For my first C4K in March, I responded to a girl named Nadia. Nadia is in a 100 word challenge and her post was about a interesting trip her and her family took to the green forrest. Nadia mentioned in her post how much she likes spiders and how her and her siblings enjoy counting the spiders in the green forrest as a contest.
Here is the comment I left for Nadia...
Hi Nadia!
My name is Amanda Warner and I am an elementary education major at the University of South Alabama and I am currently a student in Dr. Strange's EDM 310 class.
I enjoyed reading your interesting story of the adventurous trip your family and yourself took to the green forrest. Personally, I do not like spiders and I'm actually scared of them. But I think it's neat that you and your siblings enjoy counting the spiders in the forrest. While I read your story I was able to create a clear image in my head as to what was going on. Thanks for sharing you story and keep up the good work on the 100 word challenge.
-Amanda Warner
My final C4K for March begins the blog challenge. For the next few weeks I am assigned to follow up on 18mcse blog. The latest post this child gave was a brief summary of a book called, The Hobbit.
Here is the comment I left..
Hi,
I'm Amanda Warner, a student at the University of South Alabama in Dr. Strange's EDM 310 class. I have been assigned to your blog this week and the next few weeks following. I enjoyed reading your latest post about the book, "The Hobbit." Thanks for giving a brief summary of what you've read. I like to read and it seems as if you do too. Do you have a favorite author? My favorite author is Nicholas Sparks.
I look forward to reading your next blog post, good luck!
Dr. Richard E. Miller is a professor in the department of English at Rutgers School of Arts and Science. In Dr. Richard Miller's videos This Is How We Dream part 1 and 2, he discusses and informs us how writing in the academy and in the culture has changed. He share the importance of reading, writing, and how to research and publish information. He mentions that he believes we are living at the moment of the greatest change in human communication and in human history. Dr. Miller starts by sharing his beginning in this profession, which was by spending time understanding writing as an activity. He says, "I am a person of the book and I was raised in a house filled with books." Dr. Richard Miller grew to accomplish his dream of writing books. He published two books; As If Learning Mattered: Reforming Higher Education and Writing at the End of the World.
The main idea presented in these videos is that the way of teaching and learning has changed tremendously. We no longer depend on pencil/pen or paper to write our papers, we use word processing. We now have the internet to research in an easier and faster manner rather then going to the library. We use the internet for many different reasons, we can also use it to communicate with others world wide. So what will it be like in the future for our children? Will they ever have to use pencil/pen and paper to write a paper? Will they have to go to the library to do research? The answers to these's question's are mostly likely no.
I myself at 21 years old have never relied on going to the library to do research, I have always found all the information I need online. I honestly enjoy using technology for learning and look forward to using it in my classroom when I start teaching. Although, I do still believe in the use of basic skills such as writing with a pencil/pen on paper and reading an actual paperback or hardback book. This basic skills should most definitely still be taught in the elementary levels of education. These basic skills are what set a foundation for higher level skills of learning such as technology. The change of using technology and multimedia has already occurred in the world today so we as educators have to be prepared for what may come in the future.
Carly Pugh is a fellow student who is also an education major at the University of South Alabama, she published an outstanding blog post # 12. After reading her post, I know she is a great student and will be an amazing teacher one day. Anyone who reads Carly's work can notice that she is a very dedicated person. She made a playlist that define's her views of being an educator, she did such a great job that I enjoyed every second of watching it! Dr. Miller and Carly's work both have similarities but also have some differences. I agree that the use of technology and multimedia will help in the classroom and is great way to get students engaged with the work assigned to them. Students will be able to have lots of fun while learning more about their assignment and how the use multimedia. I cannot thank Carly enough for sharing her excellent work on blog post # 12 and the playlist she created. I will definitely keep an open mind to all these ideas in my future classroom.
The Chipper Series and EDM 310 for Dummies
I thought that The Chipper Series was a very interesting and attention grabbing video. Chipper starts off as a student at The University of South Alabama in Dr. Strange's EDM 310 class. Chipper and her parents decide that they do not like the way Dr. Strange teaches so she meets with Dr. Strange himself to speak with him about this problem but he does not change his ways so Chipper goes on the drop out of school completely. Chipper then try's other options such as different schools and many jobs to make it through life. She is the type of person who thinks she can make it through life and be successful without giving any effort. She finally realized that she was wrong along and to be successful you have to put in effort and be determined, so Chipper enrolled back in school with the major of education. The part on the topic of procrastination really caught my attention because unfortunately I do have a problem with procrastination. I sometimes tend to start work early hoping to finish earlier than the due date, but with my busy schedule of classes and schoolwork, juggling two jobs, being in a sorority and having a social life it's sometimes hard to get everything done. Although, I have struggled a slight bit I do think that overall I've done pretty well. Becoming an elementary teacher has always been a passion and goal of mine, though there has been times that I've thought is teaching really what I'm meant to do. I now know for sure that teaching is what I'm meant to do with my future because I love children and being in a classroom full of young kids eager to learn is so inspiring.
