My EDM 310 Blog Assignments are now complete!!!!

WOOHOO!!! Well, we survived...it was great being in class with everyone even though I didn't get to know a lot of you. Those I did, its been a blast and keep in touch, maybe we will have another class together one day. Take care of yourselves and have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

What I have learned in class!!!

Well, actually I will have to say that I haven't learned anything new in class this past semester. What I have learned though is new ways of applying the things that I already knew, which in my opinion is even better. Google seems to be a fascinating platform and I can't wait to see what they come up with next. I have enjoyed doing the blogs and finding all the new information that I figured was out there, but really hadn't set down and just searched for. I really enjoyed doing my website, even though google page creator seems to be a little controlling with what you can and cannot do. I know that Dr. Strange was trying to save us some money and I thank him for that, but I would have preferred to pay the cost and have a lot more control over my website, but I think I was able to navigate around most of page creators issues, thanks to the fact that I understand a little bit of code. Honestly the hardest part of the website was those clickable link buttons, google does not like them at all and it took me a couple of days to get the code just right for page creator to accept them and not keep deleting them for me. Well guess that is about all for me, but my mom wanted to pipe in and say thanks a bunch, even though I may not have learned anything new, she did and is loving using google!!!

Best 2007 Blog

The blog I had to read about was about teaching children who has multiple special needs. This blog is filled with different programs for helping special needs children learn, different projects that the kids are doing, and also plenty of websites or articles that teachers can get some really good ideas from. Plus there are links to pretty much anything you could want to check out down the left side. It seems to have a little of anything and everything. I found a blog that interested me, it was on a new wrist worn band that helps keep track of the kids schedule. It is a type of cuing method for the teacher instead of having to keep up with traditional flash cards. I think that this website is excellent for teachers who are dealing with kids with special needs because there seems to be a lot of useful information. If you would like to check it out for yourself here is the link ~ Teaching Learners with Multiple Special Needs

Trusting Wiki

Well, frankly I don't think that you will be ever be able to trust the information on wiki. I mean even with the tracking program making people stop and think, that's not going to work for long cause someone is just going to come up with some way to get around it. And then we have the battle back and forth of building better programs that can out do each other. Now, as a gamer, I like wiki cause we have a website that has all of our gaming information on it such as quests, spells, etc. and people can go and add stuff or change stuff as the game environment changes. But as for things that deal with specific facts for now, I think I will make sure I double check it and that its correct before I put it in any of the papers I have to write for school.

Halloween Greetings

Using Google in Everyday Life

Ok, here is my story...my mother and I have 2 desktop computers and they are both in different parts of our house, not to mention we have individual laptops. Now even though I have all the computers on a network that lets them share files and a printer, I would still get the usual statement from my mom of "Hey, Kim, can you go find this file for me cause its not on this computer or how do I do this with this computer?!" So I would have to stop whatever I was doing, and either go transfer the file or pull up a program or just tell her she had to switch computers. But now that I have her on iGoogle, she saves all her files to them and no matter what computer she is on she can have the stuff she needs, plus I have added her a bookmark gadget to where she can have her websites also, so I dont hear, "Hey, what was that address again?" LOL I have also put all of my son's activities. days off from school and stuff on a google calendar and shared it with her, so she will know when he gets out early or when his next Taekwondo lesson is which helps us out immensely cause she sometimes has to pick him up or take him somewhere.

itunes University

Well it does seem the technology has finally caught up with the hectic lifestyle people live today. itunes University is a place you can go to download education just like you would a movie, song, or TV show. It is based on the itunes store, but instead of entertainment, you can actually download lectures, performances, demonstrations, etc. that your school and teachers have uploaded. As long as you have access to a Mac, PC or even an ipod you are connected to your education. I think that is an excellent use of technology. And it would be an amazing instrument to use as a teacher, cause I think kids are more open to learning something if it can be done on their terms and at times they have free. Because we all know how insane life can get and sometimes you just run out of time, but if you have items you can get to at all hours of the day it would make things a bit more easier. If you want more information about iTunes University check out this link ~ iTunes U

