C4K #8

C4K #8

Summary

I watched a video on the correct way to leave a comment on a blog. The directions were given by Mrs. Yollis, and her directions were very easy to follow. As Mrs.Yollis gave instructions she the video followed her every step of the way. I will save this post as a draft for the summary thats sure to come later.


C4K #9

Summary

I went to Mrs.Yollis Blog, and I visited all of her links to get the big picture of her Blog. I liken it to a virtual yellow pages. Every thing was well thought-out and executed. She had a link to introduce her self, for those who weren't familiar with her. She introduced her class via a picture. That way you can see what the bloggers look like. Mrs.Yollis posted a video which shows how to leave a proper comment. Afterwards, she gives instructions in text, on HTML. The instructions shows how to write words in italics, how to bold words, and how to create hyper-links. I really enjoyed the hyper-link section as it taught me a few tricks. One in particular, was to copy instructions for HTML to your desktop, and they will always be there if and when you need them. Mrs. Yollis was well aware of the immense size, a blogger faces, when blogging. She has several clocks, with all the time zones, listed and running on her blog. She knew people all over the world, would be responding to her blogs, and she would be returning the favor. Knowing that people from all over the world would want to know about where she lived, Mrs.Yollis decided to treat her audience to a virtual tour of California. She has a link for games, homework and many other topics. Mrs.Yollis really designed and built her blog for ant possible scenario. Great work indeed. I will certainly use her ideas, when I enter teaching.


C4K #10

Summary

Mrs. Yollis and her third graders, posted on Dr.Strange's Blog. They wanted to discuss, how there was a contest, initiated by Mrs.Yollis, for leaving good comments, after blog post. Adia, Hanna, and Gracie, discussed in their blog, all the the ingredients, to leave a great comment. The winner of the contest was Jaden. He was very humble, and commented, on how nice it was, to be communicating with college students, who are sharing their blogs, with Mrs Yollis, and the class. Jadens' last suggestion, to EDM310, was to make sure every post, is checked before posting. He continued, by saying, sometimes things look a little different, the second time you read it. His point was well noted. I hope everything is ok with this summary, as I have re-checked it. That being said, I will miss my C4K visits, but will stay in touch, by blogging.

Blog Post #13

"ALEX" and "ACCESS" Analysis


I did not know "ALEX and "ACCESS" existed, until I followed-up on Dr.Strange's Blog assignment #13. I glanced over all the links, on both sites, and was amazed. For those of you who read this blog, and aren't familiar with these two sites, let me explain. "ALEX", is like a personal learning network site(PLN), where there is virtual information, provided by the "State Of Alabama". I would compare it, to looking for something in the yellow pages. But these yellow pages, are on-line. There is a button(link),for all the different categories. Also, these virtual yellow pages, are not just for whats happening in Alabama, but the entire world. Imagine that, everything you need to know, or want to know, at your fingertips. If you're a teacher, it gets even better. There are links for lesson plans, podcast topics, professional learning, courses of study, and a link called ALEXville. ALEXville, has links to different sites, in different communities, about an array of topics, which vary, from local to international news.
The other site I investigated, was "ACCESS". This site, like "ALEX", is provided by the "State Of Alabama", and was designed, for every student to have equal access, to educational materials and courses. Even if you already are in school,and doing well, there is information there to enhance and improve your potential. There are links for on-line courses to take, graduation exams, support centers from universities and high schools, and links acknowledging contributions for teachers. All in all very informative educational site for teachers and students. This web-site is distant learning at its best.
In closing, I would like to say, I was so impressed with both sites, I took the liberty of book-marking them. I would strongly recommend you, to do the same. I will definitely be using this site in the future, not only in teaching, but networking as well.

Progress Report On Final Project

I have determined that I will do a video recap, of my learning experiences while attending Dr.Strange's EDM 310 class. I will give a summary of what I'm able to do now, verses what i was limited to doing before I enrolled in the class. This will be my final project.
It is important to know, you can teach "an old dog new tricks". In my case, its not tricks, its technology.

Blog Post #12

Minorities And Public Education


Statistics show that the number of minorities,in the public school system, is growing at an alarming rate. At the same time, the number of minority teachers are on the decline. It is important, that these students have role-models, that they can understand and communicate with. In your blog, research this problem, to validate your opinion on why this trend is occurring, and what you think can be done to reverse it.

