Final Project 16 - Geocache

SMARTboard Group 9

Group 9 Podcast

Project #6

Blog Post # 5

Eagles' Nest Radio Episode #3  "Roaming With Ancient Romans"
 I found this podcast to be very informative, interesting, and very well organized. I enjoyed learning from this class of third graders about some facts that I was not aware of even as an adult. I young man who spoke of the entertainment of the Romans putting animals in an arena and letting them fight until the death. He didn't seem to like that because he said he would just stick  to going to the movies. The transitioning from one set of facts to another was very easy. The children did a great job of introducing the next student with the topic of the assignment. I like the idea of podcast in the classrooms. I t seems to me to be a great interactive tool for the children to do the research and then present it to their peers. I wish I knew of more schools in Mobile County that would adopt this great concept and put into action. What would be the cost to initiate such great learning tool? Or would teachers just think this is one more thing to add to their list of daily operations? I know that I would love to implement this in my future classroom.

Integrating ICT into the MFL Classroom: The Benefits of podcasting int he classroom
  The fact that the video has given a name to people who were born after 1980 millenials, just blew my mind. Millenials are referred to the technology age children. They have never experienced a life without personal computers and technology.  They are very familiar with pod casting,and creativity. This video brings an important point about how pod casting could be used with children who are absent. Teachers are can use pod casting to upload their lectures to that students who were absent can simply go online and upload the podcast and not miss a day of learning even though they couldn't be at school that day. I am really amazed by this idea and think every teacher should take this opportunity to their advantage. I would cut down on having to waste the time of the student and teacher by having to stay after school to reteach the lesson that had been missed. I would certainly use this technology in my classroom. I wonder just how many teachers who have been teaching for decades would use pod casting? 

A Thousand Ways to Use Your iPod And Learn to Study Better
  I found this site to be very informative. After reading it I started looking at my iPod and found come things to be very helpful with a math class I am taking right now. Most children today have this technology at their disposal, we should take the time in class to show them how to use the iPod for something other than just listening to music. The iPod is something that children and teens both will spend time on and if given the right approach show them how they can have the extra help with a subject they my be struggling with to get the extra help without feeling embarrassed about asking for extra help. I would certainly buy both of my children one, they have the older iPods, so that they could just search and get the help. When will we realize that we must come to terms with technology today and help our children to be technology-savvy?

Blog Post #4

Don't Teach Your Kids This Stuff. Please? by Dr. Scott McLeod


  This blog by Dr. Scott McLeod is really good. Dr. McLeod states that we shouldn't teach our children to read for the web, scan, RSS, aggregate, or synthesize. We shouldn't teach them to write for fear of them writing on the web.  Dr. McLeod says  these things are evil. Dr. McLeod then says don't teach your children these things because he will. We shouldn't teach our children that the only way to write is on paper, the only way to read is a book.   There are many reasons that children should learn to use the technology at hand. One reason, so they can blog with people all over the world. Classroom blogs are a great idea. Why not teach our children to write, to put their writing skills to work  learning about different cultures through blogs? Why not use the internet use the internet to enhance reading skill?  Some children just will not read a book but will read things on the internet. My son hates to read a book, he will spend hours reading the history of Pearl Harbor. I am just thankful he is reading.
  Dr. Scott McLeod is an Associate Professor in the Educational Administration program for Iowa State University. Dr. McLeod is one of the nation's  experts on K-12  school technology leadership issues. He was the co-creator of the video from an earlier edm310 blog assignment "Did You Know". 


The iSchool Initiative (Mobile Learning) by Travis Allen
Travis Allen, a 17 year high school student that had a vision for cutting edge classroom usage of the iTouch. Travis is the founder and inventor of the iSchool Initiative. Kern's High School is the first school that has actually implemented the iSchool. http://www.youtube.com/user/iSchoolinitiative I followed this link to find more of his vision for the classroom. Every student, faculty and staff was given an iTouch and shown how to use it. 
Travis' idea for the iSchool is a great idea. The apps alone, I was just amazed over. I have an iPhone and was not aware of the educational apps available. I think the idea of going completely green in the classroom would not only be great for the environment, but students would be able to keep up with every assignment, due dates, stay in touch with teachers, all at the touch of the finger. What a great idea, iTouch in the classroom? Could the device be issued like the textbook and returned at the end of the year? 
                                                                                          
You Can't Be My Teacher!
The director of this video, Darren Cannell and his son did a great job making me think what kind of teacher will I be? He ask several questions about teaching. He ask if we are going to use a text book to teach him or make him sit in his seat? He wants to know if I know how to get on the internet, if I am going to prepare him for life, if I am scared of the internet? He is full of questions just as kids are today. I want to be that kind of teacher that is ready to surf the web if I don't have the answers, not aimlessly but with knowledge of what I am doing.  I want to be able to prepare children like Mr Cannell's son for the future technically. I want to be able to understand how each child learns individually and allow that child to be creative. Will I make that child sit in his seat? Will  I allow freedom of creativity in my class?  


Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir "Lux Aurumque
Eric Whitacre took 185 voices from around the world and performed a virtual performance. The people singing had never met, but were singing in amazing harmony. The technology that it took to put this choir together with such beautiful sound is just mind blowing to me. The voices were flawless. Technology is amazing. Everyday it is better than the day before. Technology is something that we will learn and increase our knowledge daily. If I don't work with technology daily then I will fall behind. If I fall behind how do I teach to the best of my ability?


Teaching In The 21st Century by Terri Hampton
The beginning of the video states "If we only provide facts, content, formulas, research, dates, theories, stories, and information then our role as teachers is obsolete."  That statement is very true, I have to offer my students the best creative learning experience available. As an educator I shouldn't just read what is in the text book but enhance what is in the text book with creative avenues to make it appealing to the students. Step out of the book all together and build a lesson from the technology that is right at out fingertips. Terri Hampton offers a great example by giving homework that the students have to find the answer with any resource available to them. I am very much in favor of the cell phones, and laptops being used as tool. What do you think about turning the fight of cell phones into the use of them into class assignments? Most kids today have internet on their phones. Why not have them twitting about what the class assignment was about? It would be teaching them to use today's technology and cut down on the constant battle of these items in the classroom. Put the students to work on the phones, have them do a search on their phone, tweet, or even blog. I would think you would be the best teacher in the school.

Blog Post #3

Michael Wesch: "A Vision of Students Today"
This video "A Vision of Student's Today" was a perfect example of student's today. Most students today are working hard to accomplish their career goals by going after an education. One of the signs that stood out to me was the girl that held the sign up that said she would be $20,000.00 in debt when she graduated. "I am one of the lucky ones" another student held up. Where will we be financially when we graduate? Will there be jobs for us?
 The signs about time spent doing different task throughout the day really made me think about what I am doing with my time. Am I using it wisely to get everything done? What could I do away with so that I can devote more time to the important things? How much time do I really spend on my assignments? How can I use technology to make better use of my time?

"It's Not About Technology" by Kelly Hines, Keeping Kids First
Kelly Hines could not have been more right in this article. Working in the education field already, I see perfect examples of this everyday. Thousands of dollars are being spent to equip our classrooms with Smart boards and Smart tables and teachers that have been teaching for 25 years are not interested in using or even learning about the programs. We, as educators, should be ashamed for not putting the children first. I work with Pre-K Special Ed. students; we received our Smart board at the beginning of this year. We were sent to a class with a few instructions then sent back to the classroom to use this technology. I will be the first to say that I thought it was a waste of money for our class to have such technology. I have been proven so wrong. It took research, lesson plans, activities, and those children loved it!!! They were saying the months of the year, days of the week, and learning holidays. They were interacting not only with the board but with each other. We were given the technology it was what we did with it that made the difference. We are already planning for a great year next year and taking the learning experience for the children in our class to a whole new level. Educators should not be afraid of learning or making mistakes in learning technology. 
I hear teachers everyday asking the question "I teach and teach why don't they get it?" I have never thought about it until I read this article. As educators we feel that we have done our best, that the students just are not getting it. I like the way Ms Hines states it "if a student has not learned, no matter how much effort has been exerted, no teaching has been done." As much as I hate to admit this it is the truth! We must learn how to teach or children. How do we regroup and turn our classrooms around? Is it just technology or our willingness to learn and use technology as a teaching tool?
I plan to share this article with my co-workers this summer.
"Is It Ok To Be A Technologically Illiterate"  The Fisch Bowl
I enjoyed this blog. It is blunt or as he calls himself, grumpy. It is truthful. In today's technical world we should not be proud that our children had to teach us to use iTunes or Facebook. I will admit my daughter had to teach me, but there is something to that statement. She taught me, now I do all of my own downloading. I am in agreement with the author of the blog I think that administration and above should be held accountable for their staff not learning and using the technology that is in their classrooms. I want to go a step further than him and say that administration should learn and use technology. There shouldn't be just one technology person per school, everyone in the school should know or continually learn about technology. He is right in saying that "a teacher who is technically illiterate and unwilling to learn is equivalent to a teacher 30 years ago who couldn't read or write." My question would be; what do we do with all of these technically illiterate  teachers who are unwilling or to intimidated to learn?


"Gary's Social Media Count" by Gary Hayes
I was astounded at the how fast the numbers changed. I must admit my daughter contributes to the text message numbers changing so quickly. I guess anyone with a teenager can say that. It amazes me how far technology has come just since I have been an adult. The numbers were overwhelming. A career in teaching means I will always be studying technology if I want to be an effective teacher, and leader. Technology changes and upgrades daily and so must I.

