Blog Post # 5

The iSchool Initiative
Zeigeist Youn Minds Entry

Travis Allen thought up the idea for iSchool Initiative when he was just 17 years old. He made this idea a reality by the time he was 18 years old. The iSchool Initiative is a GREAT program that is working diligently to gets schools away from textbooks, and closer to technology. Allen’s idea is to do this through the use of iPads, and iPods. The iPod Touch can be VERY useful in countless ways in a classroom setting. This technological change will also save teachers and students an immense amount of money. Allen stated that typically it costs one student around $600 to get school supplies each year. With iSchool it would cut those costs down to about #150.00 per student. The iPod can store and hold ample textbooks, teaching &learning APPS, and students can send and receive e-mail updates between teachers and fellow students. This opens up many doors to communication between students and their teachers.
Even locally many schools have begun supplying their students and teachers with MAC computers and iPads to use in the classrooms during daily instruction. Technology is showing no signs of slowing down and it changes and advances everyday. The idea of bringing our schools up to date with technology only makes sense! Travis’ program is having a HUGE impact on education already. His idea is logical and effective. Students love using technology, people do in general! It only makes sense to fully involve it our classrooms and everyday teaching strategies.

Eirc Whitacre's Virtual Choir- "Lux Aurumque

This is a great video of a virtual choir. All of the members of the choir are singing together on what appears to be Skype. The each are on their own personal computers in different locations, possibly across the country. The song sounds so pretty, as if they were altogether in one room performing a concert. It is so awesome that technology can allow people to collaborate in such an organized manner!

Teaching in the 21st Century

This video points out that students (or anyone rather) can get answers to any questions they may have, at any time or in any place without a teacher having to be present. This is so true! I know that anytime I want to know something, I pull out my phone and I Google it. And usually within a matter of seconds or minutes I have my answer. The Internet has SO much information available to us at all times. Teachers are no longer the primary sources of information in education. Teachers should “filter” information for students, that they will collect via the Internet. Students of all ages and people in general need to learn how to use the Internet effectively. Students need teachers who will direct questions at them that they can answer using any/ all resources available to them. Modern Technology and the Internet have been revolutionary. They have also forever changed the way that we teach and learn. Rather than allowing our students and ourselves to wander with no direction and get “lost in cyber-space,” we need to focus on the important information that is efficient. Textbooks are often VERY expensive and unfortunately they are typically out of date. The Internet can be updated with little to no cost and it can be done instantly. This is huge! This means that our students will be able to learn valuable information that is completely up to date!

Flipping the Classroom: 4th Grade STEM
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Dr. Lodge McCammon's FIZZ-
Flipping the Classroom

Flipping the classroom is a great idea that I wish we had when I was in grade school. It certainly would have helped me learned and grabbed my attention! It gives children the opportunity to start their day prepared and ready to learn, rather than spending all day on lecture. When this happens, students are sent home to put all of their notes and pieces together alone. Students can watch lectures online the day before. When they arrive to school they can ask questions, get answers, hear other students thoughts, and truly spend valuable class time learning. This opens up many doors for one-on-one learning at school. The concept is awesome! That is IF the students follow through! In my opinion though if a student is not willing to watch a video online, they probably had no intentions of reading that information at home anyhow. Teachers will have to attempt to catch up students who fail to watch the videos. However, if it were my classroom I would make the lectures a mandatory assignment to watch. If students did not comply, well that is their grade. This whole idea seems motivating, exciting and effective!

"This is My Sentence"

Presentation Project

Blog Post # 4

The Practical Principals
In this blog a principal talks about how he started off of the 2012-2013 school year informing his staff that he would no longer be sending email reminders and that he was switching primarily to his blog. Teachers will have to keep up with the blog on their own time and he believes this will be much more effective than e-mails. This is the truth e-mails are slowly becoming less and less effective. Think, how many e-mails do you delete a day without even opening them? I know that is the first thing I do when I log on to my e-mail account , is filter through and delete anything that does not immediately appear important.For the teachers who do not blog or want to deal with it the principal enabled a "Subscribe by email," button at the top of the page. This is a great example of a principal thinking not only for himself, because he is trying to be fair. In being fair he is also saving himself a lot of time because he still only has to post in one location, this is a time-saver! This blog is very helpful in showing a principal using blogging to it's fullest potential in a way that is helpful to all of his staff members! The information I learned from this blog will be helpful in my podcast because it made me think about how to use a blog in the most effective yet time saving manner possible , while getting the most out of technology!
Practical Principles Page