Teach Someone project #14

Mr.McClung's World: Special Assignment

Mr. McClung is an Eight grade teacher at Woodlawn Jr. High, in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He coaches cross-country track and teaches social studies and computer applications. Mr.McClung takes a personal interest in all of his students, and wants them all to learn. Not just get by, but actually get it. He thinks out of the box and is an advocate of technology in the classroom. Based on the fact that there is a large hog, on the bottom of his blog, I would venture to say he is a huge Razorback fan.
If you expect to be apart of Mr.McClung's class you need to report to class full of energy, expect to participate, in class discussions, and be ready to listen. Mr.McClung is real big on listening as, he says anyone can talk. He also has five class rules you need to be aware of. Raise your hand before you speak, raise your hand before you leave your seat, make smart choices, follow directions quickly, and lastly, keep him happy. Mr.McClung says these thing not only work in the classroom, but in life as well.
Mr.McClung explains how his blog is the vehicle that drives the technology in the classroom. He uses his blog to make class assignments. He feels that this will keep down the confusion as to what is expected from his class, and when. He says, his blog also keep the student's parents informed as well.  Keeping those teacher/parent meetings to a minimum. The parents can simply go to the blog, for anything, they need to know about the class. Mr.McClung also explains, how the blog not only cut down on time, it cuts down on trees as well. Not a lot of paper being used on the internet. I think he has a wonderful system, and when I become a teacher, I will definitely, have something similar in place. Great way, to keep everything in one place, without a lot of trouble organizing a lesson-plan.
While I was on Mr.McClung's blog, I visited a few other sites. One was called "Convince Me". This was a really cool link. When you click it, you can see all kinds of debates going on. Great place to go if you feel strongly about something. However, you can expect to run into someone there, who feels just as strongly about their opinions as well. "Plagiarism Checker" was another link that was interesting. If you have any questions, about a students paper being original, you can go to the plagiarism checker, to confirm your suspicions.
Mr.McClung is also big on safety, for his class, while they use the internet. He explains, how they should never use their first, and last name when commenting on a blog. He Also instructed his students, to never meet anyone in-person, that they meet over the internet. Also to never,respond to threatening emails.
My C4K assignment was about "The Perfect T-Shirt". Students at school were holding a contest to raise money, for a needy cause. The winner of the contest, would have their t-shirt displayed at the school. I looked at several other sites while there, and ended up watching many links, about students projects for raising money.
In closing, I would like to make a few observations about Mr.McClung's Blog. I think he did an excellent job with the layout of his blog. There is a little bit of everything for everyone to see. From the student, to the parents, and even an occasional visitor, that might have dropped by, because of the tags, I'm sure he has attached, to bring in traffic. Mr.McClung's blog is so well designed, I'm sure people chime in, to just admire the attention to detail, on this bog. I'm gonna go out on a limb, and say this is probably the best blog site I've ever visited, since I've been enrolled in EDM 310. But then again, thats why Dr. Strange used this blog for his special assignment. To show us how useful a blog can be, and what you can do with technology, in the classroom.

Blog Post #11

First Graders in Ms. Cassidy's Class

I think Ms.Cassidy's approach to technology in the class is very forward-thinkng. She has a plan and is working it. No smoke and mirrors, just someone who is trying to change how teachers teach, in the classroom. She started small, to keep from overloading herself. She is now the lead person at her school, when it comes to teaching kids with technology. She confesses that other teachers do not want to change the way they teach, but she is adamant she is heading in the right direction. I could use her blog site for daily assignments to her students. She made a statement about teachers concerns, with exposing the internet to children, at such a young age. She said children and technology go hand-in-hand. They take to it quickly because they are born to use. The only problem they will ever have is adults getting in the way with their learning. I think the benefits outweigh the risk. I watched the skype interview by Dr. Strange and his class, with Ms.Cassidy, and thought the questions by the class were tough. Ms. Cassidy responded to all the questions, very professionally.

Blog Post #10

Comparison essay on Morgan Bayda and Dan Brown

I'm currently in a class at the University Of South Alabama called EDF 315. The article and video, was like a blast from the past. I never understood how bad the educational system in The U.S. was, until I enrolled in this class. I never really cared until then. Hard to believe at 56 years old, how numb I was to the problems of our educational system. It's a testament to years and years of the dominant culture, imposing their will upon the less dominant cultures. There is nothing I can do about the past, but I can do something about the future. I can't compare my attitudes and experiences to Morgans' and Dans. I can't really remember, as it's been over 35 years, since i was a student. My mom was very firm, so quitting school was not an option. I don't remember being bored in class. If fact, I can actually say, I enjoyed school. My, how times have changed. But hey, thats why Morgan and Dans' comments, hit home. With the invention of the internet, I can see why students get bored. Everything the teacher teaches, is on the internet. Every assignment can be downloaded, copied and pasted. If the powers-to-be, will not come up with a solution soon, there will be an educational back-lash. Hopefully it won't come to that, and our politicians will figure it out. In my brief association with the internet, and its' capabilities, the handwriting is on the wall for the old ways of educating. My whole mind-set about how things use to be, has changed. The Jeanie is out of the bottle, and will never go back in. We need to utilize every aspect of the internet in the classroom, if we ever expect the new generation to maximize their potential.