Presentation

Suggestions in using iPods in intsruction.

While performing my search for the use of ipods in the classroom. I found some reasearch by Duke University. The University's Writing Program directors are suggestiong the use of iPods to reflect on teaching writing. They suggested "using the iPod as an unobtrusice audio record to help writing imstructors capture and analyze classroom discussions of student writing and, with the help of colleagues and a senior writing faculty, improve their facilitation and leadership of those discussions". I believe this is a great idea. We should incorporate more use of iPods in the classroom.

Another site that I viewed was a website created by a Pre-K teacher. (Mrs. Levins)The title was Using iPods in the Early Childhood Classroom. This site involved many great examples and suggestions of use for iPods in instruction. A few examples of how to use iPods in the classroom are: Source of music, Listening Centers, and Podcasting. Music can be very useful in the field of instruction. Students seem to learn from a varity of different resources. Teachers could use iPods instead of regular cassette players or CD players. Her are some links in which you can find more information on iPods.
USF iPods in the Classrooms
Austin ISD Uses iPods As Learning Tools
Sites to See:
iPod Resources
iPods in the Classroom

Dr. Christie's move to incorporating technology into the classroom.

Dr. Alice Christie's, A professor at Arizona State University, website is a great resource for teacher who are trying to learn new ways of incorporating technology into their classrooms. The website includes workshop listings, educational technology links, her class information, and various other links about web design and photography. The link I liked most was the educational technology link. The Educational Technology link listed different categories such as pod casting, instant messaging, educational portfolios, multimedia, rubrics, and online researching resources. As a future teacher I find all of these links to be of importance in some way or another.
The two that I found most worth wild for teachers are pod casting and rubrics. Pod casting can help demonstrate activities that the students may be doing. This could be extremely helpful in that instead of explaining the rules and procedures a million times the students could perform the measures while they listen to the teacher. The second one was rubrics. Rubrics are used by teachers as a evaluation of how the students are doing on a assignment. This is beneficial in that the teacher does not have to worry about showing favoritism because the same standards are set for each student.

Can Wikipedia Be Considered a Reliable Course?

My high school teachers always use to tell their students that Wikipedia could be used as a starting point but should never be used as a resource and not all information that is seen on Wikipedia is true. This to me was great advice because when you're researching a topic you always need to start from somewhere and usually when you type a title or subject in the Google search engine a site comes up with Wikipedia. Well I always use to read the information on the Wikipedia site then go from their to expand and also make sure the information I read was correct.
The next question many students began to ask, "Is rather Wikipedia is a reliable source"? I believe it is to an extent. If you're looking up words for their meaning you should most likely use the dictionary but Wikipedia could be a backup. When you're researching a certain topic one should look for editions and corrections made to the page. Researchers should look for reliable editions but never take the information on Wikipedia to heart due to the fact that this site can be edited by anyone.

Best of the Fischbowl June 2007

In "21st Century Business Panel Blog" Fisch discussed how a group of forty-four or so teachers in his staff development, their district Director of Career and Technical Education, their district CIO, their Superintendent, and four of our five school board members in their district meet to discuss what students would need to know in order to be successful on the 21st Century. Fisch and Kelly Dignan sat this meeting up and provided guided questions that the panel could think about before the meeting was to take place.

I found the results and answers given very interesting. They discussed everything from values to becoming a leader and how teamwork and collaboration are a major key to success. Here a few of the notes which Fisch wrote from his meeting: "Acceptance of differences/diversity is important. Everything is global and folks need to work hard to understand different countries and cultures – as well as the cultures of other companies. Norms are very important."; "Students need to find their passion and learn all they can about it."; and "We need to focus on life skills for students, on creating an environment where students can do their best work. Students need to learn by doing – applied learning, internships."

The two notes that I liked most about Fisch's meeting were: "Both written and verbal communication skills are essential for everyone."; and "There is no one right answer – there are lots of answers, some are better than others – and critical thinking skills are paramount."

Is It Okay To Be A Technologically Illiterate Teacher?

I really found ."Is It Okay To Be A Technologically Illiterate Teacher?" post interesting. The blogger made alot of good points however, I don't believe anyone should feel ashamed because they may be technologically illeterate. I do feel like teachers should have some technology skills. The blogger stated,"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." I believe that's true. Technology is rapidly taking over in the classroom. Having stated that I believe that its part of a teachers professional developement to stay on top with the technology changes. The principle should then take responsibility of makeing sure teachers participate in workshops which are for technology. We as teachers are part of a team and I feel like if one fails we all fail. So instead of critizing those who are technolically illiterate we should hold workshops which discuss the differences and changes of technology. My final opinion is that its not okay to be technologically illiterate but it's what one does to become technologically up to date that matters. Don't just sit on the side lines take advantage of the workshops that can increase your professional developement.

New Articles

Ms. Averitt has located two very interesting articles about RSS Feeds and Podcasting. I have posted class under syllabus and handouts, but I am going to also going to put the links to them here.
The ABC's of RSS Feeds
Podcasting; Just the Basics

Blogs From International Schools.

The first blog that I visited was Zurich International School. It is located in Switzerland. The school itself consist of Early Childhood Education to Upper Levels of school. The school has a variety of different blog sites but this specific one is for students in Economics. The blog would be considered upper school (high school). The site offers in site for the exams, wiki links, and much more. The blog was created and maintained by Jason Welker. Mr. Welker is the Economics teacher at the Zurich International School. The blog link is: http:http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/tag/zurich-international-school/.


The second blog I viewed was International School Bangkok. It is known as "Thailand's Premier International School". This school also ranges from elementary to high school and on the top of the web site they list links for the different school levels, activities/athletics, parent portal and admissions. The head of the school has his own blog where he discusses the progress made by the school, and up coming dates for various activities. The blog link is: http://www.isb.ac.th/Head_of_School_s_Blogs.

Teacher Blogs From Across the U.S.

The first blog that I viewed was from a kindergarden teacher by the name of Mrs. Argyle. She is a teacher from the Weber District in Hooper, UT. Her blog has various links to inform the parents on the activities his/her child will be participating in. Here's a list of a few of the tabs: homework, favorite books, song and rhymes, and weekly news letters. She also tells a little about herself. Her blog link is: http://blog.weber.k12.ut.us/caargyle/.



The second blog that I viewed was from a first grade teacher by the name of Mrs. Parker. She is a teacher from the Goochland School District in Goochland, VA. Her blog is set up a little different in that it just has the assignments listed in a row. Its list the assignments for each subject from that week. It also informs the parents on small things that pertain to their children such as: snacks, supplies, fees, newsletters and that sort of things.Her blog link is:http://blogs.glnd.k12.va.us/teachers/dparker/.