What's All the Fuss About Twitter?

Almost two years ago I created a Twitter account. My soul reason for doing so was just because everyone else was getting one. When I created my account, I didn't like Twitter at all. The layout was confusing, and I never knew if I was making a new tweet, posting something on someone’s twitter, or re-tweeting, what ever that meant. Also, I never knew the purpose of adding hash tags; to me they were just an annoyance at the end of a tweet. However, after discussing Twitter in my SEDU 183 class, I am now more willing to give Twitter a chance. What changed my mind was realizing the potential Twitter can do for education.

My intentions when joining the Twitter world was just to use it as any other social networking site. I just wanted to follow all my celebrity idols and friends. Then my SEDU 183 instructor informed my class about how he uses Twitter, which was quite brilliant actually. He uses Twitter to follow other educators and share ideas and tools to use in the classroom and better enhance the learning experience. I think Twitter could be a very useful to as both a teacher and a student. As a teacher I could use Twitter as a tool to remind students about homework assignments and share websites that could be helpful with their studies. As for being a student, Twitter could be very helpful. I could follow educators in my field of study, and other students in my field of study to obtain helpful resources to be the best teacher I can be in the future, and to learn about new websites that could help me in my studies.

Now that I realize Twitter can be used for more than just a website to keep in touch with friends, I am willing to use it more often and give it a second chance. I'm not sure how often I'll use it, or even if I'll continue to tweet after my class is over, but what I do know is that I am going to try my best and be open to the possibilities Twitter offers. I am excited to see how Twitter will benefit me, and hope that it is an experience I find worthwhile and will continue to practice in the future.

Feel free to follow me on Twitter :)

The Power of PowerPoint

For my SEDU 183 class, I was asked to create part of a lesson plan using PowerPoint, that met objectives I generated from a standard I selected at PennDot. Before this project I have used PowerPoint an awful lot, so I felt comfortable that I would be able to produce a brilliant project in a short amount of time. However, as I was creating my project I realized there were numerous tools and functions PowerPoint had to make my PowerPoint more interactive I never knew existed. One key feature I found very useful, yet frustrating, was hyper linking. Using a hyperlink was risky because sometimes the hyperlink wouldn’t work properly, which would lead to frustration, but when it was used successfully it made the PowerPoint much more interesting and interactive.

Rewinding back in time, before actually making the PowerPoint, is where my first complication came into place: deciding which standard I wanted to use. I wanted to make sure I chose a standard I could make a fun, interactive homework assignment from. After choosing the perfect standard I then had to make objectives, which was probably the easiest part of the project.

After the PowerPoint was complete, came the last part of the process: presenting our project to our peers. This part of the process was my favorite, because I enjoyed observing other’s projects and evaluating them on how well put together it was. Also, unlike other people, I don’t mind speaking in front of people so I enjoyed sharing my PowerPoint with them, and getting their feedback.

Overall, I found this project to be enjoyable. Although there were a few problems, I believe I was able to figure everything out and create a decent PowerPoint. After completing the process, I feel more confident in my ability to create wonderful PowerPoints.

If you wish to view my final product here it is:

Chapter Numero Uno: Blog Response

Chapter 1 of the book Personal Learning Networks by Will Richardson and Rob Mancabelli talks about different aspects of a learning network. It explains the shifts that are taking place in the 21^st century, and why these shift are important. The chapter defines what a learning network is and how to obtain one, but most importantly it covers the benefits a personal learning network can have. This is the topic my blog is going to cover, because I feel it is the most important. Sure, it’s nice to know what a personal learning network is and how to achieve one, but when it comes down to it, I want to know if making the important shifts to create a PLN is worthwhile. Basically, I want to know if it works and what effects it has. In the book, it lists seven different beneficial effects having a learning network can have. The three I’m going to cover are the three I found most enticing which include:

1. “Students are better prepared for life and work in the 21^st century.”

2. “Classrooms are more engaging.”

3. “Instruction is more individualized.”

The first claimed effect a learning network provides is that it preps student for life in the 21^st century.  Before I read this section I was hesitant to believe that a learning network could provide students skills for conquering life and the work industry, but as I read my thought process changed. The reason for the change is simple, our world really is beginning to be a technological empire and if you don’t become tech savvy now, you might as well move over and let others take your opportunities. Many jobs out there now involve the use of some sort of technology, like a computer, and by having students obtain a personal learning network their computer skills are increasing. A PLN would also provide students with one key element to be successful in life, and that is problem-solving.  Through constantly surfing the Internet for information, they would have to decide what is factual information from what is not, helping to build their critical analysis skills. Furthermore, by having a PLN students would need to search to answer their own questions, improving their problem-solving skills. Overall, I agree that a learning network would offer students the tools they need to be successful in life.

