Friday, February 25, 2011

Blog #6



#1 - This type of study is like independent study, with the teacher directing the student to find the real sources of information rather than just finding opinions and speculation. This allows the student to chart their own path of learning. Making the student more active in the entire learning process, from deciding the topics of learning, to finding the methods of learning, to ultimately learning what is of interest to them.

While the students appears to be teaching themselves, the role of the instructor is vital. The instructor is needed as a guide, a mentor, a definitive source of factual information. The instructor is also editor of the information that the student will be posting in their own blogs and RSS feeds related to the subject matter.

By the students use of RSS feeds and blogs, they are able to share the knowledge they have acquired with the world. When future students web search topics, they will return results of the former students information. Thus leaving a footprint for future generations to follow across the internet.






#2 - My PLN is organized by week, while this students is organized by subject matter. She has included not only those subjects related to study topics, but also personal interest such as Facebook and favorite music and video sites. My PLN is subject specific, while her's is used for all of the classes she is currently taking.



#3 - Staton and Ferriter seem to be of the mindset that the instructor should no longer stand in front of the students, rather they should be among the students while they teach. However, Ledesma is still the kind of instructor that views being in front of the class, giving a lecture and providing examples as the best method of teaching. Both make good arguments for their views of the use or lack of use, of Interactive White Boards (IWB). Staton and Ferriter argue that IWB's are simply a waste of money and that there are other less expensive methods for getting information to the students; citing the use of existing computer stations, which not all schools have. In contrast, Ledesma provides three excellent points showing how IWB's can be effectively and efficiently used to pass information along to not only students, but also their parents without the need of in classroom computers, which are far more expensive than IWB's.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Blog #5



I was amazed by how much research and time the 3rd grades put into their podcast. They did an amazing job at making the subject both entertaining and interesting. I learned that changing your tone of voice can help with getting your feelings across to the listener.



From this video I learned the many way that a podcast can help in the classroom. I learn that it could be beneficial to students who miss class and parents that wish to know what their children are learning about.


100 Ways to Use Your iPod to Learn and Study Better
http://www.bspcn.com/2008/02/16/100-ways-to-use-your-ipod-to-learn-and-study-better/

From this link I learned that there are a lot more education Ipod Apps then i knew of. When I think of Ipod Apps, I think of games, music, and navigation systems. I believe that the Ipod will be a very important and innovative tools for students in the future.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Blog #2

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1. I feel that the statement “for students starting a 4 year technical degree this mean that half of what they learn in their first year of study will be outdated by their third year of study” in the “Did You Know” clip is very true. the internet is changing constantly and so it the technology around it. When i was in elementary school i would have never dreamed that by my freshmen year or college I would have a cell phone with a touch screen(not a car phone), a laptop with a touch screen(not a desk top), or am Ipod with a touch screen.
But the difference between my generation and my mothers is that i grew up with these items and I’m am starting to understand this idea of knowledge being outdated. But who will understand it more than me are the generations that are yet to come. As I said before, in elementary school i would have never dreamed of all this touch screen stuff, but my cousin who is 8 shows me how to work items on my Ipod all the time. She can send emails and surf the web way before I was able too.




2. The video, “Mr. Winkle Wakes”, is a very eye opening movie. In elementary school, I don’t believe any of of my teachers had a computer. The only computers I remember is the ones in the library. In fact, the first computer I saw was at my house. I had a computer at home for about 5 years before I every saw one actually in the classroom. It wasn’t until middle school that my school provided one computer lab with only about ten computers in it.
Once I was in high school, It became a different story. My freshmen and sophomore year I took a computer class but it was all about word and typing; the class wasn’t helpful at all. But my senior year, the school system built a brand new high school which was every technologically savvy. There were flat screens on the wall. Teachers were using smart boards and computers in the classroom all the time. I feel that my school system, slowly but surely, is stepping out of the box and trying to incorporate as much technology as the budget will allow.


