Task # 3 - Assign. 2

There were so many things I found intersting in Will's pod-cast presentation!
(and I'll admit it..i took notes during it...haha I know..I'm a dork!)

1. When Will was discussing the clip that he saw on youtube, he made a very good point that people that are present in a situation and can get it recorded, are exposing the information before newscasters and reporters even have the opportunity to get to the scene. This proves that we all have the opportunity now to be journalists of our own kind and that we are consuming news and taking over. (this is familiar to my last blog regarding flattner #4) Having all of this technology allows us to become more intelligent and exposed people then we already are.

• I really enjoyed the information Will brought into his presentation about Politics, Politicians, and blogging. By blogging to such people, our opinions become more valid simply because we can respond to the politicians and what they are discussing. Aren't our opinions especially important now regarding the world we are living in? So much information from people just like us is making a difference in the world of politics and I cannot find the words to emphasize how important and fascinating I think this is.

2. SCHOOLS:

We as teachers obviously want to teach our students as much as we possibly can and expose them to as much information as we can. All of the tools on the internet are making that desire that we teachers have, come true. Not only are students learning in classroom, but they can continue to learn what we want them to all the time with the internet. The fact that students can continue to learn outside of the classroom walls is the most amazing thing that can happen in the academic world.

3. I was fascinated by the dicussion board that was put up for students in particular classes in June - before school even started. This gave the students a time to bond, identify themselves, discuss what they expected from the teacher and other students. I bet that if we all had the chance to do this before the semester began, we would develop more friendships and less fear to ask a classmate for help when we needed it. I think this was an amazing idea!!

4. The thought had never occurred to me until I heard Will say it : One of the best benefits of having a blog is REFLECTION. So many students "draw a blank" when they get put on the spot in classrooms. So many students are shy and refuse to articulate their ideas in front of others. So many students are afraid of being teased or called stupid if they suggesst something different in the classroom. The blog gives these students the chance to get their ideas out there and to still have their classmates and teacher respond. To so many students, the blog is actually becoming their classroom where they have no fear of expressing their thoughts, ideas, and opinions.

5. The final thing that I found interesting about Will's pod-cast presentation was calculous being done on blogs. There are so many students out there, just like myself, that can remember certain steps to solve problems when they are in a classroom, but can't remember them when they get home and begin their homework. The fact that students all over the world and in the classroom can post steps to the homework and show examples to one another on how to complete an assignment is one of the best things that could happen for a student. My life would have been so much easier throughout High School if these types of tools were available to me then.