Blog Post 4

Benefits of Podcasting is the Classroom was a great video to help those who do not know exactly what Podcasting is and how it can be used in the classroom. Dough Sanders explains several great benefits of Podcasting. There are three in particular that would be a very good reason as to why I would use it in my classroom.
1. Promotes creativity and innovation
2. Students can access the higher order thinking skills in Bloom's taxonomy
3. Parents can see and hear what their children are doing at school

In Judy Scharf's Podcast Collection, she too also describes what a Podcast is. If you are still wondering what it is, it is a new method of communication allowing anyone to create audio files and post them to the Internet for others to download and listen to at any time.

I really enjoyed the ExemplaryPodcast1 found on her page. The students did a audio Podcast describing the digestive system. I could really tell that the students enjoyed making the productions by their creative approach and technology skills used in it. It was engaging for me and I'm sure that it was perceived that way from their peers. With that being said I feel that when students create the Podcast and share them with friends, it also shows peer-to-peer learning. We all know that students learn from their peers and Podcasting is another way to allow the students to do that.

Listening-Comprehension-Podcasting
This site was quite similar to the others, however, it did stress more emphasis on using Podcast to give language learners the opportunity to practice using the words and sentences. I also like the idea of using the Garageband, which is a software to create podcast. Garageband allowed the students to individually record sentences from a story out of sequence. Once it was complete, students where able to display the audio files on a Smartboard and arrange the audio files in order according to the story they read. As a former teacher, sequencing a story is an important skill to learn. Using the podcast would add a creative and fun touch to teaching the skill.

One of the most basic and powerful ways to increase student motivation to learn, write, and communicate is to makes it relevant to them. In today's students, technology is what they are familiar with. I feel that teachers need to get serious about educating today’s students with digital knowledge. It's definitely a technology resource that can be used in any classroom because the price is right, and the benefits are plentiful.

Jami My Sentence

Project 5

C4T #1 Summary

For my first C4T post, I posted on Language Journeys: Showcasing My School. Her post was about managing the school website where she teaches. Mrs. Elvira Deymanport teaches 2nd-6th Gifted/Talented classes in Mississippi. I visited the website that she was managing. After I introduced myself to her I commented about the website. I loved the video she used to introduce the school and the staff. I absolutely loved the video she included which showed how technology was use in their classrooms. The video showed students inside the classroom using iPods, iPads, and other technology in each subject of school. She stated in her blog that she hopes to have grade level/teacher specific pages. I suggested that it would be a great idea, especially for the parents. Parents and students could use their teachers website to get homework assignments and other important specific classroom information. I also told her why I feel it is important to maintain a school website. I used myself as an example, stating that websites provide valuable information about the school and what goes on in the school. For someone moving and has to place their child into her school, the website will give them a good insight of what to expect upon visiting the school. Overall, I commended her on the great job she was doing with the website.

Mrs. Dayemport's second blog post was posted on Wednesday, February 8th. This blog was entitled At the Crossroads with MECA. She share with us that she had attended Mississippi's Educational Computing Association Conference. This was her second year attending the event, but her first time presenting a session at the conference. Her session was bout using Skype in the classroom. Her goal was to share different classroom applications of Skype. She even had the participants to do a little hands on activity during the session. Mrs. Dayemport, shared that she loved learning about new tech tools during MECA. Some of the sessions she attended was: iPad Apps for the Classroom, Ways to utilize digital photography, and Using Windows Movie Maker. She thanked her tech team for attending and showing her so much support.

My Comment:
Hello Mrs. Deyamport! It seems that you had a great time at the MECA Conference. I would have loved to attend the conference, especially your session on Skype. I will be using Skype in one of my assignments this semester. Although I have used Skype before, I am not really sure how to effectively use it in the classroom. All of the session that you attended would have been something of interest to me. iPads in the classroom are becoming a great tech tool. I am sure that you received lots of useful information to take back and share with others.

I visited the link, Skype in the Classroom Project: Skype Novel Studies, that you listed on your blog. What a great use of technology in Reading! It seems like it is a interesting way to have a book discussion. I'm sure that your students will enjoy it.

I have enjoyed following you thus far. I have already found things that I would like to use in my classroom from your post. I look forwarding to reading more from you.

Blog Post #3

2 a. Technology in Special Education
I would first like to say that I really could feel the love that this teacher had for her students, and even more how they loved their teacher. The smiles on the students faces were like sunshine (yes I have a soft heart).

How would I use technology in my classroom for special needs students? Lacey Cook gave several great examples of how I can do that. There are many different ways that an iPad can be used as a tool for educators and students (of all abilities) to use in the classroom, as well as a source of fun and learning at home too. I personally think that having a computer or laptop designed and setup for a special needs students would be the most useful. Rather the student needs to type out what they are saying, magnify their text, hear text being read, and a list of other things that I have not thought about, will more than likely be able to be done on a computer. Overall, having a computer or a lap top for these students will allow the students to work at their individual pace.

