Google Earth, NETS I & IV

This is map was created using Google Earth. Using Google Earth I mapped out my commute to CSUSM from my home in Temecula. I added custom placemarks in the form of pictures for my icons along the path and was able to customize different aspects of the map such as terrain and borders.

Journal 10: Students Without Boarders. NETS V

Bickley, M., & Carleton, J. (2009). Global collaborative learning connects school to the real world. Learning and Leading with Technology, 37(3). Retrieved October 30, 2009 from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/LLIssues/Volume3720092010/NovemberNo3/students_without_borders.htm

This article addresses the importance of global collaboration projects in the school setting. Using information and communicative technologies, such as wiki's and web conferencing students are now able to connect with peers from other cultures and other countries. Student collaboration is important because it connects students all over the world and allows them to build relationships. Furthermore, students are able to work together on projects that can have positive effects in their communities. Organizations such iEARN help to facilitate collaborative partnerships between students, classrooms, and communities. In addition, projects such as the Machinto Project and Art Miles project aid in collaboration globally between students from different cultures.

Describe how the Machinto Project uses global collaboration?

The Machinto Project helps students learn about how war affects children across the world. Students from all over the world create projects and publish them on this collaborative website for others to see. These collaborations open up dialogue about issues that are not usually discussed in the classroom and students get to share their experiences and make friendships that they would not have normally made.

How does the Art Miles project promote collaboration in the school setting?

The Art Miles project helps to connect students form all over the world to collaborate and learn about each others cultures and countries. Countries currently include Canada, Russia, Vietnam, Italy, Indonesia, and Fiji. Students main goal is to teach their partner about a specific aspect of their own culture and to introduce their own community to the other students. This helps to promote group interactions as well as positive relationships between culturally different students.

Journal 9: 5 Great Tools for Schools, NETS V

Yoder, M. (2009). 5 great tools to perk up your classroom and engage your students. Learning and Leading with Technology, 37(3). Retrieved October 30, 2009 fromhttp://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=November_No_3_5&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4436&ContentID=24614&DirectListComboInd=D

This article examines five tools that have been chosen as cool tools that can benefit a classroom. These tools energize student learning, promote creativity, and encourage positive interaction in the classroom. The first tool that is suggested is the Lego Education’s WeDo Robotics Construction set. This tool includes more that 160 elements including a motion sensor, tilt sensor, motor, and icon-based software. Classes can manipulate the Lego's and the elements to create models that then can be applied to the class curriculum. The Smart Table is the next recommended tool . The Smart Table is a multitouch, multiuser, interactive learning center. This tool allows up to 8 students to work together promoting collaboration and positive interactions. The AVer Pen is also suggested , this pen acts like an interactive white board but without the white board. Teachers are not restricted to only using the white board, instead images can be projected anywhere in the class room and the AVer Pen can write on almost any surface. Furthermore, the pen also includes interactive tools such as an answer selection keypad that acts as a group response system. Multiuser Virtual Environments is the fourth tool that is recommended. This tool attempts to tap into the growth of the Teen Second Life classroom activity's, teachers are able to incorporate virtual world projects into class curriculum. The final recommended tool was the Google Apps Education Community. This tool is specifically for educations, it was created for internet searching, collaboration, and classroom activities. This site has links to lesson plans and includes a forum where educators can share ideas and get advice. All of these tool would be excellent additions to the classroom. These tools let the students incorporate their imagination into school work at the same time creating an opportunity for group collaboration.

Why would it be important to incorporate technology tools such as these into the classroom?

These tools seem like great resources, they promote collaboration and really energize student learning. Technology is a very important part of our society, it is important that students get exposed to multiple types of technology while in school so they may become an important member of society later in life. Introducing technology in a fun and interactive way is a great way to get kids familiar to using technology without overwhelming them with technical terms and lengthy instructions.

What was the criteria used to select the tools?

