Digital literacy in education.

I never thought that I would be going to school and be taught online. I thought I was always going to be stuck in some boring high school, were all the teachers looked over me. Where all of them paid no attention that I needed extra help, and when I asked a stupid question that I thought was a good question. They just rolled their eyes. I knew that I would have to make a change. I did the right thing. I excel at Jeffco net, because to me. Teaching online is plain easy for me to learn. There are many ways that digital literacy is in education, from you tube to blogger.com!

When I first started my English class for jeffco net. I thought I would be learning the same material over and over. Yes there was some repeated information, or essay I had to do, but I was fine with it. Each time I had to repeat something, I just looked at it in another way. The very first english class I walked into Mrs. Larrenaga showed us a you tube video. I thought "oh boy, I'm enjoying this better than I thought I would." From than on it took off from there. We got to have our own blogs, where we could be free to write about anything we wanted, or express our own opinions. Instead of having a folder to organize all of our papers, we got to use a blog.

I think more and more these days teachers are looking for the Internet to find ways to keep teaching. When I was at Awest and they finished the whole new school. Each room had a smart board and access to the Internet. That's all I saw teachers use, none of them used books, or paper until they had to. They always taught from the Internet to help us learn. Some teachers were pumped and enjoyed teaching from the Internet better from a book. They called it a new revolution, and they seemed to think that we learned better. Which is true. We all seemed to focus more.

The only thing I wonder is that, in other countries "Do they use smart boards, or the Internet to learn?" "Could we communicate more to other countries to learn more about them, and teach them some of our lesson?" I wonder if they get to blog about what they want or use it as a learning device.

After doing some research on www.google.com, it took me to a UK website where students got to learn online. They all ranted and raved that this was going to be something that they loved. It was just easy. I also found teachers communicating with other teachers around the world finding assiments, and tests. The communication between teachers from all over the world is so interesting. Back in the 80's or 90's who would of thought that would ever happen.

I remember when I was little talking to my best friend over the phone. Now we have Myspace, or facebook. That's the only real Internet site I use from email and communicating with friends. Sometimes I don't even use that, I just use my phone to text. I think the world has come a long in so many ways. From learning from a book to a smart board, to texting on a cell phone, or chatting on a blue tooth with someone. I think this world is going to keep going. Someday I think schools will be less and less, and kids will start learning from an online school, there will be no books to learn from. Except if they are assigned to read a novel from school. I truly think that digital learning will be taking over. Just by going to Jeffconet I can see it happening. One day I think this world will come together in learning by using technology and everyone will learn together. I just hope that every kid in the world will have the help and support to get them started and to help them learn in a class room or online. Every kid should have the chance.

My art piece

So I was not on the field trip but I decided to pick my own piece and try to think of what the meaning is.

This has to be my favorite. To me it's a painting of a stormy or starry night over looking a small town. I love the detail that was put in to this piece. It looks so simple but it says so much. The colors are so beautiful and simple. The artis put so much detail in the town. If you look at the buildings, it looks like you can pick out buildings from each other. You can seen houses and even a church. The only thing that I don't understand, and that I have looked on the Internet is the tree or brown bush looking think right in front. It starts from the top and goes all the way to the top. It just stands out. I think that it's something looking over this town on a starry night. This is a famous piece and everyone in my family loves it. It's very interesting when you look at all the details. This town seems so peace full.

President Obama's Speech

President Obama spoke about each problem that has been affecting the U.S. From the war to our Economy. He wants to help bring home all the troops, and bring this country out of our horrible recession. He knows that something needs to be done fast.

To me I think him saying that students dropping out of school, is the best option. Like he said your quiting yourself and on your country. I really think that this will be better for our country. Now instead of students dropping out to go work at McDonald's, they can actually get their diploma and at least think about college. I know that some drop out of high school and join the Military, which I think is okay because they are at least making an effort to help our country, and still keep the freedom we have. If they make that choice to join the Military than I think that is great, at least they are making a difference.

I really don't think people should be able to drop out of school. They should at least have to complete grades 1-12, I think it would make a difference in this country.

So far I think president Obama is on the right track, no the economy is not fixed, but hey we all know that it will take months maybe even over a year. I really think he will bring this country back together and out us back on our feet.

