Refelction....last one!

This semester I have been able to expand my understanding and appreciation for the art of being an effective teacher.  even though we haven't had class in a while I have pondered frequently about my future as a teacher and the potential impact I could have on others lives.  Today in class we learned about the reality of teaching.  after what was taught I am excited to not only be a teacher but look forward to opportunities to be in administration.  With the possibility of being able to work administration, I have given more thought about grad school and will research that possibility more.

Reflection

I have been thinking a lot about how to achieve higher learning like we have discussed in class.  Most of the times I teach I notice I only teach towards knowledge instead of trying to teach towards application and experience based learning.  I can accomplish this by having kids do assignments that help them gain a knowledge of the concept, the do an activity that will allow them to apply, and experience what they learn

Refelction 8

I just finished my last observation this week and I have learned some good things.  During the class, I talked with the teacher about grading and he makes half of the students grade based on being on time, participating, and cleaning up.  I thought this was great for tech teaching because if the majority of their grade consists of these aspects, the will have to participate, and when you participate you learn and begin to enjoy learning. So it is a crafty way to help students get envolved in their learning.

Reflection 7

Teaching for knowledge is not what I want to teach for.  I wan t to teach for application and evaluation.  Teaching towards application of principles will help kids grasp the concept and the knowledge will be gained through their own evaluations and experiences with applying learning.  I need to stretch myself to plan lessons this way and innovate new ways to engage students to learn.

Wasatch High Observation

For my first high school observation I went to Wasatch High School in Heber City, UT.  It was a great experience to see the great video and broadcasting program that Jon Moss has established.  His pedagogy was very simple.  He tells each student to treat his class like a job.  He give out projects and assignments that need to be done, and expects the kids to help each other to get it done.  he had a fun atmosphere in his classroom which helped kids learn.  Even though I don't want to teach broadcasting, I learned the value of passion.  Mr. Moss is very passionate about his teaching and told us that in order to teach kids what you want you need passion, and a long term plan of where you want your curriculum and teaching to be.  It is inspiring to see someone start with just 2 cameras and a vcr, go to a class full of computers and high end broadcasting equipment.

Jr. High Experience

Last week we were able to wrap up our observations with the Jr. High Schools.  I had a great time learning from the kids as well as the teachers.  I was able to observe a variety of subjects and ways to teach them.  One thing i noticed is that teaching in the Jr. high's is like organized chaos.  Kids are younger, less mature, but still eager to learn.  from talking with the teachers about what they like and what they would like, it was easy to see that the passion was there for that age group.  I like the Jr. High's because there is a wide array of topics that can be taught to help kids figure out what they want to do in high school.  Helping kids find a passion for something at a young age would be very rewarding.

Teaching Observations

I was able to go and observe Jay Anderson at Vista Heights Jr. High today.  It was so much fun watching and learning how he teaching and how his classroom functions.  It really put some anxiety to rest that i have had about teaching.  I don't know why i had such anxiety, but actually seeing how others teach in a real situation, brought confidence and motivation to me.  I can truly appreciate the effort it takes to capture the attention of middle school kids.  they can't sit still for longer than a minute.  Jay did a very good job of relating to the students while keeping them in line.  once the kids got onto computers to use google sketch up, they were very active in their learning.  from what I gathered the students were taught briefly of some requirements for their project and had to figure out how to do it on their own.  I think that is one of the best ways to learn is by going in head first.  while some students may struggle, teachers can be there to help guide when needed.
I want to be able to get kids motivated to learn by being excited myself, and showing how what I am teaching can help them in their lives.  Teaching and learning with the students is most effective because it lets everyone grow together and when people grow together, exponential learning is achieved.

Learning How to Teach And Learn

From class and the readings I came across many helpful insights.  In class we played the game with 20 pennies in which there are 2 people playing and each person takes turns and can choose 1 or 2 pennies.  The person who takes the last penny wins. There is a formula to winning that correlates with learning.  The formula is break the pennies into groups of 3 and you can win every time if you keep it that way.  From this game I realized that when you know the formula to winning, nothing can stop you.  This is just like exponential learning.  learning exponentially is a goal i have for me and those who I teach.  To accomplish this everyone involved, both teacher and learner must learn from each other and teach each other.  If there is desire to learn, and desire to teach, learning flourishes.  To create this atmosphere a teacher must tap into the students to unlock this potential in them.  In Walter Gongs book he discovers this and implements it into his classroom.  He teaches towards students gaining experience in a topic by having the students teach each other and the professor.  When students can teach they learn, when a professor can learn from students, they will teach better, and both will grow and be edified together.  Its going to take some pondering and careful planning on my part if I want to do this with students

Reflection 2

            The Book, The First Days of School, has been pretty forthright in highlighting certain aspects of being a successful teacher. In part B and C most of what I gathered was about how important it is to dress and act for success. 

            In chapter 8 it mentions how dress affects the work, attitude, and discipline of the students.  Dressing in a professional manner helps you as a teacher in four areas.

