Personal Learning Network

Before this class, I had know idea about what a Personal Learning Network or PLN. A PLN is something that you create on your own. It is how you surround yourself with knowledge for free. It is your very on support team. I feel like I have just started to create my PLN. I now know how to use podcasts and videocasts in my classroom. I know how to blog, which I believe is a great thing for teachers. I have been following blogs and reading post and many different ideas from other educators around the world. Blogging is a great tool to learn from teachers and students from all over the world. I'm glad I now know what a PLN is and I'm glad that I have created one for myself and millions of people around the world to follow.

Project 11

Myself and three of my classmates: Jessica Debose, Fredrick Patterson and Marissa Washington did our project 11 on the topic of Teachertube vs. Youtube. We did an overview on both websites first. We stated their purpose, how they originated, and who are their most prominent users. Teachertube is more of a professional site used by teachers and youtube is for anybody. We then gave examples of videos uploaded by people on both sites. Teachertube is a great website for teachers and all educators to find fun and innovative ways to teach our students.

Goodbye!

I would like to tell all my classmates goodbye. I have enjoyed meeting all of you. You all are some very bright and special individuals. All of you have something great to offer to the field of education. I enjoyed getting to know you also via the google docs presentation. We learned things about each other that we otherwise would not have known in any other class. I wish you the best in all your future endeavors. Remember that the sky is the limit to what you can have and accomplish! God bless!

Last but not least I would like to tell my instructor, Dr. Strange, goodbye. You have been a great teacher and a great help to me this semester. Although, I was ALWAYS the student who had the most problems in the class; you never gave up on me or caught an attitude! I appreciate that! You shown me what it means to be a patient teacher. Not all of us have that virtue. I thank you so much and wish you the best.

Summary of My Experience in EDM310

I have learned so much from this class. This post probably won't be long enough to describe everything that I have learned. I have grown alot this semester. Dr. Strange is a great instructor. Before this class I had never done a blog, podcast, or skyped. I had never created a spreadsheet or created a google doc or a google form. I had never even twittered, even though that seems to be quite popular now. All these things I have learned and now am able to do as a result of this class. I knew that teachers needed to be technologically literate but it never dawned on me how important that was until this class.

The only thing that I did not learn in this class but am a curious about learning, is creating a webpage. I have always wanted to learn how to create one. I understand that blogging is just as effective, but I am still curioius about having your own website. It seems that anyone can create one these days. Everything else that we have learned in this class has been very valuable, resourceful, and useful.

The thing that excited me the most was creating our podcasts, especially the ones where I got a chance to act. I had always been interested in acting but never have done it! I loved it so much that I went beyond the minimal requirements and participated in 3 podcasts! I love podcasting and creating videos! I was never really bored in this class because there was ALWAYS something to do! There was never a moment where we could just sit and twiddle our thumbs. We all had to catch up or wanted to be ahead in some area or another.

I really don't think that there is anything that I would change about this course. I had never taken a class like this before, so I was impressed by it. I learned a lot and I'm sure others who take it shall do the same. I can say now that I am technologically literate now. I'm not a computer whiz, but I do know a whole lot more than when I started in this class. I will try my best to maintain this knowledge by maybe starting my own personal blog, doing my own podcasts and continuing to play experiment with google.

Seven and New Classroom Rules

I found the seven stupid mistakes teachers make with technology very insightful. There were some that I found funny and some that I found very very important. One that I found kinda funny was number 3. Teachers should never treat their school computer like a home computer. A professional/work computer should only be used for professional purposes. Many teachers have gotten in trouble in the past for using those computers for naughty purposes. I also liked number 6. It was about ignoring the intrinsic interest of tech use in today's kids. I agree that most kids are fascinated with technology, therefore we should take full advantage of it. Click here to view this article.


The seven brilliant things article was really motivating for me as a future educator. I do believe that kids can be empowered with technology. One should also be creative in teaching this. Click here to view this article.


The new classroom rules list was very funny but useful. Good, old-fashion rules of conduct and classroom etiquette never go out of style. Some of those things in that list shouldn't even have had to be said. But in this day-in-age we must cover all our bases. I especially liked number 5, which stated "talk only when permitted and text at all other times. I thought that statement was brilliant! I also found number 10 to be important. Politeness, courteousness, and kindness always goes a long way. This is important for teachers, students, and parents! Click here to view this article.

Project 2- "Christmas with My Family"

At The Teacher's Desk

I found several interesting posts on this blog. Important topics included: "Teachers Need to Become Social Networking Experts", "Using Skype to Connect ESOL Students with Foreign Language Students", and "Using Technology for Effective Communication". All the topics displayed were very relevant and important for teachers and students alike.

I find that a collaborative teaching blog such as this is very important. Teachers can learn a lot from each other. Teachers must work as a team. No one knows everything. This blog was very well-designed and creative. The topics were also interesting. I liked the post where they showed how teachers can connect with one another via twitter and can receive help through what some would consider just social networking sites. To visit this blog click here!