Sunday, July 17, 2011

Project 16

Our EDM 310 Collaborative Story
Told Through our Memolane Timeline
Clemente Brooks, Paige Ellis, and Krissy Mennicucci

All because of the vast information attainable by visiting Twitter on a regular basis, we were led to, “One of the most widely read how-to blogs in the world,”  Digital Inspiration.  Scanning the blog, we stumbled upon the headline, Create a Timeline from your Online Social Life.  Our first thought was that this could potentially replace the sometimes unpredictable Timetoast Timeline currently used in EDM 310.  We knew that Dr. Strange had been seeking other options, but after exploring the Memolane website, we realized that it was not what we first thought the site could offer, it was not a replacement...it was BETTER!  Memolane won us over instantly with its ease of use, collaborative possibilities, and organization.  It is not bad looking either!
In mutual agreement, we decided to focus our final project on sharing Memolane with you.  Keep in mind that Memolane is an “infant” in the world of social media and similar programs.  Setting up our accounts was sinfully easy, but becoming friends took A LOT of patience!  Kudos to the support team at Memolane.  Within two hours of submitting a request for help, we were contacted and then assured by a friendly and competent staffer that she would do whatever she could to fix the issue at hand.  Later, after we had finished our timeline and were anxious to embed it into our blogs, we asked for help again.  Just like the first time, a fast response was received with everything we needed to know about embedding our finished project into our blogs.  It worked!
So what is the big deal about this cool tool?  View the short Memolane video embedded below, and then explore our collaborative story of our time in EDM 310.  Here’s what others are saying too...

"Memolane, though, takes the cake. You’ll see photos, checkins, tweets, status messages. Even TripIt airport checkins. All in a unique timeline and you can look back pretty far." - Robert Scoble
"If someone plotted out your life over the past five or so years, what would it look like? What if you could revisit every comment you've posted, every tweet, every photo you've uploaded or was tagged in, and recall every expression of the ups and downs you've made on the Net...all on a single timeline?  Memolane is a Web app that makes walking down memory lane visually interactive and borderline effortless. It extracts each moment you've shared with your online accounts from popular services such as Facebook, Last.fm, Twitter, Foursquare, and more and combines them into one visual timeline." - Eddie Cho
"Beyond just recalling good times (or the name of that restaurant that you ate at last month) Memolane also enables users to collaborate on shareable “stories” by selecting posts from their timelines to create a scrapbook-like timeline for an event or topic." - Sarah Kessler

How can it be used in EDM 310, at home, or in your classroom?  We have a few ideas that we will share with you during our presentation on Thursday, but would love to hear your ideas or suggestions.  Leave us a comment, and if yours is one that we have not thought about, we will share it as well.

Finally, Thanks for the Memories Dr. Strange, staff, and students of EDM 310! - Clemente, Paige, and Krissy


Thursday, July 14, 2011

Blog Post 14

Pseudoteaching: MIT Physics by Frank Noschese
What is pseudoteaching? This term came about from the concept of pseudocontext which sought to find examples of textbook problems. After reading many of the pseudocontext post John Burke and Frank Noschese came up with the idea of pseudoyteaching. Defined as; something you realize you're doing after you've attempted a lesson which from the outset looks like it should result in student learning but upon further reflection you realize that the very lesson itself was flawed and involved minimal learning.
Professor Walter Lewin gave a physic lecture full of energy, dynamic delivery and instruction. The only problem was he did all the talking with the students just listening. With only listening the students learned nothing. This is what we have in schools today. Teachers operate class on the Hidden Contract. Under this concept students sit quietly, write down everything the teacher puts on the board, memorize notes and review sheets for the exam. Students who break this contract by coming to class late or failing to memorize materials are called troublemakers.
We must become better teachers by allowing the students to be creative and bring their ideas to class. Students learn by doing not by becoming robotic and following orders which makes the student rebel against the establishment. School has to be fun and exciting for all students.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Comments For Teacher #4

The teacher I will summarize is Pernille Ripp who is a great educator and offers valuable information to all who read her blogs. I will read her blogs often to gain information as need sort of Professional Development for free. Pernille has no problem offering good advice and sharing with the learning community. Thanks to EDM 310 I have found a new social network to gain information that I never knew existed.
10 Tips For A Better Interview
On this blog Pernille discussed 10 tips for having a positive interview. One would think they can interview without any help. This blog let me know I had a lot to learn about interviewing and to never think you know it all. We will all need a job and the more prepared you are the better and more confident you will be.
So You Want To Integrate Technology
This blog discussed ways to integrate technology into your class and most important not to become frustrated if things don't go as planned because technology will offer surprises. We must learn to let the computers work for us and not just for games or a typewriter. Be creative with students using web cams, skype or blogs all ways to gain students interest. Teachers beware we must keep pace with training for technology as we must be able to operate the devices our students will have access to.

