Sunday, March 1, 2009
Wikipedia
Well the debate about Wikipedia being a legit source has been going on for quite a while and I suspect it will continue on for quite some time. Wikipedia is an online encyclopedia that ordinary people like me and you can edit. In my opinion, Wikipedia can be a good secondary source but not so much a primary source due to the fact anyone can edit the information at anytime. I use Wikipedia alot for stuff because it's so quick and easy but if I'm doing a paper or project for school I use other more reliable sources. If I was teaching, I would tell my students to refrain from using Wikipedia for anything relating to school.
"The Last Lecture"
I thoroughly enjoyed watching and listening to Randy Pausch's Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams. It was pretty inspirational listening to a guy who has only months to live but yet he still refuses to make excuses. He didn't blame anyone, he just kept going about his life and accepted what went along with it. I don't like when people start looking for something to blame when they are going through a tough time because truthfully so many more people have it worse than they do.
In his lecture, he talks about how to achieve personal and career goals. He gives advice on how to reach them goals. He uses examples from his childhood to explain what his goals were. He uses some pretty funny examples too. Not only does he talk about achieving your own personal goals, he talks about reaching out to others and helping them with theirs.
Next, he talked about the obstacles you will face on your way to reaching your goals. Obstacles are placed in your way to see how bad you really want something. Pausch says how you act and talk makes a difference to the way people judge you. You want people to respect you so treat others with respect. He says it is also good to have like a personal friend or family member you can trust and help you along the way.
That's what I got out of the lecture. It goes back to living life day-by-day and never take anything for granted because you never know when it's going to be gone. I always took this approach but to hear it from someone who is down to their last months of living is really inspiring. I took some valuable advice out of his lecture and I hope others could do the same.
In his lecture, he talks about how to achieve personal and career goals. He gives advice on how to reach them goals. He uses examples from his childhood to explain what his goals were. He uses some pretty funny examples too. Not only does he talk about achieving your own personal goals, he talks about reaching out to others and helping them with theirs.
Next, he talked about the obstacles you will face on your way to reaching your goals. Obstacles are placed in your way to see how bad you really want something. Pausch says how you act and talk makes a difference to the way people judge you. You want people to respect you so treat others with respect. He says it is also good to have like a personal friend or family member you can trust and help you along the way.
That's what I got out of the lecture. It goes back to living life day-by-day and never take anything for granted because you never know when it's going to be gone. I always took this approach but to hear it from someone who is down to their last months of living is really inspiring. I took some valuable advice out of his lecture and I hope others could do the same.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Best of 2007
The other weekly assignment was to visit the best-of-Fischbowl and review one of his blog posts. I chose the April entry-180 Days? He talks about the 180 days in a school year and how that time is or isn't used to give instruction. Some of the students said there isn't enough time to add more curriculum like the material in the video "Shift Happens". So he takes the students opinion into account and asks the question "Do we really not have enough time to do more?". I think some teachers get lazy on some days and just show a movie or something that don't lead to good instruction like he said. In this case, the class would have gotten behind in the curriculum. I think the students and the teachers for that matter need a break every once in a while. I don't think it's necessary to add more instruction and put that much stress and headache on the students. 180 days is more than enough time in my opinion.
Last Semester Student's Podcasts
This week's assignment was to listen to two podcasts from the students last semester of EDM 310 and decide if anything could be done to improve them. The 1st podcast I listened to was whether or not Facebook could be used as a educational tool. The 2nd podcast I listened to was whether or not Youtube could be used for educational purposes. I was impressed with both of the podcasts.
I wouldn't change much about the podcasts. They were pretty good. Dr.Strange and the students introduced themselves effectively and the facts and information they gave was really thorough. I might make them shorter if possible without excluding any major details because some listeners tend to lose interest the longer the podcasts goes on. Most people don't want to have to sit there and just listen to someone talk for an extended period of time. Another idea would be to make it more interesting by adding pictures or statistics. But overall, the students did really well.
I wouldn't change much about the podcasts. They were pretty good. Dr.Strange and the students introduced themselves effectively and the facts and information they gave was really thorough. I might make them shorter if possible without excluding any major details because some listeners tend to lose interest the longer the podcasts goes on. Most people don't want to have to sit there and just listen to someone talk for an extended period of time. Another idea would be to make it more interesting by adding pictures or statistics. But overall, the students did really well.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Sunday, February 8, 2009
International Blogs
The 1st International class blog I found was a class in China. It is the Singapore American School in China and the website is http://teachers.saschina.org/ahossack/. The teacher is Mrs. Hossack. This school teaches the students in China American things from writing and reading to math and science. In this particular class she's doing right now, she just met these students 100 days ago and they have already studied 3 authors, completed 3 science units, and 3 social science units. She has taught them to add, subtract, count, tell time, measure, etc. She will spend another 80 days with these students.
