What CMT has learned in EDM310

Kudos to you Dr. Strange,

i can't say enough of what i learned in this class this spring semester. My mind and eyes were enlighten. i had no idea of the technology that has changed the face of fact finding as i have known it. This was a great class to enroll in to expand or reintroduce any students media comprehension. Listed below are the things i learned and perhaps a comment or two about that element.

Google = Thought it was only good for looking up stuff. Wow, it's a complete tool chest.
Gmail = Only used for emails, had no idea it was only one of the useful tools of the tool chest that work hand in
hand with the other tools.
Web Page = Greatest effort
Picasa = Editing pictures and doing more with them then just printing and viewing. Able to add to blog,
webpages and learn about pixels and etc.
Video = Great tool to see and hear instructional lesson from my professor. Really reiterated the lessons of
class.
Blogs = Never heard of this word until this class. Wasn't even aware of their existence and widespread usage
and usefulness in classrooms, special interests, politics, the world all over.
RSS Feed = Continuous line of up to the minute information on any subject in the world. Imagine a large market
for just those who track and feed this information to the public.
Tri-Fold = I needed one and i got the opportunity to create it myself using some helpful hints from Dr. Strange in
print, video and demo.
Wikipedia = Again, not aware that there was a free encyclopedia on line but from continued information subject to
skeptical reliability as exposed by a guy name Griffith at Cal Tech to created a means of tracking
entries back to the source.
Spreadsheets= All I've ever know was Excel. Getting to like Google's spreadsheet because it allows you to share and
post and lots of other stuff right there in the spreadsheet page verses standing as an independent sheet
like Excel. However, back in the day, i started with Lotus123. Gee what about that and you had to
figure out the formulas for yourself, no click and drag back in those days.
I-Google = Really enjoy this tool. I've always wanted a page that has my primary interests in one spot. Yahoo
started this with their yahoo page but I-Google offer more tools. Only short fall, i did not find much on
my subject of interest and that is notary stuff because that's my line of business. Yet i noticed when i
went to the National Notary Association webpage, they now have a RSS feed on their site. So, someone
is paying attention.
AddressBook= I needed this tool to organize my vendors and clients.
Word Process= I found this easy because i do it everyday. But i did learn about manually setting up tabs verses the
way of the tool menu option.
Concatenate = Who knew? A formula for words. Great tool.
I-Tune Univ = This was amazing. Although USA didn't offer me an ipod, i got to see what other universities are
doing to enhance student learning. I even went out and purchased me one once i discovered thru
this class the potential of this device. Still don't get the high price of it all but nevertheless. And
besides i can what Oprah's world wide skyscape webcast when i can't get home to the television.

I learned so much and glad i enrolled in EDM 310 with Dr. Strange. In summary, learning to use all these new tools was an electronic and media challenge for me. Because in the words of my instructor, you make everything so complicated and i guess i do. when i saw what i could do, then my creativity injected and i want to stand out and do my best. But i was glad for his patience and explanation.


Cynthia Trainor,
If you need to refinance your home, call me. 251-604-5552

Wickipedia Who? Oh, Why Wickipedia?

After reading this article, i was like who? what? and especially why? All i could think about is who has the time to engulf all this stuff. obviously the youth generation that don't have real jobs and a whole lot of time on their hands. Yes, sure i think a free online encyclopedia is great but if it is chop full of misinformation, then what's the purpose. If i have a paper to write, i obviously wouldn't seek out this resource. I guess the ad "free" is a charmer. But like the old adage goes, you get what you pay for and nothing from nothing does actually equal nothing. so my message would be help keep America strong and continue buying and utilizing the Britannica and the world book and keep families working. Likewise, visit our local libraries and read good old paper and ink media. Hey, something they just can't go and press "delete". Funny thing, when you press that key, it always asks, "are you sure you want to delete this item"? well, i guest those changers just deleted that statement too in their haste to falsify.

