Project # 5 Google Presentation

C4T # 1

C4T # 1

Comment #1

I was assigned to Tom Schimmer's blog to comment on his post. The first post I commented on was regarding to real strength. Tom Schimmer wanted his reader to think about what real strength meant to them. He mentioned many characteristics that he felt were all compliments of real strength. Being an individual that admits that they are wrong, and gives more credit than they take. Never allowing others to determine what’s possible for your life. Choosing happiness instead of waiting for it, and believing you can when others say you can’t. The list goes on and on, but these are all describing what real strength is in all of us. Real Strength is defined in each and every one of us, whether you have found it or not.

I commented on Tom Schimmer's post by saying I believe real strength is something that everyone has whether we realize it or not. Although, the wrong choice is what everyone else is doing, the right choice is where real strength lies. I also mentioned that my real strength personally was realizing I do have an opinion and a voice. I think that it takes real strength to go to college and push through the bad times in sight of moving towards a goal and not giving up! I thought in this post everyone was given a topic to think on, and it personally helped me to realize life isn't so bad. I may be up all night studying, but somewhere in this world there are people that would give anything to be in my shoes and be recieving an education. The fact that they get up every day and find their inner strength amazes me. We are all strong individuals that can do anything we set our minds too!

Comment # 2

I was given the opportunity to comment on another of Tom Schimmer's post. The post was titled "Don't be afraid to lead", and it entitled leadership and the importance of our leaders. He stresses how crucial it is to have effective leaders in our society. I truly believe in leaders having trust and credibility as two main components of their makeup. Peers must trust their leader and believe in what they are saying due to their credibility. The two go hand in hand in the fact that no one would care to listen to a person if they didn't have excellent credibility. The post was primarily stressing the importance of leaders stepping up and leading others.

In my opinion, I thoroughly enjoyed the post on leadership. I agree 100% that leadership does matter! I also think it is tremendously important that one has trust and credibility, because they are the two main components in being a successful leader. I also liked the quote “It does not matter how hard you climb the ladder of success if your ladder is up against the wrong wall.” by Stephen Covery. I think it means all the work you put into something is useless if you are doing it for the wrong reasons. When reading this post I did feel encouraged to stand up and start acting more as a leader, and to stop conforming.

Blog Post # 4

Podcast Collection

Judy Scharf's Podcast Collection shared a ton of information with me. I am so glad that this assignment was given, because I was clueless about podcasting. So what is a podcast? A podcast is a radio style talk show that is listened to by an audience on the internet. A podcast can be downloaded for free and listened to through Itunes. I learned exactly how Audacity worked amd how to use it when podcasting. A podcast is essentially just a mix between a broadcast and an ipod.

I now know that when creating a podcast that being comfortable is the most critical step. No one wants to listen to a extremely nervous speaker because it brings down the quality of the podcast. Secondly, in the classroom the teacher should give students a topic to choose from so that they will be interested and eager to do an excellent job. Lastly, giving an appropriate amount of time is necessary because editing is such an important step. Podcasting allows students to gain feedback from an audience over the internet.

Mrs. Scharf helped me to understand exactly what a podcast is and what they are used for. I immensely enjoyed learning about something new, and how I can apply podcast into my future classroom. I like how they are highly interactive and easy the programs are to use. They are also very cheap tool for students to use, so much involved with teaching comes with a high price.

Langwitches-Flat Stanley Podcast

I can remember reading the story book when my little sister was in elementary school. She was so excited to mail her Flat Stanley to friends and family. Flat Stanley is a story book by Jim Brown, and this classroom took it a step past the general rules of Flat Stanley. I thought the idea of making a podcast was so neat! Before this assignment, I had no clue what a podcast even was about. This class was inspired by another class when seeing their success of their Magic Tree House podcast. The students all received a homework assignment for their podcast. They all had to read a book and then write a short script about the location of where they got their book. The students all recorded their scripts using Garageband . Garage band allowed the students to edit and practice expressing their feelings and mood throughout the podcast. Flat Stanley is generally just mailed to friends and family. Then when he comes back, he has lots of stories and pictures joining him. This is a way for students to know all the places that Flat Stanley has visited since they mailed him, and he was passed along to someone new. I like the idea of podcasting because it allows students to have an audience listen to their scripts.

Langwitches- Learning~Comprehension~Podcast

I think using a podcast when learning a new language is an excellent idea. It is so interactive and can help with the pronunciation of new words. It can help with attaching feeling to a word, practicing how it is used in a sentence, and even reading sounds. When recording a podcast the student can edit the recordings, and play with the mechanics of the language. Students would love to work on podcast because they are fun, and they are also an effective tool for the classroom. Having a real live audience comment on your work seems like it is very constructive, rather than a teacher being the only audience and giving a grade in red ink on paper.

I loved the students podcast it was very entertaining listening to them speak in Hebrew. The second graders all learned a sentence in Hebrew and read the script of the story Purium in a podcast form. They experienced speaking in a new language and also had fun listening to all of the recordings. These students used Garage Band to edit their podcast when they took all of the students sentences and put them in order.

