EDM 310 BLOGS!

I read Erica Sledge's blog. The style didn't seem very different from mine. We just posted our thoughts and what we learned about each topic. I guess that is what blogging is all about. I believe blogging is a great part of the classroom. After all the work that we have done to keep our blogs in this class, I cannot imagine never blogging again. I will definitely create a blog for my PE class.
I think if the students each have their own blogs it is easier for them to stay connected and keep updated on assignments. Keeping the students actively involved in the assignments and allowing them to see the work they have done will help keep them motivated. Creating class blogs is one way to educate students and will give them the start they need to keep up in an ever-growing technological world.
There could be some drawbacks to blogging, many of which can be overcome. One problem that many teachers have is taking the time to learn how to blog for themselves. South Alabama is solving that problem by requiring this class for all education majors. We now know how to not only blog, but are much more comfortable with navigating through the other programs that Google offers. Teachers also find it hard to add time to incorporate blogging in the classroom curriculum, especially with standardized tests like the CRTs looming over them. But, it can still be done. It may not be easy, especially at first. I think that if a teacher really wants to begin blogging, he/she will find the time. Teachers can benefit from the experience of others by viewing blogs made by other teachers. Another problem with class blogging could be access to computers. Some students may not have internet access at home and the school may not have a computer lab. There may be grants out there if one is willing to look hard enough. If the class only has one computer, it would not be easy, but it is still possible for students to maintain their blogs. The teacher doesn't have to require a post on every assignment. Basically, when a wall is encountered in blogging, just look at it as something that allows you to prove how bad you want something.(Randy Pausch)
Overall, while there may be problems with incorporating blogging in the classroom, it will be worth the trouble in the long run. The students are given the opportunity to reflect on what they have learned. They can review and maybe get a different point of view from another classmate. Blogging could also provide the opportunity to connect with others from all over the world. When teachers decide to work through any obstacles that they may encounter while starting a class blog, they will discover that the benefits that the students receive are limitless.

Documentary

After looking at the choices from the Duke University Center of Documentary Studies podcasts, I chose to watch a film called Broken. This is an educational film from South Africa about HIV. It was a short film that conveyed the reality of rape and sexually transmitted disease that children face every day. It was a film made by children, reaching out and sending the message that children are the future and they must be protected.
It was a "MADaboutART" production. I looked up the website that was given at the end of the film. Mad about Art is an organization that uses art to educate people in South Africa about HIV and AIDS. They help children by building life skills and self-confidence, while educating them about the disease. They have a method called Children Teaching Children. The children use art and the pictures they draw and paint to educate others about their experiences. The website had a quote made by Benjamin Franklin saying, "Tell me, and I forget. Teach me, and I may remember. Involve me, and I learn." Children are becoming involved and are being empowered to make a change in the trends that are continuing the cycle of HIV and AIDS. The website can be found at http://www.madaboutart.org/

Correspondence with Teacher

I emailed Mr. Chamberlain, a fifth grade teacher at Noel Elementary in Noel, MO. I found his class blog during a previous assignment. His class blog is very developed and the students have their own blogs, in which they regularly make posts. I decided to ask him a few questions about blogging. He has been making class web pages for several years. He switched to blogging to allow feedback from the students. I asked him what he thought about teachers who feel they don't have the time to incorporate blogging and other forms of technology into the classroom. He basically said that if teachers want to have students blog, it can be done. Since I am going to become a PE teacher, I asked if he had any suggestions on blogging in PE class. He gave me a link to a blog that is kept by a PE teacher in Milwaukee. The blog was very helpful. I enjoyed viewing the activities and got a few ideas for my future classes. Talking to Mr. Chamberlain was very helpful. I received ideas on how to incorporate blogging into the physical education classroom and I know that if I make the time, it can be done.
The Milwaukee PE blog can be found at http://fairviewpe.blogspot.com/

Daphne ACCESS Lab

I visited the ACCESS lab in Daphne High School. Joe Roh was the coordinator of the lab. He stated that the program was excellent, but there are still a lot of logistics to work through. One problem was that they couldn't have a course that the school already offered, so one class they have is Latin. Not many students are interested in taking Latin. They also offer test preparation classes, which students show interest in. They are able to communicate with other schools, it is easiest to stick with schools within Baldwin County, although he does interact with other counties. He also showed us what he called a Smartboard on steroids. It was like an electronical whiteboard, teachers can write their notes on the board when they run out of room, they can simply go to a new page. If they want to review the notes, they are stored and all they have to do is go back to them. The technology was pretty cool, but it is hard for them to utilize it to its fullest. They are still learning how to deal with the equipment and overcome problems, he said lightning struck the building a few times. They are also still working with rules and requirements that schools are required to follow.
Overall, I think the program is impressive and the idea is great. Every new program is going to have its obstacles. Once these are overcome, ACCESS will be a great tool in the student's education.

College Basketball has Begun!!!

Strange Conversations Podcasts

I listened to four different podcasts from the EDM 310 classes. I listened to iTunes for High School Teachers by Lisa Frye, Lisha Portis, and Joshua Andry; Blogs and Blogging by Silas Smith, Andrea Williams, and Lashandra Pruitt; and Useful Internet Sites for Elementary Teachers by Brennan Gibson, Hanna Callais, Ashley Wheeler, and Kimberly Dees.
Overall I think everyone did very well, although there is definitely room for improvement. Sometimes you can tell that the speaker is reading a script instead of talking from notes. You can also hear that some people were nervous...I was too. There were also a lot of filler words, especially "um". After listening to my podcast, I realized that I said "um" at the end of every sentence. I had no idea that I was doing that. While some people talked clearly, others talks quietly or too fast. In one podcast, there was a lot of rustling papers. While there were mistakes, there was also a lot of good things. People carried on conversations very well. People didn't interrupt each other too much. Everyone seemed well prepared and already had an idea of what they were going to say. Some of the podcasts were very funny. One group carried on the conversation very well, but at the end while Dr. Strange was wrapping the podcast up, everyone started laughing. This may have not been very professional, but it was funny.
Overall, I think this was a success. This was the first time that a lot of us have tried podcasting. Mistakes and nerves are to be expected. I think it is best to conduct the podcast as a conversation. It makes things more interesting. Good job everybody!

Mathematics with Technology

Judy Chandler is the technology integration specialist, math teacher, and math mentor/trainer for the Maine Learning technology Initiative. In the podcasts, she discussed the importance of technology in the mathematics classroom. She found that teachers are reluctant to incorporate technology into their lessons. there are many reasons for this. First, many view it simply as an add-on. Also, teachers don't want to take the time to learn about it. Another concern, which I believe is not the teachers fault, is that teachers must spend so much time preparing their students for standardized tests, they don't have time to integrate technology into the classroom.
The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics includes the "Technology Principle" as one of the six critical principles for high quality mathematics education. They also stated "Technology is essential in teaching and learning mathematics; It influences the math that is taught and enhances students' learning."
I believe that integrating technology into the math class could benefits students and teachers. Tools would be available that could engage the students, instead of passive learning. Technology would offer different teaching techniques that would engage different students. Also, technology would expand the walls of the classroom. Students can communicate with others and gain essential experiences that would increase learning.