there are a lot of things I can do to help them.

The Final Product

Here is the prompt for the week: Discuss your feelings about this project both in terms of what you learned and its usefulness to you as a teacher. As you discuss the project the following are some things you should consider: Do you feel the project was beneficial? Would you use a website like this in your class (why or why not)? Do you feel you could create another website if asked to do so? Was it easier (or more difficult) to create this website that you thought it would be? Also, make sure you include the URL (web address) of your website so I can grade it.
I feel that this project was really difficult. Website design, even in the simple form of google sites, has always been a difficult concept for me. I think this type of knowledge and ability will be very useful to me as I teach Physical Education. I can post assignments, readings, or other papers online and ask my students to print them at home. This could be helpful in a highschool where supply funds are very small. I also like the ability I could have to post videos, short clips that would explain what is wanted for take home exercises, how to do them correctly, etc. Kids are familiar with technology and this is a media form they are used to viewing. I think that if I were asked, required, or I simply wanted to make another website I could. It would probably take a while to do, but I feel confident given enough time and because I really wanted to do it I could construct another website. As I think of the multiple possiblilities of technology within my classroom it just makes me excited. Here is the link to my website.... https://sites.google.com/site/peeddaytonor/

Websites: Success and struggle

The question hasn't changed from last week. It is just what have we done on our websites. What have we been able to do and what types of things have we struggled with so that we can get help from our peers as they comment on our blogs.
This week I've just been working from the top of the website requirements list down. I have been able to load two pictures of me and my family up. One thing I struggled with was getting them to be equal in size. Then I added a paragraph about who I was, and one about what I teach and what type of teacher I am. I added a calender last week, but I would like to further personalize that calender so it will be more interesting and applicable to students.
This coming week I hope to add the syllabus and the google map. Which could prove to be an interesting experience. I am trying to learn how to do the website by learning and reading about it. I think that's an important skill to have because technology will always be changing and I won't have someone to show me exactly how to do it, so I better learn how to do it myself.

Website Apps!

So I must admit that creating a website is not my forte even though they say it's easier to do as a part of Google. I haven't done very much yet with my site, but I was able to successfully choose a layout and pick colors that I thought would be attractive and professional.  I was able to add some applications that I feel are fun but also useful to physical education and sports. One has updates for the local weather. I can use this to see what activities are appropriate for my classes. If it's too hot and humid I can take that into consideration and make the changes that are necessary. Maybe this small app would make my site more useful to students or parents. I also added the app for daily sports updates. It really has no educational purpose but because it is sport related I chose to add it because it is fun. Not everthing has to be academic in nature. If this was a cool way for kids to think about sports and fitness then it would be well worth the small space it takes up on my site. Beyond choosing my layout and these simple things I have not done much else.

Copyright Laws: Helpful or Harmful?

After our discussion in class about copyright laws I felt like I had really learned a lot about what a copyright really is. I didn't know that copyrights were so all encompassing. As soon as some thing is created it automatically is copyrighted by its owner, unless it is released into the public domain. I enjoyed the part about how almost anything can be used for educational purposes if done correctly. That could be a huge benefit to my classes. I think it is very important to understand copyright laws because you don't ever want to get into trouble and cost yourself money or compromise your work.
I think copyright laws are helpful. They protect the work of the author and allow them to publish it and make money off of it if possible. After all they are the ones that went through all the effort to create or invent the new thing. I would want my things to be protected so everyone didn't just steal them. Copyrights do make getting things sometimes more difficult.  But I think copyrights help keep order. When a person does want to share what they created they can do so easily by putting it in the public domain. Sometimes this can help you get your name out, or promote the sale of your product. So overall, I think copyright laws are more helpful than they will ever be harmful.

What new software is cool?

            When I first think of P.E. classes, technology is not the first thing I think of, but in an every changing world technology is becoming a bigger, and bigger part of everything. The prospects for using technology within my future P.E. classes is awesome.
           When we went over some of the programs that google can do in class I was very suprised. I know google is taking over the world and all, but wow, that's some pretty incredible stuff. If I want my students to collaborate and prepare for a test together, they can do that in google documents. Each student can view and edit the project from their personal computer, wherever they are. I can organize my classes with a calander attached to my gmail account. The cool part about that is that I can sync that data to my Iphone or Droid, then set alerts so that I never miss a meeting.
           Diigo.com is also a sweet tool because I can store and highlight information from websites without having to worry about the data getting lost. More than once I have found something that I want to remember and keep, but when I go back to that site address a few months later the link has changed or the article no longer is there. With Diigo you don't have to worry about that. I could save articles important to my teaching and have them on file to use at any time. If I ask my students to read a website online, the highlighting tool might help them remember what is important. With better retention comes more usuable knowledge.
The part that really excites me is the potential to use technology to actually perform P.E. activities. The ability to track progress, and make sure kids are working to there full potential is really cool. Things like the Wii and other cycling machines are really interesting to kids. After all P.E. is supposed to be fun. That's why technology is so important.

My Experience with Technology

As I grew up technology seemed to evolve so quickly. I remember playing on apple computers in kindergarten, recording my favorite songs from the radio on tape, and watching VHS tapes. I was the first one in my family to get an email address. I remember which class it was for, 7th grade science. It was a memorable day. As I went into high school, computers and technology became even more interesting to me. I joined a class of about six students that helped maintain the network and computer facilities at my school. It was pretty basic, we would gather recycled computer parts, combining the best ones. We did this because our school couldn't afford to buy computers. We also did some software installations and upgrades. As I returned home from my mission I was shocked at how much computers had changed since I graduated high school. We were trying to build computers with at least 512 mb of sdram and a pentium 3 processor. Now computers come with nearly four gb of ddr2 ram and ridiculous processors. As I enter my teaching career it is obvious I will have to continue taking computer courses in order to stay up to date. That will be fun. I am excited at the potential there is to integrate technology into physical education and the other classes I might teach.