Podcasts inside the classroom...

I recently started exploring the world of podcasts. At first I began by subscribing to the national news. In a short podcast I was made aware of the days'  main events. I then ventured to a set of podcasts known as "stuff you should know." Although the podcasts were entertaining, they included only audio feed.  Without a visual representation I found myself unintentionally losing interest. I then stumbled upon the "educational" blogs on itunes. A wealth of information is available in podcast form. Children's literature, poetry, historical speeches, scientific explorations....everything anyone could inquire about is on a podcast. 

My favorite set of podcasts where entitled "Women in Antarctica." This series of podcasts explores Antarctica, and the women who live their. The photography is breathtaking. It leaves me wanting to travel and see the world.  

Educational podcasts (such as 'Women in Antarctica"), news podcast, and informational podcasts (such a historical speeches and children's poetry) should all be integrated into today's classroom. In addition, student created podcasts are a great way to engage students in learning. School assignments should increasingly incorporate technology. Creating a podcasts is one unique way to bring technology to life inside the classroom.

Web 2.0 video podcast

Global Connections...

Global Connections....

Of the list provided, the two websites I enjoyed the most were: www.globalschoolnet.org and www.k12science.org/collabprojs.html. Both of these are global sites for educators. They allow educators and students to connect with students around the world. Both sites listed above are easy to navigate, user-friendly and eye-pleasing. Included in both sites is an annual "global science fair" where classrooms enter their own internet science project and compete against schools around the world. In globalschool.net students can reach out and contact students similar to them in distant lands. Deaf students in the United States are able to connect with and contact deaf students in Mexico, Canada, Denmark...anywhere that has an internet connection. K12science is a collection of science projects focusing on worldwide data. Common science projects are listed, and students collect their own data and compare their data to data across the globe. One example is water usage. Student collect data on how much water they consume in one day and compare their numbers with students across the globe. 

Research has shown that students who are able to connect with others on a global level perform better on standardized testing. Granting students the opportunity to make connections globally will help to expand students' minds and will allow them to think outside of just their own community. Global connections give students the opportunity to recognize and understand their place in the world.  Students are able to collaborate with students in places most of us will never visit. 

Using the internet tool Skype, global connections are taken to a whole new level. Skype allows students to have direct contact and communication with their peers globally. If time zones permit it, students can chat one on one with their peers. This puts a whole new meaning on the term 'pen-pals'. Using Skype, students get video and audio of their peers in other cultures/countries. They can connect globally to other lessons in other classrooms or chat one on one with a peer.

We do not live in isolation. We rely on the majority of the world for our own survival. In the new age of technology, global connections are made even easier. This promises a brighter future filled with cross-cultural ideas and increased positive foreign relations. 

A very powerful video....

Check out this video!!!

I believe every student in America should watch this ten minute video clip.  In this powerful video a high school student gives an emotional speech regarding the use of the word "retarded." Soeren, who has a sister with mental retardation, addresses his peers, leaving the audience speechless. Soeren relates "the R word" to derogatory terms and racial comments. He shames not only students for using "the R word" but teachers for allowing it to occur. He brings his young sister to life as the face of "the R word" leaving his audience ashamed of their actions. In a society which does not treat all citizens the equally; in schools in which children are bullied; Soeren has a message for us all. 

Children can be particularly cruel to others. Students with special needs are often easy targets. This video gives life and meaning to the names students use as part of their everyday vocabulary. Children, and educators need to watch this video. We can all learn a lesson from this brave high school senior.  

Twitter as a tool for Educators

Twitter can be used as a tool for educators to stay informed and up to date. As educators it is not only our job, but our responsibility to stay informed regarding the latest research within the field. Twitter affords educators the ability to connect with the research, when convenient to them. It allows educators the ability to network and collaborate with agencies and professionals from around the world. Ideas and practices can be generated amongst educators. Twitter allows educators to network with an unlimited number of professionals throughout the world.

Twitter

Being an avid Facebook user, I must admit that the social network Twitter does not appeal to me as much as networks such as MySpace or Facebook. Although I still struggle to learn the ins-and -outs of Twitter, I believe that all social networks hold a great deal of potential, for students, teachers, parents, and children from all walks of life. 

What I have found to be of most benefit to me (thus far) is following tweets from the Library of Congress, CNN, and the New York Times. Twitter is unique in that your homepage is updated as your followers update their pages. As a result, I can follow the top stories from CNN and New York Times simply by signing in to my homepage. This allows me to keep informed on world events at the same time as connecting with friends and colleagues. The tweets I have read the most, and learned the most from are the news/information based tweets that I follow.

RSS Feeds

About Animals/Wildlife.

This is an awesome feed  to subscribe to if you are an animal lover.... click here to check it out!

I accidently stumbled upon this site and instantly fell in love with it. It is a way for me to keep updated in regards to research being done in science as it relates to the animal kingdom. Very informative and the pictures will take your breath away. 

In addition to teaching, animals are a huge passion of mine. I love anything with four legs or gills!! Scuba diving is one of my favorite activities in the world because it allows me access into a world unknown and untouched by so many. Being 100 feet deep into the ocean is both breathtaking and awe-inspiring. 

Check it out!! 

Assistive Technology!!

This social network has over 550 members. It is a source of information and support within the area of assistive technology. It provides members with ideas of how to incorporate assistive technology into the classroom so that all students can succeed. The assistive technology varies, from software programs and fancy technology, to simply adaptions such as enlarged writing utensils and using different colored paper to attract more learners. Not only is this network a good source of information, it is also a forum for teachers to reach out and ask for support. Members post questions related to assistive technology. By doing so, knowledge is shared among members. Also included are links to related networks on ning, such as a network for Retts Syndrome, literacy and differentiated learning. Check it out... .assistive technology. Awesome network!

Learning is like swimming in a deep ocean. The power of learning is unlimited, just as the power of the ocean is awe-inspiring. It is impossible to swim deep enough to uncover all that the ocean has to offer. It is equally impossible to uncover the true potential of the mind. Siemens (2005) writes, “that learning is largely unknowable, that is, we can’t possibly understand what goes on inside a person.” Similarly, no matter how deep we swim, we can’t possibly understand all that the ocean has to offer. “The mind is a black box. We don’t know what goes on inside.” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTgWt4Uzr54&feature=PlayList&p=3E43054A8703F57A&index=) The same can be said for the ocean.

Driscoll (2000) defines learning as “a persisting change in human performance or performance potential…[which] must come about as a result of the learner’s experience and interaction with the world” Environmental influences can either positively or negatively impact the ocean. Pollution, excessive fishing/trapping, and global warming damage the oceans in ways unseen by the naked eye. Reducing waste, recycling, limiting water usage and ocean clean up crews help to strengthen and support our oceans. In comparison, learning is influenced both positively and negatively by environmental factors. Parents, teachers, peers, home life and everyday experiences have a profound impact on learning, both positively and negatively. The impact can go unnoticed or unseen for years, but once impacted, it is difficult to undo.

Within the ocean are millions of species of plants and animals. Many species depend on each other for survival. These symbiotic relationships can be related to the dependency of learners on each other. "Experience has long been considered the best teacher of knowledge. Since we cannot experience everything, other people's experiences, and hence other people, become the surrogate for knowledge." As learners we rely on others for knowledge, similar to the many symbiotic relationships found within the ocean.

Three ways I would like to use blogs inside the classroom...

1) I teach students with severe and profound disabilities. I would love to create a classroom blog with what is being taught inside the classroom, photos, homework, assessment information, field trip reminders etc. so that the parents can be more involved and feel like a part of the classroom. In addition, having parents go to the site with their child is a good way for parents and children to discuss the school day. It opens up the communication and engages students.

2) I love the idea of a book club. Students with severe and profound disabilities have limited opportunities to communicate with their peers due to major speech impairments. Creating a book club with books read in class is a great way to engage the students, have them answer yes,no questions about their opinion on books, and communicate with their peers/classmates. 

3) With regards to communication, I would love to link with other classrooms, so that my students can communicate with peers from around the world (with and without disabilities). My students are so isolated. They rarely get the opportunity to interact with peers outside the classroom. I would love to set up a "pen pal" situation for my students to interact and communicate with other classrooms.

Powerful video!!

Very powerful video......PLEASE watch!! Thanks Kathy for sharing it with me!!

This is my boyfriend Tommy and I on a recent trip to North Carolina (at an alligator reserve)

This is my nephew Mason, I adore him!!

This is my puppy Ginger. Even though she is almost 11 years old, she will always be my puppy!!