Comments 4 Kids #1 and 2

For my first comment for kids assignment I was assigned a student at Noel Elementary School . The students name was Kristen and she is an 8th grader! It was great to see her blog and how well she was working using technology for educational purposes. Kristen's about me was very informative! She discussed her likes and dislikes and what was important in her life, such as family and friends. She mentioned that her favorite subject was Communication Arts, but her least favorite was math. Mr. Chamberlain commented on her post, telling her that he would help her and that she could ask him for help also. I thought that it was great for the students to have blogs because that way the (teacher like Mr. Chamberlain did in this case) may know more about the students and know what specific subject they need more help in. I did notice that the blog opened up more communication between students and teachers! It's definitely a great asset and it's good to get to know the student, like Kristen on a personal level!

I was also able to read Kristen's learning manifesto, and I could definitely learn some things for her, like going to bed early!! She had very good goals: going to bed early, being a good student by staying caught up on work, and also paying full attention. Kristen's goals were realistic and challenging. I think that they are each important steps in learning as much as you can in a school year, so I know she is on the right track. Through the learning manifesto, I learned that blogging goals is so vital because throughout the year, the student or teacher can look back over that blog and measure their progress and use it as a reminder of "where they are headed!"

I really enjoyed viewing and commenting on Kristen's blogs! By taking the time to look over her blogs and page, I realized just how important is is for students to have a blog!! I will definitely require my students to do this!!

Blog Post 5

Welcome to the World of Podcasting! 


Before this assignment, I can honestly say that I have only listened to podcasts but never created a podcast, much less went public with one; however, my group and I will accomplish that this week. For the blog assignment this week we were given some videos, tutorials, and articles to read about podcasts on how to create podcasts, why podcasts are used in schools, how efficient they actually are, what software one needs to complete the project, and step by step tips on how to make a great podcast.
The podcasts, videos, and articles that I read were very helpful and I think that it will allow the process for a newbie such as myself to be easier.

In one of the options for our assignments I read the article by Carolyn Wood, "Learning Podcasting", which basically covered the definition of a podcast, the instruments you need to make a podcast (microphone, headset etc.), hardware you need to install such as audacity to edit your podcast, and other resources you may need to present it at it's best. She also explained audioblogging and and advertising through podcasts.

I also found some very helpful tools in the Judy Scharf podcast collection.
To get a greater understanding of how to create a podcast in a step by step format, I watched a youtube video entitled "How to Create a Podcast." This gave you visual  and actually showed you what to click on your computer to get started, how to edit the podcast, cut out background noise, how to upload the podcast, and subscribe to an RSS feed.



I also watched a video by Joe Dell called Podcasting in the Classroom. In this video many great benefits from podcasting in the classroom are discussed. Podcasting in a classroom setting as a resource for teaching is a very effective tool. Students can access the podcast anytime and anyplace. They can record the lecture and play it back for review. It also makes a lecture more vibrant if the teacher has students read with exuberance and enthusiasm the different roles of characters. It definitely enhances their learning experience. It is a relevant and new way to learn and incorporates a visual tool, in which students greatly respond to. This also helps for students who may have to be absent from school, because they can get what they missed off of the web. Parents can also stay up to date through podcasting. This allows interaction among students and engages them in a way that other resources cannot.

C4T #1

Hadley Ferguson has written two very informative posts. It was great to read and gain insight from an experienced educator. The first post that I read was entitled 12 Goals . In this post, Mr. Ferguson listed specific goals that he would strive to fulfill in order to be a better teacher. I think that blogging these 12 goals was a fantastic idea, because throughout the school year he could look back over them to see how well he was doing in keeping those goals and also share them with other teachers. As a teacher, I think incorporating new goals at the beginning of the year would be the key to learning and growing as a teacher and also ensuring that students receive the best from you. Not only as a student but as a learner, I think having these types of goals are important. It's important in order to reach your fullest potential to consider: What am I trying to achieve? What areas do I need to work on? How can I incorporate my strengths into what I am attempting? The list could really go on according to how you view things, but I think in essence Mr. Ferguson was using these 12 goals as a measurement to see how he progresses throughout the year to ensure that he gives his students his very best! This is very essential for an educator!

