Class Reflections

1. I have learned so much, and when it is listed, it looks like even more. I was not even aware of the possibilities of Google Docs, Spreadsheets, and Presentation. The fact that it saves all of your work upon exiting really sold me. I am also a new fan of blogging, podcasting, and videocasting. Our podcasting project was surprisingly fun, and it is a great idea, as is blogging and Comments4Kids, for the classroom.Twitter is also very new for me. I am still learning what all it has to offer. Along with YouTube, Personal Learning Network, and communicating with other students and teachers outside of my region, I have found new ways to use these tools to my advantage. I never knew YouTube could have such helpful and educational videos. This is also the case with iTunes and iTunesU, although I am still not sure if I am a fan of iTunesU yet. I have yet to discover the benefits iTunesU can offer. Adding pictures and images to the blog has been a new lesson for me. I am glad I learned how to do it. Not only will all this help me grow as a professional, but so will ACCESS, ALEX, and Delicious. I will also be able to use Google forms and data bases to keep my classroom organized. If I ever need to refer back to these topics, I can always visit Foliotek. These tools and programs have truly made me more tech literate and will help be better my future school.

2/3. With all of the above been said, I do not think it is anything I would have liked to learn that I didn't. When entering this class, I did not expect to have learned so much. I can only hope to retain everything.

4. To a certain extent, yes, this class did excite me. At times though, I can say it was bit frustrating. With all of this being very new to me, sometimes it felt like it would be to much for me to actually learn from it. This class has taught me how to better manage my time and to only focus on present assignments. I spent most of this semester worried about what was to come next month and this showed itself not to be a good trait.

5. I would say all of the lessons, at first, appeared to be intellectually challenging. This was only because I was afraid of technology and scared of the outcomes. Now I can say I can face some problems with a better attitude.

6. If there was one thing I would change about this course, it would be the workload. It can become a bit challenging when taking 5 other classes.

7. I consider myself to be on a some what good level as far as being technologically literate. It could use much improvement. Now when I sit in front of a computer I am not easily intimidated. I read instructions more carefully and take my time when following them.

8. To improve my skills I will work with programs more often and also try new ones. Any courses that are offered for teachers, I will enroll. I know my technological literacy will determine how smooth my classroom will run. It is up to me to stay moderate.

Goodbye for Now

Wow, I can't believe it is over. I have learned so much from this class and from my classmates. I wish all of you a successful career as an educator. It is up to us to make learning fun and exciting for our students. I hope to one day work with all of you again. I know if we take the many skills we have learned, we will see each other at the top.

Alabama Connecting Classroom, Educators adn Student Statewide (ACCESS)

ACCESS is a program designed to help connect teachers and students to classrooms statewide. The state of Alabama, through this website, provides high quality learning in order to improve student achievement. It is also involving students and teachers in technology. ACCESS also provides educators with the opportunity to participate in online workshops and communicate with other ACCESS teachers. ACCESS appears to be similar to taking online courses here at the University, but with a little more to offer. It is a great tool for adults and high school students alike to further their education, while learning exactly what we are learning in this course: YOU MUST BE TECHNOLOGICALLY LITERATE.
TO CHECK OUT THIS SITE, CLICK HERE

Alabama Learning Exchange (ALEX)

Alex is a resourceful website set up by the state of Alabama to help their educators. It is not only for teachers, but also for students and administrators. ALEX is a tool that allows all aspects of the school to get involved. The first thing to catch my attention on this website was the lesson plan and podcasting sections. For teachers beginning their career, ALEX will be the perfect place for them to start. I am really excited to work with programs like this, for I know I will need as much support as I can get.

I am surprised, but excited, to see a professional learning section on this website. If this class has taught me anything, it has taught me that I can not do this on my own. The more people realize this, the better our education system will become. I am so excited to start expanding my personal and professional learning network. ALEX is a great start for all educators.

My Personal Learning Network

Although my personal learning network is not as big as I would like for it to be, it has grown. At the beginning of the semester I was not even aware of what a personal learning network was. But now I have one and still working to expand it. After taking EDM 310, I have made connections with Dr. John Strange, LaNadia Patrick, and Catherine Bryars. I hope to one day be able to receive professional guidance from Dr. Strange, and share collaborate ideas with LaNadia and Catherine. I also hope to have professional connections with educators outside of the United States. I have always thought it interesting to see how different education is in other countries, or if it was all alike. As I start my career, I hope to gain a huge and helpful learning network.