"The benefits of Podcasting in the Classroom."
This video focuses about how helpful and effective podcasts in classrooms can be ! Podcasts can be viewed by anyone at anytime and this makes podcasts extremely convenient. Students that are sick and have to miss school for a day or two can watch their podcasts from home and keep up withe their classmates. Podcasts are and exciting way to get students further involved with the classroom. The students that we are teaching now have never lived without personal computers around and handheld technological devices. And with the ever-growing world of technology, our classrooms have to change with time as well. Students need to get more involved in education and podcasting is the perfect way to grasp their attention while making learning more fun and incorporating a use of technology that they are most familiar with! Students want to learn when they get to participate and have fun! Podcasting is not only about convenience and effective teaching habits it is a valuable tool that these students can use forever!
Podcasting in the Classroom Video

What is a PODCAST?
This blog is great for someone like me, who until now had never used PodCasts or heard much about them. The author tells us what a PODcast is exactly.
"The term “podcast” is a cross between “broadcast” and “iPod.” A podcast is a “radio-style” talk show. It may include music as well. It may be listened to on the computer or an MP3 player, and may be downloaded from iTunes or a podcast hosting service. "
This was very valuable information for me because I did not realize where the term came from, and now it makes perfect sense. Podcasts are great because you can talk about ANY information desired and direct it at any audience, anywhere at any time. This information will be helpful when making my own podcasts because I now have a better understanding of what I am actually doing and what to expect and what a podcast is all about.

Link to "WHAT is a POCAST ?" Blog.

C4T#1 Comments 1 & 2.

"Reflections on being a blogger."
Blog posted on August 21,2012.
Comment #1
Mr. Anderson's first blog post that I read and commented on was a "reflection" blog. He was reflecting on blogging, why he blogs, and what makes a great blog. Mr. Anderson says that he enjoys blogging because it is his own place, where he can write about whatever he wants to. He goes on to say that writing and blogging are personal hobbies and when you chose to publish a blog on your thoughts for the world to see, your thoughts become subject to criticism. On the other hand your thoughts and your words can become quite powerful. As a blogger who publishes regularly with a vast audience, you could be educating someone on the other side of the world. And your readers can give you valuable input from another region or country to help you see their opinions and different perspectives. Blogging should be done by someone who enjoys it, it should never be forced. Anderson says,"Sharing makes for a smarter blogger!" I completely agree with this.I think that what Anderson means is that when you share your opinion and accept comments and viewpoints from other bloggers, you open yourself up to constructive criticism. From this feedback a blogger can take that information and grow, and build a very effective and intelligent blog.
Steven Anderson's Blog
WEB 2.0 Classroom
"Apps that Teach! (and might be fun too!)"
Blog posted on September 11, 2012.
Comment #2
Mr.Anderson's second blog that I read and commented on was all about Apps that Teach! He shared with his audience a few of his favorite apps such as :Evernote, Twitter, and Wunderlist. He gave a detailed list of his favorite teaching applications as well as links to where you could view the apps for iOS and ANDROID. The first one he named was Angry birds, stating that the app has a lot of learning potential using Physics, angles and estimation. I COMPLETELY agree! Angry birds is not only an app that grasps children's attention and is currently trending, but it makes children use perspective, and distance measurements. Another app that he mentioned was called plants vs. Zombies, he said that this app works with science and evolution. He listed one really good App that helps with Math, called Alge-bingo, uses algebra problems answers to complete your bingo card. One reader commented on this blog post saying that he did not think any of those apps were "Apps that Teach," rather apps that help students practice and he suggested the app called DragonBox, an App that focuses on solving linear equations.

Blog Post Assignment #3

"Technology in Special Education"

Technology in Special Education is a video about one class in particular that utilizes technology everyday for each special needs student in a different way. The students all have different needs and there are so many uses in technology that it makes it possible for each and everyone of them to participate in daily lessons and learning. This is a phenomenal achievement for education of all forms,especially for special needs students.The subject of Special need students using technology hits very close to home for me, one of my very close friends' little sister;Chrysa has a muscle disease and cannot walk nor lift her arms she has little motion of her hands, but has learned to write survived 10 years of schooling. It excites me to know that as she finishes high school and begins college she will have the opportunity to learn more and use technology in ways she probably never thought to be possible!

