Project #14

Blogpost #14

Project #13

For this project, we are supposed to post a collaboration on what materials we used for Project #15. For Project #15, my group mostly used text messaging and email. It was neat to know that we didn't have to meet face to face in order to organize this project. So, what are some disadvantages of communicating this way? Let's start with the advantages. First of all, it was easy to type up our ideas and send them to each other. We couldn't use FaceTime because not all of our group members had an iPhone, but we still managed to make it work! The major disadvantage had to do with time. Not everyone in our group had the same schedule, so it was quite difficult for us to be able to respond to one another as soon as something was sent. However, no matter what problems we had, we worked together and made an excellent project in the end!

Project #16

Final Report on PLN

I have been continuously working on my PLN.  I would put a link to it but, it is unorganized right now. I haven't came up with a system on how I want it organized.   This is because, I am constantly looking at blogs and adding the interesting ones to it.  I am really grateful for being introduced to this tool.  I feel that it will be very beneficial to me once I enter the classroom.   A good learner's PLN is never finished.

C4T #4 Summary Post

I had the pleasure of being assigned to principal Julie A. Vincentsen's blog, One Principal's Musings.  She has posted some great and informational posts.  Here is a summary of a few post in which I commented on...


Capturing Struggling Readers

 Prinicipal Vincentsen was inspired by a student's parent to write
this post.  This parent shared that her son was frustrated because he could not read the same books as his peers.  He felt left out because he couldn’t engage in their conversations about the latest and greatest books they were reading.  She thought about he sister who had the same problems with her sons and called her for some advice for the parent.  Her sister suggested that the parent and his teacher use audio books to help with this problem.  Here are some sources of audio books she suggested:

Audible.com

• It is owned by Amazon and works well with the Kindle. 
• Membership is $15/mo. and includes one download per month. Additional books can be downloaded for a fee ($8-15 ea). Audible often offers membership deals and other specials. 
• Audio books are available for many titles and are read by professional actors.
• Each book can be downloaded onto multiple devises including personal computer, mp3 player or iPods.
• Some schools are obtaining memberships from Audible at discounted prices.

BookShare (www.bookshare.org)

• Bookshare is available only to people with print-based disabilities. 
• It is FREE!
• BookShare is unique because the download includes text and audio. The text is highlighted to assist reading along.
• Textbooks are available, but only if the membership is obtained by the school and the child is on an IEP.

Learning Ally (www.learningally.org) (formerly Reading for the Blind and Dyslexic)

• LearningAlly is available only to people with print-based disabilities. 
• An individual, unlimited, annual membership fee is $99.
• Audio books can be downloaded onto a computer or iPod app.
• LearningAlly is unique because textbooks are available to all members and illustrations and graphs are also read and described. Textbooks are frequently read by experts in the field.
• If a book is not available, it can be requested and will be recorded, often within two weeks.

Hello Principal Vincentsen,

And they say ban technology from classrooms, I think not!!! This is a great way for teachers to incorporate technology in the classroom. Struggling readers can definitely benefit from the use of children’s audio books. They can help students with comprehension, fluency, and overall attitude toward reading. There is no such thing as a child who hates to read; there are only children who have not found the right book.

Thank you for another great post!
Courtney Muse



Tis the Season of Report Cards: Praising Effort & Setting Goals

In this post, Principal Vincentsen talks about students and their report cards.  She refers to report card days as some of the biggest days in student's lives. This day brings a great deal of anxiety as children are concerned about how parents will react when they open the envelope. She shares with us a letter that a 4th grade teacher sent out to parent.  In this letter, the teacher offers advice to parents in reguards to their child's report card.  In the letter, she encourages parents to, hug, kiss, and tell them that they are proud of them no matter what.  She also suggest parents to praise their child for the good grades and encourage the child to set goals for the poorer grades. 

This teacher has offered some amazing advice to parents. Report card days are some of the most important days in a student's education career. And I'ts all up to the parent’s reaction to these cards that may make or break a student educational success.