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Blog Post 13

Top[ 10 Tips For Using Technology by Jose Picardo

These tips are exactly in line with the technological knowledge we are gaining from EDM 310 this summer. This is an exciting and fascinating summer for me as I find myself doing much better than I expected. I was so afraid of technology at the beginning but now I am having a much better experience. Technology is essential to the learning environment in the 21st Century and teachers must be ready to adapt and embrace the change. We must be open-minded and realize that this change is for the betterment of our children and our country as a whole.
These 10 tips for using technology in the classroom are positive and is a template for teachers to begin on this new classroom. I will not list all ten of the tips as this is not necessary, I will list the two that stood out to me as new and try to tell why they are important to me.
Tip #2, Use Music More Often
This was a surprising tip as most teachers and administrators won't let students discuss music in class. Teachers and administrators only want to teach from the books under the desk. There is a golden opportunity to teach students and learn from your students with a lesson on music. The students could bring some music they like to school and do a report on it, followed by a classroom discussion. This is a great way to include cultures and would get involvement from the students. We must begin to build on what the students bring to school with them: Ideas, Cultures, and Life Experiences of our students are important to them and must be important enough for teachers to take time and listen.
Make The Most Of Pupils' Gadgets
As teachers we should make the most of gadgets students have. We may not let them bring the gadgets to school but when we hear them discuss them we should listen. If it is something we could include in our class discussions we should get permission and allow it in our class discussion. This would let the students know you care and can adjust to any teaching moment when it presents itself. We have to become more open to new ideas and new avenues to teaching. The classroom should be a place the students are eager to be and eager to participate in all aspects of the learning environment. Teachers ,must open up, change our traditional ways and teach to the Networked Student of the 21st Century.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Project 15 Book Trailer

Blog Post 12







1. Watch the video: "Transforming Low Income Schools". Write a post in which you discuss the concept of Playworks, how it helped the students and what you feel a program like this does for the educational environment.

2. Watch the video: "Would The Obama's Send Their Children To Your School". The author poses questions about schools and teachers that are essential to a good school. Answer three of the questions asked in the video. Follow the requirements in Writing A Quality Blog Post.

Transforming Low Income Schools
This video is from Paine Elementary School in Italy, California. The school developed a concept called Playworks, where teachers and student coaches went out with the students at recess and help them learn ways to communicate better during recess. Before Playworks there were numerous discipline problems on the playground that carried over into the classroom. There are interviews with students and a teacher that states the benefits of this new Program.

Would The Obama's Send Their Children To Your School?
This video poses questions about schools that are essential to a good school environment. Do Your Teachers Care? Do Teachers Have High Expectations? these are just two of many I thought were great and must have answers.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Project 13

How To Add A Picture


For unknown reasons this movie will not play in chrome but will play in Safari and FireFox.
To watch my movie, Click Here

Blog Post 11

Little Kids Big Potential
Mrs. Cassidy's classroom is a busy place where the students are excited to attend and learn. The children ca't wait for time to go to class as was clearly displayed by the excitement in her class. Mrs. Cassidsy's approach was engagement fully with what interested the student and enticed learning. I heard the comment from Mrs. Cassidy that I thought was so true with technology. We must keep the students "powered up" when they come to school which will keep them eager to learn. The kids have computers at home and use them daily so when they come to school technology must be there to keep them powered up and not a book stuck in their face and information packed in their heads, only to be burped up for the test.
Mrs. Cassidy used technology in a way that all teachers should. You should seek support from administrators to help get technology to the forefront of the learning experience. Blogging was received well by the kids and excited them to see people responded to their blogs. The kids used WIKI's, Skype, their Nintendo DS's, and many more technological devices in class. The kids learned to be better problem solvers, learned to share and learned better writing skills all using technology in the classroom
I plan to be innovative and use technology in my classroom whenever possible. This brings more engagement and excitement for teachers and students. Blogging will be my tool of choice as this will foster writing skills and will be exciting when the responses come in. A problem I might encounter may be some parents for whatever reason may not want their child to be on a computer. Where I live in a Bible Belt Community I have heard some parents say computers are from the devil and they won't let their child use them. I hope when I send permission slips home for computer access this doesn't happen. Technology is so crucial to life and must be implemented or "Our Children Will Be Left Behind".

