Google Docs

Today we got the opportunity to learn how Google docs work. And let me just say that they are quite amazing. Who knew such things were possible. The way that it works, is that first you have to have a google account, and then you can write a document, save it and then share it with anyone you want, and those that you share it with can edit the document and send it back. The pros to this is that you won't have a thousand attatchments. It will just continually update the document! Whoa. During class we partnered up with someone across the room and wrote a short story about a certain animal. I got to partner with the awesome Kallie. We wrote about Killer Whales. Following is our report about them:

Killer Whales will hunt anything from fish to seals, penguins, or other whales. Whales work in groups as they hunt. When killer whales slap their tails on the water it can force fish off the ice and into the water so they can eat it. Orcas have 45 teeth and each tooth is almost three inches long! That is quite the scary thought to digest! A popular whale that most children know, is from the movie Free Willy. In this movie we learn that "killer" doesn't mean that they'll kill people. They can be our friends! If we were to see one in the wild, however, I wouldn't just jump in and try to swim with them. Another whale friend that we are all fond of, and that I have seen in person is SHAMU!!!! That hunk of love is more than I can take. Shamu was rescued from the wild and trained by professional marine biologists. Killer Whales also have a keen ear and eye. They have incredible vision under the water and out of the water! Which means, those penguins are toast! There is no fooling these animals. They are the ones fooling their prey. The way their bodies are colored help them sneak up on their prey. If seals are under them, the orca's dark back can blend in with the water. Did you know that Killer Whales eat up to 5% of their body weight each day? That averages out to be about 500 pounds of food per whale. Crazy. To learn more about these beautiful animals, visit the world wide web:)

Yes i realize that you are impressed with all of our knowledge. Maybe someday you will be able to reach the heights that we have reached.

The YETC

Some of you who are great followers of my blog (hey rachelle!) may be wondering what the YETC is. well...because we are supposed to post what we learned in my inst 4010 class...you will find out! the yetc is just a computer lab inside of the education building...however i do forget what the yetc stands for (even though we did just learn about it). But this center is pretty awesome. Number one, i don't have to travel anywhere on campus seeing how i am always in this building due to my major and also they have a wide variety of computers and it seems like i can always find a computer in a quiet secluded area. because...lets be honest. No one want to be in a loud computer area. We had a kind man present to us today and he showed us some websites that are actually pretty neat. The one that I liked the best is called storylineonline.net this is a site with over 40 stories that can be read to a individual, small group or a class. There was also another program that was just on his computer that was pretty neat. It designed worksheets with a click of a mouse!!! worksheets made easy. awesome. The YETC also has copy machines that we can use, we can print off anything and even make it color! (it costs 25 cents tho.) And, the best part that I like, is that it prints double sided papers! it is slightly cheaper than printing two papers. so in the long run...i'll save a lot of money:) I really like this class because it shows me so many options to work with when I finally become a teacher. My only hope is, that when I do get a teaching job, i hope that the technology resources will be readily available, because some schools just don't have enough funds because they are using those funds on other things in the school that is probably more important that having a couple extra computers. Well...that is about all I have to say, and type because this darn keyboard that i am using is sticking pretty bad! (note to self: don't use this comp again.).

realizations I never thought would happen.

So, I have realized that I really like this whole blog thing. weird. I never thought that this day would actually happen. I was like the rachelle ballard who refuses to get a facebook and be like the rest of us facebook stalkers. Truth is, she wants one, and she just won't get one because of her dang pride. I wasn't going to get a blog, when infact, I did get one. And I enjoy it! so shout out to rachelle! I gave in, you can too;) I have also had a strange realization. My apartment recieved an invitaion for a date to never occur. for it was not in the past, nor the future...no. This event that we were all invited to happened to be Feb. 30. hmm... I at first thought that this must have been a weird typo and then meant to put january 30. But then I realized, no one makes mistakes, not with our technology this day and age! So I had to finally admit to myself that I was invited to a party, (mind you it was even for our lds church a 'linger longer') a party that would never take place in this year or the years to come. I have accepted that fact. that whomever sent this note did not want us attending. I understand.

small steps for technology, great big steps for chelsea

Well, this is officially my first blog. You may ask, what? Chelsea Stout doesn't already have a blog? And the answer is, no. I didn't have a blog. This is actually my first. absolutely absurd. I had to make this blog for school, for Instructional Technology for Elementary Teachers. Our class is pretty self explanitory. We learn how to incorporate technology into the classroom. Some really believe that technology needs to be involved more in the classroom and some believe that students shouldn't have loads of tech in the class. However, the majority believe "INCORPORATE YOUR TECHNOLOGY!" (sorry to all you old timers out there who still believe you should save the toilet paper if you got your house 'papered'). But this is the thing. Even if students are going to have their phones banned in the classroom, they will still use them. No doubt. I know I still do. (i know you didn't think i was a rebel...but i am.) So why not have them use their phones for pop quizzes and such?! You could have them clock in everyday with their cellphone...some might think that it is absurd to use texting for learning and that our young people are addicted to texting...well this is the truth, we are! And we might as well take advantage of our addiction.