About Me

Robert Mendiola

  I was born in San Diego, in 1982, and lived all but three years of my life inside of the county.  I grew up in Escondido and attended elementary, middle, and high school there.  After high school I attended Palomar College for a few semesters and dropped out of college to pursue other interests.  While away from school, I fell into teaching people how to surf, swim, and a part-time nanny.  I moved away from San Diego County to the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State and lived there for 3 years.  I met my wife in 2006 and we were married, on the beach, in July of 2010 .  While in Washington, I fell back into teaching children and decided to return to school, getting my AA from Peninsula College and then moved and transferred to CSUSM to pursue a teaching degree (traditional route).  My hobbies are: fishing, gardening, surfing, art, science, etc.

July 2010
As far as technology is concerned, I feel a grounded approach is necessary.  I currently limit my use of technology to what I am required to use for school, work, and my own personal hobbies.  I mostly have an Ipod for music, simple cell phone requirements, a new digital SLR camera, and a PC for dabbling.  I do want to increase my understanding and usage in certain aspects of technology.  I believe that over use of technology can limit ones appreciation for it.  I have seen a loss of specific skills, like: motor skills, traditional arts and crafts, research, and respect as people have integrated technology into their lives.  Loss of respect for human contact, face to face interaction, as well as more intimate and tangible forms of human communication.  I do think technology, in turn has, its place as all tools do: creating viable links of communication, new tools for artists, and creativity.  I believe the management of technology is important, setting goals and ethical practices on how to use it, maintain, and sustain, along with recycling of obsolete e-waste.  A balance needs to be obtained to create a student versed in both technology, face to face interaction, and the production of material in traditional ways.

         Our practices demonstrate a commitment to student-centered education, diversity, 
         collaboration, professionalism, and shared governance. (Adopted by the COE 
         Governance Community October, 1997)

I believe strongly in this statement.  As a future teacher I believe that the student is the center of the educational system and that the teacher, myself, is to convey the benefits of being a life-long learner and utilizing one's education.


10 comments:

  1. I agree with what you say with regard to limiting technological pathways. I do not think that our lives should revolve around the internet, our i-this, i-thats, our computers, phones.

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    1. thanks for the comment. I didn't want to be the blog with Prof. Heil as the only follower. I have seen students lack in basic skills like handwriting and spelling because they rely to much on technological convenience.

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  2. Hey Robert! I totally agree with your belief in the Mission Statement. The focus on student-centered education is one of my biggest priorities and something that I strongly believe in.

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  3. Hi Robert,

    Great post! I believe we have had a few classes together; I too want to be a teacher. I think that you had a great point about people’s “loss of respect for human contact”, one of the best examples of this that I have seen over the years is with birthdays. People use to call you on your birthday and talk for a few minutes now all you get is a Facebook message saying “HBD”.

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  4. Hi Robert. I completely agree with your views on technology. You mention a loss of respect for human contact. I have seen groups of people together yet none of them are talking. Instead they are all texting and ignoring each other and in some cases are texting to each other instead of actually speaking. I was wondering, what made you decide to move back to the SD region after leaving for Washington?

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    1. School and my wife never lived out of Washington St. She wanted to experience a different local. We are planning on moving back after I finish school. Great place to live, Seattle is awesome and great wilderness.

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  5. I completely agree with you on the technology issue.. I notice all the time how bad it has gotten with people ALWAYS being on their cell phones. My boyfriend and I were at dinner over the weekend and noticed that people sitting at the bar are on their phones instead of having conversations with people face to face, or people are at tables on their phones instead of talking to the people at their table.. kind of sad really. I also agree with your take on the COE Mission Statement. I think the children are the most important part of the educational field.. they are the reason I want to teach.

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  6. I agree with the mission statement that you had picked seeing as I stated it was mine as well. I also agree with the over use of technology and how it should be incorporated in the classroom if necessary, but we are developing a more technological society:)

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  7. Hi Robert, it's great you love surfing! My fiance loves to surf and I even tried it, it was quite difficult, but very fun.

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  8. Hey Robert, as a computer tech i have to say that I appreciate your views on limiting technological use. I was almost an English major and when I see how bad people spell, and then watch the shortcuts they use when posting on social websites it drives me crazy! Also, whatever happened to meeting your future spouse at work, school, or through a mutual friend? Society has definitely changed with the advent of the internet and texting.

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