Thanks for the ideas and inspirations,
Courtney Muse

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Blogpost #13

For this blogpost, EDM310 students were banned from use of electronic devices for 24 hrs.  We were to report our results after the third attempt or after successfully completing the exercise. Here are my results....

I believe this assignment was emphasize the importance of technology in today's world.  Technology is a very essential element in our day to day lives.   This exercise was very dificult for me for this very reason. I depend soley on my phone and computer for alot of what I do on a daily basis. I am a full-time student and majority of my school work is done through these devices. In my future classroom, I don't want to deprive my students of something that they are so use to.  I do expect myself to find a balance to faciltate learning with the use of technology.

Project #15- Smartboard Instuction Part 2

Special Post #12A.

Creativity and Curiosity: My Thoughts

Curiosity is a heightened state of interest that results in exploration.  Curiosity is also a critical component of creativity.  Educators face the challenge of fostering curiosity and creativity in today's learners.   Childhood is the most critical time in life because, this is when students are naturally curious and creative. This is a time when they want to know all they can about things that are intriguing to them.   However, School systems plays a major part in destroying the development of curiosity and creativity of students.

I feel that a curriculum can and needs to be developed that increases the curiosity and creativity of students.  School system's curriculum now is so narrowed by mandated standardized tests and scores that it reduces the opportunities for educators to be creative in the classroom. Teachers are under pressure to use the "burp back" method to prepare students for these test instead of preparing them for the 21st century. Subsequently ruining the chances of bringing out students creativity and curiosity. I believe that school's curriculum should have some key components such as: hands-on learning, project based, and multimedia. Hands-on learning is the only way students can directly observe and understand material. 

Educators play the main role in doing in ffostering creativity and curiosity of students.  This is a very important yet, a difficult task.  Here's a few strategies that can be done to achieve this:

Strategy 1:  Curiosity as motivation.  Ask thought-provoking questions during lessons.  Also use surprising statements.

Strategy 2:   Create an atmosphere where students feel comfortable to ask/answer questions without the fear of being right or wrong.

Strategy 3:  Give a certain amount of time to explore a topic.  When time is up, learners still have the urge to continue to explore.

Strategy 4:  Incorporate technology in the classroom.

Strategy 5:  Allow students to choose topics in writing.

Blog Post #12

Contributing to the Future

At the beginning of this semester, Dr. Strange asked several questions. " Should all teachers be technologically literate? What do we mean by technological literacy? Are you technologically literate?   Throughout this semester, we have been assigned a numerous assignments that has supported these questions.  Think about what you have read and watched.   Answer these questions in two or more paragraphs following the requirements in Writing A Quality Blog Post.

Progress Report on Final Project

My group and I have thrown around some ideas for this project but, we don't have anything concrete.  We have been meeting to brainstorm with ideas for project 15 and 16. We also communicate via text and Google chat.  There's alot that can be done with this but, we want to make sure that we do something fun and worth while!    

C4K Summary Post for April

For April's C4K,  EDM310 students served as mentors in the WORLD BLOG CHALLENGE sponsored by Edublogs. We were assigned to a student's blog that we were to comment. This experience was a little upsetting to me because,  I actually looked forward to meeting new students each week.  However, I did enjoy reading my student's,Veronica, posts. She is from El Salvador. 

Post #1

In this post, Veronica shared a little about El Salvador. She gave us the hot spots that should be visited, like San Salvador; And, told us that the native language that is spoken is Spanish.  She also gave us some history on the country's flag.

Hi Veronica,
My name is Courtney Muse and I am a student in EDM310 at The University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama.

El Salvador sounds like a nice place. I have yet to visit, but it is a place on my list. From looking at pictures of El Salvador, I can tell it’s a beautiful country. I don’t think I could live there, I will get home sick because it’s so far from my family. You stated that your mother and father lives there, do you also live in El Salvador? Which language do you speak more fluently, English or Spanish?
I am going to be commenting on your blog for the next 3 weeks so hopefully you will have some new posts for me to read! I really enjoyed this one. Keep up the good work. I look forward to hearing back from you.


