Pinterest In The Classroom

What did you learn from the PINTEREST activity? 

This was my first time using pinterest.com. I learned about many free resources for teachers.

How do you believe you will utilize PINTEREST as a teacher? 

As a future teacher Pinterest is a great resource. I will definitely use some of the worksheets and learning games teachers have shared. Also, by reviewing this website I have many ideas for my classroom.  

What are the strengths of PINTEREST?

Pinterest is a good place for teachers to connect with other teachers. They can share resources, activities, and ideas for the classroom.

What are some of the challenges of PINTEREST?

My biggest challenge of this activity was staying on task. I found some great educational websites while working on this project.

What comments, questions, thoughts, opinions, and/or feedback do you have about PINTEREST?

I found some interesting resources that will be helpful as a teacher. Pinterest is user-friendly. I have already shared this website with friends. 

The Disconnection Experiment

For this assignment I was asked not to use any media for 24 hours. My professor defined media as TV, computers, cell phones, radio, books, and magazines. I answered the following questions the next day.  

What day did you choose to “disconnect”?

I disconnected from all media Saturday, March 16, 2013.

What would you usually be doing on this day? How did your plans change because your “disconnected” status?

My day went as normal for the majority of the day. I cooked, cleaned, washed clothes, shopped for groceries, and studied Spanish. To comply with the guidelines for this experiment, I only used my notebook for studying. Because of the disconnection from media, I had  three hours of free-time on Saturday. I usually have the TV or radio playing in the background while I am washing clothes and clean up. It was quiet. I heard the TV playing in the other room of my house and heard noise from outside which was a bit distracting.

What were your feeling that day?

I felt uninformed and detached from everything outside of my immediate area. For some reason I tried to imagine living during a simpler time, before media and technology. Both media and technology make my life so much easier. I truly cannot imagine life without newspapers, television programs, radio, computers, washing machines & dryers, dish washers and on and on. I have come to depend on such things that offer convenience.      

What media did you miss the most and why?

I missed watching television the most, notably, the local News. I also missed listening to music while driving. It was a little odd to ride in my car without the music playing. When I am at home the TV or radio is usually on all the time, it’s like background noise. It was too quiet.    

What sorts of things did you do instead?

I had three hours of free-time at the end of my day because I did not use any media for a day. I did not realize how much time I spent using media. Instead of using any media I prepared materials for my next sewing project; I cut one pattern and fabric. I also prepared my sewing machine for my next project. I did everything manually so I did not use any technological features the machine offers. For example, I threaded two bobbins and my machine by hand.    

Were you able to completely avoid all media? If you could not, what was the “breaking point”?

I was able to avoid using all media for one day.