1. Does this tool have the potential to enhance teaching in some powerful way?

2. Is this tool easy to learn and well supported?

3. Is this an innovative new tool or a substantial improvement on a earlier version?

Journal 8: Have you Tweated Today?, NETS V

Fingal, D. (2009). Have you tweeted today? Learning and Leading with Technology, 37(2). Retrieved on October 20, 2009 from http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=September_October_No_2_3&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4381&ContentID=24192&DirectListComboInd=D

I found this article to be extremely interesting. This article focuses on the benefits of using Twitter rather than the negatives that are usually associated with it. Fingal makes the argument that while many people capitalize on the seemingly uselessness of Twitter there are actually benefits to using it. She makes that point that Twitter offers constant collaboration as well as the benefit receiving instant feedback. Furthermore, Twitter can be used for educational purposes such as following educational experts and learning from their links and comments. However, Ridley also has a valid point. Americans in particular seem to be preoccupied with our privacy, so it does seem rather hypocritical that we would be willing to post our every move and thought on the Internet for anyone and everyone see. Furthermore, there is a lot of useless talk on Twitter, that is not important in the general scheme of world let alone the field of education. I believe that like most online tools there are different ways of using them. Twitter can be used in a way that supports learning and education and it can also be used for entertainment purposes only.

Does Twitter bring more harm than good?

I think that most people believe that Twitter is not necessarily important in the field of education. However, I believe that Twitter is also misunderstood by many people. While Twitter has the ability to post useless comments on the Internet it also had the ability to be used productively in the educational setting. Students can collaborate instantly as well as use it as a resource to seek help and opinions from their classmates.

Why is it important for teachers to stay up to date with technology including social networking sites such as Twitter?

It is important for teachers to be on the same page with their students. In order for teachers to connect and really bond with their students they need to be familiar with the technology that the students are using regardless of how useless it may seem.

NPR Morning Edition, “Keep Your Tweets to Yourself” : www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104033836

CSUSM Public Service Announecment- NETS-T III & V

I created this movie using iMovie as a public service announcement for California State University San Marcos. This movie was created by first importing video footage and music into iMovie. From there I was able to edit the movie and add screen effects, text, transitions, a freeze frame, and a voice over. I also added music, detached audio, and modified clip volume including fading in and fading out to create my final product.

Crossword Spreadsheet, NETS I, II, & III

This crossword puzzle was created using Microsoft Excel. Using Excel I was able to format the cells so that each cell would hold one letter. I was able to add comments to the cells in the form of the crossword clues and format the cells so if the first letter entered in the word is correct it will turn green and if it is incorrect it will turn red. Also, I created boarders to separate the cells and a background to cover the unused cells.
Crossword

Wiki Page, NETS II, IV, & V

After researching many web tools on a wiki page, I selected one web tool to create my own wiki page about. On my wiki page I described my tool and the possible uses and any issues that might be present if using the tool in the classroom. I was able to include a example of a picture created using my tool as well as a link to my wiki page and a link to the web page for the tool that I chose.

BeFunky - Courtney Whyte - CSUSM Web 2.0 Tools for Educators

Journal 7: Interactive Boards, NETS V

The technology that I researched on Classroom 2.0 was interactive boards. I chose interactive boards because even though I personally was not familiar with them I had heard that they were an incredibly interesting and useful tool. After following a few threads and doing a little research I learned that interactive boards are large interactive white boards that use touch technology to aid in interactive classrooms. Interactive boards also known as smartboards consist of a wall mounted white board and a projector, images are then projected onto the white board and the white board itself becomes a large touch screen where both teachers and students can interact and manipulate material. I followed the thread "how are you using your classroom smartboard?" where all types of teachers explained how they were using their interactive boards in the classroom. I learned that teachers are using interactive boards in in a variety of ways. Teachers reported using their interactive boards as a public computer for the classroom where the students can research and learn collaboratively. Another teacher described using them to make graphic organizers, reading logs, and concept maps as well as using interactive boards to play educational math and science games. Another thread that I followed was "Are interactive white boards necessary", this thread examined if using interactive boards are really necessary in the classroom considering that they are rather expensive and asked if using a less expensive simple projector and a digital sketch pad could be used instead. Teachers that have had the experience of using interactive boards seem to all agree that they are indeed an advantage to the classroom and are well worth the hefty price tag. The whole point of interactive boards are to place the students at the center of attention and to give them something that they can interact with digitally. Students now are able follow along with the teacher interactively and at the same time able to apply what they are learning.

Inspiration, NETS III

Using Inspiration, I created a graphic organizer outlining the assignments that I have have completed that meet the NETS-T requirements. I added custom graphics including pictures, and added descriptions of each of the NETS that assignments met.

