Blog Assignment #14

Project #13

I was lucky to have a great group for our EDM projects. Everyone was hard workers and communicated well. Google Docs was a great source of communication for project 15. Through one document we were able to inform each other of what our individual parts in the movie would be. It was a great place to share ideas and information.

Texting was the second most useful communication tool. We all were able to set up meeting times through texting. The ways of communication through technology are endless and so helpful. Technology was very useful while creating our project 15. It is now possible to create great things without having to meet in person.

Project #16

C4t # 4 Summary

Comment 4.1 was actually on a blog post about commenting. This video was very helpful for me considering I am still a new blogger. I was very interested in the video. I am sure it was quite helpful for younger students as well!

I commented on the video and explained how great of a post it was! I believe any videos of this type are awesome and helpful!

The second post I commented on was a contest created for the students. It was a competition for who had the best essay. People could comment on the post and vote for their favorite essay.

I mentioned how great this type of blog assignment was. Kids love competitions! Its a great way to combine fun, blogging, and improving writing skills all into one lesson!

Blog Assignment #13

For our blog assignment this week, we were asked to try 24 hours without the use of electronics. Yes, this includes cell phones! Surprisingly, it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be! I went to the beach which made this assignment very easy! That automatically eliminates the use of computers. As far as television, I don't watch it often either way. Cell phones should have been the only challenge. However, this was the first time it helped me out that my charger doesn't like to work. I believe within the 24 hours I did send around two texts just to let family know how I was while being away.

On any other given day this assignment would not have been as easy. Especially on a day full of school work. Those days I will find any excuse to get on Facebook or call a friend. People do not realize how much electronics are used until they are given a challenge such as this.

Project #15

Final Report on PLN

Although I enjoy using Symbaloo, I have not added much more to it. When I first created my symbaloo, I added several resources that I use often. In time I will learn of even more things to add. However, so far it is great for me! It is so convenient and helpful while doing school work. This is something I will be sure to recommend!

Blog Assignment #12

Youtube for Teachers

We as EDM 310 students use youtube at least on a weekly basis. Youtube is a great source to find a video on just about anything. Youtube of course is nothing new to us. However, as future teachers there is something we should all know about Youtube. There is a Youtube for teachers!! This is a great place for teachers to find educational videos. It is already categorized by grade level or subject for you. This is the best way to find educational videos which are appropriate and useful in the classroom! There is now also a Youtube for schools page. This is for schools to create their own page of useful videos.

My assignment would be for all EDM students to explore this site. and find one video which stands out to them. Then create a blog post about Youtube for teachers and the video they chose. I chose the video on the homepage of www.youtube.com/teachers which is titled Youtube for Schools. Simply because it gives a detailed explanation of why Youtube for teachers is so helpful. This is easier access for teachers to find the perfect video pertaining to their lesson.

C4K Summary for April

My first three comments were made to the same student named Andy. The first post a commented on was a short clip from Voki. It is an animation which says "Hello, My name is Andy."
Here is my comment:
Hello Andy,
I am currently a student at the University of South Alabama which is in the U.S. I am studying to become a teacher! This blog post is awesome! I recently learned how to use a website that turns a picture of someone into an animation. I have never heard of Voki. Is that a similar website? I’m going to have to look that up! Great job! I’m very eager to see your next blog post!

The next post was a few sentences about Andy. He lists a few of the things that interest him including pumpkin pie and football.
Here is the comment I left:
Hello Andy,
I also enjoy pumpkin pie! Have you ever tried sweet potato pie? That is something that is very popular here in the south. It tastes very similar to pumpkin pie! I also love football. Football is a major sport here in the U.S. My favorite sport is basketball. I am looking forward to your next blog post! Thanks for your time!

For the final comment, Andy had not posted a new blog post. Therefore I encouraged Andy to continue blogging.
Here is what I said:
Hello Andy,
Keep up the great work blogging! Thanks again for your time!

My fourth comment for April was left for a different student. This student is a first grader in Canada. The blog post was a video of a poster board created. It had drawings on it by the student and they demonstrated Rules, Responsibilities, and Relationships. For the student to only be a first grader, I thought they did a great job! The teacher questions the student about what each of the pictures represent.
I tld the student that I thought the pictures were great. I also asked if they draw often. I congratulated the student on doing such a great job!