1.     Respect

2.     Credibility

3.     Acceptance

4.     Authority

I can agree with this because I’ve noticed that when a teacher who dresses professionally has taught me, it’s easier to learn and trust what they are teaching.  I have seen this principle work in my life when I served a mission.  No one would trust some random 19-year-old dressed in street clothes to teach them about the gospel. That’s why missionaries dress the way they do and are can posses the 4 characteristics mentioned earlier.

            In chapter 8, it also briefly mentioned that teachers need to prepare students for the world and to think globally. I feel this can be done by constantly teaching students how technology affects them and the world around them. In TEE, technology is what we teach, and showing kids how that technology is used in other countries will expand their scope to from school, to the world.

            In the end of section B and most of section C, the book explains the importance of being and inviting individual and providing an inviting atmosphere.  Just as a person who looks sad and depressed is uninviting to approach, so is a teacher if they act similarly.  Always be happy, excited, polite, address kids by name, and much more.  Having this kind of attitude will help you manage your class because kids will respect you, and want to learn from you.

            Relating to attitude, in class earlier this week Geoff talked about morals and how we as teachers need to decide if we are just there to teach them a subject, or to help them become better morally as well as teach your curriculum.  I tend to agree with Geoff’s point of view here because if you can help someone become a better person and visa versa, there is a connection and bond that exists that will edify and uplift both student and teacher, just like it says in D&C  50:21-22.

            In class we also learned about 3 different methods of teaching: cognitivivism , behaviorism, and constructivism. These three learning and teaching styles will help reach all types of learners. And it will take some practice and some more observing from me to know best how to use these styles. 

TEE Capture and Reflection 1

            What I have learned from school and other life experiences is that there is no greater feeling than to help someone else learn about something you are passionate about.  With that passion there must be training and practice in order to teach about it most effectively. 

            The readings from The First Days of School (Wong) are plain to understand, and the importance of being an effective teacher is laid out very clearly.  In the first chapter of part A, it points out that teaching is not your typical 9 to 5 job, and that in order to be successful you must know that as a teacher you have the power to change lives.  How you master that power is a process of doing things right consistently from the first days and weeks of each school year. In the book on page 4, I liked where it said, “Student achievement at the end of the year is directly related to the degree to which the teacher establishes good control in the very first week of the school year.” This makes perfect sense because you help the student realize what standards they can achieve.  Not only is helping students achieve greatness your main goal in teaching, but starting them along that path is most important of all.

            In the second chapter of Part A I enjoyed the equation on page 10, which reads, “Well-ordered environment + positive academic expectations = effective classroom.”  A well-ordered environment is completely in your control as a teacher.  In order to establish this kind of environment you must have classroom management skills that will fuel learning and provide the tools and motivation necessary for students to achieve success.  That success has to be defined, upheld and you as a teacher should always believe that every person you teach can and will achieve success. Being able to help each student get to that point requires you to master your lessons.  You must know how to design your lessons to make sure each student can learn a concept. With that you must also know how to check for understanding and evaluate in order to know that the students have mastered those concepts.

            The final chapters of Part A reiterated to me the importance of learning.  As a teacher you should be constantly learning in order to most effectively teach.  Listening to your co-workers and learning form their experiences can help you do that.  Along with others' experiences and examples, you must research your field and learn to teach from proven, research based practices.  In other words do what works best and know how to use all of the resources available to you, to help others learn effectively and achieve success.
            Today in class (9/4/12) Jeff used some example early in class to illustrate some points and lectured/ shared experiences that helped me understand his teaching philosophy. I learned a lot from what he taught and got excited to understand more, and learn hot I can teach, help, and change lives. I want to think more about what I want to be as a teacher. I will talk to my parents to understand their philosophies of teaching and see what they know to help me form my philosophy.

Massive half mile swimming pool

When I saw this headline I thought it would be just some kind of diversion of ocean water to create the pool, but it really is a pool that is separate from the ocean entirely. check out the pics

The ocean doesn't seem so blue

A cool glass thing pyramid thing

Kayaking in a pool, that's fun!

It is a really big pool

The pictures I put up are just a few of them. Click the link at the top of the article to see a few more

Battlefield 3 humor

Here are some funny battlefield 3 memes. Hopefully you have played the game or most of them won't make any sense. Click here

A Day To Remember

It being Memorial Day and all most of the country is thrilled to have the day off and spend time with friends and family and enjoy the early summer weather.  It was nice just to have a day to relax and not worry about work or school or anything else for that matter.  Most of the day for me was spent outside riding my bike and whatnot.  After being out side for a while I found a sketchy website and downloaded the movie Act of Valor.  The video quality I downloaded was not that great, but the movie was.  For those who haven't seen it I would highly recommend it.  Though the story line is fictional, stuff like it happens everyday, and makes me grateful to those who serve in all branches of the military to allow me and everyone else in this country to live in freedom and peace.

I am grateful to have a grandfather who has served this country and for the blood he shed and the contributions he gave in WWII.  My grandfather (Howard Dutton) served in the Marines and fought in Iwo Jima at the age of 16.  He bluffed about his age so he could serve.  Here is a picture of him and fellow marines moments after the famous flag raising on Iwo Jima.

