My Experience and what I have learned in EDM 310

My experience in Mr. Wakeman's class was so rewarding. I was able to become more familiar with the computer and its functions. I learned how to create a spreadsheet and learned the various aspects that the program had to offer. When we first started creating the spreadsheets I did not know what I was doing but Mr. Wakeman walked the class through. He made it look so easy and uncomplicated. Other computer classes that I have taken always made things like a spreadsheet seem frightening and I guess I brought that apprenhension in with me. Also we learned to make an elaborate word document which incorporated hyperlinks and information for other websites. I found this to be extremely fun because I never new that a word document could be formatted in such a way. The creation of our final word document was easy because it was a step by step process that was easy to learn and perform.
Also I created a power point presentation at the beginning of the semester and I was able to talk about myself. I was so excited to present my presentation to the class and tell them about me and my life. This was also and exercise for the class to get to know me as a person and I was able to get to know my classmates from their presentations.

Also their was the blog entries that we had to complete throughout the semester. I can honestly say that I was exposed to alot of things that I had never heard of before or even questioned the meaning behind them. I found the wikipedia assignment to be very interesting because I did not know that information that was placed on the website could be edited by anyone. I was really taken aback because people or corporations could put anything on the website and people searching the web would take it as truth. So this investigation of wikipedia made me a little bit more caution and selective about the information I found on the website. Also another interesting blog entry was the one about Randy Pausch. His last lecture was extremely touching. He told about how he was as a child and how he fulfilled his childhood dreams. I really admired his courage and spirit to get up and talk about his death with such ease. He was a brillant man that should be admired and talked about for many generations to come. Blogging in this class was extremely fun and I will continue to keep my blog updated even after I leave this class. Because this is something that I can continue and show to my future students and encourage them to create thier own blog. I would highly recommend anyone to take up blogging it is very relaxing.

Another thing that we did in Mr. Wakeman's class was the podcast. I was in a group with Quinton Coston and Melanie Garron. We did our podcast on blogging in the classroom. Go figure!!!! I had alot of fun creating and working with my classmates. In our podcast we discussed the many areas that blogging can be used in the classroom as a future educator. Also we discussed our personal experience with blogging. This was a really cool assignment that allowed us to get the message out to people about the many education ways that blogging can be used in the classroom. I would have loved to do another podcast in Mr. Wakeman's class if we had more time in the semester.

One thing that I would have liked to do this semester was to create a website from start to finish. Even though the blog was like our own mini website I would have liked to create something that I could use in the future if I ever wanted to start up a business and create a way for people to get in contact with me and leave messages. But I'm sure if I needed to learn how to make a website Bob Wakeman would be the perfect man for the job.

From the beginning to the end of this semester we covered a great deal of material. I think the course structure was extremely accurate with the objectives that we had to complete. Once I become an educator all the tools that I learned throughout the semester will be very useful to me in my classroom. I have even thought about the idea of having a class blog for my elementary students to have and create thier own blogs about themselves and what they like and dislike about the class work. I know this idea would be very interesting. I'm sure I will recieve some blogs that are a little over the top!!!LOL! I enjoyed every moment of my time in EDM 310 with Mr. Wakeman because he brought a simple approach to learning all these new and exciting programs that I can't wait to use as an educator. Mr. Wakeman you are a great teacher and I want you to always stay cool and sweet!!!! LOL

iTunes University

The iTunes University is a great resource for both teachers and students. This allows students to become more interactive in the class. Students are able to come from behind the desk and explore the many aspects of the iTunes University. Apple iTunes allows for teachers and students to have access to information no matter where they are. The iTunes University allows teachers to teach a lesson swiftly and effectively to their students. Everything has become digital, and it is great that Apple has introduced these new ideas for people to access in the classroom.

Everywhere you go someone has an iPod or some kind of device stuck in their ear. I think Apple's idea with the iTunes University is great because the teachers and students can be connected with a common factor......the ipod. I would have never thought in a million years that musical devices would be allowed in a classroom. This is so cool!!!!!!! Technology has grown so much through the years that just about everyone is able to use some kind of technological device.

