Handwriting Isn't Important??

We watched this video in class recently. I was really intrigued by it at first, but one point hit me particularly hard. I can't say whether or not the makers of the movie intended it to seem this way or not, but this is definitely the way I took it. At 2:40-2:45 there is a girl who holds up a notebook with handwriting in it as well as the white board that says "How will this help me?" As if handwriting isn't necessary for learning and other daily things. I really do not agree with that and it really infuriated me. A lot of things are dependent upon handwriting. Sure typing is becoming more popular and the more children use computers the worse their handwriting gets and the less they know how to spell. With todays technology no one needs to know how to spell because word programs and internet programs will show it's not spelled right and allow you to pick a word that is what you meant to spell. Is it right then to assume that handwriting isn't necessary for learning?
I also noticed that at 2:03 the f is backwards. I would hope that that boy isn't my son, because my son would know how to write properly. If we're meant to think that the writing on the white board is the boy's then clearly he's been playing too many video games or watching too much t.v., because he can't even write "f" properly. What does that show about technology?
I'm not saying that technology doesn't have it's advantages, but I think that saying that handwriting isn't important or face-to-face teaching is drifting away is just wrong. Learning is a hands-on, face-to-face, tactile process. Even though the movie gave all these statistics about how much children watch t.v. and play video games, it doesn't mean that they are learning from those shows or games. At least they aren't learning good things that are school related. Some parents can get their children to watch educational television and play computer games that teach math or reading, but really the majority of the time spent watching t.v. is for shows like SpongeBob or PowerRangers or something like that. The games played aren't educational, they're more than likely Role Play games incorporating violence or other non-educational things.
I think that technology can open up new ways of teaching, but we can't let it take away some aspects of learning that are necessary for a child to have a well-rounded, successful future.

My Philosophy On College

I started out college with excitement. A thrill for the unknown that made me yearn more and more for new adventures. That first year there was endless fun with friends, classes that didn't demand too much of me, and hall/floor events that got me out there to meet new people. My time was spent enjoying my room and roommate, sleeping as much as I needed to, and not really having a care in the world besides getting homework done on time. Sure I was on the rowing team that year, but it was more fun than anything and it kept me happy and fit. As the years went by, those things and that joy began to disappear. Now that I'm a senior I look at college differently than I did then, now I look at it as almost being over. I'm counting down the days until I walk across that stage and leave behind that college life, never having to spend another moment trapped in a dorm room with a roommate that doesn't understand me. I'm a different person than I was four years ago. I feel like a teacher now. I can see that classroom getting closer and closer. I can't wait. My college days are now filled with worries about my future, where I'll live, if I'll get a car, where I will be able to get a job, and whether or not marriage and children is anywhere close in my future. Finishing up my final semester as an undergraduate student I'm not participating in floor events anymore, I barely see my friends because I'm so busy, sleep is something I daydream of but rarely get enough of, and I work just about every free second I have. I enjoy my classes more now though, since they are more of what I'm wanting to do with my life, but they consume the majority of my day. Of course I can't expect to have the leisure of a freshman anymore. I'm not a freshman. I'm a senior, and a few short months from now I will be a college graduate. Nostalgically, I find myself wishing that time would stand still, just for a little while longer.

Hello World!!

Hello there. My name is Christie Jennings and I am a Michigan State University Teacher Candidate and I will be graduating this coming May. I will be student teaching in the Fall so I’m taking in all that I can right now, so that I actually feel ready to be out in the world teaching. I’m super excited to get into the classroom more. I love children and learning, so teaching of course is my passion and something I love to do. I have so many great ideas for lessons, incorporating technology as well as music, another one of my passions.

My technology background is pretty good. I’ve been working with computers since I was very young. My parents owned a print shop, so they always had the up and coming technologies that involved printing text, photos, etc. I learned a lot from my dad and mom about technology. I have taught myself everything else that I know. I really enjoy making PowerPoints or movies and just experimenting with those types of programs. Excel, word, and the other Microsoft programs are a piece of cake for me. I also know many online programs such as managing ANGEL, Scheduler, Database, and other things that I’ve learned from my work at West Circle Culinary Services HR Office.
I’m taking a CEP 416 class right now that has to do with using technology in the classroom and I hope that I will learn a lot of new ways to bring technology to my students. Learning about different ways to tweak lessons to make them technological will be a great boost to my teaching methods/strategies. I have already learned a lot about twitter, website making, blogging, and other cool things I had never even thought of using in a classroom. Here’s to a great last semester of classes.