ACCESS Distance Learning

ACCESS Distance Learning is an online program that allows high school students in Alabama the opportunity to participate in classes that are not offered in their area. Courses are offered in two formats: video conferencing and web-based instruction. Courses include Math, Science, Social Studies, Foreign languages, and various electives. There were approximately 75 courses that were offered for fall 2009. This program gives students in areas that are typically lower income or more rural the same opportunity to learn as those students in more populus areas. While the program is only open to currently registered 9-12 grade students in Alabama high schools (at no cost to the student) the potential is there for the classes to be available to anyone who would want to take them. I'm of the opinion that out-of-state students would pay a fee for the use of the program; it's something for the administrators to consider.

What is ALEX?

ALEX is an acronym for Alabama Learning Exchange, a website for teachers in Alabama. On the website you will find materials for teaching 11 different courses of study, plus Counseling, Character Education, and Information Literacy. The materials suit all grades (K-12). You will also find lesson plans, web links, and podcasts that can be used to supplement your own lesson plans. You can also upload your own lesson plans to share with other users.
Registration is simple: submit name, user name, password and an e-mail address (that can be confirmed), and you will soon be an active participant.
I think this would be a very helpful resource as a teacher. Sometimes we run out of fresh ideas; this would be a great source of inspiration. It also gives some great supplemental materials that could be used for several grade levels. I picture ALEX as a way to collaborate with other teachers, and know that the state standards are being met.

Kaia's Trio

This past week Dr. Strange asked us to look at a series of posts/blogs about Kaia, a 3 year old in Qatar. The three posts are not all by Kaia, but rather are about her, and how her journey into blogging is affecting the world. Dear Kaia is a photo essay done by Kaia. Her dad provided the written material, but the photos are all hers. It was a new experience to see things through the eye of a 3 year old. Kudos to her dad for encouraging her. Mr. Chamberlain's class then posted a voicethread and video as a response to Kaia's blog. How they found it is still not clear to me, but that does not matter, I guess. I like that they took the time to not only respond to Kaia, but that they responded in a way that she could fully comprehend. I wonder if she realizes that people on the other side of the world are taking note of the things she does, and truly enjoys her work. Her dad certainly does. In response to the voicethread and video, he posted his take on the photo essay and how it all came to be.
This assignment made me think about how a small pebble thrown into the big pond makes ripples beyond where you can even imagine. It's fascinating to follow the ripples, and see where they happen to go.
When people wake up and realize the positive impact blogging can have on education. We can "meet" a wonderful array of people from all over the world without ever leaving the country. Education can go so much farther if we give technology half a chance; otherwise, we may see education as we know it die an early death.

What is New Media Literacies?

According to their website, New Media Literacies is not a new add-on subject but rather a shift in the way things are taught. Because young people today are more involved with technology based games, social networking, and various forms of media there is a greater need for them to learn how to properly work with and navigate through the technological world.
The New Media Literacies Project is a project of MIT, and is founded in part by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur foundation. The project lists twelve skills that are deemed necessary to be able to effectively work and learn in today's technologically advanced world.

New Media Literacies

Watching The New Media Literacies video was very distracting. The choice of colors and graphics overpowered the message. That said, I did eventually focus on the message instead of the video. My review of the content follows.
Some of the skills discussed are necessary in life no matter what your career choice is.You should always use good judgment in making choice, whether they be career choices, school choices, or social choices. Negotiation skills, Play skills, Multitasking, and Appropriation skills are all also necessary to succeed in life. All the skills mentioned are very valuable, some more than others in different career fields.
I believe I already possess a number of these skills, thanks to previous work history, marriage, and motherhood. For me, Multitasking is a daily norm; as is judgment,performance, and visualization. The skills I am lacking in, will have to be learned or sharpened through personal learning networks, and good old fashioned experience.
The main thing I take from this video is the fact that when we enter the teaching field, we will have to be willing to work collaboratively, and less independently in order to succeed.

The Networked Student

The video by Wendy Drexler asks the question "Why does the networked student even need a teacher?". I believe teachers will always be necessary. There has to be someone the student can turn to for support and advice on the work they are doing. I have taken about 45 credit hours of course work online, but without an instructor to turn to when I got stuck, I would not have succeeded. Teachers are necessary to guide the students in the direction they need to go, and also to TEACH the students the skills they need in order to learn. We can have successful programs without textbooks, and also without traditional classrooms, but we still need teachers.

I am more and more becoming a 'networked student'. Yet am I prepared to become a teacher of networked students? I believe I will be equipped to be a teacher of networked students. As I learn and become more technologically literate, I will be able to pass that knowledge on to others.

