Bye Bye For Now !!

It has been a fun semester with everyone and learning about everyone. Dr. Strange thanks for sharing all you know with us. All of the information we have learned will be useful until graduation and on and on after graduation. I know there will be new things changing everyday! I am going to try to keep up with you after the class!
Goodbye for now!!!

... and as this semester comes to a close!!!!

1) I have learned a LOT in this class. First things first, BLOGS. If there is anything I learned about it was blogging. I NEVER understood the point until taking this class. I always thought it was useless , pointless, and some people just didn't have anything else better to do!!! I WAS SOOO WRONG. I learned that just one blog post can travel all the way around the world just by people commenting and seeing it and make a difference is many educational minds. I learned that there are several students that are learning to blog and we got the opportunity to boost there learning experience by just a simple comment. There are so many things I could say about blogging but I should move on... there are way too many things to talk about.
Google Docs. Well, I have used that in a separate class and I am sure I will use it many more times to come!!! It was so useful and I had no worries of it not being on my flash drive or the cd not working. All I had to do was save it, pull up the web, and present. I am so glad I was introduced to this tool. I will use it a lot.
Picasa, I was already familiar with picasa because I use it to play around with my pictures. I did not know how to resize a picture until you taught us how. So that was very helpful.
Podcast and Videocast. New, very new to me. I did know that some of the teachers from back home one or two of the younger teachers are using podcast to let the children read off the daily homework. After doing our podcast and having listened to students that are experiencing podcast I think this will be a very helpful tool to use also. I like the idea of videocast because it allows the students to get used to talking "infront" of the camera , and could possible prepare them for future speeches and classroom readings maybe?
The most influential post that I watched was Did You Know... There were so many facts in that video that blew my mind. The ones about how many users are on Facebook and Myspace is amazing. I knew a lot of people used those two networks a lot , but I had no idea that many used them. Also, the children that were singing the Fleetwood Mac song. I really enjoyed that. I just got chills knowing from one video those children got to experience something many won't!
Google Earth blew my computer up. I never got the chance to use it because everytime I tried to open it my computer froze up and wanted to shutdown. YouTube has been popular for a while. Although, I have never used YouTube for educational purposes but from now on I will know that the information is also available on YouTube. I knew iTunes had a lot of different books and what not available for downloading , but I did not know anything about iTunesU. To know that there are classes being held through iTunes is really enlightening. Unless I have just totally misunderstood the entire concept. The world Foliotek scared me at first. I have gone all semester without any clue how to do any of the uploading to certain standards. It scares me to know I have done work all semester and one program that has nothing to really do with the school work can allow me to fail a course. That is scary!!! Thanks Dr. Strange for sitting down with us and walking us through the process to make sure we did everything right. There are some teachers who will not even mention any instructions they will just say call the Foliotek expert. Once I finally figured it out , it really was not that frustrating after all though.

2) I learned a lot in this class that I did not know the day I walked in the door. I would not even know what to mention I would like to learn because I don't know of anything. I would have been a little more interested in how to edit videos. That is about it though. I know how to upload videos but I have no idea how to edit them or any of that. Other than that I am sure we covered so much information there would not have been room for much more during the semester!

3)There is nothing that I ever learn that I wish I didn't learn. Everything we learned this semester will be very helpful in my future classes , and they will also be helpful when I become a teacher.

4) I was never excited about blogging only because I had another class that I had so much busy work to do I just had no time to spend on thinking about things to type up and chat about with other people. I was excited about the skype call to room 10 I think it was . That was a lot of fun to me! I loved being able to talk to children all the was across the world!!!

5) I didn't find anything intellectually challenging. Everything was just mainly time consuming!!!

6)The only time I was bored was when we had to watch the long thirty minute videos to blog on. It just lost my focus and was not important to me!

7) I would only change so many things going on at one time. There were always things added and I got so lost at some points. I probably still did not get it all done. Other than that I enjoyed the class. I would have enjoyed it a lot more if I would have taken it when I was not taking this one other class that kept me emotionally and intellectually drained!!!!

8)I would say I am more technology literate than I was when I walked into the class. I know how to blog , and links and pictures to that blog, I know how to use twitter, I know how to skype, I know how to do podcasts videocast. I would say I am good right now, only because I know how to do these things I am not excellent at doing them. I know there is so much more to learn so I will probably never be top notch tech literate!

