C4K #7,8,9, & 10

C4K #7

For C4K#7 I received Mr. McClung’s class blog titled Mr. McClung’s world. I found his blog to be very organized, finding my way around easily. I was assigned to the his post titled Class-Discussion-Trail of Tears which was interesting and entertaining. The video showed his students answering the question “was the removal of Native American tribes from their homeland wrong or was it necessary for expansion in the 1800s?” He did this by letting the students answerer freely and by drawing a spectrum on the board letting the students see where there views where falling under.  

Response: I just basically said hi Mr. McClung my name is Brittany and I am a Student in Dr, Strange’s EDM 310 class at the University of South Alabama. I really liked the discussion and loved how you let your students speak freely. I thought it was a great idea to draw a spectrum on the board like he did because it let the students see where their views were similar and different.

C4K #8

The C4K # 8 was really fun to read I received a student who has a blog titled Facial Mask. I thought she did an excellent job with this blog being very creative. Facial Mask was about her and a friend trying something new by making a facial mask. The first got dirt from the garden then sifted it to remove the rocks and other stuff. Last the added water and applied it to there faces. It was a fun activity that involved her and a friend being creative.

Response: I told her my name, Brittany, and let her know that I was a student in Dr, Strange’s EDM 310 class at the University of South Alabama. I thought she did a really good job with her blog post. I hope to try something fun like this with one of my sisters because it sounds like a lot of fun. I will look forward to reading her blog again, Great Job!

C4K # 9





C4K # 10

Was about Mrs. Y

Blog Post #13

Alabama Learning Exchange

ALEX, Alabama Learning Exchange, is a helpful website used by teachers, students, administrators, and even parents. It provides easy ways to share various types of educational materials and information. ALEX provides many resources that are incompliance with the Alabama State Education Requirements. You will find all kinds of resources on this website from lesson plans to web sources on any subject and grade level (k-12).

The webpage is very easy to understand as it is organized by links. For example you will see links such as courses of study, web resources, lesson plans,  search, personal workspace, etc.  I encourage you to click on all the tabs because each has something to offer. I found it interesting that when clicking on lesson plans and search giving a list of activities, like the Arts Education plan for k-3 titled Trust Me!. It helps students learn to work together and trust each other.

I find ALEX to be a great website to get information and material from now as a student and later as a teacher.  I feel that their constantly updating and adding to it, providing improvement over time. It is user-friendly or easily accessible to find information and lesson plans.  It will be a great help by proving new information when I start coming up with lesson plans and projects for my students.

Alabama Connecting Classroom, Educators and Students Statewide

ACCESS, standing for Alabama Connecting Classroom, Educators and Students Statewide, states its vision which is to “provide equal access to high quality instruction to improve students achievement through distance learning opportunities…”. This gives students a chance to take courses which they would not be able to usually take. By letting students in high school take more achieving and advancing classes, it could prepare them better for college. I will say that the website it self could be a little better organized as I found it very unfriendly.

Blog Post # 12


Assignment: In this weeks post I would like you to give a detailed response to EDM 310. What I mean by response is what you like or dislike about it and how you think we could improve it, if you think it needs improved.

I really was scared of EDM 310 because I had very little computer skills and felt like I was in over my head. I later realized that these are the skills I’ll be needing to help teach my future students.  I totally agree with Dr. Strange now because I have realized that technology is the future and these are the skills they will need. In the beginning of this class I new very little about how much the computer has to offer and what it could do for my classroom. But, now I have learned to make movies, create a bolg, put modifiers on pictures, and even how to communicate with teachers/students from around the world through technology. I have to say 9 hrs a week extra is a lot but you need every bit of it to complete your assignments. I am glad I struck in there this semester in EDM 310 because it has really helped me open up to technology. I think the most important thing that has helped me is the EDM 310 lab and assistance, which was open a lot of the time with someone there to help.

Project # 16

For project # 16, we have decided to film Dr. Strange teaching how important it is to spend 9 hrs in his class. Then we are going to talk about how ridiculous 9 hrs a week is after class. Last we will film someone doing the work weekly and someone procrastinating. We finish by comparing the two grades he or she makes.

Project # 15

SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT- Mr. McClung

1. What do you know (or have you found out) about Mr. McClung that is reflected in the way he has constructed his class blog? Mr. McClung is an 8^th grade teacher at Woodland Jr. High School in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He teaches many subjects including social studies, History, computer applications and even coaches cross country. Currently he is getting his masters at the University of Arkansas. He is a big supporter of technology in the classroom and tries his best to incorporate it in all his lesions. For example in his class blog, he has constructed a huge learning tool involving technology because  the class blog is full of information that is useful to his students, other students, parents and teachers.

