Sheila's Journal

Here is Sheila's Bio... Go Back to Sheila's Home
Hello, I am a graduate student in the Educational Administration Department. I am graduating in May with my MS in Higher Education. I want to be an academic couselor working with either high school or college level students. I am interested in learning more about this course. This course will help me to enhance and advance my ideas to create and evaluate software to help children in the school system. Therefore, technology is in the stage where everyone should know it and be aware of what takes place and how things work.

Here is Sheila's first journal entry... Go Back to Sheila's Home
Hello Professors,

How are you doing. I just wanted to let you know a little bit about myself. I am a graduate student in the Educational Administration Department. I am very interested in the school system and enhancing the ability to help students. My interest lies in the areas of developing software to help students get a better sense of learning. I hope this course will provide me with the ability to do just this. This semester i will be working with an afterschool program which enhances children skills in reading, writing and interpersonal skills.

When I learned about this course, I felt it would be helpful to develop my skills as an individual working towards a career in education. Children need someone to help them. As an educator, my goal is to help them, mold them and create a change for the better. The development of software will help them have a sense of direction and their learning abilty. Learning is fundamental to knowledge, therefore, computer skills is a necessity to incorporate into the classroom.

Professor 's evaluation of assignment:

Hi Sheila -- This course would be a good start on software development, but creating software is a reasonably involved process. I suggest you look into taking ETAP 628 (a software design course), ETAP 626 (WWW design) or ETAP 623 (instructional design) after this. I also suggest you share some of these ideas with your classmates in the Meet Your Classmates module.

Karen Swan

Here is Sheila's second journal entry... Go Back to Sheila's Home
This week I wanted to do all of the telecommunications practicum, unfortunately I ran into some problems. I began to feel discouraged about doing the web sites evaluation. Although, I tried and printed out the

necessary work, it still seem that it would not get done. Well, I wanted to get some help from someone who took the class already. They gave me advice which would help me. They said Sheila, you need to read and read and then do these exercises. The advice was worth it because i soon realize that I have to survive the course. This course is more challenging than I thought. When I saw other students doing last semester, all I could see was the constant attention, they payed to the screen of the computer. This semester I am in the same shoe. I am keeping on the computer and doing what I have too. Things will turn around, because I will keep my head up and make sure that don't give up. The class is like any other class one has to take. You have to approach positively and not negatively. Therefore, any negative comment leaves that kind of approach in my head. This week is filled with mixed feelings. I like working on the computer but I guess the course is not as easy as entering a site and getting the information. You have to do the work and get through the battle. Another day, in the life of a sln student. God bless! You are absolutely right, Sheila, it a "Just Do It!" kind of a thing but you are doing great and way ahead of the game

Professor 's evaluation of assignment:

very good -- 1 point - Karen Swan

Here is Sheila's third journal entry... Go Back to Sheila's Home
The article read for the telecommunications portion of the course was very interesting. The multimedia may be a technology invented to help enhance the learning and interest of not only children but society as a whole, there are problems facing its uncensorship for children. This article made a lot of sense for children are exposed to materials unknown by the parent because companies are not being responsible. Instead, they are exposing our children to filth and would not take the blame for it. I think some of these sites are exposing children to filth on purpose -- like the "bad" Barney or Bert and Ernie sites

The world wide web helps to bring various teaching and learning styles to the classroom, but serves as a distraction as well. I felt the article touched on basic points that is helpful to allow companies to know what is needed to be done. The suggestions at the end of the article was the first step. The mention of safeguards, accessibility for all and a noncommerical children's civic is trying to bring the problems faced under control. I enjoyed the article and recommend it to others. The world wide web needs to be a resource used but must have its censorships to children. They cannot have them expose to wordly things unless authorized with the parent's permission. The world wide web serves children not only to enhance their learning but help broaden their knowledge to subject areas where they need extra help. The use of this teaching tool helps to bring the classroom to a compromise where they get both the teacher experience and the computer skills as well.