9)I will try to keep up with Twitter. I know I will continue to skype. Also, I will keep up with the people that you have introduced to us and keep up with their new ideas at all times. I know I will be practicing more through Google Docs with presentations that I have to do in future classes. I may also continue to blog every now and then just to see if anyone is still watching!
Thanks Dr. Strange!

Seven Stupid Mistakes & 7 Brilliant Things Teachers Do With Technology

I started off with the positive article. The seven brilliant things teachers can do. The first thing he mentions is empower kids with technology. He describes how each student can become better than what they were previously. Each student can be intelligently enhanced by the use of technology. Also, that teachers can be touched by the correct effective use of technology. The second thing he talks about is creatively find and use resources. He basically describes teachers using multiple tools of technology to expand their students learning environments. The third topic is make conferencing real-time. This talks about staying involved with the parents frequently not just during scheduled meetings. The teachers should stay in touch with parents through the use of technology: emails, blogs, phone, and ect. A good teacher should strive to keep the parents involved and let them know how to stay involved without stepping foot into the school. The fourth one is putting kids in touch with the world. He just basically talks about showing the students the world around them. A good example of this would be when we skyped room 10. Those children said hello America and even I got chills. I have never experienced anything like it. I can only imagine the thoughts that would go through a younger students head for a great learning experience. The fifth topic is accept the role of co-leaner. He explains that there will be moments when the teacher is in question. Teachers are also still humans and this world is always changing and there should always be more to learn. This is where we could use our personal learning network to network with other teachers for better ideas or better learning options. The sixth topic is use the kids' own devices to teach them. He explains that the use of what the students are interested in will be the quickest and most interesting way to help those students learn. Use cell phones, iPods, games,and ect. to teach the lessons. The seventh topic is delight in the discovery,the newness,and the fun technology holds. This just explains how using the technology can bring life and fun into learning for the students and even the teacher! Now, on to the seven stupid mistakes! First things first he mentions BACK UP YOUR DATA. I actually learned this the hard way a couple of times in high schools, and I have not forgotten the misery since! Always have an extra copy of your work , there is no telling when something will go wrong. Second mistake, don't use the schools property computer as your own. I think having your own computer to do you personal work on would be the most intellectual route to take anyway. Work computers are always monitored , and as a teacher when you are working it is for the students not for personal benefits (I hope). Third , teachers leaving students unattended while using the computers. Young students are so tech-literate it is amazing. There will be so many ways for them to get around firewalls. Always monitor students will be on the top of my to do list while letting them explore the world around them. Fourth stupid mistake, not being professional with your own technology as a teacher. I will make sure to be very careful after know from him that everything is monitored and will sit on a server somewhere for a very long time. Nothing is ever gone from the clouds! Fifth, don't get set in one way of teaching style. The world is always changing so there for there are opportunities for new learning everyday for the teacher and student. Sixth, a teacher who will not use technology to interest the students as they learn , or use technology as a main learning tool for the students is crazy. I will lean on technology to help me and my students learn daily. Seventh, teachers thinking technology will go away. This will not happen , face it technology is here to stay learn and love it!!!

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PLN

In my Personal Learning Network I am following a lot of names off of your handout. I am following @kellyhines, @jkmcclung, @shutterfly, @karlfisch, and a few more. All have tweets almost all the time . I think Hines will be the most beneficial she is always asking questions for more information and many ideas. I think that twitter will help me to follow lots more people the more I learn about it all. I have not ever used twitter before or looked at it as use for learning. Now that I have been introduced to the idea I know I will have more come from this. I plan to use this in the future for help with school work ideas, and when I become a teacher just like Ms.Hines tweet questions for replies back from anyone with better ideas. I know there will be more and more interesting tweets that will spark ideas for learning to come in the future. I think this is a great tool to dip into or dive into and go with the flow. Thanks for this tool for learning it will be very beneficial now and in the future.

Project 11

This is Sammy and Case and they read Where Do Balloons Go for me to video and present to the class!!!