The teacher of the networked student must be prepared to help his/her student grow and develop their own personal learning network. This means that the teacher will have to be continually learning, and staying abreast of the latest advances in technology. The technological world continues to evolve; so must the Technological Teacher.

Passing It On

I was able to work as a substitute yesterday at Tanner Williams Elementary. During my break I took a moment to talk to the Media Specialist about Wordles. She said she had seen a Wordle, but did not know how to create them. I was able, in less than five minutes, to share with her how to create a Wordle about readers at Tanner Williams Elementary. It was fabulous! Thanks to Dr. Strange for teaching me so I could "Pass It On"!

Week 5 Comments4Kids

This week for Comments4Kids, I listened to students from the U.K. read poems about a river. The students did a good job. They read with feeling and expression, creating a sense of suspense or excitement about the works they were reading.
I believe that recording the students reading and posting it for them to be able to listen to will help them improve not only their reading skills, but also their self confidence. This is a great project that I could see myself doing with my students someday.

My First Wordle

This Is How We Dream

Like Richard Miller, I too grew up around books. I developed a love of books at an early age and, to this day, still have a great relationship with those bound pages of endless adventures. Mr. Miller addresses books as they are used in an academic context, and compares them to online information. He points out how easily it is to access several sources of information without ever stepping foot into a brick and mortar library. He then discusses how to take that information, and compile it into a multimedia project.
He points out that books eventually are removed from circulation and the information is basically unavailable. But with electronic technology, the project is always available to anyone who wishes to access it.
Mr. Miller wants to see students complete projects using the newest multimedia technology. I don't feel that I'm prepared to write with multimedia, yet. But, with a little more time, I'm sure my project will be posted right here, for all who care to see.

Using iPods in Instruction

I had never given much thought to using iPods in teaching until I took Dr. Strange's class. Now, I am learning that the use of iPods in teaching is almost limitless.

In addition to reading about Duke University's use of the iPod as a study aide, I found that the iPod is being utilized by teachers in a variety of ways. For example, in Orange County, CA ESL students are using iPods to strengthen their English skills, first-graders are improving their fluency, and teachers are playing famous speeches acquired from The Library of Congress.
I also found that at the University of South Florida Special Education student Allison Papke used iPods to help her students be able to perform better on tests. Instead of having to leave the classroom so a test could be read to them, the students were able to listen to the test on an iPod, and repeat any question needed, as often as needed. This gave the students more self confidence, and made them feel more included in their class.

What an EXCELLENT use of iPods!

iTunes U

Whether you are a teacher, a student, or any other individual, iTunes U can be very useful.

As a teacher, you can use iTunes U to continue your own education, do research, and explore ideas that other teachers have posted. You can also share your lessons that you have created with other iTunes U users.

As a student, you can listen to lessons from many different schools. Lessons are available from K-12 and University levels. The lessons available are not just from the United States either. There are lessons posted from K-12 schools in Florida, Utah, New Jersey, and Scotland, to name just a few. On the University level, there are lessons posted from Indiana University, Johns Hopkins University, M.D. Anderson University, and Oxford University. As iTunes U continues to grow, so does the learning potential.

The "Average Joe" can now learn things they never thought possible, thanks to iTunes U.

Alice Christie's site

When I explored Dr. Christie's site, I saw several things that could be used effectively in a K-12 classroom. However, one part in particular caught my attention.

Dr. Christie has a section explaining Google Earth, and how it works. Google Earth is a valuable tool that could be used in any classroom. You could use it teaching World Geography, as well as studies on communities in lower grades. You can even use Google Earth to teach Weather during your Science lesson. I like that Dr. Christie gives all the information needed to access Google Earth, as well as tutorials on how to use it.

Mr. C

Week 5. Wow. It's hard to believe we have come this far. This week I explored Mr. C's Class Blog.

Mr. C is a teacher in Missouri, and I believe he loves his job. The creativity seen on his blog is wonderful. I also loved seeing the number of blogs that he is involved in and follows. That shows me that he cares about his students and their learning process. I want to have that kind of drive and dedication.

Week 3 Comments 4 Kids

For week 3, I viewed a blog of 5 year (kindergarten) students from New Zealand who posted riddles. I enjoy the opportunity to read and respond to posts by children on the other side of the world.

Maybe Mobile County Public Schools will realize the learning potential that is being wasted by keeping access to blogs blocked in our schools. I certainly hope so.

Comments 4 Kids

For week 4, I watched a video of a young man telling a piece of the story "Snow White". Children love to see themselves on video, so I think this was an excellent choice. The student was, I believe, reading the story, not just telling it. What a way to build reading skills! When the students see and hear themselves reading, they are able to know right away how well they have done.