Kimberly Dees' , EDM310 Blog

My EDM310 Blog Assignments are now Complete

2008-12-03T17:40:00.000-08:00

This class was a great experience!!!!!! We have learned so much, thank you Dr.Strange for all you have done especially helping me with my google spreadsheet!! I wish everyone luck in their teaching future and hope to see yall soon.

Things I have Learned

2008-12-03T17:37:00.000-08:00

1. Blogging
2. Podcast
3. Videocast
4. igoogle
5.Foliotek
6. Google Gadgets
7.Google documents, spreadsheet, and presentations

Good and Bad of blogging

2008-12-03T17:23:00.000-08:00

Blogging was a good experience for all of us, having a blog to post on different subjects really had us go into depth about certain topics and blogging also introduce us to new things like podcasting and videocats. The good thing about blogging is that you have the opportunity to view your classmates blogs and get their opinion as well, especially if both of you are discussing the same topic.

After reading other blogs I seen that most people enjoyed this activity as well and I notice that a lot of us really enjoyed the podcast activity. I personally enjoyed going back and listening to all of the podcast done by other students. I would say that some things can be changed. For example when doing the podcast assignments let the students decide which one that they would like to response to. Also some topics are not that easy to write four paragraphs on, so try and make it at least two paragraph response.

Other things that could be change is to have the directions more simple, sometimes it was kind of confusing finding the correct location of the topic. Also one post a week would be great as well or at least have the due at the end of the week. Making a due date at the begining of the week or the middle of the week was hard for me at times.

Over all blogging was fun to me and I am thimking about continueing making post to my blogs after this class. It was a fun experience and I hope you continue this in your teaching. This is something great for future teachers.

Electronic Contact

2008-12-03T17:09:00.000-08:00

Over the holidays I talk to my friend Aimee, she is now a teacher here in Mobile, Alabama. Aimee graduated from the University of Alabama. Aimee told me that they did not use any thing major while she was in college, they use the same basic power point, email and using the universities website to submit assignments. When I asked Aime about folitek she was clueless, she said that they did not have anything like it while she attended the university. One thing that the y did use was the students would sit in on a class and have to electronically hold a conversation with another student, some what similar to blogging.

Project 7

2008-12-03T17:04:00.000-08:00

A group of us was tyring to go to MGM on December 2, 2008, but we did not have much luck. Hannah was our planner after contacting the proper instructor we where unable to attend do to lack of communication, the emails are as followed:
From:Jmn603@jaguar1.usouthal.eduSent: Tuesday Daecmeber 25,2008 12:24pmTo: "Rose, Roger A/MGM" rrose@mcpss.comSent:Tuesday, November 25, 2008 12:24 pmSubject Re: RE: Access Lab visitI appreciate you emailing me back but unfortunately the earliest time we can come is 11:00 if this isn't a good time thats fine, just let me knowThank youJohanna Nolan
From: "Rose, Roger A/MGM" Date: Tuesday, November 25, 2008 11:27 am Subject: RE: Access Lab visit
To: jmn603@jaguar1.usouthal.edu
I would prefer that you come in the morning if at all possible. If you could come between 7:30 and 10:30 it would be better for you to see that equipment.
From: jmn603@jaguar1.usouthal.edu [ > Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2008 10:42 AM>
To: Rose, Roger A/MGM> Subject: Access Lab visit
Mr. Rose
I am a student from the University of South Alabama and i have to visit an Access lab for one of my classes. I was wondering if another student and i could come and visit the lab around 12:00 noon next Tuesday December 2, 2008?
Thank you, Johanna Nolan

The South in Black and White

2008-12-03T16:31:00.000-08:00

I decided to read about "The South in Black and White", this is the name of one of the courses at Duke University. The course explains how we got where we are today. This class sings gospel songs every week and invite differet story tellers to come in and speak to the class. This class is not offered on campus but is offered at Hayti Heritage Center in Durham, North Carolina.

Strange Conversation

2008-12-03T14:53:00.000-08:00

Honestly, I enjoyed the podcasting it was fun and a great experience. The podcast activity was like an ice breaker for the class, it got the students communicating with each other. Also the podcast made you go above and beyond the research needed to conduct the conversations. This activity provided great information for the students, not only the participants but the listeners as well. A couple of things that I would change would be to let the students come up with their own topic related to a certain subject as long as they have the teacher approval. Also, a little practice or run through would be a great idea to do before actually recording.