Ken Robinson says schools kill creativity | Video on TED.com


3. I do not feel that schools are killing creativity. I went to Hewitt-Trussville and I feel like Hewitt did the exact opposite. At Hewitt, you were part of the “in-crowd” if you were involved in art, choir, theatre, photography, or things of that nature. We were encouraged to me innovative and creative. It was a good thing to be a little different and to think different ways.
But maybe there are schools out there that are not this way. If there are, I strongly encourage them not to be. I had a much better high school experience because i didn’t feel like that were trying to turn me into something they wanted me to be. I was taught to be myself and use my creativity in ways that others wouldn’t have thought of.




4. I agree that schools and teachers should become more technically savvy and should find ways incorporate it no matter what subject they teach. Technology can be a useful tool no matter what subject or teach








5. I feel that a class like the one that Ms. Vicki teaches would have been a much more informative class than the computer class i took in high school. Mine was all about Microsoft, but Vicki's is almost the same as my EDM310 class. I think it would help keep students up to date in technology.
I also believe it would help all students, not just future teachers. It also help with collaborating with other students. It connects you with the world from just a seat in the classroom. I agree with Vicki when she states that this helps to create a better classroom.

Project #9a

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Project #5

Blog #3

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1. I feel that this video captures my college experience exactly. I feel like just a number in almost every single one of my classes. I have no self motivation to go to class because i feel that my teachers wouldn't even notice if i was absent. I am also one of the many students that buy books for every class that I don't even end up using.
I also believe that many students feel the same way about not having enough hours in the day. I feel stressed and worried all the time trying to balance work, school, home work, and extra curricular activities. In order to get everything done you must be a multi-tasker, and when doing that you cant focus on two things at once. I don't feel that i should have to take "core" classes because that is what high school is for. College should be all about my major, not about putting students in debt.

2. I agree with this article. So many teachers stick to only pencil and paper and forget about the changing world around them. Technology is an essential tool that I feel so many teachers are taking advantage of. Teachers discourage the use of laptops in the classroom by banning them from schools completely. But I feel do not fill that teachers should force it on students either. Teachers should in courage students to think outside the box and figure out problems using their own tools, whether is a textbook, a website, or collaborating with classmates.

3. I do not believe that teachers should be technologically illiterate, even though, many of these teachers have been out of school for a while and their not use to teaching with technology. Some do not even know how to use Google Docs or even know of Gmail. It should possibly be the administration's responsibility to provide optional classes over the summer for teachers that will educate their staff about the importance of using technology in the classroom. Some people will not go out of their way to learn how to use technology, but if schools provide their teachers with programs where they can learn how to incorporate technology in the classroom, then their students might be more willing to learn.





4. This means that technology is moving so fast and expanding so rapidly, that by the time I retire from teaching, if I haven't not incorporated technology, I would be so far behind it would even be funny.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Wordle

Summary Post C4T#1 (posts 1 and 2)

In John Spencer's latest blog, "Avoid Social Networking", an HR representative told the staff during a staff meeting that, from now on, they must stay away from social networking with students. This included activities such as: coaching community leagues, speaking outside of school, and the use of online social networking sites. in response to Mr. Spencer's post, i commented and said, "I have had teachers in high school with Facebook accounts, and it has been a big help. It is an easy way to get in touch with them and ask for help when needed. I think social networking sites are a great tool for the classroom."

In Mr. Spencer's blog, "Image", he talks about many different spins on the word "imagination" and states, "We have always been image-based. It's just that the tools change in how we express imagination." I responded by commenting and saying, "Hello, I am also a student in Dr, Strange's EDM 310 class. I agree completely with the statement, "It's just that the tools change in how we express imagination." People today are coming up with new inventions and such all the time, all of which come from people's imaginations. They use different technics and tools to follow through with and express their ideas."

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Blog #1

Hi, my name is Brittany Mitchell. I moved down to South Alabama from Trussville, Alabama, where I lived my whole life with my grandparents. After graduating from Hewitt-Trussville High School, I attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham, which I found too small. After searching for what seemed like forever, I found the perfect school for me. The University of South Alabama, which offers an AMAZING education program.

I chose education because I love being around kids and seeing the excitement on their faces after accomplishing something they though they never would. Children have always been a part of my life through teaching Sunday school classes and teaching swim lessons at the local YMCA. I currently spend most of my afternoons during the week helping a six-year-old with her home-school work load.

I also enjoy interior design. I rearrange my room and re-paint at least twice a year. I love all the different fabrics, colors, and styles.