Final Report on PLN

My Personal Learning Network, or PLN, has really developed into a vast array of resources for me to use. I am very grateful to be in EDM310, because I know I can follow many professionals in the teaching field by using the many tools I have learned in here. I will be confident that I am up to date on all of the new learning styles and technology tools as well as other areas of interest that I would like to follow. The best example I know of a PLN is the EDM310 Class Blog which, just so happened to be nominated for the 2010 Best Use Of A PLN award. Way to go Dr. Strange and EDM310!

Twitter
I am still tweeting and following technology teachers, usgs, friends, financial guru's and several others on Twitter. I have added several people to follow and several more are following me since my last update. Recently, I have "retweeted" and read articles and referred them in a tweet.

Blogger
I am now following more blogs than the last time I commented on my PLN. I am setting the blogs to RSS feed into my google reader. I like to read the articles quickly. It helps me save time and keep up to date. I really enjoy this feature. I hope to be an active part of EDM310 alumni in the future. I would also like to keep my blogger current in order to have something interesting to put on my resume.

Google
I have added my name and my blog name to the Google Alert tool to my email account. I will be thrilled if something ever shows up! I plan on using google docs to do a power point next week. I have used Google Images countless times to add pictures to enhance my blog.

Skype
I have used Skype with Raley in class for a required project. My sister and I plan to Skype again in the near future. She just bought the newest iphone and it has a skype app you can use. She lives in Arkansas and has a new baby, so I think it will be exciting for us to use so I can keep up with the growth of my new niece!

Drop Box
I have been using drop box to create a reading list. When I come across something interesting while doing EDM projects, but do not have the time to read the article in depth, I will put it in my drop box for later.

Symbaloo
I must admit, I have not been using symbaloo as much lately. I am not sure if it was my computer, but it seemed harder to open some links and navigate like usual when I used this feature. It grew a bit frustrating. So, I am back to using my "favorites" button. If the feature improves, or I learn how to use it better, I may consider going back to Symbaloo.

Imovies and Book Trailers
I have used Imovies to make movies and book trailers on my blog. I can see myself using these in the future to enhance my blog, which is a big part of my PLN.

Thank you Dr. Strange for your class! Even though there has been a bit of work, I cannot think of another class that I have had so far that will be more relative to my new career.

C4T #4

Mr. Robbo, The PE Geek "Reclaiming Physical Activity Time"

Jarrod Robinson is a PE teacher in Victoria, Australia. He has been trained to be a technology teacher, so he incorporates technology in his PE course. His latest interest is teaching the required "book work" aspect of the classroom online. His major decision to do so is based on the fact that it will free up class time for the instructional, hands on activities.

I really like this idea. He stated the children can access the links to their homework on their phones and personal computers. I think the students will enjoy this. I have subscribed to Mr. Robbo's RSS feed and plan to keep up to date with his new idea.

Mr. Robbo, The PE Geek "Make an app for your class"

In another attempt to save class time for physical activity, Mr. Robbo has created an Iphone app and an Android app. He stated the basic idea was for the students to be able to access the class content at anytime for the student. If a student is traveling to school for thirty minutes, he can quickly check his PE class on his phone.

Mr. Robbo thinks almost anyone can create an app because Iphone and Android have special software to make the process easy. To check out the app maker software for Iphone can can click
here. If you would like to look into creating android app you can click here.

Project #15 A Book Trailer

C4K#7, #8, #9 (In a previous blog), & #10

Lessons Learned, One-Pay Your Lunch Bill

This was a rather humorous post in regard to Mr. McClungs Mr. McClung's World decision to charge lunch in the school cafeteria when he forgot his from home. After his long non-repayment period of exactly two days, he subsequently received imperative collection notices from the lunch lady each day. He also noted the insistence of payment increased by the second day to a point where he was scared not to pay! Lesson learned-keep the lunch lady happy!

Aquatics by Emily

Emily is a twelve year old girl in the 7th grade at the Adelaide school in Australia. Her class has recently went to Port Noarlunga for Aquatics. Apparently, the school takes the whole class for two days of fun each year and they can choose from a variety of beach activities. Emily chose to do surfing, wave skiing and boogie boarding. Wow! Can you believe it? A school that takes their children to do these activities, and during the school day no less! I would like to read more about the Australian school system. It sounds very exciting!

