Class Reflection

I am pretty familiar with the internet and some of things it has to offer. I can say however that I had no idea the things that Google make available for absolutely no charge. That is probably the main thing that I learned in this class. I did learn a little bit about HTML coding although it sort of confused me.

All in all I think the class was beneficial and I enjoyed it.

iTunes University

iTunes University is an educational version of the iTune store. Apple has made thousands of audio and video clips available for download to assist teachers and students with their instructional need. Colleges and Universities can develop their very own itune library for their students to access. This is very convenient as anyone with a MAC, PC or iPod can use this info from anywhere even away from school.

I don't know how often I will use this technology in my own curriculum though. Although I love advanced technology I am really not that savvy at it. I don't own an iPod and I've never downloaded music from iTunes or any other site. It's not that I would not find this useful I just have not had the extra money to purchase all the gadgets and gizmos to become part of this major movement! I guess I'm waiting for the iPod to become a little cheaper before I take the plunge!!

Duke and its use of iPods

Duke University began distributing iPods last fall to students to use in certain classes. The students eligible for these devices were enrolled in classes that had been approved by the universities Center for Instructional Technology (CIT). There were 11 classes that participated in the Fall and 17 in the Spring. The devices were given to the recipients pre-loaded with orientation material.

They were given to the students with the hope that they would learn to incorporate the use of technology in their studies. Fortunately they were successful as many were using them for things like gathering field notes, conducting interviews, podcasting or audio blogging.

The major convenience of utilizing the iPods is that the students have more access to their assignments and make mobility much easier.

I think I may use an iPod in my own classroom one day. I will not be done with school for another two years so by then there may be even more advantages to using the device alongside my lesson plans.

LOST!

Ok, apparantly I am lagging behind somewhere because I see that we are suppose to have something on our blogger about someone named Seymour Papert. So as soon as I figure out who in the world that is I will be happy to post a blog......

Web Page Convenience

I titled my webpage on my upcoming wedding. I am getting married on 11/17/07 so I only have 4 weeks to go. Had I known about Google page creator prior to now I could have made this page very elaborate and a great tool for my guests to keep up with all of the shower, rehearsal, and wedding details. I can see myself using this tool in the future for perhaps another important event.

I changed my picture to Sepia in Picasa!

I changed my picture to Black in White in Picasa!

Print...Will it Die?

John Sledge's article, Papers future, alas, is not carved in stone, in The September 23rd, 2007 issue of Mobile Press Register discussed the idea that print as we know it may eventually die away due to the popularity and convenience of the internet. I understand why someone would believe that this could take place but I don't necessarily agree. It could be possible in a learning environment like a classroom, lecture hall, library, bookstore, etc that print would disappear because computers are such a wonderful resource. I do not believe that books will cease to exist though. I mean on a rainy day if you want to curl up with a good book it can be a bit uncomfortable snuggling with your laptop. Reading books to your children is a bonding experience that would not be as meaningful doing so with your home PC. I think teaching without books and strictly through online media could be wonderful though. No more expensive text books, the dog can't eat your homework, and as long as your server is running correctly you have access from anywhere!

Week 5 Assignment

I was able to find an enormous amount of websites that were designed for teachers to maintain blogs that were designated for keeping their students and parents aware of events taking place within the classroom.

The first site I came upon was http://scarel.edublogs.org/. This was a website for Mrs. Carel's 4th grade TEC class in Willars, Missouri. Mrs. Carel had a slideshow of her students, a morning message link, a calendar, and an agenda for everyone to view. Mrs. Carel explains that the site is bulit to inform students and teachers and to have a place to showcase her students work.

The next site I discovered was http://blogs.oaisd.org/337. This was a site set up for Mrs. Smits' 4th grade class in Michigan. Mrs. Smit shares lots of information about her class experiments, photos, and even produces a weekly newsletter. She has a place where the students can also add their own submissions. She updates this blog daily making it a very effective communication tool.

Adding Links and Pictures

First we will review the methods for creating a link. Our link will be to The Fischbowl , a blog for technology training used at Arapahoe High School in Littleton , CO.

Here is a picture from Littleton High School

Week 4 Blog assignent

I visited http://accessdl.state.al.us and viewed the powerpoint presentation on ACCESS. ACCESS is an acronym for Alabama Connecting Classroom, Educators and Students Statewide. This is a technological program designed for teachers and students to communicate and learn via the internet. This allows students who may not be located in an area that has the same equal opportunities to recieve the education they deserve.

Teachers will have the opportunity to do video-conferencing, web based assignments and other things that prove the way of learning is on its way to a major change!

Week 3 Blog assignment

I got on http://alex.state.al.us for our assignment for week 3. I found it to be an incredible resource for teachers of all subjects and grade levels. I found the area titled "Lesson Plans" to be very helpful. It provided lesson plans, projects, and experiments for teachers to perform with their class. The few I looked over seemed to help the students have a hands-on experience.

There was also a search option so if you were looking for information on a particular topic. There was alos a part available for teachers to find professional development opprtunities as well. I think I will definitely use this wonderful tool when it comes my time to teach!

Week 2 Blog Assignment

I went to http://edm310summer07.blogspot.com and watched the Youtube video about the future. It was really amazing reading the facts about the population. It made you realize just how small you really are in the world today. It was actually kind of scary reading the facts about computers and internet speed. It was actually almost hard to comprehend...which I guess was sort of the point. I still look forward to teaching in the future but I can say it gives you an overwhelming feeling!

So I found a blog.....

I logged onto the computer today in search of a blog that would catch my attention and possibly make me laugh. After moving from site to site I realized this may take me longer than I expected. Although some that I did come across made me laugh I thought it best not to share those considering the content could be offensive to some. Finally I entered one titled "I want to learn from my mistakes". It discussed the apology statement that quarterback Michael Vick shared with the public after being charged with animal cruelty and whatever else he was charged with. After reading this entry I began to read some of this "bloggers" other entries. I found myself trying to conceal my laughter in the Public Library. My search for a blog that was appealing to my senses was over so I was free to move on to bigger and better things......like more homework.

A bit about me....

My name is Kelli Wenzel. I am a transfer student from Faulkner State Community College. I am majoring in Elementary Education. I am taking EDM 310 as part of my degree plan.