Project 11

Summary Of Comments4Kids

I really enjoyed participating in Comments4Kids. I think it is a great way to expose children to new things. As a future educator, it was also a learning experience for me.

Doug Johnson's List

1. Thinking technology in schools will go away.- This one mistake that took a personal jab at me. Although I know technology will never leave the school, but only become a much larger aspect, I am hoping it either disappears or my knowledge increases. Many teachers make the mistake of thinking it will disappear instead of educating themselves further.

2. Not supervising compute-using students.-This is why computers in schools have such a big block on them. Our teachers are not doing what it is they need to do. They are allowing students to search a web full of danger freely.

3. Accept the role of co-learner.- When interacting with children, they can almost always tell when you are being honest with them. It is not our jobs as teachers to know everything, but to make sure we learn what we don't know.

4. Creatively find and use resources.- As a high school student I remember having to sit through some of the most boring history classes. After graduating, and still having a passion for the subject, I promised myself that I would always keep my students alert and involved. It is one thing it assign assignments out of a book, but it is another to actually have your students say they have truly learned from your teaching environment.

5. Do not cheat, but remix, re-purpose, and sample other people's work and ideas and give them credit.- Just recently plagiarism has become more of a big deal. With new technology it is much easier for students to use the work of others and not give them credit for it. My first reaction to the increasing numbers of plagiarism was that they do not know exactly what it is they are doing, but after listening to the youth today, I came to the conclusion that they just do not care. It is very sad to have to say this about a generation that will be taking care of me, but this only drives me more to be that one teacher that makes a big difference.

6.Know what you are suppose to be learning, why, and what you will do with the knowledge.-I think the most frequently asked question in schools is "Why do I need to know this"? There has even been charts designed to deal with this question. This only means that students think they are wasting their time learning fluff, and in return, this deters them from ever wanting to further their education. Lowing the rate of this happening in my classroom could ultimately depend on my creative level.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO VIEW DOUG JOHNSON'S LIST
CLICK HERE

At The Teacher's Desk

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This kind of blog gives me a new meaning of what blogging can be. I have never thought of having a blogging community where several people could participate in the post. I am sure all of them find this to be a helpful tool.
The most striking thing on this website is the "Scary Statistics". What sadness me the most is that this is becoming more and more of out reality. When single sex education is spoken of in this context, I found myself being for it. One other thing that stood out was the Fundred Project which allowed students to design a hundred dollar bill in awareness for lead contaminated soil.
This blog can be helpful to all kind of educators. Imagine if every school district made daily post in which they provided creative ways for parents to interact with their children, and also provided teachers with a encouraging word for the day. I would love to see something like this in my future school district.
TO VIEW THIS BLOGCLICK HERE

Toward A New Future Whatever-Michael Wesch

I have never thought about YouTube as being a "movement". After watching that video, I realize how much I actually use the site. Although it is mostly for music video searches, it can also be an educational site. YouTube can not only be used in a classroom as a research tool, but also a learning tool. Helpful videos such as the one just watched can be viewed by a high school class. As an educator, I could encourage my students to upload educational videos. One could definitely expand their learning network with this technique.
Mr. Wesch is not the first person I have heard call my generation narcissistic and vain, but he is the first to explain this claim in a way in which I can understand. With moderate technology, it is so easy for us to get the smallest task accomplished ten times faster than before. With a mind set that things will always come easy, it is not hard to get wrapped up in a narcissistic personality. This lecture is very thought provoking and has me thinking of ways I can turn my negative narcissistic energy into some positive.
TO VIEW MR. WESCH'S VIDEOCLICK HERE

Why is it Important for Students to Post Their Work to Blogs?

Before entering this class, I had never heard of blogging. This new trend is still all new to me. After watching some of the required post for this class, I can better understand some of the benefits of blogging. Blogging in schools can not only expose students to a different was of learning, but also allow them to improve certain skills such as reading and writing. The mundane lessons from a book can become more and more boring for the youth of today. The youth are more involved with hands on activities, and as educators it is our job to keep up. Blogging is a great way of doing exactly that.
TO WATCH THIS BLOG POSTCLICK HERE

Dear Kaia

I think it is great how Mr. Chamberlain is exposing his class to new things. They will all appreciate it in the future, because I am sure this is our future. Kaia's project is beautiful. It is amazing how much children are learning, and they do not even realize it. I can only hope to share this kind of knowledge with my students.
TO VIEW KAIA BLOGCLICK HERE

The New Media Literacies

The skills presented in the video are very helpful. These skill are very relevant to the 21st century and soon we will all have to master judgement, collective intelligence, and etc. I am working on gaining all the skills I need in order to be successful, but as of right now I can say I possess good judgement and I am able to multitask well. In order to acquire these skills, it is imperative that I stay open-minded and keep myself abrupt on current events.