Sunday, July 3, 2011

C4T

Comment 1
Dr. Ripp discussed the 10 Tips For A Better Interview, which I thought were very important to new teachers. This blog stressed points I never thought would be a part of an interview. After reading the post every point listed are very important and all new teachers need to visit this blog. We thing we know everything but it is always good to research anything you want to achieve to be better prepared. I thought tip #2 Be Relevant was a surprise to me. This meant to take artifacts to the interview, such as some piece3 of history of the school or a school mascot. This will le administrators of the school know you did your homework.

Comment 2
We Say It Is All About The Kids
All teachers express this daily. I do it for the kids or it is all about the kids. This comes out of our mouth and soon as we get in the classroom we go to yelling and issuing harsh punishment. You praise the kids with one breath and the same instance we bring fear to the classroom. If we're in it for the kids we need to act like it. We should listen to the kids and incorporate ways to get student involvement in the entire educational process.
Mrs. Ripp is a great person and has valuable information in her blogs. OI have learned a lot from the blogs and will continue to reach out to her blogs for knowledge.

Special Assignment 2

Kahn Academy on the Gates Notes by Kahn Academy 62,714,665 lessons delivered
Kahn Academy is a learning experience sponsored by Bill Gates. This video was narrated by Sal Kahn founder of the academy where there are 1,800 lessons, 24,000,000 views and a faculty of one. This is clearly the power of technology and what learning will be in the 21st Century. There are instructions in all subjects from Math to Science with detailed instructions. The materials is broke down in lectures where the students can work at their own pace. If a math teacher has a lesson to present she could access the Kahn Academy's site and let Mr. Kahn explain the lesson giving the students a different voice and approach to the lesson. The lesson could be stopped if students have a problem or rewound if a point is missed. This site is dynamic for teachers and has unlimited potential for instructions. This site surprised me to what is accessible via internet and the type of instruction is available for teachers.
Apple-iTunes, Learn Anything, Anytime, Anywhere
This is an innovative way to get educational content into the hands of students. This content covers lectures, language lessons, films, labs, etc. iTunes U is a fascinating way for teachers to get their students motivated about the learning process.
The way iTunes works is that your institution creates it's own iTunes U by downloading and choosing it's own password and stating whether it wants public or private access. You could even choose some lessons to be public and others can be private thus making the experience flexible. iTunes U is accessible to students with disabilities. For the vision-impaired iTunes U works with voiceOver. Students with physical or motor skills iTunes U brings the classroom to them. This allows the student to learn at their own pace in a more comfortable setting. iTunes U can be downloaded directly to iPhones or iPod Touch making it available anytime and anywhere.
This was a very exciting concept to learning and will benefit teachers tremendously in the future. it is a shame we are not involved in this technology now as some countries are ahead of us. iTunes U offers a wealth of knowledge at the touch of a finger. iTunes U offers: Local Control with Global Reach, Fosters Lifelong Learning, and Creates an Extended Community. All exceptional qualities of a great education.
TED; Ideas Worth Spreading
TED is a nonprofit devoted to ideas worth spreading. TED was started in 1984 as a conference of the worlds most fascinating thinkers and doers to give lectures in 18 minutes or less, these lectures are in many different languages making them available to all. TED believes in the power of ideas to change lives, attitudes, and ultimately the world. There is a $100,000 prize awarded annually to an exceptional individual. This is a social network where everyone learns from one another. Listening to others especially well endowed minds can stimulate positive change in others.
I didn't get much from this site only that students could listen to ideas from others and dream to maybe be a well endowed mind also.
To sum up this assignment I was surprised by what is available to teachers and students but administrators are yet to implement these in our schools. This will soon be mandatory to schools as technology will continue to improve and be in demand. Teachers need to stay abreast with evolving technology and be ready when it reaches our classrooms.

