My EDM 310 Blog Is Now Complete

I have enjoyed spending time with everyone. I'm sure we will each other again along our education journey. To everyone graduating I wish you much success and well behaved students. Emma thanks for being my computer bud. Call me if you need help in math. Shout to Mr. Wakeman thanks for your patience and understanding.

My Final Post: Did I learn??

In EDM310 taught by Mr.Bob Wakeman at the University of South Alabama I learned alot more than I expected. I began this class not knowing anything of computers. Now I can produce a PowerPoint and word document that is professional. I know how to blog and how my students can benefit from blogging. Pod Cast are a great classroom resource to learn about new and exciting things other teachers and administrators are doing in their schools. Excel is great for classroom budgets and grade books. I've learned through my Pod Cast assignment about all the great educational websites that are available.I've already save some in my favorites for future use in my classroom.

IPods are more useful than I thought because they can actually hold lessons and educational information. One thing I would have liked to know is how to build my own site. I would like to know how to that so I could design it around my classroom for parents so they can stay informed about what their children are learning in class.I could publish announcements, assignments and general school information. I'm not sure how complicated the process is of designing one but,I think it should be covered. I do wish their were more reference notes available for excel and word documents for people like me who are not computer savvy. So to answer the question "Did I learn?" yes, Mr. Wakeman you have brought me a really long way from where I started. Thank-you for you patience.

WGBH

I visited WGHB on ITunes U and watched two short videos on planets. The first video was title “What is a Planet” this was a three minute explanation about how scientists define a planet. The video was short and to the point. There were great images used to show differences and it did not use complicated terminology or jargon. I enjoyed watching it and will definitely use it in the future to explain the differences in planets and dwarf planets. This video is a great way to take a break from books and drawings and give the students visual demonstrations of the differences.

The second video on ITunes U I viewed was titled “Solar Eclipses” this video explained how a solar eclipse happens and why not everyone on the earth can always see them. A scientist in this video does a demonstration with a softball and the sidewalk so show the basic concept of how an Eclipse happens. The video was very informative without making it complicated. Students could definitely get the idea and concept from the video and I would highly recommend its use in the classroom.

A Night in the Global Village

Heifer International is a nonprofit group focused on raising awareness about underprivileged areas and ending world hunger. One of their learning facilities is located in Perryville, Arkansas at this facility students are able to experience a night in a third world situation. The locations represented are Guatemala, Thailand, Zambia, Generic Urban Slum and a Refugee Camp. Students are only given supplies that a family in this location would typically have on hand. It is up to the students to work as a group and trade and barter for supplies that other groups have access to. The must cook all their meals and clean the dishes, build fires and basic jobs other people living in these conditions would experience everyday. The students placed in the refugee camp are given no supplies and must beg for everything they need and are unable to communicate with their language. Some random students are given more challenging situations like pregnancy, and losing a limb.

This is a great way for students to really learn and understand poverty by living it and feeling what other people feel. However, unlike the people who this is just everyday experience students know they will receive food the following day. First hand experience is a great way to make hunger a real experience. Reading about poverty in a book and experiencing a taste of it is great to make students understand what it means. They come out being more empathetic people and feel a need to help people living in these places.

The Edible Schoolyard

The Edible Schoolyard is a project developed by Alice Waters a local chef in Berkley, California. Chef Waters developed the program to help urban students learn about where their food comes from. It was an idea originally to improve cafeteria lunches for the students and has since snowballed from there. Students have a one acre garden that they plant and weed and fertilize. They not only learn how to grow food but, they also learn teamwork and a since of community.

All academic courses are covered with the time spent working in the garden. And students who may not be the best math or science students but, work well with their hands now have an opportunity to shine. The garden provides students real life uses for the subjects they learn in the classroom and can now see how those skills are useful in the real world.

iTunes University

ITunes is a great educational tool for educators and students. With iPods the classroom can be taken anywhere a bench in a park, in the car, or riding a bus. IPods allow you to be able to listen to lectures and podcast anywhere anytime. ITunes University allows educators to publish their lectures and notes on iTunes and students are able to download them to their iPods and replay their lessons over and over.

Some universities have published all of their lectures and professor notes on iTunes so that students have access to them. Students are also able to download podcast to their iPods. Instructional videos can also be loaded to an iPod. The new 3g iPods are able to access Wi-Fi even if its location is not close.

