Using iPods in Instruction

I was very interested in evaluating the use of iPods and podcast technology in the claaarooms across the country today. I found that some schools are using iPod technology to assist students in subjects such as writing, ESL, and foreign languages as early as elementary school. For example, some schools are setting up writing centers in classrooms and using iPod technology to expand writing skills. In these centers, students can start and stop passages at their convenience, skip from chapter to chapter in reading passages, and have more flexibility in the brainstormeng, drafting, and final writing process. Wahoo Public Schools is a good example of use of iPod technology in the classroom. On his website for the school system, District Media Specialist David Privett offers many resources for teachers wanting to use this technology in the classrom. He also has a way for them to share information with each other in order to make the experience more mrsningful. Its set up much like our own A.L.E.X.
However, it was Duke University's use of iPods in the classroom that I found most "cutting edge." Duke Universdity began giving out iPods to incoming freshmen. Programmed into the iPods was information such as the school orientation information, school calendar, and class notes. In addition, some upperclasses were required to use iPods in order to organize class notes, assist with projects, and complete assignments in selected classes. The initial year was such a success that it got teachers talking about the relevance of iPods in their classrooms. Students were requesting classes that used iPods and so on. Needless to say, the program at Duke University was a great success.
As an educator, this information got me to thinking of ways that I can use podcasts and iPod technology in my own English/Language Arts Classroom. Since students typically learn by doing something that is meaningful to them, to own the iPod may facilitate them "owning" the class. This in turn just might lead to them taking a mare active role in their learning. If the learning can be facilitated to this degree and can be broadened to beyond the classroom, perhaps students can collaberate together and find English/Language Arts a positive, fun experience. Lets encourage the use of iPods and other technology in the classrooms!

Randy Pausch's Last Lecture

     I found Randy Pausch's Last Lecture very stimulating.  He really talked about some valuable life lessons that we as educators can use.   He said that brick walls are not obstacles but rather opportunities.  He advised not to bail out but rather to keep going because the best is often at the last of your efforts.  He underscored the importance of getting feedback and using it.  He said that we should show gratitude, and not to complain but work harder and to be good at something in order to make yourself valuable.  He challenged us to find the best in everyone, and to always be prepared.
There was much in Randy Pausch's lectue that I could glean. First of all, I believe that the brick walls in life test who we truly are. A lot of times we do not know our own abilities until we are forced to look deep within ourselves and find strength. My mother faced many challedges in her life, and she always would confide in me that she overcame because she found strength from somewhere. We should all take pause and reflect on situations that are holdeing us back and figure ways to overcome by finding ways to climb the brick walls. Often in looking for our overcoming strength, we often find the best at the bottom. Like Randy said, if we do not bail, we can find the best at the bottom, deep inside where the strength truly lies.
He suggested that we find a feedback loop and listen to it. I have always believed in the old adage that "iron sharpens iron." We all need mentors, people who have been where we are going and can show us the way. These people can take our ideas and look at thenm through their 20/20 vision of experience and give us the feedback that we need to improe on what we are doing. This feedback is a valuable tool in getting us from the dream to the reality a lot of times.
Mr. Pausch advised us to be good at something in order to increase our own value. We should look at ourselves as a commodity and be daily improving ourselves to ihncrease our marketability. Anyone can stand in front of a class and rread from a book, but how many really good teachers are there out there. My father was a physics and math teacher. He could teach a physics lesson without opening a book yet make each student understand it. He was valuable to the Bishop State Community College. His knowledge was his commodity. His example taught me a lot about how to truly teach from the spirit.
In conclusion, we should strive as eduactors to not prejudje our students, but come into class with an open mind and strive to find the best in everyone. Be prepared in your lessons but also in the way that you want to reach your class. Remember not to complain when things get rough, and show gratitude at each milestone that you have been able to implant in their fertile minds. If you can do this, then you will be a successful educator.
    

The Edible Schoolyard and A Night in the Global Village Podcasts

     I have just completed looking at the podcasts "The Edible Schoolyard" and "A Night in the Global Villiage".  The first podcast "The Edible Schoolyard" was about a project at the Marin Luther King Junior High School in Berkely, California.  The project was the brainchild of Alice Waters, a chef in Berkely.   She wanted to do something to increase awareness of the environment and our responsibility to it and to each other.  Through this program, students learn about interdependence, responsibility, the environment, and the value of hard work.   The students were enjoying not only growing their own food in the organic garden, but also cooking it in the classroom adjacent to the garden.   I was touched by the students cooperation and their willingness to work and share with each other.   It is said that students learn best by doing and this edible schoolyard is just what they needed to teach social studies, science, and so much more.     The next podcast was called "A Night in the Global Village: A study in Poverty".  These students in Denver, Colorado were given the opportunity to live the way 3/4 of the world's population lives today, in primitive surroundings without luxuries like lights, running water, or adequate fool supplies.   The children lived in various "villiages" for the night and had to bargain with each other for things like food and water.   The students realized that although they would be going home to adequate food and housing in a day or so, that many people have to live like this all their lives.   The object was to teach the students the responsibility that they have to others around them in their communities and world.   This program was sponsored by Heifer, a program for providing livestock to pooer, developing countries and raising global awareness of poverty.     As a teacher, I like the idea of hands on learning.  I already plan to incorperate it into my classroom.   I just believe that people learn best by doing and that being an active learner leaves more of an impression of knowledge on the student.   These podcasts have inspired me to think of ways that I can get my English/Language Arts students "out of the box" and into a more meaningful learning experience.      I have learned much by being exposed to iTunes University, blogs of other educators that I have researched in class as well as what I have learned of ALEX and ACCESS.   I believe that technology coupled with hands on learning is worthwhile and that it is the direction that education is taking today.   We should encourage our students all we can to gather all they can, and I canno think of a beter way to do this than with iTunes University, Podcasts, and sharing through technology.   