Post #2

In this post, Veronica talks about the Sanata Parade. This parade is held annually on December 3rd in Chilliwack, Canada.  How she describes it, it's a parade of lights, music and pure family fun. It puts me in the mind of our own Madi Gras parade here in Mobile.

Hi again Veronica!

I enjoyed reading your post. The parade kinda sounds like an event that is held here where I live. It is called Mardi Gras. It is where a parade is held everyday for about two weeks. It consists of marching bands and colorful floats. People throw moon pies, colorful beads, candy, stuffed animals, etc. It’s two weeks filled fun and laughter. People come into town from all over. Here are some pictures for you to look at.

Post #3

In this post, Veronica gave step by step instructions on how to make a paper boat by using only pictures.  Her instructions were very thorough because, I made one using her instructions. 

Hi again Veronica,

Very creative! I loved how you used photos for your instructions. Cool! I remember when I was younger, I used to make things like this from paper. I can make a good paper plane! What else can you make?

Great post,
Courtney Muse

If you are interested in reading more of Veronica's posts, here is the link to her blog.

Blogpost #11

"Pushing the Envelope"

I loved this interview. It's great to hear from a teacher who actually incorporates technology in her classroom.  She gave great was to incorporate it but, there are two that I would definitly use in my classroom. A class blog and blogs for my students.  I want to include these so parents can be informed with whats goin on in their childs class.  I think that having a classblog is more convient for parents. Instead of waiting at the end of the night to read a piece, they can check the blog throught the day on a daily basis.  There are a few reasons why it is importantant to have student blogs. One reason is so that parents can see their child's progress in the classroom.  Also,  instead of students writing with pencil and  paper all the time to turn in to me, they can blog their work for everyone to see.  This will motivate students to do better with their work and engage them in what they know best, technolgy.

Now of course there will be some issues with this. Some households do not have the access to way that they can check the blogs. I came up with a way that might resolve this issue.  At the beginning of the school year, give parents the option on how they would like to recive information about the class.  I can send out paper copies to those who opt out of using the blog or email.

Blog post #10

Teacher vs. Educator

One of my biggest goals is to become a teacher.  I want to experience life through teaching others. Not only do I want to teach, I want to educate. I have a willingness to help student achieve. I have a great dedication to student's excellence. I intend to be an advocate for students. I intend to look at things and explain material in different ways.  I intend to instill great moral and values in students.



 Don't Let Them Take the Pencils Home!- Tom Johnson

Immediatley after ready this post, I thought back to Dr. Scott Mcleod's post, Don't Teach Your Kids This Stuff, Please! This post talks about not allowing children to bring pencils home because, students who use pencils at home have lower standardized test scores.  There's a fear that when pencils are taken home, they're used for entertainment purposes only.  However, there's a much bigger message. I think it's safe to say that the pencils actually represents technology! No one wants to believe technology will be beneficial to the classroom.  The post shows that whether it shows or not, learning can take place if pencils and technology are used for entertainment.  It is up to us as educators to enhance learning through these such tools in a way that it is engaging for students.   We also should allow students to use technology or pencils in anyway they want to faciliatate in their own learning.

Blog Post #9

New Kid on the Block

Teaching is a complex job with huge responsibilities.  Studies show that nearly fifty percent of all educators quit the profession within their first five years due to the many struggles associated with the classroom. Whether it is struggles with the students, faculty, administration, parents or curriculum.  This is often called burnout.   New teachers begin the school year full of excitement, certain that you they're going to change the world. They have worked hard to earn their teaching credentials and are ready to make a difference. Alot of new teacher are blinded to the fact that alot of lessons will be learned and alot of mistakes will be made.  All teachers have different experiences their first years.   Mr. McClung describes, in these posts, the roller-coaster ride in his first-years teaching.   

Quotes from Mr. McClung....