On the other hand, the first week was a learning experience, because I made a mistake of just sending an email through "create an assignment", and not through the vax. I learned quickly that I must read mor carefully. The course seems to be a learning experience. That's the idea Sheila

Professor 's evaluation of assignment:

I should tell you that I am just taking this course for now until Rick gets up to spead. But I am glad to have met you -- you are doing a great job -- 1 point - Karen Swan

Here is Sheila's fourth journal entry... Go Back to Sheila's Home
the hardest part of the assignment for the practicum was trying to figure out what the lesson plan is about. Although, it took forever to get it together, I finally have the idea to going about completing it. I hope that this was a lesson indeed to show me patience is the key. I am thankful that the difficulties I am having is in the beginning and not at the end of the semester. Also, I have to start the discussion because no one else has put anything up on the discussion board. (When & IF it comes up, I'll conspire with you to get the others to engage, OK?) I am looking forward to the responses, when i do put up my opinions about the paper. i am having fun though with this course. It seems hectic sometimes, but that is what learning is all about. I hope the next assignments will be easier than the first, but in the end, it boils down to having the desire and drive to finish them. (Also, Sheila, make sure you REpost that DISCUSSION topic of yours we had you paste into your journal. OK? This will help prime the pump w/o anymore work on your part, you eager beaver, you!

Thanks for the encouragement, Professor Swan. It helps a lot.

Professor 's evaluation of assignment:

Thank you for your intense engagement so early on in the course. I hear that for others, it gets quite hectic toward the end... ;-} rap.

Here is Sheila's fifth journal entry... Go Back to Sheila's Home
This journal responds to the Question in the Discussion. The question is Who Controls the "Information Superhighway"?

The world wide web is not free because someone has to be paying for it. Although, students are able to access the world wide web from their school premises, this does not necessary mean that it is free. The institution could be paying for it as well. What people fail to realize is that the web is a useful source, but can also be dangerous as well. If it was entirely free, when you try to access some things, you cannot download them because there are certain restrictions. There are so many restrictions when one uses the internet. For example, some sites does not allow any or everyone accessed to it. You have to pay to access information, even if it could be helpful for you. Although, people can use the world wide web, it is not good all the time. Some of the information on the web should not be there because the viewers are underage. Businesses use the web to their own advantage. They advertise their products ahead of time to get ahead of their other competitors. This shows that things adverstised on the internet, is commericalized. Although, some of the products is useful in the classroom, businesses should leave room for others as well. They cannot clogg up the web because they want their merchandise to sell. Adverstising is good, but when it is to the extreme, it gets to carried away. The world wide web sometimes effect the educational potential, because instead people learn things on their own, they take the easy way out by going on the net. If the want certain information, they just look it up and it is given. This leaves no room for the someone to use their imagination. People often take credit for others work through having so much access to the internet. Professor would not know that the work is not theirs because the sites may not be as easy to be found. the amount of freedom one has with the accessing of information, is too much. I think that those who controls the internet should place a limitation on the amount of information being stored on the internet and taken off as well. They should not

let anyone just log on and access information that took others a longer period of time to get. I think the freedom the internet gives others is too much and should be limited. Since, the internet is controlled mostly by businesses and those in the corporate world, the structure reflects this. These people are on the outside, and they make their money this way. It may matter to some about who is control of the internet, but to others it really does not matter. People really care about how much access they have to the world wide web, the information gathered and how much can be used. They really do not think about who owns it unless, they have to pay for it. For myself, I do not think it really matters who owns the internet, what really matters is what information is being put on it, the limitation of its materials and viewing by younger audiences and how one could go about using it wisely. This would not change because the internet has been in use for a long time, and if people are not complaining about who owns it, then does it really matter. If it does change, it may change in the sense that there would be a sensor on materials, the viewing of materials and the access of the materials. I do not think that the people who has control of it, will matter to much. People understand that in society, people have control to have power. Therefore, people have their choices to what matters to them the most and what is done to keep their images alive.

Professor 's evaluation of assignment:

Sheila, please repost this into the discussion area. There are one or two more who may feel the same/differently than you. Thanks... ;-} rap.