Journal 6: The Trouble with Rubrics, NETS V

Kohn, A. (2006). The Trouble with Rubrics. English Journal, 95(4), Retrieved October 6, 2009 from
http://www.alfiekohn.org/teaching/rubrics.htm

In this article Alfie Kohn discusses reasons why rubric may not be the best way to ascess students knowledge and learning. Alfie believes rubrics should not be used as a means of “quick and efficient” grading. Rather, he believes that while quick and easy grading is appealing to teachers it is not in the best interest of the child. In order to truly make a judgment about the quality of the students learning the teacher needs to really take the time to examine what the students are doing. Furthermore, he argues that research shows giving children letter grades might not be the best for the child and when children are graded they tend to “think less deeply, avioid taking risks, and lose interest in the learning itself “. Instead, he believes that the ultimate goal of authentic assessment should be centered around an alternative to grades and thus eliminating grades as measures of performance in schools.

How could rubrics be used more efficantly in the classroom?

After reading this article I realize that there are far more issues with rubrics than I had realized. While rubrics are appealing to busy teachers it is important that they are used as guidelines for indicators of performance and not the basis for the students grade.

What are benefits of using rubrics?

Rubrics can still be a beneficial tool in the classroom. They could be used as a helpful guidline to visually show students what is being expected of them. Furthermore, students could use rubrics to review and revise their own work as well as use them during peer-editing as a tool to improve the quailtiy of their work before they turn it in.

Copyright Assignment, NETS IV

This assignment was created collaboratively using Google Docs, an online collaborative word processing tool. Using Google Docs both myself and my partner were able to add and edit the same document at the same time from any computer connected to the internet.
Copyright Assignment

PowerPoint, NETS I,II, & III

This assignment was created using Microsoft PowerPoint. This presentation demonstrated my knowledge of the NETS standards and the performance indicators for a specific grade range. The PowerPoint presentation contains custom graphics, custom animation, transitions between slides, and a hyperlink. Backgrounds, formatting, and text color and style were also manipulated on each slide to crate the final product.

NETS PowerPoint

View more presentations from whyte002.

PowerPoint Rubric

This rubric was created collaboratively to grade the PowerPoint presentations that were created. This rubric was created using iRubric an online web source where rubrics can be created from scratch or a selected from previously created rubrics. This rubric specifies all the requirement of the PowerPoint assignment as well as defines the point value for each section.

Social Bookmaking, NETS III & IV

Using Delicious, a social bookmarking website, I was able to navigate the internet and create bookmarks for interesting websites. I then embedded my Delicious tags on my blog so anyone looking at my blog would be able to click on my tags and see the many things that I bookmarked.

1. National Archives

The exhibit that I visited on the National Archives was "The Way We Worked", which showed us through photographs the enormous transformation that work places have gone through from the 19th to 20th centuries. Primary sources are extremely important in the classroom. History is based on primary sources, and through these sources we are able to piece together and understand our history.

2. National Education Association

The student groups experiencing achievement gaps are racial and ethnic minorities, English language learners, students with disabilities, genders, and students from low-income families. More specifically ethnic groups such as American Indians, Alaska Natives, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, Blacks, Hispanics, and those who are gay, lesbian, and transgendered are at risk for experiencing these gaps.

In "becoming a culturally competent educator" I believe that the following three fit my teaching style:

A. Engage school staff in discussions and activities that offer an opportunity to explore attitudes, beliefs, and values related to cultural diversity and cultural competence.

I believe that it is important to get everyone on the same page. By engaging staff in discussions and activities that address achievement gaps and cultural diversity we are assisting in creating a environment that is understanding and open to diverse cultures. By opening the door to communication it helps to insure that staff feels comfortable discussing any questions or concerns about how to address those who are different than them.

B. Network with other schools that are developing and implementing culturally competent systems. Adapt the processes and information that are consistent with your school's needs and interests.

I am a firm believer that two heads are better than one. It would be a great advantage to see what other schools have done and to modify it to work with our own system. In many situations it is helpful to see the trial and error of others, in which case giving us ideas that we may have not thought of as well as saving us from trying things that others have already proven unsuccessful.