"NO LESSON IS EVER PERFECT. THE LESSON YOU TEACH AND THE ONE YOU PLAN ARE ALWAYS DIFFERENT."

"COMMUNICATION IS THE BEST MEDICINE."

"AS TEACHERS WE HOLD VERY HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENTS....SOMETIMES THEY LIVE UP TO THOSE EXPECTATIONS, AND SOMETIMES THEY DON'T."

"IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO CHANGE YOUR WAY OF THINKING, LEARNING, OR STYLE."

"IN ORDER TO BUILD THE RESPECT THAT WE ALL SEEK IN A STUDENT TEACHER RELATIONSHIP, IT IS IMPORTANT TO TAKE INTEREST  THEIR THE LIVES OF STUDENTS."

"NEVER GET TOO COMFORTABLE, CHANGE IS GOOD AND ULTIMATELY IT MAKES US BETTER TEACHER."

"CHECK YOUR EGO AT THE DOOR."

"OUR DECISION MAKING PROCESS SHOULD ALWAYS BE STUDENT CENTERED AND NOT CENTERED AROUND PLEASING ADULTS."

"DON'T EXPECT OTHERS TO BE AS EXCITED ABOUT CHANGE AS YOU ARE."

"WHILE ROUTINES ARE GOOD IN THE SENSE THEY ALLOW TO BE MORE EFFECTIVE, THEY CAN ALSO BE BAD BECAUSE THEY CAN FOSTER APATHY." 

"DON'T BE AFRAID TO BE AN OUTSIDER."

Short Story Project #11

Things that are Most in the World 

Judi Barrett

Blog Post #8

Learning to Change, Changing to Learn


Changes in the educational system is necessary to meet the needs of 21st Century students. First, we must understand that change is not an event it is a process. It is a process in which educators must be willing to undergo in order to provide students with a more meaningful or relevant education. There is a need for a re-evaluation of the classroom. By no means am I saying that the traditional ways of teaching are wrong or do away with the teachers who still practice these methods.  I'm saying that those teachers must be willing to reform to using technology in creative ways to make learning more engaging to students.

Here are a few ideas that stuck out to me:

• Students are having a much more stimulating and rich environment outside of school ratherthan in school.
• Every potentential turned of device is a potential turned off student.
• Technology has emerged an new environment.

This Is How We Dream- Richard E. Miller
Researching, writting, and publishing has changed tremendously through the web.   He makes several great points about how important it is for us as educators to learn all that we can about the new forms of communication (through technology) and to come up with better ways of teaching our students to use it advantageously. There are three things that he said that stuck in my mind when I listened to this podcast.

Carly Pugh's Blog Post #12

Her assignment is beyond outstanding. She clearly shows using the computer as a tool to foster the writing process and using multimedia to present her report. The objective, teaching philosophy, is very important. It is important for every teacher to have a personal philosophy that reflects personal ideologies and philosophies of teaching and the overall development of the children. And what better way to construct it is by using Youtube videos.  This technique was right on! This assignment is great because it is so versatile.  There's endless possibilities in what you can do with this.  You can use it for all subjects and ages.  This is a phenomenal example of what Dr. Miller means by writing with multi-media.


Does EDM Have You Down???

If your answer is yes, well guess what?  You are NOT the only one. Many students, as well as myself, feel overwhelmed.  As Dr. Strange has stated, EDM is different.  EDM is not only preparing us to be technologically literate teachers but, it preparing us to be professional educators.

Here's a video that might help to put your mind at ease.   EDM for Dummies portrays real attitudes of students in EDM310. In watching this myself, I was wondering what could I do to help future students.  Now I am aware that Dr. Strange asked for a video, but I would like to create a EDM310 for Dummies book.  I want to take the instructional manuel and more and turn into a book. A video does not allow you the time to throughly explain things.  I want the book to be a full tutorial of the class.  I want it to not only explain how to the assignments but why we do them. I wan t I want it to be something that real educators can use.