2. Comment on what you would say about Mr. McClung as an educator. I believe he is an awesome educator because he tries really hard to keep information available to students, parents and anyone else by using the newest forms of technology. These newer technologies are the ones students and parents need to learn about and how there involved in every course not just computer courses.  He is a great example of how educators can involve technology in their classroom.   

3. I asked above that you read Mr. McClung's "rules" and think about them. What do they say about Mr. McClung, his teaching, and his connection with his students? What is your reaction to these rules (and guides) as a student and as an aspiring teacher? Mr. McClung’s rules are defiantly useful and are very inspiring. I think his rules let students make choices and provide a better learning environment because he lets them communicate and participate in teaching other classmates. Even though Mr. McClung has a more open classroom he still provides structure that is usually needed in a student’s life, like when to talk and when not to.    

4. What was the first thing under Everyone needs? Why do you suppose that is the first requirement? Everyone needs a day planner. I believe this to be very important because a planner helps you keep up with assignments and due dates. A student can also use it to build a day to day schedule.

5. Note the penalties for being late (under Homework). Compare them with my penalties for being late. Comment. Penalties for being late are a letter drop for each day. I think your penalties are sort of the same because you take it very seriously and your penalties may even be worse.

6. Read carefully his paragraph about what he hopes to accomplish with his blog. Comment and apply to your own aspirations as a teacher. I hope to provide a class blog for my students as Mr. McClung has done. I want to incorporate new technology in my classroom by using a class blog to keep parents and students up to date and involved.   

7. I asked you to review at least two Useful Links in depth after reviewing all of them. Which two did you review in depth? Describe each of the two. How might each be used? Why do you think each made Mr. McClung's list. The first one I liked is Discovery Education and I believe it made his list because it goes beyond the classroom and provides answers to student’s curiosity that might not be answered in a classroom. I thought it was cool that students could check their facts they find online or anywhere with Reference Desk. I think this web site provides great help when doing research. I think I would get my students to use both of these links because each can bring something to my classroom and help students learn.

8. Under Internet Safety I asked you to read carefully the rules Mr. McClung sets forth for safely using the internet. Comment on these rules. Are there any you would add or subtract? I feel like he covered almost everything as the internet can be very dangerous. I think he is correct when saying they should not reply to threatening comments and to always keep your last name anonymous. I think some of these rules should apply to our class because I do not like giving out my information but I do anyways because Dr. Strange tells me to.

9. In the C4K part of this blog I asked that you look carefully at one of the categories under which you assigned post was filed. What did you find? Select one of the posts in the category and review it for me. I was assigned to Class Discussion- Trail of Tears.  I found that he is involving technology in his history class by videos, as he had an open discussion that had been but on a video. His question was “The removal of Native American tribes from their homeland wrong or was necessary for expansion of the US in the 1800’s?” I found that he got his students to interact with each other by creating a spectrum on the board which let students see were other students stood on the matter.   

10. Mr. McClung uses Edublog as his blog host. In some ways it may seem more "advanced." But Blogger has many abilities that we have not covered in EDM310. This leads to this question: Is there anything (or things) that Mr. McClung can do with his blog that you would like to do in Blogger? I like the columns he provides at the top and would like to set my blog up like that. I would like to do this because I feel it will make my blog more organized and a better learning tool.

11. In what ways does Mr. McClung make his blog useful to parents, teachers, administrators, students like you, and others? Because he provides an example of how you can use your blog. He lets parents know what is expected, the rules and also helpful information on what their kids are doing in the classroom. It provides me with some useful ideas and materials that can help with my learning which I plan to add to my PLN.  

12. How does Mr. McClung's 8th grade blog differs from other blogs you have visited including other 8th grade blogs? Why the differences do you think? Other blogs I have seen do not or have very little blogging and are just the very basics most of the time. I think the difference is the way his blog is set up and his rules he applies to his classroom. I think he does this through his teaching and how he lets his students interact and communicate, much more than other students are allowed to.

13. Add any additional comments you think would be useful in analyzing Mr. McClung's World in depth. I just really liked how organized and up to date his class blog is because even though some teachers have class blogs there usually behind or do not contain all the information like Dr. McClung’s does.  

Blog Post #11

First Graders in Ms. Cassidy’s Class

     I really enjoyed watching the video “First Graders in Ms. Cassidy’s Class” because it was so interesting and provided a great example of how teachers incorporate technology in the classroom. For first graders, it is amazing how they use technology accurately. I find it inspiring because I am going to teach elementary education and hope to incorporate technology in my classroom. I have never thought about using blogs and skype in my classroom but now having that I have seen your message it makes me want to provide my students the best education by introducing technology. To do this I believe Ms. Cassidy is correct that we have to keep learning and using the latest technology available because it is a part of a student’s future. One of the methods that I would like to use in my classroom is skype because I feel it could really get the children involved in technology and communicating with other classrooms across the world. I agree with Ms. Cassidy and hope to teach many of her methods, like blogging, videos and even fun items like Nintendo DS.