Comments 4 Kids Summary

In participating in the Comments4kids activity I will be brutally honest. I don't think I finished the last few. All of the ones that I did comment on were very short small sentences or even video or podcasts. I got behind and I will now turn my summary into "How my influence could have made a difference in at least one of those students life." I could never imagine being in grade school and getting comments from the "big kids." I now at the end of the semester have learned that commenting on these young students work or blogs so to say could be a great influence for them, and help them understand how easy and helpful it could be to interact around the world. The children seemed to be interested in doing these activities online. The ones I listened to were great and the few short sentences I read were cute. I am not sure how it helped the kids because I was not in the classroom, and it is very hard to read a sentence that the teacher more than likely gave them to post and be able to understand their understanding. I remember one podcast with the children being very enthusiastic which made me very excited for them because I knew they were learning through interesting interactions. The beginning of this semester I thought to myself that this would be so crazy and frustrating and a joke. WOW was I wrong. To know that there are teachers all over the world that are changing the learning styles and opportunities for the students amazes me. I hope to one day be able to give my students the fun learning opportunities that these students are getting now. Maybe even increase the use of technology. I think that these children that we were able to comment on their work were probably amazed that it really works. I would have been. I can only imagine what kind of boost towards learning through technology it gave the children. I also remember a few that posted pictures as a project. I loved this. I know those children were so excited to be able to put their hard work onto a blog , and then see people all over the world comment on their work. I hope this is a good conclusion on my thoughts for comments4kids. Hopefully one day Dr.Strange I can have my classroom set up and you and your students can show my students the world around them. :) Thank you for sharing your knowledge and ideas for students with us, and also giving us the opportunity to boost other small students learning experience without even stepping foot in the classroom with them!!!

Michael Wesch

I would love to be the teacher that tells her students we will do whatever it takes to get things done. I think that media does shape the world around us. The new generation learns from media. The number of youtube visits and uploads daily is amazing. Although, I love watching youtube. You can access youtube and find almost anything you need. Instructions to a good laugh. The styles of the way people dress are persuaded by media and what the people on TV wear. I think everything is shaped by the things done around us. His talk was very funny. I love the video where Charlie bit his finger ! While I was listening to his talk my dad was sitting near by and he had watched the video of Charlie biting the finger and he said to me "you are watching this for school" and I replied with "yes sir, school is nothing like it was when you were there, technology is school now."

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At The Teachers Desk

The first post about the fundred. I think is an amazing idea to grasps what your students think about putting on a 100 hundred dollar bill. Very expressive activity for students. How to get more visitors to a blog. I think it is funny that on the reply he got it said thanks for trying to help us get no homework. Adding stuff to your blog and getting your ideas out on other blog posts seems like the best way to get your blog visited more often. Also, when he replied you have to give them a reason to keep looking so add blogs at least once a day. Also, the post that he added needing help with probability. Networking works in amazing ways. I think all teachers should have their own network to join. Information grows so fast through networking. People will respond with no hesitation through networking. I love using my updates to get more ideas or information from all of the friends I have in my network. I do agree with putting ourselves out there to show our students and with the comment of "how do we expect students to do it if we aren't." That is very true we have to show our students the helpful ways and show them how harmful and fun it can be to make them understand the importance of using technology. I like change I so agree with the aggrevation of "we have always done things this way." I do believe if you never change routine, then where would we be now? I love that. Wow, 1,346 followers on Twitter. This blog is very popular. So many hits on the map , but he did say it has been the same for three years. All of these blog post are very helpful hints for teachers and future teachers about using technology and how to use it in progressive ways.

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Importance of Posting Student Blogs

This video was amazing. I got chills. The children have beautiful voices , and if they got to sing at the opening of a Fleetwood Mac concert WHAT AN HONOR. With just a post from a teacher these children got to experience something many would never get to do. This is so important. When we had a skype call with room ten the excitement in those childrens eyes to be "talking to America" was very memorable. I think it is amazing that technology can take you around the world in seconds. Kaia's story posted by her father looks as if a growing story shared by many teachers and web viewers all over the world. I am sure she has learned so much by the interactions from her dad with technology. Also, the classrooms that we have left comments on with the students that even only posted one sentence. I think that is amazing that they are learning all of these different things through the classroom setting now. I never even knew how to blog before this class. It is amazing that the children are learning to connect world wide with their education.

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ACCESS

The ACCESS website has a lot more information on each page with not as many useful links as the ALEX website. I think that ACCESS could be very helpful for extending the classroom. There were a lot of ideas that had coming soon under them. So that tells me that the website is growing, as is everything else in technology. I also read where it said this was available for all public high schools, so I am not sure if the website access once you are logged in is only available for only those students and educators. There are a lot of great links under the resources section for different types of learning, a few of those are : Alabama Virtual Library, ALEX, ChemLab, and MathType. There is also a section on the website "technical support" that gives access to many different learning ideas about technology. This website would be helpful for a teacher that needed other information of secondary ideas for students.

