Hi, I'm Sasha and I'm from Australia, I should probably say G'day to keep up with the sterotype! I'm currently on an exchange with CSUSM for one semester with the study abroad program.
I'm from the University of Newcastle http://www.newcastle.edu.au studying a Bachelor or Teaching (secondary) Bachelor of Arts. For those who don't know what secondary education is in Australia it is classified as high school ranging from years 7-12. I'm majoring in History specifically Ancient History as an elective for year 11 and 12 students with minors in Sociology and Religion which allows me to teach the subjects society and culture and studies of religion which are also electives for 11 and 12 students.
The classes I'm taking at CSUSM this semester are two education (364, 422) subjects and two sociology subjects (311, 313) so far in all they all seem really interesting and I'm excited to get a look at the way teachers are taught in America compared to how teachers are educated and trained in Australia. Eventually after finishing my degree in Australia and getting some experience I would like to work overseas as a teacher and I'm hoping my semester abroad will aid this goal.
Being on exchange, I've found I use technology a lot! I use it to skype family and friends back home and stay in touch with them, to connect with new friends in America-I even managed to get an American number for my 'mobile' or cell phones as I've found the Americans like to say. I use technology to find information such as timetables, locations of shops, gyms and even just to google some of the things I'm not sure of if we don't have back 'down-under'. Technology allows me to document my trip via videos and photos, my instagram app is definitely getting a work out of all the exciting things I've manage to find, see and do in America so far plus it helps to make all the people back home jealous of this crazy adventure I'm on.
I've seen technology used in some interesting ways in schools in Australia, I can't speak for American schools since I haven't been to any but hopefully you'll be interested in learning all about technology and how teachers utilse (utilize you Americans with your Z's) this to aid in the education of students. A smart board is one of the most popular and new types of technology currently being used in Australia. It's not just for school students but also for university students. A smart board is a giant computer with touch screen around the size of a of the projector screen but its interactive. The teacher has control of it as well as students being able to come up and use it to match up mixed tiles for an exercise or write there name with a touch screen pen, double tap for games. The smartboards in Australia can also be used to play videos, movies, go on the internet but it is all done in one hence the name Smartboard.
I have already covered this a little but from this class I really want to gain an insight in how to utilize technology in the classroom in an exciting and innovative way. As well as seeing the ways in which America use technology to help educate students.
Something I would like you to know about myself is that I don't have a pet kangaroo.
Hello Sasha,
ReplyDeleteI love that you are from Australia! It is one of the few places on my "bucket list" that I hope to be able to visit in my lifetime. I have heard many interesting things about your home but meeting someone from there is always better than just hear-say. It's crazy to think of how different two places that seem (to us) to be very similar. I thought the part about you not having a pet kangaroo was hilarious, and I promise we don't all think that. It's the same for stereotypes about America, where "we are obese etc.". It's great that you also want to teach, the programs seem a bit different over there, but the end goal seems the same. I am a bit different as I want to teach younger children, and yours is for higher education. I wish we had smartboards! I have no idea how we haven't come up with them yet, or maybe we have and I have just never seem them? I do have some questions that I have heard 'rumors' about your home... What part of Australia do you live in? How is the weather year round as compared to ours? Are your spiders really supersized?? Haha... American questions I guess :) Good job on your blog and good luck in your process to becoming a teacher!
-Brianna
Hey Sasha!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great opportunity you have to study in America! I have always wanted to study abroad and embrace another country's culture. It is great that you are majoring in History. My best friend is also majoring in History and wants to teach high schoolers. I hope you are enjoying America. I like how you are comparing the school systems in Australia with those in the USA. My family is from Mexico and they too have the same education system as in Australia. I use technology the same way you do, especially Skype. I love how it is free and you can see your family face to face and talk as long as you want. I hope you have a great semester and I wish you had a pet kangaroo haha.
Hi Sasha!
ReplyDeleteI loved getting to know a little bit about you while reading your blog! First off, I would like to welcome you to America! I hope you have been finding your way around and enjoying your time here so far. It seems like there are some differences between Australia and the US as you have mentioned, especially with technology. Technology is a great way for you to communicate with friends and family back home like you said. I hope one day I will be able to travel to Australia because I have heard so many great things about it. I hope that you enjoy your semester here!
Hello Sasha,
ReplyDeleteLike you I also majored in History and do not own a pet kangaroo. But believe it or not I have actually seen a smart board used in a classroom. While working for a local school district (this past year) I helped lead a fifth grade class play a game of "Jeopardy" on a smart board. I really don't know why they don't have more of these through out the states, I certainly had never heard of them before. I found its application in the class room to be efficient and overall a lot more interesting. Glad to know Australia is staying ahead of the game.
Hello Sasha
ReplyDeleteWelcome to America! And I hope you have been enjoying your stay here and continue to enjoy it! Australia seems like a beautiful place that I do hope to visit someday!
It has been a long journey and I have been exposed to many different pedagogy, and have learned a lot from it. I am one of those people that is in a sense scared of technology, I have not have much exposure to it, and I am very excited to learn more! I want to teach at a low income school because I feel that those are the schools that really need the most help, I would love introduce to the students and their families all the wonderful knowledge that can be brought about by technology. Through my experiences, working at local elementary schools in the city of Escondido, I know that technology is something that my students were very interested in, and if they were exposed to it and learned how to use it I feel that they would be more successful in the future.
I agree with you education should be free and fair to everyone worldwide, and there is a need for better funding in our public education system. I am very excited to learn more from you throughout the semester!
Angie Rodriguez
Sasha,
ReplyDeleteI enjoy your humor. My mom is from Australia and we also do not have any pet kangaroos or koalas, sadly. What an amazing experience to be able to see the different ways that students are taught both here in America and then as you finish up your studies in Australia. I can relate to you and your use of technology as I lived away from my friends and family in another country for 3 1/2 years. Skype, when available, was my best friend. As far as smart phones though, they were not affordable so you have an amazing opportunity to be able to document your adventures through the use of yours. When I worked overseas I was introduced to the SMART board in my classroom and I fell in love! You too share my passion of how amazing this tool is in a classroom but you also bring a different perspective as I have not seen them used at higher levels such as high school and college (or university). I look forward to the day when they are in more classrooms. Lastly, I look forward to getting to know you better on your journey over here in the states!
Hey Sasha!
ReplyDeleteI love how personalized your blog is, after talking to you in class last Tuesday i could tell right away that you have a fun and unique personality and your blog defiantly shows that. I also really like the fat that you shared a link to your University because it helps get a good picture of where you come from. I interested in knowing how our technology is different from the one in Australia so please make sure that you keep us posted on that!
Ps I am taking a ancient history class this semester so be prepared for random questions!