Blog Assignment #5

Eagle Nest Radio & Class Blog
The way in which the students outlined their Roman podcast is very engaging. Everything from the background music to the switches between topic delivery captivate the listener and introduce tolerable anecdotes that are memorable from beginning to end. I think that th basic outline of the podcast was designed well and effectively captivated the audience.
The benefits of podcasting in the classroom
This video not only breaks down the differences between podcasts and vodcasts (podcast with video but also demonstrates the benefits of their application in education. The video also shows different approaches to the creation of podcasts and vodcasts. Teachers can record lessons for students who miss school or who want to review the information. Students could also create the podcasts or vodcasts. Through role play, the lessons can come to life. The students can use their imagination and creativity to create unique and memorable podcasts.
The practical principals
This podcast is in a discussion form. The two are simply talking about what the y have been doing as of late. They are discussing all the stuff that they are doing in preparation of the upcoming year. One is in a new position and discussed what he did to prepare himself for the position. He discussed finding very outdated documents, books, and technology. He discussed what he is doing to get himself more situated in the principal  position. He is learning regulations, traditions, etc. He is trying to build relations. This podcast shows how much work really goes into being in this position.
I personally like the free-flow discussion vibe that the two built their podcast off of. It allows the listener to be relaxed while listening and take in the information as if he/she was sitting their with the two and talking like old pals.
100 ways to use your ipod to learn and study better
This list contains numerous innovative ideas on how the ipod could serve as a educational device. Everything from lectures to study guides could be put on the ipod. The student could then have access to these materials whenever or wherever. The list not only supplies what could be put on an ipod but also information on how to create podcasts and put them on an ipod. The ipod could be transformed into a pda with the resources found in this list.  This list opened my eye to the possibilities. If all this could be done with an ipod, what else can we do?

Blog Assignment #4

1. Don't Teach Your Kids This Stuff. Please? by Scott McLeod
Mr. McLeod has presented the negatives as reasons why students and children alike should not have technology pushed into them by parents, teacher, administrators, and members of the board. In the end, he says that he is introducing technology to his children. In this case, his children not only would be technologically educated but also would be therefore better prepared for the world of technology that we are sending them out into. I think that he introduced the topic in a great way. He drew in his readers by describing the dark side of technology and turned them for a loop in the end. This most certainly shares the point of view of those who are against technology education and introduces the fault in their thinking in the long run.
Scott McLeod is an Associate Professor of Educational Administration at Iowa State, the Director of the Center forthe Advanced Study of Technology Leadership in Education (CASTLE), and co-creator of the Did You Know? videos. He has a website with tons of information in the field of technology and education: http://scottmcleod.net.

2. The iSchool Initiative.
The basic concept of the iSchool Initiative is to equip students with a piece of technology that can act as a multifunction tool with a wide variety of applications which will act a primary resource for students. The tool will act as their books, study instruments, and much more. Students can receive and turn in assignments via this device. They could also record lectures for themselves or others. The device can be used as a research tool. It will be restricted so that it can only be used for educational purposes. The concept is applicable for educators as well. It can act as an easily portable way to keep track of the class curriculum, grades, assignments, etc. Parents too can benefit from the device. Parents could monitor their children's assignments, studying, and grades from any computer. The device will save money and the environment. As before mentioned, this one device will replace books, calculators, etc. There will be no need to print assignments, syllabuses, etc.
I personally think that the device would be great. Apply the ability to switch between a natural touch screen and a stylus screen so the student can write on it as he or she would a piece a paper with a pencil, and they are all set. It would be great for distance students and student who are otherwise incapable to attend classes regularly.

3. The Lost Generation
I feel that the downward spiral described in this presentation is evident as already in our mists. People work hard to made money. They put the money towards building businesses bigger and more powerful to make more money. Parents have children as if it was something on their "To Do List" that simply had to be checked off. Parents use their children for PR and photo-ups. It is as if having children makes them a more rounded out person. In a society of credentialism, people work to be better on paper instead of working to be better in real life. Who cares if you have a PhD if you are only willing to help those who don't need your help? Is being a doctor of a dying person too much of a risk when you want to keep a clean mortality rate?  Thank you for donating millions so that the wealthy can increase their pay checks. We need to look at our lives from an external point of view and see ourselves for who and what we really are. Maybe then the world will stop revolving around a special few.
Secondly, I feel that the presentation style used was extremely effective at captivating the audience and introducing the problem. The style draws the viewer in and makes the viewer really think about how little things make the big difference. It also avoids attacking people who fit into the category drawn out. A variety of people can relate to the presentation without being too personal. It also shows how the world's view can be made better. The positive side can draw people to change.