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ALEX

ALEX webpage has many different options on the homepage to view and explore. The choices are: course of study, web links, lesson plans, search, personal workspace, personal learning, podcast treasury, and help. Once I started looking through these options I found many helpful things that help teachers and parents and students to stay on task. I first looked under course of study. This includes K-12 course of study (objectives) in all subjects. The web links option had educational links that are there for students, administration, and teachers. The lessons plan option is just to help access different lessons plans, you can do your own or get a model from ALEX. Search is just to be able to search the ALEX database for helpful information. Then under personal workspace is where you can log into the website to be able to submit lesson plans and access more information through ALEX. Professional learning is where you can access many different websites for enhancing lessons and many other great tools for teaching. The podcast treasury is a place to access many educational podcast I assume to learn from or maybe even share with your classrooms. The ALEX website seems to be very helpful with organizing and continue learning throughout your teaching career! CLICK HERE

Singing Hearts

I love this story that he is putting out to the world about his daughter. The main thing that came to mind with me was his concern of privacy. I think holding the children back is a huge mistake. I totally agreed with Mr. Chamberlain's comment. I think that there are so many ways to turn off the "stalking" "harassment" "paranoia" with networking that it is amazing. I think the use of technology and the way a three year old and her dad's story have touched many teachers across the world is incredible ! I have really never thought about privacy issues. The worry of privacy has been so covered by all of the great things that can fall into place by using technology. I am sure there are many parents that will have issues with these sort of activities, but there will be so many positive points to make to hopefully sway that parent into not worrying. Also, I am not sure about the book he keeps referring to , but whatever book it is I think every parent to every child should have one and read it. I know the talk has been technology is wonderful, but that is interacting with the world with your students. I have noticed that many kids over the generations have gone from "if you don't do your homework you can't go outside and play this afternoon" to "if you don't do your homework you can't play your PSP this afternoon." It bugs me so bad to see children outside on a beautiful day sitting in a swing playing a hand held video game. That is strictly my opinion. I think the non educational video games are killing the minds of young children. I think more parents should spend more time allowing their children to play outside and learn about the sunset, the way the clouds and stars work, the reasons why this flower only grows in this sort of weather, rather than sitting inside with no interaction with anything but a gaming screen. I know that may be way off topic , but when I saw that he mentioned spending time outside learning with Kaia that sparked my idea of kids spending all extra time on the playstation, or DS , or PSP.

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Dear Kaia : This, This, That

This video was too cute! I loved that he told her that you can look at the most ugly things and make them beautiful in some way. She sounded very proud of her pictures. I think it is amazing how young she is and so interactive with technology already. I never knew about computers, videos, photography, ect. at such a young age. All parents should expose there children to the beauty of the Earth and surroundings in the younger years. Even though she did not call everything they took pictures of by name , I am sure it was still a great learning experience for her. I could apply this learning with my students with letting them have a chance at each taking a picture and describing what they feel about it and put it all into a video. The more interactive the students are given a chance to be the more they will learn.

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Mr. C's Class Blogs

I really could not hear all of the children and what they said. I like the way each student has an opportunity to say something in the voicethread and video. I read that Kaia's father skyped the class and I think that is a wonderful way to bring interaction to a classroom. The students telling him thank you for the skype visit and the pictures was amazing. Like I previously said I could not hear all of the students clearly, which was something that lost my focus. I was thinking about ideas today using materials learned in your class , and having parents that are able to have skype and interact with their childrens classroom would be a huge help. I think that these videos and learning from people all over the world will better educate the students and make them more interested in learning.

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New Media Literacies Project

Well, I found the video I just watched several times! I also read that it is a project teaching young kids/students about social skills and understanding different cultures. Also, this is an international project. Then I also found a lot of information on all of the applications they are taking and for what positions. I could not find anything else. All the information I found was all repetitive.

