ACCESS

Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators, and Students Statewide, or ACCESS, is opening doors for Alabama's students. This program is a distance learning experience, which gives students the chance to better further their education by enrolling in some of the courses. Classes are offered as wed-based classes, welcoming technology into today's classrooms. The classes range from Advanced Placement courses to remedial classes to even foreign languages that are not usually taught within the walls of a school. This program offers "quality learning opportunities," taught by high qualified teachers and professors.

I applaud the great state of Alabama for recognizing and embracing the movement to push forward in technology. If a teacher was properly certified, I think the inclusion of ACCESS is vital to the 21st century student, teacher, and classroom. Apparently since beginning the program, ACCESS has seen great improvement in the student's grades and achievements. In recent news, the University of South Alabama is closing in on a similar track. Creating a more web-based environment will not only cut down costs, but will give students more opportunities for outstanding learning.

Would you like to find out more about Access? Click here.

ALEX

The Alabama Learning Exchange, also known as ALEX, is a virtual tool for both teachers and students. Created by the Alabama Department of Education, it provides informative resources that makes learning a particular subject easier to comprehend. Teachers are able to share lesson plans with each other, while students get extra help by clicking on any of the links.

In my opinion, Alabama school systems have developed a brilliant system for success inside and outside of the classroom. In order to create successful lessons, collaboration is one of the key elements for teachers. The ability to exchange information is starting to take the education world by storm. Networking is becoming more popular as society becomes more reliant on technology. For students, ALEX provides legitimate alternatives from the usual Wikipedia and Google sources. Also, this resource allows for more practice in a struggling topic, through online links.

To find out more about The Alabama Learning Exchange, Click here.

Dear Kaia

What started as a bonding moment between a young girl and her father resulted in a learning experience for Twitter users around the world. This journey begins with Mr Chamberlain and his class going about their usual Comments4Kids Wednesday activities. They came across a beautiful story posted by a father who encouraged his daughter to "take a closer look at the world around her." Even though they were inspired by Kaia's own photos and her interpretation of the world, Mr. Chamberlain's class got a surprise call from Kaia's father himself, Jabiz Raisdana. Since Kaia is a three year girl who can not read, he asked the class to create a video for her. Through Skype, Voicethread, and video, the class were able to interact and respond to this fascinating story.

Obviously privacy is a major issue when it comes to presenting yourself and others to the world, by means of technology. Though I am not a parent myself, I understand Mr. Raisdana's perspective on sharing his little Kaia with the rest of the world. It is frightening to become that vulnerable to the world. But all in all, this is a fine example of Personal Learning Networks coming together to collaborate ideas, philosophies, and personal experiences with technology users across the planet. I think Kaia's father took the right step to not only show off Kaia's adventure to fellow family members, but also to the world.

When I continue my technology journey in my future classroom, parents, who are concerned just like Mr. Raisdana, will know exactly what their child is doing in my classroom.! Technology has taken the art of learning and turned it up a notch. There are no limitations when it comes to the discoveries that are being made and are continuing to be made in the classroom. As Mr. Chamberlain's class and my own EDM 310 class has found out, Twitter and blogging are important factors that allow today's society to stay connected.

Here's the link to Mr Chamberlain's response to Kaia's adventure. Click here

Here's the link to Mr. Raisdana's response to Mr. Chamberlain and his class. Click here

Here's Kaia's photo essay. Click here

The New Media Literacies

I agree with the NML Staff's opinion. In order to be successful, we not only have to think about what the media producers are putting out, but also to think what I, as a 21st century technology user, am developing. I believe that the skills discussed in this video are appropriate for today's artist, citizen, and worker.Going through the list of discussed skills, I can relate to ten out of the eleven listed. The only skill that I have not gotten a grasp on, is distributed cognition. I experience distributed cognition all the time, yet personally I believe that this one will take time to perfect. I will most likely acquire this fully by stepping into the education world. I will have to take account my particular social environment, in order to succeed.



New Media Literacies Project begun as a research project to figure out how to better equip the younger generation "with the social skills and cultural competencies required to become full participants in an emergent media landscape and raise public understanding about what it means to be literate in a globally interconnected, multicultural world," as the website describes in its mission. This website is filled with lots of information concerning the Participatory Culture, today's young generation. To be a part of this culture means that you have some ties with social communication whether it be through "affiliation" like Facebook or Myspace, "expression" like skinning and fan videomaking), "collaborative problem-solving" such as Wikipedia and reality computer games), or "circulations" like Podcasting and blogging).

It is important for this upcoming generation to have equal opportunities to embrace the World Wide Wed. Without the knowledge of technology, research has shown that the student will most likely fall behind in their studies. The NML project is pushing for education institutions to assimilate more technology in the classrooms for this rising culture. As a future educator, I realize that most students are already taking advantage of the Internet. Why not make good use of it and teach students to deepen their experiences, using technology as an educational tool?

You can find out more about the New Media Literacies Project by clicking here

Wendy Drexler's "The Networked Student"

I found this video to be quite amusing! Wendy Drexler's video discusses information about the Networked Student. Truly, I am that networked student. Though the high school student may perform up to the standards of the class, alone, the teacher is there to teach him the how-tos and provides moral support. She is there to interact with his ideas and point him in the right direction.

Instead of waiting for instruction, the networked student embarks on his journey to research his subject on his own. There are numerous resources he can build off on. Many of these resources are being introduced in the curriculum of EDM 310 today. I think it is amazing to think that I am not the only person performing these tasks. Many students across the world are blogging, developing personal learning networks(plns), creating podcasts/videocasts, etc.

