Over Dressed & Over Educated

"You can never be overdressed or over educated." Oscar Wilde 

This quote by Oscar Wilde is exactly my frame of mind.  I take pride in my presentation, the language of clothes speaks volumes.  Before one can speak, the very first impression that is noted is a person's appearance.  Being teachers and continuing education simultaneously, truly demonstrates that one can never be over educated.  If we expect our students to commit to a lifetime of learning, we must lead by example.  Presentation + Education = Success

“We have to dare to be ourselves, however frightening or strange that self may prove to be.”
― May Sarton

Quote courtesy of http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/authenticity
Photo courtesy of http://connectnigeria.com/articles/2012/04/10/the-art-of-not-been-yourself/

In everything we do, in the hustle and bustle of today's world, we must remember that being true to ourselves is the one way we can touch the lives of everyone with whom we contact. Education is one way to redefine or discover our true selves. Education can occur in the formal or informal setting. Self discovery is liberating. As we continue through this program, let us persevere and succeed so that we will bring this new found knowledge to help those be their true selves.

Focus!

"The game has its ups and downs, but you can never lose focus of your individual goals and you can't let yourself be beat because of lack of effort". - Michael Jordan

I've discovered that being on the internet for much of our work in this class has forced me to pay attention, to how much I don't pay attention and get distracted by other websites. So, I've really had to focus while I'm completing my work.   I give myself about twenty minutes to work, work, work, and then I give myself ten minutes to putz around on some other websites and catch up on the news and so on.  I like this system because it enables me to look at what I've accomplished every so often, and I can feel good about that.  We have to learn to set rules, boundaries, and work ethics for ourselves, and we will find ourselves being more productive.



QuoteCitation:  http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/focus_2.html

Image Citation:http://www.zachandjody.com/blog/tuesday-photography-tips-tricks-back-button-focusing/15588/

“The heaviness of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again.” 
― Steve Jobs

Quote courtesy of http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/steve-job
Photo courtesy of http://www.persistentgreen.com/2011/12/see-ya-2011-and-fabulous-giveaway.html

In a sense this is true for teachers. Ways in which a teachers begins again? The obvious - new students. With every year, we encounter new students entering our classes, each with a set personality which adds to the class dynamics. The not so obvious (to those outside the educational system) - staying current with relevant strategies and technologies. The daily interactions with the individuals entrusted to our care causes attitudes to change both in teacher and pupil. Bonds and relationships formulate and sooner than we know it, we must let them go at the end of school year.

Meeting with parents, going to meetings, attending conferences and trainings, implementing discipline regulations, mentoring, consoling, advising, monitoring hall ways, advising clubs and organizations; planning, prepping, implementing, and assessing lessons, meetings with administrators, roving classrooms, are just a few way in which we bruise, bend, break and bleed. Educators are professionals who must encounter BEGIN again with each school year. 

Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self-confidence.
-Robert Frost


I have always been a rational individual, but in recent times I have felt the sudden desire to lash out.  Then when my anger starts to get this far, I remind myself that I am a role model and a public figure.  The weight of the world has recently been placed on my shoulders and at times it is unbearable.  This has caused me to run a short fuse.  I have recently felt a disconnect with the world.  I will continue to take the steps necessary to find myself again.  I am an educator, a scholar, an athlete, and a family man; all of which I plan to reconnect with.

I learned how to embed!

  It's so simple sometimes.  I uploaded a presentation to Slideshare.com, but was having trouble figuring out how to embed it in my blog, however, I was able to figure out that all I need to do, was switch from "compose" to "html", and voila, the presentation was embedded.  It's amazing how user friendly websites have become.  Soon enough, they'll have an even easier way.  But, it's a good lesson, we, as teachers need to do the same thing for our students, make what we want them to learn simple enough so they can find success, then give them assignments for practice and further study.  Now I am interested in re-learning HTML some day, so that if I want to modify the code, I will be able to.  We shall see.

PictureQuote Citation:http://www.zazzle.com/simplicity_quote_with_dressage_horse_mousepad-144327889743816237

“There can be infinite uses of the computer and of new age technology, but if teachers themselves are not able to bring it into the classroom and make it work, then it fails.” - Nancy Kassebaum

Quote courtesy of http://teachbytes.com/2012/03/01/10-educational-technology-quotes/
Photo courtesy of http://www.tadvandenbrink.com/technology

Companies today make it easier to incorporate technology into the classroom. Most companies make interactive learning games in different operating formats. It is important that teachers learn these application for the viability towards learning.