Media bias

I do believe that media twist stories all the time. Sometimes it seems like the media just wants fill peoples head with lies beyond lies. A story that the media seemed to twist was Chris Brown hurting Rhianna. They made it seem like Chris Brown did nothing at all when you first heard this story. I mean the guy beat up his girlfriend and it seemed like the media treated it like he did nothing wrong. Finally we saw pictures of this poor girl, I really hope he goes to jail. He should of never hit her.

Another big story that you hear about is the "Octo-Mom". Yes she did do the wrong by having so many kids, with no job and money. The media made this woman look bad, and treated her like she was the stupidest person in America. Which she is not. I don't think the media should follow her around and tell people not to help her. You may not want to help her, but hey help the kids. People really need to think about these kids. I was watching doctor Phil and Kate Gosselin from the show Jon and Kate Plus 8. This show is about two parents where they have twins and sextuplets. She even said that the media should give this mom a brake and that America should think about these kids. Just because the mom made a wrong choice doesn't mean we should punish the kids.

I truly do think the media needs to learn some facts instead of twisting the stories.

Graduation

Here I stand today in front of the class of 2009. We all came to McLain for a different reason, now we are all here for the same reason. We are graduating.

Coming to McLain really helped me and it was a school were I felt excepted for once, were all the teachers understood my seizure disorder and that I needed a school that would fit my needs. The day I felt excepted was the day Mr.Boyd and I were walking down the hall, having one of our football chats. Mrs. Larrenaga popped her head out of her classroom and said "Here comes the two trouble makers!"

You may be asking yourself why I finally felt excepted that day. Most of the time at my old school, when I was walking down the hall I felt like the teachers and students looked at me and thought, "That's the girl who has seizures, in classes". Mrs. Larrenaga made me feel apart of the school instead of a girl who was looked over.

To get to my point everyone of us in this school has felt excepted by the teachers, principals, and counselors. If you look at any other school the people who get the most attention are the popular ones. Here at this school, I think we all felt excepted and an easy enviorment to learn in. Everyone in our lives has helped us get us here today. Without them we would not be here today. Especially without our parents or guardians, we wouldn't be here today. They are the ones that pushed us and made us sit down and do the work. They are the ones who always said , "I can't wait to see you in your cap and gown, and here your named called".

Now as we are off to college or on our way to achieve our dreams. Enjoy this moment, enjoy this summer, and Thank all of the people who have gotten you here today.

Also Daddy, your little girl is getting closer to being on her way to North Carolina. For now you got what you wanted watching me get my diploma.

Congratulations to the class of 2009, turn your tassels, and throw those hats. WE DID IT!!!

This I believe

The circulum that best supports the "This I believe" essay would be 6.a. Exploring personal issues and interests through a variety of texts. This means that you are going to write in something you believe in or a personal issue that you have gone through. For example I once wrote a paper on strength. I wrote about being strong can get you through the worst of times.

My story was about me. I'm sick, I have a sever seizure disorder. I have been through rough times over this past year. The doctors don't know what is going on and it has taken a lot out of me. My strength has gotten me through it all. Actually on Tuesday the 20Th, It was my one year anniversary of my first seizure it really made me think.

I think writing essay's about this certain topics help. It really makes other people think. Plus if writing about something you really believe in you can become a strong writer from this topic. It's cool to see what people write about because each person is different and reading these stories can really open up you eye about this big world.

Introduction

I expect to learn something new. I would like to learn something new because, it always seems like through out all of high school, I have learned stuff over and over. Like last year I had Mr. Abbarro, and he taught us the same thing we learned in English 12 A. It's not a bad thing sometimes it can be easy, but sometimes it can get boring. I'm just hoping to learn something new.

A skill that I really want to work on this quarter is improving my writing. At times my writing can be strong. Only if its a subject that I like and I know. Otherwise my writing skills are very weak. I know that I, myself needs to work on it to. This is basically my weakness in English, I have never been a good writer all of my school career.

One essay I'm very proud of is my "This I Believe essay" from last semester. I wrote about being strong can get you through anything. I believe that because I suffer from a seizure disorder and I believe that my strength has got me through everything. I thought I wrote about what I have been through really detailed and made you see that strength really helps you. This was a very important essay for me, and I really liked it. It was one of my stronger sides.

I'm excited that we get to blog for this class. Blogging seems to really open up your eyes. I'm shy at first, but I'm glad that only our teacher will get to ready it at first. That way she can work with me to improve.