Ed.Psyc.} Ch.1 & Article Reflections (01/25/2017)

Psychology Applied to Teaching (Ch.1) & Four Other Articles 

          After reading through the first chapter in the book and the articles I learned a little more about the importance of relationships built between educators and students.  The articles Inequality at School, How Beginning Teachers Learn to Survive, and Why Teaching is not An Exact Science relate the most to the book chapter.  In these articles, the writers express how imperative it is for both the students and the educators for well established relationships between the two.  I agree with the statement in regards to defining teaching as partly art and partly science.  It is notable that many situations encountered in the classrooms require decisions made immediately but yet they must follow certain guidelines.  I am a firm believe that teaching just as many other professions, it is a process of trial and error and that is why so many findings are brought up often.  Although rules, politics, and systems may change with time just as fast as technology is moving, students are not.  Every year we encounter new students but the process are the same, we may use different techniques but all the students are going through a learning process. Teachers are not only meant to teach content but it is up to all educators to be involved with the lives of our students as well as become appropriate role models in order to impact the lives of those around us.  Educator must be conscious and able to self evaluate and self reflect on every day decisions and personalities in order to provide the best education possible without any bias and therefore give students the right tools in order to succeed and become good participating citizens in our society.

         The Crossing the Border article was very interesting as this is a conflicting issue for many educators.  I believe that in order to help others you fist must help yourself.  This is why I believe this is controversial topic as a genuine teacher would like to help those who need it in the schools who need it the most, teachers must also think about the benefits that come with that such as payments and retirement.  There is also the topic about those who have to move areas for personal reasons.  Although one might not become extremely rich out of this profession, one expects to live a life where not everything is a struggle and still be able to do what we love to do. Teach!

Ed.Tech.} Lesson Plan for TPACK Integration

Reflection Questions
         1.  The technology applications I chose where based on how accessible and formative friendly they were as well as how easy to navigate and understand their content.  All these applications were either free or had a separate and better version for a cost.  This is a great method for teachers to keep in contact with students and their parents and be as proficient as possible in and out of the classroom. 
          2.  Although the applications the applications the students used were very interactive and easy for assessment which is why I chose them, I believe that another medium would be useful where the students are doing independent practice and that is also accessible at their homes for further exercises.  An online quiz game which provides feedback after answering would be a great example. 

*Overall I think going into the classroom and trying out the applications prior to starting class would be helpful in order to make sure everything is working properly and is ready to go.

Ed.Tech.} Article and Website Reflection (01/10/2017)

Thingiverse (Mars Station Lesson Plan by NCACERES)
          With the involvement of technology in the schools it is also important that we keep our educational goals at hand.  I like this lesson plan especially among the others provided on this website because not only does it involve technology and 3D printing but it is also interdisciplinary as well as it integrates a science aspect to it.  Students are to create a space station in Mars using the lodging room in the shape of hexagons.  Students will design their own station, use mathematical scaling and proportion, 3D printing, and design skills that focus on functionality and efficiency relative to space. 

Smithsonian (Website)
          3D printing has shown to be motivational for students to motive students in and out of the classroom.  Having tangible items shows their students their work has beyond a piece of paper.  Smithsonian also serves as recorded data that stores history items that is accessible to teachers and students where they can base educational lessons as well as use them for inspiration for new projects.  I can also view this site as means for students to continue to use later on in their careers later on after school. 

3D Printers in School (Article)
          The reported feedback provided by these schools after using 3D printers showed that this new tool did not only allow teachers and students to have another source of material to integrate in their educational work but it also inspired them to be more creative rather than just printing random items.  Students and teachers created models that would later be recreated in full size also involving other technologies such as electricity to create a lamp for example.  Another outcome was that students created their models through different mediums and were able to get creative in doing so.
          Teachers reported the main conflict found was the fact that many of them did not get proper training on the usage and maintenance of such printers.  This is particularly important as the instructor must be knowledgeable in order to provide the most effective instruction while taking proper usage of the printers. 

Ed.Tech.} Article Reflections (01/06/2017)

TPACK
          With technology advancing in every aspect possible in every field it was only a matter of time until it was integrated into the classroom.  The article states that it is imperative that technology is not only introduced and talked about in schools but also be implemented in ways that are used to their full potential for the teachers and students to take advantage of.  This involves finding balance between the aspects of what the teacher provides with technology.  I believe that it is very important to note that the teacher is a very important part of this as the teacher also provides overall life experience knowledge and interaction skills.  It is this perfect harmony that will help our future generations succeed. 

Teacher, Self and Peer Evaluation of Lesson Plans Written by Preservice Teachers
          This article provides a study showing the importance of evaluations provided by teachers, peers, and yourself.  Overall the preferred and most productive evaluation was that given by the teacher.  Students demonstrated better improvement and better understanding than those in peer or self evaluation; and of those remaining, peer evaluation was preferred over self evaluation. Students appeared to take more credibility to the feedback provided by the teacher than other peers.  Peer and self evaluation scores were important also because they rely on the ability for students to not only be responsible with the work but also to keep bias aside as they provide constructive feedback and appropriate evaluations. The results also showed that scores were better in peer evaluation than self evaluation when the process was done keeping the students' work anonymous. 

Ed.Tech.} Article Reflections (01/03/2017)

The Home of the Future  
          Although many of these items may seem very convenient as they reduce the amount of work needed to complete daily tasks I think it can also be counterproductive as it also reduces the extra physical work we do. I believe in order to have these items one must be very self discipline in order to use them to their potential as well as keeping ourselves productive.

The 25 Best Inventions of 2015  
          I really appreciate the idea of the Underground Park as it allows for the natural use of establishments already in place instead of building more establishments but maybe those places can be used in other ways that do not require as much energy or money to rebuild. Those places can be used as either storage or "junk yards" in ways that will be useful and not harmful to the environment hopefully and therefore be able to plant on the ground.
           The Star Apartments are a great concept for those truly in need like those with substance usage problems and homeless veterans as well, and although a place of this sort can be very helpful it would also need to be highly regulated as only those who really need it can access it instead of those who may take only take advantage of it.

The 25 Best Inventions of 2016  
          The Eagle 360! YES! A car with tires that move in every direction would be so helpful not only when attempting to parallel park but also when someone parks too close to your own vehicle and you can't move too much. This would also be allow for the entire usage of the material as the entire circumference of the tire would be put to use unlike the tires that we currently use. 
          It was about time that the Mattel Barbie Dolls came into the market. Not only little boys, but also boys should be able to recognize from an early age that everyone is different and that is mote than okay and not have it in their minds from an early age of how a female's body is to look. The definition of the "perfect" body should be defined in terms of being as healthy as one can be and not by the popularity of a doll that up to this date seems to have shown to promote unhealthy habits.

Miracle Maker  
          This is a fantastic invention as it provides for a larger number available of organs needed for those people who may currently be waiting for an organ replacement. Also, if this was to become more popular and easier to access later on it would also reduce the illegal organ trafficking on the black market that affects many people.