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.

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

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

project 5

project 6

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.

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.

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.

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.

Blog Post #2

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.

Flomaton