Blog Post 10

An Open Letter to Educators by Morgan Bayda

Video by Dan Brown



Morgan points out how her educational classes for college have played a role in her learning experience. It's incredible to me how a basics course, like Biology or American Literature, can't even compare to an educational course, like EDM. Even though EDM doesn't meet in class much, I've spoken through email and comments to my fellow classmates than I do in a basics course, where we meet two or three times a week. For me, my teachers usually lecture using powerpoint or review what we have read, the students take notes rapidly, and after 50 minutes or so, the professor releases us and quickly leaves the room. Many of my teachers have no idea who I am, much less what my name is. I feel this is partially my fault for not asking many questions or visiting their office; however, the teacher should feel responsible for making sure the students feel comfortable to ask questions and create a professional relationship with him/her.

Education is such a valued thing. As a current college student, I'm seeing how the world has changed just since I was in high school. I can remember having to go to the library to do research because teachers didn't value internet sources. Now, it's so convenient for both professors and students to use the internet to catch plagiarism and accurate information. I'm sure that when I become a teacher, technology will be on an even more advanced level. However, unlike many teachers, I am not afraid to change and create new, better ways to do things. I would not recommend dropping out of college due to the requirements most jobs now require.

As Dan Brown says, "Information is now free." It's just up to us as learners to put forth effort to receive it.

Tom Johnson's Don't Let Them Take Pencils Home

In this post, one teacher sees pencils as a great tool and the other sees them as a handicap because the standardized test scores were shown to be lower. I pulled some of the quotations from the original post but the entire post can be found here.

"It's not that, either. I have a journal article about how students who use pencils at home have lower standardized test scores. So, for the love of test-taking, we need to stop our students from taking home pencils..."

But, how do you keep them accountable at home? They'll just use the supplies to play Hang Man. Such a sick and twisted game!"

"I don't hold them accountable. I try and find projects that keep them interested. But if they choose to play Hang Man or go on the pen pal networks, I'm okay with it. There's probably some learning that's taking place that we don't realize."

"Okay, you keep telling yourself that, but don't blame me when your test scores are lower." I love the use of "your" right here, as if I am the one taking the drill-and-kill tests.

My reply:
Hello! I am a student in EDM 310 at South Alabama, majoring in Elementary Education. Like many of the other comments, while reading this post, I saw that Gertrude pointed out the problem and had no solution, except to take pencils out of the equation. I found this very unfair to the teachers and especially the students. Creativity needs to be pushed more, not taken away from children. This is hurting their future. It's so much more than just a standardized test score. Hangman could be a great way to use pencil and paper! If the children are using their minds to think critically, who cares whether its to play hangman or basic homework? This post really makes me wonder just how many teachers think this way. How many teachers are seeing the potential in children and the tools they're given?
I want to be set apart. A teacher should always promote creativity, and never look down upon it. Thanks for this post! Very interesting!

Skype Interview

I chose to interview my boyfriend, Chance Wittner, using skype and screenflow softwares.

SMART board project

Made by: Amanda Spence, AnnMerritt Taylor, Bailey Abston, and Courtney Mathis

C4K Summary #2

Jarna's Blog "The Beach Trip"
C4K #4
Jarna said:
The Beach Trip
“Yes were here,” I shouted as I got out of the car and onto the sand. As I got into the water it was freezing! The waves hit me so hard I got a fright as I nearly fell deeper into the water.

My little cousins were playing in the sand and as the gross seaweed touched them they were scared.

My brother and I had a swimming contest, I won the first match then he won the last match. When we got out of the water we found black sand. We were making sand castles with our little cousins and my Pop.

That was a lot of fun at the beach I had an awesome time with my family, I really hope we can go to the beach again real soon.

My reply:
Jarna, I am a college student from the University of South Alabama, in the United States. I am in EDM 310 and I was assigned to comment on your blog. I really enjoyed reading about your trip. I'm not too far from the beach so I understood the cold water and yucky seaweed. I also liked how you included the importance of family into your post. If you'd like to see my blog, you c is importanan visit spenceamandaedm310.blogspot.com or find me on twitter @amandaspence621.
Thanks for your post!