Progress Report on Final Project

Our group is going to create a video that demonstrates the useful tools we have learned about in EDM 310. Just a few of the tools we may use are: the SmartBoard, blogging, Timetoast, and book trailer creating. One person out of our group is going to be the "teacher", while the others are "students". The "teacher" will explain to the "students" how to successfully use these tools.

Creativity and Curiosity: My Thoughts - Special Post #12A

I read Elli's blog on curiosity. She believes that asking questions is a great way to increase a student's curiosity for learning. The more questions they ask about something, the more interested they become. I believe this is a great outlook on student's curiosity! We must also consider how we get students to start asking more questions and become interested in the first place?

In my opinion, the best way for a teacher to spark curiosity within the students is: by making a lesson fun, exemplifying passion for the subject, and make it seem interesting! Recently, I observed a kindergarten class. The teacher had a passion and excitement for learning. It was evident that she enjoyed teaching which encouraged the students to be more involved. It takes a special person to be a successful teacher. Someone who truly enjoys their job and has a desire for their students to be outstanding. If I was in a classroom and my teacher was overly enthusiastic about a lesson, I would automatically become curious.Its simple, yet not all teachers remember this.

If a teachers enthusiasm is not enough to spark questioning, I would say the next step is making the lesson relative to the students. I am always more interested in something if I understand the importance. If I am learning about something I want to know how it is closely pertaining to my life and world. For example, if children are learning how to count money they will be much more interested if you encourage them to help their parents pay next time they are shopping. It is something new they are learning while at the same time getting to apply it to their lives.

The final effort to spark curiosity would be group activities and games. Games is something that always interest children. Have them play a game about the topic of study. There are many Smartboard games available or simply a trivia game. Once the students have learned a small amount about the lesson, they may become more interested!

Blog Assignment #11

Little Kids...Big Potential

This video was created by Kathy Cassidy. It is a video of her classroom and how her students learn. It is awesome the way she is teaching her kids. They will be very technologically literate students. These children are already blogging and have a good understanding of the correct way to comment. The children are learning and having fun at the same time!

Skype is also a great tool used in their classroom. Mrs. Cassidy's class will skype with other classrooms to make learning more fun. They also have the opportunity to skype with experts in certain field areas. In this video they are skyping with a geologist named Dr.Gregg. Something I found very interesting was their use of the Nintendo DS. I did not realize the Nintendo D.S. could be used as a learning tool! This is something that I would love to incorporate into the classroom! There will always be a slight problem with keeping kids on educational games and not diverting their attention to other non-educational games. However there are ways to monitor the classroom and keep their goals classroom oriented! I think it is always better to have fun while learning! I believe students would agree!

Blog Assignment 10

Do you Teach or Do you Educate?

This video describes the kind of teacher that I want to be. It is a great way to help upcoming teachers understand the difference between teaching and educating. A great teacher is someone that knows how to educate, inspire, love, and encourage. We all want to be that teacher. The teacher that a child will remember for the rest of their life.

I recently had the privilege of observing at an elementary school. I was very inspired by the kindergarten teacher. She genuinely loved her job! She did not just teach her students. She was an inspiration. Each child looked up to her and knew that she loved them. She is concerned about each of her student's futures. Not just what they learn that year. I am even more excited about becoming a teacher now!

Don't Let Them Take Pencils Home

"Don't Let Them Take Pencils Home" is a blog post that gives a good message. It is about a teacher who wants to allow his students to take pencils home. The school curriculum instructional interventionist academic specialist did not want to allow it. She believed that students who took pencils home had lower test scores. She thought they would just be a distraction and children would want to play games such as hang man.

The teacher stood strong about his beliefs. Even if some students became distracted, it is still a great opportunity for those who want to learn. Some games such as hangman can be very educational without realizing it. Teachers should stand by their beliefs and try new ways of learning.

Blog Assignment #9

Joe McClung is a teacher of three years. At the end of each year, he has summarized his teachings of the year. Joe McClung's first year was a great post. I am very anxious to see how my first year as a teacher will go. There is a lot of pressure on first year teachers. Joe McClung seemed to enjoy his first year and gave some great advice. I loved his last point which was never stop learning. Teachers should always have an open mind and be prepared to learn new things. He mentioned that many teachers are scared of the developing technology. We should never be afraid of learning new things even if it includes technology. Technology is a useful tool for learning and teaching. We should be willing to embrace any tool that will help educate. Mr.McClung also mentions that teachers should not stress over a lesson plan turning out as it should. We should always expect bumps in the road and be prepared to work around them.