I really liked the video EDM310 for Dummies, the actors in this video did an awesome job showing the emotions students in this class feel, including me being one of them. Although, this class tends to be frustrating at times I am very thankful for the things I've already learned and I'm eager to continue to learn more. It's hard to realize exactly what all I've learned from this class so far but I know it's a lot and I cannot wait for the end of the semester to realize all the neat things Dr. Strange has introduced me to so I can use these wonderful tools in my future as an educator. Teaching isn't just about using technology in every way possible it's about using technology in the enhancement of learning.
After watching both of these videos I know how lucky I am to be in school and I'm looking forward to having a bright future. EDM 310 has encouraged me and given me much confidence. I wouldn't be opposed to making a video like either one of these.
I really enjoyed watching and listening to this video and I agreed with most of the things talked about and said throughout it. I have grown up in the technology age and would probably be lost without my cell phone and computer. That's kinda sad to say but it's so true and I'm sure most people would say the same these days. They mentioned that all electronic devices are banned from schools and I do agree with that rule because students attend school to learn not to simply play on their cell phones, iPods, iPads and whatever other electronic devices are popular these days. Though this rule is broken every day in schools all over the world. Back in the day students would write notes to each other to communicate during class but now cell phones are used to text each other. Technology, electronic devices, and social networking is important and used all over the world by everyone. Social networking is a great way to communicate with someone sitting right beside you or someone across the country from you in a fast and easy way. School is just one of the major learning places, through we can learn from our surroundings and places we may visit, it's just that each of these has a different way of teaching and learning. Education has changed so much over the years and I think that social networking has been apart of this change. As educators we should accept this and prepare ourselves for the change that has already occurred because you never know what will happen, anythings possible. Every piece of technology doesn't have to be used in everyday teaching but we should try to use as much as we can in the best way possible while also keeping the basic learning skills involved as well.
Scavenger Hunt 2.0
A scavenger hunt is such a neat and fun way to learn about technology! Thank you to Justin Cometti for suggesting this as an assignment. I first watched the introduction video Discovery Education Wed 2.0 for 2011. Next I visited the home page of Discovery Education, this site has so many tools that can be used in and out of the classroom by anyone.
1. Locate a tool that is similar to Twitter/Facebook and provides a social platform for teachers, parents, and students. Create an account as a Teacher and write a paragraph or two about how you could use this site in your classroom.
Edmodo is a wedsite kinda like Facebook, which allows you to share, though it provides teachers and students to do this securely. Edmodo is a great tool for many different things, such as posting assignments, class discussions, notifications, and many more. This tool helps teachers stay connected to their students, parents, and other teachers as well. A neat part about this tool is that you can sync your Google Docs with the Edmodo Library to easily access and share Google Docs with groups. I still have a lot to learn from Edmodo but I do plan to use this in my future classroom.
4. Find a video tool you have never used. Summarize some of its special features.
Animoto is such a cool tool to create videos! Animoto is a very easy and fun tool for anyone to use to creat slideshow videos. I created an account so I was able to make my very own slideshow, I only got the free version for now just to see what it is all about. There is a few different versions you can purchase. The lowest version is the one I used and it just has very basic features. But the higher up in the versions you get you have more options of tools and features to use. The slideshow I put together are highlights of myself with my family, friends and boyfriend over the past year. Check it out!!
5. Find a tool to create a poll anywhere and at anytime. Create your first poll and post it here.
Poll Everywhere replaces expensive proprietary audience response hardware with standard web technology. It is the easiest way to gather live responses in any venue: conferences, presentations, classrooms, radio, tv, print -anywhere. It can help you to raise money by letting people pledge via text messaging. And because it works internationally with texting, web, or twitter, its simplicity and flexibility are earning rave reviews. I think this tool could be very useful for almost any subject. With this website, polls are easy to create and as teacher's we could make assignments for students more fun by using something like a poll and I think students would enjoy doing this.
Here is my PLN which I made by using Symbaloo. I really like this website and think that I will continue to use my PLN daily from now on. My PLN will be extremely helpful for me in my everyday life. Everything that I need to use or would like to use is organized and easy to find all together on one homepage. I will most likely edit my PLN in the future but for now it pretty much has everything I use daily in my life right now.