iTunes University

    I have just finished exploring the iTunes University website.  Apparently, this is a location for many podcasts that are brought to us by various schools and Universities around the country.   I was very impressed with the wide array of knowledge that I could tap into in this University.   There were podcasts on just about any subject that I could think of and some that I hadn't thought of.  the podcasts were categorized by subject and easy to look up.      This is indeed a very useful tool for students and teachers alike.   For students, this knowledge can come in handy for reseach, papers, or for additional study in any particular class.  For a teacher, this tool can be use to suppliment teaching materials, and also to prepare lectures.   The podcasts can be downloaded and brought into the classroom as an auxillary teaching tool as well.  I can see much potential in the iTunes University.     When I logged onto the iTunes University, I explored the Oxford University link. Under it, I found many interesting podcasts, however, my computer timed out before I could access the infomation. So I will try again later. I was, however, abe to access Edutopia and in the following post, I have outlined the information that I have gathered. I will spread the news of iTunes University at work and school and let others know about this valuable educational tool.

February 15, 2009-Fall EDM 310 Podcasts

I have examined two podcasts. Each one can be found at the website: edm310fall08.blogspot.com. The first poscast was entitled ALEX and ACCESS: Alabama Distant Learning. The presenters were: Alison Davis, Kellie Brooks, and Brooke Elder. The second podcast was entitled: Distant Learning in Alabama: ALEX and ACCESS. The presenters for this podcast were Susan Smith, Bridget Thompson-Hall, and Angela Minish. I chose these podcasts because my group and I plan to do our podcast on the same subject. I wanted to see not only how to do this type of podcast by examining those of my peers, but I also wanted to see how I could perhaps imporove my podcast over their efforts.
The first podcast, ALEX and ACCESS: Alabama Distant Learning, was full of valuable information. However, the delivery of the information sounded flat. It could have been more conversational. There was also a lot of transferring of information from person to person and the information did not seem well organized. The second podcast, Distant Learning in Alabama: ALEX and ACCESS was also full of information. The first speaker was not flat at all but her voice had much expression. The information was well organized, but I could tell as the podcast went on, that each presenter was reading from a script. However, towards the end, the presenters began to give their personal opinions of ALEX and ACCESS and the conversation became more relaxed and realistic. Overall, though, I found the podcasts interesting and informative.
For my own podcast, I will have lots of new and updated information from a variety of sources including the School Board. My group and I will rehearse our ifromation to the point that we can present it in a more unscripted, conversational way. I also think that it will be helpful to offer our own critiques and feelings about ALEX and ACCESS and how these programs will impact us as teachers. With these tips in mind, I hope to present a better podcast.

Dr. Alice Christie's Website

I was very impressed with Dr. Christie's website. It has invaluable information for educators who wish to use technology in their classrooms. She not only draws upon years of training, but also years of experience in her research. I especially like the way that she considers herself a lifelong learner. I agree with this in that we should never resign ourselves to what we already know about anything, but ought to see an opportunity to learn from every experience and every encounter with people each day, good or bad.
I was reading some of her articles and was struck by one particular article entitled Transforming Learning Through Technology. In it, she cited the inequality in some schools when it comes to receiving technology. Minority schools and schools in lower income neighborhoods generally do not have the kind of technological advances as their more privileged counterparts. I find this particularly disturbing because not only do I plan to tecah in inner city neighborhood schools, but also these schools of all schools need technology the most because for some of these students, this is the only exposure they will receive to prepare them to become independent thinkers and lifelong learners through the wonderful world of technology.

Why Wireless?

I have read a very interesting blog about a wireless network set up at Karl Fisch's Arapaho High School. The question was posed why set up such an accessible system that students will be able to use anytime and anywhere on campus. The thought was that this would encourage the students to get off task with their lesson and be overly preoccupied with web surfing. Mr. Fisch believed that this was not so. He saw the wireless web being offered at the school as an opportunity for the students to be exposed to the future of communication so that they will become more active learners. They will be able to solve problems and even fore think problems in advance and through technology be able to solve them and maneuver through an ever more complex world of communication.
Fisch gave his students credit. He said that Arapaho was a nurturing school that encourages its students to explore and learn. He cited that anyone who would get off task due to the new system would be redirected to their studies. He said in so many words that it was not fair to assume that these students would be irresponsible learners. We as educators, should, give them every advantage to become technologically educated. This is because the world that these graduates will inherit will demand a whole new kind of communication skill. Why not encourage and even teach these youngsters through whatever tools available, even the wireless web, to be independent thinkers and problem solvers through technology.