This video shows us that iPods,iPads,& iPhones can all be used to help students listen and read along with stories.One students spoke about how they liked the magnification program called "Zoom Text," this allows him to see text that he normally could not, and furthers his educational options. Technology in the special needs classroom give students a voice when they may not have one. It allows them to write when they may not be able to, this is vital in today's world, for any job you will use SOME form of technology, (unless of course you work for a hippie,or you happen to be of Amish origin). In the future I can use technology for special needs students in the classroom by making, blogs, videos, podcasts, voice messaging, E-mail, powerpoint, SMARTboard technology; basically any useable technology however I can direct it towards that particular student(s) needs. Technology Especially Apple Inc., they are doing it right and making all of our lives easier and better!
Technology in Special Education Video

"How the iPad works with Academcis for Autism"

Let me start by stating that,iPad use for Autism is such a fabulous idea!I had a student for two years in my PreK4 class who was diagnosed with Autism and the ABSOLUTE BEST thing to aide him with his learning process was to incorporate the use of my personal iphone, into his daily routine. He loved it and I loved watching him do it, he was so brilliant but he just could not sit down and be still, and work with pencils and paper with the other children.In that time I was privileged enough to share with him I believe that we BOTH learned so much ! In this video it shows a father working with his son on the iPad to write, spell,read, use of mathematics, and motor- skill control through hand and finger interaction. The boy gets frustrated at one point because he wrote the wrong letter, the father was calm and reassuring (this is very important with Autistic children) and he erased and started over never losing focus or interest.

As long as technology and use of iPads are incorporated into teaching and learning with Autistic children,or any child for that matter, you will have their interest. the greatest thing I noticed about the use of the iPad with the child was that, it was not over- demanding, nor over- stimulating. A few of the applications that the child was working in were listed in the video (i.e) "First Words," and "Kids Writing Pad." more parents with children who own tablets need to download these types of games rather than un-educational games that do not stimulate the children and do not educate. In the classroom if I had access to an iPad and a student with Autism I would set up an entire folder devoted to that student(s) and their special need. After a little instruction most children know how to operate iPhones/ iPad technology with ease. A list of all of the available applications from Apple Inc. can be found here:Apple Educational Applications
How the iPad works with Academics for Autism Video

"Harness your Students' Digital Smarts"

WOW! Our Public Schools need more Vicki Davis'!! Much like this class (EDM310) Vicki has her high school level students REALLY getting involved, interacting and truly learning. If I had more teachers who believed in teaching through technology and student interaction when I was growing up, I might have paid a lot more attention and retained MUCH more information through doing. Dr. Strange and Vicki Davis are on to something, something I am excited to be a part of and learn more about. In the video Ms. Davis talks about all the ways the students are learning and mentions how empowering it is to the students when they figure things out together and alone. I agree with this that applies in many areas of life but especially in school. Have you ever taken a test and you knew the information so well that when you finished you walked aways feeling fantastic and relieved because you had actually learned and retained the information before hand? Well, if you are anything like me then that did not happen often but when it did it felt amazing! How great would it be if all educators could all collaborate and teach in this fashion and all students could walk away feeling as though they had TRULY learned so much?!
Vicki Davis states that ,"EVERY student CAN learn," I for one concur! She also said ,"Not all students can learn with just pencil and paper." I believe that as well, in these classrooms students are so blessed, they are actually enjoying what they are doing and they are learning how to learn. These students are getting to collaborate with children around the world and complete assignments , and build blogs, and do real in the field research that goes further than having a child look up a name or word in a textbook and define it and remember it. Students are able to become comfortable with technology, and helping their teachers teach lessons, as Vicki Davis said," These children get to be thinkers," not just definers. And that is a pretty amazing step for our students as well as us as educators.
Vicki Davis' Harness Students' Digital Smarts Video