I thought it would be interesting to also include how his third year turned out. Joe McClung seems to be enjoying every second as a teacher. I love how he realizes that your student's are always the number one priority. Many teachers get so caught up in paper work and responsibilities that they forget the main purpose. I also loved the comment he mentioned about "never touch the keyboard." Through EDM 310 I have learned that this is very true! Although we have lab assistants, a great deal of the work is figured out on our own. Which is not a bad thing. Students need to try every option before having help. I have found that this gives me a much better understanding of the task at hand!

C4T #3 Summary

St.Elmo Explorers
My third C4K was St.Elmo Explorers. It is a blog created by Anthony Capps and his students.
comment #1
The first post I commented on was about the branches of government. It was also about whether "it is ethical to sentence a juvenile to life in prison without parole." There was an assignment included in the post which I think is a great idea!
Comment #2
The second post I commented on was "From Judicial to Legislative." This was an assignment based on the Bill of Rights. The assignment was to "choose one of the ten amendments to explicate, and translate the main idea." I commented on how great these assignments are! It is awesome that the teacher is able to incorporate history and blogging into assignments.

C4K Summary for March

C4K#4
Ice Man's Blog
My fourth comments for kids was left on March 4th. The student's blog is "Ice Man." Ice Man's blog post was about the game Mash. He had recently played it on his sister's i-Pod. He discussed what his dreams were and the outcome. I found this post to be so interesting because I played this game as a child. I can remember sitting down with two of my cousins playing this game! It brings back awesome memories!
Here is the comment I left:
Hi,
My name is Michelle Nix and I am currently a student at the University of South Alabama. I am studying to become an elementary teacher. When I was younger I used to always play Mash with my friends! However, that was before iPhones and iPods existed! We would play on a piece of paper. I have recently tried the iPhone version and it is still fun! Was this your first time playing? This is also a fun game to play at school! It helps you think about your future! Do you have goals set already?
C4K#6
Class 12's blog
The sixth comments for kids I made was left on a class blog. All students leave their posts on one page. I commented on the post titled "The Wasp's Nest." I wasn't quite sure if it was a short story or describing a story. Either way, it is evident this student is a great writer!
Here is the comment I left:
Hello Dylan,
I am currently a student at the University of South Alabama. It is a college in the United States. I am studying to become a teacher and found your blog post very interesting! I was very anxious to read the outcome! I can tell you are a great writer. You helped the story sound exciting! Do you write often? It is awesome that your classroom blogs! This is a great way to practice writing skills. Thanks for your time!
C4K#7
Andy's Blog
The seventh comments for kids I left was my most recent comments. I commented on Andy's blog. He recently added a clip of an animated character. The clip is very short. The character states "Hello, My name is Andy." I thought this was interesting considering we were recently assigned to look at a website that creates animations.
Here is the comment I left:
Hello Andy,
I am currently a student at the University of South Alabama which is in the U.S. I am studying to become a teacher! This blog post is awesome! I recently learned how to use a website that turns a picture of someone into an animation. I have never heard of Voki. Is that a similar website? I’m going to have to look that up! Great job! I’m very eager to see your next blog post!

Project #14

Blog Assignment 8

This is How We Dream Part 1 and 2

Richard E. Miller discusses how we write and a new way of writing. I liked the way he says that our desktop is our new work space. He stresses this is "an incremental change, not a fundamental change." This upcoming way of writing involves much thought and creativity. Richard Miller said that the limits and restrictions are placed by ourselves. We must learn to push ourselves further! Honestly, I was a little confused by these two videos. I understood the main point. However, as I re-watched them it all became very clear.

Richard begins by explaining a project he created. He was able to incorporate video into his written project. This is a great way to make papers more interesting and give evidence to back up a statement. This is something that we most commonly see done on news sites. Personally, I am much more interested in watching a video, than reading. This helps give a project both sides.

I am very interested in using what I have learned from Richard Miller and incorporating it into my blog posts. I have already begun incorporating pictures to make each post noticeable. Videos not only are a great source, but they also add a bit of "entertainment" to something not always fun.
Carly Pugh's Blog Post #12

I was very impressed with Carly's Blog post. Her assignment was to come up with something that Dr. Strange should have assigned to the EDM 310 class. I hope I am able to be as creative with assignments as Carly's was. That is what a networking teacher is all about! Creativity is key to a successful blogging assignment. We must always be thinking with an open mind.