C. Gather and organize resource materials related to culturally diverse groups for use by school staff.

I think that by having resource materials related to culturally diverse groups available it may help teachers understand the cultures of some of the students that they will be teaching over the years. Furthermore, by having the materials available teachers can research other cultures on their own time and may provide answers for questions that teachers may have been to embarrassed to ask others.

3. Stop Cyber Bullying

I took the online cyber bully quiz and got a score of 4 making me a "cyber saint" meaning my online behavior is exemplary. While taking the quiz I was shocked by some of the questions that were being asked, I guess that using the internet in many of those ways had never crossed my mind. While reading in the teacher section I learned that while cyber bullying is growing problem many parents are not aware that it exists. This was alarming to me because if parents are unaware of a danger they cannot take the necessary precautions to try to protect their children from it. I also found it shocking that schools are essentially powerless when it comes to disciplining cyber bullies if the bullying happens off school grounds even if it is effecting students at the school. This information is extremely helpful, it provides teachers and students with ideas for dealing with cyber bullying and lets teachers know legally what their role in discipline can be.

4. Kathy Schrock's Guide for Educators

Under "subject access" I selected performing arts and music. There was so much stuff that would be useful for teachers. There were links to many art, costume, and music sites as well as link to music related lessons plans. I think that this is a great resource for teachers. In many schools music and art programs are being cut because of lack of funding. Using this site teachers would be able to find the resources they need to bring art and music back into the classroom. Under "teachers helpers" I selected assessment and rubrics. I found here a collection of assessment rubrics and graphic organizers as well as rubric tutorials, rubric ideas, and instructions for making your own rubric. This is a valuable resource especially for new teachers that have not had a lot of experience creating and using rubrics.

5. Multiple Intelligences

My top 3 intelligences are intrapersonal 69, interpersonal 63, and logical-mathematical 56. The video that I watched was "Multiple Intelligences Leave No Child Behind". I found it interesting that there is a school based on multiple intelligences, where all areas of intelligence are viewed as equally important. Furthermore I found it interesting that the students strive to find out their strengths and weaknesses early so they can understand them and work with rather than against them.

6. Teaching Tolerance

The grade level that I chose was grades 1 to 2 and the subject that I chose was Social Studies. The lesson that I selected was "Freedom Flag", a activity designed to help young students learn the meaning of freedom. Students are asked what freedom means to them and then are asked to explore what freedom has meant to different groups of people throughout history. Next, the class creates a "freedom flag" out of construction paper with the key words for freedom written on the stripes and the students names on the stars. This exercise lets the students think about what it means to have freedom as well as in what ways their ideas of freedom vary from other students and other cultures.

7. Multicultural Education and Equity Awareness Quiz

Question 4: In a 2007 study, UNICEF rated the treatment of children in the 23 wealthiest countries in the world based on 40 indicators of child well-being. Which two countries received the lowest ratings?
I found this question to be extremely shocking. I had guessed that the countries with the lowest ratings would be Mexico and South America but I was shocked to see that the countries with the lowest ratings for the treatment of children was actually the United States and the U.K. It seems outrageous to me that the two richest countries on the list would be rated the lowest in the treatment of children. I guess in the case of the United States, being wealthy and a world leader does not mean that that we value the well being of our children.

Question 10: Powder cocaine (largely used by wealthy people) and crack cocaine (largely used by economically disadvantaged people) contain roughly the same amount of the drug per gram. Under federal law, how much of these substances must an individual be convicted of possessing to be sentenced to a mandatory minimum of five years in prison?
I actually knew the answer to this question, I had come across this information during my studies in college. It was explained to us class that many of our current drug laws are racially motivated. In order to get the mandatory 5 year sentence you have to have 500 grams of powder cocaine usually used by wealthy white people vs having only 5 grams of crack cocaine usually used by poor intercity blacks. When I heard about this law I thought it was outrageous, the same mandatory sentence should be given regardless the demographic of the user. Crimes should not be more or less illegal based on your S.E.S or the color of your skin.

8. Netiquette Guidelines

My score on the netiquette quiz was 100%. 8-) I think that teaching kids netiquette is very important. It gives students the knowledge that they need to be successful when using the internet. Technology is so prevalent in the lives of students today it is important for students know what behaviors are acceptable and what behaviors are not online.