For example with my group we were unsure if we were just discussing what we have research to the audience or if we were actually holding a conversation with each other, which we did slowly began a discussion about the topics we were assign to research. Another suggestion would be to have all participants speak loud and clearly into the microphone and provide a larger space for the people recording at the time so the voices will travel the distance to the microphone. Overall I thought this activity was great and I would suggest that you continue with "Strange Conversations"

I personally thought that I sounded pretty weird at first because I was so nervous, but after listening to my group's entire podcast I think we all did it pretty good. I really hope you continue this activity along with the video cast because I would love to keep up with them

Mathematics with technology

2008-12-03T08:53:00.000-08:00

Judy Chandler is a mathematics teacher and she is trying to incorporate technology in the classroom. She thinks that most teachers use technology as just an add on and most teachers are just trying to cover the basics to get through the semester. Ms. Chandler believes that the use of technology not only teaches student more but provides students to get in depth with the subject matter. Ms. Chandler also believes that asking questions in the process of lecture engages students more with the assignment and the activity. Ms. Chandler goal was to get the kids thinking "mathematically" and that what happen when they get involve
I agree with her 100%, feedback is a great thing to her from students it not only gets them involve but it helps the teacher as well to see what the students are interested in and what there concerns are. Also giving more examples is great too, when teaching do not just give one way of doing something because all kids do not learn the same.

" GROWTH" VS." FIXED"

2008-11-16T19:08:00.000-08:00

Having a "fixed" mind means that the person is only worried about if they will look smart. Haviing a "growth" mind means that the person is willing to learn certain things through out their life time. The lady in the video talked about how the university came up with a program to teach students about mind sets. The workshop was split into two groups. One group was given study skills and the other was given growth mindset to go along with their study skills. The school accomplished what they were trying to do. After reviewing the students, the teachers were able to tell the difference between the two groups.
This program help mentors to be able to help others. The program identifed how some people are willing to learn and others are only open to the things that they already know and have no room for advice.
The video was pretty good. All teachers want their students to have a growth mind set. Students should always be open to learning.

WGBH" Teacher's Domain K-5

2008-11-16T19:06:00.000-08:00

I watch the " A night in the Coral Reef", this podcast was awesome. I really enjoyed how in depth that podcast went to explain life in the coral reef. The video was also great with getting up close to the fish and the coral, it was not like others were the person just stood and talk.
I will use podcast like these in my classroom because one they are FREE, you can just hook up your computer and you have a video lesson. Using video podcast is a very easy way to have a quick and easy lesson about a particular subject

EDUTOPIA

2008-11-16T18:37:00.000-08:00

WOW!! After watching both podcast I was really amazed how the teachers took out the time to participate and sponsor these programs. I watched the Edible Schoolyard podcast first, and i was pleased with what I saw. The teaches did a great job on teaching the kids the basic of everyday life. This particular program also teach kids how to do things for themselves and not depend on others. The Edible schoolyard shows children hands on how the real life is all about doing things on your on. It teaches how to grow food and cook food.

The Global Village was great as well, I believe every child should experience this. Some kids take for granted the life we live and depend to much on technology. If each child could just walk a couple miles in somebody else shoes they would be more thankful for the life they live.I was glad to hear the feedback from the kids. It really left some kids thinking about the life they life.

I believe that both of these podcast can be used in the classroom, I personally will take a note of this and use it in my classroom. These podcast will open the eyes of many children. I will show these podcast during a social studies activity so the kids can learn about international enviroments

Checking out podcast

2008-10-12T16:15:00.000-07:00

After listing to a couple of podcast, I realize that they are acutally not that boring. The podcast gives you a great deal of information that can be useful for teaching, also it can be helpful to students and parents. The publisher of these podcast keep you update of classroom tips as well as tips to help you with your every day life.

The first podcast that I listen to was "SmartBoard Lessons". I began just playing around but I paused for a mintue to listen to Podcast #130 (Peer Coaching). Ben and Joan gave some important tips on using Firefox. They stated that while teaching a certain topic involving the computer, firefox version three, has a option to expand the text or the image to help the students in the back of the class beable to view the screen and participate in the classroom activity. Ben and Jen also discuss how alot of teacher are fallen in love with the Smart Board

The "Kidcast" podcast was ok, it was not that exciting, maybe because he did not have a co-host. The host did give some great information about different techniques to use during a field trip. After listing to two more podcast I learn that podcast can be used for alot of different thim=ngs. You can talk amongst teacher, leave at home learnig tips on a podcast or even do a class discussion on podcast. I belive podcast is a great addition to the wonderful worl dof teaching and will only get better with time.

