International Blogging
One teacher teaches at an international elementary school in Guatemala. She uses her blog to tell about the lives of her students and their living conditions. Kelly, who is a teacher originally from Atlanta, now teaches in Guatemala and used her experiences from home to integrate into her teaching there. Kelly has a classroom of about 30 students and she uses new classroom technologies including blogs and internet searches to show the children what life is like in other countries in comparison to theirs.
http://www.kellyseagraves.blogspot.com/
Another example is teacher Lynne Crowe that host a blog that has been going on for seven years. It originated in New Zealand and sets a very positive example of using blogs in the classroom. This blog has information for all her students to view that are both fun and educational. It also gives the viewer access to links to all of her individual students blogs. Students can go online at anytime to see any new events that are going on in or around their school and they can also participate in any interactive learning fun Ms. Crowe may have posted.
http://room3tai.edublogs.org/
Teachers everywhere are using international technologies to let students know everywhere what is going on in the world that surrounds them. Many are coming to find that the things students do thousands of miles away are very similar if not the same as what they are doing at home. It has gone to show that the curriculum can be mostly on the same level and I believe this is only due to the new technological advances that we have today.
Without new technology, not all students would be able to grasps the learning concepts that they do not have available to them at home. Sometimes it can be hard to get the money for books, materials, and transportation to get anywhere. Computers are making it possible to do away with these things and visit wherever it is in the world that you might want to visit, and learn whatever it is in the world you may want to learn.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Using Blogs in the Classroom
More and more teachers are beginning to use blogs in the classroom. One teacher in San Diego uses a blog for her students to communicate with students in China. This allows her students to talk to people from the country of the actual language that they are learning. Benefits of this program include improved language skills and making new friends. There may also be the possibility of some of the students making contacts to possibly visit overseas one day.
http://www.epals.com/products/esb/
Another elementary school teacher in Blacksburg uses blogs at his school to get teachers, staff, students, and parents posted on what’s going on at their school. He has even posted a calendar of upcoming school events. This, I think could be very beneficial. For those parents that have internet access and a child that rarely brings home parents bulletins, this idea could work out great. It gives everyone the opportunity to go and check things out on their own at any time they feel.
http://david.carter-tod.com/wp/2006/09/19/my-kids-school-using-blogs-and-google-calendar/
I notice that other classrooms are really looking to computers more often to replace what is missing or that they are not able to get in the regular classroom. I feel as though this is a healthy venture for any educator to go on. Websites such as ALEX and ACCESS are being put into play In order to enhance student’s learning capabilities.
One can only learn as much as they are offered and in this case, with new technologies emerging every day, students are being given endless possibilities. Some teachers use the new technologies to teach their children new languages. Other teachers use the new technology to learn about other cultures. And others may just use it to enhance what they may already be teaching in the classroom. Whatever the case may be, new technologies are looking to be a very positive force on education.
http://www.epals.com/products/esb/
Another elementary school teacher in Blacksburg uses blogs at his school to get teachers, staff, students, and parents posted on what’s going on at their school. He has even posted a calendar of upcoming school events. This, I think could be very beneficial. For those parents that have internet access and a child that rarely brings home parents bulletins, this idea could work out great. It gives everyone the opportunity to go and check things out on their own at any time they feel.
http://david.carter-tod.com/wp/2006/09/19/my-kids-school-using-blogs-and-google-calendar/
I notice that other classrooms are really looking to computers more often to replace what is missing or that they are not able to get in the regular classroom. I feel as though this is a healthy venture for any educator to go on. Websites such as ALEX and ACCESS are being put into play In order to enhance student’s learning capabilities.
One can only learn as much as they are offered and in this case, with new technologies emerging every day, students are being given endless possibilities. Some teachers use the new technologies to teach their children new languages. Other teachers use the new technology to learn about other cultures. And others may just use it to enhance what they may already be teaching in the classroom. Whatever the case may be, new technologies are looking to be a very positive force on education.
ACCESS
ACCESS is a program initiated by the Alabama Department of Education. This program was created to give students in high school the opportunity to take advance placement test, electives, and other courses online. Distance learning can be very beneficial because it allows students to roam outside of what they only have available to them at home.
To my understanding, ACCESS is similar to the online classes that college students use today. If I were a high school teacher, I would feel as though my purpose as a teacher would not be fulfilled completely. I would not be teaching, the computer would, or some other professor online. I would just be there to monitor their progress. I do understand though that the courses offered may not be offered at the school I teach in, that part is great, it really gives the students a chance to explore more possibilities. But I am having a hard time understanding the whole concept of it all. I suppose though that if I had to use ACCESS in my classroom that it would be a great help to me in those areas that I may not be familiar with.
To my understanding, ACCESS is similar to the online classes that college students use today. If I were a high school teacher, I would feel as though my purpose as a teacher would not be fulfilled completely. I would not be teaching, the computer would, or some other professor online. I would just be there to monitor their progress. I do understand though that the courses offered may not be offered at the school I teach in, that part is great, it really gives the students a chance to explore more possibilities. But I am having a hard time understanding the whole concept of it all. I suppose though that if I had to use ACCESS in my classroom that it would be a great help to me in those areas that I may not be familiar with.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
ALEX
Alex, also known as the Alabama Learning Exchange is a website that offers help to teachers and other educators that may need it. I think it would be very beneficial for me to use once I am in my own classroom. I am almost sure that once I begin teaching that there is a high possibility that I will get an inclusion classroom. With Alex, there are lesson plans for different courses for each grade level. I can use the lesson plans to base my lower level kids assignments on. For example, If I am teaching a third grade classroom and I have students that are only on a first grade academic level, I can use the lesson plans to find something that is more on that student’s level.
There is also a place that you can go to that will show you some professional development opportunities. Professional development is important because there are so many new things you can learn throughout the years to better manage your classroom and studies for your children. It provides many tips on how to better operate the technology that may surround you inside of your class, i.e. computers. This would be especially helpful if I were trying to make worksheets or test for my students that look professional.
Overall, I think that Alex would be a good addition to any classroom and I would use it to better my teaching skills and better the learning skills of my students.
There is also a place that you can go to that will show you some professional development opportunities. Professional development is important because there are so many new things you can learn throughout the years to better manage your classroom and studies for your children. It provides many tips on how to better operate the technology that may surround you inside of your class, i.e. computers. This would be especially helpful if I were trying to make worksheets or test for my students that look professional.
Overall, I think that Alex would be a good addition to any classroom and I would use it to better my teaching skills and better the learning skills of my students.
Monday, April 7, 2008
About Me
My name is Stephanie and I am 22 years old. I live in Mobile with my three year old son who is the love of my life. I am currently working full-time as a paraprofessional for Mobile County Public School System and as a part-time server at Olive Garden. I am also a full-time student at the University of South Alabama. Most of my time is occupied with school and work but I do like to take time out to hang out with my friends or just sit around the house with my little boy. I like to be out socializing because I think that its fun to meet new people. I think I'm pretty outgoing and I love to have a good time.
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