Google Thinking

I agree with part of the article about how the Internet and search engines like Google affect us. I think that the search engines do make us relaxed in research, and they only make us find and explore the information we put into it. Like the author of the article said, "the collection of search engines, news feeds and social tools encourages us to link to, follow and read only that which we can easily assimilate". The search engines don't make use consider views that don't agree with our own whereas doing research 10 or 15 years ago would have. I agree with the author that sometimes we do get in our own "comfort zone" on the search engine.

However, I don't believe that these search engines and Internet tools are rewiring our brains. I think that it changes the way we find information, and possibly the way that we process the information. So I guess in a way they are changing our brains, however the article gives this a negative connotation. Whereas, I think that maybe if it is truly changing our brain's functionality, then maybe it is a positive thing. You have to admit that even if we choose the information we search, we still get more sources and views quicker than with the old ways of books and journals. We are absorbing more information on topics we research. Isn't that a good thing to be more educated even if it is in our "comfort zone"?

iGoogle Presentation

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ALEX

ALEX is the Alabama Learning Exchange. The program is very useful tool for teachers. The site has many different areas. You can look up the Alabama Course of Studies Content Standards for any subject on any grade level, and you get the standard in detail. The site also has great lessons plans that tell you what grade level they are for and what standards the lessons meets. The site also has a place called Personal Space in which teachers can sign in on their account, and they can save their favorite lessons plans for future use or submit their own plans to the database. The website also provides great links to other sites such as the ACCESS site, the Alabama Virtual Library site, and many others. The last facet of ALEX is that it also provides information on important topics that teachers will encounter in the classroom such as Special Education, English Language Learners, and others.

Overall the site is a lifesaver for teachers. It provides everything that a teacher could need in one place. A teacher can find everything from lessons plans to state standards to information on important issues in the classroom. I personally will use ALEX as much as possible before and after getting my teaching certificate. It is very helpful. I wonder if other states have similar programs available for teachers in their state?

About ACCESS

ACCESS stands for Alabama Connecting Classroom, Educators and Students Statewide. The program is designed to provide educational opportunities at schools that might be at a disadvantage. Many high schools in Alabama can't afford and don't have the resource to provide advance studies classes or dual enrollment classes. Along with the advance course, s0me schools don't offer certain foreign languages, and some remedial classes are provided through ACCESS. Through ACCESS a teacher at a different school can teach to this students through technology. The learning can be done through the web or it can be done through video conferencing. The instruction through the web is recorded and played later for the students to watch. The video conferencing is simultaneous. It is live and has audio and video on both ends of the connection. Student assignments, test, and grades are done through the internet from the teacher at the other school.

I think that ACCESS is a great program, and it is a step in the right direction for the opportunity of equal education for all students. I think that is a huge step forward, and that it will many great improvements to make the system even more efficient. I would love to have an ACCESS lab in my school, and do whatever I can to help students get a exceptional education. I would be willing to participate in any way from teaching an ACCESS class to being the monitor on the other end with students. I hope that many other states are following or will follow Alabama's advancement in education. I think that it is great!