Journal 4: What is Your Favorite Ed Tech Tool?, NETS V

Wurster, Paul. (2009). What is your favorite Ed Tech Tool? Learning and Leading with Technology, 36(8). Retrieved on October 5, 2009 from http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=June_July_No_8_1&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4333&ContentID=23579&DirectListComboInd=D

This article examines a poll conducted by ISTE examining the most influential teaching tools over the past three decades. It was reported that as one might assume, picking a single piece of technology as the most effective tool was a difficult task for most teachers. Teachers selected internet tools such as e-mail, search engines, and wireless access and the most influential tool. General productivity tools were selected second, including word processors and spreadsheets followed by interactive whiteboards and projectors in third place. Web 2.0 tools such as wikis, blogs, and social networking sites were ranked fourth and portable digital devices such as laptops, cell phones, and mp3players came in fifth.

What is your favorite technology tool?

My favorite technology tool would the internet. I love learning and spend a lot of my time playing and researching on the internet. I like the freedom of the internet and the ability to find out anything. I think that it is a very useful tool especially in the classroom to have all that knowledge at the finger tips of the students.

How can I use some of these tools in my own classroom?

Many of these tools can be easily implemented in a classroom. Students can use the internet to do research and use word processing and spreadsheets to present projects. Furthermore, students can create custom web pages such as wikis or a class blog. Teachers will be able to use interactive white boards to present content to students and keep in touch and communicate through email. With technology continuing to grow and change the possibilities to use them in the classroom are essentially endless.

Journal 3: Walk, Fly, or Teleport to Learning, NETS V

Yoder, M.B. (2009). Walk, Fly, or Teleport to Learning. Learning and Leading with Technology, 37(2), Retrieved September 22, 2009 from
http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=September_October_No_2_3&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4381&ContentID=24200&DirectListComboInd=D

This article examines the use of multiuser virtual environments (MUVE’s) in the classroom setting. Multiuser virtual environments allow students to learn about many relevant topics using technology. Students are able to explore many important and relevant issues in a game-like fun atmosphere that will keep students engaged and participating in their education. Furthermore, these virtual environments can be important in teaching students about social and technical skills. Multiuser virtual environments provides a safe atmosphere where students are able to open their minds and explore areas and topics that they might not have been exposed to otherwise. Students are able to grow virtually learning and developing as they explore the different environments.

What is a benefit of using multiuser virtual environments in the classroom?

Using multiuser virtual environments in the classroom is helpful because it allows the students to learn important lessons and skills while also learning how to successfully manipulate and navigate a virtual environment. Furthermore, it gives the student a sense of control and allows them to learn while actively engaged.

What is an example of a multiuser virtual environment?

An example of an multiuser virtual environment is Global Kids. Global Kids allows students to safely explore global issues and supports them in becoming successful leaders. Virtual environments such as global kids promotes learning and responsibility in a safe and fun way where students are engage and really enjoy what they are learning .

Journal 2: Grounded Tech Integration, NETS V

Harris, J., & Hofer M. (2009). Grounded Tech Integration. Learning and Leading with Technology, 37(2), Retrieved September 15, 2009 from
http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=September_October_No_2_3&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4381&ContentID=24179&DirectListComboInd=D

This article emphasizes the idea of putting learning goals first and technology last. Using the “grounded” approach to technology integration in the classroom, the primary focus should be on the children's needs and the instructional plan and not on the technology available. Teachers will focus their attention first on crating activities that will produce the desired student outcomes and then they can select appropriate technology that will enhance learning and the teaching plan. This approach puts technology behind the instructional plan and keeps the focus on the students needs. I think that it is important that educators do not get carried with the technology aspect of the classroom and loose track of what they were trying to teach the students in the beginning. With so much technology available in schools it would be easy to put technology as the primary goal and let the lesson plan fall by the wayside.

Why is it important to use the “grounded” approach in the classroom and how can I implement this in my own classroom?

It is important to use the grounded approach in the classroom because it is important for students learning to remain the primary goal in education. In my classroom I can create lesson plans that foucus on the learning outcome of the students and after that is created I can then look for technology that will aid in the students learning.

Why is it important to incorporate technology into the classroom?

