I must say last class was pretty cool with the web site critiques. I thought all of the sites critiqued had at least a few things that could be extremely valuable to a teacher. I was also a little sad about my newadvent.org site. I knew it was a boring site, but after seeing everyone elses, I realized how dull it really is. But I do stick by my presentation. It is an extremely valuable site for any religion teacher (at high school level) or to anyone searching for articles on ANYTHING related to the Catholic faith (in particular). This site is a tremendous resource and has been for me for many years. I think if the site's creator spent the time to add visuals, it could get distracting. I guess each site has to be taken for what it is. This site is a Catholic reference site, that is it basically.
I am glad I wrote down the other sites that were presented. I plan on book marking them and trying to use them when and if possible in future classes. Granted I doubt I will use the sites geared at younger people at the high school level.
One thing that did strike me was the fact that (I think) many people, when asked how they found their website, replied by random searching. I realize this is many times a fun and entertaining aspect of the web, but are there education sites that are like a hub for these sites? I know there are sites like this for many topics, but is finding them another case of googling them?
Another point: Obviously, technology and the web is the way to go with education among many things, but what about over reliance on technology. Today, at the high school where I teach, the power went out for most of the town in the middle of the day. The school was actually dismissed early because of it. My issue is with my perception of an overload of technology via powerpoint presentations (to name one). What ever happened to a good old fashioned lecture where students have to listen and pay close attention to what the teacher is saying. I have found so far this year many students have been belly aching that I have not done a power point presentation, that I have not explained things clearly, blah blah blah. My perception is that most of these complaints are made without the students even giving any given lecture a chance. I have been tuned out, I think, at times solely on that basis. The truly aggravating factor is that I pride myself in the ability to explain concepts in many different ways. First I usually try straight lecture, then try to tie in previous concepts (flashback with the class and then bring them back to current concept), and give some type of contemporary example that is similar. To me all strategies used by many teachers. Do not get me wrong, I am not against the technology aspect at all. It is just frustrating being tuned out at times simply because I am not some colorful display on a screen or smart board.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Surprise Prof.Luongo course
I know I am a little late with what I going to say, but it still holds true. First off, I was very happy and excited to walk into our first class and see Dr. Luongo as our instructor. For those of you in class that have not had the pleasure, she is great. Very energetic, helpful, and just plain fun to have as an instructor. We will have plenty of work to keep us busy, but it probably won't seem like it. I was also very happy to see familiar faces from past and present classes. Hopefully the familiar faces will make the class AND blogging easier and more productive.
Monday, June 23, 2008
our class
I have to say this class has been extremely enjoyable. Right from day one, the comfort level has allowed for some enlightening discussions. Professor Luongo has been very helpful and very prepared. A very admirable trait. I think her approach and methods have been excellent. A nice balance of riddles, exercises, handouts, power point presentations, and open class discussions. The little notes of disobedience were a bit of a twist first time around for me, but obviously have become a nice excuse for the class to act and act up. Not sure how I will handle that tomorrow, but we shall see. I have watered my reading plans down a bit from Gnosticism and the Gospel of Mary. Having clear cut responsibilities for our grades was great. There really could be no doubt of the requirements thanks to Professor's thoroughness. The online resources were amazing. So many links!
I think I have mentioned in class discussion about class atmosphere. I genuinely believe if a student feels comfortable, they will not only have a better chance of learning, but a greater desire to want to learn. In my years of schooling, as with probably everyone, I remember the good and the bad. In college for instance, I had a professor for a course on the Gospels. This professor was like an encyclopedia, but it was very dry. I did learn information, but that is ALL it seemed like. On the flip side, another religion professor had the same level of knowledge of the subject. The course was on Eastern religions. But his personality and enthusiasm made me desire to learn more. At one point in class he was even chanting. Any man that would chat in front of undergraduate students must love what he is doing.
Students at all levels can sense when a teacher really enjoys what they are doing. And who would turn down a chance to be in on something that enjoyable. This cannot be forced. I have found the more sincere, enthusiastic, and open a teacher/professor has been, the more enjoyable the class has been. This class has been one of them.
