Google Hypochondriates

This article was funny to me. I've heard many people talking about their symptoms and the famous 'diagnosis' websites. When looking at these websites, you can't take them seriously. You might type in side pain and first thing that pops up could be cancer of the kidney, but really, you have a bladder infection. You have more of a chance of having the bladder infection than cancer. People take this too serious and shouldn't. What did they do without the Internet?

Ipods in the Class

I went looking for information about using Ipods in the classroom. The first website I found was http://www.pre-kpages.com/ipods.html. This brought up different ways to use Ipods in pre-k. The teachers were able to download different songs and podcasts to their ipods and teach the children about colors, numbers, and letters.
The next website I came across was http://www.education-world.com/a_tech/sites/sites070.shtml. This had alot of information on using Ipods in the classroom. It also brought up Duke University and how they use Ipods. In Fall 2004, they gave each entering freshman an Ipod. They now are using them in many classes as learning tools. I think this is a useful tool, but can also get very expensive fast. Without grants, I don't see our schools being able to do this.

ITunes U

This is an amazing tool! I love using ITunes period, but this is great for everyone. Not just students, but anyone can use this. It works through ITunes. Once you've downloaded ITunes, you can find ITunes U, which has many different universities to search through. You can also search by topic. It could be used to further your education or just to find something fascinating. Looks great.

Dr. Alice Christie's Website

One of the many things I found interesting on Dr. Christie's website was information on Virtual Field Trips. I have never heard of this before looking into this website. Instead of spending lots of money on going out into the 'real' world, the class can take a virtual field trip. It's alot cheaper and helps the class learn more about technology.
There was also a section of simulations. I clicked on a simulation of a virtual river. It is a website connected with a Geology Lab online. It shows step by step, how a river runs and works. These ideas were all great. Schools with little money to spend could definitely use these tools in their classroom to keep the kids interested.

Thoughts on "What I've Learned This Year" by Mr. McClung

This blog was perfect to read for any future teacher. Mr. McClung does an amazing job of explaining his opinions and views on his first year of teaching. He gives many good pointers for future or even current teachers.
Teachers need to be worried about their students comprehension of material, not the way they deliver it. Don't get stuck teaching the same lesson for twenty years without any change. Change is good! It's good to continue growing and learning as an adult, especially if you're teaching children.
I believe, like Mr, McClung, that a great relationship with other teachers, parents, and especially students, is very important. If you don't know anything about a student, how can you teach them material in a way they understand. Not every child will understand like the next. It will take extra time and patience to get children on the same level. When you have a good relationship with the students. They won't be so embarrassed when there is a problem, of any kind.
Don't take everything so seriously. If something goes wrong in the class, don't get grumpy and stop everything you're doing. Instead, smile! Everything is okay-work it out and make it better. You don't to lose your cool in front of your students.
Just have fun and take the time to learn while you are teaching.

My Thoughts on "Randy Pausch's Last Lecture"

I watched the incredible video of Mr. Pausch's Last Lecture. He lived a great life, it seems. I found that he died July 2008 of Pancreatic Cancer. He did mention his cancer at the beginning of his lecture. The lecture, he explained, was if you knew you were delivering your last lecture, what would you say. He gave us a little bit of background information about his life, previous jobs, and goals. He had many dreams as a young child, and for the most part, achieved all of them (except playing for the NFL).
Enabling dreams is an incredible thing to do and being a teacher does just that. You are helping another person achieve what they want in their lifetime. Learning is very important. If you can find a way to have fun while learning, do it!
Focus on others, not yourself. Never lose your child-like wonder. Help others. All of these mentioned by Randy Pausch is something, in my mind, that a teacher does everyday. Some teachers lose their child-like wonder. These teachers that do lose it, are the boring teachers that are just there. I plan on making a difference to someone.
This lecture did impact me, as well as millions of other people. His point of view on life was different, probably because he just received a death sentence. It was an emotional video to watch. He didn't want to talk about his 3 children or wife that he would be leaving behind. But he did surprise his wife during one of his pointers. He said to not just think about yourself. Everyone could just worry about him at that moment, that he's dying of cancer, but he brought out an enormous cake for his wife's birthday. It made me cry!
The roles of parents, mentors, friends, and educators are very important in a child's life. As a teacher, I have the option to change someones life! It's amazing.

Karl Fisch blog about Tech Illiterate Teachers...

A teacher today has to be willing to learn! The world is moving so fast and towards technology more than anything. If a teacher doesn't know what's going on outside of the classroom, i.e technology, how can they teach students properly? They Can't! We need to be able to teach our students what they need to know, which is technology. That is the new world. Everyone needs to be technological.

View on "It's Not about the Technology"

This was a great article. Again, I totally related to this article. I believe technology is important, but it should not be the first thing we worry about in the classroom. Teachers also have to be learners. If a teacher isn't willing to learn, they'll fall behind which also hurts the student.

A Vision of Students Today....

