Access

I think Access (Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators, and Students Statewide) is a wonderful distant learning program for Alabama schools. Access offers advanced diploma courses, additional courses that a lot of schools do not offer, advanced placement courses, and remediation courses. Distant Learning is where instructors and students can be in two different places at two different times and communicate through technology.

I think Access is a good idea, and the answer to a lot of problems in Alabama school systems. I don't think any child should be denied the opportunity to take a class just because it's not offered at their school. Through Access a student will be able to take any class they desire! Access can and will connect students across the state, or anywhere in the world through technology. Access seems like a step in the right direction and the missing puzzle piece to Alabama schools.

Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex is a website created by the Alabama State Department of Education. This website can be very useful and can be used as a resource for parents, teachers, students, etc. The Alabama Learning Exchange provides everyone access to know whats going on in the public school system. I think I will take advantage of Alex being that my daughter will be starting public school in two years.

I look forward to using Alex as a tool in my classroom as a future teacher. I will use Alex to make sure I am teaching my students everything they need to know according to state standards, plus much more. I think Alex is going to be a wonderful source to use in my classroom for guidance, additional teaching strategies, lesson plans and much more.

Kaia

Wow! This is an amazing story about Kaia and her dad and how they connected to the world unexpectedly. Picture's and blogs that they used to share with family and friends turned out to be a learning experience for Mr. Chamberlain class. Click here to see.

I can only imagine the feelings Mr. Jabiz Raisdana are feeling right now. I know if it was my daughter I would amazed, excited, nervous, and scared all at the same time. I know he was very excited when he received the vociethread and video from a group of eight graders in Missouri!

Now I see the power of Twitter and how it can be used as a personal learning network. Although I've been told Twitter could be used as a learning tool, honestly I just didn't see the relevance until now. Now I'm going to start using my twitter page on a regular basis.

Thanks to Mr. Raisdana, I will be more cautious about the amount of hours my daughter spend inside the house. I will be sure she spends more time outside playing and exploring! We will see where here curiosity takes her.

New Media Literacies

After the viewing this video NML staff08's channel, I believe everyone should know the new media literacies to keep up with whats going on in the world today. If you don't know some NML's you will not have the slightest idea as to operate internet, cellphones, camera's, etc. You probably could not even set up a myspace, facebook, or twitter page, which can be some useful sources for communication with people all of the world at no cost to you.

I posses 5 out of the 11 media literacies, but I plan to master by them all before long by practicing. I believe knowing media literacies will make me a better individual and open up more opportunities for myself as a future professional. Everything is so different now then it was years ago, so if you want to stand out practice your media literacies!

Networked Student

I just watched a video called, "The Networked Student". This was a very interesting video about a student who attends an American Psychology class three days a week, two days online that has no book. He learns by building his own personal learning network, much like the one we are suppose to be building for EDM310.

Overall I think this could be a great learning experience for students who are independent learners. However I think the class can and will be disaster for students who need lectures and guidance. I'm not really sure if I would want to take or teach a class like this. This class is a little more than advanced to me!

The question at hand is, "why does the networked student need a teacher?" Networked students need teachers for a lot of reasons. They need their teachers to show them how to build their personal learning network, for guidance when their stuck, and to show them how to manage all the material they find and help them keep it organized. Like I said earlier, I think this could be a wonderful learning experience for some students and a nightmare for others.

This is How we Dream

I thought both of the video's were very interesting. " This is how we dream Part 1 and Part 2." He was trying to make an important point that you no longer have to search newspapers or go to the library to do research. All the information you need can be found on the internet, or as he says, " all the riches of the world as far as research are stored on the web."

He also discussed in these videos about his love for books and how he grew up around books. He even wrote a book that you can now buy on Amazon for 59 cents, but you can read it on the web for free. The world is changing drastically! People are no longer reading and writing, they are listening and watching. I know I would much rather have visual information if I had a choice out of seeing and reading.

I think the web is very useful. You can do so many things on the web as far as research, films, podcast, and so much more. You can even earn a degree online without ever stepping foot into a classroom. I think it is very important for the world to become technological literate, not just students and teachers. I think being technologically literate is an advantage and can open up a world of opportunities.

Comment for kids week 5 10/7

Did you know that Feb 23rd was a holiday? Well you do now it's,"Dance Your Heart Out Day." I really enjoyed commenting on this blog. I thought it was cute how the student made up their own holiday doing something they like to do... Dancing!

Comments for kids week 5 9/30

I just commented on a short blog welcoming me to rocker108's blog. I'm glad I got a chance to comment on this blog to encourage the student to keep up the good work!

Comment for kids week 4

Have you ever heard of, "The Little Red Riding Hood"? If so, what about her brother, "Big Blue Riding Cap". I just commented on a kid retelling the story of, "The Little Red Riding Hood". I really enjoyed reading and commenting on this blog post.

iPods in Instruction

I viewed this web page Duke iPods. The page discussed the following: The academic uses of iPods, the benefit of academic iPod use, the problems incountered with academic iPod use, and Institutional impacts of the iPod project. I found that the iPod could be very useful if used correctly, but could be a headache if not.

Me personally, I think I would love to use iPods in instruction here at South Alabama. I understand that learning how to use iPods in instruction could be a challenge at first, but the end result would be rewarding. Just think you could listen to lectures over and over, especially the difficult portions you may have problems with.

I do think some students would abuse the use of recorded lectures. Either the students would sleep through lectures,(in class or in the bed) or they would simply just cut class, because they know they could listen to the lectures later at their conveince. Overall I like the idea of using iPods in instruction, but as we see there are pro's and con's to it as there are pro's and con's to everything. Just make sure the pros' outweigh the con's!

iTunes U

After I watched the presentation about iTunes U Don't Waste Your Time, I realized their is so much more to iTunes than music and movies. It has audio and video content that you can take wherever you like on your iPod or iPhone. Everything in iTunes U comes from reliable resouces and the information is free.

To me iTunes is like a University that you can attend for free and learn about any subject matter that maybe interesting to you. You do not have to go a hour long class and listen to lectures to hear this information. All you have to do is download to your iPhone or iPod and listen to the podcast whenever and where ever it's convienient for you. I thing iTunes U is a very good website that a lot of people should take advantage of. I know I will!

An iPhone gets Zipcar drivers on their way!

I visited this website and was shocked to see what all the iPhone can do. I knew it was famous for navigation, games, and roadside assistance. I had no idea it could lock and unlock a car and start the engine. This makes you wonder what will the next iPhone be capable of doing?

I don't think people really understand how important it is to keep up with the latest technology. The world is advancing in technology with or without you. I must admit I was not a big fan of technology until I started taking EDM310, but the more I find out about technology the more I want to know and learn. I am very grateful for having to take this class!