Blog Post 5

The iSchool Initiative
Travis Allen

Travis Allen has found the answer to school learning.  He has made the classroom budget friendly by turning the i Touch into a i school.  Learning would be at your fingertips through all kinds of applications through the i Touch.  Each application would stand for each class.  Also, there would be a graphing calculator, grades, recorder and formulas there for your use.  The savings would be incredible, no copying, books, calculators to buy.  The i school is the future of the classroom.

I think this idea is a great one.  The idea of having everything on one computer or phone is certainly the way to go.  Now most of the high school classrooms are going paperless.  Mac computers are going to be in every high school.  I heard today that even some intermediate schools are going to have Mac computers.  We have certainly come a long way.

Zeitgeist Young Mind's Entry
Travis Allen

The use of the i touch being your portable classroom can be revolutionary.  Think of all the apps you could have for different classes.  This is also environmentally friendly, no paper, pencils.  Educators are desperately trying to find ways to save money.  This would be cheaper than a Mac computer.  Travis told of the cost of the i school vs. Mac computers.  This is a way to rethink public education.

Maybe this is a cheaper way to go that using money on Mac computers.  Public education is really going paperless through any technology either technology.  Saving money is on the mind of everyone, even teachers.  My sister is a 7th grade Language Arts teacher in Baldwin County, the amount of money she spends each year on supplies is unbelievable.  I know there are so many other teachers doing the exact same thing.  Money saved could actually give the teachers a raise.

Virtual Choir
Eric Whitacre

The virtual choir is an interesting idea.  The people singing was so great.  It was like you were in the room with an actual choir on stage.  This could be a way for people to practice without leaving their home.  The only thing is are we losing something in communicating through computers.  Honestly, there is nothing like going to see a concert in person.  The blend of voices and expressions can be seen in the virtual choir also.
I guess it's your preference.  The video was presented beautifully.

Teaching in the 21st Century
Kevin Roberts

Using technology has endless possibilities.  The ability to look up anything on Google or ask a question about anything is limitless.  The positions and statements on the video really make you think about what you want to do as an educator.  Do you want to be an effective teacher?  I do.  I want the children engaged and have critical thinking skills.  We as teachers will be filters for all of this knowledge.

Flipped the Classroom Videos

Trying to reach the classroom as a whole is a struggle for any teacher.  There is always the average student, that understands the concept.  The remediation student, who needs some review of the assignment.  Then lastly, the accelerated learner, who is ready to move on to the next topic.  Children will have the ability to use podcasts to review or go further.  It is learning at your own pace, but still learning the topic at hand.

I really like this.  Actually a light bulb has turned on for me.  I have actually talked my sister into starting podcasts for her class.  I was telling her how it would benefit her class.  It would be a lot at first to turn each podcast into topics.  I think I have talked her into it.