Wordle Project

Blog Post # 2 Video's

"Did You Know?"
Did You Know? Video
"Did you know ?" is a video with a surplus of interesting facts focusing on technology in the modern world and it's speedy progression. This video was absolutely fascinating from beginning to end. I learned so much about modern technology advances. I was very interested in the fact that in 2 years a college student who is learning about technology 1/2 of their education will be outdated, how does a student stay up to date with that rate? This means that we will have to keep ourselves up to date on technology and how to apply it in the classroom. I also noticed that we (students) are learning furturistic information helpful to our careers that are actually ahead of our time, this will be helpful in keeping us up to date in our teaching and learning objectives and styles. The slide that stated that the top in demand jobs in 2010, did not exist in 2004 is so fascinating, that means that our technology is advancing everyday and despite the government, technology alone will create more jobs available to us.
I noticed that the video was made in 2008 and all I could imagine was how much has technology changed in the last two years. One statistic quoted, was that in 2008 MY SPACE had 200 million registered users, made me wonder how many users does facebook have to date ? Another point that stood out to me was "50 Million years to reach a market audience," radio took 38 year, television took 13 years, internet took only 4 years, iPods taking only 3 years and finally Facebook which only took 2 years on average.Technology is changing every single second of every single day and if we do not keep ourselves up to speed in out learning and teaching methods and practices we will fall short and be left behind. Technology is important, and society is shaped directly by technology. This video showed me that technology is everything, and to me that is what all that information means.

"Mr. Winkle Wakes."
Mr. Winkle Wakes Video
"Mr. Winkle Wakes," is a short cartoon video that is about a man who sleeps for one hundred years and awakes to the modern world of cities, technology ,"machines," and computers. He wakes up in a world that has changed drastically, he does not know what huge buildings and technology are he ventures into an office and is confused by the computers that spit out images on paper immediately. Then to a hospital that practices surgeries and takes X-rays on machines. finally he ends up at a school that he likes because school seems unchanged, teachers lecture and student take notes and this is the same as he remembers it.
This is a huge metaphor to our current educational system in public schools. It mocks that teaching is the same although every other portion of the world is changed and different. Technology should be used more in our classrooms because when these students grow up they will do everything using technology and technology is our world/s future and vitally important in every aspect of modern human life. We need to get our teaching and testing practices up to date with the ever- changing technologies of the world.
"The Importance of Creativity"
"The Importance of Creativity Video
"The Importance of Creativity," is a serious , honest and comical video that discusses all aspects of who public schools modernly kill creativity. Students are expected to sit still and shut up and learn the basic expected subjects in public education focusing mainly on math and language then humanities and arts at the bottom of the totem pole. Students are labeled so quickly in modern society to have learning disabilities when we should as educators be allowing our children and students to be creative and self- expressive. At one point in his presentation he says " What if Shakespear's father told him to stop talking that and quit writing," this to me is so valid here, and truthful. Thankfully back then students were allowed to be who they were and creativity was a self expression and welcomed.
In today's modern learning environment we need to allow students to be creative and who they are. If we label and medicate and try to contain children's creativity their learning ability will be restricted. Their creativity, will be limited and they will never have a chance to grow into an individual person or speak on their on perspectives. If students were allowed to express their creativity on a daily outlet and basis then students would be better students. Allowing a student to learn about things that interest them or incorporate their interests in other subjects would allow the students to grow so much more. Creativity is as important as language if not more.Our public school systems need a reformation.
"A Day Made of Glass 2"
A Day Made of Glass 2 Video
"A day made of glass 2," is a short video that has no speaking parts, it simply shows a day in the life of a world of a family and two students using futuristic technology. It shows everything from a technology point of view, of a person waking up and checking their schedule and the weather and selecting the days clothes. The family listening digitally to media in their vehicle on the way to school and the students in a day of school. In the school the ceiling is made of solar- powered glass, and the classrooms have teachers and students using virtual technology rather than chalkboards, books and pencils. This video is so neat, because this is exactly where the world is headed.
Think about how many times a day you goggle something that you want to know , simply because technology is instantly at your finger tips. How many times a day do you use the internet or your iPhone or MacBook? Technology changes everyday and becomes more and more a part of our everyday life that we depend on, what would you do if one day you woke up and we had no internet not cell phones no computers. Or rather if you woke up after 100 years like in " Mr. WInkle Wakes," and the world was completely changed and their were no electricity and the world was solar powered and all technological devices were made of glass, and pens ,paper and chargers were a thing of the past?