This definitely is not your momma's classroom. As an aspiring teacher, I will be teaching the networked student. I can run away from technology or embrace it with open arms. I choose to take on this bulk of the future and be that "Change Agent" in my student's lives.



Here's the link to the video, Click here.
If you would like to find out more information about Wendy Drexler, Click here.

Richard Miller's This is How We Dream Part 1 & 2

Richard Miller creates an interesting presentation about the future of multimedia. I believe that the future has already begun. Many education institutions are taking technology into their own hands to enhance the classrooms. I have encountered many professors who utilize Powerpoint and Youtube in their lectures. As an EDM 310 student, I know that there is a new realm of technology about to change the education world as we know it. Mr. Miller's video focuses on society being a listening/doing society, rather than a reading/writing one.

Am I prepared to write with multimedia? Upon completing this class, I will have a slight advantage over my colleagues. But in reality, I do not think that one can be fully prepared though. Technology is constantly changing, new ideas are being thrown out onto the table each day. In Karl Fisch's "Did you Know video", he tells us that, "for students starting a 4 year technical degree, half of what they learn in their first year of study will be outdated by their third year of school." All in all, I will be able to survive, if I am constantly updating my knowledge of new technologies.

I believe my students will be able to write with multimedia. There has been numerous times where I would go to my nieces and nephews for computer help. The new generation is literally growing up "technologically literate." For example, Comments4Kids shows us that students around the world, all ages, are discovering how to use blogging.

To watch Richard Miller's videos, Click here
Here's the link to Karl Fisch's video "Did you Know" Click here

Comments4Kids Week 6

This week I was given the opportunity to comment on Mr. Goerend's sixth grade class. The students were asked to create short stories on their class blog. Specifically, I commented on "How embarrassment turned into an International Holiday." It was about a boy, who while sprinting to class, got really embarrassed when his hat uncovered his crazy dyed hair. A friend of his saves the day when he announces this particular day to be "International Sprint like a Cheetah day." I really enjoyed reading this student's story. It showed the importance of being a friend in hard times.

Using Ipods in Instruction

Using Ipods in the classroom is a great tool for students and teachers. Though I do not own an Ipod, I would be willing to get one after learning about these capabilities. This Link shows a perfect example of Ipods being used.In the fall of 2004, every incoming freshman, upon entering Duke University, was given a free Ipod. This is part of the movement to move toward a more technologically-friendly era. Students across campus use the Ipod's facilities to progress in class, whether it be creating podcasts, recording a professor's lecture, or simply completing a required assignment.Programmed into the Ipod was important information concerning the school, such as Orientation information and academic calendars. The future is looking good for these students as they prepare to take grasp of the importance of utilizing technology.

I also learned that Ipods are being used in many different classroom settings. Many foreign language classes, including English as a Second Language, are amongst the avid users. Also, special education teachers have reported that many of their students have performed above average when taking the Ipod to the next level in their studies.

Comments4Kids Week 5

This week I commented on a fifth grade class who were just beginning their blogging journey. There was not much substance in the blog in itself. I did however, encourage the "Football Crazy" blogger and offer advice for his or her next blog. Today's children are extremely fortunate! I wish I could have started at such a young age, learning the ropes of blogging. Yet, I am thankful for the things I have learned so far in Dr. Strange's EDM 310 class.

ITunes U

http://itunes.com


In the beginning, I was skeptical of Itunes U, not really understanding what the concept stood for. Truthfully, out of my own ignorance blossomed a mindset that would eliminate all interest in the subject. I would just perform the required task and move on. But as I researched the topic for this week's assignment, my whole perspective changed. I think ITunes U is an innovative way to link students and teachers.

Many universities such as Harvard, Texas A&M, and Stanford, use Itunes U to build on to the original lesson. Students have access to the available resources through their computers, Ipods, or Iphones. Some resources include lectures and presentations that the professor has uploaded to benefit the students, as they engage in learning. In a preliminary study done by the State University of New York at Fredonia, students were compared to see who achieved the better grades. Both the lecture and the podcast/videocast held the same information. One set of the students went to lecture and received the printed material, while the other group skipped and listened to the podcast instead. Results were calculated and surprisingly, the "Skippers" did better in their evaluations.

I believe Itunes U is being held up a paragon in today's society. I will most likely use this resource when I embark in my own journey as a teacher, even today as a student. It is fitting to go along with the trend of using technology in the classroom and use it to it's fullest potential.

To learn more information about Itunes U, click on the following links...
Intro to Itunes U
Apple & ItunesU
Information about the Preliminary Study

Alice Christie's GPS and Geocaching

Alice Christie's website is a great informational website that is very helpful for present and aspiring educators. I found the GPS/Geocaching section to be quite intriguing. Before I encountered this web page, I have never heard of the concept of Geocaching. Apparently, it is really popular locally, nationally, and even internationally.

"Tell me, I will forget- Show me,I may remember- Involve me, and I will understand" Dr. Christie brings up an excellent point! She explains thoroughly the importance of getting students involved in their education. Geocaching creates memories the students will hopefully cherish and remember. She also explains that this can be used at all different levels of education from Kindergarten to even college. Dr Christie's focus is the integration of technology in the classrooms. If performed correctly, the Geocaching hunt allows students to understand how the Global Positioning System (GPS) works, while still having fun doing so.

Dr. Christie brings up another great point, "Using these tools and activities gives classroom teachers opportunities to instill in students a curiosity about geography, science, mathematics and the world in which they live." When I become an elementary school teacher, Geocaching will allow me to put difficult concepts in an understandable form. In the future, I will most likely give Geocaching a chance!

If you would like to know more about Dr. Alice Christie and her professional studies, here's the link.
Click Here