In the second post I read, Mr. Ferguson wrote a blog entitled A Return to Imagination.  He wrote this blog after being inspired from hearing an interview on the book, The Power of Pull. The main idea of this article was to unlock the imagination. Mr. Ferguson explained that unlocking the imagination was important in learning, and without doing that, one is limited. However, when they do this, a new dimension is awakened and opened up, broadening a student's way of thinking. Of course he pointed out that students need to really use their imagination, but that teachers do as well. I completely agree! For students to use their imagination, just like math, English, writing, technological skills etc. a teacher must also be able to show them. So as "cliche" as it may sound, teacher's hold the key to unlock many imaginations that are so vital to the future. I am glad I get to be part of that. I aim to grow in unlocking my own imagination so that I can take students to another dimension of learning.

Both of the posts that I read by Mr. Ferguson definitely challenged me and taught me a lot in becoming a better student and better teacher!!!

Blog Post 4

Don't Teach Your Kids This, Please!!
Dr. McLeod has a very profound use of  reverse psychology. My favorite part is the end, when he says, "can't wait to see who has a leg up in a decade or two!" That is very true. I think that if you were to take
students and separate them into two categories: group a. going through elementary/high school with only a chalkboard, pens, paper, and zero technology while group b. who had all of those resources plus, computers, power point, smart board, internet access, blogging etc. It is very likely that as Dr. McLeod was stating in his sarcasm, that those students (like the ones in group a) would be crippled. By the time they graduated, they would have limited skills and would not be developed and prepared enough to get a job or pursue a college degree, whereas group b. would be at the same pace with the world around them, and ready for the next step. Technology equips students with the skills that they need and without certain technology exposure students will become crippled as adults trying to make it in our society.

Dr. McLeod definitely does a great job at pointing out how relevant it is to learn with technology and become familiar with it through an indirect sarcastic way! It was a great and different read. I'm sure that educational systems are in a transitioning era between figuring out what from the past to continue to use, while incorporating more and more technology. As a teacher who firmly believes in the use of technology in the classroom, I would imagine at times it gets annoying when parents say things like "my child doesn't need that" when in reality it's for the child's best interest.

iSchool Initiative
In this video a student made a very interesting presentation about an iSchool. The iSchool would function off of  iTouch applications ranging from all sorts, world wiki, USA Presidents, Starwalk, table of elements, along with many different tools. It would completely eliminate the need for paper, pens, and copy machines. He argues that the iSchool would help save the school system money, it would be cheaper for students, and it would also help the enviornment.

The iSchool seemed like a very interesting idea; however I do not think that this is the answer to our countries education problems. Technology can equip and assist many teachers and students. It gives them the ability to go farther than a book, pen, and chalkboard can take them, however, this specific idea almost gives you the impression that human communication will be eliminated. Communication between individuals, in my opinion does in fact teach something that technology cannot. Without actually communication, relationship building, imagination, incorporated with the use of this iSchool, students will still be limited. Will this iSchool decrease the demand for teachers? That is something to really consider. Technology is great, but it doesn't need to take the place of the actual teacher, or else we are out of the job, before we ever have a job. Maybe this can be an addition to our educational system, just not the end all be all. Even though, it's not my favorite idea, it was still a great presentation from a younger student!

The Lost Generation
This quick video really sums up what seems to be the future of today's misplaced priorities in our society. As the reader goes down the list it seems to doom the future, but in reality our future is determined by what we do today. We shape tomorrow by the decisions we make now and if our priorities are wrong now then they will be even more misplaced thirty years from now. If we are a wandering generation, then we are blazing the trail for a lost generation. This was very alarming, but with all things just like we have the choice to damage we have the choice to impact for the good. Today we can put our priorities in the right place, families first, happiness over money, etc. and because of this the future will be a better and brighter place. We see this as the words/reading is reversed.  When we reverse our actions today, put our priorities right, take responsibilities for our actions we can decree exactly what was spoken in the second half of that video and that is that there is hope, divorce isn't the way, we don't have to settle for "quick fix", family is important, kids will prosper, and we can be happy knowing we can change the world. 


