My EDM 310

Dr. Strange's EDM 310 class is an experience I will always remember. From the begining to end it seems that I learned something new every class session. Blogging and the use of Google's many FREE accessories are two of the important factors that I will put to use. I don't know if they will incorporate into my classroom when I begin teaching because the software I will be using is provided by the school system. Although I have the ability to think outside the given guidelines of the school system. I have the ability to explore and explain things in a different manner.
I would have liked to learn a little more about those actual tools that the school system will be providing. Daily use of this provided software is certain at some point. From lesson plans to creating spreadsheets and simple literature. Dr. Strange may be on to something though. The way the economy is progressing and the influx of technology, someday the school system may not provide teachers with the necessary programs. In conclusion, I myself will remember many of the insightful information from this class.

Blogging With Thy Neighbor

Throughout the semester every student of Dr. John Strange of the University of South Alabama was required to start and maintain their own personal blog. The blog consisted of numerous subjects that Dr. Strange arranged for the students to complete. The blog topics were responded to in a different manner by each student, allowing many points of view on the subject.
Blogging in the classroom could be a very useful tool. Not only for communication with teacher and student, but also assignments and outside response would aid in the learning process. Although, coming from a family of teachers one thing seems to play a major role in the consideration of blogging, TIME! As busy as you are with daily lesson plans and activities outside of the classroom, having time to create and manage a blog seems to be impossible. The time and effort needs to first and foremost be directed for the education of the students. Taking valuable time away from students is not the way I intend to teach.
Furthermore, as much as we all know the future of computer technology usage in inevitable, I firmly still believe that there is a source of knowledge and influence greater than any form of technology. The human being. Teaching students something they will always remember comes from the inspiration of an excellent mentor. I cant recall a thing I did with computers in grade school except playing Oregon Trail.
No one knows what the future may bring by the incorporation of blogging and other technology into the classroom. Hopefully the students have evolved with the information and will not have the constant will to play games on the computers and talk with their peers. I know that in my behalf if the students are learning not just "doing" the work with blogging than I am all for it. On the other hand if they are distracted and failing to learn blogging can stay with the thousands who use it everyday to complain about the restaurant they ate at last night!

Open A Bottle of Podcast!

This semester all EDM310 students of Dr. John Strange of the University of Alabama compiled a podcast. We teamed up in groups of three to four of our peers and given a topic. We had no practice run, so as soon as the recording started there was no room for error. Which in this case is implausible. You learn from experience and mistakes. Furthermore none of the students had attempted a podcast before.
In light of it all, things turned out a little better than I had anticipated. The structure was a little unsound as was the dialogue, but not bad. Many of the students sounded like robots, due to reading from a script. Some of the information was hard to follow and out of context. Although as I said things like this take practice and more preparation.
I believe that a few practice sessions prior to the actual podcast will aid tremendously. Having the students even recorded in conversation and played back to them to hint at improvements will influence the final outcome substantially. Make them feel more at ease, and make sure they know the information very well so that instead of reading from a script things could be more improv spur of the moment conversation. With all things said I think all the podcasts were pretty darn good for the first time!

All About ACCESS

I recently visited the ACCESS lab via Daphne High School. I met with the ACCESS director of the school, Mr. Joe Rohe. Aside from the astounding technology his presence made the experience even more enjoyable. There were no students in the class at the time of my visit therefore all insight came directly from the instructor.
For the most part, our conversation consisted of the negative reaction so far with this program. It very well could be a useful teaching tool if not for the many bugs. He mentioned an interaction with a classroom in Selma Al. and how they were unable to interact consistently. The problems were due to numerous variables. From lack of information to the offset of class schedule differentiation it just did not work. The information was relayed post publishing instead of direct Internet contact.
Mr. Rohe also mentioned the application of ACCESS to all Alabama schools in 2009. He believes that this sudden insertion will cause turmoil due to the number of students who are required to interact with ACCESS and the amount that schools can actually accommodate.
Although ACCESS seems to be a slow starter, at least in Baldwin County, it may be progressing much better in other areas. ACCESS can and will be a valuable tool incorporated into the school system. By the time I enter the classroom hopefully ACCESS will have whip lashed into promising production and education. ACCESS offers the student and teacher to learn more than available to them in the remote classroom. I plan to engage ACCESS as soon as possible, not just for the educational value but the fact that it is phenomenally interesting. My students will hopefully be able to go anywhere and learn anything with the power of technology.