PLN

A.University of South Alabama-College of Education
1.Dr. Juarez
2.Dr. Strange
3.Mr. Sullivan
4.Mrs. Sparks
5.Jayne Kennedy

B.Community
1.Mrs. Sands
2.Mrs. Richardson

C.Twitter
1.Karl Fisch
2.Kelly Hines
3.Edutopia
4.Wendy Drexler
5.Karl Fisch

Students Using Multimedia

This is How We Dream by Richard Miller

This video talks about writing with multimedia technology. Instead of having to go to the library and check out a book, you can get it on the internet. It's a good idea because libraries be out of a book or it could be a hard to find book. Also, a person may not have the time to go to the library or live close to a library but they can get on the computer and get the book. The information is always there and students can produce writing with multimedia as well. When a student writes something on the computer, it can be shared with many people. Then, if the student wants that person to be able to edit the document they can.


The Networked Student by Wendy Drexler

The networked student is a student that knows technology and how to use it. The teacher of this student uses connectivism. The teacher encourages their students to make connections with others who can help strengthen their learning. This teacher also encourages the student to take control and is there to answer questions and help when needed. The networked student uses many pieces of technology. They use their mp3 player to listen to iTunes U. They blog on their computers. As well as set up RSS feeds and PLN's to help better their education.

iTunes and iPods

Dr. Alice Christie's Web Site

http://www.alicechristie.org/index.html

This website has many useful things for teachers. It has lots of tips for teachers and full of links for teachers to go to. Some of the things are ways to use podcasting, digital media, spreadsheets, and other media in class. There are web design rubrics for teachers to use to evaluate their websites. It also talks about internet safety in class which is very important. All of the things on this website could be useful to a teacher. It gives them ideas about how to incorporate new things into their classroom effectively. This website is very helpful and I would recommend it to any teacher.


Duke Sees Growth in Classroom iPod Use

http://www.dukenews.duke.edu/2005/12/ipodupdate.html

Duke University is now giving out iPods to students enrolled in classes that use them. This allows the students to use something that they are familiar with. It also allows students to take learning outside of the classroom. The students really enjoy the program and it interests them in learning more. The program has been a success and they are now trying to incorporate more technology into the classrooms.


ITunes University

ITunes University has many possibilities. It is useful in many different ways. The first way is that if a student misses class, they can see what they missed on iTunes U. Also, anyone can access all different schools. So if someone wanted to know something about a particular subject they could look it up on here. This could be very useful in research projects. Another way this could be useful is to see what other teachers are teaching about the same subject. Additionally, this could help students keep up with their class work. ITunes U is a very good idea that could benefit teachers and students in many ways.

Wikipedia and Teaching Tips

The NPR News Blog
Who's Been Messing with My Wikipedia Entry

http://www.npr.org/blogs/news/2007/08/whos_been_messin_with_my_wikip.html

NPR News Article
Scanner Tracks Who's Changing What on Wikipedia

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12823729

Wired
See Who's Editing Wikipedia-Diebold, the CIA, a Campaign

http://www.wired.com/politics/onlinerights/news/2007/08/wiki_tracker?currentPage=all

All of these articles/blogs talk about the popular internet site Wikipedia. This site is known for its research, however it is not the most reliable or credible information out there. This is because anyone can edit the information put on Wikipedia and so it does not have to be true or factual. However, now they have implemented a tracker where the person looking at the article can see who has edited the information. This shows that for the most part people are editing entries to benefit themselves or their organizations. Which shows that Wikipedia is not the most reliable source of information.



At the Teacher's Desk
What I've Learned this Year

http://attheteachersdesk.blogspot.com/2009/05/what-i-learned-this-year.html

This blog is about what Mr. McClung learned in his first year of teaching. The first thing is to make sure to always remember to make lessons student-centered. Secondly, is to be flexible because a teacher never knows what is going to happen. The next thing is to communicate to build strong relationships with students and other teachers. Another thing is to remember each student is different and should be held up to different expectations. Also, teachers should not be afraid of technology. Teachers need to listen to their students and lastly they need to always keep learning.

I think that Mr. McClung provided some really great tips. Most teachers get to caught up in the technical things to remember the simple things that should be done. Each one of these tips is very important and every teacher should read them and remember them as they go through their teaching career.

Podcasting in the Classroom

Integrating ICT into the MFL Classroom:
The Benefits of Podcasting in the Classroom

http://joedale.typepad.com/integrating_ict_into_the_/2009/04/the-benefits-of-podcasting-in-the-classroom.html


There are many benefits of teaching with podcasts in the classrooms. It provides an effective way of interacting with students and parents outside of the classroom. Students are familiar with this technology, so it makes the lesson more relevant to them. Absent students are able to get the information still even though they were sick. Parents can hear and see what their children are learning for themselves.

Additionally, the students can make podcasts themselves. This would give them a way to learn the information on their own and teach the class in a fun way. It would also promote creativity and innovation in the students. They can create role plays. All of these things make their learning more enjoyable and memorable.

Google Presentation