Comments for Kids: 14

This week I commented on Mubasshira's Blog Post about Character Movie Day at her school, and her excitement for Easter. Here is a link to her Blog: Mubasshira PT ENGLAND SCHOOL

"Hi Mubasshira! My name is Ingrid W. and I am a college student from Mobile, Alabama. It is very nice to meet you! Did you have a good Easter? What's your favorite Holiday? Mine are Christmas and Halloween. How was Movie Character Day at your school? You and your friends from school look like you were ready to have some fun! I love dressing up as fun characters. You really did a wonderful job on your personal blog for your class! Keep up the good work!"

Week 14: Blog about Blogging

This week we were asked to select a topic that stems from our work in EDM 310. This semester was a completely new experience for me as a learner, future teacher, and mother. I have been introduced to a world of new tools and skills that will serve as portals for me to incorporate technology into my BRAIN and my classroom. I have never blogged about anything substantive until EDM 310. I will be honest and admit that I wasn't thrilled about spending even more time on my computer than I already did. It's not that I don't enjoy interactions on the web or the experience alone, it's mainly because my back gets tense easily and sitting in a chair for hours is a sure ticket to extra knots in my muscles. I know, it probably sounds silly. But I do a lot of lifting at my job and my 3 year old son isn't quite as light as a feather.
Okay, I'm getting back to blogging now. For the first couple of weeks in the class, my excitement about blogging with deadlines every week appeared to be nonexistent. I was more focused on the tedious assignments and wouldn't allow myself to just sit back and engage in the learning experience. Once I did so, I quit being irritated when it was time to read/watch and blog. I became excited and it wasn't forced excitement. I knew there was going to be a short movie that touched my heart or a life changing lecture (Thanks Randy Pausch) that brought tears to my eyes.
I also became grateful that we were assigned to blog about what we had read or watched vs. use a pen and paper to write about it. One good thing about online homework is I personally can type a WHOLE lot faster than I can write. It doesn't hurt my hand near as bad, either. I will continue to keep a personal blog after this class has ended and hope to keep in touch with classmates so that we can help each other along the way and share new, innovative ideas.

Comments for Kids: 13

This week I commented on Mrs. Barks' Blog post titled: "Peaceful Afternoon".

"Hello, my name is Ingrid W. and I am a college student at the University of South Alabama. I am a double major in Secondary Education and Biology. I have thoroughly enjoyed commenting on teacher and student blogs from all around the world. It is very exciting to see your class blog and I really like the "All about _____" section of the blog. It is very personal and reminds children that they are all individuals.
I really did feel like I was a part of your class's "Peaceful Afternoon" when I read your description of the trip you and your students took outside. You are a really good descriptive writer, by the way. I was a little curious when you mentioned the sound of cicadas. I knew I had heard the name before, but couldn't quite remember. I Googled it and discovered they are similar to locusts, but not the same as them. Do they make the same noise as grasshoppers?

Thank you so much for inviting myself and the rest of EDM 310 to collaborate with you and your classroom.

Sincerely,

Ingrid W."

Week 13: Dr. Seuss - The Zax & Elementary Students perform "Landslide"

Dr. Seuss says, "Don't be a ZAX! Adapt!"
I have a TON of Dr. Seuss' books in my son's library and my own personal library at home. This video was really cute and delivered it's message in a fun and unique way. As the world changes, we must change with it and adapt ourselves in order to survive. As fast paced as everyone and everything appears to be these days, it baffles me that people still fight the rapid growth of technology. Honestly, I think some people see no harm done by avoiding these kind of changes. It's sad, really. I've got a loooong way to go before I will feel completely prepared to convince anyone that I am technology literate. But, I am constantly teaching myself and that truly is the only way to keep up with it all. The first step is admitting that technology is expanding and we need to expand our minds with it. Secondly, we need to be willing to learn and change our "old school" ways.

PS22 Chorus of "Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac
This video was so sweet and instantly warmed my heart. I felt like these were my children singing to me. I think it is absolutely okay for students to post their work on the web. Should it be monitored by a parent and/or administrator at all times? Yes, indeed. As long as my son is living under my roof and under the age of 18, I will be keeping him as safe as possible on the computer. It can be a dangerous playground, but the horror stories we hear shouldn't convince a person to keep his children or student's work unpublished.

I think the comments for kids assignment we were introduced to this semester in EDM 310 was wonderful! I got to see how teachers were incorporating lesson plans while allowing her students to exhibit their work on the web. Teachers such as Mrs. Georend and Ms. Yollis did a wonderful job of monitoring the work and approving all comments before they could be published. This is a great example of how to ensure the student's safety while giving them creative opportunities to express themselves.