It is important to incorporate technology into the classroom because technology is something that will be part of their everyday life. It is important for students to be exposed to and learn how to use technology at a young age so they will be productive in the future.

Journal 1: Online Learning, NETS V

Coyle, S., Jones, T., & Pickle, S.K. (2009). From Alaska to Arkansas, Districts are Experimenting with Online Learning to Solve Access Problems. Learning & Leading with Technology, 37(2), Retrieved September 9, 2009 from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/LLIssues/Volume3720092010/SeptemberOctoberNo2/e_Learning_Programs_Come_in_All_Shapes_a.htm

This article examines the different ways that school districts are using online learning programs. In this article the author examines the individual ways that three separate and very different school districts are using online learning to aid in the education of their students. The Yukon-Koyukuk school district in Alaska uses online learning programs to create a digital classroom. This digital classroom ensures that all students in the very large and remote school district are able to receive instruction regardless of their location. The Baltimore County Public Schools use online learning to expand course offerings to students that might not have had access to some specific courses such as advanced placement or honors classes. Furthermore, each student is assigned to a site mentor to provide help and guidance when ever it is needed. The Arkansas Department of Education had developed an distance learning program that provides flexible course scheduling as well as allows students to take advantage of specialized courses such as Spanish. All three of these online learning programs have been successful and have seen improvements in the students achievement scores. Online learning tools are becoming very useful and important tools for both students and teachers.

What is another benefit not discussed above of using online learning programs?

Another benefit to using online learning programs is that it helps students become familiar and proficient with using computers and other technology. Students in an online programs use the internet and other web and technology based applications daily. These programs will help to prepare the students for the technology advanced world that we live in today.

Why are online learning programs so beneficial to school districts?

Online learning programs would be beneficial to all school districts. Providing lessons online makes learning accessible to all student regardless of where they live or how busy they are. Students would be able to take courses that are not offered at their school contributing to their growth in knowledge and success.

Classroom Newsletter, NETS III

This is a classroom newsletter that I created using Microsoft Word. This newsletter contains custom bullets, graphics, and boarders. Dropcaps were used at the beginning of each article and color and font styles are varied throughout the newsletter. We also scanned a self-portrait and incorporated into an article by formatting the text to wrap the picture.
newsletterCW9-09

Intro Letter of Courtney

My name is Courtney Whyte and I call myself a California native, but that is not necessarily true. I was born Vail, Colorado, but moved here when I was two months old. I lived in Vista until the end of first grade and then moved to Oceanside. In Oceanside, I attended Vista Academy of Visual and Performing Arts from second grade through eighth grade. From there I went to Vista High School and graduated in 2003. Straight from high school I attended Palomar Community College and stayed there a little longer than most because I changed my major three times. I finally decided on a major and transferred to California State University San Marcos in the fall of 2007 and graduated two years later with my BA in Psychology. I am now in the process getting my prerequisites done for my masters in communicative sciences and disorders (speech pathology) and, with fingers crossed, the program will hopefully start in fall, 2010.

My experiences with technology are all over the board. I am very good with programs that I use daily such as word processing, email, internet, and now, thanks to the Psychology program, SPSS. However, there are a lot of programs that, as of now, I have had no use for so I am not very familiar with; nevertheless, with instruction or a little trial and error I tend to catch on rather quickly. I use technology daily, mostly for communication via email and phone or information via the Internet, and I feel lost without my computer or phone. Growing up, I was in a family of PC users and was fairly proficient using them. Later, we switched to Mac’s and now I feel completely helpless and confused when using a PC. The transition from a PC to a Mac was a little difficult but extremely worth it in the end… I love my Mac Book (I am now using Office 08 for Mac’s).

To be completely honest, this is the first time that I have heard the College of Education’s Mission Statement, so I think it is fair to say that it did not influence my decision to apply to CSUSM. However, after reading it, I can say that the things the College of Education stands for are the exact things that I was looking for in a school, and I am happy that I ended up here. I think that the mission statement does not only represent the College of Education, but CSUSM as a whole. I believe that the commitments in the mission statement are extremely necessary and important, but I was especially touched by their commitment to student-centered education. I think that we want to believe that all education is student centered, but lets face it, this is not always the case. It is important to keep the needs of the students central and let the politics take the back seat.