C4K #5-Delicious Apples
View Blog Post HERE

For this post, the actual blog is combined of four classes of 5 year olds. I think this is a terrific idea for kindergarteners. This gives each child the opportunity to be exposed to the Internet, but not be overwhelmed by it.

This was my reply to the picture:
What an awesome picture, Khismira! This combined class blog is so cool! I am a college student at the University of South Alabama, in Mobile, Alabama. I really like that the children have the opportunity at such a young age to create blogs. Whether it be with pictures or paragraphs, I'm excited that they are being exposed to the internet. It's being more and more common to incorporate technology in the classroom and this blog shows that no matter what your age, everyone can be involved! Thanks for the post!

C4K #6
Room 14 Speaks on Integrity

Integrity slideshow

View more presentations from rjensen.

My reply:
Hey Room 14! I am a student in Dr. Strange's EDM 310 class at the University of South Alabama. I am excited to be apart of this integrity lesson! I think these two children did a terrific job. By choosing to incorporate some teachers and different ages of children, several definitions were brought together. Integrity is such an important part of character and I'm glad to see these children considering what it truly means. My card would say: Integrity is doing the right thing when no one is looking.

Blog Post #9

What I've Learned This Year by Mr. McClung

Mr.McClung presents a few simple, yet wise tips for teachers. The one that stuck out the most to me was "Listen to Your Students". Working at a daycare with elementary age children has helped me realize how important this point really is. Children fight and it's vital that you listen to both sides, not just your favorite student. I agree that many teachers are terrified of technology and are holding back their students from learning a tool they will always need. As a future teacher, his post helped me be reassured of a few things. One, I can't stress over a not-so-perfect lesson (which I will). Secondly, listening to your students should be a top priority for every teacher. Lastly, his point "never stop learning" is true. If you choose to be a teacher, then you choose to be a learner. The world/society is changing regularly and it's up to us to teach what's going on. It's never too late or too early to start learning.

Blog Post #8

Richard Miller: This Is How We Dream Parts 1 and 2
View Videos Here

Out of all of the videos we have been assigned, I found these two to be the least interesting. I watched each video twice and neither time did I fully understand his key points. Miller points out that the internet is awesome for writing. He says recently, he didn't have to step foot in a library when writing a paper due to the internet. I personally am not much of a reader so I enjoy being able to "google" something and pull it up within seconds.

He also shows how the web has videos and pictures for your use. As future teachers, it's now very easy for us to use multiple resources (books, worksheets, pictures, videos, etc.) via the internet. Miller embraces the internet as a quick, easy way to keep up with national news. For example, one could of easily seen each states percentage of votes for the presidential candidates recently. He closes with this, "This is an incremental change, not a fundamental change."

Miller wants to give teachers ideas of what they can "compose" with now-a-days. Libraries are no longer convenient, the internet has taken it's place. Miller uses multimedia to display how teachers can present this information. Sharing ideas are a must in today's world. I agree that children will use digital multimedia instead of word processing.


"The Chipper Series"
View HERE

"EDM310 for Dummies"
View HERE

The above two videos were very entertaining. In EDM310 for Dummies, they talk about a book made for EDM310 students. If this class is planning on growing and sticking around, this book definitely should be published. As an EDM student, I can understand the frustration. Trying to keep up is challenging. These videos make you laugh but also present great points. For instance, with this class, you must not procrastinate. You have to keep up, and since Dr.Strange doesn't release grades, always put your best foot forward.

I really like "The Chipper Series" video since it incorporated what might would happen if you dropped out of college. For my video, I would incorporate what could happen and what the possibilities might would be by choosing to stay in college. However, just because you stay in college doesn't mean you're better off. If you procrastinate or make below average grades, your possibilities are now limited.


"Learn to Change, Change to Learn"


Learning to change, changing to learn...what an interesting saying. Our human nature hates change, but it seems that if we are changing for the benefit of someone or something, it's not as painful. What can we do as Americans to fix the educational aspect of the US? We've got to do something. Coal mining should not top Education in the American industry. I agree that we need change, and that begins with incorporating technology and community into the classroom.

