Universities and iPods

http://www.principalspartnership.com/iPods.pdf
I love the idea of using iPods in schools. I really had no idea that they ere being used for such a broad range of purposes. Duke University gives their students iPods. Students are able to access lectures if they miss a class. I am a visual learner so I don't always hear everything that the teachers say during lectures, I would love to be able to listen to a lecture on an iPod and if I miss something, just go back and hear it again. I think this is a wonderful program that should be considered by all schools.

Dr. Alice Christie

Dr. Alice Christie's website is full of information for teachers. It is an excellent resource for anyone interested about technology in the classroom. The website covers many useful areas such as making a website, photography, and even gps.
I especially enjoyed the photography section. It displays Dr. Christie's own photography. (She like flowers.) There are A LOT of links to information on photography. Information can be found on cameras, using the technology, and sites to display photographs. If you need to know anything about digital photography, Dr. Christie's website is the place to go.

My Presentation

Wikipedia

Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia, is not a reliable source to be used for educational purposes. I knew wikipedia can be edited by anyone so I try to never site it as a reference for a research paper. However, I do like to use it as a starting point. Wikipedia breaks a lot of information down and is usually easy to read and comprehend. If I don't know much about a particular topic, then I like to read what wikipedia says. I always check the information with more reliable sources.
I like the Wikipedia Scanner idea. Once it is perfected it will be useful to hold people accountable for their entries. But, like they pointed out in the podcast, there are ways around it. In time,it could be a very useful tool.
If I were a teacher, I would not want my students to site wikipedia as a source for a paper. While wikipedia is useful in some areas, it is not reliable enough to be used as a formal reference.

180 Days?

I read the April fischbowl blog titled 180 days. I viewed a power point that broke down how many days are wasted in an average school year. After fire drills, sick days, test prep, and other "non-instructional" activities, only 120 days are used for actual instruction. I agree that this could be accurate and quite a bit of time is wasted. But I must also argue that teachers must allow time for this. With standardized tests being the make or break factor in a student's academic career, time must be allowed to prepare. Student's must not only learn the material the tests cover but they must also learn how to take the tests, as well as how to deal with test anxiety. Students are required to take multiple standardized tests on top of the every day workload. Also, if we are going to subtract the time "wasted" we cannot forget to add the time students must spend studying and doing homework.
The majority of a child's day is spent doing schoolwork. Little time is left for children to play. Play time is crucial in a child's development. Play allows children to be physically active, explore, imagine, be curious and even learn. Adding more school days is not the answer.
Yes, much of the time in school is not used for teacher-student instruction. Time is not always utilized to its fullest potential. But, is the problem 100% time management or is too much time being used to teach how to take the test on what we teach...confused?...so are the students.

Technologically Illiterate Teachers?

The blog questioning whether or not it is okay for teachers to be technologically illiterate was very interesting. I agree for the most part. In these times, it is crucial for students to have an in depth knowledge of technology. Students are able to be more successful academically and have more opportunities for college and career. When I was in 4th grade, my classroom had a computer. We used it mostly to play educational games and I did not have many opportunities to use it. By the time middle school came around, the only computer available was used for games as well. High school was no different, they had a computer program that tested our reading skills. Typing courses were given with typewriters. (In a few years, children probably won't even know what a typewriter is.) Needless to say, my teachers were technologically illiterate. We finally got the internet at my home, but it was dial-up and extremely slow. My point is, I know how it feels to not be prepared. I know intelligence is not simply based on computer skills, but I felt I was unprepared for college. I am extremely glad to be taking this course and have learned a lot so far.

As for the teachers who seem proud to be technologically illiterate, if workshops are available to teach them computer skills, then they should take full advantage of them. If workshops are not available, then they should be. (I also believe every education major should be given a class or two to learn everything they need to know about Foliotek...professors too.)

I believe that in order to be a good teacher you should never stop learning...this includes technology.

Class Blogs From Around the World!

The first blog I found is from Mrs. Hayes' class in New Zealand. The class includes ten to eleven year old students. The blog is used to discuss projects the students are working on, as well as field trips and announcements. Each student has their own blog. The students are able to discuss their schoolwork and what is new in their lives. Links are available to other class blogs. The link to Mrs. Hayes class blog is
http://classblogmeister.com/blog.php?blogger_id=1638.

The second blog I found was from Mrs. Cassidy's 1st grade class in Canada. The blog has many helpful features. The blog is used to discuss how the students are learning to read. Youtube videos are used to teach lessons. A letter is featured in each blog and various methods are used to teach the words to the students. LInks are available to Mrs. Cassidy's webpage and other classrooms as well. A feature I hadn't seen before is called the yackpack, anyone can use this to talk to the teacher live in person. The link to this blog is http://classblogmeister.com/blog.php?blogger_id=1337

Classroom Blogs

The first blog I found was from Mr. Chamberlain's 5th grade class from Noel Elementary School in Noel, MO. This blog was jam-packed with videos of students participating in class projects and lessons. the blog even has links to the school's website as well as other useful sites. A map indicated that people from all over the world have visited the blog. Student's are able to access assignments, student blogs, and announcements. http://mrcsclassblog.blogspot.com/

The next blog I found was from Mrs. Myrmel's 3rd grade class. The blog is used to give the students a chance to learn a little bit about their new teacher. A school supply list is also included. The most recent blog is about the class's first project, raising monarch butterflies. http://jmyrmel.edublogs.org/

Did You Know?

The "Did You Know?" movie was about how technology has grown and will continue to grow for future generations. I thought it was very interesting. My parents have always said that my sister and I had schoolwork that was way ahead of theirs. My parents hardly considered college if they considered it at all. I wasn't even sure if college was for me. Things have definitely changed. I feel like there is a generation gap between me and sixteen year olds when it comes to technology...I'm 23. The fact that 70% of four year olds have used a computer blew my mind. I was reading chapter books at four and was considered ahead. I probably didn't even know anyone that owned a computer when I was four. I feel like sooner than later I'm going to be one of those people who complain about how complicated everything is and how young people move so fast these days.
More and more people have access to the internet. Internet moves a lot faster, which makes sites like youtube and myspace possible. I am able to comment, ask questions, and learn from people all over the world. Learning about other countries makes me want to visit them. Hopefully future generations will not be satisfied with simply communicating through computers. While technology connects us...a lot is still to be said for life experience.
I like the idea of One Laptop Per Child Project, or OLPC. This will provide endless opportunities for children who would never have a chance to reach their potential.