The next classroom blog I found is located New Zealand. It consists of year 5 and 6 students. The website is http://m3rbs.21classes.com/. It lists the students assignments and homework, interests, and learning log. Also, each student creates his or her own blog. It lists all the students blogs. The teacher is Mrs. Freeman.
Grade School Blogs
The 1st classroom blog I found was Mr. C's fifth grade class of Noel Elementary School. The website to this blog is http://mrcsclassblog.blogspot.com/. This blog was created to show his students how to use a blog and it allows them to keep up with their homework and grades. It shows everyone what his class is like. There is a live streaming video that allows you to sit through one of his lessons. His blog also compares his class to others around the world. There are plenty of videos and pictures that shows his class interacting.The second classroom blog I came across is Mr. Miller's 11th grade English class at Branford High School. The school is located in Branford, CT. The website is http://millersenglish10.blogspot.com/. You will find regular information, assignments, and homework prompts related to his class on the blog. There are also links and other resources that may be useful for his class. Students can see their assignments and see when they are due much like the way it is in our class.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Did you Know? Fischbowl Movie
I thought the movie was pretty interesting. I like reading facts like the ones presented in the movie. It gives you an idea about what's going on all over the World. I thought the fact about people having 10-14 jobs before their 38th birthday was astonishing but probably true. Due to the uncertainty of today's economy jobs are harder to come by and the demand of certain jobs have diminished. The stat about 70% of 4 year-olds having used a computer before is an attest to the way technology shapes everyone's World today. Technology has gotten better and better on a day-to-day basis and even now kids are using it.
Some people look at it like they own their phone or their computer but really their phone or computer owns them. I know I am guilty of it as well. The way the world is advancing, you had better keep up or you will left out in the cold.
Some people look at it like they own their phone or their computer but really their phone or computer owns them. I know I am guilty of it as well. The way the world is advancing, you had better keep up or you will left out in the cold.
ACCESS
ACCESS Distant Learning (Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators, and Students Statewide) is an education initiative of the Alabama Department of Education). It provides opportunities and options for Alabama public high school students to engage in Advanced Placement (AP), elective, and other courses to which they may not otherwise have access. It was implemented by Gov. Bob Riley and State Superintendent of Education, Dr. Joseph B. Morton. It was implemented to serve as a tool to further learning options.
It provides access to high quality instruction and coursework. The students will still have the benefit of having a certified teacher to help them along. The internet-based courses use the latest interactive instructional models. It allows all students to get the same kind of education through technology. I think most students would prefer these kind of courses that are available online. I think it was a good idea for the State to fund something like this. It might encourage all students to strive for the distant learning available. Students are able to interact with real teachers for real courses and all through the internet. I think it will succeed throughout Alabama schools and maybe more.
It provides access to high quality instruction and coursework. The students will still have the benefit of having a certified teacher to help them along. The internet-based courses use the latest interactive instructional models. It allows all students to get the same kind of education through technology. I think most students would prefer these kind of courses that are available online. I think it was a good idea for the State to fund something like this. It might encourage all students to strive for the distant learning available. Students are able to interact with real teachers for real courses and all through the internet. I think it will succeed throughout Alabama schools and maybe more.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
ALEX
I had no idea what ALEX was before I did this blog but ALEX is the Alabama Learning Exchange. It is a very useful and helpful site for current and future teachers. Teachers can create lesson plans for a number of subjects (art,English,P.E.,Math,Science,etc.). ALEX has everything a teacher would need to conduct a lesson in a class. You can also select a course of study and bring up different topics for potential teachings.
I am very fortunate to have found this website. I am sure I will use it at some point down the road as I continue pursuing my teaching degree. Anybody who is considering going into education should check out ALEX. There is also a help desk available to you for any questions or concerns you may have. It is good to see that there is such helpful tools out there.
I am very fortunate to have found this website. I am sure I will use it at some point down the road as I continue pursuing my teaching degree. Anybody who is considering going into education should check out ALEX. There is also a help desk available to you for any questions or concerns you may have. It is good to see that there is such helpful tools out there.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
About me
I'm Chris Butler, I'm 20 years old and a sophomore at South. I'm majoring in Physical Education. I want to coach soccer as well to go along with teaching. I love soccer, I've been playing since I was like 5. I'm a sports kinda guy in general. I consider myself to be a pretty good athlete and definitely competitive. I work at Zippy Lube car wash about 3 days a week. It's a job. In my free time, away from school and work, I like to play soccer, watch TV, play video games, hang out with friends, u know whatever. I like rock music. Some of my favorites are Chevelle, Incubus, Foo Fighters, Shinedown, A Perfect Circle, and Staind. Alright until next time...
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