Video in the Classroom Introduction

Using video in the classroom is a great idea, I would have never thought of using it in that way. The only way I have seen video used in the classroom is by students watching a videotape or CD. The videos or usually boring and the students don't get a chance to interact with it. Mr. Needleman has developed a way to let the students make their own video, which I think is a cool idea. Learning how to read can be a challenge for some students, but giving them an opportunity to get creative and learning reading can be fun is a step in the right direction.

iTunes:Podcast

After listening to the six podcast assigned to us, I learned many new things about iTunes I didn't know. SmartBoard Lessons Podcast, KidCast, ConnectLearning, EdTechtalk, MacBreak Weekly and This Week in Photographyes were all great podcast. Each one had its own flavor in how they connected with their audience. Some were a little boring at times but, being able to move through the podcast to get to areas you wanted to hear was wonderful.
SmartBoard Lesssons Podcast talked about google docs, apple's iTouch and other tech devices teachers could use in their classrooms. I thought how the two teachers that were doing the podcast, were in two separate places was cool. They talked about some applications on the iTouch and iPhone that would be useful in my everyday life and the classroom.
MacBreak Weekly talked about a group of students who were taking Japanese at their school and went on a ten day trip to Japan. Two of the students were interviewed an they talked about what they learned, how the Japanese culture is different from theirs and different places they could go to in their own town that would give them more exposure to the Japanese culture. Both of the students had a good time on the trip and hoped to return to Japan one day.
Therefore, listening to these podcast gave me an idea of how podcast are done. I have never created one, but I know in the near future I will be doing one. I can't wait til I get a chance to do my own podcast and I hope it is as good as the podcast I listen too.

Vicki Davis: Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts

What Vicki Davis is teaching in her classroom is a great idea. She is opening her students to so many different opportunity's. Letting them interact with other students around the world on the computer, is a way for them to see different places with out leaving the classroom. I wish this type of class was offered in every school around the world. Introducing technology to students at a young age will get them knowledgeable on computer basics, software and other skills needed for any new programs that come out.
All of this technology talk is getting me excited about the future of education and all of its possibilities. Teachers like Vicki Davis are paving the way for future teachers like myself. I thank her an other teachers like her, who are dedicated to their students and their future. When I become a teacher I want to provide my students with the tools to succeed and inspire them to perform at their best.

Sir Ken Robinson: The Importance of Creativity

After watching this video, I would agree with Sir Ken Robinson about how important it is to allow children to be creative growing up. The way school systems are structured, does not allow children to be able to express their creativity or imagination. Being a education major, I find this is a serious issue and is very important. I feel that people start there children in preschool putting pressure on them to be academically ready for some ivy league school. When you are in preschool your brain is not even fully developed. Let kid's be kid's, they should be playing with blocks or coloring. If parents want to help there children while they are young, start by reading books to them. Those children who are read to at a young age have multiple opportunities to open their minds to creative thinking. Sparking a child's imagination is allowing them to learn they can do anything. Most teachers and parents forget that every child does not learn the same. The way class material is taught to children, is to teach the whole class one way an if a child gives a different answer then it is marked wrong. In my opinion it gives children the idea, they can't be creative.

Mr. Winkle Wakes

This was a cute little video. The point they were trying to make is important. The classroom has not really changed, over the past hundred years. Teachers still lecture, textbooks are still used and some type of writing utensil is used to do homework or classwork assigned by a teacher. This is the way my parents learned, there parents learned and all the generations before them. In my generation we have used some type of technology in school. I can remember when we got apple computers in my elementary school and how cool it was to go to the computer lab to use them. Those computers we used then are out dated, compared to the apple computers we use now. Even the way we save documents has changed. Remember when we used flop disk and how big they were. Now we use USB drives an they are so small you can put them in your pocket.
In my opinion going all the way tech in classrooms is going to take a while. Making sure every student in the classroom has a computer can be a challenge at times. Computers cost money and some students don't have the income to purchase one. At the secondary level students have to depend on their parents to purchase their school supply. Some parents at inter-city or rural schools can barely pay there bills. So how can you ask them to purchase a computer when they can barely put food on the table. I know some might say that the schools can purchase computers for the students, but some school districts can barely pay their teachers. Therefore, going all the way tech in classrooms has its advantages and down falls. In the near future I hope to see technology in ever classroom but, til then Mr. Winkle's and I will keep chipping away at our stone tablets:)

Did U Know? 3.0

When I first got to the page I thought it was going to be a long boring video, but it turned out to be better than I thought. The only problem I had was the way the words popped on to the screen. Its like trying to read the small print on the television when a info commercial comes on, it goes off right before you get to the last word....I hate that. Other than that, that was my only complaint.
The facts that were mention in the video were interesting. I have never read that information any where before. Learning about how much technology has grown and will grow in the next couple of years is remarkable. By the time I have children they will be learning things in school way more advance than what I was taught. I am in my mid-twenties and half the time I can't keep up with the latest tech gadget that comes out. When I’ am in my fifties, I wonder what will be the latest and newest technology on the market. For the moment I’ am going to enjoy my twenties, while I can and keep using my crackberry.....I mean blackberry:)

My Classmate!

I would like to introduce you to one of my classmates. This is Stephanie Tinney.

University Of South Alabama

If you would like to see the University I attend, go to the homepage by clicking on the link icon.Click Here

Welcome!! My First Blog:)

Hi, my name is Marissa and I am from Theodore, Alabama. I attend the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama and my major is physical education. I want to be a P.E. Teacher because after deep soul searching to find a career that I would enjoy, teaching seemed to be the best fit for me. Having played sports through high school and at the collegiate level, I am use to sport activities.....plus its fun:) I started this blog because of a class I am taking this semester called Microcomputing Systems. It is a very interesting class and I can't wait to get started on all the projects we have to do. This is a new adventure for me, an one thing I love is to learn something new and meet new people. I hope you take a look at my blog because I am sure I will be posting things regularly.