Video in the Classroom Introduction by Matthew Needleman

Wow, this is sure a great idea. I struggled with reading as a child, and because my teachers had no creative way of really teaching a tough subject like reading, today my vocabulary and reading skills are not where they should be. I work as a tutor at a local elementary school in mobile. I see how hard the kids there struggle with reading. It pains me greatly, because I know exactly what they are feeling. So many times throughout the I want to just give them the answer, but that's not the answer. They will never learn if I were to do that. Maybe I could suggest this idea to my teacher. After all you have to be involved in your own learning.

Podcast Review/Notes.

My first reaction to podcast was "What?". I have never heard of a podcast before and was confused as to what was the point. After listening to the few that were suggested, I now have a better understanding of what a podcast is all about. They appear to be very helpful for those who are tech literate. Someone who does not spend much time on computers may ask why not just listen to the radio.

A few notes I recorded while reviewing the audio podcast were that they much resemble radio. This stuck out as a pro to me. Not all people enjoy dramatic change. The presents of something familiar is always a sure way to make one's audience grow. The catchy music at the beginning of the SmartBoard Lessons episodes had me interested in what was next to come. When composing my own podcast, I will keep this helpful hint in mind. The breaking down of episodes was also something to keep in mind. It keeps the podcast organized and also serves as a helpful aid to the listeners. They have a way of keeping up with those episodes already heard. The radio friendly voices and kid suitable conversation topics is a really important factor to me. I also noticed the conversations had a very comfortable approach to them. They did not seem to be forced or scripted.

The podcast featured things that were very helpful. Not only were the topics helpful, but most host offered other websites where information could be found. It is also important to have a expert guest on the show. The topics should target a certain audience and the time limits of the conversations should be in accordance with the audience type. Podcast are great for those really interested in forms of learning like this. Some people could be taken back by just the audio version. For my own personal enjoyment, I would be more likely to search for just video podcast.

When composing my own podcast within in a group, I will remember to keep all of my notes in mind. I will try to reach more than one audience and more than one type of learning group. The best way to approach this problem would be to do a video podcast. Listeners can listen and visual learners can also follow along. I would also involve more than just one host. More information is leaked when more than one person is speaking on a subject, it's also a great way to prevent listeners from becoming bored. I'm looking forward to doing my own podcast, but I want to be sure it is done in the up most professional way.

Mr. Winkle Wakes

The Mr. Winkle Wakes video says what everyone has been thinking in less than three minutes. School sure has not changed since my first day of first grade, and as i listen to my mother and grandmother talk, it has not seemed to have changed from then either. Computers are now more common in learning environments. I am still unsure whether this is good or not. It is a very good tool as far as research and expanding one's knowledge, but it seems to have made humans more lazy. My opinion may stem from not being the most comfortable person in front of a computer, but during the summer I witness my eight years old cousin tell her mother to look up what time a movie stated online. What happen to just calling? But I guess my great-great-great grandmother would have the same outlook on telephones or even on movie theaters.

It just amazes me to think what will be next to change in the next hundred years. The thought that there would be no need for roads anymore seemed to be nothing but space and alien talk, now it doesn't seem so strange. One day there will be something bigger and better than cell phones. I hope I live to see that because I am so fascinated by what they can already do. Also, it would be very strange for me to wake up like Mr. Winkle did. In that setting computers would be a very weird device to understand and get use to.

Vicki Davis: Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts

Wow, OK I get it now. School isn't what it once was. It's full of new fun ways to learn with technology. I can not say whether or not I will teach my class fully with this new method, but I do pledge to incorporate some technology within my teaching. Ms. Davis stated that her class taught themselves how to use the software and that she was unaware of how to work the program before they made their presentations. This would definitely reign true with me and my class if I only tried using technology. She also made another very strong point about teachers feeling as though they had to know the answer to every question before they could teach on a subject. I don't believe I will have a problem with this, but I am aware that it is a problem that most teachers face today. The important thing is not that a teacher has an answer for every question, but that if they don't have an answer, they will do further research and be able to answer that question for the student in the future.

The students in Ms. Vicki Davis' class seem to really enjoy themselves and seem like they are actually learning. I think people often forget that that is the real goal if education. Regardless of if its learning on a computer screen or on blackboard. It is vital for not only our youth, but ourselves, to receive the proper education in which all Americans are entitled to. It is a teacher's job to figure out what kind of learning style each student is and to cater to just that.

Sir Ken Robinson: The Importance of Creativity

This video really put things in perspective for me. The thought of schools blocking the creative minds of youth today is a scary thought. It is important that our youth learn the basic of the academic subjects such as math, English and even history, but just as important for them to express their creative sides. After all it is our creativity that brings about new and improved inventions. Sir Ken Robinson states that "If you are not prepared to be wrong, then you will never come up with anything original". If we continue to tell the youth of today that they can not be successful in any of the performing arts, then we are only fueling the fire more. A perfect example of this was shared in the video. The touching story of Ms. Gillian Lynne is nothing less than just that.

Ms. Gillian Lynne's mother was told her daughter was having problems paying attention in class and staying focused. Many children are said to have this same disorder, which is now known as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). I never really thought of these new inventions as blocking our creative minds. Sir Ken Robinson had some really good points and seemed to be very passionate about his view. I would like to learn more on how not to block my students creativiness. This will be a new goal for me as I continue my own education.

Did You Know? by Karl Fisch

"Did You Know?"

"Did You Know?" video had a very up to beat song that kept me paying attention. I did not expect to be reading the whole time, but I can see how that was much more helpful that someone speaking on the film. The film released some very interesting facts that make me understand more why I am taking a class on technology and teachers. My mother told me by the time I entered a classroom it would be no need for lectures. I am beginning to believe that. These technological advances are needed and very helpful, but is making our society more lazy. This statement is evident in the fact that India has more smart kids than does the United States has kids, which was stated in the video.
I am one of few in my generation that is behind in the new and improved forms of technology. I use to not think this until I saw this video and the shocking facts it consisted of. I still prefer doing some things the old fashion way, but I am grateful for the advances in technology. I am positive that by the time I reach my senior citizens years, it will be a cure for most of the problems senior citizens face today.
I realized that cell phones had a big impact on my generation, but i did not realize to what extend this was. I often think, "Oh my God, what did people do before cells phones and phones in general". The video stated that the amount of text messages sent and received a day exceeded the amount of human beings on the planet. This fact is not as surprising as the others, because I know just how much I text in just a hour. I can only imagine the world becoming more tech advanced. It is really exciting to think about all the possibilities the next ten years will hold.

Just A Little About Me!

Hello fellow classmates! My name is Courtney DeFlanders. A few starters about me is that i am 18 years old and am the only child. I am in my second year here at South. My major is Secondary Education and History. I really enjoy learning as much about history as I can. i also love being surrounded by family and friends.

I decided to attend the University of South Alabama at the last minute. I am from Gulfport, Ms so closeness is really important to me. The fact that all on-campus living had personal bathrooms really attracted me. Now that I am here, I love it. Although, the rainy summers can depress you, it is still a great place to live. Of course, anywhere away from home is a great place to live.

I hope this year is even better than last for all of you and myself included. I look forward to the rest of the semester.