Blog Post #5

Don't Teach Your Kids This Stuff. Please?

Dr.Scott McLeod is from Ames, Iowa and is an associate Professor in the Educational Leadership at the University of Kentucky.  He has received many national awards for his work in technology leadership. 


I do agree with Dr. McLeod that technology in the class room defiantly gives students a "leg up", but I can also see where it can be a little scary to some. I myself hope to incorporate technology in to my lessons as much as possible when I am in the classroom, but I have not always felt this way. Before becoming one of Dr. Strange students I was not aware of all the possibilities that technology has to offer us. If an individual is not educated on what is possible through technology then they are more than likely going to have doubts about the use of technology in the classroom. Technology is a beautiful thing that should be taken advantage of in a positive manor.


The iSchool Initiative


I was very impressed with Travis idea, however I was not sold on it. I believe he made many valid points and presented his argument in a well manor. I do believe that technology is a wonderful thing and allows for many educational opportunities that would other wise not be available. I just do not believe I am ready to relay solely on technology. I personally would not be happy if I was told that from now on all of my work would be done on an itouch. I can see where it would be a very tempting solution to help save money in the school systems. I also understand that all the resources needed in a classroom would be in the palm of your had, but I believe this should be should be a helping tool not the main recourse. I learn best by doing, writing things out. I wold find it very difficult to have no materials other then a small itouch. Again I do believe that technology defiantly belongs in the classroom and as a future educator I plan to incorporate technology into my lessons, but I also plan to incorporate traditional teaching skills as well.

Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir


This is a very moving video. Each week that we are in this class I am amazed by something. The places that technology can take us is unlimited. I am amazed and partly embarrassed to how blind I have been to all the possibilities available through technology. I think it is beautiful that all these people can be connected through this song from all around the world with out having to even leave there bedroom. This video has really touched me and reminds me of why I want to be a teacher. Learning never stops, you can learn something new everyday.


Teaching in the 21st Century


My favorite part about this video is the mentioning of Google. Until EDM310 I did not know the advantages of Google. All I knew is that you could look things up and that was about all I had ever used Google for. Now I know there is a whole other world out there. I also liked how the video referred to teachers as filters. I find this to be such an appropriate word. With all the technology available you can find anything on the internet ranging from history to math if you have a problem you can most likely find it on your own, but not without guidance. Technology is all around us it is apart of our everyday lives and it is now a major part of education. I am still learning what all technology has to offer, but all we can do is take risk. You can never learn if you are not willing to put your self out there and try new things.

Project 9a

Blog Post #4

Judy Scharf Podcast Collection

I found the links provided by Judy Scharf to be very helpful. After watching this post I had a better understanding of how to edit, save, and share podcasts. As a future teacher I really appreciated the Dale's presentation. In the Dale's presentation you are shown many benefits to using podcasts in the classroom. I believe that podcast are a great form of technology that can be greatly benefited from the classroom.

The Eagles' Nest Radio and Class

I found this blog to be very impressive. The Eagles' Nest Radio and Class Blog featured 3rd Grade Podcasts that were both educational and fun. I really enjoyed the music and sound effects that where added to the podcast. Watching this podcast I got a better understanding how they can help make learning a fun and memorable experience.

The Benefits of Podcasting in the Classroom

In Joe Dale's video The Benefits of Podcasting in the Classroom he explains how podcast are an interactive form of learning. I was not aware until after watching this video that podcasting can be used for reviews a are also a great project-based learning method. Podcast are great tools to have for student who may be absent from school. With the access of a podcast students can receive information and lectures from teachers at home. As a future teacher I defiantly believe that I will take advantage of the use of podcasts.

Project 6 My Sentence

Blog Post #3

C4T 1 and 2

For my first two comments for teachers I was assigned the blog Synthesizing Education by Aaron Eyler. Aaron Eyler is a high school History teacher in central New Jersey.

The first post I commented on was "E-Readers: Does Anyone Else Have This Problem?". In this post Mr. Eyler discuses his concerns with future students using E-books such as the iPad in the classroom. Mr. Eyler talks of his own personal struggle to stay on task when reading or working on his iPad. He tells us that he often finds himself wondering away from his task to other sights such as twitter, or checking his email. Mr. Eyler is concerned with what will keep students interested in the the task that they are assigned too. What will futore teachers need to do to help students from wondering to facebook, twitter, game sights or shopping on ebay? Mr. Eyler's question was does this scare you?

My Response:

Hello Mr. Eyler, My name is Rachel Saucier and I am a student in Dr. Strange EDM310 class at the University of South Alabama. I also do not own an iPad but I can imagine how difficult it could be to stay on task when working on one. I know for myself I have trouble keeping myself from checking my email, facebook, twitter and such when I am doing assignments on my computer at home. Knowing that future students will be doing most of there work on some for of technology is a very exciting thought but also does raise some concerns. One in which is how as educators are we going to make sure our students are not only on task but also interested in what they are working on. I am not quit sure what the answers to these questions are right now, but am very interested to keep up with this to learn more!

The second post that I commented on of Mr. Eyler was "Calling All Political Junkies Who Care About Kids". In this post Mr. Eyler discuses how over a period of a few months he became incredibly interested in reading political articles and arguing with commentators on their blogs over interpretations of different issues and its effects on the youth of America. He this speaks of an idea he had to create a sight that would break down political issues that are taken place so that it could be understood by children. After disusing this idea he then ask how others feel about the idea of this sight.

My Response:

I must say that I am also one that is horrible at making a resolution and sticking to it. I am also not one to follow much that goes on in the political community. This is something that I am not proud of and is something I would like to change. I do believe your idea to make a child friendly sight on political commentary is a wonderful idea. I believe introducing students to the political community at a younger age will help prevent form having your adults like myself who are still so unfamiliar.

Project Number 5