In closing I think iTunes have great academic potential if educators can look past the entertainment aspect. Almost all electronic devices now have multi-purposes if we can look deeper than entertainment value. Computers were once for business purposes have now exploded with music video and gaming capabilities, yet we push schools into using them for learning and broadening our students’ horizons into the virtual classroom why not do the same with iPods. We as educators have to embrace all the new technologies ideas for our student’s sake.

Ipods for Education

IPods like many other technology advances do have academic advantages. However they of course can also be misused. Students can benefit from using IPods in the classroom. Students are able to keep a calendar and a recorder at the palm of their hand. They are able to down load pod cast and listen to them over and over. However many universities do not allow such electronic devices in their classrooms at all because you can also use the device to cheat on exams and projects.

A study recently conducted at Duke University studied the educational benefits IPods have in the classroom. 1,650 freshman students were given IPods to use in their field of study in and out of the classroom. Many of the students used the IPod calendar feature to help keep up with projects and test. Some other used the IPods as alarm clocks to help them to get to class on time. The rowing team used the IPods to recall their calls to the rowers to help with practices. So with all new technology ideas there are always pros and cons you just have to weight them yourself to see if the benefits out way the risk.

Dr. Alice Christie

Search Engines for Students

Dr. Alice Christie is an educator with over forty years of experience. She received her PhD in Educational Technology and Language and Literacy in 1995 from Arizona State University. Recently she retired from the College of Teacher Education and Leadership at Arizona State University. Before this she taught school for k-12. Now she tours the country doing educational workshops.

I particularly enjoyed the search engines for kids section it was particularly valuable. The internet is such a broad avenue that knowing which sites are useful and the ones that are not can be difficult and time consuming. What Dr. Christie has done is provided a list of kid friendly sites with a brief description of what is found on them. This is wonderful for other teachers to be able to locate the information they need quickly without having to sift through the junk sites.

Some of the sites she has listed is not only for classroom use but, also home use to help students with homework or just quiz on topics they are having trouble catching on to. I have saved this site to my favorites so I can easily reference it in the future. She has listed each site that she recommends is specific categories some are for students only others are for educators.

I hope everyone will take the time and really explore Dr.Christie’s site she has some great information that actually can be very useful in a classroom environment. I know exactly where to look now for research or just homework help for my students and I feel comfortable with these sites will actually enrich their learning experience as well as teach the internet navigation.

NPR Blog on Wockipedia

Wikipedia is a free online encyclopedia that many students and teachers use for research. I have used Wikipedia many times for research. I have always assumed that the information was unbiased and based on facts. Virgil Griffith a California college student has created the Wikipedia Scanner which has the ability to trace the virtual fingerprint left behind by computers. He has discovered that many companies and government agencies has accessed some Wikipedia articles and actually changed the information they contained. Therefore altering the integrity of the information and the website this make the information useless for research purposes.

NPR article explains how anyone is able to make changes to the articled posted on Wikipedia. This new technology can show who is altering the information and what changes their making. It seems to me that the company behind Wikipedia would be out raged and take action to secure the site and the integrity of the information published on it. One of the people on the podcast suggested that this was beneficial for the integrity of the work published on this site. But I do not agree because that means anyone can change the information to what they feel it should say. Altering the unbiased opinion of those who originally wrote the work.

Randy Pausch Last Lecture: Achieving Your Chlidhood Dreams

Randy Pausch was a professor of computer science and human-computer interaction and design at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburg Pennsylvania. He was diagnosed with terminal cancer and passed away on July 25, 2008. Before he passed he delivered one final lecture at CMU on September 18, 2007 before a packed McConomy Auditorium. His lecture was titled Randy Pausch Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams.

His lecture covered three basic points the first was Childhood Dreams, second was Enabling the Dreams of Others and finally Lessons Learned. His first topic Childhood dreams he discusses what his dreams consisted of like experiencing zero gravity, playing football in the NFL and Disney Imagineering. He was able to achieve all the dreams he had listed for himself through some creative means and determination. However he never actually got to play professional football but, the lessons he learned from training ended up being more valuable. He called indirect learning a “head fake”. Basically it's when you learn one thing in the process of learning something else.

Second he discussed enabling the dreams of others. His family sponsors a dormitory over in Vietnam where 30 students are now able to attend school. One important point he brought up he was discussing a new course he was teaching that enrolled 50students from various departments the set up was every two weeks they would produce an assignment with three classmates and after that project was finished they would work with a new team on the next project. When the first project was finished he was blown away with the quality of his students work but instead of telling them how great they did with exceeding his expectations he suggested they try harder the next time. In turn that raised the standards for their potential. I personally would never take that approach with my students before however, I will now.

