Students' Struggle With Self-Directed Learning

Students have many classes in a day. Some of them are just looking for a break so when they are presented with free time to work, they usually use the time to just take a break. There are people who enjoy Self-Directed learning because they can space out their own work. However, there are other people who won't do their work until they are told they have to do it for a certain reason. I don't think everyone struggles with self-directed learing. I just think they want a break from the hard work they have to put into other classes. When a student has a choice between work and play, most of them will choose play. This is why it'so hard for some students to stay focused during this class. They have an opportunity to play games so they are going to take it.

-Akash Patel

"Kids’ privacy safeguards in social networks are lacking, survey says" response

Privacy is important, but technology is way more powerful now than it was before. We are able to connect with many different people. Privacy isn't really a problem unless a person abuses the power of technology. It all depends on how a device or tool is used. If you do the right thing with your information online, you don't have to worry about privacy problems, but if you say horrible things and act out of hand, your private information could be used against you. Everything comes down to personal behavior. If you behave properly, you shouldn't have a problem with your privacy, but if you misbehave, you're bound to have problems.

Link: http://seerpress.com/kids%E2%80%99-privacy-safeguards-in-social-networks-are-lacking-survey-says/9400/

-Akash Patel

"A Web 2.0 Class: Students Learn 21st Century Skills, Collaboration, and Digital Citizenship" Response

This article was fun to read. It is great to see how everyone is recognizing the connections we make with other students. I think everyone should connect with a student from somewhere else other than their home town. It's fun to meet new people who live in a different society. Learning about different people and their homes is always interesting and fun. I personally loved the shout out in this article and I like the fact that this class is being recognized. Web 2.0 is a fun class and everyone needs to try it out. Builing a PLN starts off slow, but as time goes on, it starts to get really fun.

Link to article: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/web-20-21st-century-skills-collaboration-digital-citizenship

-Akash Patel

How to get more followers and pageviews.

Getting followers and page views is something that might make a person's mind go crazy. I looked around online and everyone seemed to fall into peer pressure. A lot of answers said to write about what the people like. There has to be some people out there who likes what you like. Don't write about something that you have no interest in just to get followers. When you write about what you like, your posts will come out more interesting and more people will want to view them. Stay focused on what you like and if you really want to spread the qord, use the online tools! Put the link to your blog up on facebook, twitter, myspace or whatever you want. Word gets around quickly about everything. How do you think rumors get around? Your blog will catch the eye of somebody put there and they can help spread the word too. My rule of life is "Patience is the key." Don't get angry about anything, just give the blog some time.

-Akash Patel

What's your learning style?

Find out your learning style! - This site seemed reallly interesting. It's true that we all learn differently, so why are we all taught the same way? Is it fair that a person who does well by hearing and not seeing does good on a test because the teacher lectured all class while the student who does well by seeing not hearing does horrible? Everyone is different so we can't all be taught the same way. This site was cool because it shows your way of learning and how you should plan your study routine.

-Akash Patel

Twitter

Twitter is a fun tool. It can just be confusing at times and it can be hard to follow. It is a very useful tool and it is anexcellent way of displaying your thoughts and starting group conversations. Most people prefer facebook over twitter because everyone could start a "group" and start discussions in a group. This, in my opinion, is better than twitter but I still find twitter useful at times.

-Akash Patel

BHS Library

There are some things in this library that can really make a person want to punch holes in the wall. The main problem is the library sign in. There used to be one laptop with a form that the students had to fill out to get in. This took forever because there were many students who needed the library to use its information and resources to complete work. We now have two laptops with a simpler form. which makes it kindo of faster but not really. Another thing that makes me mad is the fact that the mac lab is closed. We have all of these brand new macs and the lab is always closed. I remember seeing a sign that said VHS class in session in front of the lab. I took VHS! I know what VHS is. It's not like a real class is happening where you see a teacher in a classroom and you take notes. You get a list of things that need to be accomplished by the end of the week and most of it is book work that takes about an hour. I took AP Computer Science in VHS so if it only takes me an hour to complete AP work, the honors students shouldnt be having any problems completing the work. After I finished my work I would treat VHS period like a study. I guarantee you that these students are done with their work by the middle of the week. There is no reason to close the mac lab for VHS, because there are students who really need those computers.

-Akash Patel