Podcasts

SmartBoard Lessons
While listening to these six podcasts, I noticed some differences and some similarities. The first podcast I listened to was a SmartBoard Lessons Podcast. This podcast started off with a gentleman introducing his day. He explained he was getting coffee and about to talk about how to use a Smart board. This podcast was very interesting as he was talking while he was carrying on with his normal daily life. During the beginning of this podcast, you could hear background sounds. He was in line to get a coffee and soup as he was talking about Smart boards. You could tell that he did not plan this podcast and was just talking as he went through it.

KidCast
The next podcast I listened to was KidCast episode #61 and 62. This podcast started out with an intro and music to introduce the topic for the episode. While I listened to the beginning of this video, I could tell he had planned out his episode. I listened to episode #62 as well and the intros seemed to be the same. In each one he started talking right away about the topic at hand and there was no background noises. The Smartboard podcast was a lot different from the KidCast. They were delivered in different ways.

ConnectLearning
The next podcast I listened to was ConnectLearning episodes 91 and 92. I noticed a very quick music intro in these podcasts and the gentleman talking was quick to state the topic. He also quickly stated is whereabouts. He was at a school in both podcasts. In episode 91 it seemed as though he was interviewing a principal about one of the school’s new programs. The principal was in the podcast and shared his thoughts and answers to the hosts questions. In the episode 92, the host was still at a school and was in a ,meeting with a bunch of school media specialists. They discussed podcasts in schools. There was more than one person that talked about their opinions on podcasts in their school system. I found these podcasts most interesting out of all the ones I listened to.

EdTechTalk
I then listened to episode 62 of EdTechTalk. This podcast episode was a conversation between a few ladies. They even had a guest from Australia speaking with them. They had a topic and they interviewed the guest. It was a laid back podcast yet they sounded as though they had pre-planned the questions. They laughed and talked about their daily lives and the topic of the iPod and iPhone. I listened to another episode about a professor getting interviewed as well. She mainly talked about what she does and her way of teaching. This podcast did not seem to keep my attention very long.

MacBreak Weekly
The second to last podcast I listened to was MacBreak Weekly episode 176. When I first started listening to this podcast, it reminded me of a movie. This podcast kept my attention and sounded very professional. It had sponsors that they listed in the beginning and there were more than one person talking. This podcast sounded like a radio show in a way. The gentlemen were talking about the new Apple event and what to expect. I enjoyed this podcast.

This Week in Photography
The last podcast I listened to was This Week in Photography, episode 126. This podcast was very similar to the MacBreak weekly. This podcast was about racism in photography. The gentlemen discussing the topic were photographers and they were talking about what and how they shoot pictures. The sounds in this podcast reminded me of the KidCast and MacBreak podcasts. It was three people talking and this podcast also had sponsors. The gentlemen were discussing personal experiences and giving their input and thoughts. Out of all the podcasts, I enjoyed the MacBreak Weekly and how it was produced. I really enjoyed ConnectLearning podcast as well. This podcast kept my attention as he was actually on site speaking with principals and media specialists. The topics were interesting to me as well. Overall, I learned how podcasts can be different and similar. I noticed what I enjoyed as a listener and what I would not do in my own podcast. I am new at listening to podcasts, so these were a good variety to listen to.

Here’s What’s Coming! (iPhone used by 1 year old baby)

This is a one year old! This video shows us how a one year old can use an iPhone. After watching this video I realized that any child at any age can learn how to use and operate an iPhone. Kids take in everything they see and hear. This child could not complete a sentence, but he was very comfortable using the phone. He knew how to turn it on, open it, and search for pictures. That is incredible. I can only imagine what this child will be accomplishing in a few years.

The iPhone is a very friendly device and this just shows how easy it is to use. After I watched this video, I showed my husband. He was in shock. It reminded me of a friend of mine that has a two year old. The other day she was just telling me that her daughter knows how to open her iPhone, find pictures, and call someone. I almost didn’t believe her, but then her two year old daughter showed me herself. She even told me what she was doing as she did it! My friend told me that her original iPhone had a break in the screen so she gave it to her daughter to “play with”. She then said a few days later her daughter figured it out!

They Are First Graders! Are You Ready? (Little Kids…Big Potential)

This video is about a first grade class that blogs on a daily basis and uses new technologies in their every day class. The teacher, Kathy Cassidy, shows how her students blog, use their websites, use Wiki, and shows how they use Skype. These students know how to create videos as well. The students in this video are very uplifting. When they talk about their blogs or videos they seem very confident. I think it’s great that these students are able to learn these technologies and programs at such an early age.