Many times I listen to relevant concerns from teachers towards the availability of materials for teaching. Good teachers go outside what is provided by the district to ensure that learning occurs for all students. It takes research and planning to implement.

"If we teach today as we taught yesterday, we rob our children of tomorrow."


Photo courtesy of http://www.evolutionoftechnology.com
Quote courtesy of http://www.slideshare.net/tonyvincent/education-technology-quotes

Technology has ingrained itself in today's society that life without it is somehow almost inconceivable.  Technology appears in almost every aspect of our lives. Grocery shopping, telephone, watching television. tablets, internet, hospitals, automobiles, and other sorts of technology can be found in various aspects of our daily lives. Students come into the education system with more technology knowledge than the school provides, at least on the public school system. Just recently the schools installed interactive white-boards into many classrooms throughout all teaching levels. This is a big upgrade for the department and schools. These interactive white-boards currently come with a projector. 

Today's students now own tablets, smart phones, email accounts, and have access to various social networking cites and other technologically based apparatuses. As an educational system, we must keep up to date with current technological advancements so that we can facilitate learning. Disctricts across the nation are starting to change the policies utiizing technology (cell phones, tablets, and laptops) in schools and endorsing the use of twitter and other cites to promote education.

Read A Kid's Story!

Hooray!  Today, I really enjoyed putzing around the www.magickeys.com website.  I read a story about a weiner-dog magnet, and it really just cracked me up!  It felt, good, combined with Christmas, to dip a little bit back into childhood.  I don't do that too often as a I teach middle school.  As C.S. Lewis one said, - “A children's story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children's story in the slightest.” 

Quote Citation: http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/6493-a-children-s-story-that-can-only-be-enjoyed-by-children

Picture Citation: http://mail.clevelandcountyschools.org/~ktzaldivar/

Learning Never Ends

Options

Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.  ~Chinese Proverb 

Whenever I get discouraged in this profession, I am reminded the great reward it entails where I learn new things everyday.  Hence, this saying, it is the truth that lies behind all who have a passion to learn no matter the time or age. It is that one piece of treasure that will follow you to the grave.  

Wishing everyone in this class a happy holidays and a prosperous new year to you and your loved one. 

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from around the Pacific!

~Felis Pasgua (Chamorro)
~Maligayan Pasko (Tagalog)
~Peren en Krismas (Pohnpeian)
~Monono ilo raaneoan Nejin (Marshallese)
~Falang e Baynag (Yapese)
~Tok Tapeng (Kosraean)
~Ungil Kurismas (Palauan)
~Pwapwan Kirisimas (Chuukese)
~Mele Kalikimaka (Hawaiian)
~Ameseighil ubwutiiwel Layi Luugh me raagh fee (Carolinian)

Celebrate "Christmas" Everyday!

Peace on earth will come to stay, When we live Christmas every day.       ~Helen Steiner Rice

 

The importance of Christmas is the birth of our savior Jesus Christ! But the emphasis of the day is to give...give love, peace, and happiness.  I believe that we need to emphasize "giving" on a daily basis.  Remember that family and friends are around us and strangers are among us.  "GIVE" everyday!  Give love, PEACE, and happiness to all those around you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Make up post for 21st.

I'm making up my own quote for today's post.  "If you don't branch out, you can't blossom". - Erik Miller

Basically, after all of this internet research I feel like I'm beginning to blossom with ideas for use in the classroom.  Heh, it's just waiting for our school to get those computers from the Feds so we can have a computer lab to go to and do some of the activities.  But, I've definitely gotten absorbed in making my own website, reading some kids books online, and playing some spelling games!  The internet has been an incredible boon to education and we need to get our students involved.

Quote Citation:  My brain.

Picture Citation: http://branchingoutbcls.blogspot.com/

A New Day

"It's a new day. Yesterday's failure is redeemed at the sunrise”    ~Todd Stocker

You hear someone say that today is a new day. The start of a new day is a new beginning. If something bad happened yesterday, don't worry about it because you start out fresh and clean.

One item on my bucket list is to watch a sunrise. To see it hit against the horizon would be an experience.  I also have a personal connection with the word, for my name means "sunrise."