Finally he discussed the lessons he had learned. He gave his thoughts on “brick walls” when you’re tiring to achieve your goals and you run into a brick wall. That should be incentive for you to try harder. He also said that they are there to weed out the people who aren’t serious. I thought that was pretty clever. And something I will pass on to my students. There is always a good and bad way to say a negative thought so think before you speak negatively to your students what you say may impact their life.

In conclusion Randy Pausch was a remarkable man loved by his family and his campus. He devoted his life to helping and teaching others and had fun while doing it. He has definitely impacted my life and I only listened to an hour of what he had to say I can only imagine the incredible things his students learned from him everyday. I want to express my condolences to his family and his campus the world has lost an extraordinary man.

Why Wireless?

Why wireless? This question has an infinite amount of answers. Karl Fisch asked this question the day his school Arapahoe High School finally installed their wireless connection. He wrote a rather long essay about the importance of students have internet access in their classrooms. He also scattered some rather clever quotes throughout to make his point. His bottom line is students may need answers that cannot be found in the walls of their school the answer may lie with a student on the other side of the world.

By not allowing our students to have internet access we are denying them the right to find the answer to their questions. Technology is everywhere and denying our students access is like saying they do not need to know how to read or write. Ignorance is blinding and damaging. Our students will be plagued if they are not prepared for what their future holds for them. Schools cannot believe that all learning takes place inside classrooms.

Students’ educations are enriched by the entire resources wireless connections offer. They are able to work with students continents away. Computer usage enriches their learning by offering new ideas and programs to make learning more interactive and less passive. Teachers are able to connect to other teachers and blog about concerns or ideas that work well in their classroom.

Students today are overloaded with gaming and IMs at home shouldn’t we make learning as interactive as possible. And offer in classroom computers and wireless connections so students can explore a world different than their own.
KarlFisch Has posted his essay on his blog page. It really does make you wonder what people are thinking when they oppose students having internet access.

EDM PodCast

“Possibilities for Using Facebook in an Educational Setting” hosted by Allison Midgette and Shaundretta Bethel ( pictured on left) was a pod cast discussing the pros and cons for using Facebook in the classroom. I think the girls were very well informed however, I think they needed to speak up a bit and have more of a discussion type conversation. They did not exchange a lot of dialog between the two. The each took a turn and basically gave their opinion one at a time.

I personally am not familiar with face book so I can not really agree or disagree with their opinions. However, I do know have ideas of ways I could use Facebook in my classroom where before listening to them I had no idea. They definitely did their research and were very knowledgeable about facebook. Comparing this to other podcast I have listened to I think if the topic is approached as more of a discussion it holds the listener’s attention more.

The second Podcast I listened to was “YouTube for Educational Purposes” hosted by Joel Graham, Noelle Shipman and Kimberly Kelly. I enjoyed listening to this Podcast more because the used a conversation format and interacted with each other more than the first group. They actually discussed the pros and cons of YouTube in the class room. They did talk about some of the inappropriate material on this site and that if students were going to have access to it they would have to be closely monitored. I really appreciated them not just focusing on the positive so if I every use it in my class I’ll know to be monitor my students very closely.

I think they did this cast very well. I did however listen to the Podcast “Watchers or Listeners: How Do We Respond?” hosted by John Hardman, John Strange, Keri Ashworth, and Autumn Jordan and I must say their cast was the best to me. However, they did have Dr. Strange on the cast with them directing them a little. But they had a casual conversation about Dr. Strange’s article he had written. Their conversation flowed well and it kept my interest through out.

If you would like to listen to these or other podcast please follow the link Dr.Strange Podcast.

Karl Fisch Blog

Karl Fisch wrote a blog titled” Is It Okay to be a Technologically Ignorant Teacher. In his blog he asserts teachers who are complacent with their little or no computer knowledge. He is challenging teachers to become more familiar with technology so that more students can be exposed to it. Karl has several basic beliefs. I will only discuss a couple. His first belief is that all teachers should have basic computer knowledge. There are very few job experiences that students will encounter that will not require basic computer knowledge. Teachers should not say proudly that they have little computer experience as if it socially okay. They would not be proud if they were illiterate to Karl it’s the same.

Schools or universities that graduate students who do not know basic computer uses should have their reputation and funding questioned. They should not be proud to let students leave their institutions with computer knowledge. Their students will not be ready for college or job opportunities. Not providing students computer experience in to day’s world is almost like handicapping them.