Blog Post 9

What I Learned This Year by Mr. McClung
Checking for student comprehension has to be there forget the Peer Assessment if we teach to the student and do a good job the assessment will definitely be good.
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This is very important to the students experience in the class. There will be many times we will have to adjust to the students. Teachable Moments will present themselves and we must take advantage of them.
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Communication is a key aspect in teaching as we will be required to engage in numerous discussions as professionals.
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What I Learned This Year by Mr. McClung


I will set lofty goals for my students and expect them to reach for them. When they reach high they won't miss their goals by much. Some may even reach them. I will take a great attempt any day and be reasonable with the students who miss.
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I am so afraid of this technology effect but I am the type to try. The more I work in EDM 310 (Dr. Strange) the more positive and comfortable I get.
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We must listen to students as most teachers don't. They label their students disruptive or failures when all they need to do is listen. This is a major part of our job because we too can learn.
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We must continue to train and learn for our professional development. The world is faster than it has ever been with students coming to class already computer literate. We must keep up so maintain an appropriate level of knowledge.
This was a great blog filled with first hand experience by a first year teacher. Thank You Mr. McClung.

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Special Assignment 1

I didn't know there was such a site as WolframAlpha or Google Squared. These are two wonderful sites that can be helpful but one must know what they want to research.
China's population is 43.69 times larger than the United States and India's population is 39.16 times higher than the United States. China's total population is 1.35 billion, India's population is 1.21 billion while the U.S. population is 309 million.
The facts in Do You Know are startling. I hate to know we are so far behind in technology and don't push administrators to place more value on technology in schools. We need to keep up or we will have to catch up.

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Blog Post # 10

Do You Teach To Educate ? by Joshua Bloom
I chose to become an Education Major because I love children. I have sat around long enough a watched from the sidelines as to how students are labeled, mistreated, and eventually thrown out of school only to go into the Criminal Justice System only to cost us much more than if we teach them from an early that they are someone special. Stop with the phrases that they will never be nothing or they will end up in jail because everyone in their family has. We must love to see a positive difference in a child and get self satisfaction that we have made a difference. I know the job won't be easy and children can be difficult but we must use everything we have learned to help us be the best teachers we can.
To teach is to go to work give the students a book, cut the top of their heads off and stuff them with information and burp them up for the test. To educate is to enlighten, inspire, and empower. Educators are one who gives you intellectual, moral and social skills. Educators care about the whole person. So let's be educators and not teachers.
Don't Let Them Take The Pencils Home by Tom Johnson
I don't know if I took this blog the wrong way or not but it really struck a nerve. This message sounded so familiar as this is the way I've been treated all my entire life when it comes to education. I work very hard to do the best I can and this labeling reaches me and I do more than just play with a pencil I actually study or use the pencil other than playing hang man. There are students who are capable of doing well in school but teachers come to class daily with this pre-conceived notion that low-income students are low achievers. This is

wrong. You can teach with this attitude but you will never become an educator. You must embrace the entire person and do your job as a teacher to produce a productive student one you would be proud of.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Project #12 Skype Interview

Project 11

Project # 10 Personal Learning Network


My Personal Learning Network is small but very important to my learning experience. With the 21st Century Learners desperately needing to use technology daily we must have a network of information ans individuals to see and share information with constantly. My first and foremost contacts that I will always rely on is my Summer 2011 EDM 310 Class Bloggers. This group of classmates and colleagues will be important for life. The computer lab at USA has been very helpful in my learning experience especially Dr. Strange (strange.john@gmail.com) and Allie (alliealligator@gmail.com). These will be lifelong partners in my Personal Learning Network as they have been a wealth of knowledge this summer. YouTube has been a site that has been very useful with the videos that are readily assessable. You can also make videos yourself and communicate with others from around the world. I had a ball with this site as this was unknown to me before now. Twitter is a communication tool that let you communicate in real time with anyone in the world. I have President Obama in my twitter account which is unreal. Who would have ever known of getting information from the President? Technology is great and must be used by teachers as well as students. These are some of the people and [places where I have chosen to share my Personal Learning Network. I will continue to develop this network as I familiarize myself with technology.