I enjoyed reading the comments written below the video. Some made good points. For example, one person wrote "kids are not "researching", "collecting data", and providing "rich content" outside the class room via Twitter, IM, SMS, etc. I agree that the classroom needs to change and adapt to the changes in our culture and technological advances; but kids are fooling around on such mediums... not "collecting data."" From what I've seen, for the most part, children aren't interested in finding more information about what they're learning, besides doing homework. Twitter, Facebook, emails, and phones can be great tools for learning if the children are shown fun ways to learn via these technologies. As a student, I never used any of the above tools for education unless writing a paper or researching something for a class. I believe if the children are shown how, they will "collect data" and "research"; however, we cannot expect them to do it on their own.


"The Secret Powers of Time by Philip Zambardo"



I didn't want this video to end! It was one of the best videos I've seen, thus far. The facts he pointed out were spot on and I will share this video with friends and networking sites. My eyes were glued to the screen. I was blown away by how many families don't sit at the dinner table anymore on a regular basis. I liked the way Mr.Zambardo showed how video games and pornography affect a boys brain. It's not just a choice, it messes with their brain! I will definitely be watching more of his videos. I enjoy learning from someone who is entertaining and wise.


"Drive: The Surprising Truth about What Motivates Us" by Daniel Pink



This is another RSA Animate video. I really enjoy watching these because of the topic and the design/production of each video. I would love to be apart of videos like these. In this video, Daniel Pink focuses on motivation. To my surprise, money is not key in motivation. Although, it pushes us a little, purpose pushes us even farther. I didn't know this, but I'm glad I do now. Employers want their employees to be motivated so great service is produced. Money is important, but once the employee is at a satisfied level, they're no longer thinking about money; they're now thinking about work and its purpose.

Project #11 Short Movie

Project #10: First Progress Report on PLN

Make Your Own Symbaloo Here

For my PLN, I chose Symbaloo.com. Since I haven't had it for long, I only have a few icons, but they are very useful. I have shortcuts for both of my emails, facebook, twitter, youtube, timetoast, skype, and many more. I find this website very helpful when I'm trying to navigate from site to site.
I am still working on my PLN and will continue to add to it as this semester continues.

Blog Post #7

Randy Pausch Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams

What an awesome video! Randy Pausch is an incredible speaker. In spite of him living the last months of his life, he delivered a message about thinking of others and helping others live out their childhood dreams. He states, "It's not about how to achieve your dreams, it's about how to lead your life...The dreams will come to you." If we as parents, teachers, mentors, lead our lives to serving others and thinking about what we can do for them, our most far fetch and simplest dreams will come to us. What if everyone had a positive persepctive on life like Randy does? Can you imagine how different the world would be? What if we put others dreams before our own? And then helped them accomplish those dreams?

He gave this lecture for his children. He doesn't say that it's for them until the end because it can apply to all people. He wants us to think outside of the box. Pausch says, "Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted." In those times that we keep hitting a brick wall, we're learning and showing how badly we want something. Pausch says, "Brick walls are there for a reason; they let us prove how badly we want things." It's not always easy to get what we dream about or want, but in those moments, we are testing ourselves to see if that's really our dream or want.

I believe we learn best from when we are knocked down and motivate ourselves to get back up. We may be criticized along the way but those who criticize us are also the ones who believe in us. "If they aren't correcting you, they've given up on you", says Randy Pausch.

Lastly, Pausch gives a few points about teachers learning from their students. I believe this 100%. If we are going to be teachers, we must also be willing to be learners. There may be some cases where the kids can show us a faster or better way to complete a task. The videos that we've watched in EDM 310 prove this. A teacher must put their pride a side and have an open-mind. We must give the children an opportunity to share what they know.

Thanks for this assignment. It was one that made me realize there's so many ways of going about doing things. For example, the "head fakes". He says you don't make your son play football to just score a touchdown, but for perseverance and team work. Teachers, let's not forget what's really important in life. Having smiles on our faces and being open to new ideas is key. And lastly, when we are knocked down, don't be afraid to get back up and show the world how badly we really want it.