Comments for Teachers

Blog April 7, 2011
The blog that I read was about a school trying to setup a new account through google. There were a couple different options that they could go through to set up the new accounts. The school had opted for several of the teachers, staff and a few students to be sent emails with the instructions on how to begin the process. The organizer of the project did not receive her email as well as several of the other participants. She had to send an email and video with instructions on how to individually log on and create an account. She was frustrated with the way the enrollment process had worked.
Blog April 6, 2011
The school has made the decision to change their email accounts to Google. They are considering the impact of conflicting accounts. At least one of the staff had been using Google for some time, because she was using the Google Apps. The school and staff members each were sent videos and worksheets to prepare themselves for the switch.

Blog Post #2

"Did You Know?"
 This slide show is set up to show statistics that will impact your thoughts. The author did a great job at keeping your attention by the continuing changing slides and the statistics. I found myself really thinking about the changing times and just really how much we as society depend on technology. I enjoyed the learning about when texting first took off and how far is has come over the years. This makes me sound a little old, but when texting first came out I remember telling someone that it was crazy to sit and type out everything you had to say when you could just pick up the phone and call. Now I don't now how I would live without it. I can answer the question the author was asking, no I did not know a lot of what he was talking about. Now, thanks to his slide show, I do know some important statistics.
"Mr. Winkle Wakes Up"
I can honestly say that in this EDM310 class that I feel like Mr. Winkle. I thought I had some knowledge of technology, but in the real world students would be passing me up in knowledge about technology. I am glad that I am awake and learning. I am not feeling bad as Mr. Winkle did but I am surely feeling like a fish out of water. I know that by the end of the semester I will have learned through hands on experience without a burp back education. I didn't totally agree with the video because if Mr. Winkle walked into a classroom of today, the teacher would not just be lecturing and students writing. Since the Smart board has come into play in the classroom it adds an element of interaction to the lecturing part of education.
"The Importance of Creativity"
I could listen to him all day! I like the fact that he took the truth about learning and made it comical. I think that so much pressure is put on teachers that they don't have the opportunity figure out the learning needs of  the children in their classrooms. I like the story he told of his sister, today there are so many children that if taken the time could learn in a way that is suitable for them. Today doctors are so quick to put children on medication, instead of watching the child and truly finding out what their interest are and what it would take to let them learn in a more creative way. Don't get me wrong I am not anti-medication, but I feel we as educators should let children be more creative, don't hold them back so that a schedule can be stuck to.
I completely agree with Sir Ken Robinson on his views on letting creativity back into our classrooms and I will just say it, let music back into our classrooms, let children express themselves.
Cecelia Gault "Interview with Sir Ken Robinson"
I have to say that it is sad that the United States with all of the resources, technology, and knowledge has such a high dropout rate. I was a high school student that played sports, was involved in clubs in school and yet in the end did not feel I had what I needed to educationally to make the decision to stay in school. I did attend a very small private school, but no one ever mentioned college to me. I was never encouraged to go to the next level. That is sad to me. I feel like our educational system is not encourage but a select few to take it to the next level. I think all children should be encouraged to use their minds and create. Technology can help students to become more creative. The Smart board draws the student in with activities, if teachers would use them properly, students could really  excel.
"Harness Your Student's Digital Smarts"
I agree with this teacher completely. I think that anyway you can motivate a student to learn outside the box is the best thing that you will ever do for that student. The way children are raised now they have so much technology in their lives from such an early age, that it is imperative that we teach these children at the level they are learning at, with technology. I am the type person that is teachable like the teacher said in the video it is important that we can be taught as teachers; rather by your students, children, fellow employees, or by your instructor. Being open continually learning makes the best teacher, instructor, and most of all leader.

Word Picture

Blog Assignment #1

  My name is Melissa Ridderbjelke, everyone calls me Missy. I am a mother of two children; I am blessed with a beautiful daughter who is 16 and a prankster son that is 11. I am recently divorced after 20 years of marriage. My children and I are very close and learning a whole new life with just the three of us. We love to go camping, boating, fishing, hiking, cycling, and anything to do with the outdoors. The three of us also enjoy going to concerts, we have found that to be a new favorite past time.
  I started in the education field after my daughter started school. I was a substitute teacher for the private school she attended. I really enjoyed working with the children. After my son started school, I became a sub for the Mobile County Public Schools. I knew I had found my calling. I loved working with children. I like the children everyone else has given up on. They are important and are usually pushed to the side. So, I started attending Bishop State Community College. I never really thought I would get in, but tested highly on the entrance exam. I am now a full time employee for Mobile County Public Schools as a Para Professional. I work in the Pre-K Special Education Department. I enjoy my job and am thankful to be in the classroom helping others. I was a high school drop out and know the importance for children to receive their education no matter what their circumstances are.
  My favorite things to do in life are hang around my children and laugh!!! I love to laugh. I also love to ride Harley Davidson motorcycles. I own a Jeep Wrangler that I love to take the top off and drive with no place to go, mostly to the beach. I also like to read, yes cute love stories with happy endings. After all isn't that what we all want in life; happy endings?

Practice post

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