I completely think that as teachers we need tools like technology to help us teach our students more efficiently so they will be better prepared for life after school. I personally was not exposed to computers when I was in school and now that I’m in college it has definitely hurt me because now I’m forced to play catch up and my instructors have to work harder just so I understand the basics. So in a way I feel cheated. I hope to use computers in many areas of my classroom from communicating with parents to being able to provide my students with alternative study options than just reading books.

I think this blog in some part was worded a bit strong but I don’t feel it could be avoided and all students deserve exposure to the benefits of different technologies. Karl Fisch was right when he compared knowing how to read with being equally important as knowing how to use technology. Computers have been around for thirty years and they are not going anywhere. So we all need to learn how to use them for our and our students’ advantage. He is a direct link to

Karl Fisch Blog check it out for yourself.

PodCast

Podcast are technology venues that are used to connect people concerning specific information. I have explored several Podcast pertaining to different areas of education and how education has been effected by technology. The really neat thing is Podcast are able to connect teachers living in different parts of the world. You are able to hear several points of view on a specific topic. Almost like a radio broadcast type feel. The first Podcast I listened to was Smartboard lessons Podcast which was hosted by Ben Hazzard and Joan Badger they were actually two-thousand miles apart when they were doing this Podcast, however they sounded as if they sitting next to each other. Joan Badger actually has a website Teachers Connecting.comthat is also used as a forum for teacher to connect with each other and learn new teaching strategies from each other.

The second Podcast I checked out was “Kidcast” episode 58. Dan Schmit was the host his topic was “The median is not the message”. Basically he was discussing how to teach children the way to use technology. Instead of assigning a presentation with an uninteresting topic that doesn’t spark the children’s curiosity. Pick a question or topic that the student will be curious and more willing to explore deeper than putting together a few slides to get through the assignment. The more interesting the topic choice the student in return will not only do more to learn about the topic at hand he’ll use technology to explain it to the fullest potential In return actually learning more.

Next I listened to “Macbreak Weekly” which is a forum to discuss and compare different technologies ins and outs. I listened to episode 123 which was a discussion comparing Macworld and Apple. They were discussing if Apple was going to survive some of the new technologies that was happening with Macintosh computers. I honestly didn’t really understand a lot of the jargon they used. “Edtalk Talk” was my next Podcast I listened to they were discussing Parents as Partners in episode 19. All of they guest on the cast had backgrounds in various technology fields and were also parents very involved in their students schools. They were discussing the benefits in schools that have a strong connection with their parents. It closes the gap between students and parents when the parents are involved in the activities happening in the classroom and students tend to learn more productively.

“ConnectLearning” podcast episode 92 was the next podcast I listened to, the host was David Warlick a school principal. The guest on the show was Chris Lehmann he was overseeing a teachers conference he was responsible for creating. This conference was set up differently than your run of the meal conference. Some of the main differences were the length of the sessions teachers were able to attend. The standard session only lasted 60 minutes, the sessions at his conference lasted 90 minutes so topics could be more thoroughly explored. The time in between sessions was also extended to 30 minutes so teachers didn’t have to rush from session to session. The could be able to visit and not be in a hurry. At the end of each day they also held a reflection sessions where teachers could chat about things they learned earlier in the day. The last podcast I listened to was “This Week in Technology” the host in this cast was discussing different photography issues. One of the photographers was complaining about the camera and lens security would allow him to take to photo graph the presidents inauguration.

The International Preparatory School

The second school I discovered was The International Preparatory School located in Santiago, Chile. Like the first school their blog is based on general information about the school. One of their perks is they advertise a small student ratio. They also talk a lot about a British based education system that gives the students advantages for college. Computers are also used to help reinforce core basic classes such as math, reading and science. So the students here are also getting hands on computer training. They do have a blog on their site that students, teachers and parents can use to announce events or just keep in touch.

International School Bankok

One of the international school I discovered is The International School Bangkok on their blog they are able to show all the benefits their school offers to potential students. They have a detailed list of the curriculum offered. I thought it was interesting that they have several media centers where students able to learn on computers. The school also offers a section on their blog that is limited to student and parent access only so I was unable to explore those areas. I was impressed that two new languages that are being offered is Mandarin and Spanish because they feel these will greatly benefit their students. The site also has several pictures available to look at so you can get an idea of what the children are to participate in. They also have information on thing parents can do for their children to make the transition easier and less stressfull for the student.

Butlerville Elementary School

In Blanchester, Ohio I found Mrs. Davis who teaches first grade at Butlerville Elementary School. She uses her class blog to communicate with parents about the activities that students experience while in her class. She also has assignments like spelling word parents can access from home. She also has links to programs that her students can use to practice their math and spelling skills while at home. The links are fun and interactive like a game. She has collages of pictures posted so parents can see their child in action at school. Parents can also email her from the site if the have comments or concerns. Mrs.Davis’s class has been very busy you should see all the neat things they have been doing.