In conclusion I myself plan on using podcatsing in my teaching days to communicate with other teacgers, parents and students. I will also continue to subscribe to different educational podcast and take plenty of notes

2008-10-07T09:31:00.000-07:00

This photo is from Picasa

Randy Pausch's Last Lecture "Achieving Your Childhood Dreams

2008-10-05T18:59:00.000-07:00

Randy Pausch's Last Lecture, was a great and encouraging lecture. It is sad to know to know that he was slowly dying of cancer. Although he is going through this season in his life, he is not going to let it destroy him. He does not want his family or him be depress about the circumstances that they have encountered, so he went out and bought a new house and just continue to live and make his childhood dreams come true.

While giving his lecture he showed organization which is very important to have in the wonderful world of teaching. Pausch's lecture began with telling us about how he has accomplish his childhood dreams. Pausch began to tell us about his dreams and how he accomplish them, well at least attempted to. Pausch taught the audience not to just want to do something, get out there and atleast try to do it. Pausch bascially said, make your dreams a reality no matter what.

Pausch also showed how teachers can have such an impact on students lives no matter the age or the grade of that student. Andy van Dan encouraged Pausch to become a teacher and encourage his students to live their dreams, just as Andy did for him. I really like the quote said by " we can not change the cards we are dealt, but we can change how we play them".

In closing I really enjoyed his lecture and thought that it was very inspiring. Even though Pausch was going through so much in his life he never had a selfish bone on his body. He made sure that he was going to continue living as long as he could to please his family and as well inspire his students

My Presentation

2008-09-25T09:08:00.000-07:00

iPODS-Duke University

2008-09-25T09:02:00.001-07:00

I recently read the article about Duke University handing out iPods for students use, which is something that is precisely odd. I myself would have never thought of using such a device in a class room for learning. They decided to put useful school information on these iPods to assist students with classroom activities.

Dr. Christie's

2008-09-23T08:50:00.000-07:00

I believe Dr.Christie's photographs can be useful to me as a teacher because they help children use their sight and productive thinking. You can use the pictures in each lesson. They can be use to do art, to go along with stories and also with studying different topics. The photography is also a great essay tool, the kids can look at the photos to tell a story about what they see or what they imagine.
I myself love to take pictures and never would have thought of using them to teach a lesson. Dr. Christie also shows how the technology can show the children how the pictures can change but still remain the same photo. I believe it also lets kids realize whats around them because clouds are just clouds but when you take a picture of one it becomes more than just a cloud.

WICKIPEDIA

2008-09-18T20:31:00.000-07:00

Would this be a reliable site for anyone to use, I believe not. I mean, who wants to spend all their time researching a certain article or subject then write a report on it then find out that it is not true information. Wickipedia should be the last source for anyone really. If you have to us that site be sure to trace the IP addressee to make sure that the information being use is reliable. I personally don't think that this site should be trusted.

Why Wireless??

2008-09-15T18:41:00.000-07:00

I agree with this post 100%. In today's world we have to be prepare kids to learn outside of school, letting them know that an education goes beyond the classroom. Having the wireless internet is a great idea to me because some children are not as fortune as others to have home access to the internet. This is great to help those students who say they forgot their home work assignment to look online and get the homework. This is great for teachers as well to have after class communication with parents and teachers.
In today's society so many parents do not have time to come up to school and meet with the teachers are check the child's back pack to see what he or she suppose to have done. They can access the wireless internet and see the classroom assignments through the internet. This is also helpful with homework assignments because when you can't get help from home you have the wireless internet to help you find the answert, and with that yoou are learning on your owon and outside of the classroom. I think that the school did a great thing and I agree with the bloggers newletter and its something that Mobile County should think about as well.