Blog Post # 3

Positive Peer Review





After watching the video What is Peer Editing. I learned how to effectively peer edit and review. I also learned the three steps which are to give compliments, suggestions, and corrections in this order. The one rule given was to only stay positive which in my opinion is most important. I feel that it is a sensitive subject when you are critiquing someone else's work. I want to come across as a very nice and kind individual when handing out advice to my peers. I want to really help so I can successfully and correctly edit one's work, so that someone will do the same for me. I know that another set of eyes can always catch things you might have missed.

Writing Peer Review Top Ten Mistakes

I thoroughly enjoyed watching this video and seeing all of the different types of personalities exhibited. I have dealt with a few Whatever William's throughout school and they seem to always just blow off the criticism given to them. My research paper for my senior project in high school was edited by a Pushy Paula, and before I knew it my paper had now become her own. I will never forget the rude and judgmental comments she made. I know that when working with a peer that you must treat people the way you want to be treated, which goes back to the Golden Rule that we all learned in Elementary school. I have learned from this video to be respectful of one's work and be kind when giving comments and suggestions towards improving their writing.

Technology in Special Education

Technology is a tool that opens up a new world for anyone, especially someone that struggles with simple daily tasks. I loved the way the teacher in the video allowed the children to try their best to express their feelings. I didn't notice one child that had a negative comment towards their laptops. They all loved working with technology and they showed that at the end of the video. I think it gives them hope when completing assignments and allows them to work more independently. I also thought the teacher did an excellent job making power points and a web site for her students.

I was amazed at the technology being utilized in the classroom setting for special needs students. They are so phenomenal in their own individual ways and they all have different needs that must be met. I seen in the video how technology not only helps one child's needs, but it also helps all of them in some specific way. Each student looked so happy to be able to express themselves through the laptops in the classroom. They were able to communicate and speak in a way that they have never have been able to do without a struggle. I think that the way the ipod helped a child to listen, and a magnification program helped a child to see is more than enough reason to bring technology into every special needs classroom! All children deserve the best learning experience for their educational journey!


Education Apps for Special Needs Students


Apple had many excellent and affordable apps available for educators and parents. I really thought the app See.Touch.Learn was really a great choice. Not only is See.Touch.Learn fabulous for autistic children it is also very handy for any child eager to learn. The ipad is a great way to get any child active with technology and this app puts a twist on boring flash cards. See.Touch.Learn is a picture learning system that allows the child to interact through technology while learning! This app allows picture learning lessons to be created and saved for accessible use, and also allows the child's progress to be tracked. I believe that this app would be a great tool for children, especially since it is for a range of children and educational needs.



Harness Your Students' Digital Smarts


Vicki Davis is a teacher from a rural town in Georgia. Vicki is a teacher that goes beyond the call of duty which all teachers should do for their students. She teaches each student about the technology available to them so they can all learn together. Some teachers say that you should not teach unless you know it all, and that is not true Vicki states that her students teach her things daily. I mean we learn something new everyday why not let your students help you learn as you help them.


As she stated, Why should we just have paper and pen in the classroom ? Well we should not just accommodate the students that learn in one style because each student is different. By bringing in a new style of teaching she meets the needs of each child in some way. Technology is very hands on and a very visual experience. When she teaches her class she allows them to interact in a way where she is not the only one teaching. She allows her students to teach as well and that is very interactive. I enjoyed the video and thought she was an excellent teacher! Hopefully EDM 310 will help future educators to be more like Vicki Davis.

Blog Post # 2

Did you know? 3.0 - A John Strange Version 2012


I am very saddened by this video and all of the information I was lacking from the United States Education standpoint. I enjoyed John Strange's version in comparison to the Did you Know ? 3.0 Karl Fisch and Scott McLeod version. I knew our education system was lacking in the United States compared to students around the world. I mean let's be honest for a moment, I don't remember ever sitting beside an average Chinese student throughout my school years. The fact that India has more K-12 honor students than the United States K-12 students total is terrifying. What is the educational system in the United States coming to ? Why can't we step it up in some way to help educate our students for the future?


I really had to think about how I will prepare my students for jobs in 2022. The technology they will be using is not even invented yet! That is really hard to imagine that the jobs they will have are not even available yet. This is all due to the fast technology change the world is facing. It is our job as future educators to invest more time in making sure our students are ready. If they can not function using the current technology available today how will they ever advance in the future? I have no clue what jobs will be available for them in 2022, but I do know possibly knowing multiple languages would be a plus to our students. Yes, honor students are required to learn a language but what about students on regular diplomas. I feel that students should all have to work to their maximum potentials there should be no slackers. The students allowed to slack are the ones that will never succeed, because they never had a teacher push them like they should have been. In this being said, I think the best way to prepare future students is to educate them about the newest technology at all times. The world is changing as we know it and technology is changing daily.


