Comments4 Kids

I just blogged with Yasir. He is a student at Bluford Elementary School. He described his trip to the art gallery and what was most exciting for him. He enjoyed taking pictures with the statue, a play that they watched, and the scavenger hunt.

If you would like to view the blog at Bluford Elementary school click here.

Dear Kaia

First of all I am completely surprised at the distance a father's curiosity has traveled. He went outside with his daughter, Kaia, after reading a book about the "The Last Child In The Woods" to take photographs. These were then posted on their blog page for family and friends to enjoy and suddenly he is skyping with a class in rural Missouri. The Internet never ceases to amaze me. It is a truly powerful tool.

I did read the post by Kaia's Dad on his concerns of posting pictures of his daughter on the Internet. I do agree with Mr. Chamberlain, this is a chance that we take, but all we have to do if we ever feel uncomfortable is block the page and turn the computer off.

This entire ensemble of events is a great example of how we can learn from anyone, anywhere in the world. I love the fact that Mr. Chamberlain's students made a video for Kaia and her father skyped with his class to answer their questions. This was everyone learning together.

If you would like to view Kaia's blog click here.

Comments 4 kids- Jenna

I read a post written by a student named Jenna in Mr. Goerend's class. She informed everyone about I.A.L.A.C.D. If you didn't know this is International Act Like A Clown Day. This day is on June 12th. If you would like to view this class blog click here.

New Media Skills

The new media skills that were covered on the Utube video were interesting to think about. I can remember when my cousin next door got their first computer in the early 80's. It was a DOS based system and we thought it was so advanced. I really had no idea how computers would later integrate and become part of my daily life.

I use my own judgement daily as to how I will be part of the wide world of media. I am an avid user of many media skills. I think that we have to be great at multitasking in todays technilogical society. If not how will we be able to function at school, in the workplace, or for that matter in the world.

I certainly do not possess all of the new media skills that were spoken about in the video. I probably don't possess any of them to their fullest potential. I am learning everyday and becoming more and more comfortable in our media driven society. I really like being able to have anything thing that I want to know right at my fingertips.

Blogging with 5th graders

I just finished blogging with a 5th grader in Ms. Hudson's class. My student loves pug dogs. I told him/ her about my dog Lucy. Lucy is a boxer and she is a very hyper dog. She is a great family dog.

This Is How We Dream

The possibilities in writing with media are endless. It is almost overwhelming to think of where to begin. Every part of history is available to us via video. We can give our students the ability and free reign to be creative. To express themselves and what they have learned in a video collaboration.

I can't even imagine the many different interpretations that a teacher would get back from her students on one simple topic of discussion. Students today are very interested in media in any form. I think that this is a way of holding their attention and keeping their interest. They will certainly learn so much more if they are an active participant in the collaboration of information and not just memorizing for a written fill in the blank test.

To view his video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHvoBPjhsBA

Wendy Drexler

I love the idea of connectivism. I think that this is the new way of learning. As educators we need to be prepared to teach our students how to navigate in the world of technology. We need to prepare them for their future and how to grab hold of all of the possibilities and tools that are available for them to use.

I really think that the presentation done was simple yet, effective. It was very captivating even thought it was straight forward. The timing was long enough to hold the viewers attention yet short enough not to lose their interest.

Duke University and ipod experiment

Duke University stepped out on a limb and gave 1600 of their freshman students ipod's in 2004. They were doing an experiment to determine the impact that having easy accessibility to lectures would make on their students. They in turn encourage the instructors to utilize the ipod's in five major categories. These categories were: 1) As a course content tool 2)Classroom recording tool 3) Field recording tool 4) study support tool 5) File storage and transfer.

The students and faculty identified the benefits of ipod usage for higher learning as a convenience to learn, flexibility in learning, effective and an easy tool, enhanced student engagement and interest in class discussion, and enhanced support for individual learning.

I was not surprised at all by the findings and benefits of ipod usage by faculty and students. I think that the way students are going to learn in the future is constantly changing and I commend Duke for being one of the first institutions of higher learning to prove this for us.

iTunes U, Education

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

iTunes U, Education

View more presentations from David Hopkins.

iTunes U could be such a great tool for a teacher if all of his or her students have access to a computer or ipod at home. If this is the case the students could listen to and watch lectures previously recorded via podcast or video cast. I know that I personally would listen to lectures for my "burp back" information classes in which memorization is required to pass the class if I could download them onto my ipod and then listen to them while I run in the mornings.

If students don't have access to a computer or ipod at home a teacher could bring the technology to the students in the classroom and download podcast or videocast lectures or topics covering material being learned in the classroom. It would be a refreshing change for the students to hear another teacher from another country teach them their lesson that day. I certainly think it would mix things up a little in the classroom and keep the students interested.

Dr. Christie's Website

I would definitely utilize the section on GPS and Geo caching from Dr. Christie's website. I want to teach 4th or 5th graders and I think that they are ready for this technology. There are many local areas in Mobile that have Geo caching sites and could possibly be chosen as a field trip. If not we could have our own Geo caching search with GPS locator's.

I think that her website and its links would help me in my explanation of how the satellites circling the earth work and how we use GPS to locate the Geocach. Here at South Alabama I learned to Geocach in my Geography lab and loved it. I had never heard of it until then and have now found several local sites and state parks that are "Geocach ready". It is like a technology based scavenger hunt and who doesn't love technology and scavenger hunts.