The New Media Literacies by The NML Staff

Wow, to start off that video was not helpful to someone that has a hard time concentrating! The colors and all of the movement made me focus on all the cool effects rather than what they were saying. I do think that these ideas are 21st century ideas. After learning the things about some websites that have been altered in very bias ways. I think understanding and be able to understand if the sources are reliable is a very important thing to know before putting all trust into information you might be acquiring. I think that these skills can be learned by experience using the internet. Learning from feedback from others on the cites. All of my ideas of how to learn these skills would come from experience!CLICK HERE

The Networked Student by Wendy Drexler

This was very cool. It really reminded me of an overlook of Dr. Strange's class. I did listen to the question at the end. I was thinking during the video this is really sounding like what is even important about having a teacher. Then I remembered without the teacher teaching the students how to do and get involved with all of these things there would be no knowledge of all the resources across the web. A teacher is still important , the main thing about technology is there is so much more information and easier access for the teacher and students and parents to connect with one another and the world. I am not too sure I am fully educated on all of the great sources to use online to teach students about yet, but I will stay updated on all of the things I have learned about in Dr. Strange's class. So therefore I will eventually be ready to teach my students. I love the fact that you can have access to some of the nations best professors through Itunes. There are so many wide range of educational tools through the web now it is amazing!click here

This Is How We Dream Part 1 & 2

This was very interesting. I had a very hard time keeping focus, but I learned that technology is the most popular form of learning now. There are so many different things and skills you can learn to be beneficial in the classroom with computers and online. The fact that he wrote an entire research article on violence in schools , and he never went to the library is amazing. Although, I have been at USA for a year and a half now , and I could not tell you where the library is. I do believe that multimedia writing is growing rapidly , and the way the younger generation is learning about technology they will be able to do this. Multimedia learning and writing will be the easiest and most interesting way to keep the kids into learning. I think that it is a great idea to take everything that was once used as hard copies on paper and using strictly online sources to find these things is easier and much more helpful. A younger student would much rather turn on the computer and do an assignment than write it on paper or go to the library and check out books. That is just the way things are in today's society and today's learning.

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

This article was the BEST. I have learned so much from him in one sitting. His article spoke so much to me. Every idea he gave was a great one. I'll start from the bottom and go to the top with the ones that were my main focus. Never stop learning. I think that's something that every teacher needs to know. As the generations change different kids know and are interested in different things. We need to learn more about everything at all times. We need to learn any new ways of teaching, ways of presenting lessons , ect. Also, knowing the students very well. I really thought that quote was awesome from one of his kids. I want to be that teacher that every student feels like it is just fine to come to me. There were many teachers I was so terrified to discuss issues with , because they were so intimidating. Also, that there is no perfect plan. The fact of not getting upset when what you thought would be great for the kids blows up in your face; just keep going with a smile on your face. A very important idea is making sure your lessons are student centered. Overall, I have learned it is all about the students and never forget that.

WIRED STORY

I have always relied on Wikipedia , ALWAYS. I have really learned new information while reading this article. I do not see how it is possible for this to be legitimate information we are trying to access, when there are anonymous people editing the information to fit their own personal "needs". I have never looked up things like Wal-Mart before , but that shocked me to find out that to benefit their business they altered parts of information. After reading this article it makes me wonder... How many other websites have been altered by "anonymous" people to benefit their business or themselves?

Practice

Randy Pausch

I listened to this video and only a few ideas caught my eye! He used several quotes that are some of my favorites. I also like the fact that he mentioned "fake learning." I like that idea. He explained it by teaching them what they want to learn with like a hidden lesson. Teach them what interest them , but they will also learn something else while doing something they enjoy. Also, one quote I like was " experience is what you get when you didn't get what you want." I have the quote on my Facebook. I like that idea. He has a very nice sense of humor. I liked that he explained his childhood goals. The NFL was a hilarious story. I was sort of lost on the point of this video. I felt like I got more of his life story. I like the video on "Zero Gravity." Very funny. Also, "loyalty is a two way street", that is a wonderful idea. He is really down to Earth and knows the philosophy of life for sure. I do not have a lot to write about , because I really did not learn anything from this video. I heard a lot about his life and funny stories of him trying to get into college. I really did not learn much at all from this video.

My Love for Photography

Blog Post 4 part four

Karl Fisch : Is It Okay To Be A Technologically Illiterate Teacher?
I liked his blog. I do believe that if you do not know anything about computers or anything at all about the internet or even how to work the things. Maybe you should keep your mouth closed . I like that he is so set on the fact that the higher advance in the use of technology in the classroom could very well benefit the students and teachers learning. I believe that with using technology there are so many more options of creative learning for the students. I remember things from random classes and the main things I remember are when the teacher made a fun game out of learning things. Because at that point I was interested because I was not just sitting in my desk listening to someone speak. I just really agree that technology should be a priority for teachers to learn more about. After all, all teachers are always looking for new ways to make their job fun and ways for children to understand. I do believe that using more and more technology in the classroom would be a success.