This video is powerful in and of itself, but with the effects of scrolling down and then reversing, it gives it a greater effect! I think that without that aspect of it, then the effectiveness would be lost. 


Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir- 'Lux Aurumque'
Wow, I know that we are supposed to write a summary of what we have seen but this was so amazing that I am almost speechless. As I was watching the virtual choir, I asked myself how is that even possible??? It's amazing that with technology even things like this are possible. Voices brought together from many different countries to perform one piece, from people who have never met. Who would have thought of such 20 years ago? So what could be possible in 20 more years? This was a masterpiece in itself and even showing and proving the endless possibilities that technology offers. I am still wondering, how it's possible because I know it took hard work for all the people involved. I think this was a phenomenal and creative endeavor. Technology awakens imagination, evokes creativity, and makes the impossible possible!




Conducting the virtual choir!!

Additional Assignment #1

   Before watching the instructional video, I had never heard of Google Squared or Wolfram Alpha. Some educational implications would be that these sources offer people the opportunity to see the expansion or our world, different cultures, or even the sheer fact that we don't just take statistics that we hear but actually get the accurate figure between the two sources. We were instructed to add in China and the US but I continued to list several more countries because it was interesting to compare and contrast the size. I think that the availability of these sources in the classroom will be great in teaching. It allows students to do a broad variety of things from comparing and contrasting the different results, to comparing different countries and even giving them a chart that is quick and easily accessed. It helps them visualize and gives them something tangible to work with! The "Did you Know" video still has a certain shock factor, but after seeing these statistics and the growth rate of countries it's not as shocking now. It is still very overwhelming that if only 25% of China's country spoke English it would exceed the 100% of our English speaking country. Something to think about really!
    After reading the "Food for Thought" article I realized that the I-pad is something that we shouldn't shy away from but embrace. It has a lot of great features and is indeed easier to use than many people that I have talked to make it out to be.

Google Presentation: Take a Look!

Blog Post 3

A Vision of Students Today


The most startling realization of this video was not the outstanding price for books or the massing amount of debt a student may have once graduating, but what the students "voice out" in the very beginning. The students held up a message that said "My average class size is 115" and " 18% of students know my name." When these types of messages are shown, it proves that many educational systems have eliminated quality and settled for just getting the job done. Many statements that follow those two, are ones such as "I will only complete 49% of my reading assignments" and "I buy text books I never open". In my opinion if quality in education was ensured through a more personal level between students and teachers, then it would guarantee a greater success in students' outcome. For example they would be more apt to read or actually put to use books they have purchased. In the end rather than just showing up students will end the semester more enriched because of teachers who took the time to know their name and provided a more personal atmosphere for all students to be engaged in learning.

It was also very eye opening that as a student we attempt to squeeze in all that is required of us into 24 hours, when in reality our schedule demands more time than a day can give. This calls for sacrifice in other ares, so what do you give up, work? focusing on school? sleep? social life? The demand to learn and achieve is great and with that comes the high price of multi tasking; however, I fully believe that in my generation and even more so for the next generation that sticking them in a class room will negate the very purpose for education. Because our society is so technologically advanced  it has become the core of how we communicate, work our jobs, socialize, etc. If technology is at the core of our society and without it as American's our country would seem to be tremendously crippled, then why isn't technology the core of education?  The minds of kids, teenagers, and many young adults are fueled daily by technology. As you can tell on this video, kids spend many hours on facebook, sending emails, talking on their cell phone, and things of that nature. So to stick someone with this way of thinking into a classroom, much like the one on the video with many desks and a blackboard limits their mind, bores their inquisitive minds and for the most part disengages them immediately. Technology has added color to our world and has allowed many students to become three dimensional in their ways of thinking so to stick them in a class room is like trying to make them re-enter a one dimensional way of thinking. Because of this, I believe many bright students will not make it as far as their potential could take them, and that's simply because when they walk in the classroom they get a similar message as many of these students.