Many schools around the United States use the iTunes University to allow the students to view their class lectures if they miss something. Schools such as Duke University give their freshman students ipods their first year at the university. Can you believe that!!! It allows for students to record lectures if they want to go back to it if they missed something during class. Apple also allows for other people to view the lectures if they need to acquire helpful information. Apple is a reliable source and many people take advantage of the opportunities that Apple offers to the people. Anyone can download a lecture and listen to it from the iTunes University.

I think this is so great what Apple is doing. They are providing students and teachers with valuable information that can be downloaded and reviewed by the students and other patrons of the website. I wish I had thought of this BRILLIANT IDEA!!! I could have been rich by now!!!! LOL!!! I think this iTunes University will be around for a while because it is a great tool to have for both teachers and students.

iPods in Instruction???????

When I first read what we had to do for this assignment I couldn't believe that teachers actually used iPods for instruction. Who ever would have thought the day would come when students could listen to an iPod an not go to the principals office for it. Go figure!!!! But I searched the internet and found places all over the world that allowed iPods in the classroom for instructional purposes. This was so cool I wished that when I was growing up that we could bring an iPod to school and not have to hide it from the teacher. I tell you these kids have it made!!!! LOL!!!!

I ran across a school in Des Moines Iowa that allowed the students to have iPods that were used for students had reading disablities. A teacher named Sandi Rankin came up with the idea for students to listening to the iPod with their reading assignments programmed into the iPod. The iPod allows for a student to perform a test and reading assignments at their own pace. This is such an exciting idea. I never new that iPods would be a useful tool in the classroom. This was such a great idea for those students who fall behind their peers in school. The iPod allows for them to work at a steady pace and catch up with their peers.

At Duke University freshman students are given free iPods to use for instruction in the classroom. Students are encouraged to use them in the classroom as tool for learning and enhancing skills. Students are allowed to record lectures made by professors. This brings a interactive environment into the classroom. What student at Duke University wouldn't love a free iPod.

I think Duke University is own the right track with their students. What better way to get the students involved. They are doing something right because everywhere you turn someone has something stuck in their ears. This is a great idea and I hope it carries on to all schools across the country. This will allow the students to learn more information and retain it better. You can hear a professors lecture over and over again and want miss a thing they said. This will bridge the gap between education and online media based technology. This is a new age and technology is moving in the classroom. So check out this website about Duke University and what they are doing for their students: http://dukedigitalinitiative.duke.edu/

Exploration of Dr. Christie's Website

When I visited the site I thought it was such a great website to use once I became a teacher. It was filled with useful information on ways to incorporate technology in my classroom. Dr. Christie was an educator for forty years and I have to believe that she gained alot of knowledge in those years. She worked with a variety of students and this enabled her to create the website. The website is filled with tools that will allow students to become interactive in the classroom.

Dr. Christie in her bio says that technology can enchance teaching and learning skills to everyone in the classroom. Also reading the excerpt of her last lecture I could tell that there were mixed emotions in her last lecture they should would ever give. It shows that she was devoted to the well being of all people and students who came in contact with her. If she could help she would try her best to help. I want to be a teacher like that. I want to make a difference in the lives of all the children that come into my classroom. I want to instill in all of my students a well to do attitude about learning and also life.


Dr. Christie's Technology Guide is filled with things I will definitely bring into my classroom. There are so many helpful ideas that will make learning fun for me as a teacher and also my students. I didn't know that technology could be used in so many different ways in the classroom. I found this website to be helpful to any kind of teacher. I was intrigued by the digital media and photography resource that could be a guide for art teachers that incorporate digital cameras in the classroom. Dr. Christie basically lays out everything that a teacher could possibly run into in any classroom.

I will definitely refer back to Dr. Christie's website because I know that it will be helpful to me as a new teacher. I am so glad that I explored her website because it is filled will new and exciting information that I can use in my classroom. The website is applicable for any grade level K-12. How could a teacher go wrong with a laid out plan that Dr. Christie has created. If you are a teacher who needs some extra help in your classroom check out Dr. Alice Christie's website: http://www.alicechristie.org

Exploration of Dr. Christie

Blog Wikipedia

I found the blog on wikipedia to be quite interesting. I didn't know at first that all the things on wikipedia were not true. I thought the information on the website came from reliable sources. But I was wrong!!! The wikipedia website is edited by the people that put the information on the website. And it was interesting to know that major corporations such as Walmart and Exxon Mobil change and edit the information on wikipedia all the time. So you never know if the information you are getting is actually factual. I don't see how a major corporation can just go to wikipedia and change the information to make them look like a great company when they can just go in and twist the facts for their benefit.