BLOG POST 4 part three

I really am confused about this --- it does not say to post a blog but yet it says only to add to the wiki if I wanted to . I do not know if I am supposed to blog on this or not .

POST 4 part two

IT'S NOT ABOUT THE TECHNOLOGY BY KELLY HINES
I was bored by this blog really. I enjoyed her opinion and really agreed with a lot she had to say. I do agree that technology is great , but yet the teacher still has to teach . I also do agree that teacher should be learners at all times. I think that is one main thing when becoming a teacher always look for new things to learn from your students. Also, liked that if a student has not learned anything a teacher has not taught anything. Although, with the rate kids are learning now everything they know is dealing with technology . I have talked to many teachers for previous assignments and all teacher have said " you have to find what interest your students and find out what to teach through that." Technology happens to be a very popular thing right now with children. Although, the point of the teacher has to understand what she is teaching and do her best to teach the children before they can learn.

Blog Post 4 part one

Michael Wesch: A Vision of Students Today
This movie really caught my attention. I have not yet experienced the large classroom like one sign said "I have an average of 115 students per class" and the other that said a low percentage of professors know her by name. I chose USA for this reason because it is not a huge school. Although, I have heard in the foundation classes the class size can be rather large. I see it happen everyday that there are people that actually pay for classes and never come to school, that is crazy to me. Also, the Facebook idea it is true most of the time if there is a laptop on Facebook is open. Most young adult,s like me, are more familiar and more interested in technology rather than lecture and chalkboard. As far as what would I have done differently. I am not sure that I would have done anything different. I was slightly confused on the main point. Although , every sign that was held up made since. I really liked the music behind the video.

BLOG POST 3 part two

Langwitches Blog Podcasting with Third Grade
I listened to the first podcast on this page Endangered and Threatened Animals in the State of Florida/USA . The first thing I learned right from the start is these third graders are a lot more experienced with speaking to the world. These children were great! Very outgoing kids that made this podcast very interesting with their enthusiasm. Also, I learned do not get too close to the microphone! I also liked the animal sounds in between each child speaking added cool effects to the podcast. Another thing I noticed from the podcast is even if you are reading a clip do not let the podcast listeners know you are reading it from a clip. The children that talked with enthusiasm and quicker without skipping their voices were a lot easier to listen to. These third graders are very intelligent children , and they also sounded as if they really enjoyed making this podcast!

BLOG POST 3 part one

TECH LITERATE TEACHER
I would start by saying I think that this video cast was good. I do think to make this better the answers to the questions should have been more interesting , instead of a basic answer. Sometimes they answered the questions with opinion to spark a conversation which was more interesting. If it is a video cast that we will be doing the first thing I would do to make it better is take Kitty's (sp) approach with having her notes in her lap rather than on the table. Also, another thing one or two of them did was every time a question was asked they looked at their papers and looked like they were reading straight from the paper. I would also be a little more prepared for a conversation rather than a strict question answer meeting. A conversation that is more of a conversation keeps focus of many a lot better than strictly one question one answer . Although, majority of the time the girls did a good job of keeping on subject , but interesting answers.

BLOG POST - WEEK 2

The first podcast I listened to in SMARTBoard was Teachers Connecting 11: Year End Ideas by Ben Hazzord. I was shocked. I have heard the word podcast before and just assumed it was a video of some kind. Then when it came up I realized it was just a discussion with only sound. Wow! I am way behind in time! The music in the intro was a great idea. I just feel like it should have stopped once he started talking. Also, this discussion was between two people in two totally different areas; that was neat to me! The podcast sort of reminded me of a radio interview between a caller and the radio host, but when Joan fixed her audio the sound got a lot better. I also had a problem with the conversation being a little off subject, for example when they started to talk about the "Obama cookies." That is fine though I guess there needs to be a moment of opening up to get ready for discussion. Also, the random music sort of through me off focus a lot during the podcast.




