I would like to start this blog by stating that I have the basic computer skills of your average octogenarian named Ethel. That being said, I must now discuss what forms of technology we used in class that I found most useful for teaching. I will also discuss my least favorite. So, let’s start with the good one—Smart board.
The Smart boar, or interactive white board, is an amazing little toy. It makes you able to bring up web sites, have interactive lesson plans, and its fun to play with to boot! The ability to navigate the internet in front of the class without moving to a cramped computer lab says volumes. Gone are the days of walking single file in a long hallway in silence. Now a student can perform amazing and interactive presentations to the class it an unending array of Technicolor and web links. However, it does have one drawback…
Wile it is useful and interactive, it would be difficult to use for younger classrooms for exactly this reason. What do you want to do in your classes form age k threw 4? POKE STUFF! In my attempt to use this bit of tech with a small group ranging for k-3 I found it difficult to say the least. Such care is needed to keep the Smart board functioning that it seems almost impossible to allow an entire class to enjoy it much less an entire grade.
To move onto my least favorite—chats and the anonymous clicker. I dislike these technologies for very similar and moral reasons. Apart from chats being difficult to organize and, well let’s just say it, pointless in a classroom, they both destroy what I believe to be the most important thing one can learn. They both take away the accountability of the student. I feel that if you learn one thing over the years it is the ability to form an opinion and defend it in an articulate and convincing manner. When students do not have to stand and defend their opinion they will never learn how. Thus becoming useless in today’s intellectual society.
All in all, I enjoyed this class and the people in it. Have a great time every one.
This is Dan Williams signing out… “Good night and good luck.”

Lesson plan

Grades: 9th and up
Subject: Music/ harmonica
Objectives: Students will learn how to play harmonica, think critically, peer edit, and perform in front of a class
Standards: NYSED Standard 3: Responding to and Analyzing Works of Art
Students will demonstrate the capacity to listen to and comment on music. They will relate their
critical assertions about music to its aesthetic, structural, acoustic, and psychological qualities.
Students will use concepts based on the structure of music’s content and context to relate
music to other broad areas of knowledge. They will use concepts from other disciplines to
enhance their understanding of music.
http://www.nysed.gov/

Materials: Computer with internet access, a Diatonic Harmonica, and for students without internet, weekly trips will be made to the library.

Procedures: Show students how to set up blogs. Then, in class, explain the differences between a Diatonic and Chromatic Harmonica. Explaining the scale, and several blocking methods (“U”, Tonguing, and Puckering). Show hand positions and explain the vocabulary as it with be a major part of their homework and final exam.
Every week the students will be given web links such as, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44gMDgpMNVY . They will be asked to define the vocabulary for that week and give examples of it with their web links.
Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44gMDgpMNVY
What blocking technique is he using? Tonguing- blowing into three holes, but using your tongue to cover two of them, thus creates a single note.
How do you know this is his method? The position of his head and movement down the harp.
At the end, a quiz will be given asking students to identify and explain the vocabulary, selecting images and explaining them, and finally a two minute presentation to the class.

Rubric:
Weekly assigned work: 20pts. Every assignment is handed in on time. Answers are correct and precise.
In Class: 20pts. Student is well behaved, on time with all materials, offers constructive criticism, and is able to discuss the homework in a coherent manor.
Blogs: 20pts. Grammar and spelling rules apply. Blog is coherent and aesthetically pleasing as well as properly maintained. Also, students are expected to comment on their classmates blogs.
Quiz: 20pts: Answers are all correct.
Presentation: 20pts: Play for two minutes in front of the class with an originally created work. Written music must be presented to the teacher.

First one... about me "the numbrs of my life"

My name is Daniel Zachery Martin Williams… I guess my folks were a tad indecisive about what middle name to choose. I grew up in Worcester, MA and was born on January 11, 1990.

I have 27 brothers and 4 sisters. That was not a typo. I grew up with 25 foster brothers and 2 foster sisters in addition to my 2 biological brothers and my one biological sister. All, of them are older than I am by at least 3 years, and my little sister who just turned 16.

My house was obviously crazy, but my school and work were no different. I have been through 3 different school systems: Worcester, Uxbridge, and Bellingham.

As for work? Well, I have been a secretary, landscaper, PETsMART animal care specialist, Martial arts instructor, Disaster Medical EMT, and my personal favorite; I was a Zoo Keeper for 4 years at Roger Williams Park Zoo.

Not a bad life for a 19 year old. ^.^