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.