HAPPY THANKSGIVING :)

EDM 310 and Blogging in the Classroom

I have reviewed many of my fellow classmates blogs including, Keller Leathers, Marlena Marsh, Joye Wiggins, Jill Revette, Bridgete Thompson-Hall, Kimberly Pierce, Matthew Cline, and Ashley Corley. From reviewing these blogs I believe that we have all learned a lot about blogging. I belive that most of us are fairly new to blogs. This semester has really opened our eyes to the possibilities of the benefits to blogging.
I think that we all agree that blogging in the classroom can be a really effective resource! This goes for all age groups, from elementary to high school. They can be used to keep parents informed about what is going on in the classroom, post students homework, showcase students works, publish student writings, and much more. We have all reviewed classroom blogs that use them for the purposes that I have just mentioned. I think this class has really allowed us to see how many ways we can use this resource in the classroom.
From listening to my classmates and reading through their blogs I believe that most of us plan to use this resource. I think that we all agree that this is a wonderful tool. Best of all it is free and provides an intimate connection between the classroom and parents at home as well as many other viewers. Best of all students can also correspond with students here in the U.S. and international students as well!!
I believe that as future educators it is our responsibility to introduce technology to our students and keep them up to date in the fast growing world of technology. Blogging is one way that we can do this. I think that my classmates would agree with me. It seems that we all agree that blogging is a wonderful tool!!!!!!!!!!!

Duke University - Documentary Studies

The Duke University podcast that I listened to was, Looking Back: 9/11 Across America: An Acoustic Exhibit Presenting American Voices in the Aftermath of Attack. This podcast is a collection of different people all over America sharing their experiences during and after the 9/11 attacks. I think everyone remembers where they were when they heard about the plane crashes and what they felt then and for a long time after. This is a collection of those stories. This was one of the scariest times for Americans. Everything that we knew changed, we weren't untouchable. It also brought us together. Several people talked about how everyone reached out to each other even in areas not directly affected. The attacks brought about a since of pride in Americans. Many of the people in this documentary talked about how they didn't understand exactly what it meant to be an American until the attacks. They also talk about their feelings about going to war. 

I also watched Broken, a film about families and HIV in Africa. I am not really sure how I felt about this film. I came away disgusted and confused. It was obviously not a documentary but maybe a reenactment of a father raping his daughter and the mother not believing it. In the end an African child says, "Stop hurting us, Stop abusing us, Stop forcing yourselves on us!! We are the children, We are the future!!!" I think that the message was wonderful but again I am not sure how I felt about the film!!

I am not sure exactly how these podcasts would really help me as an elementary educator. They are a little too mature for elementary school age children!! 

EDM 310 Podcasts

Well, I will start by saying that I think everyone did a wonderful job on their group podcasts. I know that it is difficult to get with a group and work together when we all have such busy schedules, so overall I think that everyone did great considering!! Now for the critiques!

I will start with my group, which included myself, Kimberly Pierce, and Ashley Corley. Our topic was, Blogs that we found being used in the classroom. I will start by saying that I know that we were nervous at least I know I was and the first group was a tough act to follow. I know that we could have definitely been more conversational and less like reading. I think that it is obvious from listening that we read straight from a script and makes the podcast less interesting. I know that I personally was not very expressive. Overall, I feel that it was definitely a great learning experience!! Subscribe on iTunes or LISTEN HERE.

The second podcast that I listened to was about how blogs can be used in the classroom and some of the pros and cons that come from the use of those blogs. This group consisted of Keller Leathers, Rachel Beaty, and Joy Wiggins. I think that it is safe to say that everyone was impressed with the job that these girls did. I will say that it started off sounding like a script was being read but once the girls got comfortable their podcast became much more conversational. Other than a few simple mistakes I felt that for their first time at podcasting they did an exceptional job! Subscribe on iTunes or LISTEN HERE.

The third group that I listened to discussed ACCESS and ALEX, two new programs of the Alabama Department of Education. The ladies in this group were Susan Smith, Bridgette Thompson Hall, and Angela Minish. I think that these ladies definitely provided some wonderful information about these two programs and were very knowledgeable about the topic. Like most of the other groups they could have been more conversational but overall I feel that they did a great job!

Subscribe on iTunes or LISTEN HERE

The final group that I listened to was Jennifer Harris, Alison Hawes and Amelia Perkins. They discussed how technology is used in their classes at the University of South Alabama. This group seemed to have a good time during their podcast. There were lots of laughs and giggles. I think I even heard Dr. Strange laugh once or twice. I thought these ladies did a great job of connecting with each other. At first it was a little hard to follow and there were a few pauses but as a whole they did pretty good.

Subscribe on iTunes or LISTEN HERE.

Mathematics with Technology

These podcasts hosted by Judy Chandler are intended to inform other teachers about the ways that technology can be used in unison with everyday math instruction to enhance students learning. Ms. Chandler is a mathematics teacher, technology integration specialist, and math mentor/trainer for the Maine Learning Technology Initiative. She is trying to convince teachers of the benefits associated with using technology to benefit students. Using technology allows the students to use math skills that are being learned in class as well as teaching them how to integrate those skills in their everyday life. The opportunities that technology can provide to students in the classroom are endless!
Ms. Chandler provides information on several free resources that are available to teachers in addition to some wonderful ways that technology can benefit their students. I believe that technology is an important teaching tool, especially in today's world! It would be a disservice to our students if we do not give them as many tools as possible to aid in their learning experience!!