School Blogs

I visited a Jackson Elementary School located in Camden, South Carolina where a fifth grade teacher has introduced blogging to her class. Her student’s take turns taking the class’s stuffed bear home and then they blog on the internet what experiences they shared with Barry the bear. They have discussed everything from politics to September 11. The really neat part is when the students write the blogs they write as if Barry the bear is telling of the adventure he had with the student. I think this is a great creative way to get the students into blogging. If you want to check out Mrs. Edwards class blog here’s the site
Barry’s aventures check out where Barry has been.

Did You Know????

I just watched the movie on Fischbowl titled Did you know and I definitely think everyone should watch it. It was so powerful to see exactly where we are in the real scheme of things. And the shame of it is it was based on old statistics. I feel it was very powerful not only as an education student but also as a parent. The statement about the four year child’s computer capabilities are flooring, especially for me because I’m not a computer savvy person by any means. I do think its wonderful helping students in less developed countries by providing them with computer’s and internet access. Everyone always talks about how the world is so fast pace compared to just twenty years ago I believe computers have played a significant part in the way we want answers faster.

I did think it was very humbling to see how China is so much more successful than our country in not just its economy but also its education. We like to that we are the smartest most powerful country in the world when in fact we are anything but. India even graduates more students than us. Wow we should be ashamed at where our complacency has gotten not only our students but our overall country. It is time to step up and meet the needs of our information hungry country by training our students so they can be true competitors in the job market of tomorrow and today.

The Alabama Connecting Classroom, Educators and Students Statewide Program is a great way for students to get help outside the classroom in areas they have difficulties. It also is great for students who enjoy learning using the computer and would rather work individually instead of a study group alternative. I would feel very comfortable in referring my students to use this site to improve their skills. The site covers many subjects and really gives students the opportunity to succeed in school.

I have read several “success stories where students who used the site were able to make-up courses failed and even complete their credits for graduation. Anything that helps more students able to graduate is wonderful and should be used to the fullest potential. Access also gives our students the ability to be competitive when applying for college because their able to take classes that may not be offered in their school.
I would use the site to support my students learning needs where it is extra practice with math or a class to advance their diploma earned. I would also use it in my room to give students not only computer experience but allow them to complete assignments using the computer.

Alex.Doc

I was very impressed about the enormous amount of information in one place. The site is definitely well organized. I found it very user friendly. Some of the lesson plans were so creative for really engaging the student and making the task fun at the same time. I looked at one lesson plan where the teacher used the example of the students could go on vacation. She gave specific guidelines that must be followed like distance and the method of travel but, I thought it was so creative.

I also like the easy access to the Alabama teaching standards. They also provide lesson plans for just that specific standard so I could not only see the standard but how the standard was applied. I found that most helpful. I wish I knew about this site sooner for other lessons I’ve had to put together. The way even the web links are organized so you’re able to find exactly what you’re looking for. I think this website will save me hours of broad searching saving me a lot of time and energy. Time and energy I can put into my students. My lessons should be a lot more put together than they have been in the past.

First Post

My name is Doris McManus. I am a native of Mobile. I became a mother earlier this year to a very active baby girl. My husband and I have been married for 2 years. Recently I started my own home business with The Pampered Chef. This has been alot of fun I have met some great ladies and it has enabled me to be a stay at home mom but, still bring in an income. It also allows me to have adult conversations which you miss when your only companion doesn't speak your language. My personal website is PamperedChef I hope you enjoy it.

I actually started the university in 2003 and I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. My life has changed so dramatically while I've been in school. I have gotten married,become a mother and soon I'll be an educator. All my dreams will have come true. I guess I'll need to discover new ones. As much as I love teaching I'm afraid our schools are in such bad shape that I'll end up just running my home business instead.

I feel like my degree is such a symbol of accomplishment and I refuse not to finish it. Plus, I have to think of the example I will be setting for my daughter. Chioldren really do change everything. I do think teaching is the ultimate job. Everyday you teach your students something new and they inturn teach you something new. It's a full circle job.

I am very excited about this class and also terrified at the same time. I think it will be a great tool for teaching my students. I just have to figure it out. I'm willing hopefully the teacher is very patient. Copmuters are just so confusing to me. I must comfess though I'm not really into electronics of any kind. Maybe this class will be the start to a more savy electronic life.