My EDM 310 Blog Assignments are Now Complete

I have learned a lot in this class. I started this class with the basic skills to run a computer. Most of the things I learned in this class were how to find programs to do what I needed to do. I had always wanted to make a website but I just didn't know how to go about doing it; now I know.

I really didn't care for Google Docs. I don't like having to rely on the internet to work on my school stuff. My internet could be down, Google could be down and there are a number of reasons in the programing of the Docs that I didn't care for. I did like Google's website builder, but this could be because it is the only one I have ever used. My main complaint about the webiste project was that Google was very slow. I had a large website and Google took way to much time in closing the current page and going back to the main website manager site. Otherwise the website was my best project and I put a lot of time into it. My least favorite thing we did in this class was the weekly Blog posts. I found them to be a huge waste of time.

I never had to use the instructional videos but they seemed like a good idea. Dr.Strange had the idea that he would just burn CDs for his next class and have question classes where no actual lecturing goes on. I see pros and cons for that idea. Pro, the students have a back up for when the need help. Con, students wouldn't come to class and at the end of the semester all the slacker students would come to class and expect to have everything taught to them.

Wikipedia

At first Wikipedia looks really great. Lots of information quick and free, so why wouldn't I use it when doing real research? Well after you look around you see places where you can change the information posted. So that could be potentially probablamatic. I really like the way Wikipedia is set up. I often do use it. But only for basic knowledge about a subject and if I want to know more I look for a more reliable website.

I think Wikipedia could be really great. Like I said before the website is set up really well and could be very useful if it were not so unreliable. I think Wikipedia should change the way anybody can add their own two cents to a subject. If they were to make the website protected to where only Wikipedia creators could add stuff I think they would have the ability to do great things!

Week 13 - iTunes University - Stanford Podcast

This blog presents me with the same problem as the previous blog assignment store. I am unable to download iTunes to my computer. These assignments open me eyes to problems that my future students may encounter with the assignements I assign them. I don't think that I can require a student to do an assignment that requires them to download something to their computer, unless it was a part of the class or instructional tool that the state says I have to teach or use. I will not expect my elementary students to disobey their parents. Some parents don't even want their children using the internet, much less downloading things to their computer. These are my thoughts, children have been able to learn for hundreds of years without computers, and while I do think there are many good educational tools, students don't have to use every aspect available on the internet in a school setting.

Week 12 - iTunes University

This blog presented a problem for me. The computer I use is not mine. My parents own it and let me use it. My dad doesn't like any kind of Apple product and refuses to let me download iTunes to his computer. We already have a music program and I didn't want the Apple program to enterfear with the program previously purchased.

Dr.Strange said I needed to post a blog about problems I experienced with this blog post. I think like all programs there are pros and cons. But after thinking about whether or not I would use iTunes, I really don't think I would, not in my classroom where students have the full use of the iTunes store. I think that using this in an elementary classroom could really open up a door for a lawsuit. I can see it now, "Elementary teacher accused of letting her students watch sexually explicit music videos, Parents are suing". Even if I used this program for the educational side of it, kids will abuse it, and I would still get in trouble. However, if I could download an educational video and put it directly on the student's computer, where the student wouldn't have to visit the iTunes site, I would consider that.

Week 9 - iTunes University

I think iTunes has really hit on something with iTunes U. I think this could be more useful than using an iPod in class. Sure, iPod - iTunes same maker. But what I like about iTunes U is that you don't have to have an iPod to use it; it can be used on iPods and computers. This is in my opinion, much more practicle than expecting every student to own an iPod. Computers are different and very versatile in their capabilities. So with this iTunes U program, students have the choice of using a computer or a iPod. I went to the iTunes website to learn about their university plan. The site gave overviews for each person involved in using the iTunes U program; administrators, faculty, students, and how you can use this program away from campus. They described their program in a couple short paragraphs and got their point across quickly and easily. I like it when I want to use a program and have to read a 100 pages on it to learn about it. If you want to check the site out, here is the link:
iTunes U

Another great thing about this programs is that all kinds of people can use it. There are so many people out there, even in other countries, that can't afford to go to college, but still have a great thirst for knowledge. A Washington Post report says that everything on iTunes U is free. This could be great for all of those broke college students. That report also says that iTunes doesn't get any kind of tuition for it, neither do the schools. I think for this program to be implemented in colleges and university 100 percent, the schools will want to find a way to be able to charge for the service. Kind of like why moonshine is illegal, because the government can't find a way to tax it. But while it is free, it think it is great and should be used. To see if iTunes U is for you, check out this website:
Is iTunes U for You

Week 8 - iPods

I think iPods and mp3 players are great and are getting better everyday. But, I think people depend on them and computers too much. If I had a child, I don't think I would want them to have their teacher teach them solely through an iPod. I think our world is becoming too dependent on electronics. The way things are headed, we will not need real teachers or even real classrooms, because we will have a computer teaching our children. Like a teacher of mine said, "You can't play ball with a computer." Humans need companionship and I think with all of the new technology, that companionship is being lost and that is really sad. That being said I never really thought about using an iPod for teaching until we used one in my EDM class to voice record a presentation. I think this could be very useful.