4. Eric Whitaker's Virtual Choir
First, I just want to say that I want to know the method of bringing the video feeds together. Were all of the people working together in a sort of live video chat? Were they all done separately and later brought together? Either way, it is amazing. If they worked together, it shows the vast collaboration capabilities. If done separately, it shows not only a common interest but also a great use of video software. To compress the feeds and pin them precisely is an exceedingly stressing task made capable only with today's programs and technology. A masterpiece either way.

Additional Assignment #1

I found that I am surprised that I had never heard of either Google Squared or Wolfram Alpha before this assignment. They are both really great tools for gathering data. Google Squared allows users to compare information side by side. The layout is very simple and easy to read. The fact that the user is able to add and take away columns and items allows the user to be more specific about the data he or she desires. I particularly like the fact that when data is given a confidence rating is also supplied. This will help people know how accurate the data is. If data is too old it may be far too off to even be considered. One the other hand, Wolfram Alpha is a useful tool as long as they have the desired data available. For example, I tried to look up dog breeds and flowers with results worth frowning upon. I got nothing from my attempt to look up various dog breeds, even when I tried searching for more specific breeds. When I searched for flowers, the first result I got was under the assumption that "flowers" was to be taken as a surname. I had to switch my search options for the search engine to direct me to information about actual plants. Although it is picky about giving up information, it gives a bounty of information when it does have what is desired. These tools allow people to reconsider statistics that are thrown at them daily. It is easy the manipulate data when the information in worded just right. For example, have you ever heard the phrase "85% of statistics are made up right on the spot"? Yeah, it is a tricky one, right? Instead of taking from given statistics what those giving want people to get from it, people can look the information up for themselves. On a side note, here is a map of where the Pitcairn Islands are. Yep, there it is just sitting there all antisocial like. :)

Project #5: Google Presentation

C4T#1 Assignment Review

Steven Anderson's blog titled Blogging About the Web 2.0 Connected Classroom.
On the 29th of August, Anderson blogged about Sweet Search. Sweet Search is a search engine for students which has been reviewed by educators and librarian alike. It is a good resource for educators to guide their students to use, because it takes students to useful online sources for research. Educators can rest easy knowing that the information that their students are getting using the Sweet Search search engine is true data. I posted a comment thanking him for the great reference. I then went on to suggest the Kidui browser. The kidui browser is reviewed by educators, librarians, and parents to ensure the safest and most educational browsing experience for students K-12. Th browser not only has great resources for research but also has educational games for entertainment.
On the 9th of September, Anderson blogged about #edchat. #Edchat is twitter chat opened for educators to come together and collaborate. They often discuss pressing topics in their related fields. Their are specialized chats for educators of more specific courses. Science teachers can discuss faults in the scientific method in one chat while educators who work with students with special needs can discuss their difficulties and breakthroughs. I commented on how grateful I am for the reference. It is great to see an opportunity for educators to meet and share with each other. They are able to debate their views and share their ideas in an environment of supportive educators just like themselves.

Blog Assignment #3

1. Michael Wesch: A Vision of Students Today
This video offers an incite into how many students respond to their college environment. But not all colleges are the same. Not all classes are the same. Not all students are the same. The variable make the difference. Having a  student in a class of 150 taking a course given in a lecture hall is not the same as having a student in a class of 150 taking a course given online. Some students would prefer the online course. An online course offers the ability to hear the lecture more clearly without the distractions commonly found in a lecture hall. A student can view online videos from anywhere around their schedule. They can also revisit the video if they need clarification. Others might prefer attending class in a lecture hall. They might need the instructor right there in front of them to focus. They might know that having a specific time and place for their lectures is exactly what they need to insure that they attend the lectures. These statistics may seem solid to some, but they have their faults. The data was collected by questionnaire. Who was the questionnaire available to? Was it available online to anyone who wished to respond? In which case, we must consider the people who tend to answer questionnaires. Was it only available to students of a certain school or class? Then, what is the dynamics of that certain school or class? Although the information offered in the video is questionable, I will admit the video does make people take into consideration what is said. I know that I don't facebook during class. I don't even have a facebook. I don't spend 2 hours a day watching the television. And I don't ignore assignments when they are given. These things introduced in the video may be true for many, but it is not true for all. But it is true for enough to make a difference.

2. Read the post "It's Not About the Technology" by Kelly Hines
I like the mindset in which Ms. Hines was in when she put up this post. Today's society does too often look at education as just another place to push technology as a means of improvement. If the students are not learning, let's not blame the educational tools being used. In too many cases, it is the educator that is failing to reach the students. I agree that o be an effective educator one must be able to learn as well. One must be able to adapt to new students, environments, and methods. Students learn in many different fashions. If a teacher only teaches to meet a specific learning style, only the students who learn in such a fashion will gain from the experience. Others will go home empty handed. That is not what we as educators want for our students. A lesson has not been taught if the students failed to learn from it. In which case, it was the teacher that failed the students. We must strive to be good educators if we wish to teach. We must not rely on technology to teach for us. We must not blame technology if a student is unable to take from a lesson all in which is offered. We must be able to and want to teach effectively. Then, and only then, can we use technology to improve upon our teaching capabilities.

