An Open Letter to Educators

An Open Letter To Educators:

I am reading this post as an assignment for my EDM 310 class at the University of South Alabama. I am majoring in Elementary Education. This video was almost like a slap in the face. I mean, it's not like I wasn't aware of this information, but it's almost like i want to ignore it in a sense. If I really want to be honest the first time I have learned anything new in years is right now in Dr.Strange's micro-computing class. He has many doorways we can look through and gain knowlegde and information from. He doesn't baby us and he gets right to the point. Instead for standing up there and saying blah blah blah he gives us assignments like this one and it opens ours eyes. This is one of the best blogs I have read/listened to. It applies directly to my situation and every other college student for that matter. All I can say, is I can't wait for the classroom to go completely technical, and as far as books go...... we don't seem to need them. I have 4 different books and like you said I haven't crack one of them yet!

Comments4teachers: The Thinking Chick

Brilliance or blasphemy?
    Hi my name is May Krasovich and I attend the University of South Alabama. Our class blog is edm310.blogspot.com/. I am replying to your post as part of an assignment for EDM310 class instructed by Dr.Strange and Mr. Tashbin. I couldn’t agree with you more when you say that, “cell phones in the classroom is brilliance”. I myself being 26 years old can’t always seem to keep up with a notebook now that I have the option of using technology to keep track of my daily plans and lessons. With out my Blackberry or mac I would probably be lost.

However, as an educator I understand that we must keep a close eye on what the children are doing during a test or quiz, but it has always been that way. Cheating with a cell phone is no different that cheating with a piece a paper the kid made the night before. After thinking about about this I could come up with only one difference. That difference is they can put more information on a cell phone apposed to one piece of paper, but either way you look at it cheating is wrong and I don’t think a child having a cell phone in the classroom is bad a idea. I will be following you post for the next few weeks. You can contact me at:
krasovichmayedm310.blogspot.com

Access

ACCESS:

    What exactly is ACCESS? 

Well Access is something that will provide:

• Equal access to high quality instruction

• An infrastructure that delivers quality learning opportunities

• Greater equity for all Alabama public high school students through 21st century technology  

    With that said ACCESS is a distance learning plan that teaches material through a blending process if you will.  It will give a 21st century distance learning classroom for every Alabama high school which is grades 9-12. We as students, teacher and administators are no longer forced to rely on each other in person.  We can just turn on the the computer and get to work and well if we don't understand something we can find it on the web.  It allows people to work at their own level wheather they are at home, work, or on vacation.  We are no longer limited or depended on one indiviual. 

 

ALEX

ALEX: Alabama Learning Exchange

    ALEX is essentially a way to stay organized and on top of things as an educator.  It is divided into several different categories, which include:  Course of Study, Web Links, Lesson Plans, search, Personal Workspace, Professional Learning and Podcast Tresuary. Not only is it helpful for teachers, but it can also be helpful for administrators and students as well.  The site is extremely easy to navigate because everything is on one page.  It helps secure (for a lack of better words) that your lessons plans are on key and everything that needs to be taught is being covered.  I feel that one of the most important aspects of being a teacher is staying organized and (ALEX) can helps us do that with ease.  ALEX was created by the Alabama department of education to provide quality for learning.

Comments4Kids

Hi my name is May and I am student at the University of South Alabama. I am also a student of Dr.Stranges EDM310 class and was given a assignment to comment on this particular post. The exploding flower was great! I also took at look around my apartment and found tessellations on my floors and in the shower area (tiles). The video was very organized and easy to comprehend. If i didn't know what tessellations were before the video i would now! Great job.

Assignment 8

AchievingYour Childhood Dreams:

1. If you had one last lecture to give what would it be?
2. My childhood dreams
3. Enabling the dreams of others
4. Lessons learned.  How you can achieve.

Your dreams or enabling the dreams of others


    Mr. Pausch Made a great list of things to recognize in ones life.  I mean really, if you had one last lecture to give what would it be?  Now that's something to think about.  Well he decided to talk about his childhood dreams.  Although he didn't fill them as one would expect, but I don't think there are too many people who do.  He fulfilled them in the sense that he got a taste for each idea.  His number one dream was to achieve zero gravity and well, as we just saw he achieved it in his own way.

    If i had to think about one dream that I had as a child it was to be a teacher.  I think everyone wanted to be a teacher at one point in there childhood.  As children we  look up to our teachers because we know that they are there to guide and teach us the right way to do things.  Not only do teachers teach the curriculum, they also teach manners.

Another dream he had was becoming a Disney imagineer.  After going in circles with several people he was finally able to get a shot at it.  He landed a spot with working on the Aladdin Project for Disney.  He  describe being able to work on the Aladdin project as a once in 5 years opportunity, and he's right.  That kind of opportunity doesn't just happen you must be determine and work hard.  One lesson I learned from this speech, is never take no for an answer.  Do what ever it takes to get to your goal (well, within reason that is).  What I'm trying to say is don't take one persons word and ride on it.  Find a second source and moat of all pick and choose the words you use in a conversation.

After working with them for six months they ask him to stay.  He continued to explain that he loved being an imagineer with all his heart, however he was not willing to give up teaching.  He also stated at the same time that "if" they told him that, if he decide not to keep the job then he was never allowed to step foot back in the building that he would be willing to give up his teaching career.  However, that's not what happened.  They opt to let him have his cake and eat it too.  He could keep his teaching career and work as an imagineer one day a week.  what more could you ask for?

Comments4Kids

The child that i was assigned to comment on was A.J from Mrs. Goerend's 6th grade class.  This is what I said, "I am a student at the University of South Alabama. I was assigned by my teacher Dr.Strange to comment on your post. I must say I don't know much about basketball. However, it seems like you know the ticks. Your paragraphs and choice of words were very well put. Keep up the good work A.J!"

Comments4Kids

I was assigned to comment on xochitl from Avoca School District 37.  This is what I said, "  Hello, my name is May and I attend the University of South Alabama. I am reply to your blog as a pat of homework assignment for Dr.Strange’s EDM310 class (Micro-computing). I’m glad to hear you enjoyed playing around with some of your pictures and to only think you have only skimmed the top of what you can do with pictures. Technology is an amazing thing, isn’t it!!! In fact, as soon as I’m done replying to your comment I’m going to work on editing a few of my own pictures from my trip to Kentucky over my 4 day weekend. I’m sure you will continue to learn how to edit and have fun with different photo tools and programs but I really hope you continue to not only do it at school but bring you knowledge home to your parents. If you would like to contact me my blog address is :
Krasovichmayedm310.blogspot.com

I feel that commenting on children's post is a very positive thing for them.  Not only is it positive, but it encourages them to do better and do more than just enough.