I really enjoyed the special efforts of the video. I am really starting to see how little things can make a project come together. Not only was this a helpful video, but it was well put together. Also, I would think it really helpful we went over some of the skills that were not fully discussed in the video.
TO VIEW THIS VIDEOCLICK HERE

The Networked Student by Wendy Drexler

First I would like to state that this video technique is really cool. Simple but full of great information. One of the first things I learned in college was to network with others and make yourself marketable. This video does a great job of showing just how far one can get by exploring their resources.

This is only my second year in college so I am still learning how to adjust to my surroundings. I believe as I gain experience in the teaching field my network with grow, and along with that I will be able to introduce my students to new ideas. The question as to whether not a networked student needed a teacher was asked, and the answer to that is yes. Both the student and the teacher need each other. Learning can come from both sides of the desk. Teachers can provide that extra professional boost that most students struggle to gain.

I am looking forward to expanding my professional network. I think this class provides a great opportunity for that. Even though the idea of all this is a scary thought, we will greatly appreciate it later.

This Is How We Dream Part 1 and 2.

This Is How We Dream is a very interesting video. It definitely shows how our culture has grown. One day, in the near future, I do believe that we will move away from using textbooks in our classrooms. I do not know how open I am to this change, but it is a realistic possibility. It may even be for the best and help cut down on the cost of publication and print.

I really enjoyed the clip of the Dr. King video. It was said that all of the information was found on the Internet. I never realized how much I used the Internet to do research until now. I can't even remember the last time I went to the library to do research. I would love to use this idea for my next project.

This video speaks about iUniversity. I am still wondering what is it exactly used for. It really seems like a helpful tool if you know how and what to use it for. The programs used in the second video looks so unique. From this class I hope to gain useful knowledge sure as these programs.

"What I've Learned This Year" by Mr. McClung

Wow, I can not wait til my first year of teaching. I'm sure it will be quit an experience. Educators often forget to include the small things and maybe this blog will remind them just how important they are. I agreed one hundred percent with everything discussed. Nothing ever goes the exact way that you plan it and lessons won't be any different. You have to be willing to go off course just a little and take time to understand how your students learn best. Once again, great blog and I look forward to reading more of your blogs!
TO VIEW THIS POSTCLICK HERE

iTunes University

iTunes University is definitely a new concept to me. As strange as the idea of college on iTunes is to me, it seems to be very popular tool. I am not sure if I would ever consider using iTunes University personally or in my classroom. This is not to say that I would not make my students aware of its existence. I guess the question still remains, what is the point?



Although iTunes University does not seem helpful for me, it seems like a great tool for those looking to further their education on the go. Maybe it would be ideal for celebrities. I really would like to learn more because my research did not end with positive results.

Dr. Christie's Website.

First of I would like to say that it is wonderful that Dr. Christie has been in the education field for forty years. This means she has seen a lot of changes in the way education is administered. The site appears to be very helpful. The first link that catch my attention was was on educational technology. This link had several helpful topics, one being Internet safety. It is always important to be aware of the dangers of the Internet, and when using technology in the class room it should be of top priority.

Technology could be introduced into the classroom, as explained on the website, with the use of electronic portfolios. I am actually already use a similar method in one of my classes. It is a very helpful technique, due to the fact that once I began my own teaching career, I will be able to look back and rely on things learned in the classroom. It is also a way to keep my things organized. This website contains a lot of knowledge and can be a great tool for all educators.

When I think it is Ok to Use Wikipedia.

Before middle school I had never heard of Wikipedia. Majority of my teachers have told me to never use Wikipedia as a reliable source. The fact that anyone can edit on Wikipedia has scared off a lot of teachers, and I don't blame them. Therefore, I do not think it is ever acceptable to use Wikipedia. It is just too many people out there that would alter a fact just for the laugh. If a student had a teacher that did not mind the usage of Wikipedia, then that would only be OK for that class. As a rule of thumb, I would say no to Wikipedia unless instructed otherwise by an instructor.

Why the University of South Alabama?

Randy Pausch's Last Lecture

First off I want to say that I enjoyed the lecture overall, but I am not sure what it had to do with the skills we are learning in EDM310. Or maybe I just missed it. Mr. Pausch seems to be a very strong and intelligent man. He made several good quotes and gave many life experiences that people of all ages can learn from. Great presentation.