Here is Sheila's sixth journal entry... Go Back to Sheila's Home
I think the new softwares which are created in different subject areas and disciplines are very interesting. Children could learn more information than before when the use of computer did not exist. When I surf the web and look at various software, I conclude the world is more advanced than when I was a child. As a child, I did not have the web or various software to help me with subject areas that gave me a hard time. Instead, I had to study harder and take out extra time to do what I had too. The children born in society today, do not have a worry in the world. They have too much help. Sheila: I know what you intend here--but, I wish it were true. Perhaps I've seen too much suffering workin' the inner city beat for so long now... (excuse me for interrupting your thoughts) They will not be able to learn their mistakes or wrongs on their own because it will be done for them. I understand that we are in a modern world, it would be more modern if children would be able to think on their own. Software and computer technology are the new driving forces in society. People have to do many things to learn the new additives placed before them. They cannot skip around it because it is necessary. I feel that the invention of these softwares to children's learning, takes away the main purpose of learning. We as a society cannot create things to make things run easier for us, we must do it to help these children. I totally agree AND now better see what you intended, above. How true... I am not saying that the saying the various software do not help the children, but I feel that the children do not learn on their own. Other people are teaching them the ropes before they give it a chance. Life is not easy, therefore, they have to do all that is possible to make it through. Even if this means working a little harder and later on class and homework. We cannot push technology down their throats because in the end, the only ones hurt from this process is the children themselves. Again: I think the strongest influence here for me from the software industry was Tom Snyder Productions *The One Computer Classroom* I ref'd in the Shared Resources Module...

Professor 's evaluation of assignment:

Sheila: I'm humbled at having access to your journal entries. Keep writin'! particularly as things get intense , emotional, or confusing for you... ;-} rap.

Here is Sheila's seventh journal entry... Go Back to Sheila's Home
I am enjoying this module already. Rick, I think I have finally got what this class is helping me achieve. The lesson for this module, was not as hard as I taught. All I had to do was sit back, relax and breathe. Things worked out just fine. I think this class is wonderful and should be offered not only in ETAP, but in other departments as well. It can help a lot of people who are not computer literate, becoome more comprehensive about the computer and other technologies out here in society. I would recommend this class to anyone. Things are going great now, and I am pleased to be enrolled in your class.

Professor 's evaluation of assignment:

Sheila: I am thrilled. I often reflect upon why it is that I chose teaching late in my career--aside from the fact that several of my aunts were (my mother's older sister was my 5th grade teacher) and my mother's mother was a one-room country school teacher. In fact, I remain a teacher, despite why due to reflections shared such as this. I am so elated that you are able to make this work for you (and for your future charges!). I'll send this along to Dr. Swan. She is one of the best and has helped me sooooo much, as well... ;-} rap.

Here is Sheila's eighth journal entry... Go Back to Sheila's Home

The different lesson plans in which I used are very interesting. I think that children should engage in softwares such as typing and identifying shapes and colors because it could enhance their learning and skills. Surfing the internet to find such educational software was interesting because I did not know that such software exist. I guess my lack of interest before has now caught up to me. Now, I am happy that children could learn to do things like this at an earlier age. Edcuation is fundamental, just as like learning. Therefore, it is important that we keep our children up to date with the modern technology of today. We have to keep on top before it gets away from us. I enjoyed this module and hope that the others will be as interesting. The best part of this module was the lesson plans. I like planning lessons for it gives me a general interest in bettering the minds of our young people today.

Professor 's evaluation of assignment:

Sheila: so much of this course (in fact, all of it, apart from the real-time we share occasionally in LTL, B-13, and for which I am happy to have supplementing these meetings in our work) is virtual. I could have sworn you've been working this stuff for quite a while, now--due to the naturalness acccording to which you reflect & critique. You must have had some fine professors shaping your pedagogy & instructional methods here or elsewhere. It shows... ;-} rap.

Here is Sheila's ninth journal entry... Go Back to Sheila's Home
The tool practicum has been easier for me for I have experience doing presentations and so forth. I'd like to see one or two sometimne, Sheila. I engjoyed the practicum because it gave me a sense of expertise. I knew what I was doing from the beginning. Great! The help that I needed before, was not necessary. When thinking about doing research and lesson plans for students, it gives me a sense of satisfaction. Students are very important to me because they are the future. Half my relatives are teachers. I never considered this until after I became one, myself and reflected upon my family history. Do you think it runs in families, this teaching bug?We as educators must put our best foot forward to make sure that what our children learn is to enhance their knowledge and skills in society. You do so nicely, too!This module gave me just that. The lessons that I created using powerpoint are going to be useful in the classroom. The would be taught a lot and would be given an opportunity to learn more about a subject not used too. I am happy that I enrolled in the class. Me, too.