Scavenger Hunt


1. Find a tool to create a poll anywhere and at anytime. Create your first poll and post it here.

I found Poll Code.  Here you can customize your poll with your own colors, font, and settings. When you're finished, you are provided with an HTML code to paste into your website, or you can "quick post" your poll to MySpace, Facebook, WordPress, Blogger and many more in just minutes.  It's also free poll.

Has EDM310 helped you to become a technology literate teacher?

Yes No Undecided

pollcode.com free polls

2.  Find a video tool that you have never used. Summarize some it's special features.

I love Animoto! Animoto automatically produces unique video pieces from your photos, video clips, and music.  It syncs with Facebook, Flickr, Picasa, Photobucket, and SmugMug to get your images in a snap.  You can upload your own mp3 or choose from their collection of tunes in several different genres. Then watch your video in HD on Animoto.com or share it on Facebook, YouTube, your blog, or a DVD. It's fast and easy to post to websites or download.

3.  Find a tool to make-your-own comic strip. Create a comic and post a picture of it in your blog.

I found Toondoo.

Book Trailer Project #12

Where The Wild Things Are

Blog Post #7

The Networked Student by Wendy Drexler

Learning has changed tremendously over the last few decades. There are different different modes, thoughts, and actions for learning. There are also different theories for learing that has developed over the years. One suits our generation today very well, and it is Connectivism.

Connectivism is basically a learing theory for our technological and digital age. It's a theory were learning occurs part of a social network in diverse connections and ties. In the video, it show how the student nurtures and maintains connections needed to facilitate learning. The student is exitibting learning not only by gaining skills and understanding, but also by actuation which is a much needed element of sociey today. He also is learning by the process of connecting information sources and gathering diverse opinions to form his own.

The question is asked, "why does the networked student need a teacher?"  The networked student not only needs a teacher but need a networked teacher.  What good is just a teacher if she can't keep up with the student.  If teachers expect their students to be lifelong learners, they must be willing to be the same. Teachers should be willing to learn from their students as well.  Teachers should ensure that their students are not left behind this age of progression. Teachers are needed to prepare students for the world in which they will live and work in. Teachers are needed to see change with a fresh and creative outlook. ready to look at situations with fresh, creative eyes.  Teachers are needed to attract and and keep students engaged in learning.  Teachers are needed to foster peer relationships for when they go on to network, they know the proper way to do so .  Teachers are needed to give students the reason for learning!!!


Welcome to my PLE!


She is definily the product of a Networked Student! It's truley amazing how much knowledge she has about networking considering her age. It's also amazing how she uses her creativity to faciliate her own learning.  This is what teaching is all about in the 21st century to me, letting students explore their own minds and creativity. Her PLN was so organized, creative, and engaging.

Project #10- Personal Learning Network

A Work in Progress

I want to build a supportive and innovative PLN that will help me grow as a student and future educator.  Most of all, I want it to help me grow as a person. I want this place to act as a safe haven or  safety net for me to throw around new ideas around and get answers to questions I don't know the answers to.  I want to come in contact with educators that uses the most relevant methods and recipotate those methods in teaching my students.  This all seems complex and complicated, but Dr. Strange and EDM310 has actually set the foundation for this type of PLN.

Here are a few tips to a successful PLN...

• Set up a accounts: Google, Blogger, Youtube, iTunes,
• Set up an account to organize all your information such as: Symbaloo.  There are more available.  I choose to use Symbaloo to organize all my findings. I found this tool very useful. I was constantly bookmarking on my toolbar, but this is much easier, organized, and visually appealing for me
• Join a few social sites such as: Twitter, Facebook, Edublogger World, etc
• For a start, pick 5 Blogs you find interesting and start reading and following them. Become a part of the conversation and start commenting on the blogs you read. Ex. Cool Cat Teacher/Vicki Davis and Ted Talk. 
• Look up the bloggers profiles to get a sense of who they are. If they seem interesting, follow them on twitter or facebook.  Alot of edcuators uses twitter. Do the same for their followers.
• Search for videos and podcast on YouTube and itunes. There are alot of great ones out there!