My Grandpa is on the far left standing with helmet in hand

While serving in Iwo Jima my grandpa earned his purple heart by taking shrapnel from a near by grenade while covering a buddy of his from the blast.

My grandpa passed away late December this last year and my thoughts are drawn to him this day and all those brave individuals who serve our country. God bless America and those who serve it.

Leap Motion Sensor

Just watch the video

Leap Motion Sensor is incredible.  It was inspired by the Kinect sensor that Microsoft developed and goes completely beyond what the Kinect can do. According to CNET the technology can detect motion up to a hundredth of a millimeter in accuracy, so it can detect each individual finer and its motion.  With such detail it can recognize all touch based gestures we are used to on our smart phones and tablets, just without out the need to touch anything.  Leap Motion will hit the market December of this year or January of 2013

Here is their website for more detail

Life as a library security guard

For those who do not know I am a security guard at the library on Brigham Young University's campus.  Your thinking security guard at a library?  Well the main reason security guards are here is because of the special collection section of the library.  Special collections is a department in the library that collects and gathers cool stuff from around the world that is worth a lot of money.  Every now and then we as security guards get to be escorts on tours through the special collection vaults and archives.  A large majority of the things that are in the vaults are documents, art, books and various other atrifacts associated with the LDS church.  Right now there is a display of the King James Bible and how it has developed over the last 500 years or so. Pretty neat to see.

So other than the cool stuff in special collections, we sit at a desk by 3M sensors and wait for something to set it off, which rarely if ever happens.  When it does happen it is usually some idiotic student who doesn't know that they need to check out books, before they can take them from the library. And I thought Universities were filled with smart people. but that only happens every now and then so most of my time is just sitting in front front of a computer passing the time.  Even though there is not much going on and my job can get pretty boring just sitting around all day, I have found several ways to keep entertained while at work.

1. People Bingo

There are several different types you can play, the one in the picture is hipster bingo

2.  Laugh inside at people who don't know how to use a book drop (which is quite a few)

    

Just the other day there was a person standing in front of the book drop with the most confused look on his face. I asked him what i could help him with, and he asks, "So i just put the books in here?" I told him yes and he proceeded to reach his arms into the book drop slot and gently set the books down, he almost didn't get his arms out.

3.  Watch the stocks/invest

I use Scott Trade which is pretty nice so far, if anyone has any other services they have found, comment below and ill check it out

4.  Watch Netflix/Hulu/those questionable P2P sites that actually have good movies

5. Read

If you know of any good books, leave it in the comments below

6.Stumbleupon

7. Post Stuff to my blog

All of my postings except for one have been posted at work

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So there you have it, that is life as a library security guard. Not always thrilling, but always interesting. 

and here's a funny picture

(read the caption)

Kinect-like technology turns any surface into a touchscreen

When I saw this it seemed to good to be true.  though it is in early developmental stages with the UI and hardware bulkiness, the technology is quite interesting.  In the video above is a brief demo of how people used the Kinect for Xbox camera sensor to respond to gestures on a projected image.

American Sniper

   I recently finished reading the book American Sniper, an auto biography by Navy Seal Chris Kyle.  It was a very eye opening read with very detailed accounts of Kyle's experiences in Iraq and the middle east.  War is hell, and from the experiences in this book its easy to see why.  Various times Kyle details the what his job as a sniper was and what it was like to kill so many people.  A majority of the time Kyle would help clear out buildings in cities so he could get a good look out spot to cover ground troops and take out hostile targets. I won't go into detail about some of what was read, so here's a link a more detailed review and one of his interviews.

Book Review: American Sniper Review

Interview: 10 Questions with Chris Kyle

Apple to open Siri to app developers

Apple will most likely release its new mobile operating system, iOS 6, this June at its World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC).  With the release of iOS 6 many sources have said that Apples voice assistant Siri will no longer be in beta form and Apple will now open Siri to app developers.  This will be awesome once more applications are integrated with Siri!

here's the article: TechnoBuffalo.com

Easily Find Movies Online

While reading the news online the other day, I saw an add to the side for a website called http://www.canistream.it/.  Curiously I clicked and was quite happy with what I came across.  CanIstream.it is a web site that lets you search for movies that are available to stream online through services like Netflix, Crackle, EPIX, Hulu, YouTube, and Amazon Prime.  It is very helpful if you have accounts with a couple of the mentioned streaming services.  One draw back though is the limited content for TV series.  It only currently lets you search for movie titles. Either way I found it to be a very clever idea!

Brief Review of The Avengers

This weekend I went to see the much anticipated Avengers movie.  Going into the movie I was skeptical that it wouldn't live up to the tremendous hype and build up it has acquired over the past couple years.  Very rarely does anything ever live up to hype, but I have to say that this movie was very entertaining and tied in very well with the other lead character movies Marvel has done.  If you or anyone are fans of any of the previous Marvel movies, Avengers is a must see.  It has a well developed plot for an action movie and great final battle that isn't concluded too early or to easily.  All in all it was enoyable and I will probably buy it when it's released to DVD and Blu-ray.