Professor 's evaluation of assignment:

Sheila: I hope to have your recommendation on Tuesday. Please stop in early & remind me, if you wouldn't mind. My brain is stuffed. I need a brrrrrrrreeeaaaaaaaaaaake! ;-} rap.

Here is Sheila's tenth journal entry... Go Back to Sheila's Home
The tool extra credit reading was very interesting. As I shared w/you the other day, Sheila: I am proud of your efforts & enjoyed your assignments, this Module quite a bit.Reading articles which gives opinions about how educators feel about the use of technolgy broadens one's knowledge in both an educational setting as well as in society. While reading the article, the main points that came across as a valuable message, dealt with how educators feel teachers should find another way to teach certain materials without using technology. Athough this is asking a teacher to do a lot, it may help them in the long run. Technonolgy may be useful now, but in the future it may cause difficulties for others. Very perspectival, Sheila. I agree: what works now may not then...For instance, everyone is not computer literate and may not know how to use various software or programs that may be useful the them. However, when technology is advancing by the minute, it will keep others in the dark, while putting some more into the light. I think that technology is useful in the classroom, but should be integrated with the other tools of teaching. I know that technology is the easy way out for teachers, but they

should use it in moderation before it cannot be of any help. Students enjoy using technology in the classroom, but they are more likely to enjoy if they could learn from the teacher itself, instead of a machine. And: the best is the proper blend and admixture of each in the lesson plan. I think I heard you speak in these terms across these Modules, Sheila. No?

Professor 's evaluation of assignment:

I love your work, Sheila! ;-} rap.

Here is Sheila's eleventh journal entry... Go Back to Sheila's Home
The Journal entry this week revolves around the article read. The article "The Computer Delusion was very interesting and added different insights to my knowledge. As you see, we're no demagogues in this course. We intend to challenge every assumption and hope the classmates see their own way through the material--taking what's best for them, if anything, when they leave. While reading the article, I did not realize how detrimental computer technology could be to a child's development. Educators may feel the use of technology enhances a child's learning ability, thus, it does just the opposite. It decreases their productivity level as well. Mentioned in the article, was how children learning to use technology at a young age could leave them not being able to think on their own. Instead, they learn todo everything by computer. Also, stated in the article, was schools losing many fundamental programs for children because of the demand of computers in the classroom. That's the troube w/research: nobody listens to it even if it is dome well...With the high demand of computers, it gives teachers a break in teaching a lesson designed by them. They would not use their teaching abilities because they have the computers to do it for them.

Therefore, every educator does not agree with the overuse of computers in the classroom. For instance, some of them believe the use of computers make teachers have to adjust to a new style of teaching. This may not be easy for teachers to do for they have mastered their teaching abilities in a certain way. Instead, other educators feel their are other ways to get a student to be interested in learning besides using technology. A teacher could design a teaching style that makes the students attentive. If teachers allow computers to do everything for their students, they would not be able to relate in society. Society itself changes its shift of focus and advancement now and then. Therefore, in order to relate in society, you have to use the acquired skills learned through one and one contact or teacher to student.

In conclusion, one can observe that every educator is not in agreement with using technology in the classroom. There have been suggestions which speak about incorporating technology with the original teaching style. Threefore, the tool of a teacher is to interaction and exchanging of ideas with others. Right you are! so right... You cannot use tools to take away from the main purpose of your job. I know people who try to hide behind them. Do you?Teachers are there to teach students about the different ideas and viewpoints both in society and life. They are not there to give up on children and shift their focus because they feel their style is not working. You have to stick it through and make sure you are doing it for the right reasons. Ah! the Reflective Practitioner--the best prepared teacher is the reflective and considerate one.Teaching is a skill acquired not an excuse to be use to get what you want.

Professor 's evaluation of assignment:

Thank you, once more, Sheila. I look forward to reviewing your work! Thanks for your patience. (Isn't Niko a turkey?) ;-}rap.