Project 9a

Project 9b

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Blog Post 8

This Is How We Dream by Dr. Richard E. Miller

There has never been a better moment for people who take reading and writing seriously. Books are online and are much cheaper, no more pencils, paper, or libraries. We carry our computers everywhere we go to gather much more information and at a faster pace. You can write reports without even going to a library or even opening a book. Dr. Miller discussed incremental vs. fundamental changes with more emphasis on incremental changes.
Incremental changes are sharing knowledge, collaborating work with images and print. These changes make learning exciting and students feel more involved with the entire process.
Part 2 of this presentation stressed that ideas belong as a culture instead of individually. Students can can compose with the web itself not only writing but with pictures and images to make the presentation more compelling. There is no way to teach this new writing it must be invented. This will happen with teachers that are interested in this new idea and not with traditional teaching. The goals of this technology is to articulate dreams and share with others.
The Chipper Series is a great use of video that excites students to learning. If you would do this with students they would be excited to see themselves on camera and their involvement with be more engaging. Interaction with the teacher would be more meaningful as Chipper and Dr. Strange were examples of student-teacher involvement.
The use of video could be used as a tool to help parents receive information. A incident of discipline could be made between student and principal. This could be viewed by a parent online if the parent has to work and can't make it to school.
The blog post #12 by Carley was a perfect example of using media in the way Dr. Miller discussed in "This Is How We Dream." One student was in Jackson and the other in Mobile an hour away doing a class assignment. This is why technology must be used in education as the kids are using it already.
Learn To Change
In this video the US Commerce Department ranked bindustries and education ranked below coal mining which is unacceptable.There is a more rich society outside of school than in school with the use of technology. Most technology is banned in schools like facebook and texting.
This new learning will start with the teachers.

Teachers must have a place to learn and exchange information. If we simply apply standards through testing and books, the jobs kids will have don't relate to a test. Students will have to be artistic, synthesis, teamwork, multicultural, and multilingual.
There is a much different education model than we were raised in. This is a very exciting time to learn.

Blog Post #7

Achieving Your Childhood Dream by: Randy Pausch

The author was discussing his childhood dreams and how he went about achieving them, lessons learned and enabling dreams of others. His dreams were to be in zero gravity, playing in the NFL, being Captain Kirk, etc. These were dreams as a child which he really thought he could reach and he set out to reach them but soon found pout they may not be possible.
Here is where we come into the discussion. We all have dreams, you must dream or you are dead. Dreamers become successful!!! Dreaming is similar to goal setting. You must have a direction and a purpose. There is nothing wrong with dreaming big, the bigger the dream the harder you will work. As the speaker stated you may not reach your dreams but you have a purpose you're aiming for and if you don't reach it you will have self satisfaction that you gave it your best shot.
Enabling the dreams of others occured when the speaker met William Shatner who played Captain Kirk. Shatner was interested in the project Pausch was involved thus Shatner enabled the dream of Pausch. This can be accomplished by me at some point in my career as I may play a small role in the dream of my students.
I have childhood dreams that I continue to strive to reach and I never give up. Continue to dream and work hard to make them realities. Whenever possible or when presented the chance enable the dreams of others do so. Dreams are important do not destroy them.

Project 8

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Blog Post 6

The Networked Student by Wendy Drexler

Why does the networked student even need a teacher? They really don't need a teacher and in most cases the student knows more than the teacher. These students shares and creates blogs, responds to podcasts from other students and create blogs about what they learn. This is "connected learning." connected learners share info via computers for other students to learn. The networked student is fascinated with computers, knows how to use them and only need the teacher for certain skills. Networked students need teachers to learn how to use the information they find. How to use or differentiate between good and bad info. How to build networks and how to manage info. All these skills will be needed in 21st Century Learning. So, yes the networked student will need a teacher. The question is will you be prepared to be a teacher of a networked student?

A 7th Graders Personal Learning Environment or PLN

A 7th graders PLN is a exciting experience for a young student to experience. It is much more than learning has been in the past. These students have much more freedom of how and when to do their work. In the past students were told simply to do their work NOW!! There was no freedom to be creative at all.
In this PLN the student You don't need a pencil or paper. They find information on the online and put it on their personal page. Students know how to use a goggle account to post info or even create a blog.
In this PLN students must learn to be responsible as they can get sidetracked with the enormous amount of info available. These are areas where the teacher will be needed to monitor students as there are sites that are hazardous to a students mind.

