Emerging Technology: Batteries

With technology becoming more and more prevalent comes the need for improvement and refinement. Technology like cell phones and laptops require batteries to function, and the the demand for these devices has shifted to items of smaller and more convenient sizes. But as these things become more compact, the batteries that allow them to operate also need to become more compact. So even though battery technology hasn't changed much, the technology it supports has, and it is beginning to gain attention. Scientists are making batteries that are more compact, last longer, recharge better, and function better altogether.

Since laptops are becoming more and more popular, they are appearing more in schools and classrooms. With increased battery life and functionality, they could become even more popular. It is such a disappointment to show up to class with your laptop, only to have it die halfway through class. But it's such a chore to bring the charger along, try to find an outlet to sit near, and plugging it in. Having it plugged in just limits the portability, and you may as well just use a desktop computer. So making a battery more suitable for portable computers will definitely increase the use of computers in the classroom. Students will have more access to what they need and be able to use it for the amount of time they need to. The following website is an article about a battery supposed to have a really long battery life: http://www.crunchgear.com/2010/02/04/new-technology-extends-lithium-ion-battery-life/
Computers are one of the many forms of technology that are constantly becoming more common and widespread, and with an increased battery life, would likely gain even more popularity. I know for me it would be way easier to be able to just grab my laptop before class, and not have to remember to grab the charger in case it dies in the middle of my taking notes. It is an upgrade that would be very useful.

Assistive Technology: Screen Readers

With so many students having disabilities in classrooms, it can sometimes become a big challenge to accommodate and keep everyone at the same pace. One of the many challenges that may be presented is blindness. Screen readers are necessary for those who are blind, reading everything on the screen to the user. This would be a great tool to use in the classroom for those who are blind. It allows the user to know what is on the screen, like text, graphics, and menus, which enables them to operate and use a computer. For many blind people, using a computer is such a challenge and nearly impossible. But with the use of a screen reader, they are able to operate and utilize computers, which they would otherwise not be able to do.

Youtube Annotated Playlist

I put together this playlist, which introduces students to grammar. the videos cover verbs, adjectives, and nouns. The playlist can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/kaylacarlson9#p/c/2230209D19ECC791/0/7CWlvlkXdPc. While or after watching, write down five examples of each of these parts of speech. Pay attention to what they are and how they function, as this will help in understanding them.

Photo Story

Photo Story is a tool that can be put to great use in the classroom. It allows users to use pictures to "tell a story" to the viewers, which could include anything from introducing a lesson to demonstrating how to do something. The one I created is for one of my favorite science experiment, testing whether or not a cardboard "boat" will move in water when dishsoap is placed into it. Photo Story allows the user to add effects, narration, background music, and transitions to digital photos. It provides a great visual for students to see, which is more engaging than just giving instructions either outloud or on paper. It is a fun, interactive way to introduce students to something, and is quick and easy to use.

Educational Podcast

When it comes to the classroom, technology is being incorporated more and more every day. With more types of technology becoming available come more opportunities for teachers to incorporate it into learning. Podcasts are a growing trend, easily accessible to either listen to or download from the Internet, and can be a great tool for teachers, students, and parents. For example, I found a podcast about grammar, at http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/default.aspx. It is great for students, providing useful information in a short amount of time. The information covered in this podcast was stated clearly and although geared more toward the elementary levels, it could be beneficial to all age groups. It covered what was essential to understanding, and did not go on unnecessarily. This means students can optimize where their time is spent. Teachers could use this for students to listen to when they are confused on the material, or as homework to better understand the next day's lesson. It is easily accessible, easy to understand, and is short and to the point.

File Conversion

     Technology is becoming more and more prevalent in the classroom. The amount of elementary schoolers who own cell phones has grown rapidly in the past few years and continues to grow, and nearly all students have either a personal or family computer in their home. With these types of technology come some very valuable tools teachers have access to. Assignments can be posted online, students can be assigned research, they can be assigned to watch or even make an educational video. Personally, I enjoy watching fun educational videos, and making videos for a class helps me remember the content better. It makes learning more fun, and almost everyone has at least one computer in their home, or at least access to one through a library or community center.
     To be able to download a video from a website though, files may need to be converted. An online converter that I like is cellsea.com because it is very easy to use. It easily converts file either from your computer or from a website so you can do what you want with it.This is a very nice and fast way to convert a file to what you need without any confusion. It is easy for students to use, as well as teachers and parents. It is a very great tool for teachers to use to help students learn using technology.

About Me

     Hi! My name is Kayla Carlson and I am a Freshman at Northwest Nazarene University, planning to major in Elementary Education. I was born on May 9, 1992 in Milwaukie, Oregon and was raised by my wonderful mother in Oregon City, Oregon. Up until moving to Nampa, Idaho, I have lived in the same place, in the same house my whole life. It has been really neat to have the opportunity to live somewhere else, and meet so many people, and make so many new friends. One of the people I look up to most is my grandma. She has made a life for herself from nothing, and is a true example of Christ. She has shown me what it is to care about people and show them what love is, making sacrifices for others. I first began volunteering at a food and clothing distribution site after she encouraged me to, and I worked there for seven years before moving to Nampa to attend college. I truly enjoy helping others out, helping them meet their basic needs that would otherwise not be met.

     In my free time, I enjoy doing just about anything. I am willing to try new things, stepping outside of my comfort zone to conquer a new challenge. I want to experience as much as I can in my lifetime and I don't want to wait until the last minute to do it. Some of my hobbies include reading, listening to music, playing my flute, spending time with friends and family, and laughing. Even though it can sometimes be hard to see the good in things, I try to be optimistic. I want to enjoy every moment and savor it. I love traveling, and exploring other cultures. I haven't had many opportunities to travel to other places, but when I do I want to learn as much as I can. It is so intriguing to see all of the similarities and differences in all of the cultures of the world, and whether I experience them firsthand or just research them in spare time, they are all valuable to me.

   Out of all of the cultures I have studied, I have a special interest in Latin-American cultures. In elementary school, I was in a English-Spanish bilingual program, and learned a lot about the different cultures of Latin America. I had some really great teachers whom I looked up to, that helped me in my struggles and pushed me to expand my knowledge. They taught me to always challenge myself and do my best in everything. I learned in both Spanish and English, and explored so many cultures other than my own. I continued taking Spanish in high school, and grew even more to love the Spanish culture. I though about all of the opportunities I had, being raised not just in one culture, but two, and how few people have that opportunity.

     It was my teachers and what I grew up learning that inspired me to want to be a teacher in the first place. I love spending time with children, working with the Children's program at church, and especially Vacation Bible School in the summers. I have wanted to be a teacher since I was in third grade, and a few years ago I decided that I wanted to teach in a bilingual program. I want to work with children from Spanish-speaking homes, and help them to learn English and adapt to the American culture. On the other hand, I want to immerse other children into other cultures, who may not otherwise have the opportunity to. Growing up learning about both cultures had such a great impact on me and opened me up to see how unique each person really is. I want to be able to share the same great experience I was privileged with, and help others to experience them firsthand.