It has been quite obvious everyone has enjoyed the class and taken many valuable lessons from it. I would personally hope to see everyone in the future. Maybe even keeping in touch with emails. Not sure who would be into that but I think it might be nice to keep in touch.
Thanks All
I think I have mentioned in class discussion about class atmosphere. I genuinely believe if a student feels comfortable, they will not only have a better chance of learning, but a greater desire to want to learn. In my years of schooling, as with probably everyone, I remember the good and the bad. In college for instance, I had a professor for a course on the Gospels. This professor was like an encyclopedia, but it was very dry. I did learn information, but that is ALL it seemed like. On the flip side, another religion professor had the same level of knowledge of the subject. The course was on Eastern religions. But his personality and enthusiasm made me desire to learn more. At one point in class he was even chanting. Any man that would chat in front of undergraduate students must love what he is doing.
Students at all levels can sense when a teacher really enjoys what they are doing. And who would turn down a chance to be in on something that enjoyable. This cannot be forced. I have found the more sincere, enthusiastic, and open a teacher/professor has been, the more enjoyable the class has been. This class has been one of them.
It has been quite obvious everyone has enjoyed the class and taken many valuable lessons from it. I would personally hope to see everyone in the future. Maybe even keeping in touch with emails. Not sure who would be into that but I think it might be nice to keep in touch.
Thanks All
blogging
Ok. I have been slow with my blogs and even slower with my responses...but.
I was hesitant about the whole thing. I genuinely believe this was because of the mindset I have had at my school. I brought this up right away when we discussed blogging. At my school, at times they seemed to go overboard with protecting the school from legal issues. Do not get me wrong, in this day and age when people sue for just about anything, I totally understand there point of view. I think my perception of blogging was more of the Instant Messaging flavor. I imagined things getting off topic or getting inappropriate to the topic at hand.
In recent years the school where I worked did set up a web site where teachers could post there overall schedule, assignments, tests/quizzes. It was fairly easy to access for the students and the parents. They were also able to send emails to our school emails with any questions or problems. At times, teachers saw this as a burden. Just one more thing they had to do that would not be necessary if the students did their part and the parents did theirs. This mentality was contagious at times. Not very healthy for people that should be embracing technology. A technology that makes it possible to reach the student and parent in a different way.
Until this class, I never blogged and to be frank, never looked at one. Didn't care to. That has since changed.
My perception of blogging is clearer, I think. And I absolutely see its value and potential. Many things could have been accomplished with a blog for my classes. I have found over the years that many students have tremendous communication skills. I have been impressed and have told my classes. I think if these students had the forum like a blog for my subject, it could simply be one more tool for them.
I was hesitant about the whole thing. I genuinely believe this was because of the mindset I have had at my school. I brought this up right away when we discussed blogging. At my school, at times they seemed to go overboard with protecting the school from legal issues. Do not get me wrong, in this day and age when people sue for just about anything, I totally understand there point of view. I think my perception of blogging was more of the Instant Messaging flavor. I imagined things getting off topic or getting inappropriate to the topic at hand.
In recent years the school where I worked did set up a web site where teachers could post there overall schedule, assignments, tests/quizzes. It was fairly easy to access for the students and the parents. They were also able to send emails to our school emails with any questions or problems. At times, teachers saw this as a burden. Just one more thing they had to do that would not be necessary if the students did their part and the parents did theirs. This mentality was contagious at times. Not very healthy for people that should be embracing technology. A technology that makes it possible to reach the student and parent in a different way.
Until this class, I never blogged and to be frank, never looked at one. Didn't care to. That has since changed.
My perception of blogging is clearer, I think. And I absolutely see its value and potential. Many things could have been accomplished with a blog for my classes. I have found over the years that many students have tremendous communication skills. I have been impressed and have told my classes. I think if these students had the forum like a blog for my subject, it could simply be one more tool for them.
Another great site
Ok. This site looks great. I honestly find it somewhat familiar. I am not sure if it was mentioned in class or I have looked at it in the past. I search google for classroom decor because I was thinking about an earlier class. It was our class when testing children in a room was discussed. I believe it was regarding children's vocabulary and the actual amount of words they knew and would write down it given a certain amount of time. My question at the time was how would the room they were being testing in appear? Would it be spartan or highly decorated? Thinking back on that class peaked my interest regarding what the internet might have for me.