Two Critiques of Smart Boards

Why Smart Boards Are A Dumb Initiative by Michael Stanton

Smart boards are a waste as they are a replica of the chalkboard. The teacher stands in front of class, writes and points to material for an entire class. Smart boards are siomply an expensive chalkboard.
Administrators can justify more money in the budget because of the expensive purchase of a smart board. They look good in class but little for learning.

Why I Hate Interactive White Boards by Bill Ferriter

Bill calls the white board a high priced contraption. The purchase of white boards are a total waste of money. This money can be put back into the schools.
You have these good looking expensive contraptions in the classroom which never get any use. Teachers continue to use the chalk board because they haven't been trained and don't know how to use them.

Friday, June 17, 2011

Blog Post 5

The Benefits of Podcasting In The Classroom by Harry Dell

Podcasting is a very exciting way for students to interact and learn for one another. We are teaching a new generation of students and we need to get ready for a rude awakening. We have got to pick up the pace of our learning especially of technology or don't feel bad when we have to ask our students for help.
This new student is referred to as the Millineums who are fascinated with technology. These students come to class with prior knowledge and many hours of using technology on their own. Podcast are used in classes and will become very popular in the future.
Some benefits of podcast are: Students focus on higher levels of Blooms Taxonomy using innovation and creativity, If a student is out sick they can view a podcast to view the lecture and study material. Therefore podcast are critical to 21st Century Learning.

Podcast Collection by Judy Scharf

Podcast enable information to be shared with millions of people via the internet. The term podcast is a cross between broadcast a ipod, which I thought was very interesting. Students love to use podcasting with the ability to share what they have learned with others.
The you tube video on How to Create a Podcast was interesting and helpful. The speaker talked too fast but had valuable information on creating a podcast.

Langwitches

This was a group of first graders who read a book and recorded their thoughts creating their own read along book. This made me feel bad that I am having so much trouble with EDM 310 and these young children are having a ball with technology. When the students saw what they created it made them more curious and their little minds began to explore.
As I go along in this course and try to do my projects and activities I become curious and want to take more chances with my computer. I have to remember that taking chances are okay but always save your information.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Blog Post 4




Don't Teach Your Kids This Stuff Please by Scott McLeod

I don't agree with Dr. McLeod simply because he is wrong. I once thought he may be correct being from a small country town where everyone thinks small. Almost all the citizens are old and share Dr. McLeod's views because they are afraid of change. This type of thinking (technology is evil, keep it from your children) is oppressive, holds one back from excelling and maintains prehistoric thoughts. We must engage in and promote new technology or we will be asking other countries for food, shelter and clothing. You better believe that every country in the world has their kids on a technological path to success.

My Comment To Dr. McLeod

Dr. McLeod needs to wake up, get on the bus or get run over by it because the technological bus is at the station and ready to depart to a destination our children must seek to reach. We must teach our children to use technology in order to stay competitive in society.

Scott McLeod, J.D, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Educational Administration program at Iowa State University. He has received numerous awards for technology leadership work. Dr. McLeod is widely recognized as one of the nations leading academic experts on K-12 school technology leadership issues.

The iSchool Initiative

Does technology belong in our classrooms? Is iSchool the future have a place in our educational system? Travis promotes the use of the itouch instead of paper and pencil. I agree with hoim but we must educate teachers to use this technology. Most teachers today are older (waiting to enter the Drop Program) or simply lazy (they're tenured) and don't feel the need to learn about computers. I personally believe they are afraid to know less than their students.
Travis, new technology is needed in our schools to show other countries that we are intelligent and can compete in this 21st Century where you get right or get left out of the race to the top. The strongest point of all I received was the impact the use of itouch has on the environment. The use of this technology would eliminate the need for paper, pencils, plastic binders, etc. If we don't help save our environment, iSchools, eSchool or traditional schools will do us no good because we won't have a world in which to live.

