The internet is my friend . . .
I love the internet. Just a few moments ago, after waking up from a nap, I was unable to find my phone. Like most folks, there is no need for a home phone anymore. I don’t get enough calls to warrant it. I post a message to my twitter, which goes straight to my Facebook and blog, here and BAM in moments. . . I get a couple calls. I love it. I love technology. I love how I can communicate with my friends so quickly–even about silly things. THANKS MARGARET & MISS CF, the best friends anyone could have-always lookin’ out!!!
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been thinking . .. do I live too much of my life online? I have this unlimited plan on my phone, but I rarely accrue over 800 minutes a month. I don’t socialize with my friends anymore–you know, the chit chat version. They can get it all from my facebook, texts, or chat with me on yahoo, google talk, skype, aim. . . . the list just goes on and on. I feel as though I’m not nurturing my friendships . . . which explains the lonliness I feel from time to time. I work a job thats extremely isolating and then I come home and communicate with all of my friends through a computer screen.
I made it a point to get out this weekend and go to parties and have brunch with a friend. It made all the difference in my disposition. My friends deserve more. Or is this (internet communication) just becoming the norm?
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here are student reflections on the best activities of the school year:
- Debate-”it was a chance to see what others felt”
- Group Activities-”having others helps to reassure you” “we got to work and meet our classmates. So we got good grades and made friends.” “provided us with hands on activities”
- Survival Simulation
- Station Rotation-”simple, but we learned a lot.”
- Making songs & poems-”b/c we got to do our own style of music”
- Games: Jeopardy, football aka EduBall, Flyswat, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, Bingo -”they were fun and different, we got to be loud” “Fun & easy. Good for competitive students.”
- Being in Ms. Teacha’s presence (suck up!)
- Freedom Writers journal-”b/c it allowed me to express my creative side”
- Watching Movies-”b/c they were fun & easy to do”
- In Plain English videos
- Warfare activity (a dramatization of WWI technology done with ST that I designed, he canceled it half way through the day b/c he didn’t like how it went. I will do this one myself in the coming year. It was a really good performance based lesson)
- Black History Month Project-”learned more about what AAs have done & that it still impacts my life today”
- Graffiti-”b/c we got to get up and move around” “we got to see others opinions.”
- Discussions on holocaust (w/ST)
- Activities on the Holocaust (done with ST)
- “When we did the work with Mr. ST. He didn’t give us busywork all the time and I actually learned a lot” (yep, that became apparent when it was time for exams & to do review exercises)
My thoughts: I really was able to get my students actively involved in the learning process this year. I diversified well. I just wish I’d taught ST to do it better. . . but he didn’t like it. I’ve been thinking that maybe I was too hard on him about diversifying instruction & maybe I did not model it well. But next time, I KNOW what to do differently. I’d like to do it again, just to prove that I could successfully mentor someone–maybe not!
Things I think need to do more of next year: group learning and dramatizations.
“I had enjoyed some activities, but the other students need to be quiet.” This was said by a student in my 7th period. This class was EXTREMELY limited by their behavior. It was frustrating to the studnets who wanted to learn. The way that has been fixed: SUMMER BREAK and I never have to see those children again.
How do I work the net?, Reflections, Teaching Strategies | Miss Teacha | 
May 26, 2009 9:08 pm
8 Comments
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Confessions from the Couch » Best Activities — May 24, 2010 @ 9:53 pm
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By ECT, May 27, 2009 @ 2:09 pm
I hate it when my friends communicate ONLY through FB or text.
While I am on FB, I do not believe that’s an acceptable form of communication.
And texting? Don’t get me started.
I’m all for dinners/nights out with friends – definitely a tradition that seems to have fallen by the wayside these days…
By Margaret, May 27, 2009 @ 6:38 pm
It was fun to “rescue” your phone! I love the internet, but refuse to socialize with only it. It just can’t take the place of real people, games, activities, going places, etc…Tech has an unhealthy power in our society and is making many students I see into social idiots.
By Betty, May 28, 2009 @ 9:58 am
You are awesome. Now I know how to get someone to call me when I can’t find my phone. Seriously, I feel so much better. I have looked and looked for it because I don’t have a home phone either. Also, thanks for sharing the student comments. I enjoyed reading them.
By Miss Teacha, May 28, 2009 @ 11:54 pm
betty, I always love when you visit. You’re so encouraging.
By Miss Teacha, May 28, 2009 @ 11:58 pm
“It just can’t take the place of real people, games, activities, going places, etc…Tech has an unhealthy power in our society and is making many students I see into social idiots.” Margaret, I completely agree. I admit, my social skills have seriously declined since I got on twitter and facebook. And ECT, I agree, it’s really had to have relationships this way, but it seems like everyone is always “busy” or maybe I just need to make new friends. One of my friends, whenever I call she pretty much doesn’t answer (excuse: I’m just wiped after work), but if I send her a text I get a response quickly. It’s annoying. So, I stopped calling. The last time we had lunch, she mentioned that she’d have to better, but I’ve seen little improvement.
By chit chat bingo review, June 16, 2009 @ 1:08 am
Internet has changed the life of everyone .Now if we want to contact anyone we can contact directly by just sending scraps in orkut or facebook.
By Betty, June 18, 2009 @ 6:55 am
I\’ve only had my first cup of coffee, so I thought the above commenter was talking about okra. I love fried okra! But no, I squint my eyes and see that it is really orkut. I\’ve never heard of it and feel so out of the loop.:{