Project #14

Saturday April 9, 2011
ARTS ALIVE -11AM-1PM
Ages 3-23 (any age group)


Objective: “Learning To Throw A Bowl On The Potters Wheel”

Supplies: potters wheel, towel, bucket, needle tool, straight/curved rib, wire tool, sponge, wood knife, wear board, and 1Lb ball of clay


Procedure:  (steps)

1. Smack clay ball down in the center of your  wheel .and seal to the wheel head by warping  your hands around the ball and pushing down.

2. Now that it is sealed to the wheel head wrap your hands back around it and squeeze it into a cone. By doing this it condenses the clay removing possible air pockets.

3. Bring your cone down by wrapping your left hand around your cone with your thumb up ,then place your right hand on top of your thumb and press down.  As you are pressing down your right arm should be locked into your side, and the clay should from into a donut without the whole (this is called centering).

4. The next step is opening  and you start by getting your wet sponge and pressing in the center which  opens the form into a donut ( but do not go all the way down to the wheel head) . Now we check our thickness of our bottom with the our  needle tool (around 1/4 inch thick), after checking thickness make sure your donut is on center by wrapping your wet sponge around your donut side.  When this is completed  we move on to pulling.

5.  When starting to pull the sides , have your right hand on the outside with your left hand slightly above your right but on the inside,  we don’t want to go to fast of a speed .  You should do 2 to 3 pulls maybe more if needed ,because your goal is to have an even wall thickness.  Now that you have the sides of your bowl you want to compress your lip (top of your bowl) with  your wet sponge . Getting rid of all sharp edges.

6.  Refining your form to create a better bowl. You do this by using your curved side of the rib and you gently  place it in the bowl pushing along the sides, creating a nice curved in your bowl You now have a bowl and finish it by compressing the lip.

7.   Taking your bowl of the wheel head. First use your wood knife tool to cut of excess clay around the bottom of your bowl. Now your ready for your wire tool which you use to run in between the wheel head and your bowl. Put your bowl on your wear board to take with you.

I really enjoyed teaching and participating in Arts Alive in down town Mobile Alabama. The kids and older participants where awesome as they were excited and ready to learn.   

C4T #3

C4T # 3
1.  received David Wees blog. i found his spot interesting and enjoyable. One of his most recent post was titled our words are not enough:its time for action. This blog simply goes over how many teachers don't have a voice in there work space. As their opinions and views are not taken into consideration in most schools.  He goes on to say we can change this and how an organized force or group could really break the brick wall. He also gives a list of actions we can take that are fairly easy.


Comment: Was basically that his ideas and list of actions were a great idea. I think by creating a force that will work together will defiantly make an impact compared to an individual. I believe teachers opinions are very valuable because who knows the students better than the teachers, strictly talking about in the education field.

2.What should be on a high school exit exam in mathematics?

This post by David Wees was about how exit exams are not necessarily the best way to see if a student is ready for college.  He thinks that exit exams don’t satisfy certain criteria. For example if the student is prepared for challenges that life will throw at them.  Mathematics is one of his key focuses because even though a student may pass exam like SATs, NY Regents and the IB mathematics they still are not learning how to apply mathematics to situations in life they will encounter. 

comment: Hi, My name is Brittany and I am a student in Dr. Stranges EDM 310 class at the University of South Alabama. I think you make an excellent point. The exit exams only look at one part of a students life and doesn't address the other issues they could encounter in life. I feel like we should prepare the student and help them apply whats learned to schooling. I enjoyed reading your post and look forward to reading your blog more often.

Blog Post #10

 

An open letter to educators
by Dan Brown

Dan started out by stating that it is super important to get an education but goes into the question "what does it mean to receive an education?". This is a huge question and is very complex wen explaining it. He goes onto talk about how education has changed over time. He gives his views and opinions and states how people get a education through universities which are the launching pad, growing and changing the world.
   One of is major points is institutional education and how we basically have the same educational structures as before. e is absolutely right that this is a revolution in the information age. For example like computers, as he mentioned how most people get places now. You use to have to get an atlas but now just type it on any search engine and receive the shortest rout. He states that because of the Internet information is now free to the public.
    Another point is how people including teachers have adapted to the Internet. He goes into how teachers are basically behind and have lost sight. There is just so much educators could do because has he states in many ways facts are no longer the only thing needed in the classroom because there free and can be easily looked up, tanks to the Internet.
    I believe he is so right because it is not about the facts because you can get facts easily. We should help students conform to the world, as an educator you should motivate creativity and creative thinking. I, as an educator, hope to change with the world as Dan brown said because he is right the world is changing and you need  to as well.