I personally have never gone overboard with decorating. I would always have some personal pictures on a cork board nearer to my desk near the entrance to my room. I figured students would see these coming in and definitely leaving the class. Simply pictures of my dogs or something I saw on the internet that I thought was amazing or just plain silly. Nothing distasteful of course. This had always proven to be a great ice breaker in the beginning of the school year or the start of a new semester. I would also place around the room religious pictures of the pope, Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and of course at least one crucifix. Some discussions were made from these. Students would at times ask about the style of a painting/picture or why someone was portrayed the way they were. Another easy and relevant visual is the crufix and the scientific accuracy of the portrayal.
I have a friend and co-worker that loves to have his students do projects for extra credit. He would then tack many of them on his walls. I often found myself very interested in them. He would sometimes be very clever in his assignments, challenging them to see symbols in Catholicism.
Is there a danger of too much? Could this be more of a distraction then a help?
He tradtionally taught Freshman over the years. Besides the last few years, I have always had older students. I never really tried those types of assignments because early on when I did, the older students showed little interest.
I do, on the other hand, show many pictures from outside sources or print outs. These are rarely on display for long.
I have seen many other teachers' rooms decorated with foundational concepts of English and Foreign Language. I do see the usefulness for those classes, especially language. I would imagine posters with
Any suggestions or comments?
I personally have never gone overboard with decorating. I would always have some personal pictures on a cork board nearer to my desk near the entrance to my room. I figured students would see these coming in and definitely leaving the class. Simply pictures of my dogs or something I saw on the internet that I thought was amazing or just plain silly. Nothing distasteful of course. This had always proven to be a great ice breaker in the beginning of the school year or the start of a new semester. I would also place around the room religious pictures of the pope, Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and of course at least one crucifix. Some discussions were made from these. Students would at times ask about the style of a painting/picture or why someone was portrayed the way they were. Another easy and relevant visual is the crufix and the scientific accuracy of the portrayal.
I have a friend and co-worker that loves to have his students do projects for extra credit. He would then tack many of them on his walls. I often found myself very interested in them. He would sometimes be very clever in his assignments, challenging them to see symbols in Catholicism.
Is there a danger of too much? Could this be more of a distraction then a help?
He tradtionally taught Freshman over the years. Besides the last few years, I have always had older students. I never really tried those types of assignments because early on when I did, the older students showed little interest.
I do, on the other hand, show many pictures from outside sources or print outs. These are rarely on display for long.
I have seen many other teachers' rooms decorated with foundational concepts of English and Foreign Language. I do see the usefulness for those classes, especially language. I would imagine posters with
Any suggestions or comments?
good web site?
I was just doing some broad searches for some ideas for blogs and came across the following site right away: http://www.suite101.com/
I was actually fine tuning a search about religion in film and found a link to this site. Seems decent and maybe useful for all for various purposes. It looks like some interesting articles on relating some well known films to religion. I honestly believe in trying this with religion as much as possible. Most students like to go to the movies or rent them. If I can get them to see deeper into the plot then I have accomplished something. Also they may pursue research on the religious themes. I mentioned in class the movie Constantine with Keanu Reeves. Other good ones are the Star Wars films, the Matrix (ironically very Gnostic) and The Lord of the Ring Trilogy. These to me, at least, are the obvious ones, but finding others can be fun and challenging for me and hopefully the students.
I hope everyone can chime in on this blog in particular with your thoughts/experiences. Thanks
I was actually fine tuning a search about religion in film and found a link to this site. Seems decent and maybe useful for all for various purposes. It looks like some interesting articles on relating some well known films to religion. I honestly believe in trying this with religion as much as possible. Most students like to go to the movies or rent them. If I can get them to see deeper into the plot then I have accomplished something. Also they may pursue research on the religious themes. I mentioned in class the movie Constantine with Keanu Reeves. Other good ones are the Star Wars films, the Matrix (ironically very Gnostic) and The Lord of the Ring Trilogy. These to me, at least, are the obvious ones, but finding others can be fun and challenging for me and hopefully the students.
I hope everyone can chime in on this blog in particular with your thoughts/experiences. Thanks
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