You Can't Be My Teacher by Darren Cannell

This video was hilarious and very true. I sympathize with the little fellow. You can't possibly be my teacher if you expect to give me a book, cut the top of my head off, cram it full of information and burp me for the test. Students are stuffed into a desk, given a book while the teacher sits and goes to sleep only to awake when the bell sounds. "You Can't Possibly Be My Teacher." Can you use a computer? Have you been on Facebook or Twitter? What can you possibly teach me that will help me in this 21st Century high-tech age of learning? Are you preparing me for the world I am about to enter? That's Your Job.
Teachers let get on the ball. Little Darren was correct we have to relate to our students. Their goals, needs and future desires are ours to help them attain. Let's use the knowledge gained in EDM 310 and show these little ones that we are ready to be their teacher.

Virtual Choir by Eric Whitacre

This was the most dramatic use of the internet I have ever witnessed. This clearly shows what smarts and the use of technology can do. I actually saw this on channel 5. People and administrators always try to justify not using technology because of cost. This display of talent was dramatic and saved tons of money. All these students were assembled without the cost of travel, lodging, and time simply with the use of technology.
Eric has to be very intelligent because this was unheard of before this display of talent and expertise. Just image how many Eric's there are out there seeking a chance to display their talents. Teachers we need to promote the thoughts our students bring to class instead of feeling threatened because they have a idea we can't conceive.

Teaching In The 21st Century by Kevin Roberts

Teaching in the 21st Century requires creativity, and adjusting to the tools at our disposal. Long gone are the days of books and chalkboards. Children are engaging and seeking tools we never imagined would be used in education. Teachers and books are no longer the only sources of information for students. Curriculum is not only about facts and content.
Teachers, books, and curriculum are still important aspects of an education but computers are moving in to replace and speed up the access to information. Students can find limitless amounts of information and faster than ever before with technology.
We have to teach them what to do with this information when they find it. Things like validate, synthesis, communicate, and problem solving are skills the teacher can relay to students that go along with the vast amount of computer knowledge they have. Let the students be creative, sit back and watch we may even learn something from them.
If we don't teach them somebody else will and what they learn may not be good for their education or society. Our charge is to provide meaningful and powerful engagement. So let's be creative, take risks, collaborate and help become good teachers in the 21st century.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Blog Post 3


A Vision of Students Today by Michael Wesch

This was a vision of students that has to be changed. I see why we as Americans are so far behind other countries when it comes to education. American classrooms are designed to cut the top of your head off stuff it with outdated information and burp you up on test date. Teachers walk in the classroom, goes directly to the chalkboard and begin to fill you with information. The teacher walks in the room and asks all students to pull out their books, define all the words at the end of the chapter. You will be tested on all words Friday.
This vision of students must change or we will soon be at the mercy of any country that will feed us. It is up to teachers especially EDM 310 to get out there, use the tools of this course to effectively help students come out of the dark ages and enter the technological era at hand.
Classrooms today use information that is limited to textbooks and chalkboards. Think of what students miss when with a compiuter at the touch of a button there is unlimited information avaoilable. Most assignments given in class are not relevant to what the student will experience 4 years from now when they graduate.
We didn't create the problems but they are our problems and we must try to fix them.

It's Not About Technology by Kelly W. Hines

Ms. Hines express that it's not about technology the main focus is that teachers must learn WHAT!!!!! Teachers need to learn , are you crazy we know everything. This might be what a teacher conversation might sound like. In all actually teachers have a lot to learn and it is a continuing process. We need to learn of the different cultures and social issues that students face in order to help. Students bring many problems to the classroom that affects their learning. Technology is useless if the teacher knows little or nothing about it. Just sitting in class playing Solitaire is not using a computer.

It's Okay To Be Technologically Illiterate

Principals should be held accountable for technological illiterate teachers. They are on the front lines with the ability to evaluate teacher performances. In the 19th Century one could get by without technology but it's getting harder and harder. By the end of the next decade you won't make it without knowing and using technology.
In order to teach the use of modern technology you must be able to use it. Thanks to EDM 310, I may not be the best but will have some working knowledge of technology. Students catch on to technology very easy and teachers can learn from the students if we learn to be creative and adjust with the students. It's okay to be a technologically illiterate teacher but know it and work to learn more.