Although it is easy to see problems with the educational system, it is also great to see instructors who aim to make a difference and improve it. Those are footsteps that future teachers should strive to follow in. Rather than settling, aim to be different.  In one of my classes, a professor here at south had all of the students play a name/fact game and within a few days she knew all of our names. Another instructor also remembered my name and as I passed her in the hall she addressed me. Not that knowing someone's name makes all the difference, but it definitely makes you (as a student) feel like you can approach that teacher for help and makes you feel like they want the best for your educational endeavors.

This was also  a link to a very encouraging video in response to "A vision for students today" called "A Faculty Response to A Vision of Students Today."  Great tips by instructors who are making education relevant and personal!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJxN8SIme18


It's Not About the Technology


This article by Kelly Hines was very enlightening. First of all the title of the article was very eye-catching! Great title to sum up the points of the article! The first point was phenomenal and I think it is the foundational key to being a great teacher. Kelly Hines said made the point that teachers must be learners. In order to teach what is most relevant to a student's life then a teacher must be willing to learn new methods of teaching and must we willing to stretch and grow. An evolving teacher will be the teacher that has the most success because students will learn from a teacher like that. In relation to the Medical Field say for instance a Doctor. A Doctor must stay up to date with new research on diseases, illnesses, cures, tools, and medications or else a patient may not receive proper treatment. I wouldn't want to go to a Doctor who did not know there was a certain vaccination if I was suffering with a certain illness because of his lack of "learning" in medicine. College is the platform for an educator, a classroom and daily life will be a place for the educator to continue to learn in order to be of use and most effectiveness. I completely agree with Ms. Hines. I hope to strive to be this type of teacher.
I also strongly agree with point two. How do teacher's measure success? SAT scores? ACT scores? Honor Roll? Completing the lesson plan? All of these are good scales, but what means the most is how much the student takes away and how much the student actually learns from the class. When success of a teacher is reliant upon how much the student learns it ensures that each student receives equal attention and a quality education. After having these two skills applied, technology in the hands of this kind of teacher will definitely become limitless in the classroom and allow a great learning experience for the students. In the hands of this kind of teacher technology can make all the difference. This was a great article and can be very applicable!

Is It Okay To Be A Technologically Illiterate Teacher?

It is very clever that he gave a warning saying "grumpy blogger alert!" Although some may have been offended by his post, I think that Dr. Fisch was right on target. Immediately as I read this I was reminded of one of my high school teachers who was so technologically illiterate. This would be a great read for him! I think it should be absolutely mandatory for teachers to have a working knowledge of the different facets of technology in the classroom to allow education to become more innovative. Considering many students lives are made up of technology from their social life, to the news, to how they complete school work etc. then a teacher should most definitely be able to properly use technology in order to teach to his/her fullest potential, if not they would be limiting the students.
The quote in the blog was very true! If a teacher today is not technologically literate - and is unwilling to make the effort to learn more - it's equivalent to a teacher 30 years ago who didn't know how to read and write.
It is very interesting that people find it socially acceptable to admit they aren't very good at math but you really don't hear many say they cannot read.  In the same manner you hear many people say they do not know how to use computers or certain cell phones etc.  I don't think it's okay for teachers to be technologically illiterate. I think that it should be as important as the other recourses educators use! 


Gary's Social Media Count


 As I sat and watched the numbers quickly increase on the media count, I was amazed! Technology is literally moving at a rate faster than the human mind can comprehend! As I think back over my childhood I remember how internet became popular (dial up of course), we had VHS then transitioned to DVD and Blue Ray. We went from the cord phones, to cordless phones, to car phones, then to cell phones, and now smart phones, plus so many other inventions.In just 22 years life as we have known it has changed, and is changing. In just a few short years computers have changed. With this rapid pace, who knows what the future looks like. Who knows what I will by using to complete homework my senior year of college or during my career. 


Viewing this is hard to wrap your brain around, but definitely broadens your horizons and makes you really wonder "what could be?"