Here is Sheila's twelfth journal entry... Go Back to Sheila's Home
Well, Logo, Logo, Logo

I never tried to complete a program such as this one before. It gave me such a hard time. I sat in the lab on the week of the 2/16/99 for about two hours trying to get this thing down pact. My! you are persistant, an important trait in our profession. Well, I could not help it but ask for assistance in the LTL lab which was very helpful. The student who helped me explained to me what to do and I finally got the hang of it. I could not get it by myself. The thing that confused me was that I forgot to put the imput on the other page. Duh, don't I feel stupid. Don't feel bad. A similar experience happended to me when I was learning several programming languages, particularly before the Visual GUIs came in and we used to have to work in text editors on machines w/only 64K memory and no hard drives...I could not help it but think to myself who invented this anyway. I enjoyed moving the turtle in different angles and making shapes. This program turned out to be lots of fun. It's a great one to have the kids do, as it teaches the concepts of what a structured procedural program is and how it works.The finished output demonstrates that I had fun with this.I like the effort, Sheila. Think how it can help the kids after a few lessons in following directions or procedural flow. I thank the gentlemen who helped me in the lab. Without his help, I would have still been struggling over and over. Looking back at that specific day, laughter came to my eyes. I thought how can I be so crazy not to know that specific functions had to be inputed. I may be computer literate, but that does not say that I am program literate. Fortunately, we don't have to be mechanics in order to drive a car, either, if you get my drift... This course has helped me to learn various programs and styles of doing and viewing things. Logo is not so bad afterall. I am luck that I will be more software literate by the end of this course. Rick the course is great. Thank you. I stand on the shoulders of giants in my work. I love Dr. Swan's work. Have you had classes w/her? I would suggest this class to anyone because it is an experience worth going through. Thank you, kindly. I expect to teach it again in the Fall... ;-} rap.The best way to learn new things, is to try them out. Learning is believing and striving towards a specific goal is success.

Here is Sheila's thirteenth journal entry... Go Back to Sheila's Home
As I go further into the course, i gain a new knowledge and ideas. The discussion questions are very interesing because you give other people the opportunity to learn about what is being asked on them and you hear the opinions of your fellow classmates. The discussion question about teaching experience is a great idea, because a lot of the people in the course has not yet gained the opportunity to teach. On the other hand, they are looking forward to because it is part of their career goals. As a future educator, I was amazed at the question because I have not taught anyone yet, but is currently working with children from grades 2 through 5 at an afterschool program at griffen. I enjoy the children, and have learned a lot of having patience. Children learn on different paces. You as an instructor must see and work with the situation at hand. Every child is not a genius, therefore, a teacher who takes time out to help them, is a teacher who cares for that child's well-being.

Here is Sheila's fourteenth journal entry... Go Back to Sheila's Home
My last reflection would give an overall rating on the on-line course. This semester I felt learning more about computers would give me an edge in the real world. Well, now i have learned more about different programs never exposed to before and met a whole bunch of nice people in the course as well. I can truly say the course was a lot of fun. In the beginning, the assignments might not have clicked fast, but after awhile, I got the hang of it. This helped me to motivate myself to complete the course in a quicker manner. This course is helpful and would give those enrolled an experience of a lifetime. Therefore, the experience brought from this class is positive and could help me in the classroom in the future. Thank you Rick for writing a wonderful recommendation. I greatly appreciate it. Hope your semester is a wonderful one. good luck..

Professor 's evaluation of assignment:

Oh! Sheila: I certainly hope you complete the Consent Module and rply such that I can use your quite wonderful portfolio in my research... ;-} rap.

Here is Sheila's fifteenth and last journal entry... Go Back to Sheila's Home
Rick, you gave me two points on the journal entry. You did check three of them. working with Masi has been interesting. She learn things differently in her country, so it is difficult for her in the course. I told her that she could complete the course in the week ahead. i hope she does it and not take the incomplete. also, she has done a lot more since I started to help her. i gave her an outline and thought that she could complete the work she has to do for the course. Rick, she is a nice young women it is just doing the online course is different to her from being in the classroom. she will be alright though because she has gotten the hang of it. Also, i sat down with her and showed her what was needed from her in the tool module. she then realized she had the potential to do the work onlinel. Thank you rick for a productive semester. i enjoyed the online course a whole lot and wished that i would have taken two of them.

Have a good summer and God Bless.

Professor 's evaluation of assignment:

Sheila: thanks so much for this entry (i've awarded you a token 1 extra credit for your wonderful sharing).

Please, please, read & sign the CONSENT Module so I can (confidentially) use your wonderful portfolio in my research. I'll see you next week (are you going to Chris's Pig Roast form the computer lab he's holding for the Education Dept.?)... ;-} rap.