This video made me think a lot about the students of tomorrow. How are the teachers going to keep up with the fast growing technologies? Will we as teachers be able to introduce or explain all of these new innovations? I know for myself that I am just now learning some of these programs. I am open to learning, but these first graders seem to know more than I do. Technologies are improving daily. Although these new technologies are not the only way to learn, they are helping students read and write. These students were able to see their spelling mistakes on their blogs and correct them on their own. Again, this video was very inspiring.

They Are First Graders! Are You Ready? (Media Literacy)

This video is about students in a first grade class that are learning a lot of new things. There is a girl in this video that distinguishes the differences between a fiction book and a non-fiction book. She explains in detail the differences of each. This video also shows a young girl showing you how to follow the steps to finding her blog. She knew every step to take. Also, a young boy explained the importance of blog comments. He stated that you are to only leave positive comments on people’s blogs. He understood the importance of being helpful while commenting on other people’s blogs. This is a first grade class!! I just learned how to blog recently!

I think back to when I was in first grade. I remember learning to read and write, but I do not remember using computers. I think it’s great that these students have to the opportunity to learn these new technologies. I wish every school had enough computers in each classroom for students to be able to explore new innovations. Mrs. Cassidy as a teacher has provided a positive and creative atmosphere for these students. I know these students will be able to accomplish so much more as they continue in school. These kids were great!

Gary Hayes Social Media Count

Our technology world is moving right along. These facts prove that our world, (for the most part), is keeping up with technology. If we don’t learn ways to learn and teach with our students, their future will be effected. Technology is always going to improve. We need to make sure we are improving with it. I think of how many times I send text messages and how much time I spend on the Internet. As I sit and write this blog entry, there are millions on the computer as well. It is hard to grasp all of these concepts. Technology is expanding each and every day.

What does this mean for my professional career? This just proves that we as teachers need to stay current with today’s technologies. We may not learn about every new idea that has been introduced, but we should always be learning. No matter what the challenge, we as teacher need to be models to our students. If we learn and share our findings with our students, they will not only pass their findings along, but they too will learn and grow with each new concept that comes their way. Technology is always changing. We need to move forward and learn!

Karl Fisch: Is It Okay to Be A Technologically Illiterate Teacher?

If a teacher today is not technologically literate - and is unwilling to make the effort to learn more - it's equivalent to a teacher 30 years ago who didn't know how to read and write.~ Karl Fisch

Mr. Fisch talked about how teachers and parents are not literate with the new technologies in our 21st century. It is true that if the students in the 21st century are not literate with new technologies, the jobs they will have will be very difficult to conquer. Just as reading and writing were essential for school many years ago, it is now essential for students to be aware and learning the new technologies. Teachers as well need to learn and be aware of these new technologies. In the future, students will have jobs that require them to know computers and certain programs. I know that some jobs now require people to be computer literate. It will be even harder for our students to get a job in the future if they are not introduced now to all of the new innovations.
I understand teachers have a lot on their plate. I am a teacher now, and I know that teachers have a lot of requirements as it is to complete each and every day. On the other hand, teachers should not only use school time to further their education on new ideas. Teachers need to stay open minded and open to new ways of teaching and learning. Teachers need to experience learning with their students. Continual learning is important. Everyone is always learning.

"It's Not About the Technology" by Kelly Hines

Kelly Hines’ article was very well delivered. Ms. Hines stated that she believes technology is only a tool. Some teachers have been teaching for many years. Today, there are smart boards, programs, and new innovations that those teachers may not be aware of. I also believe that teachers need to be open minded and open to learning about these new things. I am teaching 6th grade in Mobile County. I know that it seems as though my students are teaching me each day about something new they have learned about new technologies. Yes, I do believe technology is an important factor in learning, but only if it is implemented in a useful way.

Ms. Hines listed four things that teachers need to recognize when it comes to a new generation of learning:
1. Teachers must be learners.
2. Learning and Teaching are not the same thing.
3. Technology is useless without good teaching.
4. Be a 21st Century Teacher without the technology.

These are very good points. Teachers have to be open to learning themselves. Just as Dr. Strange said in our class, teachers need to be open to new things, as times are changing and improving.
Learning and teaching are two different things. I do believe they can happen at the same time, but they are different. Technology is a wonderful tool for the new generation, but only if teachers put forth the effort to learn and properly use these innovations. If a teacher can find ways to prepare students with the capacity to be creative and innovative, those children will be well prepared to face the future. ~Kelly Hines

Michael Wesch: A Vision of Students Today

What a video! I was really impressed with this video. All of the facts that students had about their daily lives in a college class were true. I know that in my college career, I had a few classes that I did not attend regularly. I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in 2005. As I watched this video I tried to think back of all of the classes I took and all of the information I learned. The truth is, that over half of the information I learned in my college courses is now forgotten. I know that I found everything and anything else to do rather than school work. Did I pay attention in every class all the time? No. Did I fail and make bad grades? No. The truth is that there are many other technologies today than there used to be.