What I've Learned This Year

I read the blog by Mr. McClung and really enjoyed it. The part that seemed most important to me was when he wrote about listening to your students. I think that this is so important. If we listen and learn about our students we will be able to meet them where they are and bring them to where we want them to go. Also, like he stated, if they don't reach our expectations, that's ok too. It is important to pick them up, dust them off, and keep encouraging them.

Mr. McClung's Blogspot:
http://is.gd/2c012

Wikipedia

Wow, I was shocked to find out the truth or should I say "not so true" facts about Wikipedia. I had no idea that Wikipedia could be altered by someone not associated with the website. I really thought that it was like any other textbook encyclopedia. I have even used it's information in many of my own papers for school. I had no idea that I could be using false and misleading information. I have always loved Wikipedia because I have thought of it as the truth at my fingertips. I guess I didn't realize how unsafe it is to use it. I think that the only way that this could be changed is if they revamp the system to be changed and updated by specialist within their company. They should be the only one's able to alter the information on the website. This is the only way that the information obtained could be trusted as truth.

Comments 4 Kids 1st Graders

This week I commented on the blog post of a first grader named Evan. His blog was about his Grandfathers dog. He is learning to read and write. His teacher is doing such a good job by letting him type first and then going back and typing his words for him. I think that this a great way for him to learn technology and feel comfortable using a computer and blogging from an early age. I am sure that these kids are very excited to read their blogs from college students every week.

Class Presentation

The Last Lecture

I did not find it hard at all to sit through this lecture. It was very inspirational and educational at the same time. The most inspiring aspect is that he is teaching life lessons along with teaching how to teach and inspire others. It is so important to realize how his life lessons can be applied to my journey in life as an educator.
I think that Randy was very driven and determined to make his mark on the world. In doing this he left behind ALICE and I am sure many more lessons learned. His story will go down in history as one of the most influential and biggest examples of how to achieve your goals by doing what is right.
Some of the "one liners" that he shared from his mentor and peers were priceless. I think that they certainly will be used in classrooms around the world. His started so many new ideas and had the drive to follow through with his dreams by turning them into realities. I can honestly say that I will appreciate Disney Quest so much more next time I am there with my children.
The programs that were started and the people that he influenced to push their abilities to the next level will forever influence technology and the way that we see things today and tomorrow.
He reiterated at the end how much fun his life had been and how he had always had fun doing what he loved. This is a lesson that so many people need. For starters, he realized his goals and dreams from a young age. He persevered did his time climbing the ladder to achieve the goals and dreams set by himself. I was again re inspired by him throughout this lecture. I have seen and heard his lectures on several occasions and he never ceases to inspire me. I know that the way children are learning about technology today and tomorrow would not be the same if it weren't for the hard work of Randy Pausch.

Karl Fisch and the Fischbowl

I got really tickled when I was reading his blog on being a technically literate teacher. He is really passionate about it and it shows. Although, some of his thoughts could be thought of as being a little extreme, he makes very valid points. How can we expect our students to learn what we don't know. I really related with his thoughts on being computer illiterate and how society thinks that this is ok. Well it is not ok, people who don't know how to maneuver around in the world of technology are going to be really lost very soon. They really should already be lost, but they are somehow getting by. I know so many people who refuse to learn how to make their lives so much easier by using technology. I think that the world will just eventually force them to learn otherwise they will not be able to function in our society.

A Vision of Students Today

This video was pretty accurate for my college experience. Even when I went to a smaller college 13 years ago, most of my instructors did not know my name. I can say that I tend to give more effort to a class when the instructor calls on me by name and acknowledges my work. Everyone likes to be recognized for their effort.
I also think that we have to multitask in today's society because their are simply not enough hours in the day. For students like myself, it is certainly a challenge. I am not only a student, but a wife, and mom of 4. This makes keeping up with school work a challenge. I can't say that I always get 7 hours of sleep. I have to work late in the evenings to get my studying and school work done. This is a reality for many students at South.

Podcast Feeds and Information

I had no idea that there was so much teaching information on iTunes. I use iTunes on a regular basis. I did not realize how much information is out there for educators. It is great to have all of this information and resources right at my fingertips. It is so easy to access.
I am really beginning to contemplate the material that I want to present as part of my Podcast. I want in to be relevant to other students and educators. I want to bring information that will help other educators who have the same ideas and outlook as I do.

Comments on Last Year's Podcast

I was really surprised to be listening to a Podcast on iTunes from South Alabama. It was a great introduction to what I need to be thinking about and working on. I am going to have to do more research to have enough factual information. I want my Podcast to be interesting and relevant.
I am thinking about doing a Podcast on how to integrate classroom studies and technology. This would be all of the required subjects and how to implement teaching strategies along with technology. This would follow along with the comments4kids that we watched. I would love for my own children to be introduced to blogger and be comfortable talking via video. I know myself that it will be a challenge for me to feel comfortable and confident while doing my Podcast.

Comments4Kids

I really enjoyed watching the videos of the kids and their accounts of the characters from the stories. I think that it is so great that they are experiencing technology at such a young age. I really wished that my kids did this kind of thing at their schools here in Mobile.