Project #2-Wordle

Blog Post 2

Did You Know?
In the short time of four minutes and fifty six seconds, I was made aware of how fast technology actually works and how essential it is in lives all over the world. This video was very interesting and contained so many facts that completely enlightened me. After seeing the substantial facts I realized that technology is faster than the human mind that created it and  it is also spreading faster than the human population can even reproduce.

 A statistic that really jumped out at me was that technical information is doubling every two years, so for students starting a four year technical degree, by the time they reach their third year of school half of what they learned in the first year will be outdated. So this creates a challenge for teachers and poses a question in the minds of students pursuing a degree. That challenge for the teacher is to educate a student rapidly and the question a student might ask would be "Is the education I am receiving of any relevance to the world in which I live?" Because of the rapid rate of technology in many countries and the expected rate of technological advancements in the near future, it is absolutely mandatory for an educational institution to strive to keep a current knowledge of technology in order to teach relevant information. This would not be an easy task, but it would be great for students and teachers alike, to make a corporate endeavor to ensure a proper understanding in the transforming field of technology. Rather than shying away from the great strides in our very technological society, the changes are worth embracing. If the new developments are not embraced, taught, and learned to students today, then I highly believe somewhere in the near future that because of our technological dependent world many individuals will become as foreigners in an unfamiliar territory. It's almost as if we are in the process of creating a world that we don't even know.

Mr. Winkle Wakes 
Wow! The irony of this video is very much enjoyed. It reminds me of Rip Van Winkle by Washington Irving, a very classic tale that was written about a similar situation during the American Revolutionary war and our transition from being owned by Britain under rule of King George to being a free nation with a President. Although this is an animated video, it does present a very valid point.

I believe that the main point in the video was that no matter how advanced technology gets the atmosphere of the classroom is the fixed variable in education and can always be a familiar place for a student. We have discovered that technology is advancing and effecting the world, whether in learning or even keeping us alive.
With all these changes, one could become overwhelmed as Mr. Winkle portrayed in the video. He did find comfort in the familiarity of the classroom. After seeing all the new progress in society after 100 years, he still  said that "some things still remain the same!" In my opinion the foundation for education has been made, and technology will only redefine and add-to what has already been established rather than completely revamping our educational system.

On our very first day of class Dr. Strange asked the question, "Which is more important, teaching facts or skills?" This video goes right along with answering that question. Teaching actual skills is the key in preparing students for the work place and for many different aspects of life. The variation of time differences shown in this video also help us as a viewer to see that skill is so vital. Skills can always be added to and improved whereas facts are just dead as technology marches on. Because society is evolving and skills can be evolved it seems to be the perfect formula to prevent having the same response as Mr. Winkle did in the video.

Sir Ken Robinson: The Importance of Creativity
The video of Sir Ken Robinson's presentation was absolutely astounding! It is something that I will definitely apply to help students receive a quality education! I think that this will definitely be a way to help students learn the basics in a manner that gives them freedom to be themselves and discover who they are! 

At the end of his speech he compared stripping kids of creativity in education in the same way that someone would strip the whole earth of a precious commodity. This analysis is very important because it can prevent the next generation of minds from being stripped of great gifts and the ability to use the most valuable resource given to us, imagination! Creativity is very important in education and I agree with Sir Ken Robinson, that it should not be disregarded from a child's education but encouraged. A quote was mentioned that children are born with creativity, but from K. Robinson's opinion, children are being educated out of their ability to be creative. Our educational systems should be set up in such a way that using your imagination has worth and is encouraged rather than the use of one's creativity being deemed irrelevant and replaced by logic alone. Because creativity is not permitted and human reasoning is strongly endorsed, we have compartmentalized and limited education. Due to the compartmentalization of learning, students who are seemingly intelligent and learn through a more creative manner will not thrive in today's educational system. Furthermore, this puts a damper on a student's 'bright future'! This limited way of education eliminates many individuals who could make our future greater, stronger, and more efficient. Creativity not allowed in the core of education does not enhance our tomorrow, but only damages what could be produced. Freedom to explore, freedom to create, freedom to use imagination is as important as math, science, and the English language itself. Being wrong should be allowed, because being wrong alongside creativity paves new ways, which connect the present with the future.

