Technology

I have really enjoyed this class. Learning how to use imovie has been one of my favorite things to do. I also appreciate learning how to present information differently like using prezi's or wordles. I think that as an educator one should not neglect the use of technology as many students enjoy it and find it useful in the classroom.
I know that I will be using prezi's quiet frequently and I have ever since I learned about them in the classroom.
There are a lot of ways to present information to the class or involve students in projects that demonstrate their understanding of the content. I think it is important to utilize the material I have learned and I am excited to see what it starts in my classroom.

What is the Future of Technology and How does this impact you?

Technology seems to taking over a lot of areas in this world. People no longer write letters rather they send emails. Instead of phone calls people text or use social networking sites. Even in the classroom technology is playing a larger role than it was in the past.
As an educator I see that there is going to be a constantly changing world in my classroom. I think it is important to embrace the changes in technology but to also find a balance in the classroom. I want to show students how to use technology as a helpful tool, but I want students to also learn how to use other tools like writing and creativity outside of the use of computers.

Proper Online Etiquette

When working online and in an online environment it is important to remember what to say and how to say it. Through texting and online conversation it is difficult to convey proper tone of voice or what exactly an individual is trying to say. To avoid confusion and frustration it is important to include proper language use and to avoid using any language that could possibly be interpreted as rude. 

It is also necessary to use proper english and full sentence structure and words. In the professional world it is important that you portray yourself as responsible and intellectual. When writing anything via e-mail or on a social networking site, using language like "thx, lol, brb" should not be used as it can make one look unprofessional.

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is when a minor picks on, teases, or provokes another minor by means of technology. This can be done through texting or social networks.
Some examples of cyber bullying:

• Pretend they are other people online to trick others
• Spread lies and rumors about victims
• Trick people into revealing personal information
• Send or forward mean text messages
• Post pictures of victims without their consent

www.stopcyberbullying.org
www.cyberbullying.us
http://www.ncpc.org/cyberbullying
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNumIY9D7uY
http://www.cyberbullyalert.com/blog/2008/10/stories-of-cyber-bullying/

Digital Citizenship For Students

Students need to understand their role in the world of the internet. With social networks being a primary source of communication for students it is important that they understand what to publish and what not publish as far as private information goes. They need to understand how to protect themselves and how to be polite via internet.

Digital Citizenship For Teachers

As teachers it is vital that we know our role on the internet. We need to be careful on what we put on social networking pages and keep them private and away from our students. There are boundaries that must not be crossed. As Christians it is also important that we watch what we say and that we use wisdom and discernment when publishing information on the internet.

Academic Honesty

Students need to be informed on what is okay to use and not use. I remember being a student in High School and even now in college and not being sure on what is okay and not okay to use that belongs to other individuals. Whether it be the use of someone's music or someones words it is important that we give authorship and recognition to where it is due.

Validity of Sources

 It is important to check for the validity of resources because we are educators! It sounds quite obvious. Our call as teachers and educators is to demonstrate accurate knowledge and understanding in the classroom. If we present false information as educators we will not seem as a reliable resource and this puts in jeporady our integrity.

The best way I have found to check the validity and accuracy of my resources is by checking several different resources for the same – or similar- facts. It is also key to look at the actual resource itself. Is the information coming from a blog, a newspaper website, an encyclopedia resource and who wrote it and why?

Fair Use

 I have always been taught not to plagerize and not steal someone's work. As a Christian I believe that that is a very important thing not to do. But I also feel that I have no been taught well what it means to use other people's material in the correct way. I think that our educators need to be sure they are teaching their students how to properly use materials and what a copyright actually is.

I often times find that materials are being used in the classroom without proper credit being given and without the proper rules being used. To elimate issues of plagerism we must begin to educate our students on how to properly use fair use.  

Christian Worldview

A Christian worldview is how you percieve the world to be with a Christian attitude—looking at the world through the lense of Christianity. This is vital for Christians to do. We must look at everything with our eyes on Christ. Everything in this world was created by the hands of our mighty God, and the way we treat others and our enviornment matters deeply.

When I think of a Christian worldview I see the importance of caring for the planet and caring about subjects such as politics. Though this world is fallen it is still God's, and as his children and having been adopted into his family we are to care for this world and everything in it. No matter how small and unimportant it may be in our minds. This is why I believe Christians have somewhat of a calling to be involved in what is currently going on in our world today—be it politics, enviornment, or health.

Word Cloud

A word cloud created from the following quote, (and one of my favorite people from history):

"God loves human beings. God loves the world. Not an ideal human, but human beings as they are; not an ideal world, but the real world. What we find repulsive in their opposition to God, what we shrink back from with pain and hostility, namely, real human beings, the real world, this is for God the ground of unfathomable love."
— Dietrich Bonhoeffer

A Little Background.

     My name is Tara Shotkoske, and I am a fifth year senior at Grace University. I have been around quite a bit since I graduated in 2006 from Gretna High School. I attended Dallas Baptist University for two years, UNO for a semester, and I have attended Metro Community College off and on since I graduated. I like to think that I am finally on the final stretch to completing my degree and getting into teaching quite soon.  Other than studying, I find myself either working at Red Mango as a shift manager or at Camp Fire as a support staff member. And, if I am not working or studying, which is a rare event in itself, I am spending time with my fiance planning our wedding (aburkumwedding.blogspot.com), reading, cooking or watching movies.
     For as long as I can remember I have wanted to be a teacher. I would save all my books from school each year and implement them in my own self-created classroom where the students were always silent and well-behaved. This was most likely because they didn't really exist. However, I would carry on with imagining that I was an effective and exciting teacher that all of the students loved.
   Since those young imaginative years of playing pretend, I have found my desire for teaching to grow more and more. I have learned what I am passionate about as far as subject matter goes (reading, grammar, and history) and I have also learned of the great need for good and positive educators in this world. I want to be a tool for God to make a positive difference in the lives of students. With that said, I am excited to see where God takes me in the years to come.