Carly's post is a great example of Richard Miller's view of writing. She was able to incorporate creative writing and videos into one piece. The videos were used to back up what she was writing about. Great example!
EDM 310 for Dummies

This is an inspiring video about the class. It encourages students to not get frustrated with the assignments. This class may seem scary at first, but it can actually be enjoyable. It is what you make it. I have learned beyond what I expected! The Chipper Series is a video created by Dr.Strange and students. The main point of the video is that as a college student, you should complete all classwork and on time. That is the simple key to being a successful teacher! It is often hard for students to remember this one rule.
Learn to Change, Change to Learn

This video says technology is not a choice. This new way of learning helps students come together for projects and social network learning. Students online become a community for learning. This is certainly a challenge and transition. However, once established this is going to be a great learning system.
Scavenger Hunt 2.0
gizmoz.com is a very fun site that I had never heard of! You are able to upload a picture of yourself and turn it into an animation. If you do not have a photo you can create your own avatar. The characters are very detailed. There are many choices available from hair color to clothes.
polleverywhere.com is a site available to create your own poll. I have created my own poll as seen below.

Get a free sms student response system at Poll Everywhere

Project #12 Book Trailer

project #11 Short Movie

C4T #2

Comment #1

I was assigned to Jen Deyenberg. Her blog is Trails Optional. The first post I commented on was titled Geocaching with Dinosaurs. This is something I had never heard of before reading her post. She used this method in her classroom by setting upp eleven caches outside that contained wooden dinosaur bones. She bought eight different dinosaur models. The students had to find the pieces and then put the dinosaur models together. This project kept the students very interested!

I was very interested in this blog post. I had never heard of geocaching before and think it is an awesome way to incorporate something fun into the classroom.
Here is the comment I posted in response to her blog:"Hi! My Name is Michelle Nix and I am currently a student in EDM 310 at the University of South Alabama. You can view our class blog at http://edm310.blogspot.com/. You can also follow my blog at http://nixmichelleedm310.blogspot.com/. I will be summarizing my visits to your blog in a blog post on March 9, 2012. I am very intrigued to learn more about geocaching! This is something that i have never heard of. It seems like a fun thing to incorporate for the children. Are the students very familiar with geochacing? I have never thought about how interesting children would find dinosaurs. That is a great topic to discuss in the classroom!"
Comment #2

The second blog post I read was about writing. It was specifically writing on the computer and the tools available. One suggestion that stood out to me was the use of Wordle. I have used Wordle for a past assignment. However, I had never considered using it as a tool. It could be helpful to see what words are used too often. Wiki is another great source that peers can view and edit your work. I think this was an awesome post and here was my response:Using Wordle as a writing tool is an excellent idea. I have used it for projects in the past, but that is something I have never thought of! I will begin doing so now though! Wiki is a great source for students to view their peers work. Our class shares work through Google docs. That is another great way to share and edit documents! Do you have any other writing tools that are used often?

Blog Assignment 7

The Networked Student

The Networked student is a video that explains what 21st century learning is like and how to get started. Connectivism is a major part of this 21st century learning. It is explained in the video as "learning occurs as part of a social network of many diverse connections and ties made possible through various tools of technology." I have always been a traditional person. However, I believe that in order for children to be prepared for their future, this must happen. Our world has become too advanced, to be still teaching the next generations in a customary manner. Teachers should not be afraid of this new way of schooling. Teachers are always going to be a crucial part of a child's life. The video answers the question "why need a teacher?" with an encouraging answer. They are necessary for teaching this new way of learning and broadening children’s abilities.

A personal learning network is not something developed over night. A child will need guidance on building this network and improving it. It has taken me a whole semester to have a good understanding of just blogging. This is something that they will always come across challenges and need direction. The teacher is also their to help them "take advantage of the learning opportunities" they are given. Teachers are there to inspire children and encourage them to think critically.

Connectivism requires children to communicate with people all over the world. This will require supervision. Children must learn how to properly comment to their mentor’s and respectfully ask them for help. There are unreliable websites across the internet. Students will need a good understanding on how to find and differentiate reliable web sources. Teachers will learn how to give assignments that challenge the students thinking and computer skills. I am excited for what the future of learning holds. There are an innumerable amount of possibilities! As a future teacher, I am willing to except the challenge of 21st century teaching!