Duke's use of iPods

Duke university first started using iPods last year. They distributed about 1600 iPods preloaded with orientation material to all new incoming first-year students. The students are supposed to keep the iPods up and use them in whatever classes require them. Next year they plan on just focusing on giving the iPods to students who sign up for a specific class that the teacher feels can use the iPods.
The teachers seem to be as thrilled with this embrace of new technology as the students. Some of them are recording their lectures so the students can download them to their iPods. Others are letting the students look up stuff that relay to their lectures or discussions in class. All in all, it seems to be a way of keeping the students and teachers more in contact with one another and the educational information at the students fingertips no matter where they are.
As far as using iPods in my teaching, honestly I have not had a chance to play around with an iPod and am not very familiar with what an iPod is capable of, so I cant really say how it would be helpful. But I am checking into them and will probably have one before Christmas.

Culloden (2 Pics posted to same blog using Picasa)

This is the memorial stone for the Battle of Culloden.
This is the plaque at the base of the monument.

Fairy Ring (3rd Pic from Picasa)

This is a fairy ring. It is from these rings that we get the legends of the leprechauns.

Highlander Castle (2nd Pic from Picasa)

If you have ever watched the movie Highlander then you will know this site. It is the castle where they filmed part of the movie.

Stonehenge (1st Pic from Picasa)

Welcome to Stonehenge! This is an amazing structure to see in person. Or at least that is what my mother tells me. Hopefully I will get to see for myself in a couple of years.

Dr. Stange's "Cultural Revolution"

After reading the article, I went back to my previous post and still agree with everything it stated. The time of listening and watching is here and it seems to be growing larger every day. Paper is out and multimedia is in, which is not a horrible thing, it is just a new way of thinking and living in a changing world. I do agree with the fact that if people or institutions don't embrace the technology of today and make it readily available to the younger generation, they will be pretty much left by the waste side and that would be a shame. Everyone should stop complaining about what they think we are losing and start paying attention to what we are getting. I, myself, have no problem with this new technology and as for my future as a teacher, I can't wait!!! Think of all the exciting stuff I will be able to share with my students. The classroom will actually come alive, because instead of students just reading about things, they will actually be able to participate in them, a hands on type of learning.

My Picture Changed to Sepia Tone in Picasa

My picture changed to Black and White in Picasa

Seymour Papert

Unfortunately, from what I can find on the web and at this link, The Learning Barn, Seymour Papert is only working on getting himself healthy again after a horrible traffic accident. But I did do a bit of background research on this apparently amazing guy. He is pretty much the one who started the educational wave of technology we have today. Back in the 60's people laughed at him because he talked about children using computers as instruments of learning. He is credited with inspiring the first intuitive aimed at giving a personal computer to every student in a state. You can find more information and papers he has written at this link, Professor Seymour Papert.

International Schools Using Blogs

The first school I found was in New Zealand, where a class of 6 and 7 year olds use blogs to keep everyone updated on what they do during the year. It had links to each of the childrens own postings, a map of where the kids have visited, and other little slide shows such as their talent show.


In Scotland, the children use blogs to keep track of their two favorite teddy bears that seem to go everywhere. They use the bears to encourage communication bewtween children in grades 1 to 3.

Paper's Future

I agree with the fact that paper is on its was out and that most our information will soon be digital and that is not exactly a bad thing. I love books just as much as the next person, like I said in my powerpoint presentation, there are very few times were I am not reading something, wether it be a magazine, book, or text book. And for me its not the format that it comes in, it is the information. So no matter if I am curled up in bed with a good book or hudled around my laptop, as long as I am reading something interesting I am happy.
As far as students not reading, I don't believe that's entirely correct. I, myself, have been reading to my son, who is now 5, since before he was born and apparently have rubbed off on him cause everytime we go by a bookstore its always, hey mom, I need a new book...lol...his book collection is starting to catch up to my own and I have been collecting a lot longer. I also know that most kids in his class at school feel the same way. They still have the love of books and good stories, it just may be in a different format that what we are not used to.
As for being a teacher in this new age, I think it is going to be wonderful. I have always felt that teaching should be more of the hands on type instead of just reading to your students. The children seem to learn more and have more fun if they can get involved with the lesson instead of just having them read something about it.