Here's a start to my PLN....

Google
Facebook
YouTube
Twitter
Blogger
Pinterest
Pandora
Amazon
Edm310 class blog
Jamie Lynn Miller, @jamielynn519
Paige Vitulli, @PaigeVitulli, Pondering Paige
G Tashbin, @gtashbin
Allie Howell, @AllieHowell
Stephen Akins, @akins14
Anthony Capps, @MrCapps
John Strange, @drjohnhadley
Pernille Ripp, Blogging Through The Fourth Dimension
Lisa Nielsen, The Innovative Educator

C4K Summary Post

I am really enjoying C4K.  I find myself waiting anxiously for the next assignment every week. I know that this assignment is for the kids benefit but, it helps and motivates me also. To help me keep organized, I have compiled all of my reflections from C4K in this post. I have also sorted them by the date and time that I commented. 

 February 12, 2012 at 4:59 PM

It sounds like you do attend the BEST school EVER Abdulkareem! You are very fortunate to be able to attend a school that allows for students to learn about their religion and express their many talents. Im very impressed with how your school formed an organization to help people better themselves, that’s very commendable! I also would like to commend you on your post, it is very well put together. I really enjoyed reading it, keep up the GOOD work!
Abdulkareem did a very good job with this post and giving his school such a good image.   He explains how his school is different from other public schools. This school has children, adults, and teachers that follow the religion of Islam. They are taught the Quran (the holy book in Islam), Arabic(the language of the Muslims), Islamic Studies.  They also have a daily mass noon prayer.  NH also provides programs to help individuals specified to their needs.  He gives a list of reason why he enjoys this school.  It's wonderful to see a student be so passionate about attending school!

February 19, 2012 at 6:01 PM

Hi sydney!

I really enjoyed reading your post, it was very well written.  You picked out some great names for your dogs! However, I am also sorry to hear about Tucker. Did you ever get another dog? When I was little, I had a German Shepherd named Max. I was very hurt when he did, so I understand how you must have felt. I haven’t had a dog since but, I’ve been thinking about getting a yorkie and naming her Bella.
Sydney's post was about his two dogs he absolutely loves. 

February 26, 2012 6:46 PM 

Hi Carla!

It seems that we share a few common interests. I also like science, hanging with my friends, and listening to music. I usually listen to music on Pandora. What is your favorite genre? I was reading over a few of your writings, you are a very good writer. Keep up the good work!

Podcast Project #8

Blog Post #6

Randy Pausch Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams

Randy Pausch was a professor of Computer Science and Human-Computer Interaction at Carneige Mellon University (CMU) in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. After learning in September 2006 that he had pancreatic cancer and given a terminal diagnosis in August 2007, he delieved as to what he thought would be his last leture in September 2007. He entitled it "The Last Leture: Really Achieving Your Childood Dreams." This lecture became an international media story and a phenomenon.

This speech is based on three principles; his childhood dreams and how he acheived them, how he has enabled the dreams of others, and the lessons he has learned. Pausch shared a list of some of his childhood dreams. He told how some way or another how he achieved each one of them. For those he did not achieve, it taught him very important lessons which were useful in helping others to achieve theirs. He created ways to allow others to explore themselves and center themseves around things they enjoyed with no limitatations. He encouraged freedom of creativity and excitment. Through his good works and indeeds, he showed us not only how to become better teacher but better individuals.

I believe that this intelligent, humorous, and inspirational message was not about dying. He created this visual that life is about the importance of overcoming obstacles, of enabling the dreams of others, and of seizing every moment. It was simply about living!

Timeline Timetoast - Project #9a

Blog Post #4

Eagles' Nest Radio & Class Blog

Phenomenal! Everytime I run across great ideas like this, I become more and inspired, motivated, and excited to become a teacher! Before watching the videos, I was unsure of how to incorporate podcasting in the classroom.  I certainly know now! 

