3D Printer

It is hard to grasp the idea of a 3D printer.  I watched plenty of videos to get a better idea of how it actually works.  I still can not seem to wrap my head around the idea of the makerbot. Layers and layers fibers build whatever we want it to create. One part of the article that was fascinating was that it can print a 3D object from a photograph.  Also, the article mentioned printing cells for medical purposes.  If organs can be printed, that creates a whole new dimension concerning the medical field.  The cost of the printers are not as expensive as I would imagine them to be.  There somewhat affordable and seems as though in a couple years schools will be filled with them.  If we can print everything from furniture to food to accessories what will that do to business owners?  Will anyone be able to buy this printer or is limited to certain parties?

Data

To start, my ideal classroom would have multiple means of assessments.  As a Data-Driven teacher I understand that standardized tests will not necessarily help me in all aspects of improving my teaching. Understanding students strengths and weaknesses through a Data-Driven class room will be more effective. I will set goals for example, vocabulary quizzes, writing prompts, reading comprehension questions and see how each individual student performs.  This way I will know what each student is struggling with or excelling in.  I realize the importance of standardized tests so as a teacher I will teach my students the most effective way to answer those questions.  Some students are not as good at taking tests as others so I will help motivate students in that way and teach concepts I know will be tested.  I too will set goals for myself.  I realize there is much to teach so I will push the process along as smooth as possible while setting goals for not only my students but for myself as well.  Concluding, I think the key for a Data-Driven teacher is just improvement.  If a classroom improves just a little bit the teacher is making a difference.  As long as the teacher has a positive environment, sets individual goals, teach effective skills, and progresses throughout the year there will be improvement.

"Rights, Remixes and Respect" and Engage Me or Enrage Me"

"Rights, Remixes and Respect"

I think this learning objective is great for students because it puts them in the shoes of the higher-ups making decisions.  I think it is something they would be interested to do because it involves music and creativity which students can respect and take an interest to.  It allows them to put themselves in others shoes like the creator of the music.  It helps give better perspective.  Remixing and sampling music is a debate that has been and is continuing to be argued over.  Since it is still on-going I think it is interesting to let students make ethical decisions while pretending to be the original writer, producer, etc.  This is a matter that students can feel strongly about since it involves music.  This allows students to understand copyright and how it can be hard to determine what is and what is not.  There is so much controversy for such issues and this assignment teaches students the law, allows students to come to a concise decision, and understand issues on this subject matter.

"Engage Me or Enrage me"

I think the article stands true in the sense that kids are less attentive in schools.  I notice it will my brother and sister that they almost live in a fantasy land.  They only can communicate properly over texting not even speaking over the telephone, they play games for hours on the computer, etc. They both are bored at school and find it pointless.  I am confused myself as to what can be done differently to engage kids.  I think that something needs to be done, but I am not sure that helping them and creating all lessons in games or through the internet is the answer either.  I think teachers can make a classroom engaging in others ways depending on the class.  Maybe the students homework can involve something with their actives so that they are incorporating their fun with homework.  I think if the school system made everything online for instance the students would still be texting during lessons and surfing the internet at the same time as doing work.