Podcasting

I am not sure where to begin with the class podcast. I will be honest in saying it was extremely over-whelming to observe all the steps that were required to create a podcast. I wish that this class was offered during a Fall Term when we could have taken more time to create this and perhaps spent a little time on the PC side of things creating a podcast. I am not sure what I want to remember as I felt that I would have to do alot of reasearching when I do decide to venture into the land of podcasting. As of right now, I am overwhelmed and feeling that doing a powerpoint is simply the easy way out, however...I am not sure I truly feel comfortable enough with podcasting to use it for a required assignment

accomodations & modifications

The main difference between accommodations and modifications is simply that accommodations are the things that can be used for state testing. Accommodations create a level playing field for all students, whereas modifications are the actual changing of the curriculum for a particular student.

Such accommodations could be extra time, testing in an alternate location, scribe, brail, have non-comprehension areas of the test read aloud, etc.

Modifications, however, would be actually changing the curriculum that is being delivered to that child in comparison to other grade-level peers.

SL Interviews!

I have to tell you this assignment was a bit overwhelming. I am not very comfortable with SL quite yet and felt odd about walking up to random people to get info. I must say I have difficulty finding people who would 'talk' and/or talk about podcasting and not about other inappropriate 'stuff'.

I went to Wheelies a few times over the weekend and found it difficult to find people!! I was surprised by this as I kept getting emails sharing all the 'happenings' at Wheelies this weekend, however when I teleported there I couldn't find anyone...I pulled up the little map and found no little green dots (people).

I did talk to two people...both of which were in Wheelies and both were eager to help out. However, when I asked them what they knew about podcasting...neither had any info to give me about podcasting nor did they subscribe to one. It was odd because when talking to the one (Stark Footman) this person said "Do you want to know how to create one?" I replied, No I would like to just know what you personally know about podcasting, if you susbscribe to any, etc. This person then said..."Oh...I don't know anything about podcasting." I thought it was odd as I assumed that when she/he was asking if I wanted help making one that she would know what it was and perhaps even subscribed. Wrong!

Podcasting

Podcasting....well I have entered this new world as I started this class and was intrigued by other podcasting available as I have heard a "young" collegue talk about these and the importance of them in education. However, I was honestly unsure what she was talking about so never truly 'took in' what she had to say. After having subscribing to the class's podcast...I had already looked into others.
I immediately subscribed to Discovery Channel's Dirty Jobs. I have had my students tell me MANY stories that come from this TV show so I thought it would be interesting to get to know a little more of what they are experiencing.
I also subscribed to Dadlabs. This one I just saw and honestly thought it looked intriguing and possibly funny. This podcast discusses many different parenting topics from spit-up, baby proofing...all these as a means to inform dad-to-bes or current fathers. Oh how I wish I could share this with many of my friend's husbands....how interesting to hear them discuss how they can't go out because they have to BABYSIT!
Interesting...and hope to continue subscribing!

NIMAS

NIMAS is a means of getting text out to students who have difficulty receiving text where it is due to a vision disability or an inability to turn pages, etc. This is a means to accomodate for the disability and provides an easier method for educators to get this information to students. OFten times, teachers go to the copy machine and will enlarge pages...wasting paper, time and energy while fighting with the machine and or waiting in long lines in the teacher prep. rooms.

I think this is a wonderful tool for the classroom and one that when it is fully implemented provides teachers with a resource that cannot have a price tag placed on it. The ease for the teachers and the students is wonderful and will truly put those students at a place where they can truly learn and reach their potential...not simpy be limited by their disability.

Mimeo

The Mimeo Board seems interesting and perhaps an easier way for schools to create a more technological atmosphere within their school without buying all new Smart Boards. I think the ease of simply attaching the Mimeo to anything flat is extrememly beneficial in today's schools where many teachers are moving rooms, etc. The draw back to the Mimeo would simply be the reliability and the possibility of damage because it is transferable and also the possibility of sensitivity to fluorescent light.
I would see these used in the classroom frequently and would be exciting for those teachers on a cart, in a music room or a gym classroom where these "specials" teachers are moving from building to building.
I think both boards could be used daily in the classroom. I have seen teachers use the boards to show the current events of tornado damage, etc...to pull up maps, pictures, etc. I look forward to using the Smart Board in the classroom. We do not have a Mimeo as far as I know...however who knows what I will find in the back room.

Smart boards

I just found out about aweek ago that my school has a Smart Board in the back room taht we've had for 6 plus years!!! I cannot wait to incorporate it into my lessons....I am saddened by the fact that we have so much technology but little is actually used with and for the kids. :-(

I'm HERE!

Hi there....

I am still teaching but am trying to keep up via the podcast.....hope everyone is doing well.