Recently, I have begun creating my own PLN. Also known as a personal learning network. Mine was created through Symbaloo. I learned all about PLNs thanks to a video called Welcome to My PLE!. This video was impressively created by a 7th grader! She demonstrates how she created her PLE and what it consists of. This is an awesome way to keep everything necessary in one place! I am able to view my facebook, twitter, email, and much more on the same page! It also provides many tools and tips for educators. I am very excited about building my PLN and developing many connections!

Project #10 PLN progress

Here is a link to my webmix:
My webmix from Symbaloo
I was very impressed with Symbaloo. This is something I have never used before. I have a feeling that it will be used everyday now! It's a way to create my personal learning network and have all useful connections available in one location. So far, I have begun following people suggested by Dr. Strange on Twitter. I have set Symbaloo to my home page. This way, as soon as I get on the internet, I will see what these mentor's are tweeting. I also have my other social network sites available such as Facebook. There are many interesting links automatically available. I found a website that has various videos created by educators. I am very excited to continue building my PLN!

Project #9b

C4K Summary for February

C4K#1

My first assignment was for Mariam Y's blog. In her post, she wrote about computer safety. She discussed how people should be careful about giving out personal information over the internet. She also put this in to use by warning her brother when he wanted to give out their email and zip code.

I did not receive a response back. However here was my response: "I am currently a student at the University of South Alabama. I will be commenting on a few of your blog posts in the near future. I think that is great that you are learning about internet safety. You must be very careful what information is given out on the internet. That is something I often have to remind myself. Have you become more cautious after watching the videos on internet safety?"
C4k#2

The second student I was assigned to was Alana. She is a student who lives in Australia. Her blog post was a slideshow of pictures from her trip to the Werribee Zoo. It was so fascinating to see the difference between a zoo in Australia and a zoo that we are used to in the U.S. The Werribee Zoo is an open range zoo. Most of the zoo is ride through on a bus safari. She saw ostrich, giraffe, zebra, camels, and many more animals!

Here is my comment:" Hello Alana,
I am currently a student at the University of South Alabama in the United States. I am studying to become a teacher. I really enjoyed your slideshow! Our zoos in Alabama are much different from your’s in Australia. There are much more interesting animals at the Werribee zoo! Our zoos are not open range. After watching your slideshow, I hope to one day visit the Werribee zoo myself. Do you visit the zoo often? Thanks for your time!"

Alana sent a very kind response back! " @ Michelle, Thanks for your great comment. Also thanks for saying you liked my slide show. No my family and I don’t go to the zoo often, but I would like too. Do you go to the zoo often? Would you like an open range zoo? I hope you can come to Australia one day, maybe you could teach here? I would love to go to America. Best Wishes, Alana"
C4K#3

For my third C4K, I was assigned to a seventh grade student named Gemma. Gemma was assigned a project to write a Valentine's Day love letter. She chose to be creative and wrote as if it was a shoe writing to shoe lace. It was quite entertaining and well thought of!
This was my response to Gemma's project: "Hi! My name is Michelle Nix and I am currently a student in EDM 310 at the University of South Alabama. Our whole class is about technology in the classroom. I think the website and what you all are doing is great! I was assigned to Gemma’s blog. I looked over her love letter and Valentine’s day projects. I loved the idea of writing a love letter from a shoe to lace. That could not have been more creative! It was also very fun to read! Great Job!"
C4K#4

The last student I was assigned has a blog titled "Ice Man". In his blog post, he wrote about him playing the game Mash on his sister's iPod. He discusses the careers and other things he was hoping for in his future. If you look over his blog, it is quite apparent that he is very interested in sports. At the end of his game, he ended up with a pet komodo dragon named Fall, a son, and a wife. This post was very interesting to me because when I was a child, my friends and I played this game often!

Here is my response:" Hi,
My name is Michelle Nix and I am currently a student at the University of South Alabama. I am studying to become an elementary teacher. When I was younger I used to always play Mash with my friends! However, that was before iPhones and iPods existed! We would play on a piece of paper. I have recently tried the iPhone version and it is still fun! Was this your first time playing? This is also a fun game to play at school! It helps you think about your future! Do you have goals set already?

Michelle Nix's EDM310 Class Blog: Project 8 - Podcast

Blog Assignment 6

I hadn’t realized who Randy Pausch was until I began watching Randy Pausch Last Lecture:Achieving Your Childhood Dreams. I was so excited because I had actually seen him years ago on the Oprah show. Shortly after his lecture at Carnegie hall, he gave a shorter version of it on the Oprah show. I never forgot his touching story but did not know his name. Him being such an accomplished person I feel I should have known his name but I was younger. A professor at Carnegie Mellon University is just the beginning of great things he achieved throughout his life. His famous “Last Lecture” was about how to live your life, conquering your dreams, enabling the dreams of others, and how he did it. Not only was he smart, he also had a great spirit about his personality. He stressed throughout his lecture to always have fun and be happy!