My Brilliant Blog Mascot by Adia

Adia is a third grader from California in Ms. Yollis' class. After reading her comments left on our very own EDM310 class blog, I soon found out Adia earned her class blog by winning a Family Blogging Challenge. Congratulations, Adia! It did not take long to figure out Adia is a very creative student who has a voki and a blog mascot. These were all new to me and I have a new inspiration for my own blog from them. Keep up the great work, Adia! It was a pleasure to read your blog.

Progress Report on Final Project

Our final project is on creating a wiki. The purpose of the wiki is for education professionals to share their tips and suggestions how to access money for their classrooms and schools. I hope to find many resources for my future classroom as well as share them with others. Since I am a supporter of the 1:1 computer initiative, I would like to access funds to buy a computer for each student in my class to keep at their desk. We are in the beginning stages. You can see our wiki here. EdTechFunding

Blog Post #12

Blog Post Assignment #12

1. Watch the following video One Laptop Per Child, New York Times Review A New York Times Reporter introduces a new laptop that costs around $188 and was developed to be given to children in developing nations in support of the 1:1 initiative.

2. Watch the following video Laptop Initiative for Every Child in Rwanda The Rwandan President wants all of their children in his country to have a laptop.

3. Watch the following video Nicholas Negroponte with OLPC Foundation This is the company that makes the laptops for students.

4. Pick three laptop initiative videos of interest to you in regard to children in the US. Post one in your blog in lieu of a blog picture.

In response to these videos, please answer the following questions.

Question 1.) Rwanda's President has held a press conference and made a big production about his personal goal for all children in his country to have a computer. How many local leaders have you seen on television or in the news support this initiative in the US?

Answer 1.) I have not seen any local leaders in our area support this initiative.

Question 2.) In the Rwandan video, they noted the classroom attendance was up due to the computer program. Do you think children in the US would benefit from this laptop program?

Answer 2.) Yes, I definitely think children would enjoy going to school if they received a computer and were able to take it home with them in the afternoon. I think children would also share it with their family in the afternoons. What would America look like if every home had a laptop they could use?

Question 3.) We can probably assume most all professionals today have a personal computer and use it everyday in their workplace. In addition to professionals, retail sales, mechanics, factory workers, etc. all use computers as well. The United States is not a developing nation. According to Warren Buffet, we do not build many things any more. Our jobs are becoming more service oriented.

Our jobs are becoming more complex in nature. What benefit are we providing children when we teach them with pen and paper for thirteen years? Should we expect them to compete globally for jobs with children who have had their own personal computer for thirteen years?

Answer 3.) I do not think it is realistic to teach children to do all traditional book work anymore. We should be preparing children for the real workplace. In the current workplace, most people use computers everyday for most everything. The last time I hand wrote anything was in a personal thank you note. Everything else I do on a day to day basis is email, text, websites, etc. If I do not know an answer to something, I look it up online. If I need a phone number, I look it up online. Companies post corporate manuals and references online for their employees. Even if I need to know which doctor is in my companies insurance network, I look it up online. I could go on and on, but I will stop here and just say the following.

I hope all of the children I will be teaching will have a computer. I support the 1:1 initiative.

C4K#9 Mrs. Yollis' Class

Mrs. Yollis is a third grade teacher in Los Angeles, California. Her classroom blog was the 2010 first runner up for Best Classroom Blog and the 2010 winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Edublog Awards. You can see the blog here. Mrs. Yollis Classroom Blog

As you view Mrs. Yollis' class blog, you will see she uses it to educate her students and their parents on the exciting world of blogging. Mrs. Yollis commented that in all of her twenty five years in teaching, she thinks blogging is the best way to teach children to write. I can imagine it is due to the immediate gratification the children get in response to their writing from their family members and peers all over the world. This should be a big motivator for the children to learn to write using proper grammar. After all, the responses will be published for the whole world to see!

The parents of Mrs. Yollis' classroom get involved by reading their children's blogs and publishing comments. The parents can watch instructional video's so they will know proper blogging etiquette. I was quite thrilled to see grandparents blogging as well!

Mrs. Yollis's class follows several classes around the world. She has a time zone page which displays the real time of the different classes they follow. They follow classrooms in Australia, Switzerland and many more around the world. It is very interesting for me to see the differences and similarities of the different countries schools. The children's instructions and activities at their schools vary in comparison to ours here in the states. The Australian's seem to incorporate so many camps and water sports into their school days. I am sure it makes the student's in Mrs. Yollis' classroom quite green with envy like it does myself!