2b. How the Ipad Works with Academics in Autism

After watching the video, it reminded me of why I like Mac products so much (althought I can't afford them). This video really showed that the iPad can be beneficial to students with disabilities as well as regular students. Using an iPad also limits the amount of paper used in class.

PocketPhonics
I liked the app, #1 because it is free, but the full version can be purchased as well. If the app works well with students, you have the option to buy rather than paying for the app and find out later that you don not like it. #2 I feel that this can be very beneficial to special needs students because it not only teaches students to write letters, but also teaches phonics. For both of these reason, I feel the app will help the student communicate better with others. This is an all around app that any student could learn from. I would use it in a center or preferably as speech therapy with a student one-on-one.

3. Gary Hayes Social Media Count
When I first clicked on the link to the counter, I was amazed at how the numbers were rolling. It was an eye opener for me. I then began to wonder just how much I contribute to the change in those numbers. It also tells me that people do not get out and mingle as we would have before the social networks. Technology has allowed us to do everything we need to do as far as communicate, in front of a computer screen. The numbers have increased over the years and I am sure that it will continue to increase as technology is becoming more and more piratical throughout the world.

As a educator, the results from the counter tells me that in the future more technology tools will be present in the classroom. I feel that social networking in the schools could be very useful for both students and teachers. Students get to communicate with students their age from all over. This will possibly help them be more diverse and see things from other perspectives from other countries. It will allow teachers to collaborate on different topics and subjects from all over the world. However, I do not think it is something that teachers should be using during school, rather on their personal time at home as plan lessons.

4. A Vision of students Today
This was an interesting video by Micheal Wesh. With the help of his collegiate classmates from Kansas University. There were several things that caught my eye. They are as followed:
- $20,000 in debt after graduation
- Professor not knowing students by their name
- Class size 115
- Students pay large amounts for textbooks that the don't even open

I could really relate to the student stating she will be over $20,000 in debt after she graduated. The sad part about it is that, you are not always guarantee a job. Things happen beyond your control that may put you in a position where you can't even find a job using your degree. Another issue that was pointed out was the class size of 115 students and the fact that students buy textbooks that cost a fortune, but never use them. I can understand the class size being an issues for some students, but I feel like that is something they should take into consideration upon deciding which college to attend. I have also had my share of disappointing days of buying textbook, and trying to run into the book store to sell back my books only to get a disappointing small percentage of that back, or nothing at all. Professors can play a part in that by using technology based textbooks to help students scale back on buying books that will rarely be used.

I'm not exactly sure if I agree with the fact that technology can help save us. I do feel that it could present more jobs opportunities in the future for those who declare a major in the technology field.

Blog Post 2

1.Did You Know?, by John Strange

by Karl Fisch, Scott McLeod, and Jeff Brenman,
While both of these videos were quite similar they shared some interesting facts that compared India and China with the United States. It also shared some fun facts about IQ's, Youtube, SMS messaging, MySpace, and cellular phones. All of which are very familiar to us at this present time and most importantly, and some even useful in the field of education.

Some of the interesting facts from both videos that appealed to me are as follows:
- 25% of people in India have higher IQ's than the population in the U.S.
- 18 Million Chinese Speak English
- Their are more people in China that speak English than the entire U.S. Population
- Every minute 48 hours of YouTube videos are added
- Top 10 jobs in 2010 did not exist in 2004
- 1,393,519 searches are made on Google every minute
- We are preparing children for a future and jobs that do not exist yet

If I did not get anything from the videos, I at least understand that technology is a part of everyday use. The fact that it is preparing us for the future only makes me wonder how out-of-date I will be when my 6 year old son is my age now. What else will be added to the world of technology? Technology is ever changing and to be successful we must learn to evolve with it. I pray that I keep myself up-to-date so that I will not become a "teacher left behind" in technology.


2. Mr. Winkle Wakes
I thought that the Mr. Winkle Wakes was a creative video. Mr. Winkle is a little old man who wakes from a very long nap which spanned over a 100 years. As he goes out to explore the world he quickly realized that the world he once new is not the same. As he enters a tall building he discovers new machines where people are able to talk and see each other from across the country. In complete amusement, he continues his exploring in a hospital and finds people using technology to help patients breath and take x-rays. He makes his final stop at a school, where he finds students at desks with paper and pencil. Immediately following, he noticed a machine as he had seen earlier in the day. Only this machine was covered with dust. Mr. Winkle was comfortable at the school, as it is how he remembered it.

What's the point? Technology is used every day for various reasons. However, in some schools, educators are not using these creative tools in the classroom. This reminds me of a conversation I had with a teacher when I was teaching 5th grade. I had been teaching my students about systems in the body, particularly the skeleton system. I used the Smart board to help teach the lesson and even did a hands-on activity to ensure that the lesson was creative, yet valuable for the students. My co-teacher, who had been teaching for quite sometime, heard about the particular lesson. It baffled me that the teacher ask, "when do you have time to use and do all those extra activities in your lesson?". To me, that was an example of a teacher who was use to the everyday lectures, just as the students in the video. She was "stuck" in her old ways of teaching and not taking advantage of the technology tools and resources provided for her. At this present time I do not understand how a teacher could not use technology in at least one of their lessons. It is one of the most creative ways for children to learn and explore. As times continue to change, so should student learning as well as teaching techniques.