“If you don’t design your own life plan, chances are you’ll fall into someone else’s plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much.” - Jim Rohn

Quote courtesy of: http://www.finerminds.com/personal-growth/reach-your-goals-with-these-20-awesome-quotes/
Photo courtesy of: http://jeannekolenda.com/set-goals-or-solve-problems

Making our mark in life isn't going to be easy, but if we stay the course and make a plan, our goals will see reality and fruition. It takes planning and sweat. It is often said many things in life it is 20% talent and 80% hard work and perseverance. Let us persevere in everything we do so that we see our goals become a reality. 

Learn As If You Will Live Forever

"LIVE AS IF YOU WERE TO DIE TOMORROW. LEARN AS IF YOU WERE TO LIVE FOREVER." -GANDHI 

In light of the Mayan end of the word belief, which I do not embrace, I decided to incorporate this concept and relate it to learning.  We have but one life to live and a single opportunity to make the most of every waking moment.  In order for us to truly enjoy life we must continuously learn and adapt to an ever changing world.  Imagine if our knowledge did not extend past the 1st grade, how difficult would adult life be?  Every year that goes on is a year of knowledge and experiences that our mind internalizes archives.  The more schema within our archive, the more we know, the more we will learn, and the better off we will be.  

Confusion?

 











Confused? I'm usually in this state...for the most part.  I was feeling this way because of some of the assignments. I'm hoping it doesn't stay in this "state" for too long.  I need to get these assignments done...LOL!

"Amidst the confusion of the times, the conflicts of conscience, and the turmoil of daily living, an abiding faith becomes an anchor to our lives." -Thomas S. Monson


Even with the talk of the end of the world coming, and I find myself with unending thoughts...I remember to have faith and "life" will continue.  Be safe everyone!

 

ENGRADE

I have decided to use Engrade for the CMS assignment; however, I am still undecided on the unit of study I want to focus on. I have used Engrade in the past and I found it to be very user friendly. It is a really useful tool, especially for someone like me who is still learning the basics of incorporating technology into my instruction.

        "You can't have a good day with a bad attitude, and you can't have a bad day with a good attitude" - Unknown
         Today was a great day.  I really enjoyed watching the author interviews on Reading Rockets.  The interviews reaffirmed how important it is for both teachers and students to have background information.  Having some insight on the author's background, early life, and inspiration can make reading that much more meaningful and exciting.
         I am also enjoying putting together the online course.  Our school reported that we are awaiting laptops for students to use, so I hope to actually put some of the assignments into practice in the second semester.

Picture Citation:http://sh.deltasd.bc.ca/
Quote Citation:http://www.searchquotes.com/quotation/You_can't_have_a_good_day_with_a_bad_attitude,_and_you_can't_have_a_bad_day_with_a_good_attitude./398473/

“It is not that I'm so smart. But I stay with the questions much longer.” 
― Albert Einstein

Photo Courtesy of Learning is Growing.
Quote courtesy of Good Reads

Moving beyond the realms of our current existence to push the boundaries of our existence can be an illuminating aspect of education. As educators, we continue to refine our knowledge to help our students reach their potential or to open new avenues to worlds once unknown to them. Our students come to school and class with a set pattern of knowledge that existed, we push our students to reshape that pattern to create a different (or expanded) knowledge. Students today come to the class with more knowledge of technology than previous generations. Access to touch screen technology in phones, ipads, smart tablets, and other sorts of technological advancements has pushed the education aspect into new territories. At times, the education system does not move at the technological rate as society. Creating online environments through the Course Management Systems (CMS) can aid teachers in delivering a greater educational experience outside the classroom.

Engrade

Engrade seems basic but provides enough information.  I think it is a useful tool for communication between teachers, students, and parents.  I plan to use Engrade for the Online Course Management assignment, but I haven't decided on my unit of study.

Course Sites

I have chosen to use Course Sites. I am still exploring the site which seems interesting. This assignment will be very different from what I am use to. I look forward to the use of this site. Using the different sites will take alot of getting use to.

Ok!  Today I played around a little more with Engrade, and discovered I was able to attach documents and files that students can access as assignments.  I'm glad I discovered this as at first I was thinking the unit I created would have to be for an assumed half face to face/online class, however with this function, the course can be all online.  Students would be able to submit their completed assignments via e-mail, or other electronic format directly to me.  I like that I can easily send a message to all the students to alert them of a new assignment posted, graded, or incomplete etc.  I look forward to further exploring Engrade and online activities for my unit in the next few days.

Picture Citation: www.engrade.com