Podcasting

A podcast is where electronic audio and/or video is downloaded to a user's computer or portable device like an iPod. Podcasting works by the user downloading a podcast aggregator or podcatcher. Then the user will subscribe to the podcasts that interest them. The aggregator will automatically go in download new episodes or material by the same podcaster. Then you will be able to watch and/or listen to the podcasts in which you have subscribed in your own time.

Teachers can use podcasts in many ways. They can use existing podcasts to enhance the material they are teaching. They can use podcasts for professional development. Teachers can also create their own podcasts where they give lectures or presentations that the students can download and re-watch at home. They can also use podcasts as a form of communication to parents about school, community, and district news. Some example of how teachers are using them in the schools are on teacher lets the students talk about what they have learned, and some use them to announce honors and awards. Another school lets the children do a radio podcast in the morning that is school wide.

I really didn't know what podcasting was before this assignment. I think that it is a very neat and useful way that technology is enhancing our world. I think that it would be a great way to help students learn and post assignment that the parents and students can look at at their home. The only problem I see with this is that I can't put anything on their without providing it on paper to the students because some families do not the Internet. Therefore, if I did any type to lectures, I would have to provide the children with a printed copy to have.

The URL for the podcast I choose was http://rss-feed.s3.amazonaws.com/5354.xml . I choose this podcast because my a majority of my family members are in the military. My cousin is in his 5th tour in Iraq with the Air Force Special Task Unit. I think that it is very important to support our troops and their families. One thing I enjoy doing is writing to the soldiers and my cousin and sending them goody boxes filled things that they need and things they miss. The podcast was great. It made me cry to think of all those soldiers and their families like ours. I wish that everyone would be as touched by it and do their part in supporting and thanking our troops.

AVL - Alabama Virtual Library

The AVL is very useful for a classroom teacher. It provides a way to show students how to research and how to use search engines. It is divided into different levels for elementary school, middle school, high school, college, and general. As a result, the information that comes from the search engine is on an understandable level for the viewer. The search engine are also classified by content such as one is an encyclopedia, one is a biography search, and other different areas. Also, on the children sections they are very colorful and students would love engaging in activities on these search engines.

I would love to use AVL in my classroom. I think that it is a very useful tool for both teaching the research process and for doing class research on a topic you are planning to study or that you are currently teaching. I wish that I could use it at my house but it is only open to residents of Alabama. You can use AVL at a school location, a library computer, or from your house if you have an Alabama issued public library card.

Disability Information

Mr. Sullivan did a great job presenting the material, and I think that it made it so much more effective that has a disability. Therefore, he understands the importance of the tools he talked about. I learned that there are several programs that help people with disabilities to access the Internet. For example, there are programs that magnify the screen, some that read the words on the screen to you, and one that translates what is on the screen to braille so that they can read it with their fingers. I also learned that the website's creator has to add special features to their website to allow this helping programs to read and access the website and the information on it. I kind of got lost in the presentation when he was actually talking about you make a website accessible, but I know their are several governing bodies that have regulations on the topic. I think that it is very important for everyone no matter what their disability to be able to access the Internet.

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!

Hey Ya'll!

Hey! Welcome to my EDM 310 blog. I am a 19 year old college student at the University of South Alabama. I am an only child, and my mom and I live together since my dad passed away in December 2006. I love to spend time with my boyfriend of two years, Craig. I also enjoy being on the river and going mud ridding at Red Creek. I hope you like my blog and come back soon! :-)