3. Karl Fisch: Is It Okay to Be A Technologically Illiterate Teacher?
Mr. Fisch introduces the idea that it should almost be socially unacceptable to be technologically illiterate if you are in the field of education. This is an acceptable idea on today's standards. If educators of today are to teach the people of tomorrow, they should be at very least be up to date if not ahead of the times when it comes to technological capabilities. Today's students are going to be running the world of tomorrow with the technology of tomorrow not the hand-me-down skills of their grandparents' generation. While teachers should be able to use the technology available to them today, they should not be reliant on it. They still should be able to be effective educators. The technology should be used as an instrument of improvement not as a crutch.

4. Gary Hayes Social Media Count
This widget point out how actively today's society uses technology for a wide range of uses. As an educator, we must keep in mind what influences are students. We can reach them through facebook or twitter. They can use ebooks and listen to lessons via podcasts. Educators must think out of the box to continue to reach their students. Today's generation of students is one with technological demands in which we as educators must meet. If the only way to reach or relate to a student is through technology, then we must adapt to do what needs to be done to be effective educators. Educators must learn to do as the students do. Educators must be on the same networks as their students if they wish to ever reach their students. It is an overwhelming thought, but educators must learn to teach their students.

Blog Assignment #2

1. Did You Know? 3.0
This video really puts into perspective how technology has effected today's society and how it will effect that of tomorrow. With every day comes new technology. With the creation of new technology comes new jobs, new words, and new problems. The video shows how quickly the world's population is growing. But even those numbers are nothing in comparison to the growth and range of technology. When we can put all that is known to man in something the size of the tip of a ball-point pen, that is when we must stop and take into consideration that we are opening the door to possibilities that all of creation could not even begin to understand. And that time is now. We could not begin to understand the world that technology will inevitably create for us. Though it is limited by the technology that we can create, the world will eventually be so full of technology and knowledge that people will become insufficient without. With the growth of technology and knowledge has come medical advances that have increased the numbers of pregnancies that come full term per year and decreased the number of deaths per year. We have far more people who all need food and shelter. We create ways to compensate for the increase in need. We also create ways to keep them "connected" and create all the luxuries we have come so accustomed to. These people "need" the ability to access others and gain information at the drop of a hat. They will "need" the capability to do things faster and easier. They will "need" all of these things to the point that they will actually need them. We can not stop it from coming, because, to an extent, it is already here.

2. Mr. Winkle Wakes
This video shows how we have chosen to apply our technology in today's society. We have applied today's technology to grow businesses, enhance medical care, and maintain our connection with the rest of the world. Technology can be found and used everywhere. It can be applied to anything we can imagine using it for. But today's society expresses interest in seeing the increase of technology in few applications. We want it to do things faster and easier. We want it to help us get ahead. But what about helping our children get ahead? They also use technology in their daily lives. They use it to wake-up on time, to watch their morning cartoons, to get to and from school, to play video games, to prepare their food, etc. Why is it that they don't use technology in the one place that is meant to prepare them for the future? They will be using it in the future. For that matter, are they not the one's we so often call the "technology generation"? They are our future. They are the future. They need to be better prepared for their future.

3. Sir Ken Robinson: The Importance of Creativity
This video is true to the idea of the need for an interest in creativity. The speaker had obviously tapped into his creativity vault when developing a manuscript for his presentation. By using comedic stories, the speaker found an alternative to giving facts or statistics that successfully introduced the need for investing in creativity in the academically focused society of today. There is an extent to the truth in the saying "Ignorance is bliss." Children are able to use their imaginations to fill in the gaps in their understanding. If they don't know about the moon, why can't they consider the possibility of it being made of cheese? What made that noise in the dark? Perhaps it was a monster hiding under the bed or a fairy in attempt to leave change in the place of a lost tooth? Where is it exactly that the ability to see a wide range of possibilities fades and is replaced by the ability to replicate what has been done and said? It is when we say "why?" (or in some cases "why not?") that we get innovative ideas that open the eyes of society to what could be. The printing press allowed for the increase in literacy. We can hear the voice of another on the other side of the world. Man has walked on the moon. These are only mere examples of what creativity has given us. So, with the obvious advantages of creativity, why doesn't society invest in nurturing the creativity we are all naturally gifted with?

4. Vicki Davis: Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts
This teacher is innovative in that she saw available resources seen everywhere but in school and is introducing her students to these resources. Her students are using technology that is used in today's society. Not only are these students learning how to use these resources and technology but also they are applying their new found skills. These students are doing everything from teaching each other to collaborating with people around the world. These students are now equipped with the knowledge to go out into the world and be confident that they can work with the technology of the day to solve their problems and meet their needs.