Thelma Jones
Monday, April 27, 2009
The different things we learned like blogging and podcasts were very informative. These are tools that we could really take and use to our advantage when we become teachers. I really think that I will be using a blog to communicate with my parents. I could also add podcasts to my blogs if needed. When you first look at a blog it looks hard, but after creating a blog in this class it was very easy. Having the hands on instruction while creating blogs or podcasts was a great way to grasp the material.
I really enjoyed taking this course because it taught me things that I did not know. I really think that in the future I will be able to benefit from this class. This was a very opinionated course that allowed us to express our likes and dislikes on everything. There was no right or wrong answer when posting a blog assignment.
I think that in a lot of ways twitter can be used to benefit me as a teacher. But who's to say I would have time to log in everyday and keeps parents posted. In a professional manner it would be great for my classroom.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
PODCASTS
The podcast that explained how podcasting works was very informal. It provided a great step by step process on how to use podcasts. I learned that you could stop, replay, and pause if needed. And also how to play podcasts on an ipod.
I learned that podcasts should start with and introduction of all speakers. Then proceed with the topic up for discussion. To me podcasts should be more like a discussion or conversation. Discussing either pros or cons of the topic or both. I think that using an outline when doing a podcasts would be best rather that writing out word for would what you will say, because once you listen to it, it would then sound like your reading from a script. So I suggest a outline and a few notes, so the podcasts could sound more like a natural conversation or discussion.
I also liked the flow of the podcasts that i listened to, the flow was great! There was no pause or large break in between each person. It seemed very natural. Since all podcast have and opening introduction I think they should also have a closing. In the closing each speaker should put in their final input on the topic. Also the music in the introduction and ending of the podcast was great.
Overall listening to these podcast will allow me to bring a lot to creating my own podcast.
K-12 Blogs in the U.S.
International K-12 Blogs
The first international blog I viewed was Intrepid. This blog was created by a teacher and coordinator named Jabiz Raisdana. She teaches at Compass International School in Dona, Qatar. This blog was created for teacher to reflect on their teaching, share news, ideas, site web tools, and network with other 21st century teachers. http://intrepidteacher.edublogs.org/
The second Blog I viewed was Kuglers in South Africa. This blog was designed by a family from Springfield, VA and Brooklyn, NY who raised money to support A. V. Bukani Primary School in South Africa. This blog shared with us how we as teachers could donate tax deductible funds to help fund the school. Donations would be used to purchase much needed supplies and learning materials. They also talked about their trips to South Africa and how the last days before they left would be special. http://kuglersinsouthafrica.blogspot.com
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Google: Changing the way we think and Google Rumored GDrive May "Kill" the PC
I'm not so sure about the GDrive...... One minute it sounds like a good idea until you think of what can go wrong. I mean this will keep your computer from getting jammed up with junk. But I doubt if it would ever kill the desktop computers but it would defiantly decrease the sale of them. Just for backup I would continue to save my work on a USB pin drive as well, because what happens when it breaks down and you need your paper for class?
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
ACCESS
I really thing access is a great opportunity that all students and teachers should take advantage of. I’ve had my personal experience with video conferencing in a college classroom. Even though the teacher was not physically present she could see and hear us and we could hear and see her as well. So my experience was great.