Blog #5: Vocab Tech for Toddlers Encourages 'Anytime. Anywhere Learning'

     Sesame Street was my childhood.  As a child of the 80's I grew up with Big Bird, Oscar, and Bert and Ernie.  I never put much thought into the fact that Sesame Street was a trailblazer for children's educational programming.  I guess I never knew life without television that taught you something.  So naturally it only makes sense for educational tools to make their way into our newest technology.  Children's programming crossing over platforms and finding its way on tablets and other forms of technology is a great thing for children.  Todays children are used to using these devices and as long as they are going to use them they may as well learn something while they play.  When you think about it is really no different than my generation sitting down to watch PBS on TV. 
     However, as with any form of technology it is not a substitute for the learning that occurs when a child engages with a parent or another adult.  One thing I liked about this article was how it talked about how a child can use this app with a parent.  Apps and technology are great but a child must still have ample time to talk to and engage with an adult.  The problem that children are arriving to school with a limited vocabulary was even brought up in this article.  A lot of this is due to children and parents not talking a lot with each other.  So as with anything a child can learn from an app but it is no substitute for the learning that occurs with a parent. 

Blog #4: Wanna Work Together? Creative Commons

     The YouTube video by Creative Commons was really short but it gave you a lot to think about.  Copyright privileges and laws are very important to a classroom teacher.  Being able to collaborate and share ideas with others is a huge part of teaching.  As one of my professors say, "There is no need to reinvent the wheel, if you find something that works use it! Just be sure to give the maker credit." I feel that this is an very important part of teaching.  Teachers have great ideas and are able to learn a lot from each other, we also put a lot of work into our lesson plans and such.  I feel like this cc form of copyright is a great compromise to allow another teacher to use your work but still give the maker credit. 
     As I was watching this video and thinking about teachers sharing ideas, I instantly thought of Teachers Pay Teachers.  Any teacher, or future teacher, is familiar with this site.  I see myself using this site a lot when I get my own classroom.  Teachers Pay Teachers is a great way for teachers to share their materials with colleagues all across the country and still preserve their rights to what they created.   I also think about YouTube videos that teachers use when teaching.  I can see myself using both of these tools in my future classroom.  These tools allow myself to connect with fellow teachers across the country.