While listening for the different teaching methods, I was only able to pick up on one. When teaching, you should try to make the difficult task the most fun events. Although, it is important that the concept of being involved in your own learning is not lost. Working in groups is also a very good technique to use. The students involved in his class where actually doing hands on learning, without the expensive textbooks.

Mr. Pausch seemed to have really made an impact on his university. He stated that one can not succeed on their own and I believe he is the kind of professor that is being that "help" that all college students need. He also spoke on never losing site of your childhood dreams. This is GREAT advice. Being a teacher has been a dream of mines since I was in the third grade. I do not know what else it is that I could do with my life.

I am curious to know how Mr. Randy is doing. He would be a great person to chat with on Skype. He seems like a very inspiring person. He could really give us some tips on how to encourage kids to follow their dreams no matter what, exactly as he did. This assignment was a long one, but a great one.
TO VIEW THIS LAST LECTURECLICK HERE

Is It Ok To Be A Technologically Illiterate Teacher?

This really hits home with me. I am by no means proud of the fact that I am technologically illiterate because I am not. I am only 18 and computers and so on are apart of my generation. Your frustration was partly understandable, but I know I am one of those you ask the "depressing questions". Edm 310 is really helping in that area though.

Teachers carry a heavy load, and yes it may be of their last concern to be more technologically literate, but it will be key in the long run. I do not believe that technology is all we need when reaching out to students, as has been the view of so many post and videos reviewed in this class. All together education needs to be updated. Who knows, maybe technology is the ONLY answer.

This is a really good posting and sparked a lot of thought for me. It makes me want to learn even more since I know I am apart of the problem and not the solution.

It's Not About The Technology by Kelly Hines

The four points mention in this post were very true. Education is not a profession for someone who does not enjoy learning. As you get older their will always be new ways of teaching, and just because you learned it a certain way does not mean that a new generation will learn it the same way. Technology is taking over at an alarming rate and as educators we have to be ready for what ever comes our way. We must learn to keep up with the times, because if not money will definitely be wasted.

Wow, I thought I was the only one who felt the way you do about teaching and learning not being the same thing. No matter how much you drill something into some one's head, if they are not captured by the material at first glance then your efforts have been wasted. Sometimes this can be hard to understand, but that is why it is so important to use your resources and find new ways of introducing material. Overall this was a great post. Great job!

Michael Wesch: AVision of Students Today

Some of things in the video did not pertain to me, but to most in my class, it probably will. If i could change one thing about the video, I would make the signs a little neater. Overall it was a great movie and wonderful concept. It is very scary to think how much the classroom in general has limited us. It is true, I never thought about this until entering this class. It kind of scares me to imagine what else I will learn about my so called education.

Not only does this movie represent most college students' lives, but it does it will college students. Sometimes you wonder how can you relate to a story when those involved don't look like they have been through the actual problem. The lecture hall reminded me so much of those here at South. I also liked how when objects were needed to get the point across, they were used. I do not think I could have done a better job, therefore I thought it to be wonderful production.
TO WATCH THIS MOVIECLICK HERE

Intergrating ICT into the MFL classroom.

This video made me more open to the idea of podcast. Because swine flu is going to be on a high this year, podcast are going to be the only easy way to keep students abrupt. It can also serve as a great review tool for students if their teachers use podcasting as a secondary source. I am really starting to lighten up to this idea of technology. What a surprise.

Podcast is also a way to bring some excitement into the class and allow the students to get involved in their own learning. It can be so boring for students to sit in class all day and just listen to lectures. It is my belief that children can teach each other. How can this be done if the teacher is the only one doing all of the projecting? An answer has come.

Comment 4Kids

I think it is so great that these kids are learning early on about technology. They will really appreciate this in the long run. It is also really cool that we get to connect with students half way across the world.

Tech Literate Teachers

The video version of a podcast was much better than just the audio. It kept my attention longer and allowed me to connect faces with voices. It did seem to be kind of scripted though, but this could of just been me. I also totally agreed with every thing that was stated. In order to call yourself tech literate, you do not need to know all the answers, but you do need to know about little things like itunes university. Little videos like this is a great way to get the word out about such programs.

I will take note of the tone of voices and the surrounding backgrounds. I also noticed that the mic was big enough to project every one's voice and did not have to be passed around. Podcasts should be a relaxed environment and not one of very formal behavior. It is always easier to get a more natural conversation that way. Over all, great job!

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.