The second argument of why learning networks are beneficial is that the classroom becomes more engaging. I believe this is true because students would be able to connect with others around the world to learn the information they desire. For example, if a student was asked to do a history report, they could blog with or video chat with an expert on the topic they are researching. In addition, the use of technology would allow students to become more active learners, rather than passive learns as described in this article on the effects of technology in a classroom. Not only would students benefit from this, but so would teachers. Teachers would be able to exchange ideas with other educators to help provide the best learning experience they can for their students.

The last effect I personally found interesting, was that learning networks would make learning more individualized. This is important to me because everyone learns at different rates, and not everyone finds the same topics interesting. Also, students learn in many different ways, so by having a PLN a student would be able to access the appropriate information explained in a way that helps them understand best. Through learning networks, a student wouldn’t have to rely on just the textbook as a source of reference because they would have access to numerous information, via the internet, about the topic they are learning about to help make the information a little clearer and easier to understand.

Demi Devonne Lovato

Reasons to Love Demetria--

Demetria (Demi) Devonne Lovato, in my opinion, is one of the world's most talented singers/performers. With her powerhouse vocals and stunning stage presence, her live performances continually leave me breathless. But Demi is not just a singer, she also acts and starred in her own show titled Sonny with a Chance. More than anything else, I believe my obsession for Demi is fueled by how inspirational she is. Recently, Demi became vocal about her personal struggles with bulimia, cutting, and bi polar disorder. The reason she decided to tell people about her deepest secrets was to become a public speaker about her disorders in order to help others facing similar issues. She has started an organization called Love is Louder to help people overcome personal struggles. Despite going through all this at just 19, Demi powered through it and recently came out with her new album appropriately titled "Unbroken".

Observing Demi's Beauty--



Demi showing off her award for Favorite TV Actress.

Here is a picture of Demi Lovato at the 2011 ALMA awards. At the award show she gave a bilingual rendition of her first hit single "Skyscraper" from her new album.

Demi's Live Performance--

Check out this outstanding live performance of Demi singing "Skyscraper" on America's Got Talent. This is a personal favorite from her new album, because it is inspiring and really sums up her personal journey of overcoming her own obstacles.

For more information on Demi, e-mail me-Jonathan Greer :p!

Who am I?

My name is Jonathan Greer and I am a freshman at Edinboro Univeristy. I am majoring in Secondary Education-Mathematics in hopes of teaching mathematics at the middle school level somewhere in Pennsylvania, preferably close to home. One of my favorite things to do is just lounge on the couch eating food! My favorite food is tacos, and I thoroughly enjoy eating any sugar related foods. I am the second child out of three. When I'm just with friends I tend to be the talkative, loud one who enjoys to reminisce, but when I get put into a crowd of people I don't know I become quiet and shy. However, if someone random strikes up a conversation I'm likely to keep it going. I like to think that I'm an approachable person, and it doesn't take a lot for me to like someone. As long as the person is kind and flashes a smile I generally think highly of the person. I believe I am quite optimistic, always looking at the brighter side of things. I love reading inspirational quotes. I'm not one to back down from a challenge; rather I encourage them, because I hold high expectations of myself and think I can overcome any obstacle in my way.


Getting back to me wanting to be a teacher, I want to become a teacher because I want to get students to like math more. I want to help kids improve their mathematic skills so they can feel more confident in their abilities to be a successful mathematician. Rather than be intimidated by math, I want kids to look at a math problem knowing they have what it takes to conquer it. Unlike most people, I discovered what I wanted to be early on in life, specifically fourth grade. In the fourth grade I noticed that I was a pretty gifted student. All the subjects I was learning came naturally to me and I excelled through my academics. This helped develop my love for school. While most of my peers growing up HATED going to school, I actually didn't mind it. School was where I felt confident and comfortable. Some kids find their talents through extracurricular activities such as sports or theatre productions, but I discovered what I was good at in the classroom. This is why I want to teach, I want kids to enjoy school as much as I did. I discovered I want to be a middle school math teacher in the transition from middle school to high school. In middle school I had this horrible math teacher who made everything more complicated than it needed to be. This caused most kids to fall behind and struggle with math, but I was one of the lucky ones who, after hours of re-learning the material myself, was able to catch on. As I went on to high school I realized that I was just building on the basics I learned in middle school, which opened my eyes to how critical being able to understand the math skills learned in middle school was. I discovered that the reason some of my classmates struggled in math was because they never fully understood the math concepts taught in middle school. That's when I decided I wanted to be a middle school math teacher, so I could help my students understand and master the skills needed at the lower level in order to succeed in the future.

Through this blog, I am hoping to explain my journey of reaching my goals of becoming a teacher. Explaining the different life lessons I learn along the way, and the ups and downs I experience on the way there. To quote a Miley Cyrus song it "ain't about how fast I get there, ain't about what's waitin' on the other side, it's the climb."