I am from the era where computers were glorified type-writers. Thus my learning curve has been quite extensive. Not only have I learned to use the word processing more proficiently, I now know how to develop a spreadsheet and find and create formulas, create a blog and a website; none of which I knew anything about prior to this class.
Dr. Strange you have earned your brownies with me.
Though I hated the prospect of doing all of these, and have struggled to finish, I am grateful you insisted.
Thank you!
Terri Onderdonk
Monday, April 28, 2008
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
International educational bloggers
The most useful and successful web location for this parameter would have to be EDBlogger Praxis which connects you to local and international educators using technology in their classrooms. I have to say, just typing in international educational blogs got me to some quite risque spots. I think EdBlogger works well.
One interesting spot was that of telfordteacher which was a collaborative blog developed by teachers from the UK for a safe spot for educators and students.
The most interesting blog I ran across was the "explosion" of whiteboards taking the place of traditional blackboards. It sounds incredibly exciting. I wish I knew of a school close by using them. Use of technology, especially in grades outside of high school, just isn't there yet.
One interesting spot was that of telfordteacher which was a collaborative blog developed by teachers from the UK for a safe spot for educators and students.
The most interesting blog I ran across was the "explosion" of whiteboards taking the place of traditional blackboards. It sounds incredibly exciting. I wish I knew of a school close by using them. Use of technology, especially in grades outside of high school, just isn't there yet.
Blogs in K-12 Classrooms
I found a Mr. Langhorst of South Valley Junior High School in Liberty, Missouri using a website in very interesting ways. Mr Langhorst teaches eighth grade history. His website includes things such as "This week in class" which highlights what is covered in class each week. He even divides the week in color coded days to let the students focus on different areas of study on blue days and others on white days. Mr. Langhorst includes on his website the usual class pictures, units of study, contact information and the like but what I found interesting and unique was his podcasts or "studycasts" as he calls them. These studycasts are short podcasts on units of study such as "Our Constitution" and "The Revolutionary War." I wish I had these type of resources when I was in school.
Finding actual teachers with this sort of website was difficult at best but finding technology and software to facilitate this sort of learning/teaching was not difficult at all. This is a great segue to the information I received when I visited my school for my technology trifold brochure. The feeling was that the technology is there but limited is the money to purchase said products and teachers who are willing to learn a new way in addition to all of the paperwork they now have to have to prove they are doing their job.
I am not in the teaching field as of yet so making an educated comment on where the problem lies would be completely theory. I do however hate to see such a productive tool go virtually unused except by the seasoned few.
Finding actual teachers with this sort of website was difficult at best but finding technology and software to facilitate this sort of learning/teaching was not difficult at all. This is a great segue to the information I received when I visited my school for my technology trifold brochure. The feeling was that the technology is there but limited is the money to purchase said products and teachers who are willing to learn a new way in addition to all of the paperwork they now have to have to prove they are doing their job.
I am not in the teaching field as of yet so making an educated comment on where the problem lies would be completely theory. I do however hate to see such a productive tool go virtually unused except by the seasoned few.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
access.al
The access site has innumerable advantages. One being that it gives small schools with small budgets access to curriculum that they would not otherwise be able to offer their students. For example, Verbana High School in Chilton County can now offer Algebra II, Algebra IB, English II, environmental science and career/tech coordinated studies via online learning through access. Without these online certified teachers Varbana could not afford to offer these courses.
Also through access you have a direct link to the Alabama Virtual Library. This site offers even more information, resources and support to teachers, parents and students. Just under the Elementary sub-site alone, there was everything from Britannica Online to LitFinder which helps find specific literature, from poems to plays.
One thing I wasn't sure of is how you go about getting a user name and password. Since I wasn't sure whether there was a fee, I'll just wait to ask Dr. Strange before I go any further. But this is a great site!!
Also through access you have a direct link to the Alabama Virtual Library. This site offers even more information, resources and support to teachers, parents and students. Just under the Elementary sub-site alone, there was everything from Britannica Online to LitFinder which helps find specific literature, from poems to plays.
One thing I wasn't sure of is how you go about getting a user name and password. Since I wasn't sure whether there was a fee, I'll just wait to ask Dr. Strange before I go any further. But this is a great site!!
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Adding a Photograph to your Blog
Click on the photo icon. Browse to find photo. Open. Click OK. Select a location for your text. Select a site for your photo (or image). I recommend small unless you want to cover your blog.
This photo was taken from the internet.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
In the Classroom
Now that the Arts are minimized in most schools due to budget restrictions, I will make good use of the ability to virtually tour museums. With this technology my class will be able to view art we would probably not be able to see otherwise, regardless of budget.
Social studies seems to be another course of study that could really benefit from this website. Seeing similarities and differences of social norms practiced in different areas of the country as well as possibly internationally. Having my students engage in or even only view other classrooms via conferencing, could prove to be productive in accomplishing this. Additionally, when the same subject matter is presented, the "audience" (students) can create a completely different effect giving more color and contrast to any given subject.
Social studies seems to be another course of study that could really benefit from this website. Seeing similarities and differences of social norms practiced in different areas of the country as well as possibly internationally. Having my students engage in or even only view other classrooms via conferencing, could prove to be productive in accomplishing this. Additionally, when the same subject matter is presented, the "audience" (students) can create a completely different effect giving more color and contrast to any given subject.
alex
This is an amazing website! The lesson plans, virtual field trips and Personal Workspace sites could really prove to be great resources for new and seasoned teachers alike.
The other aspect I liked was the idea of not only sharing knowledge among teachers around the States or even the world but being able to allow my students to experience different perspectives from other classrooms seemed like a priceless advantage.
The other aspect I liked was the idea of not only sharing knowledge among teachers around the States or even the world but being able to allow my students to experience different perspectives from other classrooms seemed like a priceless advantage.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
fischbowl movie
I love the quote about "We're teaching solutions to problems that don't yet exist." That is probably not verbatim but the point is there. Technology is exploding and those who don't use it will not be able to keep up.
The statistic I found disconcerting is that the average 21 year old will have watched 20,000 hours of television. I have a three year old and before I go into a litany of the ills of the times, I will just say that my hope is that we don't lose sight of the human beings and remember that technology is only a tool.
Technology can do amazing things and can bring people together from all across the world like never dreamed of twenty years ago. It has definitely changed our culture and in a way more drastic and far reaching I think, than generations before.
The statistic I found disconcerting is that the average 21 year old will have watched 20,000 hours of television. I have a three year old and before I go into a litany of the ills of the times, I will just say that my hope is that we don't lose sight of the human beings and remember that technology is only a tool.
Technology can do amazing things and can bring people together from all across the world like never dreamed of twenty years ago. It has definitely changed our culture and in a way more drastic and far reaching I think, than generations before.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
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