Blog Post Assignment 2

1). In the video "Mr. Dancealot", the author shows us that curriculum with lectures but no class participation can be an ineffective teaching tool. He proves this by having the students take notes off the board while the instructor lectures about dance. During the class, the instructor does not let the students practice, but demonstrates the dance moves behind a large counter that blocks the view. At the end of the video, the instructor has the students demonstrate the dance for a test grade, but they are confused on what to do. Lecturing does not always work by itself but needs class participation to succeed. I thought the author made an excellent point that participation is essential for students.

2). The video "Teaching in the 21st Century", by Kevin Roberts, shows us that teaching in the 21st century is changing. Students can now learn on their own with the help of technology. They can get information on cell phones, facebook, blogs, wikapedia, and twitter. Even though they can get the information, they still need someone to guide them through the sites. So teaching is changing to accommodate technology. But students still need teachers to show them how to blog, answer questions, apply, analyse, evaluate, and create the information. With todays world changing, people need to have knowledge of technology and how to apply it.

3). The video, "The Networked Student" by Wendy Drexler gives an example of how students still need instructors to teach them. Students can learn on their own, but instructors can teach them how to build networks and how to use them. If there is a problems the instructors are there to guide them through it. I thought this video demonstrated that teachers are still needed in the classroom.

4). In "Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts" by Vicki Davis, the instructor is teaching the students the different technologies to use. Her thesis is every student works at a different speed, that lectured based curriculum causes a disadvantage for some students. She analyzes the students's curriculum and helps them feel comfortable with what they do. As she is teaching, she throws out terminology for the students to look up on the web, this gives the students confidence. I thought this video was a good representation of how technology has changed since I was in high school. Students of today are given better opportunities to learn through the different kinds of media.

5). In the video "Who's Ahead of the Race", by John Strange, I would have to say the elementary students are further ahead then the undergraduate and graduate students. I feel that the elementary students begin learning technology when they enter school and at home. A lot of undergraduate and graduate students did not grow up with the technology we have today, so it is harder to understand it.

6). "Flipping the Classroom" by Ms. Munafo, is a video where the students watch the lecture online at home and do the homework in class the next day. This concept is new to me, and I do not quite agree with it for a couple of reasons. One reason is not every student has a computer, ipad, or cellphone at home, and having to watch the video the next day in class will put them behind the other students. Secondly having them watch the video at home may be difficult, because elementary students tend to play games and watch cartoons after a long day at school. A third reason this may not work, some parents do not believe in having a computer, television, or other technology in the home. I believe this concept will work with the older students, since they are mature enough to do this on their own.

7). "Bringing the Locker Room in the Classroom" by Greig Owens explains how coaches' techniques on teaching can help with math, science, and other subjects. He believes that problem based learning can help students solve problems among themselves. Mr. Owens came up with this idea by watching a basketball game, so he implemented the technique in is class. He lectures on the subject, then he lets the students discuss the idea among themselves. By doing this technique the students are getting involved in the learning process.

Blog Post 1

What about EDM 310

My first day in EDM310 was scary, there are several things I do not understand. I have heard of blogging and HTML, but did not know what they were. Now I understand a little of what a blog is. HTML that is another story, it is a whole new language for me. I think the hardest issue for me, will be trying to express my thoughts on paper. Another issue would be missing a concept or getting behind in the course. I think the best way for me to overcome my fear is to ask the instructors questions and do research on the subject. Right now I do not have any questions, but I am sure I will in the future.

Who am I

It has been a few years since I attended college, so my writing is rusty. My name is Monica Aldridge and I live in Mississippi. I graduated in 1987 from Niceville High School, located in Florida. After high school, I attended Okaloosa-Walton Community College, which is now West Florida University. During college I moved to Georgia, where I worked at T.J.Maxx for a few years. While in Georgia I met my husband and moved to Mississippi. We now have two children, Shelby and Miranda. Shelby is eighteen, and joining the navy this fall. Miranda is ten and has autism, she is in the fourth grade. I enjoy reading, cooking, and spending time with my family. About seven years ago I attended Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College for a semester, to finish my general degree. It has been difficult to go back to school, while working full time and raising a family. But my dream is to become a special education teacher. In elementary school, Ms. Simpson encouraged me not to give up but keep trying until I get it right. Because of her I want to make a difference in someone's life. I believe an educator's job is to plan lesssons, keep records, present material, evuluate, and meet professional responsilbities. By doing this they are instilling values and knowledge for the future.