Thoughts on "Video in the Classroom"

Matthew Needleman's idea is fabulous! He said that the least motivated students are the ones who benefited most from the experience of creating films. This is another example of students needing something different than the traditional classroom for them to succeed. The opportunity to create is a great motivator for some kids and when given the chance to express themselves, they will impress everyone around them!

Thoughts on Podcasts

Exploring iTunes podcasts has opened up a whole new world. There is an endless amount of information, entertainment and even education. The idea of college classes being available for free on iTunesU is very interesting. There really seems to be no end to the amount of knowledge one can acquire if willing.
My husband first taught me about iTunes when he showed me that our favorite talk radio programs had been stored there and we could listen to them anytime. I loved that if I had missed a program, I could download it to my MP3 and listen at my convenience.
One of my favorite programs is "The Gesalt Gardner" with Felder Rushing. He is a horticulturalist in Mississippi who takes calls and answers questions regarding southern gardening. We also enjoy "Car Talk", an entertaining couple of brothers that takes calls and answer questions about car troubles. "The Dave Ramsey Show" delivers much advice about finance and its host, Dave Ramsey, is the author of several books about the subject, including "Financial Peace" and "The Total Money Makeover".
Using podcasts as part of the elementary classroom is a new idea to me. I probably will subscribe to the "SmartBoard Lessons Podcasts" and "Teachers Connecting Podcast". These are great resources for ways to use technology in the classroom. I don't think that I would ever come up with many of these ideas on my own.

Thoughts on "Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts"

I love the video of Ms. Vicki Davis' class. It seems that all teenagers, rural or not, enjoy their cell phones and social pages on the internet. What a perfect way to use their interests. By assigning projects with classmates and with students across the world, Ms. Davis is taking advantage of the networking and social interaction they already enjoy to teach them new ways of using technology.
The tools, class time, and inspiration to jump out into technical opportunities are probably well accepted by most teenagers. I love that the students were learning things and then teaching them to their teacher. I do wonder how much of this type of instuction could be used in a younger elementary class? Could these applications be used in second or third grade?

Thoughts on "The Importance of Creativity"

I enjoyed Sir Ken Robinson's speech concerning creativity. Children and even adults learn in different ways. I learn best by listening and watching demonstration. Others learn by movement and acting. I've noticed that when classroom teachers use many different methods of teaching, my own children respond differently. They even retain information better, sometimes, because they acted out a part of history or made a craft representing some area of science.
Sir Robinson used the dancer and choreographer Gillian Lynne's educational experience to show that some children learn best kinesthetically. He even suggested that Ms. Lynne might have been diagonsed with ADHD, had she been in a classroom today. This is a very serious thought for a new or veteran teacher. There are so many children that are medicated in our schools. Sir Robinson said we should "rethink the fundamental principles upon which we are educating our children." I am hopeful that, if we did make changes, they would make a big difference for these bright children who want to move in their learning.
"Creativity is as important as literacy in education and we should treat it that way." Ken Robinson

Thoughts on "Did You Know? 3.0" and "Mr. Winkle Wakes"

Karl Fisch's DID YOU KNOW 3.0 video is startling. A tremendous amount of information is transported so swiflty. More interesting is that larger amounts are being moved even faster everyday. The video stated "We are living in exponential times".
The idea that "the amount of new technical information is doubling every two years" leaves me asking the same question that Mr. Fisch asked in the video. "So what does it all mean?" How will all the internet devices, fiber optic cables and supercomputers be used? As a future teacher, I should view technology as a tool for my students to prepare them "for jobs that do not exist,using technologies that haven't been invented, in order to solve problems we don't even know are problems yet".

Matthew Needleman's MR. WINKLE WAKES video is a kind reminder to not let the class computer set idle. Students can use the computer to go outside the walls of their classroom to discover more about any topic in the lesson plan.
The world around our children is changing so fast. They should be given the opportunity to learn about the technologies that are helping to change it. In fact, they will be part of those businesses and medical facilities. Click below to see video

I am Mom

I have been married to my high school sweetheart for seventeen years. God has given us the gifts of three bright and healthy children. Staying at home with our children while they were small has been very rewarding. I will always cherish the memories of watching them grow and being with them during their preschool years.
Now, just as planned, I have returned to college to finish my elementary education degree. Our home is very busy with three children and the Mom as students and Dad working. We are all adjusting to a schedule of homework and extracurricular activities. Being the Mom is a blessing.

University of South Alabama

GO JAGS!

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