When we were assigned to produce a podcast, we weren't given much instruction on how to make a good podcast. After listening to the students, I quickly learned!  Here's a couple of tips I would like to share:

 1. Know what you're talking about.  To do this you have to research your podcast topic so that you can better deliver your topic.

2. Make it fun, make it your own! There's nothing like having to learn about something so boring.  What a wonderful way to get students enthuased about learning.  It's also a good way to get the students to facilitate in their own learing.  These students got really creative to make the information interesting and memorable. 

The Benefits of Podcastinng in the Classroom

Like I mentioned before, I had no clue of how podcasting could be used in the classroom.  Here are some reasons why teachers and future educators should promote project based learning in the classroom:

• an effective way of interacting with students outside of the classroom
• makes it relevant to them
• it allows for differentiation
• students can access the higher order thinking skills in Bloom's taxonomy
• it promotes creativity and innovation
• it can offer distance learning opportunities for absent students
• makes learning more memorable
• parents can see and hear what their children are doing at school

The Education Podcast Network

The Education Podcast Network is a collaboration of ideas from people from around the world. This is a great tool for teachers to utilize to gather lesson plan ideas from other educators. The EPN also allows you to access specific podcasts based on a specific subject.  The EPN is basically the yellow pages for educators.  This site definitely helps teachers to develop 21st century lesson plans that are creative and innovative.

Blog post #3

Michael Wesch: A Vison of Students Today

Personally, I have experienced a lot of what this video showed. I've been in a classes that had well over 100 students. I've spent money on books that has pilled in my trunk and collected dust. I've had classmates to only show on test days. I've had teachers to not know my name. Trust me I've had what I call the "true" college experience. At times I've felt like I was being robbed of a well deserved education.

I believe that this video is trying to show that professors are laging behind in the "Technology Age" and it very well shows the affects that it has on students. College is a place where students depend on for their future. How can students learn if they are so bored and fed up with the repetitive system of school which leads to students feeling like what is being taught is worthless. You know, this makes me think about the question Dr. Strange asked on first day of class. Should teachers be technology literate? Why not incorporate the internet and the social media websites in learing if you know that your students spends most of his/her time on it. Think about all the possibilities that would spark in a class if they were! 

Dr. Strange is really setting an example with EDM 310. What if we had to attend this class twice a week and listen to Dr. Strange lecture about how to do the the things we do instead of actually letting us do them? We would be bored out of our minds! Instead Dr. Strange is allowing us to aid in independent learning.

Technology is here and isn't going anywhere, so let's get with the program!



MathBoard    

I choose a math app because many students find this difficult subject to be a challenge, trust me I know!  I want to be able to make learning this key subject enjoyable and memorable much as possible. So after searching, I ran across Math Board.  MathBoard is a fantastic app for teaching addition, subtraction, multiplication and division problems   I also choose this app because it's suitable is for all ages.

Here are a few MathBoard features that I absolutley love:
- A quiz can be timed, and timing can be set as a countdown timer or elapsed time.
- A quiz can be saved making it simple to replay a similar quiz or the same quiz at a later date.
- Wrong answers are reviewable with both the incorrect and correct answer.  You can even generate a quiz from just the wrong answers.
-Explains the required steps to solve various types of problems.

Project #5 Google Presentation

C4T #1 summary post

Oh my gosh,  I absolutely love the teacher's blog that I was assigned!  Pardon me if I am overly excited, but I really am.  I was a little hesitant to start C4T because I didn't think I would get paired with a teacher that would spark my interest.  Pernille Ripp is a phenomenal 5th grade teacher at West Middleton Elementary located on the outskirts of Madison, WI.  She runs several inspirational blogs, one of which being Blogging through the Fourth Dimension.   Below are two posts I read and left comments...


I Am the Job Creator


Mrs. Ripp gives many reasons why she feels that she is a Job Creator.  Not in a sense that she provides employment but, she spends the money at various establishments that keeps the economy going.

  I said...