My favorite part of his lecture was the brick walls that kept appearing! Dr. Pausch believed that brick walls exist to “prove how badly we want things.” They are also there to prove who doesn’t want something badly enough. As a future teacher, this is something I want to encourage with my students. Children need to know that their dreams are possible! Where would we be today if historical inventors gave up after their first failure? The brick wall is something I would love to use as a classroom motto. Even if there’s a brick wall that doesn’t get crossed, we still gain experience from trying. Dr. Pausch said the quote “Experience is what you get when you didn’t get what you wanted.“ Whether we accomplish something or fail, we are always learning from the situation. This leads to the next learning technique Dr. Pausch discussed, “Head-Fake.” This is when you think you’re learning one thing, but in reality you’re learning a more important lesson. In Dr. Pausch’s words “best way to teach someone, make them think they are learning something else.” A “Head-Fake” was included in Dr.Pauschs lecture when he reveals the only three people his lecture was actually meant for were his three kids. This is something that can be used often in the classroom. I would consider technology in the classroom a “head-fake.” It is something that has games and other activities to keep students interested while learning at the same time!

It was evident that Dr.Pausch cared a great deal for his students. He was very proud of their many accomplishments. He encouraged them to be creative with their works and to always push harder. I will never forget the story he mentioned about having to go back to a classroom of students he was beyond impressed with and tell them “that was good, but you can do better.” Encouragement and support is something necessary in a classroom. I want to be a teacher who also persuades my students to go beyond their expectations. I will applaud them of their success while challenging them further.

I could go on all day about the encouraging words from Dr.Pausch’s Last Lecture! He is someone I truly admire. Anyone who has not seen this lecture should immediately! I have written down several of his quotes to keep for my own personal reference. He sets the standard for all future teachers. He left an impact on not only his students but also the rest of the world. I hope to one day influence and help my students to the best of my ability. That is indeed what being a successful teacher is all about.

Blog Assignment 5

Don't teach your kids this stuff. Please?Dr. McLeod is a very successful man. According to Scott McLeod's website he is "the Founding Director of the UCEA Center for the Advanced Study of Technology Leadership in Education (CASTLE)"and "is an Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Kentucky". I would have to say he is also a great writer after reading his blog post Don't teach your kids this stuff. Please?. Most of the posts I have read before Dr. McLeods have been straight to the point. I liked the twist he put on his post. I would have to agree with the arguments he has made. There are more than enough resources and ways to allow children to use a computer while avoiding "the bad stuff". Parents can not be so paranoid that they keep their children from being technologically literate. Technology is becoming a big part of our lives and careers. Children need to be ready.

The iSchool Initiative
The iSchool Initiative was surprisingly done by a seventeen year old high school student named Travis Allen. I was very impressed with his video! He had so many great points and suggestions on how the iTouch could be used in a school.
Travis Allen suggested that the Apps on an iTouch are all useful tools for learning. There are so many resources available including a scientific calculator, email, and a U.S. Constitution App. He also suggested to imagine a school with no paper or pencils. I believe that it is great to use less paper and help the environment! However, I believe no matter how technologically advanced we become, students should always maintain their writing skills. We should not depend on computers so much, that we can not even write on our own.
Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir
If anyone has not watched this video, they should! It is absolutely amazing! It is still hard for me to believe at how advance technology has become! Who would have ever thought that a whole orchestra could be constructed over the internet. I think this type of video could be very useful in the classroom. Many college classes already attend class over video. I know of classrooms here at South Alabama that watch their teacher from a different city!

Teaching in the 21st Century
Teaching in the 21st Century was created by Kevin Roberts. If you believe that Kevin Roberts is correct, than you better begin to become very technologically literate! This worries me that eventually teachers will no longer be teaching the usual math, history, etc. What if in the near future teachers simply become computer teachers. Once the students know how to use the computers, teachers could merely be babysitters as the students learn by computer.