A pfd report about Duke University said they tried an experiment in 2004 using iPods. The report said that iPods were used for all kinds of things in the college curriculum, including lecture recordings, classroom portals that all class information (songs, lectures, speeches, foreign language content), study devices and file storage/transfer. However, they encounter many problems as well. If you wish to read the whole report on the good and bad findings Duke University using iPods click here:

Duke University iPod Report

I think iPods could be used in a classroom, but I also think they could cause a number of problems as well. The main one being that public schools do not require tuition. Duke University handed out iPods to every student. The money had to come from somewhere, so I would say it most likely came from a tuition increase; just like the colleges that 'give' every student a laptop. But like I said, public schools can't require a student to have a laptop or a iPod, nor can they buy one for every student. Being that teachers could use their own iPods to help enhance their class, maybe the schools could supply classrooms with an iPod. It's defiantly something for me to think about when I become a teacher.

Week 7 - Fischbowl Blog, November - Why Wireless

The man that writes this blog has a way with words. Even if you are reading something that you don't completely agree with, his words will make you think and re-analyze your position. He makes some very good points about wireless online connection. He wrote a letter for his school newsletter about why his high school needed a wireless connection. He put this quote in his blog and I think it pegs his point completely:

"The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot
read or write,but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn.
- Alvin Toffler"

Everybody will tell you that when you buy a computer that it will be obselete within the year. So why, with all the new knowledge that is learned everyday, would anybody believe that what we learned 5 years ago will be the same today.

I think with this blog, he is trying to make a point to parents that students have to have the resources available to them if they are expected to keep up with other schools and other countries. I for one think wireless access is a wonderful idea for high schools. Some students might be able to come across a laptop somewhere, but then they have parents who will not or can not pay for internet access. I think, like any other thing, wireless access should have rules for when and where the students may use the wireless connection, but on the whole it a great tool for any school to have. For more information, click here:

Why Wireless

Week 6 - September Fischbowl Blog

Karl Fisch makes some very good points about teachers needing to be technology literate. On his blog he says:
"If a teacher today is not technologically literate - and is unwilling to
make the effort to learn more - it's equivalent to a teacher 30 years ago
who didn't know how to read and write."
When I first say this statement I thought it was a little harsh. But when I really started think about it, I think I really do agree with what he is trying to say here. Everybody knows that learning to read used to be a privilege. The same goes with computers. When computers were first starting to be used by the public, they were really expensive, so the only the rich were able to purchase computers; kind of like cell phones. But, now the prices are really down and more and more people are joining the computer train. So, Mr.Fisch is saying you wouldn't want a person who couldn't read to teach your children 30 years ago, and you wouldn't want a teacher today who didn't know the basic operating skills for running a computer.

Mr.Fisch also makes a good point about teachers already having a lot on their plates. Just because computers are cheaper now, doesn't mean people will know how to use them. People have to be taught. They can't learn it over night. Children today are growing up with computers, so naturally, children are going to know how to use computers better than some adults. I have heard a lot of people say children learn more and better things than adults; this is why a lot of foreign countries teach second languages to elementary aged children. So I think it will take more than an average computer class, designed for younger people, to teach a generation that doesn't understand computers. I also have this pet peeve with technology. Technology changes everyday; new and what some would say, better programs are created everyday. I think this is one of the main reasons people have such a hard time learning how to use computers. I think if we could find one program that works and stick with for, I don't know - a year (Oh my God, "Arrest that woman and send her to the crazy house!!" says the computer programmers). But seriously, after a while the computer train begins to look daunting, even for a semi-decent computer person, much less a person who has never used anything but a typewriter.

Image With Title and Alt Tags

Week 5 - International Classroom Blogs

Click Here

The BSA Junior School Blogs
This blog is really cool. It is for the British School of Amsterdam. The blog is linked into their main school web page. This blogs if for the Junior school age children. This blog if for the children and their parents. It announces news and homework, and it uses pod casts. It also has a place for parents to get letters that their child didn't bring home like they were supposed to. This blogs has links to other blogs, as well as other internet links. I thought it was designed very well. Check out thier blog!
BSA Junior Blog



The Class Going For a Swim
Room 9 Nelson Central's Blog 2007
I found this blog doing a blog search through blogger. This blog is based from New Zealand. The teacher's name is Rachel Boyd. The blog has all the things it is supposed to, to be a blog, like links and posts. But what I found really neat about this blog, is that the children from the class all post blogs. They have blogs about their projects and homework assignments. I think this is a really great idea. They also have a visitor map, where the person visiting their blog can click where they are from. Very cool! Check out this blog!
Room 9's Blog

