What I Learned In EDM 310...

Before taking EDM 310 I knew nothing about computers except to check myspace and my email. Now I know how to use Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint. I think Google is amazing because its free and I had know idea how much they offered. Google rules!

I also enjoyed the instructional videos because without them I never would have figured out how to use spreadsheets. They were pretty tough but with the videos it was a piece of cake so to speak or type. I'm glad to be out of the class not because I didn't like it but because I'm lazy and now I can relax for a few months before fall classes. Overall I would say this class helped prepare me tremendously. It helped prepare me for teaching in the near future. I really learned a lot and I'm grateful for Dr. Strange being so easy to understand and so patient with us. I think before all exams Dr. Strange should make a coffee run to Starbucks. LOL. Thanks for being a teacher who taught things that we could actually use and not teaching us worthless crap.

Wikipedia Sucks...

I already knew about wikipedia and how anyone could go on it and change what they wanted. I did not know that they can now be tracked. That is pretty funny because a lot of corporations and companies go on wikipedia and change the bad comments about themselves. Wikipedia isn't reliable and should never be used for any project. The only thing it is good for is reading for pleasure only. People are now tracked via IP addresses. So beware if you decide to go on wikipedia and slam President Bush because they will find you. So thanks to Virgil Griffith from CalTech, whoever edits entries will be found out due to his Wikipedia Scanner. Wikipedia is evil but I love it all the same because it is like a train wreck that you cant help but watch. So reader beware because what you read on wikipedia is complete crap.

"Growth" VS. "Fixed" Minds...

Stanford University has a video podcast available through iTunes University that discusses the benefits of promoting a "Growth" mindset in classrooms. A study was conducted that consisted of an 8 session workshop for a classroom. One half of the class received only study skills lessons while the other half received study skills lessons and a "growth" mindset lesson.

The "growth" mindset lesson included teaching the students that their brain is a muscle that can grow and learn new things. Students were taught their intelligence is not something that is "fixed" but something that can develop and grow. The "growth" mindset lesson puts an emphasis on continuing to develop your intelligence throughout one's life. The grades of the students who received only study skills continued to decline, while the grades of the students who received the study skills lessons along with the "growth" mindset lesson showed a significant improvement.

I think that all students should be taught with a "growth" mindset lesson. If it helps students succeed then it should be used in every classroom in every state. Students have the right to learn at the best level possible and the "growth" mindset is the perfect tool to help them achieve their goals.

More ITunes University...

I love PBS and I would watch it all the time as a child. It is a great channel for children and adults because it is educational and interesting. I found a great clip called "Galileo on the Moon." It was about the moon and the many things Galileo discovered.

It discussed the gravity, craters, and the different rocks found on the Moon. If I taught a science class then I would definitely use this in my class because it was entertaining. This video would be great for people who are interested in the solar system and space.

ITunes University...

ITunes University is a service of Apple's ITunes. It enables students to have access to educational content from universities across the country. It also provides students with a way to take the information with them by using an IPod or IPhone. Educational information is just a click away using ITunes University.

I believe that ITunes University could be of great use to me as a teacher. ITunes University allows content such as lectures and programs from other universities across the country, it could be a great tool for research.ITunes University would be great for high school students in all areas of education. It would be a great way for them to learn more about the sujects they are studying.

For more information regarding ITunes University visit http://www.apple.com/education/itunesu_mobilelearning/itunesu.html.

A Formula For Success!!!

Karl Fisch's Best of the FischBowl February 2007 post, titled "A Formula for Success?", expresses his concern for the way mathematics is taught in schools today. Math is often taught by giving a formula and then plugging in values. This method is not acceptable.

To truly understand math you need to understand the why and how of mathematical applications. You also need to understand and realize how those mathematical applications apply to real life situations. Giving students examples of real life situations involving math may help them to understand how important it is to understand mathematical processes.

Technology literate schools...

Karl Fisch, a teacher at Arapahoe High School in Colorado, says "If a teacher today is not technologically literate-and is unwilling to make the effort to learn more-it's equivalent to a teacher 30 years ago who didn't know how to read and write". This is very true because all teacher's must learn to adapt to new setting's and environments in order to truely be successful at their job. The need for new ways of teaching students keeps there education going to new levels.

Blogs in the classroom...

Albany High School in Albany, New York uses class blogs to help with lectures, missed work, and study guides for students. The bogging system has helped many students check to see what is due at what time. The website is below at http://blogs.timesunion.com/albanyhigh/

Schools all over the world are using blogs and many schools like Albany High School are using technology as a corner stone to reaching to their students in new ways. These blogs have become an essential part of these student's education.

ACCESS...

Alabama Connecting Classroom, Educators and Students Statewide (ACCESS) is a program designed to offer classes, to high school students, that may not be offered at their schools currently. It does so by utilizing technology and using it to learn. The web-based course is a course that uses the internet for instruction and can help those students that are less fortunate.

Many schools have less funding and offer less courses because of this. So these students can take courses that most lower funded schools don't offer and they will have a more well rounded education. This technology being used in schools will help these students achieve their full potential and transition into the work place easier.

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Yikes...

Okay so I just read that are blogs are supposed to be in by midnight on Sunday. Well I guess going to a rock concert on Sunday night wasn't such a good idea. That kind of makes me a slacker I guess. On a brighter note the concert was amazing and a once in a lietime experience. I saw the Foo Fighters and Jimmy Eat World. I hope I get at east partial credit for the ALEX blogs. Wow I should have read the fine print a little closer. This Sucks.

ALEX...

When I begin teaching I will inform my students about ALEX. With the technology provided on ALEX my students can get help in any of the subjects that they are struggling with. I can use ALEX if I need help with certin lesson plans because I can get helpful hints from other teachers like me.

ALEX will be a tool that I know I will use in my first few years of teaching because I can get plans from other history teachers like myself. ALEX is also great for my students and I becasue almost every person has a computer in their home and it will be a good way for students to become more familiar with computers and there benefits. The information on ALEX is key to a well rounded education for young aduts and children.

Alabama Learning Exchange...

The Alabama Learning Exchange also known as ALEX is a program for teachers that helps them make lesson plans and get ideas from other teachers in Alabama. There are several websites describing the benefits of ALEX. It helps teachers interact with each other and get new material according to grade and subject. These new plans in subject matter are very beneficial to new teachers who are just starting out their careers.

I know I will definately use ALEX when I begin teaching. This learning exchange is beneficial to all people who have access to it. This technology is going to be a life saver to me in a few years.

John Strange Web Site

Did You Know?

Today I watched a very interesting video on You Tube and I found out that I don't know much. I learned about how computers and new technology are changing the world every second. With new projects aimed at providing laptops to children in third world countries these children will now have a chance at success they never had before. These computers will help them achieve things they would normally never be capable of. In a way technology is saving the impoverished children of the world and I think that is amazing. I just thought I would let you know because I didn't.

Hello Again!

How is everyone today? My day has been great or great so far.

Welcome Reader's!

Welcome everyone to my first official blog! I hope you enjoy reading them.