WEEK 9

In reading the article on Wikipedia and how much it can be trusted, I have become more aware of the content of Wikipedia. According to this article, anyone who visits a page on Wikipedia has the option of changing, adding, or deleting whatever they choose. I have been advised by many of my college professors not to trust Wikipedia but never really knew why until now. I have always used information from their site if I wanted to know something. Wikipedia offers information online, quick and easy, whereas you would have to go to the library and find the information otherwise. After reading this review, I think I will still use Wikipedia as a quick reference, but not as a reliable source for important information.

I feel that Wikipedia should do more than track who is making changes to the information. Maybe they could make the information more protected so that people are not allowed to make changes to the content.

Week 8

I chose the blog post for February 2007 from the fischbowl blogspot. I thought it was a very interesting post. It was titled "Is there a formula for Success?" The post was based on the idea that there always seems to be only one right answer for a math problem.

Fisch is posing the question of maybe getting students to apply mathematics to real life situations rather than memorizing steps just to pass their next test. If students learn the concepts of mathematics rather than robotically going through the steps, they would be better able to use these concepts in real life situations. This was a very interesting post from the archives

Week 7 Assignment

The blog post from technology education specialist Karl Fisch was very interesting. I have never really thought about it the way that he outlines it. When we say we don't know anything about computers and say it proudly, what are we really saying? I will definitely consider his take on this the next time I am asked a question about something I am not familiar with.

I agree completely with Mr. Fisch. I believe that educators should be technologically educated. I know that what I have learned so far in this class has been a wealth of knowledge for me. It only makes sense that educators should step up to the plate and become educated in the world that our students will be thriving in.

Week 6

This is a very interesting blog page from a teacher at Pine Hill School in Dunedin, New Zealand. This teacher teaches the different aspects of photography. Photography is just one of the interesting things that students at Pine Hill School learn to do. According to the school website, more money is spent on curriculum than anything else. The school administration wants the best and most up to date resources for their students.

Another interesting siteis from a school in China. This school,Shu Ren School, uses blogging to keep parents informed about upcoming events. There are posts on this page concerning open house, the school fair, after school classes and even a post about the school being featured on a website. The parents can respond to the posts with cares and concerns that they have. This is a great way to keep parents informed of what is going on at their childrens' school. Also there are pictures posted on the website so this makes it easy for parents and even grandparents to see what is going on at school.

Week 5

What an interesting website from Goochland County, Va. Schools! You can choose any of the teacher’s blogs to visit. This is a blog designed for students and parents by an Art teacher. The teacher has assignments and reminders posted on this blog. She also has the supply list of things needed for the class, and the syllabus for reference. Parents are encouraged to email the teacher with any questions or concerns they may have. It is a wonderful tool for students and parents.





This blog is by an English/Lit teacher from Pell City School. She has designed the blog for students to comment on the different stories and poems that they have read for class. This is a great for students who don’t really understand the meaning of what they have read. If they read the comments that other students have written, they may be better able to understand the meaning of the reading.

Assignment Week 4

By watching "thefischbowl" video, I have realized how important it is to be educated in the computer world. The world as a whole has become so computer oriented that if you do not have some sort of knowledge in this area, you may feel like you are from another planet. Communicating through messages from your computer or cell phone is becoming more popular than actually picking up the telephone to call someone to say hello. This is the "new" way of communicating.

The graphs that were shown of how rapidly "my space" and "you tube" had grown over the past years was shocking. That shows just how many people are using this type of technology for communicating. The use of cell phones showed a rapid growth in their use as well. This video encouraged me to put my best foot forward to learn all that I can about today's technology.

Week 3 Assignment ACCESS

ACCESS, Alabama Connecting Classroom, Educators, and Students Statewide, is designed to help students take advanced placement or elective courses that they otherwise would not be offered. ACCESS is a way of teaching classes across the state. It is designed to motivate and encourage students with its availability and intent.
The website for ACCESS is available to students, educators, and parents. There are links and videos that can help with specific areas of interest. Many schools in the state of Alabama have already been using ACCESS and I feel that the number will greatly increase.
With students having access to this type of technology, students should be better able to prepare themselves for college. The program also allows for dual enrollment for students who want to get a jump start on their college courses. This is just one more advancement that the state has developed to help today's students with their education.