Sir Ken Robinson also broke down intelligence in three ways. Intelligence is diverse, dynamic, and distinct according to Sir Robinson. I strongly agree with that. If intelligence isn't explored in these three ways then it has been cheapened.  It is diverse in my opinion because students and individuals are diverse. It would be unfair to declare a math scholar intelligent and not a profound pianist. Both are intelligent, only in different ways. Our educational system may not recognize the pianist as intelligent because from some individual's perspectives that generally will not lead anywhere. Intelligence is also dynamic! As a future teacher exploring the dynamics of education seems very important. Students should have the opportunity to learn in many different capacities, whether it be through hearing, hands-on, or any other method. When only one method is allowed the dynamics are minimal and doesn't give each student a fair chance to progress in education. Intelligence is also distinct. It is valuable that a teacher take a fair assessment of students throughout their formative years to discover their distinct learning skills, abilities, and gifts. After the distinctions are made, then a teacher can properly build on that ensuring the bright future we all hear about.

Vicki Davis: Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts
It's true, technology at the fingertips in a classroom removes the harness and allows students to learn by being connected to the world. I believe that Vicki Davis has created one of the most efficient ways of teaching. Not only are students free from the limitations of crayons alone, but by using technology they can learn for themselves and teach others. In my opinion, this method will enable students to progress at the same rate as the technology around them improves.

I can relate to the rural classroom setting that the kids in the video are in. I however, did not get the opportunity to experience the world but was limited to the four walls in the classroom. Learning as these kids are learning will broaden their learning capacity and should guarantee a successful future. By introducing children at a young age the many facets of our technological strides, they will be readily prepared for a wide variety of jobs and will most definitely be able to adjust to the constant transforming of technological resources. It is amazing that Vicki Davis has established an approach to learning that promotes individuality, the freedom to learn, and the assurance that students will be launched into a secure future!

I would love to take this way of teaching and apply it in my career if I have the opportunity. I think that it is vital and relevant in our society and will be most beneficial for a diverse group of students.

Blog Post 1

 My name is Carrie Tucker. I have lived in Uriah Alabama for a majority of my life until I decided to move to Mobile to go to college. Uriah is a very small town located about an hour north of Mobile. I attended USA because it was close to where I lived and so that I wouldn't have to make a major move. In addition to that, I am very fond of the city of Mobile! My family is also from Uriah and both of my parents come from a very large family, so needless to say, our Christmas dinner is actually a rather large feast! I entered in the education field first, because I am highly interested in language arts and secondly, because I would like to teach others what I have learned. Originally I began to pursue the degree with the intention of teaching in a high school after graduation, but now my goals have been changed to cooincide with my dreams. I am extremely interested in foreign missions to the middle east, Africa, and many other places. Because that is a great interest, I re-routed my "life plan" and will use my education major to become a missionary in another country in order to teach the English language to students in any setting or atmosphere.

First of all, I love God with all of my heart. For Him alone I was created, to know Him and make Him known. I really enjoy writing, teaching, and sharing with other people. Recently I had the opportunity to get involved with Friends of Internationals, which is an international student ministry at South. I also enjoy helping others to realize their potential and worth in life. I believe that relationships are vital in our lifetime and to be cherished greatly! I was in a hands-on ministry school called Master's Commission for two years. It was based in Mobile, but we travelled all over the U.S and into Mexico doing school assemblies, outreaches, and work in many different communities. Besides travelling the world and meeting new people, I also thoroughly enjoy sports, both participating and watching. I love to run and watch Auburn football also! That's pretty much me in a nutshell. I look forward to this class providing me with a greater knowledge of reaching the world through blogging and technology as well as enabling me to function more technologically. I definitely anticipate hearing and seeing teachers from around the world! This is very exciting and I anxiously await what is yet to be discovered.  

The following pictures is where I will be going in one week: Kampala and Masindi Uganda (Eastern Africa) "C3 church":

Practice Post

My First Post