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!!

Adding a Photograph to your Blog

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John Strange Website

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.

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.

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.

Exercise

Billy Blanks is awesome!!!!!!!!!
Tae Bo lives on.

Great Day

Played outside with my son. The weather is great!!!
Love the South.

Peace

Testing, Testing