The Yollis classroom blog has many "how to" instructional videos. It gives the first time blogger access to the tools they need to get started right there at their fingertips. That is very intuitive on her part. I think she understands some of the parents may be a little timid, so it makes it easy for anyone to get started and start commenting with the children. This in turn, is rewarding for the children when they get the comments.

I have added Mrs. Yollis' blog to my PLN. I am also subscribing to her RSS feeds and directing them to my google reader. I hope to keep following and learning from her in the future. One day, I look forward to being her peer!

Special Assignment Mr. McClung's World

The following Q&A explores an intensive look at the blog entitled, Mr. McClung's World. This innovative blog is the ownership of Mr. McClung, an 8th grade teacher at Woodland Jr. High located in Fayetteville, Arkansas. His blog was nominated for the Best Class Blog Award in 2009 by EduBlog Awards. You can visit his blog here Mr. McClungs World

Q1. What do you know (or have you found out) about Mr. McClung that is reflected in the way he has constructed his class blog?
A1. I have found Mr. McClung to be a very organized and structured teacher whose talents allow his students to be innovative and creative.

Q2. Comment on what you would say about Mr. McClung as an educator.
A2. As an educator, I see Mr. McClung as energetic, and able to try new things and integrate new processes of teaching and learning. His ability to do transform the classroom into a dynamic learning environment versus a boring lecture environment is inspiring to me and blows me away.

Q3. What do Mr. McClung's rules say about him, his teaching, and his connection with his students? What is your reaction to these rules (and guides) as a student and as an inspiring teacher?
A3. Mr. McClung's rules (Stay Positive, Talk in Class, Listen) translate: I enjoy teaching and encouraging young people. In turn, students will enjoy learning in this class. These rules encourage me to bring the same kind of rules to my future classroom.

Q4. What was the first thing under Everyone Needs? Why do you suppose this is the first requirement?
A4. Day Planner. I suppose a Day Planner is essential for staying current on assignments since there is a drop of a letter grade penalty for each day a student is late on an assignment.

Q5. Note the penalties for being late (under homework). Compare them with my penalties for being late. Comment.
A5. As I stated earlier, a student in Mr. McClung's class receives one letter grade reduction for each day he is late on an assignment. The maximum days late you can be on an assignment and still receive credit is three days. As of the fourth day late, you have received an F. In contrast, Dr. Strange requires us to color code our assignments-green for on time, pink for late, red for uncompleted. Dr. Strange has given us the unique ability through a google docs spreadsheet to grade ourselves. He has stated very clearly not to give up on any assignment, it is not too late to be successful in this class. I like the fact that we keep up with our own grades. It makes me feel accountable and produces an ownership mentality of my work. It is a picture of the real world. Suppose your boss asks you for a report; he or she expects the report to be on time. If something comes up (as it often does in life), and you are unable to produce the report by the due date, your boss still expects you to finish the report. Late or not, you are still held accountable. You do not get an option to not turn in the report.

Q6. Read Carefully his paragraph about what he hopes to accomplish with his blog. Comment and apply to your own aspirations as a teacher.
A6. Mr. McClung uses his class blog as an informative newsletter, a host of additional resources and a technology enhancer for his students and parents. I plan to use a class blog for the same reasons.

Q7. Which two useful links did you review in depth? Describe each of the two. How might each be used? Why do you think each made Mr. McClungs list?
A7. I reviewed the USGS site because I enjoy geography and follow USGS on Twitter. I am from Little Rock, Arkansas and just moved to Alabama in October of 2010. My sister lives in Greenbrier, Arkansas where most all of the current earthquakes are originating. Arkansas is on the New Madrid Fault line and has been in the news a lot lately because of all of the recent earthquake activity they are experiencing. It is not uncommon for Greenbrier to have a 3.5 earthquake every other day or so. I am sure Mr. McClung has this information for his students to see since they are in Arkansas and he teaches social studies. In addition, I reviewed the Arkansas Runner website. One of my old neighbors started the Little Rock Marathon. It is on the website. I also lived by Three Rivers Park and had lots of running trails in my old neighborhood. I imagine Mr. McClung has this link since he is an avid runner and coaches cross country. The students could use this link to enter local marathons to help train for their sport.