Then there the NPR Podcast of the smart guy (Virgil Griffith), obviously a techie that track the lies back to the liars, good for all, but not without suspect. You must see it with your own two eyes at: http://www.npr.org/templates/common/image_enlargement.php?imageResId=12823782

Gee, i think on this in several aspects. Companies changing information to give themselves a better picture. oh yea, why wouldn't they, it's a free site and "students" look for quick ways to do research, not particularly tied to the truth. But also, i rather believe what a company's annual report has to reveal because it's subjected to the FCC and other reporting rules. However, these days companies lie all the time and screw up many peoples lives. CEO should really be handed the death penalty just like the common murderer because rather than killing a few, these guys get away with a short sentence in country club prison for destroying a nation of people who lives depend on the stuff sent down the pipe. I can only say i can appreciate this article for the "not" of using it for reliability but for entertainment when i truly have nothing else better to do, and i expect that to be post retirement. in the meantime, i need truth.

Go I Duke

After reading the article on Duke University and the launching of the IPOD manifesto, I was sparked by the visionary contained in Mrs. Tracy Futhey. I can not imagine how many deans were addressed with this ground breaking opportunity, yet she saw the aah of this evolution in her forward thinking movement. According to the article, the launch was initiated Fall 04 term whereby 1400 freshmans were issued ipods for their mobile electronic course and text experience. I imagine this was a good choice for adding excitement and deemed major "Cool" for a new campus life.

Apple & Duke CIT Dept worked together to present the material in a fashion familiar to this IPOD generation. Music plus 20gb of memory for academic content to this pre-existing instrument leads the future of class schedules. This instrument allows access to the printed word and vocal instruction anytime and anywhere. No need to get someone else notes for a missed class. Adding this media to the coursework gives it a much approachable appeal. Now known as ITUNE University. One class integration using this pioneer effort was an Intensive Spanish Class. What better way to learn but in your individual ear and eye candy too. Even now, some schools give lap tops but my that's heavy to take jogging not to mention the battery. Read the story for yourself at:
http://edcommunity.apple.com/ali/story.php?itemID=15302

A Picture With TITLE & ALT Modifiers

Picture with Title & ALT Modifiers

Strange Weather Bring Strange Things.
My Christmas Cactus blooms on Valentine Day.

Wk7 Blog Job-My choice of the best of Fischbowl

In my review of the best of the Fischbowl 2007, I chose the blog of May 16, 2007 about Customer Service (see www.thefischbowl.blogspot.com/2007/05/customer-service.html). I chose this subject because in the nature of my business I'm always in need of customer service from vendors. Though most customer service experiences are okay and not perfect, on the same day I experienced the "@#%^&*(!~ of both world. Included is a video of someone else's experience that I liked.



The bad news first right, right. Well of course my call went way to India to a guy who called himself Jeff (yea, right). I was cautious to speak clearly, slowly and confirmative during my relay of my problem. Obviously, Jeff was new as he often went quiet to read his script and continue to address me, yes Ms. Trainor like the conjunction and and but in the English language, over and over. My question was simply how should I dispose or return to HP a worn and tattled adaptor to my printer since I just received a replacement one I ordered on line from HP. The reason for the question, because the label on the adapter prohibited throwing the old adaptor in the trash can (danger or worse land fill contamination). We went around and around without solution until he finally gave me a number to another department and that department dropped the call. However, before they dropped the call, I explained the matter again twice. Therefore, i stuck with an adaptor that's can't be thrown in the trashcan.

Now the good news. I called the HP sales line and talked with Kirk, obviously American and great salesperson. Kirk answered my wacky questions about the technology I need to expedite my business. I wanted to know have they yet produced a system whereby where ever I am in the city, I can instruct my home printer to start printing a job? Josh said, not so necessarily, but a good pic is pc anywhere or mypcdesktop.com. He told me about about a media smart server or storage on demain and remote desk top programs. Indeed a lot of leads to follow for a novice. Nevertheless, this was the mark of great salesmanship wrapped very nicely in a great customer service package. Oh yea, all that stuff is expensive. So I guess I will continue to drive home to print documents.