Teachers Using Blogs in the Classroom

Grade 4K at Richards Elementary School in Whitefish Bay, WI has started using blogs in there school. They have put everything you could possibly want to know about what is going on in their school on the site. Stuff from what happened on the first day of school to how their favorite football teams are doing. They post pictures, homework assignments, and reminders for all the students, parents and teachers to share. They will also start posting work from the students in a couple of weeks.




Another example of teachers using blogs in the classroom is Mr. C's class at Noel Elementary School in Missouri. Mr. C post videos up on the site and then have the children watch them and make comments on them, there is even a comment from some other kids in another school. There are links to the children's creative writing assignments, stuff they are doing in class, and even a video of the kids just goofing off. You can also find out about the weather and check out the calendar.

Access

Distance Learning is an excellent tool for teaching. It is actually making it possible for one person to be in many places at the same time. As for the students, they are going to benefit the most from this program. I was impressed with the amount of programs that are already offered on the website and with what they are still planning to do. It is neat to think that instead of settling just for the curriculm that is available to you in your area you can reach out and connect with someone else who can offer you new opportunites and adventures. I was born in a small town and would love to go back to that way of life, but I don't because my son wouldn't have all the chances he does here in Mobile, but if this program gives us as teachers and students the ability to connect without leaving where we are, that would be wonderful. I just wish they had all this stuff when I was in high school!

Using Alex in my classroom

Once I become a teacher, Alex would be an excellent way for me to become comfortable with the classroom and allow me the ability to construct my own style of teaching. Knowing the lesson plans are from veteran teachers and have been implemented in classrooms already would allow me to relax and concentrate more on the students and making their learning experience fun and enjoyable. Also the distance learning would be a wonderful way to keep my students connected with the world around them and knowing the kids of today, they would jump at the chance to work with computers; in fact they might actually teach me a few things.
Also, considering I am a parent of a 5 year old who just began Kindergarten, I know that the teacher/parent relationship is an important one and if the parents knew the outline of my lesson plans they could help provide support at home just simply by talking to the child about what they did in school that day. Cause I have found out that my son doesn't tend to share with me what he did in school on any given day, but if I know about things ahead of time, he will talk to me for hours about it.

Alex

The Alabama Learning Exchange is an excellent website for new teachers as well as old. It gives the teachers a connection with each other that is invaluable for creating lesson plans, staying up-to-date on all the latest issues and just being able to help each other out. It is well designed and very easy to use, as you seem to have everything you would need at your fingertips.
The resources provided, such as the lesson plans, are very thorough. They explain everything you would need to know to implement them in your own classroom. Also if there is any information you might need to find out, the website gives excellent links and research materials for teachers as well as your students.

The Future...

All in all, I had two reactions to the movie; 1. It is inevitable and 2. It scares me a little. The fact that it is inevitable doesn't really bother me that much. I have always been fascinated by computers and what they can do. And as far as things being obsolete after we learn them, well I think that is a good thing, because it keeps up learning and evolving as people. What scares me though, is even as great as this new computer age is and will be, we tend to be losing the human side of ourselves. I mean back before email and all, neighbors used to visit one another and actually connect with each other. They would take time out of their hectic lives and stop for awhile; rest, regroup, relax. Now we just shoot an email and keep going, no matter how tired, stressed out, or run down we are! Which cannot be good for ourselves, our children and even our future, because what good is this fantastic future if we are too strung out to enjoy it or if we destroy ourselves before we get a chance to enjoy it?!

Culture Shock

Just a little tidbit about my first week at South. I have really enjoyed it, but it has been a big transition for me. I am back in college to get my Elementary/Early Childhood teaching degree, but for the past 8 or so years I have been a stay-at-home-wife and mother. There is a huge difference in trying to come up with what's for dinner or a present for a 5 year old, cause your son has a birthday party he has to attend this weekend and having to remember who took over which territory or who painted what picture and how they did it. I mean seriously, my brain actually hurts! But I am very happy with my decision to return to school, I just hope I can say that after my first test...hehehe!!!!

Hello Everyone

This is my first post on Blogger and just wanted to introduce myself. I am Kimberly Piburn and I am using this blog for my EDM 310 Class during the Fall 2007 semester.