Mr. Winkle Wakes


Mr . Winkle is a man who wakes up after his 100 year slumber. He wakes up to a world that has changed so much from the one he knew. He walks down the street to a busy office and notices all of the technology. He seen computers, printers, scanners, and many other machines he had no clue how to use. he started to feel weak so he decided to walk over to the hospital. When he sat down and looked around he noticed the same types of machinery. Mr. Winkle seen people who were given life through machines. He became very discouraged and decided he would leave and go somewhere else. Mr. Winkle walked into the school and for once he felt like he knew what was going on. The school hadn't changed one bit. He noticed math , arithmetic, and reading just like he remembered. The school was so similar to what he learned back many years ago.


I have to say in my opinion the public school system has made little improvement in education. The learning styles have been pretty much the same since I started school. It seemed for me that year after year we learned the same ideas and concepts. The fact that schools are not changing to teach students about the technology advanced world is sad. There are going to be more and more students confused like Mr. Winkle. Technology needs to be brought into the classroom so students can learn and advance.


Sir Ken Robinson: The importance of Creativity


Sir Ken Robinson's video was fabulous I couldn't have agreed more on his topic and ideas. I have never heard of him before but I think he is great! I have always been one to think that we all learn differently. Each and every student has his or her very own personality and way of learning. The old idea that everyone learns the same is ludicrous. I feel that as a future educator I want to find the best method for each of my students. I am a very visual person so for me I can not learn well by listening to a lecture. I need colorful notes and drawings to comprehend the subject matter. I feel that many students are just like me, in such a way that they may not have the proper style of learning in their classroom. We are all unique and different in our own ways and the public school system does try very hard to conform the students to learn and think one way. Students should never feel that asking a question and giving the wrong answer is a bad thing. If you never get the wrong answer or at least try how will you ever find the right answer. Many students are shy in the classroom because they don't feel comfortable about being incorrect. I really liked the quote Sir Ken Robinson said in this video. "If you’re not prepared to be wrong, you’ll never come up with anything original.” (Ken Robinson). This quote honestly says it all when it comes to learning these days.

I have always been very involved in music throughout my years in school. I know exactly how the arts and music receive little recognition. The funding for these programs are cut shorter and shorter every year . Creativity is a way for each and every person to be their own unique person. I think that allowing your students to grow in the classroom allows them to find out more about themselves and who they are. The classroom has come down to strictly forcing subject matter in each student's head. There is more to learning than is being offered in my opinion. I want to make learning unique and a fun environment! Each and every student should be free to explore and learn in a way that fits them best.


A Day Made of Glass 2


This video was fascinating to see and wrap my head around. To think that the future will initial this much detail due to technology is really cool. I though the glass tablets in the classrooms were by far something I would love to see happen. The energy-efficient steps that had been taken in the school was great. If money, time, and energy can be saved due to these advancements time could be spent in other areas. I think that the classrooms would allow each child to interact at their own level and engage them in learning. Also, the house and the hospital in the video were just amazing! Every aspect of life will change and we all need to get ready !


I think Mr. Winkle is going to be just like a lot of people who are not ready for these changes. Everything will change and life will be so much easier with such a different world. If educators do not advance in learning about the present technology how will we ever teach our students. In my opinion, we need to recognize the resources we have so that we can stay up to date on new advances.

Project # 2 WORDLE POST

Blog Post # 1

A little bit about me

Hello Everyone! My name is Kayla Marie Walker, and I am 20 years old. I was born and raised in Mobile, Alabama surrounded by my wonderful family. My parents Carl and Holly Walker have been married for 21 years and are still going strong. My dad Carl works in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska as a pipe fitter, and my mom drives a school bus for the Mobile County Public School System. I have two of the best siblings a girl could ask for! My sister Holly Brooke is 17 and my brother Tyler is 14 . They are both attending Baker High School, which is where I graduated from in 2010. I have a sweet puppy he is a shih tzu and his name is Bennett.

I am such a fun-loving and friendly person to be around! I have several obsessions including pinterest, Disney World, zebra print, Vera Bradley, and the color PINK. I love to make anything myself! I am very crafty and whether it turns out or not I always have so much fun. I love to go to Disney World I think it is the happiest most magical place to visit ! My favorite stores would have to be Victoria Secret, Hobby Lobby, and of course anything girly:) I have been so blessed and without Jesus Christ by my side I would have never made it this far in my life! I began my journey at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in 2010, and now this is my first semester at the University of South Alabama. I feel that now I am finally getting closer to my goal of changing a child's life. My fourth grade teacher Mrs. Kerley influenced my life so much! She made learning so much fun, and was such a fabulous person in every way. I can't wait to bring all aspects of learning to the classroom. I am eager to learn and very excited about being in EDM 310!

Time Management
I think Randy Pausch did an excellent job on his Time Management video. First, let me say that his comment " good judgement comes from experience, and bad experiences come from bad judgement." I can think of scenarios in my life where that statement is so true! For example, When I go out now I learned to bring my own car with certain groups of people. My bad judgment left me stuck with them way too late. Secondly, Randy Pausch mentioned that people often focus too much on "doing things right instead of doing the right thing, therefore; leading to doing the wrong things beautifully." I think he made a good point by recognizing that the right decisions are far more important than doing the wrong task perfectly. I enjoyed this video and I think I can apply many of his comments in my daily life.

Second Test

This is a second test.

Test Number 1

This is my first post in EDM310 :)