Gary's Social Media by Gary P. Hayes

This was a very unusual but true exhibit of social medias count rising by the seconds. I didn't say by the day or hour, but by the second. Social media has captured the fascination of people all over the world. From face book to twitter to gmail, social media is used more than one goes to the toilet with diarrhea. Teachers, Political Leaders and others in leadership positions need to accept this and get on or get left.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Blog Post #2

beautifulwater

Did You Know by Karl Fisch and Scott McLeod

This was a feature of the fast pace and importance of technology in today's society. It is imperative that we as a society get on the train or get left at the station concerning technology. Technological advancements are happening faster than the speed of sound. " The number of text messages in a day exceeds the population of the planet. In 1984 the number of internet devices was 1,000, in 2008 it was 1,000,000,000. There are 200 million registered users on My Space." These are only a few facts from the video that clearly shows the speed of technology that we must try to keep pace with.
Japan has successfully tested a fiber optic cable that pushes 14 trillion bits of information per second down a single strand of fiber. The Town of Flomaton, where I live recently passed on a opportunity to get broadband cable installed on the towns right of way and chose not to. Our Suprentendent of Utilities chose not to because, who would repair it when problems occurred. This was a golden opportunity lost due to lack of knowledge. So what does this mean? Teachers must learn to use technology or we can't possibly help students attain a quality education

Mr Winkle Wakes by Matthew Needleman

Mr. Winkle woke up from a 100 year sleep to see this technological age we experience today. When he went to sleep the world was completely different. Upon awakening everything was much different. One thing remained the same. Mr. Winkle liked school before he went to sleep and computers were introduced but not used. When he woke and went to school he saw a dusty computer in the class, some things are still the same.

The Importance of Creativity by Sir Ken Robinson

Creativity must be treated the same as literacy. Ken said that schools kill creativity. We are educating children for something we can't see because of the fast pace of change. The purpose of education today is to produce professors who use their bodies to transport their heads when all professions are important. The garbage man is as important as the doctor. If the garbage was not there to pick up garbage it would pile up on the doctor. Nobody knows what God looks like, the little girl with her creativity said wait a few minutes I will show you what he looks like.
We are experiencing this process of academic inflation. A Bachelors Degree is held by so many people now that it is comp[arable to a high school diploma. You must have a PHD to even start to distinguish yourself. I agree with the three myths of creativity: 1. Only certain people are creative. 2. Creativity is about certain things. 3. You're born creative or you're not.

Celia Gault

This article stated that one should travel to increase our cultural intelligence. I truly agree because my travels from the projects to The University of South Alabama to experience the students clearly enhances my cultural intelligence. My friends often call me snoody when I'm still the same person with an education.
We can help the Celia Gault's in our class by continuing our education to stay current with technological changes and good educational practices. We have to it's our job, we should love it or leave it.

Harness Your Students Digital Smarts by Vicki Davis

Vicki was the IT Instructor at a rural Georgia school who was very creative with her approach to teaching. She customized her class to fit the students ability and needs, changing on the go. Vicki believed every child could learn with pencil and paper but only a few would. Teachers don't know everything we can learn from our students.
Students in this class blogged with students from around the world. This is unheard of in Flomaton. Blogging has excited me and I will take it back to the students. We should be creative to get students interest and they will work harder in return. Students must be empowered to help one another.

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Blog Post 1

     I am a genuine good ole boy from a small country town of 1,800; Flomaton,Al.  I have been held down my entire life, full of potential but lacking knowledge to release the energy.  I have worked with young children in my community for 30 years.  I refuse to stand by and watch them underachieve.  My passion is to get my degree in Elementary Education and help all people reach their full potential.  People have a tendency to listen if the speaker is credible.  I coach youth league basketball at Flomaton Elementary School for the past 20 years and enjoy every minute of this as I get to see young men and women surprise themselves.  I see young people believe in themselves when by excelling in athletics.  This interaction with young people led me to enter USA and teach youth through elementary education. 
     I am a single parent of a 15 year-old son who I love very much.  Whats so special about my son is that his mother was killed in a car accident when he was 6.  His name is Denarius and is a very respectful young man who the teachers love.  He is working at the high school this summer and is very excited.  He plays every sport and I have never missed a game.  
     I am active in the town of Flomaton.  I am a City Councilman for 12 years, up for reelection this year.  I am president of the booster club and have youth activities throughout the year.  I love my small town and want to get my masters degree and teach our youth.  

Practice Post

This is a practice Post