Friday, July 24, 2009

My EDM 310 Blog Assignments are now complete.

Dear fellow classmates,
This summer class is now over but I am sure I will see some of you in my future education classes at South. Good luck in the Fall!
Sincerely,
Martha
Google- I learned about personalizing iGoogle and using Google documents. I can certainly see myself using Google docs in the future.
Podcast- I learned what exactly a podcast is and had fun doing a group podcast on Randy Pausch. I don't know if I will ever do another podcast but I will certainly listen to them.
Spreadsheets- I really did not learn anything new in spreadsheets.
Other teachers- I learned how other teachers are incorporating technology in their classrooms.
Blogging- I knew what blogging was, but i did learn how to use alt and title tags. It was also helpful to learn how to insert html links.
Delicious- I learned what Delicious was and decided to never use it again after this class.
As a teacher, everything I have learned in class will combine with the rest of my education to reach my full potential. I am interested to see what new technology will emerge when I begin teaching in a few years.
I do wish we could have learned more about teacher friendly websites that are helpful to all grade levels. Although I enjoyed this class, I did not think it was worth my time at all. It was a little more internet based than my previous two computer classes, but not worth the money or time. I wish there was a way I could have tested out of this class. I mean no offense to Mr. Sullivan, he was a great teacher, but I would have liked to take a more advanced computer class with him.

Monday, July 20, 2009

iPods in instruction

iPod Nano
Technology is becoming integrated in every part of our lives. The extremely popular Apple iPod is another form of technology which is now being used for education. According to the article "Using iPods for Instruction," iPods are now being used as "educational tools, a trend Apple hopes to capitalize on
with "iTunes U," a nationwide service that makes lectures and other materials available online." To view the full article click here.
Perhaps the most beneficial aspect of using iPods during instruction is their speed. There is no need to wait for a teacher to erase a chalk board or overhead projector to continue the lesson. Now, the entire lecture can be uploaded in just seconds. Another example of iPods in instruction can be seen at Duke University. An article published in June 2005 states that "to encourage creative uses of technology in education and campus life, Duke distributed 20GB Apple iPod devices, equipped with Belkin Voice Recorders, to over 1600 entering first-year students in August 2004." Click this link to read the full article.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Alice Christie

Dr. Alice Christie is a professor at the University of Alabama and received a Ph.D. in Educational Technology and Language and Literacy. Several news articles have been written about her acheivements. She is an influential person in the integration of technology and education. Dr. Christie's site is detailed and organized and contains a large amount of resources.
This site could be useful to me as a teacher for several different reasons. One important aspect of Dr. Christie's website is that is gives and honest portrayal or her as a professional. I feel as if I can trust her opinions and advice because of her experience and educational background. I also like the fact that the website offers opportunites such as workshops to better myself as a teacher. To view Dr. Christie's site, click here.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Wikipedia's trust issues

When researching subjects on the internet, most often the first search returned is from Wikipedia.org. However, the fact that this is the first on the list does not mean all of its information is correct. According to an NPR article, Virgil Griffith is a Cal Tech graduate who has created a program that traces the IP addresses of Wikipedia's anonymous editors. Griffith's program will show how biased the entry's contributor is.
I have used Wikipedia an innumerable amount of times. However, it is never my only source. In my opinion, the online encyclopedia is trustworthy only when the article appears unbiased and factual. I would certainly not trust it on its own when researching political topics. I like Wikipedia because it is easy to read and gives a variety of information on every topic.

NOTE: I did not read the email until after I wrote this so this blog is the original one from the syllabus, not the replacement one.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Randy Pausch Lecture

Instead of talking about his cancer and death during his last lecture, Randy Pausch talked about what he knew the most about, his life. From becoming an Imagineer at Disney to getting to experience zero gravity, he got all he could from life. As a professor, he was able to influence his students by setting an example. He always believed in his students' potential and recognized that he was preparing them for the future.
Throughout the lecture, Pausch constantly makes references to his teaching style and experience. He was determined to make the most of the time he had with his students and wanted them to succeed. When one of his classes at Carnegie Mellon did extremely well on a new project, Pausch wanted to give them all A's. One of his colleagues helped Pausch by advising him to tell his students that "they did really great, but I think you can do better." When Pausch heard this advice it made him realize that his students' potential did not need to be shortened but expanded upon.
One thing that was obvious of Randy Pausch's teaching style was that he wanted to learn and experience right along with his students. Several programs and projects Pausch created were just as new to Pausch and the rest of the faculty as they were to the students. As a teacher, it's important to show that you're just as interested and excited about the students' work as they are. Education always needs new ways to make it relevant to the learners.
My favorite aspect of Randy Pausch's teaching techniques was his determination. It was obvious that in his teaching career and non-professional life Pausch was determined to succeed and fulfill his goals. He passed this feeling on to his students. No matter what person or obstacle he might face, he learned how to overcome everything and provide the best opportunities for his students.