Goodbye

To all of the Tues/Thurs 2:00 class, I would like to say "goodbye". It was great getting to know so many of you. Good luck with the rest of your schooling.

Looking Back....

Well, this is somewhat sad. I went into this class not really excited about taking it. I am an older student who was afraid of the whole computer idea! Now, I am so glad I have learned many things from Dr. Strange's EDM 310 class. I was a student who did not even know how to cut and paste. When I mentioned I did not know how to do this, I will never forget Dr. Strange reaction. It was like "You don't know how to cut and paste," but he never made a big issue of it. He showed me what to do and went on to something else. I bet he did not know he would have a student in that much need of help. Since the semester began, I have to say I have majorly improved. Our first big project was making our own blog. Who would have ever thought I would have a blog? Now, I could not see my self communicating any other way, especially when it comes to my future students. I had a first experience with Google docs. We had a presentation to do and I actually learned to do this! We had to gain knowledge from our own personal learning networks, which helped keep up on the latest ideas in education. Comments for Kids was a project that we had to keep up with weekly. This was never a dread. It was always exciting to see what the kids were working on and how far things have advanced since I was in elementary school. It was also interesting to see what your classmates were posting about. I made a few attempts to keep up with Dillon and Jennifer. The professional blog was a little more important to me. Maybe it is the fact that I can use this in trying to find a job one day, and it was a little more formal. I learned about spreadsheets and forms. I would have never used this before. Now, I have knowledge to create my own. Project 10 and 11 were great! My group and I had so much fun creating movies on particular topics. How I was in the movie both times is still a mystery to me? But, If it helps me get a good grade, I will certainly not complain! Skype. I almost forgot! I absolutely loved skyping! I have encouraged several of my family members to get on board. I know my little boys would love to see who they are talking to at times. I am not sure there are things that I would have liked to have learned. I feel so much better about how much I already know by taking this course. I did not find anything overly challenging. What I learned, I know will be beneficial to me in the future. I was not bored at any time. There was always something that could be worked on during any spare time. I felt the class was right on track. We pretty much was on schedule for the assignments and projects. From when I started, I feel I have come a long way! I would not say that I was great, but maybe in time I will get there. I will maintain my tech literacy by using what I have learned. Even thought I will not be in the class, I will continue to blog, Skype, use Google docs, and update my professional blog when needed. A big thanks goes out to Dr. Strange for helping me get out from under the rock where I had been living!

My Edm 310 Presentation

My PLN for EDM 310

My personal learning network has grown since taking Dr. Strange's EDM 310 class. In fact, it was not even in existence til this class. As I have began to learn more about technology in general, I have also learned that you leave a trail when you enter into the technology world. For starters, I have learned to create blogs. In class, I have created my own class blog and professional blog. People can follow me on these two sites. I have also gained knowledge of Google docs. Never before have I used any type of presentation material from Google. I can send forms and documents from here. Another tool I have used for PLN is Skype. I have widened my network by being able to talk with relatives and friends absolutely free! In Comments for Kids, I have been able to participate in posts that have been in other parts of the world. You never know what kind of influence you will have on one of the kids by leaving them comments. I plan on having some type of project like this for my classroom. I am sure the kids enjoy receiving the comments. I would like to use the class blog also for my classroom. I feel this is a great way to keep the communication open with the parents. It will also help the kids to know what is coming due, such as exams and projects.

Apples Are for Teachers

My project 11 presentation was entitled "Apples Are for Teachers". My group consisted of Dillon Rogers, Jamie Lynn, and myself. We made a movie on a "Mac" about how convenient iPhones could be for users. We went to an elementary school one afternoon to film and have some of the kids help us with the project.
During our film, I was the teacher who was asked by her students a number of questions. Some of these questions, I could not answer. So, I got to use "Tommy's" iPhone to look up the answers. Time after time, this iPhone was a lifesaver. Our iPhone was made out of a cardboard box with a replica scene of iPhone apps on the front.
Through the movie, we showed how much help the iPhone was to the teacher. It was so beneficial to the teacher, that the teacher was "falling in love" with the iPhone and the technology it brought to the classroom.

Post for the 3 Lists

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I enjoyed reading the list of 7 stupid mistakes by teachers by Doug Johnson. Several of them were simple common sense rules, but I guess if you were all involved in the class, I can see where some things might get overlooked. Number three should be of major importance. You should never leave a student unattended on the computer. Yes, a computer could be filtered, but things do happen. Also, depending on the age of the student, their minds could be filled with curiosity. This could all result in major problems for the teacher. I felt another importance was ignoring the interest of technology. After all I have learned this semester about how you can incorporate technology into the classroom,how could you not let your students learn more from tech devices? A child will already know a great deal about technology with the world we live in today. We, as teachers, have to keep up with these students. Their little minds absorb all this technology like a sponge. It is our job to keep their interest and it would be in technology.
The most brilliant thing to me on the other list was to make conferencing real time. What a great way to communicate with parents! It is important to keep the communication open between the school and the home. I feel the computer is a great place to keep this going! Parents are probably more likely to be on a computer at work these days where they could access the internet, if they do not have it at home. This could be a way to get the parents involved. If they choose not to engage in the communication, then they have no one to blame but themselves. Accepting the role as co-learner is important. As a teacher, you will be constantly learning things as you go. There will be times when you do not have all the answers, but you will do what you can to find out. I have even seen Dr. Strange experiencing this, but he was sure to find out the information as soon as he could.
I thought the rules of the classroom were comical. Number thirteen, about being quiet in the hallways, lines, etc., was cute. While using on line learning, you can do whatever you want while in class. You can do your work in your pjs in you prefer, or you can dance around while on line. Bring required materials is a must! If you are going to be online, then you will certainly need your computer!

"At the Teacher's Desk"

I loved watching the video of Fundreds. I have not ever heard of this and was not aware of the lead problem in New Orleans. I find this to be a very unique way to raise awareness. If I was a teacher right now, I just might have to join this project with my class.
Looking around this blog, I found several videos and many posts. I was reading the information underneath the Fundred video that was very informative. It is going to cost 300 million dollars to transform New Orleans from the lead problem. So, in exchange, the students around the country are making "fundreds" to present to Congress. The lead can lead to unsafe medical conditions that need to be resolved. I see this to be a major problem and would love to help.
Mr. Miller has presented a goal to his class. If they reach 2,500 hits on their blog, then he will not assign the students any homework. For a student, I am sure they are trying to get the word out. Another post talked about how hard it was to get the word out. There are many teachers who do not teach with technology, which in turn causes them not to be aware of what is going on all around them. One person added that it is important to post regularly.
I feel that the professional blog is important to help communicate. One teacher can gain information from another and they may be half a world away from one another. You can also help one another in ways like the "fundred" project. It is a great way to spread important issues, raising awareness to those who do not know like myself.Click Here