" Best(?) of the Fischbowl"2007

2008-09-13T17:19:00.000-07:00

This blog is a true statement of what needs to be happening in children' s home today. As parents we should make sure that our IQ levels are at a level to keep up with time as well as keep up with our children. Although teachers are a big help at school, parents should have to do their parts at home. Teachers as well have to keep up with time, children are very smart before they are even taught the basic skills because they learn a lot on their own.
As teachers we provide children with education but how can we provide them with something we can not obtain and keep up to date.I believe that we as people all need to keep up with time, our lives depend on technology. So as roll models as long as we seem interested in technology, children will want to continue to learn

International Blogs

2008-09-08T20:51:00.000-07:00

International students use their blogs the same as American students. One site I visited was www.students.adelphi.edu/blogs/romanian/blog.php. It was a blog by an international student that went to school in New York. In her blog she discuss things about the Americans ways of life. She was excited how the school provided shuttle services for the international students and how she enjoy her new style of living. I did not see a different at all about her blog from our blogs, she talked about things she likes and dislikes, just as other bloggers as well.
I ran across www.internationalstudent.com/study_usa/blog, this particular blog was about a Mexican student who was going to school in Indiana. She express her feelings about being nerves and leaving her friends back home. Basically, people all over the world use blogs to express how they feel about a certain subject. The international bloggers I came across use their blogs to show the difference between American schooling and their hometown schooling.

Teachers as Bloggers

2008-09-05T12:54:00.000-07:00

While exploring the internet I came across Teacher Lingo. This site lets you view blog post by other teachers across the world. The teachers blog about almost everything on here. One post was warning parents about unusual people hanging around the children bus stops. Some teacher post ideas about things to do in class as well as share their opinion about their school rules and policies. To view this site just here.
The next site I visited was a little more organized and based on their classroom activities. Once you go into the site you find the teacher, each teacher has a different topics to view. One teacher had classwork and homework assignments. Some teachers had announcements as well as projects on their blog. Other teachers also shared lesson plans, general information and other ideas to share with their fellow teachers. To also view this website click here

Did You Know-The Fisch Bowl

2008-09-02T13:53:00.000-07:00

After watching this video I came to realize that all of this information is really true. It is so important that we as people keep up with todays technology. The world is moving very fast and there is alot of growing that the world is going through. The site was very educated and showed how the internet world is really growing. The site also made you wonder actually how fast the world is moving and are we going to be able to keep up with what revolves around us.
The video shows how one thing as small as a text message can go so far. It also showed what was important to the population, such as myspace and instant messaging. We let take the smallest things for grat=nted and some time they can take focus away from the important things

ACCESS

2008-08-28T20:43:00.000-07:00

The ACCESS is a program for students and teachers. This program allows low income schools to have access to other programs that are not included in their school funding's. Its also helps school with the lack of teachers, students can have a virtual teacher to teach them over the internet. The ACCESS also add programs to the school district, for example; Advance placement class, Honor programs, and plenty of other offers.
This is a program that helps all low income school who have the students with the knowledge to learn but the schools do not have the programs to give the students the help and the assistant they need to prosper. As well as helping students this program helps train teachers as well.
I believe that this is a great program for low in come schools because it gives them an equal opportunity to get a Honors or Advance diploma because they will have access to higher education programs

Alabama Learning Exchange

2008-08-25T21:04:00.000-07:00

The Alabama Learning Exchange website provides teachers with great resource material. It gives lesson plan ideas and also gives you the option to download them for yourself. The website also displays different web links to access other educational information. When using the website you have the opportunity to share lesson plans with other teacher on there web pages. Alabama Learning Exchange shares professional learning tools as well.
You can also continue your learning through the website, as well as get a great explanation and description of a specific course of study. I myself believe that this website is a great resources for all teachers to share their classroom experinces together, work together with lesson plans as well as share lesson plans ideas with other. I see myself visiting this website a lot because it a great place to get extra training on teaching and other learning information.

inserting a picture

2008-08-21T10:03:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Sunset!!!!!

Hello World

2008-08-21T09:21:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my blog guys!!! My name is Kimberly Dees and I am 20 years old. I attend the University of South Alabama were I'm majoring in Elementary Education. My plans are to get a Masters degree in Administration after my teaching career. I love kids and enjoy working with them, so I believe I have chosen a great profession. Prior to coming to South Alabama I attended Faulkner State Community College were I received an Associated in Early Childhood/ Elementary Education. I'm currently employed as an Afternoon Teacher at Weinakers Montessori's School were I enjoy every moment of it. Thanks for visiting and I'll be back soon