GREAT post!!! In society we are both CONSUMERS and PRODUCERS. WE consume the goods and services, but we are also producers because we replenish and keep society afloat. The prime example that you gave in the blog which pertained to going to the mall. You are so right because when I go to the mall and spend money, I'm not necessarily putting the money in their pockets per say, but what I am doing is spending money so that the company can profit to make more good and hire MORE people to sell those goods. Everyone in society is a job creator because if there wasn't a need for it, then their wouldn't be job. I am a JOB CREATOR.

Hello. I am a student at the University of South Alabama. I am assigned to comment on your blog for a few weeks. You can also visit my blog.



Do High-tech Gadgets Improve Learning- What a Dumb Question


Time For Kids is a magazine that Mrs. Ripp uses in her classroom to stay current with events around the world. One headline really stuck out to her which read, "Technology Takeover...Schools Nationwide Are Using Technology to Teach Lessons.  But Do High-Tech Gadgets Improve Learning?"  At which she immediately thought- what a dumb question!  She answered and gave her opinion in a post.  This is a topic that starts controversy worldwide.  She argues that gadgets has nothing to do with learning but, its has everything to do with how you use it to facilitate effective learning.

I said...

Excellent post! It really hit home with me. In a course I'm now taking, EDM310, we are learning the importance of integrating technology into our future classrooms and how to do it effectively. Your post fell right on time because the last few assignments given to use are to get us to realize how dumb this question really is. People fail to realize that technology is just a tool. Teachers are still needed to facilitate learning. It's just left up to the teacher to put the driving force behind the tool. I think of it like this, can you sit a lawnmower on the lawn and expect it to mow it? Of course not! So why do some think gadgets work the same? So after watching assigned videos and reading your post, I have come to a conclusion. YES, this is a dumb question! 

Project #2 -Wordle

Blog post #1

Who is Courtney???

I am confident and scared. I am crazy and silly. I am terrified and excited. I am funny and brave. I am loving and caring. I am gurly and sweet. I am thoughtful and hopeful. I am loud and cheerful. I am shy and friendly. Im opionated and entergetic. I am carefull and careless. I am annoying and fun. I am broken and whole. I am outgoing and optimistic. I am misunderstood, misguided and mislead. I am hardworking and determined. I wish on stars and dream my dreams. I pray to God and cry my tears. I smile on the outside, while i am dying on the inside. I am a great listener even to those who will not listen to me. I walk on eggshells and I walk on fire. I am everthing and nothing all at once. I am not everything i want to be, but i am everything i need to be. I am just me.

Hello world and fellow EDM310-ers!

My name, of course, is Courtney Muse. Let me first say that I am really looking forward to blogging with you all! I was born and raised in Mobile, AL. Throughout high school, my main focus was to follow in my
aunt's footsteps in becoming a nurse. In 2009,  I was accepted into Bishop State Community College nursing program and awarded a full scholarship. After beginning clinicals at Mobile Infirmary Hospital, I soon found out that nursing was not my true passion. This experience forced me to make a quick descion about what would really make me happy in my future. I knew I wanted and had to stick with a career that would allow me to make differences in children's lives.  I decided to enroll in South in which it turned out to be a great decision.  I am now a junior at the university where I am studying Elementary/Special Education and LOVING IT!




"Failing to plan is planning to fail."--Randy Pausch

It's said to say this, but this will be my third time taking EDM 310 due to my lack of organizational skills and time management.  I have always been a procrastinator, but I think it is in my nature.  Today I watched a video that very significant to me because as I watched it made me reflect on my short commings, also gave me nessasary tools in order to help me be very sucessful this time around.  The video was presented by Randy Pausch. Pausch was a professor of Computer Science and Human-Computer Interaction at Carneige Mellon University (CMU) in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. After learning in September 2006 that he had pancreatic cancer and in given a terminal diagnosis in August 2007, he delieved as to what he thought would be his last leture in September 2007.  He entitled it "The Last Leture: Really Achieving Your Childood Dreams."  This lecture became an international media story and a phenomenon.