The second podcast I listened to was KidCast 62: Some Thoughts On Video Podcasting. I am not one hundred percent familiar with exactly what the motive of a podcast is, but here he is talking about making video podcast. So far I have understood a podcast being just audio no visual guidance. If you turn a podcast into a video podcast would that not just be a new video? I expected more than one person talking. I honestly enjoyed the one on one conversation better than this personal speech from him. I sort of felt like I had stepped into a classroom during this podcast. I realize it is really hard to keep attention of others while you are only speaking ,and that is all the person is seeing or hearing is the computer screen and your voice. Although, I do agree with him when he mentioned the idea of kids being able to think more about the way they look or having to look into a camera rather than just speaking. Also, he explained that he does realize it's easier to keep the attention of the viewers with a video rather than just audio, and I do agree with that idea.




The third podcast I watched was MacBreak Weekly 155: When You're Ready to Compromise , Call Me. I honestly stayed lost during the time I listened to this podcast. Maybe if I had any idea what they were talking about I could have kept right up with the information they were sharing. I know they are very educated with apple technology. I am not. I do enjoy the one on one podcast a lot better than I do the single person speech.



The forth podcast I listened to was Teachers Teaching Teachers 161 - Summer Special: Submitting your own Docs, Templates, Japan, and Digital Storytelling. This podcast was under EdTechTalk. This podcast had multiple speakers having a conversation back and forth, and they stayed on topic better than the other three I listened to today. The intro was very brief and to the point. Then they went straight into the topics. Everything they talked about in this podcast is everything that we are going to be learning about in EDM 310 this semester. They explained teachers using the google docs and all of the options in google for the teachers to help track the students progress over the year. This was a very interesting podcast and mainly the best one I listened to , as far as keeping my focus.

BLOG POST 1

I am Amanda Reed. I have been at USA for a year now majoring in Elementary education. I am a very outgoing but shy girl. I love sports. I played softball from age six to eighteen. My sports ended the year after I graduated due to surgery. I love to take pictures. I have my camera with me everywhere I go! I am an only child , and I only have one grandfather left in my life. I love my family and friends.
I try my best to stay away from people with negative attitudes. I love to be around happy , nice, well-mannered people. I am terrified of asking questions in front of a lot of people. I am very insecure. Well maybe that's enough about me for now.



Did You Know 3.0 by Karl Fisch
This video was very interesting. I knew that technology was used on a daily basis by millions of people , but the stats on this video proved that I had underestimated the use of the internet. I learned that technology is a growing tool that will change our world within the next few years.
I was very shocked about how many users Myspace has in its network. Also, was interested in the stat about how much can change within three years in college. I then realized that about my time in college. The first year I started there were things I did , that now are so much easier through the computer.


Mr. Winkle Wakes by Matthew Needleman
Mr. Winkle Wakes is a great video that is so true. The entire world uses machines , computers , i pods, and more to learn. Whereas, in most school systems the teaches only use a chalkboard. There are some schools, or at least one I know of, that the teacher uses podcast to post the homework assignments.
I think that when more schools start using the many options of technology more kids will be more interested in learning. I took the story as while the world is progressing , the school system is staying the same as it has always been. I think that it should be the other way around. The schools she be using the best tools that is offered. The students would learn so much better with access to the world through technology.


Sir Ken Robinson: The Importance of Creativity
Sir Ken Robinson has a great sense of humor. I do agree that creativity is a very important aspect of our lives. Sir Robinson was right about creativity being educated out of the students as they get older. Once the students reach seventh grade arts are then an extra class that you can take if you want to. I think that it should be a requirement to have arts in school k-12. Art is an activity that keeps creativity alive. To do arts you have to be creative. Learning is so much easier when it is done through creative ideas.
I have never realized the importance of creativity until watching this video. He emphasizes the importance of keeping creativity in the classrooms and minds of students. I also liked how in the beginning of the video he mentioned that all kids have talent. I realize all kids have talent it is just letting the kids know they have talent and keeping the opportunity to learn more about their talent in school.


Vicki Davis: Harness Your Students' Digital Smart

This video was a great eye opener for me to actually see a classroom full of computers that is not a lab. The students were doing stuff I know nothing about. Also, the interaction between the students was amazing.
Mrs. Davis seemed like she is a caring teacher that wants her kids to learn. She seems very involved with web pages to help her students blog with other students all over the world. I believe if all classroom settings were changed to that set up there would be lower drop out rates and higher numbers in graduating classes.

Amanda Reed's Blog

Hi everyone!! I have just recently finished my page. I am welcoming everyone to my page!! I hope you enjoy!