3. Sir Ken Robinson: The Importance of Creativity
I have to say that I enjoyed The Importance of Creativity video. The main focus of this video was "creativity should be as important as literacy in education". In other words teachers should help student foster their creativity abilities and it too should be a part of their everyday lessons. I feel that education should be diverse, because not every child or group of students are the same. Teachers should be able to teach every kind of student. While music, dance, and art are present in some schools, it is treated of an extra curriculum activity, rather than a subject matter. Mr. Ken suggest that we give these students an opportunity to be creative in those areas just as we do with the regular academics.

Mr. Robinson stated that "ADHD was invented for those who have to move to think". When we typically hear of a child with ADHD we think that he is a problem child. Teachers usually become frustrated with a student with ADHD due to that fact that he/she just requires more attention or they feel is becoming a distraction to other students. Given the reason that "ADHD was invented for those who have to move to think", teachers should find ways for that student to be able to be who they are, and allow their natural learning ability to be a success rather than a hindrance. If a student has to stand up at their table to do their work then it should be allowed, as the ultimate goal should be to cater to every students learning style.

4. Vision for 21st Century Learning
This video A Vision for 21st Century Learning argues great points about school systems needing to grow with technology. According to the video students come into school and listen to your everyday lectures. Students are crammed full of facts, trying to take in and learn the basic skills to pass a test.

The video presents a idea to help students learn in the 21st century. This new idea includes letting students engage and experience learning through the 3D world of a video game. Through the video game students explore different cultures, new languages, and art. It would help bring global awareness and technology literary which would help prepare students for the 21st century learning environment.

I think that this would be a great tool to use inside the classroom. I know that my son is video game fanatic, rather it is just for fun or educational. It is something that appeals to him and I do not mind using it as an educational resource to help him with his academics. I see where the games have helped him exercise problem solving skills and helped him learn to pay closer attention to details. Both of which are skills that help students in schools. With the appropriate planning and implementing school standards, video games could be a innovative way to help students explore learning.

5. Harness Your Students Digital Smarts
Mrs. Vicki Davis, a teacher in rural south Georgia, made a great point in the video Harness Your Students Digital Smarts. She states that "only certain types of students succeed with pencil and paper". With students in today's world of technology, I agree with Ms. Davis. Students today are use to the clicking of computer keys and the scrolling of the mouse, and to take it away from them or not use it in their academics would almost handicap them. If we are to prepare our students for the future, the use of technology should be adequately used in the schools.

I was really impressed at how Ms. Davis use different tools like, Virtual Learning, Sim, and Wiki for her students to collaborate and experience learning. Her teaching method lead students to learn and experience things for themselves, without having to guide them step by step. She even stated that sometimes the students learn things that she doesn't even know about. Which to me shows that students are learning beyond what she has expected them to learn in her class. Ms. Davis's students are learning to accommodate their learning to suit them, and ultimately the teacher is guiding the student to prepare themselves for the future. Every one wins!

Project 2

Blog Post 1

Jami Martin is a woman of many hats. She sums herself up in a few words: talented, smart, hard-working, and outgoing.  Any person of acquaintance with Mrs. Martin will agree that she is truly a all-around person with a great personality and heart. 

Mrs. Martin was born and raised in Bay Minette, AL. She attended Baldwin County High School. Upon graduating she attended Faulkner State Community College on a music full-scholarship. She received her associate in General Studies and transferred to Troy University in 2003. In December 2006, she received her Bachelors of Science Degree in Elementary Education. She then moved back to her home town where she received her first teaching job as a Kindergarten teacher. Mrs. Martin also taught 5^th grade in the small town of Stapleton, AL.   Unfortunately, she was laid off in the Baldwin County School system as a result of budget cuts. She was not able to receive tenure status and as a result, she had to attend the University of South Alabama and take a course to renew her teaching certificate. She enjoys teaching and has great hope that she will once again return the classroom. 

Jami is a big family orientated girl. Both her parents are natives of Bay Minette. She has three brothers, one a professor at Xavier University in Ohio, another who is a middle school Science teacher in Georgia, and the youngest a student at Auburn University. She has one son who is a handsome six year old, and a wonderful husband of three years. Everyone in the family enjoys music and plays a musical instrument.

Along with teaching, her passion is singing and playing the piano. She also loves arts and crafts of many kinds. Photography has become a great interest for her. She hopes that she can learn more about the art of photography and someday open up her own studio. 

Randy Paush: Time Management Video Review

After watching the video, Randy Paush on Time Management, I was reminded of the importance to plan and not procrastinate. This advice is not only useful as I take this course, but in my everyday life. There are some times when I make and go by a to-do-list and have been able to complete it and the stress of the day was very minimal. Mr. Paush state that sometimes it is not always about getting the job done perfect, but getting it started and doing it well. I think that this is something that I will try to remember while taking this course, with hopes that this will help me enjoy this class.

I do not know anything else about Mr. Paush, but would highly recommend this video to someone.