On a final note, when searching for an example of customer service, there are many vendors saleing print, video, dvd and every form of medium to give customer service. The thing I found odd, all spoke of ".... for difficult customers ...". I was surprised that the customer is view as the enemy not the person from the far away country or even the locals that exhibit less than great customer service. Hey, isn't the customer suppose to be right and aren't they the ones spending the money to get help. So the sales pitch needs to focus on good customer service.

that's my final answer :)

Week6 Fischbowl -Tech Illiterate Teacher

So much is already required of teachers who go into the profession for the sake of the children and much more on the horizon. Many feel they are there to educate and direct from some reflection of their own educational experience of enrichment or neglect. The basics are requiring new tools to accomplish or even maintain the paradigm shift around us. No longer are students sent to a separate class to learn computer operation but it's the notebook of every desk. Therefore, the rolling snowball continues to pick up the speed and pace inter winding the role of teacher as teacher and student for these knowledge leaders. The kids will either be behind, around or in front dependent on the teacher's attitude towards change.

Yet, the profession itself requires a commitment towards life long learning. Being technologically literate will embrace or drown you if one has a closed door attitude towards any endeavor. I can't help but to say, I feel that most teacher want to teach and probably more apt to learn and practice prior to being put on blast by one of their students if there is a better platform for introduction of new tools. I say this because, many times new "technology things" are charged to the geeks while the mainstream focus on getting the lesson and not the method. If a better approach to the collaboration of these practices could be introduced in a user-friendly manner, it will have our teachers eager to be tech savy, and not be deemed a geek-a-like.

I do say I find it impossible in this day and age that any teacher is under retirement that do not have some technical knowledge. Therefore the word use of "technologically illiterate" would probably qualify for me as well because I don't have the whole tech dictionary down to an art. it would probably be more appropriate to say non-tech savy. I recognize that it's virtually impossible to operate in this classroom of life and survive without the new basics (email, cellphones, ipods, flashdrive, new blackboard and the like). Teachers are held foremost as the pioneers to educate and educated with technology tools to our students who in turn take it to the parents at home and everyone has to get involved. In conclusion, I say no it's not okay to be a technologically illiterate teacher. Learning and teaching go hand in hand.

Cynthia

Picture with title and Atl modifers

Sandaig Primary School: Home

Sandaig Primary School: Home

Blog from Others Students

In this excert, i witnessed the use of blogging for a 5th grade class. This instructor completely uses this blog technique for every day use in his class room. I like the set up of his title page which is easy on the eyes. One facet i like is the listing of all the students in his class on the left menu bar for easy click and view accessibility. Mr. Johnston of Sandaig Primary School uses his Primary Seven S. He expresses that use of this tool allows even the shy kids to express themselves and well as recruit help from classmates to help a fellow student complete their assignment. He catalogs his use of blogs by each class as primary 6 or primary 7 blog and communicate with the students in a user friendly tone and method. Posting students work on the blog as the winners of contests build a good competitive environment that allows the students to produce their best because it's their reflection of themselves. Yes, see for yourself that his page is a good beginner example of a blog to put into ready use for any classroom.
http://www.sandaigprimary.co.uk/pivot/p6sj/mr_johnston.php

Cynthia

Blogging Kids 2 History

I had the opportunity to look into an assignment by my instructor about blogging use by students in grades k-12. i was amazed. i knew students used computers but i was struck by the grand use of electronic communication with students via this blogging tool, a virtual blackboard. No more need for shame in going to the front of the class to ask the teacher a question whether private or public.

I looked at the blogging tool presentation he made as teacher of the year in December 2007 at the National council for social studies teachers in San Diego, CA. Mr. Lanchorst presented a slide show titled "Why is my classroom web 2.0. In his slide show he exhibited the use of blogging for his students of his 8th grade history class to engage them in the act of history. For example students were allowed to do a mini video of a scene from the Boston Massacre by writing the scripts themselves. This sure beats reading about it and not being able to identify with something of the past that students don't feel concerns them. Acting it out puts thems right in the heat of the moment making it action not history.