Ms. Laura is actually a student at South Alabama majoring in Elementary Education also. She is currently a preschool teacher at Small Wonders. Her blog Small Wonders Jungle is bright and colorful and keeps people up to date with what is going on in her classroom and school. I like the fact that Ms. Laura added a theme to her blog, it make's it more fun and interesting!
The first post I read on Ms. Laura's blog was Reaching out into the community- even in 4-K, I really enjoyed reading this blog post! Ms. Laura's preschool class stepped up during the holiday season and collected many items, such as can goods to help a local family in need. It was such a great story to reflect on and I'm glad I was able to do so! Always remember that there will always be someone out there who may be less fortunate than you so open yours hearts and help when possible!
Here is the first comment I left Ms. Laura.
Hi Ms. Laura!
My name is Amanda Warner and I am a student in EDM 310 at the University of South Alabama. First of all, I wanted to tell you that I think your blog page is so cute! It is so colorful and fun and I love the theme to it! I really enjoyed reading your last blog about reaching out into the community. I am also a firm believer in reaching out into the community because it is so rewarding and heart touching. Teaching children about charity is so important!! I think it's absolutely great that your class stepped up and collected so many items for a local family during the holidays. Besides all the time, I think that during the holidays is one of the best and most rewarding times to help others in need. I love the quote you wrote... "Never underestimate the power of giving back."
Thanks so much for sharing such an amazing story!
I look forward to reading more from you!
Amanda Warner
The second post I commented on was Ms. Laura's welcoming post to Dr. Strange's EDM 310 class at the University of South Alabama, which is me and my fellow classmates. Ms. Laura also informed everyone that she also took the exact class with Dr. Strange. I think that is so neat! Her welcome post was very sweet!
Here is the second comment I left Ms. Laura.
Hi Laura,
Thanks so much for your sweet welcome to your blog to myself and my fellow classmates in EDM 310. I think it's so neat and interesting that you actually took this exact same class with Dr. Strange.
I really like you blog, it is so colorful and creative! I look forward to keeping up with your blog from now on.
This short video was very interesting and gave a sight into what 21st century teachers should know. Though, I disagree with their idea of the role of a teacher. These days people all over the world, adults and children, are using technology as a tool for learning and social networking but I believe that's good only to an extent. I disagree with technology being the main tool for teaching and learning. When I finally become a teacher I want to teach students right from wrong, encourage them to learn, grow and fulfill their dreams and that requires being engaged with them. I do not want to just teach them websites to search and play on to teach them what they need to know to be successful in their futures. Although, the internet is such a wonderful and helpful tool because it can practically teach you anything and everything you want to or need to know. Having the answers with just a click of a bottom could be a good thing but also a problem. Don't get me wrong, I think it's a fantastic idea to incorporate technology in our teaching I just don't want it to become the main source for learning. I am nervous about being a 21st century teacher but I'm also excited to open my eyes and ears to new ideas of learning and teaching, therefore I'm willing to do all I can to be prepared of my future as an educator!
A 7th Grader's Personal Learning Environment
I was very impressed after watching A 7th Grader's Personal Learning Environment. It amazes me that a 7th grader was able to put that together, although she had some help from Wendy Drexler. She did such a great job putting her PLN together and explaining how to use and access information. She also made it seem like such an easy process. I really like the idea of organizing links any way you want and I think PLN are a great tool to use! This video was entertaining, helpful, and fun to watch!
My first C4K in February I read a blog by a ten year old girl named Ashlee. The blog I read was a story that Ashlee made up titled, "A Girl Named Alex at Chritsmas!!!!" Ashlee's story was very interesting! The main character, Alex had a dream that consisted of many adventures. I told Ashlee that I enjoyed reading her creative story she made up, and that she has a big imagination and to always be open to new ideas.
For my second C4K I read the blog of a young girl named Taylor. Taylor posted about a flash mob that she recently participated in. My comment to Taylor consisted of me telling her I really enjoyed watching the flash mob, "The Sound of Music" which she took part in. I also told her that I was able to spot her throughout the mob since she posted that she was on the right with two ponytails. I told Taylor that I love the movie "The Sound of Music," and asked her if she has ever seen it. At the end of my comment to Taylor I told her that the mob seemed like so much fun and that she did such a great job performing in it!
For my final C4K I read the blog of a boy named Jarrod. Minecraft for free is what Jarrod's blog post was about, he informed everyone about this new video game that he enjoys playing. I commented to Jarrod, telling him that I am not one to play video games nor do I know much about them. Though the information Jarrod provided about this particular game was very interesting and he made it sound like fun! I told him that it seems as if he really likes this game and playing video games in general, which is awesome and a good hobby!