Classroom Blogs

Inside Marissa Ochoa's 3rd Grade Classroom
Marissa has taught school for six years. She currently teaches in Poway California. She uses this blog through Scholastic's message board blogs. She has this blogs set up for anybody to see. She posts blogs weekly. The blogs are all about projects her class is working on, field trips, current events, and holiday art creations. She uses lots of pictures. My favorite blog she had was where she told all about her trip to Las Angelos for J K Rowling's Harry Potter book signing tour. Harry Potter books are my favorite. I really liked that she shared her life with her students. She also gave classroom organizational tips to teachers who might also be reading her blog. To visit her blog click here: Marissa Ochoa's Blog


Inside Jill White's 1st Grade Classroom
Jill teaches exceptional children in grades 1st through 4th. She uses this blog by giving the viewer an incite in how she runs her classroom. Each blog she posts is about some kind of activity her class did along with pictures so you can visualize. Then she also gives a description of the lesson so that if any teachers are reading her blog they can use her ideas. One idea that I found particularly interesting was her Arctic Studies Week. She made an igloo for her students, by using plastic and duct tape, so her students could see what it was like to live in an igloo. Very cute idea. These are a couple the pictures:















I really liked her blog. I think she has a lot of good ideas for making learning fun. You should really check out her website: Jill White's Blog

Week 3 - Access

Access is one of the most intriguing things I found while looking at the ALEX website. Alabama has done a great thing with this program. This could be very useful in schools that don't have the ability to offer higher end courses to their students. From what I understand about Access, there would be an actual Alabama qualified teacher, teaching the class, but would be "distance" teaching. Access would be a great resource for those children looking to take college prep classes. Also, helps students learn how technology can be used.
Access enables students from different cities to discuss what is happening in the class. This would really help them when it came time for college. Access is also used for remedial courses. A student could sign up for extra help in a subject they didn't understand fully. While I am an Elementary Education major and not a Secondary major, I think this could be really useful for me. In my Special Education class we discussed the highly gifted children or children with extremely high IQ's and one of the questions we asked was, how can you teach this child and help them grow and use their high IQ? I think Access could be a great answer for how teachers can enrich those children because they would have the ability to take classes that they would be interested in and wouldn't be board with things they already know. Children don't learn at the same rates, something "No Child Left Behind" fails to realize, but Alabama has come up with a good way to help bridge the gap "No Child Left Behind" created.

Adding a picture

This is a picture I took while I was in the Grand Caymans. I think the Caymans have really pretty water.

Week 2 - ALEX Post # 2

I think that this website is possibly going to be the most important internet resource I will have as a teacher. Everything is right there, in one spot, and I can save my work on their website too. There are so many different ways a teacher could use this website. I would defiantly use it to help with the Alabama Course of Study requirements. I could also use some of ALEX’s lesson plans, by either teaching one of their plans, or using their plans to create my own. If I ever wanted my students to do an assignment that required them to use the internet, I would have them use the websites listed in the student version, because you never know what will pop out of a search browser. But, what I find most interesting and worth learning more about is the “Distance Learning.” The way I understand the “Distance Learning” program to be, I think it could really help fill the void that is in our education system.

Week 2 - ALEX Post # 1

The Alabama Learning Exchange, ALEX, website is set up for not only teachers to use, but also students. It is very well designed and easy to use. It has your four main subjects at the top. When you click one, it gives you subjects or grades. All you have to do to get the Alabama Course of Study is click. Then, on the left hand side you have all these other resources available, like, lesson plans. I really like this feature, because you can find a lesson to teach or use one to build your own lesson, and then turn around and find the ALCOS to go with it. This would make lesson planning a whole lot easier.
There are a couple other features I like about the ALEX. I like that there are tons of websites listed for teachers and students. I also like ALEX’s ability to set up your own “Personal Workspace.” That would also be a big help, because you could keep all your information stored in one place. But, besides the ALCOS and lesson plans, what I like most about ALEX is the “Distance Learning.” I think this “Distance Learning” thing is a great idea. This could be the answer for those extremely gifted children with really high IQ levels. The “Distance Learning” could work really well for children who want a little more than what they can get in an average classroom setting.

Reflection on the Fischbowl Movie

I found this short movie to be very informative and at some points shocking. Some of the facts the Fischbowl movie gives show very strong points, if, they are taken at face value. For example, the Fischbowl movie said that both China and India have over three million college graduates to the United States college graduates of one million. When I first saw that fact, I was shocked. But after it was over, I really started thinking about it. Here is what I cam up with; most anybody you talk to about China and India will tell you that they are extremely overpopulated. So, after thinking about it, I would think should have more college graduates than the United States. But getting to what the Fischbowl movie is saying, I think they have a very good point. The Fischbowl movie says we need to be up on the technology, and I completely agree. But I will say that I do not think computers can be smarter than humans. You can’t play catch with a computer.

Source: The Fischbowl: Did You Know? 2006. The Fischbow Blog. January, 11, 2008 http://thefischbowl.blogspot.com/2007/06/did-you-know-20.html

I know how to make a blog post.

I know how to make a blog post.

My First Post

This is how you post a blog.