Also, students complete reading assignments and post their report in comment form to a classroom blog available for view by kids in their classroom and around the world. I view this tool as an expanded way for kids to allow their ideas to receive agreement or rebuttal in an open forum which matures them in a unique fashion. Where they can't hear adults, they listen to their own kind. I can see how this guy got to be teacher of the year. He's teaching the method this generation of students understand at every level and yet propell them future ready. One slide showed a book page labeled "read write and web"; too cute. I don't know how to cut and paste pics from this site but take a look see: http://www.slideshare.net/elanghorst/ncss-2007-why-my-classroom-is-20

Cynthia

Web site ACCESS

ACCESS is yet another impressive web site that places so many tools in the hands of all involved in the education process. From teachers, parents, and counselors, and even Governor Riley, everyone has joined in the collaborative effort to give opportunity to our kids. No longer Alabama students have to feel under educated and ranking last next to Mississippi. There are interactive modules, course curriculum and details to help kids learn at their pace or provide supplement learning for continued learning. To be supported by the grants of the wealthy as reinvestment in our society actually does pay it forward. This computer technology gear us forward to the realization of paperless society initiated some years ago.

I was interested in the presentation for guidance counselor as I'm considering this field as a choice in my pursue of an education degree. I want to offer guidance to overlooked average students who are good students but have no true goals or directions, much like I felt as a student. With the site being a tool accessible by all alike, each participant has access to a uniform platform. It even allows the parents to get involved and not just depend on the often forgotten lessons left in the book bag by the student. With this type of technology there is not much down time in the absence of the teacher. The curriculum is available for the sub-teacher to even access if necessary. School continues. The most supportive feature of this site is the availability of school lessons during the summer to help kids retain their learned knowledge. Advancing our education system through this system greatly enhances and accelerate our students for preparation of all the technical and technology jobs of the near future. I'm glad to be informed.

Cynthia

Alex is "All Knowing"

I was very impressed with this site as I was not even aware of it's existence. It is an all encompassing tool for teachers of all subjects for students at every grade level. Most impressive is the ease of the graphics on the eyes, expressed in an academic scheme. Each field selection maintain a track of your current location to avoid being totally lost in the site while trailing down varied paths. One of the first thoughts that occurred to me is the vast information available from every source. This may very well be the future of education as we know it. Besides from the social element and the human leadership, the physical classroom seem obsolete. Another fact that i thought of was whether all students are benefiting from this site. I think of this because the growing discipline issues at local schools where aspiring students are hampered in their learning because of peer pressure. Yet this site allows teachers to customize a plan of action to appeal to the population of their class. Perhaps it will offer pointers on this subject too or interactive exercises to help troubled kids on a positive path especially with the no child left behind law.

This site allows the teacher to learn more and teach more richly. Being linked to the library opens a virtual knowledge base accessible from your favorite chair at home. The resources like distance learning and professional development clearly outline a well defined agenda and curriculum. With the closing gap on computer owners and users, I can see why this instructor did not require a text for this course. As a teacher, I can access the lesson plan for my students changing it to add a challenge or a twist while achieving the objective. Even the notion of posting it to the new tool of blogging is appealing in awarding praise. As with the pictures displayed on the library resources link seem all surreal. I often think of kids having a realistic idea of a career that fit their talents and I can see this site as a tool in that quest. Very useful.

Cynthia

My Fischbowl Blog Reply

Viewing this presentation was interesting and exciting. Interesting because it conveyed some alarming statistics that expressed the exponential growth of our electronic world now and then. I found the message to be user friendly, approachable and very clear per the use of simple graphics to express how we are in the mist of a paradigm shift of all communication methods.
Enchanted by a musical background even made the message cohesive. The points taken from the skit made me realize that electronics are making our world smarter yet smaller. Therefore, we have a lot of responsibility to get into the game with and for our youth to maintain progression. The distant worlds are creating new virtual worlds that model the lifestyle in the movie demolition man where everything was automated. Yet, it's amazing that there is no additional costs to this growth that's creating a whole new way of living.

Cynthia Trainor

My First Post

Hi,
I'm a fan of Oprah and i need to know how to get to her show. i need those tickets. i have called the phone number for 13 years and no luck yet. Help!