As Americans will we ever know the truth about these major corporations that post their information on such sites as wikipedia. Well I guess we can't believe everything we read on the internet. I have learned that Wikipedia should not be the only site you visit to find reliable resources.

Wikipedia is just basically an encyclopedia that can be edited by anyone who sees fit to edit the information. That is so lame. How in the world can a website that claims to be a free reliable source be edited by anyone who sees fit to edit the information? This does not make sense to me!!!!!! I need some answers because there will be many people out in the world who have not been informed of the wikipedia dilemma. Which is: YOU CAN NOT TRUST WIKIPEDIA!!!!! I want to know what a kid will do if you finds this wikipedia site which I know they will and they don't know any better to search another site and they get a book report that is totally not factual that child is going to wonder what went wrong.


The podcast about Virgil Griffith's Wikipedia Scanner was very interesting. I was amazed when they said that it is not illegal to edit the information on wikipedia. People can edit the information anonymously if they don't want people to know who they are. Griffith's wikipedia scanner was able to find out who changed the information and when by tracing the IP address of the computer. I think Griffith's idea was great. And it puts people who doctor the information on wikipedia on alert and may stop some from changing the information that is put on wikipedia. But there will always be ins and outs to any situation. These people who change the information on wikipedia will think of ways to manipulate the information without being traced. But when I listened to the podcast it said that it may make wikipedia better in the future. So I guess we all will just have to wait until that day comes.

Randy Pausch's Last Lecture

When I watched the Randy Pausch lecture I was very inspired. Here is a man about to die in 3-6 months and is able to talk about death. I don't think that I could be that courageous. I believe that it takes a person like Professor Randy Pausch to show the world that death doesn't always have a negative connotation. His presentation was extremely moving. One thing that he said in the presentation that I really thought was motivational was when he said when someone stops critizing you then that means that they have given up on you. I found so much truth in that statement. So many people go through life just wondering around thinking what they are doing is right. I love for people to point out my faults because I learned a long time ago that it makes you stronger and a better person.

Randy Pausch goes through the presentation explaining his childhood dreams. Things that he experienced in his life inspired him to become the person that he was. He explains that he had a great childhood filled with wonderful memories. He graduated from Carnegie Mellon with a PHd. He says that when he graduated he was turned down from many jobs that he applied for. But is explains that brick walls are put up to prove to yourself that you can go through them or around them to achieve your goals. Paush worked on virtual reality things for Walt Disney and various other entities. Just listening to all the things that he accomplished in his lifetime were just phenomenal. He worked on VR projects with Walt Disney's "Aladdin". He had to brief the secretary of defense on the VR project. He tells how becoming a professor allowed him to work on projects with Walt Disney and fulfil his childhood dreams. That was so great for me to listen to how things came full circle for him. From his first trip to Walt Disney gave him a guide in his future.

Also he was extremely inspirational to other people as well. He created a course that allowed people to embrace their childhood dreams. In the course he allowed the students to create what ever they wanted. He pushed his students to become better each and everytime they entered his class. He inspired all of his students they seemed to be so involved in learning everything he had to give. Randy Pausch is just really a great person because he loved to help people. He wanted to make a difference in the lives of other people so that they could achieve their dreams.


He has a great love for his family. He shows that they are the people who marked him to be a great person. They allowed him to embrace everything that he wanted to do. From watching the presentation they made a really wonderful person. Randy Pausch has guided the future of many of his students lives. How many people in this world can you truly say have inspired someone to become a better person. The whole presentation was really great. It wasn't long and boring it was really up beat the whole time. He made me laugh and I didn't think about the disease that threatened his existence. It really gave me some insight to Randy Pausch as a person. And from what I saw he was. He inspired many and he definitely left a mark on many lives. Looking at Randy Pausch in his presentation he really inspired me to become a better person when obstacles are put in the way. It showed me that God puts people like Randy Pausch in the world to bring knowledge and wisdom to so many others that may not have a role model in their lives. Randy Pausch is truly one of the greatest people who lived in this world. I hope I can leave a legacy like he did. He marked a generation with all of his accomplishments.

Check out Randy Pausch's presentation, here is the web address:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo