International

Mr. Benson’s fourth grade class of Mellon Bay School in Auckland, New Zealand, has their very own blog. On it, the children have a length to their homework. They also posts videos of their school trips and of their projects. They even have a slideshow of their artwork. Some children have even created podcasts that can be accessed from the blog, and then downloaded to an ipod. There is also a class gallery that is viewable by invitation only. Room 12, Mellons Bay School Blog

Mr, Winton, the principal and English teacher of Perth Academy in Perth, Scotland, started his school’s blog in order to post his students’ work. He posts his students’ writings under individual categories so that it is readily available to internet viewers. In his about page, Mr, Winton states that he was inspired by a similar blog and encourages anyone reading to comment on his student’s work. He believes that an encouraging word from a stranger will do wonders for his students’ self-confidence.

Perth Academy's Writing Blog

K12

After taking her second grade class on a field trip to a Native American farm, Marisa Dudiak decided to implement a web log for her students. Teaching at a school in Frederick County, Maryland, Ms. Dudiak chose for her students to go only to the class blog, and post what they thought about the field trip. She felt that the experience would be more fruitful than a class discussion, led by herself, and she was right. She found that the students reacted to each other, and children that were normally quiet in class came out of their shell. Article on Dudiak’s Class Blog

Spain Park High School in Hoover, AL has begun a blog for the school’s photography club. The blog is in addition to a facebook page, so it is clear the high school has embraced technology. On the blog, the teacher, Mr. Myer’s, posts an assignment. The students then go into the field and take photos. When they have fulfilled the assignment, they post their photos to the blog. The teacher then picks some stand outs to leave up on the blog. Students can vote for their favorite photo in the comment area of the blog. SPHS Photography Club Blog

For teachers, blogs are user-friendly and low maintenance. They are easily able to continue class discussions and provide feedback to students more quickly, using the blogs. Students are also able to easily interact with one another. Some teachers believe that students put more effort into their blog writing, because they know it will also be visible to their peers.

ACCESS

Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators, and Students Statewide is a program meant to bring valuable education to students in need. The program offers many classes that students in low-income and rural areas may not have access to, via the web. The goal is to offer these courses online or through videoconferencing. As a teacher, I would be able to use blended learning, or incorporate videoconferencing into my classroom curriculum.
ACCESS’s goal is to connect all schools on a statewide network. Not only will this allow students of every high school a wider selection of AP and duel enrollment courses, but is also makes advanced diplomas available online. Not only will ACCESS expand my resources as a teacher, but it will also offer me access to trained and certified E-teachers.

Alex doc

The Alabama Learning Exchange, otherwise known as ALEX, is a new website hosted by the Alabama Department of Education. The website serves as an internet database for students, teachers and parents. Attached to the website are educational links, lesson plans, and even the state teaching standards for specific courses of study.

There is an easy to access side bar, which I may use as a teacher, to access direct links to lesson plans, web links, and a user friendly search. Items such as lesson plans or interactive projects can be shared by teachers and students alike. ALEX puts these attachments together in an easy to access index. I may look up items by courses of study and by grade levels. Most of the items on ALEX are uploaded by National Board Certified Teachers.

Another area, of great use to my students, is the ACCESS Distant Learning feature. Students who may not have access to specific course of study or advanced placement classes are able to take them online through ALEX. The Distant Learning feature includes web courses and courses with two-way audio and video, so as a teacher I may have class directly over the internet.

Teachers also have a special feature designed for them. ALEX provides a personal workspace for teachers to create, store and submit lesson plans. Teachers may also manage teacher web pages from their personal workspace. The only thing required for me to have a personal workspace on ALEX is an easy to create, and beneficial ALEX account.

First Post

Today has been very stressful. I began my morning by waking up at 8 AM to register online for both summer and fall semester. I was unable to create a reasonable schedule for myself, that includes the classes I need. I then promptly e-mailed my advisor to complain.

I am also worried about my candidacy application being approved before fall semester. I need to take a candidacy class this fall in order to graduate on time. Although I filled out an application, I am afraid I am at the mercy of the system. I should be interviewed this summer, and will purchase liability insurance just in time to immediately renew it in august.