Classes in college are sometimes so big that the teachers don’t ever know each student. The teachers only know names. Students go to school every day in Elementary School, Middle School, High School, and now college because that is what they are told is the right thing to do. It becomes a drilled routine. There are new technologies these days that students are more interested in than a chalkboard and lectures. If I could add to this video, I would include the thoughts of the college teachers. What do the teachers think about today and how students are learning?

Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts

Vicki Davis is a teacher in a rural town in Georgia. Ms. Davis has opened the eyes of her students by using the most updated technology. The students in her class learn different technology each day. In this video, Vicki Davis states that teachers don’t necessarily need to know the material they teach before they teach it. The students in her class teach her more than she knew about different programs in her class. This video is very uplifting and positive when it comes to technology. Students learn in all different ways. Pencil and paper is not always the way to go. Teachers should be open to new ideas and not just stay in their ways. Things have changed a lot since when I was in college 5 years ago. I took this class in 2005. This class in itself has change immensely and has improved in technology. I see the changes are a positive thing and will teach me a lot of new programs and ideas for my classroom.

Did You Know?

This video is very interesting. It states many facts about the past, present, and future. Within the video, it states that other countries such as India and China are more populated and more advanced than the United States. It states that 25% of India’s population with the highest IQ’s is greater than the total population of the US. That fact in itself is astounding. How can the Untied States be so far behind? Most people from other countries can speak more than one language. Why can’t most of us? Jobs are always changing. Times are always changing. Jobs that exist now may not exist in a few years. This video stated a good question when it comes to Google. With all of the Google searches that go on each day, this question comes to mind. How did we find out all of these answers before Google? Our English language has expanded immensely since the Shakespeare times. With watching all of these facts and statements, it is hard to take it all in. The last question explains my thoughts well. “What does it all mean?”

The Importance of Creativity

This video really does make you think about our future. In this video Ken Robinson talks about the unpredictability of the future. He believes creativity is just as important as literacy. I agree with him. He also stated that children are not afraid to be wrong. People today feel as though they cannot be wrong. Our society in itself has tamed our minds to think it is not okay to do anything wrong. Even as adults, you have to be prepared to be wrong. If you are wrong, you learn with a more open mind. Mr. Robinson speaks about the core subjects in today’s schools. Math and language arts are drilled in the schools and if there is time left, the other arts are introduced. Children dance and play just as much as they learn math or any other subject. Teachers are more interested in taming children’s minds rather than focusing on anything else. More and more people are going to school and getting degrees. In the past, a 4-year degree got you a job. Now, in our economy, it’s hard enough to find a job with or without a master’s degree. Mr. Robinson talked about people and how they find their talents. He shared a story of a friend who found a dance talent in an interesting way. We all have the gift of imagination. Children should be encouraged to use their imagination and not to be scared to be wrong. Wrong answers lead to right answers that also lead to many other things.

Mr. Winkle Wakes

This video is about Mr. Winkle that wakes up after being asleep for 100 years. Mr. Winkle wakes to a very different time and place. He first came to a tall business building full of unfamiliar noises and devices. Mr. Winkle did not like what he saw or heard. He was very disturbed about his findings. All around him he saw many people on computers and pictures printing on paper. He felt very uncomfortable. Mr. Winkle decided to leave and go elsewhere. He then came to a hospital and heard similar things as he did in the office building. Mr. Winkle saw more devices and heard more unfamiliar noises. He saw machines keeping people alive and making every breath for them. This made Mr. Winkle very upset again and he left. Mr. Winkle walked and walked until he came to a school. As he wandered around the school he noticed that things are the same as remembered them. He noticed children were actively listening to their teacher and taking notes about their every word. Mr. Winkle did notice one of those devices he had seen at the office building and hospital in the back of the room. This device was not being used. This school made Mr. Winkle feel better as school had stayed the same.

This video shows us that schools in today’s world are not changing as quickly as everything else. As a teacher in Mobile County, I notice there are not working computers in every classroom. Computers are not used in daily lessons. It seems as though computers, smart boards, and projectors are only used at a convenience. With the world changing the way it is each day, I strongly agree that children should be introduced to these new ideas much earlier. I remember when I was in elementary school. I compare that to today in the classroom and things have not changed that much. Schools are getting more and more new advances, but I don’t think they are keeping up with the progress of our new advances.