Reading Rockets
This website could be very helpful to teachers. The most interesting thing I found on the website were the different activities to help teach reading. There are phonemic activities that would be great to use in preschool and lower elementary classes. These games help the students clearly hear and understand the parts of a word.
I found newspapers to also be a great idea to incorporate into the classroom! Newspapers give children a chance to learn about the world and improve their reading skills. They are always up to date and will help increase a child's vocabulary.

Project 9a

My Sentence Video

Blog Assignment 4

Judy Scharf Podcast Collection
This website gives a great understanding of what a podcast is. I had never thought about how the term "podcast" is basically "iPod" and "broadcast" put together. A podcast is something that can be heard on a computer or mp3 player. It is a great tool for students and their parents to listen to.
The Benefits of Podcasting in the Classroom
This link gives some great examples of why podcasts are so useful. It is a way to interact with students outside the traditional classroom. This type of learning is project based and focuses on higher levels of Bloom's taxonomy. If I child is sick and unable to attend school, this is a way for them to not miss any classroom lectures/assignments. It is also a way for parents to have an idea of what their children are doing at school.
Langwitches- Listening Comprehension Podcasting
Langwitches is a blog pertaining to the learning advantages of creating a podcast. Students can not only learn by listening to podcasts but also by creating them. Editing a podcast can be very helpful to a student who is learning a certain language. The best way to learn a language is by repetition. This gives the student the opportunity to hear the language repeated and the format of the words.
Overall, I am very excited to learn about podcasting. I have heard a couple podcasts previously but knew nothing about them. I now have a good understanding of how to create one and incorporate it in the classroom. It is exciting to be a teacher of this time because of all the resources available!

Interesting Things About My Life

C4T

Comment 1
I was assigned to William Chamberlain. Here is a link to his blog: William Chamberlain's blog. The first blog post I read was "Are EdCamps Too Technocentric"? I found this post very interesting because I have never heard of anything like EdCamps. EdCamps is when teachers get together in a non-formal setting. Any topic of their concern can be brought up. William Chamberlain discusses his concern of technology being the main topic of discussion. There are so many other problems in the classroom. However teachers have been concentrating on incorporating technology into the classroom.
I agree wholeheartedly with William chamberlain's opinion. I can see his concern as a teacher. Technology is a great addition to learning. However, with an opportunity such as EdCamp, more important issues should also be addressed.
This is what my comment stated: Hi, My name is Michelle Nix. I am an elementary major at the University of South Alabama. I am currently taking EDM 310. I found this post to be very interesting considering that EDM 310 is completely about technology. I agree that an opportunity like edcamp should be used to cover the major issues that go along with teaching. I was surprised when I read that Edcamps take place in an unconference format. This is something I have never heard of and hope to attend in the future. Is this something that occurs nationally? Can any teachers attend? I will be summarizing my visits to your blog with a post to mine on Feb.12,2012. Here is a link to my blog:
http://nixmichelleedm310.blogs.... You can also view my class blog at:
http://edm310.blogspot.com/.
Thanks!
Comment 2
The second post I read was "The New, Cool Tech Activity Doesn't Fit My Curriculum!". William Chamberlain discusses how although he has all the tools available to incorporate online tech tools into his classroom, he does not. He explains that many of the tools he has available do not always help his students to understand the topic at hand. His priority is not technology but teaching.
As a future teacher, I hope that I am able to accomplish all that Mr.Chamberlain has. I want to be a successful teacher, not a technology teacher. He is still technologically literate by keeping up with his blog. It is not his priority over teaching which is important to remember!
This is what I commented back:After reading this post and your blog post about EdCamp it has become very evident that your main priority is what the students are learning. You are what is considered a successful teacher. You do not just teach, you make sure students learn and understand. It seems like keeping up with technology is the priority of many other teachers. Am I correct to assume this is your opinion?