I LOVED this video. The camera work made me a little dizzy, but the information was right on. As a college student, I totally related to each student in this video.
I am now and will be in debt, probably forever, because of college.
I've never brought my laptop to class, but have seen students who have. They are looking at their Myspace or Facebook profiles all the time. I can't say that's not me though. I have an IPhone, so that's my 'laptop'. Great information and video.

EDM 310 Podcasts

I just watched/listened to 2 podcasts.

The first one I listened to was a group of students and Dr. Strange, titled "Tech Literate Teacher." The introductions were nice and once the conversation began, it became a little more relaxed. I believe when I do this, I'll be the same way. Nicole believes teachers should be somewhat tech literate. They need to know the basics. I totally agree. Teachers don't need to just stick to textbooks anymore. Technology is advancing and we need to teach the students a little bit about technology to prepare them for what they will learn. All in all, I believe this video was good. The topic was good and the students did well.

The second podcast I listened to was Mr. Sullivan's class. The "Shift Happens" conversation stated off with elevator music, which needs to go. :)
The first speaker, Scott, began talking and said umm alot. The other students were also very monotone and didn't seem very interested in this topic, which made it hard to listen to. They needed to be a little excited.
As far as topic, I'm half and half on what I believe. I think technology is great. I also think that teacher interaction is a necessity and we can't rely on technology. There needs to be a mixture of teacher and technology. I think elementary teachers should begin with the basics of technology.

Dr. Strange's Class Blog

I just read through 3 blogs. They were all in Tuesday/Thursday, 11 am class.

The first blog was by Dana McDowell on Sir Ken Robinson.
I totally agreed with this blog. The fact that the choreographer of Cats was almost put on meds and calmed down, was amazing. I can only imagine how many children today are on meds and don't need to be.

The second blog was by Dana Cook on Mr. Winkle Wakes.
Keeping students engaged in what they learn and wanting to learn is very important. This video demonstrated this perfectly.

The third blog was by Marissa Washington on Did You Know? 3.0.
I agreed with her about this video. She mentions that she thought the video would be boring, but actually, the information was great.

Eagle's Nest Radio Podcast

I just listened to Eagle's Nest third grade class speak about Ancient Romans. The information they used was very interesting. For third graders, I believe they did amazing. The only complaint I have would be the audio and music. It was hard to hear the children with music playing over them. I liked the different topics they used, like 'History Spotlight" and "That's Entertainment." I believe the different topics would help keep the children's interest. This is a great way for students to learn what they need to. I can see other children getting into this!

My thoughts on "Google Changing the Way We Think"

This article begins with an hypothesis that screen-based information may be affecting certain portions of our brains. I can understand where this conclusion could be drawn. I am fortunate enough to have grown up with many new technologies arising everyday.

Imagine, 20 years ago, not having cell phones attached to our ears or using the internet daily. I can't imagine it. I use the internet everytime I have work due for school, others may use it for their jobs. People, at one point, actually had to look information up by using books. In today's world, children know more about computers before they can read.

In conclusion, I can totally agree with this hypothesis. People, including me, resort to the internet too much. Everything in today's world is too easy and it's because of technology.

Importance of Creativity

I just watched a video of Sir Ken Robinson speaking on the importance of human creativity and human imagination. I can relate to this video. My daughter just turned 4. I know how important it is to let her explore her imagination and creative side.
I have noticed when some children her age are playing on the swing set at the park, she is drawing pictures in the sand. I never have stopped her from doing the things she wants to do. I know that for her to be considered 'smart', she needs to be great in math and sciences, but she could do just as well in Art class. This is what Sir Ken Robinson was speaking about in this video. It is so important for our children to explore the arts and find what they like.

Mr. Winkle Wakes Video

Mr. Winkle Wakes is a YouTube video about a little man that wakes up to the 'new' world. There were new technologies all around. He woke up to computers, lasers, new procedures for surgery, and other new technologies.
I can't imagine just waking up one morning to the technologies I use everyday, never knowing them before. I am amazed now by the types of technology we have. I remember the first cell phone I used. It sent regular text messages and could make calls. Now, I have the Apple IPhone. It does EVERYTHING. I can send email, pictures, share music, download music, and watch movies among other thing.
I believe technology is an incredible thing and can only get better.

Did You Know 3.0?

This was a very interesting video to watch. Honestly, I did not know one fact from the video. I knew technology was growing rapidly and how incredible it was, but not to this extent. The world's population is growing like crazy and we are only helping the technology process grow more rapid.
I thought the facts in this video were awesome. I don't remember each fact, but was it 200 million myspace accounts that are registered right now? If Myspace were a country, it would be fifth in size. That is unbelievable.
I was born in 1987. I am a technology lover. I have an IPhone, a computer, and a Myspace account. I am one of the millions that use Google everyday and am proud to be apart of this tech-savvy generation. I can't wait to see what comes next!

This is New!

Hello classmates! My name is Jessica Presley. I am 4 hours away from Junior status, majoring in Elementary Education at University of South Alabama. I have been married for 2 years to my childhood friend. We have a beautiful daughter together, Krislyn, who is 4. That's the basics about me. If you wanna know anything else, ask me!