This video is a song about cell biology that is actually pretty entertaining. I think is started out as a class assignment and ended up on teacher tube. It is a good example of how students can use technology to learn content in subjects like science. You should take a minute and check it out.

This is a picture I found on creative commons that reminds me of my dog Haven. I adopted hear about three months ago from a humane society in Wyoming. She has been a great dog. Everyone should consider adoption if you are looking to add a new member to your family.

Introducing the Internet and Other Distance Learning Tools

In this chapter on the internet and distance learning I found it intersting that there is little variation in achievement from distance learning compared to traditional face-to-face learning. Although, there is years of research that confirm the effectiveness of some forms of distance learning. There also seems to be an increase of studies of strategies to use distance learning. This chapter provided a good overview of what distance learing is and how we can use it in the classroom. The section on how we can introduce the internet to our class will also be an effective tool for us. It shows how to use the internet and ways to keep our student from going to internet sites they should go to.

Concept Map for Story Telling Project

Evaluating Instructional Software -- Tom Snyder Productions - Nature: Virtual Serengeti

This interactive software by Tom Snyder called Nature: Virtual Serengeti seem to by first glance as a good way to leave the classroom without having to leave it. It brings your students to Africa's Serengeti. Student are turned into scientists and can create journals on all different kinds of species. As for the actual software it is hard to tell if it would fit into standard curriculum. It does have great pictures and interactive features that will create curiosity for all of our students.

Blue Web'N

Another website for looking up anything you want on any subject that you want. I found a interactive cite on science and nature. The PBS website has a great nature section where you learn about different species.

The Journal

On this website I found a story about school district that implemented a an online reporting system where students can report incidences anonymously. This program seems to have had some great benefits for this district. It give students the chance to make reports at home or even at school without anyone knowing.

Learn NC

I have check out the Learn NC site recently and have found it to a great resource. This web site can help out teachers and parents on subjects from biology to history. The only draw back is that it takes a while to weed out all of the stuff your not looking for. There is almost to much information in one website.

Copyrighted Material in the Classroom

The use of copyrighten material in the class is a complex issue. There is no one right or wrong answer in my eyes. But, in this day and age you want to be careful of what you use and how you use it. For me it became a little clearer when I looked the chart that listed the different types of texts. If you use just a portion in a lesson plan then it is Ok, but if you make several copies of almost the entire book to avoid buying it that is not Ok. I think it is a touchy subject and we all have to pay attention to what materials we use in our classrooms.

International Test and Evaluation Association

One more website on education technology that I wanted to share with you. The International Test and Evaluation Association (ITEA), is a not-for-profit educational organization founded in 1980 to further the exchange of technical information in the field of test and evaluation. Its members include professionals from industry, government, and academia, who are involved in the development and application of policy and techniques used to assess the effectiveness, reliability, and safety of new and existing systems and products. This site offers some of the same resources that the other three sites have. They offer job postings, memberships, current events and news. Check it out.

International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)

Here is another website that works towards making technology in education better. The website offers this quote that explains what they represent, Providing leadership and service to improve teaching and learning by advancing the effective use of technology in education." This website also offers a membership. It allows you to find a job and to post a job. There is a book store with several books that can help supplement any teachers library. ISTE has a new tool called Learning Journey that allows teachers who decide to move away form traditional teaching practices. It focuses more on the journey than the technology. I think this could be a great tool for teacher and teachers in training. Check it out I think it could benefit all content areas.

Assocation for Education for Educational Communications and Technolgy (AECT)

The site for AECT is another great site that gives a lot of information about what they are all about. Like AACE, AECT revolves around technology in education. The mission of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology is to provide international leadership by promoting scholarship and best practices in the creation, use, and management of technologies for effective teaching and learning in a wide range of settings. There is a section where you can become a member which include a lengthy list of benefits. There is also a section that shows conferences that will be coming up. They have a job center where you can post resumes and view job posting. Check this site out.

Assoctian for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE)

I recently checked out the AACE website to see what kind of resources they have to offer. On their site you can find information about when they were founded which was in 1981, and what they are all about. They are a not-for profit organization that is dedicated to the advancement of the knowledge, theory, and quality of learning and teaching at all levels with information technology. This site also offers insight on upcoming events and news. They also have a job board where you can check out or post jobs. You should check it out some time there is a lot of good information provided on this web site.

Welcome!!

Everyone welcome to my blog. This is my first blog and I am still learning.
I hope this to be a blog around education and the uses of technology in education.
Thanks