Blog Assignment 3

Technology in Special Education
Before watching this video Technology in Special Education, I had never thought about how much technology can also help special education students. I would even say that technology is more crucial to children with disorders. The way they learn and interact with others has changed dramatically for the good. It really stood out to me how many of the students were not able to write well, if at all. Computers allow these children to communicate their thoughts faster by typing or using a special mouse.
The joy that technology has brought to special education students is evident. Learning has turned into something fun and intriguing. Teachers can incorporate this technology into all lessons to help the children become eager to learn. It is always more fun to interact with learning rather than listen to someone talk all day!
How the iPad Works with Academics
How the iPad Works with Academics for Autism, is a great video showing how well educational apps can help children with disabilities. I looked through the app store and found a game that I would love to use in the classroom. "Jungle Fractions" is for the iPad and makes learning fractions fun!
Fractions is something not always easy for children to learn quickly. For example, it is sometimes hard for them to grasp that one-third and two-sixths are equal. This game uses a fun version of pie charts to clearly show what a fraction looks like. The whole class would be able to participate with this game. This not only helps children visually learn, but also helps eliminate the issue some have with writing.
Social Media Count
After watching Gary's Social Media Count, I realize even more the importance of edm 310. It is not only to have a knowledge of the the current technology but to be a part of the continuous growth. Technology is growing at an amazing rate. We as teachers will be lost if we do not continue our blogs and social media networks.
These blogs help us to stay informed. Never before has there been a way for so many teachers around the world to stay in contact with each other. This is an amazing opportunity to learn what we are doing wrong and what we are doing right. We are able to find out about teaching techniques that would have never been thought of. In order for us to be the best, we must have a well rounded understanding gained from communication with others and our own experiences combined.
A Vision of Students Today
Michael Wesch's video A Vision of Students Today, helps teachers become aware that learning is no longer done by just sitting in a classroom. Teaching should be changing from how it was even fifty years ago. Yet, the majority if classrooms are still the same.
There was a quote in the video from 1841 saying what an addition the chalkboard was to education. I find this funny considering half of my classrooms still have chalkboards! We should have moved on to something new by now. The world has gained to much knowledge about studying and learning disabilities to still be teaching off a chalkboard alone.

Blog Assignment 2

Did you know?
Did you know? By:John Strange
"Did you Know?" by John Strange is based off the video by Karl Fisch and Scott McLeod. Both videos give several random statistics and facts about technology and how fast it is growing.
One question in the original video caught my attention because I often think of this:"To whom were these questions addressed before google?". It is amazing how many times a minute the google search engine is used. Personally, I would be amazed if I knew how many times I have searched through google. I believe that is the answer to why technology is growing in such an accelerated way. The answers to questions are easily accessible. We no longer have to go to the library to learn something new.
Mr.Winkle Wakes
Mr.Winkle Wakes By:Mathew Needleman
Mr.Winkle Wakes is a very simple video. Yet, it gives teachers something important to think about. Are teachers making use of the technology avavailable to help students learn more effectively?
Just recently schools have been making an effort to include technology in the classrooms. This is something that should be encouraged by every school. Students should be very technologically literate to prepare them for the future.
A Vision for 21st Century Learning
A Vision for 21st Century Learning
I loved the statement at the end of this video:"If we get it right, kids won't even know they are learning something". This video is arguing that kids need to learn with technological now, to prepare them for their future careers. Their future careers are guaranteed to involve some type of technology. I agree with their comments that if most children are playing video games before they even begin school, than they can learn with technology in the classroom.
Vicki Davis: Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts
Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts
I was very impressed by what Vicki Davis is doing in her classroom. She is a successful teacher who is making a difference in students' lives. The technology her classroom was doing in highschool, I still could not do.
Vicki Davis caught my attention when she was discussing the fact that she encourages students to discover things on their own. The students would search on their own a topic she would mention and they would then teach it to her. I hope that as a future teahcer, I will be able to make learning exciting.

Blog Assignment 1

About Me..
      My name is Michelle Nix and my major is elementary education. I am twenty-one years old and have lived in Mobile, Alabama my whole life. I have one older brother and two best friends that I consider my sisters. I am also lucky to have an awesome boyfriend of almost three years! I grew up going to Cottage Hill Christian Academy which not only gave me a good education, but a strong relationship with Christ. My first job while in high school was at a store for younger girls where they also had birthday parties. This was when I first realized I had the patience required to be a successful teacher. I have several teachers in my family including my mother, brother, and aunts. Their teaching has inspired me to educate and make a difference in children's lives.
      When I am not busy working and studying, I love to spend my free time at the beach and outdoors. I enjoy fishing, boating, jet skiing, and anything else pertaining to the water. I also love to shop. Probably a little too much!
Time Management according to Randy Pausch 
      I watched the time management video by Randy Pausch. I surprisingly found it to be very interesting! There is one line he said that I found most interesting: "Failing to plan is planning to fail." I am constantly using my planner and writing reminders. He also helped me to look at planning in a different way. Randy Pausch said that you should question each item on a to do list. Ask yourself: "Why is this on my list?" "What will happen if I don't?" Time is very valuable and should be used for success.

Practice Post

My first post.