Q8. Under Internet safety, I asked you to read carefully the rules Mr. McClung sets forth for safety using the internet. Comment on these rules. Are there any you would add or subtract?
A8. Mr. McClung is wise to post his internet safety rules on his class blog. I think parents will appreciate the fact that Mr. McClung is aware of the dangers of the internet and addresses that. The rules help reassure the parents about their children's use of the internet, since maybe not all of them are familiar with the use of blogs. I would not add or take away anything away.

Q9. In the C4K part of this blog I asked that you look carefully at one of the categories under which your assigned post was filed. What did you find? Select one of the posts in the category and review it for me.
A9. My post was on Lessons Learned, Pay Your Lunch Bill. It was a humorous, but straightforward note about how the lunch ladies will hound you for every last cent you owe in no less than one day after you charge your lunch! Moral of the story-Don't expect free lunch perks at your new school even if you are the teacher!

Q10. Is there anything that Mr. McClung can do with his blog that you would like to do with Blogger?
A10. I can see where the toolbar on Mr. McClungs blog would be a very useful way to sort and incorporate a lot of material when you are a teacher. However, at this point, I do not necessarily have any use for the toolbar.

Q11. In what ways does Mr. McClung make his blog useful to parents, teachers, administrators, students like you, and others?
A11. Mr. McClungs blog would be useful to parents in order to keep up with their students assignments, see their students work posted and to see what a technology class can do. I am sure it is very interesting to some because it is not the traditional classroom they grew up in. I believe Mr. McClungs blog is a role model for the new classroom experience. I believe teachers, administrators and students like myself are all well served to familiarize ourself with this blog as a way to incorporate it's ideas into our own classrooms and schools.

Q12. How does Mr. McClungs 8th grade blog differ from other blogs you have visited including other 8th grade blogs? Why the differences do you think?
A12. I believe Mr. McClungs blog gives a better description of the total classroom experience and expectations. His blog is set up similar to a company website. It is very user friendly and has a lot of extras, insights and ways to get involved in what is going on in his classes. It is a very well rounded, one stop shop for all things McClung. I think Mr. McClung's website is different because he is very well organized and very passionate about his work.

Q13. Any additional comments you think would be useful in analyzing Mr. McClungs World in depth?
A13. I would like to watch a video about Mr. McClung's class responding to him with the speaking and hand gestures. I am very interested in this, but I could not find the video. I read in a comment where a former student thought this was copied from the military.

C4T #3

Motivation by David Wees

David Wees is a technology teacher at Stratford Hall in Vancouver, Canada. He posted a summary of the book Drive by Daniel Pink stating that cognitive thinking and performance in the workplace were not enhanced by a monetary reward. Instead, only tasks that involved labor would see an increase in performance with a monetary reward. You can David Wees's summary of the article here. Daniel Pink I owned a mortgage company for the past 13 years before I closed the company and started back to school to acquire a degree in education. In the past, I always paid my employees based on a percentage of their performance. You can only imagine how this piece of information would have reshaped my thinking if I would have read it while I was still in business.

However, a lot of the concepts Daniel Pink spoke about were the exact reasons we were in the mortgage business. Our jobs had a lot of flexibility and even employees were very much their own boss. We paid senior employees more money because they had mastered their craft. However, the mastery of the craft is exactly what has kept several of the mortgage veterans in the business. It could even be argued, maybe to their detriment. The market is sputtering and it is not exciting and fun anymore. Everyone comes to work with serious faces and on edge. With that being said, I agree wholeheartedly that we all desire to master our craft and be looked up to as the expert in our field. It makes us feel valuable and important. Sometimes that seems to be the only thing that keeps us going, even when the going gets tough.

What Should Be on a High School Exit Exam in Mathematics?

David Wees answers,"An exit exam is not necessarily the best way to determine if a student has been prepared by their school." He is speaking in regard to twelfth graders. I do tend to agree. I do not necessarily think giving a math exit exam with a pass/fail scenario to a student who is about to walk out the doors for good is doing him or her any favors. I believe if the test is a necessity, then it should be administered earlier in the students career. However, if the test is only for data assessment for the school, then the exit exam may be a good idea to give at the senior level.

Wees, like myself, is also for math education with a purpose. He states most adults are "mathphobic". In my classroom, I want to give math lessons based on spending budgets, grocery lists, better buy scenarios, etc. Why? Because our finances affect us in every way, every day. Students need to be taught being good at math is not just for the smart kids, or the "business minded". Math is for people who need food, shelter and a car!