Reflection of Digitial Writing

• What did you learn about yourself as a writer?

Through this blogging I have learned a few things about myself as a writer. To commence, I have learned that their is always room for improvement in regards to grammar and punctuation skills and advance vocabulary and sentence structure. I have also learned that I tend to type fast without looking and so it very vital that I also go back and read my writing but more than like I have spelling or word errors throughout. 

• What did you learn about digital writing? 

I learned that digital writing is a great way to get fast feedback on my writing from teachers and class,mates. It is also a great way to express quickly express your thoughts and hide your face if you'd like by writing anonymous. 

• What lessons can you take to classroom or share with future teachers about integrating blogging into instruction?

I believe blogging is a great thing to integrate in the classroom. Like mentioned above, it is a great way for teachers to quickly provide feedback and comments to student work. Additionally, it is a way to track student progress and growth by having an online collection of their writing. 

• Challenges?

The main challenge I faced was providing genuine feedback and comments to others. At times, it can be a bit difficult or challenging to give thoughtful comments that are not perceived as fake simply because  we must respond.

• Successes?

The main success I had while blogging was being able to freely express my thought and the things on my mind. I do not write very often on my own. However, this blogging assignment pushed me to write more for pleasure. 

Digitial Writing Workshop

I knew from the beginning that I wanted to read this book. Technology is constantly growing and I think it is great to implement it in the classroom to teach. Throughout the semester I have learned a lot of fascinating tools that I definitely plan on using in the future such as Wordle, Padlet, wordpress and etc. However, this book opened up my eyes and revealed many more uses of digital technology and the importance and benefits it serves.

One section that the book focused on was blogging. I believe blogging is a great new writing notebook  and can be very benficial to keep an online collection of student writing and work. It is also a great and convenient way to get quick feedback from other classmates or teachers on your work. The book also went into detail on wikis and collaborative word processors and the pros and cons they each serve.

Other useful things discussed are photo essays with websites such as PhotoVoice, Podcast, video productions, digital portfolios, class anthologies, audio anthologies. One group discussion we had was on audio anthologies, as opposed to written anthologies. I have never thought of this until reading the book and it was definitely an AHA moment. I think it would be great to try an audio anthology in the future. Audio Anthologies allow students to literally share their voices. Traditionally, Hick states in the book "the process of writing a piece with the intention of recording it can change a writers perspective on how to punctuate, emphasize and otherwise engage the listener in ways that seeing his words on paper alone cannot." This really resonated with me and I really believe that listening to a p piece of work could make a big difference.

AlumKnight

Graduation is closely approaching. The past four years  flew by and I cannot believe I am about to walk across the stage and receive my diploma in a few short weeks. This seems unreal. I still remember the first time I came to visit UCF and I fell in love. Once I stepped on the campus I knew this is where I wanted to be. Coming to UCF was one of the greatest decision of my life. The past four years has been filled with laughter, friends, long nights, busy mornings, tears and much more. The people I have met along the way during my college career have played a huge impact on my life. I am sadden to think about being an Alumni but I know that I am now entering a new phase in my life and the best is yet to come. I look forward to seeing where life takes me and I will always look back at this four years with a smile on my face. I have learned alot about myself as a person, I have grown academically and mentally, and have developed career wise. I am happy with everything I have accomplished so far and I do not regret a thing.

Cheers to the next chapter in my life!

Education Inequality

Did you know that only 8% of kids who grow up in a low income community actually graduate college by the age 24. Yes, you heard that correctly.. ONLY 8%. This statistic blows my mind  and really bothers me.

It bothers me to know that some children cannot concentrate in class because they don't know when their next meal will be and their stomach's ache. It bothers me that some students are given textbooks that are holding on to their last thread and are bound to break with a gust of wind; meanwhile, other students are given laptops and Ipads. It bothers me that their is such a tremendous education gap. It bothers me that some students feel worthless and do not realize their potential or  purpose. Most of all, it bothers me that some children do not see the importance of a good quality education.

I want to be a role model to my students and motivates them to reach their highest goals. I want my students to see that they have the upmost potential and power to be great leaders, even though they may not believe so. I want to educate and inspire them to always do their best. I want to be a teacher that makes a difference and my students will remember.

Creation

Lately I have been very fascinating with the thousands of websites out there that can be very effective and useful in the classroom. Once site I have found is called ABCya.com. It is very similar to Wordle. I believe sites like this are awesome and could be used in various ways. One way is to display vocabulary words for children to visually see. Having visuals is very beneficial to students and can help their understanding of a concept or topic. You could also use these sites as a brainstorming activity or class warm up activity. 

Summer Adventures!

This summer I had the wonderful opportunity to study abroad in France. While in Europe I also went to Spain and London. This was the best summer of my entire life.

Spain: I started off my summer adventures by going to Spain for one week to visit my best friend who currently lives there. This is the first time I've ever been to Europe so it was like something I've never seen before. I stayed in a small city called Salamanca, where everyone knows everyone there. The price for food and drinks were on the cheaper side. 

France: I then went to France and this is where I spent the majority of the summer. I went to France with about 25 other UCF students and it was absolutely amazing. The first 4 weeks of the program was in Nice, France and we spent the 5th week in Paris. In Nice we stayed in apartments that were right along the Cote-d'Azur (aka the beach). The water was freezing and instead of sand there is rocks on the beach which made it kind of uncomfortable to lay down at first, but you get used to it. 

In Paris I definitely got very acquainted with the metro system and used it to get around everywhere! Some of the famous places I went and saw was the Lourve (where the original Mona Lisa is), the love bridge, Arc de Triomphe, Norte Dame, Muse de Oray and of course the Effiel Tower. I took the elevator all the way to the top and it was definitely a beautiful sight, especially at night when lit up.

London: I definitely excepted London to be different. In London I stayed in a hostel for the first time of  my life and that was definitely interesting to say the least.. I did all the touristy things there is to do there in London like riding the double decker bus, eating fish and chips and etc.

I will never forgot all the amazing places I got the chance to visit, the memories I made, the laughters and all the people I've met along the way.

Introduction

Hi everyone! 

Unlike the majority of people in our class I am not an English Education major and I am not really a fan or writing or reading. My major is Psychology and I am minoring in Education. I am a Senior at UCF and will be graduating at the end of this semester in December. Wohooo! Growing up I always thought about becoming a teacher but my parents currently work in the school system and they have always tried to steer me away from this field. However, last year I decided that education is something that I am really passionate about and want to pursue, no matter what others say. I love little kids and want to teach elementary school, definitely NOT middle or high schoolers.

A little bit more about me: I am in a sorority and fraternity. Yes, I'm a girl in a fraternity.  This summer I studied abroad in France. I also went to Spain and London. It was the best experience of my life. I was born and raised in Miami, FL and everyone constantly tells me I have an accent. I currently work as a children's party hostess. I get to play games with the crazy kids, jump in the bounce house with them and lots more. I love my job because I get to work with kids plus I get free pizza and cake. What more could you ask for! 

That's it for now :)